News Report by HOMER
Irish Region News Update –
The main business on the agenda at the recent meeting of Irish Region RPRA held at the Ballymac Hotel on Saturday 8th October were the season awards. Apologies were received for George Robinson, John Conlane, Jim Serplus and Robin Service. The Chairman Cormac O’Hare invited the Secretary Noel Higginson to read the minutes of the previous meeting just before that the members observed a moments silence in respect of those who had passed away since the previous meeting and that included the RPRA Patron H M The Queen. The minutes were passed as a true record. President Samuel Briggs informed the meeting that the RPRA had appointed a new CEO in Chris Sutton who was due to start work on Monday and he congratulated all our recent winners including committee members M/M G Robinson, M/M G Delaney and Jimmy Burrows who had all won 1st Open NIPA. He gave a report on the RPRA and both he and Cormac O’Hare who we were pleased to see elected at last season’s AGM a Vice President of RPRA, will both be attending the next Council Meeting at the end of this month. It is expected at the next AGM of the Irish Region will establish that nominations for the Meritorious Awards single bird performance will have to be made two weeks after the end of old bird racing, claims in writing signed by the club secretary to Irish Region secretary Noel Higginson. It is hoped the next AGM of Irish Region will take place in the Church Hall in Lisburn, a venue used before on Saturday 4th February 2023, this will be confirmed on the AGM Agenda.
Irish Region (RPRA) Awards 2022 - Talbenny & Penzance (Individual Bird)
SECT A – McSeveney & Bradley, Coleraine Premier HPS Vel 1290; SECT B – D Dixon, Ballymoney HPS Vel 1273; SECT C – D & J Campbell, Eastway Vel 1309; SECT D – Barry Murray, Dromara HPS Vel 1278; SECT E – R D Calvin, Annaghmore Vel 283; SECT F – Robert Shaw, Corrigs Vel 1235; SECT G – Ron Williamson, Newry & District Vel 1297; SECT H – Ken Armstrong, Omagh & District Vel 1205. Overall winner and the Irish Region Trophy won by D & J Campbell, Eastway Vel 1309.
Section A Meritorious award winner for McSeveney & Bradley of Coleraine Premier HPS – Many congratulations Lads. This brilliant hen was bred by Terence McCrudden of the County Derry. RPS and is a granddaughter of the brilliant “Oisin’s First”, himself an RPRA Meritorious award winner.
Sammy Thompson Memorial Cup winners Bobby & Danny Coyle best in Coleraine Centre from Skibbereen Young Bird National, also 1st Coleraine Triangle with best velocity in the three local clubs. Congratulations Bobby and Danny, flying high with the Coleraine Premier HPS.
Irish Region Mileage Awards 2022
0-250 Miles won by David Calvin, Bondhill Social; 251-450 Miles won by C O’Hare &B Daughter, Ballyholland: 450 Miles + won by S Hughes, Coalisland & District.
Best Y B Performance 2022 – Davy Calvin, Bondhill Social. Best O B Performance 2022 -Donnelly Bros, Newry City. Young Fancier of the Year won by H T & J Larkin, Blackwatertown.
Young Fancier Mileage Awards 2022 – Young Fancier 0-250 Miles H T & J Larkin, Blackwatertown. Young Fancier 251-450 Miles won by Mullen Bros of Edgarstown HPS.
Downpatrick Premier have been advertised re membership, question to be raised on the Red life rings being very hard to read, photo to be obtained re new trophy presented to the NIPA and RPRA Award winners should be aware all claims to the RPRA should apply using the Application Form as published in the BHW. W Reynolds PO.
Ballymena & Dist Show Season – Each Monday from 31st October in Ballymena & District HPS clubrooms at Fountain Place, penning 7.00pm until 8.00pm. Week 1 - 31st October. Young cocks and young hens t/w. Week 2 - 7th November. Old cocks and old hens t/w. Week 3 -14th November. Young cocks and young hens handled. Week 4 - 21st November. Old cocks and old hens handled. Week 5 - 28th November. Old pairs and young pairs t/w. Week 6 - 5th December. Old bird and young bird eye-sign. Week 7 - 12th December. Old bird and young bird fancy t/w. In the last show date 12th December all winners from the previous classes will come back to be judged for BIS, BOS and BYB over the whole show series. Open to all. For any info contact Darren Swann Tel: 07938 675384.
Edgarstown first show will be held on Friday the 4th of November. The first show will be run by S & E Buckley, RGG Donaldson and Mullen Bros everybody welcome.
Sizzlers 2 Bird Club - 1st Gregg Bros 56 Points, Sam Murphy 48, Surgenor Bros 47, A Barkley & Son 45, B Swann & Son 40, McFarlane & Agnew 23, H Turkington 19, S McIlveen 5, Harry Boyd 4. Mervyn Eagleson PO Mid Antrim Combine. Coming up next season reports for Ballymena, Randalstown and the Newry Area from Jordan Hughes.
Diary Dates –
The INFC annual dinner dance and distribution of prizes will be held in the Stormont Hotel Belfast on Friday 25th November 2022 at 7.00pm. Tickets are priced at £35.00, and reservations can be made with the secretary or Ronnie Johnston by phone or email. (Secretary 028 92 641265, Ronnie 028 90 483625). Accommodation rates if booked through the INFC. These special rates are Single room £90.00 Double room £100.00 Family room £120.00 to be booked through the INFC for special rates. As in previous years early booking is advisable.
NIPA Ladies Night Friday 11th. November 2022 in the Templeton Hotel Templepatrick. Tickets £35 available from Fred Russell Tel: 028 92693913 evenings. Please reserve your tickets ASAP. All trophy winners not attending Ladies Night to collect their trophies. These trophies will NOT be taken to the Ladies Night presentation.
We are hoping to organise the Duddy Bus to Blackpool again subject to suitable interest and numbers. Leaving on the late boat on Thursday night 19th January and returning from Blackpool at 9.00am on Mon 23rd January, travelling Belfast Stenna line to Cairnryan. For more information contact Alan Shanks 07503 483328 or Robert Turkington 07710 483063.
Robert Alexander from Ballymena & District has asked me to inform the fancy that he intends to retire from racing and will just hold half a dozen birds with the rest available for sale. Tel: 07873 816832.
Obituary Phil Smith (Dublin) – Phil had been in ailing health for a while but still managed to attend the annual prize night for the INFC having been a lifetime member serving the interests of the members in Dublin and East Coast Federation where he had been a founder member. I had many contacts with him over many years chasing up info on some of the big positions won around Dublin and he supported the various publications we produced over many years. Hi loft had recent success in the BICC, and Phil was an out and out distance enthusiast. Ever present at the race marking for the INFC he will be sadly missed, and we send condolences to his entire family circle. W Reynolds INFC Press Officer.
Willie Reynolds – NIPA & INFC Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
