Ballymena Open Show - 01/01/16

[willie reynolds]

Ballymena & District Open Show – For the third season on the trot the local clubrooms at Fountain Place were packed out for the Annual Open Show on New Year’s Day, just under 220 birds were penned for the judges who had travelled up from Lurgan Social. The team was led by Kevin Henderson, a top racer who can also show a top bird, over the years he has won numerous awards across Ireland. The rest of the team can race and show a bit as well, Dennis Lyness and Eamon Wright & Son who had a powerful racing record in Moira HPS. Space in the clubroom is a big problem that’s why entry is limited to Mid Antrim Sect B lofts, we prefer to have the show at home. Show Secretary Willy Gilbert and wife Nicola have everything set up to perfection a credit to the club they are, good workers are invaluable.

Club Chairman Tom McAlonan thanked the judges and all those others who had brought birds and supplied prizes, and he also thanked the Show Secretary. The major winners were almost the same as the year previous, W & N Gilbert for the local club had 1st Old Bird Handled and lifted Best in Show, Alan Barkley & Son from Kells & District had 1st Young Bird Handled lifting Best Opposite Sex and the Special for Best Young Bird and won two other classes, Russell Bros from Cullybackey won both Eye-sign classes and had Most Points in Show for the 4th year running. The Show Shield was won by W & N Gilbert and Brian Herbison from Cullybackey won the Visitors Trophy. The main prizes and specials were sponsored once again by Frazer Animal Feeds (Banbridge) my thanks to Neil and the team in Banbridge.

Results: Old Bird T/W – 1st, VHC & Commended A Barkley & Son, 2nd, 4th & Reserve W & N Gilbert, 3rd D & G McMullan, HC G & A Eagleson. Old Bird Handled – 1st, HC & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd A Barkley & Son, 3rd, Reserve & VHC Russell Bros, 4th D & G McMullan. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Reserve & Commended Russell Bros, VHC B Herbison, HC D & G McMullan. Young Bird T/W – 1st, & Reserve A Barkley & Son, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd, 4th & HC Russell Bros, VHC D & G McMullan, Commended G & A Eagleson. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 3rd, 4th & Reserve Russell Bros, 2nd & VHC A Barkley & Son, HC B Herbison, Commended McAlonan Bros.

The Annual Dinner & Presentation of prizes will be held in the Tullyglass House Hotel on Saturday 9th January at 7.00pm. After a very successful racing season a big crowd is expected, if you wish to order tickets contact Willy Gilbert Tel: 07761 323459 or Nicola Gilbert Tel: 07724 507621. The AGM for Ballymena & District will take place in the local clubrooms at Fountain Place on Monday 8th February at 8.00pm. Resolutions for the agenda must be with the Secretary Willie Reynolds by Saturday 30th January, and any resignations prior to the AGM.


The judges at Ballymena Show, K Henderson, D Lyness and E Wright & Son.


Class winners at Ballymena & Dist HPS Open Show.


Best in Show at Ballymena, W & N Gilbert (l) with Dennis Lyness.


Eamon Wright and daughter with Alan Barkley (r) of Kells & Dist Best Opposite Sex.


Most Points in Ballymena Show for the second year Len Russell (l) with Kevin Henderson.


Willy & Nicola Gilbert winners of the Show Shield in Ballymena & District.


Ballymena Chairman Tom McAlonan (l) presents Visitors Show Shield to Brian Herbison.


Eamon Wright Senior (l) presents prize to Alan Barkley 1st Young Bird T/W.


Ballymena & District Open Show winners from (l) L Russell, W Gilbert and A Barkley.