Lilly

ACROSS THE MIDDLE

by Gordon Braban & John Wilkie

Lillers - June 2013

The Up North Combine’s first channel race was from Lillers, like it has been for the past 46 years, and by God have we have had some bad races from this point, and this year was no different than the others. Before I start to express my own opinion on the state of channel racing within the UNC, this race has got to be the lowest number of birds that had been sent for the first channel race since they went there in 1967. Normally there would be around the 18 to 20,000 birds away. This year there were only 10-000+ birds away for the 340+ miles to the middle of the combine. My own thoughts on the drop in numbers is that there are too many inland races planned for the same time as we are at the channel but that is the decision that the members wanted, or was it? I have flown some good races out of Lillers over the years. On a good day the returns were pretty canny, but on the bad days there would be big losses. It all depends on the wind; west in the wind and you can say goodbye to a lot of birds, and with east in the wind you might get a better race with good returns and good velocities, as long as there was no mist on the channel, which you get quite a lot with east winds, and it does not shift that quick. With Lillers being 1 month before the Bourges race a lot of fanciers would put the Bourges team on for a fly out hoping that they get them all back in good time to put them right for the long one. I did this year and what a mistake that turned out to be, but most of them made it back in good time nevertheless. That's enough of my twisting for the Lillers race. I have to save some for Clermont.

The management of the UNC sent out a letter addressed to all the feds for them to have a vote on the Eastbourne racepoint. The reasons that were given were that it was too windy at the racepoint, which is Beachy Head clifftops. This complaint was brought on by 5 feds within the combine, and these 5 feds would like the inland nationals to be moved to Maidstone instead. Most of the combine know who the 5 feds are and why they want to move don't we? But unfortunately we can't move so we will have to stop at Eastbourne for this year, and why don't we move Lillers along to Arras? It is about 380 to the middle, but that would make sense and we can’t have that can we?

The convoyer’s report reads a little bit like this: Outlook Thursday 23rd May - forecast for the Saturday was looking very reasonable with a fresh north-east wind affecting the whole line of flight. With such a favourable forecast we did not consider liberating on the Friday. Friday 24th May - arrived at Lillers at 5-00am, birds watered immediately, weather conditions very poor with rain and low cloud, birds fed straight away, weather conditions improved around 4.00pm. Spoke to the forecaster who informed Mr Proffitt that England would be very good, with blue sky, sunshine and a fresh north easterly wind all day. The only problem was the north easterly winds, there was no rain forecast, the only problem was that northern France may be effected with low cloud. Saturday 5-00am - blue skies, broken cloud and sun coming up, but very cold. Spoke to the Dover coastguard who informed Steve that the conditions on the channel were good, with only a few patches of low lying mist, and places west of Lillers had full cloud cover and rain in places. At 6-00 the weather had completely changed, no mist, no rain. What a change within 30+mins. PERFECT WEATHER. Spoke to the forecaster who informed me that England would be very good. It was windy west of Lillers and no rain was forecast for the whole day. The only problem was that there might be some low cloud that could possibly delay the liberation. Well the convoyer and his team of helpers got the birds ready for an early start, so at 06-20am they let 10,601 birds go into a north east wind and the race was on. The birds were making their way north at a steady pace and with a bit of east on their side it would keep them on the right side of the North Sea and they would not end up in Holland and Belgium like they sometimes do. The first phone calls came in at around 7 hours 35 mins from the front end of the combine, so that made our birds up to us in 8 hours 15 mins to be any good. As the birds were getting closer the times were getting faster, so it was get ready and hope that I got 1 with the first birds (I was not that far behind). So here goes with the combine report.

Section 2 Gateshead Fed & Newcastle West Fed

The winning loft from the Gateshead Fed area this week has been flying very well over the past couple of weeks. They topped the fed last week from Melton Mowbray and they are Phillip Steele & Hubbock. Not only did they top the fed but these lads had 6 birds in the top 130 of the combine, out of the 23 that they sent, within 16 mins. Their first bird was a yearling that took just 8hrs 19mins 46ssecs to cover the 349 miles and was doing a vel of 1229-92 to be 1st club, fed, section2 and 2nd UNC and it wins them the George Wright trophy for the 1st yearling plus a silver medal. Their other birds were 8th, 34th, 62nd, 105th and 129th {good flying} in the combine. Tommy Mollet was 3rd club 9th fed and 21st combine with a yearling doing 1215-29. The 3Gs Gordon, Gray & Gray took 5th club 15th fed and 42nd combine with a 2 year old and it was doing 1206-35.

The Birtley club was won by Jeff Morris and son who timed a yearling Zring hen in to take 1st club 2nd fed 2nd section and 3rd UNC winning him a bronze medal and £1-300 in the Z ring race that I was running. This hen was 2nd section in the Z ring last year out of the young bird nat. Jeff was also 2nd club and 13th fed and 33rd combine with a 4 year old pigeon.

P Wright was the winner at the Bensham club with a 2 year old that was doing a vel of 1218-69 to be 4th fed and 10th combine. Quinn, son, Smith & Noble were 2nd & 3rd club and 7th & 19th fed. Their first bird was also a yearling Zring hen that won the Z ring race last year from the national and this hen also wins the Z ring show; it was doing 1216-16 and was 17th combine. Their 2nd bird was 6mins later and was 19th fed 65th combine. Kenny & Ged Hooker were 4th club and 112th combine with a 2 year old.

Wrekenton h s was won by Terry & John that is Elliott & Watson who also flew a good race this day with 4 birds inside the first 100 of the combine sheet. Their first bird was a yearling that wins the club and was 5th fed 11th combine doing 1218-28, there next bird was 6th club 16th fed and 43rd combine and the other 2 birds were 46th and 97th combine. Billy Matfin was 2nd & 3rd club 6th & 10th fed and 16th & 27th combine with 2x2 year olds. Crawford & son timed a couple of birds in. Their first bird was their good check Zring hen that has a few turns in the club and fed this year. This hen will be 3rd in the Z ring race and 11th fed and 28th combine doing 1213-31. Their next bird was also a yearling and it was 192nd combine, whilst their 3rd bird which was also a Z ring hen takes 5th position in the Z ring race and it was 217th combine.

Highfield h s was won by probably 1 of the youngest members in the UNC and that is little Ben Miller who only sent 2 birds and timed both of them in to take 1st club 8th fed and 18th combine with the first bird; the other bird was not that far behind the first 1. Young Mr Miller is the grandson of the late Geordie Miller who passed away last year and has taken on the task of following in his grandad’s footsteps {best of luck young man}. Sorry but Chas & Dave had a couple on the combine sheet but I think the fed sheet was full so here are their positions along with the Godfather’s  (John Jobey’s). C & D were 90th & 162nd combine and John’s were 168th combine, in the Dunston club.

Ben Miller who only sent 2 birds to Lillers and timed them both

Newcastle West Fed

A & M Wharton & Porter were 1st and 2nd club at the British Legion club and 107th and 238th combine with a yearling and a 2 year old. The singing sparkie Davy Little and Ray Southgate were 1st & 2nd at the Westerhope club and these birds were 2nd & 3rd fed and 180th & 181st combine with only 4 seconds splitting them. Graham, son & Brown were 3rd club 4th fed and 231st combine doing 1183-63.

It was a great race for the west side of the combine with over 40+birds in the top 250 of the sheet from section 2. Well done to all who made the combine sheet.

Houghton Fed 464 birds
The Washington Celtic h s took most positions on the fed sheet with 16 out of the first 20 and another 6 in the bottom end of the fed sheet. The winning loft this week was Craggs, son & G/son with a yearling blue hen that was 1st club fed section and 13th combine doing 1217-01, and they also clocked another pigeon in 12 mins later to be 7th club 8th fed 186th combine. Dyson & Nichols clocked 3 birds in. The first 2 birds were both 2x2year olds and there was only 3 seconds splitting them. These 2 were 2nd & 3rd club, fed & section and 14th & 15th combine both doing 1216s. The next pigeon was nearly 7 mins later and was 4th club, fed and 93rd combine. Mr&Mrs Hindhaugh & Donadlson clocked a 2 year old blue hen in that was doing 1192 and took 5th club, fed and 126th combine. Braban & son timed 3 cocks in within 6 mins to be 6th club, fed and 152nd; he was bred from a Brian Sheppard cock and a Busschaert hen. The other 2 cocks were both Busschearts. Mr&Mrs P McMann were 8th club, 9th fed and 216th combine.

Dubmire h s. Hughie & Colin Jackson took the top 2 spots in the club and they were 7th & 21st fed with 7 mins between each bird. Steve Wilson, son & dtr took all positions in the Penshaw club with 2 hens and a cock. The first hen was bred for them by the 2Js {Soderlund & Maddison} from South Sheilds. She was 11th fed. The next hen was 10 mins later and was a 3 year old check hen, whist the next bird was a blue white cock 27 secs later. The 2nd 2 birds were 29th & 30th fed.

Mr&Mrs Tucker Wells were the winners at Shiney Row with check cock that was 12th fed and R & K Emery were 2nd club 15th fed with a yearling check hen that was doing 1178-37.

SECTION 4 Sunderland Prem Fed

The Plains Farm Club took the top 4 posiions on the fed sheet. The top honours go to J Wharton who timed a yearling in that took 8 hours 8 mins 46 secs to cover the 340 miles to win 1st club, fed, section and take 5th UNC doing a vel of 1226-08. Hammond, Webster & Webster clocked 2 birds in within 5 mins to take 2nd & 4th club and 2nd & 4th fed. These 2 birds were a 2 year old and a yearling. The first bird was 12th combine doing 1218-07 and the 2nd bird was 51st combine doing 1204-46. Armstrong & Shergold took 3rd & 5th club and 3rd & 12th fed with a2 year old that was 45th combine and a yearling that took 147th combine; 6 mins split these 2 birds. Wormleighton & Swinney clocked their yearling Z ring hen in to be 7th club 16th fed 204th combine and take 4th in the Z ring race winning 1st in section 4 and 2nd in the show race. F Murphy was the winner at the Sportsmans & Comrades with a 2 year old that was doing 1203-90 and takes 59th combine. Thurlow & Strong were 2nd club and 17th fed with a yearling and were 209th combine. D Atkinson was the winner at the Westside 6 bird club doing 1200-32 and was 80th combine. Castletown was won by P Morse & son with a yearling that took 8hrs 26mins 4secs and took 127th combine doing 1192-45. John {Joster} Foster was the clear winner down at the Oddies {Oddfellows}. His yearling was doing 1190-68 and was 149th combine.

Sunderland Dist Fed 464 birds

High Southwick h s 174 birds. R&A Evans, Dixon & Gibbon took the top 3 positions in the club and were 1st, 3rd & 4th fed. The first bird was a yearling blue hen that took 8hrs 16mins & 41secs and was doing 1214-61 to be 25th combine. The next bird was also a yearling blue hen some 5 mins later to be 68th combine and the 3rd bird was a 2 year old blue cock with a TV ring on its leg and it took 72nd combine. G Fisk clocked a yearling blue white hen in to be 4th club 7th fed doing 1195 and was 104th combine. K Smilie & son were 5th club 9th fed and 121st combine with a 2 year old check cock. Cornhill h s 127 birds. W Mooney was the winner with a 2 year old check hen it took 8hrs 20mins 35 secs and takes 2nd fed and 66th combine doing 1203-15. The Woodroffe bros took the next 3 positions in the club with a yearling blue hen and 2x 2 year old cocks; these 3 birds were 90th, 110th & 122nd combine. Davy Mills & son were the winners down at the farm {Town End Farm} with a yearling blue white cock doing 1188-82 and took 173rd combine. Prest, Snowdon & Prest took top spot at the Farrington club again with a yearling check cock.

South Shields Fed

Whiteleas h s was won by Moore & Gleghorn with a yearling and they were 55th combine doing 1204-22. Mr & Mrs Davidson were the winners at the Raglan & West park club with a 2 year old that was 211th combine and the Central club was won by the Peel bros who were 224th combine.

Well that just about wraps up the combine report for the Lillers race and all I can say is that within the first 250 on the combine sheet there were quite a few birds on the same yard, sometimes only the second decimals splitting them, which would tell you that a big batch hit the north east around about the same time which looks good on the sheet, but where have all the other birds gone to? They could not all have had stiff wings. {I DID NOT SEND ANY WITH STIFF WINGS AND I WAS QUITE A FEW MISSING ON THE DAY AND ARE STILL SOME MISSING}. Well done to all those who made the combine sheet in this race and a big well done to Ian Jamieson from Amble for topping the combine. The next combine race will be from Clermont and I bet there are not many more than 6000 away in the mighty Up North Combine.

Mid Tyne Fed

FOR THE FIRST CHANNELL RACE 38 FEDERATION LOFTS SENT A TOTAL OF 425 BIRDS. This was about 50 down on last season, which is not bad considering how this year has been. Boldon Colliery h s's share of this was 16 lofts and it is from here that most of the fed positions are from. The first 14 positions all went to Boldon with Super Mac Kevin McFarlane in pole to be 1st club 1st fed with a yearling blure hen doing 1207-8 ypm, the sire & dam both coming from Dennis Byrne in Dubmire. Kevin went to Dennis when he finished with the birds a couple of seasons ago and purchashed a number of distance pigeons and to date these have produced some good youngsters. Kevin had another on the sheet to be 10th club 10th fed 1186-5. Next came McKenna bros. These lads were 2nd, 3rd, 12th & 15th club, 2nd, 3rd, 12th & 17th fed, 1203, 1200, 1180 & 1173 ypm. Next was another multiple timer, Ken Young who was 4th, 5th, 7th, 16th & 18th club and 4th, 5th, 7th, 18th & 20th fed, these velocities ranging down from 1197 ypm to 1168 ypm. Walker & Greenlay came next for 6th club and fed on 1188-88. In at 8th club & fed were Graham, Gilchrist & Brennan on 1188-86. Incidentally Ken Young's third bird was doing 1188-88ypm. Next another three birds close up with J Blackburn & son 9th club & fed on 1186-67 ,then Kev Mc's second bird came in on 1186-57, and John Gilhespy next on 1186-40ypm for 11th club. John also timed another couple of birds in to be 13th club & fed 1178-8ypm then was 17th club 19th fed 1170ypm with his 3rd bird. Billy Gates & sons was another Boldon loft to hit the fed sheet being 14th club 16th fed doing 1173-4. Elsewhere in the fed Birks, Frail & Birks were the victors at Heworth h s doing 1176-7ypm for 14th fed and at Jarrow it was Scott & son in for 1st club, 15th fed doing 1173-7ypm.Ian Nelson did the damage once again at Hebburn but did not make the fed sheet this week.

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