ESSEX & KENT AMALGAMATION
E. J. SAINS
Wetherby - June 16th 2012
As the birds were being put in the baskets on Friday the 14th of June it was to most fanciers a forgone conclusion that the birds had no chance of a Saturday liberation. The forecast was showing cloud and rain both at the race point and below the liberation point. In this day and age with computer science the guess work no longer exists and, as predicted, Saturday came and went. Sunday as forecasted looked good, the west wind was a little stronger than the previous day’s forecast but all was well. The 3380 birds were finally liberated into a west wind at nine minutes past nine, setting in motion a race that would finally see the winning pigeons making 1500 Y.P.M.
Mr Paul Reynolds.
First & fourth Stour Valley federation, First & fourth open Essex & Kent Amalgamation 3380 birds velocity 1517 & 1494 Y.P.M.
Paul Reynolds & his winning pigeon.
Mr Paul Reynolds has certainly proved a point of excellence by winning for the second time the Essex & Kent Amalgamation from Wetherby in the last two seasons. On September 3rd 2011 Paul timed to win first open Essex & Kent Amalgamation Wetherby young bird 4965 birds, and now again in 2012 he has timed in to win first open Essex & Kent Amalgamation Wetherby old bird. Not bad for a fancier that has recently turned his birds around from south road racing to north road racing. Even saying this, Paul said he found it hard to win with the south road birds he had turned round although they had won 12 firsts in the Colchester club on his last year south.
Pigeon (origin)
Paul’s first bird, a blue yearling widowhood cock, and his fourth bird, a two year old blue widowhood cock 10th open Essex & Kent Amal Wetherby, are both brothers. Both bred from Vandenabeele parents that Paul had purchased from Mellonby & Wheelhouse of Bridlington, Yorkshire. Paul said he had noticed an advert where the partners had won 9 first federation and had travelled up to Yorkshire to purchase 10 pigeons, which now form the basis of stock that are breeding some outstanding pigeons. These two brothers’ origins are of the Jester & Carrie bloodlines.
Mr Allan Thompson.
Second Stour Valley federation. Second open Essex & Kent Amalgamation velocity 1512 Y.P.M.
Allan Thompson.
Since Allan has retired and moved from Dagenham where he flew his pigeons in the Trades Hall pigeon club, he has found much more time to breed and race his birds. Allan flys his birds with the Mistley & District Homing Society, but lives in Dover Court, where he has found the people extremely helpful, particularly Mr Garry Paganini who has had success in the one loft races.
Pigeon (origin)
Allan’s first bird, a blue yearling hen, is raced on the roundabout system. The dam of this bird was bred by Mr Garry Paganini, and when paired to a Van Reet cross cock, had produced Allan’s second open Essex & Kent Amalgamation Wetherby winner.
Mr Lee Fribbins.
Third Stour Valley Federation. Third open Essex & Kent Amalgamation 3380 birds velocity 1503 Y.P.M.
Lee is once again having a very good season. Although like all the lads living on the far east coast, he has not only had to put up with the adverse weather, but also the continuous east & north east winds week in and week out. Nevertheless Lee managed to take the first five in the large Essex Central Federation last week, the 9th of June to be precise, in fact the hen that wins third amal for Lee was one of the five, winning 2nd club 2nd federation. Lee tells me he is happy with his birds and their condition. So far this year as they have won 8 firsts out of 9 races. Lee also made a point, that he would like to congratulate Paul Reynolds and Allan Thompson on their outstanding results achieved by two hard working fanciers.
Pigeon (origin)
Lee’s main team of widowhood hens & cocks are of the Leo Van Rijn strain of birds. He feels that these birds are very hard working and will perform as a team, with many of his performances coming from a drop of several birds together. Lee feels that this is what you need in your birds. Pigeons that are healthy and strong, which will race week in and week out as a team.
Lee Fribbins' 3rd open.
Mr Fred Harnett & Son.
First second third & fourth Essex Central federation, 5th 6th 7th & 8th 0pen Essex & Kent Amalgamation 3380 birds
Fred Harnett & Son have without doubt been flying a phenomenal pigeon in the Essex & Kent Wetherby amals. For instance on September the 3rd 2011 in the Essex &Kent Wetherby young bird Amalgamation Fred Harnett & Son managed 1st 4th 5th 6th Essex Central fed 3rd 8th 9th & 10th Essex & Kent amalgamation 4965 birds. It is also an outstanding achievement when you realise this 2012 Wetherby amalgamation is only Fred & his son’s second race this season.
Pigeon (origin)
Fred’s federation winner is a blue chequer two year old widowhood cock, bred from one of his Curtis, Wall, Lunt & Green stock birds when paired to Peter VD Merwe stock. His second bird, a yearling, was of the same pairing. The third and fifth birds are both yearlings and both of VD Merwe pairings. I mentioned to Fred that he had been doing well with the Cooremans. He said yes they fly very well indeed, in fact a pair of young birds he let Mr Frank White have last year had won him 3 x first fed finishing the season with a second combine. But on this occasion he never got one in his first four birds.
Mr Albert Barker wins the South of the Thames Eederation. Essex & Kent Amalgamation result to follow, velocity 1422 Y.P.M.
Albert’s winner, a blue cock flown on the hide and seek system, is a previous winner. It was bred from a pair of stock pigeons that Albert had purchased in Belgium.
Closely following Albert in second and third position was Steve Smith on 1420.8 & 1420.3 Y.P.M. His first bird, a blue widowhood cock, had already won this year. Both of Steve’s widowers were bred from stock that he had purchased from the Pie Man of Chesterfield. Albert Barker and Steve Smith have both already won the federation this year while flying in the Essex & Kent Amalgamations.
Steve Smith.
Provisional First 20 Amalgamation result - Wetherby 17.6.12
Approx 3380 birds
1 P REYNOLDS SV 1517
2 A THOMPSON SV 1512
3 L FRIBBINS SV 1503
4 P REYNOLDS SV 1494
5 F HARNETT & SON EC 1490.4
6 F HARNETT & SON EC 1490.4
7 F HARNETT & SON EC 1489.9
8 F HARNETT & SON EC 1489.8
9 A.P. NEAL SV 1487.6
10 P REYNOLDS SV 1478.4
11 P REYNOLDS SV 1478.1
12 P REYNOLDS SV 1477
13 J & A ASHENDEN EC 1476
14 R & P THOMAS EC 1470
15 P REYNOLDS SV 1469
16 P REYNOLDS SV 1466.7
17 P REYNOLDS SV 1466.5
18 SPEARPOINT & STAGG EC 1462.3
19 I WALLIS & DTR EC 1462.0
20 B L ROBINSON WE 1461
