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NORFOLK & SUFFOLK New Four Counties Charity Show Report by Bernie Wallman The New Four Counties Charity Show held its winter gathering on the re-arranged date of Sunday 6th January 2008. Originally planned for last November, the organisers were very fortunate to retain the venue following DEFRA finally lifting its AI restrictions in East Anglia late in December. This was the 12th in the series, which has already raised over £17,000 for small volunteer staffed charities in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. This year the show returned to the Whelnetham Community Centre just outside Bury St. Edmunds and attracted 330 pigeons for its entry. They were entered in 18 Racer and 6 Show Racer Classes. The Show followed its established format, where a number of well-known top fanciers judge several classes each selecting their winning line-ups. All Class Winners are then moved forward to the “Winners Gallery” where Best In Show, Best Opposite Sex and other awards are judged by a specially invited judge. This year the Show was pleased to have one of its most constant supporters, David Coward-Talbott the very well known and successful fancier from Chelmsford, to make the final selections. Full results, Trophy winners and show photos are shown elsewhere but in summary the Show was a personal triumph for Dennis "Dickie" Bird & Daughter of Chesterton, Peterborough, who took B.I.S. Racer and B.I.S. Overall with their winner of the Old Cock flown 100miles Class. A very nice pigeon and a clear winner according to David Coward-Talbott. Its racing quality was later confirmed when "Dickie" let us know it had already won four firsts racing in the Peterborough City Club as well as topping the big Peterborough & District Fed from Northallerton against 3700 birds! Young John Harrod from Pakefield, Lowestoft, dominated the Show Racer Classes. John, ably assisted by his father Philip, won B.I.S./B.O.S. show racer, winning five of the six Classes as well as the overall Show Points Trophy and many minor positions. Financially the Charity Funds are mainly gained by the Auction of birds from many well known and successful fanciers, mostly futurity lots for 2008 Y.B.’s but also with a few quality O.B.’s. Usual auctioneer Melvin Horn was unavailable on this rearranged date but Dave Downing, the top-performing fancier from Newmarket, ably stepped into his shoes. Dave worked hard to auction a total of 61 lots where his efforts raised a grand total of just under £1900. A £100 Futurity Prize is awarded, shared equally between Breeder and Buyer, for the purchased young bird judged by the Committee to have put up the best performance(s) in the 2008 Y.B. season. Last years futurity prizes were won by Ronnie Prewer of Bury St. Edmunds as breeder and D. Allum of Ipswich as buyer/racer. Other income, from Sponsorship, Catalogue Sale/Entrance fees, Raffle Proceeds, Catering and three novel competitions, helps to swell the funds and offset costs. The novel competitions this year were again organised by Committee member Diane Vorndran. The first being “Guess the Weight” of one of her incredibly tame Nun breed fancy pigeons. This charmer spent most of the day perched on entrant’s hands, letting them assess its weight. The winning entry was by Dick Cheshire of Sudbury. The second competition was a “Guess The Combined Age” of two “old warrior” cock birds provided by Diane and fellow Committee member Keith Rayner of Balsham. In this case the winning entry was by one of the Judges, John Searle of Abington. The third competition was to guess the total race miles of Keith’s old warrior “`Dotterill Red Arrow” that had flown Lerwick (555 miles) four times having twice won his Club as well as taking Best in Show at the very first New Four Counties Show back in 1996. Best in Show judge, David Coward-Talbott got this one “right on the button” with the correct answer of 5900 miles. The rest of the Committee are indebted to Diane for organising this very interesting event as well as donating the champagne, whiskey & wine prizes. This year's income will enable the committee to donate £1000 each to their two selected Essex Charities: “The Heather Hills Club”, Chelmsford which provides support to disabled elderly folk who are alone in the world and “CHARMS The Essex Therapy Centre” who care for sufferers of multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. The Committee would like to thank the many supporters of the show for their contribution to its success, especially following so much doubt, delay and extra work caused through the DEFRA restrictions. They particularly acknowledge the very generous financial sponsorship received from many quarters. Look out for future announcements concerning the next event when Suffolk charities will be the beneficiaries. Lastly, any 2008 Y.B. purchasers should remember to register their birds for the 2008 Futurity Prizes. Ring numbers of purchased young birds must be provided in writing to secretary Irene Davis, 29 Gloucester Road, Bury St. Edmunds, IP32 6DL before 30th June 2008 with performance claims, also in writing, to the secretary before 31st October 2008. |
