EAST DOWN COMBINE

Reports by Clifford Browne

AUTUMN EVENTS

Well the 2014 racing season is now well and truly over and the EDC have a couple of major events coming up this autumn. The first of these as previously mentioned is the East Down Combine Moot to be held in Magee's Lounges, Crossgar on Friday Night 24th October at 8pm. Panel to Include Ron McKelvey, Peter Martin, Owen Markey, Chairman Wesley Sawyers. There will also be a sale of pigeons from leading fanciers. A light supper will be served. All proceeds to the E.D.C. Bereavement Fund. Admission £5. Everyone welcome.

Unfortunately I am away for this one but it promises to be a great evening.

Then on Friday November 21st it is the East Down Combine Dinner & Prize Distribution at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel, Ballynahinch. Main Course - Roast Co. Down Turkey & Ham & Backed Irish Ham, Peas, Carrot & Parsnip Mash, Creamed Potatoes & Roast Potatoes; Dessert - Seasonal Fruit Pavlova; Tea & Coffee. And the cost per person - £22. And after the presentation of prizes it is music and dancing to Cloud Nine. Tickets can be booked through Sam Duke.

Sam Regan reports From Around The Ards Peninsula

Gordon Bros Win Mount Charles

The last club race of the 2014 saw the East Down Combine in Mount Charles for a fly home of around 170 miles and with the strings cut at 09.30am with the pigeons racing into a light North wind, a good testing race ensued. The Cloughey club continued to provide top results in the young bird races. Winning loft sees the Gordon family have a brilliant race with a grand total of eleven birds in the Amalgamation result in what was the most testing race so far for the youngsters they also take the 3 bird red card as well to complete a good weekend for the family.

Next best sees the ever consistent partners again from Cloughey with members Drew Harper and Martin Young clocking three pigeons on the same yard to continue their excellent season. The final race with the East Down Combine sees a return to Skibbereen for the second Young Bird Derby. So till then best of health to all and a good moult for your pigeons.

Full result: 26 sent 518

1st, 2nd, 6th to 14th Gordon Bros & sons. 1266, 1265, 1264, 1263 x 3, 1256 x 2, 1252 x 3.

3rd, 4th & 5th Harper & Young 1264 x 3.

3 Bird club

1st. Gordon Bros & sons A.B.C. 1265

2nd. Harper & Young A.B.C. 1264.

3rd. Gordon Bros & sons A.B.C. Nom. 1244.

The final prizes to be won in this race were the show specials for those Peninsula Amal members who entered pigeons in the Annual Show and prize day.

1st Gordon Bros & sons.

2nd Harper & Young

3rd W.McMaster & son

4th B&J Donnan

Hugh McGimpsey

Staying with the Ards Peninsula I was saddened to learn of the recent death of Hugh McGimpsey. Hugh was a founder member of the Millisle & Dist Club and the club’s President and a fancier who I had known back in the 1970s & 80s and who I had always had a high regard for. With his passing the fancy have lost yet another stalwart of the sport. I extend my sympathy to Violet and the wider family circle at this sad time.

End of an era

Monday October 20th October will see the end of yet another era in the sport when the birds of Seamus Killen & sons of Cloughey go under the hammer at Newtownbreda. Health problems have necessitated this complete clearance sale at 8pm on the 20th and if you are after distance blood this is a good opportunity to make a worthwhile purchase. Bloodlines are mainly Walkinshaw and Kenyon. As recently as 2013 the partnership of S Killen & sons won an EDC Achievement award for a bird placed 3 times in the Old bird Derby and one of their best recent performances in the EDC Old bird derby was in 2010 from St Malo when they timed their 2yo blue hen at 9.47 pm on the first day for 4th Open.

Well that’s it for now. I hope all club Press Officers in the EDC will take the opportunity to forward on any items of interest from the season just finished to give their club and their members the publicity they deserve.

---