Superb turnout at annual Cullybackey Open Show

The judges travelled from the East Down Combine, ace racer James Cleland from Annalong was assisted by friends Albert McKinstry and Robert McKeown.

It was a super day for the home based lofts winning 6 x Classes with W & N Gilbert from Randalstown taking the Red Card in Young Bird T/W. Russell Bros won three classes and had Most Points and BOS, J & J Greer had 1st in the Old Bird T/W and Alan Darragh penned the winner in the Old Bird Handled collecting Best in Show.

Secretary Edrick Davidson congratulated all the winners and thanked all those who had brought birds and prizes and had a special word for all the sponsors. They included Bridge Garage Cullybackey, Samuel McCausland’s, Pennybridge Accounting (C McDowell & Son),

Frazer Animal Feeds, H. Beattie & Son, and B. Herbison (Concrete and Pigeon Supplies). Also a big thanks to the Judges and those who helped provide the tea (Nicola Anderson and Mrs Anderson). Results:

Old Birds T/W - 1.J+J Greer, 2.Rusell Bros, 3.A.Neill, 4.D+R Turkington, Res. Blair and Rankin, VHC. W+N Gilbert, HC. J+B Balmer, C. B.Herbison.

Young Birds T/W - 1.W+N Gilbert, 2.J+B Balmer, 3.Reid Bros + H McCloy, Res. D+R Turkington, VHC. D+R Turkington, HC.J+B Balmer, C. Reid Bros and H McCloy.

Old Birds Handled - 1. A.Darragh, 2. A,Greenwood, 3. A. Neill, 4. J+J Greer, Res. Blair and rankin, VHC. G+R Lowry, HC. G+R Lowry, C. A.Darragh.

Young Birds Handled - 1. Russell Bros, 2. McAlonan Bros, 3. Russell Bros, 4. McAlonan Bros, Res. McAlonan Bros, VHC. Fred Simpson, HC. A,Greenwood, C. McAlonan Bros.

Old Bird Eye-sign - 1. Russell Bros, 2. Russell Bros, 3.Fred Simpson, 4.Blair and Rankin, Res. M,D+ C Magill, VHC. B.Herbison, HC. M,D+ C Magill, C. B.Herbison.

Young Bird Eye-sign - 1. Russell Bros, 2. John Millar, 3. Russell Bros, 4. Russell Bros, Res. B.Herbison, VHC. D+R Turkington, HC. Russell Bros, C. Russell Bros.

Fancy T/W - 1. Reid Bros + HMcCloy, 2. J+J Greer, 3. J+B Balmer, 4. W+N Gilbert, Res. Reid Bros + H McCloy , VHC. J+B Balmer, HC. Reid Bros + H McCloy, C. A. Greenwood.

Best in Show: Alan Darragh (Cullybackey), Best Opposite Sex: Russell Bros (Cullybackey), Most Points: Russell Bros. Winner of Club Show Shield for members: Russell Bros. Winner of Club Show Shield for Non-members: W+N Gilbert win for the second time in three years.

Ballymena & District HPS: On Monday evening we had a class entry for the Eye-sign judged by Kells & District fanciers Alan Barkley and Alan Shanks. Young Robert Turkington had missed the previous two weeks through illness but returned with a bang taking the top five places in the Young Bird’s, in a good night for visiting lofts Brian Herbison took the Red Card in the Old Birds and Best in Show Special. Happy birthday to Jack Balmer at 80 years young, no winners in this show but the big Open Shows are pending. Old Bird Eye-sign (62 Birds) – 1st , 3rd & 4th B Herbison, 2nd Richmond Bros, Reserve & HC MDC Magill, VHC D & R Turkington, Commended G & A Eagleson. Young Bird Eye-sign (45 Birds) – 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & Reserve D & R Turkington, VHC & Commended J & B Balmer, HC MDC Magill. Raffle was won by Homer.

Ahoghill Flying Club: Young Pairs (46 Birds) – 1st & HC T & G Balmer, 2nd & Reserve A & N Young, 3rd M/M Robinson, 4th & Commended Balmer Young & Sons, VHC W Livingstone. Fancy (27 Birds) – 1st & 3rd D Stevenson, 2nd T McFall, 4th & VHC T & G Balmer, Reserve & HC A & N Young, Commended Balmer Young & Sons. Judges – J Steele and H Cubitt (Rasharkin & Dist). Old Pairs (50 Birds) – 1st & Commended T & G Balmer, 2nd, 3rd & Reserve J Orr & Son, 4th Balmer Young & Sons, VHC & HC D Stevenson. Late Breds (19 Birds) – 1st Thomas McFall, 2nd, 4th, Reserve & Commended T & G Balmer, 3rd Thomas McFall, VHC A & N Young, HC D Stevenson. Judges Roy Balmer & Friends. Friday – OB & YB Eye-sign. Annual Raffle – 1st Nancy Carney Princess Street Ballymena, 2nd Albert Young Ahoghill, 3rd M/M Robinson Ahoghill. Tesco Vouchers for £20, £15 & £10.

Kells & District HPS: The latest classes were for Eye-sign and Fancy judged by Gary Gibson and Geoff Dickey. T Shanks & Son had 1st & 2nd in the Eye-sign and Harry Boyd had the Red Card in Fancy. Eye-sign – 1st & 2nd T Shanks & Son, 3rd, Reserve, VHC & HC A Barkley & Son, 4th Gregg Bros, Commended Scott & Clements. Fancy – 1st H Boyd, 2nd Scott & Clements, 3rd & Reserve T Shanks & Son, 4th, VHC, HC & Commended A Barkley & Son.

Herbison Feeds at Carniny Road will be closed for holidays from Saturday 22nd December until Monday 7th January 2013. Again this year Brian and his wife have the outside of the house decorated for Christmas, an event worth seeing and all donations again going to Radio Cracker.