LANCASHIRE NEWS

Hi everyone, welcome to Lancashire Life.  If you attended Jack Walker of Rochdale’s sale at Failsworth Liberal Club a couple of years ago perhaps you can help.  Last Friday two pigeons returned to Jack’s loft minus their metal ring for some strange reason and Jack would like to track down their owner as the birds weren’t transferred after the sale.  The first one was Lot 46 a Mealy Pied cock and underneath that on the sale list was a Grizzle hen.  Maybe you bought these two for stock and they have been stolen, hence the reason the rings were cut off, I can’t think of any other reason or did you lend them to someone and didn’t get them back.  If anyone has any information on these two birds they can either contact Jack direct or give me a ring and we can sort the matter out.

Malc Campbell, Glyn Bennett and John Winder at Castleton presentation.

Well I decided not to bother sending my youngsters to either Fed race last week as I felt that more training was needed.  The weather in Manchester has been iffy all week with quite a bit of rain and cloud making visibility poor.  To be honest I could have got a training toss in on Friday but I seem to be losing all interest.  The two Feds our Club are in had races on different days, North Cheshire went up early on Saturday morning and seemed to have a good race.  The Border Amal decided to mark on Saturday for a Sunday liberation as the forecast for Saturday was poor with a band of heavy rain moving across the country.  Both decisions seemed to have produced good races with high velocities, I’m not sure of the returns yet as I haven’t had a chance to ask a lot of people but it’s like a lottery now trying to ensure the safe return of the babies.

The youngster from Leicester arrived back home and I made a trip to Wigan to meet Tommy Smith who kindly took in one young cock, many thanks Tommy.  He’s got a lovely set up on a private pen where he has kept pigeons for 50 years, and he can sit there to his hearts content, he also had two other temporary residents there who had dropped in and didn’t want to go home.  The owners didn’t seem too keen on getting them back either, whether it’s the cost of Amtrak or they just couldn’t be bothered I don’t know, but with the large losses of youngsters we are all having it’s getting to be very expensive to get them returned.  We still don’t have a cheaper alternative to Amtrak and maybe a stray centre in different parts of the country could be an idea.  Apparently there’s one in Scotland which is run and works very well and is used by a large number of fanciers.  Amtrak must make thousands of pounds every year in the transport of racing pigeons, surely it would be cheaper if the fancy had their own transport, maybe someone employed by the RPRA who, for a lesser charge, would travel up and down the motorways maybe picking up and dropping off birds at designated areas ie service stations.

Mrs A Norton with Mick Maitland & Tim Ashcroft.

On the way back I called at the house of George Brennan of Northern Moor who also had one of my youngsters, again thanks to George for taking the time out to look after him until he was collected.  The stray which was supposed to be liberated locally by Chris of Kippax in Leeds never returned so I don’t know what’s happened to that one, but the hen who continues to go back to John Hallam in Dukinfield is now back home yet again.  She’s now locked up with the hens and I will just pair her up with a widowhood cock to try and settle her later on.  I bought some stickers for my ETS rings with both my home number on and my mobile number and these seem to have gone down well as I can be reached on either number, although I did leave the ETS rings off until the last minute just in case I had another training disaster.

This problem added to the continual losses to birds of prey seem to be decimating our young bird teams and as in Manchester the local council are actually giving special homes to the Peregrines, probably to sort out the feral pigeon problem in the big cities.  So we’ve got this and the change in weather patterns all giving us tremendous difficulties in holding on to our young bird teams.  It’s supposed to be the height of summer, August and when you wake up in the morning it’s still dark at 6 and 7am, I can remember when the tarmac used to bubble up on the pavement because it was so hot, from waking up till bedtime we had continual sunshine. That’s what it was like when I used to stay at my Uncle and Aunts in Kent for the summer holidays and their birds could be seen with their wings spread out soaking up the heat of the afternoon sun.  Now we’re lucky to get two days in a row.  On the other hand I can also remember being snowed in with snow blocking the front door and right up to the window ledge (I’m showing my age now!).   Doesn’t it cheer you up knowing what we’ve got to look forward to, never mind it’s only about 16 weeks to Christmas and then another three and it’s the Blackpool Show again.  I hope you’ve all booked your hotels in good time; mine’s booked at the same place I always go where I can guarantee to put weight on with the lovely food they serve.  If you’ve never stayed for the weekend you must try it, it’s brilliant with plenty of sales to go to and lots going on.  I sound like the Blackpool Tourist Board.

Accrington & DHS/Dave Stuttard – Racing from Penkridge 8 members sent 90 birds.  In first place is that rugged, handsome, good looking, see Lollipop the pen is mightier than the sword!  Where was I, oh yes, the result.  In top spot DJ Stuttard with a Blue Lambrecht hen out of direct stock on 1338.  In second place with a Tatt Special Cheq hen dong 1317 is Dower, Bros & Mowle.  Third spot goes to new starter Craig Charlesworth with a Blue cock again bred by Brian Tattersall out of his Dual Award winner on 1295.  Graham Entwistle takes fourth with a Mealy W/F cock on 1224, no more information on this bird.

Ashton-under-Lyne Flying Club/Harry Kenyon – 4 members sent 71 birds to Swainswick on the 10th August, 2008, liberated at 0900 in a South West wind.  Taking the first three positions is H Kenyon, the first two both on 1810.46 being two Peter Van Der Merwes bred by J & S Ward, followed on 1810.24 by a Zoontjen x Gaby self bred from S Knowles of Widnes stock.  4th J & S Ward on 1803 with a Peter Van Der Merwe.  Pools and Nom won by H Kenyon.

Border Amalgamation/Jeanette Taylor – 99 members sent 2,092 birds to Kempsey on the 26th July, 2008 liberated at 1230 in a variable wind.  1st & 2nd J & S Ward/Oldham Fed on 1484.49 & 1484.28.  3rd, 4th & 19th Slicker, Croston & Slicker/OLD 1480, 1479.72 & 1458.  5th P Hardman/South East Lancs Fed 1479.56.  6th, 7th & 9th G Buckley/SEL 1479.11, 1477.99 & 1476.  8th & 20th H Kenyon/OLD 1477.29 & 1457.  10th & 12th P Douglas/SEL 1470 & 1465. 11th J Wood & Son/OLD 1466.    13th I Walker/SEL 1464.  14th B & S Fisher/SEL 1463.  15th R Smethurst/ SEL 1462.  16th Holt Bros/OLD 1460.37.  17th Threlfall & Harris/OLD 1460.05.  18th G & G Bennett/SEL 1460.04.   On to Cheltenham on the 2nd August, 2008 when 99 members sent 1845 birds liberated at 1215 in a South West wind.  1st J & S Ward/OLD 1589.  2nd, 10th & 14th Threlfall & Harris/OLD 1586, 1577.82 & 1576.36.  3rd J Bardsley & Son/OLD 1583.  4th & 19th H Kenyon/OLD 1581 & 1572.61.  5th, 6th, 8th & 11th D James/OLD 1579.65, 1579.44, 1578.62 & 1577.79.  7th & 20th P Douglas/SEL 1578.91 & 1568.  9th Gavin Buckley/SEL 1578.21.  12th K Donnellan/OLD 1576.53.  13th A & G Phillips/OLD 1576.50.   15th & 18th A & S Hughes/SEL 1575 & 1572.92.  16th J Malone, Wragg & Malone/OLD 1573.57.  17th JG Taylor & Grandson/OLD 1573.51.

Cadishead FC/Joe Barton – The Club were at Wollaston on the 2nd August, 2008 when 2 members sent 62 birds liberated at 11am in a light South West wind.  Taking the first four positions was Wicker & Hardman, their first a Grizzle cock on 1530, a Blue hen on 1527, Blue cock on 1523 and fourth a Blue cock on 1340.  First two bird nom A Wicker £6, second two bird nom F Lloyd £4.  The Club was at Kempsey on the 9th August, 2008 when 6 members sent 140 birds liberated at 0820 in a South wind.  Taking the Red card was W Haslam & Son with a Blue cock on 1976.  Second & third P Duffy with a Cheq cock on 1905.85 followed by a Cheq cock on 1905.50.  AB Pools and first nom F Lloyd £27, second nom going to R King.

Cheadle Cheshire Flying Club/Glenn Moore – Racing from Lessay on the 20th July, 2008 the Club saw 7 members sending 58 birds, and at 0730 the birds were liberated into a light North East wind.  Taking 1st & 2nd club is George & Pat Smith, first in the clock timed in at 14:51:51 velocity 1156 with a Staf Van Reet Dark Chequer cock, the sire is a grandson of Pat’s Classic Cock and the dam is a Staf Van Reet and is a granddaughter out of George’s Dog lines.  2nd in the clock is a Cattrysse x Delbar Blue Chequer cock timed in at 15:02:42, velocity 1128.  The sire is a Cattrysse from Colin Lloyds from Cannock and the dam is a Delbar from the late JL Roberts from New Mills.  Taking 3rd & 4th club is Dave Benn.  1st in the clock timed in at 15:32:21 velocity 1039 is a yearling Blue Chequer cock bred off a chequer cock son of Patrick Brothers cock that had scored from Bordeaux, the hen was bred from Frank Kay’s stock.  2nd in the clock timed in at 15:36:25 velocity 1039:101 is a light Chequer cock bred off a Delbar hen and Dark 47 cock bred off Louella and club mates Dave Bowler & Gerry Toms partnership Van Wanroy.  On to Wollaston on the 26th July, 2008 when 7 club members sent 111 birds and at 10:00 hrs the birds were liberated.  Taking 1st, 2nd & 3rd for the first young bird race of the season is Mr & Mrs Palfreyman.   First in the clock timed in at 11:13:27 velocity 1524 is a Blue Chequer cock bred from their Charles Le Clerque lines, the sire has also bred previously a son who has had a 2nd & 3rd in the Combine and several other positions, also another son who has had several firsts, all these pigeons go back to Ugley our Le Clerque cock who had 8x1st and sired many Club & Fed winners when put to stock for us and also other people.  2nd in the clock timed in at 11:13:30 velocity 1523 is a Blue Chequer cock he is out of their old Combine winner a Le Clerque x Van Loon cross, the Van Loon is a daughter of their Mick McMurchie hen.  3rd in the clock timed in at 11:13:36 velocity 1521 is a Blue cock and is the nest mate to the winner above.  Taking 4th club is the very good partnership of Dave Bowler & Gerry Toms timing in at 11:14:05 velocity 1520with a Dark Chequer cock out of their very impressive stock of the old Jan Aarden blood lines.

On the 2nd August, 2008 the birds raced from Wollaston again when 9 club members sent 133 birds.  At 1030 the strings were cut and the birds were liberated in to a light South West wind.  Taking 1st, 3rd & 4th club once again for the second time on the trot is Mr& Mrs Palfreyman with their very fine team of birds.  First in the clock timed in at 11:40:07 velocity 1597 with a Chequer Pied hen which was a gift bird from their very good friend John Sweetman from London who sadly passed away earlier this year very unexpectedly.  Ron & Bev miss John’s visits very much and hope he was watching from above.  Taking 3rd club timed in at 11:40:49 velocity 1581 with a young Blue Bar hen bred out of their other Combine winners so her sire and grandsire have both topped the Combine.  Taking 4th club timed in at 11:40:55 velocity 1579 with a Dark Chequer hen this hen is out of their very best Charles Le Clerque blood lines that have produced winners after winners from the past right up to the present day.  Taking 2nd club is a very good friendship and partnership Dave Bowler & Gerry Toms timing in at 11:41:07 velocity 1583 with a Blue Bar hen bred from a Silver hen Jan Aarden crossed with a Blue Bar Dordin cock from Derek Allen of Wilmslow.  Finally on to Kempsey on the 9th August, 2008 when 9 members sent 133 birds and at 0730 the birds were liberated in to a light South West wind.  Taking 1st, 2nd & 3rd club is a strapping young man also the joker of the club the one and only the Dark Destroyer, Mark Smith & Son.  Taking 1st club clocking in at 08:50:47 velocity 1887 with a Dark Chequer hen she is a Janssen from Louella.  2nd in the clock time in at 08:50:59 velocity 1882 with a Dark Chequer Gaby Vandenabeele cock, this bird was a gift as an egg from Mark’s very good friend Anthony Coutts from Stockport Flying Club, a brother topped the North Cheshire Fed and was 4th Central Lancashire combine.  3rd club timed in at 08:51:13 velocity 1877 with another Dark Chequer cock this bird is also from Louella.  Taking 4th club is Billy Ellis timing in at 08:55:09 velocity 1828 with a Blue Bar hen, the blood line is to do with his strays the Heinz 57’s the secret of Billy’s birds is all in the recipe and this originates from the sire coming from Essex and the dam from TJ Smith from Scotland.  These birds have become the foundation of the loft and with the results Billy has had over the last couple of years he is a man to look out for over the coming seasons.

Cheshire Combine/Ken Burke – 74 members sent 586 birds to Lessay flown on the 20th July, 2008 and liberated at 0730 in a light North West wind.  1st & 16th E Taylor/Knutsford 1166 & 1098.25.  2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th & 19th Mr & Mrs C Turner/Crewe Prem 1149, 1115, 1114, 1109 & 1092.69.  3rd & 8th R Sutton/Holmes Chapel 1130 & 1112.  4th T Leather & Son/ Moulton 1116.94.  5th & 19th J Heath/Holmes Chapel 1116.93 & 1094.  9th & 14th J Donaldson/Runcorn New Town 1111 & 1099.47.  11th J Allbutt/ Sandbach 1107.  12th & 13th K Burke/Lostock 1102 & 1099.88.  15th & 17th D Wells/ Acton Bridge 1098.43 & 1096.  20th D Lawton/Crewe Prem 1092.19.  Club Birdage – Earlestown 9/66.  Weaverham 2/9.  Moulton 3/21.  Crewe Prem 6/55.  Middlewich FC 3/15.  Acton Bridge 1/6.  Sandbach 4/25.  Knutsford 1/10. Lostock 8/70.  Holmes Chapel 11/73.  Runcorn New Town 4/93.  Crewe W End 14/97.  Wettenhall 3/17.  Runcorn Dist 2/19.  Middlewich 5B 3/10.

Darwen HS/Chris Ainscough – On Saturday 9th August, 2008 and flying from Kempsey, 9 members sent 193 birds liberated at 0820 into a South West wind.  Enid’s words “heavy rain all the way should not have been liberated.”  This week instead of writing about the young bird losses and sitting there and taking in what members were saying about the young bird racing so far, I thought I would ask members their views, so here goes.  Views from Darwen Members – Brian Gudgeon has his say first, and all members agreed. Do they know they have now switched from old bird racing to young bird racing, the old birds would stand a chance of getting home in this sort of weather, having had experience, but the young birds are still learning and need some fine weather if they are to find their way home; some have a job getting home in good weather, never mind the torrential rain and winds, they are letting the birdsgo in.  A lot of timeand money goes into breeding, rearing, and trainingthe young uns to get them ready for the first race, and then you get someirresponsible person who decides to let them go when they should have been held.  It’s not only Darwen who are complaining about these libs but clubs all over are saying the same.  Bernard Clarke’s views next - he thinks theRace Controller is named Peter Pan, and wants to know if Peter was dreaming about some exotic holiday destination when he decided to liberate.  Jim Pickup hadn’t much to say on the matter because this week was his first race.  Keith & Kevin Rochelle didn’t send, and are glad they didn’t.  Chris Mather hadn’t much to say on the matter, as usual. Stephen & Janice agreed with everything that was said, and it must be very disheartening for any new starters, is it no wonder nobody wants to come into the sport?  Mick Riley is a new starter and didn’t like to say too much.  Ricky Chatburnhas lost nearly all his team and will be lucky to see the season out, and the same for Keith Howarth.  Now we’ve got that off our chest, there still was the crack, only this time it was aimed at Franco Ponti.  Kevin happened to point out thatFranco’s first bird was a Dark WF cock andeven though it hadn’t had many tosses,itdid come well.  Well spotted Kevin, and on that note we'll give you the result.  Old McDonald (Chris Mather) does it again with a Black cock flying 105 miles on 1743.  2nd Thornley & Kennedy with a Cheq hen flying 109 miles on 1700 picking up 1st Nom.  3rd Thornley & Kennedy with a Cheq cock on 1698 aren’t they doing well.  4th Franco Ponti’s Dark WF cock flying 109 miles on 1696.  This week was the start of the Young Bird KO.  The 2nd round will be Mather-v-Clarke and Ponti-v-Ainscough, and that’s our members moan for this week.  Till next week Ta ra.

Deane & Dist FC/Chris Ainscough – Saturday 9th August, 2008 flying from Kempsey 6 members sent 136 birds liberated at 8.20 into a South West wind.  1st race of the season and a good result W Haslam & Son with a Blue cock flying 101 miles on 1916.  2nd Mr & Mrs Lomax with a Blue hen flying 102 miles on 1899.  3rd & 4th W Haslam & Son with a Pied cock and a Blue cock on 1898 & 1897.  Good turn out this week lads, well done.

Droylsden Flying Club – No report received but a correction by Joe Barton to the details of Norman Johnson’s winning pigeon last week.  The youngster was bred as stated but was bought at the Hindley Green young bird sale and not at the T Horton sale.  The bird was bought by Joe Barton on Norman’s behalf and the breeder is M Haslam & Son (do you want to buy a young un off it Mick ha ha).

Eccles & Winton Homing Society/Jerry Thomas – Racing from Wollaston on the 26th July, 2008 the Club sent 25 birds from 3 members liberated at 10am in a variable wind.  1st, 2nd & 3rd A Nixon on 1475 with a Blue Cheq Janssen cock followed on 1462 by a Cheq Janssen cock and in third place on 1415 a Blue Van Loon hen.  4th E Newton & Son on 1376 with a Blue Van Loon hen in what turned out to be a good race.

Failsworth Flying Club/Jeanette Taylor – 5 members sent 124 birds to Kempsey with the North Cheshire Fed on Saturday 9th August, 2008.  Taking the first six positions is the partnership of JP & S Maylett, their first four birds doing 1974.77, 1974.37, 1973.98 and 1973.58.  No bird details to hand.

Frank Wright & Dave Sykes of Failsworth FC. 

Garstang HS/Isobel Billington – The Club saw 12 members sending 262 birds to Penkridge.  The birds were up at 12.30 in a South West wind.  Claiming 1st & 2nd positions was Stan Woods the Club Secretary, his birds recording 1411 & 1409.  Well done Stan you really know how to work your T3’s.  In 3rd & 4th places was Ken Galt on 1402 and 1394.  The nom bird was won by Ian Peddar.

Heath Charnock FC/Jimmy Caldwell – Racing from Wollaston 12 members sent 242 birds.  1st D Downs on 1440.  2nd E Little & Son on 1432.  3rd J Nolan on 1426 and 4th F Whittle & Son on 1426.

Hindley & District Mid Week/Barrie Rhoden – 4 members sent 44 birds to Wollaston on the 6th August, 2008 liberated at 0815 in a light South West wind.  1st & 3rd Barton Bros on 1451 Cheq C & 1439 Cheq H.  2nd & 4th T Wills on 1446 Cheq H & 1438 Blue H.  Pools payout was Barton Bros £6.20, T Wills £8 and S Robinson 80p.

Hindley Green Homing Society/Barrie Rhoden – Racing from Kempsey on the 9th August, 2008 the club had 7 members sending 57 birds liberated at 0820 in a South wind.  1st & 3rd D Skinner on 1681 Blue H and 1668 Blue C.  2nd Barton Bros on 1670 with a Smokey Blue H and 4th N Bramhall on 1481 with a Blue H.  Pools payout was Barton Bros £22, N Bramhall £4 and C Crompton £6.

Hindley Homing Society/Powder Blue – 5 members sent 85 birds to Wollaston (2) flown on the 2nd August, 2008 and liberated at 1145 in a South West wind.  1st & 2nd Kevin Flatley on 1453 White Hen followed on 1442 by a Blue Hen.  3rd & 4th Colin Crompton on 1431 with a Blue Hen and 1426 Blue Cock.  Well done “Ace” Kev Flatley taking 1st & 2nd pooled all through and 1st S/N.  Also Colin Crompton 3rd & 4th pooled A/T.  My old friend still keeps pulling the S/N out, Siddy Robbie at 75 years young.  Well done Sid.

Leigh & DHS/Joe Barton – Racing from Kempsey on the 9th August, 2008 the birds were liberated at 0815 in a South wind with 2 members sending 19 birds.  Taking the Red card and also second was R Parry & Son with a Cheq cock on 1286 followed by a Cheq Pied hen on 1167.  Third was Alan Edwards with a Blue Grizzle hen on 926.  There was no fourth prize but with only two members sending the fourth went to A Edwards with only three birds on the Fed and Combine result.

Leigh Mid Week/Joe Barton – On the 6th August, 2008 the Club raced from Wollaston (2) when 5 members sent 60 birds liberated at 0815 in a light South wind.  Taking the Red card was Alan Outram with a Blue cock on 1537.  Second & third was Mr & Mrs F Hilton & Son, their first a Cheq hen on 1564 followed by a Cheq cock on 1536.  Fourth going to Mr & Mrs D Carter with a Cheq cock on 1428.  There was a shield put on this race donated by Florence the wife of Lenny Owen who passed away twelve months to the race date.  There was also a trophy on the week before being the Saturday club which was won by Mr & Mrs F Hilton & Son.  Florence is not at fault on the trophy race, it was a Benzing clock that was stopped, set at 5.45 the strike went at 5.47 which put the Benzing two minutes slow.  On race day the master was struck and I advised Florence to add two minutes to the Benzing as I was on the master timer which is a dead clock (T3).  Florence with being a novice asked a Club & Fed Secretary of long standing to make sure she has the result correct.  Each race since the death of Lenny she kept the Sec going because no member would take the job.  The result as I have it for print shows the Benzing as the winner and the true winner second.  If this result went to Janet Hull the New Lancs Fed Secretary that will put the Fed result wrong on overfly.  As I was clock man on the race it was done by the book, there was two Benzing set on the night, the other member was happy about the two minutes being added, end of story.

Lostock FC/Ken Burke – Racing from Swainswick (1) on the 26th July 8 members sent 102 birds.  1st S Herbert & Son on 1466 with a Dark Cheq C.  2nd & 4th R Kent on 1464 Cheq Pied C and 1462.12 Cheq H.  3rd J Smith on 1462.43 with a Cheq C.  On to Swainswick (2) on the 2nd August, 8 members sent 105 birds.  1st R Kent on 1407 with a Cheq H.  2nd K Burke on 1388 with a Blue Pied C.  3rd J Lambert on 1386 with a Cheq Pied H and 4th K Burke on 1385 with a Blue Pied C.

Marton Village HS/Frank Fleming – On the 2nd August, 2008 and racing from Penkridge (2) 15 Members sent 385 Birds.  Terry Eves & Frank Fleming take the first four prizes plus pools clocking them within four seconds of each other in their first race of the season.  The season looked as though it had finished early for the partnership when after 16 training tosses their birds were suddenly struck down with a ferocious virus.  From training 70 youngsters they were eventually left with 24 it also finished 7 stock birds off in the process.  After seven heartbreaking weeks the decision was made, with the first race already gone, they gave it two weeks for a make or break effort.  Training began at 10 miles twice a day the first week, then progressed to 20 miles am and 10 miles pm.  The youngsters started to pull through very slowly, in the latter half of the second week and at the end of the week it was looking a lot better, so they decided with tongue in cheek to send to the third race from Penkridge approximately 83 miles.  At this stage normally they would have had at least 80 to 90 training tosses.  Well as you can see with the result they were delighted to see that everything seems to be okay.  The lesson to learn from this is never give up, we nearly did, and with a bit of luck things come right.  The first three birds were from their Linderlauf stock from Stuart Knowles of Widnes.  The 4th bird was their breeder buyer bred by the Ace Rochdale fanciers Tony & Simon Hughes, a new cross that Simon and Tony are trying.  David Farrell has the nest mate from the sale.  5th Prize was taken by Paul Ellis he has flown very well this season with his birds and should feature regularly in the next few races.  6th Prize for Alan Cornwall & Steve Ellis (Cornell Lofts) they continue to maintain their high standards with their youngsters purchased from Nigel Laycock of Doncaster these being the “Limburg x De Roué Sablon” stock.  Jim Mather will be buying the drinks from his pools win this week.

Middleton & DHS/Budgie Crathorne – Details of our Young bird and Old Hens races from Kempsey – Firstly young birds when 13 members sent 221 birds liberated in a light South wind.  1st Anderson& Wragg, 97m 1107y, velocity 1918.  2nd Stan Yates, 98m 1417y, 1906.  3rd Brian Edwards, 98m 170y, 1901.  4thJ Wood & Son, 100m 40y, 1892.  On to Old Hens when 6 members sent 52 birds in a light South wind.  1st & 2nd Anderson & Wragg, 97m 1107y, 1898 & 1893.  3rd D Heaphy, 96m 1747y, 1858.  4th Brian Edwards, 98m 170y, 1856.

Moorclose Flying Club/Dave Sykes – On the 12th July, 2008 the club raced from Niort with 6 members sending 38 birds, liberated at 0620 in a North West wind.  1st J Hindley on 1130 with a Busschaert which was also 8th North Cheshire Fed.  2nd & 3rd D Sykes on 1104 with a Chequer Jan Aarden cock taking 9th North Cheshire Fed followed on 1068 by a Cheq Pied Jan Aarden cock which was 13th North Cheshire Fed.  4th Mr & Mrs D Crosdale on 821 with a Busschaert taking 19th North Cheshire Fed.  These four pigeons were all day birds.  The Club’s Old Bird Averages were won by the following – Old Bird Inland winner S Yates on 1387.  Runner up DT Sykes on 1368.  Old Bird Channel Averages winner DT Sykes on 1234, Runner up J Hindley on 1231.  Combined Old Bird Averages winner DT Sykes on 1310, Runner up Mr & Mrs D Crosdale on 1310.  Well done to the winners.

On to the first young bird race of the season on the 26th July, 2008 when 3 members sent 85 birds to Wollaston, liberated at 1045 in a variable wind.  Stan Yates takes the first four positions with his Specials on 1512 Blue H, 1507 Blue C, 1500 Blue H and 1492 Blue Pied H.  Well done Stan.  Back at Wollaston again on the 2nd August, 2008 when 5 members sent 123 birds liberated at 1230 in a West South West wind.  Taking the Red card again is AS Yates on 1485 with a Cheq Janssen hen bred by Colin Russell (not one of Stan’s Specials for a change).  2nd J Hindley on 1475 with a Busschaert.  3rd K Tweedy with a Blue Pied Busschaert cock on 1471.  4th Stan Yates with one of his specials on 1461.

New Lancashire Federation/Alan Buckley – 28 members sent 180 birds to Lessay for the Jimmy Dickens Memorial Race flown on the 20th July, 2008.  1st, 2nd, 4th & 8th Mr & Mrs J Dickens/ Atherton on 1167 Blue H, 1166 Blue Pied C, 1124.07 Blue H & 1115.31 Blue H.  3rd, 6th & 9th Chadwick Bros/Hindley Green HS 1133 Blue WFC, 1115.92 Mealy C & 1076 Blue C.  5th K Smith/Hindley Green 1124.04 Cheq H.  7th C Crompton/Hindley Green 1115.83 Blue C.  10th R Parry & Son/Leigh & DHS 1069 Cheq Pied C.  On to Wollaston YB1 flown on the 26th July, 2008 when 25 members sent 308 birds liberated at 0900 in a light variable wind.  1st & 6th W Parker/Old Lodge HS 1410 Blue C & 1405.22 BLG C.  2nd N Bramhall/Hindley Green 1408 White C.  3rd W Pearson & G.Son/Old Lodge 1407 H.  4th, 7th & 9th N Wadeson/Old Lodge 1405.87 Blue H, 1403.59 Blue H & 1401 Cheq C.  5th R Parry & Son/Leigh & DHS 1405.25 Blue Pied H.  8th Barton Bros/Hindley Green 1403.43 Slatey H.  10th D Woodward/Lymm FC 1398 Blue C.

Norden Village RPC/Chris Corfield - Wollaston on the 2nd August, 2008 when 9 members sent 217 birds liberated into a West South Westerly wind.  Taking first place is Ashcroft, Watson & Pickup with a Vandenabeele cock.  Second place goes to R & R Norton with a Soontjen cock.  Third and fourth goes to D Farrall with two Berendonk a cock & hen.  Cash nom prizes 1st Krasowski & Rose, 2nd R & R Norton, 3rd Brandon, Culshaw & Brandon and 4th Barber & Hilson.  The next race on the 9th August, 2008 was from Kempsey andNorth Cheshire Fed stickingwith the programme date of Saturday as a few organisations elected to mark Saturday for a Sunday lib.  Anyway10 members sent 191 birds liberated into a light South Wind and a fast race ensued.  D Farrall winning on 1947 with a Berendonk & Marcelis cock.  Second and third Brandon, Culshaw & Brandon with 2 Soontjens, fourth place going to new member W Cockin with a Busschaert widow cock.  Cash nom prizes go to 1st D Farrall, 2nd J Leigh, 3rd W Cockin and 4th C & L Corfield.

Oldham Federation/Phil Murray – 9 Clubs, 61 members sent 1188 birds to Kempsey on the 26th July, 2008 liberated at 1230 in a light variable wind.  1st & 2nd J & S Ward/Ashton on 1484.49 & 1484.28.  3rd, 4th & 9th Slicker, Croston & Slicker/Shaw 1480, 1479 & 1458.  5th & 10th H Kenyon/Ashton 1477 & 1457.  6th J Wood & Son/Shaw 1466.  7th Holt Bros/Shaw 1460.37.  8th Threlfall & Harris/ Oldham 1460.05.  Club winners – Ashton 5/148 J & S Ward.  Dane Bank 4/32 R Casey.  Denton 5/65 A Partridge.  Droylsden 9/132 J Smith & Son.  Hartshead 5/86 J Newall.  Hollinwood 4/58 P Brennan.  Oldham 8/125 Threlfall & Harris.  Shaw 12/392 Slicker, Croston & Slicker.  Sunny Bros 9/150 Frost & McGrory.

On to Cheltenham on the 2nd August, 2008 when 62 members sent 1080 birds, liberated at 1215 in a South West wind.  1st J & S Ward/Ashton 1589.  2nd & 8th Threlfall & Harris/Oldham 1586 & 1577.82.  3rd J Bardsley & Son/Hartshead 1583.  4th H Kenyon/Ashton 1581.  5th, 6th, 7th & 9th D James/Shaw 1579.65, 1579.44, 1578 & 1577.79.  10th K Donnellan/Oldham 1576.  Club winners – Ashton 5/130 J & S Ward.  Dane Bank 3/66 A & G Phillips.  Denton 7/120 J Donnelly.  Droylsden 8/106 NE Johnson.  Hartshead 6/65 J Bardsley & Son.  Hollinwood 3/36 D Whitehead.  Oldham 9/122 Threlfall & Harris.  Shaw 12/317 D James.  Sunny Brow 9/118 Malone, Wragg & Malone.

Oldham Flying Club/Sam Whitworth – 8 members sent 125 birds to Kempsey on the 26th July, 2008 liberated at 1230 in a light variable wind.  1st, 2nd & 4th Threlfall & Harris on 1460, 1425 & 1395.  Splitting the partnership up is the two Bennett Brothers on 1398.  On to Cheltenham on the 2nd August, 2008 when 9 members sent 122 birds liberated at 1215 in a South West wind.  Taking 1st and 2nd again is the partnership of Threlfall & Harris on 1586 and 1577, also taking 4th & 5th positions on 1576.36 and 1548.  Splitting the team up this week is K Donnellan on 1576.53.  Very well done to Alan & Peter on taking 1st & 2nd for three weeks running.

Phoenix Flying Club/Ivan Byrne – Phoenix were back at Penkridge for the second of their id week races on the 30th July, 2008 when 10 members sent 180 club birds.  Taking pole position is Ivan Byrne with a Gaby Vandenabeele/Van Elsacker Des Coulter youngster.  2nd Shaun Horrocks with a Barker youngster.  3rd Andy Harrison, Andy tells me this is the youngest bird in his loft, just stopped squeaking.  There were a lot of empty perches at night fall.  Phoenix was at Wollaston on the 2nd August, 2008 when 5 members sent 60 birds for the second Saturday race.  This was the 4th race for a lot of the youngsters with the mid week in process.  Andy Harrison puts his third winner in the clock, a Rene Neuwelaert youngster.  In 2nd spot is Ivan Byrne with a Des Coulter young cock named after one of the younger club members Toby because it never stops running about!  In 3rd is Andy Harrison with another Rene Neuwelaert.

Prestwich DHS/Chris Carter – Racing from Kempsey the birds were liberated at 745 in a light South West wind.  1st & 2nd Moran & Goodall on 1937 & 1897.  3rd S & G Thompson on 1886.  4th Jack White on 1875.

Radcliffe DHS/Steve Green – Wollaston 2 saw 5 members send 109 birds liberated at 1030 into a South West wind.  1st and back to winning ways were A & C Fieldingwith a Blue Staf Van Reet hen on 1572.  2nd A & C Fielding with a Cheq Janssen hen on 1562.  3rd Mr & Mrs Jefferson with a White cock doing 1558.  4th Mr & Mrs Jefferson with a pied cock on 1550.  1st pools & 1st league cup went to Mr & Mrs Jefferson with A & C Fielding taking the Nom. The winning bird was verified by Steve Green & Mick Speakman.

Racing from Kempsey when 7 members sent 133 birds that were liberated at 0730 into a light South West wind.  Taking the first three positions were A & C Fielding the first a Blue Janssen hen doing 1882 followed by a Blue Janssen cock on 1868 and third another Blue Janssen cock doing 1865 and taking 4th Steve Hamer with a Dark Arsene Deschact cock on 1859.  A & C Fielding also cleaned up taking 1st League Cup, 1st Pools and the nom.  Well done.  The winning bird was verified by Steve Green and Mick Speakman.

Rawson Mid Week Flying Club/Mary Green - Rawson Midweek Flying Club raced fromWollaston (1) where 9 members sent 90 birds.  Due to the weather forecast not being too good the birds were liberated at 0745 into a South West wind.  First, second and fourth were Shipperbottom Brothers with two Cheq hens and a Mealy Pied hen with velocities of 1518, 1517 and 1496.  In third place was Paul Riley with Blue cock on a velocity of 1513, also winning £1.00 pools.  Good race,  good returns.

Rochdale DHS/Simon Hughes – The Club had 11 members sending 312 birds to Swainswick being away at 9am into a South South West wind a fast race was on the cards. Mandy Turner and her partner John timed the winner after 2hrs 25mins on 1830.4, one of their Staf Van Reet young hens sent sitting 10 day eggs doing the biz for the partnership, and looking good to top the Amal.  In 2nd is A & S Hughes with an M & D Evans Vandenabeele on 1821, a full brother to their good cock "Rooney". In 3rd & 4th is Gavin & Glyn Buckley with a Henry Gray Vandenabeele and a self bred Braspenning/Elsacker on 1817 and 1816.5.

Skelmersdale HS/Les Seddon – Here is the result for the 10th August, 2008 from Cheltenham 1.  1st Les Seddon on 1786 with a Gaby x Janssen, the Gaby comes from Mr G O’Hare and B Taylor x with a Gaby hen off L Mathews from Coventry.  The Janssen is out of my old Camphuis hen, cheers lads.  2nd G O’Hare & B Taylor on 1776 with aJanssen out of their old line crossed with a Camphuis x Rietvink off Steve Maylett of Manchester.  Geoff and Bob would like to say a big thank you to Steve cheers mate.  3rd it’s those lads again G O’Hare & B Taylor on 1773 with a Len Hopton off Andy Cridlandfrom Devon.  The lads would like to say thank you to Andy cheers mate.  4th Dave Holmes on 1758 with a Rietvink x Eijerkamp Bartoli off Mr & Mrs Greenhalgh of Garstang and Graham Rodricks of South Wales.  Dave said he is building a bigger stock loft next year so come on Graham, Phil and Margaret keep them coming cheers.

South East Lancs Fed/Janet Campbell – 38 members sent 904 birds to Kempsey on the 26th July, 2008 liberated at 1230 in a variable wind.  1st P Hardman/Rochdale 1479.56.  2nd, 3rd, & 4th G Buckley/Rochdale 1479.11, 1477, 1476.  5th & 6th P Douglas/Rochdale 1470, 1465.  7th I Walker/Heywood 1464.  8th B & S Fisher/Rochdale 1463.  9th R Smethurst/Heywood 1462.  10th G & G Bennett/Rochdale 1460.  Club winners – Todmorden 6/200 Winterbottom & Pomfret.  Spotland 4/49 J Warburton.  Heywood 9/213 I Walker.  Littleborough 4/53 B Bourke.  Whitworth 2/50 T Whitworth & Son.  Rochdale 8/225 P Hardman.  Castleton 5/114 M Fleming.  On to Cheltenham on the 2nd August, 2008 when 37 members sent 765 birds liberated at 1215 in a South West wind.  1st, 5th & 9th P Douglas/Rochdale 1578.91, 1568.84, 1566.30.  2nd Gavin Buckley/Rochdale 1578.21.  3rd, 4th & 6th A & S Hughes/Rochdale 1575, 1572 & 1568.17.  7th H Gray/Rochdale 1567.  10th J & P Walker/Heywood 1560.  Club winners – Todmorden 4/81 P Williams.  Spotland 3/29 J Warburton.  Heywood 11/255 J & P Walker.  Littleborough 4/45 B Bourke.  Whitworth 2/40 T Whitworth & Son.  Rochdale 9/250 P Douglas.  Castleton 4/65 M Fleming.

South Lancashire Combine/Alan Buckley – 43 members sent 298 birds to Lessay (2) on the 20th July, 2008 liberated at 0730 in a North West wind.  1st, 2nd, 4th & 8th Mr & Mrs Dickens/ New Lancs Fed on 1167 Blue H, 1166 Blue Pied C, 1124.07 Blue H, 1115.31 Blue H.  3rd, 6th, 11th & 14th Chadwick Bros/New Lancs 1133 Blue Pied C, 1115.92 Mealy C, 1076, 1076 Blue C & 1068 Cheq C.  5th K Smith/New Lancs 1124.04 Cheq H.  7th K Crompton/New Lancs 1115.83 Blue C.  9th C Mather/Atherton 1114 Cheq C.  10th K Nuttall/Atherton 1084 Mealy C.  12th & 20th Mr Ponti/Atherton 1070 Blue C & 1043 Blue C.  13th R Parry & Son/New Lancs 1069 Cheq Pied C.  15th C Ainscough/Atherton 1058 Blue C.  16th M Joy/New Lancs 1056 Mealy C.  17th A Outram/ New Lancs 1055 Cheq H.  18th T Pike/Atherton 1053 Pied C.  19th Mr & Mrs Lomax/Atherton 1046 Blue H.  Federation winners – Atherton 14/107 C Mather.  New Lancs 28/180 Mr & Mrs Dickens.  Warrington 1/11 F Lloyd.

On to the first young bird race on the 26th July, 2008 from Wollaston when 36 members sent 468 birds liberated at 0900 in a variable wind.  1st W Parker/New Lancs Fed 1410 Blue C.  2nd  & 20th N Bramhall/New Lancs 1408 White C & 1360 Cheq H.  3rd & 13th W Pearson & G.Son/New Lancs 1407 H & 1389.30 H.  4th, 7th & 9th N Wadeson/New Lancs 1405.87 Blue H, 1403.59 Blue C & 1401 Cheq C.  5th R Parry & Son/New Lancs 1405.25 Blue Pied H.  6th, 15th &18th W Parker/New Lancs 1405.22 Blue C, 1384 Blue H & 1364 H.  8th Barton Bros/New Lancs 1403.43 Slatey H.  10th D Woodward/New Lancs 1398 Blue C.  11th D Skinner/New Lancs 1396 Cheq C.  12th & 14th T Fleming/New Lancs 1390 Cheq C & 1389.05 Blue Pied C.  16th N Mulraney/New Lancs 1371 Cheq C.  17th T Pike/Atherton 1369 Blue H.  19th Mr Clarke/Atherton 1361 Cheq H.     Federation winners – Atherton 11/160 T Pike.  New Lancs 25/308 W Parker.  Warrington – no birds sent.

St Annes HS/Frank Fleming – On the 2nd August, 2008 racing from Penkridge (2), 9 members sent 171 birds.  Les Barrow dominating the result this week his first bird a Blue cock is a home bred Staf Van Reet from stock obtained from Keith Arnold of Warwickshire, his second just two yards behind from the same stock.  The 4th prize bird a Blue W/F hen a Vandenabeele from his M & D Evans “Jack the Lad lines”.  In third position the ever consistent David Morrison with a cock bred from a Cheq cock (Janssen x Staf Van Reet) from Les Barrow paired to his own very good Red Hen of the Marcelis strain.  Nice to see newcomer S Elder creeping up the ladder in sixth spot it should encourage him immensely.  Les Barrow wins the Single Bird Nom.  No winner in the Pontoon C/fwd.  Brian Ingham wins the Loft Prize £17.10, No.6.  S Elder wins the West Side Section well done. Yet again all the birds came from the North.

Three Counties Combine/Ken Burke – 632 members sent 4041 birds to Messac flown on the 29th June, 2008.  1st W Beech/Cheshire Combine 1489.  2nd J Wood & Son/Central Lancs Combine 1486.  3rd W Ellis/CLC 1465.  4th & 11th J Corris/CLC 1454 & 1450.68.  5th & 19th V Dace/CLC 1452.44 & 1446.22.  6th PB Clare/CLC 1452.40.  7th, 8th & 18th Barber & Hilson/Lancs Comb 1451.38, 1451.28 & 1446.26.  9th Taylor & Pollestretti/Lancs Comb 1451.24.  10th Hill & Gilligan/CLC 1450.80.  12th E Taylor/CC 1450.37.  13th AS Yates/CLC 1448.74.  14th B & S Fisher/Lancs Comb 1448.45.  15th G McKay/CLC 1447.89.  16th Read & Gant/Lancs Comb 1447.61.  17th Mr & Mrs C Turner/CC 1447.08.  20th R Davies & Son/CLC 1446.08.  Combine Birdage – Central Lancs 326/2058.  Cheshire Comb 145/749.  Lancashire Comb 147/1130.  Two Counties Comb 14/104.

Tyldesley Invitation Club/Joe Barton – The Club were at Wollaston (2) on the 26th July, 2008 when 4 members sent 48 birds liberated at 9am in a light variable wind.  Taking the Red card was N Mulraney on 1371 with a Cheq cock.  Second and third was Eric Whittle, his first a Cheq hen on 1336 followed by a Blue cock on 1324.  Fourth card went to B Lonie with a Pied cock on 1287.  The Club was at Kempsey on the 9th August, 2008 when 6 members sent 112 birds liberated at 0820 in a South wind.  Again taking the Red card was N Mulraney with a Cheq cock on 1902.  Again no change and taking the second card was Eric Whittle with a Blue cock on 1637.  Third going to R King with a Cheq cock on 1614 and fourth E Whittle with a Blue hen on 1594.  Roland splitting his run, let’s hope the hat trick comes in next week.

Whitworth HS/John Martindale – Racing from Swainswick when 3 members sent 45 the birds were up at 9am into a brisk South West wind.  The winning birds arrived in a torrential downpour with John Martindale taking first and second with a couple of Poulman youngsters.  In third with a Van Loon is Terry Whitworth & Son with John Martindale taking fourth with a Janssen/De Weerdt.

Wythenshawe HS/Mike Brennan – Racing from Kempsey on the 9th August, 2008 the birds were released at 0730 in a South West wind.  Royal Oak Lofts taking the first three, 1st a Cheq Koopman hen.  2nd a Blue W/f cock own Peter Van Der Merwe stock.  Third was a Red brother to the mid week winner.

Wythenshawe Town FC 5 Bird Club/Mike Brennan – The Club were at Wollaston when 7 members sent35 birds.  Top spot goes to Royal Oak Lofts with a Red Pied Van Thielen which was 4th last weekend winning £70.  Second was Al Nixon winning £40.  Third was Royal Oak Lofts with the hen which won last Saturday winning £30 plus the £2nom.

Denton Homing Society will be holding a Gold Ring race on the 10th September, 2008 from Portland.  Open to anybody flying 190 miles and over, the rings are £5 each with a maximum of 15 rings per loft.  The race is on a Wednesday and the birds to arrive in the Denton area at approximately 5pm.  Last years race was won by A & S Hughes who picked up £1,700, not bad racing against just 230 birds.  To obtain an entry form please ring Alan Partridge on 0161-336-7755 or contact any member of Denton HS.

Tommy Chorlton, Lancashire Nantes Secretary.

As usual, news, views and anything else to me, Jeanette Taylor, 20 Warwick Road, Failsworth, Manchester M35 0QQ.  Thanks to everyone for the photographs you have been sending in, keep them coming, if you are sending photos in can you include them as an attachment and not part of the report.  Unfortunately I cannot guarantee they will all be included due to space restrictions but I will submit them when possible.  Don’t forget to let me have your club results/write ups the deadline is Sunday night for the following week’s column; I can include the first four for a Club, ten for a Fed and 20 for an Amal or Combine.  Thank you for your continued support.  My email address is jeanette@oasislofts.freeserve.co.uk or phone/fax to 0161-684-8889.