Established 1979 Company Number: 11693988 VAT Registration Number: 284 0522 13 +44 (0)1606 836036 +44 (0)7871 701585 [email protected]

Lanarkshire News - Kettering Race 19-06-23

Lanarkshire News - Kettering Race

Kettering in Northamptonshire is around 67 miles North of London and provided our race point back to lower central Scotland. The distance was 271 miles/436 kilometers back into this week’s winners.

The weather was very hot with a South east wind at race point being more east at home end. One of those static heat days that birds just don't home in.

The wind was strong at the home end, blowing a bit of a force. As bad as it gets for pigeon racing.

Everyone had that feel of this isn't going to be a good race. A low entry of 1200 federation birds and 23 other crates from others on board the transporter reflected that.

Well we got what was expected a very testing race with big gaps between returning pigeons.

I think they must have landed in Wales then Ireland before heading up to Scotland, well it felt like that when you are waiting for their return.

The high velocity of 1600s (one pigeon) for the winner, but not many even met the 1500s, around six birds, the gaps were verging on bizarre. Some lofts waiting an hour between arrivals was difficult to call it a race, more a disaster!

The losses across the board were significant, with most lofts reporting heavy losses at striking off. Even the in-form lofts are reporting 1/4 to 1/3 losses.

The last three weeks have been horrendous and if you have went to every race this season your loft will have plenty of empty perches. A lot of fanciers are hurting over this year’s racing with most clubs down to the bare bones of members attending. This just what club racing should be it should be inclusive for all to compete. This will kill the sport at the roots.

Some will say that's what was voted for at the AGM, but we haven't a crystal ball to tell us the extreme weather conditions. I feel the committee should have the right to look after the welfare of the birds and change the race point.  

It’s getting to the stage it’s not worth all the time and effort, you get good returns it’s just luck as the other guy is getting it this week.

The saying is when the fun stops-STOP.

And this year’s racing will see the end of a lot of fanciers from the sport.

A new strategy is needed in pigeons racing before it’s too late.

If we don't change then we are finished.

This week’s winner is JJK Gillon & G/son partnership of New Stevenson club who timed a 2yr old Dark Grizzle cock in 4hrs 56 59 for a velocity of 1606ypm. 1st centre section,1st Open 1200 birds.

IMG E3585 19 06 23y    Kelly Gillon 4 19 06 23y

Josey Gillon of JJK Gillon wins 1st sect,1st Open & Kelly Gillon of JJK Gillon & G/son win New Stevenson and 1st Open federation.

So as you can see it was fast for the winner but as earlier stated it wasn't the big picture.

This terrific conditioned bird made light work of the 271miles back to the partnership.

The partnership are flying high this season and they are sitting high on the average board and take some beating the rest of the season.

I Spoke with Kelly who was obviously delighted with the result and her winner was a stray youngster bred by Stuart Harkins of Wishaw in Lanarkshire, Stuart kindly transferred the bird as it kept coming back. It was raced on the roundabout system and has been steady this season.

Well done Joe snr, Joe jnr, Kelly and G/son

Joe snr Joe jnr 19 06 23y    Joe Gillon jnr with partner Angie 19 06 23y    Gillon partnership 19 06 23y

Joe snr & Joe jnr Gillon outside loft, Joe Gillon jnr with partner Angie & Gillon Partnership

G son Anton the youngest part of the Gillon partnership 19 06 23y

G/son Anton the next generation of the Gillon Partnership

Team performance of the week belongs to Ian Rankin of Airdrie club who had a brilliant performance winning 1st,3rd,5th,6th8th,10th,11th12th North section 2nd,7th,13th,17th,24th,25th,31st,32nd Open. Some flying Ian, "On fire".

Ian Rankin with his federation winner 19 06 23y    2nd Open federation for Ian Rankin 19 06 23y

Ian Rankin with his Grizzle that topped the federation from Worksop & 2nd Open federation for the inform loft of Ian Rankin, bred from Lambrecht birds from Brian Dearing. Ian's federation winner is same way bred. 

Walter Boswell wins two West section in a row and 6th,16th,50th Open this week.

Walter was a terrific fancier at the distance but has showed himself a great all-rounder with many a cracking result at the short to middle distance events with his John Short Performance UK birds. Well done Walter.

C & E McMillan make it four in a row in Newmains club "that takes some doing" and wins 12th Open.

It’s hard to see 30% of the membership seeing this programme out!

This week coming we have a comeback race from around 80 miles and will hopefully give the birds an easier flight although the temperatures are to remain very high. So hopefully get them away early before the extreme heat gets to them.

Section winners

Centre

1st JJK Gillon 

2nd Cameron & Fan

3rd J Latimer

4th J Carswell

5th C  & E McMillan

North section

1st I Rankin

2nd Gault & Quinn

3rd I Rankin

4th H & H Kidd

5th I Rankin

West section

1st W Boswell

2nd R Copland

3rd A McInnes

4th W Boswell

5th A Nelson

Average Leader Board

1st I Rankin 1451

2nd JJK Gillon & G/son 1449

3rd GWP Macaloney 1443

4th W Boswell 1442

5th Cameron & Fan 1429

Tom Corrie jnr

Lanarkshire Press Officer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jimmy McMillan L Lanarkshire convoyer with good friend Alec McInnes 19 06 23y

Alec McInnes (R) wins Blantyre club and 3rd & 14th section.

One of my entries on return 19 06 23y

One of my pigeons who returned home with one tail feather and half his wing feathers missing.

Chryston winner for Paul Erin Conroy 19 06 23y

Chryston club winner for Paul & Erin Conroy. Sire was gift from club member Colin Gray Dam 3rd sect F Inland National . Bird was also 1st club 15th federation Billericay last year Motivation to win this race was sitting chipping eggs.

Paul Erin Conroy of Chryston club 19 06 23y

Paul & Erin Conroy winners this week in Chryston club.

Jim Latimer 19 06 23y    Jim Cameron 2 19 06 23y

Jim Latimer wins Dalziel club                                                                Jim Cameron wins Uddingston club

John McPheat 19 06 23y    Tommy McDonagh of Blantrye club 19 06 23y    Davie Burnside 19 06 23y

John McPheat wins Clarkston club                         Tommy McDonagh wins Greenfield club                 Davie Burnside wins Lanark club

Hugh Kidd 19 06 23y    Jim Forsyth This years club Champion in Coatbridge SC 19 06 23y

Hugh Kidd of H&H Kidd win Chapelhall club         Jim Forsyth wins Coatbridge SC

Walter Boswell of Burnbank club 19 06 23y                                     IMG 0654 19 06 23y

Walter Boswell wins another 1st west sect and Burnbank club           Norman Orr wins Larkhall club