Homer's Odyssey
78th AGM for Mighty NIPA
Northern Ireland Provincial Amalgamation of Racing Pigeon Societies -
The 2023 and 78th Annual General Meeting was held in the Protestant Hall in Glenavy on Saturday 11th February 2023. Only Delegates were able to vote or enter into the business of the meeting. All clubs were expected to hold a meeting on the Resolutions and mandate their delegates on how to cast their vote. A letter of confirmation that each Delegate(s) club had held a club meeting to vote on Resolutions being produced at the AGM.
Agenda included 1. Minutes of last AGM. 2. Secretary Report. 3. Passing of Accounts. 4. Any other 2022 Business. 5, Election of Officers for 2023.
The following officials were returned in the election as follows.
OFFICE BEARERS 2023 - Patron: Mr. D Carson (Banbridge HPS), President: Mr. P Murray (Killyleagh & Dist.), Senior Vice President: Mr. C O'Hare (Ballyholland), Life Vice Presidents: Mr. D Mawhinney (Beechpark Social), Mr. A. McDonnell (Coleraine Prem), Mr. D. Carson (Banbridge HPS), Mr. M. Livingstone (Portadown & Drumcree HPS), Mr. H. McVeigh (Killyleagh), Mr. Alan Darragh (Cullybackey), Mr. H. Boyd (Coalisland), Mr. S. Briggs (Lisburn & Dist.).
Chairman: Mr. P. McLaughlin (Maiden City), Vice-Chairman: Mr.W Seaton (Ligoniel HPS), Financial Secretary: Mr. F. Russell (Dromore West End), Assistant Secretary: Mr.J Vage (Dromore HPS), Fleet Supervisor: Mr. Paul Howard (Coleraine Prem), Convoyer: Mr. P. McNeice (Annaghmore).
FINANCE, TRANSPORT AND GENERAL PURPOSES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE -
Section A: - H. Boyd (Dungannon) / J. Hanson (Coleraine Prem). Section B: - K. Kernohan (Harryville) / S. Murphy (Kells) / J. Greer (Cullybackey HPS). Section C: - C. Lynch (Ballycarry & Dist.) / D. Campbell (Eastway) / G. Robinson (Carrick Soc.) / W. Seaton (Ligoniel). Section D: - J. D. Aiken (Dromore) / G. Smyth (Lisburn & Dist.) / E. Adams (Lisburn & Dist.). Section E: - K. Henderson (Lurgan Soc.) / J. Parr (Edgarstown) / S. Corrigan (Loughgall), G. O’Dowd (Gilford & Dist.). Section F: - P. Murray (Killyleagh) / C. Watson (Killyleagh Central). Section G: - K. Byrne (Newry & Dist.)/ G. Delaney (Ashfield). Section H: - P. McLaughlin (Maiden City) / J. Ramsey (Derry & Dist.) / G. Quinn (Omagh & Dist.).
Press Officers: Mr. W. Reynolds / Mr J. Hughes & Mr. S. McGarry. Race Advisor: Mr. J. Ramsey assisted by G. Hughes, and W. Seaton. Auditors: G McG, Portadown.
NIPA delegates to the Irish Region RPRA: Cormac O’Hare (Ballyholland), Samuel Briggs (Lisburn & Dist.).
Secretary’s Report 2022/2023 was published previous.
Amendments of existing musts and rules and Musts & Rules – Delete the following Musts and replace them with New Rules.
Delete Must Number 1 in its entirety. (This Must is covered by an PRPA Rule).
Delete Must Number 2 in its entirety. (This Must is covered by an PRPA Rule).
Delete Must Number 3 in its entirety. (This Must is covered by an PRPA Rule).
Delete Must Number 4 in its entirety. (This Must is covered by an PRPA Rule).
Delete Must Number 5 in its entirety and replace with a new General rule 86. Belgica clocks must be punctured twice when Setting and Timing in.
Delete must Number 6 in its entirety. (This must is covered by NIPA Race rule 13).
Delete Must Number 7 in its entirety and replace with a New General rule 87. The number of the receptacle showing on Competitor`s clock must be entered on the Verification Card immediately after setting and again before being checked.
Delete Must Number 8 in its entirety. (This must is covered by the Amended General rule 70).
Delete Must Number 9 in its entirety. (This must is covered by NIPA General rule 19).
Delete Must Number 10 in its entirety and replace with a new General rule 88. All pigeons competing for club prizes in National, Classic and Championship races must be paid for to the NIPA.
Delete Must Number 12 in its entirety. (This must is covered by NIPA race Rule 15).
Delete Must Number 13 in its entirety. (This must is covered by NIPA General rule 18).
Delete Must Number 14 in its entirety and replace with a new General rule 89. Club`s must have RPRA Membership lists and Payment with the Irish Region secretary before the 1St of March each year. Individual names addressee’s of partnerships must be given.
Delete Must Number 15 in its entirety and replace with a new General rule 90. In forwarding a Resolution to the NIPA, the following format should be used as a guideline. (1) Delete an existing rule if necessary. (2) No preamble. (3) Should be viable. (4) Should be in the interest of all members of the NIPA. (5) It cannot contravene any RPRA rules.
Delete Must Number 16 in its entirety and replace with a new General rule number 91. Club Secretaries, important notice puncturing clocks audit. Please note any puncturing clock still In use needs to be re-registered with the RPRA prior to the start of 2023 racing season. Failure to do so will disqualify the clock from any future use. Puncturing clocks may not be sold, loaned out, r disposed of for the use of any other person in any RPRA Competition.
Delete Must Number 17 in its entirety and replace with a new General rule 92. All club`s must send two members to assist at Race Marking in NIPA designated Centres, this to include the loading of pigeons into the transporter.
Delete Must Number 18 in its entirety (This must is covered by NIPA General rule 7a)
Delete Must Number 19 in its entirety and replace by a new General Rule 93. All members Measurements & Long/Lat Certificates calculated by Google Earth, or any other recognised system approved by the RPRA be forwarded to the NIPA Secretary, failure to comply will mean disqualifications in NIPA races.
NIPA AGM agenda 2023 - Amendments to NIPA General Rules. All resolutions passed unanimously bar Rule 39A was 36 to 4, Rule 41B was 36 to4, Rule70 was 37 to 3.
Amend General Rule 3a to read. The delegates representation shall be one delegate for club`s with a membership of up to 15 members, two delegates for a club with a membership of 16 to 30 members three delegates for a club with a membership of 31 to 45 members and four delegates with a club 0f 46 members and above.
Amend General Rule 10 to read. The Royal Pigeon Racing Association will calculate all member`s loft locations and measurements by Google Earth or any other system they recognise. no other measurements will be accepted.
Amend General Rule 39a to read. That all members can purchase their own hampers for the first five old bird Irish races only, in all other club races pigeons must be spread as evenly as possible over all club crates. in National, Classic and Championship races. Pigeons will be race marked at centres.
Amend General Rule 41b to read. Where more than one club race-mark their pigeons at the
same clubrooms. All clocks must be set, checked and the result completed at the same club rooms, (One Master Timer to be used).
Amend General Rule 70 to read. In all National, Classic and Championship races the 3-hour rule for returning your clock after timing your first arrival will only apply to birds timed on the first day of the race. In the event of no first day arrivals, the 3-hour rule will apply on the second day. If there are first day arrivals, the Centre Officials can arrange convenient checking times at their own discretion. If you arrive at the centre outside the 3-hour rule with your first arrival, you will be given the time of your arrival at the Centre.
Journey’s End with Jordan Hughes
New NIPA Press Officer – I would like to inform everyone that I have been newly elected as Press Officer for the NIPA and will be covering Sections C, D, F and G in the NIPA in this forthcoming season 2023. I kindly ask for all the Club Secretaries or race Secretaries within these sections to get in contact with me highlighting their club and contact details for the future publication of results, loft reports and any other information for publication. I would loke to take this opportunity to wish everyone the best of luck and good health in 2023. I am very privileged to be taking on this esteemed role and I can’t wait to get up and running. Jordan Hughes. Journey’s End” NIPA Press Officer. Mobile: 07713 808554, E-mail: jordanhughespro.gmail.com
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
Mulgrew Family Cup for Tullamore was won by T Whyte G. F. Whiteside Cup for Roscrea was won by B Gourley
Rasharkin & District, Vel 2011. Omagh & District, Vel 1291.
R Harkness Cup for Corrin was won by R Adamson Vint Cup for Bude was won by S Murphy Kells & District, Vel 1277.
Lurgan Social, Vel. 1698.
McCrory Cup for Penzance was won by P & K McCarthy NIPA Cup for 3rd Fermoy was won by Mr & Mrs G Delaney Dromore, Vel 1678.
Trinity RPC, Vel 1549.
Frazers Animal Feeds Cup for 2nd Kilbeggan was won S Inglis Cup for Gowran Park was won by C O`Hare & Dtr Ballyholland, Vel 1421.
by J Barr Lurgan Social, Vel 1521.
J P O`Hagan (Tyres) Cup for 2nd Fermoy was won by S. Montgomery Cup for 2nd Roscrea was won by
D Dixon Ballymoney, Vel 1376. D Booth Mourne & District, Vel 1625.
Devine Memorial Trophy for the Best two bird average B. Fox Cup for the Highest position obtained by any N.I.P.A. official, committee
Old Bird National St Malo was won by R Williamson member or club delegate in Old Bird National race was won by K Henderson
Newry & Dist., Vel 854. Lurgan Social, Vel 929.
W. E. Diamond Cup for the Best average New North Trophy for the Best average Penzance Old Bird
Talbenny & Skibbereen Young Bird Nationals was won and Talbenny Young Bird National was won by R Williamson
by D Calvin Bondhill Social Vel 1372. Newry & Dist., Vel 1380.
Ken Wilkinson Memorial Trophy- Best average OB inland Section E McCambley Cup for Bude was won by D Mawhinney & Son
National & OB Classic in Section B & C – won by Beechpark Social, Vel 1268.
D McElhone Eastway Vel 1682.
Section E McCambley Cup for Penzance was won by Young Fanciers collecting awards at the NIPA Ladies Night.
C Reynolds Beechpark Social, Vel 1474.
Paddy Murray the NIPA President presenting the
Presidents Cup to D Grieve of Killyleagh & District.
I was very sorry to hear the news that Helen Edwards part of the editorial team at BHW had passed away, she was on the phone at different times running through my submitted column, when we were at Blackpool Show she welcomed us over many a year in the scribe’s room. On the last occasion in 2017 when Homer and Rosie were invited guests of the RPRA, we shared a table on the Friday Night function. A lovely lady who will be sadly missed. In the last week we also lost Malachy Maguire from Newry, an ace racer at the very highest level and a real gentleman who supported our many ventures over many years. Mark Maguire & Son will continue to keep the name racing, going into the future. Condolences to both families at this very sad time.
The late Malachy Maguire (r) with son Mark.
Willie Reynolds – NIPA & INFC Press Officer
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw>
Email:
http://www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
