Pigeon Network

Mid Antrim Show Season 2015 -

Ballymena & District show series has been arranged and will commence in late October on the usual Monday evening. A major change is that all classes this time will be Through the Wires, and Show Specials are paid for each race with £50 up for grabs in Rosscarbery and Penzance. One bird to be nominated each night, which must be in the pen, 30p per bird. The full list for shows arranged are – 26th October Old Cock & Old Hen, 2nd November Young Cock & Young Hen, 9th November Yearling Cock & Yearling Hen, 16th November Old Pairs & Young Pieds, 23rd November Young Pairs & Old Pieds, 30th November Red, Mealy & Grizzle, 7th December Old Bird & Young Bird Eye-sign, 14th December Card Winners. The Annual Mid Antrim Open Show 3 in 1 for Old Bird and Young Bird (Sect B) will be held as usual on New Year’s Day in the clubrooms at Fountain Place, Friday 1st January 2016. For info on the Show Season please contact Willy Gilbert Tel: 07761 323459. The Annual Dinner & Presentation of prizes will be held in the Tullyglass House Hotel on Saturday 9th January.

Cullybackey HPS – The Annual dinner and presentation of awards will be held on Friday 30th October in Toast Cullybackey, all cups etc. should be returned. The show series will commence on Saturday 31st October with classes for Young Cock & Young Hen T/W. The remainder of the programme each Saturday evening is: 7th Nov Old Cock & Old Hen T/W, 14th Nov Pairs OB & YB, 21st Nov Young Cock & Young Hen Handled, 28th Nov Old Cock Handled & Fancy, 5th Dec Old Hen Handled & Late Bred’s, 12th December Eye-sign OB & YB, and the Annual Open Show on Saturday 19th December.

News from Harryville HPS is they intend to hold two Open Shows for lofts in the NIPA Sect B, the Old Bird 3 in I on Saturday 7th November and the Young Bird 3 in 1 on Saturday 21st November.

The Kells & Dist annual Social Evening this year will take place on Thursday 29th Oct 2015 again in the Dunsilly Hotel, Antrim. There will be a Charity Sale of 2016 yb’s this year in aid of \\\"Chest, Heart & Stroke\\\", while the rest of the evening incl interview/panel is to be arranged, Top ybs already promised, Syd Collins again as MC, no entry fee, but as usual hot buffet at £10 and tea/coffee/scone, etc at £5 for those who don\\\'t want a big meal. Raffle as usual, final details to follow. Further to details below, line-up at Kells now finalised – (1) Interview with 2015 INFC Champions- Collins & Douglas, (2) Talk by Gerald Delaney on the famous Willy Jacobs strain, (3) Interview with Harry McCloy- messrs Reid Bros & McCloy, (4) Charity Auction approx 15 x 2016 yb’s bred from some top class fanciers/birds, included so far A Darragh, Thompson Bros, Surgenor Bros, B Swann & Son to name a few, for Chest Heart & Stroke Charity.

Nest-Boxes/Pipa Boxes & Hampers for Sale

Jim Braniff from Belfast has a great selection of wooden hampers, some have 2 compartments, well finished and not heavy. I am waiting on more info and pictures, in the meantime u can catch Jim at the various sales arranged by Steve McGarry. I believe the basic hamper is £25, the 2 compartment ones are £30. I will post more news when I have it, in the meantime you can contact Jim on Tel: 07716 210571.

Nest boxes, perches and other items are being produced in Cullybackey. Boxes are 60 pounds for one set, 110 fir 2 sets. They are 5 foot tall 23 inches wide over all 11 inches deep. 5 boxes in a set. All made from 1//2 ply wood. Delivery available depending on location prices vary. Pipa Boxes are £50 a set or 2 sets for £90. I will add more info when I get it. Call Steven Anderson Tel: 07928 700380 or Gary Johnston Tel: 07756 641021.

Show Season KO - The Mid Antrim show season commenced on Monday evening, Ballymena & Dist HPS had classes for Old Cock and Old Hens, November dates are as follows. 2nd November Young Cock & Young Hen, 9th November Yearling Cock & Yearling Hen, 16th November Old Pairs & Young Pieds, 23rd November Young Pairs & Old Pieds, 30th November Red, Mealy & Grizzle all judged Through the Wires. Show Specials are paid for each race in the old bird racing season with £50 up for grabs in Rosscarbery and Penzance. For this, one bird to be nominated each night, which must be in the pen, 30p per bird and penning from 7.00pm. Contact Willy Gilbert Tel: 07761 323459. The opening night was dominated by W & N Gilbert winning most cards, plus both Red Cards and the Special for BIS with a Dark hen that won 6 x 1sts last season. Old Cocks T/W (58 birds) – 1st, 3rd, 4th, Reserve & Commended W & N Gilbert, 2nd Russell Bros, VHC W & J Smyth, HC B Herbison. Old Hens T/W (63 birds) – 1st, 2nd, 4th, VHC & Commended W & N Gilbert, 3rd & HC Russell Bros, Reserve B Herbison. The judges travelled down from Muckamore, Bobby Bethel and Tom Fleming, the raffle was won by Thomas McFall. Club member Harry Richmond is recovering at home after a spell in hospital, were all send our very best wishes.

Cullybackey HPS – The Annual dinner and presentation of awards will be held on Friday 30th October in Toast Cullybackey, all cups etc. should be returned. The show series will commence on Saturday 31st October with classes for Young Cock & Young Hen T/W and the Annual Open Show on Saturday 19th December.

Broughshane & District HPS – The show season will operate once again each Tuesday evening, classes for the season are as follows. 3rd November Old Cock & Young Cock T/W, 10th November Old Hen & Young Hen T/W, 17th November Old Bird Eye-sign & Young Pairs, 24th November Old Pairs & Fancy, 1st December Old Cock & Young Cock Handled, 8th December Old Hen & Young Hen Handled.

Ahoghill Flying Club - will fill the usual Friday slot starting with Young Cock & Young Hen T/W on Friday 6th November.

Harryville HPS – will have a change this year they intend to hold two Open Shows for lofts in the NIPA Sect B and Mid Antrim, the Old Bird 3 in 1 on Saturday 7th November and the Young Bird 3 in 1 on Saturday 21st November. Penning is from 11.00am -1.00pm.