Kells & District Boxing Day 2015 -

[willie reynolds]

Kells Open Show – The annual Boxing Day Show took place as usual on 26th December 2015, some 220 birds were penned for the 3 in 1 event covering Old Bird and Young Birds over 6 classes. The judges travelled from Mid Ulster the NIPA Old Bird Classic winner Joe Brown from Blackwatertown and friends including Joe Vage, Darren Thompson and Gerald Adair. For the second year D & R Turkington from Doagh & District won Old Bird Handled and Best in Show, also collecting the Red Card in Young Bird Handled. Alwyn Neill from Lurgan had 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Old Bird Through Wires and Best Opposite Sex. Visiting lofts dominated with Ken Wilkinson & Son from New Antrim 1st in Old Bird Eye-sign, Fred Simpson from Doagh & District 1st Young Bird Through Wires, and Russell Bros from Cullybackey 1st in Young Bird Eye-sign. The Club Show Cup was presented to Alan Barkley & Son.

The Secretary of Kells & Dist Mervyn Gregg thanked all present for their support, those who helped at the club, brought birds and prizes, and he also thanked the judges. Other sponsors included Frazer Animal Feeds, Francis Connon, Brian Herbison, Hanna Family, Buffs Social Club and Sizzlers Chip Shop in the racing season. Thanks also to Show Secretary Alan Barkley who sets up the event every year without fail. I was unable to attend and thanks to Alan Shanks who covered the photos.

Old Bird T/W – 1st, 2nd & 3rd A Neill, 4thy D & R Turkington, Reserve & VHC A Barkley & Son, HC V Montgomery, Commended W & N Gilbert. Old Bird Handled – 1st & HC D & R Turkington, 2nd & Reserve Russell Bros, 3rd T Shanks & Son, 4th W & N Gilbert, VHC & Commended A Neill. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st & VHC K Wilkinson & Son, 2nd & 3rd Russell Bros, 4th A Neill, Reserve D & C Jackson, HC W & N Gilbert, Commended F Simpson. Young Bird T/W – 1st & HC F Simpson, 2nd V Montgomery, 3rd K Wilkinson & Son, 4th & VHC A Neill, Reserve & Commended Russell Bros. Young Bird Handled – 1st D & R Turkington, 2nd Russell Bros, 3rd & 4th A Barkley & Son, Reserve V Montgomery, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC & Commended F Simpson. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 3rd & HC Russell Bros, 2nd, 4th & Commended D & R Turkington, Reserve F Simpson, VHC A Neill.


Best in Show Robert Turkington (l) with Joe Brown.


Alwyn Neill (l) winner of BOS with Darren Thompson.


Gerald Adair (r) with Fred Simpson 1st YB Through Wires.


Joey Vage (r) with Len Russell 1st YB Eye-sign.


Ken Wilkinson (l) winner of OB Eye-sign with J Vage.


Joe Brown (l) presents Kells Show Cup to Alan Barkley.