“The Original” Around The Up North Combine

By Good Corn

 

First of all I wish to thank everyone for their overwhelming support, cards and very kind words and messages after the death of my wife Carole. The response from everyone has touched my heart at this very sad and tough time. Thank you all.

 

Race number five of the nine young bird race programme went ahead from Oakham on Saturday 1st September, when the East Cleveland Federation 64 members convoy of 1,526 birds were up and away at 9.40am flying into a South-West wind with the wind getting stronger as the morning went on which was going to turn out to be a very fast race. Starting at Skinningrove Homing Society where the loft of Tich Richards & Alice Marsay zoom in to top the charts, with Tich and granddaughter Alice pole position winner recording a vel of 1902 which was more than enough to score a most impressive 2nd Fed. Sayers Bros Dave, Kenny, Brian and loft helper Richard netted 2nd Club, 6th Fed on 1892.5. While Mike Prokopowicz & son Lee timed two of their entries one second apart to chalk up 3rd and 4th Club, 7th and 8th Fed with vels of 1891.6 and 1891.3. Stafford & Wilson took 10th, 11th, 17th Fed on 1888.7, 1888.1, 1882.32. Mr & Mrs I & E Purver notched up 13th Fed with Ian & Liz's youngster knocking out a vel of 1855.8. The partnership of the late Gordon “Shang” Peirson MBE & sons Sack & Jim and loft helpers Trevor McConnell & son Bobby who missed the previous weeks race from Worksop (2) timed a five-day sitting blue Heremans Ceusters cock bred by Anthony Thompson of Stockton to take 20th Fed on 1879.3. Hats off to these lads for they knew their birds were not right after the Worksop (1) race, they got them tested and treated as told and missed the next race. You could see by the way their birds were exercising after treatment that were over their illness, it was just the matter of getting 100% returns from the Oakham race so they could continue the rest of the season in the hope their birds stay healthy.

The Skelton Green partnership of the late Peter Winspear & son Derek and his son Mark recorded their second win on the belt and their third win in five starts after timing two birds to win 1st and 6th Club. With Derek & Mark's out in front red card winning youngster achieving 1897.3 which was enough to score an impressive 3rd Fed. Terry Stonehouse is still moving up the charts after chalking up a notable 2nd Club, 12th Fed on 1885.9. Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor Mitchell timed three of their entries to lift a useful 3rd, 4th, 5th Club.

Dave “Rooster” Storr hits the winners' enclosure in great style at Brotton H/S after timing no fewer that three youngsters to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd and 4th Club, with the red card winner achieving a chart-topping vel of 1894 which was enough to score a notable 5th Fed. The blue card potter that was timed 19 seconds after the winner knocked out a vel of 1890 to lift a useful 9th Fed, while the Rooster's yellow card scoring baby claimed 16th Fed on 1822.33 to round off a very good days racing. Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners had a couple of their entries on the clock to pot 3rd and 6th Club with the lads green card potter doing 1883.7 for 14th Fed. Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson, Tubby Purver and loft helpers Evo Everington & Frankie Rolands picked up a couple of points by taking 5th Club with their timer doing 1879.7 to lift 19th Fed.

 

Mr & Mrs Bob & Babs Moore chalked up their second win on the belt at the Brotton Six Bird Club to record their fourth young bird win from five races.

Moving onto Staithes where we see Deano Ward the 1st North of England Homing Union Futurity Race winner time a couple of birds to win 1st and 4th Club, to record his second young bird win after winning a brilliant 1st Club, 2nd Fed Bubwith (2) from a convoy of 1,575 birds. The lad also chalked up 2nd Club that race with his blue card scorer going onto lift 6th Fed to round off a great days racing. A great performance but Deano well and truly over-shadowed that with his outstanding Futurity Race win from Reed on Monday 27th August when the convoy of 518 birds were liberated at 7.40am flying into a fresh West wind. Deano's Futurity Race winner provided a big pay day for the lad winning a total of £2,052.52 in pools and prize money. Congratulations Deano, enjoy your success and I'm sure the money will come in very handy.

Chris Cooke timed a trio of birds to score 2nd, 3rd, 6th Club with the blue card going to “Lula Bell” a chequer flipey hen bred by Thurwell Bros & Bradley. “Lula Bell” is showing form for this is her third chalk on the bounce after netting 2nd Club, 6th Fed Worksop (1) when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 4th Fed. The hen followed that up by taking 5th Club when beaten by three loftmates that won 1st, 3rd and 4th Club Worksop (2) when the red card winner went onto claim 20th Fed out of 1,535 birds. The green card was awarded to a blue hen bred by Lamb Bros & Son of Middlestone Moor, Durham fame, and she was followed by a red cock bred down from a pair of Francois Leys and the late Armand Van Looy's of Belgium. A brother and sister to the red cock have already won 1st Club, 15th Fed Bubwith (1), 3rd and 4th Club Worksop (2). Derek “Golly” Foster returned to racing to lift 5th Club.

The partnership of Paul Longstaff, Jeff Moore & Ron Mackay hits the winners' enclosure at Marske & New Marske with Paul, Jeff & Ron's pole position winner being a sent sitting blue hen from Anth Moore of Guisborough fame. Jimmy Reed filled three cells to lift 2nd, 3rd, 4th Club with the blue card being netted by a 14-day sitting grizzle hen who won 1st Club the previous race from Worksop (2). The green card was potted by a dark Vandenabeele hen sitting 7-days, and she was followed by the yellow card scoring flying to the perch blue Geoff Kirkland x Vandenabeele hen to round off a notable performance. The partnership of the late Jack Brown & Tony Hunt picked up a point after Tony timed a blue Kees Bosua Tournier x Koopman hen to lift 5th Club The hen who was showing to a cock won 1st Club Worksop (1).

The Teesside Federation entry of 689 birds were up 20 minutes before the East Cleveland Federation, with the T T Teessiders going up at 9.20am but flying around four miles further as the Pigeons flies. The inform Haverton Hill loft of Nathan Bonar notched up his second win on the trot to record his third win in five starts, after timing a blue hen bred by Clubmates Paul Gatley, Bob Harrod & son Dale achieving a top vel of 1881 to win a brilliant 1st Federation. Nathan who is in his first season with the young birds is really making a name for himself with his fantastic performances which includes winning 1st Fed the previous race. The partnership of Andrew “Jappa” Appleton & Paul “Skunky” Longstaff had a couple of birds on the clock to lift 2nd and 3rd Club with the blue card being netted by a blue cock knocking out a vel of 1846 which was enough to go onto pot a very nice 3rd Fed. Jappa & Skunky's green card lifter was a blue pied hen doing 1812 to claim 9th Fed, the duo timed a later bird on 1774 to take 3rd Tees Valley Federation & Teesside Federation Breeder/Buyer pocketing £150.00 in the buyer prize money while Ali “Mac” McLeod banks the £150.00 breeder prize money to round off a very profitable day. Stuart Lewis, Coby & Amber McCabe timed two blue cocks doing 1804 and 1790.618 to take 4th and 5th Club, 13th and 18th Fed.

Ali “Mac” McLeod who has missed a couple of races returns to his winning ways at Billingham T U H/S after timing no fewer than five birds to win 1st and 5th Club, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 11th and 19th Fed. With top spot being won by a young blue Vandenabeele hen doing 1861, with the dam of the winning hen won 2nd Fed herself as a young bird last year. Mac decided to keep the dam of the winner as she is half sister to his good racing cocks “82” & “29”, the sire of the chart-topping hen is Mac's old Koen Minderhoud bloodlines that are responsible for numerous Club, Fed and Section winners and winning top Up North Combine positions. Second on the clock was a Vandenabeele cock making 1826 and he was followed by a blue Vandenabeele cock knocking out a vel of 1819 to win 1st £2 Club Ring Scheme winning £100.00. Mac's fourth timer was a blue hen on 1807 that was bred by Clubmate Butto Bell of the Bell & Weedall partnership which wins 1st Tees Valley Federation & Teesside Federation Breeder & Buyer winning £350.00 each.

Previous weeks winners Tommy Clark & son Gary timed three birds to pocket 2nd Club, 4th, 12th and 16th Fed with the yellow going to a pied hen doing 1830. While second on the clock was a chequer hen making 1806 with the hen being the previous potter of 19th Fed Worksop (2). Tommy & Gary's third timer who racked up a vel of 1794 was the chequer hen that won 1st Club, 4th Fed Worksop the week before. Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins also clocked a trio of youngsters to lift 3rd Club, 5th, 15th and 17th Fed on 1829, 1795 and 1790.61 with the duo's green card scorer that is netting for the third consecutive race being the chequer hen who chalked up 11th Fed Worksop (2) when beaten by three loftmates that took a notable 2nd, 4th, 5th Club, 2nd, 4th, 6th Fed.; and then the hen followed that up by claiming 3rd Club, 11th Fed Worksop (3). Brian & Keith second timer was a blue cock and he was followed by a chequer pied hen, the two lads have flown a notable youngster so far.

“Mr Moneybags” Colin Atkinson timed a chequer cock doing 1827 to chalk up 4th Club, 6th Fed. Colin enjoyed a very successful North of England Homing Union Futurity Race from Reed when he won a brilliant 1st Section and 4th Open winning a total of £1,328.92 in pools and prize money. Colin's winner was a chequer cock named “606” who won 1st Club, 1st Fed out of Pontefract, with the cock being out of “Harry” & “Ruby” bloodlines through Clubmate Ali McLeod. Colin had an outstanding young chequer cock the same way bred last season winning back-to-back races with him first winning from Pontefract (2) when he went onto win 1st Fed and 1st Section 5 from a convoy of 5,795 birds, and that was followed up by winning 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section Worksop (1) when there were 5,285 birds competing. Another youngster the same way bred won 1st Section North of England Homing Union Futurity Race from Reed last season winning £500.00 prize money.

Colin Atkinson of Billingham T U H/S holding his 1st Section, 4th Open Reed North of England  Homing Union Futurity Race.

Young Leon Kime & Kenzley Reed continue their very impressive season at the Beechwood & Easterside by winning 1st Club, 10th Fed with a blue hen recording a chart-topping vel of 1808 which was enough to chalk up a nice 10th Fed.

The Middlesbrough H/S partnership of the late Les Wellburn & sons Les & Derek wins 1st Club with Les & Derek's fancied pole position blue pied natural hen achieving a top vel of 1801 to go onto score 14th Fed and win the Fed Nom. Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley are in 2nd spot with the duo's blue card potter being a chequer hen making 1788 for 20th Fed.

The birds were scheduled to be basketed for Peterborough on Friday 7th September but the weather committee delayed basketing for 24 hours, Saturday mornings vote saw the birds basket for a Sunday liberation. But due the Up North Combine being unable to gain access to the Peterborough liberation site it was decided to take the birds further down the road to Huntingdon. The East Cleveland Federation 57 members entry of 1,352 birds hit the skies at 11am in a South-West wind. Ian Stafford & Mark Wilson won 1st, 4th, 5th Club, 1st, 5th, 6th, 19th Fed at Skinningrove with vels of 1715, 1705.8, 1705.4, 1685.8. Mike Prokopowicz & son Lee timed three of their entries to lift 2nd Club, 3rd, 8th, 13th Fed on 1706.5, 1704.1, 1690, while Sayers Bros Dave, Kenny, Brian and helper Richard potted 3rd Club, 4th, 17th Fed on 1706.1, 1687.55. The loft of the late Gordon “Shang” Peirson & sons Sack & Jim and loft helpers Trevor McConnell & son Bobby timed a chequer flipey Van Den Bulck bred by Stuart Watson of South Bank to net 7th Fed on 1704.7. Brian & Keith Simpson timed three darkened down flying to the perch youngsters in three seconds to lift 15th, 16th and 17th Fed on 1688, 1687.8 and 1687.50, with the first timer being a home-bred blue Dirk Van Den Bulck cock. And he was followed one second later by a chequer pied Louis Cooreman hen, who was two seconds in front of the brothers third timer a blue pied Louis Cooreman hen.

Onto Skelton Green where the late Peter Winspear & son Derek and his son Mark rack up their third consecutive win and young bird win number four of the season after timing a couple of babies to win 1st and 5th Club, with the red card winner achieving a pole position vel of 1703 to chalk up 9th Fed. Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and helper Trevor Mitchell timed no less than four of their squad to lift 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, 12th, 20th and 21st Fed on 1694, 1685.8 and 1685.5.

Dave “Rooster” Storr records his second win on the belt at Brotton H/S after timing a couple of youngsters in the space of 26 seconds to win 1st and 3rd Club, 22nd and 25th Fed on 1684.4 and 1683.4. With pole position being won by a Belgian import, while Rooster's green card scorer is the previous potter of 28th Fed Bubwith (1) when there were 2,092 birds competing. Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson, Tubby Purver and loft helpers Evo Everington & Frankie Rolands timed two birds to lift 2nd and 6th Club with the blue card going to a blue hen through Gudgeon & Adamson of South Shields on 1683.5 for 24th Fed, while the second on the clock was a blue cock through Evo's 1st Up North Combine Gold Medal winning “Evo's Lad”.  Mr & Mrs Bob & Babs Moore became the third loft to have a couple of birds on the clock to pocket 4th and 5th Club.

The loft of Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson, Tubby Purver and loft helpers Evo Everington & Frankie Rolands timed a chequer flipey through John Soderlund & John Maddison of South Shields fame cross Ian Stafford bloodlines two seconds before their 2nd Club Brotton H/S scorer to win 1st Brotton Six Bird Club on 1684.1 for 23rd Fed. Mr & Mrs Bob & Barbara Moore chalks up 2nd Club  with the blue card potter being the previous lifter of 28th Fed Worksop (1).

Before I go onto the Staithes result I would like to clear up a misunderstanding on my part on the birdage from the Worksop (1) and (2) races, it was Chris “Strongbow” Cooke that entered 16 birds from Worksop (1) and 17 birds from Worksop (2) and not the total birdage sent by the Club. The Oakham race saw Chris Cooke record his fourth young bird win from six starts after timing five of his squad to win 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club with the red card being won by a blue hen from the lads Francois Leys and the late Armand Van Looy family. Chris bred four youngsters from this pair this season with all four babies scoring, a chequer hen has won 1st Club, 15th Fed Bubwith (1), 4th Club Worksop (2) and 6th Club this week from Huntingdon. A red cock has scored 3rd Club Worksop (2) while another red cock has netted 6th Club Oakham. This weeks blue card potter is a D Pinkney of Hull x Francois Leys of Belgium (scorer of 132nd UNC Maidstone National) chequer hen who is the previous claimer of 3rd Club, 31st Fed out of Worksop (1). The yellow card was awarded to a Wayne Chew of Hornsea chequer cock that took 4th Club, 33rd Fed Worksop (1). Fourth on the clock for Chris came a dark chequer hen that is the nestmate to the chequer hen that was 2nd Club this race, while the lads fifth timer was the chequer hen that won 1st Club, 15th Fed Bubwith and 4th Club Worksop (2) to round another winning performance. Derek “Golly” Foster stopped the dry-rub by netting 3rd Club.

Jimmy Reed recorded his fourth young bird win of the season at Marske & New Marske after filling no fewer than four chambers to win a top notch 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club. With top spot being won by a dark chequer Gaby Vandenabeele hen sent sitting 14 days, the red card winning hen is chalking for the second race running after potting 3rd Club Oakham. The green card was awarded to a 14-day sitting Gaby Vandenabeele hen that is the nestmate to Jimmy's winner, and she was followed by a Graham Jones blue chequer hen. In cell four came a Gaby Vandenabeele x Geoff Kirkland blue hen who is the previous potter of 4th Club Worksop (1). The previous weeks winning loft of Paul Longstaff, Jeff Moore & Ron Mackay are in 2nd spot with the lads blue card scorer being a blue chequer hen from Dave Drinkhall of Guisborough.

The strings of the Teesside Federation muster of 520 birds were cut at 10.40hrs for the 158 162 miles fly into Teesside. Nathan Bonar of Haverton Hill is sitting comfortably at the top of both the Club and Federation pile for the third consecutive race after timing three birds to win 1st and 5th Club, 1st, 15th and 17th Fed. With pole position being won by a blue hen bred by Clubmates Paul Gatley, Bob Harrod & son Dale recording a top vel of 1635, while Nathan's second timer was a blue hen making 1593 and she was followed by a blue cock doing 1589. The partnership of Stuart Lewis, Coby & Amber McCabe timed two chequer cock achieving vels of 1633 and 1592 to score a very nice 2nd and 6th Club, 2nd and 16th Fed. While Paul Gatley, Bob Harrod & son Dale netted 3rd and 4th Club, 3rd and 11th Fed with the green card being awarded to a blue cock racking up a vel of 1627.9 while the yellow was claimed by a chequer cock on 1608.

Nathan Bonar of Haverton Hill holding his 1st Club, 1st Teesside Federation Oakham winner.

Next stop is the Billingham T U H/S where the loft of Tommy Clark & son Gary records their second young bird win of the season, the 1st Club, 4th Fed Worksop (3) winning duo timed no less than four of their team this time to win 1st and 5th Club, 4th, 13th, 14th and 20th Fed. With the lads red card winning blue pied hen racking up a vel of 1627.7 to go onto score 4th Fed, second on the clock was a chequer pied cock taking on 1596.8. Two seconds later came a pied cock making 1596.5 and he was followed by a blue hen doing 1385. Colin Atkinson clocked a blue hen achieving 1623 to chalk up 2nd Club, 5th Fed and 1st £5 Fed Rings. Ali “Mac” McLeod is in 3rd spot with a blue Vandenabeele cock doing 1619 for 6th Fed, with the green card potter being from one of Mac's very good stock cocks who has bred 4 x 1st Federation winners and many more to score, with the cock been a full brother to the sire of Mac's 1st Up North Combine Burbure Gold Medal winning “Gaby Lou”. These birds are from Ali's old number 1 Koen Minderhoud hen who is the mother to Mac's loft.

Geoff & Michel Huggert and the late Keith “Greg” Gregory were in the money after timing their blue cock achieving 1602 to win 4th Club, 12th Fed, 1st Tees Valley Federation & Teesside Federation Breeder & Buyer banking a total of £700.00 prize money. Well done Geoff & Michael, enjoy spending your winnings lads. Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins clocked a chequer pied cock bred by Ronnie & Ann Evans, Jimmy Gibbon and the late Barry Smith of High Southwick, Sunderland fame, doing 1591 to chalk up 17th Fed and 2nd Tees Valley Federation & Teesside Federation breeder/buyer pocketing £250.00 each. Brian & Keith timed a later youngster a blue cock to lift 2nd £5 Fed Rings, the two lads also took 3rd Tees Valley Federation & Teesside Federation breeder/buyer with their own youngster to claim the £300.00 prize money and round off a money-spinning day. George Brydon is in the money again after timing a youngsters bred by Miller Bros & Kyle of Bolden fame for the Tees Valley Federation & Teesside Federation Breeder & Buyer where he takes 2nd with both lofts banking £250.00 each to add to the £250.00 each they won from the Worksop (3) event.

There was four quick birds at Middlesbrough H/S with 1st Club being won by Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley who record their second young bird win of the season, after winning 1st Club, 6th Fed Worksop (1). This weeks red card winner was a chequer hen achieving a chart-topping vel of 1618.1 which was enough to score 7th Fed. The partnership of the late Wyn Cole, Ste Wheatley & grandson Connor timed three of their entries in the space of six seconds to lift a notable 2nd, 3rd, 4th Club, with the blue card awarded to a chequer cock knocking out a vel of 1617.9 to go onto net 8th Fed. The green card was taken by a chequer cock doing 1617.0 for 9th Fed, with the cock being the previous scorer of 2nd Club, 10th Fed Worksop (3). The yellow card potter that touched down the same time as the green card lifter was a blue hen who claims 10th Fed and 1st Fed Nom, the hen is winning the Fed Nom for the second time after her Pontefract achievement. The loft of the late Les Wellburn & sons Les & Derek clocked a natural blue hen doing 1587 to notch up 5th Club, 19th Fed.

Moving onto the Beechwood & Easterside where we see Club Secretary Derek Gibson & Burnip enjoying a cracking clocking day after timing no fewer than four birds to win a top-notch 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club. The partnership of Lythe & Warwick weighed in by timing a couple of their squad to chalk up 2nd and 6th Club.

I would like to thank Ali McLeod and Robbie Barron for this weeks photos.

With time running out I will sign off for another week. Any news to Good Corn 6 Boulby Drive Loftus Saltburn Cleveland TS13 4JN. Tel: 01287 643624 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.