Farming Life - Wednesday 20/02/13
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 9:14 am
NIPA – Lively 68th AGM
The 68th Annual General Meeting for the NIPA was held in Glenavy on Saturday 16th February. Acting Chairman Alan Darragh was in the chair and after a slight delay getting started due to counting the race programme votes the first item was that result. There was some very heated discussion on the programme submitted by Horseshoe in that one word was printed wrong, in the voting the standing programme had most votes (almost 2 to 1) both for old birds and young birds, and that was adopted subject to change or maybe appeal.
The agreed Race Programme for 2013.
Old Birds: April 13th Tullamore, April 20th Tullamore, April 27th. Roscrea, May 4th. Clonmel, May 11th. Fermoy, May18th. Rosscarbery O.B. Inland National - May18th Pilmore Beach Come Back Race, May 25th Pilmore Beach, June 1st. Talbenny, June 8th. Talbenny, June 8th. Rosscarbery Yearling Hen/Cock National, June 15th Bude, June 15th. Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, June 22nd. Penzance,
June 22nd Penzance Classic, June 28th. St. Malo 0ld Bird National (France).
Young Birds: July 20th. Area Liberation, July 27th. Two Area Liberation Top Half/Bottom Half, Aug 3rd.Mass Liberation, Aug 10th Roscrea, Aug 17th. Clonmel, Aug 24th. Fermoy, Aug 31st. Talbenny Young Bird National, Aug 31st. Tullamore Come Back Race, Sept 7th. Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird Championship Race, Sept 14th Rosscarbery Young Bird National.
The Secretary was then invited to read the minutes of the previous meeting, again a delay with some changes to the text, followed by the passing of accounts and again some discussion mostly round the yearly spend on the transport fleet. Under AOB the committee were asked to look at the Talbenny liberation as a site, and on drug testing the meeting were informed the Race Book will include the RPRA list of banned substances.
All offices were declared vacant and President Herbie Boyd was instructed to conduct the election of officials for 2013. A point was raised from the floor that this be conducted under RPRA Rules, as per the Rule Book Rule 152b. All posts other than Secretary had to be filled by Club Delegates only. The Committee had been asked to look at representation of each committee and especially Sect H, the Derry area, who claimed last year they were under represented. Changes were to be made but since members had a mandate for 2013 and others had held Sect Meetings it was a good decision to leave alterations regarding numbers to 2014. Then Sections C, D and F will drop one member and Sect H will have 2 members added. Sect C members had come forward from a meeting and members elected for 2013 were R Reid Carrick & Dist, S McGarry Horseshoe, W McClelland Doagh & Dist, W Ferguson Larne & Dist, W Seaton Ligoniel and G Robinson Carrick Social. I will publish the full list for the rest when confirmed at an NIPA Committee, some Sect Meetings have to be arranged. The President stated he will insist Sect Meetings take place in 2013 as is in the rules, these meetings select Committee Members and can put forward Resolutions.
Herbie Boyd (Dungannon) had been installed as the new President last year and has one more season in office. Alan Darragh (Cullybackey) is Senior Vice President and then Robert Reid (Carrick & Dist) was appointed un-opposed in Sect C to follow as Vice President. The remaining Life Vice Presidents are Malcolm Livingstone (Portadown), Diamond Carson (Banbridge), Owen Donnelly (Larne) and Joe Kelly (Londonderry).
All the top positions remained almost un-changed. Alan Darragh replaced Lyndon Boyle as Chairman and Lyndon is added to Life Vice President. New Vice Chairman is Sammy Thompson (Coleraine & County Derry), Financial Secretary Fred Russell, Assistant Secretary Gregory MeEvoy, Fleet Supervisor Terry Mulgrew, Convoyers Kieron Shannon and Terry Mulgrew for second races. Press Officer Willie Reynolds/Stephen McGarry, Race Advisor to be advertised, Auditors Robinson & Co (Portadown). RPRA Delegates – K Quigley and N Hanna.
The meeting continued moving on to Resolutions, no discussion is allowed since all member clubs are supposed to hold local meetings to mandate their Delegates on voting procedure.
Resolution No.1: Submitted by Horseshoe H.P.S
Delete General Rule 37 which states: The final date for receiving a proposed race programme is the end of September. All race programmes submitted must include both an inland and channel national race for old and young birds.
Insert a new General Rule 37 which states: The final date for receiving a proposed race programme is the end of October. .All race programmes submitted must include both an inland and channel national race for old and young birds. For 77, against 2.
Resolution No.2: Submitted by Horseshoe H.P.S.
In all races birds be collected at individual club`s except in the case of National Races where they will be collected at centres. For 67, against 13.
Resolution No.3: Submitted by Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation Committee.
In Bude & Penzance all club`s and their members must race mark their pigeons at centres. Withdrawn.
Resolution No.4: Submitted by Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation Committee.
Race marking for the OB Inland and Young Bird Nationals revert to a Thursday for a Saturday Liberation. For 35, against 55.
It was the most interesting meeting I have attended for some time, there is a lot still to sort out and further meetings will be taking place over coming weeks.
Hanson & Harpur - Ace racers in Coleraine
Coleraine Premier HPS recently presented the awards for the 2012 racing season at a recent function in the local clubrooms. Long-time member Anthony McDonnell, a former NIPA President and Kings Cup winner presented the awards. Major winners were Hanson & Harpur the loft to beat each week who enjoyed a fantastic race season. They won Top Prize-winners in Coleraine Premier HPS, Young Bird Average for winners 3rd year in succession, Inland Average and Combine Average etc.
Over the racing season 46 times in prizes at Club & Section. Included:
Roscrea - 10th, 12th Open and 3th, 4th Sec A 27,017 birds;
Yearling Cock Nat - 18th Open and 1st Sec A 1,548 birds;
Yearling Hen Nat - 12th, 14th Open and 1st, 2nd Sec A 1,310 birds;
Penzance OB Classic – 73rd, 86th Open and 3th, 4th Sec A 3,249 birds;
Talbenny YB Nat - 71 Open and 1st Sec A 3,590 birds.
In 2011 Hanson & Harpur were 55 times in prizes Club & Section. Included:
Tullamore – 53rd, 54th, 78th,79th Open and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Sec B 18,185 birds;
Clonmel – 49th, 51st Open and 6th, 7th Sec B 30,350 birds;
Penzance OB Classic 21st, 40th Open and 4th, 9th Sec B 2,852 birds.
Top Points Winner 2010, 2011, and 2012, Champion Old Bird, Champion Y/Bird and Cross Channel Averages 2011, and 2012.
Coleraine Premier HPS: Will be holding a Breeder/Buyer Sale on Thursday 11th April 7-8pm. Anyone interested can enter a young bird as a Breeder, but it has to be raced in the Coleraine Triangle. Contact: (028) 70353560.
The 68th Annual General Meeting for the NIPA was held in Glenavy on Saturday 16th February. Acting Chairman Alan Darragh was in the chair and after a slight delay getting started due to counting the race programme votes the first item was that result. There was some very heated discussion on the programme submitted by Horseshoe in that one word was printed wrong, in the voting the standing programme had most votes (almost 2 to 1) both for old birds and young birds, and that was adopted subject to change or maybe appeal.
The agreed Race Programme for 2013.
Old Birds: April 13th Tullamore, April 20th Tullamore, April 27th. Roscrea, May 4th. Clonmel, May 11th. Fermoy, May18th. Rosscarbery O.B. Inland National - May18th Pilmore Beach Come Back Race, May 25th Pilmore Beach, June 1st. Talbenny, June 8th. Talbenny, June 8th. Rosscarbery Yearling Hen/Cock National, June 15th Bude, June 15th. Fermoy 5 Bird Championship, June 22nd. Penzance,
June 22nd Penzance Classic, June 28th. St. Malo 0ld Bird National (France).
Young Birds: July 20th. Area Liberation, July 27th. Two Area Liberation Top Half/Bottom Half, Aug 3rd.Mass Liberation, Aug 10th Roscrea, Aug 17th. Clonmel, Aug 24th. Fermoy, Aug 31st. Talbenny Young Bird National, Aug 31st. Tullamore Come Back Race, Sept 7th. Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird Championship Race, Sept 14th Rosscarbery Young Bird National.
The Secretary was then invited to read the minutes of the previous meeting, again a delay with some changes to the text, followed by the passing of accounts and again some discussion mostly round the yearly spend on the transport fleet. Under AOB the committee were asked to look at the Talbenny liberation as a site, and on drug testing the meeting were informed the Race Book will include the RPRA list of banned substances.
All offices were declared vacant and President Herbie Boyd was instructed to conduct the election of officials for 2013. A point was raised from the floor that this be conducted under RPRA Rules, as per the Rule Book Rule 152b. All posts other than Secretary had to be filled by Club Delegates only. The Committee had been asked to look at representation of each committee and especially Sect H, the Derry area, who claimed last year they were under represented. Changes were to be made but since members had a mandate for 2013 and others had held Sect Meetings it was a good decision to leave alterations regarding numbers to 2014. Then Sections C, D and F will drop one member and Sect H will have 2 members added. Sect C members had come forward from a meeting and members elected for 2013 were R Reid Carrick & Dist, S McGarry Horseshoe, W McClelland Doagh & Dist, W Ferguson Larne & Dist, W Seaton Ligoniel and G Robinson Carrick Social. I will publish the full list for the rest when confirmed at an NIPA Committee, some Sect Meetings have to be arranged. The President stated he will insist Sect Meetings take place in 2013 as is in the rules, these meetings select Committee Members and can put forward Resolutions.
Herbie Boyd (Dungannon) had been installed as the new President last year and has one more season in office. Alan Darragh (Cullybackey) is Senior Vice President and then Robert Reid (Carrick & Dist) was appointed un-opposed in Sect C to follow as Vice President. The remaining Life Vice Presidents are Malcolm Livingstone (Portadown), Diamond Carson (Banbridge), Owen Donnelly (Larne) and Joe Kelly (Londonderry).
All the top positions remained almost un-changed. Alan Darragh replaced Lyndon Boyle as Chairman and Lyndon is added to Life Vice President. New Vice Chairman is Sammy Thompson (Coleraine & County Derry), Financial Secretary Fred Russell, Assistant Secretary Gregory MeEvoy, Fleet Supervisor Terry Mulgrew, Convoyers Kieron Shannon and Terry Mulgrew for second races. Press Officer Willie Reynolds/Stephen McGarry, Race Advisor to be advertised, Auditors Robinson & Co (Portadown). RPRA Delegates – K Quigley and N Hanna.
The meeting continued moving on to Resolutions, no discussion is allowed since all member clubs are supposed to hold local meetings to mandate their Delegates on voting procedure.
Resolution No.1: Submitted by Horseshoe H.P.S
Delete General Rule 37 which states: The final date for receiving a proposed race programme is the end of September. All race programmes submitted must include both an inland and channel national race for old and young birds.
Insert a new General Rule 37 which states: The final date for receiving a proposed race programme is the end of October. .All race programmes submitted must include both an inland and channel national race for old and young birds. For 77, against 2.
Resolution No.2: Submitted by Horseshoe H.P.S.
In all races birds be collected at individual club`s except in the case of National Races where they will be collected at centres. For 67, against 13.
Resolution No.3: Submitted by Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation Committee.
In Bude & Penzance all club`s and their members must race mark their pigeons at centres. Withdrawn.
Resolution No.4: Submitted by Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation Committee.
Race marking for the OB Inland and Young Bird Nationals revert to a Thursday for a Saturday Liberation. For 35, against 55.
It was the most interesting meeting I have attended for some time, there is a lot still to sort out and further meetings will be taking place over coming weeks.
Hanson & Harpur - Ace racers in Coleraine
Coleraine Premier HPS recently presented the awards for the 2012 racing season at a recent function in the local clubrooms. Long-time member Anthony McDonnell, a former NIPA President and Kings Cup winner presented the awards. Major winners were Hanson & Harpur the loft to beat each week who enjoyed a fantastic race season. They won Top Prize-winners in Coleraine Premier HPS, Young Bird Average for winners 3rd year in succession, Inland Average and Combine Average etc.
Over the racing season 46 times in prizes at Club & Section. Included:
Roscrea - 10th, 12th Open and 3th, 4th Sec A 27,017 birds;
Yearling Cock Nat - 18th Open and 1st Sec A 1,548 birds;
Yearling Hen Nat - 12th, 14th Open and 1st, 2nd Sec A 1,310 birds;
Penzance OB Classic – 73rd, 86th Open and 3th, 4th Sec A 3,249 birds;
Talbenny YB Nat - 71 Open and 1st Sec A 3,590 birds.
In 2011 Hanson & Harpur were 55 times in prizes Club & Section. Included:
Tullamore – 53rd, 54th, 78th,79th Open and 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Sec B 18,185 birds;
Clonmel – 49th, 51st Open and 6th, 7th Sec B 30,350 birds;
Penzance OB Classic 21st, 40th Open and 4th, 9th Sec B 2,852 birds.
Top Points Winner 2010, 2011, and 2012, Champion Old Bird, Champion Y/Bird and Cross Channel Averages 2011, and 2012.
Coleraine Premier HPS: Will be holding a Breeder/Buyer Sale on Thursday 11th April 7-8pm. Anyone interested can enter a young bird as a Breeder, but it has to be raced in the Coleraine Triangle. Contact: (028) 70353560.