“The Original” Around The Up North Combine

East Cleveland Federation Presentation Evening

By Good Corn

 

 

The East Cleveland Federations and the Loftus Championship Club 2019 presentation evening was held at The Loftus Club on Saturday 2nd November, Keith Arkless of Loftus H/S and Secretary of the Loftus Championship Club has taken charge of the pay-out nights for the past few years. While Keith was trying to arrange a date of the joint presentation evening, he was told that this was the only night available, so it was obvious Keith had to take the only free night available. The Loftus Club was taken over by a new owner a couple of years ago and it seems to be going from strength to strength with various things going on through the week including group nights, bingo and meal being served on various nights including Sunday lunches which I’m told are going down very well. Keith with the help of his son Matthew & Malc White have made the Loftus Championship Club a great success for a number of years now with the Breeder/Buyer always being very well supported with some very big money pay-outs every year, Bill Heslop of Brotton and John Wilkie of Bolden also provide a very good service when auctioning the youngsters in the breeder/buyer sales. The East Cleveland Federation Chairman Bill Heslop presented the Federation silverware while Brotton H/S Secretary Terry Callan presenting the Loftus Championship Club silverware and prize money. Keith had booked a very good group for the evening; he also had a number of prizes on offer for the raffle which was backed up with the pie & peas supper.       

 

Chris Vasey & Son of Loftus H/S netted 151pts with the old birds inland, 32pts from the channel and they were the winners of the Young Bird Average with 133pts giving a total of 316pts to win the Combined Average. The partnership were also the winners of 5 x 1st Federations topping the charts from old bird Chelmsford (1), Huntingdon (1), young bird Oakham (2), Chelmsford and Wakefield.

 

Chris Vasey winner of 5 x 1st Feds, the Young Bird & Combined Federation Averages and Mark Wilson of Stafford & Wilson winners of 5 x 1st Federations with both partnerships trophy hauls.  

 

 

The Skinningrove H/S partnership of B & K Simpson were the winners of the Old Bird Inland Federation Average with 184pts, brothers Brian & Keith were also runners/up Combined Federation Average with a total of 274pts. Brian & Keith got off to a winning start to the 2019 racing season after timing no fewer than three of their entries at old bird Bubwith to win 1st, 2nd and 5th Club, 1st and 5th Federation from a convoy of 1,281 birds. Win number two on the bounce was achieved at the Newark Showground after no less than four birds were timed to win 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th Club, 4th, 8th, 11th and 18th Federation when there were 1,767 birds competing. A single bird was on the clock a week later at Oakham (1) to net 4th Club, 8th Federation from an entry of 1,937 birds and the following when the birds were at Oakham (2) a good clocking day was had after timing five birds to chalk up 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 4th, 11th, 14th, 15th and 18th Federation. Brian & Keith returned to the winners' enclosure at the Folkestone (1) National when they won 1st Club, 7th Federation and followed that up a week later by timing a couple of birds out of Oakham (3) to pocket 2nd and 3rd Club, 3rd and 7th Federation when there were 1,350 birds away.

 

Tyler & Hayden of B & K Simpson winners of  2 x 1st Federations, the Old Bird Inland Average and r/u Combined Federation Average.

 

 

The following race when the birds were at the Newark Cattle Market the Brothers timed three of their team in the space of four seconds to claim 4th and 6th Club, 12th, 14th and 18th Federation. Moving onto the next inland race which was from Huntingdon (1) which saw the inform Brian & Keith time five of their squad in the space of 17 seconds to score 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 10th Federation out of an entry of 940 birds. The following week when the birds were at Huntingdon (2) no less than five birds were on the clock to lift 3rd Club, 3rd, 10th, 13th, 16th and 17th Federation; and then a couple of birds were timed out of Chelmsford (2) to notch up 2nd and 4th Club, 7th and 9th Federation. Brian & Keith had a single bird on the clock out of the Newark Cattle Market to pot 3rd Club, 14th Federation; and the following week when the birds were at Oakham (4) the final old bird inland race of the season Brian & Keith timed four of their inform team to score 2nd, 3rd and 5th Club, 2nd, 7th, 10th and 14th Federation when there was 850 birds away. Brian & Keith's performances throughout won them the Club Old Bird Inland Average and the Old Bird Combined Average.  

 

Onto the nine young bird race programme where Brian & Keith were out of the Club points at Bubwith (1) but still managed to pick up 14th Federation and that was followed up a week later by netting 4th Club, 16th Federation out of Bubwith (2) and then 19th Federation was notched up from Newark Showground. Brian & Keith achieved their first young bird win of the season at race number four when they won a brilliant 1st Club, 1st Federation from a convoy of 1,304 birds. Moving onto Chelmsford where a couple of youngsters were on the clock to lift 5th Club, 9th and 20th Federation and that was followed up a week later by pocketing 9th Fed and 81st Up North Combine Maidstone National. Next up was Bubwith (3) where the lads timed a couple of babies 23 seconds apart to lift a useful 2nd and 3rd Club, 6th and 12th Federation. Brian & Keith enjoyed a cracking race from Wakefield the final race of the 2019 racing season where they timed no fewer than 11 of their team in 24 seconds to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th Federation when there were 591 birds competing. Brian & Keith performances throughout the 2019 racing season won them the Club Combined Average to go with the already won Old Bird Inland Average and the Old Bird Combined Average.  

 

The partnership of Tich Richards & Alice Marsay were the winners of 3 x 1st Federations with Tich and granddaughter Alice first Federation points coming at old bird Bubwith when they notched up 4th Club, 17th Federation and then they won a brilliant 1st Club, 1st Federation out of Oakham (2) from a convoy of 1,632 birds. Tich & Alice returned to the winners' enclosure at Huntingdon (1) when the duo won a fantastic 1st Club, 2nd Federation and this was followed by by netting 3rd Club, 8th and 19th Federation Chelmsford (2). Tich & Alice got off to a brilliant start with the young birds from Bubwith (1) when they timed a couple of babies ten seconds apart to win 1st and 3rd Club, 1st and 3rd Federation when there were 1,354 birds competing. Another two birds were on the clock a week later at Bubwith (2) to win 1st and 4th Club with their red card winner going onto to win an outstanding 1st Federation when there were 1,824 birds away. The following week when the birds were at the Newark Showground a single bird was timed to notch up 5th Club, 11th Federation. Onto the Maidstone National where Tich & Alice timed their well-fancied youngster to score an awesome 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 1st £1, £2, £5 Fed Noms winning £178.00 and 13th Up North Combine. Tich & Alice rounded off their season by taking 5th Club, 8th Federation Wakefield. 

 

The loft of Mike Prokopowicz & son Lee first chalk of the season came at old bird Oakham (1) when the duo netted a cracking 2nd Club, 2nd and 19th Federation and that was followed up by claiming 20th Fed Oakham (2). A couple of birds were on the clock out of Chelmsford (1) to notch up 18th and 19th Federation and this was followed by taking 5th Club from the Folkestone (1) National and then Mike & Lee timed a couple of their entries 2 seconds apart at Newark Cattle Market (1) to notch up 15th and 19th Federation. Secretary Mike & Lee achieved their first old bird win of the season out of Roye where they timed no less than three of their channel entries to win a cracking 1st and 3rd Club, 5th, 13th and 19th Federation with the red card winner going onto lift 98th Up North Combine and their green card potter taking 2nd £2 Fed Nom netting £30.00. The lads' then took 13th Federation Huntingdon (1) before recording their second win of the season at Huntingdon (2) where a couple of their squad were timed to win a top-notch 1st Club, 1st and 15th Federation out of an entry of 1,220 birds. The duo then notched up 17th Federation Chelmsford (2) and then the boys took 16th Federation out of Oakham (4) before winning a brilliant 1st, 2nd and 4th Club, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Federation, 27th, 32nd and 55th Up North Combine Burbure from a convoy of 8,025 birds, with Mike & Lee's fancied chart-topper lifting 2nd £2 Fed Nom pocketing £29.40.

 

Mike & Lee Prokopowicz winners of 2 x 1st Federations, with Lee's Daughter.

 

Now we move onto the young birds starting from the first race Bubwith (1) where a single baby was on the clock to take 9th Federation and then the lads' took 3rd Club, 13th Federation out of Bubwith (2) the following week. Mike & Lee hit the heights at the third race Newark Showground when they won an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Federation from a convoy of 2,144 birds. Two weeks later when the birds were at Oakham (2) another single bird was on the clock to claim 5th Club, 9th Federation. The lads' then potted 11th Federation out of Chelmsford and followed that up by having a couple of youngsters on the clock from Bubwith (3) to chalk up 4th and 5th Club, 13th and 16th Federation, and a week later 4th Club, 7th and 11th Federation Wakefield was taken.      

 

Sayers Bros Dave, the late Kenny, Brian and his son Richard first points were notched up at old bird Oakham (1) when 10th and 12th Federation was taken and a week later when the birds were at Oakham (2) 3rd Club, 9th and 16th Federation was potted. A single bird was on the clock out of the Folkestone (1) National to lift 2nd Club, 11th Federation and this was followed up by timing two birds out of Ypres to win a belting 1st and 3rd Club with their red card winner going onto net 9th Federation and 96th Up North Combine. A brilliant loft performance was achieved at the Newark Cattle Market (1) when no fewer than five birds were timed to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Club, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th and 17th Federation. Onto Roye where a trio of birds were on the clock to lift 2nd and 4th Club, 10th, 14th and 18th Federation with their blue card scorer notching up 214th Up North Combine. Next stop is Huntingdon (2) where another three birds were on the clock to pocket 8th, 9th and 18th Federation, and then a couple of their Chelmsford (2) entries were timed to notch up 15th and 20th Federation.

 

The partnership had a cracking race out of the Folkestone (2) National after timing five of their team to win  a top-notch 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 12th, 13th, 18th and 19th Federation out of 789 birds, 4th, 62nd, 74th, 107th and 113th Up North Combine from a convoy of 11,493 birds. After taking 3rd Club out of Reims the lads' won a notable 1st, 4th and 5th Club, 10th, 15th and 16th Federation at the Newark Cattle Market (2) and then took 12th Federation Oakham (4)'. No less than four of their Burbure entries were on the clock to take a useful 3rd and 5th Club, 4th, 12th, 15th and 19th Fed, 48th, 141st, 173rd and 246th Up North Combine. The partnerships over the water performances won them the Skinningrove H/S Channel Average which is a fantastic achievement. Onto the young birds where a couple of babies were timed one second apart at Newark Showground to lift 3rd and 4th Club, 9th and 10th Federation    

 

 The late Gordon “Shang” Peirson MBE & sons Sack & Jim along with their loft helpers Trevor & Bobby McConnell first old bird points were achieved at the second race point the Newark Showground when they timed a couple of their entries inside three seconds of each other to pocket a notable 3rd and 5th Club, 10th and 12th Federation. The following week when the birds were at Oakham (1) Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby had another two birds on the clock to net 4th Club, 6th and 11th Federation. The lads' were back in the frame out of the second channel race Roye when the boys scored 5th Club, 16th Federation. Onto Huntingdon (2) which saw the boys time two of their squad to lift a very nice 2nd Club, 2nd and 14th Federation. The following week when the birds were at Chelmsford (2) a single bird was on the clock to pot 18th Federation. Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby were enjoying their racing with them scoring a canny few Club and Federation positions so far and that got better from the Folkestone (2) National after chalking up a useful 2nd Club, 10th Fed, 54th Up North Combine. The lads' were in the points again from the fourth water race Roye where they notched up 4th Club. Sack, Jim, Trevor and his son Bobby have managed to obtain some top Pigeons over the past couple of years with these seasons old bird performances seeing a big improvement on their previous racing performances.

 

Jim & Sack Peirson of the late Gordon Peirson & Sons, Bobby, Trevor, Me-Me & Bobster McConnell winners of 1st Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer winning £5,000.

 

 

Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby also saw a vast improvement in their young bird performances in 2019, so much so they were a force to be reckoned with this time around with a number of top team performances being achieved from the nine-race programme. The lads' were on the score sheet from the first young bird race Bubwith (1) where they took 5th Club, 8th Federation and then two weeks later when the birds were at the Newark Showground a couple of babies were timed to score a cracking 2nd and 6th Club, 2nd and 12th Federation. The youngsters were off the pace a bit the following week at Oakham (1) but more than made up for it a week later out of Oakham (2) when they had three of their entries arrive together but due to them losing time around the loft they were timed within nine seconds of each other to chalk up a very impressive 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 3rd, 4th and 5th Federation. Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby more than deserved to hit the winners' enclosure at the very hard  Chelmsford race where they timed a trio of birds for the second race running to win a most impressive 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 2nd, 4th and 6th Federation with vels of 1163, 1160 and 1144.

 

The inform Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby were in there again out of the Maidstone National where they clocked three birds for the third consecutive race to pocket 5th and 6th Club, 7th, 8th and 14th Federation with their well-fancied first timer that was three seconds ahead of their second bird on the clock taking 3rd £2 Fed Nom netting £24.00 and going onto score 68th Up North Combine. The second bird on the clock brought both music and money to the lads' ears for not only did the youngster take 69th Up North Combine the baby also won 1st Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer which was bred and bought back by the lads' to bank the £5,000 prize money which was a fantastic and more than deserved achievement for the overjoyed boys. The third timer went onto notch up 131st Up North Combine but the timing in and money winning never stopped their for they took 11th Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer with a baby bred by Stuart & Claire Watson & Son of South Bank claiming £200 each, and then they clocked a third Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer bred by David Parker to lift 23rd pocketing £100 each to round off a brilliant days racing.

 

The much inform Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby normally finish their young birds for the season after the Maidstone National but they were still in with a shout for the Club young bird average so they competed in the final two young bird races, which resulted in the lads' returning to the winners' enclosure at Bubwith (3) to record their second young bird win of the season after timing three of their squad to win a top-notch 1st Club, 3rd, 18th and 19th Federation. It was all to play for from the final race Wakefield with Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby just having their noses in front for the Club young bird average after their previous weeks win. The lads' knew they were out of the points long before clock opening which is always an hour after the winning birds from the inland races. The smile on Jim's face said it all when the result came out for the late Gordon “Shang” Peirson MBE & sons Sack & Jim and the very helpful Trevor & Bobby McConnell were the winners of the Skinningrove H/S Young Bird Average winners and third highest Federation young bird average with 101pts. I have known and being good friends with Sack, Jim, Trevor & Bobby all their lives and I have to say how pleasing it has been seeing them enjoying such a fantastic season. All of it being well and truly deserved after all the hard work they have put in right the way through the year, it may well have taken a while coming but the lads' have enjoyed every minute of it and that's what Pigeon racing is all about.   

 

Ian Stafford & Mark Wilson were the winners of 5 x 1st Federations with the duo topping the Federation out of old bird Oakham (1), Oakham (2), Bourges, Oakham (4) and the young bird Maidstone National. Ian moved back up to his homeland at the end of the 2018 racing season but attended the loft 2 to 3 times a week to train the birds throughout the 2019 racing season. 

 

The Skelton Green H/S partnership of Bowden Brothers, Mick & Boss and the very helpful Trevor Mitchell of Guisborough were runners/up Old Bird Inland Average with 166pts, runners/up Channel Average with 52pts, winners of the Old Bird Combined Average with 218pts, the lads also netted 20pts with the young bird giving them a season total of 238pts. Mick, Boss & Trevor had a fantastic Pigeon named “Mitch” who won the Federation Bird Of The Year with an outstanding total of 109pts, which is some haul. Mick, Boss & Trevor never sent to the first old bird race of the season but more than made up for it from the second race Newark Showground when three birds were timed to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 3rd, 5th (Mitch) and 7th Federation. Win number two on the trot was achieved at Oakham (1) when a cracking five birds were on the clock to win 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club with the red card winner going onto score 7th Federation. The lads' took the Club by storm out of Oakham (2) to rack up a hat-trick of wins when they timed no fewer than six of their entries to win an awesome 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 5th, 6th and 12th Federation. Mick, Boss & Trevor were at it again at Chelmsford (1) when they made it four wins out of four after timing five of their squad to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Club with the chart-topper going onto lift 7th Federation.

 

•  Mick Bowden & Trevor Mitchell of Bowden Bros winners of 2 x 1st Federations, r/u Old Bird Combined Average, winners of Old Bird Combined Average and Federation Bird of The Year with “Mitch”

 

 

Mick, Boss & Trevor gave it a “High Five” out of the Folkestone (1) National where they recorded their fifth straight win after timing four birds to win 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Club with the pole position winning “Mitch” scoring 3rd Federation and the well-fancied blue card scorer netting 8th Federation, 1st £1, £2, £5 Fed Noms banking £142.00. Moving onto Oakham (3) where the lads won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club to achieve their sixth win on the bounce, with their winner notching up 20th Federation. Next up was Ypres the first of five channel races and being over the pond made no difference to Mick, Boss & Trevor for the boys chalked up their seventh consecutive win after clocking five of their team to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, 7th, 10th and 16th (Mitch) Federation, 82nd, 110th and 201st Up North Combine. There was no stopping the inform Mick, Boss & Trevor for the lads' racked up their eighth straight win out of Newark Cattle Market (1) to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, with the winner notching up 20th Federation. Onto the second channel race Roye when the boys had a single bird on the clock to pocket a notable 2nd Club, 3rd Federation and 90th Up North Combine. After being out of the Federation points from both Huntingdon (1) & (2) Mick, Boss & Trevor hit back at Chelmsford (2) when they timed five birds to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club with their first three timers that were clocked within 8 seconds going onto to score a belting 3rd, 4th and 5th (Mitch) Federation, while the yellow card potter took Federation 14th Federation. Another winning performance was achieved at the Folkestone (2) National when the lads' won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, with their pole position winner scoring a most impressive 2nd Federation and 9th Up North Combine.

 

Mick, Boss & Trevor took all the Club points again at Newark Cattle Market (2) to win a brilliant 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 1st, 4th (Mitch), 5th, 7th and 12th Federation out of an entry of 891 birds. A full house was racked up for the third race running out of Oakham (4) when Mick, Boss & Trevor won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, when the pole position winning “Mitch” went onto chalk up 4th Federation. Mick, Boss & Trevor's top-notch old bird season got even better from the final channel race and old bird race of the season after they timed a trio of birds to win a fantastic 1st, 3rd and 6th Club, 1st and 13th Federation when there were 578 birds competing. With the Federation winner been no other than the Top Class “Mitch” a 2y Van Loon cock who won the Club Bird Of The Year in 2018, the well-fancied cock won the £1, £2, £5 Fed Noms pocketing £147.00, winning £370.00 in the JPS Nom and 2nd Up North Combine winning a Combine Silver Medal from a convoy of 8,025 birds. Next stop is the young birds where Mick, Boss & Trevor timed three babies out of Oakham (1) to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 9th, 10th and 12th Federation; and then 2nd Club, 13th Federation was chalked up at Chelmsford to round off a brilliant season at Club, Federation and Up North Combine level.

 

Mr & Mrs Golly “Graham” & Linda Peirson & Tubby “Graham” Purver, Evo “Ian” Everington & Frankie Roland enjoyed a brilliant old bird season flying in Brotton H/S. The loft who were the winners of the Federation Channel Average with 89pts and accumulated a season tally of 227pts, got their season off by timing three birds at old bird Oakham (1) to notch up 2nd, 4th and 6th Club with their blue card potter going onto lift 16th Federation. The following race when the birds were at Oakham (2) a trio of birds were on the clock to pocket 2nd, 3rd and 6th Club with the blue card scorer lifting 8th Federation; and then a single bird was timed at Chelmsford (1) to chalk up 2nd Club, 6th Federation. Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie's birds were coming steady away when they timed three of their Folkestone (1) National entries to pot a useful 3rd and 4th Club with the green and yellow card lifters touching down together to net a notable 5th and 6th Federation, while their third timer claimed 20th Federation. The birds were at Oakham (3) when the partnership had a single bird on the clock to notch up 4th Club, 17th Federation.

 

Golly & Linda Peirson of  Mr & Mrs Peirson & Purver winners of 5 x 1st Federations and the Channel Average.

 

Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie's season really took off at the first channel race Ypres when they timed three of their squad to win a fantastic 1st, 3rd and 6th Club, 1st and 18th Federation out of an entry of 883 birds, 48th and 231st Up North Combine from a convoy of 12,043 birds. Win number two on the bounce was achieved out of Newark Cattle Market (1) after two birds were timed to win an outstanding 1st and 3rd Club, 1st and 5th Federation when there were 931 birds away. On the very same day there was a second race held only this time it was from over the pond from the French race point Roye when Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie's season got even better for they took the first nine positions in the Club, winning a brilliant 1st, 4th, 6th and 12th Federation with the other five birds being in the top 38 of the Federation out of an entry of 495 birds. The Federation winner that topped the charts by just under 13 minutes went onto win a top-class 2nd Up North Combine winning a Combine Silver Medal from a convoy of 6,476 birds to add to the Silver Medal they won from Burbure 2 (substitute Roye) in 2018 when they also scored 4th Up North Combine with their 1st Brotton 6 Bird Club winner, winning the “Danish Cup Of Friendship for the Best Two-Bird Performance. Back to the partnerships blue and green card scorers that netted 96th and 125th Up North Combine while the yellow card potter took 222nd Up North Combine to round off a fantastic days racing. A couple of birds were on the clock at Huntingdon (1) to take 3rd and 5th Club.

 

The inform Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie got back on the winning road out of Huntingdon (2) in great style after timing no less than three birds to win a cracking 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club to record their fourth win so far, with the red and blue card scorers going onto chalk up a nice 4th and 7th Federation. The partnerships awesome channel season continued out of the longest race Bourges when one of their three entries was timed from the 540 miles race to win a belting 1st Club, 6th Federation out of 90 birds and 88th Up North Combine from a convoy of 1,275 birds. There was only seven Federation and 98 Combine birds recorded in race time, the faith in the partnerships three entries had really paid off because they were in the driving seat to win the Federation Channel Average with two races to go, with them having strong teams for the remaining two French races from Reims 426 miles and Burbure 313 miles. But before that Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie had two inland races to think about with Chelmsford (2) coming up first where their birds put in another top performance winning 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Club with the red and blue card scorers that were timed six seconds apart going onto win a top-drawer 1st and 2nd Federation from a convoy of 1,156 birds. Next up came the Folkestone (2) National which brought a useful 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 8th, 14th, 15th and 17th Federation, 48th, 77th, 91st and 97th Up North Combine.

 

The scene was all set for the Reims race and Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie's birds never let them down in fact their team did them proud winning a earth-shattering 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 11th Federation out of 212 birds, 18th, 46th, 48th, 63rd and 194th Up North Combine when there was 3,124 birds competing, a top class team performance you only dream of. Back to Newark Cattle Market (2) where 4th and 5th Club was notched up and then a single bird was on the clock at Oakham (4) to claim 6th Club. Onto Burbure the final race of the 2019 racing season which saw the Federation Channel Average winning Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie time no fewer than five of their much inform channel team to chalk up a notable 2nd, 3rd and 6th Club, 7th, 9th, 17th, 18th and 20th Federation, 91st, 107th, 181st and 187th Up North Combine to round off a top-class old bird racing season. Moving onto the young birds where Golly, Linda & Tubby got off to a winning start after timing a trio of babies at Bubwith (1) to win a belting 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 6th, 7th and 12th Federation. The partnership was in the points from the Maidstone National when they took 2nd Club, 12th Federation and and 116th Up North Combine.

 

The loft Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners got off to a great start to their season after timing no fewer than six of their old bird Bubwith entries to win a cracking 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 14th, 15th and 18th Federation. And the duo followed that up a week later by taking 2nd and 6th Club, 9th, 19th, 20th and 21st Federation at the Newark Showground. Reg & Ray got back to their winning ways out of Oakham (2) when 1st, 4th and 5th Club was taken with their red card winner going onto net a very nice 3rd Federation. And that was quickly followed up by timing a trio of birds at Chelmsford (1) to win 1st, 3rd and 5th Club, 4th, 8th and 20th Federation. The inform Reg & Ray recorded their third consecutive win and fourth win from six starts at the Folkestone (1) National when a couple of their team were timed in the space of 25 seconds to win a brilliant and well-deserved 1st and 2nd Club 1st and 4th Federation from a convoy of 1,041 birds. The lads' were in the frame again at Oakham (3) when three of their squad were timed to pocket 3rd, 5th and 6th Club, 12th and 18th Federation. Onto Ypres where a couple of the partnerships channel birds were timed to lift 2nd and 5th Club with Reg & Ray's well-fancied blue card scorer going onto lift 11th Federation, 2nd Fed Nom pocketing £24.40. Reg & Ray who have enjoyed much success over the years at Club, Federation and Up North Combine level flying both inland and over the channel returned to the winners' enclosure at Huntingdon (1) to win 1st and 4th Club with the pole position winner also netting 12th Federation. And this was followed up by notching up 4th and 6th Club out of Huntingdon (2), and then 6th Club was claimed from Chelmsford (2).

 

Reg & Ray were back on top of their game from the Folkestone (2) National after timing two of their entries to win an outstanding 1st and 2nd Club, 5th and 7th Federation with the well-fancied chart-topper winning 2nd £2 Fed Nom also winning the £1 and £5 Fed Noms banking £147.40, 3rd North Of England Championship Club netting £99.75 and 33rd Up North Combine. Reg & Ray's well-fancied blue card scorer chalked up 3rd £2 Fed Nom lifting £23.60, 5th North of England Championship Club pocketing £37.31 and 45th Up North Combine to round off a very impressive performance. A single bird was on the clock from Reims to notch up 5th Club, 9th Federation with the duo's well-fancied timer taking 3rd Fed Nom lifting £16.00 and 169th Up North Combine. Back on English soil a week later the lads timed three birds to pot 2nd, 3rd and 6th Club, 18th and 20th Federation Newark Cattle Market (2). Moving onto Oakham (4) where 2nd Club, 13th Federation was taken. Reg & Ray's outstanding old bird season was rewarded with their seventh win of the season at Burbure when three of their entries were on the clock to win 1st, 4th and 5th Club with their well-fancied red card winner lifting 5th Federation, 3rd £2 Fed Nom lifting £19.60, 6th North Of England Championship Club netting £27.37 and 52nd Up North Combine. The lads' yellow card scorer went onto chalk up 10th Federation and 110th Up North Combine while the third bird on the clock claimed 16th Federation and 176th Up North Combine to round off a first-class old bird season.

    

The family partnership of Frank & Brenda Reilly & son Wayne and  helper Peter Marshall enjoyed a Federation win in 2019 which was achieved from young bird Bubwith (3) after no fewer than six youngsters were timed to win a brilliant 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th Federation when there was 816 birds competing. Frank, Brenda, Wayne & Peter made it two wins on the belt from Wakefield when no less than five of their squad were on the clock to win a cracking 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club with the red card winning youngster going onto pocket 20th Federation.   

 

 

• Peter Marshall, Frank & Brenda Reilly of Reilly & Son winners of 1st Federation young bird Bubwith (3).

 

 

The Brotton 6 Bird Club partnership of W & S Ward got their old bird season off to a winning start after Bill and grandson Shaun won 1st and 2nd Club, 12th and 23rd Federation from the first race Bubwith. Bill & Shaun were absolutely buzzing from the second race Newark Showground where again they had no fewer than three of their entries on the clock to win 1st, 2nd and 5th Club with their red and blue card scorers going onto win a brilliant 1st and 6th Federation from a convoy of 1,776 birds. This race proved to be a double celebration for Bill & Shaun for they had no fewer than four of their Brotton H/S entries on the clock to win an outstanding 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club with their chart-topper that was clocked the same time as their Brotton 6 Bird Club winner scoring 2nd Federation, while their other three timers that were timed within seven seconds of each other netting 14th, 15th and 16th Federation to round off a brilliant days racing. The duo took 4th and 5th Club at Oakham (1) where they also recorded their second Brotton H/S win on the belt when their red card winner went onto pot 13th Federation. The boys took 5th Club Oakham (2) and were back in Town a week later at Chelmsford (1) when they won 1st Club, 22nd Federation in the Brotton 6 Bird Club. Bill & Shaun followed that up by taking 2nd and 4th Club, 24th Federation from the Folkestone (1) National before returning to the Brotton 6 Bird Club winners' enclosure at Oakham (3) when they won 1st Club, 13th Federation and also took 2nd Club, 11th Federation in Brotton H/S.

 

Bill & Kath Ward celebrates their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in December, Bill & grandson Shaun of W & S Ward, winners of 1st Federation old bird Newark Showground. 

 

The lads' swiftly followed that up by timing three of their six entries out of Newark Cattle Market (1) to win a cracking 1st, 2nd and Club, 3rd and 23th Federation, the lads also netted 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 16th Federation in Brotton H/S to round off another great loft performance. Onto Huntingdon (1) where 4th Club was claimed and 6th Club Brotton H/S was also notched up. Bill & Shaun's outstanding Brotton 6 Bird Club season continued at Huntingdon (2) where they won 1st Club and 4th Club with the red card winner going onto pocket 31st Federation, the duo also took 6th Club Brotton H/S. Bill & Shaun recorded their fifth Brotton 6 Bird Club win so far at Chelmsford (2) when a trio of birds were on the clock to win 1st, 2nd and 5th Club, 12th and 36th Federation. The duo timed one of their Brotton H/S entries two seconds after their Brotton 6 Bird winner to lift 3rd Club, 13th Federation. The Folkestone (2) National brought 3rd Club but the lads had two on the clock in Brotton H/S before their green card potter to lift 4th Club, 9th and 25th Federation, 50th and 164th Up North Combine. Bill & Shaun were enjoying a great season with a number of winning performances and plenty of back-up with a host of minor positions and they were in there again from Newark Cattle Market (2) when  3rd and 6th Club was taken to boost their Brotton 6 Bird Club points.

 

The much inform duo recorded their eighth old bird inland win of the season at Oakham (4) after timing a trio of birds to win 1st, 2nd and 4th Club with the red and blue card scorers that were timed 27 seconds apart going onto chalk up a notable 5th and 6th Federation and their yellow card potter claiming 28th Federation to round off another top performance. Bill & Shaun's top-notch 8 x 1st Clubs and other minor positions throughout the season won them the Brotton 6 Bird Club Old Bird Inland Average with 117pts. Onto the final race of the old bird season which was from over the channel at the French race point Burbure which provided Bill & Shaun their ninth win of the old bird season to win 1st, 4th and 6th Club with the pole position winner going onto score 14th Federation and 164th Up North Combine. Bill & Shaun's fantastic season won them the Club Old Bird Combined Average with 127pts.

 

The lads also scored 18pts with the young birds which helped Bill & Shaun win the Brotton 6 Bird Club Combine Average with a total of 145pts and also winning 43 Money Points. The first young bird points were netted at Bubwith (1) when 3rd Club was taken and then 4th Club Newark Showground, 4th Club Oakham (1), 4th Club Oakham (2) and 4th Club Bubwith (3) was notched up before potting 5th Club Wakefield. Congratulations to Bill and his wife Kath who celibate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary early in December with the couple looking so good together after 60 years of married life. On behalf of the Ward Family and the members of the East Cleveland Federation we wish Bill & Kath a very enjoyable Diamond Wedding Anniversary day and long may it continue.  

 

The partnership of Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson & Tubby Purver, Evo & Frankie were runners/up in the Brotton 6 Bird Club old bird inland average on 92pts, they were also joint winners of the Channel Average with 15pts, runners/up Old Bird Combine Average on 107pts with another 29pts scored with the young birds to give Golly, Linda & Tubby a season total of 136pts and 39 money points. The partnership was in the points at old bird Bubwith when a trio of birds were on the clock to chalk up 3rd, 4th and 6th Club and then from the second race Newark Showground another three birds were in the frame to net 3rd, 4th and 6th Club. Golly, Linda & Tubby who had Evo & Frankie helping out again this season before flying their own young birds with Dormanstown in the North Yorks Federation; recorded their first win of the season a week later at Oakham (1) when a couple of their squad were timed to win 1st and 3rd Club when their red card winner went onto net 35th Federation. The following week the birds were at Oakham (2) which provided Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie with their second win on the bounce after timing two birds to win 1st and 4th Club. After pocketing 4th Club out of Chelmsford Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie returned to the winners' enclosure at the Folkestone (1) National to record their third old bird win after timing three of their team to win 1st, 5th and 6th Club with the pole position winner going onto score 12th Federation. Another three birds were in the frame at Oakham (3) to lift 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club with the blue and green card scorers that were timed one second apart netting 15th and 16th Federation.

 

It was over the pond for the next race where Golly, Linda & Tubby timed another trio of birds to chalk up 2nd, 3rd and 6th Club Ypres with the blue and green card potters taking 30th and 38th Federation. A couple of birds were on the clock out of Newark Cattle Market (1) to notch up 4th and 5th Club, and then 2nd Club, 33rd Federation was potted at Roye and that was followed up by claiming 2nd Club Huntingdon (1). Next up was Huntingdon (2) where Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie took 2nd and 6th Club when the blue card lifter took 35th Federation, a single bird was on the clock to lift 3rd Club Chelmsford (2). Golly, Linda, Tubby, Evo & Frankie got back to their winning ways at Newark Cattle Market (2) after no fewer than three of their entries were timed to win a very nice 1st, 2nd and 4th Club. Moving onto the young birds where Golly, Linda & Tubby got off to a winning start from Bubwith (1) after timing two babies to win 1st and 5th Club with their well out in front chart-topping youngster going onto score a very impressive 5th Federation. Golly, Linda & Tubby wasted no time to achieve their second young bird win for that came the following week at Bubwith (2) and then 2nd Club was netted out of Oakham (2). Onto the Maidstone National where a single bird was on the clock to pocket 4th Club and a week later 3rd Club Bubwith was taken, and that was rounded off by claiming 4th Club out of Wakefield to end a cracking season.             

 

The loft of Mr & Mrs Bob & Babs Moore has enjoyed much success over the years winning a number of races which helped win averages and seem them being the Clubs top loft a few times. This season Bob & Babs were the Brotton 6 Bird Clubs third highest prize winners with 22pts with their old birds inland, 10pts from the channel, 56pts with the young birds scoring a total of 88pts which earned them runners/up Young Bird Average and 10 money points. Bob & Babs starting the season by netting 4th Club Bubwith on the opening day of the new season and followed that up by having a couple birds in the frame from Oakham (2) to lift a useful 2nd and 6th Club. The duo then potted 2nd Club at Chelmsford (1) and chalked up 3rd Club out of the Folkestone (1) National, before winning a brilliant 1st Club, 2nd Federations Ypres where the winner that topped the Club charts by a good 10 minutes going onto score 55th Up North Combine. Bob & Babs were back in the points from Oakham (4) when 3rd Club was chalked up. Bob & Babs were in the channel frame again out of Burbure where they took a notable 2nd Club, 37th Federation.

 

 Bob & Babs were in the young bird points straight away when they chalked up 4th Club Bubwith (1) and quickly followed that up by scoring 2nd and 3rd Club Bubwith (2). Two more babies were on the clock a week later at Newark Showground when 2nd and 5th Club was notched up, the duo also won a very nice 1st Club, 24th Federation in Brotton H/S. The duo was in the frame for the fourth consecutive race out of Oakham when a single bird was timed to score 2nd Club 35th Federation. Bob & Babs racked up their first young bird win a week later at Oakham (2) when their well-fancied 1st Club winner won the Club Nom and 35th Federation, 2nd and 4th Club, 18th and 33rd Federation was also chalked up in Brotton H/S. Bob & Babs recorded their second consecutive win from the very testing Chelmsford race when two of their six entries were timed to win an impressive 1st and 3rd Club, 5th and 30th Federation; 2nd Club, 26th Fed was also netted in Brotton H/S. The inform Bob & Babs who have always flown a good young bird were in the points again from the Maidstone National when two birds were on the clock to lift 2nd and 5th Club, with the blue card scorer that was bred by Richardson, Son & Young Brothers of Seaham fame for the Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer which took 5th in the event winning £400.00 each and 26th Federation. The duo claimed 5th and 6th Club at Bubwith (3) before they were in the frame for the ninth race running from the final young bird race of the 2019 season at Wakefield when 1st Club, 33rd Federation was won.    

 

The loft of Frank & Brenda Reilly & son Wayne and Peter Marshall potted 1pt from old bird Newark Cattle Market (1) where 6th Club was notched up. The partnership scored 15pts from the channel which was enough to win joint Channel Average and 59pts were won with the young birds winning them the Young Bird Average to rack up a season total of 75pts and 21 money points. Frank, Brenda, Wayne & Peter netted from the first two channel races where they took 5th Club out of both Ypres and Roye, and then came out of the Reims race with a top-notch team performance after timing no less than three of their channel team to win 1st, 4th and 5th Club, 10th, 23rd and 25th Federation with their red card winner going onto lift 183rd Up North Combine.

 

Now for Frank, Brenda, Wayne & Peter's young bird season which saw them have three babies in the frame at Bubwith (2) to pocket a useful 4th, 5th and 6th Club. The first win of the young birds was achieved a week later when the birds where at Newark Showground when the winning youngster went onto scoop 37th Federation, and the following week 5th Club was taken out of Oakham (1). Onto Oakham (2) where two of the partnerships birds were in the points to notch up 3rd and 5th Club and then two more babies were in the frame out of Chelmsford when 2nd and 4th Club was netted. Frank, Brenda, Wayne & Peter achieved their second young bird win of the season from the Maidstone National after timing two of their three entries to win 1st, 3rd and 6th Club with the pole position well-fancied winning youngsters going onto chalk up a cracking 6th Federation, 2nd £2 Fed Nom and winner of the £10 Fed Nom banking £136.00 and 65th Up North Combine. After Frank, Brenda, Wayne & Peter's earth-shattering Bubwith (3) performance in Brotton H/S they enjoyed their day even more after timing two birds in the Brotton 6 Bird Club to win a belting 1st and 2nd Club, 8th and 9th Federation. Two more birds were in the frame out of Wakefield to score a notable 2nd and 3rd Club to round off a Club Young Bird Average winning season.         

 

Kevin & Merv Brown & Bill “Sacker” Cole accumulated 37pts and 29 money points with the lads' scoring 28pts from the old bird inland races and netting 9pts from the channel. Kevin, his father Merv and Sacker who suffered poor health this year got on the score sheet from Oakham (2) when 3rd Club was chalked up. Sacker was still on the road to recovery but still spending time at the loft when the boys achieved their first win of the 2019 racing season with that coming at Roye when a couple of their channel entries were timed to win a cracking 1st and 4th Club, with the red card winner that topped the Club charts by 8 minutes going onto lift 23rd Federation. Kevin, Merv & Sacker made it two wins on the trot at Huntingdon (1) after two of their team were timed to win 1st and 5th Club with the pole position winner going onto score 16th Federation. This was followed up by taking 3rd Club Huntingdon (2) and then a couple of birds were in the frame out of Chelmsford (2) to pocket 4th and 6th Club. Onto the Folkestone (2) National where 2nd Club was chalked up and then 5th Club was potted from Newark Cattle Market. I called up at the loft to see Sacker after the lads' two old bird wins and he said the young birds were going to be flown natural this season. A number of fanciers that have turned back to flying natural youngsters are looking more at schooling the babies to help them in future racing rather than young bird racing performances.

 

My old mate Vic Garbutt, the late Brian “Rusty” Stone & Brian “Mac” McCormick netted 16pts old bird inland, 14pts from the channel and another 1pt with the young birds to give them a season haul of 31pts and 7 money points. Vic & Mac got under-way with a 5th Club Chelmsford (1) and then took 4th Club Ypres before notching up 3rd Club Huntingdon (1) and 6th Club Roye. Vic & Mac hit winning form out of the Folkestone (2) National when a couple of their entries were timed to win a very enjoyable 1st and 6th Club. We were back over the pond for the duo's next points with that coming at Reims when 3rd Club, 20th Federation was taken, the birds were over the water again for more points when two birds were on the clock to lift 2nd and 5th Club out of Burbure when the blue card potter went onto lift 36th Federation. The very laid-back Vic who has being in the sport as long as I can remember and Mac who had not being in the best of health this season pocketed 6th Club out of young bird Newark Showground.

 

The partnership of Andrew & Gavin Doe, John “Dillon” Swales and the late Sandy Sanderson were the scorers of 27pts and 6 money points with the lads netting 7pts from the old bird inland races, 9pts from the channel and another 11pts with the young birds. Andrew, Gavin & Dillon were in the frame from Roye where they netted 3rd Club, 35th Federation and also took 5th Club out of Huntingdon (2). A couple of birds were on the clock at the Folkestone (2) National to lift 4th and 5th Club and this was followed by claiming a notable 2nd Club, 12th Federation and 222nd Up North Combine Reims. Onto the young birds where the lads' netted from the start after taking 3rd Club Bubwith (1) and they followed that up by claiming 3rd Club Oakham(1). Andrew, Gavin & Dillon were out of the points the following week from Oakham (2) but they did win the Club Ladies Race, and a week later they pocketed 5th Club Chelmsford. Ricky Cush chalked up 5pts with the old birds and netted 7pts with the young birds to score a season total of 12pts and 2 money points. Ricky notched up 6th Club out of Oakham (1) and then took 3rd Club Chelmsford (1), Ricky's first young bird points were achieved at Newark Showground where 3rd Club was chalked up. The lad took 6th Club for three consecutive races from Oakham (1), Oakham (2) and Chelmsford.

 

New to the sport J Newton & Family started racing their young birds with the partnership scoring 8pts and 3 money points. The Family were in the points from day one from Bubwith (1) where 6th Club was taken. The Family were on cloud 9 when they won a cracking 1st Club, 34th Federation Oakham (1), and their third prize card was potted at Wakefield when 6th Club was taken. The newly formed partnership of Danny Fawcett, Daughters & Tinkler were the scorers of 6pts and 2 money points with their best performance coming at old bird Oakham (2) when they chalked up 2nd Club, 36th Federation.

 

That's the East Cleveland Federation presentation evening report done and dusted. I was hoping to get a photo of the rest of the Federation winners, but I was unable to get around everyone as I was not feeling too well.

 

• The Trophy winning Princes and Princess' of Skinningrove.

 

 

 

 

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