Dromara Hps Dinner & Prize Distribution

Details: Published: 01 January 2020; Hits: 628

DAVID BLACK

NORTHERN IRELAND

DROMARA HPS DINNER & PRIZE DISTRIBUTION

The Dromara H.P.S. dinner and prize distribution took place on Friday night 13th February 2012 in The Pheasant restaurant, not far from Hillsborough. A very nice meal was enjoyed by some 34 members, wives and families. Once again 2011 turned out to be a very successful year for the club, not just for the great performances put up by the members but in the great spirit and friendship which exists in this club. All visitors who have come to the club on marking nights throughout the year have commented on the unique camaraderie of the members. This is best shown when after the transporter leaves each week the members stay on and chat over tea and biscuits till late.

It was our newest member who had the surprise of presenting the awards, Henry Wilkinson. Henry is the son of the late Albert Wilkinson, past assistant secretary of the N.I.P.A.. It was also a surprise to Henry as he was called up that the person who presents the awards usually gives a £50 donation to the club!

The race for the accolade of being the season's highest prize-winner was one of the closest for a long time. The amount between the top two being just 50 pence, with McKinstry Bros just shading Cromie and Magee & Son. Both these partnerships had fantastic seasons. Both lofts had numerous section wins and top open positions. Completing the top six prize-winners were N. Black & Son, Russell Bros, Mr & Mrs Stevenson and T. Marshall & Son. Another honour for the club was N.Black & Son winning the I.N.F.C. National Championship also T. Marshall & Son being 2nd in the Kings Cup, but as it was pointed out to Tom on the night, it is almost as hard to win Dromara club in the Kings Cup as in the I.N.F.C. C & L Fryers also brought an honour to the cub by winning a Silver Award with the N.I.P.A.

It was good to see some the younger members who have only just started up coming to the fore, namely Alistair Bradley and Brian Gorman. With the club having a nice blend of youth and experience John McCleary, Gordon Kirkpatrick, Harry Silcock and Walker Bros also got their awards.

After the prize cards and cups were presented the highlight of the evening took place, the raffle. The club must have one of the best arrays of prizes that any club could have. Apart from the usual bottles and sweets, seven 2012 young birds were up for grabs. These were won as follows: Cromie & Magee & Son's was won by Walker Bros; Mrs Walker maybe didn't realize the monetary value of her win. Russell Bros was won by the ultra lucky Stanley McKinstry. N. Black & Son's and McKinstry Bros was won by Tom Marshall, which has eased his narrow defeat in the Kings Cup. John McCleary, who has also been very lucky in previous years, was a bit less lucky this time and won T. Marshall & Son's. N. Black & Son's luck seems to have continued at least into the start of 2012 as they won John Aberneathy's and Paddy Lue's, so two more for Andrew's darkie team.

A great night's chat was had by all the members.

The following week the A.G.M. of the club was held. The meeting was over very quickly as all the posts were elected in block, the only change being Harry Silcock coming in as President. Bobby Stevenson is Chairman and David Black is Secretary and Treasurer.