BHW - 25/03/16

[willie reynolds]

Mid Antrim Combine – AGM 2016

The AGM of the Mid Antrim Combine was held recently in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms, all member clubs were represented with an apology from Ahoghill Flying Club. Chairman Robert Service opened the meeting and welcomed the Delegates and then invited Secretary George McDowell to read the minutes of the previous AGM. These were adopted on a show of hands as were the Accounts. After expenses the MAC have a balance of £180, and remember the membership fees for 2016 are raised by £1 per loft to £3.

Under correspondence a letter was read from Harryville HPS that a rule change made in 2010 regarding the status of members must be implemented for 2016 season. There was a lot of discussion about this subject and the matter was left for further investigation through the RPRA. No decision was going to be possible and the Chairman ruled there would be no further discussion and the meeting would move on.

He declared all offices vacant and said before leaving the chair he did not intend to seek re-election, Secretary George McDowell from Kells & Dist said he had served 13 years in the post and he intended to stand down as well. Willie Reynolds from Ballymena was invited to conduct the Election of Officials for the new season. After some discussion it was not possible to fill any positions and it was decided we should reconvene in a fortnight to see if matters could be resolved.

A full attendance of all member clubs will be expected to attend the resumed meeting at Ballymena & District HPS on Wednesday 30th March at 8.00pm. After many long years we have reached a crisis for the local fancy and I feel the MAC is in great danger of closing. I looked back to see what was passed in 2010 AGM, Chairman Robert Service from Harryville was absent through illness and Alan Darragh from Cullybackey was in the Chair.

Two resolutions were on the agenda, both submitted by Harryville HPS. The first one failed on the vote and the second was carried on the casting vote of the Chairman.

Resolution No 1 – Submitted by Harryville HPS
The Mid Antrim Combine remains as it is now with no more clubs being accepted.

Resolution No 2 – Submitted by Harryville HPS
All birds competing in the Mid Antrim Combine must be race marked through which clubs the owner’s fees are paid to the Mid Antrim Combine. NIPA Classic & National races where the birds are marked in Centres. Birds competing in Mid Antrim Combine must be paid through clubs where the owner’s fees are paid.

Following the AGM Harryville called a special meeting and I understand they decided by a large majority to withdraw from the Mid Antrim Combine, they could be followed by others.

Clocks – Race Sheets etc

Two important dates for Windsor Social HPS members. Thursday 24th March. Hand in race sheets and all necessary paperwork between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. T3 Clocks and all manual clocks must be also be handed in for testing. Even if you are not going to the first race. Please ensure all is in order because we haven\'t time to chase people up this season. Second date is 14th April, for Breeder/Buyer, which is very important to the club. Penning between 7.00pm and 8.00pm. Open to all Triangle membership. All birds must be in pens. £20.00 reserve on each bird. Windsor members not participating will be asked to donate £20.00 to club funds on a voluntary basis as voted in by committee at 2016 AGM.

A Club meeting of Coleraine Premier HPS will be held on Friday 1st April at 8pm. All outstanding monies must be paid at this meeting. Would all members please have their ring sheets in and their ETS clock sheets printed off before the 24th March.
This is to comply with Club Rules 4 and 19. All transfers must be shown for pigeons on ETS clock printout and rubber ring sheets. This includes previously transferred birds and all vaccination certificates (Rule19). Failure to comply will mean missing the first race (Club Rule 4). No exceptions will be made.

ONLY CLUB MEMBERS ETS RINGS WILL BE ALLOCATED IN THE CLUB ROOMS. The Secretary will be available in the Clubroom on the following dates: Fri 18th, Sat 19th, Mon 21st, Tues 22nd March from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Ring’s will only be allocated in the Clubrooms at these times.

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 towards the end of March, members will be informed as we go along. Also remember the deadline date for INFC Membership this year is earlier 12th April, make sure your Secretary has the Form away. Due to a change in circumstances Tom McAlonan will not be training birds this year, Homer will be collecting on the usual route. The opening race of the old bird season will be Tullamore on 9th April, weather permitting.

Obituary – Russell Len

It is with deep regret that I inform the fancy on the passing of Len Russell following a short illness. Len was best known of the famous Russell Bros of Cullybackey, he himself had started the birds in 1958. His mother was involved with the pigeons many years before that at the home in Tullygrawley, and I well remember her attending the Cullybackey Flying Club dinner a long while back when the Russell Family Cup was presented for the first time awarded for Highest Prize-winner.

Len himself served the fancy for many years, a former Secretary in Cullybackey and a former NIPA Committee Member running the Cullybackey Centre for many years. Russell Bros had great success racing over the years through to France and after a record breaking season in 1979 were crowned Northern Ireland Fancier of the Year. A Yearling Nat was flown to celebrate the Queens Jubilee Year and in a close finish Russell Bros were pipped by the Lurgan loft of McCarron Bros & McAlinden. The year after that the race was added to the INFC race programme and has been a great success ever since.

In the 2015 season Russell Bros had another top France Result from Quimper winning 1st in Mid Antrim Combine and 6th Open INFC Friendship National at 487 miles, even on a fast day. Len will be long remembered for his achievements not only racing at the highest level but also in the Show Pen. He enjoyed massive success over the whole Country, especially in his favourite class of Eye-sign. He supported all the local events and at Ballymena & District on New Year’s Day won Most Points in Show for the 4th season on the trot, we will also miss him at our Annual Dinner & Prize Presentation. Len will be sadly missed in the local area, it will never be the same again. Ken Wilkinson is to Auction the birds at a later date.

Obituary - McGrotty Sean

Our prayers and thoughts for Sean McGrotty and family from Derry who died in the tragic accident at Buncrana, Co Donegal, another good pigeon fancier gone to the big loft in the sky far too early. Their car slipped into the water at Buncrana Pier after tea time on Sunday with a big crowd present on what was a glorious day. Lost with Noel were sons age 12 and 8, his mother in law and her young daughter, by some miracle his baby daughter was rescued from the car. The tragedy has stunned the local community on both sides of the border in Donegal and Londonderry. It is beyond words, his father Noel is a life time fancier and a cousin Pat McLaughlin is Secretary in Maiden City. Funeral for the extended family will take place on Thursday, in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry, the day prior to Good Friday. Condolences to the entire family circles at this very sad time.

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
See Ballymena Hps on Facebook.

Photo Captions

Sean McGrotty who tragically lost his life with four other family members in Buncrana last weekend.
Len Russell (l) collects Show Specials from Tom McAlonan at Ballymena & Dist Dinner earlier this year.
Speirs & Campbell from Cookstown, Devine Memorial Trophy winners from St Malo.
1st MAC & 1st Sect Rosscarbery Ylr Nat for MDC Magill, Harryville.