Farming Life - Wednesday 06/02/13

[willie reynolds]

The AGM for the RPRA (Irish Region) was held in the Clarion Hotel in Carrickfergus last Saturday, we had the usual level of attendance including some members from Dublin. President Sammy Thompson was in the chair and very few changes were made, Nigel Hanna from Ligoniel replaced Raymond McCracken who had resigned from the RPRA General & Appeals Committee. The INFC Committee was the same as the year previous L Woodside Ballyclare, W Sawyers Banbridge, R Duddy Ballyclare, R Stevenson Dromara, J Serplus Laurelvale, C O’Hare Ballyholland, P Smith Sallynoggin, C Lyons Hills & Maze, G Delaney Dromore, W Reynolds Ballymena, D Suitters Doagh, G McDowell Kells, K Shannon Dungannon, P Dunlop Edgarstown, W Kelly St Pauls.

A Proposal by the Committee that all Irish Region awards be presented at the AGM of the Irish Region was defeated on the casting vote of the chair. They will continue to be presented at the NIPA Ladies Night.

The award winners for 2012 were: RPRA MERITORIOUS AWARDS 2012 - Awarded for best single bird performance 2nd Talbenny & Penzance 2012

Section A – Kevin Carolan – Coalisland – 1304
Section B – W & J Smyth – Ballymena & Dist – 1309
Section C – A & N Lewis – Doagh & Dist – 1303
Section D – Russell Bros – Dromara – 1323
Section E – G & A Campbell – Armagh HPS – 1355
Section F – J. Crossan – Downpatrick – 1267
Section G – T. Mooney & Son – Millvale – 1219
Section H – Alan Kelly – Omagh & Dist – 1113
Overall Winner – G & A Campbell – Armagh HPS

RPRA MILEAGE AWARDS 2012

0 – 250 Miles – Gregg Bros & McCandless – Ligoniel & Dist
250 – 450 Miles - P & C Swindell – Newry City
450 Miles Plus – W.G.Neill – Annaghmore

RPRA BEST ALL ROUND PERFORMANCE AWARDS 2012

Champion Old Bird Award – Bingham & Seaton – Ligoniel & Dist
Champion Young Bird Award – T & K Mawhinney – Donaghcloney

The various awards were presented at the NIPA Ladies Night, Secretary Mrs Reid was assisted by the President Sammy Thompson. Top highlight this season was the Jubilee Race which was flown from Penzance. Overall winners who also topped the NIPA was the Armagh loft of G & A Campbell, they collected the RPRA Trophy and a cheque for £1,000. The Best 2 Bird average was won by R Topping & Son from the Lisburn & District.

In the overall awards at RPRA level prizes were presented during the recent BHW Show of the Year in Blackpool. W G Neill was 2nd RPRA Long Distance, Gregg Bros & McCandless were 1st in the RPRA Short Distance winning the Selby Thomas Memorial Trophy and Bingham & Seaton won the Tony Cornwell Trophy for Best all round Performance. As part of the Queens Jubilee G & A Campbell from Armagh won 1st Irish Region from Penzance and RPRA President David Higgins presented the loft with a Framed Diploma including photo of the winning bird and a Cut-Glass decanter. There was some discussion on the various claims and it was decided in future an advert will be placed in the BHW detailing awards up for competition and deadline dates etc. All three meetings even with a delayed start were completed by 4.00pm, an early finish by usual standards.

The next big meeting will be the NIPA to be held on Saturday 16th February at 2.00pm sharp in the Protestant Hall in Glenavy. The Agenda for this will appear shortly and all clubs are expected to call meetings and mandate their delegates on voting. The INFC will be at the Lisburn Leisure Centre on Saturday 2nd March 2013.

Locally in Mid Antrim the AGM for Ballymena & Dist will take place in the local clubrooms at Fountain Place on Monday 11th February at 8.00pm. The AGM for Kells & District will take place in the local clubrooms on Thursday 14th February and on the same date the AGM for Cullybackey HPS. As well as the business conducted for each club the members will have the opportunity to discuss the NIPA Resolutions, vote on the race programme, and mandate delegates on voting.

Coleraine Premier HPS -

Coleraine Premier HPS recently presented the awards for the 2012 racing season, major winners were Hanson & Harpur. The won Top prize winners in Coleraine Premier HPS, Young bird average winners 3rd year in succession, Inland average and Combine average.
Coleraine Premier HPS: Will be holding a Breeder/Buyer Sale on Thursday 11th April 7-8pm. Anyone interested can enter a young bird as a Breeder, but it has to be raced in the Coleraine Triangle. Contact: (028) 70353560.

Banbridge HPS Pigeon Moot.

Banbridge HPS are holding a moot in the British Legion, Banbridge on Friday 15th February 2013 at 7.30pm.

The panel will consist of Brian Sheppard the first ever winner of an International Race into the UK with “The Legend”. Alan Darragh, Cullybackey, five times National Winner and Gerald Delaney, Oroory Hill Stud, “Mr Skibbereen”. Ryan Barr Pigeon Diagnostics (improving Health and Performance) will give a talk on how to develop and maintain a healthy race team.

There will be a small Auction of 2013 young birds donated by some members of Banbridge HPS and some friends of the club. Entrance will be £5.00 and will include supper. Everybody welcome. Further information please call Wesley Sawyers on Tel: 07831560399.

Millisle & District – Annual Pigeon Moot

Millisle & District annual moot will be held at 7.30pm on Friday 15th February 2013

Venue: FIRST AND LAST INN, MAIN STREET, MILLISLE.

Top panel including Chairman Ronnie Johnston (Irish Rover), Tommy Moorehouse 1st & 5th OB Nat and over 50 x 1st Open Irish SR Federation, Dave Ward (Dublin), Sid Collins (INFC President) and first loft to time two birds flying over 500 miles in 2012, and R Moore & Son (Bangor) 28 x 1st Sect and 5 x 1st Open EDC and 5 Times Sect Fancier of the Year in last 12 Seasons.

Top class supper included, Lounge & Bar facilities. Some top class young birds for sale. Wine – Dine – and Learn. Further info contact John Hollinger Tel: 028 (91) 863537 – MOBILE: 07784409893.