Pigeon Network

Irish Region AGM to be held in Ballymac Hotel -

Notice of the RPRA (Irish Region) AGM which will take place on Saturday the 5th February 2022 at the Ballymac Hotel, Stoneyford at 1.00pm. All RPRA Region members are entitled to attend and any members intending to serve on the INFC General Committee need to be present or send apology.
It’s been all change at the Irish Region, new Secretay Noel Higginson now getting up to speed in the job coming after a period of long service by the previous Secretary the late Robert Reid from Carrickfergus. The regular visitors to RPRA Council are now Cormac O’Hare from Ballyholland and Sam Briggs from Lisburn & District, good to see many questions being asked. I have been suggesting for many years that the RPRA Council Reports be presented as a regular feature on our meeting agenda. Its also good to see a bigger profile for the annual RPRA Awards and we still lift big titles despite the awards now worked out on a co-efficient basis. Big winners this year include John Connolly from Ballymoney, Mullen Bros of Blackwatertown and Keelie Wright of Lurgan Social who had a montage printed on the front page of the BHW on the Blackpool Show edition which was free to download.

Irish Region (RPRA) Awards 2021 - Talbenny & Penzance (Individual Bird)
SECT A – Jimmy Hanson, Coleraine Premier HPS Vel 1274; SECT B – W & J Smyth, Ballymena & District HPS Vel 1314; SECT C – Gary McKenna, Eastway Vel 1291; SECT D – Joe Ward, Glen Vel 1282; SECT E - G & C Simmons, Edgarstown Vel 1311; SECT F – McCartan & Woosdides, Grossgar Vel 1251; SECT G – Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1332; SECT H – Ronnie Witherow Limavady Vel 1160. Overall winner and the Irish Region Trophy won by Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1332. Note the correction for Sect H.

Irish Region Mileage Awards 2021
0-250 Miles won by C O’Hare & Daughter, Ballyholland, Blue Cock GB20B-29037; 251-450 Miles won by C O’Hare &B Daughter, Ballyholland, Mealy Hen GB20B-29039; 450 Miles + won by John Connolly, Ballymoney HPS.

Best Y B Performance 2021 – Bingham & Seaton, Ligoniel, Blue Hen GB21C-32018. Best O B Performance 2021 – C O’Hare & Daughter, Ballyholland, Blue Cock GB20B-29037. Young Fancier of the Year won by Croskery Sisters, Comber Central.

Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2021 - Young Fancier over 450 Miles won by Mullen Bros of Blackwatertown West End HPS.
The following were elected at the previous AGM.

The following officials were elected for 2020: Life Vice-Presidents - S Thompson, S G Briggs, J Serplus, R Reid and A C McGrugan. President S G Briggs, Vice Presidents J Serplus, and G Delaney. Chairman C O’Hare. Secretary/Treasurer Noel Higginson, 44 Green View, Parkgate, Ballyclare, Co Antrim BT39 OJP. Tel: (028) 94 439481. Mobile: 07518 748717. Email: noelhigginson@hotmail.com

Councillors to RPRA: S G Briggs NIPA, and C O’Hare Ballyholland with Reserve G Delaney Dromore. Auditor: Ron McKelvey. PO: W Reynolds Ballymena.
Irish Region Committee includes: S Thompson, S G Briggs, R Reid, W Seaton, W Reynolds, J Burrows, C O’Hare, D Suitters, G Delaney, R Service Ballymena, G Robinson Carrick, J Conlane Kingswood, Alan Larkin Wilton Cross, Paul Larkin Portadown & Drumcree and J Serplus Laurelvale.
INFC (RPRA) Management Committee: W Reynolds Ballymena, P Dunlop Edgarstown, C O’Hare Ballyholland, J Serplus Laurelvale, P Smith Individual Dublin, R Duddy Ballyclare, A Thompson Ballyclare, C Lyons Hills & Maze, D Suitters Doagh, E McGimpsey Ards, N Lewis Doagh, A Larkin Wilton Cross, G Simmons Edgarstown. R Service Ballymena replaced G McDowell.

INFC (RPRA) Appeals Committee: J Brown Blackwatertown, J Burrows Eastway, and W Knowles Kingsmoss. Mr & Mrs Reid who had long service in the role of Secretary/Treasurer were thanked for their dedicated service to the Irish Region.

The 2022 meeting agenda is 1. Minutes of last meeting, 2. Matters Arising, 3. Statement of Accounts, 4. Correspondence, 5. Any other business.
Annual General Meeting agenda is 1. Minutes of previous AGM, 2. Election of Officers for 2022, 3. Any other business. Following the AGM a Regional Delegates Meeting will be held.

The local (Irish Region) of the RPRA held their annual meeting for the first time in Ballymac Hotel just outside Lisburn in County Antrim on Saturday 5th February, the usual poor attendance can only get better and will probably have to improve. Any member wishing to be on the Irish Nat FC Committee were requested to attend the RPRA (Irish Region) meeting to be nominated or have an apology placed. The Secretary had sent communication to each member club and meeting advert was placed in the BHW.

Those attending the meeting included S G Briggs President, J Serplus Vice President, J Burrows Vice President, W Reynolds Ballymena, W Knowles Kingsmoss, C O’Hare Ballyholland, G Robinson Carrick, N Higginson Ballyclare, Alan Larkin Wilton Cross, Ron McKelvey Newry and Paul Gault Kingsmoss.

Apologies: Norman Lewis, Arnold Thompson, Robin Duddy, Campbell McGrugan and Gerald Delaney.

The President Sammy Briggs opened the meeting by welcoming the members and he asked them firstly to stand in memory of those members and friends deceased in the past year. Since the previous AGM held in 2019 (no meeting in 2020 due to Covid 19 restrictions) with many others we have lost Sammy Thompson, Robert Reid, Davy Suitters and Robert Service.

In his opening address Sam gave a review of the past season and congratulated the various winners both locally, and, to those who had overall success and were presented awards at the recent Blackpool Show. John Connolly from Ballymoney HPS won the RPRA over 450 Miles Long Distance award for 2021 and the Coronation Challenge Cup. Mullen Bros from Blackwatertown WE won the RPRA Young Fancier Long Distance award for 2021 and the Major Len Lewis Memorial Trophy. Keelie Wright from the Lurgan Social has been collecting awards for several years now and the Montage of several of the winners was published on the front cover of this seasons Blackpool Show edition, well done Keelie, hard work and great rewards. This year she lifts the Intermediate Young Fancier Short Distance, 1st Place Trophy, Medallion & £50. The local awards were presented at the annual NIPA Ladies Night, full list below.

Irish Region (RPRA) Awards 2021 - Talbenny & Penzance (Individual Bird)
SECT A – Jimmy Hanson, Coleraine Premier HPS Vel 1274; SECT B – W & J Smyth, Ballymena & District HPS Vel 1314; SECT C – Gary McKenna, Eastway Vel 1291; SECT D – Joe Ward, Glen Vel 1282; SECT E - G & C Simmons, Edgarstown Vel 1311; SECT F – McCartan & Woosdides, Grossgar Vel 1251; SECT G – Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1332; SECT H – Ronnie Witherow Limavady Vel 1160. Overall winner and the Irish Region Trophy won by Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1332.

Irish Region Mileage Awards 2021
0-250 Miles won by C O’Hare & Daughter, Ballyholland, Blue Cock GB20B-29037; 251-450 Miles won by C O’Hare &B Daughter, Ballyholland, Mealy Hen GB20B-29039; 450 Miles + won by John Connolly, Ballymoney HPS.

Best Y B Performance 2021 – Bingham & Seaton, Ligoniel, Blue Hen GB21C-32018. Best O B Performance 2021 – C O’Hare & Daughter, Ballyholland, Blue Cock GB20B-29037. Young Fancier of the Year won by Croskery Sisters, Comber Central.

Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2021 - Young Fancier over 450 Miles won by Mullen Bros of Blackwatertown West End HPS.

The minutes of the previous AGM (2019) were read by Secretary Noel Higginson and adopted as a true record. Next item was the Statement of Accounts and auditor Ron McKelvey gave a report, it was easy to set out as the books had been well kept by Mr & Mrs Reid. Ron gave a very detailed report both on the income from fees etc and changes that will be made ahead which will be of further benefit. A donation was made to the NIPA added to a donation from RPRA to purchase a new trophy to celebrate their 75th Anniversary. Funds will probably have to be set aside to renew the Region Trophy which was in poor condition and would cost nearly as much to fix as a new one. The financial report was very good, and the meeting decided to update the Secretary expenses which had not been changed since he took over the role. The accounts were passed.

Chairman Cormac O’Hare gave a report from the RPRA Council meetings, some queries had been raised and sorted and good to report that our Irish Delegates play a very important part in the proceedings, as good as ever I can remember. The complication of the local region hearing appeals regarding NIPA has I think been sorted, the Armagh case is to be heard at the Council Meeting in February. There being no other 2021business the meeting moved on to the election of officials for 2022.

The following officials were elected for 2022: Life Vice-Presidents - S G Briggs, J Serplus, W Knowles, and A C McGrugan. President S G Briggs, Vice Presidents J Serplus, C O’Hare and G Delaney. Chairman C O’Hare. Secretary/Treasurer Noel Higginson, 44 Green View, Parkgate, Ballyclare, Co Antrim BT39 OJP. Tel: (028) 94 439481. Mobile: 07518 748717. Email: noelhigginson@hotmail.com

Councillors to RPRA: S G Briggs NIPA, and C O’Hare NIPA with Reserve A Larkin Wilton Cross. Auditor: Ron McKelvey. Press Officer: W Reynolds Ballymena.

Irish Region Committee includes the following: S G Briggs Lisburn, W Reynolds Ballymena, J Burrows Eastway, C O’Hare Ballyholland, G Delaney Dromore, Robin Service Ballymena, G Robinson Carrick, J Conlane Kingswood, Alan Larkin Wilton Cross, Paul Larkin Portadown & Drumcree, J Serplus Laurelvale and Robert Turkington Doagh & District.

INFC (RPRA) Management Committee: W Reynolds Ballymena, P Dunlop Edgarstown, C O’Hare Ballyholland, J Serplus Laurelvale, P Smith Individual Dublin, R Duddy Ballyclare, A Thompson Ballyclare, C Lyons Hills & Maze, E McGimpsey Ards, N Lewis Doagh, A Larkin Wilton Cross, G Simmons Edgarstown. Robin Service Ballymena and Robert Turkington Doagh & District.

INFC (RPRA) Appeals Committee: J Burrows Eastway, Alan Larkin Wilton Cross and W Knowles Kingsmoss.

No new clubs but resignations from New Antrim Amalgamated, Chimney Corner and Springvale Social.

After the tea break the meeting proceeded with the General & Appeals Committee and Delegates.
The minutes of the previous meeting October 2021 were read and passed no matters arising. Main discussion for this part was about the RPRA Agenda Resolution’s, took a bit of time but we got there in the end. Support 22/1, 22/2, 22/4, 22/5, 22/6, 22/18. They will vote against 22/3, 22/7, 22/8, 22/9, 22/10, 22/11, 22/12, 22/13. 22/14, 22/15, 22/16, 22/17, 22/19.

The School application packs for the RPRA One Loft race were distributed.

Affiliation Fees for 2022 – Clubs, Single Members, Individual Members and, each Partnership Member all £12.00. Must be paid through one Society Cheque and made payable to Royal Pigeon Racing Association – Irish Region. Societies in arrears at 1st March 2022 will be called upon to pay an extra 50p per Member and £10.00 for Club. Willie Reynolds PO.

Photo Captions

John Connolly of Armoy won the RPRA Long Distance over 450 Miles award and the Coronation Challenge Cup. “Not Yet” had 1st Club Ballymoney HPS, 1st Sect B & 3rd Open NIPA St Malo OB National.
Mullen Bros of Portadown won the Young Fancier RPRA Long Distance over 450 Miles award and the Major Len Lewis Memorial Trophy. “Rafhael” had 1st Club Blackwatertown WE, 1st NI Channel Fed, 7th Sect E & 27th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat 1980 birds.
Keelie Wright montage of winners over recent seasons, including 2021.
John and Colleen Connolly from Armoy in Northern Ireland at the RPRA Awards Gala Night in Blackpool.
Keelie Wright collects Intermediate Short Distance award at Blackpool Show from RPRA President Les Blacklock.
John Connolly from Ballymoney HPS collects the Coronation Challenge Cup at Blackpool from RPRA President Les Blacklock.
Cormac O’Hare from Newry collected his (Irish Region) awards at the annual NIPA Ladies Night.
Irish Region secretary Noel Higginson with young fancier’s Larkin Bros from Wilton Cross in Lurgan, winners of the NIPA Young Fancier of the Year 2021.
Croskery Sisters from Comber Central won the RPRA (Irish Region) Young Fancier of the Year 2021.
Irish Region officials Noel Higginson and Cormac O’Hare congratulate Bingham & Seaton from Ligoniel having Best YB Performance 2021.
The Milage Award winners in 2021 C O’Hare & Daughter and J Connolly with Region Secretary Noel Higginson.