Farming Life - Wednesday 14/11/12

[willie reynolds]

NIPA Ladies Night 2012 –

Acting Chairman Alan Darragh welcomed members and friends to a packed Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick last Friday to celebrate the racing achievements of NIPA members in the past racing season. He invited President of the RPRA (Irish Region) Mr Sammy Thompson to say grace prior to the meal being served. Following the fantastic four course meal, Roast Beef & Yorkshire pudding, he thanked the hotel staff and then introduced the top table. Main guests were Neil Frazer of Frazer Animal Feeds in Banbridge, a major sponsor of the NIPA, from the RPRA we had as was mentioned Sammy Thompson (President) and the Secretary’s Mr & Mrs Robert Reid. They were joined by NIPA President Herbie Boyd who will help present the awards, NIPA Vice Presidents Diamond Carson, Malcolm Livingstone, Owen Donnelly and Joe Kelly and not forgetting NIPA Secretary and Assistant Fred Russell and Gregory McEvoy, all with their respective wives. Mr & Mrs Trevor Topping and son Robert represented the INFC.

The NIPA Presented their awards first, a big presentation with the major awards presented by Herbie Boyd and Neill Frazer followed by the RPRA (Irish Region) awards. Good to see that the majority of the winners were able to attend, a number of those for the very first time.

The National and Classic Winners 2012
B. Fletcher & Son Cup – Rosscarbery Old Bird National won by S & L Drain, Coalisland & Dist. Vel. 1574. Stena Trophy – Fermoy 5 Bird O.B. Championship won by P. Lue & Son, Downpatrick Vel. 1535. J. H. O’Neill Cup – Penzance Classic won by G & A Campbell, Armagh H.P.S Vel. 1414. News of the World Cup, McComb Cup and Pigeon Portal.Com Cup – St. Malo OB National won by M. Wilkinson, Wilton Cross Vel. 1455. D. McNeilly Cup – Runner-up St. Malo OB National won by A.McAteer & Sons, Ballyholland H.P.S Vel.1453. McKeown Cup – Talbenny YB National won by Rea & Magill, Horseshoe Vel. 1473. H. McVeigh Cup – Rosscarbery YB National won by I. Rollins & Son, Hills. & Maze Vel. 1711. Northern Bank Cup – Yearling Hen National won by T. McKinstry, Tandragee Vel. 1398. Northern Bank Cup – Yearling Cock National won by Mark Maguire & Son, Newry & Dist. Vel. 1491. Volvo Trophy – Fermoy 5 Bird Y.B. Championship won by R. Bothwell, Beechpark Social Vel. 1709.

Average Trophy winners 2012
McCluggage Cup – Best Average in all cross channel races including Nationals won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhil Social Vel. 1363. Scania Cup – Best Average OB National & Classic races won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1420. Major Lewis Cup – Best Average in all races England and Wales won by Ron Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1331. Surgenor Cup – BestBaverage 2nd Talbenny, Bude and Penzance won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1381. Harper Cup – Best Average OB & YB cross channel Nationals won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1405. Devine Memorial Trophy – Best 2 Bird Average OB National won by Donnelly Bros, Newry City Inv. Vel. 1407. Dickson Cup – Best Average Bude OB and Fermoy YB won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel.1505. Erwin Trophy – Best Average all National and Classic races won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill Social Vel. 1438. B. Fox Cup – Highest position obtained by any N.I.P.A. official, committee member or club delegate in OB National race St. Malo won by A. Darragh Cullybackey Vel. 1362. W. E. Diamond Cup – Best Average Talbenny & Rosscarbery YB Nationals won by J. McClurkin, Ligoniel H.P.S Vel. 1561. Agar Cup – First Yearling in OB Classic race won by Ron. Williamson, Bondhill H.P.S Vel. 1376. Waring Trophy – Best Average in all National races won by J. Greenaway, Dromore H.P.S Vel. 1456. New North Trophy – Best Average Penzance OB and Talbenny YB National won by W & J Smyth, Ballymena & Dist. Vel. 1352.

N.I.P.A. Champion Old Bird of the Year 2012 - (J. Moreland Memorial Trophy) won by Gregg Bros & McCandless, Ligoniel. Grizzle Cock GB11L 30828.
N.I.P.A. Champion Young Bird of the Year 2012 - (Irish Region R.P.R.A. Trophy) won by G McEvoy, Beechpark Social. Blue Hen GB12D 32758.

N.I.P.A. President’s Cup for merit and achievement won by Kevin Carolan, Coalisland & District.

Any of the major winners should feel free to submit a report giving details of the bird and the loft for publication and same goes to any photos taken either at the presentation or at the loft.

ED: NIPA Ladies Night Photos sent seperate.



Pigeonnetwork News Update -

Ballymena & District HPS: : For the third week it was the young birds judged in the hand, many thanks to the judges who had travelled in from Cullybackey, ace racers Harry McCloy and Sammy Steele. We had two different winners again with the Magill team from Ballee lifting the Red Card in Young Hens while Harry Richmond for the home club had 1st Young Cocks & Special for Best in Show. The raffle was won by Robert Turkington (Doagh & Dist). Young Cocks Handled (57 Birds) – 1st & Special Richmond Bros, 2nd D & R Turkington, 3rd B Herbison, 4th & Commended J Letters, Reserve T R Alexander & Son, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC McAlonan Bros. Young Hens Handled (48 Birds) – 1st & Reserve M D C Magill, 2nd & VHC W & J Smyth, 3rd G & A Eagleson, 4th B Herbison, HC J Letters, Commended W & N Gilbert. The annual Open Show for Mid Antrim lofts will take place in Cullybackey on New Year’s Day, Tuesday 1st January 2013. Monday 19th November Old Cock & Old Hen Handled.

Kells & District HPS: Young Cocks T/W (64 Birds) – 1st A Barkley & Son, 2nd, Reserve & VHC T Shanks & Son, 3rd & HC Scott & Clements, 4th Surgenor Bros, Commrnded B Swann & Son. Judges: Mr & Mrs Sempey and Tom McAlonan (Ballymena & District). The annual Open Show will be held as usual on Boxing Day, this year that falls on Wednesday 26th December. This Week (Wednesday) – Young Hens T/W.

Ahoghill Flying Club: The first week for Ahoghill was Young Cocks & Young Hens judged through the wires by David Young from Muckamore. J & B Balmer from Ballymena & Dist had 1st & 2nd in the Young Cocks and A & N Young the Red Card in Young Hens. Results: Young Cocks T/W (41 Birds) – 1st & 2nd J & B Balmer, 3rd, 4th, VHC, HC & Commended M/M Robinson, Reserve W & N Gilbert. Young Hens T/W (39 Birds) – 1st, 3rd & HC A & N Young, 2nd J & B Balmer, 4th M/M Robinson, Reserve & Commended W Livingstone, VHC T & G Balmer. Old Cocks T/W (45 Birds) – 1st D Young, 2nd D Stevenson, 3rd, 4th & VHC T & G Balmer, Reserve & HC Young McManus & Sons, Commended M/M Robinson. Judge M Sempey, Ballymena & Dist. Old Hens T/W (39 Birds) – 1st & Commended Balmer Young & Sons, 2nd & 3rd T & G Balmer, 4th D Stevenson, Reserve J Orr & Son, VHC D Young, HC M/M Robinson. Judge Mrs E Sempey, Ballymena & Dist. Friday – Young Cock & Young Hen Handled.

Cullybackey HPS: Old Hens T/W – 1st Russell Bros, 2nd & Reserve R & D Turkington, 3rd & HC J & J Greer, 4th E Davidson, VHC & Commended Reid Bros & McCloy. Old Cock T/W – 1st, 4th & HC Reid Bros & McCloy, 2nd, 3rd & Reserve B Herbison, VHC J & B Balmer, Commended Russell Bros. Old Pairs T/W (82 birds) – 1st & VHC Reid Bros & McCloy, 2nd & HC J & J Greer, 3rd N & S Anderson, 4th & Reserve Russell Bros, Commended B Herbison. Young Pairs T/W (66 birds) – 1st B Herbison, 2nd, 3rd & VHC W & N Gilbert, 4th Russell Bros, Reserve J & B Balmer, HC E Davidson, Commended Reid Bros & McCloy. Judges: Roy Balmer and George Price. The annual Open Show will take place on Saturday 15th December.

Ballymoney HPS: The opening classes for the Show Season will be Young Cock & Young Hen T/W and Old Bird Eye-sign to be held in the clubrooms on Friday 23rd November, penning from 7.30pm until 8.30pm. The club will be open on Monday 19th November between 7.30pm and 8.00pm to collect payment for Dinner Tickets. The annual Dinner & Prize Presentation will take place in the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine on Saturday 24th November.

Lurgan Social – Any Age Cock or Hen 1st, VHC, & HC K Douglas, 2nd, 3rd & Reserve K Henderson, 4th & Commended D & B Lyness. Best Young Bird Kevin Henderson. Many thanks to judge Lawrence Molloy.

Larne & District HPS – The Annual Monster Show will take place in the clubrooms at Old Glenarm Road, Larne, Co Antrim on Saturday 24th November 2012. Penning 10am – 1pm, Judging 2pm – 5pm, Prize Distribution 5.30pm. Entry Fee £1 per bird - Judges from Top Lofts.

Six Classes: Old Cocks, Old Hens, Young Cocks, Young Hens, Old & Young Bird Eye-sign (may be duplicated). Best In Show £100 and Best Opposite Sex £50.
Prizes For All Classes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd – Bag Of Feeding , 4th Feeding Trough, VHC Hormoform, HC Grit & Mineral, C Tin of Roses.

There will be a Monster Show Auction – On offer a select draft of youngsters donated by local fanciers - £1,000 Prize-money to be raced for from Rosscarbery National or equivalent race and open to all NIPA Members. Mr Ryan Barr (Pigeon Diagnostics) will be in attendance to carry out any throat swabs & dropping testing. Robin Duddy (Ballyclare) has a few seats available on the bus going to the BHW Show of the Year in Blackpool. The dates are 19th & 20th January 2013. Telephone Robin Duddy: (028) 93340603.


The Doagh & District – The annual Pigeon Moot will be held in McConnell’s Lounge Doagh on Friday 7th December at 8.00pm, entry is £5 and this will include a light supper. The Panel for the evening is Mr National Geoff Kirkland (England) Top Widowhood Flyer Monty Buxton (Derbyshire) and Gerard O'Sullivan (Eire) MC for the evening will be Sid Collins. There will also be a small auction of mainly 2013 youngsters in support of club funds. Pigeons will be auctioned on the night by New Kid On The Block Steve McGarry, and you can also bid online @www.pigeoncraic.com/auctions

Dromara HPS – The Dromara HPS are running a Pigeon Moot in The Pheasant, Annahilt on Thurs 15th November at 7.30pm, the panel will include Brian Sheppard, first UK International winner, Frank Bristow, 1st Open MNFC and King's Cup Winner from Lerwick and Dave Boxford of Boxford Busschaert fame. There will be a small sale of 2013 young birds from Dromara members and friends, entrance will be £5.00 including supper, anyone wanting more information can contact David Black on 07876 157706.

Chimney Corner Auctions –

NCC One Loft: The 6th auction of the one loft entrants will be held @ Glenavy on Saturday 17th November @ 3pm Birds on view 2pm. – Class Lots On Offer & Not To Be Missed – For anyone looking to bid and cannot make the sale you can arrange a phone bid by contacting any of the following telephone numbers: Tel: 07938988869 Or 07791838060, Or 07548607756, Or 07751926454, Or 07709089233. Watch press & website for details. All lots will be offered on-line prior to the auction with the closing bid online the opening bid in the live sale room.

Irish National Flying Club Charity Committee - THE 37th ANNUAL TRADE SHOW
AND AUCTION OF PIGEONS (KINDLY DONATED). WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2012 AT LISBURN LEISUREPLEX GOVERNORS ROAD LISBURN BT28 1LP
DOORS OPEN 09:00am to 18:00 hours.