Farming Life - Wednesday 09/03/11

[willie reynolds]

BHW/INFC SINGLE BIRD & DUDDY CHALLENGE

I would also like to congratulate everybody who timed a Challenge pigeon and wish everyone success in the 2011 Single Bird Challenge, which is going to be free to enter, the entry deadline is the same 17th March. Every member will receive an entry form with their statement of accounts and this can be posted or delivered to David Black. The INFC is guaranteeing £1,500 in prize money, there will be twelve prizes: 1st £500, 2nd £300, 3rd £200, 4th £100, 5th-12th £50, W Sawyers and Co. are again sponsoring the Diplomas for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, the winner will also receive the J Doheny Trophy. The Robin Duddy Challenge is also going to be free with £1,000 guaranteed, all you have to do is mark your three birds on the Yearling National race entry sheet and the same for Penzance Young Bird National you only need to time any one of the three in each race. Anyone needing clarification can call me on 07876157706, David Black. The Free Nominations which usually cost £15 are a fantastic competition for all the INFC membership, the deadline is fast approaching for the Single Bird Challenge at 17th March, return your entry on time to David Black.

Lost: While on loan in the Cullybackey Area, Van Hee Mealy cock GB09S 96182. Will local fanciers please check their lofts, contact Homer Tel: 07538 238364. Lost: Stock bird in the Ballyclare Area. GB07N 02754. Tel: 07596 120480.

* The AGM for Mid Antrim Combine will be held in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms on Wednesday 16th March at 8.00pm. Two Delegates from each club to vote on proposals. Any queries contact Secretary George McDowell.

Banbridge Social – B/B Sale

The annual Breeder & Buyer Sale for Banbridge Social will be held in the local Banbridge British Legion on Friday 11th March at 8.00pm, birds on view from 7.00pm. A top event in the local race calendar they have had a good pay-out over the previous seasons. Open as usual to all lofts in Northern Ireland, the race will be flown in conjunction with the INFC Skibbereen North YB National. For further details contact Garry Mallen Tel: 07709 287793 or T Lennon Tel: 07711 409205.

Doagh Moot & Breeder/Buyer Sale

The Doagh & District annual Moot will take place in McConnell’s Lounge in Doagh on Friday 11th March with Kick-off 7.30pm. The panel is Dolan & Mickey Croskery (Annsborough), Martin Graham (Ballymena & Dist) and one for the sprinters Ron McKelvey (Newry & District). There will be a small draft of 2011 young birds for auction and a supper provided at half time, entry is £5 and every one will be made welcome. On Saturday 19th March the Doagh & District Breeder/Buyer Sale will take place in McConnell’s Lounge at 1.30pm sharp. Cards only and open to lofts in NIPA Section B & C the 3rd & 5th young bird races will be hot spot races, £100 per Hotspot with the main race the Talbenny young bird National N.I.P.A. In 2010 the Doagh & Dist club paid out £1,300 in breeder buyer prizes, and with many youngsters already promised from top local and mainland UK lofts we hope this year will be even better.

Breeder & Buyer Charity Sale –

This annual Breeder/Buyer Sale will be held in the Banbridge Royal British Legion on Friday 25th March at 8.00pm with half the total proceeds going to the NI Children’s Hospice. Pigeons have been donated from many of the leading lofts in both Northern and Southern Ireland. The race to be used for the event will be the INFC Penzance YB Nat of 2011. 1st will win 50% divided between breeder and buyer, 2nd will win 30% and 3rd 20% based on the same criterion. All birds donated must be penned on night of sale. Some additional information in the event of only two birds timed divide will be 60% and 40%, only one bird timed divide will be 50% and 50%. Should no birds be recorded in race time, total proceeds will be presented to the above charity. Contact details for the sale: T Lennon Tel: 07711 409205, E McAlinden Tel: 07771 813198, D Carson Tel: 07813 265311.

East Down Combine
Breeder/Buyer Event

To be raced in conjunction with 2nd Skibbereen Young Bird Derby. Sale of birds to take place in Newtownbreda Club rooms on Monday 4th April 2011 (all entries to be in pen on the night).

Sale will be open to all Breeders. All buyers/racers must be members of the East Down Combine.

A limit of 2 young birds per breeder and buyer. Prize fund as follows: (less expenses and framed photo/diploma of winning pigeon to both breeder & buyer).

1st Prize 40% of the Total Fund (50/50 split Breeder/Racer); 2nd Prize 25% of the Total Fund (50/50 split Breeder/Racer); 3rd Prize 15% of the Total Fund (50/50 split Breeder/Racer); 4th Prize 10% of the Total Fund (50/50 split Breeder/Racer); 5th Prize 5% of the Total Fund (50/50 split Breeder/Racer); 6th Prize 5% of the Total Fund (50/50 split Breeder/Racer);

I look forward to your support with this new venture. Any further queries please contact me on Tel: 07793132963. Yours in Sport, David Moore (EDC President).

Springvale Gold Ring -

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. Open to the NIPA Clubs in Sections B & C. Contact Campbell McGrugan, Tel: (028) 93 340981.

Foyle Valley Combine -

Members in the North West clubs are putting the finishing touches to a new level of competition, the Foyle Valley Combine. It will involve and be open to all the members in all the 5 Derry City clubs, plus Strabane. As a trial it will be run in conjunction with the City of Derry Federation, results will be prepared at the same time. It’s another fantastic area of local competition and will give Derry City and the far North West members something extra to aim for in 2011.

JOE & MARK Brown, Lurgan, Northern Ireland. BT66 7BX

Due to such a demand all the early bred youngsters have been sold and the annual sale held in Glenavy each February will not take place. Birds from the 2nd Round will be available during March, 2nd and 3rd week. Bloodlines: Soontjen, Busschaert, FVW, SVR, Darragh, Beattie, Docx, Jacobs, Ken Hine, Van de Rhees etc – Don’t Wait, Order NOW! Tel: Mark or Joe 07709 077266.

Downshire Lofts – E McAlinden & Sons, Banbridge

First Open & First North Section Skibbereen National, First Open & First North Section Penzance Yearling National, Second Open & First North Section Penance Yearling National etc. ON OFFER: 2nd Round Young Birds for Sale. Kit’s of 6 @ £200 - Ready at End of March.

For more details call Eddie Tel: 07771813198.

* Martin Graham, Ballymena & District – His first two rounds of young birds are for sale, direct from race team and stock birds. This loft scores from all distances, good deals for larger orders. Tel: (028) 256379929. Mobile: 07835 099155.

Training Season -

Many thanks to all who send birds last season in the young birds. This season we will be covering the old bird season as well, will set dates probably in late March/early April. Birds can be left with Danny Dixon (Dunloy) for collection at 8.20am then Ballymoney HPS Clubrooms at 9.00am (Ballybracks Business Park), calling on way back at Rasharkin (Main St), Cullybackey, Ahoghill HPS Clubrooms, and Galgorm/Gracehill (Contact Cowan Balmer at Royal Court) approx 10.15am. Contact me on my Mobile. Tel: 07538 238364. Weather permitting we will be going weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we update weekly on www.pigeonnetwork.com

Teurling Gold Ring Classic –

Mark Evans of Heart of England Auctions is the man behind the Teurling Gold Ring Classic flown on Monday 29th August 2011. Ronnie Johnston had a call from Mark who said he had phone calls from fanciers in Northern Ireland enquiring how they can get rings. Mark recons this is the best gamble in pigeons a staggering £68,000 was paid out last year, rings were £30 for two both entered as one loft and a maximum of two rings per loft. It is open to all members of the Western and West Midland Regions. The Futurity Sale dates are Monday 28th February, 13th, 21st and 28th March and the final sale on Monday 11th April. John Millar will take the Gold Ring young birds across to Mark Evans in Birmingham before each sale. If any Northern Ireland fancier would like to take part in this exciting race get in touch with Ronnie Johnston, he has the rings now. Last year the winner collected £7,500.