Ballymena & Dist Open Show - 02/01/17

[willie reynolds]

Ballymena Open Show – It was another full house for the Annual New Year’s Day Open Show held by the local club Ballymena & Dist, this year held on Monday 2nd January. Open only to NIPA Sect B lofts due to pressure on space, over 200 birds were penned for the team of judges who had travelled from different parts of the country, Paul Swindell the long distance ace from Newry, John Edgar from Coleraine and Ballymoney Secretary Derek McMullan. The local team of W & N Gilbert had a good day winning three classes, Best Opposite Sex (won BIS last year), Best Young Bird and Most Points. Alan Barkley & Son from Kells won two classes with the same bird and lifted Best in Show. The Young Bird Eye-sign was won by N & S Anderson from Cullybackey. President of the club Billy Smyth presented the Show Shield to W & N Gilbert with the Visitors Trophy going to Brian Herbison from Cullybackey. Nicola Gilbert on behalf of the club thanked Paul Swindell, John Edgar and Derek McMullan for judging for today - a sterling job!! Secondly our outside fanciers who travelled to support us and of course our club members. William Gilbert as Show Secretary well done! A big thank you to Neil Frazer from Frazer feeds for his continued support, all other sponsors and club members for prizes.

Results: Old Bird T/W – 1st, 2nd, 4th, Reserve & HC W & N Gilbert, 3rd & VHC A Barkley & Son, Commended N & S Anderson. Judge P Swindell. Old Bird Handled – 1st, Reserve, VHC & HC W & N Gilbert, 2nd & 3rd A Barkley & Son, 4th K Wilkinson & Son, Commended N & S Anderson. Judge P Swindell. Old Bird Eye-sign – W & W Gilbert, 2nd D Swann, 3rd & Reserve B Herbison, 4th A Barkley & Son, VHC G & A Eagleson, HC Kirkpatrick & Donnelly, Commended W & N Gilbert. Judge J Edgar. Young Bird T/W – 1st, 4th & VHC A Barkley & Son, 2nd, 3rd & HC W & N Gilbert, Reserve B Herbison, Commended J & J Greer. Judge P Swindell. Young Bird Handled – 1st & 2nd A Barkley & Son, 3rd, 4th & VHC W & N Gilbert, Reserve Kirkpatrick & Donnelly, HC B Herbison, Commended W & J Smyth. Judge P Swindell. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st N & S Anderson, 2nd, 3rd & Reserve W & N Gilbert, 4th W & W Gilbert, VHC K Wilkinson & Son, HC B Herbison, Commended G & A Eagleson. Judge J Edgar.

Blackpool Show will take place at the Winter Gardens on Saturday and Sunday 21st and 22nd January 2017, Robin Duddy from Ballyclare is taking a bus as usual, seats are available. Further details contact Robin Duddy, Tel: (028) 93 340603.


The judges at Ballymena from (l), John Edgar, Paul Swindell and Derek McMullan.


BIS at Ballymena A Barkley (r) with W & N Gilbert BOS.


Willy Gilbert and grand-daughter Skye with Paul Swindell before judging.


Steven Anderson 1st YB Eye-sign with Nicola Gilbert.


Willy & Nicola Gilbert with awards for Most Points and BOS.


The show class winners after judging.


The prize display for each class - thanks to all sponsors inc. Frazer Animal Feeds.


Local club show supporters, from (l) Bertie Blair, Johnston Eagleson and George Bell.


George Eagleson (Middle) with Kirkpatrick & Donnelly.


Ballymena President Billy Smyth (l) presents Show Shield to W & N Gilbert.


The Visitors Trophy at Ballymena was won by Brian Herbison.