NIPA Sect B Meeting - 10/02/16

[willie reynolds]

NIPA Sect B Meeting –

The meeting for Sect B Clubs Officials/Delegates was held in the Harryville HPS Clubrooms on Wednesday 10th February at 7.30pm were welcomed by Ken Wilkinson. Attendance for the member clubs was as follows. (Ballymena & Dist) R Alexander & W Reynolds, (New Antrim Amal) K Wilkinson, (Harryville) R Service & K Kernohan, (Kells & Dist) G McDowell, (Ahoghill) A Young & T Young, (Broughshane & Dist) D Houston & A Purvis, (Cullybackey) A Darragh & S Steele, (Muckamore) G Magill, (Randalstown) I Stewart, (Crumlin & Dist) M McConville & J Lamb, (Rasharkin & Dist) J Steele & H Cubitt, (Ballymoney HPS) D McMullan, L McCaw & L Neill, (Windsor Soc) S Gage & T Stewart.

Ken Wilkinson was proposed for Chairman of the meeting and W Reynolds would take notes. First item raised was the status of Windsor Social based in Coleraine and although a Sect A Club had 75% of members competing in Sect B. As it stands they should be attending Sect A meetings but none had been arranged for that area despite a request for one. They were welcome to attend but could not vote. The situation in Muckamore is a bit different in that, firstly this club is listed as Sect B although next year the majority of members will compete in Sect C.

The Chairman invited comments and queries from the members but Alan Darragh from the floor raised the point that we should firstly elect the NIPA Committee members for the new season.

A lot of discussion at this point but the decision was made to proceed with election. G McDowell was (p) by A Darragh and (s) by T Young. M McConville was (p) by G Magill but the member was not a club delegate in Crumlin. G Magill was (p) by K Wilkinson and (s) by M McConville. K Kernohan was (p) by G McDowell and (s) by D Houston.

What followed was a large discussion and debate on the status of K Wilkinson who said he was the club delegate for New Antrim Amal. A Darragh who is the NIPA Chairman objected and said New Antrim did not have enough members to operate as a club. Ken who had a conversation with NIPA Secretary Fred Russell had both in total agreement, no rule stated a minimum number of members but One Delegate to be elected up to 15 members.

After a very heated debate the meeting decided to elect Ken Wilkinson on a (p) from M McConville and (s) by A Purvis leaving the Annual Meeting of the NIPA to deal with any problems. A Darragh said the view of the NIPA Secretary was wrong and he would raise this objection again at the AGM when RPRA Officials will be present.

K Wilkinson continued in the chair and took items of concern from the members.

Crumlin had concerns about the use of the trailer, when it’s required it should be shared around. When taken to liberation arrangements need to be made that its release is at the same time as the transporters. Points raised about the cost of birds in Penzance Classic, and when flown on its own should be NIPA birds only. Some discussion on erratic races from Clonmel with poor visibility, and late liberation in Bude. Not sure covers on transporter are good idea keeping birds in semi darkness, ventilation also discussed. Discussion on cameras on the fleet, film of liberations, person to travel as observer, and efforts to disturb attack by peregrine falcons. Collection times in general discussed and the reasons for it, Windsor Social times to be looked at.

Many Clubs getting lax with race marking especially, procedures had been sent to all clubs regarding ETS. Also absence of wing stamp or ID Ring, birds verified without that should be disqualified. Dressing for crates, no Easi Bed allowed due to getting in drinkers, new dressing going to be available from Frazer for use this season. Number of birds in race crates discussed as was members having own crates during the young bird racing.

The Chairman raised the outcome of the recent RPRA local AGM when Sam Thompson was made a Life Vice President, and appeared to be rushed out of job as RPRA Councillor. Also he had offer of a bird in the RPRA One-Loft race but was not allowed to enter it for the NI Children’s Hospice, it had to be a school they said. He has put it forward for Riverside School in Antrim.

A very eventful and part noisy meeting closed at 9.20pm.