Grantham 29th April 2024
Our third contest of the season is upon us and with an unfavourable forecast this weekend an early decision was taken to mark the 55 sending members birds on the Sunday for a Monday race. 1061 birds still made the journey to our beloved Grantham and were liberated in a delayed 10:30 start into a South wind right on the nose.
First past the post is a familiar collective in the result and the current club and unofficial fed champions SIS Wallis. The Heybridge elite timed their 2y mealy cock a second shy of two and a quarter hours later at the Wood road paradise to take the Maldon accolades and the coveted federation top honours. A previous central fed winner, the John Wheatcroft supplied Patrick Boeckx superstar, 2nd club, 12th fed last time out from Grantham leads the way again today, fighting his 102 miles through the wind to register a way out in front 1333.29. The formidable trio had another superb days racing today and put another hatful onto the all-important score sheet. Runner up at Maldon and third fed would be their second arrival, the blue pied cock ’30, the consistent three year old (it must be to still have a box after 3y in this powerful loft) drops in 3 and half minutes later to take 3rd fed with 1302. Next up for the fed toppers is another blast from the past, the 3y chequer cock ’89. With several fed cards already under the belt this terrific pigeon flying 102 miles at 1297 adds 3rd club, 6th fed to his impressive resume. Fourth to arrive at one of the counties top lofts and their first yearling of the day is a mealy cock collecting 11th fed on 1275. Finishing the day with a super half dozen in the mix the lads have their final two yearling blue cocks arrive together and trap 4 seconds apart both registering 1269 for 16th and 17th respectively. Alan Moore representing the Colchester fed has two in the top twenty. The Lexden legend, a double fed winner last term has two entries 16 seconds apart in the result. Both yearlings, a blue bar cock on 1274, closely followed up by a blue pied hen recording 1271 forced their 98 miles to Clairmont road in just over 2 hours 45 minutes to take home 12th and 13th fed and the bragging rights of the counties most northerly city.
Mr and Mrs Moss come closest to the champs today, the partnership, a regular feature of my articles the husband and wife team strike gold at the strong coastal traditionalists once more. Their yearling chequer pied cock gave up his rubber a minute before one o’clock to take Burnhams clubs top spot. Completing his 110 mile journey to our east coast specialists averaging 1306 this latest top drawer recruit coming from the husband and wife duo receives second fed to go with his club red card. The club winning fanciers didn’t have to wait too long for their second arrival, a 2y chequer pied cock dropping in a minute later to take runner up spot and 7th fed on 1294. John Upson and David Phillips continue with their fine run clocking in a yearling blue pied hen at twenty to the hour. The Silver End flyers completing the Burnham podium and 10th fed flying 94 miles at 1276. Man of the countryside, Dave Freeman fresh from a superb campaign with the youngsters adds a trio of entries today headed a by a 3y blue cock giving the Wickham Bishops dangerman 15th fed with 1271. 18th fed goes to a younger mealy pied hen not half a minute later on 1268, the two year old receives 18th fed for her efforts together with Dave’s third arrival, a special blue hen making an astonishing sixth appearance in the fed. The yearling Keith Turner ‘Red Danial’ Van Reet not half a yard behind for 1267 and 20th.
Malcolm Scouler at Stambridge club needs no introduction, the Hockley master and his outstanding flock are never out of the frame and alike many occasions in the past have multiple entries to go through. Arriving together but First in the trap, the club winning chequer hen ’36. Not for the first time this consistent Leo Heremans is up there, in the mix this time last year in the corresponding race from Retford, the Dave and Mike Allen bred two year old 4th fed today homing 109 miles to Malcolm at 1299. Collecting the Silver at Stambridge and 5th fed is the club winner of that Retford event who followed up with silver a fortnight later from the same racepoint and made a third appearance a week later at Grantham. The spring loving 3y Chequer cock yet another of the fanciers super consistent Leo Heremans. Bang on One O’clock we have two more of Malcolms famous progeny just headed by a Heremans cock. The 3y Grantham enthusiast took the same spots in the club and the fed last year and takes home 8th today recording 1284 just preceding his yearling chequer cock loftmate 33 seconds later, 1279 and 9th. The Hockley master rounds of a fantastic day at the races with his fifth pigeon of the 39 sent. The North West homing union yearling chequer cock landing at one minute past to collect a card for 14th with 1271.
Mick Smith comes out on top at Laindon club, the top prize winning fancier of 2023 keeps his perch at the top of the tree with another clean sweep at the South Essex giants. Our original East London under age drinker times in a trio of his formidable Hereman Cuesters in quick succession with the first two a full eight minutes in front on the same decimal. The 2y blue and yearling blue pied 109 miles at 1264.73 for gold and silver with bronze going a yearling blue pied cock. Third of 217 club birds to register on 1226.
The capital calls next in the form of weekly correspondent, Mr John Payne rounding up this week’s review of the Monday contest. City Members enjoyed a well-supported race with birds arriving in very good time and well grouped on the result sheet. Things slowed up as the day went on with just a few empty perches on the night. Onto the result and taking 1st place for the second week running we have previous Grantham fed winner Allen (Mr and Mrs Hills) with a blue cock bred by guess who? Yes the super Studman Fred Harnett from stock from his original syndicate loft bloodlines. The 2y completing 98 miles to the champs loft at 1258. In second place we have our veteran clock setter Tony Hitchings with a lovely homebred cock bred from a gifted pair direct from our winner Allen Hills. The runner up being a close relative to this week’s winner. In 3rd we have Mr and Mrs John Payne with a Vandenabeele blue cock from original stock gifted from good mate Colin Mann of Hockley. Once again, many thanks to the conveyors and race organisers for an enjoyable race.
Exciting times for our fed in 2024 with some innovative proposals and lucrative open and prize winning races in the next few weeks and this coming Saturday we have the opener for our Retford ace Bird Trilogy from the Nottinghamshire racepoint. All the best and good luck to all.
C L Elmes.
Back to Back 1st Essex Central Federation |
1st Club Stambridge, 4th fed. |
Top prize winner Mick Smith 1st club Laindon |