LES J. PARKINSON'S

NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES

The season has got off to a slow start and the pigeons are certainly not shaping up as I would have expected them to. April was in general a good month but when the first of the National races came along in late April and especially into May the weather was changing and went rather cold with some East and West winds that did the pigeons no favours. On the day of the second race for the BBC & BICC the winds really got up and the pigeons struggled to get up here into the North West. There were some very strong winds and heavy showers that will no doubt have stopped a number of pigeons. As we know this weather was with us most of the day but at 6pm there was a change in the weather and it brightened up and the showers eased off. The problem was by this time many had gone down in the bad weather and as we know getting going again after a hard fly is not going to be easy for them. There have already been many losses and fanciers are already down in numbers for the longer races, most organisations were getting good entries in the early part of the season. We had 5 in the BBC Messac race a distance of 371mls and we sent 5 hens that appeared to be up for the job, maybe not prime condition but they were ready for such a race that is the top end of a good sprint race but with the North West wind had become a hard middle distance race. However they are obviously not trying to get home in the best time possible because when they are hitting the board they look as if they have not been anywhere while other fanciers were reporting that some of their birds were flown out.

The following day I was talking to a fancier in Bristol and he was telling me that his pigeons were flown out after flying into a strong North West wind and he felt that it was a bit too early for them to be knocked down. Up here in Cheshire we had another 120mls or so on top of that so even though we were behind I was pleased because they came back with full bodies and were far from drained. They felt so good when I handled them next morning I was even thinking about sending them to the next National FC race because they were fine and thoughts were that this race would also have set them up for the longer races. The one problem with doing that was I had pencilled in the cocks to go to the first NFC race as part of their programme for the season. I need to find out why they are not motivated to put more in and I will have to be quick to find that out or else the season will be finished. The one thing I have done though is now move them into the sections where they should be and therefore I can lock the hens in individual boxes where they cannot see the other hens. The only problem that I had was that a few of the cocks had been using boxes in the other section but it only took a few further days to get them settled.

Photo

Thanks to Chris Knowles who recently sent me a photo that was taken at the Beeston Castle 2B in 1982. I know a few who are still racing today but not them all. The Beeston club used to hold a real good function in those days, as did many more but they have now gone, which is a shame because they were a good social event of the year.

Beeston Castle members pictured in 1982

Birds of Prey

I was talking to Derek Woodward about the birds of prey and the idea has come up that the sport can effectively give the PM some grief or at least his office. If regions organised letters in their areas and members sent then to 10 Downing Street on consecutive days until we get a response. They will no doubt sit up sooner or later and start to ask what is going on, they must have a case so we better take a look. It is no use going to the people concerned with any of the bird organisations because they cannot see what is in front of them. The wild bird population is rather depleted in comparison to what it was a few years ago and they must see this. The birds of prey are also taking the wild birds as well as our racing pigeons.

Marking

There were reservations from many fanciers myself included over the move to Astbury Pigeon Supplies for the marking of the NFC birds. Fanciers who were visiting for whatever reason were well aware of the narrow road up to the farm and for that reason not sure whether or not it would be a success. On the day the ETS was not working and did set marking back but that was a hiccup soon resolved and from then on everything went well and fanciers were saying that they were surprised at how well it all went. So it’s a well done to all concerned.

£1000 trophy

Yes Jim Emerton has presented a perpetual trophy to the value of £1000 to the BICC to be won by the fancier who clocks the longest flying pigeon in the clubs longest race of the season in race time. This is a good offer and one that could encourage more to have a go in the longer International events. Thanks to Jim who is always out to encourage distance racing, I wonder who will be the first recipient of this new trophy. No doubt there will be full details on this trophy presented by the club in due course.

Clocks

I was recently talking to a fancier on the phone about the ETS and clocks in general I was surprised to hear that fanciers are still using the old Toulet clocks. I had to laugh to myself because some fanciers never appear to want to move forward and what surprised me more was that the fancier was from an area where most fanciers are on ETS. I suppose as long as it is an RPRA approved clock it is OK to use. However I do think it is about time that the RPRA took that particular clock off their list of approved clocks for races held under RPRA rules. With modern day technology there is no reason why anyone should use a Toulet because they are outdated and not accurate enough. There are plenty of T3 clocks available at well below what they would have brought 12 months ago. We need to move on and while the RPRA still accept these Iron Age clocks progress forward is always going to be very slow. It is a fact that the bigger races are attracting more and more ETS systems than rubbers and it is saving the clubs a few quid along the way. I am also surprised how our local club has moved forward this year with most now on ETS. The one thing to remember is that no matter what type of clocking system you use there are always going to be cases where something does not go according to plan and as we all know it does at times come down to the person who is using or operating the system and not necessarily the clock itself.

North West Classic Club

Struggling a bit at the moment to get details on the winners with the NWCC because there is a difference of opinion on this last result plus only one section winner has supplied information at the time of sending this article off to the BHW. This is and always has been a good club with many good members but the support could and should be better for such an organisation. The club used to be the premier classic club in the North West with many of the top fanciers competing but like all clubs they have their ebbs and flows and also such clubs have suffered with the recession. Even so I think the club should get better support because it is a classic and based on corridor flying that gives everyone in each section a chance to top the section list. East to West competition has always been a talking point based on the fact that the wind does dictate where the winners are going to be in each race. Therefore with the corridor flying the East to West does not have such an impact on the sections and gives everyone a better chance of success. Now onto the RPTS Portland Sprint race sponsored by Phil Brown when 39 members sent 595 birds that were liberated in a strong East wind. Breaking down in sections there were 112 in A, 116 in B and 366 in C. This meant that in all probability the winners would be in section C and that was the case with 41 of the first 50 positions of the open going to C members. Having said that many thought that the winners would be on the far West side of the section but that was not the case with Joe Dorning taking 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 7th open but due to an objection I have no further information on Joe but am assured that it will arrive when the dispute is sorted. I am a believer that if you send often enough the conditions will be in your favour at some point and that will always be the reason why you should compete in the bigger races. The inform loft at the moment in Middlewich is that of Mark & Heather Smith who won the first race with the club as well as setting the pace in their local club and in this race they are 1st section B 16th open following 15 from C section. There is no doubt about it the pigeons have been one of the most consistent over the last few years because no matter where they send they are never far off the pace. In fact when I was marking their birds I heard a comment when putting a particular bird through, “That’s this years Cheshire 2B winner” now there’s confidence for you. Mind you the way they fly I would not be surprised to see them topping the list in any club that they are members of and competing in no matter at what distance. Their section winner in this race is yearling chequer hen that flew very consistently last year including in the Bamfords Gold Ring Race. She is of medium build and had several minor cards last year. The Sire is from Alf Fellows from the North East while the dam is from Staf Van Reet lines and she has prized this year so the winning genes are there to start with. The hen had flown the previous three races and was showing promise being in the fist 10 back to the loft. No training was undertaken between the races and she was fed the same way as the open Swainswick winner. The partnership has certainly got the hens on the boil because they are there week in week out no matter what the conditions. All winning fanciers are always looking to improve on performance and this year they are trying the BIFS range of products and they have been introduced now we are moving down to the coast in preparation for the channel. Another good performance in this race was to the lofts of A & S Hughes of Rochdale who finished 1st & 2nd 3rd 4th section a 18th & 37th 58th 60th open but after sending an e-mail for details none have yet arrived. In the hen’s nomination race Peter Moss won 1st section B and Joe Dorning did likewise in section C. In the cocks nomination race J Nolan was 1st section B and Tommy Jackson 1st section C. The total prize and pool money for the race was £1564.22p. Before finishing I would like to ask all section winners to send their details and a photo if possible as soon as you can after the race. Also thanks to the BHW for sponsoring the clubs results it is much appreciated. Important notice. I have been asked to point out that the Preston marking station for the NWCC has now been closed and therefore if you are sending to any further races with the club the only marking station is at the Boars Head Hotel Middlewich off junction 18 of the M6 motorway. 

Club/Fed News

First news is from Rudheath secretary and PO Malcolm Hewitt with the result of race from Seaton when the birds were liberated at 9 am into west wind turning north west at the home end and quite a cold day. The leading positions of 1st & 2nd go to the man off the golden mile Ian Cooper who has got his Busschaert widowhood cocks going nicely now and timed a blue pied and a blue both yearlings for vels of 1324/1314ypm nice one Ian. 3rd is Jimmy Smith with the blue cock that topped the fed a few weeks ago and records a vel of 1303ypm and also grabs the pools. Taking 4th is the top secret man himself Bob Hall probably with a Vandenabeele cock vel 1301ypm. Malcolm went on to say that he will crack the whip with his after this week being a few mins off the pace but 100% returns so cannot complain, hopefully the National will have sorted them out. In the Poynton RBLHS 11 members sent 230 birds to Frome approx 150 miles. Mike Webb took the red card for the third week in a row with his good Janssen x Van Loon 2yo cock that won the race the week before. This bird was also 1st North Sect Fed vel 1831. Bradbury & Barnes were 2nd Club vel 1812 with their 5yr old Van de Merwe cock  This cock is a multiple 1st prize winner, Fed topper and was also 2nd Club the previous week. This partnership were also 3rd Club vel 1811 with a 3yo Van De Merwe cock that was 2nd Club in the first race in 2011. D & G Brown took 4th spot with cock bred by George Greenwood from Macclesfield. Now onto the Lymm FC race from Yeovil when 134 birds were liberated into a West wind at 9.am. taking 1st & 2nd positions is Derek Woodward racing on the widowhood to record vels of 1339/1324ypm. First through the ETS system is a blue w/f cock off their Golden Mattens Sisse  lines and was also the winner of the Wollaston race earlier in the season. Next through the trap is a Golden Gaby crossed with a daughter off Favorite Son both being from their Peter fox stock. Martin Joy takes a close 3rd place also being on 1324ypm with a blue Demayor widowhood cock. In 4th positions are Fell bros with a chequer widowhood cock off their good friends Wall, Lunt & Green clocking up 1323ypm. In the Wettenhall 10B race from Wincanton that saw the top two positions go to Mr & Mrs Albert Austin recording vels of 1870/1853ypm. The winner is a good 3yo widowhood blue Wildermeerch cock from the Dutton lines and has previously prized many times including 2 x 1sts. Their next in the clock is a 2yo blue Wildermeerch hen raced on the roundabout and is bred from the Cherra lines that have won well for the partnership, this pigeon was their Messac winner last year. 3rd goes to G A Jones on 1844ypm while 4th goes to Ronnie Fisher clocking up 1841ypm both being 3yo but unfortunately no further info. The Winsford race from Wincanton saw Mr & Mrs Chris Herbert took the red card on1892ypm after taking the rubber off a blue hen raced on the roundabout system. This Dordin hen was bred in 2009 and very consistent that year but very lightly raced in 2010 and brought out this year to collect the premier spot. Mel Bratt came in 2nd with a yearling widowhood chequer cock that recorded a vel of 1866ypm and is a Jack Walker T3 Busschaert line crossed with a Stuart Elvin Busschaert through Lea Goodliffe of Essex and did win as a young bird. Jones Bros are 3rd after recording a vel of 1855ypm with an Andre Clemens blue hen raced on the roundabout and having collected a 3rd & 4th last year. With a vel of 1839ypm Harry Vernon is 4th after seeing home a yearling dark chequer widowhood hen that is a breeder/buyer Van Reet from O’Hare & Woodward. 13 sent 204 in the Middlewich FC Seaton race that saw Mark & Heather Smith continue to be one of the main contenders for the top spot. This week they finish 1st & 4th with two blue hens with the winner being a yearling that was 1st North West Classic Club Swainswick earlier in the season and is an O’Hare & Woodward Vandenabeele. Their other pigeon is a 4yo that has prized every year and usually from across the channel, the two vels being 1315/1291ypm. 2nd went to Carol & Robert Carson who saw a 7yo blue w/f cock go through the ETS system that is new to the loft, this has been a good pigeon having won prizes in both club and classic racing and in this race picked up the first share of pools. The pigeons of O’Hare & Woodward had a good weekend and they themselves were 3rd on 1295ypm after seeing home a yearling chequer w/f Staf Van Reet hen. The second share of the pools went to Dudley & Irene Niblett. The Middlewich 5B were at Wincanton when Dave & Lynn Healey collected another red card with a yearling blue Busschaert/Janssen cock that has won 3 x 1sts and was 2nd earlier this year. 2nd goes to Mark & Heather Smith a yearling blue cock that collected 3rd in the mid week club two weeks earlier and is a Vandenabeele and again from the O’Hare & Woodward stock. Mel Bratt clocked a dark pied cock that is a full brother to his second prize winner the week before. That leaves 4th to Alan Groom who saw home a 2yo Van Den Bosche blue cock that has previously won a few prizes. 9 members of the Moulton FC sent 98 birds to Seaton for the 9am liberation. The top two positions went to Colin Bell recording vels of 1269/1258ypm. The winner is a mealy hen followed home by a 3yo blue pied cock. Harry Vernon was 3rd after clocking a yearling chequer pied cock on 1249ypm leaving 4th to Mr & Mrs Chris Herbert with a 4yo chequer hen. In the Lostock FC Wincanton race 10 sent 157 when the top two positions go to Robert Kenk with a couple of 2yo that are a dark chequer cock and a blue pied cock recording vels of 1338/1336ypm. 3rd & 4th go to Keith Herbert who saw home a yearling blue pied cock and a 3yo blue pied cock recording vels of 1316/1313ypm. The Minshull midweek race from Kempsey saw 9 send 148 birds that were led home by a 3yo dark chequer hen and a 5yo chequer hen on 1468/1461ypm racing to the lofts of Ken & Clive Riley. J Lambert clocked the next two on 1414/1413ypm after seeing home a 2yo chequer hen and a 3yo chequer pied hen. News from Sandbach is that their latest race from Seaton saw 8 send 160 birds. The red card went to Eric Taylor after recording a vel of 1331ypm with a 2yo Verheye McDonald chequer w/f cock. John Allbutt is 2nd on 1324ypm after seeing home a 2yo Staf Van Reet widowhood blue cock that also won 1st Mangotsfield. The next two positions went to Tommy Hulme with vels of 1316/1315ypm, the first being a 3yo blue cock followed home by a 2yo blue Willy Thas cock collecting a second prize of the year and they are both raced on the widowhood system. The Crewe West End continue to dominate the South West Cheshire Fed and again take the lions share in this Wincanton race when 61 members sent 898 birds. Steve Parkinson is the premier this week with the Crewe club ahead of Mr & Mrs Keith Lovatt who are also 7th. Wettenhall winners Mr & Mrs Albert Austin are 3rd with M Williams 4th followed by Mark & Heather Smith from the Middlewich 5B in 5th position. Mick & Wendy Mellor are 6th & 9th with Rob Bennett 8th & 10th. Club winners not making this weeks fed sheet are Mr & Mrs Geoff Mathews with the Greenbank club while Brian Heath wins over at Hankelow. The Lymm & Dist Fed race from Cheltenham when 84 members from 9 clubs sent 1411 birds. 1st 2nd 4th 5th went to I Webster from Heath Charnock in fact the first six positions all went to this club with the others being 3rd E Touhey and 6th P Moss & Son with 9th going to P Downes another member of the club. Colin Sheffield won the Lymm FC for 7th fed while the Ashton Park winner was Joe Dorning who was 8th and completing the top ten are B & D Hooper from the Newton club. Just before finishing for the week I have news that the Middlewich 2B are now going to an old favourite race point at Nantes instead of Cholet on the 21st June, you can use the same entry forms just change the name. Membership to the club is still open at £16. The Mid Cheshire Fed race from Seaton (1) saw 102 members send 1462 birds that were liberated at 9am in a North West wind. One of the inform winning lofts at the present time is that of Mick & Wendy Mellor finish 1st & 4th after racing their pigeons with the Crewe Premier where 25 members sent 357 birds so a strong club to win in. Derek Curley is 2nd while Wrinehill winner Joe Glover is 3rd 9th 18th with Eric Taylor coming in 5th after winning the Sandbach club. Ian Cooper over at Rudheath is having a good run and comes in at 6th & 15th ahead of John Allbutt 7th being just in front of Winsford winner Harry Vernon. Lionel & John Goostrey are 10th fed, Tom Hulme 11th & 14th while the Middlewich FC winners Mark & Heather Smith are 12th followed by Danny Wells 13th after topping the list over at Acton Bridge. Carol & Robert Carson are 16th with Royal Wires winners Andy Noon & Geoff Callan are 17th Jimmy Smith 19th and completing the top twenty in the fed we have Jones Bros. There are 10 competing clubs in the fed so they are rarely all going to be on the fed result at the same time so those club winners not making the result this week are Colin Bell at Moulton plus P & M Child at Weaverham. 

Les J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 ONJ. Tel/Fax; 01606 836036. Mobile 07871 701585 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. web-site www.elimarpigeons.com