BICC
DECEMBER 2013 NEWS REPORT
by Gareth Watkins
The BICC seems to be going forward in leaps and bounds with an increased membership and an increase in the number of fanciers who wish to take up the challenge of International racing, in the process testing their and their pigeons' ability on the ultimate stage.
The latest news is that fanciers in the Channel Islands have made an approach to the European organising bodies with the aim of competing in the International race programme from 2014.
The committee met recently at the club's H.Q. The Lion Brewery at Ash and it was good to see so many committee members present who had travelled from all over the south of England, the Midlands and South Wales to attend. After the usual opening formalities of reading and confirming the minutes of the last meeting we were soon down to business and treasurer Russell Bradford gave an in depth report on the club's accounts. Suffice to say that the club is in a very healthy position financially as we made a profit of more than £26,000 on the year's business. I have been asked to point out that any money winners are strongly advised that they ensure that their cheques are cashed quickly as it was brought to the committee's attention that one member in particular had failed to cash a cheque from the 2011 season and recently asked if he could be provided with a second cheque!!
The subject of the club's trophies was then discussed and Chairman Albi Deacon said that members who have won trophies should ensure that they are returned to the club in the same condition as when they are presented i.e. CLEAN and shining bright!!!
Members should also be aware of the existence of the Certificate of Merit which is awarded to any pigeon attaining three top prizes in International races within the BICC. The onus is on the members who have such pigeons to make their claim for the Certificate to the secretary outlining their pigeon's performances.
The next item on the agenda was the Centenary race, this to mark the 100 years since the beginning of the First World War. It is unclear yet whether the club will take part in a jointly organised race from Ypres in June 2014 or if we will dedicate one of our own races to this event nearer the time. The committee will decide the most appropriate course to take once more details are learned regarding the organisation of the race.
As things stand the proposed race programme for 2014 is as follows:- Falaise May 3rd; Alencon May 17th; Tours May 31st; Poitiers June 14th; Pau International June 20th; Agen International June 27th; Barcelona International July 4th; St Vincent International July 11th; Le Mans & Marseille International July 19th.
The committee also accepted, on behalf of the members, the invitation to compete in the Narbonne International race on the 25th July. Final race of the International programme will take place from Perpignan on August 1st. The birdage charge for the above International races is £8 per bird for all except Pau International which is £13 per bird and Marseille at £10 per bird. The National races will remain as for 2013 at £3 and £3.50 per bird.
After a long discussion it was decided that there will be two Young Bird and Old Bird races. The first from Guernsey in late August and the second from Falaise in early September as in 2013. The only difference being that members may now enter old cocks along with the old hens in these races with all sexes being basketed separately and the old hens competing against the old cocks in a corresponding old bird race alongside the young bird event. In formulating the above race programme, the committee have taken on board members' wishes and have tried to ensure that the BICC programme does not clash with any other major U.K. organisation's races, bearing in mind the constraints imposed due to the need to coordinate our race programme with that of the International events.
The committee also decided to grant a new marking station at Evesham with Gavin Duggan I/C, for an initial 12 month period. If it is a success then this arrangement could well become permanent and the committee hope that this may lure more fanciers into the "International fold" from the West Midlands, the Cotswolds and all points north. The opportunity is there for you it’s up to you fanciers out there in the regions mentioned to take advantage of the new marking station and make it a permanent fixture.
We next moved on to the subject of the Annual Dinner and Presentation evening. At this point Carol informed us that she had already sold more than 145 tickets for the evening and that the manager of the hotel had informed her that the maximum capacity of the function room is set at 160 to a top figure of 180 people. So, if you are intending to come down to Bournemouth on the weekend of February 8th and haven't yet ordered your ticket or accommodation then you would be well advised to get "your skates on" and do so as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Carol has also negotiated a very attractive price deal with the hotel regarding drinks, meals etc.
Chris Sutton the well known photographer will be invited as our guest for the evening. As members are no doubt aware, Chris has done an excellent job this year in travelling the length and breadth of the country to photograph the winning fanciers and their pigeons.
The subject of officials' remuneration was then discussed and at this point the individuals concerned left the room so that the other members of the committee could discuss the issue. After a short discussion the committee decided that the officials concerned should receive increments commensurate with the increased work load entailed with the increase in membership to its present position of 1,301 members.
A long and protracted discussion then took place on the subject of drug testing and Chairman Albi Deacon spoke passionately on the need to enforce the club's own domestic rule covering this subject. It was decided that the club WILL carry out this drug testing procedure during the 2014 season and a scientifically and legally sound protocol will be drawn up in time for the new season in order to implement this rule.
The final subject discussed was that of the section boundaries and Russell Bradford presented the committee with a map highlighting the new section boundaries that he felt would be fairer to members competing in the more northerly regions of the club and which he also thought might well lead to an increase in membership. The new boundaries entail forming three new north sections i.e. north-west; north central and north-east.
The BICC will be sectioned within the following latitude and longitude coordinates:-
The East Section: Members flying east of the 00.00 longitude and as far north as the 52.00 latitude.
The Centre Section: Members flying west of the 00.00 longitude and east of the 2.00 west longitude and no further north than the 52.00 latitude.
The West Section: Members flying west of the longitude 2.00 west, and no further north than the 52.00 latitude.
The North East Section: Members flying east of the 00.00 longitude, and north of the 52.00 latitude.
The North Central Section: Members flying west of the 00.00 longitude and east of the 2.00 west longitude, and north of the 52.00 latitude.
The North West Section: Members flying west of the longitude 2.00 west, and north of the 52.00 latitude.
Ireland: All members flying to either Eire or Northern Ireland.
And that ladies and gentlemen is a brief report on the business of the club as discussed on Sunday 1st December. It was soon time to make our way back home and for myself and Ray Strawbridge that entailed the 150 mile drive home to complete a near 300 mile round trip and a 10 hour day. The things we do for pigeons eh!!?? I have included here a list of the 2013 trophy winners. Who knows, your name could be highlighted here in 2014?
2013 SEASON TROPHY WINNERS
NATIONALS
FALAISE 12TH MAY 2013
1st OPEN, 1st ES, Mahoney Bros - Basildon
Winner of the B. Long Trophy 1st National Race,
1st CS, Khan Bros. New Malden, 1st NS, Colin Smith Ipswich, 1st WS, GG & CJ Cooper Peasedown St John
HENS
1st CS, M/M Newton Brighton 1st ES, Mahoney Bros Basildon
1st NS, A Wright & Dtr. Otley 1st WS, J Smale Abergavenny
YEARLINGS
1st CS, M/M Newton Brighton 1st ES, C Simmons Basildon
1st NS, A Wright & Dtr. Otley 1st WS, J Smale Abergavenny
ALENCON 25th MAY 2013
1st OPEN, 1st WS, Williams Bros. & Son - Tredegar
Winner of the B. Long Trophy, 2nd National Race & Mark Kidby Memorial Trophy
1st CS Malik & Khan Tolworth, 1st ES, Packer & Clarke Grays, 1st NS, Michael Sault Norwich
HENS
1st CS, Malik & Khan Tolworth, 1st ES, Packer & Clarke Grays,
1st NS, Tony Calver Ipswich, 1st WS Williams Bros. & Son Tredegar
YEARLINGS
1st CS, Malik & Khan Tolworth, 1st ES, Packer & Clarke Grays,
1st NS, T & N Hart & Son Cambridge, 1st WS, Williams Bros & Son Tredegar
TOURS, 9th JUNE 2013
1st OPEN, 1st WS, J & D Staddon - Evercreech
Winner of the B. Long Trophy, 3rd National Race & B. Corbin Cup for the longest National Race
1st CS, N B Finch Wantage, 1st ES, Mark Bulled Harlow, 1st NS P T Oliver Lutterworth,
HENS
1st CS, Roger Lowe Caversham, 1st ES, Mark Bulled, Harlow
1st NS, M/M Stafford Higham Ferrers, 1st WS, Scammell & Peplow Pontypool.
YEARLINGS
1st CS, Roger Lowe Caversham, 1st ES, Mark Bulled Harlow
1st NS, Phillip Harrod Lowestoft, 1st WS, M/M King Blandford Forum
ALENCON 6TH JULY 2013
1st OPEN, 1st CS, M/M B Wall - Havant
Winner of the B. Long Trophy, 4th National Race
1st ES, F Ager Grays, 1st NS, Gary Bentley Leighton Buzzard, 1st WS R T Brown Devizes
HENS
1st CS, Roger Lowe Caversham, 1st ES, F Ager Grays,
1st NS, Rodney Oakes Kettering , 1st WS, Alan Webber Abertillery
YEARLINGS
1st CS M/M B Wall Havant, 1st ES, D Coward-Talbot Chelmsford,
1st NS, Ewart Bros. Melton Mowbray, 1st WS, Les Nicholls Bedminster
LE MANS, 28th JULY 2013
1st OPEN, 1st ES, Alex MacKenzie - Chelmsford
Winner of the B. Long Trophy, 5th National Race
1st CS, G T Burgess Wraysbury, 1st NS, Matt Donovan Thaxted, 1st WS .Graham Clift Tirley
HENS
1st CS, M/M Terry Robinson Goffs Oak, 1st ES, D Coward-Talbot Chelmsford
1st NS, Bernie Wallman, Gt. Shelford, 1st WS, Graham Clift, Tirley
YEARLINGS
1st M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, 1st ES, D Coward-Talbot Chelmsford
1st NS, A Wright & Dtr,. Otley, 1st WS, Graham Clift, Tirley
GUERNSEY YOUNG BIRDS, 25th AUGUST 2013
1st OPEN, 1st CS, Roger Lowe - Caversham
Winner of the Violet Wills Cup & the Keith Davis Memorial Cup for the 1st Bird into Berkshire
1st ES, Dean Childs Basildon, 1st NS, P Lane & Son Wootton, 1st WS, R T Brown Devizes.
GUERNSEY OLD HENS, 25th AUGUST 2013
Winner of the BICC Special
1st OPEN, 1st ES, P Jackson & Son - Bromley
1st CS, V Emberson Banstead, 1st NS, A J Brown & Son Gimingham, 1st WS, R & R Wilton Street
GUERNSEY YOUNG BIRDS, 7th SEPTEMBER 2013
Winner of the BICC Special
1st OPEN, 1st CS, K Roberts & Son - New Addington
1st ES, Steve Coxell, Ongar, 1st NS, D Downing, Newmarket, 1st WS, B S Sheppard, Trowbridge
GUERNSEY OLD HENS, 7th SEPTEMBER 2013
Winner of the BICC Special
1st OPEN, 1st WS, Peter Donovan - Croydon
1st ES, J & J Brady, Benfleet, 1st NS, H G Cook & Son & Grandson, 1st WS, M J Sparey, Abertilley
INTERNATIONALS
PAU INTERNATIONAL, 14th June 2013
1st OPEN, 1st WS, G G & C J COOPER PEASEDOWN ST. JOHN
And 1st INTERNATIONAL WINNER
Winner of the F. Brooks Trophy, the B. Long Memorial Cup for the Highest Position in all International Races
The Channel Queen Trophy for the highest Positioned Hen in the Internationals
& the B.I.C.C. Rose Bowl for the 2 bird Average.
1st CS D & D McFadden, Cranleigh, 1st ES C Draper, Yalding, 1st NS, R & S Mayes, - Stowmarket
HENS
1st CS D & D McFadden Cranleigh, 1st ES M G Mitchell, Dover
1st NS, G P Debbage Gt. Yarmouth, 1st WS, GG Cooper & CJ Cooper Peasedown St John
AGEN INTERNATIONAL, 30th June 2013
1st OPEN, 1st CS, MARK GILBERT WINKFIELD, WINDSOR
Winner of the Mark Gilbert Trophy.
1st ES G M Preece & Son Dover, 1st NS G Duggan Chipping Camden, 1st WS, B S Sheppard Trowbridge
HENS
1st CS Mark Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, 1st ES G M Preece & Son Dover
1st NS, M/M Wilson Cleethorpes, 1st WS, J & A Rake Newport
YEARLINGS
CS, C Edmiston Horley, ES G M Preece & Son Dover,
BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL, 5th July 2013
1st OPEN, 1st CS, MANOR LOFTS - SOUTHAMPTON
Winner of the G. Hunt & Son Cup & the Mr & Mrs Bunney Cup for the first bird in the CS.
Mark Gilbert Winkfield Windsor wins the Frans van den Heuval Cup for the 2 bird Average
Trevor Robinson Patrington wins the Jim Emerton Trophy for the longest flying bird in race time
Padfield Family Abertillery wins the Jim Emerton Dream Trophy for the highest Velocity over 750 miles
1st ES, H & P Archibald Dover, 1st NS, Trevor Robinson Patrington, 1st WS, G G Cooper & C J Cooper Peasedown St John
HENS
1st CS, P Stone West Drayton, 1st ES, M G Mitchell Dover, 1st NS. Trevor Robinson Patrington,
1st WS, G G Cooper & C J Cooper Peasedown St John
ST VINCENT INTERNATIONAL 12th July 2013
1st OPEN, 1st WS, PADFIELD FAMILY - ABERTILLERY
Winner of the BICC Cup,
L & K Buddle Dover wins the P Rigiani Memorial Cup for the 2 bird Average.
Doug Gatland Reigate wins the K Brakes Cup for the 1st bird into the CS
1st Doug Gatland Reigate, 1st ES, SR& WH Knox Tyler Hill, 1st NS, J Mayes Stowmarket
HENS
1st CS Doug Gatland Reigate, 1st ES, L & K Buddle Dover
1st NS, J Mayes Stowmarket, 1st WS, Preece Bros. & Son Abertillery
MARSEILLE INTERNATIONAL 19th July 2013
1st OPEN, 1st ES, D HALES - HOCKLEY
Winner of the F Roberts Trophy and the BICC Cup for the 2 bird Average.
1st CS Les Kidd New Milton, 1st NS, No Winner 1st WS, NTerry Preddy High Littleton
HENS
1st CS Les Kidd New Milton, 1st ES, M/M Rhodes Aylesham 1st NS, No Winner, 1st WS, No Winner
PERPIGNAN INTERNATIONAL, 2nd AUGUST, 2013
1st OPEN, 1st ES, R PEARMAIN & SON - WICKFORD
Winner of the F.A.Brammer Trophy and the K. Crouch Trophy
Mark Gilbert Winkfield Windsor wins the A & T Deacon Trophy for the 2 Bird Average
1st CS, Mark Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, 1st NS, Barber & Wilkinson Gt Yarmouth, 1ST WS, M J Sparey Abertillery
HENS
1st CS, Mark Gilbert, 1ST ES, R Pearmain & Son Wickford
1st NS Barber & Wilkinson Gt Yarmouth, 1st WS, M/M Gardner Portskewett
YEARLINGS
1st ES, R & N Steptoe Oxted
TWO BIRD AVERAGE WINNERS
PAU
G G & CJ Cooper, Peasdown St John, Vel 1386.133
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, Vel 1309.374
D & D McFadden Cranleigh, Vel 1316.977
D Hales Hockley, Vel 1219.823
Neil Jones Sandwich, Vel 1161.850
BARCELONA
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, Vel 719.101
M G Mitchell Dover, Vel 633.641
D Hales Hockley, Vel. 632.283
P Stone West Drayton, Vel. 547.429
R Dove Ashford, Vel 527.979
AGEN
C Edmiston Horley, Vel 1183.881
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, Vel 1070.582
GG & CJ Cooper, Peasedown St John, Vel 950.669
B S Sheppard Trowbridge Vel 847.640
G M Preece & Son, Dover, Vel 842.687
ST VINCENT
L & K Buddle Dover, Vel. 700.652
Preece Bros & Son Abertillery, Vel 677.904
M/M Newman Petersfield, Vel 676.344
GG & CJ Cooper, Peasedown St John, Vel 656.342
SR & WH Knox Tyler Hill, Vel 651.060
MARSEILLE
D Hales Hockley, Vel. 701.483
F Knowles & Son Wingham, Vel. 683.948
J Underdown Basildon, Vel 608.488
L & K Buddle Dover , Vel 607.452
M/M Rhodes Aylesham, Vel 266.343
PERPIGNAN
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, Vel 969.457
J Harris & Dtr. Dagenham, Vel 887.436
J Lane Whitstable, Vel. 859.890
R Pearmain & Son Wickford, Vel 839.306
L & K Buddle Dover, Vel 826.105
S. G. BISS POINTS CUP
(All International races)
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor - 153 points
D Hales Hockley 78 points
L & K Buddle Dover 72 points
M G Mitchell Dover 57 points
F Knowles & Son Wingham 35 points
SR & WH Knox Tyler Hill 28 points
EUROPA TROPHY
(Best Ave. All Int. races)
D Hales Hockley, Vel 754.898
L & K Buddle Dover, Vel. 729.934
M G Mitchell Dover, Vel 675
M/M Rhodes Aylesham, Vel. 635.843
G M Preece & Son Dover, Vel 611.226
EUROPA CUP
(Best Ave. Pau & Perpignan)
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, Vel. 1198.967
R Pearmain & Son Wickford, Vel 1127.043
G M Preece & Son Dover, Vel 1035.615
Adam Turrell Maidstone, Vel 1016.049
A J Turner Dover, Vel 989.425
BEWES TROPHY
(Best Ave. Pau & Barcelona)
D Hales Hockley, Vel 935.795
M G Mitchell Dover, Vel 915.767
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, Vel 914.635
GG & CJ Cooper Peasedown St John, Vel 908.083
L & K Buddle Dover, Vel 744.351
WRIGHT CUP
(Best Ave. Pau & St Vincent)
GG & CJ Cooper Peasedown St John, Vel 952.382
M Gilbert Winkfield Windsor, Vel 903.614
SR & WH Knox Tyler Hill, Vel 891.960
L & K Buddle Dover, Vel 872.085
A J Turner Dover, Vel 864.064
Martin & Jack Norman - 1st Open Barcelona 58th Open International.
Colin Draper - 1st East Section 4th Open BICC & 4th Open Pau International.
Darren McFadden with his 2nd Open Pau International winner.
David Hales - 2nd East Section 9th Open BICC Pau International, 3rd Open Barcelona & 1st Open Marseille, all in 2013.
Derek Doyle - 7th Open BICC Pau International, 24th Open International.
Dickie Pearmain & Son Wickford - 1st Open BICC Perpignan.
Geoff & Catherine Cooper - 1st Open BICC 1st Open International Pau 8,527 birds.
Mark & Geoff Gilbert - 1st Open BICC Agen International and 3rd Open International Pau.
Dave and Vince Padfield - 1st Open BICC St Vincent.
John and Jackie Wills Wedding Celebrations
Along with a number of other BICC members and committee members I recently had the pleasure of celebrating the wedding of long time BICC member and Vice President, John Wills to his lovely new wife Jackie. The reception took place at Sunbury of Thames Ex-Servicemens' Club on Saturday 23rd November and I would estimate that close on 200 guests turned up to celebrate the occasion with John, Jackie and families. Friends and family from all corners of the British Isles were treated to a marvellous buffet - the seafood buffet was first class, as well as a free bar and the revelry went on well into the wee small hours. I include here some photos of the happy couple along with some of the revellers enjoying a good time. I'm sure I speak for all those who attended as well as the membership of the BICC in wishing John and Jackie a long and happy marriage.
Newly weds John & Jackie Wills
Tom Firmager and John Tyerman in the foreground at the wedding celebrations of John and Jackie Wills
---