Once again the venue for our Annual Dinner and Prize Distribution was the Michelin Athletic Club, Ballymena on Saturday night the 24th November 2012.
A good attendance of around 65 members and friends were welcomed by the Secretary Harry Smyth, and all sat down to a very enjoyable four coarse meal. After which he thanked the chef Charlie and his staff for an excellent service, and also the Michelin club for the use of the room.
The secretary then high-lighted some performances by members and their birds and congratulated all the prize-winners on their season’s achievements. As it is always the tradition for a member’s wife or family member to hand out the prizes, the secretary called upon the Chairman Allister Purvis’s partner Carolyn to do the presentations. After a vote of thanks for a job well done the Treasurer Davy Houston then presented her with a lovely bouquet of flowers in appreciation. The clubs raffle every year is always very successful and this year was no exception. Broughshane Treasurer Davy Houston thanked all those who gave prizes or helped in any way to make the night a success.
He then went on to thank the secretary and his wife Joan, for their help throughout the years as Club Secretary and Ring Secretary respectively. This being Harry’s last year due to leaving the sport the President Tom Service presented a lovely gift in appreciation to him, and the Treasurer also presented a bunch of flowers to Joan his wife for her help also. After that it was a night of chat fun and dancing and very soon it was time again to go home and a good night was had by all.
The loft at the top this year again winning 16 x 1st Prizes, 5 x Mid Antrim Combine Diplomas, 3 x NIPA Section Diplomas, and all the club averages. The Workman Bird of the Year Trophy and the Robinson Cup for highest prize-winner this must be a record in Broughshane & Dist HPS. What a season for top prize-winners John & Norman Simpson.
Runner-up again this year winning 4 x 1st Prizes and 7 runner-up prizes, the Balmer Cup, Civic Cup and the McCabe Cup plus many other good prizes including 2nd & 3rd Combine and Section twice. Another good season for George Connolly.
Third and winning 8 x 1st Prizes, the first four positions in the Skibbereen Inland Nat and Runner-up in the Sennen Cove Yearling Nat. Also the Fleck Cup, the Braid Cup, the Festival Cup, the Young Bird breeder/buyer race, plus many other good positions another good year for Allister Purvis.
Fourth winning the two Talbenny O/B races, runner-up in the O/B Derby from France, the Golden Ring race from Roscrea, the Ballymena United Cup, the Club Shield, the Jubilee Cup, the Clydes Kitchen Cup, and other good club prizes. Well done D Houston & Son.
These are just some of the highlights of the seasons racing and I would like to congratulate all the prize-winners here tonight for another successful year in the Broughshane & District.
Officials and prize winners of Broughshane & Dist at the prize night.
J & N Simpson top prize-winners collect awards from special guest Carolyn.
Ever present George Connolly was runner-up for top spot.
Chairman Allister Purvis collects awards from Carolyn.
Tom Service collects prizes at the Broughshane Annual.
John Getty collects awards at Broughshane.
Mrs Moira Smyth (l) lifting prizes at Broughshane.
Club Treasurer Davy Houston presents bouquet of flowers to Carolyn at Broughshane & Dist dinner.