STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS & DISTRICT FEDERATION

by Thomas Garvie

HULLAVINGTON (BLANDFORD) - MAY 2012

Well racing has not been easy so far and we are only at the fourth fed race but last week's disaster has not helped any and for the first time since I started racing birds I feel really disillusioned with the way racing is going. I am really at some sort of a crossroads now and the feeling is that if racing continues this way then I am seriously thinking of calling it a day. Over the years I have been in some bad races and have never felt as low as I do at the moment but I suppose a lot of has to do with the way last week's race was handled from start to finish. I have totally lost all confidence in sending pigeons just now but things can only get better, or can they?

The next race was meant to be from Blandford but the decision was made by officials to have a shorter race and have the birds at Hullavington and on this occasion there were 2,046 birds. They were released at 10-00 and at the top of the fed were J Woolrich & son from Packmoor taking first and second on 1380 and 1379 so well done to them. Next on the fed sheet were ever present pair Rick and Simon Geary from Macclesfield on 1359.8 and another on 1352, then we had A Cliff from Packmoor on 1359.5, next was A S Rushton from Berryhill on 1357, Adams Brs from Meir were on 1355.9, Paul Beck from Longdendale was next on 1355.7, Ken Pettitt from Blythbridge was on 1354 and then finishing off the top ten was D Jones from Packmoor on 1351. Well done everybody in this race.

A few notes from a few clubs now and starting with Ipstones and 9 members sent 106 birds. Taking the red card here were Burton and Jones on 1325, second were R & J Goodwin and son on 1320, Ken Champ took the next two places on 1319 and 1318. Hayfield now where 6 members sent 59 birds and taking yet another red card, his fourth on the trot, is sprint ace J L Gibb who is having a fantastic start to the season with his bird on 1296 and Jim was also 4th on 1269. In between the king was C J Mourne on 1274 and 1271. Macclesfield next where 12 members sent 115 birds and taking yet another red card and also second place are Rick and Simon Geary on 1559 and 1552. Their first bird was a 4 year old cock bred from J Allbutt stock and this has had 5 firsts to its name and their second bird was a 3 year old Soontjen x Vandenbeele and this bird was the North West Classic winner for them. Taking the next two places was Stuart Goldstraw who is also having a very good start to the season on 1350 and 1348. His first bird a 2 year old cock a Flor Engels Kirkland x Van loon J Frith Planet Brs and which has a second place for him earlier in the season and his second bird is a Flor Engels x Van Loon yearling which won an earlier race for him this year. This week's race was sponsored by fellow club member George Greenwood. Packmmor & District now with T Woolrich and son taking the first two in the club as well as the first two in the fed on 1380 and 1379, next was A Cliff on 1359 winning £37.50 in pools and nom and fourth was D Jones on 1351 winning £7.20 for the second share of the pools. Members had a good race here with at least 3 birds in the top six in the fed. Blythbridge now where 7 members sent 179 birds and taking the first three places was Ken Pettitt on 1354, 1350 and 1345 and fourth were M/M A Hargreaves on 1344. Meir now where nine members sent 93 birds and taking the red card here were Adams Brs on 1335 and taking the next 3 places were P&G Shore and son on 1335, 1325 and 1303.

Well that sums up this race so if you have anything you wish to send me my details are on the fed website, which is www.moorlandsfedpigeons.co.uk. The articles can also be found on www.pigeonsglossop.co.uk, so bye from TG.