The Kells & District HPS returned for the third time to Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim for the annual prize giving and moot, most of the members were in attendance and were made welcome by Chairman Brian Swann. He thanked all the members for their help and support during the past season and all those involved with the arrangements for the prize night including Alan Shanks. Top prize-winner was yet again Jeff Surgenor with a tally of awards that included Highest Prize-winner, M Smyth Cup (Best Ave 1st 2 OB Races), R Service Cup (1st 2 OB & 1st 2YB Races), Bude Cup, R Logan Cup (5th & 6th YB Races), Adair Cup Best Ave 2 x NIPA Nat Y/B), Young Bird Ave and J Wright Cup (Talbenny, Fermoy & Skibbereen). Total pay-out including Show Specials was just over £1,200, a fantastic effort by the club. Jeff Surgenor is the man to beat and has been at the top for the last number of years bar one when Scott & Clements were successful and that goes back to when Davy McCullough & Son were at the top. This loft could race and good to see that Davy is still keeping his hand in with brother in law Jeff there on the race days giving a hand and going strong. Next best Scott & Clements won OB Inland Ave, Old Bird K/O, McKitterick Cup, T Shanks Memorial Cup (Old Bird of the Year), and Sizzlers Cup (Highest winner 2 Bird Club).
The leading lofts were Surgenor Bros, Scott & Clements, George McDowell, Harry Boyd, B Swann & Son, T & M Morrow, McFarlane & Agnew, A Barkley & Son, Mrs M Smyth, Henry Turkington, Billy McClure and T Shanks & Son. The club won Mid Antrim Combine in four races, Like last season Surgenor Bros had 3 x 1sts, the opening race of the season from Tullamore 94/1940 (Scott & Clements were 2nd & 3rd), Tullamore in young birds 83/2155 (B Swann & Son were 2nd) and the next race Fermoy 101/2053. In this one they take 1st NIPA Sect B & 146th Open with 17,691 birds competing. Scott & Clements won the young bird race from Mullingar 87/2213 also 1st & 2nd Sect and 1st & 2nd Open NIPA 154/3,932. George McDowell had a good finish to the young bird season 3rd MAC Tullamore (3) finishing 4th Sect & 155th Open NIPA on velocity 2003, 3rd MAC Fermoy (2) finishing 7th Sect and 2nd MAC Rosscarbery YB Nat finishing 2nd Sect & 29th Open NIPA 520/4,643.
Racing with the Irish Nat FC the former OB Derby winners T Shanks & Son had the best bird in the Sennen Cove Yearling Nat recording velocity 784 while Brian Swann & Son former YB Nat winners, had the best bird in both YB Nationals. In the Penzance Grand National he finished 6th Mid Antrim Combine doing velocity 1268 (Henry Turkington was also placed) and then in the final race from Skibbereen B Swann & Son finished 2nd Mid Antrim Combine doing velocity 1451, and only one bird sent.
The Ring Secretary Mrs Marie Herron presented the cups and prize money, all this prior to the main part of the evening the Pigeon Moot/Quiz. INFC President Sid Collins acted as Chairman for the remainder of the evening, a large attendance enjoyed a variety of events.
There was a display of Memorabilia, including many photos from the past. There was a lot of my own work over many years, and more before that, what a very interesting display of newspaper cuttings, photos and scrap books. They had a computer set up for a video show which included a lot of the Old Hands including two Mid Antrim greats the late Billy Erwin and Tommy Harper ace racers in the Ballymena & Dist HPS who had success from all points through to France, Billy Erwin of course brought the famous Kings Cup to the town with the famous “Moonlight Mannequin” timed from Nantes near dark.
Ryan Barr explained the business behind his Belfast based Pigeon Diagnostics re improving health and performance and had Free Test Kits for all attending, and a top highlight of the night was the interview Syd Collins conducted with Wesley Sawyers from Banbridge the ace long distance loft that in the last two seasons has won the Hall of Fame Diploma and Gold Medal for 3 and 4 times in the Kings Cup result with the same bird. The Gold Medal is hard to get, just 11 have been won over a 30 year period since being introduced. Long Distance racing is still a major attraction and even in Southern Ireland where they fly a bit shorter the biggest cheer at the weekend presentation for ISRF was for the Gold Medal award and the Millar Gold Cup, both flown out of France.
Kells & District would like to thank everyone involved with the event, those who sponsored prizes and all those who attended. Special thanks to the Sizzlers Chip Shop (Kells) who sponsor the 2 Bird Club each week, Jeff Surgenor and H Beattie & Son. The evening was well appreciated, the food was at the highest standard as usual, and well done again to Kells & District and Alan Shanks, who made most of the arrangements for the night. The next big event at Dunsilly is Friday 4th January, the INFC Merit Awards presentation, and I hear a big star for the Quiz Panel. Many thanks to the Kells & Dist for the invite and thanks as well to Mrs Sempey for covering the presentation photos.
The officials and major prize-winners who attended the prize night at Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim.
Mrs Marie Herron presents the Highest Prize-winner award to Jeff Surgenor.
MAC Secretary George McDowell presents winning Diplomas to Surgenor Bros at Kells presentation.
The fantastic display of cups and trophies at the Kells & District HPS prize night.
T & M Morrow.
George McDowell.
Harry Boyd.
Brian Swann & Son.
Alan Barkley & Son.
Mrs M Smyth.
Henry Turkington.
T Shanks & Son.
Tom McAlonan and Martin Sempey from Ballymena & Dist.
East Antrim visitors messrs McCammon and Moxham.
From Ballyclare messrs Weir, Gault and Strain.
Caught on camera, Bertie Brown and young Robert Turkington.
Marie Herron presents a gift to Wesley Sawyers.
Sorting out the raffle, Syd Collins and Alan Shanks.
Old BHW Stud Book.
NIPA Year Book 1988.
Randalstown & Enkalom Dinner 1977.