STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS & DISTRICT FEDERATION

by Thomas Garvie

Well, the end of season show in Blackpool is fast approaching and boy has the weather done a horrible turn for the worse with lots of snow and gale force winds hitting almost everywhere except Norfolk, where we had a relaxing holiday and there the weather was very good with the sun out most days but still chilly. We only had rain on the last day when we were coming home but it was an amazing place where we were because when we walked along the beach near Winterton the beach was absolutely covered with seals and the pups they had just given birth to so we timed our break well as this is truly an amazing sight to see. We also hired a Broads cruiser for a few days and that was an experience in itself. Good job the water was not very busy with many boats out as it is not easy to moor up one of these when you have never steered a boat before but we got through it and it is something we would not do again.

The federation has put out a newly proposed race programme which will need to go before the head honchos as it has been slightly changed as some fanciers were not happy that a young bird race seemed to be dropped. So instead of a break between the old birds finishing and the youngsters starting it is now proposed that there will be a young bird race put in to that gap and that would mean that as soon as the old bird programme finished it would just continue the following week with young birds. We were happy with the original programme that was put out as it gave us a chance to get a short holiday in between racing but we will just miss the first race for young birds as the first two races are from the same place at Tewkesbury. It will not really matter missing out the first one as there are still plenty races to give them some experience, which we think young bird racing is all about but we will just take things as they come. I think I would prefer a week's holiday in the sun somewhere as we had already decided we were going to do that. The new proposed race programme is as follows: 14th April Tewkesbury, 21st April Hullavington, 28th April Frome, 5th May Blandford, 12th May Poole, 19th May Carentan - Incorporating 5 Bird Yearling, 26th May Frome, 2nd June Blandford, 9th June Fougeres, 16th June Frome, 23rd June Poole, 30th June Tours, 7th July Hullavington, 13th July Saintes – Friday Liberation. Young Birds 2012: 21st July Tewkesbury, 28th July Tewkesbury, 4th August Hullavington, 11th August Frome, 18th August Blandford, 25th August Blandford, 1st September Poole and the date has still to fixed for the Carentan 5 bird classic.

Again this year we have four old bird races from France which I think is very good but I know that within my club when it was first proposed most members were against it and in fact I think at the time Liz and me were the only ones that were happy about it as we love racing from over the water far more than inland racing which in most cases is over and done with in a short space of time. When the time came most members that raced were happy the way it went with 4 races and nobody said anything this year when it was proposed again so they must be happy with it again. I know we both are.

I would like to correct a stupid mistake I made when I was writing the loft report on Paul Beck because when I said he was one of the longest flyers in the fed I said he was giving away miles on overfly when I wrote he was in fact getting overfly - must have been a moment of madness or senility creeping in but never the less I still admire the longer flyers. I know the loft reports are being well read as I have had a few calls from fanciers all over the place wanting the phone number for Paul Beck and Michael Webb as they were wishing to buy some birds from them and I know at least one fancier that called has set himself up buying some youngsters next year off Michael Webb so hopefully they will do as well for them as they have done for Michael and Paul [think I should maybe be on some sort of commission here for relaying the phone numbers ].

I also had a call from Rick Geary about a couple of shows his club are having and the first one is on the 15th December and is for young and old hens and for this one penning is 7-8 and the other is on Boxing Day and this one is for old and young cocks and penning is up till 1pm. After this show they will have their club presentation and a buffet will be on as well for this one. We are thinking of visiting this one and maybe get a few snaps of everybody with their trophies. They are both through the wires classes and they are at the Navigation pub in Macclesfield. Everybody is welcome to any of the shows.

On Saturday the 12th of December our club, Hayfield IOC, held their AGM and presentation of the season's cups and I have included a few photos of some of the members with their hard won trophies but some members did not turn up and others were very camera shy. They look a motley crew the ones that were keen to pose. My wife Liz is pictured holding the shield we won in the race from Carentan and we are in a very happy club [most times] and everybody is very friendly and polite which is one of the main reasons Liz wanted us to join Hayfield in the first place when we started racing down here. I must admit it is a great club to be in and Liz has one of her best friends in the pigeon sport in the club and he is Eric Millner who will do anything for anybody and long before I was on the scene it was Eric who was always on hand to help her if she had any problems of any description over her birds. Eric is a devoted pigeon man 100% and he is heavily involved with the Midland National but he is always on hand to help any clubs locally if they have any problems with Ets. I know he has helped several members with this and he is a true sportsman and a gentleman to boot.

Here's is a full list of Hayfield's prize winners for the 2011 season: The TJ Mourne trophy,old bird average, old birds points trophy, channel average, longest old bird trophy for Saintes, silver goblets for Messac and the Keith Longden trophy all went to this season's top performer Chris Mourne. Congratulations Chris on a great season. The F Beswick snr memorial trophy for the old bird inland average and a similar named trophy for young bird averages and the Glynn Jennings trophy for the longest young bird race from Carentan went to our own jolly santa also known as JL Gibb. Well done Jim but you need to either turn the hearing aid up or get a translator so you can grasp better what I am saying. The young bird points trophy went to Mr Nanny again known as Steve Warhurst who has also had a very good season especially with the young birds but then again half the convoy was his. Finishing off, the Bowater shield for the race from Carentan and the yearling trophy for the first yearling from Messac went to partnership of Liz Clarke and Tam Garvie also known as me and my wife. So that is that for another year.

Brian, Eric, Chris, Christine & Steve

Chris, Jimmy, Steve, Liz & Alan

A mixed bunch

For next year the fed has also purchased a new trailer which can be hitched on to the transporter and as soon as I have the photos I will include them in an article.

I think that is about all for now so if any club has held their presentations and have some photos please send them to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or if you want to chat about anything give me a call on 01663 733317.

On a final note, the federation is looking for a new secretary and president as Jill and Brian are stepping down so if you want to help the fed next season get your name in for either position. I would just like to wish all my club members and all the fed members and anybody who reads this a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..