LES J. PARKINSON'S

NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES

A past master

The late Albert Lever Snr is one of the past masters of racing pigeons into Winsford in the county of Cheshire and here is a report that I wrote on him many years ago. Fanciers very often ask me why I visit so many lofts for reports well the answer is simple, in the Cheshire area there are so many good fanciers whose methods have not been put to print, fanciers who have won over many years, not just ordinary prizes but good National performance. This week’s visit was to 87 John St Winsford where Albert Leaver has lived all his life and flown birds since 1921. Albert had a loft full of odds and ends to start with, so when he decided to take the sport seriously his brother agreed to subsidise him as well as going partners and buying the best from S.P.Griffiths at Broken Cross, Northwich who at the time was the master. Even today Albert reckons that there has never been anyone to beat him. The first pair purchased from this fancier were for the then high price of £5. These birds started winning straight away and Albert never looked back and has never missed a years racing since. Not being in one of the richer families all of the training in those early days was done by bicycle from Whitchurch. Even during the war when he was exempt Albert carried on racing and getting corn on the black market. In fact on one occasion two American air force men visited him to acquire some birds, they went away with six and to repay Albert they supplied him with corn that he needed. Success continued in all types of competition from club to national where he has held his own as the results will show. The racing loft is 20’ x 8’ which gives plenty of room in each of the two compartments that it consists of. There is not a great deal of ventilation in this loft like you see in so many of the top lofts. Each comp has a glass window in the front, with a trap just below roof level. The Y.B loft is 12’ x 6’ which is just the one comp, with ventilation the full length of the loft. The stock loft is 12’ x 8’ with a 12’ x 8’ aviary which has a gravel covering on the ground. Although the birds have plenty of room, Albert said that the birds are not too hard to control as he spends a considerable amount of time with them now that he has retired. All lofts have a sand dressing on the floor. Pairing up for the racers is done during the first week of March as this puts them just right for the races that Albert likes most of all from across the channel. The stock are paired in the middle of January. Pure Sions are the mainstay of the loft from Hughes Bros whom I sure most of you will remember for there great performances into Liverpool. Additions have also been made form Mr & Mrs Pratt of Norfolk. Albert is always trying to find a bird that can consistently beat his old family, which is proving a hard task indeed. The Dordins have been tried from the Hillside Lofts of Stan Biss, (in fact they are still being tried but have only managed to win inland which is not actually what Albert wants.) Other strains have been tried including the Busschaerts and Stichelbaut (but have yet to prove themselves.) The families that are bought into these lofts are always kept separate until they have until they have proved whether or not they are up for the pigeon standard of the birds that are already winning in the best of the competition. This is not and never has been a one-bird loft, many good birds are there to handle. One such bird is a chequer hen that has won many very good prizes including Middlewich 2-bird club. The Red Cock that she is paired to is also a 2-bird winner and they have turned out some wonderful birds for Albert and his son Toby who is also an extremely good fancier. Albert like so many other fanciers has his favourite pigeon, which he classes as the best bird he has ever owned. Her wins include the best performance that he has considered she has ever won during 57years racing 2nd section, 8th Open Midland National Angouleme when only two birds were in the section and 23 in the Open on the day, 534miles. This game Blue Pied Sion Hen also has 13th sec 109th Open Angouleme, 2nd sec, 24 Open Nantes, 1st Middlewich 2-bird Saintes, only 2 on the day also all pooles. This Hen has taken other prizes but these would stand out anywhere. Albert has always raced on the natural system. Albert does give credit of past performances to his late wife whom he said exactly how to feed the birds when he was unable to for any reason. Although a lot of birds are housed Albert is not a mob flier and he can generally pick the birds for the big events. Many of prizes have been won at all levels of competition, which is what makes a first class fancier. As for eye sign he admits that he does not know a great deal about it. He would certainly not knock it as he said in his time it was not gone into as much as it is today. Nothing is proved about anything until it has been studied, Albert likes to see a rich coloured eye but does not pair to it. All pairings are done on the basis of winners to winners according to breeding and performances. For the eye sign enthusiast this loft has the lot. Most eye sign enthusiasts believe that the long distance bird shows the most eye sign, which is what the birds of Albert Levers, are, good long distance birds. Training, well the old birds are given several tosses before the first race after which they have 2, 30ml tosses on the transporter which is the cheapest and most convenient from of transport, with being at home all day. When the young birds are old enough for training Albert gets in as many tosses as possible from 1x 30ml, which is one thing that nine out of ten fanciers will tell you. The biggest disappointment that Albert has ever had in the sport was when he sent to the national F.C. Nantes race and was disqualified through a late telegram when he would have been 4th and 2oth Sec, you must admit that this would have been a great upset for any fancier to win this great race is the only thing left for Albert to do, so it is his ambition to top the list in the National F.C.

Albert Lever Snr with his Middlewich 2B winner.

Performances are a part that makes a fancier, the consistency of his birds. I am going to list a few more of Albert’s that I normally would because they have been won against the best in the country. Firstly in the National F.C. 3rd , 5th, 15th, 25th, 19th, 4th, 48th Section X 165th, 172nd, 217th, 262nd, 303rd, 413th, 418th Open. Then in the strong Middlewich 2-B club with 140 members, 1st Rochfort505 miles, 1st Saintes 521 miles, 1st Niort 483 miles, 1st Angouleme 536 miles, 1st Rennes 354 miles along with many other positions. These are what make a great fancier when selection counts. Trophies from small shields to large cups for single performances as well as avgs have stood on the sideboard at Alberts but I won’t mention them, as there are too many.  Advice, when I asked Albert for some advice  for the younger members of the fancy his comments were, “To go to a fancier who is winning regularly with a family of birds that have stood the test of time and won out of turn over the years. Purchase as many birds that you can afford, of course within reason and go carefully with their youngsters for a couple of years. There is no quick way to success in pigeon racing, but plenty of disappointments, a fancier must be very patient.”

“Pigeon racing is all about having very good birds, the rest is up to the man having the eye and know how as to bringing the birds into condition and giving them the right frame of mind.” Something that Albert said that will differ from one fancier to another is that you should never send a hungry bird to race. Albert is a keen fancier who is straight with fellow pigeon men. Albert is not getting about as he used to but can still make them sit up in the clubs that he races in, which have some of the best fanciers if not the best in Cheshire. Middlewich 2-B has the best in George Stubbs and son of Sandbach and Dennis Gleave who along with Albert have not been at the top for years. George has not won this great club but is in the prizes taken out of this club with 5 x 1st ‘s each, if you can hold your own in this competition you must be good. During the Sunday afternoon that I spent with Albert and his son Toby (as he is known) I heard the stories from the beginning in the early twenties up until the present time and enjoyed every minute. Also seeing and handling so many good birds, which at the time were heaving a good moult, so gentle care was taken and not too many handled. Anyway Albert thanks for an enjoyable afternoon. Sez Les” I was going to update and modify a few things but decided to leave it as it was originally written. There are two photos to go with this report one being of Albert Lever Snr hold his Red chequer Hen winner of 1st Middlewich 2B Rennes. The other being of some of Winsfords finest with a very young Mel Bratt along with Dougie Pope, Joe Whitney, Les Kettle and Albert Lever Snr and its thanks to Junior for the photos.

Mel Bratt, Dougie Pope, Joe Whitney, Les Kettle, Albert Lever Snr.

National Flying Club

When the magazines came out with the advert for the NFC my phone was on red alert and my ears were burning. I must stress that this was nothing to do with the secretary but the rules that the club have set out. At the last meeting of the NFC committee it was clarified that you can have your clocks set locally as long as you contact Sid Barkel and register as a clock station, you must register correctly. Not all clock stations have the facilities to set ETS systems so if you are using one please check with the station where you normally get your clock set because you may need to set a station up at your local club. There were a couple more points raised with one being a rather irate fancier complaining that he had joined the NFC and paid £20 subs yet they were advertised as being £15. I don’t know what happened here because in the BHW it states £15 and the RP £20 so I have no idea why the difference but they are £20. Another point was that a few weeks ago I put in that the entry forms need to be in three days before the race, which is correct. In the same advert it did say and I quote “Entries are now due for this race”. I understand that it is beneficial to the secretary and marking stations that you get them in as soon as possible but the three days stated a few weeks ago I believe to be correct. Just minor points in the club that is now on the up after the disruption caused by DEFRA.

Mid Cheshire Fed     

This year has seen the Mid Cheshire Fed extend their boundaries and clubs to the North West have joined when has meant with the early fast races that we have had many of the pigeons have gone over. There are some complaints from the long-standing members of the fed but this might just be what they need. We were talking about this at the club and it was pointed out that when the pigeons get used to the change and start pulling out they will make better pigeons. The pigeons have to think more than ever so as the season progresses the changes in the pigeons should be seen. Mel Bratt also pointed out that when you look at the results there is a mixture of winners and there are some good fanciers in the fed from the beginning where you have the likes of Joe Glover to end where you now have R & B Smith. So lets see how the season progresses but what I will say is that the youngsters do need training properly and not put straight into a race like many of the old birds have been this year. Petrol is getting dearer all the time and fanciers are telling me that they are doing less training than ever and instead they are chucking the birds straight into the races, which is not really the way forward. The sport has all of a sudden become very expensive with the increases in corn and the increases in petrol/diesel making a big difference.

Europa Classic

“Time is getting on in the year and in my last report I told you that we had 1500 birds at the loft and by the second weekend in May all of those 1500 birds were flying out and I might add are in super form and condition. On the latest intake that is the last but one we had a further 270 birds, which are now in the aviary taking a good look around before they join the flying out birds in another 10-days. We then had an intake of birds on the weekend of the 9th May so those figures will have increased even further to close on last year’s numbers in fact as I write these notes we have had 100 birds for this intake. This final intake session will last until the 23rd May and by then we will be in good strong position for the season. This now brings the total birds in the loft to 1870 and with 2 weeks to go at time of penning these notes before the final closing of the loft for 2008 we fully expect to get over 2000 birds in total for this years Europa Classic. We already have birds in this year from China, Taiwan, Romania, Spain, America and indeed birds from a total of 14 different countries. We have missed the entries from a couple of Countries in the Middle East who supported our race well so the restrictions by DEFRA have affected the numbers in the race. This all points to yet another truly great international event that will be a great day out for all the family come final race day atthe lofts and the Copthorne Hotel Cardiff. (LJP. We went to take some birds to the lofts and decided to stay at the Hotel for the night instead of travelling back home and it is a nice Hotel) Don’t forget anyone can win this race that has been proven year after year however as always to win it you must of course enter so if your sat on the fence now is your last chance. If you are new to one loft racing or unsure about any of our rules or procedures just pick up the phone and ask. But come fly with us and be part of the greatest one loft race in Europe. Best of luck to you all. Loft manager Derek Nicholls. 07810 323827”

Club/Fed News

I have just mentioned the Mid Cheshire Fed so now I will move onto the fed result for the Cheltenham race when 896 birds were liberated at 10.45am in an East North East Wind. Topping the list are Acton’s John Brooker & Colin Barlow, just ahead of fellow club members Geoff & Paula Bebbington. Colin Barlow was 70yrs young recently when his well known son Gary came along with the rest of the family to a surprise function where I am told they had a good night celebrating in fact Geoff Bebbington said it was one of the best they had been to for a while. Congratulations Colin may you have many more. P & M. Child of Weaverham are 3rd with new member Don Risley racing with the Royal Wires coming in 4th & 14th. John Lawson is next ahead of Mr & Mrs Gordon Fletcher 6th & 17th and Winsford winners Mr & Mrs Albert Austin who are 7th & 11th. Arthur Stanway is 8th 12th & 18th with George Davies 9th Mr & Mrs Roy Croxton 13th, with Earlstown winners Bill & Mark Brown 15th just ahead of fellow club member K Owen Crewe Premier was won by Gordon Goodwin to come in the fed at 19th leaving 20th to Jones Bros. Club winners not on the fed result are Alan Groom of Middlewich. Peter Atherton from over at Moulton. Bagnall & Antrobus from the Sandbach club plus Wrinehill winner Joe Glover who will not be far off the top of the fed before long. The Royal Wires race from Mangotsfield George Davies collected the red card plus £20 after seeing home a slatey bred from a cock of North East Fancier Bill Heslop the breeding being Herman x Van Loon and a Gevaert-Schoorisse hen. This cock was raced on the natural to record a vel of 1914ypm and makes it 4 x 1sts fro this good cock. 2nd and £12 goes to Andy Thompson who saw home a chequer Van Reet cock bred by Derek Whittle of Hindley. This widowhood cock raced well last season over the channel scoring at Lessay and Fougeres and wins the nom in this race with a vel of 1770ypm. George Fleming picks up £8 for 3rd on 1746 with one from the old Gilts Strain following on from winning last season and was sent sitting to this race. Acton Bridge second Cheltenham race saw Mr & Mrs Gordon Fletcher take the top spot that is a Fountainhead Jansen x 05 lines of Gordon original family. Gordon has a new partner who is Denny Gobin formally of the partnership Gobin Brothers who were very good National flyers and this new partnership has certainly put some fire into these birds. 2nd 3rd & 5th go to Danny Wells whose 1st bird is Busschaert x Brasspenning and it was 2nd Warrington 2 bird last year. His next in the clock is a Busschaert x Vandenabeele. 4th and 6th are Mr & Mrs John Howman whose first bird is dark cock that scored at the channel out of one from Lowick Brothers and a Van Loon cock. Their second bird was bred out of Europa one loft winner Bubbles when paired to a hen that was 152nd. Poynton RBLHS 8 members sent just 94 birds to Cheltenham, with several members being put off sending due to the poor weather forecast. However, they got the birds away on Saturday in an ESE wind. Mr & Mrs Stanway took the red card and 4th North Sect vel 1216. This 4-year-old cock was wining his third red card and is a G/Son of Pete’s Three Counties Combine and RPRA winner. Geoff Townley was 2nd and 4th Club, 7th North Sect vels 1194 and 1158 with two Rapido Busschaerts that have both prized before. Mike Webb finished 3rd Club vel 1166 with a Van Loon/Lefebre Dhaenen. In the next race from Hullavington there was a better turn out with 11 members sending 205 birds. Mr & Mrs Stanway again took the red card vel 2018 with the same cock that won last week. It has now won 2 X 1st this year and 4 X 1sts in total. This cock also won the pools for the second week and was 2nd North Sect 3rd Open Fed 215/3672 birds. Geoff Townley was 2nd Club vel 2001 and 5th North Sect, 17th Open Fed with a yearling cock bred by club mate Tommy Bennett. This cock was 2nd in the breeder/buyer race in 2007. Mike Webb was 3rd and 4th Club vels 1994 and 1989 with a Jos Thone that was 3rd last week and a Van Loon that won 2x 2nds in 2007. The Middlewich FC race from Mangotsfield saw the top two positions go to Alan Groom on 1672/1669ypm. The winner is a blue chequer cock from Ted Carson who I am told has bred a few good pigeons for other fanciers. This blue chequer finished ahead of a 4yr blue pied Van den Bosche cock. We have no info on 3rd for Billy Whisker on 1657.7ypm who edged out Dave & Lynn Healey by half a yard after they took the rubber off a 2yr blue widowhood cock from the FVW lines. The Middlewich 5B were at Swainswick where Mike O’Hare & Ron Woodward came home with 1st & 3rd on 1813/1777ypm with two blue widowhood cocks. First in the clock is a Staf Van Reet that was in the prizes last year and a 2yr Van Den Boshce that also collected cards last year. Dave & Lynn Healey are once again the bridesmaids after seeing home a 2yr Janssen blue w/h cock that was 4th two weeks ago. The partnership were also 4th after taking the rubber off a w/h chequer Busschaert cock that is another prize winner from the 07 season. The two vels for Dave & Lynn are 1781/1772ypm. The new clubs into the Mid Cheshire fed have done wonders for the transport with a good increase to 1692 birds in the second Cheltenham race when the birds were liberated at 9am in a South Wind. The top twenty vels in the fed are all over 1900ypm plus that saw the longer flying members come out on top when the formidable partnership of R & B Smith took the top two positions followed by fellow club members Bill & Mark Brown who are also 9th & 15th fed. Middlewich winners Mike O’Hare & Ron Woodward are 4th just ahead of John Peever & Steve Parkinson who lead the way in the Crewe Premier. K R Owen collects 6th & 19th positions while Royal Wires winner Don Risley is 7th & 10th. K J Parkinson is 8th with Weaverham winners P & M Child 11th & 13th. Winsford saw Mr & Mrs Albert Austin collect another red card to come in with 12th fed while Butcher & Hutchinson are 14th, Derek Lawton 16th and Rudheath top man Ian Cooper is 17th leaving 18th to P Seed and 20th to Arthur Stanway. Club winner’s not making the result this week includes Mr & Mrs Gordon Fletcher from Acton Bridge. Eric Taylor over at Knutsford. Sandbach winner John Allbutt. Dave Dickenson with the Moulton club and Wrinehill winner Geoff Matthews. You can bet all these club winners who are not on this weeks fed result will be in the near future, the fed has grown so not everyone will not appear all the time. Old Lodge HS were at Cheltenham for their fourth race of the Season and were liberated at 11.10 in a south west wind. Taking the red card in this very fast race with a velocity of 1972 was the partnership of Harrison and Hull. The winning bird a yearling chequer white flight cock who was also 2nd fed is bred from stock pair Skymaster a son off The Fed Winner and Miss Remus a daughter off Remus and Miss Reliable. Both this Janssen cocks sire Skymaster topped the fed and grandsire The Fed Winner topped the fed three times when racing. The fed winner is now 17 years old and still plodding about the loft although he hasn’t filled his eggs for a couple of years now (see photo taken in 08). Harrison and Hull also finished 5th club and 17th fed with a 4yo Janssen x FVW cock bred from stock pair Romulus and Francis. Bill Pearson took 2nd and 3rd club and 7th and 11th fed with two of his widowhood cocks. Keith and Trish O’Hara were 4th and 6th club and 15th and 18th fed. Unfortunately I am unable to give you any details with regards Bills and Keith and Trish’s birds as they like the rest of Old Lodge members for some reason this year have not supplied me with any information. Hopefully this may just jolt them into some action.

A pigeon belonging to Harrison & Hull. He is a fed winner and grandsire of this week's winner plus many more. Photo taken at 17 years of age.

Les J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 ONJ. Tel/Fax; 01606 836036. Mobile 07871 701585 les.Parkinson@btinternet.com   Elimar.pigeons@btinternet.com  web-site www.elimarpigeons.com