Around The Up North Combine
By Good Corn
Right, let's get the ball rolling. The Up North Combine was at Bourges, the longest race of the 2017 racing season on Friday 23rd June, when the convoy of 1,795 were liberated at 5.40am in a west wind. Many of the fanciers were looking for day bird arrivals, with some of them fanciers predicting early evening timers. But as the night moved on and no word of anyone getting a bird there was still a glimmer of hope for something to make it through, by the end of the long day there was no birds timed in at the close of the first day. The Combine did have birds on the second morning and throughout the day, and come Sunday there was only 37 very game birds clocked in at the close of the race. Ian Stafford & Mark Wilson of Skinningrove H/S racked up their first win of the 2017 racing season after timing one of their 15 entries, a yearling achieving a vel of 733.1 to win a brilliant 1st Club from an entry of 27 birds, 1st East Cleveland Federation out of 106 birds, 1st Section winning £124.01, 7th UNC and 7th North Of England Homing Union Open from a convoy of 1,989 birds. Sayers Bros Dave, Kenny & Brian timed one of their six entries, a 6y making 439.5 to chalk up a outstanding 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 1st £2 Fed Nom banking £74.00, 27th UNC and 28th NEHU. Leather Bros Albert & Tony of Lingdale became only the third loft in the Fed to time in to win a top-notch 1st Club, 3rd Fed, 31st UNC and 33rd NEHU; with the lads chart-topper that was one of their three entries being a 4y recording a top of 3.95.7.
There was only two birds timed in the Teesside Federation out of an entry of 65 birds, with top honours going to Ali McLeod of Billingham T U who won a brilliant 1st Club and 1st Federation, with one of his five entries. With Mac's pole position winner being a 2015 bred blue Vandenabeele hen recording a chart-topping vel of 540.8 to go onto score a outstanding 20th UNC and 21st NEHU. The winning hen has all the very best Vandenabeele bloodlines in her, her Sire won 9th UNC and 51st UNC Lillers. The cock is now at stock where he is paired to Mac's 1st UNC Burbure Gold Medal winning “Gaby Lou”. The Dam of Mac's winner was from his direct Daughter of the famous “Jester” and “Carrie. Ali is really enjoying his channel racing this season with him winning all three over the pond races to date, after winning a brilliant 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 4th, 10th and 11th Fed, 1st Section, 2nd, 78th, 177th and 178th UNC 13,268 birds and 2nd NEHU Open Burbure. Ali also won a most impressive 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 13th and 19th Fed, 5th and 12th Section, 42nd, 62nd, 160th, 161st, 192nd and 216th UNC Roye out of his 21 entries.
Ali McLeod holding his 2y blue Vandenabeele hen winner of 1st Club, 1st Fed, 5th Section,
20th Up North Combine, 21st NEHU Bourges 1,989 birds.
The Middlesbrough H/S loft of the late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek racked up their second channel win on the bounce after timing one of their eight entries, a 2015 bred chequer cock achieving a top vel of 389.3 to win 1st Club, 2nd Fed, £5 Fed Pool;s banking £145.00, 32nd UNC and 34th NEHU. Les & Derek and their birds have produced some excellent performances this season, that includes winning a brilliant 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th Club, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 16th Fed, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 19th Section Huntingdon (1) from a convoy of 7,024 birds. The Brothers had three birds on the clock at Rivenhall when they won a top-notch 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 2nd, 4th and 19th Fed; with the duo's winner going onto score a very nice 12th Section when there were 3,783 birds competing. Les & Derek came up trumps again out of the second channel race Roye, when they timed two of their channel entries to win a most impressive 1st and 2nd Club, 1st and 5th Fed with the lads pole position Fed winner going onto chalk up 2nd Section out of 1,522 birds and 23rd UNC out of a convoy of 7,146 birds.
The UNC long distance flyers have not had the best of racing from Bourges in recent years, as someone has pointed out the following. Bourges 2017, where only 37 birds home in race time. Here is his assessment of things which I'm only going back to 2011 as follows. If you look at the last few years returns it wasn't a surprise that only a handful got back this time either. In 2011 there was 80 home out of 2,503 birds, with 247 on the sheet in 2012 from 1,725 birds. In 2013 the numbers dropped again with 204 birds clocked in race time from an entry of 1,640 birds. The numbers dropped again in 2014 when 139 birds were timed when there were 1,611 birds competing. And 2015 saw 73 birds make it home out of 1,736 birds, and there was a drop again in 2016 when 65 birds made up the UNC result out of 1,306 birds. Based on these figures, they are missing/losing between 1,300 Pigeons and 2,000 Pigeons in this race annually and that's not good for pigeon racing. Thanks for the info. I myself have seen the very poor returns from Bourges over the past few years, which can be caused by a number of reasons. The UNC have changed the Saturday liberation to a Friday liberation to avoid clashing from other Countries, resulting with the same returns as a Saturday liberation. Some believe that Bourges is not on the line of flight as the other UNC race points, and needs to be changed. Some blame the weather but how come we get the same poor weather every year, and surly if it was the weather the birds would be held-over. A number say that most of the birds are not up for the 500-600 miles fly, if so why do so many top and experienced and reliable Pigeons struggle to make it home. I'm not making excuses for anyone and I don't know the answer to why are the UNC suffering very poor Bourges races and losses, it's up to the members to decide if they want to continue racing Bourges, or change the race point at the UNC AGM.
Your views and concerns are most welcome.
The East Cleveland Federations Oakham (4) 63 members convoy of 1,268 birds were liberated at 8am on Saturday 24th June, flying into a fresh west wind. The Skinningrove H/S partnership of B & K Simpson recorded their third win of the season with Brian & Keith's winner being “King Keith”, a 2y blue Louis Cooreman widowhood cock achieving a pole position vel of 1555.39 to go onto win 1st Fed. The blue cock is chalking up his second win of the season after winning 1st Club, 3rd Fed Oakham (1) when there were 2,191 birds competing. The Sire of the winner was bred for stock off a pair of direct Louis Cooremans, with him being the Son of Brian & Keith's number one stock cock “Cavendish” (Sire of 3 x 1st Fed winners when paired to different hens) when paired to the old bloodlines from Bob Fenech. The Dam of the winner who was a gift youngsters bred by good friend Bob Fenech, after winning 1st Club, 6th Fed, she was later put to stock where she became Brian & Keith's number one stock hen after breeding at least 8 x 1st Club winners and at least 3 x 1st Federation winners paired to different cocks. A big thank you to Bob Fenech for gifting the lads the Dam of their winner, she has truly proved her worth. Sayers Bros Dave, Kenny & Brian timed the same yearling that won 1st Club, 1st Fed, Section, 2nd UNC 18,257 birds, 2nd NEHU Open Eastbourne (1) from a convoy of 26,042 birds, to lift 2nd Club, 2nd Fed on 1555.30 this time around. Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee are in 3rd spot with the duo's green card potter being a blue hen knocking up a vel of 1552 for 4th Fed; with the hen being the previous winner of 1st Club, 1st Fed Huntingdon (1) this season when there were 2,067 birds competing. The Sire of the hen is a Son of “410” Mike & Lee's number one stock hen, who is full Sister to “Georgia” their 1st Up North Combine Young Bird Maidstone National Gold Medal winner, while the Dam of the hen was bred by Bowden Bros. White Bros Malc & Stuart timed a couple of yearling cocks one second apart to lift 4th and 5th Club, 6th and 7th Fed on 1550.4 and 1550.2; with the yellow card going to a chequer flipey bred from a pair of Homer & Williams Heremans Ceuster x Verbreck. Second on the clock was bred by R & H Hoirns for the Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer, with the blue cock being the previous winner of 1st Club, 3rd Fed Worksop this season. Tich Richards & Alice Marsay notch up 9th Fed with a 4y chequer hen, with the hen being the previous winner of 3rd Club, 6th Fed Melton Mowbray, 2nd Club, 5th Fed Huntingdon, 1st Club, 5th Fed Eastbourne National, 2nd Club, 3rd Fed Melton Mowbray and the East Cleveland Federation Bird Of The Year in 2014. And so far this season the hen has a 5th Club, 20th Fed Peterborough to her credit.
B & K Simpson's 2y blue Louis Cooreman cock “King Keith”, winner of 1st Club, 1st Fed Oakham (4).
Moving onto Brotton H/S where we see the partnership of Mr & Mrs Golly “Graham” & Linda Peirson & Tubby “Graham” Purver and loft helpers Ian “Evo” Everington & Franky time three yearlings to win a cracking 1st, 4th and 6th Club, to record their third old bird with of the campaign. The red card winner achieved a top vel of 1547 which was enough to score 8th Fed; while the yellow card potter claimed 15th Fed on 1531.3. Mick Smithies is in 2nd spot with a 2y making 1436 for 11th Fed; while Bill Ward and Grandson Shaun of the W & S Ward partnership lift 3rd Club, 12th Fed also with a 2y doing 1534.8; and Dave “Rooster” Storr pockets 5th Club, 20th Fed with a 1y on 1525.
The Skelton Green partnership of Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor Mitchell got back to their winning ways after timing no less than three of their entries to win a top-notch 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, 10th, 16th and 17th Fed on 1539, 1530 and 1528. Bill Chapman Sons Steve & Colin and the late Tommy Swinburne clocked a couple of yearlings doing 1534.7 and 1524.3 to pot 2nd and 5th Club, 13th and 22nd Fed; while Alan & David Wright took 5th Club, 19th Fed with a 2y on 1526.
David Coates & Popeye enjoyed clocking a couple of yearlings to win 1st and 3rd Club at Boosbeck, with the happy duo's red card winner knocking out a top vel of 1531.6 to go onto score a nice 14th Fed. Ian “Knocker” Brown timed four of his team to chalk up 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, with his blue card scoring 2y achieving 1528.67 to net 18th Fed.
Tony Hunt of the late Jack “The Lad” Brown & Hunt partnership is enjoying a cracking season at Marske & New Marske, for the inform Tony timed three birds to win a cracking 1st, 2nd and 4th Club, to achieve his third straight win and record his sixth win of the campaign. The on song Tony's chart-topper was a yearling blue Tournier Bouchet widowhood cock doing 1524.7 to lift 21st Fed. The blue card was awarded to a blue 2016 bred Van Gompel De Klak widowhood cock, who is no stranger in the clock this season after already scoring 1 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd Clubs. In cell three came the yellow card scoring 1y blue Van Gompel De Klak widowhood cock, who netted 5th Club out of Peterborough the previous race. Martin Hogarth filled a couple of chambers to lift 3rd and 5th Club, with the green card going to a 2y chequer roundabout hen of Martin's own family. The hen who is the previous winner of 1st Club, 15th Fed Oakham in 2016, is carding for the second time this season after potting 3rd Club Newark (1).Second on the clock came a 1y blue roundabout cock who again was of Martin's own bloodlines.
Next stop is the Brotton Six Bird Club where there's no stopping the inform loft of Mr & Mrs Golly “Graham” & Linda Peirson & Tubby “Graham” Purver and loft helpers Ian “Evo” Everington & Franky, who racked up their third win on the trot and their sixth win of the old bird season. With the very hard to beat gangs red card winner being their inform yearling that has at least 3 x 1st Clubs to it's credit so far this season, after winning 1st Club Huntingdon and a notable 1st Club, 11th Fed Burbure (1). W & S Ward are in 2nd spot with a yearling, while the loft Andrew & Gavin Doe, John “Dillon” Swales and the late Sandy Sandy Sanderson clocked a 3y and a 5y to pocket 3rd and 5th Club. Frank & Brenda Reilly & Son Wayne pots the yellow with a 1y, and Mr & Mrs Bob & Barbara Moore claim 6th position with a yearling.
Moving onto the Teesside Federation where the Billingham T U loft of Tommy Clark & Son Gary who are enjoying a fantastic old bird season, timed no less than five birds to win 1st and 5th Club, 1st, 5th, 7th, 17th and 20th Fed from an entry of 463 birds with vels of 1536, 1528.9, 1528.7, 1525 and 1522. Ali McLeod enjoyed a good clocking day after having six yearlings on the clock in the space of 33 seconds to score a notable 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th Club, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 10th and 13th Fed with vels of 1531.6, 1531.5, 1529.2, 1528.8, 1526.5 and 1526.24. With the blue card being awarded to a blue Vandenabeele hen who is out of Mac's good cock “29” who is full Brother to “82” another good cock of Mac's; the hen is the previous winner of 1st Club, 1st Fed as a young bird. The green card was netted by a blue hen who took 4th Club, 6th Fed, 14th Section Peterborough when beaten by two loftmates that won 1st and 2nd Club, 3rd and 4th Fed, 5th and 6th Section out of 4,203 birds. The yellow was chalked up by a blue hen who is a Granddaughter to Mac's good racing cock “82”, the hen won 1st Club, 1st Fed as a young bird. Fourth on the clock was another blue hen, the pure Vandenabeele hen is the Daughter of a cock that topped the Teesside Federation twice for Ali, before he went into the stock loft. Next came a 1y blue pied cock that took 19th Fed out of Bubwith on the opening day of the season, and he was followed by a blue cock who has a 5th Club, 6th Fed Oakham (1) and 6th Club, 12th Fed, 15th Section Huntingdon this season. The loft of Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins timed a couple of yearling blue cocks one second apart to lift 12th and 15th Fed on 1526.36 and 1526.1; while G Brydon also clocked a 1y blue cock to take 14th Fed on 1526.23.
Barron Bros Tommy & Robbie hit the winners' enclosure for the third time this season after timing two yearling blue cocks in the space of two seconds to win a top-notch 1st and 2nd Club at Haverton Hill. With the Brothers chart-topper achieving a vel of 1527.9 to go onto score a nice 8th Fed; while the duo's well-fancied blue card potter who knocked up a vel of 1527.6 won the Fed Nom. Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff are in 3rd spot with the two lads green card scoring yearling chequer cock doing 1526.0 to pocket 16th Fed. The inform loft of Lewis & McCabe timed a 1y blue cock and a 2y chequer cock within four seconds of each other to claim 4th and 5th Club, 18th and 19th Fed on 1524 and 1523.
Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley wins top spot at Middlesbrough H/S, with Stephen & Jeanann's red card winner being a 1y blue cock recording a vel of 1526.39 for 11th Fed.
The convoy of 12,356 birds was at the Up North Combines Eastbourne (2) National on Saturday 1st July, but due to the very poor weather at the start and throughout the day the birds were held-over. It was later decided to move the birds closer to home in the hope of getting a liberation the following morning; after failing to get access to the Maidstone liberation site, the next available race point was Rivenhall, some 70 miles closure to home than Eastbourne. Come 7.30am on Sunday 2nd July the weather was good enough for a liberation with the birds flying into a west-north-west wind, which would prove to be a stiff race.
Alan & David Wright got back to their winning ways in fantastic style at Skelton Green after timing a couple of birds to win 1st and 4th Club, with the duo's previous scoring pole position winning yearling achieving a top vel of 1271 which was enough to win a brilliant 1st East Cleveland Federation from a 54 members entry of 891 birds, 5th Section 7 and 99th UNC. The yellow card was awarded to a 2y making 1239 to net a nice 10th Fed. Alan & David are enjoying a top-notch season with them recording 6 x 1st Clubs and 3 x 1st Feds so far, which is awesome flying by anyone's standards. The loft of Bill Chapman Sons Steve & Colin and the late Tommy Swinburne clocked a 2y and a yearling making 1257 and 1225.3 to lift a notable 2nd and 7th Club, 3rd and 20th Fed; with the lads blue card potter going onto take 171st UNC. Derek Winspear & Son Mark are in 3rd spot with the green card scoring yearling knocking out a vel of 1244.5 to lift a useful 6th Fed. Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor Mitchell timed a a yearling and a 2y doing 1238 and 1225.5 for 5th and 6th Club, 11th and 19th Fed.
Brian “Brunks” Laity hits the winners' enclosure at Skinningrove with Brian's chart-topper being a yearling chequer pied latebred hen achieving a pole position winning vel of 1254 which was enough to chalk up an impressive 4th Fed. The red card winning hen who was not raced as a young bird and is bred from on lone stock from Dave “Rooster” Storr of Brotton, is scoring for the second time this season after netting 5th Club, 22nd Fed out of Oakham (3). Malc & Stuart of the White Bros partnership are in 2nd spot with the duo's blue card potter being the same yearling chequer flipey cock bred from a pair of Homer & Williams Heremans Ceuster x Verbreck that took 4th Club, 6th Fed the previous race out of Oakham (4). This week with a vel of 1253, the fancied cock wins 1st £2 Fed Nom and £66.00 in prize money. Sayers Bros Dave, Kenny & Brian timed a yearling doing 1244.3 and a 2y making 1227 to notch up 3rd and 5th Club, 7th and 17th Fed. The loft of Tich Richards & Alice Marsay lifts 4th Club, 14th Fed, 3rd £2 Fed Nom banking £26.40 on 1230, with Tich and Granddaughter Alice yellow card score being the same 4y chequer hen that took 6th Club, 9th Fed the week before.
W & S Ward recorded their third win of the season at Brotton H/S after Bill and his Grandson Shaun timed a yearling achieving a top vel of 1244.3 to score a very nice and well-earned 8th Fed. Bill & Shaun's first win of the season was from Oakham (3) when their red card winner went onto chalk up a very impressive 3rd Fed when there were 1,623 birds competing. The duo enjoyed a brilliant clocking day out of Peterborough (1) to win a top-drawer 1st, 3rd and 4th Club, 3rd, 7th and 8th Fed from a convoy of 1,408 birds. Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners timed a yearling and a 4y to lift 2nd and 6th Club, with Reg & Ray's blue card potter knocking out a vel of 1234.7 to pocket 12th Fed. The loft of Mr & Mrs Golly “Graham” & Linda Peirson & Tubby “Graham” Purver and helpers Ian “Evo” Everington & Franky timed no fewer than three of their yearling team to claim a useful 3rd, 4th and 5th Club.
The inform Tony Hunt of the late Jack Brown & Hunt partnership is still pumping up the volume at Marske & New Marske after Tony timed a couple of his three entries to win an awesome 1st and 2nd Club, 13th and 18th Fed with vels of 1234.1 and 1226 to rack up his fourth straight win and seventh win of the season. With Tony's pole position winner being a blue yearling Van Gompel De Klak widowhood cock who is claiming his fifth prize card of the year. The well-fancied red card winning cock lifts 2nd £2 Fed Nom to pocket £39.60 in prize money. The blue card was awarded to a 2y red Janssen Van Loon widowhood cock bred from Tony's old favourite and trusted “SED Cock”, the blue cock had already won 1st Club, 17th Fed Oakham (1) out of 2,191 birds, 1st Club Oakham (3) and followed that up a week later by chalking up 3rd Club and 1st £5 Fed Nom winning £100.00 Burbure (1) this season. Geoff Bavin filled a couple of cells to lift 3rd and 4th Club with the green card going to a 2015 bred chequer roundabout hen off Geoff's own Schoorisse family. While the yellow card was potted by a 2y blue pied roundabout hen from “Rutland Lofts”. Martin Hogarth came next with a 1y chequer roundabout hen of his own strain.
The inform and keep on winning loft of Mr & Mrs Golly “Graham” & Linda Peirson & Tubby “Graham” Purver and helper Ian “Evo” Everington & Franky recorded their fourth straight win at the Brotton Six Bird Club and their seventh Club win of the campaign. With pole position being won by the same yearling that topped the Club charts out of Huntingdon, Burbure and Oakham (4). The well-fancied winner who achieved a chart-topping vel of 1229 to lift 15th Fed, was pooled to the hilt to win the £1 and £5 Fed Nom banking £128.00. Danny Fawcett returns to the frame in 2nd spot with the youngsters blue card potter being a yearling knocking out a vel of 1228 to lift a useful 16th Fed. W & S Ward timed a 2y and a yearling eighteen seconds apart to take a nice 3rd and 4th Club; while Andrew & Gavin Doe, John “Dillon” Swales and the late Sandy Sanderson came next with a yearling and they are followed by Mr & Mrs Bob & Barbara Moore who also timed a yearling.
The Billingham T U loft of Ali McLeod is firing on all cylinders after timing no fewer than five of his Vandenabeele squad to win a most impressive 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th Teesside Federation from an entry of 404 birds. With pole position being won by a consistent 2016 bred blue cock who is out of the famous “Sissi” lines and his dam is a Gust Janssen from Clive Lister achieving a top vel of 1298 which was more than enough to score a brilliant 2nd Section 5 and 13th UNC. The red card winning cock netted 1st Club, 3rd Fed and 5th Section Peterborough from an entry of 4,203 birds. The blue card was chalked up by a blue hen doing 1273.5 to net 8th Section and 80th UNC; the hen who won 1st Club, 1st Fed as a young bird and also took 2nd Club, 2nd Fed the previous week from Oakham (4) is out of Mac's good cock “29” who is full Brother to “82” another good cock of Ali's. One second after the blue card scorer in the green card position was a 3y blue cock knocking out a vel of 1273.4 to claim 9th Section and 81st Combine. The cock who won a fantastic 1st Club, 1st Fed and 5th Section Worksop early in the season from a convoy of 7,068 birds, is one of a few old birds Ali kept from last year because of the bad Rivenhall (1) race. The cock has proved to have being a good racer for Mac, he is also half Brother to the lads top stock cock “King James”. The yellow card was chalked up by a 1y blue cock doing 1263 for 143rd UNC; the cock who won 1st Club, 1st Fed as a young bird is a Son of a full Brother to the Sire of “Gaby Lou” Mac's 1st UNC Burbure Gold Medal winner. Fifth on the clock was a 2016 bred making 1261 to notch up 149th Combine; the cock is from Ali's good hen who won a 3rd and 36th UNC; like the previous four timers, he is full of Ali's top Vandenabeele winning family which is responsible for numerous winners at Club, Fed, Section and Combine level. Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins timed their previous scoring yearling blue hen to lift 6th Club, 12th Fed on 1247, the hen has a 6th Club, 7th Fed Oakham (1), 5th Club, 14th Fed Rivenhall (1) when beaten by a loftmate that took 2nd Club, 9th Fed and a 14th Fed Peterborough to her credit this season. Tommy Clark & Son Gary had three of their yearling team on the clock to pocket 15th, 19th and 20th Fed with their first timer being a 1y chequer hen on 1241.9, and she was followed by a 2016 bred blue hen doing 1238 and third on the clock was a 3y blue hen knocking out a vel of 1236.
It was win number four of the season for the Haverton Hill partnership of Paul Gatley, Graham Harrod & Son Dale, after the lads timed no less than three birds to win a top-notch 1st, 4th and 5th Club, 2nd, 11th and 13th Fed with vels of 1286, 1252 and 1246. With the previous scoring red card winning yearling blue cock going onto score a cracking 3rd Section and 24th UNC; while the partnerships well-fancied third timer won the Fed Nom. Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff are in 2nd spot with the duo's blue card scoring yearling chequer cock knocking out a vel of 1277 which was enough to lift a very nice 3rd Fed, 6th Section and 55th Combine. Lewis & McCabe clocked a 2y blue hen making 1267 to lift 3rd Club, 6th Fed and 125th UNC; while Barron Bros Tommy & Robbie timed a 1y chequer cock to pocket 6th Club, 18th Fed on 1239. McCarthy Son & Profitt tops the Beechwood & Easterside charts with a 2y blue hen recording a top vel of 1266 to go onto score a notable 7th Fed and 131st UNC. Onto Middlesbrough H/S where the loft of the late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek return to their winning ways to win a very nice 1st and 4th Club, 10th and 17th Fed on 1260 and 1240. With Les & Derek's chart-topping yearling blue pied hen who won a most impressive 1st Club, 2nd Fed, 12th Section Rivenhall (1) when there 3,783 birds competing, going onto score 157th UNC this time. The Brother's yellow card potter was a 1y chequer hen. Keith Hodge & Dennis Potter timed a 1y blue hen achieving 1245 to pocket 2nd Club, 14th Fed; while Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley clocked a 2y blue hen making 1241.7 to claim 3rd Club, 16th Fed.
The Up North Combine staged their fourth of five channel races from the French race point Reims on Friday 7th July, when the convoy of 4,193 birds were liberated at 6am in a south-west wind. Before I go onto the report, I phoned my mate and fellow Clubmate Sack Peirson to ask what time he expected them and he said ten and a half hours for the 425 miles fly. Well Sack could not have being much closure the time for they took just 5 minutes longer than his estimated time, I'm sure he wont let me forget how close he was on the time of the first arrival. Although the winners did decent times there was some very big gaps in the later timed birds, with many birds failing to make it home on the day.
The first bird to be timed in the Combine was for the Skinningrove H/S loft of Mr & Mrs I & E Purver, and then 13 minutes later Ian & Liz timed a second bird to win a top-notch 1st and 3rd Club. Ian & Liz's red card winning very well-fancied and pooled to the hilt 4y smokey blue Gaby Vandenabeele hen recorded a top vel of 11.77.7 to go onto win a earth-shattering 1st East Cleveland Federation from a 41 members entry of 287 birds, £1, £2 and £5 Fed Nom netting £177.00, 1st Section 7 pocketing £112.39, 1st Up North Combine winning the “Alderman Waller Cup”, the “Jack Tinkler Memorial Trophy”, the “Vetrepharm Trophy” and a Combine Gold Medal, and 1st North Of England Championship Club winning the “Melun Cup” and Replica and £327.64 in pools and prize money. The Gold Medal winning hen named “Dream Girl” was flown on the roundabout system, but due to the hens pairing up together, Ian had the hens boxed up. “Dream Girl” who won 4th Club, 6th Fed, 1st £1, £2, £5 Fed Noms, 41st UNC and 4th NECC Reims in 2016 has “Super XL”, “Shadow”, “Gold Band”, “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Bliksem” in her pedigree. This is Ian's second 1st UNC winning performance for he won 1st UNC Young Bird Harlow National in 1990 from a convoy of 20,618 birds when flying as L Purver & Partners in the West Bank 7 Bird Club. I spoke to my friend and Clubmate Ian after he had timed the winner in, and he said he had seen a batch of five flying over and the next thing hen knew “Dream Girl” had hit the trap. Unknown to Ian & Liz at the time but seen by other Club members, their winner had pulled out of the batch of five they saw flying over, with the remaining four birds carrying on their way. Ian & Liz's green card scorer is a 2y chequer pied Gaby Vandenabeele roundabout hen on 1154 which was enough to chalk up an impressive 3rd Fed and 23rd UNC. The hen who won 1st Club, 2nd Fed Oakham in 2016, contains the bloodlines of the lofts top racer, the late “Gaby 07”. A full loft report will appear in the British Homing Word 2018 Stud Book. Congratulations to Ian & Liz on their 1st UNC Gold Medal winning performance.
Ian & Liz Purver (Mr & Mrs I & E Purver) winners of 1st and 3rd Club, 1st and 3rd Fed, 1st
Section, 1st and 23rd Up North Combine Reims 4,193 birds, holding their 3rd Club scorer.
Ian Stafford & Mark Wilson timed a fancied yearling achieving a vel of 1176 to score 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 2nd £2 Fed Nom banking £36.60, 2nd NECC pocketing £176.72, 2nd Section, 2nd UNC winning a Combine Silver Medal. The duo had a second yearling on the clock to pick up 10th Fed, 83rd UNC on 1093. Congratulations to Ian & Mark on their 2nd UNC Silver Medal winning performance. The Grand-Father and Granddaughter partnership of Tich Richards & Alice Marsay timed a 3y chequer cock doing 1110 to lift a nice 4th Club, 6th Fed, 66th UNC. Sayers Bros Dave, Kenny & Brian timed a 5y doing 1100 to take 5th Club, 9th Fed, 3rd £2 Fed Nom pocketing £24.40, 9th NECC banking another £14.69 and 75th UNC; they also had a 3y on the clock doing 1061 for 13th Fed, 153rd Combine. The late Gordon “Shang” Peirson MBE & Sons Sack & Jim and loft helpers Trevor & Bobby McConnell claim 18th Fed and 212th UNC on 1025 with a 2y bred by Anth Moore of Guisborough.
Ian “Knocker” Brown comes out on top at Boosbeck after timing a couple of birds to win 1st and 3rd Club with the winning 4y achieving 1131 to score a top-notch 4th Fed and 42nd UNC. The green card was awarded to a 2y making 1079 to go onto pocket a nice 11th Fed and 118th Combine. Not to be outdone David Coates and Popeye timed no fewer than four of their entries to lift a notable 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, with the blue card going to a 2y on 1130 to net 43rd UNC. While the yellow was potted by a second 2y doing 1057.5 to claim 14th Fed and 164th UNC; and that was followed by a 4y and a 2y knocking out vels of 1027 and 1019 to lift 16th and 19th Fed, 206th and 220th Combine.
The Skelton Green loft of Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and loft helper Trevor Mitchell had a couple of 2y on the clock to win 1st and 5th Club, with the lads well out in front pole position winner recording a top vel of 1107 to go onto net 7th Fed, 69th UNC. Alan & David Wright had three of their entries in the frame, a 3y and then a 2y followed by a 5y to lift 2nd, 4th and 6th Club; with the blue card potter knocking up a vel of 1026 for 17th Fed, 210th Combine. While the partnership of Derek Winspear & Son Mark took 3rd Club with a 4y.
The Brotton Six Bird Club partnership of the Right Honourable Vic Garbutt, the late Brian “Rusty” Stone & Brian “Mac” McCormick have won inland and now they have won over the sea. With Vic & Mac's way out in front chart-topper being a 2y recording a top vel of 1102 to score a brilliant 8th Fed, 74th UNC. Andrew & Gavin Doe, John “Dillon” Swales and the late Sandy Sanderson had a two of their channel entries in the frame, a 2y that chalks up 2nd Club and then a 3y that pots 3rd Club. Danny Fawcett is in 4th spot with the yellow card potter being a 2y; while the loft of Frank & Brenda Reilly & Son Wayne timed a 2y and a yearling to notch up 5th and 6th Club.
Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners got back to their channel winning ways at Brotton H/S after timing three of their over the pond squad to win a cracking 1st, 2nd and 6th Club. With their red card winning yearling recording a top vel of 1068 to pocket a useful 12th Fed, 140th UNC; while their blue card scoring 4y knocked out a vel of 1057.4 ton claim 15th Fed, 165th Combine. Frank & Brenda Reilly & Son Wayne were in 3rd position with their green card scoring 2y achieving 1015 for 21st Fed, 234th UNC. The Son & Father partnership of Darren & James Waters who enjoy the channel racing, timed a yearling doing 1010 to lift 4th Club, 22nd Fed; and then a 4y to net 5th Club.
The late George Skidmore & Grandsons Michael & Liam Jackson record their second channel win of the season at Lingdale after timing two 2y to win a top-notch 1st and 2nd Club. With top spot being won by a dark flipey Schellens x Soontjen hen that took 2nd Club, 35th Fed out of the second channel race Roye, when beaten by a loft mate that won a brilliant 1st Club, 1st Fed. The very reliable hen had also a 2nd Club Eastbourne National and a 2nd Club Burbure before she was 2nd Club out of Roye, and prior to that the hen won 1st Club Rivenhall, 1st Club Burbure and 2nd Club Eastbourne in 2015. The Bourges winning duo Leather Bros Albert & Tony are in the channel frame again, after timing a 5y to chalk up 3rd Club. Martin Hogarth was the solo sender at Marske & New Marske with the Club Secretary timing a 2016 bred blue hen of his own strain achieving a vel of 902 to pocket 30th Fed.
The Haverton Hill partnership of Andrew Appleton & Paul Longstaff racked up their first channel win of the season in the best possible way after timing a couple of their seven entries to win an outstanding 1st and 3rd Club, 1st and 16th Fed from an entry of 104 birds. With Andrew & Paul's pole position winner being their well-fancied 3y chequer cock who recorded a top vel of 1134 which was enough to win the Fed Nom and go onto score an awesome 4th Section and 36th UNC. The winning cock that contains Ali McLeod bloodlines on one side of the breeding, has proved his worth for he won a top-notch 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section and 6th UNC Eastbourne (1) National when there were 7,474 birds and 1st Club, 2nd Fed and 65th UNC Burbure (2) from a convoy of 9,331 birds in 2016. Andrew & Paul the reining Teesside Federation Channel Average Champs, green card potter was a 2y blue hen doing 918.1. The loft of Paul Gatley, Graham Harrod & Son Dale enjoyed a cracking clocking day after timing no fewer than four of their twelve entries to lift a notable 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Club, 7th, 17th, 19th and 20th Fed with vels of 1050, 915, 722 and 644. With the lads blue card scorer going onto notch up 177th UNC.
Onto Middlesbrough H/S where the loft of the late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek recorded their third consecutive channel win from four starts, after clocking two of their 16 entries to win a top-notch 1st and 4th Club. With top spot being won by a yearling blue cock achieving a winning vel of 1107 which was enough to score a cracking 2nd Fed, 7th Section and 70th UNC. The red card winning blue cock is the previous potter of 2nd Club, 5th Fed and 106th UNC Roye this season, when beaten by a loftmate that won a fantastic 1st Club, 1st Fed, 2nd Section and 23rd UNC. Les & Derek's yellow card scoring 3y blue hen knocked out a vel of 1063 to go onto claim 6th Fed and 148th UNC, the lads had a third bird on the clock, a yearling chequer cock doing 975 for 12th Fed; and he was followed by a 2y blue hen doing 874 for 18th Fed. Mrs Singh & Family timed their only entry to chalk up a notable and well-deserved 2nd Club, 4th Fed, 9th Section and 81st UNC. The blue card scoring 2015 bred red pied cock netted a very nice 2nd Club, 8th Fed and 179th UNC Eastbourne National earlier in the season from a convoy of 18,257 birds. The partnership of the late Wyn Cole, Stephen Wheatley & Grandson Connor timed two of their 10 entries, a yearling blue cock and blue hen achieving vels of 1083 and 1012 to pocket 3rd and 6th Club, 5th and 10th Fed. With their green card scorer going onto chalk up 15th Section and 105th UNC, while Stephen & Connor's second timer claimed 241st Combine. Its welcome into the frame to M Fenwick who timed one of his four entries, a 1y chequer cock doing 1018 to chalk up a nice 5th Club, 9th Fed and 223rd Combine.
The Beechwood & Easterside boys are back in Town, with them having six birds in the top 15 of the Fed. With the inform channel loft of A Talbot Son & Wardell leading the way after timing a couple of their 10 entries to win a well-deserved 1st and 5th Club, 3rd and 14th Fed; with both timers being blue hens recording vels of 1100 and 933. The lads chart-topper went onto score a cracking 8th Section and 76th UNC, which they will have being very pleased with. The partnerships birds have shown a lot of promise from the French races this season with them winning 1st Club, 12th Fed, 189th UNC Burbure (1) out of 13,268 birds. And then the lads timed a couple of their entries out of Roye to win 1st and 2nd Club, 9th and 16th Fed. Its welcome into the frame to M Donnelly who clocked two of his 11 entries to chalk up a notable 2nd and 6th Club, with the blue card being awarded to a 2y blue pied cock making 1031 to go onto net a useful 8th Fed and 197th UNC. While the second bird on the clock was a 2015 bred blue hen knocking out a vel of 924 to pocket 15th Fed. The partnership of McCarthy Son & Profitt had a couple of their 8 entries on the clock to lift a nice 3rd and 4th Club, with Jimmy & John's green card potting 3y blue pied hen achieving a vel of 992 to take 11th Fed. Jimmy & John's yellow card scorer was their 2015 bred blue hen that won a cracking 1st Club, 7th Fed and 131st UNC Rivenhall National the previous race, this time the blue hen knocked up a vel of 943 to claim 13th Fed to round off a good day in the Fed for the Beechwood & Easterside lads.
The second race of the weekend took place back on English soil on Sunday 9th July when the East Cleveland Federations 53 members entry of 1,045 birds were up and away at Newark (2) at 8am flying into a light south-west wind, which proved out to be a fast one. Starting at Skinningrove where White Bros Malc & Stuart timed a couple of their entries to win 1st and 4th Club. With top spot being won by a 2016 bred blue flipey Heremans Ceuster hen achieving a top vel of 1742.8 to go onto score a notable 5th Fed. The red card winning hen who's both parents were bred by Homer & Williams, is recording her second win of the season after winning a brilliant 1st Club, 1st Fed Peterborough from a convoy of 1,408 birds. The yellow card was netted by the duo's inform yearling chequer flipey Homer & Williams x Willy Verbreck cock doing 1734.1 to pocket 12th Fed. The cock is scoring for the third consecutive race after claiming 4th Club, 5th Fed Oakham (4) and then chalking up 2nd Club, 5th Fed out of the Rivenhall National. Mike Prokopowicz & Son Lee timed a couple of yearlings three seconds apart to lift 2nd and 3rd Club, with the blue card potter being bred by Brian Clennan for the Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer doing 1442.5 to take 6th Fed. Mike & Lee's green card potting blue hen out of “21” bred by Homer & Williams of Grangetown fame x Son of “2591” the 2012 Fed Bird Of The Year, achieved a vel of 1741.7 to pocket 10th Fed. The blue hen scored twice as a young bird when she won 1st Club, 15th Fed Worksop (2), and then scored a fantastic 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 2nd Section and 2nd UNC Peterborough National winning a Combine Silver Medal. B & K Simpson timed three birds to lift 5th, 6th and 7th Club, 13th, 15th and 18th Fed with vels of 1732, 1708 and 1702. With Brian & Keith's first timer being a yearling blue Kev Parsons x Brian & Karen Hawes Leo Van Rijn natural cock who has a 1st Club, 2nd Fed Rivenhall to his credit this season out of an entry of 1,365 birds. The Sire of the cock was on loan from Kev out of his top cock “King Kall” bloodlines, who is responsible to four generation of winners. While the Dam of the blue cock was purchased as a young bird for stock, where she has bred 2 x 1st, 4 x 2nd Clubs etc.; 4 x 2nd Feds and at least twelve other birds to score Fed positions in the top 20. Second on the clock was a 2016 bred dark Busschaert cock, and he was followed by a 2y blue widowhood cock bred by Colin Chapman of Seaham for the Loftus Championship Club Breeder/Buyer.
Bill Ward and Grandson Shaun of the W & S Ward partnership who are enjoying a good season made it two inland wins on the bounce at Brotton H/S after timing a couple of yearlings one second apart to win an outstanding 1st and 2nd Club, 8th and 9th Fed on 1742.2 and 1741.9. Mick Smithies nets 3rd Club, 11th Fed with a yearling making 1734.8; while Reg Wilson, Ray Mole & Partners timed a 2y and a 3y in the space of one second to lift 4th and 5th Club, 21st and 22nd Fed on 1697.0 and 1696.7.
The overjoyed Bowden Bros Mick & Boss and helper Trevor Mitchell recorded their second win of the weekend at Skelton Green after timing two yearlings to win 1st and 5th Club, with the lads pole position winner achieving a chart-topping vel of 1712 to go onto lift 14th Fed. The back on track trio's second timer lifts 2nd Club Show and £14.40 on 1675. Alan & David Wright clocked three birds to take 2nd, 3rd and 4th Club, with the blue card going to a yearling on 1707 for 16th Fed. The duo's green card potter was a 3y doing 1691 to win 1st Club Show and £16.61; while their third timer was a yearling on 1688. Derek Winspear & Son Mark timed a 1y doing 1666 to pocket 6th Club and 3rd Club Show netting £9.60.
Ian “Knocker” Brown comes out on top at Boosbeck with his red card winner achieving a top vel of 1704 which was enough to chalk up 17th Fed; the same 2y won 1st Club, 10th Fed out of Peterborough. Barry “Smiler” Kettlewell leads the way at neighbouring Club Lingdale, with Barry's red card winner being a yearling doing 1667. Leather Bros Albert & Tony pots 2nd Club with a 1y on1664. While Dean “Deano” Ward wins 1st and 2nd Club at Staithes with a yearling winning the red card and a 2y claiming the blue card.
W & S Ward recorded their second win of the day after timing a yearling achieving 1672 to win 1st Club at the Brotton Six Bird Club, with Bill & Shaun's chart-topper being the previous winner of a brilliant 1st Brotton H/S, 3rd Fed Oakham (3) when there were 1,623 birds competing. The partnership of Mr & Mrs Golly “Graham” & Linda Peirson & Tubby “Graham” Purver and loft helpers Ian “Evo” Everington & Franky are in 2nd spot, followed by Mr & Mrs Bob & Barbara Moore who clocked a yearling to pot 3rd Club. The loft of Andrew & Gavin Doe, John “Dillon”! Swales and the late Sandy Sanderson timed a 3y, 4y and a yearling to lift 4th, 5th and 6th Club.
Moving onto Marske & New Marske where all that changes is the velocity's, for the name of the late Jack “The Lad” Brown & Tony Hunt is top of the tree for the the fifth inland race running after timing no fewer than three birds to win 1st, 2nd and 5th Club and record Tony's eight win of the old bird campaign. With top spot being won by a yearling blue Van Gompel De Klak widower, while the blue card was awarded to the 1y blue Van Gompel De Klak widowhood cock who won 1st Club Peterborough. In cell three came Tony's inform 2016 bred blue Van Gompel De Klak widowhood cock who won 1st Club Rivenhall National the previous race and is chalking for the sixth time this season. Geoff Bavin filled a couple of chambers to pocket 3rd and 4th Club, with the green card going to the 2y chequer roundabout hen of Geoff's own Schoorisse family that took 3rd Club the week before. The yellow card was chalked up by the yearling blue hen that won an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed, 72nd UNC Burbure (1) from a convoy of 13,268 birds. The hen bred by Clubmate Martin Hogarth is out of Martin's blue hen that won 4 x 1st Clubs, she is also Granddaughter to Martin's other blue hen that won 4 x 1st Clubs from the channel.
Moving onto the Teesside Federation where Ali McLeod of Billingham T U records his second consecutive inland Club and Fed win, with Ali's pole position winner who achieved a vel of 1720 being the same yearling blue Vandenabeele cock that took 4th Club, 8th Fed, 143rd UNC Rivenhall National when beaten by three loftmates. Mac's timed another three yearlings to pocket 8th, 13th and 16th Fed with the first being a blue Vandenabeele cock doing 1698.3, with the cocks Sire being a full Brother to the Sire of Mac's 1st UNC Burbure winner. He was followed by a blue pied cock on 1679.9 who has a 19th Fed Bubwith and a 10th Fed Oakham (4) this season, and next came a blue cock on 1678.93. Ali has really got into the swing of things the past few races with a number of top performance at Club, Fed, Section and Combine level, with the lad enjoying a great season recording 7 x 1st Clubs, 5 x 1st Feds so far, and not forgetting his 1st Section, 2nd UNC, 2nd NEHU Open Burbure (1). Tommy Clark & Son Gary are the second Billingham T U loft that's enjoying a great season, with the duo winning 6 x 1st Clubs and 4 x 1st Feds, with their best winning performance being achieved at the Eastbourne National when 1st Section and 5th UNC was won. This week Tommy & Gary had no less than six birds on the clock to lift 2nd, 5th and 6th Club, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 14th, 15th and 18th Fed. With the lads first couple of timers being 2y chequer pied hens doing 1718 and 1711; with the hens being followed by a 3y blue cock and a 2y blue hen on 1698.4 and 1679.5. Tommy & Gary's next couple of timers were a blue cock that was timed one second after the previous timer doing 1679.5, and then came a 1y chequer cock making 1678.7. Colin Atkinson & Alby Woodward mussel in with two birds on the clock to chalk up 3rd Club, 3rd and 10th Fed on 1714 and 1695.2, with Colin & Alby's green card scorer that wins the Fed Nom being a 2016 bred chequer cock bred by Clubmate Ali McLeod who is through the “Harry” bloodlines. The cock who netted 2nd Club, 5th Fed young bird Worksop (2), is the winner of an outstanding 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section Huntingdon from a convoy of 7,024 birds and 4th Club, 13th Fed Rivenhall this season. Colin & Alby's second timer was a yearling mealy cock who notched up 13th Fed out of Worksop. Brian Atkinson & Keith Perkins weighed in by timing a couple of their fifteen entries to pocket 4th Club, 4th and 11th Fed. With Brian & Keith's yellow card scoring yearling blue cock achieving 1713, the cock has shown some promise this year after chalking up 6th Club, 7th Fed Oakham (1), he then took 5th Club, 14th Fed Rivenhall before claiming 14th Fed Peterborough, the cock was in the clock again at the Rivenhall National where he potted 6th Club, 12th Fed. The duo's second timer was a 1y blue hen doing 1681 and like the previous timer the hen has being amongst them this season, with the hens first chalk of 2017 being at Worksop where she notched up 4th Club, 9th Fed, 18th Section; and she then took 8th Fed Oakham (2) and followed that up by scoring an impressive 2nd Club, 2nd Fed, 4th Section and 12th UNC out of the Eastbourne National.
Mr & Mrs Stephen & Jeanann Wheatley returned to the winners enclosure at Middlesbrough H/S after timing two birds to win 1st and 2nd Club, with the red card winner being a 2y blue hen recording a chart-topping vel of 1700 which was enough to score a useful 6th Fed. Stephen & Jeanann the previous winners of 1st Club, 1st Fed and 1st Section Oakham (1) this season from a convoy of 7,152 birds, blue card potter was a 2015 bred chequer hen making 1695.5 for 9th Fed. The info loft of the late Les Wellburn & Sons Les & Derek continue their good run after timing three of their entries in the space of three seconds to lift a useful 3rd, 4th and 5th Club, with the green going to a 1y blue pied hen doing 1678.90 for 17th Fed. The yellow was potted by a 3y blue cock making 1678.6 to claim 19th Fed; and two seconds later came a 2016 bred chequer cock doing 1678.1 for 20th Fed.
The Haverton Hill loft of Lewis & McCabe's outstanding old bird season continues, for the partnership records it's seventh Club win of the year. With pole position being won by a yearling blue hen achieving a top vel of 1680 to score 12th Fed. The same blue hen won a brilliant 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Section Peterborough from a convoy of 4,203 birds which was a fantastic achievement.
Well I have almost caught up on my reports, I have the remaining two old bird reports to do and I hope to add the first young bird results to it next time.
Any news to;
