Pigeon Network

No sooner has the racing finished we will shortly move into the presentation season and the many meetings that will make decisions about the new season racing in 2019. The RPRA (Irish Region) are always first away and a meeting of the Appeals Committee has been arranged for Saturday 6th October in the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick at 1.30pm sharp. The Agenda will include: Selection of Award winners for 2018 season. (a) 0-250 Miles. (b) 251-450 Miles. (c) Over 450 Miles. (d) Best Single Bird Performance, Old Birds or Young Birds. (e) Young Fanciers over 8 years but under 16 years on 1st January for any of the above awards. (who are competing in races in their own right). Age to be stated on application. (f) Best Single Bird Performance Talbenny (2) & Penzance, Claims from Club Secretaries for this award, winners will be listed in each NIPA Section. All claims must be made by 1st October (no exception). Application Forms are available from the Region Secretary, please send SAE to M/M Reid, Monta-Vista, 131 North Road, Carrickfergus, County Antrim. BT38 7QJ. Late claims will not be accepted. No sooner has the racing finished we will shortly move into the presentation season and the many meetings that will make decisions about the new season racing in 2019. The RPRA (Irish Region) are always first away and a meeting of the Appeals Committee has been arranged for Saturday 6th October in the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick at 1.30pm sharp. The Agenda will include: Selection of Award winners for 2018 season. (a) 0-250 Miles. (b) 251-450 Miles. (c) Over 450 Miles. (d) Best Single Bird Performance, Old Birds or Young Birds. (e) Young Fanciers over 8 years but under 16 years on 1st January for any of the above awards. (who are competing in races in their own right). Age to be stated on application. (f) Best Single Bird Performance Talbenny (2) & Penzance, Claims from Club Secretaries for this award, winners will be listed in each NIPA Section. All claims must be made by 1st October (no exception). Application Forms are available from the Region Secretary, please send SAE to M/M Reid, Monta-Vista, 131 North Road, Carrickfergus, County Antrim. BT38 7QJ. Late claims will not be accepted. There will be one appeal from Eddie Gilliland and Jackie Scates re NIPA Committee Decision, one new club application Omagh Social RPS and finish with AOB.

RPRA (Irish Region) 2018

At the recent meeting of the Irish Region Committee held in the Templeton Hotel the decision was made for the various awards. President Sam Briggs was in the chair, assisted by long time Secretary Robert Reid. The application for new club Omagh Social RPS was turned down, adequate facilities were already available locally. An advert has been placed for South Belfast HPS, and it was pointed out no progress will be made regarding several applications until a conclusion is reached in their previous Union membership. The RPRA Rule 159 Membership was brought up from correspondence received, meeting was against any changes and if I got it right will not support changes currently under discussion by RPRA Council and Officials.

On the appeal from E Gilliland and J Scates regarding the NIPA Committee decision to suspend both members from the NIPA, for a period of six months. After a short discussion it was the decision of the Appeals Committee to uphold the NIPA Committee decision and Messrs Gilliland and Scates have right of appeal to RPRA Council within 21 days. The final part of the proceedings was to select the various award winners for 2018 racing season, the full list is published below. Many congratulations to the top winners. The meeting closed around 4.00pm.

The Meritorious Award is presented each season for Individual Bird performance over two cross channel races, usually Talbenny (2) & Penzance a fortnight apart. Claims on time and distance are invited from each club and an award is made for best in each of the NIPA 8 Sections with the overall winner lifting the trophy and each Sect winner the RPRA Medal.

RPRA (Irish Region) Awards 2018 – Individual Bird Talbenny & Penzance

Sect A - D Carolan Coalisland & Dist Vel. 1237, Sect B - J & J Greer Cullybackey Vel. 1190, Sect C - D & J Campbell Eastway Vel. 1230, Sect D - J Greenaway Dromore Vel. 1206, Sect E - R Williamson Bondhill Social Vel. 1201, Sect F - McComb Bros Killyleagh Central Vel. 1119, Sect G - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel. 1248, Sect H - No Claim. Overall Winner - R Williamson Newry & Dist Vel. 1248.

Queens Commeration Cup – Single Bird Nomination Penzance won by Balmer, T Young & Son Ahoghill Flying Club Vel 1255.

RPRA (Irish Region) - Mileage Awards 2018

0-250 Miles - G & A Campbell Armagh HPS, 251-450 Miles - B Creaney Portadown & Drumcree, 450 + Miles - O Fitzpatrick & Son Gilford & Dist.
Best YB Performance 2018 - J Vage & Son, Dromore GB18D-12221.
Best OB Performance 2018 - B Creaney, Portadown & Drumcree GB16P-06168.

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2018

0-250 Miles - Miss Keelie Wright Lurgan Social, 251-450 Miles - Miss Ellie Marshall Comber.

RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2018 – 1st Miss Ellie Marshall Comber. Runner-up Miss Keelie Wright Lurgan Social.

Presentation at NIPA Ladies Night Friday 9th November 2018 in the Templeton Hotel, Templepatrick.

In Mid Antrim the award was won by former Kings Cup winners J & J Greer in the Cullybackey HPS their 4 year old Blue hen is something special. This was her sixth time being clocked in Penzance or Sennen Cove in her life. She was also clocked in both Talbenny races flying a total of 776 odd miles. From Penzance she finished 15th Open 382/3013 & 2nd Section B from the Classic and 21st Open & 4th Section B in the ordinary race. Jamie said “Chuffed wouldn’t be in it. Many thanks to next door neighbour Gary Gibson for the base of this bird”. The RPRA presented cups for each Region to commerate the 65th year of Queen Elizabeth 11 on the throne and it was decided in the Irish Region competition would be for a single bird nomination from Penzance. Well done to Ahoghill Flying Club and in particular long time members Balmer Tom Young & Son who were the outright winners recording velocity 1255 to finish 1st MAC, 1st Sect B & 8th Open NIPA and flying approx. 330 miles.

Photo Captions

Jamie & James Greer from Cullybackey won the Sect B Meritorious Award for Talbenny & Penzance.
Ahoghill Chairman Tom Young won the Irish Region Single Bird Nom from Penzance and Queens Cup.