Bumper attendance at New Year’s Day show

Since the show was re-introduced to the local show scene, the previous three events were staged at Cullybackey.

It was decided on this occasion to use the Ballymena club’s own clubrooms at Fountain Place, despite the fact it has just around 220 pens and the parking is not as simple as times gone bye.

The fact it was a holiday, the town was not busy and the rain during the day did not deter the entries or indeed the judges, most visiting from the Portadown area.

They included Willie Capper, John Greenaway and Alan Beattie from Bondhill, Philip Boyd Annaghmore, Joe Brown Blackwatertown, and Syd Collins from Doagh & District judged the Eye-sign. The same dedicated team who operated the show series, set up the club and worked hard all day at the Open Show.

For the second year, Russell Bros from Cullybackey won BIS and Most Points, they won both OB & YB Handled classes. Derek McMullan from Ballymoney HPS won the Young Bird T/W and also penned the Best YB, Alan Barkley & Son from Kells & Dist had the Red Card in Old Bird T/W.

Ballymena lofts won both Eye-sign classes, MDC Magill had 1st & 2nd in Old Birds and G & A Eagleson the seasons winners of the Show Shield had the Red Card in Young Birds. For the home club MDC Magill also collected the Best Opposite Sex.

Chairman of Ballymena & District Tom McAlonan thanked all involved, those who brought birds and prizes, the judges, and all who assisted including M/M Sempey, Billy Smyth, MDC Magill and Willie Gilbert.

He also thanked members for donations and specials, and all the sponsors who included Frazer’s Animal Feeds, and Brian Herbison. Philip Boyd replied on behalf of all the judges. Results:

Young Bird T/W – 1st & 3rd D McMullan, 2nd & 4th Russell Bros, Reserve G & A Eagleson, VHC MDC Magill, HC G Bell, Commended B Herbison.

Young Bird Handled – 1st & 3rd Russell Bros, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 4th & VHC MDC Magill, Reserve D McMullan, HC A Berkley & Son, Commended N & S Anderson.

Old Bird T/W – 1st A Barkley & Son, 2nd & 4th Russell Bros, 3rd D McMullan, Reserve & VHC B Herbison, HC McAlonan Bros, Commended G & A Eagleson. Old Bird Handled – 1st & 4th Russell Bros, 2nd, 3rd & Reserve D McMullan, VHC MDC Magill, HC J Edgar, Commended B Herbison.

Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd & Reserve MDC Magill, 3rd Russell Bros, 4th G & A Eagleson, VHC M/M M Sempey, HC & Commended B Herbison.

Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st G & A Eagleson, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd D McMullan, 4th & Commended Russell Bros, Reserve A Berkley & Son, VHC MDC Magill, HC M/M M Sempey.

The AGM for Ballymena & District will take place in the local clubrooms at Fountain Place on Monday 10th February at 8.00pm.

Resolutions for the agenda must be with the Secretary Willie Reynolds by Friday 31st January, and any resignations prior to the AGM.