“The Original” Around The Up North Combine

By Good Corn

Sorry to start this weeks report with the sad news of the passing of two very popular Pigeon fanciers over the the past few weeks. Sadly Keith Clish of Leeholme, Bishop Auckland passed away in December. I got to know Keith through his father and Pigeon partner the late Ted a few years ago, I visited Ted a few times and had met Keith and his Son Gary while on my visits. The partnership won much respect for their top performances over the years and made many, many friends in the sport, Ted & Keith were a force to be reckoned with but sadly disaster struck a number of years ago when their lofts were burned to the ground with their birds perishing in the fire. That was long before I ever had the great pleasure of meeting and becoming very good friends with Ted, I had seen the name of Clish & Son of Leeholme in the race results a number of times before knowing Ted with the duo winning top Combine positions from their winning performances. Keith & Gary continued with the birds after Ted's passing. Although I had not seen Keith & Gary for a while I always looked for their names in the racing results. Rest In Peace Keith, Condolences to Judith, family & friends.

Francis “Franny” Bryan of Brotton was the second fancier to recently pass away, Big Franny took to Pigeons at a very early age in Brotton H/S who were the Club regarded as the hot bed of racing in the East Cleveland Federation. Franny was in partnership with the late Joe McDonald with the duo getting on very well together and flying in a very strong competitive Club and Federation. After Joe passed away Franny helped out at the loft of Billy Heslop who was flying on his own at the time, with Billy working the day shift Franny was a very big help at the loft. The duo worked very well together with Billy achieving much success winning many races, Club and Federation averages along the way. As time went on Franny gave up the birds but always liked to know who was doing what in the area, often phoning or messaging his mates to see how they had got on from the race. Rest In Peace Franny, Condolences to family and friends.

I have received another email from Ingrid & Colin Farndale, this time regarding the 2019 British Homing World Show Of The Year. The North East Counties Show Racer Society members did themselves proud in the Show classes with their newly elected Club President and full time Leeds United fan Ken Hardaker winning Class (5) 2018 Unflown Cock with a red chequer which was the first time the cock had been shown, which put the icing on the cake. The father and son partnership of JK & JD Lynn of Darlington were the winners of Class (8) 2018 Unflown Hen, the team also won Class (21) Through Wires Hen and chalked up a number of minor prize cards which helped them win the Devon & Cornwall Trophy for fanciers gaining most points in Class 1 8 which was an outstanding achievement. Another member who enjoyed a successful Show was that of John Barnes who won Class (10) Old Hen Unflown 2016 or earlier, John also won the W Bennett Memorial Trophy for Best Opposite Sex in the Inter Society Classes which was a brilliant achievement. Paul Yates of Harrogate was the winner of Class (12) 2017 Unflown Hen, John netted many other prize cards which helped him win the Presidents Perpetual Trophy for Runner Up fancier gaining most points in the Inter Society Classes, which was a top-notch achievement. Other members of the North East Counties Show Racer Society who were among the prize cards at the Blackpool Show but unfortunately not red cards this time around were Mr & Mrs Alan Spedding of Cumbria, P & K Nelson, Dave Fussey and Paul Littlewood.

I was hoping to see Ingrid & Colin for a chat in the Winter Gardens at the Blackpool Show weekend but the couple had only spent a couple of hours in the Show each day as they were not in the best of health, I wish them better health. As I stated in my Blackpool Show weekend report, I spent a fair bit of time in the main hall looking at the Show winners and prize card scorers. It would have been nice to have been able to have a chat with Ingrid & Colin and anyone else who was showing that weekend, it's always nice to put faces to names when reporting on anyone.

My good mate Jim Peirson of Skinningrove has really had it rough the past few months, and just when we were hoping Jim was over the worst of his health problems he had been taken back into Hospital again after suffering a lot of pain. Jim was first taken into James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough before Christmas after a number of weeks of not being well, after a couple of days he was sent home and told he would be going back in so they could sort things out. Jim was soon back in dock for the scheduled operation, once back home he took things very easy which is always a good thing because many others try to do things far to soon which often results in a set back in their health. Jim's brother and Pigeon partner Sack phoned me a couple of weeks ago to say that Jim was unwell again and back in Hospital, I received a second message from Sack a couple of days later saying Jim was back home but was still not feeling too well and in a lot of pain. I just hope the lad gets back to his best more sooner then later, and I don't have to tell Jim to take things easy now he is home because I know he will take care of himself the best he can. Bri and myself are always here for Jim and his brother Sack if they ever need anything, the two lads have always offered us the same help when we have needed it.

Jim Peirson of Skinningrove H/S, hoping for better health.

I was talking to Julie Kelly in the Loftus Pharmacy, Julie is the wife of Jim who fly in the partnership of J & J Kelly in Loftus H/S. Julie told me that Jim is laid up with a broken rib which is causing him much pain with Jim having trouble eating and drinking due to the pain it is causing him and resting up is also very uncomfortable for him with him getting very little sleep. Julie always sees to the birds whenever Jim is at work but with Jim laid up Julie is seeing to the birds full time, no doubt the birds will be getting well looked after. I wish Jim a very speedy recovery, and no rushing back to work Jim.

Julie Kelly of Loftus H/S with injured husband Jim.

News from John Potts the organiser of the 2019 Silksworth Comrades H/S European Gold Ring Breeder/Buyer Competition, the rings are priced at £20 each with a maximum of 5 rings per loft/member and can be purchased from John Potts on 07506 326870. The closing date for entries is the end of February 2019 with a maximum of 300 rings available for sale. Entrants must ring a youngster with the official ring and return it to be sold at one of the four auctions with the first sale been held on 1st March, the second sale is on 8th March with the third sale taking place on 22nd March followed by sale four on 29th March, with all four sales been held at the Silksworth Comrades Club, John Street, Silksworth SR3 1ET. Viewing of the sale birds is from 7pm with the birds going under the hammer at 7.45pm. Only members of the Up North Combine can purchase a youngster/s and will be allowed to race the purchased Pigeons in the Up North Combine races. There is no limit on the number of birds purchased. The competition for prize money will be the Up North Combine Young Bird Maidstone National a distance of 230-280 miles. The fastest velocity with the Gold Ring wins 1st prize and so on. Claims from the buyers within two weeks after the race. 15% of the income, plus expenses etc from the ring sales and the auction will be deducted for administration. The rest will be paid out as prize money, spread over the result with the prize money been paid out in a ratio of 50% to the breeder and 50% to the buyer. The prize money and how it will be distributed out over the result will be published after the figures are known following the last auction on 29th March. There was four prizes awarded from the 2018 event with a total payout of £8,500, which was presented to the winners at the Silksworth Comrades H/S 2018 presentation evening. Dixon & Son won the 1st buyer prize money winning £2,250 while Lamb Bros & Son banked the £2,250 breeder prize money. Billy Rush & Partners were 2nd buyer netting £1,250 with B & K Simpson pocketing the £1,250 breeder prize money. 3rd buyer went to Armstrong, Shergold, Johnson & Moon lifting £500 with Keith & Matty Arkless taking the £500 breeder prize money. Billy Rush & Partners were in there for a second dabble when they took 4th buyer picking up another £250 with a youngster bred by Colin Chapman & Sons who claimed the £250 breeder prize money.

John re-started the breeder/buyer events in 2017 after some previous very successful events, which included the one John run in 2004. There was 304 rings purchased that year with a bumper payout of £17,500 when there was ten prizes on offer, 1st breeder & buyer won £2,500 each, 2nd £2,000 each, 3rd £1,500 each, 4th £1,000 each, 5th £500 each. 6th £350 each, 7th £300 each, 8th £250 each, 9th £200 and 10th prize £150 each. It would be great if John can attract the same support as he did in the early days because there would be some top, top prize money up for grabs. When John first started the breeder/buyers there was not as many other events going on in the Combine that's the reason the prize money was so high, it was regarded by many as the best breeder/buyer in the area at that time.

Right that's me finished for another week. I just need the list of winners from the Brotton 6 Bird Club presentation evening then I will have there report finished off. Any news to Good Corn 6 Boulby Drive Loftus Saltburn Cleveland TS13 4JN. Tel: 01287 643624. Please note new email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.