Farming Life - BHW - RP - 25/12/20
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 4:56 pm
Kells & District HPS were usually November for the annual prize presentation and dinner, I was often a part of the large attendance when the evening was held locally at Country House and before that Ross Lodge Hotel. Many of the big stars at the time have sadly passed-away but the club remains one of the top competitors in the Mid Antrim area. In the previous season the most improved loft was probably C & D Jackson and in 2020 they improved again with a best-ever flying season to take the coveted Top Prize-winner award winning 7 x 1sts. The eve- consistent Harry Boyd was not far behind and won 6 x 1sts and I must mention another loft with a best-ever season just racing young birds Sam Crawford won 3 x 1sts, he might apply the big pressure come 2021. With this report I have included some of the prize presentations from a few years back, and, also from away back, Brian Swann & Son.
Kells & District members were always up at the top of the big National and Derby races over many years, the late Les Mairs winning Fancier of the Year many times in Section B and George McDowell lifting the Northern Ireland Fancier of the Year scoring many top places from France but now more interested in the shorter races. The late Tommy Shanks won the Old Bird Derby and the late Billy McClure almost won the Kings Cup, as did the former Secretary the late Roy McFarlane.
I have just had the news from the club Secretary Mervyn Gregg that Old Hand Davy McCullagh had just passed-away, long time members of Kells & District and Highest Prize-winner on several occasions. At that time D McCullough & Son were ever present and the loft to beat. The officers and members extend their sympathy to the family circle and also to his brother in-law Geoff Surgenor who still competes at the highest-level racing as Surgenor Bros.
The leading lofts in 2020 season were – C & D Jackson, Surgenor Bros, Harry Boyd, Sam Crawford, Henry Turkington, Alan Barkley & Son, McFarlane & Agnew, Brian Swann & Son, and Gregg Bros.
Cups and trophies were distributed as follows:
C & D Jackson won – Highest Prize-winner trophy, M Smyth Cup for Ave 1st & 2nd OB Races, Campbell Cup 1st Talbenny, Bude Cup, C Duncan Cup Lowest winning velocity, R Service Cup for 1st two OB & YB Races, Young Bird Ave, Young Bird Points Cup, Sizzlers Cup 2 Bird Club, J Logan Cup ave 2nd two YB Races.
Surgenor Bros won – H Smyth Cup 2nd two OB Races, Young Bird K/O, Young Bird National Talbenny, Boddy & Ridewood cup for Young Bird of the Year.
Harry Boyd won – Old Bird K/O Cup, OB Inland Nat Skibbereen, G Herron Memorial Cup St Malo, T Shanks Memorial Cup Old Bird of the Year, McKitterick Cup Fermoy Old Bird.
Sam Crawford won – N McFarlane Salver Fermoy Young Bird. A Barkley & Son won – Old Bird Average, Old Bird Inland Ave, Cross Channel Average.
Season for Old Birds
07/06/20 Tullamore C & D Jackson vel 1404 12th MA Combine, 13/06/20 Gowran Park H Boyd vel 1301 1st MA Combine 1st Section B. The Mid Antrim Combine winner from Gowran Park was clocked in the village of Kells. Harry Boyd clocked his two year old blue chequer Van Den Bulck widowhood hen at 15.59pm after the 155 mile fly to his lofts. The hen wins Kells & Dist by a clear 10 minutes and also wins 1st MA Combine, 1st Section B and a good 28th Open NIPA with 24,972 birds competing. The loft won 1st & 2nd Section B last season from Gowran Park, and again with a Van Den Bulck. 20/06/20 Corrin (1) H Boyd vel 1839, 02/07/20 Corrin (2) Surgenor Bros vel 1369 7th MA Combine, 06/07/20 Skibbereen Inland National H Boyd vel 1325 7th MA Combine, 11/07/20 Talbenny C & D Jackson 1st & 2nd vel 1273 19th MA Combine, 15/07/20 Skibbereen Yearling National H Boyd 1st, 2nd & 3rd vel 1324 1st MA Combine. The second major race of the season was the Yearling National from Skibbereen. Birds were liberated on Wednesday 15th July at 10.30am in a light westerly wind. Best bird in the area and winning the Mid Antrim Combine was Kells fancier Harry Boyd. He timed his blue chequer widowhood cock at 16.12pm for the 257 miles fly to the village. The bird was from R & J Baxter of Ballycarry, and he also wins 2nd Section B and 148th Open National 2980 birds. This was Harry's second combine win of the season having topped both Combine and Section from Gowran Park in the second week of the season. 19/07/20 Bude C & D Jackson vel 1058 5th MA Combine, 25/07/20 Fermoy Comeback H Boyd vel 1514 4th MA Combine, 30/07/20 St Malo OB French National H Boyd vel 1509 3rd MA Combine
Season for Young Birds
08/08/20 Mullingar Area Lib (1) Surgenor Bros 1st, 2nd & 3rd vel 1239, 15/08/20 Mullingar Area Lib (2) C & D Jackson 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Vel 1247 19th & 20th MA Combine 52/1521 The winner for Davy was bred by clubmate Geoff Surgenor, super card for C & D Jackson. 23/08/20 Roscrea C & D Jackson vel 1705 1st MA Combine 49/1453 Winner of the Mid Antrim Combine this week are the Kells & District fanciers C & D Jackson. Davy who has the young birds in top form at present timed his chequer cock at 13.13pm flying 143 miles to the village. The winner is Stickers Donckers and is bred by Derek Parr. The Jackson lofts have had great success with the birds from Derek Parr having won 4 x 1st Combines last season with his birds, including 1st Section B Talbenny, 1st Section B Penzance and Penzance Classic and 1st Combine Castletown Yearling National. 29/08/20 Gowran Park C & D Jackson 1st, 2nd & 3rd vel 1197 6th, 9th & 10th MA Combine 51/1375, 06/09/20 Fermoy (1) C & D Jackson 1st, 3rd & 5th vel 1291 3rd, 7th & 11th MA Combine 42/1008 The winner was bred by Derek Parr, C Lambrechts best. 12/09/20 Talbenny YB National Surgenor Bros vel 1384 1st MA Combine 1st Section B. The first classic race of the young bird season was the Talbenny YB National from Wales. The birds were liberated in a light westerly wind on Saturday 12th September at 8.00am. Surgenor Brothers of Kells & District who won 1st Open NIPA in this event only two years ago in 2018 again clocked the best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine and also 1st Section B and 9th Open NIPA 2616 birds. Geoff timed his blue hen at 12.36pm for the 217 miles fly to the lofts at Moorfields. The hen which had been flying to her perch began showing to a cock during the week before basketing. Breeding is Derek Parr's Van Loons through clubmate and good friend Davy Jackson. 12/09/20 Tullamore Comeback S Crawford 1st & 3rd vel 1960 3rd & 6th MA Combine 31/502, 19/09/20 Fermoy 5 Bird S Crawford 1st & 2nd vel 1179 1st MA Combine The young bird 5 Bird Classic event was flown in duplicate from Fermoy in Co. Cork. Best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine was timed by Kells fancier Sam Crawford with a velocity of 1179. Sam is only back into the pigeons this season having been out of the sport for 28 years. His young bird have hit form in the past few weeks winning many club and Combine positions in the Top 10. His winner a blue pied cock flying to the perch was timed at 14.30pm after the 201mile fly to the lofts in Moorfields. The nestmate won 1st Club and 3rd Combine from Tullamore last weekend. Both birds are from a kit of youngsters from Gerard Delaney of O'Rorry Hill stud, the breeding being Gustaaf Emil Dillen. Thanks to PO Mervyn Eagleson for results.
Just as I write this report, I have put my hands on the dinner report for 1996, attended by Adie he encountered hazardous conditions with snow on the ground as he travelled out to the Country House Hotel. This year the club had achieved remarkable success racing with Mid Antrim Combine and NIPA, the members lifted 3 x 1st Sect B Diplomas and 8 x 1sts in the Mid Antrim Combine, a very-good season indeed. This year it was the turn of the newly elected Chairman Mr W Purdy to satart the proceedings this he did by welcoming the members, visitors and guests. He hoped everyone would enjoy the night ahead, and called on Treasurer Mr W McClure to say grace. After the meal the Chairman the Chairman was to elaborate on the seasons top results and then invited Mrs Graham to present cups and trophies. Brian Swann & Son were up at the top followed by George Herron & Son, Davy McCullough & Son, McFarland & Agnew, Ian Gill and Steven Lee.
I will take a quick look at some of the top positions won on what was a very successful year. Brian Swann & Son had a delightful season recording some of the best results seen in the Mid Antrim Combine. In Arklow (1) the loft finished 26th Sect & 77th Open with 15,500 birds competing. From Wexford (1) he did the treble 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect and finished a good 3rd Open NIPA with 26,500 birds competing. He scored well in Wexford (3) and (4) and then finished with a good performance from Penzance three birds finishing 37th, 38th and 118th Open NIPA. In the young birds they had to wait until Tramore finishing 5th Sect & 30th Opern. In the Rosscarbery YB Derby the loft finished 1st Club, 2nd Sect & 29th Open collecting £205. They scored again in the Blue Riband Penzance Nat finishing 1st MAC, 7th Sect, and 12th Open NIPA collecting £380. A fantastic season indeed that earned them the MAC Old Bird Inl Ave and MAC Young Bird of the Year awards. The well-deserved runner-up spot went to George Herron & Son getting real close in two big races. In the old bird Bude they finished 4th Club, 4th Sect & 13th Open NIPA and their result of the year came in the Talbenny YB Derby. The loft finished 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect B and ended a very-close 2nd Open NIPA collecting £1,100.
Finishing 3rd in the list was the all-round supremos Davy McCullough & Son they again had excellent success this particular year. At Arklow they had v1st Club and 10th Sect B and then in the cross channel Talbenny (2) had 5th MAC and Sect finishing 54th Open NIPA with 15,892 birds competing. The next week from Bude they won 8th Comb & Sect plus 18th Open NIPA and then as usual 1st Club out of Dinard (France) finishing 9th Comb & Sect and 43rd Open NIPA plus £85. With performances such as 1st MAC, 2nd Sect & 78th Open NIPA Talbenny, 21st Sect & 92nd Open Penzance, 1st Club, 13th MAC, 15th Sect & 67th Open Penzance Classic plus £140 – Then in the young birds 38th Open Malahide, 21st Sect & 63rd Open Talbenny YB Derby collecting £106 was enough to earn McFarlane & Agnew 4th place in the prize list. Ian Gill finished 5th with good-recorded results from Talbenny (2) 3rd Comb & Sect and 44th Open then from Wexford 2nd Comb, 3rd Sect & 31st Open NIPA. The man who could strike at any time finished 6th best overall Steven Lee had a fantastic result in the Wexford (2) for young birds finishing 1st & 6th Comb & Sect plus 41st and 176th Open NIPA. He also scored the week previous from Wexford (1) 17th Sect & 136th Open NIPA 32,114 birds competing.
To finish this round-up I would like to cover some of the top achievements by other Kells & Dist lofts with the first one at hand being William McClure who I see won some £400, From the Kings Cup Rennes the ever-formidable Don Parker finished 1st Club, 1st Mid Antrim Combine, and 40th Open, Mrs Smyth finished 116th Open INFC. Brown Bros finished 40th Sect after winning the club from Arklow (2) having the week before from the same point took 1st MAC and 3rd Sect B. A & R Kenny finished 4th MAC and 7th Sect B in the Rosscarbery Old Bird Derby.
J.F McCabe & Son – Newry & District HPS
This week I will stray a little bit away from my area of coverage to feature a loft in the City of Newry in County Down, when I started to scribe it was before City Status for Newry but even in those days of hand-written results the local area lofts were usually well represented and on numerous occasions sitting at 1st Open NIPA, a lot becoming household names in the sport. I even managed to get down and cover some of the prize nights, what good fun they were.
Newry has been ever present in the NIPA results and with the world-famous Ron Williamson joined the ranks, the 2020 season brought many more records.
This little feature is on J F McCabe & Son and Conor answered my questions.
Q1. When started racing, what club and was any family involved? Why did you start in the pigeons and what birds did you start with?
Conor - I officially started racing pigeons in 1984 and joined Newry & District HPS. However, I was going to the pigeon club with my uncle Bernard McCabe from the age of 10. Bernard was the top pigeon flier in Newry at the time and it was he who started me off in pigeons in 1976. In 2010, my son Conor became more interested in the birds and the partnership that we fly under today was formed.
Q2. What organizations do you fly with currently?
Conor - The current organisations we compete in is the NIPA and the INFC.
Q3. Your Loft, Structure, length and how many?
Conor - The setup consists of 2 lofts. The first being a 24 x 8 structure which holds both the stock birds and the young bird team. The second loft is 18 x 6 in measurement and holds both cocks and hens with 24 boxes split over two sections for the cocks. Both lofts are fitted with an aviary which we think is a must for the bird’s health and condition.
Q4. Racing/training methods for old birds and young birds. Do you put YB’s on Darkness System, and what about Old Birds – Widowhood, Roundabout or just Natural?
Conor - Our old birds are raced on the roundabout system and young birds are raced to the perch. All young birds are raced to the perch. We race a maximum of 48 old birds and breed a team of 60 young birds each year and usually have around a team of 50 to race each year.
Q5. Feeding and systems etc over the season?
Conor - During the racing they are fed as much as they like within reason on a good widowhood mix. There is no breaking down here. Multivitamins are given twice a week during racing as well as Naturaline. During the moulting season the birds are given 50% moulting mix and 50% diet with oily seeds given sparingly. Naturaline and apple cider vinegar is given quite a lot during this time.
Q6. Treatments, what and when used? Do you use Vitamins, if so what?
Conor - With regards to medication, in the off season this is kept to a bare minimum if any apart from the mandatory injections. During the racing season the 3-week cycle is used to keep the birds in good health after cross contamination with other birds in the race basket.
Q7. Breeding info when done etc.? - now that the rings are available before Christmas.
Conor - Normally the birds are paired up on boxing day with 60 young birds being bred. We have found that pre-pairing up the birds a couple of weekends before boxing days settles them down and makes life a bit easier.
Q8. Birds at stock, strains kept and families etc.?
Conor - 20 pairs of stock are kept. The families that are kept are Jos Soontjens via Davy Hutchinson, Herman Ceusters and via Wayne Doonan, Stefan Lambrechts via and a few Hardy Kruger birds.
Q9. Racing results over the years – Club, Sect & Combine and best Open positions with NIPA & INFC?
Conor - Over the past few years we have had our fair share of good results. In 2009 we won the Open 5 Bird Open in the young birds taking over £1,000 in pools and prize money with a pigeon called “So Grand”. The same feat was achieved this season with “Champion Rooney” Champion Rooney was bred by Kevin Rooney and Son from Annalong. In 2017 we were fortunate to win 1st Open from Gowran Park against 25,000 birds competing. Again in 2017, we achieved 4th North Section Skibbereen National in a North-East wind, and the same hen went onto achieve 7th Open Fermoy this season in the same conditions. Also, in 2019 we won the NIPA Open from Bude with “Blue Jos”.
Q10. Outstanding racers and stock birds since starting the sport?
Conor - The best breeding pair we have ever owned is our current Box 1 pair. This pair consists of “Black Magic” and “Blue Lady”. They have bred everything from club winners to 1st Open NIPA winners and winners have been produced 5 generations down from this pair. The best two examples of this is, “The Special One” and the “65’ Cock”. The Special One was 2nd Open, 5th Open, 11th Open etc and is a grandchild of this pair. The 65’ Cock has 2 x 4th Open NIPA, as well as 16th Open plus another 6 top open positions. The Open winner from Gowran Park is a direct son of this Pair ‘Champion Scobie’. This year a hen from this pair achieved 9th Open from the same race point.
Q11. What about cross channel racing both old bird and young bird?
Conor - Cross channel racing is not something we focus on but we do send a small team of old birds to Bude and Penzance. We may send a couple of young birds to the Talbenny National but this is more for a bit of interest. We focus mainly on the up Ireland sprint races. We have had good positions when we have sent to the channel being 3rd Open in 2010 and 1st Open Bude in 2019 with “Blue Jos”. Also, in 2016 we were 13th National Quimper with INFC.
Q12. Any positions held past or present? – Any work covered at the club?
Conor - I am currently Chairman of Newry & District HPS and Conor is the ETS secretary in the club.
Q13. Special mention of anyone who helped, or influenced you in the sport? Any views for the future?
Conor - The person who influenced me a lot at the start has to be my uncle Bernard who supplied me with my first birds and gave me help and tips along the way when required. A special mention and thanks would have to go to Stanley McKinstry of the Dromara club for all the advice and birds we have received over the years including our No.1 hen “Blue Lady”. Another special mention and thanks as well, goes to the men who supplied us with top stock in order for us to achieve these results - they include Davy Hutchinson, Wayne Doonan and Ian Gibb.
Q14. Last but not least your best result, and what was biggest disappointment in the sport?
Conor - The biggest achievement to date on paper would be the Open result from Gowran Park in 2017. We achieved 5 positions in the Top 21 of the NIPA Open result including 1st. One of the biggest thrills we had was 4th North Sect Skibbereen Young Bird National and 13th National Quimper. Its hard to say what the big disappointment was but as everyone knows the pigeon sport is a game of highs and lows.
I have a number of Loft Feature items with a number of lofts and hopefully some will be returned very soon and we can fill up the column inches prior to racing, hopefully in April. A lot more are outstanding rather the small number that have been returned. Remember it’s only a bit of fun nothing serious and something for fanciers to read and see how the successful lofts perform, something might be picked up to improve their own situation. In the meantime, thanks to J F McCabe & Son from Newry. It was actually John the Chairman in Newry & District that wrote the report, sent on by Conor. Slight slip of the pen.
NIPA Update –
After 100 pages of text, photos and reports published in my Homers Odyssey column in the Farming Life supplement of the News Letter on a Wednesday, with not one week missed in a very difficult year. My good luck came to an end with the final column of the year. It had been brought to the attention of the Secretary at HQ that the contents of his e-mail to NIPA officials regarding Resolutions for the AGM which he has considered confidential were published along with his comments and was not best pleased. I had read the text and seen no problem, the Wilton Cross details were left for consideration by the committee, so nothing lost there. The long time Secretary Fred Russell probably in post longer that I have been reporting on the sport is best placed with vast experience and should be pointing out the pros and cons of anything that has been put forward. We will never know how important that is and should be taking full advantage of his experience. When I looked at the matters raised, especially collecting all birds at the local clubs, its something my own club have been banging on about for several years, my voice is a minority one and they might not even be convinced by the Secretary. It has always been my view the members, who after all are the organisation should be kept fully informed and given their opportunity to have their say. If the Resolutions being put forward are such a good idea, they will fly through, if not they will be shot down. There should be nothing to fear to keep the membership fully informed, and the Secretary should be taking every opportunity to do that, he has been returned with the full confidence of the membership at every single AGM since he was first elected to office. Although I don’t agree, the Secretary is entitled to haver his opinions kept private and confidential if he so wishes, my attitude is his opinion is invaluable to the well-being of the organisation and should be distributed far and wide.
The correspondence from Wilton Cross was dated 25th November and was signed by A Larkin (Chairman) and G Douglas (Secretary).
After consultation with its members the Wilton Cross HPS would like to propose the following resolutions for the forth coming AGM of the NIPA.
1. Submit new rule to state: All National races birds to be race marked at Centres with exception of Championship and Classic races where birds can be race marked at clubs with 2 members of another club officiating.
2. Submit new rule to state: That in event of a race cancellation the decision can only be made by half plus one of the NIPA General Committee.
3. Submit new rule to state: All club races on the programme, crates to be collected by NIPA transporter at the club’s own premises.
4. Delete Rule 55 in its entirety. Rule 55 Reads. The Management Committee shall have power to make and alter rules to cover any emergency. In circumstances when this is necessary any such rules will only operate to the next Annual General Meeting where they must be confirmed or deleted.
NIPA Trophies and Diplomas 2020.
The NIPA trophies and diplomas award in the 2020 season are now ready for collection from the office. If you wish to have any Section diplomas framed please advise the cost is £8.00 each
Please make an appointment with myself so we can agree a time for collection, please wear masks and gloves. Regards Fred.
PS Could I ask that all winners, if possible, have a photo done at home or at the loft with the winning cups and diplomas and send to the Press Officers, Sect A, B, E & H to Homer and Sect C, D, F & G to New Kid on the Block, to be used for publicity purposes.
In this end of season note can I wish a very merry Christmas to fanciers everywhere and their families, 2020 was a season to remember so please keep safe and adhere to the regulations. Remember I am doing club season reports and require info from the many clubs not already done.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
http://www.pigeonnetwork.com
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
http://www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
http://www.elimarpigeons.com
Kells & District members were always up at the top of the big National and Derby races over many years, the late Les Mairs winning Fancier of the Year many times in Section B and George McDowell lifting the Northern Ireland Fancier of the Year scoring many top places from France but now more interested in the shorter races. The late Tommy Shanks won the Old Bird Derby and the late Billy McClure almost won the Kings Cup, as did the former Secretary the late Roy McFarlane.
I have just had the news from the club Secretary Mervyn Gregg that Old Hand Davy McCullagh had just passed-away, long time members of Kells & District and Highest Prize-winner on several occasions. At that time D McCullough & Son were ever present and the loft to beat. The officers and members extend their sympathy to the family circle and also to his brother in-law Geoff Surgenor who still competes at the highest-level racing as Surgenor Bros.
The leading lofts in 2020 season were – C & D Jackson, Surgenor Bros, Harry Boyd, Sam Crawford, Henry Turkington, Alan Barkley & Son, McFarlane & Agnew, Brian Swann & Son, and Gregg Bros.
Cups and trophies were distributed as follows:
C & D Jackson won – Highest Prize-winner trophy, M Smyth Cup for Ave 1st & 2nd OB Races, Campbell Cup 1st Talbenny, Bude Cup, C Duncan Cup Lowest winning velocity, R Service Cup for 1st two OB & YB Races, Young Bird Ave, Young Bird Points Cup, Sizzlers Cup 2 Bird Club, J Logan Cup ave 2nd two YB Races.
Surgenor Bros won – H Smyth Cup 2nd two OB Races, Young Bird K/O, Young Bird National Talbenny, Boddy & Ridewood cup for Young Bird of the Year.
Harry Boyd won – Old Bird K/O Cup, OB Inland Nat Skibbereen, G Herron Memorial Cup St Malo, T Shanks Memorial Cup Old Bird of the Year, McKitterick Cup Fermoy Old Bird.
Sam Crawford won – N McFarlane Salver Fermoy Young Bird. A Barkley & Son won – Old Bird Average, Old Bird Inland Ave, Cross Channel Average.
Season for Old Birds
07/06/20 Tullamore C & D Jackson vel 1404 12th MA Combine, 13/06/20 Gowran Park H Boyd vel 1301 1st MA Combine 1st Section B. The Mid Antrim Combine winner from Gowran Park was clocked in the village of Kells. Harry Boyd clocked his two year old blue chequer Van Den Bulck widowhood hen at 15.59pm after the 155 mile fly to his lofts. The hen wins Kells & Dist by a clear 10 minutes and also wins 1st MA Combine, 1st Section B and a good 28th Open NIPA with 24,972 birds competing. The loft won 1st & 2nd Section B last season from Gowran Park, and again with a Van Den Bulck. 20/06/20 Corrin (1) H Boyd vel 1839, 02/07/20 Corrin (2) Surgenor Bros vel 1369 7th MA Combine, 06/07/20 Skibbereen Inland National H Boyd vel 1325 7th MA Combine, 11/07/20 Talbenny C & D Jackson 1st & 2nd vel 1273 19th MA Combine, 15/07/20 Skibbereen Yearling National H Boyd 1st, 2nd & 3rd vel 1324 1st MA Combine. The second major race of the season was the Yearling National from Skibbereen. Birds were liberated on Wednesday 15th July at 10.30am in a light westerly wind. Best bird in the area and winning the Mid Antrim Combine was Kells fancier Harry Boyd. He timed his blue chequer widowhood cock at 16.12pm for the 257 miles fly to the village. The bird was from R & J Baxter of Ballycarry, and he also wins 2nd Section B and 148th Open National 2980 birds. This was Harry's second combine win of the season having topped both Combine and Section from Gowran Park in the second week of the season. 19/07/20 Bude C & D Jackson vel 1058 5th MA Combine, 25/07/20 Fermoy Comeback H Boyd vel 1514 4th MA Combine, 30/07/20 St Malo OB French National H Boyd vel 1509 3rd MA Combine
Season for Young Birds
08/08/20 Mullingar Area Lib (1) Surgenor Bros 1st, 2nd & 3rd vel 1239, 15/08/20 Mullingar Area Lib (2) C & D Jackson 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Vel 1247 19th & 20th MA Combine 52/1521 The winner for Davy was bred by clubmate Geoff Surgenor, super card for C & D Jackson. 23/08/20 Roscrea C & D Jackson vel 1705 1st MA Combine 49/1453 Winner of the Mid Antrim Combine this week are the Kells & District fanciers C & D Jackson. Davy who has the young birds in top form at present timed his chequer cock at 13.13pm flying 143 miles to the village. The winner is Stickers Donckers and is bred by Derek Parr. The Jackson lofts have had great success with the birds from Derek Parr having won 4 x 1st Combines last season with his birds, including 1st Section B Talbenny, 1st Section B Penzance and Penzance Classic and 1st Combine Castletown Yearling National. 29/08/20 Gowran Park C & D Jackson 1st, 2nd & 3rd vel 1197 6th, 9th & 10th MA Combine 51/1375, 06/09/20 Fermoy (1) C & D Jackson 1st, 3rd & 5th vel 1291 3rd, 7th & 11th MA Combine 42/1008 The winner was bred by Derek Parr, C Lambrechts best. 12/09/20 Talbenny YB National Surgenor Bros vel 1384 1st MA Combine 1st Section B. The first classic race of the young bird season was the Talbenny YB National from Wales. The birds were liberated in a light westerly wind on Saturday 12th September at 8.00am. Surgenor Brothers of Kells & District who won 1st Open NIPA in this event only two years ago in 2018 again clocked the best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine and also 1st Section B and 9th Open NIPA 2616 birds. Geoff timed his blue hen at 12.36pm for the 217 miles fly to the lofts at Moorfields. The hen which had been flying to her perch began showing to a cock during the week before basketing. Breeding is Derek Parr's Van Loons through clubmate and good friend Davy Jackson. 12/09/20 Tullamore Comeback S Crawford 1st & 3rd vel 1960 3rd & 6th MA Combine 31/502, 19/09/20 Fermoy 5 Bird S Crawford 1st & 2nd vel 1179 1st MA Combine The young bird 5 Bird Classic event was flown in duplicate from Fermoy in Co. Cork. Best bird in the Mid Antrim Combine was timed by Kells fancier Sam Crawford with a velocity of 1179. Sam is only back into the pigeons this season having been out of the sport for 28 years. His young bird have hit form in the past few weeks winning many club and Combine positions in the Top 10. His winner a blue pied cock flying to the perch was timed at 14.30pm after the 201mile fly to the lofts in Moorfields. The nestmate won 1st Club and 3rd Combine from Tullamore last weekend. Both birds are from a kit of youngsters from Gerard Delaney of O'Rorry Hill stud, the breeding being Gustaaf Emil Dillen. Thanks to PO Mervyn Eagleson for results.
Just as I write this report, I have put my hands on the dinner report for 1996, attended by Adie he encountered hazardous conditions with snow on the ground as he travelled out to the Country House Hotel. This year the club had achieved remarkable success racing with Mid Antrim Combine and NIPA, the members lifted 3 x 1st Sect B Diplomas and 8 x 1sts in the Mid Antrim Combine, a very-good season indeed. This year it was the turn of the newly elected Chairman Mr W Purdy to satart the proceedings this he did by welcoming the members, visitors and guests. He hoped everyone would enjoy the night ahead, and called on Treasurer Mr W McClure to say grace. After the meal the Chairman the Chairman was to elaborate on the seasons top results and then invited Mrs Graham to present cups and trophies. Brian Swann & Son were up at the top followed by George Herron & Son, Davy McCullough & Son, McFarland & Agnew, Ian Gill and Steven Lee.
I will take a quick look at some of the top positions won on what was a very successful year. Brian Swann & Son had a delightful season recording some of the best results seen in the Mid Antrim Combine. In Arklow (1) the loft finished 26th Sect & 77th Open with 15,500 birds competing. From Wexford (1) he did the treble 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect and finished a good 3rd Open NIPA with 26,500 birds competing. He scored well in Wexford (3) and (4) and then finished with a good performance from Penzance three birds finishing 37th, 38th and 118th Open NIPA. In the young birds they had to wait until Tramore finishing 5th Sect & 30th Opern. In the Rosscarbery YB Derby the loft finished 1st Club, 2nd Sect & 29th Open collecting £205. They scored again in the Blue Riband Penzance Nat finishing 1st MAC, 7th Sect, and 12th Open NIPA collecting £380. A fantastic season indeed that earned them the MAC Old Bird Inl Ave and MAC Young Bird of the Year awards. The well-deserved runner-up spot went to George Herron & Son getting real close in two big races. In the old bird Bude they finished 4th Club, 4th Sect & 13th Open NIPA and their result of the year came in the Talbenny YB Derby. The loft finished 1st Club, 1st MAC, 1st Sect B and ended a very-close 2nd Open NIPA collecting £1,100.
Finishing 3rd in the list was the all-round supremos Davy McCullough & Son they again had excellent success this particular year. At Arklow they had v1st Club and 10th Sect B and then in the cross channel Talbenny (2) had 5th MAC and Sect finishing 54th Open NIPA with 15,892 birds competing. The next week from Bude they won 8th Comb & Sect plus 18th Open NIPA and then as usual 1st Club out of Dinard (France) finishing 9th Comb & Sect and 43rd Open NIPA plus £85. With performances such as 1st MAC, 2nd Sect & 78th Open NIPA Talbenny, 21st Sect & 92nd Open Penzance, 1st Club, 13th MAC, 15th Sect & 67th Open Penzance Classic plus £140 – Then in the young birds 38th Open Malahide, 21st Sect & 63rd Open Talbenny YB Derby collecting £106 was enough to earn McFarlane & Agnew 4th place in the prize list. Ian Gill finished 5th with good-recorded results from Talbenny (2) 3rd Comb & Sect and 44th Open then from Wexford 2nd Comb, 3rd Sect & 31st Open NIPA. The man who could strike at any time finished 6th best overall Steven Lee had a fantastic result in the Wexford (2) for young birds finishing 1st & 6th Comb & Sect plus 41st and 176th Open NIPA. He also scored the week previous from Wexford (1) 17th Sect & 136th Open NIPA 32,114 birds competing.
To finish this round-up I would like to cover some of the top achievements by other Kells & Dist lofts with the first one at hand being William McClure who I see won some £400, From the Kings Cup Rennes the ever-formidable Don Parker finished 1st Club, 1st Mid Antrim Combine, and 40th Open, Mrs Smyth finished 116th Open INFC. Brown Bros finished 40th Sect after winning the club from Arklow (2) having the week before from the same point took 1st MAC and 3rd Sect B. A & R Kenny finished 4th MAC and 7th Sect B in the Rosscarbery Old Bird Derby.
J.F McCabe & Son – Newry & District HPS
This week I will stray a little bit away from my area of coverage to feature a loft in the City of Newry in County Down, when I started to scribe it was before City Status for Newry but even in those days of hand-written results the local area lofts were usually well represented and on numerous occasions sitting at 1st Open NIPA, a lot becoming household names in the sport. I even managed to get down and cover some of the prize nights, what good fun they were.
Newry has been ever present in the NIPA results and with the world-famous Ron Williamson joined the ranks, the 2020 season brought many more records.
This little feature is on J F McCabe & Son and Conor answered my questions.
Q1. When started racing, what club and was any family involved? Why did you start in the pigeons and what birds did you start with?
Conor - I officially started racing pigeons in 1984 and joined Newry & District HPS. However, I was going to the pigeon club with my uncle Bernard McCabe from the age of 10. Bernard was the top pigeon flier in Newry at the time and it was he who started me off in pigeons in 1976. In 2010, my son Conor became more interested in the birds and the partnership that we fly under today was formed.
Q2. What organizations do you fly with currently?
Conor - The current organisations we compete in is the NIPA and the INFC.
Q3. Your Loft, Structure, length and how many?
Conor - The setup consists of 2 lofts. The first being a 24 x 8 structure which holds both the stock birds and the young bird team. The second loft is 18 x 6 in measurement and holds both cocks and hens with 24 boxes split over two sections for the cocks. Both lofts are fitted with an aviary which we think is a must for the bird’s health and condition.
Q4. Racing/training methods for old birds and young birds. Do you put YB’s on Darkness System, and what about Old Birds – Widowhood, Roundabout or just Natural?
Conor - Our old birds are raced on the roundabout system and young birds are raced to the perch. All young birds are raced to the perch. We race a maximum of 48 old birds and breed a team of 60 young birds each year and usually have around a team of 50 to race each year.
Q5. Feeding and systems etc over the season?
Conor - During the racing they are fed as much as they like within reason on a good widowhood mix. There is no breaking down here. Multivitamins are given twice a week during racing as well as Naturaline. During the moulting season the birds are given 50% moulting mix and 50% diet with oily seeds given sparingly. Naturaline and apple cider vinegar is given quite a lot during this time.
Q6. Treatments, what and when used? Do you use Vitamins, if so what?
Conor - With regards to medication, in the off season this is kept to a bare minimum if any apart from the mandatory injections. During the racing season the 3-week cycle is used to keep the birds in good health after cross contamination with other birds in the race basket.
Q7. Breeding info when done etc.? - now that the rings are available before Christmas.
Conor - Normally the birds are paired up on boxing day with 60 young birds being bred. We have found that pre-pairing up the birds a couple of weekends before boxing days settles them down and makes life a bit easier.
Q8. Birds at stock, strains kept and families etc.?
Conor - 20 pairs of stock are kept. The families that are kept are Jos Soontjens via Davy Hutchinson, Herman Ceusters and via Wayne Doonan, Stefan Lambrechts via and a few Hardy Kruger birds.
Q9. Racing results over the years – Club, Sect & Combine and best Open positions with NIPA & INFC?
Conor - Over the past few years we have had our fair share of good results. In 2009 we won the Open 5 Bird Open in the young birds taking over £1,000 in pools and prize money with a pigeon called “So Grand”. The same feat was achieved this season with “Champion Rooney” Champion Rooney was bred by Kevin Rooney and Son from Annalong. In 2017 we were fortunate to win 1st Open from Gowran Park against 25,000 birds competing. Again in 2017, we achieved 4th North Section Skibbereen National in a North-East wind, and the same hen went onto achieve 7th Open Fermoy this season in the same conditions. Also, in 2019 we won the NIPA Open from Bude with “Blue Jos”.
Q10. Outstanding racers and stock birds since starting the sport?
Conor - The best breeding pair we have ever owned is our current Box 1 pair. This pair consists of “Black Magic” and “Blue Lady”. They have bred everything from club winners to 1st Open NIPA winners and winners have been produced 5 generations down from this pair. The best two examples of this is, “The Special One” and the “65’ Cock”. The Special One was 2nd Open, 5th Open, 11th Open etc and is a grandchild of this pair. The 65’ Cock has 2 x 4th Open NIPA, as well as 16th Open plus another 6 top open positions. The Open winner from Gowran Park is a direct son of this Pair ‘Champion Scobie’. This year a hen from this pair achieved 9th Open from the same race point.
Q11. What about cross channel racing both old bird and young bird?
Conor - Cross channel racing is not something we focus on but we do send a small team of old birds to Bude and Penzance. We may send a couple of young birds to the Talbenny National but this is more for a bit of interest. We focus mainly on the up Ireland sprint races. We have had good positions when we have sent to the channel being 3rd Open in 2010 and 1st Open Bude in 2019 with “Blue Jos”. Also, in 2016 we were 13th National Quimper with INFC.
Q12. Any positions held past or present? – Any work covered at the club?
Conor - I am currently Chairman of Newry & District HPS and Conor is the ETS secretary in the club.
Q13. Special mention of anyone who helped, or influenced you in the sport? Any views for the future?
Conor - The person who influenced me a lot at the start has to be my uncle Bernard who supplied me with my first birds and gave me help and tips along the way when required. A special mention and thanks would have to go to Stanley McKinstry of the Dromara club for all the advice and birds we have received over the years including our No.1 hen “Blue Lady”. Another special mention and thanks as well, goes to the men who supplied us with top stock in order for us to achieve these results - they include Davy Hutchinson, Wayne Doonan and Ian Gibb.
Q14. Last but not least your best result, and what was biggest disappointment in the sport?
Conor - The biggest achievement to date on paper would be the Open result from Gowran Park in 2017. We achieved 5 positions in the Top 21 of the NIPA Open result including 1st. One of the biggest thrills we had was 4th North Sect Skibbereen Young Bird National and 13th National Quimper. Its hard to say what the big disappointment was but as everyone knows the pigeon sport is a game of highs and lows.
I have a number of Loft Feature items with a number of lofts and hopefully some will be returned very soon and we can fill up the column inches prior to racing, hopefully in April. A lot more are outstanding rather the small number that have been returned. Remember it’s only a bit of fun nothing serious and something for fanciers to read and see how the successful lofts perform, something might be picked up to improve their own situation. In the meantime, thanks to J F McCabe & Son from Newry. It was actually John the Chairman in Newry & District that wrote the report, sent on by Conor. Slight slip of the pen.
NIPA Update –
After 100 pages of text, photos and reports published in my Homers Odyssey column in the Farming Life supplement of the News Letter on a Wednesday, with not one week missed in a very difficult year. My good luck came to an end with the final column of the year. It had been brought to the attention of the Secretary at HQ that the contents of his e-mail to NIPA officials regarding Resolutions for the AGM which he has considered confidential were published along with his comments and was not best pleased. I had read the text and seen no problem, the Wilton Cross details were left for consideration by the committee, so nothing lost there. The long time Secretary Fred Russell probably in post longer that I have been reporting on the sport is best placed with vast experience and should be pointing out the pros and cons of anything that has been put forward. We will never know how important that is and should be taking full advantage of his experience. When I looked at the matters raised, especially collecting all birds at the local clubs, its something my own club have been banging on about for several years, my voice is a minority one and they might not even be convinced by the Secretary. It has always been my view the members, who after all are the organisation should be kept fully informed and given their opportunity to have their say. If the Resolutions being put forward are such a good idea, they will fly through, if not they will be shot down. There should be nothing to fear to keep the membership fully informed, and the Secretary should be taking every opportunity to do that, he has been returned with the full confidence of the membership at every single AGM since he was first elected to office. Although I don’t agree, the Secretary is entitled to haver his opinions kept private and confidential if he so wishes, my attitude is his opinion is invaluable to the well-being of the organisation and should be distributed far and wide.
The correspondence from Wilton Cross was dated 25th November and was signed by A Larkin (Chairman) and G Douglas (Secretary).
After consultation with its members the Wilton Cross HPS would like to propose the following resolutions for the forth coming AGM of the NIPA.
1. Submit new rule to state: All National races birds to be race marked at Centres with exception of Championship and Classic races where birds can be race marked at clubs with 2 members of another club officiating.
2. Submit new rule to state: That in event of a race cancellation the decision can only be made by half plus one of the NIPA General Committee.
3. Submit new rule to state: All club races on the programme, crates to be collected by NIPA transporter at the club’s own premises.
4. Delete Rule 55 in its entirety. Rule 55 Reads. The Management Committee shall have power to make and alter rules to cover any emergency. In circumstances when this is necessary any such rules will only operate to the next Annual General Meeting where they must be confirmed or deleted.
NIPA Trophies and Diplomas 2020.
The NIPA trophies and diplomas award in the 2020 season are now ready for collection from the office. If you wish to have any Section diplomas framed please advise the cost is £8.00 each
Please make an appointment with myself so we can agree a time for collection, please wear masks and gloves. Regards Fred.
PS Could I ask that all winners, if possible, have a photo done at home or at the loft with the winning cups and diplomas and send to the Press Officers, Sect A, B, E & H to Homer and Sect C, D, F & G to New Kid on the Block, to be used for publicity purposes.
In this end of season note can I wish a very merry Christmas to fanciers everywhere and their families, 2020 was a season to remember so please keep safe and adhere to the regulations. Remember I am doing club season reports and require info from the many clubs not already done.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
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