ESSEX & KENT AMALGAMATION
E. J. SAINS
Ripon - June 30th 2012
The race advisor and convoyers of the Essex & Kent Amalgamation got it absolutely right when they liberated the 2851 birds sent by 210 members at 9.35am on Saturday the 30th of June into a south, south-west wind. This started a race where the birds had to break and punch into the wind. Those that did made excellent velocities right across the width of the amalgamation.
Mr Paul Reynolds - 1st & 2nd Stour Valley Federation 1st & 2nd open Essex & Kent Amalgamation. Velocity 1300.6 & 1300.2 ypm.
After timing in eight of the first twenty open in the last Essex & Kent Amalgamation event from Wetherby just two weeks ago, and when you look back to the 2011 Essex & Kent young bird amal race which was flown in a south west wind and won by Paul Reynolds with a velocity of 1280 ypm, it should have come as no surprise to hear that Paul had pulled off a hat-trick by winning the Essex & Kent Amalgamation from Ripon in a south, south-west wind.
Paul Reynolds outside his loft with his winning pigeon.
This was a particularly exceptional performance when you look at the first twenty in the result, with birds right the way across the radius from the far east coast through to London, a distance of somewhere around sixty-five miles. There were four birds in the east, ten birds across the middle and six birds in the west of the region. The sort of race where the birds had to break get their head down. Paul told me that on race day his widows usually home slightly from one side, but on this occasion they came straight out of the north.
Paul’s widows fly exceptionally well at home. He prefers them to go out twice a day, as training is hard to achieve where he lives. In order to train, you need to drive around a river before you can get any distance. Because he works shifts, when he is on a late shift the birds can only go out in the morning. However, they fly extremely well, disappearing for 40 minutes then striking off for another 20 minutes so they maintain their vigour and fitness without losing their keenness to win. Something which can happen if widowers are over trained. Paul has promised an article for the off season, which will be one to look out for as I know it will make very good reading.
Pigeon (origin)
Paul’s first bird is a four year old blue widowhood cock. This pigeon started his career off flying south road where he won 4 x first, 4x second plus 2nd Anglian Classic. Since turning him round to the north road, he has been gradually settling in, winning 2nd club 3rd fed from Bubwith. Paul added he had a lot of faith in this pigeon as he always looks 100% and is the same way bred as his last amalgamation winner, being bred from his number one pair of Vandenabeeles. The second pigeon, a blue yearling widowhood cock, is also a grandson of Paul’s number one pair of Vandenabeele. This cock won 3rd federation from Laceby and was also 17th amalgamation Wetherby two weeks ago.
Mr & Mrs Paul Reynolds' exquisite loft & garden.
Mr Ian Wallis - 1st 2nd 3rd & 4th Essex Central Federation 3rd 4th 5th & 6th open Essex & Kent Amalgamation.
Ian and I both fly in the same club, Maldon & District R.P.S. so you can say that I am privy to Ian’s performances. One thing I can say is that Ian’s performances are more than good, they are exceptional. This is the third time that he has topped the federation this year, having already won twice first Essex & Suffolk Border Federation earlier in the season. Ian also experienced two smash races this year, as we all did in the club, forcing some outstanding pigeons i.e. federation winners and even double federation winners to have a night out. As Ian said, a bit of a rest and some T.L.C. and they have gradually found form again, showing their progress in fitness and form in this race. All four pigeons had previously won races.
Pigeon (origin)
Ian’s first bird was a white yearling silver Van Loon widowhood cock which won as a young bird as well as being well up in the federation. This bird was bred by Mr Keith Dark. The second bird, a dark chequer two year old widowhood cock, is one of Barry Hall's Coormans. The third bird, a four year old blue chequer widowhood cock, was 19th amal Wetherby two weeks ago. This cock is an outstanding pigeon, a winner of many federation cards. He is also a direct son of the old Belg Coormans hen, as is the fourth bird, a yearling blue chequer widowhood cock. This cock topped the Essex & Suffolk Border Federation last year as a young bird from Newark in a south east wind, velocity 1016 ypm.
The Wallis family with their four winning pigeons. Left to right Sam Wallis, Steve Wallis, Ian Wallis and young Tilley Wallis.
Mr Albert Barker & Son - 1st South of the Thames Federation 7th open Essex & Kent Amalgamation velocity 1266.1
Once again Albert wins the South of the Thames Federation while competing in the Essex & Kent events. Albert and his son are certainly having a super season. Albert has always been an exceptional flyer. When I spoke to him we were reminiscing about the past, when the combines were massive. We used to go to the combine marking stations, have a few beers and talk about who was going to win. Times have now changed and we wondered whether or not the amalgamations with their big birdage and cheaper racing would now attract the fanciers.
The Pigeon (origin)
Albert’s first bird is a three year old blue chequer cock, raced on his hide and seeks method. This Belgian rung cock has a Janssen based pedigree. His performance already this year is 4x1st club, 2x1st federation plus 9th amal.
Albert Barker.
Mr Jimmy Croxson 1st Havering North Road Federation 12th open Essex & Kent Amalgamation velocity 1248.3.
Jimmy Croxson races just 12 widowhood cocks and around 20 young birds, a very small team in comparison to many of the fanciers Jimmy competes against. Although Jimmy could be called a small team flyer, his results are far from small. Already this year he has won the federation four times. He is also a past London North Road Combine winner.
The Pigeon (origin)
Jimmy’s first pigeon, a blue chequer widowhood cock, has already this year had 2nd & 3rd federation. Then this yearling widower hit a bad race and went missing for four days, turning up sold out. Jimmy then rested him for a number of weeks and then entered him in the Ripon amal. This young cock repaid Jimmy’s care and rest with 1st fed, 12th open Essex & Kent Amalgamation Ripon. The breeding of this blue chequer yearling cock is Soontjen originating from John Buckfield of Rayleigh. After having a lot of success with John Buckfield birds, Jimmy decided in 2008 to visit John again. Johnny gave Jimmy the choice of nine youngsters in a basket, from which Jimmy picked three. Among these three was a blue chequer hen which has bred Jimmy federation winners every year.
Jimmy Croxson outside his loft with his winning pigeon.
Ripon. Liberated 09.35. South South West wind.
Approx 210members/2851 birds
1. P REYNOLDS SV 1300.6
2 P REYNOLDS 1300.2
3 I WALLIS & DTR EC 1278
4 I WALLIS & DTR 1270
5 I WALLIS & DTR 1269
6 I WALLIS & DTR 1266.9
7 A BARKER & SON ST 1266.1
8 L FRIBBINS SV 1251.36
9 S VIALLS & SON COE 1251.32
10 M/M R REASON SV 1250.5
11 L FRIBBINS 1250.3
12 J CROXSON HNR 1248.3
13 S AGER ST 1248.2
14 F HARNETT & SON EC 1247.5
15 F HARNETT & SON 1247.3
16 P LIMAN COE 1247.2
17 S STANBROOK & SON HNR 1246
18 LING BROS 1244
19 WOODS BROS COE 1242
20 F HARNETT & SON EC 1241
