By George Wheatman

Section Five Round-up

The high quality of fanciers and pigeons competing in the North Road Championship Club is highlighted again when we take a look at those who took honours in section five during the 2008 season.

These people are real devotees of NRCC racing and a credit to the organisation, and take genuine, if sometimes low key, pride in their achievements. Some of the best pigeons to have competed last year emerged from this section.

Take, for instance, the performance of David Paine, of St Neots, in the first old bird race from Perth.

Flying 318 miles, this 48-year-old carpenter and builder took the first five section places. And to prove it was no fluke, he continued his successful season by taking second and third section from Fraserburgh, fifth from Lerwick, and fourth, seventh, eighth, tenth and 12th from Thurso. Great flying, indeed.

Add to this the fact that he was top prizewinner and winner of the averages in his club.

But, just to show that you can never be complacent in this sport and that even the best can suffer severe set-backs, David had a disappointing flyaway of young birds which cost him a good part of his 2008 team. But he still managed to win all seven young bird races in his club.

Dave had two pigeons come together to head his entry from Perth. The winner was a two-year-old blue widowhood cock, brother to a pigeon that had been ninth open from Fraserburgh, and second was a blue widowhood hen bred out of the blue white flighted cock that followed her to win third section. He sent 20 to Perth and had 16 return.

A lot of his pigeons originate from the Houbens of Tony Bates (indeed Dave has given credit to Tony for his successes over recent years) but the pigeon that took second section from Fraserburgh was a Van Reet of Louella lines following his purchase of a batch of six youngsters.

A fancier for 30 years, Dave appears to have the birds for all distances and all conditions. He says he keeps a team of about 50, and reckons these, overall, are the best pigeons he has had. Results certainly give support to that theory. He admits that he takes the sport more seriously these days and appreciates the help of his daughter and wife when it is necessary.

He admits to loving NRCC racing and hopes to be trying hard for more success this year.

Section Five results from Perth were: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 D Paine, St Neots 1494 (6th open), 1493 (8), 1481 (17), 1452 (50) and 1448 (61); 6 R and P Hallybone, Rushden 1427 (113), 7 WP Madejczyk, Irthlingborough 1422 (125), 8 C Barnes, Huntingdon (131), 9 and 10 M Lawless, Raunds 1419 (135) and 1425 (148), 11 E Baker and Son, Huntingdon 1397 (216), 12 WP Madejczyk, Irthlingborough 1392 (236).

Unfortunately I have been unable to contact the Section Five winner from Fraserburgh, but it was an excellent performance by Miss M Judd, of Ramsey, and this loft's pigeon, flying 370 miles, also finished a commendable seventh open on a velocity of 1294ypm, as well as winning the section by as much as 63ypm, being the only one to get an impressive open placing.

Moreover the name of Miss Judd finished in third and fourth section positions from Lerwick, and second, third and ninth from Thurso - outstanding flying by any standards from the three longest races.

Section Five results from Fraserburgh were: 1 Miss M Judd, Ramsey, 1294 (7th open), 2 and 3 D Paine, St Neots 1231 (115), 4 and 5 E Baker and Son, Huntingdon 1208 (181) and 1177 (312); 6 M Hinde, Irchester 1176.9433 (316); 7 Miss M Judd, Ramsey 1176.7488 (318); 8 H Davison, Corby 1158.9300 (393); 9 Farrington Bros, Denton 1158.7275 (395); 10 D Paine, St Neots 1153 (423); 11 and 12 M Lawless, Raunds 1148 (448) and 1132 (502).

It was a real pleasure to talk to Mick Lawless (apparently only his wife calls him Michael; didn't like to ask under what circumstances!) because there cannot be a fancier more proud of the performance of a pigeon in 2008.

Mick, a 71-year-old former British Steel worker from Raunds, won Section Five from Lerwick. Every NRCC member longs to win from the Shetland Islands and, if you cannot win the coveted King's Cup, the next best thing you can do is win your section. Mick did that and is pretty pleased about it - so pleased, in fact, that he sees the picture of his winning bird every time he switches on his computer. This is because Fast Man features on his screen saver in what is a comparatively new venture into the world of computers, mainly to keep on file details of his pigeon racing activities.

Moreover this outstanding pigeon helped overall winner Frank Bristow (also second from Thurso) to an even more memorable season because the Section Five top bird was bred off Willy Thas pigeons Mick obtained from the Horbling ace.

Don't forget that from Lerwick to the Lawless loft is a distance of 540 miles and Lerwick last year was no blow home. And Willy Thas pigeons are not always associated with distance flying.

Fast Man gained his name after winning a blow home from Pontefract as a yearling at 1700ypm. Just contrast that with the velocity of 796ypm from Lerwick.

This widowhood dark chequer pied cock was timed on the second day at 8-15am, and was in perfect condition on reaching home, reported its owner. The bird was untroubled by the ordeal.

What makes this achievement even better is the fact that Mick sent only this one bird. One out of one and it is a section winner!

Mick, who featured prominently in the section results of all the other races except Thurso, is a real NRCC enthusiast and is already looking forward to competing this summer.

He has plans to send Fast Man again - and is even hopeful that this 2005 pigeon will be able to tackle Lerwick yet again the following year.

Plus this year he hopes his Lerwick team will be stronger - boosted by brothers of Fast Man.

Mick has been involved in the sport since he was about 13 years of age, first with his brother, but the opposite sex tempted him away from pigeon racing, then National Service and, in total, he had a break of about ten years.

Now, in retirement, he is enjoying his hobby as much as ever and has enjoyed consistent success for a long time now. Although flying mainly widowhood, he is hoping to fly roundabout also this year to give hen birds the opportunity to show their paces.

He has wintered about 40 pigeons this year.

He is grateful for the support of his wife, Margaret.

LIke many fanciers he suffered a blow from a disastrous Federation race from Thurso last year (not in the NRCC or convoyed by the NRCC) when there was only one club bird back in race time, and that was on the third day. Mick sent six and did not get one back completely under its own steam. Some were caught not having left Thurso and released nearer home, and two of them made it home.

He lost some good pigeons that day and it is a sad memory that prompted the compliment to NRCC convoyer Phil Ringe and the club's officers when he said:"You feel safe in sending your pigeons with the NRCC."

Section Five results from Lerwick were: 1 M Lawless, Raunds 796 (81st open); 2 H Davison, Corby 750 (107); 3 and 4 Miss M Judd, Ramsey 705 and 668 (150 and 188); 5 D Paine, St Neots 587 (255); 6 E Baker and Son, Huntingdon 560 (269); 7 NF Burt and Son, Rushden 557 (276); 8 WP Madejczyk, Irthlingborough 461 (299).

Another notable NRCC loft is that of E Baker and Son, of Buckworth, Huntingdon, winners of Section Five from Thurso for the second successive year.

Head of this partnership is Brian Baker, a busy and successful farmer, but he always, generously, gives credit for their pigeon racing success to 74-year-old Londoner Ron Lamprill who served his apprenticeship alongside such greats as the late Alf Baker and other London aces.

Ron brings a lifetime of know-how to helping run the lofts and Brian says: "Without Ron's help I would not be able to enjoy the pigeons. Our busy lifestyle, and long working days, running the farm mean that we would not have time to look after the pigeons properly. Ron is the man who knows all about them. But I get my enjoyment out of them on race days."

Actually, Ron reveals that Brian gets a bit excited at clocking in time.

Don't know whether that is why they are considering installing an ETS system, but Ron likes the thrill of the old-style timing in.

I suspect that Brian is understating his own input into a partnership that is successful in both Huntingdon and St Neots clubs, and the Peterborough and District Federation where they had a much sought after win in the past season. Considering their loft position that was quite an achievement.

Ron is a widower living on his own, and loves his involvement in looking after the birds, although he admits to slowing down a bit as the years roll by.

This is obviously a partnership that works well and, what is more important, serves the needs of both parties and enables them both to enjoy the sport.

They again had a good season's racing, at all levels, to their idyllic set-up at Buckworth.

Their 2007 winner of the NRCC section from Thurso has something like 12 wins to his credit, and must be one of the best pigeons competing with the NRCC.

Section winner this year was a dark chequer two-year-old widowhood cock from Terry Robinson's Motivator lines.

Distance from Thurso to the partnership's loft is 448 miles and they had a 100 per cent return from an entry of five.

In preparation, the section winner had only two races, both from Newton Aycliffe, as Ron does not believe in working distance pigeons too hard and only likes to send them when he is sure they are fit and ready for the job.

He thinks this pigeon should be earmarked for Lerwick this year, while two of his look-a-like sons should go to Thurso.

Last year they sent six to Lerwick and all returned home, one being timed in.

Ron declared himself very pleased with their NRCC racing in 2008, and the partnership will be doing their best to seek more success this summer. Ron would like to try racing a few hens, because his best results came from hen birds when he was competing in London.

He does not like the lofts to be crowded and likes to be able to assess each pigeon individually. "We have a nice team. Yes, they are all right," he said. "I am from the old school and like to look after the birds properly, but I have no time for sick pigeons.

"With his busy lifestyle, Brian would not be able to look after the pigeons, and this situation suits me fine. We have not the best loft location so we are particularly pleased with this win."

In fact, the partnership had a particularly good race from Thurso. In addition to their section win they were also fifth, sixth and eleventh.

From Perth they were eleventh section; from Fraserburgh they were fourth and fifth; and from Lerwick they were sixth.

Again this emphasises the quality of fanciers flying in this section. Without doubt and with reasonable luck - which everyone needs - this will be a loft to watch out for during the 2009 season.

Section Five results from Thurso were: 1 E Baker and Son, Huntingdon 1264 (63rd open); 2 and 3 Miss M Judd, Ramsey 1249 (98) and 1242 (117); 4 D Paine, St Neots 1233 (145); 5 and 6 E Baker and Son, Huntingdon 1229 (152) and 1201 (241); 7 and 8 D Paine, St Neots 1183 (303) and 1178 (330); 9 Miss M Judd, Ramsey 1177 (334); 10 D Paine, St Neots 1174 (347); 11 E Baker and Son, Huntingdon, 1148 (430); 12 D Paine, St Neots 1145 (441).

Max Hinde, of Irchester, is another faithful supporter of NRCC racing, and his reward in 2008 was to take first and second section five in the young bird race from Dunbar. He is no stranger to good section positions. Among his best were three wins in four years from Lerwick.

His Dunbar young bird winner was from the lines of former NRCC Thurso winner, John Munns - a relative of Max - and was bred by Curly Barnes.

Now 73, Max loves distance racing and also gets a kick out of showing, and had prepared pigeons to compete at the Blackpool Show this year. He has matched his racing success with wins in the shows.

Remarkably, he has managed to continue racing his pigeons successfully despite having an operation for cancer last April, and now being on oxygen 16 hours a day because of breathing troubles. He is grateful to friends for their help which has enabled him to continue in the sport.

He competes with the Raunds club, but because of his position to the south-west of the majority of members, has never managed a win in the club, and the best position he has secured is second. Previously in the Wellingborough club he was a regular winner.

Despite his health problems, Max planned to attend the Blackpool show, having his oxygen cylinders delivered to the hotel, and he hopes to be competing with the NRCC again in 2009.

"I have always liked racing with the NRCC," he said, "but was disappointed not to have any success from Lerwick this year.

"I prefer the long races where you have to send your best if you hope to do well."

So there you have it - the Section Five winners. Good fanciers. Good pigeons well prepared.Keen and competitive, always looking to improve.

And all hoping to compete with the best again in 2009.