AROUND THE UP NORTH COMBINE
Chris Cook, “The North West Wind Warrior”
By Good Corn
First off I will give the results of the Teesside Federation & Tees Valley Federation Breeder/Buyer results so far, starting with Worksop (1). 1st breeder & buyer Gatley, Harrod & Son with chequer cock TEE 2601 on 1446.4. 2nd breeder Moore Bros - buyer Barron Bros with chequer cock TV 2884 on 1435.7. 3rd breeder Starkey & Son buyer Hugget & Gregory with blue cock TV 2622 on 1432.9. Worksop (2) 1st breeder Heightley, Son, Pearce, Dtr & O’Donnel buyer Lythe & Warwick with chequer hen Z 7452 on 1407.6. 2nd breeder Dixon & Son buyer Rothbottom & Son with chequer hen TV 211 on 1403.5. 3rd breeder Graham, Gilchrist & Brennan buyer Barron Bros with blue cock MT 1123 on 1403.5.
The Up North Combine suffered the Bank Holiday Weekend weather blues as the very poor weather forced the Weather Committee to put back basketing `for the Oakham bound birds for 48 hours. This meaning the birds were basketed on Sunday 28th August for a Monday 29th August liberation, the morning never got off to a good start with the weather being nowhere near good enough for a early liberation. As the morning went on and still no liberation the members thought it was going to end up a holdover, but come 12.25pm the East Cleveland Federation 68 member’s convoy of 1,764 birds hit the skies flying into a West wind. Pride and place in both Club and Federation went to Chris Cook of Staithes who timed a mealy cock recording a vel of 1510.6 to win an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed. With the pole position winner being bred down from a pair of Belgium imports, with the Sire of the Fed winner being obtained from Lier Market. The Sire only had a handful of races as a young bird last year due to an injury after hitting the wires early in the season but he still managed to score 3rd Club, 15th Fed Selby (3) when there were 841 birds competing. The Dam of the chart-topper is from Armand Van Looy, the hen who was just out of the Club frame at young bird Worksop and took 6th Club old bird Oakham is the only one left of the 13 Chris bought on his first visit to Belgium. This is the second young bird win for Chris for he won 1st Club, 1st Fed Worksop (1) from a convoy of 2,131 birds. Andy Crooks continues his outstanding form after timing no fewer than five of his inform squad to chalk up 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 19th Fed with vels of 1510.6, 1505, 1485, 1484 and 1642.7. With the blue card being awarded to a homebred chequer cock bred out of a pair obtained from Andy’s good Belgium friend Francois Leys. With the Sire being a yearling cock who is the previous winner of 1 x 1st Club, the cock also has a 2nd Club, 9th Fed and 54th UNC Burbure to his credit this season when beaten by a loftmate that won an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section winning £134.31 and 2nd UNC winning a Combine Silver Medal. While the Dam of the chequer cock is a 2y who is the previous winner of a 1st Club. The green card scoring chequer hen that was bred by Francois Leys was in the first flock that went over but over-shot and turned back at the Cleveland Potash, while Andy’s first timer was in the second batch and got a better trap. The third and fourth timers that were clocked two seconds apart were both Johan Donkers bred by Billy Walsh of Ireland. Deano Ward notched up 14th Fed on 1465.7.
Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee recorded a hat-trick of wins at Skinningrove after timing a couple of birds to win 1st and 5th Club, with top spot being won by the red Lambrecht hen bought at the Loftus West Road Championship Club Breeder/Buyer who is the previous scorer of 4th Club, 20th Fed Selby (2) and 5th Club Worksop (2). This week with a winning vel of 1501 the hen went onto score a notable 4th Fed. B & K Simpson timed a couple of their team to chalk up 2nd and 3rd Club with Brian & Keith’s blue card scoring blue Louise Cooreman cock achieving 1469 for 12th Fed. The green card was awarded to a blue hen bred by Murphy & Son of Alnwick for the Loftus West Road Championship Club Breeder/Buyer doing 1465.1 for 16th Fed. Ian Stafford & Sparky Wilson became the third loft to time two birds to lift 4th and 6th Club with the yellow card lifter making 1464 for 18th Fed.
Mick Smithies tops the Brotton H/S charts with a vel of 1470 which was enough to score 11th Fed. Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners had a couple of babies on the clock to lift 2nd and 3rd Club, 15th and 17th Fed on 1465.4 and 1464.7; while Frank & Brenda Reilly & Son Wayne claimed 4th Club.
Winspear & Sons got back to their winning ways at Skelton Green after timing three of their entries to win 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, with Derek & Mark’s red card winner knocking out a vel of 1462.5 for 20th Fed. Bowden Bros, Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor Mitchell also had three birds on the clock to notch up 2nd, 5th and 6th Club.
Moving onto the Brotton Six Bird Club where the inform Mr & Mrs Bob & Barbara Moore record their third win in five young bird races, with Bob & Barbara who have not been out of the first three in the Club so far, chart-topper being a chequer white cock bred by Dave Drinkhall of Guisborough fame. The red card winning cock is winning for the second week running for he won 1st Club, 24th Fed Worksop (2) the previous week when fling in Brotton H/S. The partnership of Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson & Tubby Purver timed a couple of their squad to chalk up a notable 2nd and 3rd Club, with the blue card going to a blue Rietvink hen and the green card being awarded to a blue Rietvink cock both bred by Ian “Evo” Everington of Skelton Green. Danny Fawcett the 1st Club Selby (1) winner returns to the frame in 4th spot, with the lad’s yellow card potter being a blue hen.
Mark & Derek Winspear of Winspear & Sons Skelton Green, winning 1st Club, 20th Fed Oakham
Geoff Bavin achieved his second young bird win of the season at Marske & New Marske after filling a couple of chambers to win 1st and 5th Club. With Geoff’s pole position winner being a flying to the perch blue flipey cock bred from Rutland Lofts stock, originating from John Whittaker. In cell two was a blue hen bred from one of Martin Hogarth’s hens that was bred for Geoff last year. Tony Hunt is in 2nd position with a paired up but not sitting blue Dirk Seppers cock. Martin Hogarth nets 3rd with the green card going to a chequer hen of his own strain, with the hens Dam being the winner of 1st Club, 15th Fed Oakham (3) this season. Jimmy Reed filled a single cell to lift 4th Club with Jimmy’s timer being a flying to the perch blue cock of the late Jack “The Lad” Brown & Tony Hunt stock.
The Teesside Federations entry of 845 birds were up and away from Oakham at 12.10pm, starting at the Billingham T U where Ali McLeod is starting to get into the swing of things after timing no fewer than five of his squad to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th Club. With top spot being won by a blue Gaby Vandenabeele hen recording a top vel of 1452 to go onto win a most impressive 1st Fed and 7th Section 5 from a convoy of 3,378 birds. The well out in front chart-topping hen is the Daughter of Ali’s top racing cock “29” who was runner up Teesside Federation Bird Of The Year in 2015 when beaten for the title by his loftmate. The blue card was awarded to a blue hen Teesside Fed & Tees Valley Fed Breeder/Buyer bred by Clubmate Shaun Smith achieving a vel of 1413 to score 4th Fed and 1st Breeder/Buyer. Mac’s third timer was a blue Vandenabeele hen making 1395 to pocket 11th Fed and four seconds behind the hen was her blue cock Brother knocking out a vel of 1394 to lift 12th Fed. And he was followed by a blue pied cock doing going 1386 to claim 18th Fed to end a happy days racing for Ali. Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins comes into the frame in 3rd spot with the duo’s green card scoring blue pied cock achieving a vel of 1410 to chalk up a notable 5th Fed and 2nd £5 Ring pocketing £40.00. Tommy Clark & Son Gary clocked a mealy pied hen doing 1401 to notch up 4th Club, 8th Fed.
Barron Brothers, Tommy & Robert are enjoying a notable run, for the Haverton Hill duo have been in the frame in all four young bird races so far and this race they achieve their best performance to date after timing two of their team to win an outstanding 1st and 2nd Club, 2nd and 3rd Fed. With Tommy & Robert’s chart-topping chequer cock recording a vel of 1444 which was enough to win 1st £5 Ring banking £60.00 and also score 18th Section. The blue card was awarded to a blue cock knocking out a vel of 1414. Letcher & McCabe are in 3rd with a blue cock doing 1406 to claim 7th Fed; while the Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff partnership clocked a chequer cock making 1398 to lift 4th Club, 9th Fed. Alan Plews & Grandson, who have enjoyed great success while flying in the GYA Club, are next after timing a chequer cock on 1396 to net 10th Fed. The previous week’s winners, Gatley, Harrod & Son timed a blue cock and a chequer cock one second apart to lift 16th and 17th Fed on 1386.7 and 1386.0, with the lad’s well-fancied second timer winning the Fed Nom.
Moving onto the Beechwood & Easterside where the partnership of the late but not forgotten Wyn Cole, Steve Wheatley & Grandson Connor had a field day after timing no less than five of their squad to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club. With pole position being won by a chequer cock bred buy Booty & Berryman achieving a top vel of 1409 which was enough to pot a notable 6th Fed and 2nd Teesside Fed & Tees Valley Fed breeder buyer; while the blue and green cards were netted by a couple of blue cocks that touched down together to knock up vels of 1388.4 to chalk up 13th and 14th Fed. The yellow card lifter, a blue hen that was timed one second after the blue and green card scorers claimed 15th Fed on 1388.2; and she was followed by another blue hen doing 1384 for 19th Fed. The lads who have enjoyed some outstanding performances in their time together never flew any old birds this season, so this top performance will be very pleasing for the hard working duo.
The late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek tops the Middlesbrough H/S charts with the Brothers red card winning blue cock who achieved a vel of 1373 going onto chalk up 20th Fed. The 3rd breeder in the Teesside Fed & Tees Valley Fed breeder/buyer was Pogson & Richardson and the buyers were D & I Wallace
News from the Tees Valley Federation where the Portrack partnership of Heightley, Son, Pearce, Dtr & O’Donnel flew a fantastic race after timing three birds to win a top class 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, 1st, 3rd and 4th Fed, 1st, 3rd and 4th Section 5. With the pole position winner being from a pair of Eric Cullemans, the well-fancied youngster was the partners pooler winning 1st 2 Bird Club, £5 side bets and the beer nom. The green card scorer was out of a Drapa hen paired to a Stickers Donckers cock which is from Mick Betts, with him being Sire to winners for Mick. The yellow card potter was a Vandenabeele from a pair off Mark’s friend Ali McLeod. I can remember this loft enjoying a fantastic 2015 racing season, winning a brilliant 6 x 1st Feds when flying as Heightley, Hayes, Pearce & Daughter. Their first win of the 2015 racing season was achieved at old bird Peterborough (2) when there was 1,767 birds competing; old bird Fed win number two was won at Peterborough (3) from an entry of 985 birds. The partnership really excelled with the young birds when they won 1st Fed Pontefract (1) out of 1,291 birds and 1st Fed Worksop (2) when there were 2,017 birds away. Their 1st Fed Maidstone National winner went onto score a notable 52nd UNC from a convoy of 14,919 birds.
Mark Pearce of Heightley, Son, Pearce, Dtr & O’Donnel of Portrack, the winners of 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, Fed and Section Oakham
The following week when the birds were at Pontefract (3), the final race of the 2015 season 1st Fed was won to end a fantastic young bird season.
After basketing was put back 24 hours for the Peterborough race the East Cleveland Federations 59 members entry of 1,241 were liberated at 1210hrs on Sunday 4th September flying into a strong North West wind. Chris Cooke of Staithes clocked his previous weeks Oakham Federation winner to again with an outstanding 1st Club and 1st Federation with a pole position vel of 1269, which again is a top-drawer performance. The mealy cock is some youngster to top the Fed two weeks running on different winds; Chris has now retired the parents of his double Federation winner from racing. Chris timed a second bird, one of his Belgium imports to chalk up 5th Club. Andy Crooks had four of his entries on the clock to pocket 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, with the blue card going to a chequer Johan Donker cock bred by Billy Walsh of Ireland to lift a nice 7th Fed on 1247. While the green was netted by a homebred youngster doing 1245.5 for 10th Fed; and the yellow card potter was bred by Francois Leys of Belgium, with another homebred baby coming next to round off another notable team performance.
The inform Skinningrove partnership of Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee recorded their fourth consecutive win after timing two of their team to win a top-notch 1st and 3rd Club, 2nd and 6th Fed with vels of 1257.6 and 1248. The duo has really got their youngsters on song this season with a number of top performances out of their five wins in six races. Ian Stafford & Sparky Wilson had four birds on the clock to lift 2nd, 4th and 5th Club, 3rd, 11th, 12th and 19th Fed on 1257.4, 1244.4, 1244.2 and 1237.31; while Tich Richards & Alice Marsay claimed 13th Fed on 1241.
Its two wins off the belt for Mick Smithies of Brotton H/S with Mick’s red card winner knocking out a top vel of 1256 to chalk a notable 4th Fed. Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson & Tubby Purver had a couple of youngsters on the clock to lift a very nice 2nd and 3rd Club, with their blue card potter doing 1240 for 14th Fed; while Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners nets 4th Club.
Next stop is Skelton Green where Bowden Brothers, Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor Mitchell win pole position after timing four birds to win 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, with the winner doing 1237.35 for 18th Fed. Winspear & Sons clocked two birds to pot 2nd and 6th Club with the blue card scorer doing 1237.2 for 20th Fed.
The Brotton Six Bird partnership of Kevin & Merv Brown & Sacker Cole returned to the winners’ enclosure with the trio’s red card winner being a chequer pied Veenstra x Koopmans hen that took 5th Club, 24th Fed Oakham in Brotton H/S. Ricky Cush is in 2nd spot with a chequer pied Soontjen cock purchased at the Loftus West Road Championship Club Breeder/Buyer. Mr & Mrs Bob & Barbara Moore keep up their good form by timing two quick-fire youngsters to lift 3rd and 4th Club, with the green going to a chequer hen bred by R Walker & Son of Darlington for the NEHU Futurity Breeder/Buyer where the hen won 1st Breeder/Buyer from the Reed race. Bob & Barbara’s second timer was a chequer cock that notched up 7th Club, 29th Fed the previous race out of Oakham.
Jimmy Reed wins his third young bird race of the season from five starts, with Jimmy’s red card winner being a 3 day sitting blue Vandenabeele hen. While Tony Hunt scores 2nd Club with the blue Dirk Seppers cock who also took 2nd Club the previous week. Martin Hogarth filled a couple of cells to lift 3rd and 4th Club with the green card being awarded to a flying to the perch chequer cock based on Martin’s own breeding from Brown & Hunt x Craig Wedgewood stock. The yellow card potter was a blue cock of Martin’s own strain which like the green card claimer; the cock was flying to the perch. Geoff Bavin was next with a flying to the perch blue Brown & Hunt Hen.
The Teesside Federations entry of 552 birds were liberated at 12.30, and what a race Ali McLeod of Billingham T U had after timing no less than seven of his squad to win a brilliant 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 18th and 19th Fed to record his second Fed win on the bounce. Leading the way was a blue Vandenabeele hen achieving a chart-topping vel of 1230 which was enough to go onto score a notable 11th Section 5 out of an entry of 2,981 birds. The little hen is bred out of a latebred from Ali’s good cock “82” the winner of the Teesside Fed Bird Of The Year in 2015, when paired to Mac’s good hen “46” the previous winner of 3rd UNC winning a Combine Bronze Medal. The nestmate to the red card winning youngster went to Newcastle, so not bad from the first nest. The blue card scoring blue cock knocked out a vel of 1219.5 to win 1st £5 Ring and £60.00, with the cock being a Son of Ali’s “Sissie Hen” who bred a double Fed winner for the lad in 2015, she is also Grand Dam to Andy Crooks 2016 2nd UNC Burbure Silver Medal winner. While the Sire of the young cock is a Grandson of Jan Hooymans famous “Harry”. Ali’s third timer was a chequer cock doing 1213 who like the blue card potter is a Grand Son of Jan Hooymans “Harry”. The yellow card was netted by a chequer hen that was timed four seconds after the green card lifter achieving a vel of 1212 to win 2nd £5 Ring and £40.00; with the hen being a full sister to Mac’s previous timer. Fifth on the clock on 1195.2 was the blue Gaby Vandenabeele hen that won 1st Club, 1st Fed and 7th Section the previous week out of Oakham, the well-fancied blue hen wins all the Club pools. She was followed by a blue hen doing 1184 and eight seconds later was another blue hen on 1183, with her being the previous scorer of 13th Fed Worksop (1) when beaten by two loftmates. The loft of Tommy Clark & Son Gary notched up 17th Fed winning the Fed Nom on 1188, with their timer being the mealy pied hen that took 15th Fed out of Worksop (2) and 4th Club, 8th Fed Oakham. Colin Atkinson & Woodward clocked their blue cock that netted 3rd Club, 8th Fed, to take 20th Fed on 1182 this time around.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going, for Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff hits winning form at Haverton Hill after timing five of their squad to win a outstanding 1st, 2nd and 4th Club, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 12th and 13th Fed, 15th, 16th and 19th Section with vels of 1223, 1221, 1216, 1194 and 1193. Alan Plews & Grandson timed a chequer cock and a chequer hen doing 1219.6 and 1195.9 to pocket a notable 3rd and 6th Club, 4th and 10th Fed; with the duo’s green card potter being the same cock that took 5th Club, 10th Fed Oakham. The ever present in the young bird frame Barron Brothers, Tommy & Robert pot 5th Club, 9th Fed with a blue cock on 1203.
Moving onto the Beechwood & Easterside where the partnership of Reid, Son & Jones wins pole position with the chart-topping chequer hen recording a vel of 1193.3 to chalk up 14th Fed. The late Wyn Cole, Steve Wheatley & Grandson Connor timed a blue hen doing 1191 to pot 2nd Club, 16th Fed. Steve’s Son Stephen of the Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley of Middlesbrough H/S nipped one in between the two Beechwood & Easterside youngsters to win 1st Club, 15th Fed with a blue cock on 1192.
News from the Tees Valley Federation where the Hardwick partnership of Lister Brothers, Craig & Gary & Walker, the previous winners of 1st Club, 1st Fed, 3rd UNC Clermont in 2012 winning a Combine Bronze Medal from a convoy of 6,048 birds won a cracking 1st Club, 1st Fed out of an entry of 784 birds and 5th Section 5 with a chart-topping vel of 1233.6. With the Brothers winner, one of their 21 entries being a direct Son of “Kanniblet”, full Sister to top breeder “Kannibil”, the Dam the class breeding hen “Rondag” is Dam of the 2012 Fed Bird Of The Year and Grandmother of Craig & Gary’s 2014 1st Club, 1st Fed and 70th UNC Reims (2) winner from a convoy of 3,343 birds.
With time running out I will close for another week.
Any news to;
Good Corn 6 Boulby Drive
Loftus Saltburn
Cleveland TS13 4JN.
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