Around The Up North Combine
Ali McLeod, Top Prize Winner In Teesside Federation
By Good Corn
I would like to thank the members of the Teesside Federation for inviting me to present the silverware at their 2015 prize presentation evening held at the Western Social Club, Middlesbrough. I took my Grandson Hayden, my Sister Shirley and my mate Trevor Lancaster along with me, knowing it was going to be a great night. Most will know that the Teesside Federation is not as big as it once was Club wise but the competition is as strong today as it’s always been. The Fed is now down to four Clubs; Billingham T U, Haverton Hill, Beechwood & Easterside and Middlesbrough H/S. A lot of changes had to be made at the end of the 2014 racing season due to three Clubs leaving the Fed to form another Fed but the remaining members weathered the storm. Steve Wheatley Snr took over the Fed Secretary’s role; Derek Gibson was the Assistant secretary while Ian Brown was the President. Steve’s Wife Janice kept him in check by helping him with the weekly bookwork and Nev Evans put together the Fed results throughout the racing season, all in all the team worked very well together.
Steve took to the floor to welcome everyone to the Feds presentation evening and thanked the ones who had helped him throughout his first season as Fed Secretary. Steve then asked Barry Pearce up to present the prize money and prize cards to the members of all four Clubs, and then I took to the floor to present the silverware, prize money and prize cards to the very worthy Fed winners. After the presentation of the silverware Ali McLeod presented bouquets of flowers to Steve’s Wife Janice and Steve Junior Wife Jean-Ann for supplying a top class Buffett. The Disco came next and that was followed by the fantastic Buffett and raffle, the Disco returned to get a number of the large crowed on the dance floor to end a brilliant night.
Good Corn with the Teesside Federation top prize-winning Ali McLeod the winner of 16 x 1st Clubs, 11 x 1st Feds and 1st Up North Combine.
Ali McLeod of Billingham T U enjoyed a top class racing season to reclaim the Teesside Federations top prize-winner, something Ali has achieved a number of times over the years. Ali was the winner of the Old Bird Inland Fed Average with 119pts, R/U Channel Fed Average with 19pts, and the winner of the Old Bird Combined Fed Average with 138pts. Ali also won the Young Bird Fed Average with 51pts and Ali was also the winner of the Combined Fed Average with a grand total of 189pts, with points being awarded to the first 6 in the Fed with 6pts for a win down to 1pt for 6th Fed. Ali’s earth-shattering season got off to a winning start when he timed a couple of birds at old bird Selby (Bubwith) to win a brilliant 1st and 2nd Club, 1st and 2nd Teesside Federation when there were 629 birds competing. Ali clocked another seven of his entries in the space of 17 seconds to lift a team performing 11th, 12th, 13, 14th, 15, 16th and 17th Fed to polish off an outstanding loft performance. The following week when the birds were at Worksop, Mac timed four birds 5 seconds apart to chalk up a notable 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Fed. Ali notched up his second win in three starts at the new race point Oakham (1) that replaced the old Melton Mowbray race point, when he timed two of his squad to win 1st and 5th Club, 2nd and 8th Fed out of an entry of 985 birds. The lad was in the frame for the fourth race running at Peterborough (1) when four birds were zapped in 24 seconds to score a well-earned 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Fed.
Ali achieved his third win in five races at Rivenhall (1) after two of his team were on the clock to win a top notch 1st and 3rd Club, 1st and 8th Fed when there was 807 birds away. Mac was flying a very good Pigeon with three wins under his belt and a number of top team performances when he knocked up win number four of the old bird season from the Eastbourne (1) National when he timed no fewer than five of his entries to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 13th, 14th and 15th Fed when there were 548 birds competing. With the well-fancied red card winner that won 1st Fed Nom and 1st £5 Fed Pools banking £55 going on to score 4th Section and 36th Up North Combine from a convoy of 18,418 birds, with the blue card potter that was timed 5 seconds after the winner going on to net 5th Section and 58th Combine. The inform Mac’s birds continued to churn out another top class performance at Peterborough (2) when no less than seven birds were clocked to record his third consecutive win and fifth red card of the season to win a breathtaking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th Club, 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 14th Fed when there was 721 birds away. Ali had scored in all seven inland races so far so it was no surprise when he was in the points at the first channel race Lillers, where a trio of birds were on the clock to claim a useful 2nd and 3rd Club, 7th, 8th and 19th Fed, with the blue card netter going on to lift 161st UNC while the green card potter took 195th Combine.
Ali will have being disappointed with the Lillers result as he is a very competitive and top fancier but the smile returned to his face a week later at Rivenhall (2) when a remarkable eight birds were timed to win a earth-shattering 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Club, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Fed out of 626 birds. The well-fancied pole position winner that won 1st Club, 2nd Fed out of Oakham (2), was almost 5 minutes in front of Mac’s second bird won 1st Fed Nom and 1st Section 5 from a convoy of 3,596 birds which was a fantastic achievement. The following week when the birds were at Oakham (2) three of Ali’s entries were in the clock to pocket a nice 2nd, 4th and 6th Club, 2nd, 4th and 8th Fed, with the yellow card scorer that topped the Section the previous week winning 1st Fed Nom for the second race running. The birds were at Roye when two of Mac’s channel team were timed to notch up 2nd and 3rd Club, 16th and 19th Fed. A week later the birds were back on English soil and Ali was back to his winning ways in outstanding style after timing six birds at Peterborough (3) to win a first class 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th, 11th and 16th Fed out of an entry of 541 birds. Ali’s birds were on song yet again at Oakham (3) when the little fella timed no fewer than eight of his inform team to win an eye-opening 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 20th Fed when there was 410 birds competing. Mac recorded his third consecutive Club and Federation win at the Eastbourne (2) National when Ali’s first 7 timers won an incredible first 7 Club positions to go on to win 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 15th and 17th Fed from an entry of 408 birds. With the chart-topper going on to win 1st Section banking £162.73 prize money when there were 2,450 birds competing and 10th UNC from a convoy of 12,647 birds. The blue card scorer that chalked up 2nd £5 Fed Pools pocketing £55 went on to net 13th Section and 140th UNC while the green card potter took 14th Section and 150th Combine, and the yellow card claimer collected 17th Section and 167th UNC to round off another memorable days racing.
Inland win number four off the belt was achieved at Oakham (4) when a trio of birds were on the clock to win an impressive 1st, 2nd and 4th Club, 2nd, 3rd and 8th Fed when there were 279 birds away. Another five birds were timed in the space of 6 seconds to notch up 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Fed, with the bird that took 10th Fed winning 1st Fed Nom. The fourteenth and final inland race of the season was raced from Oakham (5) where Mac timed four birds to win 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 7th, 10th and 14th Fed from a muster of 301 birds. With one old bird race to go, with that being from the new channel race point Burbure which replaced the Lillers (2) race point. You would have to say that Ali and his birds had performed magnificently throughout the old bird inland season, but the lad would have being gutted with his channel performances this time around. But Ali has flown Pigeons long enough to know that not everything goes your way, more so once the birds are in the race basket. Ali had enjoyed a top class old bird season with an unbelievable 11 x 1st Clubs and 7 x 1st Teesside Federation wins to his credit, and it doesn’t get any better than that. But it did get better, much, much better. For The Mighty Mac achieved his best performance of the season at Burbure when Ali timed five birds to win an astonishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Fed. With the pole position winner going on to win 1st Section 5 pocketing £150.88 in prize money and an out of this world 1st Up North Combine from a convoy of 10,617 birds. The Gold Medal winning “Gaby Lou” was also the winner of the ”Fred Potts Memorial Trophy” and the “J W Towers” Memorial Trophy”. Ali’s blue card scorer that won 1st £5 Fed Pools went on to chalk up 78th UNC while the green potter lifted 223rd UNC and the yellow card claimer took 231st Combine. Mac also timed five later yearlings to net 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 20th Fed to round off a mind blowing team performance. “Gaby Lou” gave Ali his second 1st Up North Combine winning performance, for Ali was part of the McLeod & Keith Perkins partnership that won 1st UNC old bird Folkestone National in 1991 from a convoy of 22,375 birds. Ali’s Burbure Combine winning performance would not have being a surprise to many UNC fanciers simply because the lad was probably flying the most consistent Pigeon in the whole of the UNC, the performances of Mac’s birds were well talked about all over the North-East and the 1st UNC win was very well deserved after a old bird season of all seasons.
With the old bird season over it was the young birds time to show what they had to offer, and their performances didn’t disappoint. Ali timed no fewer than seven babies at Pontefract (1) to net a notable 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th and 18th Fed. Mac hit the winners’ enclosure a week later at Pontefract (2) when his red card winning youngster went on to win a awesome 1st Fed when there were 939 birds away, six later birds were timed in the space of 27 seconds to notch up 11th, 12th,13th, 15th, 16th and 19th Fed. A solo bird was on the clock at Worksop (1) to claim 4th Club, 9th Fed and this was followed up by timing another single bird out of Worksop (2) to score a very nice 2nd Club, 2nd Fed. Ali returned to his winning ways in outstanding style at Oakham when a trio of youngsters were timed to win cracking 1st, 2nd and 4th Club, 1st, 2nd and 4th Fed when there were 879 birds were competing. Mac was in the frame for the sixth consecutive young bird race at Peterborough when an enjoyable eight birds were timed to lift a notable 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 4th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 19th and 20th Fed. Ali achieved his third win of the young bird season at Rivenhall after seven of his entries were timed to win a cracking 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 18th and 20th Fed. Mac rounded off his top class season where he started it, in the winners’ enclosure to record his 16 x 1st Clubs and 11 x 1st Feds wins after timing no fewer than nine birds to win a top performing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 15th and 20th Fed out of an entry of 303 birds, with the lads sixth timing youngster scoring 2nd £5 Fed Nom to pocket £30 which was not enough for Ali to treat his good lady Wife Linda to the Doncaster Show. What else can I say about Ali that I haven’t said before? He just gets better and better. This is the third time I have being invited to present the Teesside Federations prizes over the years, the last time was in 2009 when Ali was the Feds top prize winner for the sixth consecutive year, which was a fantastic achievement. The 2015 racing season also saw Ali win the Club Old Bird Inland Average, the Channel Average, the Old Bird Combined Average, the Young Bird Average and the Combined Average. Ali’s 1st Up North Combine Burbure win was both most welcomed and well-deserved after winning 1st Club, 1st Fed, 2nd Section and 2nd UNC old bird Eastbourne (2) National in 2013 when there were 11,572 birds competing and also winning 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section and 3rd UNC old bird Eastbourne (1) National in 2014 from a convoy of 16,708 birds, both times being beaten by .2 which is heartbreaking to say the least.
L&R, Cobe & Lewis McCabe of Letcher & McCabe winners of 1st Club young bird Pontefract (2) & Rivenhall, with Paul Longstaff of Appleton & Longstaff winners of the Fed Channel Average - Gary Clark of Tommy Clark & Son, winners of 1st Fed Oakham (1), yb Worksop (1) & (2) and R/U Young Bird Fed Average.
The partnership of Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins the previous winners of 1st Up North Combine old bird Folkestone (2) National in 2010 with “Ollie” from a convoy of 17,366 birds were Runners-Up Old Bird Inland Fed Average with 31pts. Brian and Club Secretary Keith got off the mark at old bird Selby when a couple of birds were timed to lift a nice 3rd and 4th Club, 6th and 8th Fed. The duo clocked their well-fancied yearling chequer pied cock at Worksop to chalk up 6th Club, 11th Fed and 1st Fed Nom. Brian & Keith enjoyed a good clocking day at Oakham (1) when three birds were timed 7 seconds apart to pot a very nice and notable 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 4th, 5th and 6th Fed. The two lads hit winning form out of Peterborough (1) where they clocked a couple of their entries in under a minute to win a most impressive 1st and 2nd Club, 2nd and 3rd Fed when there were 916 birds competing. The boys were out of the points for the first time at Rivenhall (1) but they returned to the fold out of the Eastbourne (1) National when a solo bird was timed to claim a neat 4th Club, 12th Fed. Brian & Keith’s next chalk was achieved from Rivenhall (2) when the lads netted a very reasonable 4th Club, 4th Fed. The partnership knocked up their second old bird win of the year in outstanding style at Oakham (2) after timing four of their team in the space of 39 seconds to win an incredible 1st, 3rd and 5th Club, 1st, 3rd, 5th and 9th Fed when there were 417 birds away. Brian & Keith were out of the Club points from Peterborough (3) but still timed three of their entries inside 34 seconds to pocket 14th, 15th and 18th Fed. Two of the duo’s squad were timed within 23 seconds out of Oakham (4) to lift 5th Club, 9th and 17th Fed; and that was followed up by timing a single bird at Reims to collect 3rd Club, 15th Fed.
Keith Perkins & Brian Atkinson, R/U Old Bird Inland Average & 1st Fed Oakham (2).- David Hutchinson of D Hutchinson & Son winners of 1st Fed old bird Worksop.
The loft of Jeff Hugget & Keith Gregory first netted at old bird Selby when a couple of their entries were timed to pocket 5th and 6th Club, 9th and 10th Fed; and then 5th Club, 10th Fed was chalked up out of Rivenhall (1). Jeff & Keith hit winning form at the first water race Lillers, when they timed three of their channel team to win a very impressive 1st and 4th Club, 2nd, 9th and 18th Fed when there were 409 birds competing. With the pole position winner going on to score a top notch 27th UNC from a convoy of 14,062 birds, while the duo’s well-fancied yellow card potter won 1st Fed Nom and chalked up 227th Combine to round off a very enjoyable days racing. Jeff & Keith recorded their second channel race win at Roye when their chart-topping well-fancied 2y blue hen that took 4th Club, 9th Fed and 227th UNC out of Lillers was 23 minutes in front of the next Club bird to go on to score 7th Fed from 275 birds and win 1st Fed Nom for the second time. The two lads were in the points again from Oakham (4) when a useful 3rd Club, 7th Fed was taken. The duo were in the channel frame for the third time at Reims where again they timed their inform 2y blue hen to chalk up a notable 2nd Club and 10th Fed. The very game and very reliable hen won a fantastic 1st Club, 1st Fed and 15th UNC Reims (2) in 2014 when there were 3,343 birds competing.
Jeff & Keith got off to a winning start with the young birds after no fewer than three birds were on the clock at Pontefract (1) to win an outstanding 1st and 3rd Club, 1st, 4th and 16th Fed out of an entry of 668 birds. The boys were out of the Club points at Worksop (1) but managed to time a couple of babies in the space of 2 seconds to claim 19th and 20th Fed; and they followed that up a week later by collecting 5th Club out of Worksop (2). Two birds were on the clock from Oakham to lift 3rd and 5th Club, 8th and 17th Fed. Jeff & Keith achieved their second young bird win of the 2015 young bird season at Peterborough when the red card winner that netted 3rd Club Oakham the previous week went on to pocket a well-deserved 3rd Fed when there was 673 birds away, a second youngster was clocked to pick up 17th Fed. The partnership enjoyed a good clocking day a week later when the birds were at Rivenhall when no less than a trio of youngsters were timed to score a notable 2nd, 5th and 6th Club, 4th, 10th and 12th Fed. Jeff & Keith who had enjoyed a good young bird season so far had two of their team on the clock out of the Maidstone National to net 6th Club, 9th and 13th Fed, with the duo’s well-fancied first timer that took 20th Fed at Worksop (1) won 1st £5 Fed Pools banking £65.
Steve Cuthbert & Nev Evans of N & A Evans & Cuthbert winners of 1st Fed Peterborough (1), Reims & yb Pontefract (3) with Paul & Barry.
Paul Gatley of Gatley, Harrod & Son winner of 1st Fed Lillers, with Barry Pearce.
Lifelong member of the sport Tommy Clark & Son Gary, who flies in both the Billingham T U and Haverton Hill, started their Billingham T U season by winning an impressive 1st Club, 4th Fed out of old bird Worksop when there were 973 birds competing. Tommy & Gary, who are the previous winners of 1st Up North Combine old bird Folkestone (1) National in 2012 with ”Dream Maker” from a convoy of 24,246 birds, achieved three outstanding young bird performances from three consecutive races. With the duo’s first top team performance coming at Pontefract (2) when no fewer than seven of their entries were timed in the space of 1 minute 15 seconds to chalk up an outstanding 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Club, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Fed. Tommy & Gary recorded their first young bird win and second win of the season at Worksop (1) when five babies were on the clock to win a brilliant 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 1st, 2nd, 10th, 11th and 12th Fed from a convoy of 1,318 birds. Tommy & Gary made it two young bird wins off the belt from Worksop (2) after a couple of birds were timed to win a top notch 1st and 3rd Club, 1st and 3rd Fed when there were 1,052 birds competing. Tommy & Gary’s top young bird performances earned them R/U Young Bird Fed Average. The partnership of Butto Bell & Weedall got off the mark at old bird Rivenhall (1) when a well-earned 2nd Club, 3rd Fed was chalked up, and then 5th Club, 9th Fed and 1st Fed Nom was achieved at Peterborough (2). Butto timed the yearling blue cock that took 2nd Club, 3rd Fed out of Rivenhall (1) at Oakham (3) with the well-fancied cock scoring a top notch 2nd Club, 2nd Fed and 1st Fed Nom. Butto’s well-fancied number one cock was in the points again from Oakham (5) to lift an awesome 2nd Club, 3rd Fed and 1st Fed Nom. The young cock really proved himself with three outstanding performances throughout the 2015 old bird racing season, I’m sure this will not be the last we hear of the top performing cock. Butto attended the payout night with his mate John, and as Butto was out of the room when it was his turn to receive his prizes, John took to the floor on his behalf.
Denis Potter of Hodge & Potter the winners of 1st Fed Oakham (4) with Derek & BP.- John Pledger of Gamble & Pledger winners of 1st Fed Bourges, with BP.
Col Atkinson & Alby Woodward the previous winners of 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section and 2nd UNC Clermont in 2012 when there were 6,048 birds competing and 2nd Queens Cup from a convoy of 8,143 birds, knocked up their first points at old bird Rivenhall (1) when they netted 4th Club, 9th Fed; with the duo’s well-fancied yellow card potter winning 1st Fed Nom. The partnership had a couple of their Lillers entries in the clock to pocket 5th and 6th Club, 14th and 16th Fed; and that was followed up by claiming 8th Fed Rivenhall (2) a week later. The boys notched up their second yellow card of the old bird season at Roye. Col & Alby hit the winners’ enclosure out of the very testing Reims race where they timed two of their channel squad to win a very impressive 1st and 4th Club. With their pole position winner that topped the Clubs charts by 10 minutes going on to score a well-deserved and notable 6th Fed when there were 133 birds competing. Two weeks later a single bird was timed to pocket 6th Club, 7th Fed out of Burbure. Moving on to the young birds where Col & Alby netted 4th Club out of Worksop (2) and they followed that up a week later when the birds were at Oakham by winning 1st Fed Nom, and then they took 14th and 16th Fed from the Maidstone National. Steve Wilson chalked up a notable and well-earned 3rd Club, 3rd Fed out of old bird Oakham (3) while G Brydon netted a useful 6th Club, 17th Fed at old bird Rivenhall (1) and then took 14th Fed from Oakham (3).
The Haverton Hill loft of Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff were the winners of the Channel Fed Average with 29pts, R/U Old Bird Combined Average with 48pts and R/U Combined Fed Average with a total of 52pts. Andrew & Paul got off the mark in fine style from Worksop, the second race of the season when they won a top notch 1st Club, 2nd Fed when there were 973 birds competing. The duo timed another single bird a week later at Oakham (1) when a nice 3rd Club, 11th Fed was taken. That was followed up by timing no fewer than three birds in the space of 1 minute 11 seconds at Peterborough (1) to net a notable 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 9th, 11th and 12th Fed. Two weeks later when the birds were at the Eastbourne (1) National the two lads had a couple of their squad on the clock to pocket 2nd and 3rd Club with the blue card scorer going on to lift 15th Fed and 189th UNC. Andrew & Paul returned to the winners’ enclosure at Peterborough (2) when they won a most impressive 1st Club, 1st Fed when there was 721 birds away. The Boys enjoyed a cracking clocking day at Lillers after timing six of their channel team to chalk up a bumper 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 4th, 5th, 6th, 10th, 11th and 12th Fed, 84th, 145th, 158th, 248th and 250th Combine. The fourth timer won 1st £5 Fed Pools winning £50 while the lads fifth timer netted 2nd £5 Fed Pools to bank another £25 to round off a top team performance.
Andrew & Paul had their channel birds on song again at Roye where they timed three birds in the space of 25 seconds to win a brilliant 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Fed, 57th, 59th and 64th UNC, the blue card scorer won 1st £5 Fed Pools winning £50 while their green card lifter took 2nd £5 Fed Pool to pocket £25. The lads timed another three of their entries to pot a notable 9th, 12th and 17th Fed to end another top notch channel performance from the distance of 377 miles. The lads were enjoying a good run of form when the recorded their second win off the trot and fourth win of the old bird season at Peterborough (3) when their chart-topper went on to score a useful 5th Fed out of a entry of 541 birds. After been out of the frame at Oakham (3) the duo got back to their winning ways at the Eastbourne (2) National where no less than four of their team were timed to win a top notch 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 2nd, 13th, 16th and 20th Fed out of 408 birds, with the pole position winning going on to lift an awesome 2nd Section and 11th Combine. Next stop is Reims where the lads birds put up another class loft performance when six birds were timed to win an awesome 2nd, 3rd and 5th Club, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 11th, 14th and 19th Fed, with the green card potter netting 2nd £5 Fed Nom. The partnerships outstanding channel campaign came to a close at Burbure when a single bird was on the clock to notch up 19th Fed.
The very hard working Andrew & Paul’s young bird season started in the winners’ enclosure when 1st and 4th Club was won at Pontefract (1) when the red card winner went on to net 13th Fed when there were 668 birds competing. The green card was awarded a week later at Pontefract (2) and that was followed by winning 1st and 4th Club, 3rd and 13th Fed from Worksop (1), when the well-fancied chart-topper went on to win 1st Fed Nom. The yellow card was potted at both Oakham and Peterborough before timing a couple of babies at Rivenhall to claim 3rd and 6th Club, and then 2nd Club, 17th Fed was taken out of the Maidstone National.
Jeff Hugget & Keith Gregory the winners of 1st Fed Pontefract (1).- BP presenting to Jack Burton of Burton & Son, the winners of 1st Club, 2nd Fed Bourges.
The partnership of Nev & Angela Evans & Steve Cuthbert saw their birds perform very well throughout the 2015 racing season, sadly this was the partners last season together due to Nev’s illness, I’m sure everyone wishes Nev well. Nev, Angela & Steve first chalked at old bird Worksop where a couple of birds were timed to lift a notable 3rd and 5th Club, 5th and 13th Fed, and that was followed up by clocking no fewer than five birds to take a useful 2nd and 6th Club, 7th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th Fed out of Oakham (1). The trio achieved their first win of the 2015 racing season at Peterborough (1) where two birds were on the clock to win a very impressive 1st and 5th Club, 1st and 13th Fed when there were 916 birds competing, with the pole position Fed winner also winning 1st Fed Nom. Win number two in a row was achieved at Rivenhall (1) when four birds were timed to win a fantastic 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th Fed from an entry of 807 birds. Nev, Angela & Steve won their third consecutive red card at the Eastbourne (1) National when their winner went on to score a cracking 5th Fed out of 548 birds, 7th Section and 116th UNC from a convoy of 18,418 birds. The partnership was out of the points for a couple of races but they returned to the frame at Rivenhall (2) when three of their entries were timed to pocket 2nd, 3rd and 5th Club, 14th, 15th and 20th Fed. Their birds really got their act together a week later when the birds were at Oakham (2) when no less than five of their squad were timed to claim an eye catching 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 7th, 12th, 16th, 17th and 20th Fed. After notching up 8th and 20th Fed from Roye, the trio had three birds in the clock at Peterborough (3) to net 2nd, 4th and 6th Club, 7th, 12th and 20th Fed. Nev, Angela & Steve’s birds were scoring steady away and performing as a team, they did the same again at Oakham (3) when four birds were timed to chalk up 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th Club, with the blue and green card scorers that were zapped together to take 11th and 12th Fed while the next couple of timers that touched down together went on to claim 18th and 19th Fed. A week later when the birds were at the Eastbourne (2) National two birds were clocked to pot a useful 2nd and 3rd Club, 7th and 10th Fed, with the blue card claimer going on to take 18th Section and 181st UNC.
The birds continued to keep on pleasing Nev, Angela & Steve when once again they knocked up another cracking loft performance when no fewer than four birds were timed at Oakham (4) to win an impressive 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Club with the red and blue card winners that were timed 3 seconds apart going on to score 4th and 5th Fed while the third and fourth timers netted 15th and 16th Fed when there was 279 birds away. Reims brought more success after timing five birds to win a brilliant 1st, 4th and 6th Club, 1st, 4th, 9th and 18th Fed out of an entry of 133 birds, with the well-fancied pole position winner lifting 1st £5 Fed Pools. The partnerships fifth timer won an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section and 2nd UNC Reims (1) in 2014 when there were 5,195 birds competing, and going even further to score 2nd Queens Cup from a convoy of 7,102 birds. Nev, Angela & Steve enjoyed another of their impressive loft performances at Oakham (5) when no less than five their entries were on the clock to pocket a notable 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 6th, 8th, 11th, 12th and 16th Fed. And that was followed up by having another five birds on the clock at Burbure to net a very enjoyable 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 14th, 15th, 16th 17th and 18th Fed. Nev, Angela & Steve timed three of their young bird Worksop (1) entries in the space of 5 seconds to claim 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 16th, 17th and 18th Fed. The partnership recorded their first of four young bird wins at Worksop (2) a week later when a couple of birds were on the clock to win 1st Club, 4th and 16th Fed when there was 1,052 birds away. Back to back wins were achieved at Oakham when the trio’s red card winner went on to score 9th Fed out of an entry of 879 birds, and this was followed up a week later when a couple of youngsters were clocked at Peterborough to lift 3rd and 5th Club. Nev, Angela & Steve were in the young bird frame for the fifth consecutive race at Rivenhall after two more birds were timed to collect 2nd and 5th Club. The partnership returned to the winners; enclosure at the Maidstone National when the chart-topper went on to lift 7th Fed when there were 303 birds competing. The curtain came down on Nev, Angela & Steve’s outstanding campaign when six of their squad were on the clock at Pontefract (3) to win an awesome 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th and 20th Fed from 278 birds.
Paul Gatley, Graham Harrod & Son Dale got on the points board at old bird Worksop when a couple of birds were timed to pocket a very nice 2nd and 4th Club, 3rd and 12th Fed, a week later 4th Club, 14th Fed was taken and this was followed up by taking 20th Fed out of Peterborough (1). The lads timed two birds in 2 seconds at Rivenhall (1) to notch up 6th and 7th Club, 14th and 15th Fed, and then that was followed by netting 3rd Club, 5th Fed from Peterborough (2). Paul, Graham & Dale recorded their first old bird win of the season in outstanding style at Lillers when the overjoyed trio won a most impressive 1st Club, 1st Fed out of 409 birds, 1st Section winning £146.47 in prize money and 7th Up North Combine from a convoy of 14,062 birds which was a fantastic achievement, a second bird was timed to notch up 13th Fed. The lads were in the frame again at Roye when a useful 4th Club, 5th Fed and 170th Combine was taken, another three of their squad were timed to claim a well taken 10th, 11th and 13th Fed. The trio were out of the Club points at Reims but still managed to collect 12th, 13th and 17th Fed before winning 1st Club, 9th Fed from Burbure. Paul, Graham & Dale had a very good run with the young birds with them starting off by pocketing 3rd Club, 19th Fed out of Pontefract (1) and followed that up a week later at Pontefract (2) by potting the yellow card, then Worksop (1) saw them time a couple of youngsters to chalk up a notable 2nd and 3rd Club, 6th and 7th Fed. Four babies were on the clock at Worksop (2) when no fewer than five of their team were timed to score an enjoyable 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, with the green and yellow card lifters that touched down together potting 6th and 7th Fed while their third timer netted 9th Fed and 1st Fed Nom. And the remaining couple of timers went on to take 10th and 13th Fed to round off a very good team performance, that didn’t go unnoticed. A week later when the birds were at Oakham three birds were timed to net a nice 2nd, 3rd and 5th Club, with the blue card scorer going on to chalk up 10th Fed while the green potter collected 16th Fed. Paul, Graham & Dale returned to their winning ways at Peterborough when an impressive 1st Club, 2nd Fed was won from an entry of 673 birds. The lads were in the clock for the eighth consecutive young bird race at Rivenhall when a single bird was timed to take 4th Club, and that was followed up by picking up 17th Fed out of Pontefract (3).
Brian Letcher & Lewis McCabe were in the points from day one when they timed a couple of birds at old bird Selby to chalk up a very nice 3rd and 4th Club and that was followed up by netting 6th Club, 19th Fed a week later when the birds were at Worksop. Then 5th Club, 15th Fed was claimed at Oakham (1); another single bird was on the clock at the Eastbourne (1) National to pocket 4th Club, 9th Fed. The partnership had a couple of birds on the clock at young bird Pontefract (1) to lift 2nd and 5th Club with the blue card potter going on to collect 17th Fed. Brian & Lewis hit winning form out of Pontefract (2) when two more babies were timed to win a top notch 1st and 2nd Club, 17th and 18th Fed when there was 939 birds competing. A single baby was on the clock at Worksop (2) to net 2nd Club, 5th Fed and that was followed by clocking two birds at Peterborough to pocket 2nd and 6th Club with the lads first timer collecting 10th Fed. Brian & Lewis recorded their second young bird win of the season at Rivenhall, when their well out in front pole position winner went on to score a well-earned 5th Fed from a convoy of 523 birds. Pontefract (3) saw the boys time three of their entries to claim 3rd Club, 3rd, 9th and 10th Fed.
George Gamble & John Pledger were the winners of 1 x 1st Club and what a fantastic win it was for the two lads, with them winning an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed and 27th UNC Bourges from a convoy of 1,736 birds, from the distance of 545 miles, when only 73 birds were recorded in race time. George & John’s pole position winning “Alan” is no stranger in the clock from the distance races for he is the winner of not one but two UNC French Diploma Awards for winning 243rd UNC Bourges out of 1,725 birds in 2012, then 210th UNC
Fontenay was netted in 2013 from a convoy of 3,190 birds from a distance of 443 miles. In the same season “Alan” chalked up 135th UNC Bourges when there were 1,640 birds competing, and then the 2015 Bourges performance. The UNC French Diploma is won by any bird achieving a minimum of three positions in the first 250 of the Combine, at a distance of 440 miles or more. J Appleton had a couple of birds on the clock at old bird Selby to pocket 5th and 6th Club and then a single bird was timed at Peterborough (2) to claim 5th Club, 17th Fed, this was followed up by taking a nice 5th Club, 6th Fed out of Roye. The partnership of Dowson & Grandson were the scorers of 2nd Club old bird Selby; while Smith & Son notched up 18th Fed out of old bird Rivenhall (1).
Beechwood & Easterside’s top prize-winners Steve Wheatley Snr & Connor of Cole, Wheatley & Grandson winning 1st Fed Roye & yb Rivenhall, with Derek & BP.
Derek & Les Wellburn of Les Wellburn & Sons winners of 1st Fed Eastbourne (1) National and highest prize-winners in Middlesbrough H/S.
Moving on to the Beechwood & Easterside where the top prize winners for the 2015 season was the partnership of the late but never forgotten Wyn Cole, Steve Wheatley & Grandson Connor, with the lads being the winners of the Club Old Bird Inland Average, Channel Average winners and the winners of the Old Bird Combined Average, Young Bird Average and Combined Average winners. Steve and young Connor hit the points trail at old bird Selby after timing three of their entries to chalk up 3rd, 5th and 6th Club. The two lads hit the winners’ enclosure the following week at Worksop when another three birds were on the clock to win a very pleasing 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, 10th, 16th and 20th Fed when there was 973 birds competing. Win number two off the belt was achieved at Oakham (1) when a couple of birds were timed to win 1st and 2nd Club with their red card winner “Wan” going on to score 10th Fed, while the blue card netter pocketed 12th Fed when there was 985 birds competing. The partnership made it three wins on the trot at Peterborough (1) when three birds were timed to win a top notch 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 10th, 15th and 16th Fed out of an entry of 916 birds, with the chart-topper being “Wan” who had won the previous week. Steve & Connor were on a roll with their birds winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club for the second race running at Rivenhall (1), with the trio going on to net 12th, 19th and 20th Fed when there was 807 birds away. The inform duo recorded their fifth consecutive win at the Eastbourne (1) National when another three birds were on the clock to win an awesome 1st, 3rd and 5th Club, 2nd, 16th and 20th Fed out of 548 birds, with the pole position winner going on to score 3rd Section and 31st Up North Combine from a convoy of 18,418 birds.
Steve & Connor were really enjoying their winning form with their on-song team knocking up some outstanding loft performances. The boys were in the frame for the seventh race running when they timed three birds at Peterborough (2) to pocket a useful 2nd, 3rd and 6th Club, with the blue card potter netting 13th Fed and the yellow card lifter going on to claim 18th Fed. Steve & Connor returned to the winners’ enclosure a week later when the birds were over the pond at Lillers to win a very swift 1st, 2nd and 6th Club, 3rd, 15th and 20th Fed out of an entry of 409 birds, with the chart-topper going on to score a well-earned 36th UNC from a convoy of 14,062 birds. Three more of their team were on the clock at Rivenhall (2) to win 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, with the red card winning “Wan” who was recording his third win of the season going on to chalk up 9th Fed when there were 626 birds competing. Steve & Connor kept up their outstanding run of form at Oakham (2) when no fewer than four birds were timed to win an awesome 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th Club, 10th, 11th and 19th Fed when there was 417 birds away. Things got even better at Roye when three of the duo’s channel squad were timed to win 1st, 4th and 6th Club, with the chart-topper going on to win a most impressive 1st Fed out of 275 birds and 48th Combine from a convoy of 7,316 birds. Steve & Connor were making the most of their fantastic season, the late Wyn Cole must have taught them right because their outstanding run and winning performances was all their own work, it must have being very hard for Steve & Connor to carry on racing without Wyn because they were a very close knit partnership with them bonding like a family. Wyn was a very popular and well respected man who had made friends all over the Country, stretching far and wide to other Countries, a man who is greatly missed by all who knew him. Wyn & Steve won a top class 1st Up North Combine Andrezel in 2008 with “Ivy” from a convoy of 4,687birds. Moving on to Peterborough (3) where Steve & Connor were in the frame for the twelve consecutive race to record their tenth win of the old bird programme after clocking four birds to win a top notch 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, The red card winning “Wan” who has fast become “The Special Wan” who notched up his fourth win of the year plus other positions went on to pocket 3rd Fed out of 541 birds and 1st Fed Nom.
Win number eleven in thirteen races (not including Bourges) was achieved at Oakham (3) when an incredible five birds were on the clock to win a brilliant 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, with the red, blue and green card winners that were timed in the space of 4 seconds going on to pot 15th, 16th and 17th Fed from 410 birds. Steve & Connor’s dominance continued from the Eastbourne (2) National after three of their entries were timed to win 1st, 4th and 5th Club, with the winner going on to score a creditable 3rd Fed when there was 408 birds away, 8th Section from 2,450 birds and 59th UNC from a convoy of 12,647 birds. With the well-fancied yellow card potting star of the loft “Wan” going on to claim 14th Fed which was enough to win 1st Fed Nom. Next stop is Oakham (4) where the boys zapped three birds in the space of 4 seconds to lift a useful 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 18th, 19th and 20th Fed. The two lads returned to their winning ways the following week when the birds were at Oakham (4) after clocking two birds 2 seconds apart to win a talked about 1st and 2nd Club, 4th and 5th Fed when there was 301 birds away. Steve & Connor ended their first class old bird season in winning style when they won a welcoming 1st, 2nd and 4th Club with the well-fancied red card winning chequer cock going on to lift 5th Fed, 1st Fed Nom, 2nd £5 Fed Pools and 247th Combine when there was 10,617 birds competing. The chart-topping chequer cock was no stranger in pole position for he had already won 1st Club, 15th Fed Oakham (3) and followed that up a week later by winning an outstanding 1st Club, 3rd Fed, 8th Section and 59th UNC Eastbourne (2) National.
Steve & Connor’s young bird season didn’t get off to the best of starts due to Steve spending some time in hospital, which resulted in the duo missing the start of the nine race campaign. But like good Pigeon men Steve and the fast learning Conner did turn it around at the fourth race when they timed four youngsters to win a rewarding 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Club out of Worksop (2). The red and blue card winners that were timed 12 seconds apart went on to chalk up 11th and 12th Fed while the yellow card lifter pocketed 20th Fed from an entry of 1,052 birds. The two lads were in the points for the second week running from Oakham when the duo had a trio of babies in the clock to claim a nice 2nd, 4th and 5th Club. Steve & Connor were only sending a fairly small team but that didn’t stop them from knocking out their second young bird win in three race from Peterborough where they timed a couple of birds to win 1st and 6th Club, with the pole position winner that topped the Club charts by just under 5 minutes going on to net 15th Fed when there were 673 birds competing. Steve & Conner’s late start didn’t affect their Club performances too much but it did have a knock-on effect to their Fed performances but that changed big style a week after their Peterborough win, with the birds at Rivenhall a brilliant team performance was achieved after no fewer than five of their entries were timed to win a top performing 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, with the red card winner going on to win a most impressive 1st Fed when there was 523 birds competing, while one of the duo’s later timers winning 1st Fed Nom. The partnership was in the points for the fifth consecutive race when a couple of birds were on the clock at the Maidstone National to claim 4th and 5th Club. The Club didn’t send to Pontefract (3), the final race of the year.
Arthur Cox the winner of 1st Club, 19th Fed young bird Maidstone National. - BP presenting to John on behalf of Butto Bell & Weedall.
The loft of Keith Hodge & Denis Potter have enjoyed some good winning performances in their time together, with the two lads flying a notable Pigeon in 2015. Keith & Denis hit the winners’ enclosure on day one from old bird Selby when the duo’s red card winner went on to chalk up 18th Fed out of an entry of 629 birds. The lads took 4th Club, 20th Fed from Peterborough (2) before potting 5th Club out of Lillers, and then a couple of birds were on the clock at Rivenhall (2) to net 2nd and 5th Club with the blue card scorer picking up 17th Fed. A single bird was on the clock at Oakham (2) to lift 4th Club, 14th Fed and that was followed up by timing two birds at the Eastbourne (2) National to take a notable 2nd and 3rd Club, 8th and 11th Fed. Keith & Denis recorded their second old bird win at Oakham (4) when no fewer than three of their entries were timed to win a joyful 1st, 5th and 6th Club, with the red card winner that topped the charts by 2 minutes going on to win a very impressive 1st Fed when there was 279 birds away. Another trio of birds were on the clock at Oakham (5) to lift a useful 3rd, 5th and 6th Club, 9th and 20th Fed; a week later when the birds were at Burbure the boys timed three more birds to pocket a nice 3rd, 5th and 6th Club. Now on to the young birds where like the old birds Keith & Denis made a winning start after timing a couple of birds in the space of 6 seconds at Pontefract (1) to win a top notch 1st and 2nd Club, 11th and 12th Fed when there was 668 birds competing. The two lads made it two young bird wins out of two from Pontefract (2) when they won 1st and 2nd Club for the second race running. The inform Keith & Denis achieved their third consecutive red card winning performance at Worksop (1) when two birds were on the clock for the third race on the trot to win 1st and 5th Club. This was followed up by claiming 6th Club out of both Worksop (2) and Oakham.
The partnership of McCarthy, Son & Proffit’s season got underway when they took 2nd Club, 19th Fed out of old bird Selby and followed that up by scoring 2nd Club, 14th Fed from Worksop. Jimmy & John netted their third 2nd Club at the Eastbourne (1) National when their blue card potter went on to net 11th Fed. The duo were in points at Lillers when another single bird was timed to lift 3rd Club, 17th Fed. Jimmy & John enjoyed a good clocking day out of Roye where they timed no less than three of their channel team to score a well-earned 2nd, 3rd and 5th Club, with the blue lifter going on to take 14th Fed while the green potter claimed 18th Fed. Jimmy & John’s first young bird points were achieved at Pontefract (1) when the green card was chalked up. The two lads hit the winners’ enclosure at Oakham when their pole position winner that topped the charts by 4 minutes went on to score 12th Fed when there were 879 birds competing. And then a week later when the birds were at Peterborough a couple of youngsters were timed to notch up 4th and 5th Club. Jimmy & John netted 3rd Club from the Maidstone National where they also won 1st Fed Nom.
Derek Gibson & Burnip got off the mark at old bird Selby where the yellow card was potted and that was followed up by taking 4th Club, 19th Fed from Peterborough (1), the partnership took their third 4th Club out of the Eastbourne (1) National when the yellow card potter went on to claim 19th Fed. The solo red card was won at Peterborough (2) when a couple of birds were on the clock to win a smiling 1st and 6th Club with the chart-topper netting 12th Fed when there were 721 birds competing. This was followed up by pocketing 6th Club out of Lillers and Rivenhall (2), followed by notching up 3rd Club, 13th Fed from Oakham (2). Two birds were on the clock at Peterborough (3) to claim 2nd and 6th Club with the blue card scorer taking a notable 6th Fed. A week later with the birds at Oakham (3) 5th Club was picked up and the following week 6th was potted from the Eastbourne (2) National, then 4th Club, 19th Fed was lifted at Oakham (5). Next stop is the young birds where 6th Club was notched up out of Pontefract (1) and then 3rd Club, 14th Fed was taken at Worksop (2). The partnership took 3rd Club out of both Oakham and Peterborough, 3rd Club was achieved for the fourth consecutive race at Rivenhall when the green card scorer claimed 19th Fed. The partnership was in the frame for the fifth race off the belt at the Maidstone National where a couple of babies were on the clock to chalk up 2nd and 6th Club.
Arthur Cox netted four times with the young birds with 5th Club being taken at Pontefract (2) and then 3rd Club was chalked up out of Worksop (1) before achieving 2nd Club from Peterborough. Arthur hit the winners’ enclosure at the longest young bird race, the Maidstone National where his pole position winner went on to score 19th Fed when there were 303 birds away to round off a very fine performance. Joe Proffit was the scorer 1 x 2nd and 2 x 4th Clubs with all three chalks being achieved with the young birds. Joe had a single baby on the clock at Pontefract (2) to lift a useful 4th Club, then a week later when the birds were at Worksop (1) a couple of birds were timed to chalk up a notable 2nd and 4th Club. The loft of Booty & Berryman enjoyed a cracking clocking day out of young bird Pontefract (1) when no fewer than three babies were timed to chalk up a useful 3rd, 4th and 5th Club with the blue card scorer netting 20th Fed. The notable performance was followed up by taking 6th Club the following week when the birds were at Pontefract (2). The partnership of N & G Bunney & Donnelly notched up 6th Club out of young bird Worksop (1).
The Middlesbrough H/S loft of the late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek were the Clubs top prize winners with the partnership being the winners of 11 x 1st, 9 x 2nd, 7 x 3rd and 10 x 4th Clubs. The Brothers were the winners of the Old Bird Inland Average with 62pts, winners of the Channel Average with 23pts and they also scored10pts with the young birds to win the Combined Average with a total of 95pts. Les & Derek started their season in the points after timing a single bird at old bird Selby to score a very nice 2nd Club, 4th Teesside Federation. The two lads hit the winners’ enclosure 2 weeks later at Oakham (1) when their red card winner went on to chalk up an impressive 3rd Fed from a convoy of 985 birds. Peterborough (1) saw the duo net 2nd Club, 14th Fed, and that was followed up by timing a couple of their team at Rivenhall (1) to win 1st and 4th Club with the chart-topper going on to lift 6th Fed when there were 807 birds competing. Les & Derek achieved their second win off the belt to record their third win from six races in outstanding style at the Eastbourne (1) National after no fewer than four of their entries were timed to win a top notch 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club. The pole position winner that was 6 minutes in front of its loft mate won a most impressive 1st Fed out of 548 birds, 2nd Section and 15th Up North Combine from a convoy of 18,418 birds, the blue card scorer went on to pocket 10th Fed with the green card potter claiming 17th Fed to round a great days racing for the lads. Les & Derek were on a roll for they made it three wins on the trot at Peterborough (2) when three birds were clocked to win a top notch 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 2nd, 15th and 19th Fed when there were 721 birds away.
Les & Derek were enjoying their fantastic run of form when they had another three of their squad in the clock at Lillers, the first French race of the campaign, with the inform Brothers winning an awesome 1st, 3rd and 4th Club. The winning roll turned in to a roller coaster ride at Rivenhall (2) for Les & Derek recorded their fifth consecutive win and their sixth win in nine races after once again clocking three of their entries to win a creditable 1st, 2nd and 4th Club with the red card winner taking 7th Fed and the blue card scorer netting 16th Fed out of an entry of 626 birds. A couple of birds were timed at Oakham (2) to lift 2nd and 4th Club with the blue card potter going on to notch up 18th Fed. The boys returned to the winners’ enclosure a week later at the second channel race Roye after three of their team were timed to win a notable 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, when the winner went on to chalk up 15th Fed when there were 275 birds competing. Les & Derek achieved their eighth win of the 2015 racing season at Peterborough (3) when a trio of birds were timed in the space of a minute and a half to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 8th, 13th and 17th Fed when there were 541 birds away. Moving on to Oakham (3) where there was two birds on the clock to pocket a useful 2nd and 4th Club, and then a single bird was timed at the Eastbourne (2) National to claim 3rd Club. Les & Derek got back to their winning ways at Reims to make it three channel wins out of four when their well-fancied chart-topper went on to score a welcomed 7th Fed out of an entry of 133 birds and also win 1st Fed Nom. A solo bird was in the clock at Oakham (5) to lift 3rd Club, and then Les & Derek followed that up by timing a couple of their entries at Burbure to chalk up a swift 2nd and 3rd Club to round off their top class old bird season.
Moving on to the young birds where Les & Derek scored four times with their first chalk being achieved at Pontefract (1) when 4th Club, 15th Fed was netted. The Brothers recorded their tenth win of the season a week later at Pontefract (2) when their red card winning baby went on to score a neat 10th Fed when there were 939 birds competing. Les & Derek were in the young bird frame for the third consecutive race at Worksop (1) when another single bird was timed to pocket 4th Club with the yellow card scoring youngster going on to net 15th Fed. After notching up a useful 7th Fed out of Oakham Les & Derek achieved a fantastic win number eleven of the season from the Maidstone National where the lads pole position winner went on to chalk up a well-earned 3rd Fed when there were 303 birds away. Les & Derek scored 26pts in the old bird 3 Bird Nom and 8pts in the young bird 3 Bird Nom to give them a tally of 34pts. The lads were the winners of the nom out of Rivenhall (1) and won 1st and 2nd nom from Peterborough (2) before winning 1st nom at Rivenhall (2), Roye, Oakham (3), Reims, Oakham (5) and Burbure. The boys took 2nd 3 Bird Nom out of young bird Peterborough and then won 1st 3 Bird Nom at both Rivenhall and the Maidstone National.
Billingham’s Shaun Smith and his Good Lady enjoying a great night, photo by Hayden.
The partnership of Steve Smith & Joe Proffit were the winners of 7 x 1st, 10 x 2nd, 11 x 3rd and 9 x 4th Clubs, with the lads scoring 57 old bird inland points, 5pts at the channel and another 27pts with the young birds to give them a total of 89pts to claim the Clubs 2nd highest prize winners. Steve & Joe who get a lot of help from Joe’s father Steve Proffit the Up North Combine Chief Convoyer, started their 2015 racing season in the winners’ enclosure after timing no fewer than three of their birds to win a top notch 1st, 3rd and 4th Club. The well-fancied red card winner who went on to score an impressive 3rd Fed when there were 629 birds competing also won 1st Fed Nom, the green card potter netted a nice 5th Fed while the yellow card lifter took 20th Fed to round off a excellent start to the season. Three more birds were on the clock at Worksop to chalk up a notable 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, the trio that were timed in the space of 34 seconds went on to pocket 15th, 17th and 18th Fed. Race number three from Oakham (1) saw the lads time a couple of their squad to claim 2nd and 3rd Club, 9th and 13th Fed. The boys recorded their second win in four races at Peterborough (1) after clocking no less than three of their entries to win an eye opening 1st, 2nd and 4th Club, with the red card winner going on to score 8th Fed and the blue card potter taking 17th Fed out of an entry of 916 birds. The partnership was in the frame for the fifth consecutive race at Rivenhall (1) when a couple of birds were timed to pocket 2nd and 3rd Club, with the blue card scorer notching up 13th Fed. The lads followed that up by potting 4th Club and both Peterborough (2) and Peterborough (3).
The two Steve’s & Joe returned to their winning ways at Oakham (4) where two birds were timed to win 1st and 3rd Club, and a week later when the birds were at the Eastbourne (2) National another couple of birds were timed 6 seconds apart to net a tidy 2nd and 3rd Club, 18th and 19th Fed. The lads enjoyed cracking clocking day the following week when the birds were at Oakham (4) when three birds were timed to lift a notable 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club. Win number four of the season was achieved at Oakham (5), the final old bird inland race of the season when no fewer than three birds were clocked to win a top performing 1st, 2nd and 4th Club with the pole position winner going on to claim 18th Fed when there were 301 birds away. The two Steve’s & Joe made it two wins off the belt at Burbure the fifth and final channel race of the season after timing a couple of their team to win 1st and 4th Club with the chart-topper going on to pot a useful 8th Fed. On to the young birds where the partnerships first chalk came at Worksop (1) when a couple of babies were timed in the space of 29 seconds to net a notable 2nd and 3rd Club, 8th and 14th Fed. This was followed up by clocking three birds 11 seconds apart a week later at Worksop (2) to chalk up a swift 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 15th, 17th and 18th Fed. The boys were out of the frame at Oakham but still timed four youngsters in the space of 31 seconds to notch up a not to be sniffed at 15th, 18th, 19th and 20th Fed. I’m being honest when I say that, after I saw the partnerships late rally from Oakham my first thoughts were that the two Steve’s & Joe’s birds would perform well the following week. And performed well they did for the lads hit the winning trail at Peterborough after timing three of their battalion to win an outstanding 1st and 3rd Club, 1st, 7th and 13th Fed when there were 673 birds away. A week later when the birds were at Rivenhall a single youngster was clocked to pocket a useful 2nd Club, 7th Fed. The three lads had flown a very good Pigeon with both the old birds and young birds with them winning 6 x 1st Clubs and another 29 positions in the first 4 in the Club, but there was one roll of the dice left with that being from Pontefract (3) the final race of the 2015 racing season. The lads rolled their seventh win of the season after timing a couple of their entries in the space of 5 seconds to win a belting 1st and 2nd Club, 4th and 5th Fed out of an entry of 278 birds. The chart-topping trio clocked three later birds to pick up 13th, 18th and 19th Fed to end a very pleasing season.
The trio were the highest points winners in the 3 Bird Nom with them scoring 40pts in the old bird 3 Bird Nom and 7pts in the young bird 3 Bird Nom to have a tally of 47pts, with them winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd 3 Bird Nom at old bird Selby and took 2nd nom out of Worksop before winning 1st nom at both Oakham (1) and Peterborough (1). Then 1st and 3rd nom was won at the Eastbourne (1) National and then 3rd nom was taken at Peterborough (2), and that was followed up by winning 1st and 2nd nom at Peterborough (3) and then the boys netted 2nd and 3rd nom at both Oakham (3) and Eastbourne (2) National. The lads won 1st and 2nd nom at Oakham (4), 2nd and 3rd nom at Oakham (5) and then 2nd nom at Burbure, and then the partnership took 2nd and 3rd nom out of young bird Oakham and then 3rd nom was notched up at Peterborough before taking 2nd nom at Rivenhall and 3rd nom from Pontefract (3). Steve & Joe were in the Threadgill, Smith & Proffit partnership that won 1st Up North Combine old bird Eastbourne (3) National in 2014 with the Gold Medal winning “Joe’s Boy” from a convoy of 9,069 birds.
Steve Wheatley of Mr & Mrs Wheatley the winners of 1st Club yb Pontefract (1), Worksop (1) & (2), Oakham & Rivenhall, with BP. - BP with Derek Gibson of Gibson & Burnip winners of 1st Club, 12th Fed Peterborough (2) and John Proffit of McCarthy, Son & Proffit winners of 1st Club, 20th Fed Reims.
Mrs & Mrs Steve Junior & Jean-Anne Wheatley returned to young bird racing this season after taking 2 years out of the sport. Steve and his good Lady were the winners of a most impressive 5 x 1st, 4 x 2nd, 6 x 3rd and 6 x 4th Clubs from the nine young birds races to score 50pts which won them the Young Bird Average. The duo also scored 25pts in the young bird 3 Bird Nom with them taking 3rd at Pontefract (1) and followed that up a week later by winning a top notch 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and then 2nd was netted at Worksop (1) before winning a very nice 1st and 3rd at Worksop (2). Steve won 1st 3 Bird Nom at both Oakham & Peterborough before pocketing 3rd from the Maidstone National and then winning 1st and 2nd out of Pontefract (3). Now for the couples young bird racing performances where they scored in all nine races with them hitting the winners’ enclosure from race one when they timed no fewer than three of their team to win an outstanding 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club out of Pontefract (1). With the red card winner going on to score an impressive 3rd Fed while the blue card potter that was timed 23 seconds after chart-topper taking a notable 5th Fed, and the green card lifter that was timed 20 seconds later went on to claim a useful 10th Fed when there were 668 birds away to round off a welcome back loft performance. A couple of babies were on the clock at Pontefract (2) to lift 3rd and 4th Club with the duo’s blue card scorer netting 20th Fed. Win number two from three starts was achieved at Worksop (1) when the red card winner went on to chalk up an eye-catching 4th Fed from a convoy of 1,318 birds.
The partnership knocked up their second win on the trot at Worksop (2) when a couple of birds were clocked to win 1st Club, 8th and 19th Fed out of an entry of 1,052 birds. Steve’s youngsters were churning out some top performances at both Club and Federation level and they continued to hold their form at Oakham when the inform Steve timed no less than four of his squad to win a brilliant 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club to record his third consecutive win and fourth win in five races. The pole position winner went on to score a very impressive 3rd Fed when there were 879 birds competing, the blue, green and yellow card scorers that touched down together 14 seconds after the winner chalked up a mouth watering 4th, 5th and 6th Fed, a couple of later birds were clocked 15 seconds apart to pocket a nice 13th and 14th Fed to end a top class loft performance. Four birds were on the clock at Peterborough to pot 2nd and 4th Club, 5th, 9th, 14th and 18th Fed, with the well-fancied yellow card scorer winning 1st Fed Nom. Steve returned to his winning ways at Rivenhall where three birds were on the clock to win a very impressive 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, 2nd, 11th and 15th Fed when there were 523 birds competing. The birds were on a fantastic run when three of Steve’s Maidstone National entries were on the clock to claim a well-earned 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, 4th and 10th Fed. On to Pontefract (3) where Steve timed no fewer than five of his inform team in the space of 16 seconds to pocket 3rd and 4th Club, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th Fed, with his fourth timer winning 1st Fed Nom. The partnerships very impressive young bird performances earned them third Young Bird Fed Average, a loft to look out for in 2016.
The loft of D Hutchinson & Son netted six times throughout the season to win 4 x 1st, 1 x 3rd and 1 x 4th Clubs scoring a total of 19pts, the partnership also scored 6pts in 3 Bird Noms with them being achieved when 3rd was taken at old Worksop and 2nd was pocketed from Rivenhall (2) winning 1st nom at the Eastbourne (2) National. The first of the lofts 19pts were achieved in outstanding style when a very impressive 1st Club, 1st Fed was won from old bird Selby on the opening day of the new season from a convoy of 973 birds. After the dream start 4th Club, 19th Fed was taken a week later when the birds were at Worksop, and then 3rd Club, 18th Fed was notched up out of Rivenhall (2). Win number two of the old bird season was achieved the following week when the birds were at Oakham (2) when the pole position winner went on to score 15th Fed when there were 417 birds competing. The loft enjoyed its third win of the season at the Eastbourne (2) National when the chart-topper went on to pocket a nice 12th Fed when there were 408 birds away. The following week when the birds were at Oakham (2) the partnerships second consecutive win and win number four of the old bird campaign was achieved.
Paul & Cilton Smith were the scorers of 3 x 2nd Club and 9pts, the lads also netted 2pts in the old bird 3 Bird Noms with the duo taking 3rd nom out of both Roye and Burbure. Paul & Cilton’s first of three blue card chalks was awarded at Roye, the lads then potted a well-earned 2nd Club, 8th Fed from Reims. On to young bird Pontefract (1) where the partnership recorded their third blue card of the season. The loft of Jack Burton & Son Steve were the winners of 1 x 1st and 1 x 3rd Club netting 6pts, the lads potted 14pts in the old bird 3 Bird Noms with them taking 2nd nom at Peterborough (1), Rivenhall (1), Oakham (2), Roye and Reims. They won 1st nom out of Bourges and claimed 3rd nom at Oakham (4). Jack & Steve solo win of the season was a very special win due to it being from Bourges the longest race of the season, from a distance of 542 miles. There were no birds recorded on the first day after being liberated at 0530hrs flying in to a North-West wind, Jack & Steve’s winner was one of only two birds recorded in the 3 day race in the Teesside Federation with only 73 birds timed in the Combine at race closure. Jack & Steve’s very game chart-topper went on to score an outstanding 2nd Fed and 67th Up North Combine from a convoy of 1,736 birds. After the lads memorable Bourges winning performance the duo were back in the frame at Reims when they netted 3rd Club, with their green card potter going on to claim 16th Fed. Mr & Mrs Mick Wildon were the potters of 1 x 2nd Club netting 3pts; Mick also scooped 3pts in the old bird 3 Bird Nom when 1st Nom was won at Lillers. Mick who only races a small team chalked up a very happy 2nd Club out of Lillers.
Ray Donnelly, Brother & Daughter were the scorers of 1 x 3rd Club and 2pts, Ray did very well in the 3 Bird Nom with him scoring 14pts with the old birds and chalking up 6pts with the young birds to give him a total of 20pts to put him in 4th spot in the nom points table. Ray’s 2pts were achieved when he took 3rd Club out of Oakham (2), his first 3 Bird Nom points were pocketed at old bird Oakham (1) when 2nd and 3rd was taken, and a week later at Peterborough (1) Ray claimed 3rd nom. The lad then netted 2nd nom out of both the Eastbourne (1) National and Lillers before notching up 3rd at Rivenhall (2) and then winning 1st and 3rd nom the following week when the birds were at Oakham (2). Peterborough (3) saw Ray collect 3rd nom and followed that up by taking 3rd nom from young bird Worksop (1), then 2nd at Worksop (2) followed by taking 3rd Rivenhall and potting 2nd nom out of the Maidstone National. I took notice of Ray’s performances in the 3 Bird Nom throughout the season where the lad scored in 11of the 28 races which is a very good achievement, well done Ray.
Ali Mac presenting bouquets of flowers to Jean-Ann & Janice Wheatley.
That’s the Teesside Federations roll of honours list for the 2015 racing season, in a season where a number of lofts achieved some top class performances at Club, Fed, Section and Combine level. I wish the members all the very best for the 2016 racing season, in the hope they reach their goal.
With that I will sign off until next time.
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