THE STAFFORSHIRE MOORLANDS LIVE UP TO THEIR REPUTATION

I think it was in last week?s article that I created a new motto for our Federation regarding the quality of racing that we are providing for our members and since then I have often been reminded of the old adage that ?Pride comes before a fall?, so you can possibly imagine that I was keeping my fingers crossed that Saturday?s race would not see the old saying coming true.
I should have known better of course because the Fed Race Team did their homework in their usual diligent way and made their plans accordingly the result was that the high standard of quality racing our members have come to expect was maintained and although the race can be described as a tough one at least it can also be described as a fair one.
Examination of the early bird times which can now be viewed on the Federation website (www.moorlandsfedpigeons.co.uk) clearly shows what I mean with birds being timed in right across the length and breadth of the Fed on roughly the same velocities always a clear indicator of high quality racing.
Having said that and talking to some of our members who also fly in other clubs the standard of racing we enjoy is not always replicated elsewhere and demonstrates that our attention to details is paying handsome dividends.

?Get on with it I can hear you all shouting who topped the Fed this week??
Well, as I have said many times before cream always rises to the top and this week, in our race from Carentan it is Macclesfield cream that has done the rising

in the form of father & son partnership Rick & Simon Geary (if the early times received by our Secretary are to be believed) with a velocity of 1346.708ypm.

Simon has been nagging me for weeks to give him a race in a NW wind and true to his prediction their birds were up to the challenge, so CONGRATULATIONS go to

Rick and Simon on an outstanding performance when the going got a bit tougher.

Once again it was a chance for our members to demonstrate their prowess, with many achieving velocities well above 1300ypm. To highlight all of them would take up

too much space but as examples I can quote Arthur Mace from Ipstones on 1329.238, Mr & Mrs Geoff Kirkland from Leek on 1332.02,

Mitch Denson & Son from Packmoor on 1335.490. Mr & Mrs Andrew Hargreaves from Blythe Bridge on 1326.780, J W Hall & Son from Milton on 1320.967 and

Mick Webb from Poynton recording 1303.634ypm. Congratulations go to one and all from the Press Office on a job well done.
As you can see from the above a pretty close race all round.

Now for a bit more news concerning the Fed.
Forward planning has always been the policy of the Management Committee and so we have already been thinking about the end of the racing season and what form

the Federation Prize Presentation would take. Detailed discussion came to the conclusion that if it isn?t broken why try and mend it, so after the successful events

of recent years there seemed little point in changing it so ?More of the same? seemed to be the order of the day.

With that in mind we have set the date as December 2 in the afternoon at the Kidsgrove Working Men?s Club and to retain the ?Family Day Out? atmosphere

for not only the fanciers to enjoy but also their wives and families as well. So, put the date on your calendar and start getting ready for the FREE BUFFET which will be provided as usual.
The early planning has also meant that we have been able to obtain the services of the renowned National Flyer, Gerry Clements, to present the Prizes etc and he will be

bringing along a judge or maybe two, to preside over the Show and hopefully we will be able to persuade an auctioneer to do his stuff also on the day. More info will be

forthcoming as we get a bit nearer the time, so watch this space!
That just about brings me to an end this week as I have decided to give the subject of trying to put the world of pigeon racing to rights a rest for a week or so Thank Goodness

for that I hear you all cry.
Cheers for now, I?ll be in touch next week.

Brian T Smith

Press Officer SMDF