Homer's Odyssey/BHW Plus - 02/04/10

[willie reynolds]

The Newtownbreda HPS Clubrooms was the venue recently for the INFC Charity Cheque presentations the theme of which on this occasion was cancer care in the community. Members of the show committee were present as were members from the various charities who were to receive cheques. Chairman Ken McConaghie assisted by Show Secretary Jimmy Hughes opened the proceedings and explained how the funds were raised. The Irish Nat FC has operated a major show on the second Saturday in December each year at the Kings Hall complex, around 1,000 fanciers attend each year. They collect an entry fee at the door and Helen Marshall has been operating a very successful raffle to add to the funds. By far the most money is raised in the annual auction organised since the very first show by the INFC Patron and top scribe Ronnie Johnston. Birds are donated by some of the very top lofts not only in Ireland but across the whole of the UK, many are direct from the seasons top race winners and are only available at a sale like this. The most recent sale was a little bit down, that was expected in the circumstances with the general economy, despite that the meeting was pleased to report that well over £250,000 has been presented to charity over a 30 year plus history. A decision had been made a few years back that monies raised would go direct to good local causes and thus cut out all the admin that was costing a lot. The committee are rightly proud of their achievements over a long period of time and its well appreciated. Tom Marshall a top supporter and sponsor since the start presented the cheques and each organization in turn explained in a short speech, what the money would be used for.

The list this year included: Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children £2,500, Northern Ireland Hospice £1,000, Southern Area Hospice Services £1,000, Bridgewater Suite £1,000, Haematology Research Fund £1,000, Haematology Unit Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children £1,000, Caron Keating Foundation £850.

On the top of this there was a cheque presentation to MacMillan Cancer Support of £3,000 raised by the Clearance Sale for Will Patterson of Dromore who had to leave the sport for health reasons. He very kindly added funds to bring the total to £3,000 and the cheque was presented by Wesley Sawyers who auctioned the birds in the Banbridge British Legion.

Ken thanked Newtownbreda HPS for the loan of the hall and Helen Marshall and the other ladies who supplied tea and coffee. It was another grand occasion for the pigeon fancy who are well known for their charity work. A massive well done, to all concerned.

Dublin Charity Show A Major Event

Northern Ireland lofts once again enjoyed top success at the annual show winning several classes and the overall awards for Most Points and Best in Show. I travelled again on the bus from Lagan Valley in Lisburn, a top event for the club over the last number of years which includes dinner on the journey home at the Carrickdale Hotel one of the top eating houses just inside Southern Ireland at Dundalk. I should also mention just across from the Exhibition Centre were have the Countrymans Road House, the meals in here are excellent as well, and good value for money. Without doubt the Dublin Show is one of the top events in all of Ireland, getting better every year and for those who have yet to travel, it really is an event not to miss. An added attraction at the last show was a Sale held inside the hall, it started after the Charity Sale. Special thanks to Peter Fox of the Syndicate Lofts who very kindly made a donation from his sale to the Show Committee. The Chairman of the Show Committee Eugene Fitzgerald thanke everyone who supported the event, those who attended, those who put birds on show and donated birds to the Charity Sale, the stall holders, sponsors of classes and not forgetting the main sponsor Petron Lofts.

A special presentation of a Unikon ETS was made to Kevin Darling for the tremendous effort he has put in to the Dublin Show, he has been part of the furniture for a long time. The judging team included Eric Yule & Son from Aberdeen, T Craggs from Sunderland, Sonny Galloway, Harry Moore, Neill Bruce, Ray Bowey, Mick Crean and from Northern Ireland Paddy ONeill and Jimmy OHara. The Show Committee includes President/Chairman Eugene Fitzgerald, Secretary Mick ODriscoll, Treasurer Jay Byrne plus J Daly, K Darling, M OConnor, M Gilligan, M Keenan, P Cleary and I hope I missed no one.

The Timmy & Kiera Mawhinney team from Donacloney won 5 x Red Cards and easily took the Most Points Cup for I believe the third time. The Best in Show Cup was brought back North by the Brown & Shaw team from Dromore, they won 1st in the Old Cock Flown with the bird that won the Best Racing Pigeon Blackpool 2008 also Old Hen Flown and Old Cock T/W. Other class winners included E Wright & Son (Moira) Old Cock Flown Channel and Eyesign, and J Douglas & Son (Lurgan). Kevin Bernie won Old Hen Unflown, Young Hen Unflown and Best Opposite Sex. Roland Farrelly had the Red Card in Colour Class, AA Cock Unflown and Young Cock Unflown. Thanks to Eugene Fitzgerald who each year does his very best to provide me with results, and he has been looking this report for ages as well.

Dublin Show Racing Pigeon Society are now based at the Irish Kennel Club Exhibition Centre, beside Dublin Airport, a fantastic venue and a show which is getting bigger every year. Such is the success Chairman Eugene Fitzgerald and his team, are looking at making the event a two day fixture.

INFC Season Update

The INFC held the first committee meeting of the new season recently, Lisburn & Dist Clubrooms was the venue at Market Square. Chairman Eugene Fitzgerald opened the meeting and welcomed all present including new members. The minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated and there was nothing arising. Ian Gill from Pigeonportal.com was invited to attend this next committee meeting, he had earlier sent a letter offering the club a free website to display race results, liberation times, race updates and general club news. The only outlay would be to get a professionally designed home page with Logo/Banner. It could develop into a lot more, with a Video Channel, On-Line Magazine etc, Ian would either train some people to install news or he would be prepared to do the updates himself. It was agreed to proceed with this project on a trial basis, all levels of publicity were appreciated. For the last number of years Pigeonnetwork.com has been running news and updates, this would continue and Maurice Alexander would continue to work on the history of the club. Results would be placed as usual with the British Homing World, it is appreciated not all members use computers.

Subject to agreement the clocks will be set at the Race Marking, something a lot of the members have been looking for. It will be put on trial for this season, bins will be provided for rubbish including the old seals. It is hoped we will get enough help to complete all jobs, ETS people are to be invited to attend after good success last season when the new arrangements were introduced. Members must adhere to Clock Rule 19, all clocks to be cleared and have necessary updates, vital time was being lost here. The race marking is a big job and we need all the help we can get.

The Beattie Family sent a letter thanking the club and members for their support following the recent death of Henry Beattie, an ambassador for Long Distance Racing and a former winner of the Blue Riband Kings Cup. Henry will be sadly missed at all the functions he attended, he had time for everyone. James McGrugan Junior has presented a cup in memory of his late father, it was agreed the James McGrugan Sen Cup will be presented to the Section winner not winning the 1st Open Yearling National. There was some discussion on the suspension of members in Comber Central following correspondence from the RPRA (Irish Region) secretary Robert Reid. With a deadline on the membership now set for 28th April each year it will not be possible to take fees from suspended members after that time. The Single Bird Challenge has an entry of 220, the second highest ever, the winner will get £350 plus the Joe Doheny Cup and Diploma, David Black will publish details soon. Their bird has already been listed GB07D08785. The full list is available on the INFC Board of the Pigeon Discussion Forum on http://www.pigeonnetwork.com

I have been asked to explain the INFC Robin Duddy Challenge. Members pay a £10 Fee, cheques made payable to Irish National Flying Club. Then enter one, two and no more than three birds for firstly the Yearling Nat and then later in the year for the YB Nat Penzance. Its the Best Ave over the two races, your first nominated bird timed in the Yearling Nat counted with your first nominated bird timed in the YB Penzance. It is not necessary to enter three birds, many lofts send less that three to the race, but the main point is that three birds is the limit for the Robin Duddy Trophy. Up to three pigeons maximum to be nominated on the race entry forms for the Yearling Nat and the Cross Channel YB Nat. Hope that helps a bit. Its going to be another very interesting year and members should pay attention to the on-going discussions. Entries are coming in fast, return the entry/registration form to David Black, 11 Drumiller Hill, Dromore, County Down. BT25 1EP. Phone: (028) 92 692713.

Trevor has everything booked re shipping and race permits and travel arrangements are in place to suit all requirements. Its a massive challenge every year with a big effort required in planning. Its early yet but Ronnie Johnston will be looking after the annual dinner and prize night, there was also some discussion on the award for Best Ave All Nat Races, the Erwin Trophy was presented for competition in all races, at the AGM the Old Hen race was removed from the list for 2010. I would suggest unless we get something definite in relation to the Old Hen Nat it will be dropped from the race programme completely.

The proposed race programme for the INFC in 2010 is as follows. Skibbereen OB Inland Nat Tuesday 25th May (race mark Monday), Sennen Cove Yearling Nat Wednesday 9th June (race mark Monday), Plaudren/Vannes Kings Cup Friday 2nd July (race mark Tuesday), St Malo Friendship Nat Friday 9th July (race mark Tuesday), Penzance YB Nat Wednesday 8th September (race mark Monday), Penzance Old Hens Nat Wednesday 8th September (race mark Monday), Skibbereen YB Inland Nat Saturday 18th September (race mark Friday).

Sale Dates for the Diary

Sales: Corcreeney Breeder/Buyer in Banbridge Thursday 1st April, Ballycarry Breeder/Buyer Sale Friday 2nd April and on same date in Larne & Dist a Young Bird Sale to raise funding for the Derbyshire Family (grand-son lost life in Australia accident). Ballycarry Weekly Sale Bird on Wednesday 7th April and on the same date in Larne & Dist the Breeder/Buyer Sale for Ballynure & Dist. The first sale for Alannah Donnelly is to be held in the British Legion Banbridge on Thursday 8th April and the big Breeder & Buyer Sale for Grosvenor HPS will take place in the local clubrooms on Friday 9th April at 8.00pm.

The Doagh & District HPS Breeder/Buyer Sale took place in McConnells Lounge on Saturday 27th March. This was their most successful sale to date, in total the club lifted £1,730 with £1,100 being raced for in the Talbenny Young Bird National, £200 in the Hotspot races, also £391 going to club funds. The club would like to thank Sid Collins for auctioning the birds and all the fanciers who bought Y/Birds and donated Y/Birds. Many thanks as well to John McConnell for the use of the premises, and the bottle of Vodka for the ballot.

The opening race of the NIPA old bird programme will be flown from Tullamore on Saturday 10th April, race sheets and clocks need to be returned this week for all member clubs. Clocks in the old days had to be three-way tested, now in this modern area with one third using the ETS Systems the main job now is to list updates. When the season starts clubs should furnish their results as in the past, if you can supply extra details that will help a lot as will the odd photo. We have always relied on a number of area scribes to supply local news for various publications, this as usual will be listed in the organisation report for each race. There is more to do than will ever be possible to be done, we can only try our best, to ensure your result is listed get the details to Homer, space is also available for all clubs to list results on http://www.pigeonnetwork.com

Racing in Mid Antrim Combine

The AGM for the Mid Antrim Combine was held recently in the Harryville HPS in Ballymena. In the absence of Chairman Robert Service through illness Alan Darragh from Cullybackey was invited to chair the meeting. He opened the meeting and welcomed delegates from most member clubs, Secretary George McDowell read the minutes of the previous AGM. These were adopted on a show of hands and the accounts were also passed. Main expenditure was on Diplomas at £215, some £218 remained in the Current Account and it would not be necessary to adjust the fees which remain at £2.00. Officials were re-elected for 2010 Chairman Robert Service (Harryville) and Secretary George McDowell (Kells).

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 owners 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 owners fees are paid.

Robert Service had a spell in hospital and was recovering well at home, the members sent him best wishes and the secretary was to send a card and basket of fruit.

For Sale: Taking orders for Young Birds from the following families, Janssen, Cattrysse and Roland Janssen. Contact Robert Tel: 07885 438500.

Training For All

John Lowry of Crumlin will start training week commencing Monday 5th April, he can provide single crates for the fanciers, usual collection arrangements. Tel: (028) 94 459014 or Mobile: 07710 447262. Homer hopes to be ready for the start of old bird racing, training on demand, more details on this later.

Colin Long (Kingswood HPS) shall commence training Sunday the 21st of March 2010 he intends training every day Newry/Dundalk line and shall pick up birds as follows - 8am Dundonald Ice Bowl, 8.45am Kingswood HPS, 9.30 Durham St (behind the black man tech) for further information phone Colin on Mobile: 07894 117243.

Tom Cairns (Glengormley) intends to train birds to Skerries (Dublin) each Saturday morning between 22nd May and 3rd July especially with the long distance races in mind. Pick-up points will include Corrs Corner Roundabout 7.00am until 7.30am, Park Centre 8.00am until 8.30am. Tel: 07973 113710.

Joe & Mark Brown Training - The local transporter will start operations (weather permitting) on Thursday 1st April and each week Monday to Thursday going to Newry and Ardee. Collection points and times etc as before with usual stops at Bleary and Gilford. Birdage will be a nominal 10p, very good value and Joe can be contacted at any time Tel: 07709 077266.

BANBRIDGE based Kenny Mallen will be operating a training programme for the local area starting on Sunday 4th April and prior to racing operating Monday through till Thursday. Collections are Banbridge 7.30-8.15am (Coach Car Park) and Newry 8.45-9.00am (Old Customs House). Space available for widowhood hens for early release. Any queries contact Kenny Tel: 07737 521355.

Andy Milliken, Pigeon Training Lisburn - Training commences Sat 27th of March, On both this date and Sun 28th of March he will be Picking up from Lagan Valley Pigeon club at 8.30-9.00am and Liberating at the Border. From Tues 30th March onwards Liberations at the border and RD, pick up points Coronation Gardens 7.15am, Lagan Valley Pigeon Club 7.30-8.00am, Dromore (Car Park) 8.15am.For any further information or alternative pick ups contact Andy Tel: 07764 158942.

Springvale Social intend to once again promote a Gold Ring Race in 2010, rings at £20 each are available now. Open to lofts competing in the NIPA Sections B & C the race will be as last year flown in conjunction with the NIPA Rosscarbery National. Prizes will be 1st £750, 2nd £150 and 3rd £100 and the contact numbers are as follows. Victor Montgomery Tel: 93-340021, Robert Scott Tel: 93-322798, Campbell McGrugan Tel: 93-340981 and Michael Fasciolo Tel: 07854 910228. I have to inform the fancy that long time member John (Nook) Wilson has passed away at the advanced age of 91 years, he had many years of top success and was the former winner of the Yearling Nat. Sincere condolences to the family circle.

Ballycarry & District will hold a Young Bird National sale to be flown from Rosscarbery at 1/3 breeder,1/3 buyer,1/3 club funds. The sale will be in the local clubrooms on Friday 2nd April @ 7.30pm open to all in NIPA Section C. Also new for 2010 they will hold a Young Bird weekly sale to be raced from the first five mass lib young bird races, This sale will be held in the clubrooms on Wednesday 7th April @ 7.30pm, sale open to members in Carrick Social RPC, Carrick & District HPS & Ballycarry HPS. Could members please note that all dues will be paid on Friday 2nd April, and also clocks in for 3 way test the same night, this is of course the night of the YB Nat Sale.

Larne & District HPS will host a Young Bird Sale in the local clubrooms on Friday 2nd April, birds in the pen from 7.00pm, sale at 7.30pm. Birds have been donated by local lofts and friends and the sale is in support of Brian & Val Derbyshire who tragically lost their grand-son following an accident in Australia. Brian is a good worker for the sport and is part of the D Donnelly & Partners team.

Fanciers in the Southern Region are organising a series of Young Bird Auctions in aid of funds for the Southern Area Hospice, Ballyholland GAC in Newry is the venue on Saturday 3rd April at 8.00pm. For further information on the Newry Sale please contact Pat McAteer Tel: 07789 846028. All pigeon fanciers are asked to support the sale to help raise much needed funds for the Hospice. The youngsters will be ready for racing this season.

Newtownbreda Pigeon Club is the venue for a Triple YB Sale with 60 young birds at workingmans prices, Saturday 3rd April at 3.00pm. Ian Gill who owns the very best of Ian Stafford Van Reet & Jos Thones, winners reported from many top flyers. Andy Milliken (A & R Milliken) Soontjen, Maris & Busschaert. Andy has been winning many positions in Ulster Fed, NIPA & INFC 1st North Sect & 2nd Open Skibbereen etc. Brian Foulis has Janssen lines from B & R Hogg, and J Gerrard a dynasty of pigeons that have won Ulster Fed, EDC and NIPA top prizes for 15 years. Further info Tel: Brian 07746 930072 or Andy 07764 158942.

Ballynure & District will have the annual Breeder & Buyer Sale in the Larne & Dist HPS Clubrooms, Glenarm Road in Larne on Wednesday 7th April, penning at 7.30 and sale at 8.00pm. The race will be the Rosscarbery YB National, £600 has been paid out each year and all fanciers are welcome.

Ronnie Johnston will auction birds at two sales that have been arranged on behalf of Allanah Donnelly who is just 7 years old and a Leukaemia Sufferer. Dates are Thursday 8th April in the Banbridge British Legion and Monday 12th April in the Newtownbreda Clubrooms. Fantastic selection of top quality Young Birds direct from some of Irelands leading lofts, will be ready to race.

Glenarm & District HPS will have their annual Breeder & Buyer Sale in the Larne & Dist HPS on Thursday 15th April at 8.00pm. The race will be Fermoy and prizes £100 for Breeder and £250 for the Buyer. All fanciers welcome.

A Building Fund Sale in aid of Downpatrick HPS will take place in the Newtownbreda Clubrooms on Monday 19th April at 8.00pm. The club have a top selection of youngsters promised from top lofts, penning is from 7.00pm.

HOMER
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07939 684876
Email: reynoldshomer@aol.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk