Farming Life - Wednesday 15/12/10

[willie reynolds]

NEW VENUE SHOW SUCCESS - Charity Sale raises £8,500

The Annual INFC Charity Show for the first time was held in the Lagan Valley Leisureplex, Lisburn City last Saturday and proved to be a tremendous success. Stallholders and visitors were in agreement that the centre was of a very high standard, warm and comfortable with facilities for all and I praise the fanciers for respecting it as such. It is hoped that with the approval of the management of the Leisureplex that we will be there for years to come. With this year now behind us the Show Committee are now fully aware of the potential of this hall and hope in 2011 the Show can become a lot bigger and better.

The Charity auction organised by Ronnie Johnston raised a staggering £8,500 and I take this opportunity to thank all that donated the birds for the sale, each year they respond to the request by Ronnie and it is much appreciated. My thanks also to Trevor, David and Robert Topping, Samuel Briggs and the Committee for their commitment in ensuring that this Show was a success. Also to Roddy Smyth, Jackie Thompson, Albert Lockhart and Mark Johnston for their help in the setting up and taking down of the stalls. Finally, our thanks to the Management and Staff at the Leisureplex for their assistance.

The Raffle organised by Helen Marshall, assisted by Maggie & Rosemary was once again a success and the winners were as follows; 1st £250 Colin Watson, 2nd £100 William Johnston, 3rd £100 Eddie Mulholland, 4th £100 Lynda Marshall, 5th £100 Natasha Murphy, 6th £100 Gordon McBride, 7th Kit of 6 2011 Young Birds very kindly donated by B. Hogg & Sons, Newtownbreda, won by Billy Houston, 8th Entry to North Coast Classic, W. Doonan, 9th Tin of Sweets, K. McConaghie, 10th Cordless Kettle, J. McKinstry, 11th DVD, A. Young, 12th Drinker, Rebecca Mulholland, 13th Feeder, D. Brown, 14th Teddy Bear, William McKee, 15th Norban Products, G. Grant, 16th Medpet Products, Kit Wilde, 17th Tin of Sweets, A. Trimble, 18th DVD, Mr & Mrs Robinson, 19th Multi-Vitamins, Paul McLoughlin, 20th Medpet Products, Allan McDonald, 21st Set of Books, J. Gillespie, 22nd Set Of Feeders, M. Fegan, 23rd Tin of Sweets, Ross Porteus, 24th Medpet Products, Lagan Valley HPS, 25th Matrix, R. Glass, 26th 2 Bags of Corn, Adam Muckle.

On Thursday prior to the Show the Committee were saddened to learn of the death of Ernie Shaw, Moneymore Supplies and they wish to tender their sincere sympathy to Phillip and the entire family circle. As a mark of respect their stand at the Show remained vacant,

This Show remains the cheapest of its kind anywhere in the UK or Ireland with an entry fee of £2, a nominal fee to offset the cost of the hall which has to be paid. This year we even had 2 doors available for the people that choose to enter the hall free of charge, this might seem petty griping about £2 but when we are talking about 100 plus people it is a bit much, thankfully this was the only negative. Ken McConaghie Show Committee Chairman.

Boxing Day Show in Belfast

Kingswood HPS situated in East Belfast, Albertbridge Road are hosting their OPEN to all big Boxing Day show, Sunday 26th Dec 2010 penning is 12 Noon to 2.00pm, six classes Old Cocks, Old Hens, Young Cocks, Young Hens - All handled, Old Bird Eye-sign and Young Bird Eye-sign cost shall be £1 per bird, Among other prizes Best Opposite Sex prize £25, Best In Show prize £50.

There shall also be a small number of 2011 top young birds for sale - monies from this shall go towards a racing special to be competed for from the INFC Young bird Skibbereen.

Same as last year all monies collected from sale shall be paid out in total - £1,000 paid in 2010. Lofts who enter show that day shall be entitled to free Kingswood race entry, entry’s to race shall be pro rata i.e. the more you enter in show the more free entry’s to race !! Also anyone donating or buying a young bird that day shall also be welcome to free entry to the Kingswood race.

Anyone wishing further information or directions phone Ronnie Tel: 07925 420309.

Local Show Results –

The Ballymena & Dist show last Monday week was cancelled due to the very heavy snow which fell over the afternoon, it was re-arranged for the following week and the final show for Eye-sign will be held on Monday 20th December. Indoor Car Boot Sale to be held in Broughshane Community Centre on Thursday 16/12 from 7.00pn till 9.00pm. Tables at £5 can be booked with President Billy Smyth Tel: (028) 25652604. An Open Show will be held on New Years Day in Ballymena & Dist, OC, OH, YC, YH handled and OB & YB Eye-sign where birds can be duplicated. Entry £1 per bird and penning Noon until 1.30pm.Specials for BIS, BOS and Most Points. Any member donating prizes or arranging sponsorship should contact either Billy Smyth or Willie Reynolds. Due to pressure on space the Open Show is for lofts in Mid Antrim & NIPA Sect B only. Ballymena & Dist always had the New Years Day date and maybe it can become an annual event again. Sammy Steele and Harry McCloy from Cullybackey judged the most recent classes for Young Pairs & Fancy, the Special for Best in Show was won by Chairman Joe Devlin and Bertie Blair won the raffle. Young Pairs (38 birds) – 1st & HC Blair & Rankin, 2nd W & J Smyth, 3rd & Commended J Devlin, 4th B Herbinson, Reserve & VHC J & B Balmer. Fancy (21 birds) – 1st & Special J Devlin, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & VHC J & B Balmer, Reserve & Commended Blair & Rankin, HC B Herbinson. On Monday evening the judges from Ballymoney were Derek McMullan and Leonard McCaw, club President Billy Smyth won two classes and the Special for BIS. The raffle was won by Willie Gilbert and donated to the Open Show. Old Pairs T/W (40 birds) – 1st & Commended W & J Smyth, 2nd & Reserve J & B Balmer, 3rd, VHC & HC W & N Gilbert, 4th Blair & Rankin. Card Winners (31 birds) – 1st, 2nd & Reserve B Herbinson, 3rd & VHC W & N Gilbert, 4th & Commended J & B Balmer, HC Blair & Rankin. Late Breds (17 birds) – 1st, 2nd & HC W & J Smyth, 3rd & Reserve Blair & Rankin, 4th & Commended J & B Balmer, VHC W & N Gilbert.

Broughshane & District held the final classes of the season with judges attending from Ballymena, Harryville and Kells. J & N Simpson won the Roy West Show Cup with 100 Points, the partners can show as well as race. Old Cocks Handled – 1st C Kennedy, 2nd & 4th T & E Service, 3rd & VHC J & N Simpson, Reserve H Smyth & Son, HC A Purvis, Commended Mrs M Smyth. Judge Allen McBride (Harryville). Young Cocks Handled – 1st, 3rd, Reserve & VHC J & N Simpson, 2nd J Getty, 4th T & E Service, HC Mrs M Smyth, Commended C Kennedy. Judges Joe Devlin & Bertie Blair (Ballymena). Raffle winner Mrs M Smyth. The final classes were for old Hens and Young Hens Handled the judges from Kells & Dist were Alan Barkley and Maurice Agnew and the Red Card winners J & N Simpson and T & E Service who have performed well all season. Old Hens Handled – 1st & Reserve J & N Simpson, 2nd & Commended J Getty, 3rd & VHC T & E Service, 4th & HC H Smyth & Son. Young Hens Handled – 1st & VHC T & E Service, 2nd, 3rd & HC J & N Simpson, 4th, Reserve & Commended H Smyth & Son. Raffle winner Tom Service.

Kells & District series continue with big entries, the most recent classes on Wednesday evening were for Old Cocks and Old Hens Through Wires. Brian Herbinson and James Harris from Cullybackey placed the cards for Old Cocks and the top winner was Brian Swann & Son. Alan Barkley & Son lifted the Red Card in the Old Hens class judged by W McKillen & G McLaughlin. Old Cocks T/W (106 birds) – 1st B Swann & Son, 2nd, 3rd, HC & Commended A Barkley & Son, 4th Surgenor Bros, Reserve H Fullerton & Son, VHC Scott & Clements. Old Hens (115 birds) – 1st, 4th & Reserve A Barkley & Son, 2nd Surgenor Bros, 3rd B Swann & Son, VHC G McDowell, HC H Boyd, Commended Scott & Clements.

Harryville HPS shows continue each Thursday recent classes included YC & OC Handled and YH & OH Handled. Judges attended from Ahoghill and Glenarm. Old Cocks Handled – 1st & VHC G Price, 2nd R & P Alexander, 3rd M Wray, 4th B Ramsey, Reserve & HC R Service, Commended J & B Balmer. Judges A Young & J Balmer (Ahoghill). Young Cocks Handled – 1st & Reserve B Ramsey, 2nd & Commended K & K Kernohan & Sons, 3rd C Magill, 4th R & P Alexander, VHC G Price, HC Blair & Rankin. Judges T Young & D Young (Ahoghill). Old Hens Handled – 1st A McBride, 2nd B Ramsey, 3rd K & K Kernohan & Sons, 4th J & B Balmer, Reserve & HC G Price, VHC J & B Balmer, Commended M Wray. Judges Owen & Pat O’Neill (Glenarm). Young Hens Handled – 1st, 3rd & Reserve G Price, 2nd Blair & Rankin, 4th J Millar & Son, VHC A McBride, HC & Commended R & P Alexander. Judges N O’Boyle & J Murphy (Glenarm).

Cullybackey on Saturday evening is the local venue for the shows judges from Randalstown were Campbell Shaw and Bobby Houston, Willie Gilbert won both classes. Old Hens Handled – 1st, 3rd & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, 4th & Reserve J & J Greer. Fancy – 1st & 3rd W & N Gilbert, 2nd & HC Reid Bros & McCloy, 4th J & J Greer, Reserve N & S Anderson, VHC J & B Balmer, Commended Russell Bros. Judge for the Eye-sign was Leslie Madden from Coleraine, Len Russell cleaned up and won both classes. OB Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Reserve, HC & Commended Russell Bros, VHC N & S Anderson. YB Eye-sign – 1st, 4th, Reserve, HC & Commended Russell Bros, 2nd J & J Greer, 3rd & VHC B Herbinson. This Saturday is the Annual Open Show.

Rasharkin & District have completed the Show Series, the final event will be the Annual Champion of Champion. The overall award winner was the partnership of A C & T Tweed with runner-up Jimmy Robinson & Son. Young Cocks Handled – 1st W McFetridge, 2nd & Reserve H Cubitt, 3rd & VHC A C & T Tweed, 4th & HC J & D Surgenor, Commended J Robinson & Son. Judge Jimmy Hanson (Coleraine). Young Hens Handled – 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th J Robinson & Son, Reserve, VHC & Commended A C & T Tweed, HC H Cubitt. Judge Leslie Madden (Coleraine). Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st H Cubitt, 2nd & 4th W McFetridge, 3rd, Reserve & HC A C & T Tweed, VHC Steele & McNeill, Commended J Robinson & Son. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st & 3rd H Cubitt, 2nd Steele & McNeill, 4th & Commended W McFetridge, Reserve & VHC J Robinson & Son, HC A C & T Tweed. Judges Magill Family & J McGowan (Ballymena).

Ballymoney HPS: Young Cocks Handled – 1st & 4th Curry & Gilmore, 2nd D & G McMullan, 3rd & Commended W & L McCaw, 4th & HC L Neill, Reserve D & H Stuart. Judge Nial O’Boyle (Glenarm). Young Hens Handled – 1st & Special W & L McCaw, 2nd L Neill, 3rd & Reserve D & H Stuart, 4th & HC D & G McMullan, VHC W & L McCaw, Commended D Dixon. Judge Owen O’Neill. Old Pieds T/W – 1st Curry & Gilmore, 2nd & 3rd D & G McMullan, 4th D Dixon, Reserve & Commended L Neill, VHC & HC D & H Stuart. Judge Pat O’Neill (Glenarm). Raffle tickets need returned please.

Springvale Social Golden Ring Result - 1st S Rodney & Son 1487 plus £750, 2nd A Gault 1467 plus £150, 3rd G & L Simpson 1435 plus £100. Many thanks to all involved with the Gold Ring Race, all those who supported the event from Rosscarbery and many congratulations to the various winners. We are all looking forward to the 2011 Golden Ring, and rings will be available from the start of the year. Just 100 rings will be sold at £20 each and £1,000 paid out in tree cuts with £750 to the winner. Contact Campbell McGrugan, Tel: (028) 93 340981.The latest results from the local shows. Victor Montgomery won all four classes of the most recent show. Young Hens T/W – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, & VHC V Montgomery, Reserve I Horner, HC A C McGrugan, Commended J Scott. Young Hens Handled – 1st, 3rd, 4th, Reserve, VHC, HC & Commended V Montgomery, 2nd J Scott. Old Hens T/W – 1st, VHC & HC V Montgomery, 2nd I Horner, 3rd, 4th & Reserve J Scott, Commended A C McGrugan. Old Hens Handled – 1st, 2nd, HC & Commended V Montgomery, 3rd, Reserve & VHC J Scott, 4th I Horner. Mated Pairs Through Wires – 1st & HC V Montgomery, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & Reserve J Scott, Commended R Davidson & Sons. Mated Pairs Handled – 1st, 3rd, Reserve & VHC V Montgomery, 2nd & Commended R Davidson & Sons, 4th I Horner, HC J Scott. Judge S Lorimer (Doagh).

Lurgan Social penultimate show result: 1st S Loughran, 2nd, 3rd & 4th C & J Ferris, Reserve W A Brown & Shaw, Commended E Wright & Son. Special Best Grizzle T Furphy. Many thanks to judge K Reynolds. Final show next Monday two classes Through Wires & Handling with Special Best Young bird each class.

Trip to Dutch National Show

John Hollinger from Millisle is arranging his now annual trip to England & Belgium next year from Friday 4th March 2011. Foxwood Lofts at York will have a visit on the Friday, then Saturday it’s the Dutch National Show plus Karel & Daniel Boeckx the best Sprint/Middle Distance lofts in Belgium. Sunday 6th is the visit to the famous Lier Market plus the equally as famous Natural Breeding Station, both Lier and the Breeding Station are a Must See, I have been there. Monday on the way back a visit to the top loft of Neebro Stud in Richmond, winners reported from the visit last year and Foxwood Lofts have had many winners reported in Ireland. Cost is £240 and very limited seats are available. Contact John Hollinger Tel: (028) 91 863536, Mobile 07784 409893.

Ballymena & Dist Car Boot Sale/Open Show -

Indoor Car Boot Sale to be held in Broughshane Community Centre on Thursday 16th December from 7.00pn till 9.00pm. Tables at £5 can be booked with President Billy Smyth Tel: (028) 25652604, items for sale can be left at the Clubrooms. An Open Show will be held on New Years Day in Ballymena & Dist, 3 in 1 and Eye-sign can be duplicated. Specials for BIS, BOS and Most Points. Any member donating prizes or arranging sponsorship should contact either Billy Smyth or Willie Reynolds. Due to pressure on space the Open Show is for lofts in Mid Antrim & Sect B only. More details later, Ballymena & Dist always had the New Years Day date and maybe it can become an annual event again.

Cullybackey HPS Open Show –

The annual Open Show will take place in Cullybackey on Saturday 18th December penning from 12 Noon until 1.30pm. Usual 3 in 1 plus a Fancy Class. Entry fee is £1 per bird and club members must show a minimum 10 birds. Members are also asked to supply a prize for the raffle.

INFC Presentation –

Friday 7th January is the confirmed date for the INFC presentation of various Merit Awards in the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim. Tickets can be ordered with Patron Ronnie Johnston or Secretary Trevor Topping. The special guest will be Chris Gordon from England, an ace racer who has previously won the Kings Cup. The new Merit Awards are for pigeons placed twice in the Kings Cup or Friendship Nat (France). Around 30 were won in the 2010 season and those intending to attend the presentation should contact Trevor Topping re tickets. Tickets are £10 each and this includes a hot supper. This event could become very regular, the dinner presentation is now so large and it’s just not possible to present everything on the one evening. President Syd Collins is also helping with arrangements, the Kells & Dist Moot was held in Dunsilly Hotel earlier and it’s a super venue for this type of event.

Kells & Dist Boxing Day Show

The annual Open Show will be held in the local clubrooms on Monday 27th December, usual arrangements with penning until 1.30pm prizes for all cards and Specials for BIS & BOS. The club also have a fantastic Raffle. It’s a great day out in the local village Kells & Connor, the show attracts top entries every year.