Farming Life - Wednesday 01/02/12

[willie reynolds]

A number of years back the NIPA introduced a new award for racing achievement in their Premier Old Bird race of the Year from France, going to birds that made the prize list on more than one occasion. The Diplomas are now highly prized, the Bronze for twice, Silver for three times and Gold for four times. Gold Diploma winners are also presented with the Gold Medal, winners of those have been few are far between but in 2011 two new Champions were confirmed. Elliott Bros from Carrick & Dist have been Ace Racers for many years, several of which they achieved Top Prize-winner. Billy told me the Gold Medal winner a five year old Blue cock was the best bird that ever raced to the loft. From St Malo he won 178th in 2008, 194th in 2009, 40th in 2010 and 74th in 2011. The McNeice Bros from Lurgan Social were just as pleased and they have named their six year old hen Miss Consistance and why not. In four seasons from St Malo she won 116th in 2008, 50th in 2009, 7th in 2010 and 4th in 2011. That just might be the best list of results for all the winners to date, many congratulations to both lofts. The 2011 awards were presented at the Annual Ladies Night by special guest John Hefferan from Dublin and the NIPA President Joe Kelly from Londonderry.

Diplomas Awarded 2011

Bronze Award twice in O.B. National Prizes.

A. McAteer & Sons

Ballyholland

GB08A 29735

2010 St. Malo 117th Open 10th Section G.

2011 St. Malo 105th Open 16th Section G.



J. Greenaway

Bondhill Social

Blue Bar Cock

2010 St. Malo 23rd Open 18th Section E.

2011 St. Malo 131st Open 35th Section E.



V. Montgomery

Springvale

GB08S 49700

2010 St. Malo 76th Open 10th Section C.

2011 St. Malo 23rd Open 3rd Section C.



B. & S. McConnell

Cookstown Social

Black Pied Cock

GB08C 22508

2010 St. Malo 84th Open 8th Section A.

2011 St. Malo 165th Open 15th section A.



P. Dunlop

Edgarstown

Blue Chequer Hen

GB08E 32665

2010 St. Malo 31st Open 22nd Section E.

2011 St. Malo 110th Open 32nd Section E.



P. Dunlop

Edgarstown

Blue Bar Hen

GB08E 32652

2010 St. Malo 11th Open 9th Section E.

2011 St. Malo 62nd Open 26th Section E.



Concannon Bros.

Maiden City

Blue Chequer Cock

GB07E 88386

2009 St. Malo 153rd Open 4th Section A – West.

2011 St. Malo 78th Open 1st Section A – West.



W. G. Neill

Annaghmore

GB07D 25296

2010 St. Malo 99th Open 40th Section E.

2011 St. Malo 96th Open 30th Section E.



Ward & McIntosh

Downpatrick

GB08D 17743

2010 St. Malo 163rd Open 17th Section F.

2011 St. Malo 192nd Open 18th Section F.



E. McKnight

Corcreeney H.P.S.

Blue Cock

GB08P 10294

2010 St. Malo 37th Open 24th Section E.

2011 St. Malo 198th Open 58th Section E.



McAlonan Bros.

Ballymena & District.

Tommy’s Delight

Dark White Flight Hen

GB08B 10470

2010 St. Malo 17th Open 4th Section B.

2011 St. Malo 45th Open 5th Section B.



Donnelly Bros.

Newry City

Blue Chequer Cock

GB06B 34752

2008 St. Malo 35th Open 2nd Section G.

2011 St. Malo 79th Open 10th Section G.



B. McNeice & Sons

Lurgan Social

Miss Consistance

GB05L 28858

2008 St. Malo 116th Open 28th Section E.

2009 St. Malo 50th Open 15th Section E.



R Adamson

Corcreeney

Blue Cock

GB08C 50055

2010 St. Malo 111th Open 9th Section G

2011 St. Malo 108th Open 18th Section G



B Carson & Son

Lurgan Amateur

Becky’s Boy

Black Tip Cock

GB07T 25599

2009 St. Malo 78th Open 24th Section E

2011 St. Malo 183rd Open 52nd Section E



J Connolly

Ballymoney

Blue Bar Hen

GB07B 48586

2009 St. Malo 176th Open 32nd Section B

2010 St. Malo 159th Open 27th Section B

Annual General Meeting Season - Dates Set

The Annual General Meeting of the RPRA (Irish Region) will be held in the Clarion Hotel, 75 Belfast Road, Carrickfergus on Saturday 4th February starting at 1.00pm. If any member wishes to be on the INFC Committee please attend the RPRA Annual General Meeting to be nominated. The only new club listed for membership and which has been advertised without objection are Blackwater Town Westend HPS, Secretary Maurice Weir.

Following the AGM there will be a Region Delegates meeting and then at 3.00pm a General & Appeal Committee meeting. Under Any other business we have the closing date for RPRA Awards down for discussion. Another major item is electing the RPRA Delegates and making decisions on the various resolutions set for the RPRA meeting to be held in Coventry at the end of February. Just 125 changes to be looked at this time.

The Irish Region like most of the others intend to hold a Jubilee Race, details of which are to be decided at the AGM. The Secretary Robert Reid has asked members to bring forward items for discussion regarding Race Point, prizes etc so decisions can be made. Clubs are also asked to pass on the names of members that have resigned or had a Clearance Sale in the club during 2011. Looks like another very interesting, long day.

The next big meeting will be the NIPA to be held on Saturday 18th February at 2.00pm sharp in the Protestant Hall in Glenavy. The Agenda for this will appear shortly 13 Resolutions are down for decision and all clubs are expected to call meetings and mandate their delegates on voting. The INFC will be at the Lisburn Leisure Centre one week later on Saturday 25th February and finally the MAC is down for Harryville on Wednesday 14th March at 8.00pm.