Scammell and Peploe (Pontypool)1st open WNFC Poitiers

sponsored by

Versele Laga Belgium, Newport Pet Supplies

and

The Derby Arona Tenerife one loft race

It’s mid June and the Welsh National Flying Club challenging overseas race programme has progressed into the latter stages as the pigeons made their journey over the English channel under the control of the Solent Federation to the Southern French town of Poitiers a distance of 380 to 400 miles to most lofts within the Welsh borders sponsored by Newport pet supplies and Versele Laga Belgium, with the cancellation of races from various distances over recent weeks we found ourselves with a jump of 130 miles approx. from Fougeres to this week’s race this obviously played on the minds of some fanciers with some being a little reluctant to send their full teams, however close to 400 welsh entries made the journey with our English counterparts which made up a liberation of just over 1,000+ pigeons

following steady crossing with plenty of opportunity to stop and allow the birds rest and water on route the convoy finally parked up on site just before mid-day on Friday with good weather the Solent officials had once again indicated that an early morning liberation was expected the following morning.

Saturday and with clear weather throughout and the forecast of high temperatures sweeping in along the South coast and Northwards into South Wales the convoying team and race advisory committee were happy to cut the strings and release the convoy at 06.30 into clear blue skies and a light North Easterly wind throughout the line of flight

Scammell and Peploe partnership

Taking the honours of 1st open and the Newport Pet Supplies additional sponsorship of £100 for the winner and Versele Laga winner’s trophy we go to the successful loft and partnership of Scammell and Peploe from Pontypool flying 388 miles with a vel of 1237, the winning pigeon is a 2year old blue hen originating from the Blackwood Lofts of Davies and Coombes from their Leon Boers crossed Fran Zwols pigeons as a yearling she scored 8th National Saintes 2nd National Bergerac, and runner up to the gold cup winner in 2017, this season she has flown all the channel races open to the partnership with the Folkestone race with the WNFC from 180 miles a week before the race being a warm up race for her.

We stay in the area for the 2nd and 3rd open winners as the partnership of D Rawlings and son take the runners up position with a vel of 1236, with their entry a dark grizzle hen dam is a daughter to the nearly cock from  Scammell and Peploe crossed with pigeons from Derek Flowers merlin pair whilst the sire originates from the Newport fancier Malcolm Gibbons of Alan Parker bloodlines with a cross of Delbar from the late Peter Keyes from Cwmbran.. although flying consistent during the year with  this being her first major achievement, whilst we acknowledge and celebrate the Rawlings partnership performance we hear that John Rawlings (senior partner) sadly passed away just days before basketing for this race, therefore we duly pass on deepest sympathy on behalf of the Welsh National Committee and membership to Dai and the family at such a sad time and loss

Dai Rawlings 2nd open Poitiers 2018

our 2018 Maidstone National winning partnership of Mr & Mrs Bromley claiming yet another high ranking position with 3rd open on 1232, their arrival being a yearling Cheq pied cock ironically being a double grandson of the nearly cock from the race winners Scammell and Peploe partnership, as a young bird this pigeon was sent regularly on the south route and throughout 2018 turned south east scoring numerous club positions in the build up to this week’s race for the Bromley partnership with the first two arrivals being hens this entitled the WNFC to award this pigeon to the Versele Laga best opposite sex to the winner’s trophy.

for 4th we go to Crumlin and the partnership of G & M Clayton and Lovell bros with a yearling light Cheq hen 0n 1217 velocity, bred down from the Bobby Lee of Bargoed Lefebre Dheanean pigeons crossed with super caraeres from Martyn Mitchell from Woodland Farm stud the dam of this pigeon is a direct daughter of the Lovell bros Saintes National winner when only two pigeons were recorded on the winning day in 2014 and also a great granddaughter of the partnerships 2009 Folkestone National winner with a second arrival for this loft also coming in amongst the leaders they also put claim to the Versele Laga 2 bird average trophy

whilst in 5th we go South to Newport as Kevin Williams timed in his yearling Cheq pied hen of Bussheart crossed Romain Legiest pigeons from Mike Watkins whilst she has scored a few minor club positions in preparation for this race she was sent sitting a large yb on basketing night to add additional motivation

with the leading birds once again making good times and velocities it appears like all organisations this year flying overseas the  later birds struggled with the conditions and returned at steady intervals during the afternoon and early evening prior to clock checking later that evening ,with some fanciers highlighting their disappointment others experienced a more successful event, since such time we have confirmed that many more have returned although a little tired and exhausted they are home to fight another day

Ian Bromley of the Mr & Mrs Bromley partnership

our next race and final event in the old bird programme see`s the WNFC heading to Bergerac a distance of 500+ miles sponsored with yet another £100 guaranteed additional prize to the winner courteous to the Welsh North Road Federation for supporting us.. as we basket on Monday 9th July the pigeons will be handed over to the Central Southern Classic early Tuesday morning and travel under their control in respect to the liberation, so hopefully as the good weather dominant we are as always hopeful that some gallant pigeon will make its mark and spotlight on Welsh racing with its arrival on the night

continuing from the old bird racing our sights and interests will turn to the young bird programme for these we will be heading east along the M4 and M25 to three inland young bird events from Maidstone battle and Folkestone and as in the old birds racing we are again offering additional prize money for the winner thanks to the sponsors we have been able to attract during the past months to celebrate out 10 year anniversary

also in support of the WNFC in 2018 is the Derby Arona Tenerife one loft race who have kindly donated a team of 5 pigeons to their race in 2018/19  the Welsh National winners syndicate is now complete as Mr & Mrs Bromley, Scammell and Peploe, Mr & Mrs K Upham and D & G Bruton our recent National winning lofts will make up the team departing in September

Poitiers Top Ten

Diary Date: the presentation evening is again set for sat 8th Dec at the Seamans Mission Club a night when all winners friends and fanciers come together to acknowledge and congratulate the winners of 2018