Around The Up North Combine
UNC Silver Medal For Andy Crooks
By Good Corn
Saturday 2nd July saw the Up North Combine at the Eastbourne (2) National when the convoy of 12,452 birds were liberated at 6.10am into a West-South-West wind. The inform Marske & New Marske loft of Craig Wedgewood recorded his unbelievable seventh win of the season with the red card being won by his outstanding and well-fancied 5y blue flipey widowhood cock from John Whittaker. The well out in front cock achieved a chart-topping vel of 1548 to go on to win a most impressive 1st East Cleveland Federation from a 63 members entry of 848 birds, 1st £1, £2 and £5 Fed Nom banking £172.00 and 11th UNC. Craig’s winner has more than proved himself this season for this is the old stagers fourth Club win of the season after winning a top notch 1st Club, 17th Fed Peterborough (1) from a convoy of 2,037 birds; 1st Club, 1st Fed Rivenhall (1) when there were 1,929 birds competing and 1st Club, 19th Fed Newark (2) when there were 1,355 birds away. Two Fed wins in the same season is a class act for any Pigeon but to achieve this at 5 years old in an unfavourable loft location is something very, very special. Geoff Bavin produced his best performance of the season so far after timing no fewer than three of his team to win a very impressive 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 3rd, 8th and 19th Fed with vels of 1504, 1490 and 1470. The blue card was chalked up by a 2y blue hen bred by Rutland Lofts bred from John Whittaker stock who was sent sitting eggs. The green card was awarded to a sent sitting eggs 4y hen who is the previous scorer of some good positions including 1st Club, 38th Fed Eastbourne National in 2014. Geoff’s yellow card potter was a 2y dark chequer Schoorisse hen sent sitting eggs; the hen is the previous scorer of 2nd Club Newark this season. Geoff will be over the moon with his three hens team performance, and rightly so. Paul Longstaff is still battling on in 5th spot with Paul’s timer being a 2y blue hen bred for him by Geoff Bavin out of the late but not forgotten John Clayton stock; the hen went on to notch up 33rd Fed to round off a memorable day for the Marske lads.
The drinks were flowing freely after Des Williams and loft helper Roger Wall provided their second winning performance of the season at Skelton Green with Des & Roger’s pole position winner being a yearling recording a chart topping vel of 1522 which was enough to score a very impressive 2nd Fed and 84th UNC. Alan & David Wright timed no less than four of their squad to lift a notable 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 6th, 14th, 16th and 20th Fed with vels of 1493, 1475, 1473 and 1469. The loft of Bill Chapman, Sons Colin & Steve and the late Tommy Swinburne timed a couple of birds in under a minute to chalk up a nice 3rd and 4th Club, 9th and 11th Fed on 1486 and 1482. With the green card going to a 3y that took 6th Club, 27th Fed out of Rivenhall (1), with the fancied timer going onto net 2nd LWRCC pocketing £30.00 and 2nd Sponsorship banking another £54.00. The yellow card was claimed by a 4y who notched up 26th Fed out of Rivenhall (2).
Ian Stafford & Sparky Wilson wins top spot at Skinningrove H/S with the duo’s red card winner being their well-fancied good “74”, a yearling blue Gaston Van De Wouwer hen who record a chart-topping vel of 1502 to lift 4th Fed, 2nd £2 Fed Nom netting £35.40, 1st Loftus West Road Championship Club banking £50.00, 1st Sponsorship lifting £90.00 and 1st £100.00 Nom. The winning hen that flew well as a young bird has being knocking on the door this time around after notching up a 12th, 22nd, 29th, 33rd and 33rd Fed so far. Brunks Laity is in the frame again after timing a 2015 bred blue cock doing 1477 to claim 12th Fed; the cock is one of six bred by Luggy Johnson of Richmond fame. The partnership of the late Gordon “Shang” Peirson MBE & Sons Sack & Jim net 3rd Club, 13th Fed on 1477 with Sack & Jim’s green card potter being a fancied 1y blue flipey roundabout hen who lifts 3rd LWRCC taking £20.00, 3rd Sponsorship picking up £36.00 and 1st Show pocketing another £45.00. The Sire bred from Basley & Roberts of Horden fame stock is the previous winner of 1st Club, 2nd Fed Melton Mowbray, while the Dam bred by Prokopowicz & Son netted 4th Club, 18th Fed from the same Melton Mowbray race. B & K Simpson are in 4th spot with Brian & Keith’s yellow card potter scorer being a 3y blue pied Louis Cooreman widowhood hen making 1472 for 17th Fed. The hen who is the previous winner of 1st Club, 2nd Fed and 2nd Club, 10th Fed in 2015 when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 1st Fed when there were 1,937 birds competing and a 20th Fed, is chalking for the second time this season after netting 3rd Club 9th Fed Peterborough (2) when beaten by 2 loftmates. Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee timed a well-fancied 2y chequer hen knocking out a vel of 1472.54 to lift 5th Club, 18th Fed and 3rd £2 Fed Nom to pocket £23.60. The hen who was bred by Wayne Doonan has now chalked three times from Eastbourne including a 1st Club, 1st Fed winning performance.
The loft of W & S Ward are back on track to record their second inland race win on the trot at the Brotton Six Bird Club with Bill and his Grandson Shaun’s well out in front red card winner that took 2nd Club out of Peterborough being a 5y blue Staf Van Reet hen doing 1461 for 23rd Fed. The partnership of K & M Brown & Sacker “Bill” Cole timed a couple of their six entries to lift a notable 2nd and 3rd Club with the blue going to a yearling chequer Marian Velet hen. The lads green card lifter was a 4y chequer flipey Huybreght hen bred by Geoff Bowers, the hen won 1st Club Worksop and 1st Club Eastbourne last season and won 1st Club Eastbourne this season. The new formed partnership of Mr & Mrs Golly “Graham” & Linda Peirson & Tubby “Graham” Purver who are flying to a new loft location this season are in 4th position, with the yellow card being awarded to a yearling blue Busschaert cross who won 1st Club, 10th Fed young bird Rivenhall last season when there were 1,373 birds competing.
David Coats and loft helper Popeye had a very good clocking day at Boosbeck after timing no fewer than four of their squad to win a very nice 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 5th and 15th Fed with vels of 1498 and 1475.
The Middlesbrough H/S partnership of Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley really went to town after timing no fewer than four of their yearling team to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club. With the red card being won by a chequer pied hen who achieved a chart-topping vel of 1533 to win an outstanding 1st Teesside Federation from an entry of 365 birds and 2nd Section. The blue card was netted by a blue pied cock doing 1522.4 to net 3rd Fed and 13th Section. Stephen & Jeanann’s green and yellow card potters that with timed 3 seconds apart knocked up vels of 1489.2 and 1489.0 to claim 18th and 19th Fed to round off a very impressive performance. Keith Hodge & Denis Potter tops the Beechwood & Easterside charts with the duo’s red card winning yearling blue cock recording a top vel of 1525.62 which was enough to score a top-notch 2nd Fed and 9th Section. M Donnelley comes into the fold in 2nd spot with the blue card potting yearling blue hen doing 1509.8 to go onto lift a very nice 7th Fed and 190th Combine. The Haverton Hill partnership of Gatley, Harrod & Son enjoyed a cracking race after timing no less than three of their squad to win a fantastic 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club with pole position being won by a yearling blue cock knocking up a vel of 1509.2 to chalk up 8th Fed. The blue card was awarded to a 2015 bred blue hen making 1496 to take 10th Fed and the lads green card potter was a 1y blue pied cock doing 1488 for 20th Fed and finishing the day more than happy with their performance. Moving onto Billingham T U where the loft of Tommy Clark & Son Gary rolled out the red carpet after timing three birds to win 1st and 3rd Club, 4th, 6th and 16th Fed; with the winning yearling blue hen achieving a chart-topping vel of 1522.2 to lift 14th Section and 86th UNC. The duo’s green card scoring 2y blue pied hen knocked out a vel of 1515 to pocket 144th Combine while the lads third timer was a 2y blue hen making 1489.5 to see off another winning performance. Steve Wilson who is still pushing his way to top spot is in 2nd place with a well-fancied previously scoring 3y blue hen doing 1520 to go onto chalk up 5th Fed, 1st Fed Nom and 18th Section. Ali McLeod had five of his squad on the clock to lift 4th Club, 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th Fed with vels of 1506, 1494, 1492, 1489.6 and 1489.4. With the yellow card being awarded to a yearling blue 100% Gaby Vandenabeele hen flown celibate who is a Granddaughter of Ali’s number one hen. Mac’s second timer was a 2y blue 100% Vandenabeele hen of Koen Minderhoud lines. The hen that is out of Ali’s top stock cock “King James” is the previous scorer of a number of positions including 2nd Club, 2nd Fed and 3rd Section Newark (2) the previous race from a convoy of 2,514 birds.
It was very pleasing to see the Portrack partnership of Ian McGlade & Partners win an outstanding 1st and 3rd Tees Valley Fed, 1st and 6th Section 5 from an entry of 2,440 birds winning £164.60 in prize money and 14th UNC with a pole position vel of 1541.9. Ian and the lads second timer achieved a vel of 1527.6 which was enough to chalk up a nice 55th Combine to end their very enjoyable day. Craggs Bros & Son knocked up a vel of 1530.5 to pocket 2nd Fed and 4th Section, while the partnership of Richardson & Pogson of Stockton West End took a notable 4th Fed, 10th Section and 72nd UNC on 1525.6. The loft of Lister Bros & Walker of the Hardwick pot a useful 5th Fed, 12th Section and 83rd Combine on 1522.47. The partnership of B Storey & Son of Trimdon Grange topped the Shotton & Trimdon Fed with their winner recording a pole position vel of 1531 to go onto score an impressive 3rd Section and 28th UNC. Thompson & Sons of Wingate who are enjoying another outstanding season timed no less than four birds to lift 2nd, 6th and 10th Fed, 5th, 15th and 20th Section, 51st, 87th, 122nd and 133rd UNC with vels of 1528, 1522.2, 1517 and 1516.8. G Church is in the frame again, this time he timed two birds to net 3rd Fed, 7th Section, 64th and 154th Combine on 1526 and 1514.4; while the loft of Fisher & Renwick Brothers put in a bid to lift 4th Fed, 8th Section and 67th UNC on 1526.0. F Hood who has featured in the result a few times throughout the old bird season achieved a vel of 1523 to claim 5th Fed, 11th Section and 77th UNC. Dennis Blakey has a couple of his squad on the clock to pocket 7th Fed, 16th Section, 94th and 127th Combine doing 1521 and 1517.4; with Heavyside, Wilkes, Brown & Duddin not too far behind on 1520 which takes 8th Fed, 17th Section and 100th UNC. The loft of O’Connor & Hall of Thornley picked up 9th Fed, 19th Section and 108th UNC on 1519. Mr & Mrs Gibson of Portrack lifts 124th UNC on 1517.8 and Clubmate B Carberry notches up 164th Combine on 1513.6; while Moore Bros of the Hardwick takes 153rd UNC on 1514.5. The Trimdon Colliery loft of J Rayner & Son claim 134th UNC on 1516.7. Richardson & Son of Shotton achieved a vel of 1516 to pocket 135th UNC while Tindale & Hudson net 143rd UNC on 1515 and the loft of P Price claims 200th UNC on 1508. The Thornley partnership of Long, Brown & Son bomb in with a vel of 1314.6 to lift 163rd UNC and Gwen Holden is close behind on 1513.4 to take 165th UNC; while Mr & Mrs Baxter of Haswell nips in to take 166th Combine on 1513.6.
**********************************************************
Left, Albert leather of Leather Bros winning 1st Club, 20th Fed, 173rd UNC Reims, with Terry Callan the winner of 1st Club, 4th Fed, 12th UNC Burbure - Vic Garbutt & Brian McCormick of Garbutt, Stone & McCormick winning 1st Club, 13th Fed, 86th UNC Reims
Eaglescliffe’s Harry Wright of Harry Wright & Son winning 1st Club, 1st Tees Valley Fed, 1st Section 5and 12th UNC Reims from a convoy of 3,794 birds
The Up North Combine staged a double header race with the first of the two taking place from Reims on Friday 8th July when the convoy of 3,794 birds were liberated at 7.40am in a South West wind. The Skinningrove H/S partnership of Ian Stafford & Sparky Wilson enjoyed a cracking race after timing no fewer than four of their yearling channel team to win a top-notch 1st and 3rd Club, 2nd, 5th, 10th and 11th Fed, 16th, 33rd, 75th and 76th UNC with vels of 1187, 1168.5, 1140,1 and 1140.0. With top spot being won by hen who is bred from their good De Rauw Sablon cock “Iron Man” who was a Brother to “Northern Rock” their NEHU Futurity winner, being bred from “Primus Blauwe Prins. “Iron Man” has now bred quite a few winners all over the UK; the Dam of the red card winner is a daughter of “The Machine” when paired to a Sister of Brockamps “Euro Diamond”. Staffy & Sparky’s next couple of timers were both Grand Children of “The Machine” with the duo’s fourth timer being the previous scorer of 3rd Club, 8th Fed out of the Eastbourne replacement Burbure race. The lads had seven birds on the night and three early next morning which they were pleased of, as they were not raced as young birds and had only three races, Eastbourne, Roye and Peterborough prior the Reims race. Sayers Bros notch up 2nd Club, 3rd and 14th Fed, 32nd and 93rd UNC. While Mr & Mrs Ian & Liz Purver chalk up 4th Club with a well-fancied 3y blue Gaby Vandenabeele hen of M & D Evans bloodlines making 1162 which was enough to net 6th Fed, 1st £1, £2 and £5 Fed Noms winning £144.00 and 41st UNC. The yellow card scoring hens Sire is a double Grandson of “Shadow” while the Dam is a direct Daughter of “Jumping Jack Flash” who is full Brother to “Bliksem” and “Band Of Gold” who is a direct Daughter of “Benetton”. Keith Wren & Margaret Stone clocked a 2y doing 1154 to chalk up 7th Fed and 50th UNC. While Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee timed a 4y blue Ian Stafford Jos Thorn cock doing 1130 to take 15th Fed and 94th UNC; with the cock being the previous winner of 1st Club, 1st Fed Lillers, 2nd Club, 4th Fed Reims when beaten by a loftmate, 3rd Club, 8th Fed Rivenhall and 6th Club, 18th Fed Eastbourne and four UNC positions to his credit. Tich Richards & Alice Marsay clocked a 3y on 1127 to claim 16th Fed and 104th Combine.
D & J Waters came out on top at Brotton H/S with Darren and his Father James chart-topper being a well-fancied yearling recording a vel of 1153 to take a notable and well-earned 8th Fed, 2nd £2 Fed Nom banking £25.80 and 54th UNC. The game pole position winner is chalking for the second time from the channel as 3rd Club, 32nd Fed was taken out of Roye, could this be a future Bourges candidate for the winning duo? The loft of Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners clocked a well-fancied 2y making 1139 to take 2nd Club, 12th Fed, 3rd £2 Fed Nom pocketing £17.20 and 78th UNC. While Club Secretary Terry Callan nets 3rd Club, 19th Fed and 137th UNC on 1112. Moving onto Lingdale where Leather Brothers, Albert & Tony lead the way with the duo’s red card winner being a 4y achieving a chart-topping vel of 1098 to go onto chalk up 20th Fed and 173rd Combine. Ian “Knocker” Brown timed a 3y and a 2y to win 1st and 2nd Club at Boosbeck; the winner also won 1st Club, 4th Fed out of Roye. Dave Coats and loft helper Popeye clocked a 4y to take 3rd Club.
Moving onto the Brotton Six Bird Club where the forever trying partnership of the Right Honourable Vic Garbutt, the late Brian “Rusty” Stone & Brian “Mac” McCormick deservingly record their first win of the season after previously coming close three times with 3 x 2nd Clubs under their belts. With Vic & Mac’s pole position winner being their 2y blue flipey Schellens cock that chalked up 2nd Club out of Eastbourne the replacement Burbure race. The chart-topping cock achieved a vel of 1136 which was enough to go onto score a notable 13th Fed and 86th UNC. Kevin & Merv Brown & Sacker Cole timed a couple of their entries to lift a notable 2nd and 4th Club with the blue card being awarded to a 3y doing 1123 to pocket 17th Fed and 114th UNC; while the lads yellow card potter was a 2y. Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson & Tubby Purver are in 3rd spot with the green card going to a 2y Van Loon bred by Evo Everington.
Next stop is the Teesside Fed where we see the 2015 Fed channel average winners, Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff of Haverton Hill enjoying a winning moment after timing no less than seven of their team to win the first-seven Club positions. With pole position being won by a 2y blue cock recording a top vel of 1146 which was enough to win 1st Fed from an entry of 75 birds, 9th Section 5 and 66th UNC. The chart-topper scored 2nd Club, 3rd Fed and 59th UNC out of Roye in 2015 when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 2nd Fed and 57th Combine. The blue card was awarded to a yearling blue cock achieving a vel of 1128 to score 2nd Fed, 12th Section and 99th UNC while the green card was chalked up by a 2y blue cock making 1063 to net 235th Combine. The cock who won an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section and 6th UNC out of this year’s Eastbourne (1) National race is scoring from Reims for the second year running after potting 2nd Club, 2nd Fed last season. The yellow card went to a 2014 blue cock doing 1036 to claim 6th Fed and he was followed by a yearling blue pied cock on 725.0 to claim 8th Fed. Next came a 1y blue cock doing 666.6 to pocket 10th Fed; while Andrew & Paul’s final timer was a 2y blue cock doing 630.6 for 12th Fed to round off a cracking performance.
The Middlesbrough H/S partnership of the late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek won an awesome first-four Club positions with the red card being won by a yearling blue hen knocking out a winning vel of 1064 to score a notable 3rd Fed and 233rd UNC. The Brothers well-fancied blue card potting 3y blue pied hen achieved a vel of 635.7 to lift 11th Fed and win the Fed Nom and she was followed by a couple of 2015 bred chequer cock doing 572.5 and 495.0 for 15th and 16th Fed. Keith Hodge & Denis Potter lead the way at the Beechwood & Easterside with top spot being won by a yearling blue pied hen doing 1050 for 5th Fed. The loft of McCarthy, Son & Profitt timed a couple of their entries to chalk up 2nd and 3rd Club with the blue card scoring 2y chequer pied cock doing 965.0 to pocket 7th Fed; while the green card potting 2y chequer hen knocked up a vel of 590.8 for 13th Fed. Onto Billingham T U where Jeff Huggett & Keith Gregory hits the winners’ enclosure after timing a yearling blue cock and a 2y blue hen achieving vels of 693.7 and 583.9 to win 1st and 2nd Club, 9th and 14th Fed.
The Eaglescliffe loft of Harry Wright & Son were the winners of a fantastic 1st Club, 1st Tees Valley Fed, 1st Section 5 winning £146.79 in prize money and 12th UNC with a top vel of 1193. Clubmates Steve Thornton & Family timed a couple of birds to lift a notable 2nd and 3rd Club, 2nd and 8th Fed, 2nd and 11th Section, 15th and 90th UNC with vels of 1187 and 1133. While Lister Bros & Walker of the Hardwick timed no fewer than four of their entries to win a top notch 1st, 5th and 6th Club, 3rd, 9th and 10th Fed, 3rd, 13th and 14th Section, 17th, 102nd, 113th and 163rd UNC on 1186, 1127, 1124 and 1100. Clubmates John Best & Son Steve had no less than five of their channel team on the clock to chalk up a notable 2nd and 3rd Club, 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th and 13th Fed, 5th, 6th, 15th, 18th and 20th Section, 35th, 51st, 123rd, 151st and 156th Combine on 1166, 1153, 1119, 1107 and 1104. The partnership of Prest & Huggett pocket 4th Club, 6th Fed, 8th Section and 65th UNC on 1146.03. Rowbotham & Son tops the Portrack charts with their red card winner recording a vel of 1136.01 which was enough to net 7th Fed, 10th Section and 87th UNC. The Thornley partnership of Long, Brown & Son timed two birds to win an awesome 1st and 2nd Club, 1st and 3rd Fed, 4th and 16th Section, 18th and 125th UNC with vels of 1184 and 1118.7. The loft of J Anderson & Sons of Wingate timed no less than three of their channel team to win 1st, 3rd and 4th Club with the winner achieving a vel of 1152.5 to score 2nd Fed, 7th Section and 55th UNC, while Thompson & Sons netted 2nd Club. J Rayner & Son of Trimdon Colliery continued their good season by winning 1st Club, 4th Fed, 17th Section and 127th Combine on 1117.5. While Dennis Blakey tops the Trimdon Grange charts knocking out a vel of 1105 to go onto chalk up 5th Fed, 19th Section 154th UNC; and Clubmates Fisher & Son pockets 193rd Combine on 1089. Mr & Mrs Baxter the Haswell winners claimed 164th UNC on 1100 while the Hetton Fed winning loft of Wandless & Son takes 205th UNC on 1082.
The birds were at Peterborough (3) on Sunday 10th July when the East Cleveland Federations fifty-three members entry of 874 birds strings were cut at 8.55am flying into a South West wind, with a very fast race expected from the distance of 140 miles. Starting at Staithes where Andy Crooks timed a couple of birds to win a most impressive 1st and 2nd Club, 1st and 10th Fed with vels of 1831 and 1788. Next stop is Skinningrove H/S where Sayers Bros timed three birds to win 1st and 4th Club, 2nd, 8th and 14th Fed with vels of 1819, 1796 and 1785. The loft of B & K Simpson timed five of their team to lift 2nd and 3rd Club, 6th, 7th, 15th, 16th and 20th Fed; with Brian & Keith’s blue card scoring yearling blue pied Louis Cooreman hen achieving a vel of 1798. Two-seconds later in the green card position was a 2015 bred blue Louis Cooreman hen knocking out a vel of 1797 and she was followed by a 1y blue Louis Cooreman hen doing1785, with her being the previous potter of 3rd Club, 7th Fed Newark (2). Three-seconds later came a yearling chequer flipey Louis Cooreman cock making 1784 with the cock being the previous scorer of 2nd Club, 4th Fed out of the Peterborough (2) race when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 3rd Fed. Brian & Keith’s final timer was a 1y dark Louis Cooreman hen on 1779 and like the previous Louis Cooremans she was from Louis Cooreman and Bob Fenech stock. Tich Richards & Alice Marsay timed a yearling hen doing 1786 for 13th Fed with the hen who is the Sister to Tich and his Granddaughter Alice’s 1st Club, 12th Fed Rivenhall (1) winner, being the scorer of 3rd Club, 15th Fed from the Oakham (2) race.
It had to come sometime through the season and it’s arrived this race, Tony Hunt of the late Jack “The Lad” Brown & Hunt partnership hitting the winners’ enclosure after timing no fewer than three of his small team to win a top notch and well deserved 1st, 2nd and 4th Club at Marske & New Marske. With pole position being won by a light chequer yearling roundabout hen bred through Tony’s “SED Cock” which has produced numerous of winners not only for Tony but also for other fanciers. The green card potter was another yearling that is full Brother to Tony’s chart-topping cock and in cell three was a 2015 bred mealy cock bred out of Tony’s own established mixed Belgian bloodlines to round off a great day for one of the sports nicest fanciers. Paul Longstaff of the Longstaff & Middlemas partnership continues to show some promise clocked a yearling dark chequer Busschaert cock bred down from the strain of the late Harry Middlemas to pocket a notable 3rd Club. Geoff Bavin continues his notable run in 5th spot after timing a yearling chequer cock sitting eggs and bred down from birds obtained from Rutland Lofts which are based on John Whittaker stock.
W & S Ward recorded a hat-trick of wins at the Brotton Six Bird Club with Bill and Grandson Shaun’s well out in front pole position winner being a 2y mealy Staf Van Reet cock. The loft of Frank & Brenda Reilly & Son Wayne return to the frame to chalk up 2nd Club with the blue card being awarded to a 2y blue Heremans Ceusters cock who is the previous winner of 1st Club in the Brotton H/S and the scorer of other positions. The partnership & Andrew & Gavin Doe, Dillon “John” Swales and the late Sandy Sanderson are in 3rd place with the lads green card lifter being a 4y dark flipey cock of Ian “Evo” Everington x K & M Brown & Cole bloodlines. Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson & Tubby Purver are in the frame again after a late start to the season after their recent loft move, with the trio timing a 1y blue cock to claim 4th Club.
Alan & David Wright returned to their winning ways at Skelton Green in great style after timing no fewer than four of their squad to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Club. The loft of Bill Chapman, Sons Steve & Colin and the late Tommy Swinburne pot the yellow while Winspear & Sons notch up 5th place. Ian “Knocker” Brown wins 1st and 2nd Club at Boosbeck with a couple of yearlings.
***********************************************************
The final old bird inland race was staged from Oakham (3) on Sunday 17th July when the East Cleveland Federations 64 member’s convoy of 1,010 birds were liberated at 9am flying into a West wind. Mick Smithies of Brotton H/S timed a 3y and a 2y recording vels of 1534 and 1506 to win an outstanding 1st and 4th Club, 1st and 17th Fed. While Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners chalked up 2nd and 4th Club with the blue card scoring yearling doing 1508 to net 13th Fed; while the green card potting 3y knocked out a vel of 1505 to claim 20th Fed.
Mr & Mrs I & E Purver of Skinningrove H/S timed a couple of their entries to win a top-notch 1st and 5th Club, 2nd and 6th Fed with vels of 1529 and 1517. With pole position being won by a yearling chequer pied Gaby Vandenabeele hen whose sire is a Son of “Gaby 07”, while the Dam is a Granddaughter of “Jester” and “Wittenbuik Princess” from all the old original lines. Ian & Liz’s second timer was a 2y blue chequer hen Peter Fox “Syndicate Lofts x Marina Van Den Velde “Samson” lines. Ian Stafford & Sparky Wilson timed “74”, their good yearling blue Gaston Van De Wouwer hen to chalk up 2nd Club, 3rd Fed on 1516. Sayers Bros clocked a couple of yearlings making 1520.1 and 1516.3 to take 3rd Club, 4th and 7th Fed. B & K Simpson had three birds on the clock to lift 4th Club, 5th, 12th and 14th Fed on 1520.0, 1511 and 1508. With Brian & Keith’s yellow card potter being a 2015 bred blue Louis Cooreman hen and she was followed by the 1y dark Louis Cooreman hen that took 20th Fed out of Peterborough (3). Next came a 3y chequer Louis Cooreman x Busschaert hen, all three of the Brothers Cooremans being out of their Louis Cooreman & Bob Fenech stock. Tich Richards & Alice Marsay notched up 9th Fed with a yearling doing 1515; while Brian “Brunks” Laity netted 20th Fed on 1505 with the 1y blue cock bred by Mark “Luggy” Johnson of Richmond that won 1st Club, 2nd Fed Newark (2) when there were 1,355birds competing.
The inform Brotton Six Bird Club partnership of W & S Ward cracked the whip this race after timing two of their six entries to win a fantastic 1st and 2nd Club, 8th and 16th Fed with vels of 1516.0 and 1506.29. With Bill and his Grandson Shaun’s chart-topper being a 3y blue Staf Van Reet hen who took 4th Club out of Newark. The duo who have enjoyed a cracking season, blue card scorer was a yearling blue Staf Van Reet x Homer & Williams Heremans Ceusters hen. Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson & Tubby Purver are in 3rd spot with the partnership green card lifter being a 1y blue hen doing 1504 to net 21st Fed. Frank & Brenda Reilly & Son Wayne the Clubs highest prize winners in 2015 are in 4th Place after timing a 2y blue Heremans Ceusters cock who potted 2nd Club the previous race out of Peterborough (3). The cock is the previous winner of 1st Club, 20th Fed out of Selby (Bubwith) on the opening day of the new season in Brotton H/S when there were 1,983 birds competing; he also has other positions to his credit.
Moving onto Marske & New Marske where we see Club Secretary Martin Hogarth hitting the winners’ enclosure with Martin’s pole position winner being a yearling chequer hen recording a top vel of 1506.27 to go onto lift a notable 15th Fed. The red card winning hen who was sent sitting 12 days is out of Martin’s own strain that is bred down from original stock from Tony Hunt and Craig Wedgewood. The hen is a Granddaughter to Martin’s good blue hen who won 4 x 1st Clubs with three of her wins being achieved from the channel; Lillers, Burbure and Ypres where she scored an impressive 6th Fed. Unfortunately Martin lost the reliable hen at the notorious Rivenhall (1) race this season. Brown & Hunt filled a couple of cells to lift 2nd and 4th Club with the blue card being awarded to a 2015 bred red cock bred of Tony’s good “SED Cock”. The red cock is chalking for the second consecutive race for he was 2nd Club out of Peterborough (3) when beaten by his full Brother. In cell two was the 1y chequer hen that won 1st Club the previous week. Geoff Bavin is in 3rd spot with the green card scorer being a 2y blue hen bred from Rutland Lofts stock. Paul Longstaff was next with a blue hen bred by Geoff Bavin out of his Brown & Hunt stock, with the hen being the previous potter of several positions.
Ian & Liz Purver, the winners of 1st Club, 6th Fed Oakham (3)
A & D Wright maintained their good form after timing three of their squad to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club at Skelton Green, while Des Williams and loft helper Roger Wall chalked up 4th Club.
Moving onto the Teesside Fed and starting at Billingham T U where Tommy Clark & Son Gary timed no fewer than nine of their team to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th and 20th Fed with vels of 1533, 1532, 1526.9, 1526.7, 1526.6, 1524, 1523, 1513 and 1501 out of an entry of 314 birds. With the pole position winner going onto score 9th section 5 from a convoy of 2,302 birds and the blue card potter netting 10th Section. Tommy & Gary’s yellow card lifter that won 1st Club, 1st Fed out of Oakham (1) wins 1st Fed Nom this time around. Ali McLeod had four birds on the clock to take 3rd Club, 3rd, 8th, 10th and 11th Fed on 1529, 1525, 1524 and 1523; with the green card going to a 1y blue Gaby Vandenabeele cross that is half Sister to Mac’s 1st UNC winning “Gaby Lou”. Steve Wilson timed a 3y blue cock knocking out a vel of 1526 to claim 7th Fed; the cock has been in the frame a few times this season including scoring 2nd Club, 5th Fed, 1st Fed Nom and 18th Section out of the Eastbourne (2) National.
Keith Hodge & Denis Potter continue their good form after timing a yearling blue cock and a 2y blue hen to win 1st and 2nd Club at the Beechwood & Easterside, with the red card winner recording a top vel of 1516 to net 13th Fed and the blue card potter claiming 18th Fed on 1508. Gatley, Harrod & Son wins top spot at Haverton Hill with their winning yearling blue hen pocketing 14th Fed on 1514. Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley timed a 1y blue pied hen and a 2015 bred blue hen 5 seconds apart to win 1st and 2nd Club, 16th and 17th Fed at Middlesbrough H/S with vels of 1509 and 1508. The late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek were in 3rd spot with the duo’s green card scoring yearling blue pied hen doing 1507 for 19th Fed.
The Shotton & Trimdon members had a dream day in Section 5 where they won the first- eight positions and going on to take no fewer than thirteen positions in the top 20. Leading the way was the loft of Richardson & Son who recorded a pole position vel of 1537.87; the partnership timed a second bird thirteen seconds after their winner to lift 5th Section on 1535.8. The Hardwick Brothers of Wingate got their act together to time a couple of birds to win a very nice 1st and 3rd Club, 2nd and 7th Section with vels of 1537.84 (yes it was that close) and 1533.9. With both of John & Lee’s timers being blue nestmate hens off one of their best breeders, the Sisters have multiple wins and positions already. The Sire of the two hens is a Timmerman bred by Graveson, Son & Partners of Horden, while the Dam of the lads two hens is a gift hen from Gary McCauley of the Stevens & McCauley partnership of Percy Main fame. John & Lee’s Clubmates Bell & Foster achieved a vel of 1536.5 to score a notable 2nd Club and 3rd Section. J Anderson & Sons pocketed 4th Club and 8th Section on 1533.6. Tindale & Hudson were up there with the leaders after knocking up a vel of 1537.83 to lift a well-earned 3rd Section while G Church pots 6th Section on 1535.2. The loft of Long, Brown & Son timed three quick-fire birds in the space of 16 seconds to score 13th, 14th and 18th Section on 1529.9, 1529.1 and 1527.5 while F Hood takes 15th Section on 1529.0 and Gwen Holden achieves a vel of 1527.8 to claim 17th Section. The Stockton West End partnership of Richardson & Pogson had their birds on song after clocking three of their entries to win a top-notch 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 1st, 3rd and 4th Tees Valley Fed, 11th, 19th and 20th Section on 1531.9, 1527.2 and 1526.9. Steve Thornton & Family of Eaglescliffe takes 2nd Fed and 12th Section on 1531.3.
The curtain came down on the Up North Combines old bird racing season on Saturday 23rd July when the Burbure National convoy of 9,331 birds were liberated at 11.00am flying into a West wind. Andy Crooks of Staithes timed a yearling recording a vel of 1488 to win an outstanding 1st Club, 1st East Cleveland Federation out of a 58 members entry of 686 birds, 1st Section 7 winning £131.07 in prize money, 2nd UNC winning a Combine Silver Medal. Well done Andy on a fantastic achievement, all the hard work you have put into your birds has paid dividends. Andy timed a Belgian rung yearling doing 1438 to chalk up 2nd Club, 9th Fed and 54th UNC; he went onto clock another couple of yearling to pocket 3rd and 5th Club to round off a very good days racing. Deano Ward notched up 4th Club with a yearling.
Next stop is Skinningrove where Sayers Bros wins 1st Club, 2nd Fed and 5th UNC with a 2y doing 1475. B & K Simpson timed a yearling blue Louis Cooreman hen achieving a vel of 1464 to score 2nd Club, 3rd Fed and 11th UNC. Brian “Brunks” Laity had a couple of birds on the clock to lift 3rd and 5th Club with the green card going to a 1y making 1437 for 10th Fed and 55th UNC. The second timer was a 2y doing 1421 to claim 19th Fed and 114th Combine. Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee are in 4th spot with the fancied yellow card potting yearling blue hen bred by Chris Vasey doing 1433 to lift 12th Fed, 3rd £2 Fed Nom pocketing £17.60 and 66th UNC. The hen is the previous scorer of 2nd Club, 6th Fed this season. Mr & Mrs I & E Purver timed a couple of 2y doing 1410 and 1407 to claim 170th and 190th UNC.
Terry Callan of Brotton H/S timed a fancied 2y bred by Ali McLeod recording a vel of
1462 to win 1st Club, 4th Fed, 1st £2 Fed Nom netting £44.00 and 12th UNC. Darren & James Waters timed two 2y doing 1457 and 1424 to chalk up 2nd and 4th Club, 6th and 15th Fed, 14th and 98th Combine. The loft of Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners timed a couple of 3y to take 3rd and 6th Club, 8th and 21st Fed, 50th and 151st UNC with vels of 1441 and 1414. While Mick Smithies pockets 5th Club, 18th Fed and 111th Combine on 1422.
Moving onto the Brotton Six Bird Club where we see the new-formed partnership of Mr & Mrs Golly & Linda Peirson & Tubby Purver record their first win at their new loft location. With pole position being won by a yearling chequer hen achieving a vel of 1429 to go onto score 14th Fed and 81st UNC. The red card winning hen is off a Daughter of Rod Adams 1st UNC Bourges winner when paired to a Grandson to “The Machine”. W & S Ward enjoyed a cracking clocking day after timing no less than three of their six entries to lift a notable 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club. With Bill & Shaun’s blue card potter being a 3y that is the previous winner of a 1st Club, 1st Fed Melton Mowbray, the green was netted by a 3y Staf Van Reet hen and she was followed by a 3y who is the previous winner of 1st Club Oakham and 4th Club Newark.
Bill Chapman, Sons Steve & Colin and the late Tommy Swinburne won pole position at Skelton Green with the lads red card winner being a 3y doing 1432 to lift 13th Fed and 69th UNC. Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor Mitchell clocked a yearling and a 3y to take 2nd and 4th Club, and Ian “Evo” Everington pots 3rd Club with a 3y. The Loftus partnership of Keith & Matty Arkless timed a 2y achieving a vel of 1460 to win 1st Club, 5th Fed and 13th UNC. Barry Kettlewell wins 1st and 2nd Club at Lingdale while David Coats and loft helper Popeye wins 1st Club and 156th UNC at Boosbeck.
Geoff Bavin leads the way at Marske & New Marske with the red card being won by a 14 day sitting 2014 bred blue hen of Geoff’s Schoorisse family x former Clubmate Ian Everington stock. Paul Longstaff is in 2nd spot with the blue card being awarded to a 10 day sitting yearling dark cock from the strain established by Paul and the late Harry Middlemas. Martin Hogarth filled a couple of cells to chalk up 3rd and 4th Club with the green going to a 1y blue chequer cock, the cock who was sent chipping eggs is bred direct from Brown & Hunt stock obtained 3 years ago. The yellow card was netted by a yearling blue hen who is a Daughter of Martin’s good blue hen the winner of 4 x 1st Clubs, like the green card potter, the hen was also sent chipping eggs.
Billingham T U’s Ali McLeod the winner of 1st UNC Burbure with the Gold Medal winning “Gaby Lou” in 2015 from a convoy of 10,617 birds, proved to be another handful after timing five birds to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 1st, 4th, 6th, 19th and 20th Teesside Fed. With pole position being won by a 2y blue Gaby Vandenabeele hen recording a top vel of 1475 to go onto win 1st Section 5 winning £152.59 in prize money out of 1,695 birds and 6th UNC. The hen who is the Daughter of “King James” flew well as a young bird and has carded a few times this year including 13th Fed Eastbourne, 4th Club, 17th Fed Roye and 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 3rd Section Newark (2). Second on the clock was a yearling blue Vandenabeele cross hen achieving a vel of 1401, like all Ali’s yearling hens the blue card potting hen is flown celibate as they have never being paired this season. The green card was awarded to a well-fancied yearling pure Vandenabeele blue hen through Mac’s Koen Minderhoud family making 1388 to win 1st Fed Nom. The Dam of the hen is the Sister to the Sire of Ali’s 1st UNC Burbure winner. The hen who has flown consistent this season with her losing one win through bad trapping, has a 2nd Club, 3rd Fed, 4th Section and 42nd UNC Folkestone (1) National to her credit when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 2nd Fed, 3rd Section and 41st Combine this season. The hen also has a 2nd Club, 4th Fed, 16th Section and 98th UNC Eastbourne amongst her chalks this year. The partnership of Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins return to the frame in 4th spot with the duo’s yellow card potter being a 2015 bred blue cock knocking out a vel of 1387 to lift a notable 7th Fed. Tommy Clark & Son Gary took the next two position after timing a 2y blue pied hen and a 1y blue cock achieving vels of 1350 and 1324 to net 13th and 18th Fed.
Haverton Hill’s “Dynamic Duo” Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff showed their true colour’s once again after timing four of their squad to win a fantastic 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 17th Fed, 8th and 9th Section, 65th and 78th Combine with vels of 1434, 1430, 1378 and 1326. Top spot was won by the 2y blue cock that won 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section and 6th UNC Eastbourne (1) National and 3rd Club, 4th Fed and 235th UNC Reims. This time the very reliable cock chalks up 65th UNC; the Dam of the winner was bred by Ali McLeod. The blue card was awarded to the 4y blue cock who won 1st Club, 1st Fed, 9th Section and 66th UNC out of Reims; this time the cock nets 78th UNC. Andrew & Paul’s green card scorer was the same yearling blue cock that chalked up 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 12th Section and 99th UNC Reims. The duo’s fourth timer was a 1y blue cock; I have to say that Andrew & Paul certainly know how to get the best out of their channel birds.
Moving onto Middlesbrough H/S where the loft of Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley record their second win on the trot after timing no fewer than four of their yearling team to win 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Club from a six members entry of 71 birds. With Stephen & Jeanann’s well-fancied chart-topping blue hen achieving a top vel of 1394 to win 1st 3 Bird Nom and 5th Fed. The blue card scoring chequer pied hen nets 11th Fed on 1358 while the yellow card potting blue pied cock knocked up a vel of 1338 to lift 2nd 3 Bird Nom, 2nd 2 Bird Championship Club and 15th Fed. Stephen & Jeanann who have enjoyed a cracking old bird season that has produced a number of top winning performances four timer was a blue cock doing 1331 for 16th Fed and round off another notable performance. The late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek are in 3rd spot with the Brothers green card scoring 2y blue hen achieving a vel of 1343 to notch up 14th Fed. The lads timed a later fancied bird to pocket 3rd 3 Bird Nom.
The Beechwood & Easterside partnership of McCarthy, Son & Profitt pumped up the volume after timing a couple of birds to win an impressive 1st and 2nd Club with pole position being won by a 2009 rung chequer hen recording a chart-topping vel of 1385 to chalk up a useful 8th Fed. The lads blue card potting 3y blue hen achieved a vel of 1362 to claim a nice 10th Fed and round off a very enjoyable performance. The loft of Keith Hodge & Denis Potter timed a fancied 2y blue hen doing 1353 to lift 3rd Club, 2nd Middlesbrough H/S 2 Bird Championship Club and 12th Fed.
The Shotton loft of F Hood wins a fantastic 1st Shotton & Trimdon Fed, 2nd Section 5 and 17th UNC with a vel of 1454; while Clubmates Richardson & Son pockets 7th Fed, 13th Section and 99th UNC on 1424. Mr & Mrs Baxter of Haswell are amongst them again after achieving a vel of 1453 to score a cracking 2nd Fed, 3rd Section and 21st UNC. Clubmates Fisher & Renwick Bros potted 10th Fed, 18th Section and 148th UNC on 1414. Nuttall Bros & Son of Thornley knocked out a vel of 1442 to lift 3rd Fed, 5th Section and 45th UNC and they were followed by O’Conner & Hall who netted 6th Fed, 12th Section and 96th UNC on 1426.1. The loft of Long, Brown & Son make the frame again by achieving a vel of 1417 to claim 9th Fed, 17th Section and 130th UNC; Clubmate Gwen Holden took 12th Fed, 20th Section and 183rd Combine on 1408.5. The Wingate loft of C Robson wins 1st Club, 4th Fed, 10th Section and 84th UNC with a top vel of 1429. Brewster Bros & Son took 2nd Club, 5th Fed, 11th Section and 88th UNC on 1426.8 and Hardwick Bros John & Lee pocket 3rd Club, 8th Fed, 15th Section and 117th UNC on 1421.3. The Trimdon Grange loft of W Shutt chalks up 11th Fed, 19th Section and 182nd Combine with a vel of 1408.8. P & K Metcalf of Croft tops the Hetton Fed with a pole position vel of 1447 which was enough to chalk up a notable 4th Section and 35th UNC and they were followed by the late Billy Balls & Sons Tommy & Billy who knocked up a vel of 1437 to lift a very nice 2nd Fed, 6th Section and 56th Combine. K Bennison pots 3rd Fed, 7th Section and 62nd UNC on 1435 while Bunker & Vennebles took 4th Fed, 14th Section and 116th UNC and they were followed by Elliott & Burnside who did 1420 to take 5th Fed, 16th Section and 118th Combine.
Congratulations to D & P Lawrie & Ransome of Dormanstown on winning the Up North Combine Channel Average Trophy with a total of 1148pts. J Foster of Oddfellows is r/u on 938pts. Congratulations to the notorious Woodroffe Bros of Cornhill on winning the Up North Combine Pigeon Sport Average Trophy with a grand total of 1610pts, with D & P Lawrie & Ransome being r/u on 1347pts.
That’s the old bird season done and dusted.
Any news to Good Corn
6 Boulby Drive Loftus Saltburn Cleveland TS13 4JN.
Tel; 01287 643624 or Email;
