The first race of the season for the National Flying Club will go down as one of the most disappointing starts to any racing season. There is a lot of discontent voiced by the members as the decision to liberate proved inadequate and as a consequence the Race Controller, Paul Hill has resigned. In the near future the Committee are holding a special meeting to enquire as to what went wrong and how can we improve for the future. The results of that enquiry will be made known shortly after the Messac race and club Chairman, Paul Naum has stepped as Race Controller, with the valued support and experience of Tony Adams along with the Convoying Team, until the meeting has taken place.
I am actually quite sad that Paul felt it necessary to step down completely from the National Flying Club Committee as he took on many other responsibilities which, with his enthusiasm and expertise in computers, he excelled. He has put many hours of his own time into producing a quality yearly handbook whilst suffering a long term illness, he was also instrumental in the new website and be on hand to trouble shoot at a moment’s notice. He has encouraged club sponsorships by working up their artwork for advertisements and was instrumental in achieving the great results with NFC Young Bird Auctions. It is not an enviable job acting as Race Controller and he will take the responsibility as his own, but I for one would like to thank him for all the other work and time he has freely given to the benefit of our club.
The overall winner was Phil Priddle from Southampton, a 78 year old fancier who began in the sport at 17 years old and racing a long established strain of his own bred down from his original Lefevre-Dhaenens. Phil is good friends with Tony Cowan who gave him the nod in the early years of his strain building whenever he knew of a decent bird being put up for sale. He managed to acquire a son of “Magic Blue” and birds down from “Eisenhower” “Ben Jonson” as well as the “Miracle” Lines and it is these pigeons that still run through his loft to this day. He is a meticulous record keeper and will make notes of every pigeon and it is with this in depth knowledge of the individual birds abilities he has managed to blend these bloodlines to sprint for him up to 250 miles.
Being right on the south coast he is racing the channel most weekends and he has a pragmatic approach to his system. Based loosely on the roundabout system he will keep a partner at home all the time if it is paired to a promising cock bird as he knows they will soon become disheartened if there is no reward waiting every time they race. The rest are raced through to Messac with his hens being exercised first every morning for an hour followed by the cocks, which is repeated again in the evening.
In his own words, he said that over the years his lofts have evolved into a “Shanty Town” of sheds and aviaries with the comfort and happiness of the birds being paramount. The young birds can sit in the aviary all day to get accustomed to their surroundings safely and the old pigeons nest in their boxes or wherever they choose. It has often been said that we do not race the loft and it is nice to see a happy “pigeon” environment and if this can be achieved everyone has the opportunity to win the National, however humble the loft structure.
Early season they will rear one round with them being paired to ensure the bloodlines continue as Phil wants before being seperated for the racing season. It has been a hard start for his birds this year with the weather not helping to prepare for the National racing ahead and he is grateful for the officials of the Sholing Pigeon Club. Phil asked if he could mention his good friend Clive Ret, the club President who freely gives his time and efforts as well as allowing the members to use his yard as their headquarters. Amazingly he also informed me their Club Secretary, Len Painter is still going strong at 87 years old.
Phil would also like to thank the workers and officials at the National Flying Club Marking station in helping to keep the sport going and of course the friends who called to congratulate him on his National win.
Section A
Darren McFadden took top spot with a two year old Bosua crossed Van Osch cock bird bred by Nigel Langstaff. Raced on widowhood this was his third channel crossing this season. He was paired to a different hen last year and as she has been coming well he decided to put them together before basketing to motivate her. It obviously motivated him more but she was his fourth pigeon back to the loft as well. He has called him “Mary’s Boy” as he won the section on what would have been his late Mothers birthday. Brian Wall won 2nd and 4th positions with two 2 year olds, the first bird being bred from the stock loft. This bird had numerous good positions last season in the NFC with the best being 1st Section A, 13th Open form Sigogne. The 4th bird is a gift pigeon from John Gladwin of Formula 1 lofts. This is a very consistent pigeon and would have won the section twice last year but was beaten by loft mates. In third place Mr & Mrs T Welch raced a blue pied cock which came into his loft in 2018. It belonged to Mr I Crossland of Mansfield who transferred the ownership to them. This was his third race to their loft. His wife Carol said “why on earth are you sending a bloody stray across the water in a National. You will never see it again” We will see he plans to send it to Messac in the National in a couple of weeks time. Fifth was Bert Shepherd who timed a two year old Ko Nipus hen, a family of birds which he has had since 1978. She is bred down from “Hypo” who was 3rd Section St Malo, 2nd Section 34th Open NFC Messac, 60th Section PoitiersNFC, 61st Sect Tarbes NFC and 11th Section Cholet NFC. He is a son of “Henry” 9th Section 25th Bordeaux BBC, 10th Section NFC Nantes, 14th Section 68th Open Messac BBC. His dam is “Anne” 15th Section 125th Open Fougeres and is a daughter of “Thunder” 81st Section Tarbes, 2nd Section 34th Open Tarbes, 17th Open Solent Federation Fougeres, 3rd Section 17th open Tarbes. His sire “AJ” won 1st section 2nd open Tarbes NFC, all Ko Nipus from his loft.
Section B
My thanks to Bill Edwards who has compiled this section report; The Fougeres National turned out to be a stiffer test than most would have predicted with many empty perches after the first day, so congratulations to all the section winners. The first open honour fell to the section B winner, Phil Priddle of Southampton. Phil has been a top flyer for as long as I can remember and winning 1st Section B, 1st Open NFC and achieving a long time ambition is just reward for his consistency over many years
Phil races the Lefebra Dhanens family of birds, which he has done for many years going back to the old lines of Magic Blue, The Miracle Cock, and Ben Johnson etc., the blood of which still runs through the loft today. Phil has tried other families but none have matched the “Laffy Daffies”. Phil has eased off the racing side for a couple of years in order to re-establish his old family and the proof as they say is in the pudding, with this outstanding performance. Phil’s winner has been raced lightly but has shown signs of being something special, the Blue cock, flew Coutances with the CSCFC as a youngster and only had one channel race as a yearling. This year in preparation, he has raced with the local club from Brighton and from Coutances with the CSCFC where he was last to return from Phil’s six entries, but Phil still fancied him for NFC Fougeres
Taking 2nd in Section B and 5th Open is another of Southampton’s elder statesmen, and another successful flyer who has been knocking on the door for as long as I can remember in Maurie Collins. Maurie clocked a blue chequer Van denabeele Roundabout cock that has previously been, 1st Solent Fed as a YB, 1st Section B, 5th Open NFC Messac, and now 2nd Section B, 5th Open NFC Fougeres. What a cracking pigeon and bred out of birds that Maurie had on loan from his good friend Peter Goodright from Cardiff. Maurice would like to congratulate the winner of the Fougeres race, Phil Priddle on his great performance. Third was Hamid Laakvand from Portsmouth who clocked his Red Jan Arden cock that was raced natural and sent sitting seven days and had previously recorded 2nd club and 9th Solent Fed from Poitiers last year. The ever-consistent loft of Mark Gower from Fordingbridge in the New Forrest recorded 4th section B with a yearling B Ch cock flown on Roundabout. The cock has had two inland races and flown from Coutances with CSCFC. He is a G’son of Les Green’s “Boonen” a top racer and his Dam is a Leo van Rijn hen from his Kieser lines. Mark sent 20 to the race and had 13 on the day and 2 more work back after. Mark would like to thank Nick Smith and Andy Parsons for taking his birds to the marking, truly a great help. Mark and everyone else would like to congratulate Phil and the sections winners. 5th section B, again another consistent flyer, Steve Harris from Portchester who clocked the same hen that was 1st Section BICC last year and had previously been 2nd Section NFC Cholet as a yearling. She was bred by Steve’s Dad Fred and Sister Linda Harris.
On a personal note, I know that I am not the only flyer to have good pigeons missing, but even my early arrivals appeared to be dehydrated and although experienced birds, had not managed to drink properly which is unusual for National races.
Section C
Brian Woods won first section C and 7th open with a M & L Baertsoen blue chequer cock. Bill won this pigeon from Foxwood Lofts as a sponsor prize for winning NFC section C in 2016, which was also from Fougeres and gave it to him before he died. Being ever hopeful, on Sunday, he was waiting with his Granddaughter from 11.30am, turned his back for a moment when he heard her say “Grandpa a pigeons just fallen down” he hadn't heard or seen it arrive but well worth the wait. Second and fifth section was previous National winner Stuart Laws in Poole followed by Neville & Diana Spracklen in third place with a yearling Daniel Ariens widowhood hen having her first channel race this year but followed her channel debut in the young bird National for them last season. They have decided not to name their birds this year after their good hen “Drizzle” a winner of 6 first failed to return from morning exercise. Their hen will now be sent along with other returnees from Fougeres to Messac . They would like to congratulate all the winners and are hoping for some improvement in the weather.
Forth was Mr & Mrs Hodges who would like to congratulate the winner Mr Priddle and all the section winners especially Mr Brian Woods winner of sec C. The pigeon they timed is from their old Van Dyck lines which they obtianed from G.G.Lahuis in 2005. The hen in question has had many Club, Combine and National positions and is raced on the jealousy system, two hens to one cock. All their pigeons are feed on Van Robaeys mixtures.
Section D
Richard Goodier won section D and said “It was a nice surprise to win 1st section in what turned out to be a difficult race , I have ended up with 10 out of 14 which I suppose is not to bad but not an ideal start to the national season. My first bird is a Herman Ceusters roundabout cock who has some decent performances to his name in club and Federation racing. He is from a pair of stock birds purchased from P & J Boelin Ireland and this pair have bred many winners including a pigeon we called "Deadshot" who won 8 x 1st clubs and 6 x 1st Feds. This year alone, in the 1st four races their children have won 2 x 2nd Feds, 9th Fed ,11th Fed and also 1st Fed on the same weekend as the NFC section winner, so brother & sister 1st Fed & 1st section. The section winning cock was paired up on the 14th January and reared 2 babies, they are fed on a selection of Versal Laga corns to suit the forth coming race and I have the droppings tested by Belgica and only treat if needed. Congratulations to all section winners, and thanks to the hard workers at Kingsteignton marking station” Second section was previous National winner Terry Luscombe followed by Mr & Mrs Westacott in third place. Fourth and fifth was E Reilly, Parr & Son from Barnstable.
Section E
Mr & Mrs Dickinson & Sons topped section E with a three year old widowhood cock having his 5th race of the season. He had flown Fougeres the previous week in the British Barcelona Club and was provisionally 12th section, 58th open and is a grandson of Ian Stafford's Northern Rock. He was reported by a non-fancier in Holland after the NFC Tarbes race last season and returned in a box. He's certainly repaid us for that mistake. They were followed by Mark Gilbert who got two together to take second and third section. The first one in the clock is a grandson of “New Laureatt” 1st International Barcelona and his mother is from “Starlight” 2nd International Tarbes when he was paired to “Melissa” 1st International Agen. The Second bird is also a grandson of “New Laureatt” 1st International Barcelona. The father is from “Southfield Sebastian” my double National winner when he was paired to a daughter of “Euro Diamond” and the mother is a daughter of “New Laureatt”
In fourth place is Mr & Mrs Chaplin of West End. Their winning pigeon is a four year old blue cock flown on the widowhood system. He is a Van Loon cross Koopman bred in our stock loft and was having his 7th race of the season and his 3rd channel race. Altogether in the NFC, BBC and BICC he has flown the channel 15 times and been clocked and placed in 8 of those. It was a hard race and they got 5 of their 6 entries on the day with the last one arriving the next morning.
Section F
First place went to Cosmin Talas who wrote “I still haven’t recovered after the Fougeres race. First of all, as a committee member I want to apologise to all the members, especially to the members of section F who I represent, for not getting the race which we hoped to have. The committee members are doing their best for the club, none more so than the Chairman Paul Naum, who had a very busy week. Well done to Phil Priddle for winning the race and all the section winners. My section winner is a very consistent pigeon, especially on a hard days. He is bred from my very good yearling cock “Smurf” who as a yearling won first club, first nom bird in his first race, then he raced two National races where he won 21st open National 3,997 birds and 83rd open National 6,495 birds. The mother is a full sister to the mother of 1st provincial 6,559 birds and she is a daughter of 3rd Nat 16,479 birds, 5th Nat 20,589 birds, 26th Nat 25,263 birds. He was raced on widowhood, Fougeres was his first channel race this year.” In Second place was Mr & Mrs Webber and Son who timed a 2014 bred blue chequer cock flown natural that has minor club, federation, and national positions, with this being his best performance to date. He was sent driving his hen to nest and is one of those pigeons that never seems to lose any weight, indeed on his return from Fougeres he looked ready to go again. He is bred from two birds bought from Ron Crook of Henley both inbred to Roger Lowe’s “My Little Diamond” Their congratulations go to Cosmin Talas on winning the Section. Finally a big thank you to Esther Kenny for all the training she has done for us this year. A Sinclair was third section followed by J & P Parker in fourth. Fifth was N B Finch who wrote “Firstly I would like to thank the Steventon Marking Station as it is a pleasure to get our birds marked there. My bird is a 2 year old bred from a pair from the late Patrick Nally who purchased them from Foxwood Loft stock. The pigeon has taken minor club positions before going on to win, 1st section 2nd CSCFC yearling derby,
6th section 28th Open Messac 2018 and now 5th section Fougeres NFC.
Section G
Stuart Wilcox was 2nd Open and 1st section and he wrote ”Firstly I would like to offer my congratulations to Mr Priddle and my club mates Nigel Templar (The Champ) and Mike Hathway. My hen now named “The Nearly Bird” who was 1st Section G 2nd Open NFC Fougeres is a two-year-old hen that’s flying her 4th NFC Race, she was a very good youngster, but as a yearling last year she didn’t fly well but pulled it together at Sigogne. This year she has raced with the WoESRC 3 times and CSCFC Coutances two weeks ago. She is flown on widowhood but did receive two tosses this week curtsey of Steve Mosely. I normally find it hard to race hens however Roger Keepin has kindly helped me this year, Roger’s brother Alan helped me for many years and sadly passed away last year, thanks again Roger, without him this result would not be possible. The hen herself is well bred from local National winning lines, her sire is “Nosey” winner of 5 x 1st with 5 channels wins including 1st HLFC, 2nd Sect 2nd Open CSCFC Messac 2749b, 1st HLFC, 1st Sect 3rd Open Nat Messac 6500b, 1st HLFC 6th Sect 37th Open Nat Cholet 6900b plus 1st Club Poole, 1st Club Carentan. His full sister “Pie in the Sky” won 1st Club 1st WoESRC Newton Abbott 5074b. 1st Club 1stWoESRC Exeter 3860b. 1st Champion Old Bird 2013. He is bred from Chips, a son of Chipo of Benny Steveninck and “Golden Hen” from the famous 575 and Truke of Frans Zwols. The dam of “The Nearly Bird” is “Murford Lady”, bred by my late friend Brian Milkins, this hen has bred 10 x 1st including 1stEastbourne (9th Open Com), 1st Littlehampton (20th Com 3207b), 1st Portland (2nd Fed), 1st Bedhampton (4th Com 3142b), 1st Bedhampton, 10th Combine 5767b and 1st Club 2nd WoESRC 2325b in 2016 etc. She is bred from Brians famous Blue Pair (Van Dyck/Koopman) and is a sister of “51” 1st Section 4thOpen BBC Fougeres “Champion 30 6th Open CSCFC Carentan, 9th Open NFC Cholet 8745b, 32nd Open NFC Cholet 5886b, 40th Open CSCFC Carentan,43rd Open NFC Carentan 8100b, 51st Open NFC Saintes 4131b, 51st Open NFC Carentan, 83rd Open NFC Saintes, and “Champion Shingles” 1st Sect, 1stOpen CSCFC Messac 2734b”
Ever consistent in the section and open results is Nigel Templar who came in second section third open on this occasion. His bird was bred in the stock loft with the sire being a son of his "Gerrit Pair" direct from the late Gerrit Lahuis which they purchased in 2005 and have bred winners all over including combine winners section winners etc. not just for Nigel but others as well. The dam is a bird he acquired off the late Pete Drew when he got rid of all his birds through bad health. She is a dam of winners and is now owned by Nick and Jackie Stone from Portishead, when purchased at his sale of stock birds. In third place was Mike Hathway Bristol who started back in the sport with youngsters in 2015 after a year or so out. He acquired some birds off of friends Steve Moseley and Nigel Templar. The sire of his pigeon which is provisionally 3rd section G 4th open NFC. Fougeres,was bred by Steve Moseley from his Janssen based pigeons originating from Tumley lofts. The dam was bred by neighbour Nigel Templar who he thought he had beaten for the first time in a national, but he had waited a while before verifying just to wind him up. The dam is from his Van Dyke birds, the sire being a direct from the son of
"BOURGES" and the dam from his "Gerrit Pair" down from the "Kanniball". This bird was also 10th section, 21st open CSCFC two weeks before. In fourth position was Joseph Thompson & Son who would like to congratulate Mr Priddle on his national win on what could also be described as a very difficult and challenging day! Secondly, he would like to congratulate Stuart Wilcox on his section G win and 2nd national! His thanks go to his wife “as without her I couldn’t race” and Stu (aka Dad), Uncle Rob Brooks plus Chris Howse for all their help and support they have given him over the years. The cock he timed in was a 3 year old who has been a good cock for him, scoring in the WoESRC Saintes. All his pigeons are fed on Bayers and raced back to a perch. He is unable to commit to any systems due to his very long working hours, and it needs to be a simple system for his wife when he is not around.
Section H
Taking first spot in section H, Hubert Walker and ‘silent partner’ Les Rodgers timed two widowhood cocks approximately 30 minutes apart. Both widowhood cocks were bred from the same sire, which is a half-brother to ‘Big Smithy’ from Marshall & Smith, who was then paired to two different hens. Both of these hens were bred by our good friend Jack Walker of Cannock. One hen was bred through the ‘Gladiator line’ and the second hen was bred through the ‘De Chateauroux line’. Second and fifth was John Black who timed a Blue pied September late bred hen showing out to a cock having her third race. She is bred down from a daughter of Dave Albion’s Tours national winner crossed with a son of Tony Cowan’s “Scottish Cock” on one side and John Chipperfield’s “lady Theresa” lines cross Brian Denny Tuff nut lines. Third place went to R Eccles and Son from Baldock with Des Owens of Newport Pagnell taking forth with a two year old Red cock flying natural. This bird had just one inland race prior to Fougeres as his preparations are a bit behind this season. He is from his original Scottish distance birds down from his former partner, John Clark of Airdrie.
Section I
Long term Committee man Eddy Froggatt won section I with a hen called “Madness” who is full sister to “Fantastic” winner of 1st Sect 2nd Open NFC Cholet against 7000b in 2014. Her sire was bred by the late Frank Tasker being a son of “Filmstar” and her dam from Syndicate Lofts down from “The Young Couple”. Second section was Gavin Duggan who clocked a very small hen with a big heart bred down from his NFC section winner from Messac. He would like to congratulate all the section winners on a very tough day. Third was T J Durrows from Northfield with Shaun Mc Donough taking fourth and fifth positions.
Section J
Martin Williams was first section J with a two year old cock raced on the roundabout system with his G/Grandfather being Roodhooft’s champion “Mustang”. The winning genes from this line have produced endless winners for him.
This two year old had showed some form in club races, so he was selected for the National in a team of sixteen sent. Judging by the early times he worked out he needed a bird by 14:11 to win the open and he dropped in at 14:31. This was followed by big gaps, only having 5 out of 16 on the day, so it was a trying race. He had 10 out of 16 by the Tuesday night and one reported. Geoff Kirkland timed a 2 year old Cassaert cock to take second, flying on total widowhood. He has always been a good steady pigeon and he gave his all in this race, but by the next morning he was bouncing again. J & B Oakley won third and fourth places with two cocks that had won fourth and fifth section last season from Ancenis as yearlings. They arrived at the loft together again and they share a special bond being in box 1 and 2 next to each other in the loft. They are also half brothers out of their good breeding and racing hen "skyfall" a line of pigeons that seems to be really excelling at the national events. They race cocks on widowhood and these lads have been prepared solely to compete in the NFC program. They were fortunate enough to have 10/12 of their entries back in what turned out to be a very tough race with the birds having to dig very deep. Fifth section was Graham Clift of Tirley who wrote “Well done to all members who were fortunate to have early pigeons in what turned out to be a difficult race for most. My first bird is a late bred yearling having it's second channel race, only having three inland yb races in 2018. The sire has bred me some good pigeons being a brother to Southfield Jane the NFC National winner for Mark Gilbert, the dam a daughter of Rob Rome's Fabia the NFC car winner from Tarbes. I race my birds on a roundabout/chaos system and never pair them right through to Tarbes; of my 12 entries for the Fougeres race I had 5 on the day and 8 in total.”
Section K
1st J R Woods - John's first pigeon is a two-year old hen, flown on the roundabout system. John tells me she was a very good young bird for him and flew right through the programme but as a yearling she did not show any form at all. This year she has been raced down to Newbury, which is approximately 150 miles, and then sent to the NFC Fougeres race. She is a Harthog x Bosua pigeon. John had two back out of his twelve on the night and still only has half of his pigeons home.
2nd G Oliver & Son - Mr Oliver has only been competing in the NFC over the last couple of seasons, but he seems to have found a winning formula with the birds, as he had a very good Sigogne race last year, with pigeons out of two cocks he bought from Menne & Daughter and two Brian Denney hens which he paired together. His winning pigeon this time is a cock out of the same successful bloodline flown on widowhood. Mr Oliver got three out of his team on the night.
3rd S Field - unfortunately we have not been able to contact Mr Field direct as the phone number given appears to be incorrect. However, from the verifications Mr Field had several returned on the day.
4th Pearson & Dransfield - their bird was bred down from a half sister to Frank's NFC winner Tree Top, when paired to a George Hillson cock. Frank recorded six on the day in what was a very hard race.
5th L & S Gash - Luke and his Dad had a great race getting nine out of their twenty on the day and seventeen home by the time I spoke to him during the week. Luke's first bird was a yearling hen, flown on roundabout. The sire of his was a gifted pigeon from Ron Dennett and the dam was a gifted pigeon from Bailey & Ricketts. This pair has already bred two Fed winners for the father and son partnership - at this rate Ron will be coming round to Luke's to borrow pigeons off him!
Section L
First section went to Ken Powell with a two year old widowhood cock who’s sire was 3rd section from Tarbes and bred by Nev Proctor. The dam is a Jan Aarden bred through Gary Cousins in South Wales. Kens pigeon also takes 1st Eccles 2 Bird. Second was Roger Sutton of Congleton who is continuing his success of 2018. Roger timed two early pigeons in this very difficult race for the long flyers. He did manage to time 5 out of 21 sent on the day and now a week later 17 are back in the loft. His second arrival was 'Astbury Mint' 1st section Sigogne last year, his son was his third arrival who in turn is the sire of his first bird. So that is son, father and grandfather being his first three birds back.
Third section was G Marskell in Leyland with Lee Davidson & Son in fourth. Lee timed a blue hen which has been a very consistent pigeon flying in the NFC and it’s no surprise that this hen has got another top section result . She’s a daughter of the number 1 stock hen MAX 79 a direct daughter of MAX the only pigeon to ever win the MNFC twice. She’s Dam to many top section and open positions. This 3 year old hen is a full sister to NIFTY FIFTY 1st West section Bordeaux 2015 and half sister to Miss Jubilee Bling 1st section L cholet 2012 & SCARLETT 2nd section L Tarbes 2018. In fifth spot was Campbell Bros & Son from Liverpool who clocked the first yearling in the section. Her sire is a full brother to “Little Gem” Tarbes Grand National winner and her dam is a Jan Theelen gifted by Ronnie Irons which is sister to Classic and Amal winners.
Section N
A very difficult race for the fanciers in the north, this very brief piece was put together by Jeff Walton. Fougeres National 2019 will go down as a disaster of a race for the NFC members in Section N with previous section winners sent and all missing. The members racing season has potentially been wiped out before we start. For the record the Section N result reads M Anderson & Sons of Washington 1st 3rd & 5th Section with three two year old cocks. B Blackett & Son of Butterknowle 2nd & 4th Section with two yearlings, sister & brother from his well established Scottish channel birds. Both lofts draw little comfort from this success balanced against the birds missing. This is echoed throughout the section's members lets hope they work in.
Section O
It seems that the section O fanciers have been struggling to have their birds ready for this first cross channel event of the new season with lower than expected numbers for the Fougeres National. This should not detract from the fantastic performance that Kendal fancier Bruce Blamire has given us. Bruce clocked his very consistent five year old Deweerdt cock at 19:10 on the night to be 1st section O and 66th Open for this 414 mile event. Bruce then managed to clock another bird at 20:44 and a third early next morning to finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd section O from five birds entered. As mentioned the section winner is a five year old cock that has previously been across the channel on seven occasions and scored every time including a 1st and 3rd section O last year.
Kris Czaplinski timed his five year old widowhood hen the following morning to take fourth place. The breeding of this hen contains pigeons from both Bruce Blamire and Roy Davies of Port Talbot. Kris was in a very despondent mood when I spoke with him on Wednesday. He sent most of his channel team to this race and so far, has only three returned from his ten. This includes most of the birds that have scored for him over the past few seasons and means he may not be sending again this year.
Section P
First section was P Gosling & Jarvis of Mountnessing. This partnership timed a two year old Cheq hen flown on widowhood and was racing her first Chanel race of the season having previously been sent to six inland training races. She has previously won 46th national Coutances and flew Tarbes last year as a yearling. Her sire was champion racer and breeder “Matt” who himself won in 2006 17th section 27th national Alencon, in 2007 19th section 60th Classic Alencon 30th section 154th Classic Tours 5th section 11th Classic Pau(on the day). In 2008 13th section 112th Classic Alencon, 11th section 47th Classic Bergerac, 2009 18th section 167th Classic Tours 11th section 24th Classic Tarbes. Her dam is a double granddaughter of “Olympic Ric” 1st sect 1st national 58th International Barcelona 6th section 16th national Perpignan 6th section 73rd national Carentan 20th section 91st National Cholet 27th section 223rd National Tarbes 57th National Agen. The partnership had good returns on what turned out to be a very difficult race 11 home from 12 sent. Second section was Trevor and Adrian Wilson of Manuden, Nr Bishop Stortford who wrote “Our timer is a good yearling cock “DROP TAIL” Winner of second section Fougeres with the B.B.C and 4th section Coutances with T.N.F.C last year. His sire is a Busscheart cock we bought at the Epsom show a few years ago and is a G/ grandson of Ron Williamson heartbreaker. His dam is a G/daughter of our top stock cock VERIOUS, bred and raced by C&G KOOPMAN, 5x in the top 100 with 10,000 to 18,000 + birds. VERIOUS a grandson of KLEINE DIRK & ANNELIES, full brother and sister. Winners of 4x 1st, 2 x 2nd etc between them with up to 17,800 birds. Drop tail’s G/ grandam is our Jean Williams stock hen Good eyes, very inbred to DARK TERROR 20 x 1st, WHITSTART 13x 1st, GOOD BLUE 12 x 1st and WHITKOP 12 x1st.
Third placed bird is a Herman Ceuster bred by Les Hicks of London raced by David Beech. A pigeon bred the same wayn won the London North Road Combine in 2018. He flys a small team of pigeons and does not send many to the nationals. He has recently moved house and it has taken about 4 years to get a team of pigeons together, and he’s pleased with how things are going this season. In at 4th section P is Mr and Mrs Les Hawkins, they timed a 2015 latebred hen which had previously been to Tarbes NFC, in what has so far been a lightly raced career she had previously won 2nd club 10th section from coutances . Les tells me that all being well she will be lined up for Tarbes, and she’s certainly bred for the job , being a half sister to a good cock for Les called Domino a winner of 28th and 34th Tarbes National. Their sire is a Van Bruane x eric cannon cock while the mother is a daughter of Die Hard from Mark Bulled. Les would like to thank Mark in being instrumental in the breeding of this pigeon. In a difficult race Les sent 9 had 3 on the day and 3 more next day. Fifth section was Paul Delea from Rainham. Paul timed a two year old Black pied cock which, in keeping with the way these pigeons are raced, was probably on its second or third race of its life, certainly its first race in 2019. Trained as a YB only, Paul is hoping this could be one of his Tarbes or even a Barcelona entry this year, and it is certainly bred for the job as the sire is Paul’s Barcelona winner and the mother is off brother Dave’s Barcelona winner. Paul sent 15 had 7 on the day and ended up with 10 home safely at the time of writing.
Section Q
Perry Liddle has put together his usual quality report for the Cornish Fancy; “The first NFC race of 2019 was well supported, with Section Q sending what I understand to be record entry with 27 fanciers sending 325 Cornish birds. The expected arrival time came and went it soon became apparent that this was going to be a particularly difficult race with many empty perches by nightfall.
Leading the way with 1st Section Q, Provisional 302nd Open, was Mervin Elliott of Hayle, who timed his 3yo blue chequer cock at 15:36 to record 858ypm. This cock, having his second trip across the water, was spurred on by his family responsibilities; as his chicks had hatched the day before basketing. He is a Honeysuckle Janssen X Hereman-Ceusters and he has been a really consistent bird for Merv, having flown NFC Messac last year. Merv was quietly beaming over the telephone when we spoke and he was rightfully very proud of his bird’s achievement. Merv is making a real habit of topping the Section; as he also won the section in last years’ first National Race with a cock from the same family.
2nd Section Q, Provisional 319th Open was Jake Waldock of St Austell, who timed his yearling blue bar cock flying to 10 day eggs at 15:12 to record 844ypm. Jake describes his family has good all-rounders being based around the blood of good multi performance channel birds. His timer contains an eclectic blend of blood including the lines from David Vowles, “Untouchable” from John Halstead, “Silvia” a Spanish Diploma of Merit Award winner from Bill Stribling as well as the Southwell lines of “Lady Jane” a Double Spanish Diploma of Merit Award winner and Jimmy Shepherd. Considering that this was a yearling having his first trip over the channel, Jake could have a real good one for the future.
3rd Section Q, Provisional 336th Open was Mervin Elliott again, this time with a 3yo dark chequer cock sitting 10 day eggs. Vandenabeele X Hereman-Ceusters cock at 15:57 to record 821ypm. This cock was having his second trip across the water having flown Ancenis last year. On what proved to be a very difficult day, Merv’s team did a fantastic job for him, hearty congratulations on behalf of the Cornish Fancy!
Section W
Derek Jones in Wrexham timed the winner in section W being a granddaughter of “Treble Six” 1st Open MNFC and the “Niort Cock” sire of many section winners. Second was previous Welsh National winners Frampton & Price near Six Bells in South Wales with Williams Bros Son & Burgham taking third and fourth positions. They timed a two year old widowhood cock that was 6ht WNFC Folkstone in 2018 and also topped the section in the WSRF from Bedhampton 2018.
His sire his Burgham brother lines going back to national man with the dam bred by mark Gilbert off one of his best racing sons of “Southfield Supreme” Their fourth position was won with a two year old cock having his second channel race. His sire is Burgham brothers x Boschiend Flyers lines and again his dam bred is by Mark Gilbert being granddaughter to “Southfield Supreme” crossed with Brockamps line.
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