STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS & DISTRICT FEDERATION

by Thomas Garvie

FROME - JUNE 2012

Well, following on from our race from Carentan the fed now has the birds at a short race point namely Frome and what a glorious morning for a race. We have woken up to early sunshine and first thing in the morning here you can feel the heat in the air [and by first thing in the morning I mean about 06-30 not 10am, which is first thing for some] so it looks as if the birds are going to be flying in scorching temperatures, which is a feat in itself this year with the birds actually seeing some sun. I wonder if they will know what it actually is but I think some birds will actually struggle in the heat and with the east wind [which never seems to be missing this year]. I would imagine some yearlings and maybe some older birds might not cope and I know some fanciers are putting a lot of yearlings in this race which is to be their first race and I think also they will find the conditions extremely hard. There will be lots of birds that will take it in their stride but will certainly be glad of a drink when they get home.

Looking down the valley just now, it looks absolutely beautiful with the sun shining down on everything and glimmering on the roof tops of the houses, with the only blemish being the unsightly estate across the valley which detracts from the view. Some of them there had the nerve to complain when we fitted floodlights to our horse riding school. What about what we have to look at when we see their unsightly houses spoiling the view in another wise gorgeous valley.

But onto the race now and the fed 1,862 birds liberated at 07-15 in glorious sunshine. Taking the well deserved honours was W Burgess from Packmoor, who is having an outstanding season, with a velocity of 1373 with a yearling cock. This yearling took the weather in its stride and he had another pigeon on 1344.5 so well done Mr Burgess on another super display. Following on we had A/s Rushton from Berryhill on 1362 with a yearling hen and another on 1352. A Cliffe from Packmoor was next on 1359 with his three year old hen. Rick Geary and son from Macclesfield were next on 1357 with a four year old cock. T Woolrich from Packmoor was next on 1353 with a yearling hen and he had another a three year old hen on 1344.8. Roberts brs from Packmoor had two birds, a two year old hen on 1350 and a yearling cock on 1347. There we have the top ten in the fed so well done to everybody who competed in this race.

A few notes from some clubs starting with Ipstones where nine members sent 105 birds and taking the red card here was K Champ on 1332 with a two year old cock. Burton and Jones were next on 1329 with a yearling cock. Third were R and J Goodwin and son on 1321 with a yearling hen and fourth was D Glover on 1301 with a three year old cock.

Next we have Hayfield where seven members sent 57 birds and taking the first two places was Chris Mourne who has knocked ace sprinter J L Gibb of his throne. Chris's birds were a two year old cock on 1278 and a three year old cock on 1257, well done Chris. In third place was sprint maestro J L Gibb on 1241 with a three year old cock and in fourth spot were the oldest fliers in town aka M/M D Ashby on 1207 with a three year old cock.

Packmoor now where W Burgess was first here as well as first fed on 1373, second was A Cliff on 1359, third club were T Woolrich and son on 1353 and fourth were Roberts brs on 1350. A Cliff won the first share of the pools and the nom winning £35. This guy knows how to pick a pool pigeon as he picks up money every week. Second share of the pools went to M/M D Scragg winning £8.50. Jeff says he has had a few phone calls about the young bird race from Guernsey and he is off on holiday so the club is left in the hands of the main man in Packmoor Mr Rob Slack, helped by his wife Janet, Baz and the rest of the boys.

Macclesfield now where 11 members sent 109 birds and yet again the red card went to dedicated father and son team of Rick and Simon Geary on 1357 with a four year old cock bred themselves from J Allbutt Van Reet x Hybrecht stock. Second was hard working secretary Bernie Barrett on 1336 with a yearling cock which he bought from last year's moot sale and was bred by Paul Beck. Third was Kev Moore on 1326 with a two year old cock bred out of Massarella stock, a Soontjen which had a first, a second and a third last year and was also 1st section from Poole. Fourth place also went to Rick and Simon on 1332 with a two year old cock, a Hybrecht out of John Keywood stock. The race was sponsored by Spearings Butchers of Macclesfield.

The club also had 9 members send 71 birds to Carentan and again the red card went to Rick and Simon Geary on 1404 with a two year old cock which is a Van Reet x Soontjen. Second was Stuart Goldstraw on 1393 with a yearling cock which is a Flor Engels x Van Loon. PO Kev Bowers is third on 1385 with a three year old cock bought at the late Derek Hill sale. Martin Hough is fourth on 1233 with a two year old cock. The sire is a brother to Geoff Kirkland's Snake crossed on to a Roger Sutton hen out of his national winning family. This race was sponsored by Oldfield Prints.

Well that I think is all the club results for that race and hopefully the good weather will carry on now as we should be due our share of decent weather as we are well on in the year. Up till this race the weather has been abyssmal and one of our club members, the oracle J L Gibb pointed out we had warmer days in December than we have had up until this race.

I have included a photo of top racer Rick Geary along with his hard working club secretary Bernie Barratt.

Bernie Barrett and Rick Geary

Well that's about it for now so if you have any info for me send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,

All articles can be viewed on the fed website which is www.moorlandsfedpigeons.co.uk and www.pigeonsglossop.co.uk and last but not least the Elimar Pigeon Portal. Bye till next time from TG.