A BIT OF A CRAIC

by New Kid On The Block

The Fleming Bros - Jimmy & Ian - pictured at the winning loft with two of their star racers and proudly displaying some of this past seasons awards

This week I decided to pay a visit to two brothers who over the past few seasons have really flew out of their skins. They say one of the secrets to top success is good pigeons and good fanciers. Well here we have good pigeons and “ Super Fanciers”. The men in question are the Fleming Brothers, Ian & Jimmy , who race in the Crumlin HPS, in Section B of the NIPA. These guys are top drawer fanciers with a super race record , winning from the first race to the last race with distance and conditions no obstacle - Hence The Visit -  The Fleming name in the village of Crumlin is synonymous with the sport of pigeon racing as the brothers have continued on a family tradition. Indeed their late father Jimmy, who was undoubtably the biggest influence on the present day partnership ,  was part of the then , Fleming Bros and in their heyday were past national winners, winning 1st Irish Section Vaux Usher Friendship National from France with their famous Black W/F Cock.

This famous pigeon was a prolific racer and as well as topping the national was a winner also of :  1st Hill St Open Arklow as a young bird, 10th Hill St Open Yearling Race, 1st Section Arklow, 1st Section Dinard  &  13th Open Kings Cup Rheims – You Will Agree, A Super Racer – As I stated earliar the brothers have been flying out of their skins  and for the past two seasons have held the coveted title of NIPA Section B Fanciers Of The Year. 2009 was a terrific season with the brothers recording 20 x 1st clubs, 6 x 1st Section B and 1st Open NIPA Roscrea, 27,770 birds competing. In the present day racing it is also worthy to note that all these present day performances have been obtained without the usage of the ETS System as the brothers are happy enough timing into their reliable T3. Most weeks the brothers have at least three or four birds in the club prizes and are not shy to admit that they are happy enough with their present trapping system. When asked about medications – “ We treat our birds at the start of the season with the usual basic treatments for Canker and Respiratory. As regards to worms, our birds have not been treated for years. Treatments are as little as possible as our birds seem to keep themselves in fine fettle”.

All Old Birds are raced on the widowhood and the roundabout systems. Youngsters are raced on the darkness system. The youngsters are separated into two sections – Cocks/Hens – and are exercised and trained separately. When asked  how far, the brothers were quite adamant in pointing out that all birds , either old or young, are never trained any farther than 10 miles either before racing or when racing commences with the exception of a long toss, only prior to top national events.  On basketing nights the youngsters are let go together for one hour prior to basketing and as their results prove, this must be doing the trick for the lads. On top of a top racing record the brothers have also dabbled a bit in the one loft racing and I must say with quite a considerable amount of success. For the past two seasons the brothers have entered for themselves and bred for a local syndicate entries to the Emerald Classic One Loft Race. In the first season a number of birds were in the prizes and last season the winner of 4th Open were bred by the brothers. – Top Racing against the best in the country -  Only a top class mixture is used with a supplement of Garlic Oil added to the corn. Another supplement used greatly is Hormorform, both to racers and breeders alike. The brothers family of birds is based around three strains of birds with the odd one here and there. Huybreght – This family was obtained from their good friends Ted – E & A Morris – Morris from Liverpool. The No 1 Stock Pair was bred by these fanciers and to date are the sire & dam of the loft, having bred at least 5 x 1st Section winners and a 1st NIPA Open winner. A once in a lifetime stock pair and the brothers would like to make a special mention of thanks for the magnificent pigeons that Ted has sent them. Louis Cooremans – This family was gifted to them by another good friend Jackie Scates from Belfast.

These birds have also won countless positions and themselves have topped the NIPA section. Top birds and again the brothers would like to thank Jackie for gifting them top winning bloodlines. Flor Engels – This family was purchased a few years ago from the legendary Frank Shreader and are breeding the goods from the shortest race to the longest. Crossed into the two previous families the brothers are really pleased with the results from the stock produced. Before finishing the report Jimmy & Ian were very conscious that I would put on record their thanks to all the fanciers concerned who had wished them well on their recent results and performances. Special mention was made to the Davin family from Liverpool for their help and friendship over the years. Also special mention to all their clubmates in the local Crumlin HPS and fancier friends who congratulated them on their recent NIPA Section Fancier Of The Year Win. As I finish this report I would like to personally thank Ian & Jimmy for sparing me the time to introduce you the fancy to another star in our sport and I have no doubt I will be calling again to visit these “ Super Fanciers”. Thanks guys and may you have many winners in the 2010 season.

Blue Hen - Flor Engels - Winner of 1st Club Bude & 1st Club St Malo - 2009 season

Blue WF Cock - Son of No 1 Stock Pair - Winner of 2 x 1st Sect inc. 1st Open Roscrea 27,770 birds competing

Cheq Cock - Top Racer - Winner 5 x 1st clubs inc. 1st Sect

Cheq Cock - Cooremans - Winner 1st Sect 4,528 birds , 7th Open NIPA 26,149 birds

Fleming Bros - NIPA Section B Fanciers Of The Year 2008 & 2009 seasons

Guarding her young - Blue Pied Hen - Huybreght - Another top racer - Winner 1st Sect B Fermoy 5 Bird & 1st Sect B Rosscarberry Inland National. - Super Racing Hen

Guarding her youngsters - The famous Frill Hen - Huybreght Flor Engels - Winner 3 x 1st as a youngster and also winner of 1st Sect Thurles & 1st Sect Pilmore Beach

Kenny Galloway- chairman of the Crumlin HPS - presents The Fleming Bros - Jimmy & Ian - with their NIPA Section Diplomas for the 2009 season. - Congratulations Lads

One from the family album - The late Jimmy Fleming captured admiring their famous National Winner - The Black WF Cock - see text

The complete loft set up of Fleming Bros

The No 1 Stock Pair - Huybreght - Bred by E & A Morris - Liverpool - Sire & Dam of the loft - Responsible for 5 x 1st Section winners and countless other pwinners . - A Once In A Lifetime Pair

The one and only Young Bird Loft of Fleming Bros - Where all the major winning birds are raced

2009 SEASON RESULTS

1st, 4th, 6th Club. 17th,28th,40th Sect 2,226 birds Tullamore. 1st, 2nd, 3rd  Club Tullamore. 1st, 3rd, 4th Club, 1st, 15th, 17th Sect B, 1st Open NIPA Roscrea 27,770 birds. 3rd, 5th, 8th Club, 4th, 18th, 21st Sect 4,945 birds Clonmel. 1st, 3rd, 4th Club 22nd, 23rd Sect Clonmel. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Club 2nd, 5th, 9th Sect Tullamore. 1st, 2nd, 5th Club 11th,23rd, 33rd Sect Fermoy. 3rd, 4th, 5th, Club 7th, 15th, 19th Sect Rosscarberry National, 1st, 2nd 5th Club Skibbereen. 6th Club Talbenny. 1st Club 36th Open INFC Sennon Cove Yearling National. 1st, 4th, 5th Club 2nd, 17th Sect Fermoy 5 Bird. 1st, 4th, 6th Club Bude. 2nd, 4th, 6th Club  7th, 22nd, 34th Sect Penzance. 1st, 2nd Club 6th Sect 27th Open 1,904 birds St Malo O/B National. 3rd Club Rosscarberry Cocks National, 3rd Club Rosscarberry Hens National. 1st Club 33rd Sect Tullamore. 1st Club Tullamore. 1st, 4th, 5th Club 1st, 10th, 20th, Sect  4,852 birds Roscrea. 1st, 5th Club 1st, 9th Sect 3,353 birds Clonmel. 5th Club 29th Sect 3,386 birds Fermoy. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Club 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sect 1,943 birds Tullamore. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th Club 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th Sect 1,730 birds Fermoy. 2nd, 4th Club 6th, 18th  Sect, 35th Open Talbenny National. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Club Skibbereen National. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th Club 1st, 2nd, 8th, 18th, 22nd Sect 526 birds Rosscarberry National. 1st, 2nd Club 32nd Open INFC Penzance National. 1st, 3rd, 4th Sect 226 birds Fermoy 5 Bird.

Before finishing this weeks notes I would like to make the fancy aware of a number of events that will be happening around the country in the coming weeks. I, along with a number of fanciers from most organizations, are arranging a series of Breeder / Buyer Charity events to be held around the country with one of the charities involved “ The Lapland Trust”, a charity that every year flies children, with severe and life threatening disabilities, to Lapland to see Santa Claus. There has been an overwhelming response of birds gifted, to date, for these sales and it is hoped to generate a considerable amount of money to be raced for. ( Could be a record amount this year ). With good support it is hoped to race for £800/£1000 Breeder - £800/£1000 Buyer prizemoney with further top money prizes for the following 8/10 birds. There is also a £100 special for the leading bird timed, purchased by any Ulster Federation fancier and the same applies to any NIPA fancier.  No stipulation – Card or Youngster in the pen – Whichever you  prefer -. Venue for the sales at present are West Belfast HPS on Saturday 3rd April  at 2.30 pm   and Glengormley HPS ( date to be confirmed )  with also the possibility of Chimney Corner. The race the event will be flown from will be the INFC Skibbereen Y/B National. A presentation night has already been booked with the main theme of this particular event to include a Quiz night, Charity auction  ( already birds have been gifted by some of the leading lofts in the British Isles)  and a series of awards to be presented ( again already sponsored, but more on this and how they can be won in later columns ). This series of events needs all the support possible but judging by the response of help and support that I have received from all angles of the fancy in general I can honestly say that I am overwhelmed with their support. Please keep watching the fancy press in the coming weeks as all the info and dates of the sales will be released.

JUST CONFIRMED:  Kiln Lofts “ Warriors Of The Sky” – Mr & Mrs Crathorne – Manchester – Tel 0161 643 1125 proudly present to the Irish fanciers   a select draft of approx 50 youngsters from their top winning international bloodlines. Since getting established at a new loft location in Manchester, Budgie  & Sue Crathorne, have set the mark on the racing scene and are  big competitors in the long distance events within the National races and their bloodlines are winning all over the British Isles. On offer will be youngsters, bred from and same way bred, as their present day racing stars. Example of some of the lots on offer : (Provided all goes to plan - It is very hard as they are only babies and you fanciers know anything can happen )

 " KILN MATADOR ". 1st Club, 2nd Sect 7th Open, BBC National Palamos, 677 miles. 1st Club 3rd Sect 3rd Open BICC National, Marseille, International, 615 miles, 1st Club, 8th Sect, 13th Open BICC National, Perpignan, International, 622 miles.  On Offer -  2 x Youngsters Direct plus  2 from his Sire and 2 from his son. 

 " KILN BARCELONA ". 1st Club, 7th Open BICC National, Pau International, 574 miles, 26th Open BICC National, Barcelona, International, 704 miles, 20th Sect 31st Open BICC National Dax, International, 524 miles. On Offer - 2 x Youngsters Direct. 

 " KILN BLUE GIRL ". 1st Club, 1st Sect, 2nd Open, BICC National, Dax, International, 1st Nat Hens, 196th International Hens. 1st Club, 2nd Sect, 13th Open NFC National, Dax International, 524 miles. On Offer 2 x Youngsters Direct.

Also youngsters closely related to our Top Racers -  " KILN RED BULL ", KILN FALAISE ",  " KILN CAPTAIN ",   “KILN RUFF NECK ", " KILN PANTHER ", " KILN BARB ", " KILN GOLDEN BULL ", " KILN RED VALE ", " KILN CHALLENGER "

“ Our blood line is a blend of various Long Distance, which we call " WARRIOR ", its our own blood line. Here are some of the strains that go into making up the Warrior line: Jan Aarden, Barker, Berlengee, Bogaart, Burger, Busschaert, Bricoux, Braakhuis, Delbar, Dordin, Devos, Grosfeld, Hagen Bros, Imbrechts, Klein, Krauth, Ko-Nipius, Kuyper Bros, Matterne, Mairs, Marriott, Reybroeck, Southwell, Rik Stevens, Stichelbaut, Karl Stroetges, Jan Theelen, Van Geel, Van Der Espt, Van Der Wegen.

KILN BARCELONA

KILN BLUE GIRL

KILN MATADOR

Some Of Our Most Recent Results Include :

1st BICC National, Saran, 424 miles, 3,940 birds, 1st BICC National, Gellainville, 221 miles, 2,351 birds,  3rd BICC National, Marseille, Int, 615 miles,  17th BICC National, Marseille, Int, 615 miles, 15th BICC National, Barcelona, Int, 704 miles,  5th BICC National, Pau, Int, 573 miles,  7th BBC National, Palamos, 677 miles,  13th, 14th BICC National Perpignan, Int, 7th BICC National, Perpignan, Int,  12 x RPRA Awards,  5 x 1st Breeder/Buyer Races, 1ST GB Pigeon, China One Loft Race,  2nd Sect 64th Open B.B.C National, Barcelona International, 861 miles.  The longest flying pigeon into the UK in Race time, from the Barcelona International. 2009 ( Also see: The Homing World Stud Book 2005 pages 68-74 By Mick Maitland.)

This is your chance to obtain youngsters to try out on the road. The sale will be held on Saturday 27th March at 3 pm, birds on view 2 pm, with the venue Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road, Antrim. Furtherinfo as regards to bloodlines etc. and anyother details Tel: 07737275820.

Coming Events : Breeder/Buyer Charity Sale : West Belfast HPS, Saturday 3rd April at 2.30 pm. – A top sale with youngsters donated by the best in the country racing for top money. – Please support this top event – Top money to be raced for – Cards or Youngster – No Stipulation - Grand Charity Sale in aid of Leukaemia to be held on Thursday 8th April at 8 pm with birds on view 7 pm. Venue is Banbridge British Legion, Banbridge. Birds donated by some of the top lofts in the country. For further details Telephone : 07927433470.

Grosvenor HPS are to host a series of Breeder/Buyer sales in their own clubrooms promoted by themselves. The sale dates are 02/04/10 & 09/04/10. All sales start at 8 pm with the birds on view from 7 pm. All birds must be in the pens – No Cards -. Their will be £2,000 up for grabs - £1,000 Breeder £ 1,000 Buyer to be flown from the last race of the season the INFC Skibbereen Y/B National. ( There may be other prizes depending on the entries ). Interested ??? Contact  J SmythTel  07976596062 or  P Mc CarthyTel. 07880504612.

 Banbridge British Legion are hosting a Charity Breeder/Buyer sale to be held on Friday 26th March in the British Legion Banbridge at 8 pm with birds on view 7 pm.  50% of the total proceeds raised will be flown for with the other 50 % to be presented to the nominated charity, The Blue Dove Hospice, Newry. For further details or if you wish to donate a youngster to this worthy cause give any of the following numbers a call : Diamond Carson Tel : 07813265311, T. Lennon Tel : 07711409205 or E. McAlinden Tel : 07771813198.

Chimney Corner Football Club will be hosting a top quality sale of youngsters donated by some of the leading lofts in the country. The sale is to be held on Thursday 8th April  at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm and the venue is Chimney Corner Football Club, Randalstown Road, Antrim. Youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country with all proceeds to Chimney Corner Football Club to help promote the club within the area.

Carrick Social HPS are holding a sale on Friday 26th March at 8 pm with birds on view from 7 pm. The sale will be held in their own clubrooms in Prince William Way, Carrick and a number of youngsters have already been donated by some of the top lofts in the country inc. Rod Sparkes, Five Star Stud, Royal Oak Lofts, John Whittaker, S & F O Neill, J. Lindores & Son & Nicholson, J. Hall, Calderwood & Waite, D & J Armstrong, Mr & Mrs G. Robinson, B. Telford, J. Dillon, M. Maguire & Son, M & F Russell plus others from some of the leading fanciers in the country.  This sale is being held to help raise funds to assist in much needed club repairs.  Any further info contact Telephone : 07818800655 – Carrick Social needs all the support that they can get and cordially invite all fanciers to attend.

Doagh & Dist HPS – Breeder / Buyer Sale – 27th March – McConnells Lounge Doagh. Main Race Talbenny Y/B National with the 4th & 5th official NIPA races as Hot Spots with £ 100 up for grabs. Open to Sections B & C NIPA. Cards only – More Details contact John Wilson Tel : 07800706477.

Ballycarry & Dist HPS – A Young Bird National sale will be held in the clubrooms on Friday 2nd April at 7.30 pm with the race to be flown from Rosscarberry.1/3 Breeder 1/3 Buyer 1/3 Club Funds. – Section C Only-

New for 2010 – A Young Bird Weekly Sale will be held in the clubrooms on Wednesday 7th April at 7.30 pm. To be flown from the first five mass liberation young bird races. Open to Carrick Social, Carrick & Dist & Ballycarry HPS only.

OBITUARY

Tommy Plant: The fancy in the East Belfast area have lost one of their true characters of the sport. Tommy Plant sadly passed away this week. Tommy was always full of fun and when in his company a laugh you were always sure of. May I wish, through the column, sincere condolences to the Plant family circle, from all his fancier friends which include his clubmates from the local Kingswood HPS and his good friend Ken Wilkinson

 ANY FURTHER INFO - CONTACT –

New Kid On The BlockContact Details Tel: 07737275820

Or email : newkidontheblock07@hotmail.co.uk

Websites : www.pigeonportal.com

www.elimarpigeons.com