Big turnout of fanciers expected at Cullybackey Open Show on Saturday

The Cullybackey Open Show is to be held on Saturday in the Cullybackey club rooms.
Recent winners in Ballymena & District, Billy Smyth (r) 1st & BIS in OB Eye-sign and George Eagleson 1st YB Eye-sign.Recent winners in Ballymena & District, Billy Smyth (r) 1st & BIS in OB Eye-sign and George Eagleson 1st YB Eye-sign.
Recent winners in Ballymena & District, Billy Smyth (r) 1st & BIS in OB Eye-sign and George Eagleson 1st YB Eye-sign.

The classes are the following: Old and young birds T/W, Old and young birds handled, Old and young birds Eye-sign and Fancy T/W.

Penning is from 11 to 1 and the sponsors are: Brian Herbison Concrete and pigeon supplies, H. Beattie and sons pigeon feed, Bridge Service Station Cullybackey, Frazers Animal Feeds and C + D McDowell Accounting Penny bridge.

Cullybackey HPS takes no responsibility for pigeons lost during show. J. Greer and E. Davidson (club sec).We are running a search for a T3 Clock owned by the late John Lamont who raced in Cullybackey, was it out on loan?? Contact either Homer of Len Russell.

Ballymena & District HPS: The local club were pleased that “The King” Tom Cotter agreed to come out of retirement and place the cards at the annual show for Eye-sign, a subject that Tom has dedicated himself to since he started the birds.

He selects his breeding pairs by the eye and although not racing at present, when he did he had some record. Achieved Top Prize-winner in all three clubs he raced in - Ahoghill Flying Club, Harryville HPS and Randalstown HPS, I covered his top results many times. He was able to remind me that the Ballymena & Dist was where he first started when at school, who knows at some stage in the future he might consider a come-back with the Big Club. Just over 100 birds were penned, W & J Smyth was to win 1st in the Old Birds plus Best in Show, and the Young Bird winners were G & A Eagleson who are having a best ever Show Season.

George said he did not have eye-sign birds, he is the up and coming show man, and he can race a bit as well. Last season he won the Mid Antrim Combine Bird of the Year. The raffle was won by Brian Herbison. Old Bird Eye-sign (58 Birds) – 1st W & J Smyth, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 3rd & Commended G & A Eagleson, 4th & Reserve MDC Magill, VHC B Herbison, HC M/M M Sempey. Young Bird Eye-sign (43 Birds) – 1st, 2nd, 4th & VHC G & A Eagleson, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve MDC Magill, HC M/M M Sempey, Commended B Herbison. The local club will host the Annual Mid Antrim Open Show to be held in their own clubrooms at Fountain Place in Ballymena on New Year’s Day , Wednesday 1st January. Penning is from 12 Noon until 2.00pm a 3 in 1 for Old Bird and Young Bird. All birds from the local NIPA Sect B area, will be made welcome, an Open Show for Mid Antrim birds. All the usual Specials including Best in Show, Best Opposite Sex, Most Points and Best YB. All club members should supply prizes and any help would be appreciated. Remember the Open Show is being held in Ballymena & Dist Clubrooms.

Kells & District HPS: The show last week was called off due to the passing of Sadie Shanks and the members have expressed their sincere sympathy to the family. Husband Alan is the Treasurer in the Kells & Dist club and on behalf of the club runs the very success Social Night held at the Dunsilly Hotel. Sadie passed away at home after a short illness, the funeral service was last Friday in St Saviours Parish Church Kells, with interment afterwards in Connor New Cemetery. The annual Open Show 3 in 1 will take place as usual, Boxing Day which is Thursday 26th December, penning 11.00am until 2.00pm at £1 per bird. Prizes for all card winners, and Special for BIS and BOS. Kells & Dist members are asked to supply prizes, and please note the final show of the year will be held on Wednesday, classes for Eye-sign & Pieds.

Ahoghill Flying Club: Secretary Albert Young has supplied me with the results of the recent shows, last show of the series is on Friday OB and YB Eye-sign. Young Pairs – 1st & 3rd C Moore, 2nd A & N Young, 4th, VHC & HC M/M Robinson, Reserve R Lowry, Commended D & R Turkington. Fancy – 1st Balmer Young & Sons, 2nd & Reserve C Moore, 3rd T McFall, 4th & Commended R Lowry, VHC & HC T & G Balmer. Judges M/M Sempey and T McAlonan (Ballymena & District). Old Pairs – 1st R Lowry, 2nd, 3rd & HC M/M Robinson, 4th T & G Balmer, Reserve Blair & Rankin, VHC A & N Young, Commended C Moore. Late Breds – 1st & Commended C Moore, 2nd W Livingstone, 3rd & 4th R Lowry, Reserve M/M Robinson, VHC & HC T & G Balmer. Judges N Anderson and L Russell (Cullybackey).

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