Farming Life - BHW - RP - 27/11/20

[willie reynolds]

Over the years local fanciers across Northern Ireland have donated vast sums to various charities for one the INFC Charity Committee have donated in excess of £250,000 through fund raising and sale of birds at the Annual Show which in the early days was held at the Kings Hall in Belfast but more recently held in the Lisburn Leisure Centre. The latest venture for 2021 has been arranged by Adrian Henry who passed on the info as follows.

Well lads all 240 rings are sold thanks for your support for next year race 2021 for Macmillan Cancer and there will be 240 rings competing all being well. The rings were £10 each and you could buy up to 5 rings on your own name. Race will be the 3rd race usually the first MAS LIBERATION. The cluds that will be entering and taking part were Windsor Social (Coleraine), Coleraine Premier HPS , Coleraine & Co Derry RPS, Ballymoney HPS and Rasharkin & District HPS rings will be with me during the first week of December. 1st Prize £800 & Trophy, 2nd Prize £300, 3rd Prize £150, 4th Prize £50, 5th Prize 5 x Bags Mixture from North Coast Classic, 6th Prize 5 x Bags Mixture from Henry McLoughlin Coalisland, 7th Prize £50 Voucher from Frazer Feeds Banbridge, 8th Prize £50 Voucher from Beattie Pet Supplies Tandragee, 9th Prize 4 x Bags Mixture from Richmond Feeds, 10th Prize 3 x Bags Mixture from Causeway Geotech. Some £900 will be raised for MacMillan Cancer, well done to Adrian Henry and all those who supported the venture.

RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2020 – Single Bird performance Talbenny & Bude

Sect A – Brendan Morgan Coalisland & District Vel 1148, Sect B – Danny Dixon Ballymoney HPS Vel 1171, Sect C- Rea & Magill Larne & District Vel 1180, Sect D – P & J Boal Dromore Vel 1145, Sect E – Ron Williamson Bondhill Soc Vel 1138, Sect F – Burns & Coates Ards HPS Vel 908, Sect G - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel 1085, Sect H – No Claim. Overall Winner – Rea & Magill Larne & District HPS Vel 1180.

RPRA (Irish Region) - Mileage Awards 2020

0-250 Miles Ron Williamson Newry & District, 251-450 Miles R Carson & Son Banbridge, 450 + Miles Ron Williamson Bondhill Social.

Best YB Performance 2020 – Sands & Rice, Ballyholland HPS

Best OB Performance 2020- Ron Williamson, Newry & District

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2020 -

0-250 Miles Keelie Wright Lurgan Social, 251-450 Miles Keelie Wright Lurgan Social, 450 + Miles No Claim.

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2020 – 1st Miss Keelie Wright, Lurgan Social

Winning Lofts should send me bird details, breeding/racing and results and a photo of the bird and/or fancier if possible, to arrange press coverage. Recently the RPRA (Irish Region) held a General Committee meeting via Zoom and thanks to NIPA Secretary Fred Russell for making all the arrangements. The awards were confirmed for 2020 and a bit of concern that Penzance was not flown as the second leg of the Meritorious Award when many lofts were waiting on this race. It was an unusual season and the award this season was for single bird performance in two successive cross channel races flown within 8 days, still a big test. Application for membership had been received from Crossgar HPS and with no objection to the advert placed in BHW within the usual 21 days, membership for 2021 was confirmed. My updated list of Committee Members reads - The following officials were elected for 2020: Life Vice-Presidents - S Thompson, S G Briggs, J Serplus, R Reid and A C McGrugan. President S G Briggs, Vice Presidents J Serplus, and G Delaney. Chairman C O’Hare. Secretary/Treasurer Noel Higginson, 44 Green View, Parkgate, Ballyclare, Co Antrim BT39 OJP. Tel: (028) 94 439481. Mobile: 07518 748717. Email: noelhigginson@hotmail.com

Councillors to RPRA: S G Briggs NIPA, and C O’Hare Ballyholland with Reserve G Delaney Dromore. Auditor: Ron McKelvey. PO: W Reynolds Ballymena. Irish Region Committee includes: S Thompson, S G Briggs, R Reid, W Seaton, W Reynolds, J Burrows, C O’Hare, D Suitters, G Delaney, R Service Ballymena, G Robinson Carrick, J Conlane Kingswood and J Serplus Laurelvale. ADD - Paul Larkin and Alan Larkin.

Since our AGM in February we note the sad passing of long-time members Davy Suitters of Doagh & District and our former Secretary for many years Robert Reid of Carrick & District. New trophies have been approved as part of the NIPA 75th Anniversary celebrations, one for the Premier OB Nat from France with financial support from RPRA Council and then cups for the major inland races, namely OB Inland National and YB Inland National.

There is some general discussion regarding the Meritorious Awards should races not go as planned in 2021, should the overall winning cup be awarded if the final leg is not Penzance? The overall winner is the only bird capable of winning two medals and that is agreed, I still think a separate medal should be available for our members in Southern Ireland. There is also some discussion regarding the Mileage Awards, should they be calculated as per co-efficient? I suppose one good thing about that it would make an application to the Golden De Duif awards for GB & Ireland.

Sands & Rice from Ballyholland in Newry had the Best YB Performance 2020 with their Black cock now named S&R933 with the following. Roscrea at 107 miles 15th Club, 18th Sect G & 38th Open NIPA with 16,011 birds competing, Gowran Park at 113 miles 1st Club, 1st Sect G & 1st Open NIPA with 16,509 birds competing and then Fermoy 160 miles 1st Club, 4th Sect G & 9th Open NIPA with 12,126 birds competing. Keelie Wright from the Lurgan Social I have been covering for a few seasons, Young Fancier of the Year, top racer and excellent in the show pen and last season assisted with the ETS in the Lurgan Centre. Invaluable worker for the sport and a long family association with the sport. This season she wins the Young Fancier 0 - 250 Miles and the 241 – 450 Miles awards.

This is details of Keelies 0-250 RPRA award winner. Little Outlaw. This cock was Keelies 1st pigeon in 5 Yb races this year and among others was 6th Club 421 birds & 29th Section 1705 birds. He is full brother to Keelies 2017 0-250 mileage award winner. Sire is the lofts direct son of the Outlaw bred by Premier Lofts and the dam is bred down from Wayne Doonan Cuesters. This is the lofts Number 1 pair.

This is details of Keelies 251-450 winner. A 2017 bred Cuester from stock obtained from Wayne Doonan of Dromore. This hen won an 8 hour Penzance for Keelie in 2018 as a yearling, timed her again in 2019 but missed the prizes. 2020 she was clocked at 9 hours 16 mins flying 448 miles, the first of 5 pigeons Keelie timed. She finished 188th National. Her loft mate clocked on same second for 2nd and 3rd Club.

Old Hand Hugh Boyd retires from racing –

Over the years the NIPA ( Section B ) & Mid Antrim Combine has boasted of many top long distance performers and now I am going to introduce you to one of those present day fanciers who has lay in the shadows but by the time you have read my report you will be amazed by his results – BELIEVE ME – To start the report we visit the townland of Randalstown , a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, between Antrim and Toome. It has a very prominent disused railway viaduct and lies beside Lough Neagh and the Shane's Castle estate. The town is bypassed by the M22 motorway with junctions at both the eastern and western ends of the town. Over the years many top performances have been obtained by fanciers living in the Randalstown area . Some that come to mind is : Arthur Simpson & Son – INFC Kings Cup Winner – J Shaw & Son – INFC Hall Of Fame Winner & more recently Mr & Mrs Magill – INFC Kings Cup Winners 2016 Plus past winners INFC Friendship National , INFC Y/B National & INFC National Championship – Now I am going to do my best to introduce to you a Wee Man with a big CV at Long Distance Racing – Mr Hugh Boyd . Hugh first started racing pigeons in 1950 racing with his father as J Boyd & Son for a few seasons then a break . He returned to the sport in 1973 , this time racing as J Boyd & Sons with brother George added to the partnership. George himself could race a bird having won the Y/B National from Milford Haven , racing as S & G Boyd in 1952 . As years passed Hugh decided to race on his own starting on his own in 1989 . Many performances were obtained over his lifetime in the sport and I will highlight his past 10/12 years racing from France and then you can decide – Please Note All Of The Following Performances From France Was Obtained Sending An Average 4 Birds To Each National ( NIPA & INFC ) Race With The Most 7 Birds In 2019 :

2008 : 3rd Club , 14th Sect & 62nd Open NIPA St Malo – 2009 : 1st Club & 73rd Open INFC Vannes Kings Cup , 2nd Club 5th Sect & 25th Open NIPA St Malo – 2010 : 1st Club 239th Open INFC Sennon Cove Y/L National , 2nd Club 12th Sect & 80th Open NIPA St Malo Plus 3rd Club - 2011 : 2nd Club 22nd Sect & 174th Open NIPA St Malo – 2012 : 1st Club 2nd Mid Antrim Combine 3rd Sect & 100th Open NIPA Bude , 2nd Club St Malo – 2013 1st Club INFC Sennon Cove Y/L National , 1st Club 17th Sect & 170th Open Portland , 1st Club & 54th Open INFC Kings Cup – 2014 : 1st Club 7th Sect & 46th Open St Malo – 2015 : 1st Club 1st Sect 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 3rd Open St Malo , NIPA Bronze Award , 2nd 4th 5th Club & 80th Open INFC Kings Cup ( Sent 5 Timed 3 ) – 2016 : 1st Club 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 11th Open INFC Kings Cup – 2017 : 1st Club 1st Sect & 9th Open NIPA Bude , 1st Club 149th Open INFC Kings Cup – 2018 : 1st 3rd 4th Club 12th 15th 16th Sect & 79th 105th 107th Open NIPA Penzance – 2019 : 1st Club 1st Mid Antrim Combine 2nd Sect & 3rd Open NIPA St Malo , 2nd Club 14th Sect & 71st Open NIPA Penzance , NIPA Section B Channel Fancier Of The Year & Old Bird Average & Cross Channel Average Winner ( Mid Antrim Combine ) – 2020 : 4th & 5th Club St Malo

- Now Let Us Study These Results And You Can Decide If This Is A Top Long Distance Icon – From 2008 to 2020 present day Hugh has failed only once to record a bird from France – 2018 – A FANTASTIC ACHEIVEMENT – YOU WOULD AGREE- This is amazing considering Hugh sent an average of 4 birds to each event with an exception one year sending 7 birds. Years 2015 & 2019 were special as he topped the Mid Antrim Combine from NIPA St Malo Old Bird National winning 3rd Open NIPA in both events plus winning an NIPA Bronze Award in 2015 – ANOTHER FANTASTIC ACHEIVEMENT - You have to agree here we have a loft that needs special praise as his performances are nothing short of Top Drawer .

Now you will be wondering : What breed are they ??? Hugh has formed his own family over the years putting top performers to top performers and to date it seems to have worked as his results prove. The base goes back to a gift bird obtained from George McWilliams and was a Haverbaker . To this he added 3 hens he had on loan from clubmates Gary McAllister & Sons and these were based on the old John McMullan Delmotte Jurion/Delbar Family ( One hen was 20th INFC Kings Cup & Another was 32nd Open St Malo ) . In latter years he has introduced John McMullan bloodlines via late T McDermott ( Belfast ) & recently a Son & Dtr of “ Rocky” & “ Big Darren” – N Black & Son - ( Only introduced recently ) . Some of Hughs Present Day Top Performers Are :

“ Champion Bleachgreen Dawn” : 1st Club 1st MAC 2nd Sect B & 3rd Open NIPA St Malo Old Bird National ( Timed 5.44 am 2nd morning hence her name ) –

“ Champion Bleachgreen Joe” : 1st Club 1st Sect & 3rd Open NIPA St Malo Old Bird National – 7th Sect & 46th Open St Malo Old Bird National – NIPA BRONZE AWARD WINNER –

“ Champion Bleachgreen Blue Boy” : 1st Club 1st Sect & 9th Open NIPA Bude – 1st Club 12th Sect Penzance – 2nd Club 14th Sect Penzance – TOP CHANNEL PERFORMER

“ Champion Bleachgreen Martha” : 1st Club 1st Mid Antrim Combine & 11th Open INFC Kings Cup – 4th Club Kings Cup – Twice France In Prizes – Dam of 1st Club Penzance

“ Bleachgreen Melda” – 54th Open INFC Kings Cup – Twice France – Dam Of Champion Bleachgreen Dawn –

“ Bleachgreen Red Rock” – Sire of Champion Bleachgreen Dawn

“ Bleachgreen Lady” – Top French Performer – 3 Times France Winning 2nd 2nd & 3rd Club each year- At Stock Dam Of “ Champion Bleachgreen Martha”

Plus many Sons , Dtrs , Brothers , Sisters , 1/2 Brothers & ½ Sisters To All Of The Above Can Be Sourced In Hughs Present Day Loft – A WEALTH OF LONG DISTANCE BLOODLINES –

Stop Press : Due to advancing years ( 81 years young ) Hugh has with great reluctance decided to give up his beloved sport. THIS DECISION HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN LIGHTLY. An Entire Clearance ( With a slight difference – Hugh is retaining 6 x 2020 youngsters/latebreds to keep him motivated – He Is Very Clear To Point This Out ) –

I only found out over recent years his aunt lived next door to my granny in Randalstown (Daisy Hill) where I spent many school holidays and he well remembers my mum and dad from that time. The Old Bleach factory was the main employment in the town and in my school days the train delivered goods to Randalstown Station, passenger travel must have stopped earlier. More info next week – Homer.

2020 N.I.P.A. Diploma’s – All the 2020 Diplomas have now been printed and delivered to the NIPA Office in Dromore. If you have won an NIPA Open Diploma or Average Award your Diploma is automatically framed for you. If you have won any NIPA Section Diploma these awards are nor framed and if you wish to receive them framed please forward a cheque made payable to the NIPA for £8.00 for each Diploma. Regards F C Russell, Secretary of NIPA.

Supply of news items required -

I would be sure I am going to have a lot of space available for the pigeon column over the next number of weeks and months and I will be looking articles of top winners, I have already send out a number of Loft Feature Questions and hopefully they will be sent back shortly. Not everyone is interested in publicity and race for fun, that’s ok the little write ups are just a bit of fun anyway giving an insight into winning fanciers birds and preparation for performance. Each year its impossible to cover each and every big performance, I just usually try my best. This season with all the problems we are going to have plenty of time. Before racing in 2020 I covered a few lofts and a small number did not supply info, maybe they will re-consider. We need to start with ace lofts, those who lift Top/Highest Prize-winner, after that major race winners and major award winners. Our interest would also include the various Fancier of the Year awards and then locally Champion Birds of the Year. We can also look back and I will feature any old news supplied and when time permits lift out a lot of my old archive, it will be the excuse to tidy things up. With no club presentations I will cover seasons report on the winners and maybe add some photos, or new ones if supplied. There will be nothing supplied that won’t be used although it will take time, but I think I will have to stay within the bounds of NIPA lofts and Irish Nat FC. Fanciers can supply on behalf of others who might not be up to date with computers, mobile phones etc with text and photos. If really stuck, info can be supplied by post. Everything is posted on our website as well for those that are modern.

Update – On the main board on our website in the top Banner we have links for 2 Sites. The first one is INFC History a site first set up by Maurice Alexander and now managed by Homer. I have not had the time to complete updates, it will be on-going for some time to come plus I am learning as we go forward on a step by step basis how to edit the pages. WordPress is a simple programme but to me still difficult to manage although in recent weeks I have managed to make some changes. The other link is to The Forum and listed here are several board dealing with various groups I have worked on over the last 20 years or so, updates here are made weekly and it makes fantastic reading for this lockdown period which will take us through to hopefully the return of racing April 2021. There are many hours reading here, it took a lot of time to list and no doubt those interested will find something of general interest. I should have said as well that over the years it has cost a fortune. Homer. Home address 47 Staffa Drive, Ballymena. BT424EH.



HOMER. Willie Reynolds

Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683

Mobile: 07538 238364

Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw

Email: homerbhw@gmail.com

http://www.pigeonnetwork.com

http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com

http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk

http://www.elimarpigeons.com