IRISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB
Presentation of Merit Awards
The Irish National Flying Club held their second presentation night on Friday 8 January in the Dunsilly Hotel in Antrim. Framed Diplomas were awarded for birds achieving Open results on two occasions from the Friendship National and Grand National Kings Cup races.
Although the positions were easily filled from both French races this year there were only 3 awards presented. This presentation in only its fifth year has become a very important date in the pigeon calendar and there was a good turnout for the event. The evening includes a buffet and a quiz panel, which this year included guests for the evening, Roger Lowe, Eamon Kelly and Kevin Godfrey.
The evening began with the INFC Charity Committee presenting cheques totaling £6000 raised at the INFC Charity Show in December. The charities to benefit were Autism NI, Chest, Heart and Stroke, Alzheimer’s Society NI, Kidney Research Fund NI, Diabetis NI, Hospice NI, Children’s Hospice NI and Hope and a Future. Two cheques for £1,000 had previously been presented to Newry Hospice and Meneghitis Research NI. The 2016 INFC Charity Show will be held in Lisburn on 3rd December.
Kevin Godfrey,Roger Lowe and Eamon Kelly guests at the Merit Award evening
Jeff Surgenor and Alan Shanks presented a cheque on behalf of Kells & District fanciers for £1,100 to Chest, Heart and Stroke.
Ronnie Johnson then gave very interesting talk on the history of the Irish National Flying Club which all those present found extremely interesting and informative.
Jeff Surgenor and Alan Shanks present a cheque to Valerie on behalf of Kells and District
Jack Delaney and John O'Neill present a cheque for £1000 to Sarah Jane for Autism NI
Samuel Briggs presents a cheque to Kevin and Moore for Hope and a Future
Francis Gilmore presents a cheque to John and Betty for NI Kidney Research Fund
Barry Telford presents a cheque to Karherine for NI Hospice an NI Childrens Hospice
The Presentation of the awards followed.
While the winning of these awards are in themselves quite an achievement these birds are now all candidates for ‘Hall of Fame’ or ‘Friendship Triple’ Awards next year.
I would like to congratulate the winners
Merit Awards were won as follows:
Kings Cup: Arnold Thompson Ballyclare & Dist, GB 11 B 29849 St Allouestre 2013 103rd Open, St Allouestre 2015 96th Open;
Arnold Thompson Ballyclare receives his Merit Award from Wesley Sawyers
Mark Ewbanks Banbridge & Dist, Blue Bar Hen GB 10 D 02592, Plaudrens-Vannes 2012 22nd Open, St Allouestre 2015 8th Open:Friendship National:
Mark Ewbanks Banbridge receives his Merit Award from Wesley Sawyers
Robin Duddy Ballyclare & Dist, Blue Bar Hen,GB 10 B 37794, Quimper 2013 15th Open, Quimper 2015 85th Open:
Robin Duddy Ballyclare receives his Friendship National Merit Award from Wesley Sawyers
The De Scheemaecker Trophy for runner up to the National Champion for best average all National races was presented to Capper Bros Annaghmore who were beaten by the smallest of margins in the competition for the National Championship, won by Collins & Douglas which brings me to Sid. Sid Collins is the chief organizer of the Merit Award Night but was unable to attend as he was in hospital at the time. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Sid a speedy recovery. David Calvin Bondhill was presented with the French Diploma for best average St Malo OB Derby and St Allouestre Kings Cup.
Willie Capper of Capper Bros receives the De Scheemaecker Trophy Runner Up National Champion
We would like to thank our guests Roger Lowe, Kevin Godfrey and Eamon Kelly for traveling over from England.
Thanks to Homer for the photographs
Brendan McLoughlin
INFC PRO
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