AROUND THE UP NORTH COMBINE
By Good Corn
With the weather being in a very sorry state on the weekend of Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June the Up North Combine decided to put back the second channel race from Roye in France a week and cancelled the Newark race altogether. The weather has been very unkind this season with the Combine having to make do with a number of races being put back 24 hours which has resulted in more Sunday races than we have had Saturday races.
The Up North Combine returned to racing on Sunday 19th June with the East Cleveland Federations 72 members convoy of 1,353 birds were liberated from Peterborough (2) at 7.30am flying into a light South-West wind. The Skelton Green loft of Alan & David Wright have had their birds on song the past couple of races and this week the lads birds excelled again after timing no less than six of their squad to win a mouth-watering 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Club from a twelve members muster of 300 birds. With top spot being won by a 2y blue Busschaert cock recording a vel of 1561 which was enough to lift an impressive 2nd Fed. The blue card was netted by a 2014 bred chequer Busschaert hen achieving a vel of 1548 to go onto chalk up 7th Fed and the yellow was potted by a yearling chequer Busschaert hen knocking up a vel of 1538. Fourth on the clock was a 2015 bred Herman/Busschaert cock and 2 seconds later a couple of yearlings touched down together, with the first one being a chequer John Weldon x homebred Busschaert cock, with the following timer winning the £10 Lucky Number. Ian “Evo” Everington stopped the dry rub by clocking a 1y blue Cassatt x De Rauw Sablon hen making 1540 to claim 14th Fed. The green card potting hen who won as a young bird is a Granddaughter of “Streeter” the winner of 20 x 1st Clubs and 5 x 1st Feds.
Moving onto Skinningrove where the loft of B & K Simpson hit winning form after timing no fewer than five of their team to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 16th and 17th Fed. With pole position being won by a 2y chequer Louis Cooreman widowhood cock recording a chart-topping vel of 1560.7; the cock is the previous winner of 1st Club, 6th Fed young bird Selby (1). 1 second behind the red card winner in the blue card position was a scoring for the first time yearling chequer pied Louis Cooreman widowhood cock achieving a vel of 1560.5. Brian & Keith’s third timer was a 3y blue pied Louis Cooreman widowhood hen making 1546, the green card scoring hen is the previous winner of 1st Club, 2nd Fed and 2nd Club, 10th Fed Peterborough (1) in 2015 when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 1st Fed when there were 1,937 birds competing, she also has a 20th Fed to her credit. The yellow was potted by a 2015 bred blue Louis Cooreman natural hen knocking out a vel of 1539.5; the hen is carding for the third time this season after taking 5th Club Peterborough (1) and 5th Club Eastbourne (1). Next came a carding for the first time 1y chequer Louis Cooreman natural cock who touched down the same time as the yellow card scorer. All five of Brian & Keith’s timers were bred out of direct Louis Cooreman & Bob Fenech stock. The late Gordon “Shang” Peirson MBE & Sons Sack & Jimmy timed a yearling blue roundabout cock bred by Tumley Lofts doing 1535 to notch up 20th Fed.
David Wright of A & D Wright, the winners of 2nd, 7th and 18th Fed Peterborough (2) - Daniel Bennison of Roche, Bennison & Crame, winning 1st Club, 12th Fed Newark (2) - Fred Poshill chalking up 13th Section Newark (2)
Next stop is Marske & New Marske where the inform loft of Jimmy Reed records his third consecutive win after filling no less than three chambers to win a cracking 1st, 2nd and 5th Club. Pole position was won by a yearling dark chequer Gaby Vandenabeele cock who was feeding an 8 day old youngster, the red card winning cock is winning for the second race running because he won 1st Club, 13th Fed out of Rivenhall (2). The blue card was chalked up by a six day sitting mealy cock from Brown & Hunt and he was followed by a blue pied hen bred out of Brown & Hunt stock and like the blue card potter she too was sitting 6 days. Paul Longstaff is starting to feel his feet after filling a couple of cells to lift a very nice 3rd and 4th Club, with the green being potted by a blue roundabout cock bred by Clubmate Geoff Bavin from stock obtained by the late John Clayton. Paul’s second timer was a dark pied cock the same way bred as his green card lifter.
Onto the Brotton Six Bird Club where the partnership of Andrew & Gavin Doe, Dillon “John” Swales and the late Sandy Sanderson hits the winners’ enclosure, with the red card winner being a 4y dark flipey Ian “Evo” Everington x K & M Brown & Cole cock. W & S Ward are in 2nd spot with Bill and his Grandson Shaun’s blue card potter being a 5y blue Staf Van Reet hen. The loft of Kevin & Merv Brown & Sacker “Bill” Cole timed a couple of their entries to chalk up 3rd and 4th Club with the green card going to a 2y blue Heremans Ceusters cock and the lads yellow card scorer was a 3y dark Heremans Ceusters cock.
The Teesside Federation birds hit the skies at 8am which resulted in Ali McLeod making it two wins on the trot to record his fourth win of the season at Billingham T U, with Ali timing no less than seven yearlings to win a most impressive 1st and 2nd Club, 1st, 2nd, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th and 19th Fed. Pole position was won by a blue Gaby Vandenabeele cock achieving a chart-topping vel of 1622, with the dam of the steady away this season red card winning cock being a Sister to Mac’s 2nd UNC Silver Medal and 8th UNC winner which were both won in 2013. Ali who also topped the Fed the previous race out of Rivenhall (2) second timer was a blue Gaby Vandenabeele cock who was timed 28 seconds after the winner to knock up a vel of 1615. This young cock is steeped in winners and is half Brother to Mac’s 2015 Teesside Federation Bird Of The Year, having the same Dam. Ali’s third yearling on the clock was his good blue hen who netted twice as a young bird with her winning a very impressive 1st Club, 1st Fed Pontefract (2) out of an entry of 939 birds, the hen also pocketed 4th Club, 9th Fed Worksop (1) when there were 1,318 birds competing. Her performances have not let her down this season for she won 1st Club, 2nd Fed, 3rd Section and 41st UNC Eastbourne (1) National where she won all the Fed pools. The hens second chalk of the season was achieved at Eastbourne (2) when 5th Club, 14th Fed was taken and she followed that up by netting 9th Fed Rivenhall (2). Next came a blue cock on 1595 with the cock being the previous scorer of 20th Fed Oakham (1) and he was followed by another blue cock making 1591 who notched up 13th Fed from Rivenhall (2). Ali’s final timer a blue cock on 1576 has showed some promise this year after taking 5th Club, 6th Fed and 14th Section from Oakham (1) and followed that up by claiming 16th Fed Peterborough (1) before potting 14th Fed Rivenhall (1).
The loft of Tommy Clark & Son Gary weighed in by timing six birds to lift 3rd Club, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 17th Fed with vels of 1612.9, 1596, 1594, 1590, 1587 and 1583. With the green card being awarded to a 3y blue hen and second on the clock was a yearling blue cock and he was followed by a 1y blue pied hen who in turn was followed by a 2015 chequer pied hen. Tommy & Gary’s next timer was a yearling blue hen who has not being clock shy this season for she is the previous scorer of 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 4th Section Selby (Bubwith) when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 1st Fed and 2nd Section from a convoy of 4,570 birds. The hens second chalk was achieved at Peterborough (1) when 5th Club was netted when beaten by two loftmates that won 1st and 4th Club, 1st and 4th Fed, 1st and 13th Section when there were 5,811 birds competing. This was followed up a week later by notching up 4th Fed Rivenhall (2). The duo’s final timer was a 2015 bred blue cock who is the previous potter of 18th Fed Peterborough (1) and 17th Fed out of Rivenhall (1). The partnership of Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins clocked a 2y blue cock who knocked out a vel of 1605 to claim a notable 6th Fed. The cock netted 2nd Club, 3rd Fed Peterborough (1) last season when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 2nd Fed when there were 916 birds competing, he followed that up by claiming 18th Fed out of Peterborough (3). Steve Wilson is still plugging away with the lad timing a couple of his squad to lift 4th and 6th Club with the yellow card potter being his consistent and well-fancied 3y blue cock achieving a vel of 1612.2 which was enough to take a useful 4th Fed and 1st Fed Nom. The cock is the previous scorer of 2nd Club, 3rd Fed, 1st Fed Nom and 10th Section Oakham (1) from a whacking convoy of 6,328 birds; he then took 6th Club, 6th Fed and 1st Fed Nom out of Peterborough (1) a week later when there was 845 birds competing. The cock was in the clock again from Oakham (2) when he claimed 6th Club, 12th Fed when there were 567 birds away.
I was sorry to hear that Butto Bell is not in the best of health and on behalf of his fellow Pigeon fanciers I send out a “we are all thinking of you and hope you are feeling better very soon Butto” message. Butto is one of the old school Pigeon fanciers who has enjoyed his racing over the years flying at both Haverton Hill and Billingham. Butto flew a very notable yearling blue cock in 2015 when he scored 2nd Club, 3rd Fed Rivenhall (1) and followed that up by netting 2nd Club, 2nd Fed out of Oakham (3) when he was beaten by the very smallest of margins. The cock chalked up his third Club and Fed card at Oakham (5) when 3rd Club, 3rd Fed was achieved; no doubt the cock was trying his best for a pole position win.
Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley enjoyed a cracking race after timing three of their entries to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd and 4th Club at Middlesbrough H/S from a seven members entry of 95 birds. With top spot being won by a well-fancied yearling blue pied cock achieving a vel of 1607 to win a notable 1st 3 Bird Club, 1st 2 Bird Championship Club and 5th Fed. The blue card was awarded to a 2015 bred blue cock who was timed 17 seconds after the winner to achieve a vel of 1604 to claim a useful 7th Fed. Stephen & Jeanann who are enjoying a great season timed a later bird to pocket 2nd 3 Bird Club. The late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek chalked up 3rd Club while the loft of Jack Burton & Son Steve timed a well-fancied bird to lift 3rd 3 bird Club and 2nd 2 Bird Championship Club. Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff wins pole position at Haverton Hill with Andrew and the notorious Paul’s red card winner being a yearling blue cock knocking out a leading vel of 1582 to claim 18th Fed, The partnership of Letcher & McCabe are in 2nd spot with the duo’s blue card potter being a 2015 blue hen achieving a vel of 1568 for 20th Fed; the hen took 4th Club, 19th Fed out of Oakham (1).
Richardson & Son of the Shotton & Trimdon Fed wins a most impressive 1st Section 5 from a convoy of 3,008 birds with a pole position vel of 1650.3. G Church enjoyed a fantastic race after timing no fewer than three birds to score an outstanding 2nd, 3rd and 5th Section on 1650.1, 1649.6 and 1645.44. The loft of Mr & Mrs Baxter nets 6th Section on 1644.6 while Long, Brown & Son pockets 7th Section with a vel of 1642 and Dennis Blakey takes 11th Section on 1637.0. The Shotton & Trimdon fanciers netted another seven position with the loft of Thompson & Sons clocking a couple of their entries 1 second apart to claim 12th and 13th Section doing 1636.9 and 1636.7 while Heavyside & Wilkes achieved a vel of 1635.8 to notch up 14th Section and the loft of Cockcroft, Son & Grandson timed a couple of their team to take 15th and 18th Section on 1635.0 and 1633.5. Then we have J Anderson & Sons doing 1634.0 to pick up 17th Section and O’Connor & Hall lift 19th Section on 1633.4 to round off a fantastic day in the Section for the Shotton & Trimdon fanciers. Onto the Hetton Fed where J Boyden scores a notable 4th Section on 1645.46 and Alan White chalks up 9th Section doing 1638. K Bennison racks up a vel of 1637.7 to claim 10th Section and the loft of Bunker & Vennebles net 16th Section with a vel of 1634.5. Moore Bros tops the Tees Valley Fed with a top vel of 1640 which was enough to lift a nice 8th Section, while the loft of Mr & Mrs Gibson achieved a vel of 1632 to pocket 20th Section.
L) Bomber Brown of Long, Brown & Son the scorers of 3rd and 4th Section, 29th and 104th UNC Roye, and 41st UNC, 44th NEHU Bourges with Jimmy Bamling
After the one day holdover the Up North Combine liberated the convoy of 5,142 birds from Roye at 6am flying into a light South West wind. Starting at Skelton Green where the loft of Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor “Wine Gum” Mitchell returned to their winning way big style by winning an outstanding 1st Club from a five members muster of 48 birds and 1st East Cleveland Federation from a 34 members entry of 297 birds. The pole position winner was a 2y Kavanagh Busschaert cock recording a chart-topping vel of 1399. The Kavanagh Busschaerts have withstood the test of time at the lads lofts for they have recorded numerous Club wins over the years including a number of Fed wins and some very good UNC positions. Mick, Boss & Trevor timed a later bird, a 2y doing 1353 to notch up 14th Fed. Ian “Evo” Everington did himself a big favour in his quest to retain his 2015 Fed Channel average crown by scoring a very impressive 2nd Club, 2nd Fed on 1393 with the blue card potter being a 3y Koopman/Van Loon x Rietvink cock. The cock who had already had a 2nd Club to his credit prior this season is showing some promise this time around for he took 6th Club, 26th Fed out of the Eastbourne (1) National and followed that up by netting 2nd Club, 6th Fed from Eastbourne (2) when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 3rd Fed. Winspear & Sons are in 3rd position with Derek & Mark’s well-fancied Roland Janssen achieving a vel of 1371 which was enough to lift 5th Fed and win 1st £1, £2 and £5 Fed Noms to pocket £82.00. Alan & David Wright timed no less than four of their channel team to pocket a notable 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 7th, 9th and 11th Fed with vels of 1368, 1358, 1355 and 1349. With the yellow being potted by a 3y John Weldon x homebred Busschaert chequer hen and she was followed by a 3y chequer Busschaert hen. Alan & David’s third timer was a well-fancied 2y dark chequer John Weldon x homebred Busschaert cock that takes 2nd £2 Fed Nom netting £21.60 and he was followed by a 5y to round off a nice team performance. Andrew & Jackie Wynn timed a 2y doing 1349 to notch up 17th Fed.
Ian Stafford & Sparky “Mark” Wilson enjoyed a fantastic race after timing four yearlings to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Club at Skinningrove H/S with the red card being won by a Hugo Batenburge/Van De Merwe that was brought over as a egg last year out of his Barcelona team. The chart-topper recorded a top vel of 1369 which was enough to chalk up a useful 6th Fed. The blue card was netted by a Batenburge knocking out a vel of 1366 to go on to pocket 8th Fed. Ian & Sparky’s other couple of timers were off a Daughter of “The Machine” achieving vels of 1356 and 1343 to pocket 10th and 18th Fed to round off an outstanding team performance. White Bros are in 4th spot with Malc & Stuart’s yellow card potter being a 3y dark Busschaert x Gaevart hen bred by Bob Grimley, Son & Daughter for the 2013 NEHU FUT Breeder/buyer doing 1353 to net 13th Fed and 3rd £2 Fed Nom to bank £14.40. The hen whose Sire was 18 years old is scoring for the second time over the pond after lifting 5th Club Reims in 2015.
The partnership of Andrew & Gavin Doe, Dillon “John” Swales and the late Sandy Sanderson took the Brotton Six Bird Club by storm after timing five of their team to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club; I have to say this is a fantastic achievement by anyone’s standards. Pole position was won by the lads inform 3y dark chequer cock bred by Jimmy Bamling of Coxhoe fame recording a chart-topping vel of 1337 to go onto chalk up 20th Fed. The red card winning cock is carding for the fourth time this season after scoring 3rd Club from, Oakham, Rivenhall and Eastbourne. The blue card was awarded to a 2014 bred blue hen and she was followed by a 2y grizzle Van Loon cock of “Silver Shadow” bloodlines, while the yellow was netted by a 4y dark chequer Jan Aarden cock.
Moving onto the Teesside Federation where the Middlesbrough H/S loft of the late Les Wellburn & Sons Les and Derek return to the winners’ enclosure after timing a couple of their team to win 1st and 3rd Club from a six members entry of 55 birds. With pole position being won by a well-fancied yearling blue pied cock achieving a chart-topping vel of 1414 which was enough to lift a very impressive 2nd Fed out of an entry of 139 birds, 1st 3 Bird Club, 1st £5 Fed Pools banking £55.00, 19th Section 5 and 182nd UNC. The green card was netted by a 1y blue hen knocking out a vel of 1404 to pot a useful 5th Fed; Les & Derek timed a later fancy bird to win 2nd 3 Bird Club and 1st 2 Bird Championship Club to end the day on a high. Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley had two of their team on the clock to pocket 2nd and 4th Club with the blue going to a yearling chequer hen doing 1412 to lift a very nice 3rd Fed and 199th UNC. The yellow card was notched up by a 1y blue hen on 1342 to claim 16th Fed. The loft of Jack Burton & Son Steve timed one of their well-fancied birds to lift 3rd 3 Bird Club and 2nd 2 Bird Championship Club.
The Billingham T U partnership of Colin Atkinson & Woodward picked the pockets after timing two of their fancy birds to win a top notch 1st and 2nd Club with pole position being won by a yearling chequer cock recording a chart-topping vel of 1411 to go onto chalk up a notable 4th Fed and 2nd £5 Fed Pools pocketing £35.00 and 203rd UNC. The blue card was netted by a 1y blue cock achieving a vel of 1389 to lift a nice 8th Fed and 1st Fed Nom to round off a very impressive performance. Ali McLeod timed three birds to take 3rd, 4th and 5th Club with the green going to a 2y blue Gaby Vandenabeele hen doing 1346 for 14th Fed. The hen contains all the best bloodlines with her been half Sister to many winners including Ali’s good hen “46” who is the previous winner of 3rd UNC in 2014. Second on the clock was a 2014 bred blue hen making 1323 for 17th Fed; this hen who has quite a few turns is a Daughter to the outstanding stock cock “King James”. Ali’s third timer was a yearling blue hen on 1309 to claim 19th Fed; the little hens Sire is a Grandson from the famous “Harry” of Jan Hooymans, she has just been behind the leaders up to now.
Gatley, Harrod & Son hits the winners’ enclosure at Haverton Hill after timing a couple of birds to win a most impressive 1st and 4th Club, 1st and 10th Fed with the winner being a yearling blue hen achieving a top vel of 1433 to go onto chalk up 11th Section 5 and 87th UNC. The lads green card potter knocked out a vel of 1380. The partnership of Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff enjoyed an outstanding clocking day after timing no fewer than five of their team to pocket 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 6th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 18th Fed. McCarthy, Son of Proffit timed two birds in just over a minute to win a cracking 1st and 2nd Club at the Beechwood & Easterside with the red card winning yearling blue hen recording a vel of 1391 for a notable 7th Fed. The young cock is proving to be no lolly pop as he won 1st Club, 18th Fed from the Eastbourne (1) National, the lads will be well pleased with his progress this season. The blue card was awarded to a 3y chequer hen doing 1387 to lift a nice 9th Fed with the hen who took 3rd Club, 18th Fed out of Roye in 2015 being the winner of 1st Club, 16th Fed this season from Eastbourne (2) when the birds were scheduled to race from Burbure (1). Keith Hodge & Denis Potter timed a yearling chequer cock doing 1370 and a 2y blue hen making 1301 to pot 3rd and 4th Club, 11th and 20th Fed.
Finishing off with the rest of the Section 5 result and starting at the top where the Haswell loft of Hudson & Son wins an outstanding 1st Shotton & Trimdon Fed 1st Section winning £144.08 in prize money and 11th UNC with a vel of 1462.8. Thompson & Sons timed a couple of their team to chalk up 2nd and 9th Section, 15th and 59th UNC doing 1462.1 and 1444.1. Long, Brown & Son also had two birds on the clock to pot 3rd and 14th Section, 29th and 104th Combine on 1453 and 1429. The Shotton & Trimdon members took another three positions with the loft of Mr & Mrs Baxter achieving a vel of 1444.9 to net 8th Section and 55th UNC while J Rayner & Son took 15th Section and 124th UNC on 1426, and the loft of Nuttall Bros & Son claimed 17th Section and 130th Combine on 1424. The Hetton Fed members chalked up six positions with Patton, Son & Haswell scoring a notable 4th Section and 30th UNC with a vel of 1452 and they were followed by P & K Metcalf who achieved a vel of 1449 to lift a very nice 5th Section and 37th UNC. Atkinson & Son potted 6th Section and 44th UNC on 1448 while K Bennison took 7th Section and 64th Combine on 1445.8. The loft of W Balls & Sons chalked up 10th Section and 71st UNC on 1437 and H Hall pocketed 13th Section and 100th UNC with a vel of 1430. The Tees Valley Fed lads claimed the remaining four positions with Craggs Bros scoring 12th Section and 98th UNC with a leading vel of 1431 and they were followed by D & I Wallace who achieved a vel of 1425 to lift 16th Section and 126th Combine. Hayes Bros got in on the act to chalk up 18th Section and 149th UNC on 1421 while the loft of Rowbotham & Son knocked up a vel of 1413 to notch up 20th Section and 190th Combine.
The East Cleveland Federations 72 members convoy of 1,355 birds were at Oakham on Saturday 25th June but were held over; the birds were moved to Newark (2) on Sunday 26th June where they were liberated at 12pm in a light North West wind. Brian “Brunks” Laity of Skinningrove H/S timed two early birds in the space of 2 seconds to win a brilliant and well-deserved 1st and 2nd Club, 2nd and 3rd Fed. With pole position being won by a yearling blue cock recording a chart-topping vel of 1567.9; the cock who was bred by Mark “Luggy” Johnson of Richmond is presenting Brunks his first win at his new loft location. The blue card was chalked up by a 2015 bred blue cock making 1567.4 bred out of Mark Walton of Guisborough stock to round off a fantastic day for Brunks. B & K Simpson were in 3rd spot with Brian & Keith’s green card scorer being a yearling blue Louis Cooreman widowhood hen bred from direct stock achieving a vel of 1562 to net 7th Fed. The loft of Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee are in 4th position with the duo’s yellow card potter being a yearling Heremans Ceusters roundabout hen making 1558 to claim 10th Fed.
The Brotton Six Bird Club partnership of W & S Ward got back to their winning ways after timing two of their six entries to win 1st and 3rd Club. With Bill and his Grandson Shaun’s chart-topper being Shaun’s favourite 2y chequer Staf Van Reet cock knocking out a vel of 1560 to go onto score a well-deserved 8th Fed. The green card was netted the 5y blue Staf Van Reet hen who took 2nd Club Peterborough (2) the previous week. Frank & Brenda Reilly & Son Wayne clocked a 2014 bred Heremans Ceusters chequer hen to lift 2nd Club with the blue card potting hen being the previous scorer of 4th Club in Brotton H/S this season. Ricky Cush comes back into the fold in 4th place with Ricky’s timer being a 3y chequer Leo Van Rijn cock purchased at the Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer.
I’m pleased to say that the Skelton Green partnership of Roche, Terry “Benno” & Daniel Bennison & Crame recorded their first win of the season from a twelve members entry of 289 birds. With Benno & Daniel’s pole position winner being a 2y achieving a top vel of 1555.7 to go onto chalk up a notable 12th Fed. Benno & Daniel timed a later bird, a 4y to lift 3rd Show and the Lucky Number to pocket £18.10. Ian “Evo” Everington is in 2nd spot with the blue card going to a yearling doing 1555.2 to net a nice 13th Fed. Mr Tony “Simply The Best” Bannister & Col Robinson are in 3rd place with the green card being awarded to a 2y that wins 1st Show pocketing £20.50 and 20th Fed on 1540. The loft of Bill Chapman, Sons Steve & Colin and the late Tommy Swinburne timed three of their squad inside 10 seconds to take 4th, 5th and 6th Club, with their second timer claiming 2nd Show and £12.30.
Craig Wedgewood returned to his winning ways at Marske & New Marske after timing his outstanding 5y blue flipey John Whittaker widowhood cock recording a chart-topping vel of 1540 to notch up 19th Fed. Geoff Bavin eased into cruise mode after filling no fewer than three chambers to chalk up a notable 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club with the blue card going to a dark chequer Schoorisse hen. The green card was awarded to a chequer pied Rutland Lofts hen bred down from John Whittaker stock, and the yellow was potted by a chequer hen off John Whittaker stock. All three hens that dropped together were sitting eggs. The late Jack “The Lad” Brown & Tony Hunt were next after timing a blue pied Janssen/Van Osch.
The Teesside Federations entry of 439 birds were up and away at 11:45hrs, with the inform Billingham T U loft of Tommy Clark & Son Gary enjoying another good team performance after timing no fewer than seven of their squad to win an outstanding 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 1st, 5th, 6th,7th, 10th, 11th and 20th Fed. Tommy & Gary are recording their seventh Club and fifth Fed win of the season which is a fantastic achievement by anyone’s standards. Pole position was won by a yearling chequer hen doing 1520 to go onto win a most impressive 1st Section 5 from a convoy of 2,514 birds, the red card winning hen is the previous scorer of 3rd Club, 3rd Fed Peterborough (2). Second on the clock was a 3y chequer hen making 1513.8 to chalk up 14th Section and 1 second later was a previous scoring 2015 bred chequer pied hen knocking out a vel of 1513.6 to lift 17th Section and another 1 second later came a 1y blue hen on 1513.4 who is the previous potter of 4th Club, 4th Fed, 12th Section Oakham (1) and 2nd Club, 2nd Fed and 13th Section Rivenhall (2). Tommy & Gary’s fifth timer was a previous scoring yearling chequer hen doing 1504.1 and 1 second behind came a 1y chequer hen on 1503.9 who is the previous winner of 1st Club, 2nd Fed and 6th Section out of Rivenhall (1). The lads final timer was a 2y blue hen achieving 1486; the hen netted 2nd Club, 2nd Fed and 3rd Section Oakham (2) when beaten by a loftmate.
Ali McLeod had four birds on the clock to chalk up a useful 2nd and 3rd Club, 2nd, 4th, 8th and 14th Fed with vels of 1518, 1514, 1511 and 1498. With the blue card being awarded to the 2y blue Vandenabeele hen who netted 4th Club, 17th Fed out of Roye the previous race, the hen who nets 3rd Section is the Daughter of Ali’s outstanding producer “King James” is the previous scorer of a number of prizes. The green card was potted by a yearling blue Vandenabeele cock who has being steady away this season, the young cock who takes 11th Section took a real beating from the Rivenhall (1) race as most of the birds did from that race. Third on the clock came a 1y blue pied Vandenabeele cock who has all of Mac’s best bloodlines with him being the Son of his 2nd UNC Silver Medal winner when he was paired to Ali’s 3rd UNC Bronze Medal winner. This young cock was on deaths door after returning from the Rivenhall (1) race where thousands were lost, Ali is thinking of putting the cock away after wondering if he’s been damaged for good. Ali’s fourth timer was a yearling blue hen who is the previous scorer of 9th Fed Oakham (1) when beaten by 2 loftmates. The forever trying Steve Wilson timed three of his entries to claim 9th, 12th and 13th Fed with his first timer being his inform 3y blue cock doing 1510 to win 1st Fed Nom. The cock has flown consistent this season after chalking up 2nd Club, 3rd Fed, 1st Fed Nom and 10th Section Oakham (1), 6th Club, 6th Fed and 1st Fed Nom Peterborough (1), 6th Club, 12th Fed Oakham (2) and 4th Club, 4th Fed and 1st Fed Nom out of Peterborough (2). Second on the clock was a 3y chequer hen making 1503.9, the hen is the previous potter of 13th Fed Rivenhall (1), 17th Fed Oakham (2) and 19th Fed Rivenhall (2) this season. Steve’s third timer that was clocked 2 seconds after the previous scorer was a 2y blue cock who knocked up a vel of 1503.5 to round off a notable performance.
Letcher & McCabe tops the Haverton Hill charts with the red card winner being a yearling blue hen recording a top vel of 1516 which was enough to score a notable 3rd Fed and 7th Section. The winning hen is the previous scorer of 4th Club, 19th Fed Oakham (1) and 2nd Club, 20th Fed Peterborough (2). The new formed partnership of Stewart & Barron timed a couple of yearling blue cocks in the space of 18 seconds to lift a useful 2nd and 3rd Club, 16th and 17th Fed with vels of 1495 and 1492. Keith Hodge & Denis Potter wins pole position at the Beechwood & Easterside with a yearling red cock recording a top vel of 1491 for 18th Fed. Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann comes out on top at Middlesbrough H/S with the winning yearling chequer cock achieving a vel of 1489 to notch up 19th Fed.
Swiftly moving onto Section 5 where the Wingate loft of Hardwick Bros John & Lee timed a couple of birds to win a top notch 2nd and 20th Section with vels of 1519 and 1512.5. With the duo’s Shotton & Trimdon Fed winner being off a Timmerman cock bred by Graveson, Son & Partners of Horden paired onto a Ge Vart hen which won the Bird Of The Year in 2014 when she won 1 x 1st, 5 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd. The hen who was bred by Norman Robertson of the Durham Combine has bred two different winners this season. John & Lee’s second timer was bred by Wormleighton & Swinney of Sunderland. The loft of O’Connor & Hall also had a couple of birds in the frame to take 5th and 18th Section on 1517.8 and 1513.4; while the partnership of Cockcroft, Son & Grandson went on better by timing three birds to chalk up a very nice 6th, 8th and 19th Section with vels of 1517.3, 1516.4 and 1512.7. Richardson & Son timed a couple of birds 3 seconds apart to chalk up 9th and 10th Section on 1515.1 and 1514.9 while P & M Stout pockets 12th Section on 1514.0. The loft of G Church clocked two of his entries in the space of 1 second to net 15th and 16th Section with vels of 1513.7 and 1513.1. Richardson & Podgson topped the Tees Valley Fed charts with the duo’s chart-topper recording a vel of 1518.1 which was enough to score a notable 4th Section. Fellow Fed member Fred Poshill potted 13th Section on 1513.9.
Matty Kilty & Jeff Leighton of Rush & Partners, the winners of 2nd UNC Bourges
After a two day hold over the Up North Combine liberated the Bourges convoy of 1,306 birds at 05.15am into a South West wind on Sunday 26th June. With no birds timed on the day, the very game birds started to arrive home the next morning. Pride and place went to the Whitley Bay loft of George & Alan Kirkpatrick Brothers who won an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section 1 winning £185.95 prize money, 1st Up North Combine winning the “Hindhaugh Cup”, the “Le Puy Cup”, the “J W Towers Memorial Trophy”, the “Brian Long Friendship Trophy” and a Combine Gold Medal. George & Alan were also the winners of the “McSween & Sexton Lanarkshire Social Circle Cup Of Friendship” for the Best Performance from Roye and Bourges with a average velocity of 1162.5. George & Alan also won 1st North Of England Homing Union from a convoy of 1,454 birds with a pole position vel of 866.7. George & Alan’s outstanding Gold Medal winning “Barren Hen” is certainly cut out for the Bourges race for she won a UNC French Diploma in 2014 after scoring 133rd, 101st and 52nd UNC Bourges from the distance of 577 miles. The very game hen added a second UNC French Diploma in 2015 after chalking up 56th UNC Bourges; the hen has now won her third UNC French Diploma after her 1st UNC winning performance. The Castletown loft of Billy Rush & Partners Matty Kilty, Jeff Leighton & Ronnie Davison were the winners of 2nd UNC winning the “Dr R Iley Memorial Trophy” for Best Opposite Sex, a Combine Silver Medal and £154.36 prize money for 1st Section 4 and 2nd NEHU with a vel of 861. I’m really pleased for Billy, Matty, Jeff & Ronnie for they are a great bunch of lads who deserve their success, this is the lads second UNC Silver Medal winning performance for they won 2nd UNC old bird Maidstone National in 2005 from a convoy of 14,701birds. Lee Blythe of Meadowell wins 3rd UNC, a Combine Bronze Medal and 3rd NEHU on 852.9. The Owton Manor partnership of B Rigby & Son achieved a vel of 835.8 which was enough to win 4th UNC winning £122.85 for 1st Section 6 and 4th NEHU. While J Foster of Oddfellows timed a couple of birds doing 834.6 and 716.0 to lift 5th and 14th UNC winning the “Vodafone Trophy” for the Best Two Bird Performance with a average velocity of 775.3, 5th and 14th NEHU. Mr & Mrs Dave Harding of Thornaby take 11th UNC on 751.5 to win 1st Section 5 and £157.58; the same bird won 10th UNC Bourges in 2015 proving it’s not a daft Pigeon. Braban & Son of Celtic won 1st Section 3 netting £45.67, 18th UNC and 19th NEHU on 698.3. F Curry & Sons of Highfield were the winners of 1st Section 2 pocketing £64.96, 30th UNC and 32nd NEHU.
Keith Wren & Margaret Stone timed two of their entries to win a top notch 1st and 2nd Club at Skinningrove H/S from a seven members muster of 29 birds, which turned out to be the only two birds recorded in the Club in race time. Pole position was won by a 3y chequer pied cock who achieved a chart-topping vel of 743.5 to go onto score an outstanding 1st East Cleveland Federation from a 26 members entry of 88 birds, and also win 1st £5 Fed Nom pocketing £60.00. The cock also won 1st Section 7 winning £110.63 in prize money, 12th UNC and 12th North Of England Homing Union from a convoy of 1,454 birds. He was sent to Bourges for the first time in 2015 where he chalked up a notable 2nd Club, 2nd Fed and 53rd Combine. The red card winning cock’s sire was a good racer having netting prominent Fed positions from at least three channel races including 1st Club, 3rd Fed and 37th UNC Bourges on the day in 2012 from a convoy of 1,725 birds. This cocks Grandsire won 1st Club, 1st Fed and 8th UNC Bourges and other positions from the channel and his Sire won 1st Teesside Fed and 7th UNC; these are the duo’s old Van Bruaene pigeons. The Dam of Keith & Margaret’s chart-topper is a Granddaughter of Keith’s original “Braakhuis Cock” when paired to his Granddaughter. The original “Braakhuis Cock” was Sire of “Elton Geo”, Keith’s 5 times Bourges cock the winner of 3rd UNC etc, and it was “Geo’s” Daughter that is referred to the above. The blue card was awarded to a 4y cock doing 674.4 to lift a notable 3rd Fed, 21st UNC and 22nd NEHU; this was the cocks third time at Bourges after returning home on the fourth day at his first attempt with most of one wing out. The cock returned after the close of the race last season when only 73 birds were recorded in race time. The forever trying cock is off a Brother to Geoff Cooper’s “Mr Consistent” (De Weerdt) while the dam of the cock is the last Daughter of “Elton Geo”; she also bred Keith & Margaret’s 3rd UNC Lillers Silver Medal winner in 2009.
The Brotton Six Bird Club partnership of Kevin & Merv Brown & Sacker Cole timed their 6y chequer pied hen that achieved a vel of 699.7 to win a brilliant 1st Club, 2nd Fed, 1st £1 and £2 Fed Nom to pocket £64.00, 17th UNC and 18th NEHU. The chart-topping hen who was bred by Alan Tose of Loftus from Chris Gordon stock is chalking up her third UNC position from the channel after winning 1st Club, 8th Fed and 109th UNC Fontenay in 2012 from a convoy of 3,741 birds. The hen also won 1st Club, 5th Fed and 66th UNC Bourges in 2014 when there were 1,611birds competing. Andy Crooks of Staithes timed the fourth and final East Cleveland Fed bird in race time to win a top notch 1st Club, 4th Fed, 40th UNC and 43rd NEHU with a winning vel of 572.4. The red card winning 4y is winning Bourges for the second year running after winning 1st Club, 4th Fed and 72nd Combine in 2015.
The Middlesbrough H/S loft of Jack Burton & Son Steve produced another outstanding Bourges win; the lads timed their 6y to achieve a vel of 715.6 to win a fantastic 1st Club, 1st Teesside Federation, 15th UNC and 15th NEHU. The very game winner was the only bird timed in the Fed in race time which is a brilliant achievement. Jack & Steve are fast becoming the Teesside Feds “Bourges Kings” for the lads timed one of only two birds recorded in race time from Bourges in 2015 when they won a top notch 1st Club, 2nd Fed and 67th UNC. Alan White of Hetton who has enjoyed some cracking Bourges performances over the years chalks up 24th UNC and 25th NEHU with a vel of 669.4 while Ian Stalley of Eaglescliffe pockets 34th UNC and 37th NEHU on 614.6 and Clubmates Mr & Mrs Walker achieved a vel of 440.4 to claim 50th UNC and 53rd NEHU. The Thornley partnership of Long, Brown & Son bombed in with a vel of 566.9 to lift 41st UNC and 44th NEHU. The Wingate loft of J Anderson & Sons pot 42nd UNC and 45th NEHU on 533.2 while Clubmates Mr & Mrs Williams & Son takes 60th UNC and 63rd NEHU with a vel of 387.2. The Portrack partnership of Rowbotham & Son knocked out a vel of 431.7 to notch up 54th UNC and 57th NEHU while W Wilkinson of Haswell lifts 58th UNC and 61st NEHU on 417.3. Five North Yorks Fed birds were recorded in race time with the Grangetown loft of Eddie Norman & Son winning 1st Club, 1st Fed, 20th UNC and 21st NEHU with a vel of 680.1. My tord mart Doug Dobson & Jackie Savage of the St Marys won 1st Club, 2nd Fed, 37th UNC and 40th NEHU on 587.2. The Dormanstown partnership of D & P Lawrie & Ransome were the winners of 1st Club, 3rd Fed, 43rd UNC and 46th NEHU on 522.8; while Clubmates Bob Reed, Geoff & Scott Dexter knocked up a vel of 343.9 to score 2nd Club, 4th Fed, 64th UNC and 67th NEHU. Peter Winter of the Rectory Lane was the winner of 1st Club, 5th Fed, 65th UNC and 68th NEHU with a winning vel of 339.8.
“Get Well Soon” Butto Bell of Billingham T U
That’s my lot for this time. Any news to Good Corn 6 Boulby Drive Loftus Saltburn Cleveland TS13 4JN. Tel; 01287 643624 or Email;
