Burton & South Derbyshire Federation.

A season review of 2022.

The 2022 season started on a sour note with avian flu in the area meaning that some of the members in the Osmaston Park H.S. were unable to race their old birds, this was really unfortunate and my heart went out to the lofts affected. 

What followed can only be described as a good seasons racing for our federation, and thanks must go out to our convoyer Alys and the officials of the federation.

Fed Convoyer Alys Evans

Saturday April 23^rd saw the opening race of the 2022 season, from upper Heyford in Oxfordshire.  9 clubs sent 917 birds which were liberated at 11:30 in a strong N.E. wind.

With the east in the wind, Hill Ridware were always going to be in the box seat, you can’t give top fliers that much favourable conditions without being punished and they didn’t disappoint taking the top 10 positions.                                                                        

Congratulations to C. T. Leadbeater & sons on taking 1^st; 2^nd & 3^rd fed on 1384; 1375; 1373. The fed topper was a 3yo Belgian rung cheq Van Loon hen, bred by their friend Frank Els in Belgium.

CT Leadbeater & Sons, 4 x 1st Fed 2022

Taking 2^nd & 3^rd fed were two 2yo hens both bred by their good friend Barry Jones, both granddaughters of Shaun McDonough’s “The Ultimate”; who along with “Magic Pie” are the base of Shaun’s worldwide renown winning strain.  

Taking 4^th fed on 1367 was Rich & Gordie Jones & Batt with a hen off their Steve Price of Stourport blood lines.

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Saturday April 30^th saw 66 members enter 1461 birds for the second visit to Upper Heyford.  It was a glorious day, a near perfect racing day, and the birds fairly romped home, with the top 3 lofts spread about, with the leading trio being timed into South Derbyshire, Hilton and Rugeley.                                                    

Alys cut the strings and liberated the birds at 10:45 into a light north wind, quickly turning into a light southerly. 

Congratulations to Davis, Wright & Sons of Swadlincote Town on topping the fed on 1632; Malc, Mike and Matt timing in a yearling blue pied cock. His sire is a Staf van Reet bred for stock and his full brother topped both the Tamworth and our federation out of Mangotsfield and Portland, respectively. His dam is off Tony & Lee Painter’s “Kev’s Boy”; she is responsible for many prize-winners.

Malc Wright

Runner up on 1625 was Phil Bourke of Stretton, Phil ably assisted by young Jack timed in their top 2yo D & G Wright Soontjen cock “Mo”; this was his third win at club level, and now he has a 1^st and 2^nd fed to his name.

YB of the Year winners, Phil & Jack Bourke

3^rd fed on 1623 were last weeks fed toppers C. T. Leadbeater & sons of Hill Ridware, timing in a 2yo Shaun McDonough hen off “The Ultimate” lines, she was bred by good friend Barry Jones and was 3^rd fed the week previous too.

A good team performance by Neil Harvey of Swadlincote town, flying as M. Harvey & son loft 2.  He took 4^th; 5^th; 6^th; and 7^th fed on 1615.7; 1615.3; 1614.6; 1614.0;  the first a 3yo Cuester hen off Chris Vasey and Gary Cox stock.

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Saturday May 7^th saw 88 members enter 1746 birds for the race from Marlborough. It was another lovely racing day, blue skies, white fluffy clouds, sunshine and a gentle northerly wind; Alys cut the strings at 10:20 and an excellent race followed.                       

Returns were very good, but  we were still getting hit by the peregrines en-route, with reports of some birds arriving home with signs of attack, sadly for the birds and their owners, this is now going to be an everyday risk, due to the increasing numbers of the falcons.                                                                                

Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Alan & Helen Stretton of Swadlincote Town on taking 1^st & 2^nd fed on 1354.3; 1354.0; the winner a 2yo blue hen out of a De Meyer; and a Louis Thijs x Wall, Lunt & Green “Sirius” hen that topped the fed out of Carentan. Runner up was Alan’s most consistent bird so far this year, a 2yo blue cock, a Verheyen Hofken x Jan Herman from Rob Pearson. Alan had 2 more in the first 17 in the fed, well done Alan.

Alan Stretton

3^rd fed on 1343 was Davis, Wright and sons, also of Swadlincote Town with the previous weeks fed topper, the yearling blue pied cock. His sire is a Staf van Reet and his full brother topped both the Tamworth and our federation out of Mangotsfield and Portland, respectively. His dam is off Tony & Lee Painter’s “Kev’s Boy”.            

Davis, Wright & Sons, 3 x 1sr Fed 2022

4^th fed on 1341 was Mr & Mrs Graham Evans, again flying out of Swadlincote Town, Graham timed in a yearling dark Wildie hen, from Dixon & son of County Durham. 

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Saturday May 14^th saw 87 members from 10 clubs enter 1658 birds for the first visit to Salisbury of this season.

On another glorious day, blue skies; light cloud and plenty of sunshine, Alys cut the strings at 08:35 in a light S.W. wind and the leading birds fairly romped home reaching speeds of 55mph; with good returns.                                    

Congratulations to D.Nesbitt & sons of Hill Ridware on gaining 1^st fed on 1639. Mark timed in a yearling cheq hen, a granddaughter of “Isla” his champion Leo Hereman hen. A full sister to this yearling hen won the Tividale breeder buyer scooping over £4000 and she had also topped the fed. Well done Mark.

Mark Nesbitt Top Loft

2^nd & 3^rd fed on 1631.3; 1631.1; were Davis, Wright & Sons of Swadlincote Town. There first was a yearling blue hen out of a Gordon Bros Kris Wijnants cock when paired to a Gaby Vandenabeele hen out of their prolific “31616” lines.  She was closely followed by a yearling CWF cock; his sire out of the “Best Kittle Junior” lines; his dam a Staf Van Reet who won 7 x 1^st and a 1^st fed out of Kingsdown. The nestmate to this CWF cock topped the fed last year as a yb.                                   

Over the last 3 races this loft has won 1 x 1^st; 1x 2^nd; and 2 x 3^rd fed. 

4^th fed on 1627.7 was Phil Bourke of Stretton; Phil’s first bird was the same 3yo M/M Lycett cock that won the week before out of Marlborough, he is a nephew of the Lycett’s great racer “Eddy”.

Phil, Sophie and Jack Bourke 2 x 1st Fed 2022

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Saturday May 21^st saw another lovely racing day, 79 members sent 1384 birds to Blandford forum in Dorset.

Alys cut the strings at 8am in a west south west wind, and I’m sure most fanciers; like me; expected the South Derbyshire lofts and other lofts in the eastern side of the fed to take the honours?  That wasn’t the case as the Hill Ridware lads surprised us, in totally dominating the fed sheet; perhaps the wind was more S.W. than W.S.W.?                                                                   

Congratulations to C.T. Leadbeater & sons on gaining 1^st & 2^nd fed on 1707; 1706.8; both Belgian rung 2yo Aerts hens, this was the lofts 2^nd fed win in the opening five races.

Right on their tails were four birds to the lofts of D. Nesbitt & sons; Mark was 3^rd; 4^th; 5^th; and 6^th fed on 1706.6; 1704; 1702.8; 1702.4; the first was the yearling cheq Leo Hereman hen that topped fed week the before out of Salisbury; she’s a granddaughter of Isla; her full sister won Tividale B/B winning over £4000.

Mark Nesbitt of Hill Ridware 4 x 1st Fed 2022

She was followed by another yearling hen, this one out of “Bread” a son of Ray & Darren Hunt “Soupster” x with Mark’s double granddaughter of “Olympiade 003”.                                                                                                                       

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Saturday May 28^th saw 80 members from 9 clubs enter 1428 birds for the first visit of the season to Weymouth. Alys cut the strings at 08:15 in a North wind, it was another lovely racing day, and the light headwind made it a good work out for the birds.                                                                      

Congratulations to D.Nesbitt & sons of Hill Ridware on taking 1^st& 2^nd; fed on 1347; 1346.the winner a 3yo Belgian rung Hereman hen, she was 5^th fed the week previous out of Blandford and is a previous winner of 2 x 1^st fed. Hot on her tail for the second race running was a yearling Hereman hen, she was 6^th fed the week previous.

3^rd fed on 1342; was clubmate Anthony Probert; with a yearling premier stud Hereman hen; she was 7^th fed the week previous out of Blandford. 

Taking 4^th; 5^th; 6^th and 7^th fed on 1338.2; 1338.1; 1337.9; 1337.8; was the much in form loft of Phil Bourke of Hilton, flying at Stretton. Phil had four cocks arrive together: trapping in 4 seconds. The first was his very good 3yo blue cock “59”. This was the cocks 4^th win on the bounce, brilliant performance. His sire is a brother of M/M K Lycett’s “Eddy”; his dam is “Eddy’s” nest sister.

42 lofts entered 200 birds in the inland special race, flown in conjunction with the fed race above.  Mark Nesbitt of Hill Ridware took 1^st; 2^nd; 6^th; and 10^th on 1347; 1346; 1330; 1320. 

Clubmate Anthony Probert was 3^rd; 5^th; 7^th; and 8^th on 1342; 1334; 1328.8; 1328.7.

Phil Bourke of Stretton was 4^th on 1338. 

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Saturday June 4^th saw 66 members from 8 clubs send 1092 birds to Salisbury (2). The forecast wasn’t great for the morning and most of us were expecting an afternoon liberation with a fresh east wind to boot. Saturday morning panned out better than we thought, and Alys cut the strings at 10:15 in a strong E.N.E. wind. It proved a stiff fly, returns were good, but still plenty returning home with signs of peregrine attack!! We all expected the Hill Ridware lofts to fill the fed sheet with the strong easterly wind, and they didn’t disappoint, the first seven in the result all arrived together, with four peeling out to the loft of Anthony Probert and the other three carrying on to the loft of Mark Nesbitt.                                                                             

Congratulations to Anthony Probert on an absolute terrific performance, he took  1^st; 2^nd; 3^rd; 4^th; 8^th; 9^th; and10^th fed on 1354.4; 1354.2; 1354.0; 1354.0; 1350; 1349.8; 1349.5; timing these seven in a 33 second burst, all yearlings.

Anthony’s Leo Heremans are mostly off the Premier Stud direct or from Shane Reading of Hull, Shane was a stock manager at Premier Stud, added to these are more top stock from Mick Bradley of Cumbria and Mark Nesbitt.                                                         

The fed winner was a blue cock out of a son of “Houdini” x daughter of “Better than Bolt”.  Runner up was a dark cheq hen; she’s out of “Unbreakable Bolt” x dtr “456” out of the “Daybreak” lines.                                                                                                       

3^rd fed was a cheq hen out of a son of “Unbreakable Bolt” x “Houdini” lines.

4^th fed was a blue cock, he was 8^th fed the week previous out of Weymouth, his sire is from Mark Nesbitt; his dam a daughter of “Houdini”.

In the last two races Anthony was threatening this, but I wondered if he’d got it in his team to turn the tables on the likes of D. Nesbitt & sons and the Leadbeaters; well, this week he showed he has.

Over the last 4 races he has won 6^th fed Salisbury; 7^th; 8^th; and 9^th fed Blandford; 3^rd; 8^th; 11^th; and 12^th fed Weymouth; 3^rd; 5^th; 7^th; and 8^th in the Weymouth special race; and now these seven top ten prizes.

Well done Anthony, believe it or not, Anthony races his birds on the natural!!!

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Saturday June 11^th saw 75 members from 9 clubs enter 1238 birds for the second visit to the Dorset coastal town of Weymouth. It was another lovely day with a fresh west south west wind blowing. Alys cut the strings at 08:30 and the birds made the most of the helping wind, with the leading birds making speeds of 64 mph.

Congratulations to Davis, Wright & sons of Swadlincote town on taking 1^st fed on 1881with a yearling cheq cock named “Nibble”.  His sire is off “Nugget” son of the “147” cock of the Gordon Bros in Northern Ireland, when he was paired to a daughter of “31616”; who won 1^st fed Portland and 3^rd fed Kingsdown. The dam is an Andre Roodhooft, again from the Gordon bros; she won 2^nd fed out of Frome.  This is the second fed win of the season for Malc, Michael and Matt, well done lads.                                                     

C. Leadbeater & sons of Hill Ridware were 2^nd & 3^rd fed on 1871; 1869; both 2yo hens out of Shaun McDonough “Ultimate” stock from good friend Barry Jones. The first was the blue hen that took 3^rd fed in both upper Heyford races at the start of the season, winning the club out of the second race. She was followed by the blue WF hen that was 1^st club; 7^th fed out of Marlborough.                                                                                     

D. Nesbitt & sons were 4^th fed on 1866, mark timing in his top 3yo Belgian rung hereman hen “96”; she has topped the fed three times; twice in 2021 and once this year. She also won the ladies race single bird nomination.

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Saturday June 18^th was the scheduled day for our second race of the season from Marlborough. But, due to poor weather the birds were held over, then liberated on the Sunday morning.

66 members from 9 clubs entered 1000 birds, which were liberated at 10:45 in a N.N.E., wind, turning N.N.W. on the route home.  Birdage was down this week, with some birds being sent to the M.N.F.C. and some being kept at home ready for the N.M.C.C. Guernsey the following week.

We expected the shorter flying lofts to take the leading positions with the headwind, but Brian & Sue Stone of Holbrook, one of the longest flying members in the fed, defied all the odds to take a magnificent 1^st fed on 1305 with a yearling blue pied cock; the sire a grandson of “Kannibal” and the dam their number 1 Sticker Doncker hen; well done Brian and Sue, brilliant performance on the day.                                                                    

Runner up on 1303 was Nigel Cawser of Stretton, flying at Swadlincote Town, Nigel timing in a yearling Hofken x Soontjen blue WF cock.                                                                       

Back to Holbrook again, and Mick Fearn took 3^rd & 5^th fed on 1300.1; 1299; both Lambrecht hens. Mick obtained his original Cyriel Lambrecht’s from Brian Dearn of Darwen in Lancashire, top pigeons these lines, winning well across the UK.  Mick’s first bird a 2yo cheq hen was bred by Alan Houldsworth of Derby and was purchased in the club breeder buyer. Mick told me he is the shortest flying loft in the club, on the east side, and that Brian and sue are the longest flying loft on the west side; he went on to say it was a really good race and a great winner for Brian and Sue.

Splitting the two Mick Fearn birds was Phil Bourke of Stretton; Phil continued his brilliant season taking 4^th fed on 1300.0 with a yearling cheq cock bred out of stock from the late Mr & Mrs Ken Lycett. The sire was “Well ‘ard” a Hereman from the top lofts of the Gordon Bros in Ireland; the dam is “Relentless” the top daughter off champion “Eddy”. This yearling cock has now won 1 x1^st; 1 x 2^nd and 2 x 4^th this year.

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Saturday June 25^th saw 59 members from 8 clubs enter 859 birds for the second visit of the season to Blandford Forum in Dorset.
Blue skies; sunshine and a strong tail wind from the S.S.W. meant the birds had an easy flight home with the fed topper exceeding 2100 ypm. Alys cut the strings at 07:35 and the birds fairly romped home, Hill Ridware once again led the way home, with C.T. Leadbeater & sons taking top spot on 2102 with their good 2yo blue wf hen “95”, this hen bred by good friend Barry Jones is out of the Shaun McDonough “Ultimate” stock. “95” has previously won 1^st club; 7^th fed Marlborough (1) and 2^nd club 3^rd fed Weymouth (2) this season. Her nestmate “85” has won 2 x 1^st club and a 2^nd and 3^rd fed this season before being badly hawked.                                                   

D. Nesbitt & sons took 2^nd & 4^th fed on 2092; 2067; the first a yearling blue WF hen is a granddaughter of Mark’s champion Leo Hereman hen “Isla” ; her sire is an inbred grandson of the Van den Bulck “Sagan”  from Bob Fenech. The second was a 2yo blue hen off Mark Darby.                

The much improved and consistent Anthony Probert is knocking on the door again, this week he takes 3^rd, 6^th; 7^th; 8^th;  and 10^th  fed on 2072; 2048; 2046.9; 2046.3; 2034; with his Leo Heremans. The first a 3yo blue cock off the old dark cock “28”; this cock won a 1^st and a 2^nd in 2021

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Saturday July 2^nd saw the birds third visit of the season to the Wiltshire Cathedral city of Salisbury. The weather forecast wasn’t brilliant, and some organisations decided to mark on the Saturday for a Sunday race.                                                         

56 members from 9 clubs sent 902 birds and it turned out to be a good decision to liberate at 07:20 in the S.S.W. wind; the birds fairly romped home exceeding the 1900 ypm mark.

There’s no doubt about it, the birds had a brilliant start, I looked at the Salisbury Cathedral live webcam at 07:25, not knowing the birds had been liberated and the visibility was brilliant with bright skies.

There was showers about, but from what I’ve heard, and those birds I saw arrive home, the vast majority were dry, and the returns were very good.  Congratulations to Jim Parker & son of Winshill on gaining 1^st fed on 1940 with a 4yo blue hereman cock.

Davis, Wright & sons of Swadlincote town continue their fine form, taking 2^nd; 3^rd; and 4^th fed on 1932; 1931; 1930.2; their first a 2yo blue WF cock; his sire is a Staf van Reet x daughter of Tony & Lee Painter’s “Kev’s Boy”. The dam is off “31616” when paired to a daughter of Tony & Lee Painter’s “Van Persie”.  He was followed by a yearling blue hen; her sire is a full brother to the dam of the blue WF cock above; her dam is a Staf van Reet; a mother to multiple prize winners. 

Then a yearling blue pied hen; her sire is a Staf van Reet; her dam a daughter of Tony & Lee Painter’s “Kev’s Boy”. This blue pied hen is nestmate to the cock that had a 1^st & 3^rd fed earlier this season.

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Saturday July 9^th saw the last race of the 2022 old bird season; it was the third visit of the season to the Dorset coastal town of Weymouth. Alys cut the strings at 07:35 in clear blue skies; sunshine; and a fresh NNE wind, which turned NW at the home end.  64 members from 9 clubs sent 1027 birds; and they had a stiff end to the season, with the clear blue skies all the way, it was a day that gave no help at all to the birds. Saying that, returns were again very good, and one must congratulate the federation in providing excellent racing throughout the whole old bird season.              

Congratulations to one of the most improved lofts in the federation that of Anthony Probert of Hill Ridware; who flies mainly Leo Heremans from the Premier Stud bloodlines.  Anthony wins his second fed race of the season on 1326 with “28” a 4yo NWHU Leo Hereman cock, this cock has had five prizes in the top 11 of the fed this season. His sire is a son of “De Jan”; his dam is off a brother to “Den Euro” when paired to a sister of “Las Vagas”.  Anthony had three more birds to follow up taking 3^rd; 5^th and 7^th fed on 1315; 1300; 1292.6.

Anthony Probert, owner of best old bird and Bird of the Year 2022

The first one a yearling cheq Hereman hen off the “Blackpool Cock” who is a grandson of “Dark Destroyer”; her dam is a daughter of “Supersonic”. Runner up on 1319 was D. Nesbitt & sons, Mark timing in a 2yo blue hereman hen.                                                                                         

Spink & Barks; Phil and Daz timed in a WHU yearling cheq pied cock on 1310 to take 4^th fed, this is a Mark Jansenne from Chris Mather of Cardiff.

Phil Spink

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Saturday July 23^rd saw the opening race of the 2022 young bird season; once again there were plenty of members and clubs who were not quite ready to start their youngsters off.                                                                                      

37 members from 5 clubs entered 820 birds which were liberated at 09:20 in a light SW wind. It was a typical opening yb race, some made it look straight forward and others made hard work of it, there were quite a few out on the night, I know of a couple being reported in Barnsley and Scarborough.  Congratulations to Phil Bourke of Stretton who had 10 together, the first 9 over the ETS pad in 13 seconds enabling him to take the first 9 in the fed on 1549; 1547.6(2); 1547.3; 1547.0; 1546.3; 1546.0; 1545.6; 1545.3.           

The fed topper was a blue cock; his sire a M/M K Lycett Vandenabeele, his dam a sister of “Mo” his good D & G Wright Soontjen. Runner up was another blue cock; his sire is “Mo”; his dam another Lycett Vandeabeele.

The next two were both Mr & Mrs Lycett Vandenabeeles, followed by a Soontjen hen off D & G Wright stock; then a blue cock off a brother of M/M Lycett’s champion “Eddy”; another blue cock followed up, this one off A & L Painter x a Central Lofts Kittel. The last two were another Lycett Vandenabeele cock and a cheq hen off Lycett’s “Well ‘ard” x “Relentless”

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Saturday July 30^th saw 49 members from 6 clubs enter 1050 birds for the second consecutive visit to Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire.                                                                                      

It was a weekend which was not straight forward for federations and race controllers, some feds called the weekend off, some marked Saturday for Sunday and some had to holdover on the Saturday.  Alys managed to get our birds away early on the Saturday, cutting the strings and dropping the flaps at 07:35 in a light SW wind.

Once again some lofts made it look straight forward and some lofts struggled, I would hazard a guess the majority of birds that were late came back from the north?

It looked like they may have gone up on the east side? Reports of birds being reported in Northampton, Kettering; Cambridge and Wigston in Leicestershire confirm this. Some lofts had 100% returns, overall returns were good; members praised the fed and Alys for giving them a good race. 

Congratulations to Mick Fearn of Osmaston Park in Derby on taking 1^st fed on 1528 with a blue Lambrecht cock off stock from Brian Dearn of Darwen; mick had 100% returns 14/14. It was great to see Osmaston Park having success, after the avian flu meant a lot of their members couldn’t fly the old bird season.

2^nd fed on 1524 were Brian & Sue Stone of Belper flying at Holbrook with a blue cock bred by Matt Cotton of Codnor, this cock was purchased in a breeder buyer sale. This was another loft with 100% returns 40/40.   These were the only 2 birds to exceed the 1500 ypm mark.                                                                                                                 

Phil Whetton of Stretton was 3^rd & 4^th fed on 1488; 1481; the first a blue Van den Bulck hen from Fenech Bros stock; followed by a dark cheq cock off a Stu Wiskin Lambrecht x Alf Jones.

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Saturday August 6^th saw 65 members from 9 clubs send 1269 birds to the first of back to back Marlborough races. It was another lovely day; nobody can blame the weather conditions for any losses.

Alys cut the strings at 08:05 and the birds were away in a light N.N.E. wind veering N.W. en-route. Congratulations to Spink & Barks of the Hill Ridware club on taking 1-2-3 fed on 1381; 1380; 1373; these three were on their own alright. Phil and Daz’s winner is a red cock out of a Shane Reading Leo Hereman and a Van den Bulck from Alan Devlin of Cumbria; the sire is a son of Shane Reading’s “Red Destroyer” which is a grandson of “Man o’ Chester”.  

Runner up was a blue Leo Heremans x De Bruin hen; the sire again from Shane Reading stock; the dam their own great little hen “95” who won 7 x 1^st and a 1^st fed ; and was federation bird of the year.                                                  

3^rd fed was another blue hen, the sire of this hen is “Pegg Leg” a Vandenabeele x Soontjen from Pete Wightman & son, from the best of M/M K Lycett and Anslow Farrar. The dam of the blue hen was from Alan Devlin of Cumbria, a Leo Heremans out of the “Safier” lines.                                                                                                                      

Taking 4^th on 1351; was D. Nesbitt & sons, Mark timing in a cheq hen; daughter of Mark’s Tividale gold ring race winner.

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Saturday August 13^th saw 46 members from 8 clubs send 721 birds to Marlborough (2), birdage was down this week, some members birds still suffering from the dreaded yb sickness and a lot of members either not sending or sending depleted teams due to the very high temperatures forecast for the weekend. 

Like most if not all federations, the strings were cut nice and early giving the ybs the best chance possible to get home before the heat of the day set in.  Alys cut the strings at 07:05 in a light N.W. wind; and again it was a good race, with decent returns, and not surprisingly the Rugeley Lofts made hay with the easterly wind.

Congratulations to C.T. Leadbeater & sons of Hill Ridware on taking 1^st & 2^nd fed on 1384; 1367; both blue Vandenabeele hens bred off stock from good friend Barry Jones. This gives this loft their fourth fed winner of the season, well done lads.  

3^rd & 4^th fed on 1355; 1341; were Rich & Gordie Jones with a blue hen from Neil Bradley followed by a mealy hen bred by Steve Duggan. 

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Saturday August 20^th saw the first visit to Salisbury for our young birds. 69 members from 9 clubs sent 1434 birds which were liberated at 08:20 in no wind, turning SW en-route, picking up as the day went on.  What a fantastic race it was, with a blanket finish; a kit came through from the south with leading birds dropping out into South Derbyshire; Little Eaton North of Derby and Holbrook.

Congratulations to Davis, Wright & sons on taking 1^st fed on 1794.8 with a blue pied cock; out of the Central Lofts top “Kittel” blood. The sire is inbred “Daniel’s Shakira”, the dam “Diamond Junior 932”.                                                 

Agony for Stan Hall of Osmaston Park, just missing out on 1^st fed, but taking 2^nd & 3^rd on 1794.6; 1793; the first a grizzle cock that was bred out of a grizzle hen stan purchased for his late wife Shirley, he was closely followed by a cheq cock off stock from Mr & Mrs Dave Stone of Heage. A tremendous team performance by Kev Matthews of Holbrook, Kev had 7 arrive together, timed in a 14 second spell; the first on 1791 taking 4^th fed was a Jos Cools cock off Steve Foster stock taking 4th fed.

Kev Matthews

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Saturday August 27^th was a glorious racing day, with warm sunshine; a fresh atmosphere and a light N.N.W.wind.  

67 members from 9 clubs entered 1180 birds which were liberated by Alys at 08:15 in a light N.N.E. wind.  The leading birds fairly romped home, a bit quicker than I thought, and the touch of east was enough to put D. Nesbitt & sons of Hill Ridware in pole position.  Mark took 1^st & 2^nd fed on 1437; 1436;  the fed topper a cheq cock, his sire a Jos Cools; his dam a top Leo Hereman hen who has topped our fed 3 x times and been club and fed bird of the year three times.                                                                                                       

Runner up was a blue cock; his sire a son of “Isla” Mark’s Champion Leo Hereman hen; his dam a daughter of Adam Wealthall’s “Snowball”. 
Mr & Mrs Trevor Collins & son of Swadlincote town had their team on fire; taking the first seven in the club. Their club winner, a blue hen out of their “21” when paired to a son of “Eurovision” from Premier Stud was good enough to take 3^rd fed on 1433.

Phil Bourke of Stretton was 4^th & 5^th fed on 1425; 1424; the first a cheq hen; sire from A & L Painter stock; dam a Gordon Bros Van den Bulck; the dam is daughter of “Zico” who is daughter of “Dream Roede”.

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Saturday September 3^rd saw 52 members from 8 clubs enter 844 birds for the race from Blandford Forum in Dorset.  It was a day our convoyer Alys had to be patient, but her patience paid off as members enjoyed a brilliant race, well done Alys.  The strings were cut at 12:25 and the birds were away in a helping S.S.W. wind, turning more southerly en-route.                                                         

Taking 1^st fed on 1838 was Phil Bourke of Stretton with a blue cock; a son off “Mo” his top Soontjen cock from D & G Wright stock. This is the first son off “Mo” Phil has raced, he has now won a 1^st fed to add to his 2^nd fed out of Upper Heyford (1).  When “Mo” didn’t return from Marlborough this year, Phil thought he would never see him again. “Mo” was reported near Swindon, Phil sent for him, but on his return it was obvious his racing days were over due to a damaged wing. But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining; and “Mo” has a long retirement planned in the stock pen.

A terrific performance by Mr & Mrs Dave Stone of Holbrook, they took 2^nd; 3^rd; and 4^th fed on 1833.4; 1833.1; 1832; first over the pad was a cheq hen out of the Sylvain Verhestraeten stock; she is a granddaughter of “Pichanel” the number one breeding cock.  “Pichanel” is a son of “Chanel” who was 1^st national Chaterouex from over 12,000 birds. “Pichanel” is a sire and grand sire of ace pigeons such as “the 78”; “Piccolo”; “Vivaldi” and “Ducati 227” etc.                 

Dave Stone                                   

3^rd fed was a cheq cock; his sire is the “Sweet Flighty Cock” who only raced 7 yb races; winning 5 prizes including 2 x 1^st club and a 3^rd and 5^th fed. He is a grandson of “Alfie”; Dave’s no 1 breeding cock off Alfie Hawthorne. His dam is an inbred daughter of “Alfie”.  4^th fed was a blue Hereman Cuester cock off “The Bolt” lines from the STS Lofts of Kings Lynn. These lads also bred Dave’s 1^st open Derby’s; Notts; Yorkshire combine race from the Guernsey YB race last year.

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Saturday September 10^th saw 58 members from 9 clubs enter 1104 birds for the penultimate race of the 2022 season from Marlborough.  The birds were liberated by Alys at 09:20 in a NW wind; after the early gloom lifted here in Burton, we were left with cloud cover but we were all expecting a good steady race.                                                                                              

I don’t know what went wrong, some of the birds had come through some rain, the leading birds were on the east side of the fed, although there was very little west in the wind, here in Burton no west at all, it was dead north.

Holbrook took 19 0f the top 20 positions, only Trevor and Gary Collins Swadlincote winner getting amongst them in 13^th place.  Alot of the members had a disappointing day, with a few empty perches at nightfall?

Once again we had birds returning with obvious peregrine damage, including the previous weeks fed topper!!

Back to the race, like I said, the Holbrook members had a great race, achieving the expected velocities, and their top 30 birds arrived in just over 3 minutes. Congratulations to Kev Matthews on taking 1^st; 2^nd; 3^rd; 4^th; and 6^th fed on  1283.5; 1283.4; 1283.1; 1282.7; 1282.5; Kev had 14 arrive in a 100 second spell, and he had 11 birds in the top 20 of the fed in a 76 second burst; brilliant team performance Kev.                                                                                       

The fed topper was a Jos Cools hen bred by Steve Foster; she was followed by a Freddy Vandenheede cock having only his second race of the season; a blue WF Soontjen hen came next; she is a great granddaughter of Denis Sapin’s “Johnny” a winner of 15 x 1^st. A Freddy Vandenheede x Jos Cools hen was 4^th fed.

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Saturday September 17^th saw the final race of the 2022 season, 45 members sent 505 birds to Weymouth for the yb special race. Once again the weather gods shone down on us, as near perfect conditions welcomed the birds on their release.  Alys waited till all the north west liberations had took place, before liberating the fed birds at 10:50 in a N.W. wind.            

Congratulations to D. Nesbitt & sons of Hill Ridware on taking 1^st fed on 1351 with a cheq cock, a gift of Mark’s friend, Nathan Foulkes of Stoke on Trent; this cock was pooled to win £247-50.                                                                     

The Holbrook members birds had been on fire in recent weeks, and again they didn’t disappoint.

D & A Swift were 2^nd & 3^rd fed on 1334; 1325; both Rudy van Reeths from their Dragonfly Loft Stud. Their first was off “Froome” a son of “De Duper”; followed by one off “Hamilton”; both these were pooled winning a total of £330-00.

D & A Swift

Mr & Mrs Dave Stone were 4^th fed on 1324 with a blue WF hen, she was pooled to win £62-50.

Her sire is a blue pied cock “Sylvain’s Stormer”; he is off a brother of “Blue Power” 1^st national Poitiers 2499 birds. The mother of the BWF hen is “Young Justine” she is from “Kitano” 1^st ace S.O.T.E.O. 2019; “Young Justine” is a full sister to “Blue Turbo” 1^st ace S.O.T.E.O. 2021.

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It was the breeder buyer race the same day and the 16 breeder buyer birds left were entered by 10 members and liberated at 10:20 in a N.W. wind and Mark Nesbitt sent 3 and had ‘em all together, achieving a very creditable winning velocity of 1338.4 (2); 1338.3; for saying there were very few birds in the liberation.                                                                                                  

Mark must have known it was his day when the first bird over the pad was a young blue cock, this cock had been out for 3 weeks, and returned home on the Thursday before the breeder buyer race, he was in good condition, so Mark sent him training with the rest of his team, and he returned with them, so Mark sent him to Weymouth, after all that was always his planned destination. This cock is off a son of champion “Isla” when paired to an Irish hen. You know the saying; “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”; this young cock obviously didn’t want to spend anymore time out from his loft!!                                                                                                

A cheq hen and a blue hen were right on his tail, the cheq hen off a Leo Hereman cock when paired to the “Box 9 hen”; the blue hen a Leo Hereman x North Bros; Mark wins a brilliant amount of £2293.20.

Winning 4^th prize was Mr & Mrs Graham Evans on 1306 with a cheq cock bred by Mr & Mrs D Wilson of Egremont in Cumbria, who are regular supporters of our breeder buyer races. Both lofts receive £127-40 each, well deserved to both these lofts.           

Total prize money paid out £2548-00, well done to the officials for all their hard work in organising and running the two sales.

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Congratulations to all the fed toppers, C. Leadbeater & sons and D. Nesbitt & sons both winning 4 x 1^st fed.  

Davis, Wright & sons winning 3 x 1^st fed  and also taking 2 x runner up spots.   

Both Phil Bourke and Anthony Probert topped the federation twice.  A special mention to Anthony Probert, he won 25 x top 10 positions in the fed this year, flying natural and came so close to winning a 1^st M.N.F.C. race from Guernsey, only to be pipped by Mr Webb of Wolverhampton.                                                                                             

Whilst on the subject of the M.N.F.C both C. Leadbeater & sons and D. Nesbitt & sons had great success in 2022.

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The 2022 prize presentation was held at the beeches in Ashby de la Zouch on Saturday January 14^th. There was a very decent turnout and the 3 course meal was great value for the £18 per head cost.

Guest for the night was our president Jim Summers, who handed out the following prizes;  top money winner was D. Nesbitt & sons, they won   £2293-20 in the breeder buyer; £50 ob ladies race winner; £190 prize money and nomination in the Weymouth OB SR; and £276-75 prize and pool money in the Weymouth yb sr; total winnings £2809-95; terrific season Mark.

Anthony Probert won £62 in the Weymouth ob sr; Trevor Jennings won £50 in the yb ladies race and £8.05 in the Weymouth yb sr, total of £58-05;

Trevor Jennings

D & A Swift won £28-75 prizemoney in the Weymouth yb sr plus £330-00 pools, total of £358-75; Kev Matthews won £16-00 in the Weymouth yb sr and Phil Bourke won £16 in the Weymouth ob sr; Mr & Mrs Dave Stone picked up £9-20 prize money and £61-50 pools, total of £70-70 out of the Weymouth yb special race.

Mr & Mrs Graham Evans and Mr & Mrs D Wilson of Egremont both won £127-40 in the breeder buyer race.

Club of the year was Hill Ridware, the trophy was picked up by Miss Maisie Barks; Phil Bourke won best young bird, Anthony Probert best ob and bird of the year with his 4yo N.W.H.U. dark Hereman cock.

Maisie Barks, Collecting Club of the Year for Hill Ridware

The federation awarded Jack Bourke with a medal for young fancier of the year; and Alys’ daughter Mia also received a medal from the federation as a thank you, it’s lovely to see the smile on their young faces, well done to the federation.

    

Young Fancier of the Year, Jack Bourke & A proud young Mia Evans

One trophy was not awarded on the night, but it will be making its way to Rugeley. The Maltster’s trophy for fancier of the year was won by D. Nesbitt & sons, Mark was pushed all the way by C. Leadbeater & sons; Davis, Wright & sons, Phil Bourke and Anthony Probert.

Well done once again mark on a great seasons work.

Other prize money won but not awarded on the night was; Jim Parker & son £16-10 Weymouth yb sr; D.Stockhall & son £14-00 Weymouth ob sr and M/M John Passey & family £8-05 in the Weymouth yb special race.

Let’s hope for another great season in 2023, and fingers crossed the avian flu doesn’t cause any disruptions.

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