Bumper entry for new year pigeon show

THE big show in the New Year for Mid Antrim lofts was held in the Cullybackey HPS hosted once again by Ballymena & Dist, it follows up the very successful event held one year earlier at Harryville.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jan 2012, 12:57 BST

It was another very cold day but we were glad of the usual support and over 200 birds were penned in the six classes for the judges who had travelled from the East Down Combine area.

Paddy Lue from Downpatrick brought a team that included Joe Cromie and Rab Hunter from Ballynahinch and Andy Toner from Annsborough.

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On this occasion we had the usual six classes, Through Wires, Handled and Eye-sign for Old Birds and Young Birds. Once again Robert Alexander gave great assistance will the early morning penning, and both he and Jack Balmer sorted the pens etc during the previous week.

The major awards were well shared around, all the usual top show enthusiasts had a share of the spoils including J & B Balmer who won two old bird classes and Best in Show. Last time he won three classes and had BOS, Best YB and Most Points. W & N Gilbert (Randalstown) getting ready for the Blackpool Show had Best Opposite Sex, W & J Smyth for Ballymena & Dist won the YB Through Wires and the Special for Best Young Bird and Russell Bros won two classes including OB Eye-sign and had Most Points in Show while Brian Herbinson also from Cullybackey had 1st in the YB Eye-sign.

President of the local Ballymena & Dist thanked all those who assisted and supported the Annual Show, he thanked the judges who had travelled up from the Co Down and thanked the many sponsors including Frazers Animal Feeds (Banbridge).

Also the Cullybackey HPS who very kindly loaned the use of the clubrooms, kitchen and two fires. The winners of the show series which was by far the best for many years were J & B Balmer who won the Show Shield and W & N Gilbert who retained the Visitors Trophy.

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We moved to over 200 birds and I would be sure that next time for the Mid Antrim Show the entry will improve again.

The annual dinner and prize presentation to be held in the Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena on Friday 13th January at 7.00pm.

Those intending to attend and not already booked should contact Martin Graham. Tel: (028) 25637929.

The AGM will be held in the Ballymena & Dist Clubrooms on Monday 13th February, resolutions to be with the Secretary Willie Reynolds by 24th January. Hilltop Feeds have a full range of supplies from Frazers Animal Feeds, well worth a look. Tel: (028) 25648425 or Mobile: 07599 706717.

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Results: Old Bird Through Wires – 1st & 4th J & B Balmer, 2nd R & P Alexander, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve W & J Smyth, VHC McAlonan Bros, HC D & G McMullan, Commended Blair & Rankin. Old Bird Handled – 1st J & B Balmer, 2nd W & N Gilbert, 3rd & 4th Blair & Rankin, Reserve & VHC Russell Bros, HC McAlonan Bros, Commended W & J Smyth. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st, 2nd & 3rd Russell Bros, 4th & Commended J & B Balmer, Reserve B Herbinson, VHC W & N Gilbert, HC R & P Alexander. Young Bird Through Wires – 1st W & J Smyth, 2nd, HC & Commended J & B Balmer, 3rd Blair & Rankin, 4th McAlonan Bros, Reserve & VHC D & G McMullan. Young Bird Handled – 1st Russell Bros, 2nd McAlonan Bros, 3rd B Herbinson, 4th John Balmer, Reserve W & J Smyth, VHC & HC J & B Balmer, Commended Blair & Rankin. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st B Herbinson, 2nd, 4th & Commended Russell Bros, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve & VHC J & B Balmer, HC D & G McMullan.

For more pictures from the new year show, see this week’s Ballymena Times.