Farming Life - Wednesday 05/10/11

[willie reynolds]

Emerald Classic International One Loft Race -

The on-line Auction comprising the top 13 pigeon and first 10 Ace pigeons in this year’s Emerald Classic International One Loft Race is currently taking place on the world renowned and without doubt the largest pigeon web site in the world “Pigeon Paradise” known to most as PIPA, to view the auction or place a bid visit www.pipa.be select your language and click auctions on the menu. N/B the auction will end at 12:00 Noon GMT on Sunday 9th October.

The remainder of the pigeons which competed in this year’s grand final will be sold on our own professionally presented and run auction site www.emeraldclassic.co.uk/auction commencing this weekend with lots 14 to 38 followed by lots 39 to 59 and so on. Unfortunately despite numerous polite reminders a number of pedigrees have not been received, those pigeons have now been withdrawn from the auction of top 200 and will be replaced with pigeons from lots 201 – 336.

Below is just a sample of the quality available to purchase on PIPA, Lot 1 “Emerald Ace”1st ACE PIGEON bred by Peter & Brian Fox of the world renowned Syndicate Lofts UK. Lot 11 “Nine Eleven” 1st Open bred by Danny Dixon who named this pigeon after the date of the race which also took place on the tenth anniversary of the Nine Eleven tragedy. Lots 12 & 13 “Flash” 2nd Open and “Red Arrow” 3rd Open both bred by Brendan McCann & Sons and entered by Connor Wheland of Corn Direct in Dublin.

AUCTION NEWS

Sale of Gift Birds at Doagh –

Doagh Community Hall (formerly Orange Hall) will host a sensational sale of gift birds donated by some of the leading lofts in Ireland both north and south on Saturday 8th October at 3.00pm, birds on view from 2.00pm. All proceeds in aid of Building Fund.

McCartney calling it a day!

George McCartney of Moira is selling out due to his very successful Butchery Business expanding. Ronnie Johnston has agreed to sell the stock and he will know this family of bird’s right back to the achievements of the famous McCartney Bros. Keep an eye on the press for the latest news, sale dates are for the usual venues at Glenavy and Newtownbreda. The Glenavy date is Saturday 15th October at 2.30pm and then a few days later Newtownbreda on Monday 17th October at 7.30pm, all done a dusted on the one weekend.

Charity Sale in Gilford & Dist –

Charity Sale on behalf of the late Joseph Finnegan, Gilford & District RPC to be held in the local clubrooms on Saturday 15th October, viewing 13.00hrs and the sale to commence at 14.00hrs. Approx 45 birds, and T3 Clock, all proceeds going to the Southern Area Hospice.

British Legion Sale -

In the Banbridge British Legion Hall a superb draft of pigeons for sale on Friday 21st October 2011 at 8-00pm, birds on view from 7-00pm. Gift birds have been donated by all top lofts in the country Alan Darragh, Ron Williamson, Willie Neil, Gerald Delaney, Bingham & Seaton to name a few. All proceeds raised are for Legion Building Fund. Diamond Carson has all the details.

Major Sale for Joe Brown in Glenavy.

Joe Brown from Dollingstown has a sale booked to take place in Glenavy on Saturday 29th October from 2.00pm. All the Darkness Youngsters are for sale including the many prize winners also a large number of the older stock birds that have bred numerous winners over the last number of years. Approx 90 birds in total and price on each pen, Joe will be there himself to explain the strains involved and the winning done and he will take orders for 2012 young birds these are usually sold out every year. A day not to be missed in Glenavy, Sat 29th October.

Sheader Soontjen’s in Glenavy

Frank Sheader is sending one of his best drafts of his World Famous Soontjens to Ireland, it will be the last for some time. Many young stock birds will be included for the first time, “Irish Rover” Ronnie Johnston as usual will be auctioneer. It will be a Monday Night Spectacular in Glenavy, 31st October at 7.30pm. 2010 was another great year, 1st Open NEHU Bourges at 570 miles was 50% Sheader Soontjen, the Irish YB Grand Nat from Penzance 2nd Open winner at 330 miles was 50% Sheader Soontjen and Ronnie Johnston himself racing in Dundonald won 1st Club, 4th Open East Down Combine Fermoy winning the club by six minutes the Blue Cheq hen bred by Frank Sheader. Phone Frank for more details – Tel: 01944 710384.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN IRELAND -

The sensational Leo Van Rijn family of B & K Hawes and Lee Fribbins coming to Sarsfield RPC, Lally Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 on Sunday 23rd October at 4.00pm, birds on view from 2.00pm. This will be the first sale of the year for Ireland's Own Pigeon Auctions and queries should be directed to either Homer Tel: 07538 238364 or Adie Tel: 07921 883997. As usual we will take any Commission Bids, the full Sale List will be published shortly. In the meantime see the article on B & K Hawes in the RP dated 30/09/11 and see the article published in the Pictorial, an Interview with Lee Fribbins. Check on www.pigeonnetwork.com in the Latest News Forum.

Mid Antrim Combine Cups & Trophies -

Mid Antrim Combine have released the list of awards won in the 2011 racing season. Cups and trophies should be returned to Secretary George McDowell ASAP, to allow time for engraving etc. Old Bird Inland Ave won by Alan McBride, Harryville vel 1470, Cross Channel Average won by Blair & Rankin Ballymena & Dist vel 1191, OB Average won by Jimmy Rock Harryville vel 1282, B Eagleson Memorial (1st 3 Cross Channel races) won by W & J Smyth Ballymena & Dist vel 1176, McIlhagga Memorial Cup 1st MAC St Malo won by H & R McCloy Cullybackey vel 1612, YB Average won by Alan Darragh Cullybackey vel 1476, Combined Average O/B & Y/B won by J & N Simpson Broughshane & Dist vel 1181, Bird of the Year won by W & J Smyth GB08B 10313 (107 Points), New North Cup Best Ave Bude OB & Talbenny YB Nat won by McFall & McManus New Antrim vel 1296, Les Mairs Cup O/B Fancier of the Year won by Alan Darragh (497 Points), Champions League won by Simon Millar Randalstown, Club Shield O/B won by Cullybackey HPS (99 Points), Club Shield Y/B won by Harryville HPS (66 Points).

NIPA News Update -

Harryville HPS Clubrooms at the Antrim Road in Ballymena will host an NIPA Sect B meeting for the local club delegates on Wednesday 26th October at 8.00pm. It is hoped that delegates will be able to attend from all clubs, it should be noted as well that any decisions made at Sect Meetings can no longer be made at NIPA Committee meetings, or placed directly on the AGM Agenda. Any proposals for that must come forward from club meetings and only club meetings. A backward step in my view but we must abide by the majority vote. In February Ballymena & Dist had included on the NIPA Agenda Resolutions arising from the previous Sect B Meeting, we had some confusion about dates etc and these items were withdrawn at the AGM. They had been properly put forward and as indicated at the time will come forward again.

As Resolution for a New General Rule 3g Ballymena & Dist will propose. If necessary matters raised at Section Meetings, including any Propositions, may be referred to the Management Committee for their consideration.

Also new Resolution: The Yearling Cock and Yearling Hen Race to be replaced with a Yearling Nat consisting of normal Open & Sect positions. Delete part of General Rule 56 which states “Except in Yearling Nationals where the maximum is 10 Cocks and 10 Hens”. That is the business outstanding from the last time, no doubt there will be lots more, Sect E has already held a meeting and I am sure other areas will follow.

Kells & Dist HPS have another Social Evening planned to take place in the Dunsilly Hotel on Friday 4th November, pay at the door. They had a very successful night last year and this time the major guests include John Preece from Cwmtillery, the Preece Bros & Sons loft have won several 1st Nat into Wales. The guest panel will also include Gerald Delaney and Davy Black from Dromore in County Down and from the Irish Nat FC Patron Ronnie Johnston and President Syd Collins. Prior to the main event the Kells & Dist HPS will present the prizes for the year. The club have a meeting arranged for this Thursday 6th October at 8.00pm to make arrangements for the prize night and the show season.

NIPA members should claim immediately for France Merit Awards, twice OB Nat St Malo for the Bronze, three times for Silver and four times for Gold. Claims should also be made for the Young Fancier of the Year. The annual Ladies Night will take place in the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick on Friday 11th November. Tickets should be booked with Secretary Fred Russell Tel: (028) 92693913. All cups and trophies should be returned ASAP and in a clean condition.