WELSH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

Tom Harris

LILLERS - JUNE 2012

Lydon Williams of Williams Bros & Son - 1st national Lillers.

The first overseas challenge for the Welsh National Flying Club took place on Saturday 9th June from Lillers in western France. After weeks of uncertainty with the weather, the week leading up to the event saw some of the worst conditions for quite some time in the South Wales area, with winds reaching a staggering 28mph, and combined with the rain we were prepared to acknowledge the fact that some members, whilst not boycotting the event totally, would reduce their entries as a safeguard for future races. This was reflected in the final numbers being drastically reduced on previous weeks. On basketing night, whilst there was still no let up in the weather conditions along the southern regions, there was an improvement forecast for the day of the race, and we were optimistic that a liberation was on the cards some time during the morning. With the convoy safely on their way to the port of Dover, after an uneventful drive they were only to be confronted on their arrival at 3.30 am with a build up of approx five miles of tailback traffic on the approach road awaiting the ferry as a result of the restricted services, due to the wind conditions on the channel. After roughly five hours of standing on port side, the birds finally boarded the first available ferry shortly after 8am and were on their way across to the French border.

On arrival at the Lillers liberation site the birds were settled down once again and the water attached, whilst the line of flight was vigorously checked once again in preparation for a mid day liberation. Whilst visibility wasn’t a factor regarding liberating, the wind was always going to be an obstacle to confront. Finally at 12.10 following a decrease in wind speed, the news came through that the convoy were away from Lillers. Across the channel to the eastern part of London the wind direction was approaching from the south turning more westerly along the M4 corridor to home, with clear blue broken skies. We were well aware this was going to be a hard task for many of the birds who to date this season have only really experienced helping easterly winds, and we estimated pigeons to be showing around the six half hour mark from this 250-mile adventure

Leading the field this week timing in at 19.02 after 6 hrs 52 min is the Tredegar partnership of Lyndon and Byron flying as Williams bros & son. They timed in a yearling cheq cock, "Georgetown", flown on roundabout on a velocity of 1118. This game pigeon is bred down through pigeons obtained from John Burgham’s number one pair on the sire’s side crossed with the Figo line pigeons of John Wheatcroft of Nottingham. Already to date this cock has achieved various other club and federation positions such as 2nd section 6th fed and now 1st north section 1st open national Lillers. This is the partnership’s fourth national win from three different routes which include 1st national Thurso in 1977, 1st national Eastbourne 2006 plus 1st WNFC Folkestone YBs in 2010.

Georgetown, the Lillers national winner.

For 2nd and 3rd open, 1st & 2nd centre section we head across the valley to our 2012 Maidstone national winner H. Minett, who timed in two arrivals within seconds at 19.05, both recording 1113. Hayden’s first pigeon was a yearling cheq pied hen, a full sister to this year’s 3rd Maidstone national pigeon bred down through the Frank and Ann Tasker pigeons which is, as we know from previous write ups, related to Hayden’s very own “Hayden’s Supreme”. The second arrival was a 2yr old cheq Soontjen cock which originated from Frank Sheader from Scarborough, however this was bred by local fanciers Mr & Mrs Mike Murphy of Phillipstown through an exchange of youngsters. To highlight all of the achievements by this fancier and family of pigeon would be somewhat time consuming, however this loft’s success has remained consistent for many years and will surely continue.

For 4th open 3rd centre section we go to Crumlin to another successful partnership, Lovell bros. Each year this partnership achieve outstanding performances within the WNFC and are once again present in the final results. The brothers timed in a yearling widowhood blue cock which is bred through pigeons from Scammel and Peploe of Pontypool down from a pigeon popular around these parts named The Nearly Cock and a Lefrebe Dhanean hen from the partnership’s good friend Mel Mayo of Bargoed. It was clocked at 18 .58 to record 1108.

To finalise the provisional top five we come to the east to the Pontnwenydd loft of Wilf Higgins who flies in one of the highly profiled and successful clubs in the WNR federation, Torfean HS where most members are past national and combine winners. Wilf’s pigeon was timed in at 18.50.49 to record 1107.

Whilst all the leading activity was held in the north and centre sections this week, down south it was the Cardiff partnership of Fishlock bros and son who took the 1st section honours timing in at 18.58 with a vel of 1088.

As most will gather, considering the time of liberation which comes solely down to the hold up at Dover and the conditions endured, there was always the possibility of pigeons being adrift come nightfall, however it was pleasing to see that early on Sunday morning pigeons were returning in their droves. Most fanciers that did experience absentees on the night were welcomed by multiple arrivals eagerly awaiting them at the lofts shortly after first light. The earliest I’ve heard is at 04.50, indicating that these gallant birds weren’t far away on the night.

So we move on now in a fortnight to Brussels with an average distance of 340 miles set out in front of us. Hopefully the membership will continue to support the race advisors in their future decisions as to date they have provided three excellent races for us and shown the patience to release the birds in the best possible conditions, as always.

Early times from around the sections based on phone in times:

NORTH SECTION. Probable 1st north section 1st open Williams bros & son 19.02 v 1118,
D FLOWERS 18.55.26, MRMRS BROMLY 18.53.45, C LONG &SON 19.22.37.

Prob 1ST CENTRE SECTION H MINETT 19.05.44 v 1113, W HIGGINS 18.49.50, LOVELL BROS 18.58.15 V 1108.345, GOOCH 19.05.14, K VOKES & SON 19.12.45, MAYO 19.11.07, MORRIS & LUCUS 19.10.18, MORGAN & CUSHING 19.09.14, HALL & MCCULLAM 19.12.07, DAVIES 19.07.57, B PRICE 19.30.35, DAVIES & COOMBES 19.29.43, MORRIS 19.45.53, TOVEY STEPHENS 19.24.23, M&J HUGHES 19.24.23, L A PHILLIPS 20.29.03, TANTRUM 19.18.21.

PROBABLE 1ST SOUTH SECTION FISHLOCK BROS & SON 18.59.16 v1088, GOODRIGHT 18.59.45, DUNN 18.55.?, PICTON BR &S 19.15.?, NEWBURY 19.09.50, BRYANT 19.22.30, HAWKINS FAM 19.10.54, PROCTOR 19.34.08, WILLIAMS & WATKINS 19.29.52, DONELLY 19.52.09, G CLARKE 19.52.09, FARNHAM 20.07.01, ROBERTS 20.19.55, MR &  MRS LAMSDALE 20.48.04,G EMMS 19.35.32.

My other photos added this week are of Haydn Minett and his 2012 Maidstone national winner, which were omitted from the write up regarding that race. This now gives each winner the publicity they duly deserve.

Hayden.

The Maidstone national winner.

Members are once again reminded that the 2012 national presentation will be held on sat 15th Dec at the Seamans Mission club, Newport.