BHW - 04/03/16

[willie reynolds]

71st AGM for Mighty NIPA –

The Annual General Meeting for the NIPA was held in the Protestant Hall, Glenavy, on Saturday 13th February 2016, Chairman Alan Darragh declared the meeting open and firstly asked the members to stand and observe a moments silence in respect of deceased members. The Secretary was then invited to read the minutes of the previous AGM, and these were passed.

Secretary Report – This was published on the NIPA Website for the first time and not sent out to member clubs, not sure too many Delegates had seen or read it. I have published it here.

This year the Secretary Report 2015/16 will be posted On-Line on the NIPA Website and not posted out to Individual Clubs. The AGM Agenda for 2016 and the Financial Statement for 2015 will be posted to member clubs on Friday 22nd January 2016. The AGM will take place on Saturday 13th February in Glenavy please do your utmost to have your club represented. Please make sure you will have your clubs voting for the 2016 season returned before this date, also when you receive your AGM pack I have enclosed a Questionaire on the Age Profile of your members, this must be completed and returned before the AGM.

2015 racing season for the NIPA proved to be very successful and the only complaints I am receiving that you all have too many pigeons left. Be thankful for the racing we enjoyed as many fanciers in the UK & Ireland had a very difficult season.
I would like to thank our Race Controller Mr Ivan Mawhinney for the excellent job done and for the endless time spent all week following many different forecasts and making some very difficult decisions. Our team of Convoyer’s/Drivers, and everyone else, who assisted us in the transportation of our pigeons. I wish to thank them most sincerely for the way they looked after our pigeons feeding, watering and making them comfortable in a hold-over etc. The Transport Manager Mr Terry Mulgrew a very special thank you for keeping all our transporters, all seven of them - road worthy, clean, tidy, painted, polished etc. making them a credit to our organisation.

I wish to thank all our members of committee for attending meetings, looking after Centres, and everything else they do behind scenes to ensure that pigeon racing continues each week for the enjoyment of us all.
On behalf of the NIPA a big thank-you to all pigeon fanciers through-out GK & Ireland for the assistance given to our organisation when we are in their area for release also the many contacts the Race Controller can call upon to give us an accurate assessment of the weather, Met Erin are a most helpful organisation and their forecasters really do assist us. Coast Guards, Shipping Lines, Dublin Airport etc. a big thank-you to everyone and your assistance is much appreciated.
Secretaries, Race Secretary’s, Treasurers of member clubs, without your assistance clubs could not operate and my job would be impossible. I would like to thank you all on behalf of our members for an excellent job well done. Finally to everyone who personally assisted me during the year, I really appreciate your help, thank you all very much.

The Resolutions on the AGM Agenda are self-explanatory, and easily understood, your club will either vote in favour or vote against. If your club does not attend the AGM your vote will not be counted. Do not forward me your club vote.
The final race programmes for both old and young bird races are in your AGM Pack, please return your votes on or before the AGM. Also included is a Question-aire on the Age Profile of your members, this must be returned fully completed on or before the AGM.

You may ask why-do I need this information. During the year we have been having discussions with the RPRA, Ministers at Stormont, MLA’s of all political parties, Sport NI, and other Government Departments, trying to persuade them to recognise Pigeon Racing as a Sport. Are we making Progress? – Yes but we still have a long way to go before we get a decision. We have many reports to complete and lodge with the various Agencies, one of these reports which we have to file with them is an Age Profile of our members.

I will keep you all informer during the year of our progress. If we are successful clubs will be able to claim for any monetary awards available and also hopefully a full 80% to 100% discount on Club Rates bills.
Your Balance Sheet for 2015 is also included in your AGM Pack. We have had a reasonable good year, a slight deficit overall but nothing to be alarmed about. If you need any clarification on any of the Income or Expenditure please do not hesitate to contact me or arrange to come to the NIPA’s Headquarters in Dromore and I will do my up-most to answer any query, you can also E-Mail or write to me.

Accounts were passed without questions having already been endorsed by NIPA Committee, some points were then raised under Item 5. Any other 2015 Business. Telephone calls to the NIPA Office will be recorded from now on. On dope testing no results are supplied to lofts tested. This to be sorted, and question to be raised at RPRA on procedure for test and why just one sample took.

Next up the election of officials and with Alan Darragh having completed his two year term in office as President, the new holder presented with Chain of Office from Section C was Robert Reid from Carrick & District. Alan Darragh requested his retirement gift be donated to Intensive Care at the Ulster Hospital Dundonald, cheque for £250 to be sent. Robert Reid thanked the members and then conducted the Election of Officials for 2016 assisted by Secretary Fred Russell.

There was very little change at the top, most members were returned. Patron L Boyle (Dromore WE), President Robert Reid (Carrick & District) with Sam Briggs (Lisburn & Dist) elected as Senior Vice President for Sect D. Life Vice-Presidents are A McDonnell (Coleraine Prem), L Boyle (Dromore WE), D Carson (Banbridge HPS), M Livingstone (Portadown & Drumcree), O Donnelly (Larne & Dist), J Kelly (Londonderry), H McVeigh (Killyleagh), V Thom (Cookstown), H Boyd (Coalisland) and A Darragh (Cullybackey).

Chairman Alan Darragh (Cullybackey), Vice Chairman S Thompson (Windsor Social), Financial Secretary F Russell (Dromore WE), Assistant Secretary G McEvoy (Beechpark), Fleet Supervisor T Mulgrew (Dromore), Convoyer P McNeice (Annaghmore), Race Controller I Mawhinney. Press Officers W Reynolds (Ballymena & Dist), S McGarry (Horseshoe). RPRA Delegates – J Burrows (Eastway), W Seaton (Ligoniel). Auditors Robinson & Co (Portadown).
The Finance & General Purposes Management Committee were elected, some positions will have to be confirmed at later Sect Meetings. The following were returned.

Sect A – H Boyd (Dungannon), J Hanson (Coleraine Prem). Sect B – K Wilkinson (New Antrim), G Magill (Muckamore), G McDowell (Kells & Dist), K Kernohan (Harryville). Sect C – L O’Neill (Larne & Dist), S McGarry (Horseshoe), W McClelland (Doagh & Dist), D Campbell (Eastway), G Robinson (Carrick Soc). Sect D – J Vage (Dromore), A Houston (Lisburn & Dist), J McCready (Lisburn & Dist). Sect E – K Henderson (Lurgan Soc), J Parr (Edgarstown), S Corrigan (Loughgall), D Mawhinney (Beechpark). Sect F – P Murray (Killyleagh), one place to fill. Sect G – C O’Hare (Ballyholland), G Delaney (Ashfield). Sect H – P McLoughlin (Maiden City), D Simpson (Londonderry), J Ramsey (Derry & Dist).
Only two Resolutions had been listed on the agenda for NIPA, and both carried in the vote.

Resolution 1 Submitted by NIPA Committee. Delete NIPA General Rule 38 in its entirety and replace with a new Rule 38. Any fancier who has his/her suspension lifted by any recognised racing pigeon organisation or union and wishes to apply to a member club of the NIPA for membership. The NIPA Club must make representation to the NIPA for permission to accept him/her as a member. For 64, against 8.

Resolution 2 Submitted by Ards HPS and Newry & District HPS. Delete NIPA General Rule 78 in its entirety and replace with a new General Rule 78. The entry for Penzance/Sennen Cove Classic race be limited to 20 birds per member and this race be flown in conjunction with the NIPA Penzance/Sennen Cove race ie. this race reverts to be a Duplicate Race. For 49, against 25.

Voting for the Race Programmes were as follows. For Old Birds No 1 had 368 votes and No 2 had 548 votes. For Young Birds No 1 had 552 votes and No 2 had 361 votes.
The following carried in the vote.

From Portadown & Drumcree HPS and supported by majority of Sect E Clubs – 9th April Tullamore, 16th April Tullamore, 23td April Roscrea, 30th April Fermoy, 7th May Corrin, 14th May Rosscarbery Inl Nat, 21st May Talbenny, 21st May Rosscarbery Yrearling Cock & Hen Nat, 28th May Talbenny, 28th May Fermoy 5 Bird, 4th June Bude, 4th June Roscrea, 11th June Penzance, 18th June Sennen Cove Classic, 24th June St Malo Nat (France).

From Dromore and Ards HPS, also Existing 2015 Programme – 16th July Area Lib decided by each Sect, 23rd July Area Lib decided by each Sect, 30th July Tullamore (Mass Lib), 6th August Roscrea, 13th August Kilkenny/Gowran Park (New Site), 20th August Fermoy, 27th August Talbenny Nat, 27th August Roscrea Comeback, 3rd September Fermoy, 3rd September Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 10th September Rosscarbery Nat.
The Age Profile so far from clubs that have submitted details. 0-20 (37), 21-30 (75), 21-40 (107), 41-50 (149), 51-60 (303), 61-70 (278), 71-80 (208), 81-90 (42), 91-100 (4).

Under Any other business Colin Watson from Killyleagh addressed the meeting to explain what he had been involved in over many months in trying to have pigeons listed as a sport and the recent changes made at NI Assembly regarding the charges for Rates. Robin Swann MLA in Mid Antrim had introduced the change and with being in USA it was Leslie Cree MLA who put The Rates (Amendment) Bill is before the house for its further consideration stage. It aims to provide 100% rates relief for recreational sports clubs. Some MLA\'s had their feathers ruffled that pigeon racing is not currently deemed a sport. It had wide support from a cross section of all parties except DUP, and local MLA Paul Butler was thanked by members in Glenavy.
A quick meeting at the end of the AGM to set the member rates for the new season to enable distribution to the club’s, it was a big vote for no change. Club Fee £24.00, Members Fee £22.00.

A full Committee Meeting was arranged for Wednesday 17th Ferbuary, at it with Alan Darragh in the Chair he called the members to stand and observe a minutes silence in respect of Life Vice President Joe Kelly who had passed away over the weekend. After the minutes of the previous meeting the race programme was discussed.

The old bird programme will be as was passed at the AGM, additional races in Ireland were added for 14th May, 11th June and 18th June. The young birds will be as above. For the first time there will be a race in Ireland on the day of Talbenny (1).

Race Programme to be flown in 2016 -

Old Birds: 9th April Tullamore (1), 16th April Tullamore (2), 23rd April Roscrea, 30th April Fermoy, 7th May Corrin, 14th May Rosscarbery Inl Nat, 14th May Fermoy Comeback, 21st May Talbenny (1), 21st May Rosscarbery Yearling Cock & Hen Nat, 28th May Talbenny (2), 28th May Fermoy 5 Bird, 4th June Bude, 4th June Roscrea , 11th June Penzance, 11th June Fermoy Comeback, 18th June Sennen Cove Classic, 18th June Fermoy Comeback, 24th June St Malo Nat (France), 25th June Comeback??
Young Birds: 16th July Area Lib decided by each Sect, 23rd July Area Lib decided by each Sect, 30th July Tullamore (Mass Lib), 6th August Roscrea, 13th August Gowran Park , 20th August Fermoy, 27th August Talbenny Nat, 27th August Roscrea Comeback, 3rd September Fermoy, 3rd September Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, 10th September Rosscarbery Nat.

NIPA Crates were increased by 25p in 2006 making it £9.00 for Inland and £9.00 per crate Cross Channel. Not been changed since, and no increase in 2016.

Rates were set for transport of other birds, and collection times which include Windsor Social (Coleraine) lifted at 6.30pm which will mean a later collection time for all clubs on this lorry down through Mid Antrim. A letter of complaint was read from Ken Wilkinson regarding the conduct of Chairman Alan Darragh at the recent NIPA Sect B meeting in Harryville, and there was some discussion on the Unikon ETS regarding the status of systems on loan for Derby Centres.

Ballymena & District HPS members, those with ETS should fill Race Sheets in ASAP and let us know by text message when ready. We will then set a night for the clock to be updated and rings allocated. A bit of time to go before racing but we are starting early to have the ETS Clocks set up and ready to go. The T3 Clocks will be set up at the end of March, members will be informed as we go along. Due to a change in circumstances Tom McAlonan will not be training birds this year. Ballymena have rings left, Tel: Nicola Gilbert 07724 507621, Ballyclare have rings as well contact Robin Duddy.


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
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Photo Caption – Alan Darragh (r) congratulates the new NIPA President Robert Reid.