Midlands National Flying Club One Loft Series

John Windsor on top of the Ace Pigeon Award

With the 2018 One Loft race series going so smoothly quite a few contestants were taking an interest in the possibility of one of their birds lifting the Ace Pigeon Trophy and the £1000 in prize money. When the times were worked out it was certainly a ‘close shave’ with a bird owned by John Windsor and bred by his brother being a son from his superb breeding cock ‘0008’ which is a Vandenabeele x Soonjen containing the lines of ‘Wittenbuick’ and ‘Magic Star’. The dam of the Ace pigeon is a granddaughter of Koopman’s famous ‘Kleine Dirk’. Both of these parents originated from the Jack Cornes owned ‘Galaxy Lofts’ so yet another superb performer coming via what was one of the finest breeding studs until it’s recent closure.

John Windsor the owner of the Ace Pigeon on the left with the Loft Managers

                              The birds resting at the racepoint at Carentan just before the liberation                     The beautiful skies over Carentan on the race day.

In 2nd spot was the ‘fancy a flutter’ entry ‘Swanny’ which was bought by Mellisa Swancott and was bred by the recent MNFC Bordeaux National winner Mark Williamson. A mere two yards split these two birds with the Windsor pigeon recording 1516 with the second bird averaging 1514. Belper fanciers Brian & Sue Stone followed their 3rd placing in the final which was flown from Carentan by following it up with the same result in the Ace pigeon ranking so obviously a top quality pigeon which I’m sure will be in big demand when the birds are to be sold in a few weeks time. The actual format of the sale is yet to be decided with so many birds still in the lofts. Believe me these birds are now tried and tested and will enhance the lofts of the people who purchase them either in the stock loft or ‘broken out’ and raced because they have all proved their flying abilities.

A few of the people waiting and studying their mobiles for the time during the tense time before the birds arrival home.

I have included a few photographs with this piece including a picture of ‘Snooker’ and Alan with the cake baked and decorated by Jim Smith’s wife Pat because the couple who being locals realise just how much effort the lads have put in to make this year’s race such a big success. A lovely touch which I know the boys really appreciate.

It's all over, a job well done and a big thumbs up from the management with their celebration cake.

Mike Lakin