Homers Odyssey 13/03/23
Race programme agreed for 2023 season –
Ballymena & District's Martin Graham and Johnston Eagleson with their NIPA awards won racing in the 2022 season. Martin a former INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National winner won a French Bronze Diploma with his 3-year-old chequer cock "Hugh's Delight" winner of 10th Section & 109th Open St Malo 2021 and 3rd Section & 46th Open St Malo 2022. Former Northern Ireland and NIPA Fancier of the year Johnston won the Section B Old Bird Inland Fancier of the year award. Any club missing a season report contact Mervyn with info, most of the local area clubs are complete.
Darren McMurray from Ligoniel & District collecting the Dickson Cup at Ladies Night from NIPA President Paddy Murray.
Winners of the Dickson Cup for McMurray & Anderson of Ligoniel, best average Bude Old Bird & Fermoy Young Bird. “The Duke” 5th Open Fermoy 14,203 birds, miles 192. “Black Jack” 16th Open Bude 4,035 birds, miles 270.
Diploma won by McMurray & Anderson presented at NIPA Ladies Night.
Top NIPA winners for D & J Armstrong & Son of Carrick Social. “High Chaparral” 5th Open Skibbereen Ylr Nat 2,980 birds and “Found” 7th Open Skibbereen Inland Nat 4,236 birds and 10th Open Skibbereen Ylr Nat.
The French Diploma sponsored by Ronnie Johnston for best average OB Nat St Malo and Kings Cup St Allouestre was won by Ron Williamson from Newry & District.
The Mid Antrim Combine AGM will be held in Ballymena & Dist. Clubrooms on Wednesday 15th March at 8.00pm only delegates of respective member clubs will be able to vote. The race programme will be as per the NIPA as usual. The NIPA have released the race programme for season 2023. Old Birds programme as follows:
Saturday 15/04/23 Tullamore
Saturday 22/04/23 Roscrea
Saturday 29/04/23 Gowran Park
Saturday 06/05/23 Fermoy
Saturday 13/05/23 Fermoy
Saturday 20/05/23 Skibbereen OB Inland National
Saturday 20/05/23 Pilmore Beach
Saturday 27/05/23 Talbenny (1)
Saturday 03/06/23 Talbenny (2)
Saturday 03/06/23 Fermoy 5 Bird Championship
Saturday 10/06/23 Bude
Saturday 10/06/23 Skibbereen Yearling national hens & cocks
Saturday 17/06/23 Penzance and Penzance Classic
Saturday 17/06/23 Fermoy
Thursday 22/06/23 St Malo/Plougastel OB Nat (France)
Young Bird programme as follows:
Saturday 15/07/23 Kilbeggan
Saturday 22/07/23 Kilbeggan
Saturday 29/07/23 Tullamore
Saturday 05/08/23 Roscrea
Saturday 12/08/23 Gowran Park
Saturday 19/08/23 Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird Championship
Saturday 26/08/23 Talbenny Young Bird National
Saturday 26/08/23 Roscrea
Saturday 02/09/23 Fermoy
Saturday 09/09/23 Skibbereen YB National
The Irish Nat Flying Club Annual General Meeting was held in Lisburn Leisure Centre on Saturday 4th March 2023 at 2.00pm.
Attendance 27. Mr. Len McCavery opened the meeting, a minute’s silence observed for those who have passed away since the last A.G.M. in 2020. Queen Elizabeth the second former Patron was included. Apologies nine apologies were noted.
Minutes of the 2020 A.G.M. were read out and passed with no matters raised.
Secretary’s report was read as follows. Secretary’s Report for the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Its three years since the last A.G.M. and big changes have taken place during that time. On a sad note, many members have passed away and this includes members of the committee, life Vice President Sammy Thompson, the club auditor Ron McKelvey, and our former Patron Queen Elizabeth the second, all will be sadly missed. Covid and Brexit have also caused many changes in that time.
Due to Covid in 2020 we were unable to come together in numbers and almost all members accepted this as we had to abide by the rules and laws in place at that time, unfortunately a minority harassed the officials because there was no National racing and wanted the club to disregard the directives with consequences for the club officials and property owners, but not them.
With careful planning we started racing again in 2021. To all who assisted the club to get racing going again which meant opening additional clock stations, extended race marking times additional portal checks and restricted travel options to France thank you.
I would like to thank the following sponsors during the past two seasons Bamford’s Topflight, Frazer’s Animal Feeds, H. Beattie & Son and Danny Dixon Dunloy, also to the BHW for a discount on publishing rates for race results. The sponsorship special prizes are greatly appreciated by all the club members.
The club had two mixed seasons racing with the weather playing a big part in all the races. I congratulate all 1st National race winners and prize winners during the past two seasons. Thanks to the race advisors David Black and Tom Marshall who retired after the 2021 season. Two new advisors were appointed in 2022, Alan Larkin and Jim Armstrong along with Peter McKeown who continued to serve. Thanks for all your efforts when the weather caused problems, the race advisors had to make some very difficult decisions with race dates having to be changed which creates lots of difficulties.
The annual prize distributions were held once again in 2021 with restricted numbers and in 2022 were the attendance was lower than normal. The awards were presented by Mr. S Briggs in 2021 and Mr W. Reynolds press officer and retiring President Mr Clifford Browne in 2022.
I wish to thank the committees of the East Down Combine and Ulster Federation for assistance with transport during the 2021 & 2022 seasons. On behalf of the members, I wish to thank all of those committee members and club members who helped at the race markings, clock settings and checking’s and the race controllers. Also, many thanks to Jim McCrory convoyer, Vincent and Brian McCrory for their great work and assistance in transporting the pigeons along with Paddy Cullen. Thanks as well to George Stewart for his assistance at the marking centre over the past years.
I personally thank the officials, committee members, press officer and any members who helped me during the past two seasons. Best wishes to the retiring President Mr Clifford Brown and Chairman Mr Len McCavery who both have served for ten years thank you both for your support and advice over the years.
What will 2023 season bring. Apart from increased costs and fewer members? The financial strength of the club is under great pressure at the moment with the past two seasons making combined losses of over £15,842. The management committee have raised the membership fee to help keep the club solvent.
The 2023 season is fast approaching, and I appeal for help at the marking centre if only for a few hours as those members of the committee who faithfully attend the race marking are struggling to cope. The single bird challenge entries have to be returned before 17th March. I hope we all have a successful 2023 season. Trevor Topping Secretary.
Convoyer’s race reports for 2021 and 2022 seasons were on the table for inspection. No matters or questions were raised.
Accounts for 2020 and 2021 which were distributed in the 2022 race entry form booklet. The accounts were accepted for both years. No matters were raised.
Election of officers. Clifford Browne President retiring after four years and thanked the members for the opportunity and privilege of being President of the I.N.F.C.
L McCavery chairman was also not seeking re-election after ten years, he also thanked the club members for their support during that time. Clifford Browne was elected as a life Vice President.
Patron Ronnie Johnston, President W. Sawyers (R.P.R.A), Senior vice President Tom Marshall (I.H.U), Junior vice President Jim Serplus (R.P.R.A), Chairman C O’Hare Ballyholland, Treasurer vacant, Auditor vacant (Committee to appoint), Press officer W Reynolds Ballymena. Race advisors P McKeown Dundalk, A Larkin Blackwatertown, and J Armstrong Carrick.
R.P.R.A. committee - A Larkin Blackwatertown, E McGimpsey Newtownards, R Duddy Ballyclare, A Thompson Ballyclare, J Serplus Laurelvale, C O’Hare Ballyholland, G Donaldson Edgarstown, C Lyons Hillborough & Maze, A Bradley Dromara, G Simmons Edgarstown, R McCracken Markethill, R Turkington Doagh & Dist, R Service Ballymena, N Lewis Doagh & Dist, P Dunlop Edgarstown.
Appeals committee R.P.R.A. J Burrows Eastway, W Knowles Kingsmoss, G Delaney Dromore.
I.H.U. Committee - B O’Leary Cork, K O’Brien Malahide, B McLoughlin Annalong, R Topping Ballynahinch, D Caskey Bangor, T Marshall Newtownbreda, B Marshall Newtownbreda, A Kelly Skerries, P McKeown Dundalk, J Trimble Annalong, L Wilson Shankill, D Walton Skerries, D Coleman Castlebellingham, W Waite West Belfast, R Trimble Ballylesson.
Appeals committee I.H.U. M Roche Blanchardstown, J O’Hara Britannia, J Albert Ballylesson.
No notices of motion. A report on the Charity Show was given by Sam Briggs which covered 24 trade stands attended the sale of pigeons raised £17,370 and thanks was extended to all who helped make the event a success. £20,000 will be distributed to local charities, in the near future.
At a committee meeting after the A.G.M. it was agreed the annual dinner and prize distribution is held in the Stormont Hotel on Friday 24th November 2023.
2022 accounts to be included in the race entry form booklet for 2023. Race marking will be at Danescroft Waterloo Road Lisburn 2023.
The proposed race programme for 2023 is as follows. Skibbereen North (Code 6017) Old Bird Tuesday 30th May 2023 marking Monday 29th May, Penzance (Code 4193) Yearling Nat Wednesday 14th June 2023 marking Monday 12th June, St Allouestre (Code 5007) Kings Cup Grand Nat Friday 30th June 2023, marking Tuesday 27th June, Friendship Nat Plougastel-Daoulas (Code 5133)/St Malo (Code 5072) Thursday 6th July 2023 marking Monday 3rd July, Penzance YB Grand Nat Wednesday 6th September 2023 marking Monday 4th September, Skibbereen North Young Bird Saturday 16th September 2023 marking Thursday 14th September. Friendship Nat date is due to shipping.
Please note annual subscriptions for 2023: Existing member £30.00 or Euros 37.50 payable through your club. New member £35.00 or Euros 43.75 payable through your club, Individual member paying direct £40.00 or Euros 50.00, New Individual members paying direct £45.00 or Euros 56.25. Closing date is 12th April 2023.
Note Single Bird Challenge: Kings Cup 2023 entry is £10.00. Entry forms can be downloaded from the website infcpigeons.co.uk – The deadline is as usual 17th March 2023. Willie Reynolds PO.
Willie Reynolds – NIPA & INFC Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
Framed Diploma for 1st Single Bird Challenge in INFC was won by S Hughes of Coalisland & District. Single Challenge Diplomas are sponsored by Danny Dixon.
Framed Diploma for 2nd Single Bird Challenge was won by A & N Lewis of Doagh & District HPS.
Framed Diploma for 3rd Single Bird Challenge was won by G Buckley & Sons of Annaghmore.
Martin Graham with his Bronze Diploma won with "Hugh's Delight" In the back ground is his 1st Open INFC Sennen Cove Yearling National winner "Denman" sire and g/sire of winners including Combine & Section winners.
“Hugh’s Delight” 1st Club, 1st Mid Antrim Combine, 3rd Sect B & 46th Open NIPA St Malo OB National raced by Martin Graham of Ballymena & District HPS.
Johnston Eagleson of Ballymena & District with his 2022 Section B Old Bird Inland Fancier of the year award. This can be added to his Section B Old Bird of the year award won a few seasons ago.
Black Pied hen winner of 2nd Club Ballymena & District, 2nd MAC, 4th Sect B & 57th Open NIPA St Malo OB Nat 336/1232. Vel 350, miles 474. Raced by Robert Alexander.
