RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2020 -

[willie reynolds]

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

Willing 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. Regards Homer.


Ron Williamson was a major winner in season 2020.

[willie reynolds]

Bingham & Seaton of Ligoniel win the Massarella Trophy for the second time

Newry City lofts collect Silver at the RPRA –

The long wait is over and the RPRA have just confirmed the winning list for the 2020 season, local lofts are usually well represented and this season has been no exception with a number of the major cups coming back to Northern Ireland. Secretary Noel Higginson and the President and Chairman Sam Briggs and Cormac O’Hare sorted out the claims in the Irish Region and sent on the top performances to the RPRA for consideration. These awards are usually presented during the Blackpool Show weekend in January but alas this will not be taking place in 2021 due to restrictions with Covid 19. Some arrangements will no doubt be made for a local presentation.

From Newry & District Ron Williamson wins the Short Distance 0-250 Mile award and with it the Selby Thomas Memorial Trophy and the loft also wins the Tony Cornwell Trophy for Best all round Performance. Staying in Newry at Ballyholland HPS the high-flying Sands & Rice team win the Massarella Trophy for Best Young Bird Performance, the top birds in GB were competing in Newry City. Keelie Wright from the Lurgan Social has been setting the pace and after winning the Young Fancier award in both the NIPA and RPRA (Irish Region) will collect Guy Barrett Trophy – Regions forward nominations for the Guy Barrett Trophy, which is awarded to the young fancier considered the most outstanding overall, based on performance, their attitude to the sport and how the young fancier help the club. For 2019 and again in 2020 the Guy Barrett Trophy is awarded to Keelie Wright of Craigavon in Northern Ireland.

Photo Captions
Sands & Rice winner of the Massarella Trophy in 2020.
Ron Williamson after a record season wins the Selby Thomas and Tony Cornwell Trophies.
Keelie Wright from Lurgan wins the Guy Barrett Trophy for the second year.


“New Heartbreaker” Old Bird of the Year for Danny Dixon in Mid Antrim.