Grantham (2) 22^nd April 2023

Hello again , that was quick, for the second week of our old bird programme, Conveyer Lee Fuller finds himself back up the A1 with 1156 participants aboard his upgraded wagon to the historically industrial town of Grantham, Lincolnshire. After reporting early morning mist at the liberation site and on route via race controller Steve Ward the birds were released a little later with clearing skies at 9:15 into a gentle southwest wind.

After our prior race had been resulted, some disappointment was noted by a clubmate of mine who after shall we call it, a turbulent breeding season menacingly retorted “they will be ready next week” And ready they were, step forward a man willing to put his hand in his pocket anytime, Colchester widowhood legend Alan Moore. Previous multiple fed winner Alan would have 3 of his 15 formidable cocks come into view together just before two o’clock. First to go through the trap would be a blue  from Alan’s carefully sourced Dirk Van den Bulck stock with a bit of JPS lofts blood crossed in. The fed winning yearling powered its way through the 98 mile journey just under an hour and three quarters to achieve an impressive 1460 in a slight headwind. Accompanying the race victor would be a pair of Liverpool Pitbull grizzles  with a touch of Stefan Lambrechts in their make up. The 2 nestmate cocks trapping only 3 seconds apart and 14 seconds behind the leader to collect 2^nd fed on 1458 and 3^rd fed on 1457. Alan has been racing pigeons since he was 15 when every other garden in the pigeon hotbed of Collingwood road contained lofts and in those 51 Years  since, he has plied his trade at Mistley, West Bergholt, Colchester championship club alongside the likes of Micky Stant, Jimmy and Mick Hughes amongst others, before returning to the sport in 2011 thanks to the generosity of the well respected and eternally polished Ian Barham, who kindly bred Alan a brand new team to compete with. Racing with Maldon since 2017 Alan, who attributes this latest success to his professionally installed cctv system is as enthusiastic as he ever was, since winning his very first Combine from Perth, with the local legend that was ‘black magic. Lifelong Lexden resident and West ham supporter Alan had a week to remember with the mighty hammers in Europe and after the worst possible preparation for this season, I wish you all the very best for the future Alan, Well done.

We head South to Heybridge to catch up with the next three federation pigeons. They belong to Wood Road sensations, federation chairman Steve, brother Ian and son Sam Wallis. The current Maldon club champions clocked their first bird, a yearling John Wheatcroft cross with Man o Chester dam at 11:18 averaging the 102 miles at 1454 to take 4^th fed and not half a minute later timed a 2y pencil bred by Bob Fenech. Already a runner up and more last season, the consistent widowhood cock covered todays journey at 1448 and adds 5^th fed  with another card to his resume. To round of a good race for the family affair they also collect 6^th spot with an STS lofts kings Lynn bred 2y blue chequer. The cock, also a feature on the 2022 podium registering only 8 seconds behind his younger loftmate to calculate 1446 .

A trip over the Dengie and to Burnham clubs Mr and Mrs Moss who continue their excellent start to the season and  take the next two available spaces in the top ten, claiming 7^th arriving at the coast after 2 hours and 16 minutes of flying time would be a 2y chequer cock taking the red card with 1433 and close up behind with 2^nd club, 8^th fed completing the 110 mile event just 7 seconds later a yearling chequer pied cock a yard behind on 1432. Great flying. We head south to Battlesbridge, and the lofts of our previous Grantham fed winner Steve Oddy who tops the mighty Rayleigh club for a second week with 2y blue cock landing on the traps at twenty five past, winning 1^st club, 9^th fed with 1422.

With all these familiar names about I’m tempted to print an unofficial Essex Championship, watch this space, and that folks is the prelude to our next destination, Birthplace of Radio, home of the Essex clarets, Chelmsford City. Again, great information coming from John Payne as to which I am most grateful. John also collects top honours for the second time from Grantham and tenth fed on 1420 after 2 hours and three minutes of flying  with a 3y Corremans x Hooymans of harry lines. This reliable and experienced blue chequer cock, being a son of a past central fed winner and prolific hen, both gifted by good friend and very well regarded within the fed, todays Hutton flying club winner John Matthews of Billericay, a great friend and true gentleman John added. Tony Hitchings takes the runner up spot with his fine blue pied cock acquired  as a youngbird as part of a consignment of stock sent down by Tonys good friend Geoff Morris of Durham. The Now 3y pigeon of Adrian Duggins bloodlines completed the 99 miles averaging 1417. Rounding off a competitive event within the county town outfit and picking up the bronze is Alan Hills timing in at twenty past eleven with his blue chequer hen bred down directly from the stock gifted to him from the legendary  Fred Harnett of stock. Fred as many of you know has a brilliant history with the fed and the proprietor of a fine stud of racing pigeons . Excellent work John, both flying and writing, thanks again.

The trend continues in our double winning Grantham fanciers as the same has to be said for Malcom Scouler, club secretary and victor once again of our Stambridge entries. Clocking in the first of two pigeons to land, a yearling mealy for 1419 and alike this weeks fed topper,  the club winning cock has the fearsome Kittel blood. He trapped just six seconds ahead of last year’s Retford runner up in the federation hailing from Another good family of pigeons that feature again today, those Pitbull grizzles. The consistent cock clocked a yard behind on 1418. A second under a minute later Malcolm’s third arrival a yearling chequer hen dropped in to record 1408 to give Malcom a clean sweep, full returns, 5 places in the final standings and a great days racing. Thanks for the information as always and top flying Malcolm.

Hadleigh will be the next port of call and one of the most renowned North Road pigeon dynasties of our county, the Ashenden family, flying the flag for John and Gaynor today would be a chequer hen covering the 108 mile trip in two and a quarter hours. The yearling, a granddaughter of Gaynor’s gift, the basis of their Frans Zwol family and the winner of the Essex and Kent Amal, in a race where the organisation had its largest ever entry, was already a club winner and fed runner up in the final young bird event last season. Winning the club on a second occasion and in today’s contest she clocked 1416. Runner up at Hadleigh would be ever present duo of Topp and Mann with the first of their 11 combatants, a yearling grizzle hen registering 1408 and the successful pairing took third place with another yearling, this blue cock dropped in not a half a minute later completing the 109 miles at 1403, with the collective filling 2 further spots on the fed result. Many Thanks to John and Gaynor for compiling and sending the clubs information.

Waiting patiently for their first taste of success would be our most recent applicants, New Laindon, having come off the south to join us this season the club and its members, large in both entrants and entries will soon be making their presence felt once the birds have got on the North Road line. Steve and the gang know however that surprises can happen. Fastorslow won the Irish gold cup, beating not only the Ryanair chase winner but the 1,2 in the Cheltenham equivalent. With a significant club birdage and taking the prestigious red card this week, is last weeks runner up Jason ‘Rambo’ Reeves with a 3y Heremans ceusters, flown on the accomplished fanciers own system and bred by clubmate Eddie Butcher. The lovely chequer cock dropped into Jason at 11:32 calculating 107 miles at 1373. In second spot and runner up for the consecutive week we have able deputy Marcin Grzedowicz with a yearling blue flown natural. The tick eyed hen timed two minutes later and puts Marcin back on the podium with 1356. Rounding off the results this week and taking bronze medal in this progressive club would be victor Jason Reeves with his second arrival a veteran ceusters x Wim Muller cock. This experienced 5y still doing the business going through the trap for 1343 to continue a great start to the fanciers season. Good work Jason. The final piece of the federation jigsaw would be John Matthews who tops the Hutton club with a 3y blue cock completing 102 miles at 1321. Appreciation to Secretary Steve Smith and all contributors for the excellent  material  provided. That’s it for this week, twenty to thirty miles further up the road next week with Nottinghamshire our destination but for now, keep the input coming and I bid you all farewell, all the best .

C L Elmes.

Pride of Colchester Alan Moore                  Jason ‘Rambo’ Reeves                  The Regal Frans Zwol hen. 
1^st three in the Fed Grantham                     1^st Club New Laindon.                   Gdaughter of ‘Gaynor’s gift’         
1146 birds                                                                                                          1^st club Hadleigh

Malcolm Scouler’s mealy.                           Alan O’Hara Pitbull grizzle cock.                Topp & Mann, 2^nd & 3^rd club Hadleigh
First club Stambridge                                  2^nd Fed for Alan Moore

John & Gaynor Ashenden, 1^st club Hadleigh.