Keith Mott writes about winning fanciers past and present...

London & South East Classic Club.

The Classic had a very full agenda for the December meeting which is a normal occurrence, with the committee getting its ‘house in order’ in preparation for the A.G.M. to be held on Monday 25th January. Brian Doick was in the chair and Classic President, Gordon Marsh, had to stand in for the secretary Steve Nicholson, who could not attend the meeting because of pressure of work. It was announced that after a year in the job, the Classic secretaries, Steve and his wife Diane were resigning at the forthcoming A.G.M. because of their heavy work commitment not allowing them to carry out the secretary duties as they would like.

Another major item which has been discussed over recent meeting is the club’s transporter, which has had weight problems at the docks with big birdages and it was decided that it would be replaced with a bigger vehicle. The old ‘Catteralls’ lorry, which has the old traditional baskets, is 7.5 tonnes and was given warning at the ferry terminal after coming off the weigh bridge in the 2009 season. The convoyer and driver rely on their driving licences to earn their living and quite under stand ably did not want to drive illegibly. The committee heard of a first class 10 tonnes pigeon transporter for sale, which was on offer by the Johnson Brothers of Chertsey and was the vehicle used to transport the Three Borders Federation for several seasons. On viewing the transporter, members of the committee found it to be in excellent condition and perfect for the Classic’s needs, so purchased it. It has a capacity of approx. 3,000 birds and is fitted with curtains on the sides, which give excellent ventilation to the inmates while travelling the motorways in France. The new lorry has no baskets or crates, so this was the next thing to be sorted out at the December meeting. The L&SECC has aways traditionally used wicker baskets and prices were obtained to convert the new vehicle to accommodate the clubs old baskets, but this was found to be unrealistic finanically and it was decided that the transporter would be kitted out with new wooden crates. The club’s existing wicker baskets are in very bad repair and would cost a small fortune to get put in order, and to convert the new transporter to take them would also be very expensive. The new crates will be fitted with high side rails so the Classic birds can still travel on wood chips as in previous seasons. With me being the Classic convoyer for eight years, every one knows that I’m a wicker basket man threw and threw, but this change had to happen, it’s only common sense! The thing that has chuffed me personally, was the fact that the three young bird auctions that we have run to raise funds for a new vehicle, over the last couple of winters has raised a big part of the cost of the new transporter. Thanks to the fancier from all over the U.K. for their generosity, their kind donations have helped in the purchase of our new L&SECC transporter! At the present time the lorry is being cleaned and sign written, so as soon as this is completed I will be going over to the yard to take a set of photographs for publication in this column.

The Coopers revisited!

Early in December Peter Taylor and I had a run down the motorway to Geoff and Catherine Cooper’s home in Peasedown St. John to pick up a pigeon and as always we were made very welcome. We didn’t spend a great deal of time in the loft because of the freezing weather, but Catherine showed us an oil painting of Champion ‘George’, their 2008 NFC Tarbes Grand National, that she was working on for a Christmas present for Geoff. Peter and I were staged how good the painting was, in fact I would say it’s one of the best paintings of a racing pigeon I’ve ever seen! The likeness to this great pigeon is incredible. Catherine is a very talented lady! I’ve included a photo this brilliant oil painting for all to see.

Here’s a few facts about the subject pigeon: Champion ‘George’ is bred from the very best Cooper / Deweerdt bloodlines and has won a list of prizes including: 1st open NFC Tarbes (4035 birds), 42nd National Saran, 30th BBC National Carlisle, 1st HLFC, 2nd section, 102nd National Bordeaux, 17th section, 150th Classic Cholet, 18th section, 207th National Tarbes, plus two RPRA Awards. A fantastic champion! His sire is a brother to Champion ‘JW’, winner of 1st open BICC National Falaise, both being out of Geoff’s great old premier racer and breeder, ‘Titch’. On his dam’s side, Champion ‘George’ is bred down from the Emiel Deweerdt champion ‘Emiel’, winner of 1st open International Bordeaux / Dax (9493 birds).

‘Lion Brewery’ Mid-week Club.

The ‘Lion Brewery’ is all set for the forthcoming 2010 racing season with over 70 members on the books and has set up the race programme, which is as follows: 8th April – Hamworthy: 15th April – Hamworthy: 22nd April – Hamworthy: 29th April – Hamworthy: 3rd May – Guernsey (open): 6th May – Lulworth: 13th May – Lulworth: 20th May – Seaton: 27th May – Seaton: 3rd June – Hamworthy: 10th June – Seaton: 17th June – Lulworth: 24th June – Hamworthy: 1st July – Hamworthy: 8th July – Hamworthy: 15th July – Hamworthy: 22nd July – Hamworthy (any age): 29th July – Hamworthy (any age): 5th August – Hamworthy: 12th August – Hamworthy: 19th August – Hamworthy: 26th August – Hamworthy: 30th August – Guernsey: 2nd September – Hamworthy: 9th September – Hamworthy: 18th September – Newton Abbott (open). That’s a long ol’ programme of Wednesday racing for the lads to enjoy! The competition in the ‘Lion Brewery’ is ‘red hot’ for the fanciers who enjoy inland racing and is brilliant training for the Channel racing enthusiasts. The clubs A.G.M. will be held at the ‘Lion Brewery’ PH, Ash on 14th February and kicks off at 11.00hrs. 

BHW Blackpool Show Charity Auction.

I sent in my details for my donation pigeon for next week’s charity auction at the BHW Blackpool Show back in October and at that time I thought the late bred Chequer Pied could be a hen, but after two months in the hens section has shown up to be a very nice cock bird. I have included a recent photo of the donation pigeon for inclusion with this week’s article.

This beautiful late bred Blue Chequer Pied cock is bred from the very best of Brian Denney’s Tarbes (748 miles) National bloodlines, being bred from ‘Sasha’s Boy’, a son of Champion ‘Maxi’, when mated to Champion ‘Dark Jan’, two of the premier breeders at the Strensall loft.  ‘Sasha’s Boy’ is full brother to ‘Dark Charm’ winner of 1st sect K, 5th open NFC Tarbes (750 miles) 2007, ‘John’ winner of 4th sect K, 17th open NFC Tarbes 2007, ‘Dark Dancer’ winner of 6th sect K, 27th open NFC Tarbes 2007, 1st sect K, 48th open NFC Fougeres, 2nd sect K, 4th open NFC Tarbes (748 miles) 2009 and half brother to ‘The Chequer Cock’ winner of 9th sect K, 31st open NFC Tarbes 2007 and 2nd sect K. NFC Bordeaux 2006. The 2010 Blackpool Donation cock’s parents are our Number One Brian Denney stock cock, ‘Sasha’s Boy’ when mated to ‘Foxwarren Complete’ our best 550 mile racing hen and grand daughter of Brian’s wonderful Champion ‘Blue Pau’. The first pair of youngsters bred from this wonderful pair in 2008 went back to Brian Denney’s loft! Brian and Thelma

Denney’s fantastic racing record in the NFC Pau and Tarbes Grand Nationals, achieved over many years, speaks for it’s self and at this time their loft in York must rate as one of the best long distance lofts in Europe! This brilliant Brian Denney late bred will found the purchaser a wonderful family of long distance pigeons.

TEXT & PHOTOS BY KEITH MOTT.