Farming Life - Wednesday 11/01/12
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:52 pm
Ballymena & Dist host Mid Antrim Open Show -
The big show in the New Year for Mid Antrim lofts was held in the Cullybackey HPS hosted once again by Ballymena & Dist, it follows up the very successful event held one year earlier at Harryville. It was another very cold day but we were glad of the usual support and over 200 birds were penned in the six classes for the judges who had travelled from the East Down Combine area. Paddy Lue from Downpatrick brought a team that included Joe Cromie and Rab Hunter from Ballynahinch and Andy Toner from Annsborough. On this occasion we had the usual six classes, Through Wires, Handled and Eye-sign for Old Birds and Young Birds. Once again Robert Alexander gave great assistance will the early morning penning, and both he and Jack Balmer sorted the pens etc during the previous week. The major awards were well shared around, all the usual top show enthusiasts had a share of the spoils including J & B Balmer who won two old bird classes and Best in Show. Last time he won three classes and had BOS, Best YB and Most Points. W & N Gilbert (Randalstown) getting ready for the Blackpool Show had Best Opposite Sex, W & J Smyth for Ballymena & Dist won the YB Through Wires and the Special for Best Young Bird and Russell Bros won two classes including OB Eye-sign and had Most Points in Show while Brian Herbinson also from Cullybackey had 1st in the YB Eye-sign. President of the local Ballymena & Dist thanked all those who assisted and supported the Annual Show, he thanked the judges who had travelled up from the Co Down and thanked the many sponsors including Frazers Animal Feeds (Banbridge). Also the Cullybackey HPS who very kindly loaned the use of the clubrooms, kitchen and two fires. The winners of the show series which was by far the best for many years were J & B Balmer who won the Show Shield and W & N Gilbert who retained the Visitors Trophy. We moved to over 200 birds and I would be sure that next time for the Mid Antrim Show the entry will improve again.
The annual dinner and prize presentation to be held in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena on Friday 13th January at 7.00pm. Those intending to attend and not already booked should contact Martin Graham. Tel: (028) 25637929. The AGM will be held in the Ballymena & Dist Clubrooms on Monday 13th February, resolutions to be with the Secretary Willie Reynolds by 24th January. Hilltop Feeds have a full range of supplies from Frazers Animal Feeds, well worth a look. Tel: (028) 25648425 or Mobile: 07599 706717.
Results: Old Bird Through Wires – 1st & 4th J & B Balmer, 2nd R & P Alexander, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve W & J Smyth, VHC McAlonan Bros, HC D & G McMullan, Commended Blair & Rankin. Old Bird Handled – 1st J & B Balmer, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd & 4th Blair & Rankin, Reserve & VHC Russell Bros, HC McAlonan Bros, Commended W & J Smyth. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Russell Bros, 4th & Commended J & B Balmer, Reserve B Herbinson, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC R & P Alexander. Young Bird Through Wires – 1st W & J Smyth, 2nd, HC & Commended J & B Balmer, 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th McAlonan Bros, Reserve & VHC D & G McMullan. Young Bird Handled – 1st Russell Bros, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 3rd B Herbinson, 4th John Balmer, Reserve W & J Smyth, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, Commended Blair & Rankin. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st B Herbinson, 2nd, 4th & Commended Russell Bros, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve & VHC J & B Balmer, HC D & G McMullan.
INFC Merit Awards -
For the second year the INFC arranged a presentation to be held in the Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim for the Merit Awards, Framed Diplomas being awarded for birds placed on two occasions in the Friendship Nat and Grand Nat Kings Cup. Over 30 awards were presented on Friday 6th January and such is the drawing power of the major racing organisation in Ireland only a small number were unable to make the night, most from a fair distance away. This function which was the idea of President Syd Collins has really taken off and is a fantastic addition to the pigeon calendar. The cover charge includes a hot/cold Buffett and a Quiz Panel which this year included from the mainland Rob Jones and Nigel Langstaff who were joined by the INFC Nat Champion Davy Black. At the start of the evening the INFC Charity Committee presented a cheque for £2,000 to Macmillan Cancer Unit based at the nearby Antrim Area Hospital. Martin Graham from Ballymena & Dist lost his twin sister a few months back and she was indeed the first patient to be placed in the new 12 Bed Unit.
Billy McClure from Kells & Dist was unable to attend the major presentation in the Stormont Hotel due to illness and he was able to collect his Hall of Fame Diploma for a bird placed three times in the Kings Cup. Billy is one of the very few fanciers to win back to back Hall of Fames. The quiet man of the sport Tom Wilson from Gilford the NIPA St Malo winner was presented with his French Diploma, an award presented each year by Ronnie Johnston open to all lofts in Northern Ireland a Points Average over the two top France Races, the Old Bird Derby/Nat St Malo and the Kings Cup.
Some of the top lofts in Ireland were at the function, a host of Derby and Nat winners including one I must mention Tom Marshall of Newtownbreda 1st Open East Down Combine St Malo for the last three seasons, Dan Campbell from Gilford & Dist also brought along the Kings Cup to be viewed, many seeing same for the first time.
East Antrim were well represented with awards going to C & L Woodside (Ballyclare & Dist), Robin Duddy (Ballyclare & Dist), A & N Lewis (Doagh & Dist), J & S Graham (Kingsmoss) and Mr & Mrs D Suitters (Doagh & Dist).
C. & L. Woodside (Ballyclare & District H.P.S)
Blue Cock GB05B 61916 - St. Malo Friendship National 2010 54th Open, St. Malo Friendship National 2011 71st Open.
Robin Duddy (Ballyclare & District H.P.S)
Cloughan Sooty Blue Chequer Hen GB09B 42455 - St. Malo Friendship National 2010 24th Open, St. Malo Friendship National 2011 53rd Open.
A. & N. Lewis (Doagh & District H.P.S)
Dark Chequer Cock GB08D 19757 - Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 98th Open, Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2011 180th Open.
J. & S. Graham (Kingsmoss H.P.S)
The Bouncer Blue w/f Cock GB09K 05293 - Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 156th Open, Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2011 131st Open.
Mr. & Mrs. D Suitters (Doagh & District H.P.S)
Blue Chequer Hen GB06D 00178 - Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 230th Open, Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2011 177th Open.
The big show in the New Year for Mid Antrim lofts was held in the Cullybackey HPS hosted once again by Ballymena & Dist, it follows up the very successful event held one year earlier at Harryville. It was another very cold day but we were glad of the usual support and over 200 birds were penned in the six classes for the judges who had travelled from the East Down Combine area. Paddy Lue from Downpatrick brought a team that included Joe Cromie and Rab Hunter from Ballynahinch and Andy Toner from Annsborough. On this occasion we had the usual six classes, Through Wires, Handled and Eye-sign for Old Birds and Young Birds. Once again Robert Alexander gave great assistance will the early morning penning, and both he and Jack Balmer sorted the pens etc during the previous week. The major awards were well shared around, all the usual top show enthusiasts had a share of the spoils including J & B Balmer who won two old bird classes and Best in Show. Last time he won three classes and had BOS, Best YB and Most Points. W & N Gilbert (Randalstown) getting ready for the Blackpool Show had Best Opposite Sex, W & J Smyth for Ballymena & Dist won the YB Through Wires and the Special for Best Young Bird and Russell Bros won two classes including OB Eye-sign and had Most Points in Show while Brian Herbinson also from Cullybackey had 1st in the YB Eye-sign. President of the local Ballymena & Dist thanked all those who assisted and supported the Annual Show, he thanked the judges who had travelled up from the Co Down and thanked the many sponsors including Frazers Animal Feeds (Banbridge). Also the Cullybackey HPS who very kindly loaned the use of the clubrooms, kitchen and two fires. The winners of the show series which was by far the best for many years were J & B Balmer who won the Show Shield and W & N Gilbert who retained the Visitors Trophy. We moved to over 200 birds and I would be sure that next time for the Mid Antrim Show the entry will improve again.
The annual dinner and prize presentation to be held in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena on Friday 13th January at 7.00pm. Those intending to attend and not already booked should contact Martin Graham. Tel: (028) 25637929. The AGM will be held in the Ballymena & Dist Clubrooms on Monday 13th February, resolutions to be with the Secretary Willie Reynolds by 24th January. Hilltop Feeds have a full range of supplies from Frazers Animal Feeds, well worth a look. Tel: (028) 25648425 or Mobile: 07599 706717.
Results: Old Bird Through Wires – 1st & 4th J & B Balmer, 2nd R & P Alexander, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve W & J Smyth, VHC McAlonan Bros, HC D & G McMullan, Commended Blair & Rankin. Old Bird Handled – 1st J & B Balmer, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd & 4th Blair & Rankin, Reserve & VHC Russell Bros, HC McAlonan Bros, Commended W & J Smyth. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Russell Bros, 4th & Commended J & B Balmer, Reserve B Herbinson, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC R & P Alexander. Young Bird Through Wires – 1st W & J Smyth, 2nd, HC & Commended J & B Balmer, 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th McAlonan Bros, Reserve & VHC D & G McMullan. Young Bird Handled – 1st Russell Bros, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 3rd B Herbinson, 4th John Balmer, Reserve W & J Smyth, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, Commended Blair & Rankin. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st B Herbinson, 2nd, 4th & Commended Russell Bros, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve & VHC J & B Balmer, HC D & G McMullan.
INFC Merit Awards -
For the second year the INFC arranged a presentation to be held in the Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim for the Merit Awards, Framed Diplomas being awarded for birds placed on two occasions in the Friendship Nat and Grand Nat Kings Cup. Over 30 awards were presented on Friday 6th January and such is the drawing power of the major racing organisation in Ireland only a small number were unable to make the night, most from a fair distance away. This function which was the idea of President Syd Collins has really taken off and is a fantastic addition to the pigeon calendar. The cover charge includes a hot/cold Buffett and a Quiz Panel which this year included from the mainland Rob Jones and Nigel Langstaff who were joined by the INFC Nat Champion Davy Black. At the start of the evening the INFC Charity Committee presented a cheque for £2,000 to Macmillan Cancer Unit based at the nearby Antrim Area Hospital. Martin Graham from Ballymena & Dist lost his twin sister a few months back and she was indeed the first patient to be placed in the new 12 Bed Unit.
Billy McClure from Kells & Dist was unable to attend the major presentation in the Stormont Hotel due to illness and he was able to collect his Hall of Fame Diploma for a bird placed three times in the Kings Cup. Billy is one of the very few fanciers to win back to back Hall of Fames. The quiet man of the sport Tom Wilson from Gilford the NIPA St Malo winner was presented with his French Diploma, an award presented each year by Ronnie Johnston open to all lofts in Northern Ireland a Points Average over the two top France Races, the Old Bird Derby/Nat St Malo and the Kings Cup.
Some of the top lofts in Ireland were at the function, a host of Derby and Nat winners including one I must mention Tom Marshall of Newtownbreda 1st Open East Down Combine St Malo for the last three seasons, Dan Campbell from Gilford & Dist also brought along the Kings Cup to be viewed, many seeing same for the first time.
East Antrim were well represented with awards going to C & L Woodside (Ballyclare & Dist), Robin Duddy (Ballyclare & Dist), A & N Lewis (Doagh & Dist), J & S Graham (Kingsmoss) and Mr & Mrs D Suitters (Doagh & Dist).
C. & L. Woodside (Ballyclare & District H.P.S)
Blue Cock GB05B 61916 - St. Malo Friendship National 2010 54th Open, St. Malo Friendship National 2011 71st Open.
Robin Duddy (Ballyclare & District H.P.S)
Cloughan Sooty Blue Chequer Hen GB09B 42455 - St. Malo Friendship National 2010 24th Open, St. Malo Friendship National 2011 53rd Open.
A. & N. Lewis (Doagh & District H.P.S)
Dark Chequer Cock GB08D 19757 - Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 98th Open, Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2011 180th Open.
J. & S. Graham (Kingsmoss H.P.S)
The Bouncer Blue w/f Cock GB09K 05293 - Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 156th Open, Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2011 131st Open.
Mr. & Mrs. D Suitters (Doagh & District H.P.S)
Blue Chequer Hen GB06D 00178 - Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2010 230th Open, Plaudren Vannes King’s Cup 2011 177th Open.