The Hardy Way with Chris Williams

Racing Pigeons the Hardy Way

Chris Williams

Hello folks hope your all safe and making the best of things!

Thank goodness for that ,after all the uncertainty that the pandemic has brought to people its nice to have a little normality again and I am happy to report the positive news that despite periods of pessimism pigeon racing is finally underway here in Hardy country, so pull up a chair as we take a whistle stop tour of the racing scene of the world famous Jurassic coast. All from the comfort of your armchair we are social distancing after all !

The first race of the 2020 old bird campaign being flown from Newton Abbot on the 6^th of June and saw a convoy of 1491 Dorset Federation birds being liberated by our Convoyer Tony Hopkins at 7:30am into a light Northwest wind, which many fanciers felt was becoming stronger as the birds strived homewards. Let’s take a look at the at the “Hardy country Top Ten “ taking 1^St 3^rd 4^th and 7^th Dorset federation for this week is the Upton Workingmen’s club partnership of Mr and Mrs Brian Crutcher with a blue yearling cock bird on a velocity of 1989.305, a yearling checker cock doing 1973.355 takes 3^rd fed for the husband and wife partnership while a blue yearling cock on 1971.873 claims fourth fed for them this week Mr and Mrs Crutcher also clocked a three year old hen this time doing 1956.686. taking 7^th Dorset Federation.

T Wareham of The East Howe South Road Flying Club scores 2^nd and 8^th federation after timing a two year pigeon on a velocity of 1987.283 followed by a yearling cock on 1955.556

Also from The East Howe South Road FC taking 5^th &6^th fed this week is R&V McConnell with a two year old pigeon on a velocity of 1969.306 and yearling hen on 1966.446

Taking 9^th fed is the Upton FC with a GrizzLe  yearling cock bird is G Owers doing 1955.136

10^th Dorset federation the East Howe loft of K land with a two year old Cock bird attaining 142.923          

That’s the Hardy Country top ten for this week congratulations to the prize-winners!

Grass cut and ready for the 2020 season the new HQ for St Leonards and St Ives

Moving on now let’s head down to some of the local clubs. Starting off at St Leonards and St Ives RPC. A club that really has the sport at its heart and who’s members have worked hard during the closed season erecting the clubs new HQ and what a fabulous Job they have done! It is important I feel that those who work for the good of the sport are given the full recognition which they so richly deserve, because such individuals are the backbone of countless clubs and feds across the land. In the case of St Leonards and St Ives two individuals of this ilk go by the names of Jenny and Stuart Mills both of whom are tireless workers not only for their club but also The Dorset Federation.

1^st St Leonards and St Ives RPC and 16^TH Dorset Federation For “Dorset’s Leading Lady” Mrs Jenny Mills the diligent and devoted secretary of the St Leonards and St Ives RPC

Well “Dorset’s Leading Lady “ lives up to that name in every way as Jenny takes centre stage after timing a four year old blue cock bird on 1930.155 and taking 16^th Dorset fed into the bargain! Jenny told me the following :This Cock is very consistent pigeon for me and is always up with the first birds to the loft and has many club and several fed cards to his credit He is Staff Van Reet Tranquillity Lofts Toey lines from Staff Van Reet birds purchased from Derek Spoor of Durham. Unfortunately, I was cleaning another section and he caught me out, I looked up to see him dropping through the trap when Stuart shouted there is a bird on the board! Jenny also takes 3^rd club with a yearling blue hen on 1830.467. 2^nd St Leonards and St Ives RPC goes to Jimmy Fisher with a yearling checker cock on 1849.946 .

A Blast from the past for Jenny Mills who is still showing us how its done in 2020!

Club Chairman and federation Vice-Chairman Mike Blake also had a good race taking several positions on the sheet including 4^th club with a blue yearling hem on 1827.302

Congratulations to the prize winners and all the members for pulling together and getting the New HQ up and running it just shows what can be done in the pigeon game when fanciers work together!

Only one other club has sent in a result to me for this race, so lets pay a visit to East Howe South Road Flying Club and see how  their race went on:

1^st T Wareham velocity 1987.283

2^nd R&V McConnell velocity 1969.306

3^rd R&V McConnell velocity 1966.446

4^th T Wareham velocity1955.566

Well done to all the prize winners.

I have included a special photo this week,  Now let me set the scene the year was 1990 Elton John was in the charts with sacrifice and somewhere in Hardy Country a fancier made their debut in racing with The Central Southern Classic clocking a busschaert x Osman yearling, from Bergerac, taking 2^nd in their club , any Ideas?? no well maybe the photo will help .