BHW - 06/11/15

[willie reynolds]

Kells Charity Moot & Prizes 2015 –

The annual Social Evening for the Kells & District HPS was Thursday 29th October in the Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim, the roads were quite busy with the Fireworks Display at the nearby Junction One complex. Kells members attend early to present the awards for the racing season, the awards this time were presented by recently married Mrs Chantelle Jamieson who had worked at Herbison Feeds in Ballymena. Chairman Jeff Surgenor welcomed the members and guests and firstly thanked all those who had assisted in the successful running of the club in the past season. His remarks included the hard working officials Secretary Mervyn Gregg, Treasurer Alan Shanks and Show Secretary Alan Barkley. He thanked the local Chip Shop Sizzlers who have sponsored the 2 Bird Club for several years and also those who supply sponsorship and prizes for the Annual Show which will take place as usual on Boxing Day. Surgenor Bros were once again the loft to beat emerging as Highest Prize-winner ahead of new arrivals from Harryville Jack Millar & Son, followed by Scott & Clements, B Swann & Son, Tully Lofts, Henry Turkington, George McDowell, Stephen Bell, T & M Morrow, and Gregg Bros completing the Top 10. For the second year Surgenor Bros won 8 x 1sts, J Millar & Son and Scott & Clements had 4 x 1sts each, Tully Lofts 3 x 1sts in Young Birds, B Swann & Son , G McDowell, H Turkington and T & M Morrow 2 x 1sts each, and finally T Shanks & Son and S Bell 1 x 1st each.

MAC Secretary George McDowell presented the Mid Antrim Diplomas, four in total. Ace racers Surgenor Bros were winning for the third time from the new point of Corrin, getting up near a mile a minute they had 1st & 2nd MAC 106/2558, 1st & 2nd Sect B 150/3821 and 18th & 30th Open NIPA with 26,400 birds competing, the winner recorded velocity 1727ypm. Brian Swann & Son had two wins in old birds and both lifting 1st MAC, Rosscarbery followed Talbenny and B Swann & Son on velocity 1351 had 1st MAC 79/1341, 2nd Sect B and 281st Open NIPA with 11,234 birds competing. A fortnight later B Swann & Son timed the best bird in the Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, recording velocity 1555 they finish 1st MAC, 1st Sect B 72/311 and 75th Open NIPA with 1883 birds competing. The new members J Millar & Son had the best bird in the Rosscarbery Yearling Hens National, 1st MAC, 1st Sect B and 49th Open NIPA 1558 birds competing.

In the major races of the old bird season Scott & Clements were best in the Rosscarbery Inland Nat and then timed at 5.15pm on the day in the St Malo OB Nat from France to win 1st Club on velocity 1342 for 3rd Combine, B Swann & Son had the only other bird. J Millar & Son won the Sennen Cove Classic which was flown a bit earlier in the programme and they have a good record here, they also won 1st Club Bude and T & M Morrow had 1st Club Penzance. In the INFC Scott & Clements were best in OB Skibbereen and T Shanks & Son were best in the Kings Cup with B Swann & Son the runner-up. In the young birds Tully Lofts had a great start winning 1st Club in three of the opening 5 races, Henry Turkington had 1st Club in the Talbenny YB Nat and Surgenor Bros finished well winning both the Fermoy 5 Bird Championship and the Rosscarbery Inl National.

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Kells Officials and prize winners in 2015.

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Special guest Chantelle Jamieson presents Highest Prize-winner to Jeff Surgenor.

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Derek Millar won Sennen Cove and Bude.

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Brian Swann won Rosscarbery Inl Nat and Fermoy 5 Bird.

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Henry Turkington won 1st Club in Talbenny YB Nat.

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George McDowell won the young bird Fermoy.

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Harry Boyd collects his prize from Chantelle.

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Show Secretary Alan Barkley collects prizes.

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Alan Shanks had the best bird in the Kings Cup.

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Secretary Mervyn Gregg collects prizes from Chantelle.

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Treasurer Alan Shanks presents small gift to Chantelle Jamieson.

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MAC Secretary George McDowell presents winning Diplomas to B Swann & Son.

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Derek Millar (l) collects MAC Diploma for winning Yearling Hens Nat.

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Surgenor Bros won 1st MAC from Corrin, Jeff collects.

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The Mid Antrim Combine winners from (l) Jeff Surgenor, Brian Swann and J Millar & Son.

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Highest Prize-winner Jeff Surgenor with officials M Gregg and A Shanks.

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Visitors at Charity Moot, from (l) A Darragh, B McCartney and M Alexander.

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Special guests Chantelle and her son Calvin.

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Syd Collins (r) presents print to Alan Barkley after winning Silver Diploma.

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Sefton Thompson (l) won both OB & YB of the Year with Gerald Delaney bloodlines.

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Kells & Dist Panel Guests, from (l) Syd Collins, Harry McCloy and Gerald Delaney.

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Show Season KO - The Mid Antrim show season commenced on Monday evening, Ballymena & Dist HPS had classes for Old Cock and Old Hens, November dates are as follows. 2nd November Young Cock & Young Hen, 9th November Yearling Cock & Yearling Hen, 16th November Old Pairs & Young Pieds, 23rd November Young Pairs & Old Pieds, 30th November Red, Mealy & Grizzle all judged Through the Wires. Show Specials are paid for each race in the old bird racing season with £50 up for grabs in Rosscarbery and Penzance. For this, one bird to be nominated each night, which must be in the pen, 30p per bird and penning from 7.00pm. Contact Willy Gilbert Tel: 07761 323459. The opening night was dominated by W & N Gilbert winning most cards, plus both Red Cards and the Special for BIS with a Dark hen that won 6 x 1sts last season. Old Cocks T/W (58 birds) – 1st, 3rd, 4th, Reserve & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd Russell Bros, VHC W & J Smyth, HC B Herbison. Old Hens T/W (63 birds) – 1st, 2nd, 4th, VHC & Commended W & N Gilbert, 3rd & HC Russell Bros, Reserve B Herbison. The judges travelled down from Muckamore, Bobby Bethel and Tom Fleming, the raffle was won by Thomas McFall. It was a similar result for the second show, W & N Gilbert won both Young Bird Classes and the Best in Show Special with the Cheq Pied (c) brought back as an egg from Blackpool bred from the Blackpool Pair that won classes at the Show of the Year. Winner of the hens class another Cheq Pied was the same way bred as BIS. The judges travelled down from Derry, Eamon Quigley the ace distance flyer from the Emilia Earhart with good friend Danny Cooley from Derry & District. The raffle was won by Charlie McManus. Young Cocks T/W (37 birds) – 1st W & N Gilbert, 2nd Russell Bros, 3rd, 4th, Reserve, HC & Commended B Herbison, VHC W & J Smyth. Young Hens T/W (40 Birds) – 1st & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Russell Bros, Reserve & HC B Herbison, VHC D Mitchell. Club member Harry Richmond is recovering at home after a spell in hospital, we all send our very best wishes.

Cullybackey HPS – The Annual dinner and presentation of awards will be held on Friday 30th October in Toast Cullybackey, all cups etc. should be returned. The show series will commence on Saturday 31st October with classes for Young Cock & Young Hen T/W and the Annual Open Show on Saturday 19th December.

Broughshane & District HPS – The show season will operate once again each Tuesday evening, classes for the season are as follows. 3rd November Old Cock & Young Cock T/W, 10th November Old Hen & Young Hen T/W, 17th November Old Bird Eye-sign & Young Pairs, 24th November Old Pairs & Fancy, 1st December Old Cock & Young Cock Handled, 8th December Old Hen & Young Hen Handled.

Ahoghill Flying Club - will fill the usual Friday slot starting with Young Cock & Young Hen T/W on Friday 6th November.

Harryville HPS – will have a change this year they intend to hold two Open Shows for lofts in the NIPA Sect B and Mid Antrim, the Old Bird 3 in 1 on Saturday 7th November and the Young Bird 3 in 1 on Saturday 21st November. Penning is from 11.00am -1.00pm.

Ballywalter Pigeon Show - The Ballywalter Pigeon club will be staging a show in the Portavogie HPS Clubrooms on Saturday 21st November. Sam Regan writes “Our ageing wooden club needs very urgent repairs and we are trying to raise some funds, so as much support by you, the pigeon fraternity would be greatly appreciated. Four classes all handling are Old Hens, Old Cocks, Young Hens, Young Cocks. Penning is from 12.30pm to 2.00pm. Prizes for each class, and the Best Pigeon in the Show. Bar facilities all day so come along and enjoy event”.

Ards HPS Annual Show will be held in the Portavogie Clubrooms on Saturday 28th November with penning from 12 until 2.00pm. Open to all the fancy in NIPA Sect F and East Down Combine members. Three Classes for Any Age Hen Handled, Any Age Cock Handled and Eye-sign. Top judges, and prizes for all cards. A sale of 2016 Young Birds to be held after the show.

Killyleagh Centre Sect F Shows – Old Birds Handled will be on Monday 14th December at 8.00pm and one week later Young Birds Handled on Monday 21st December at 8.00pm. The Christmas Show this year will be Sunday 27th December Open 1.00pm until 2.00pm. Classes are Old Bird Handled, Young Bird Handled, and Eye-sign. £1 per entry and open to NIPA Sect F and East Down Combine members only.

Would any pigeon clubs based in Northern Ireland who receive an annual rates bill from Land & Property Services please contact the N.I.P.A. secretary. Telephone: 028 (92) 693913 or by E-mail at: nipapigeons@hotmail.co.uk
This information is needed to assist with lobbying to try and have pigeon clubrooms exempt from paying rates. Could all pigeon clubs based in Northern Ireland who pay rates assist with this request. The information is required by Tuesday 2nd November 2015.

Davy Calvin of Bondhill - Watch out for a first ever sale for one of Ireland’s leading lofts, David Calvin of Bondhill in Portadown, just confirmed as the NIPA Section Fancier of the Year for 2015, that’s now 3 seasons on the trot. He will offer for sale a superb draft of some 50 x 3rd round young birds on Saturday 7th November in Glenavy Protestant Hall at 2.30pm with birds on view from 1.30pm. The D Calvin loft has enjoyed another brilliant year, down the land, across the channel, and out to France winning the French Diploma for Best Average St Malo OB National and INFC Kings Cup St Allouestre. In the Penzance YB Grand National the loft clocked three birds to win £2,500 and had twenty birds home out of 20 birds in the NIPA Talbenny YB National. Huge interest in this draft, do try and be early birds are on view from 1.30pm. For further details Tel David on (028) 38 334742 or Auctioneer Ronnie Johnston Tel: (028) 90 483625. The birds for sale are from his famous stock birds including from top breeder “Stud50”, \"The Beast\", \"Gold Ring Cock\" and “Eye-sign Hen\", this family have bred 100’s of winners!

Monday Night Spectacular in Newtownbreda –
The Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms will be the venue on Monday 9th November at 7.30pm for a sale on behalf of John Wheatcroft and Willy McClelland. A select draft of just 35 young birds from their Herman Ceusters, Dick van Dyck, Danny van Dyck, Marijke Vink and for the first time in Ireland the Harry Kruger y/b’s. John is known as the master breeder having been to all the major Belgium and Dutch lofts and buying from their best. He purchased stock birds from Heremans Ceusters and Dirk van Dyck in 2004 and in 2009 purchesed young birds from Danny van Dyck’s world famous “Kanon”

Willy and John purchased some of Marijke Vinks principal breeders like the Brother Tips, Beauty 66, nest sister to Double Header 1st Open Peronne 32,775 birds. They also bred “Rocco” for Marijke and the pair bred her Argenton winner! John will also sell for the first time 10 off the famous Hardy Kruger’s – not to be missed! A few testomials: Jeff Greenaway has a Cock 200 which has bred 2nd YB National, 1st Open NIPA and Bird of the Year. Alan Darragh winner of 1st INFC Yearling Nat is a Van Dyck. Two off the Up North Combine top lofts have enjoyed much success with John’s birds. Trevor Taylor of Marsey & Taylor said they were the best pigeons I have raced. Naylor & Richardson won 1st Open UNC Maidstone 17,164 birds and Bird of the Year in Up North Combine – Gordon said I never had better pigeons. John Wheatcroft can be contacted Tel: 01773 810323.

Complete Clearance C & L Woodside -
Leslie Woodside of C & L Woodside Ballyclare has received heart-breaking news – his health problems are more advanced than first thought and the 2 x Reduction Sales have now become a Complete Clearance Sale. The complete team of stock birds, all the top racers and young birds will be sold in 3 Sales the first of which has been arranged for Glenavy Protestant Hall on Saturday 21st November. Auctioneer Ronnie Johnston said “This is the most important sale of true distance birds that have a tremendous record from France – just like his mentor Smyth Bros of Ballymena. One would need to go back 20 years when I sold the pigeons of Gilmour & Beattie containing the bloodlines of the ace flyers Henry Beattie and Bob Harkness” for something similar. Leslie as you would expect is devastated but his health is paramount. C & L Woodside won the INFC National Champion award in 2003, runner-up in 2002 and 2013, and they have a string of top results at the distance including 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove YB National in 2007 with Skilgan Choice”. They are one of Ireland’s great National Lofts! With the help of good friend Maurice Alexander the Sale Lists are being prepared and should be ready shortly.

Frank Sheader Return –
Advance notice of a super sale for the loft that has produced 100’s of winning pigeons including Northern Ireland. Frank Sheader will be in Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms on Monday 23rd November at 7.30pm, his top Soontjen family and the exciting Louis Thijis. Auctioneer Ronnie Johnston Tel: (028) 90 483625.

Larne & District HPS Annual Monster Show -
Will be held in the Larne Cubrooms, Old Glenarm Road on Saturday 28th November 2015. Penning 10.00am to 1.30pm, with ​6 classes. Old cocks, Old hens, Young cocks, Young Hens, Old & Young bird eye sign. Judging 2.00pm to 5.00pm with Prize distribution at 5.30pm. Entry Fee £1 per bird​ (May be duplicated into Eye-sign) - Judges from top lofts​. Money prizes for Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex - Prizes for all classes.​​ 1st Bag of feeding​ , 2nd Homoform , 3rd Drinker , 4th Feeding trough , 5th Grit​member in show , 6th Pickstones​ ​, 7th Bottle of wine​.

All Larne & District entries will be eligible for the £50 Roscarberry prize. £50 prize for best placed Larne & District in show (split if more than one winner). MONSTER SHOW AUCTION @ 3pm - Select 2015 young birds donated by local fanciers – £1000 prize money for Rosscarberry or equivalent race.
Only Section C fanciers may compete in the race. Other section fanciers may donate a bird for auction – the prize is allocated on a 40% breeder/60% buyer split. For further information or to enquire to sell birds contact Owen Donnelly Tel: 028 28260425. Mobile: 07816 910993.
Stalls on the day will include: Robert Kirkwood – To ensure all your requirements are meet on the day please give Robert a ring on 028 92671178. Liam O’Neill – Nest Boxes, Pipo boxes etc. North Coast Classic – One Loft Race. Blaris Lofts - Gary Jennings Top winning loft.

HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
Ballymena Hps are on Facebook

Photo Attached

W & N Gilbert won both YB Classes at Ballymena with judges E Quigley (l) and D Cooley.