LANCASHIRE NEWS

Hi everyone, welcome to Lancashire Life.   A mixed bag of weather last week with heavy rain, thunder and lightning and then a glorious day on Sunday with warm sun on our backs for the first time in ages.  My youngsters haven’t had any further races since the disaster at Wollaston and as the distance is now at 140 miles then 204 I’ve decided not to bother with racing and will just continue to train them up for next year.  One of them returned from that race on Saturday under its own steam looking okay just a bit dirty so perhaps there’s some hope for the ones I’ve got left.  It must have joined up with the race birds and decided to make its way home; I will soon have it back to full fitness once it’s had a good feed and a few baths.  We had a good race in both of my Federations though for the last two weeks, the first week they were both at Cheltenham and were liberated 15 minutes apart and yet the birds in Oldham Fed had a better velocity than those in the North Cheshire Fed who went up first.  How do you work that one out?  The theory at the club the following week was that the Oldham birds were spurred on by the sound of the North Cheshire birds being liberated and then raced faster to catch them up.  What do you think?  They all raced in the same conditions from the same race point but there was quite a difference in their velocities.  I wonder if it would be any better for the birds if they were all liberated together when they are at the same race point, provided of course they are all coming back to the same area.  Something else to ponder on and debate when the season ends, which by the way is only two weeks away after this week’s race.

Ann & Steve Nichols of Marton HS. 

The final young bird race will be from Picauville with the Lancashire Combine, which has been changed from Lessay due to their being some kind of event on that weekend.  I wouldn’t have sent my youngsters to France anyway I never do but I know that for some this will be a race to relish and to really test the ability of their youngsters homing and racing instincts.  Something which Bilco brought up recently was the suggestion that we only breed from our race birds as the homing instinct in youngsters bred from stock that never race seems to be diminishing.  Our youngsters are bombarded with all kinds of interference from phone masts and signals and every other kind of electrical activity which surely must affect their ability to home.  I suppose as he suggests, birds that are racing now and coping with all these hurdles are the ones who have proven their ability to sort through the mass of diversions which take them away from home and sometimes in the complete opposite direction.  It can’t all be clashing so what’s the answer.

One bird that had no problem in reaching home last week was the hen belonging to Ken Mills, a member of my club and Middleton who had entered an old hen and young cock for the race from Guernsey with the BICC  Ken’s hen made the journey in 6 hours and 40 minutes taking 1st Section and provisional 11th Open.  The young cock returned after 6 hours 44 minutes so these two pigeons deserve an extra treat for such gallant performances.  I know Ken’s somewhat shy (yeah right) but hopefully I might get him to pose for the camera with his winning hen.  Well done Ken on a terrific performance.  Another big Open race was the Bamford’s Gold Ring from Poole which a lot of local fanciers like to enter.  I don’t have any details of the winners yet because it’s Sunday night and the race is tomorrow (Bank Holiday Monday) but I’m told it is very well run and I know it’s well supported so good luck for everyone entering.

I was thinking of Karen James and her chickens last week when I made a trip to the garden centre.  Feeling fed up I decided to go and have a mooch around to see if there was any nice plants on offer as the border looks like a jungle and I just haven’t had time to sort it with the hospital visits and the birds to look after.  Anyway I couldn’t find anything I liked so after looking at the budgies and small animals and fish inside, I wandered outside to see what was on offer and there was a pen in the middle of the outdoor plants with a few Red hens in one section and some Cockerels in the other.  Don’t ask me what kind they were (Karen’s the expert she would have known right away), anyway not having had any contact with a chicken close up before I was surprised at how big they were especially the males with enormous feet!  I could just imagine trying to get a ring on that but when I saw the mess they were making on the grass I thought no, chickens are definitely not for me.  I don’t think they would last long round here anyway with the number of foxes we’ve got which are regular visitors to the garden and the wood down at the bottom.   We found a tiny shrew outside the front door on Sunday (dead of course) obviously a victim of the local cat (grrrr) but I couldn’t believe how tiny it was with a little pointed nose, I bet there’s all sorts of wildlife out there we never see.

Accrington & DHS/Dave Stuttard – In the race from Kempsey 8 members sent 79 birds liberated at 0830 in a strong South wind.  Top spot this week goes to Joe “The Jolly Geordie” aka Mr & Mrs Slattery with a Blue W/F Flor Engels hen doing 1745ypm.  Bill Bentley & Son take the next two places with two of their Haslingden Specials, their first bird is a Cheq hen on 1733 and their second bird was a Red cock doing 1728.  In fourth place is Lawrence “The Quiet Man” Eddisford with a Blue cock on 1724, no more info on this bird.

Ashton-under-Lyne Flying Club/Harry Kenyon – 4 members sent 77 birds to Swainswick on the 23rd August, 2008 liberated at 1030 in a light South West wind.  Taking 1st & 3rd is J & S Ward on 1673 with a Peter Van Der Merwe followed on 1670 by a Wall, Lunt & Green x D Hewitt.  2nd & 4th is H Kenyon on 1672 with a Van De Rhee x Busschaert/Fauconnier followed by a Wal Zoontjen x Gaby on 1664.

Atherton & District Fed/Chris Ainscough – Saturday 16th August, 2008 and flying from Cheltenham, 16 members sent 341 birds liberated at 0710 into a South East wind.  1st Chris Ainscough/Darwen with a Cheq cock flying 124 miles on 1796 (Well done Chris, Jeanette).  2nd W Haslam & Son/Deane with a Blue hen flying 117 miles on 1792.  3rd Alan Wicker/Deane with a Blue cock flying 117 miles on 1783.  4th W Haslam & Son with a Cheq hen on 1781.  Well done everyone.

Barnoldswick Prem RPC/Paul Taylor - Hi and welcome to Barnoldswick Prem young bird result for the 23rd August, 2008.  With Gordon Thompson taking home the Red card last week could anyone else get that all important Red card and overall clinchthe young bird averages?

Well we were atSwainswick and another good racing day was to be had with the birdslet loose at 1030am into a light South West wind, and the results are as follows:  1st Mr & Mrs Pennington on 1639.  2nd P & B Taylor on 1636.  3rd P & B Taylor on 1634.  4th Mr & Mrs Pennington on 1608.  Well done to the flying Pennington’s Top Bombing and again another fancier taking home the Red card this weekand boy it certainly is a Red hot card and takes some keeping hold of.  Winning the nom this week was the partnership of Mark & John Barnes, The Flying Barnes and the nom specialists.  I’d love to see young Mark take a Red card home soonand I’ve got a feeling it will happen one day.  Well in the end a good race with good returns and the race dominated by the hens with the top five being all young hens, roll on next week.

Blackburn & District Federation/Diane Slattery – Well done to Sanderson & Ramshead at Padiham, having a great young bird season.  Congratulations also go to Mr & Mrs Eddisford at Accy, John Parker at Clitheroe, Wheatcroft & Hodder at Great Harwood, Mr Burrows at Bentham, Lee Dawson (newly married, congratulations) at Ossy, and Mr Tommy Norgrove at Chatburn.  Well the Lollipop Man had another reasonable race although his Dad beat him.  He went down to the One Loft Race final today.  The pigeon he put in for the local schoolwas the second school back so it has only won two cups not three. I had a lovely peaceful day unfortunately it ended when he came back!  On to the result – 54 members sent 862 birds to Kempsey flown on the 23rd August, 2008 and librated at 1045 in a light variable wind.  1st, 6th & 7th Sanderson & Ramshead/Padiham HS on 1616 Cheq C, 1607 Blue C and 1606 Cheq C.  2nd Mr & Mrs Eddisford/Accrington & Dist on 1614 Dark Grizzle C.  3rd & 9th J Sudderick/Padiham 1611 Cheq C & 1603 Mealy C.  4th Mr & Mrs JW Slattery/Accrington 1608.92 Blue W/F H.  5th P Robinson & Son/Padiham 1608.64 Blue C.  8th J Parker/Clitheroe HS 1604 Blue C.  10th G Williams/Padiham 1602.93 Cheq H.  Club winners – Accrington & DHS 13/176 Mr & Mrs Eddisford.  Bentham HS 4/115 G Burrow.  Chatburn HS 5/37 T Norgrove.  Clitheroe HS 6/95 J Parker.  Great Harwood HS 8/146 DW Wheatcroft & Hodder.  Oswaldtwistle HS 7/68 Lee Dawson.  Padiham HS 11/225 Sanderson & Ramshead.

Border Amalgamation/Jeanette Taylor – 93 members sent 1646 birds to Swainswick on the 10th August, 2008 liberated at 9am in a South West wind.  Topping the Amal this week is John Turner from Rochdale flying with the South East Lancs Fed, well done John.  1st J Turner/ South East Lancs Fed 1830.  2nd, 8th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th & 20th A & S Hughes/SEL 1821, 1814.26, 1813.64, 1812.83, 1812.22, 1811 & 1809.  3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th & 12th G Buckley/Rochdale 1817, 1816, 1814.86, 1813.68 & 1813.27.  6th & 7th Slicker, Croston & Slicker/Oldham Fed 1814.62 & 1814.41.  11th Winterbottom & Pomfret/SEL 1813.29.  16th, 17th, 18th & 19th H Kenyon/OLD 1810.46 x 2, 1810.24 & 1810.03.  Federation winners – South East Lancs 39/760 J Turner/Rochdale.  Oldham Fed 54/886 Slicker, Croston & Slicker.

In the Amal race from Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008, 144 members sent 2545 birds liberated at 0745 in a South West wind.  Taking the honours is A & S Hughes of Rochdale flying with the South East Lancs Fed, well done to Tony & Simon.  1st, 4th & 13th A & S Hughes/SEL 1806, 1801 & 1794.29.  2nd, 5th & 12th Wolfenden & O’Neill/Oldham Fed on 1804, 1800 & 1794.30.  3rd Booth & Bowers/North East Lancs Fed on 1803.  6th H Kenyon/ OLD 1798.  7th & 14th B Bourke/SEL 1797 & 1793.13.  8th, 15th & 20th G Buckley/SEL 1795.88, 1793.01 & 1790.67.  9th & 17th D Farrall/SEL 1798.18 & 1791.86.  10th & 11th K Thorp/SEL 1794.90 x 2.  16th Kenyon Bros /OLD 1792.  18th R Smethurst/SEL 1791.18.  19th AG Clements/OLD 1790.69.  Federation winners – South East Lancs 41/719 A & S Hughes/Rochdale.  Oldham Fed 64/1228 Wolfenden & O’Neill.  North East Lancs 39/598 Booth & Bowers/Earby.

Castleton Flying Club/Mick Fleming – 5 members sent 62 birds in a strong South West wind.  Taking first on 1743 was Brandon, Culshaw & Brandon with a cock bred by them off Gary Leigh stock.  Better on young ones with Open races and the Bamfords Open coming up.  In second place on 1740 was Joe Whelan with a Staf Van Reet from George Newton stock.  Again Joe is a runner up, a first will appear shortly.  In third place on 1739 was yours truly Mick Fleming with a cock bred off Tommy Chorlton and Ronnie Whitworth stock.  This stock is getting good results this year.  In fourth place on 1730 was Terry Walsh with a Staf Van Reet, Terry only flies a small team but always gets results.  Look out for a winner for Terry.

Darwen HS/Chris Ainscough – Saturday 23rd August, 2008 flying from Mangotsfield (1), 10 members sent 163 birds liberated at 0945 into a light South West wind.  After a season at Farnworth FC Russell Toplis brought his Golden Ring birds for today’s race at Darwen.  These birds are picked at the start of the young bird season, and with 4 out of his 6 left, Russ showed us Darreners the way home.  His season at Farnworth, to get his young uns coming on a straight line did the trick, as you can see in the result.  This week was also the final of theclub KO and Franco Ponti was flying the flag.  1st Russ Toplis with a Cheq hen flying 152 miles on a velocity of 1633.  2nd Keith Nuttall & Sonwith a Pied hen flying 153 miles on 1620.  3rd Keith Nuttall & Son with a Cheq cock on 1619.  4th Franco Ponti’s Pied hen flying 153 miles on 1619.  Russ picked up 1st & 2nd Nom, 1st & 2nd PM and the Golden Ring Trophy.  Well done Pal.  Don’t come back too often will you. Only joking, Keith was runner up in Golden Ring Race.  Well done.  Mick Riley wins the weekly lottery for the second week running.

Deane & Dist FC/Chris Ainscough – Saturday 23rd August, 2008 and flying from Mangotsfield (1), 6 members sent 124 birds liberated at 0945 into a light South West wind.  1st Terry Pike with a Cheq cock flying 148 miles on 1614.  2nd W Haslam & Son’s Blue hen flying 145miles on 1611.  3rd Terry Pike with a Blue cock on 1610.  4th W Haslam & Son with a Blue cock on 1604.  Alan Wicker’s ETS System was in full swing at Deane for the first time this week, but sorry to say not as fast as Terry’s T3 Alan (he he).  Well done.  Mick if you turn the sheet upside down, you'll be at the top.

Droylsden Flying Club/John Bancroft – 7 members sent 84 birds racing from Swainswick and liberated at 1030in a South West wind.  Taking the 1st is Mr & Mrs Bancroft on 1640 with the same bird that was 3rd a fortnight ago from Swainswick.  A Blue W/f cock, the sire an 04 Gaby from Louellaand the dam an 06 De Klak bred from a pair of birds purchased from Andy Pereira, Waterlooville, Portsmouth.  2nd Chris Delahunt & Son with a Blue cock that scored previously from Cheltenham on 1635.  Patrick Dempsey of Dover bred this pigeon Chris said he is taking another 10 rings to Blackpool with him to give to Patrick but he doesn't know it yet, he does now.  3rd The Kenyon BrothersChris and Jim, after taking the first four last week, their pigeon on 1616was a Huybrechts Pied hen.  4th with a White Flight hen is John Smith & Sonon 1605 with one bred out of a pair of Louella Gaby Vandenabeelesfrom Mr & Mrs Bancroft.   C Delahunt won the nom.

Eccles & Winton Homing Society/Jerry Thomas – In the Club race from Kempsey 6 members sent 62 birds liberated at 0730 on the 9th August, 2008 in a light South West wind.  1st A Langslow on 1795 with a Cheq W/F Vandenabeele cock.  2nd, 3rd & 4th E Newton & Son on 1779 with a Blue Cheq Van Loon cock followed on 1775 by a Blue Cheq Van Loon cock and their third bird home on 1771 a Blue Pied Vandevelde hen.  This turned out to be a good race with good returns.

Failsworth Flying Club/Jeanette Taylor – 3 members sent 57 birds to Swainswick with Oldham Fed on the 23rd August, 2008 liberated at 1030 in a light South wind.  Taking the first three again this week is Phil Murray, his first bird home on 1627 a Roland Janssen x Van Reet off Sam Whitworth.  2nd a Camphuis Janssen on 1580.45, Sire a Schallie W/f cock and the Dam a Blue hen both on loan from Jeanette & Eric Taylor.  3rd bird home on 1580.11 is a Gaby Vandenabeele Blue hen both Sire and Dam from John Gladwin of Formula 1 Lofts.  4th Cliff Herring on 1580.10 (how close was that between 3rd & 4th), no bird details to hand.  Well done Phil and Cliff.  On to Mangotsfield on the same day racing with the North Cheshire Fed when 3 members sent 63 birds, liberated at 0745 in a South West wind.  Taking the first four with their Lambrechts is JP & S Maylett on 1461.84 Blue H, 1461.40 Dark Cheq H, 1461.26 Blue C and 1460 Blue H.  Well done to young Steve Maylett.

Falinge Mid Week/Mick Fleming – Racing from Kempsey 6 members sent 147 birds released at 7am in a South West wind.  Taking first place on 1631 was Henry Gray with a Staf Van Reet.  Henry is getting good results at club and national level and is really flying well at the moment.  In second place on 1629 with a young one off Frank Sheader stock was Barry Forshaw.  Barry is a sprint champion at Rochdale for years and just carried on today.  In third place on 1628 was Tony & Simon Hughes with a Soontjen off their winning team, once again they have had a brilliant season.  I would like to thank the partnership for giving me three Soontjens for the stock loft, every pigeon has won at the South East Lancs Federation and it is a fantastic gesture by Tony and Simon.  In fourth place on 1624 were Brian & Sandra Fisher with a Delbar.  Brian & Sandra have had a good season and we must thank Sandra the Secretary for doing a very hard job.

Garstang HS/Isobel Billington – The 16th August saw 11 members sending 245 birds to Kempsey, the birds were up at 9am in a South Wind.  Claiming 1st & 2nd positions is Peter & Isobel Billington with the birds recording 2021 and 2017ypm respectively.  Peter & Isobel were also 1st & 2nd in the North Lancs Fed from 1302 birds.  3rd place went to Stan Woods in on 2002, don’t forget your wallet next week Stan!  In 4th place is Peter & Jean Bartley & Son, their bird home on 1955.  The nom bird was won by the partnership of Ian & John Noblet.

Ken Galt of Garstang HS.

Hartshead Flying Club/Jimmy Bardsley – Racing from Swainswick 6 members sent 94 birds.  1st J Bardsley & Son on 1673 with a Janssen cock off Wall, Lunt & Green stock.  This cock was also 1st at Cheltenham and has won two out of its three races.  2nd J Newall on 1670 with a Blue Janssen hen off Wall, Lunt & Green stock.  The Sire is a son of the Tame 21 and the Dam is a daughter of Grey Return, full brother to Grey Gem which had 41 x 1st, 17 x 1st Fed etc.  3rd Colin Sidebottom on 1658 with a Slatey Janssen hen out of a bird off J Newall.  4th Billy Vickers & Son on 1655 with a Blue Gaby Vandenabeele cock off Alan Boon & Anthony Vickers (Billy’s Brother) who fly in Eccles.

Heath Charnock FC/Jimmy Caldwell - 11 members sent 182 birds to Kempsey.  1st P Moss & Son 1809.  2nd J Nolan 1785.  3rd A Wilkinson 1768.  On to Cheltenham when 11 members sent 210 birds.  1st D Hubbard 1687.  2nd S Phillips 1677.  3rd & 4th J Nolan 1667 & 1663.

Heywood FC/David Buckley – The Club were at Swainswick when 10 members sent 165 birds liberated at 10.30am in a light South wind.  1st Ian Walker on 1666 with a cock.  2nd Bob Smethurst on 1659 with a hen.  3rd Tommy Gill on 1659 with a cock.  4th Bob Smethurst on 1656 with a hen.  5th Jack & Pat Walker on 1652 also with a hen.

Hindley & District Mid-Week/Barrie Rhoden – 10 members sent 151 birds to Kempsey on the 13th August, 2008 liberated at 0745 in a South South West wind.  1st C Crompton on 1635 with a Blue Pied H.  2nd, 3rd & 4th K & E Shaw on 1629 Cheq Pied C, 1611 Cheq H and 1608 Cheq C.  Pools payout was K Smith £14 and T Wills £8.  On to Cheltenham on the 20th August, 2008 when 10 members sent 152 birds liberated at 11am in a South West wind.  1st W Craighead on 1497 Dark Pied C.  2nd T Wills on 1482 Cheq H.  3rd & 4th Mr & Mrs I Wills on 1481 Dark C and 1480 Red H.  Pools payout was W Craighead £5.50, Barton Bros £13.40 and K Smith £4.

Hindley Green Homing Society/Barrie Rhoden – 5 members sent 46 birds to Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008 liberated at 0710 in a South West wind.  1st & 3rd D Skinner on 1783 Light Cheq C and 1662 Cheq C.  2nd & 4th Barton Brothers on 1755 Red Cheq H and 1680 Smokey Blue H.  Pools payout was D Skinner £4, Barton Bros £18 and C Crompton £6.  On to Mangotsfield on the 23rd August, 2008 when 6 members sent 40 birds liberated at 0945 in a South West wind.  1st C Crompton on 1621 Blue Pied H.  2nd & 3rd Barton Bros on 1528 Light Cheq H & 1517 Blue H.  4th K Smith on 1492 GB Pied C.  Pools payout was C Crompton £4, D Skinner £20 and N Bramhall £6.

Hindley Homing Society/Powder Blue – 5 members sent 87 birds to Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008 liberated at 7am in a South East wind.  Taking the first four positions is Colin Crompton on 1665 Cheq H, 1662 Blue C, 1658 Blue C and 1656 Pied H.  Top marks to Colin Crompton on a fine win plus pooled all through and 1st S/N.  Pigeon racing at its best taking the first four.  Yes well done.

Kersal Vale HS/John Crehan – The Club raced from Cheltenham where 10 members sent 265 birds liberated at 0730 into a South West wind.  Having a great race this week is V Bebbington timing two on the same second for 1st and 2nd place and another in 4th position on velocities of 1861, 1861 & 1847.  In 3rd place is Crehan & O'Connor on 1852.

Leigh Mid Week/Joe Barton – The Club were at Kempsey on the 13th August, 2008 when 4 members sent 54 birds liberated at 0830 in a light South wind.  Taking the Red card was K Fahy with a Dark Cheq cock on 1279.  Second went to Mr & Mrs F Hilton & Son with a Cheq hen on 1142.  Third & Fourth R Parry & Son, their first a Mealy cock on 1145 followed by a Dark Cheq hen on 1144.  On to Cheltenham on the 20th August, 2008 when 6 members sent 55 birds liberated at 11am in a West South West wind.  Taking the first two was Mr & Mrs R & D Gaskell, their first a Cheq hen on 1522 followed by a Blue hen on 1520.  Third A Outram with a Cheq hen on 1424 and fourth R Parry & Son with a Cheq cock on 1420.

Lostock FC/Ken Burke – 9 members sent 112 birds in the Swainswick (3) race.  1st R Kent on 1825 with a Cheq H.  2nd & 3rd S Herbert & Son on 1808 Dark Cheq C and 1799 Blue Pied H.  4th J Smith on 1786 with a Dark Hen.  On to Wincanton when 10 members sent 119 birds.  1st K Burke on 1941 with a Blue Pied cock that was also 1st Fed.  2nd R Kent on 1918 with a Blue Pied hen that was 2nd Fed.  3rd C & IL Cooper on 1916 with a Cheq Pied hen finishing 3rd Fed and 4th R Kent on 1915 with a Cheq Pied hen which was 4th Fed.  Lostock did well in this race taking the first seven positions in the Fed.

Manchester Flying Club/Phil Murray – 15 members sent 313 birds to Cheltenham in the mid week race on the 20th August, 2008.  The birds were liberated at 0915 in a West South West wind and taking the honours again is Harry Kenyon with 1st, 2nd and 3rd on 1462.48, 1462.30 and 1434.  4th Phil Murray on 1431.  The Landlord Tommy at the New Inn in Hattersley where the club mark their birds has kindly given a nomination prize of £50 and all members would like to thank him for his generous donation.

Marton Village HS/Frank Fleming – Racing from Worcester (2) on the 16th August, 2008, 15 Members sent 381 Birds.  Anne & Steve Nicholls were very popular winners this week after missing out with bad traps two weeks on the trot.  Their bird is a self bred from a cock off the late Roy Howarth and a hen out of the stock loft a Vandenabeele.  Roy & Mark Acton just missed with their “Specials” taking 2nd & 3rd in a very fast race.  Terry Eves & Frank Fleming just a little off the pace with their Linderlauf birds but are not complaining after the torrid time they have had with a virus striking their birds down earlier in the season, they were quite happy with 4th and 5th  plus pools.  Jim Mather will be happy with sixth this week in a strong South West Wind, he flying furthest west in the club.  David Morrison wins the major part of the pools.

Minshull Mid Week Club/Ken Burke – Racing from Kempsey (1), 7 members sent 125 birds.  1st K Burke on 1308 with a Dark Cheq H.  2nd S Herbert & Son on 1306 Blue C.  3rd K Burke on 1305 Cheq Pied H.  4th S Herbert & Son on 1304 Cheq C.  On to Cheltenham when 9 members sent 138 birds.  1st J Smith on 1402 with a Dark H.  2nd C & IL Cooper on 1400 Blue H.  3rd S Herbert & Son on 1399.74 Blue Pied H and 4th K Burke on 1399.22 with a Dark Cheq H.

Moorclose Flying Club/Dave Sykes – The Club raced from Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008 when 7 members sent 88 birds.  1st K Tweedy on 1827 with a Van/Reet/Janssen also 1st North Cheshire Fed.  This is Keith’s 1st Fed win, well done.  2nd AS Yates on 1781 with a Bricoux/Janssen also 5th North Cheshire Fed.  3rd AS Yates on 1751 with a Stan Special.  4th S Smith on 1713 with a Ron Williamson.  Well done Sam on getting your 1st Prize Card.  Stop Press Looks like Sam will card again this week.

Jimmy No No the Wizard of Moorclose FC.

North Cheshire Federation – Kempsey on the 9th August, 2008 when 1077 Federation birds were liberated at 0745 in a light South West wind.  1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th JP & S Maylett/ Failsworth on 1974.91, 1974.52, 1974.12, 1973.73, 1973.73 and 1973.33.  7th, 8th, & 9th S Maylett/Failsworth on 1970, 19659, 1958.  10th D Farrall/Norden 1947.

North East Lancs Fed/David Lockwood – 39 members sent 598 birds to Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008 liberated at 745am in a South wind.  1st, 2nd, 5th & 6th Booth & Bowers/Earby on 1803, 1780, 1752.42 & 1752.00.  3rd M Porter/Colne 1774.  4th & 7th Mr & Mrs RM Black/ Colne 1756.  8th K Robinson/Burnley 1749.47. 9th Mr & Mrs McGuigan/Colne 1749.44.  10th Mr & Mrs Pounder/Burnley 1746.  Club birdage – Barnoldswick 6/94.  Burnley 9/122.  Colne 12/144.  Cowling 5/99.  Earby 3/77.  Trawden 4/62.

North East Lancs Wednesday Club/Dave Stuttard – Dower Bros & Mowle top this one with a Dark Cheq cock doing 1405.  Jimmy Webster & Son finish in second place with another Dark Cheq cock on 1367.  Geoff Bennett takes third and fourth places, his first bird a Cheq hen on 1320 followed by a Red hen on 1308.

Oldham Federation/Phil Murray – 9 Clubs, 54 members sent 886 birds to Swainswick on the 10th August, 2008 liberated at 9am in a South West wind.  1st & 2nd Slicker, Croston & Slicker/Shaw on 1814.62 & 1814.41.  3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th H Kenyon/Ashton on 1810.46, 1810.46, 1810.24 & 1810.03.  7th, 8th & 9th J & S Ward/Ashton on 1803.95, 1802.05 & 1801.62.  10th Threlfall & Harris/Oldham on 1800.  Club winners – Ashton 4/71 H Kenyon.  Dane Bank 6/98 Wolfenden & O’Neill.  Denton 5/103 AG Clements.  Droylsden 8/86 NE Johnson.  Hartshead 4/59 B Vickers & Son.  Hollinwood 2/13 P Brennan.  Oldham 6/72 Threlfall & Harris.  Shaw 11/284 Slicker, Croston & Slicker.  Sunny Brow 8/100 B Casey.  On to Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008 when 64 members from 10 clubs sent 1228 birds, liberated at 0745 in a South West wind.  1st, 2nd & 4th Wolfenden & O’Neill/Dane Bank 1804, 1800 & 1794.  3rd H Kenyon/Ashton 1798.  5th Kenyon Bros/Droylsden 1792.  6th & 7th AG Clements/Denton 1790.69 & 1790.13.  8th D James/Shaw 1788.  9th PA Murray/Failsworth 1787.  10th E & H Worsley/Dane Bank 1786.  Club winners – Ashton 4/55 H Kenyon.  Dane Bank 8/215 Wolfenden & O’Neill.  Denton 8/209 AG Clements.  Droylsden 8/106 Kenyon Bros.  Failsworth 3/56 PA Murray.  Hartshead 3/81 B Vickers & Son.  Hollinwood 4/26 D Whitehead.  Oldham 8/104 S Whitworth.  Shaw 10/252 D James.  Sunny Brow 8/124 Frost & McGrory.

Oldham Flying Club/Sam Whitworth – The Club raced from Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008 with 8 members sending 104 birds.  1st & 4th S Whitworth on 1748 & 1724.  2nd W & S Brooks on 1742 and 4th K Donnellan on 1723.

Phoenix Flying Club/Ivan Byrne – 10 members sent 120 birds to Kempsey mid week on the 13th August, 2008 liberated at 1550 in a South West wind.  Putting two in the clock is Andy Harrison, firstly a Rene Neuwelaert followed by a Roland Janssen.  3rd is Ivan Byrne with a Des Coulter cock.

Phoenix were at Cheltenham when 8 members sent 140 birds for their Saturday race.  A fast race was on the cards with an early morning liberation taking place.  In pole position are the youngest members of the Phoenix, Sam & Paul Pickford, these two brothers came into the sport taking over their Father’s, Jim Pickford, birds when sadly Jim passed away at the young age of 45 years.  I am sure he will be looking down on his boys a proud man.  2nd Shaun Horrocks putting a Theo Hartog in the clock.  Shaun has been having a good season with plenty of work going into the birds racing Wednesday and Saturday as do all the Phoenix members.  3rd Andy Harrison has had a cracking season winning quite a few firsts this time with a Rene Neuwelaert.  Andy also picks up the pools £35.

Sam Pickford of Phoenix FC. 

Radcliffe DHS/Steve Green – Mangotsfield saw 6 members send 134 birds that were liberated at 0730 into a South West wind.  1st & 2nd and making it three wins in a row were A & C Fielding; their first bird was a Blue Janssen hen on 1360.  2nd another Blue Janssen hen on 1358.  P & M Browning were in 3rd with a Blue Arsene Deschact hen he bought at our young bird sale bred by tricky Trevor Ramsden on 1355 and 4th A & C Fielding again with a Blue White Flight Busschaert hen on 1353.  1st pools and the nom went to A & C Fielding & 1st League Cup went to P & M Browning.  The winning bird was verified by Steve Green and Mick Speakman.

Rochdale DHS/Simon Hughes – 11 members sent 262 birds to Swainswick.  The birds were correctly liberated at 1030 into a South West wind.  I say correctly, what I mean is well done to Glen bowers for doing an excellent job again of race controlling, a job he didn’twant but is doing a superb job.  On to the race and timing the winneragain this week is Tony & Simon Hughes with a Koopman/Vandenabeele hen on 1675 that has now been timed in 3 out 4 races now. The sire was bought at one of Northern Premier Auctions sales and the dam is an M & D Evans Vandenabeele through Benetton.  In second is Glyn & Gavin Buckley on 1674 with one of their Braspenning’s through Mark& Brian Holland.  In 3rd & 4th are Tony & Simon Hughes again with a couple of their M & D Evans Vandenabeeles on 1673 & 1672.

Rudheath WMFC/Derek Woodward – In the Club race from Mangotsfield on the 16th August, 2008 the birds were liberated at 0730 in a South East wind.  1st & 2nd C & IL Cooper with a Cheq Pied hen doing 1590, the sire a Busschaert crossed with a hen off James Smith off Frank Howard stock.  Ian’s second bird is a Blue Busschaert cock on 1568.  3rd D Woodward with a Blue Pied cock on 1476 bred by Peter Fox.  4th B & G Mainwaring with a Blue Cheq Pied hen of their own breed on 1405.

Skelmersdale HS/Les Seddon – The Club raced from Swainswick on the 23rd August, 2008 and in 1st is Mr & Mrs L Seddon on 1644 with a Rietvink x Camphuis, the Camphuis out my old line, the Rietvink through Mr & Mrs Greenhalgh of Garstang.  2nd Mr & MrsL Seddon on 1599 with a Gaby x Camphuis, the Gaby is from Mr G O’Hare & Mr B Taylor crossed with a Gaby out of Mr Les Mathews of Coventry.  The Camphuis is out of a cock on loan to me from Mr Alan Dungworth of Rotherham cheers lads it’s really appreciated.  3rd Mr W Davies on 1592 with a De KlakJanssen out of stock from Mr Jim Donnelly of Stockport.  4th Mr W Davies on 1591 with a Joop Groenen.  5th place this week gets a mention this week because it’s an up and coming champion I am sure of that, its Will Davies again on 1591 better known as willie60 on Pigeon Chat, it’s only his second year racingwell done from all the lads at Skelmersdale HS.  Will Davies would like to congratulate Les & Carol Seddon on winning the Bobby Davies Memorial Shield by winning the above race.  Well done.

South East Lancs Fed/Janet Campbell – 39 members sent 760 birds to Swainswick on the 10th August, 2008 liberated at 9am in a South West wind.  1st J Turner/Rochdale 1830.  2nd, 6th & 8th A & S Hughes/Rochdale 1821, 1814.26 & 1813.64.  3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th & 10th G Buckley/ Rochdale 1817, 1816, 1814.86, 1813.68 & 1813.27.  9th Winterbottom & Pomfret/Todmorden 1813.29.  Club winners – Todmorden 4/70 Winterbottom & Pomfret.  Heywood 11/187 R Smethurst.  Littleborough 4/47 JB Bourke.  Whitworth 3/45 J Martindale.  Rochdale 11/312 J Turner.  Castleton 6/99 Brandon, Culshaw & Brandon.  Racing from Cheltenham on the 16th August, 2008 there were 41 members sending 719 birds, liberated at 0745 in a South West wind.  1st, 2nd & 8th A & S Hughes/Rochdale 1806, 1801 & 1794.29.  3rd & 9th B Bourke/ Littleborough 1797 & 1793.13.  4th & 10th G Buckley/Rochdale 1795.88 & 1793.01.  5th D Farrall Newhey/Milnrow 1795.18.  6th & 7th K Thorp/Todmorden 1794.90 x 2.  Club winners – Todmorden 6/65 K Thorp.  Spotland 3/27 J Warburton.  Heywood 10/185 R Smethurst.  Littleborough 5/73 B Bourke.  Whitworth 2/36 T Whitworth & Son.  Rochdale 9/238 A & S Hughes.  Newhey/Milnrow 1/31 D Farrall.  Castleton 5/62 Brandon, Culshaw & Brandon.

St Annes HS/Frank Fleming – Racing from Worcester on the 16th August, 2008, 10 Members sent 129 Birds.  Barnes & Burrow time in a cracker to win with a Blue cock from their famous “Ali Baba” lines, they also win the ME Whitehead Trophy.  This bird will be in the top six in the Fed.  Les Barrow 2nd yet again to B & B with a Dark hen bred by Brian Dearne from his Lambrechts this is after finding the bird trying to get in (I missed them as well Les but we have ETS so my partner wasn’t caught out).  Terry Smith the “Lytham Ace” takes 3rd with a Blue Busschaert hen yet again from his Gerry Clements stock.  Karen & Dean Allan take the 4th prize with a Cheq Van Loon cock.  Steve Elder & Brian Ingham pushing the pack.  Single Bird Nom £8 won by Steve Elder.  Loft Prize £12.90 won by Steve Elder.  Pontoon not won and carried forward to Mangotsfield on the 23rd August flying for the Paul Ellis £50 Special 1st £30, 2nd £20.  The West Side Section was won by that man again Steve Elder he is having a good season so far.  2nd is the hard working Secretary Brian Ingham.

Tyldesley Invitation Club/Joe Barton – The Club were at Mangotsfield on the 23rd August, 2008 when 5 members sent 50 birds liberated at 0945 in a Wet south West wind.  Taking the Red card also second & fourth was Farnworth & Grant.  Their first was a Blue hen on 1620 followed by a Cheq hen on 1619 and a Blue hen on 1544.  Taking the second card was N Mulraney with a Blue cock on 1563.

Wythenshawe HS/Mike Brennan – Racing from Mangotsfield the birds were liberated at 0730 into a light South wind.  All the spoils go to Royal Oak Lofts on 1338 with a Peter Van Der Merwe.  2nd a G & P Linderlauf on 1338.  3rd a Koopmanon 1333 all bred by ourselves out of stock we’ve bought in.  4th a Van Reet/Van Loonvia J Corris, a great day.

Wythenshawe Town FC 5 Bird Club/Mike Brennan – In the Club race from Cheltenham on the 20th August, 2008, 7 members sent 35 birds released at 1030 into a South West wind.  The Red card goes to the three Amigo’s Tunner, Scott, Tunner on 1389 well done winning £70. 2nd R Davies & Son on 1382 also 3rd on 1382 winning £105.  Well done everyone.

The Scousers "Chip Shop" & S Goulding. 

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.