Homers Odyssey
Show Time for the local lofts -
We have reduced activity this year for the show season, good to see the few that were determined to carry on a best as possible during the different restrictions, in Mid Antrim Rasharkin & District arranged the usual 3 in 1 Open Shows and Ballymena & District arranged the usual programme for each Monday night. Please type up your show results and forward for publication, a couple of photos can be included.
Rasharkin show series will be held in their own clubroom first one was Saturday 20th November old cocks and hens 3 in 1, to be followed by young birds 3 in 1 on Saturday 4th December. Penning for both shows will be from 12 Noon to 1.00pm.
Winners from yesterday's show Old Birds 3 in 1, Davy Mairs was Best in Show, J & J Greer (Cullybackey) best Eye sign and best Opposite Sex, Darren Swann (Ballymena) best T/W. The Rasharkin club would like to thank the judges Adrian Henry and Rab Montgomery from the Windsor Social in Coleraine, and Bertie Blair Ballymena, big thanks to Henry Mclaughlin Blue Devil Pigeon Feeds for sponsoring the prizes. Thanks to all the fanciers who brought birds and prizes, the total entry was 152 birds.
The team of judges at the Rasharkin & Dist OB Open Show, from (l) Robert Montgomery, Bertie Blair and Adrian Henry.
Rasharkin & District Old Bird 3 in 1 Results
OB Eyesign - 1st J & J Greer, 2nd W Gilbert, 3rd A Barkley & Son, 4th W Gilbert, Reserve & VHC A Barkley & Son, HC R J & W J Reid, Commended W Gilbert. Judge Bertie Blair (Ballymena & District).
Jamie Greer (r) of the J & J Greer partnership in Cullybackey was Best Eye-sign and Best Opposite Sex in Rasharkin. Judge Bertie Blair from Ballymena in included.
Old Bird Handled – 1st D Mairs, 2nd W Gilbert, 3rd D Swann, 4th W & J McLean, Reserve J & J Greer, VHC W Gilbert, HC A C & T Tweed, Commended W & J McLean. Judge Robert Montgomery (Windsor Social).
Best in Show at Rasharkin & District Davy Mairs (r) with the judge Robert Montgomery from the Windsor Social in Coleraine.
Old Bird Through Wires – 1st Darren Swann, 2nd W Gilbert, 3rd A C & T Tweed, 4th & Reserve Darren Swann, VHC W & J McLean, HC Darren Swann, Commended W Gilbert. Judge Adrian Henry (Windsor Social).
Darren Swann from Ballymena & District (r) had the Best Old Bird T/W at Rasharkin with judge Adrian Henry from the Windsor Social.
Ballymena & District HPS – Usual Monday evening
Ballymena & District HPS held their first show on Monday evening 1st November and have set a programme running through till end of December.
Classes where Old cocks t/w and Young cocks t/w. Special thanks to the judges who travelled down from Coleraine Premier, top racers Bobby Coyle and Trevor McDonald.
Old cocks - First. W Gilbert, Second. D Swann, Third. D Swann, Fourth. D Swann, Reserve. W Gilbert, Vhc . B Herbinson, Hc . B Herbinson, Commended. B Herbinson.
William Gilbert won both classes at the first show of the year in Ballymena & District. Included the judges from Coleraine Premier Bobby Coyle and Trevor McDonald.
Young cocks - First. W Gilbert, Second. R and S Swann, Third. W Gilbert, Fourth. B Herbinson, Reserve. R and S Swann, Vhc. R and S Swann, Hc. W Gilbert, Commended. R and S Swann.
Special award BIS over the two classes W Gilbert with the Prince, a winner of numerous 1sts. 
“The Prince” wins yet another Red Card for Willy Gilbert at Ballymena & Dist opening show.
Ballymena & District HPS continued with the show series, the second week we had classes for Old Hen and Young Hen Through Wires, the judges travelled in from Rasharkin & District the local NIPA Committee member Jackie Steele and William McFetridge.
Young Hens T/W – 1st, 2nd & 3rd R & S Swann, 4th & Reserve W Gilbert, VHC & HC B Herbison, Commended W Gilbert. Old Hens – 1st B Herbison, 2nd D Swann, 3rd W Gilbert, 4th D Swann, Reserve & Commended W Gilbert, VHC & HC D Swann. Special BIS B Herbison and raffle was won by Darren Swann.
Young Hens winner were R & S Swann, show secretary Darren Swann is with the judge’s from Rasharkin & District.
Best in show at Ballymena for week (2) the Old Hen winner Brian Herbison with the judges from Rasharkin Jackie Steele and William McFetridge.
Last Monday evening was the 3rd show in Ballymena, classes for Yearling Cock & Yearling Hen.
Thanks to the judges Bobby Bethel and David Young from Muckamore HPS.
Yearling Cocks Tw - 1st William Gilbert, 2nd Darren Swann, 3rd William Gilbert, 4th William Gilbert, Res Darren Swann, Vhc William Gilbert, Hc Brian Herbinson, Commended Brian Herbinson
William Gilbert won the Yearling Cocks Through the Wires with the judges from Muckamore, Bobby Bethel and David Young.
Yearling Hens Tw - 1st Brian Herbinson, 2nd Reece and Scott Swann, 3rd William Gilbert, 4th Brian Herbinson, Res Brian Herbinson, Vhc William Gilbert, Hc Reece and Scott Swann, Commended Reece and Scott Swann
Best in show Brian Herbinson winner of the Yearling Hens Through Wires at Ballymena & District HPS weekly show.
Special for best overall bird over the 2 classes won by Brian Herbinson. Raffle won by David Young.
NEXT Show was Monday 22nd Nov Old Pairs and Young Pairs T/W, 29th Nov Old Pieds and Young Pieds T/W, 6th Dec Red, Mealy, Grizzle and Any Other Colour OB & YB T/W, 13th Dec Old Bird Handled and Young Bird Handled, 20th Dec OB Eye-sign and TB Eye-sign. Shows are open to all lofts locally show team are Darren Swann, Robert Alexander and Willy Gilbert, any further info required contact Darren Swann on Tel: 17858 227772. The Open Show will be arranged again for New Year’s Day at the clubrooms in Fountain Place.
Obituary re Charlie McManus -
I have just had the very sad news that Old Hand Charlie McManus a life member in Ballymena & District has passed away, in his 96th year peacefully at his daughter Maureen's home. Late of 25 Balmoral Avenue, Ballymena. The father of Paddy who races with great success in Ahoghill Charlie himself could have raced a very good bird and recorded many top results racing to lofts on the main Antrim line. The racing partnership was McFall & McManus and they raced for a lifetime in the Ballymena & District with a little break to fly with New Antrim when that club moved down to the town. The whole family were ever present at the annual prize presentation and usually had awards to collect, despite his advanced years Charlie retired from racing just a few short years ago. On behalf of Ballymena and the entire local fancy sincere condolences to the big family circle at this sad time, another big star has passed on. His remains were removed from Henry’s Funeral Parlour on Tuesday 16th inst. at 9.40am to All Saints Parish Church for funeral after 10.00am Requiem Mass, interment afterwards at Crebilly Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired may be sent to James Henry Funeral Services, 100 Broughshane Street, Ballymena BT43 6EE for The Chest, Heart and stroke Association. “Sacred heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul” J W Reynolds HOMER.
The late Charlie McManus with good friend and clubmate Bertie Blair at a Birthday Night.
Drumnavaddy Gold Ring Talbenny 2022 -
The Drumnavaddy club details for their annual Gold Ring race from NIPA Talbenny YB National 2022 are published great prize money and also, this year we are doing 3 Section prizes for each NIPA Section competing. Rings as usual are selling very well contact David West on Facebook or any other club member for info, remember this year open to all members of the NIPA.
Drumnavaddy inv Hps Show result from 4/11/2021 - Total of 139 pigeons - 1st K Wright, 2nd Abernathy & John Turner, 3rd J Smyth & Sons, 4th K Wright, RES McGrath & McParland, VHC K Wright, HC W McDowell & Son, C Abernathy & Turner. £5 for Special best young bird – K Wright. Drumnavaddy Inv Hps would like to thank the judge’s tonight Alan Larkin & A Mallon. Congratulations - Keelie Wright.
Keelie Wright won two Red Cards at Drumnavaddy HPS.
Our NI Show Racer society had its first show in almost 2 years yesterday Saturday 6th November at Ballymoney HPS clubrooms. Results as follows:
Show racer old cock ttw - 1st D Christie, 2nd D Christie, 3rd D Christie, 4th A christie, 5th W Gilbert, 6th T Rouke.
Show racer old hen ttw - 1st D Christie, 2nd D Christie, 3rd A Christie, 4th W Gilbert, 5th D Brennan, 6th D Christie
Show racer young cock ttw - 1st D Christie, 2nd A Christie, 3rd T Rouke, 4th D Christie, 5th D Christie.
Show racer young hen ttw - 1st A Christie, 2nd T Rouke, 3rd A Christie, 4th T Rouke, 5th D Christie.
Racer old cock ttw - 1st W Gilbert, 2nd W Gilbert, 3rd W Gilbert.
Racer old hen ttw - 1st W Gilbert, 2nd W Gilbert, 3rd W Gilbert.
Racer young cock ttw - 1st W Gilbert, 2nd W Gilbert, 3rd W Gilbert.
Racer young hen ttw - 1st W Gilbert, 2nd W Gilbert, 3rd W Gilbert.
Specials - Best racer W Gilbert. Best old bird D Christie
Best young bird W Gilbert. Reserve best in show W Gilbert with a young racer hen.
First Week NISR – 1st Young racer hen – Reserve BIS for Willy Gilbert
Best in Show D Christie with an old show racer cock. Thanks to everyone who part i hope to see use all at the next show on 20th November same time same place.
First Week NISR – Best Old cock BIS for Darren Christie
Bus to Blackpool - Russell McAlary (Coleraine) is running a bus to Blackpool. All those interested contact Russell Tel: 07759 539451. Bus will depart Friday 14th January and return Sunday 16th January.
Bus Trip to Blackpool - leaving late Thur night 13 Jan 2022 returning Mon 17 Jan. Travelling on Stenna line Belfast to Cairnryan, places also available in Adelaide Lodge Hotel just right behind Winter Gardens - contact Alan Shanks Tel: 07503 483338. The bus leaves Ballybogey near Coleraine, calls at Ballymena and Doagh on way down to Stenna Terminal Belfast where you can get on bus before it goes on the boat. Quite a few have met the bus at the terminal in the last few years.
Drumnavaddy inv Hps Show result from 11/11/2021 Total of 113pigeons - 1st K Wright, 2nd J Brush, 3rd K Wright, 4th K Wright, RES V Montgomery, VHC K Wright, HC McGrath & McParland, C- C & G Quinn. £5 + Tin Biscuits for Special best Grizzle/Gay Pied – J Smyth & Sons. Drumnavaddy Inv Hps would like to thank the judges tonight D Thompson & D Lunn. Congratulations Keelie Wright
Drumnavaddy inv Hps Show result from 18/11/2021 - Total of 112 pigeons - 1st J Brush, 2nd W McDowell & Son, 3rd J Smyth & Sons, 4th G & S McMullan, RES G & I McBride, VHC K Wright, HC K Wright, C- B Sands. £5 + Tin Biscuits for Special best Blue Bar – J Smyth & Sons Drumnavaddy Inv Hps would like to thank the judges tonight. Messrs D Mallen & K Mallen. Next show is on 25/11/2021. Class is jtw Any age cock Special for best – Blue Cheq. Congratulations Johnny Brush
Johnny Brush was a recent winner in the Drumnavaddy HPS & The winning bird for J Brush at Drumnavaddy.
Last week’s results for Ligoniel HPC. Thank you judges
Old Hens thru wires - 1st McMurray/Anderson, 2nd McMurray/Anderson, 3rd C.McManus, 4th A.Taylor/Son, V.H.C. McMurray/Anderson, H.C. A.Taylor/Son, C. Kirk/Dowie. Nom. A.Taylor/Son
Old Cocks thru wires - 1st A.Taylor/Son, 2nd McCullough/Campbell, 3rd Armstrong/McAllister, 4th A.Taylor/Son, V.H.C. C.McCormick/Sons, H.C. A.Taylor/Son, C. A.Taylor/Son. Nom. McCullough/Campbell.
Strabane & District held for first show tonight. Old cocks through the wires, 55 birds were entered which was great to see. Some very nice birds to see, overall winner on the night was Mr Iggy Deazley with a lovely dark cheq cock. Thanks to everyone who entered their birds, and a special to our guest judge tonight, Mr Glenn Quinn. Next show next Monday night same time old hens.
Iggy Deasley with a lovely dark cheq cock, winner of the first show in Strabane & District.
I have put some items forward for discussion to the NIPA Secretary Fred Russell covering items raised at the local Sect B meeting, added with items covered at the recent NIPA Zoom meetings and observations of my own which also includes my ideas for the Ladies Night presentation.
Subject: General discussion and probably more to come
A lot of the items raised at the Sect B Meeting have generated a lot of discussion although very little was forthcoming from the local meeting with more than half of the attendance not involved in any discussion, and not interested in doing any work.
As time goes forward, I will cover as much as possible the areas of discussion and it looks like there will be plenty of that and only 3 Sect Meetings so far. Until last night I had not seen the Sect B meeting report, had no idea how they intended to make any progress, they were not under very much pressure from the local meeting.
Something that was raised was the cost of crates and I wonder have you a reading of the effect it had to the financial status of the NIPA over the years of no increase whatsoever when Alan Darragh was in the chair. Did the NIPA Balance Sheet fall down every year because of that? Did it do better when crate charges were increased again? Something that might need checked.
Asking the NIPA to adopt the local competition results was not to increase the workload of the NIPA Admin team, they could be worked out local by hand until such time as the results can be produced by computer at the push of a button. In the area I cover weekly results include with the NIPA Clubs - Dervock, Ballymoney West Comb, Coleraine Triangle, City of Derry Fed, Foyle Valley Comb, Mid Antrim Combine and Seven Towers is in the background.
Not everyone’s cup of tea but the programme for race results being set up by the RPRA cover a massive list of what can be achieved, at the press of a button. Consider what our friends in the South of Ireland can get done weekly in the Irish SR Federation who I believe are on the way up. Big Open Result, Club Lists, Individual Bird Lists, Section Result lists covering probably OB, YB and Combined competition that can be viewed weekly as the season progresses. At the end of the year they produce lists of results for Best Club, Best Loft, Best Individual Bird and probably much more. I am only using that as an example. They have used a computer programme to their best advantage.
Outside of my own area Belfast could have a result in the NIPA, why not, and we still have the Newry Fed competition. Previously East Antrim Combined, Orchard Comb, we had a Larne Amalgamated, there was a result for Glengormley, Ligoniel and Eastway can’t remember the name. All this could be looked at in conjunction with a review of the 8 x NIPA Sections as was raised at Sect B. When I cover the Fed, Sect, Comb and Club report on the INFC race programme I include a NIPA result, that’s not official either and I am not sure many have noticed although it is published in Farming Life, BHW, RP and on Elimar and Pigeonnetwork websites.
These are just a couple of items in the meantime, I need to find out from Ballymena if they have any interest in putting items forward for the NIPA Agenda, think they still might be in shock after their attendance at Sect B.
NIPA Update mid November 2021
A follow up from earlier in the month and including some items that were raised at the Sect B meeting and items that maybe could be considered by the full committee. With the membership and birds competing coming down a priority for the future will be trying as far as possible to keep the costs down, the members don’t need hammered at every opportunity, over the years they have raised the funds we currently have and should be helped and encouraged to continue racing for as long as possible. Things will never be the same as we enjoyed in the past. We need to look at fund raising ideas to cover costs, the effort for Ladies Night was a good first attempt.
In the new computer age stationary requirements are outdated and need looked at although I do understand we need to cover costs. The cost of the annual Year-Book, could possibly be covered by a level of advertising and sponsorship. Part of the deal could include advertising on the NIPA website another area where updates are required as we move further into the computer age.
In the future club results will no doubt under some system go direct to computer and payment for crates should be able to be done for those who can do a bank transfer. Just don’t know how quick all these changes can be made but progress needs to be made.
About Reserve Committee members, we should propose a member be elected for each NIPA Section if they so wish, it will give us back up for the future. This will help to ensure a proper level of representation when absence occurs. Also, I have been in favour of setting up a small number of sub committees, that would, or could meet as required via Zoom to take away a level of work having to be conducted at the main committee meetings. Any decisions made or suggestions would have to of course come back to the main committee for approval. Don’t think there was much interest at Sect B to follow this up, but I think the committee should consider same. This is an effort to spread the workload going forward, there is going to be a lot of business needing done ahead. Give consideration to the following proposals.
Proposal (1) - We set up a dedicated group to examine the current Rule Book (including the NIPA Secretary) annually and make recommendations for change and any other adjustments to the Management Committee. They should elect a Chairman and/or Secretary and a record kept of all meetings. Suggested name for the group Rules/Regulations Committee. Maybe they could work on additionally, the funding for the book adverts and sponsorship.
Proposal (2) - We set up a dedicated group to examine the current race programme, assess the proposals from member clubs and make recommendations to the General Management Committee each year. Suggested name for group Transport & Race Committee and it should include among others NIPA Secretary, Transport Manager, Convoyer and Race Controller. They should elect a Chairman, and/or Secretary, and a record kept of all meetings.
Proposal (3) - We set up a dedicated group to oversee the Drug Testing requirement for the organisation to include the NIPA Secretary and select a Manager in charge. The Secretary to keep all records, and the NIPA Management Committee to be kept informed. Suggested name for the group Drug Testing Management Committee.
General note - If it is agreed to set up any of the new groups, the members of each group to be published in the annual Race Book. We maybe could co-opt experts in any of the different fields.
At a recent Zoom Meeting the NIPA Committee conducted a straw poll, not a vote, on a suggestion to make a dramatic change to the young bird racing by starting at Mullingar and heading on through the programme with No Area Liberations. How do you make change operating on the usual method of programme selection spending umpteen hours on debate and then, coming to a conclusion of the race programme going to the member clubs? Only one out of four submitted for young birds has got mass liberations the whole way through, when the straw pool had a massive majority of at least 4 to 1 against Area Liberations. I had suggested a sub-committee take the time and examine a race programme from start to finish and come up with a plan that not only gives up a good mix of race points and distances but probably more important getting most birds home every week. The situation is what it is a below I have listed the various programmes going out to member clubs for voting. From what I can see it looks like votes will be counted for both Old Bird and Young Bird programmes.
Old Birds proposed by Kells & District and fully endorsed by the NIPA Committee. 16/04 Tullamore, 23/04 Roscrea, 30/04 Gowran Park, 07/05 Fermoy, 14/05 Pilmore Beach, 21/05 Skibbereen OB Nat, 21/05 Fermoy, 28/05 Talbenny (1), 04/06 Talbenny (2), 04/06 Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird, 11/06 Bude, 11/06 Skibbereen Yearling Nat, 18/06 Penzance & Penzance Classic, 18/06 Fermoy, 23/06 St Malo OB Nat or Plougastel-Daolas.
Young Birds proposed by Kells & District Top Half and Bottom half liberations from different sites for the first three races and endorsed by the NIPA Committee. 16/07 Mullingar, 23/07 Mullingar, 30/07 Tullamore, 06/08 Roscrea Mass lib, 13/08 Gowran Park, 20/08 Fermoy & 5 Bird, 27/08 Talbenny YB Nat, 27/08 Tullamore, 03/09 Corrin, 10/09 Skibbereen YB Nat.
Old Birds proposed by Newry & District. 16/04 Tullamore, 23/04 Tullamore, 30/04 Gowran Park, 07/05 Gowran Park, 14/05 Fermoy, 21/05 Castletown, 28/05 Fermoy, 28/05 Barleycove OB Nat, 04/06 Talbenny, 11/06 Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird, 11/06 Bude (1), 18/06 Skibbereen Yearling Nat, 18/06 Bude (2), 25/06 Sennen Cove & Sennen Cove Classic, 02/07 St Malo OB Nat.
Young Birds proposed by Newry & District. 16/07 Top Half Navan Bottom Half Mullingar, 23/07 Top Half Mullingar Bottom Half Tullamore, 30/07 Tullamore Mass lib, 06/08 Gowran Park, 13/08 Fermoy, 20/08 Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird, 27/08 Talbenny YB Nat, 27/08 Gowran Park, 03/09 Corrin, 10/09 Skibbereen YB Nat.
Young Bird proposed by Ligoniel HPS No Area Liberations. 16/07 Mullingar, 23/07 Mullingar, 30/07Tullamore, 06/08 Roscrea, 13/08 Gowran Park, 20/08 Fermoy & 5 Bird, 27/08 Talbenny YB Nat, 27/08 Roscrea, 03/09 Fermoy, 10/09 Skibbereen YB Nat.
The 2021 old bird race programme goes forward for voting. 16/04 Mullingar, 23/04 Tullamore, 30/04 Roscrea, 07/05 Gowran Park, 14/05 Fermoy, 21/05 Castletown, 28/05 Barleycove OB Nat, 28/05 Fermoy, 04/06 Talbenny (1), 11/06 Talbenny (2), 11/06 Fermoy 5 Bird, 18/06 Bude, 18/06 Skibbereen Yearling Nat, 25/06 Penzance & Penzance Classic, 30/06 St Malo OB Nat or Plougastel-Daolas.
The 2021 young bird race programme goes forward for voting. 16/07 Area Libs (1), 23/07 Area Libs (2), 30/07 Roscrea Mass lib, 06/08 Gowran Park, 13/08 Fermoy, 20/98 Fermoy & 5 Bird, 27/08 Talbenny YB Nat, 27/08 Roscrea, 03/09 Corrin, 10/09 Skibbereen YB Nat.
More observations including transport and costs -
There has been a lot of concern raised regarding the birds in the transporter and over the next period of time, we should try to find answers. With the prospect of just 4 lorries being used in future months we will have less to check out. The role of the curtains have been questioned for months and we don’t know the benefit or otherwise of them, think they do keep the rain out but does the transporter trailer heat up inside?? We don’t know, if we are getting a lot of heat it will cause problems with the birds. We need to be running checks on temperature over the weekend when we have various weather conditions and keep records for future use. Should we be adding something to the water? Electrolytes?? Also confirm feeding on the trailer, what mixture used, and the feeding procedure where again we have many complaints. Is it possible to run a trial for one season with a transporter running without curtains and keep a record before deciding either a good idea or not. We must find out the problem areas and sort out and make required changes.
Crates need to be repaired to the design put forward by Gerald Delaney who knows the history going back many years when the crates kept most of the rain out when no curtains were fitted. Is there a method of keeping the curtains open in transit and just pulled across in wet weather??
Starting this season it has been suggested we video the water being put on with the birds and not just Paddy McNeice wagon done, but done weekly on rotation basis covering all lorries on site.
Can we change the job description of the drivers to include when necessary giving a hand with the crates, in the old days we had helpers. We need to keep in mind the use of scaffolding and matters arising, have we a list of what clubs will be using same in 2022?
Cameras on the trailer have been raised and should be kept under review, I assume all trailers have outside lights fitted. We must find a way of taking as many crates as possible to each race and encourage others to go as well even though not totally satisfactory when it comes to liberation. The collection procedure has to be done in a way that fills up all the lorries to as near full as possible with a shuttle service lifting remote areas and getting them to a lorry that needs filled up. This will be a big job on a Friday evening for the Transport Manager. The lorries should be going down the road as a fleet with every effort made to avoid unnecessary costs taking half full, or less containers. The small trailer will be available to be used as and when required. A report done weekly on the weekend race, problems raised and solutions to be put in place for the future. We have to keep making progress, in every direction, to the number of birds being transported, and the cost factor.
Trainers are another subject we keep moving back, the last time the subject appeared on the AGM Agenda it was ruled Out of Order. A change of rule will soon fix that “All NIPA birds race marked have to compete in the NIPA”. Regarding trainers what are we missing out on, how important are the numbers, we need to remember every bird transported raises £12 per crate provided we have the space. Every £1 raised is of high importance to the welfare of the organisation. Trainers are not race marked, just charged a fee, and not taking part in any competition. We need to decide on a fair cost to our friends in other organisations, the perfect situation is just taking NIPA birds, but where it is possible to raise revenue and at the same time help our many friends, some going back many years – we must do that. We are in the Premier League and must make wise decisions to move forward when the fancy in this country is on a reduced capacity and I don’t see the numbers getting any better un the time ahead.
Looking ahead we must prepare for many changes, admin will be moving further into the computer age and almost all the work required to be done will be on the computer and on-line.
If not already being done, the race controller as well as considering the weather forecast, must have included in his workload required done, a constant line of flight forecast and on the ground report on conditions locally from observers and assistants. Yet again we need a weekly report on all the major work carried out, times on a rough basis, and where was the line of flight contact over the race route. Any changes for future weeks can be made as and when required, some weeks are easy as peas, it’s the others we must work hard on. The welfare of the birds has to be, the very top priority and for the future health of the organisation we must get the maximum number of birds home and keep the majority of the members racing for a long as possible over the season. A massive responsibility and the more birds home means, more birds being sent in future weeks.
Observations and suggestions on Ladies Night for consideration-
With the introduction of the new Claret Jugs we should take the opportunity to revamp the Ladies Night prize presentation with the major race of the year St Malo centre stage and the Dinner Card listed by priority
The first presentation would be the St Malo Irish Region L Boyle Memorial trophy to be presented by the previous season’s winner to the new winner. Special guests would present the rest.
Next: St Malo cups and prizes –
Runner-up D McNeilly Cup followed by the Section Cups A to Sect H.
The 1st Open NIPA St Malo cups ie. News of the World, McComb and Pigeonportal
France Diplomas – Gold Award then Silver Diploma. Then group photo of the Bronze Award Diploma winners in attendance.
Next: National & Classic race cups
B Fletcher & Son Cup for Skibbereen Old Bird Inland
Stena Trophy for Fermoy 5Bird Old Bird Championship
J H O’Neill Cup for Penzance Old Bird Classic
McKeown Cup & Irish Region S Thompson Memorial Trophy for Talbenny Young Bird
Fred Russell, Nipa secretary, presenting Jim Rafferty of Rafferty and Toman, due to covid, the 2020 beautiful new Sam Thompson Memorial Talbenny National trophy, and the 2021 Volvo 5 Bird YB National trophy. Well done lads, super season in Gilford.
H McVeigh Cup & Irish Region R Reid Memorial Trophy for Skibbereen Young Bird
Northern Bank Cup for Skibbereen Yearling & BOS Yearling
Agar Cup for 1st Yearling Penzance Classic
Volvo Trophy for Fermoy 5Bird Young Bird Championship
Next: NIPA Average Cup winners, one presentation per loft
Next: Champion Old Bird & Champion Young Bird followed by NIPA Young Fancier of the Year
Next: NIPA Old Bird 1st Open winners present – McCambley Cups and John Bingo Orme for 1st Sect F Skibbereen OB Inland in conjunction. To be followed by Young Bird 1st Open winners present.
Area Libs (1), (2), (3) if we have any – Groups of those present for individual race photo
Next: Groups photo again for the following – OB Inland Sect Fancier of the Year, OB Cross Channel Sect Fancier of the Year, Young Bird Sect Fancier of the Year, NIPA Section Champion Old Bird, NIPA Section Champion Young Bird.
Finally, the NIPA President to present the Presidents Cup, kept secret until Ladies Night.
Then the final batch of awards on behalf of the RPRA (Irish Region).
Something like the above should help those attending follow the presentation and it would assist the preparation of publicity for the event. With a very large presentation it is not possible to present every award individually, a facility has been and is available for winners to have individual photos done. They can be shared as and when required. 75+2 would be a good year to make a start, very little has changed in all my time covering this presentation we used to do the whole thing on an individual basis, not possible now because of the size. Big thing in the INFC presentation is around the Kings Cup, we need to make St Malo the big thing at the NIPA.
Hopefully I have set out a bit of an agenda in my recent reports that can be considered for the wellbeing of the organisation over time ahead, the top priority is survival and as far as possible keep costs to the loyal members to a minimum. Road Transport promised collection at every club, in this day and age, with a smaller capacity, that’s no longer possible. The Management Committee will have major work ahead to keep the organisation at the top of the game and at the same time keeping in mind that we continue to enjoy The Sport of Pigeon Racing, that we all can afford.
Edgarstown hps held there pay out this evening also well done to all the prize winners this year The top two lofts this year were 1st G & C Simmons and 2nd were S & E Buckley. Roll on the 2022 season. 
G & C Simmons lifted the Highest prize-winner title in Edgarstown HPS.
Runner-up for the season in Edgarstown was S & E Buckley.
HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
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