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.
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 Gillon outside loft, Joe Gillon jnr with partner Angie & Gillon Partnership
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 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
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Alec McInnes (R) wins Blantyre club and 3rd & 14th section.
One of my pigeons who returned home with one tail feather and half his wing feathers missing.
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 winners this week in Chryston club.
Jim Latimer wins Dalziel club Jim Cameron wins Uddingston club
John McPheat wins Clarkston club Tommy McDonagh wins Greenfield club Davie Burnside wins Lanark club
Hugh Kidd of H&H Kidd win Chapelhall club Jim Forsyth wins Coatbridge SC
Walter Boswell wins another 1st west sect and Burnbank club Norman Orr wins Larkhall club