ACROSS THE MIDDLE
by Gordon Braban & John Wilkie
Welcome to the last old bird race of the 2012 season, and what a season it has been. I hope that the young bird programme is a good one and there are not as many losses as we have had with the old birds. Over the past 4 months we have had some rubbish weekends for the races and the channel races have not been that well either, but what can you expect with the global warming and all the mobile phone masts and wind turbines popping up all over the place. Well we have to blame something don’t we?
Well the last race was from Lillers and with the weather forecast spot on for the week leading up to Lillers the chance of a good race was well on the cards. {We could not have 5 bad channel races, or could we?}. So as the preparation for the birds was done it was send them and just see what comes back in good time to claim a spot in race team for next year
With 11,875 birds away in this the last race Steve Proffitt and his team of hard working co-drivers liberated the birds at 10-45 in the morning into a north-west wind. Now the liberation time tell you that there was something not right with the morning in France or on the channel, but the birds went and according to the crack, they cleared well, but the velocities will show that it was not as easy as it should have been for the 340+miles.
As I always start with Section 2, this week will be no different. The lads over the west side of the combine have put up some good performances over the 8 combine races that we have had so far, so here goes with the results and the combine positions that I have at hand.
Section 2. Gateshead fed, Newcastle West fed & Chester Le Street fed, Gateshead fed 864 birds.
Gateshead fed.
Wrekenton h s 202 birds. T Grey & son Dean took the top spot in the club, fed and section this week with a vel of 1361-71 making it their 3rd win on the trot from the water when they timed in a yearling blue hen that took 7hrs27mins & 38secs to fly 346 miles and win the club by 6 mins. This hen was timed in at 12 mins past 6 at night and she finished up 23rd combine. This win claimed the partenership the channel ave in the club, fed and the section {well done lads}. Laskey & Robinson took 2nd club 5th fed and 112th combine with a young blue cock that was doing 1341-55 which took 7hrs 33mins & 30secs. Alan Hirst was 3rd club 7th fed 127th combine also with a yearling blue w cock. Elliott & Watson timed 2 birds in within 2mins 30 to take 4th & 5th club 15th & 24th fed. The first pigeon was a 2 year old check cock that took 7hrs 38mins and was doing 1324-04 {just missing the combine sheet} and the other was a yearling SS blue cock that was doing 1319-23 and takes 2nd prize in the fed 2bird club.
Highfeild h s 111 birds. Geordie Miller took 2 positions this week in the club. His first bird was a yearling check hen then he timed in at 14mins past 6 taking 7hrs 29mins and 51secs to take 1st club 2nd fed, 2nd sec and 25th combine doing 1360-99. The next pigeon was a 3 year old chec wh hen some 16 mins later to take 4th club 30th fed. J Johnson timed a young blue cock in to take 2nd club, 12th fed and 210th combine and Bob Walden& son were 3rd club 25th fed with a 2 year old blue cock doing 1318-29.
Springwell h s 38 birds. Harry Finley had the only bird on the sheet from the club when he timed a yearling check hen in to take 3rd fed and 33rd combine; this hen was doing 1358-29.
Bensham h s 249 birds. Kenny & Jed Hooker timed a couple of birds in to take 1st & 6th club 4th & 17th fed 101st combine. The first bird was a young check hen that was doing 1343-51 then a yearling check cock that was bred by Hollywood Kev Parsons; it was doing 1322-14. The Gray bros timed 4 birds in quick. All 4 were yearling cocks and they ended up 2nd, 4th, 5th & 9th club 8th, 11th, 14th & 21st fed 138th, 197th & 220th combine. Alan Wilson was 3rd club 9th fed and 187th combine with a young check hen that was doing 1331-82.
Dunston h s 123 birds. Morpeth & Scott {Chas & Dave} timed 1 of their young blue cocks in that took 7hrs 39mins to cover the 347 miles to win the club and end up 10th fed and 193rd combine. These lads also timed another blue cock in 3 mins later to take 4th club 19th fed. Steele & Hubbock took 2nd club 13th fed 216th combine also with a yearling blue cock and John Jobey was 3rd club 16th fed with a 2 year old mealy cock that was well pooled up in the fed 2 bird club, which he won. John Kippen & son were the winners at the old Saltwell club with a 2 year old blue hen that ended up 6th fed and 124th combine.
Well that’s it for the Gateshead fed result for the old bird season. The winners of the old bird inland ave were the Gray bros with 340 pts, Tommy & Dean Gray were the winners of the channel ave with 131 pts and the Gray bros were the winners of the old bird ave with 397 pts. Well done to all those who have put up some good performances over the old bird season.
Chester Le Street fed 160 birds.
Birtley h s. Morris & son had a great day timing 5 birds in within 12 mins to take 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 7th club and 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th & 10th fed. The first 2 birds were timed in just 13secs apart. The first bird was a 2 year old check cock that was doing 1317-00 then a yearling blue hen doing 1316-38. The 3rd pigeon was a 3 year old blue hen 5 mins later, next came a yearling check cock a min after that then he waited another 6 mins to get his next bird which was a 2 year old pied cock. Good flying. Potts & Walker took the other 2 positions in the club with 2 yearlings that were 4th & 9th fed doing 1302 & 1282.
Mr&Mrs McGow were the winners at the Perkinsville club with a 3 year old check hen that took 3rd fed. Marquis of Granby was won by M&J Walker with a yearling pied hen doing 1301-30 and G McLean was 2nd club 8th fed with a young check hen.
The Birtley 4 bird club. 1st Morris & son 1317-0, 2nd G McLean 1285-7, 3rd Morris & son 1282-8, 4th Morris & son 1273-8.
Newcastle West Fed 396 birds.
Westerhope h s. The singing sparky Davy Little, son & Southgate pulled a good 1 out of the bag this week when they timed 5 birds in 21 mins to take 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th & 7th club plus 1st, 3rd, 6th, 13th & 15th fed. The first bird was a yearling blue wh hen which took 7hrs 38mins & 56secs and finished up 51st combine doing 1353-16. Their next pigeon was also a yearling hen that was bred by somebody in the Gateshead fed area; she was timed in 10 mins later and was 250th combine. The other 3 birds were also young hens. A Bolam took 2nd club 2nd fed 247th combine with a young check cock that was doing 1325-70. Brown, bros & Cooper timed a 2 year old blue GB cock in after flying 7hrs 52mins to take 7th fed.
British Legion h s. R Goral took the red card with a young check cock doing 1323-67 and ended up 4th fed, A&M Wharton & Porter took 2nd place with a young check cock just 53 secs before the 8 hours to be 2nd club 10th fed and the Burns bros timed a young blue wh cock in to take 3rd club 11th fed 49 secs later. Decca Lamd took the next 2 turns in the club and was 16th & 18th fed.
Coxlodge h s. D Rutherford took the red card doing 1320-31 with a yearling blue cock to be 5th fed and W Anderson was 2nd club 12th fed. Grant Robson took the top 2 spots in the Hazelrigg club with 2 check wh cocks just 90 secs apart to be 8th & 9th fed and Park & Young took 3rd club 14th fed with a 2 year old check cock.
Section 3 Houghton fed 593 birds.
Shiney Row h s. Mr&Mrs Tucker Wells clocked up his first fed and section win of the season when he timed a yearling check cock in after just 7hrs 21secs & 10secs to do a vel of 1363-44 to claim 15th combine and he also timed another young cock in 14mins later to be 2nd club 7th fed doing 1321-85. Gordon Patterson was 3rd club 11th fed with a blue hen and Laidler & Simpson took 4th club 12th fed.
Celtic h s. Dyson & Nichols were the winners yet again with a yearling check hen just 1 yard behind the fed winner and they also timed a 2 year old dark cock to take 3rd club 4th fed doing 1342-58 to end up 20th & 106th combine. Braban & son were 2nd club 3rd fed with a young check Busschaert cock that topped the fed last year as a baby; he was 89th combine doing 1342-58. Mr&Mrs P McMann were 4th club 5th fed and 114th combine. Tommy Smith & Longstaff took 5th club 6th fed with a young blue hen that was doing 1323-02.
Gardeners h s. Braban & son timed in Mrs Miller again to win the club and be 10th fed; she has now 3 x 1sts this year. He was also 2nd club with a blue wh cock that has won Clermont & Andrezel this year.
Hughie & Colin Jackson were the winners at the Dubmire club with a yearling check cock that was 23rd fed, and I think that these lads have won every race this year Well done to all the average winners in section 3. G, G, B the old bird ave. Braban & Son the channel ave.
Well done to all the club and fed ave winners.
Mid Tyne Federation, Lillers. For this the final OB race of the season 32 federation lofts sent a total of 409 birds. Coming out on top is the Jarrow Alexandra H.S. loft of Davy Wilson recording a velocity of 1351.6ypm for 1st club 1st fed. Second at Jarrow are J & P Fenwick on 1335ypm this for 5th fed, this pigeon was also 1st club from the Maidstone Yearling race two weeks ago, the lads also had another for 4th club 17th fed on 1303ypm. Third club 7th fed went to Denis Walton. At Boldon Colliery HS where 15 lofts sent 236 birds the winners are McKenna Bros and to end a fantastic season it was their good hen the “ Duchess “ recording 1341ypm for 2nd fed, also ending up “Best Old Bird” in the club. The lads were also in at 6th club 9th fed on 1321ypm. Graham, Gilchrist & Brennan came next, these lads ending up at 2nd 4th 5th 10th 13th & 14th club 3rd 6th 8th 14th 18th & 19th fed the first of these doing 1338.527ypm and the last on 1300ypm. The clubs highest points winners with old birds came next, this being Walker & Greenlay these lads were 3rd 8th 11th 15th club 4th 11th 15th 20th fed the first one on 1338.056ypm the last on 1298ypm. At 7th club 10th fed was Ken Young with his good, nay excellent, 2year old cock on 1311ypm for 10th fed. This pigeon has won 3x1st plus now 7th club to win most points channel in club on its own. Phil Hall got in for 9th club 13th fed on 1307ypm, nice to see you on the sheet Phil. At Heworth HS it was W & L Curry with 1st club 12th fed on 1311ypm. Ian Nelson was again the victor at Hebburn East End, keep it up Ian you will soon be a regular on the fed sheet.
Tyne & Wear C.C. Lillers. For this one we had 40 members enter 118 birds to fly for a total of £461. First place to Moore & Cleghorn, Whiteleas HS with a velocity of 1369.38ypm pooled up to win the lads £294. In 2nd place Dyson & Nichols, Celtic HS, 1162.47ypm this winning £82. Third place goes to Mr & Mrs Tommy Stewart, Cornhill HS. recording a velocity of 1356.72ypm this one netting £55. Rush & Partners, Castletown HS were just behind on 1356.23ypm for 4th position Mr & Mrs Elliott & Ward, Raglan & W.P. 5th on 1355.85ypm and Davy Wilson, Jarrow Alex at 6th on 1351.62ypm. These last three winning £10 each. Once again the winners are well spread out coming from 5 different federations. In total approx £3580 has been flown for with the old birds. If you are not a member and fancy some of this next season why not think about joining. If you have followed these results you will have noticed not one particular club or fed dominate the result, but are well spread about.
Section 4 North East Counties, Sunderland Prem, South Sheilds & Sunderland Dist Feds, NEC Fed.
Seaham h s. Colin Chapman & sons were very close again to topping the combine this week when he timed in a yearling that took 7hrs 10mins 56secs to cover the 336+miles; this bird wins the club, fed, sec4 and finishes up 3rd Up North Combine winning him a bronze medal doing a vel of 1375-15 just 3 yards aback of the combine winner. Colin also timed another yearling in 9 mins later to be 3rd club 4th fed and 82nd combine. Ruddock, son & Ruddock took 2nd club 3rd fed 49th combine also with a yearling 7 mins after doing 1354-00. Richardson, son & Young bros were 4th club 6th fed and 105th combine.
Dawdon h s. The winners were the Oates bros timing a yearling in after 7hrs 12mins to end up 1st club, 2nd fed, 6th sec & 13th combine. Murton h s. Naylor, sons & Richardson kept up their winning run this week by timing 2 birds in to take 1st & 3rd club 5th & 9th fed. The first bird was a yearling that was 90th combine and the next pigeon was a 3 year old and it was 202nd combine. W Alderson was 2nd club 8th fed and 164th combine with a 2 year old.
Dixon & sons were the winners at the Wearside club and they were 7th fed 151st combine doing 1335-50.
South Sheilds fed. Raglan & Westpark h s. Ray Moore & Geordie Gleghorn timed a cracker in to top the club and fed. This yearling was well fancied as it was pooled well up in the Tyne & Wear champ club and it also takes 2nd in the NECC and it finished up 5th combine doing 1369-65. Taylor & Ali had a great day, timing a few birds in. The first bird was a yearling that will be 2nd club 2nd fed 4th sec and 9th combine. His next pigeon was also another yearling and it was 4th club 5th fed 43rd combine doing 1355-6. He also timed another 4 birds in within the next 7 mins and all these were inside the top 180 of the combine sheet [good flying}. Mr&Mrs Herbie Elliott & Ward timed a 2 year old in to take 3rd club 4th fed 42nd combine doing 1355-85. l G Dingwell h s the Peel bros were 1st & 2nd club 13 was next with a yearling that was 7th fed and 70th combine doing 1350. The 2 Js {Soderlund & Maddison} timed a couple of yearlings to be well up on the sheet. Their first bird was doing 1362-50 that was 3rd fed 19th combine and the next bird was 246th combine doing 1325.
Whiteleas h s. The winner this week was Frankie Yanette. This bird was 6th fed and 64th combine.
Sunderland Prem fed 756 birds.
Plains Farm h s 197 birds. Hammond,Webster & Webster took top spot in the club and fed once again with a yearling that was 8th combine and they also timed another yearling in 5 mins later to be 4th club 11th fed and 60th combine. K Patterson was 2nd club 4th fed 22nd combine doing 1362-05. Kenny Redman took 3rd club 8th fed 41st combine with a 3 year old.
Oddfellows h s 151 birds. Brown, bros & McKinnie took 1st and 3rd club. The first bird was a yearling that was 2nd fed 12th combine and the next bird was a 2 year old that was 145th combine 10 mins after.
Sportsmans & Comrades h s 189 birds. Murphy & Ayre were 1st & 5th club 3rd & 16th fed. Their first bird took 7hrs 18mins 36secs. It was a yearling that ended up 14th combine doing 1363-75. Their next bird was also a yearling and it was 95th combine dong 1344-38. H Potts & sons took 2nd club 6th fed 35th combine on 1357-28. P Haswell was 3rd club 9th fed 54th combine and the Dunn bros took 4th club 12th fed 66th combine. Tommy Ayscough took all 5 top positions in the Deptford club. The first bird was 5th fed 24th combine doing 1361-59. The next pigeon was 10th fed 58th combine and there was only 1 sec between the next 2 pigeons. These were 74th & 75th combine and the 5th pigeon was 98th combine 6 mins after the first bird {good performance}.
Castletown h s 81 birds was won by Billy Rush & ptns {Matty, Jeff & Ronny}. They were 7th fed 40th combine and 5th NECC. This bird wins the Ford 2 bird club doing 1356-28, and D Atkinson was the winner at the Westside 6bird club with a vel of 1349-68 and takes 2nd in the 2 bird club and ends up 73rd combine.
Sunderland Dist fed.
High Southwick h s. Gilly Young & Paul Thoms were the club and fed winners this week with a yearling that was doing 1362-22 that ended up 21st combine. Ray Atkinson and McDonald were 2nd club 5th fed 76th combine and it was doing 1349-28. C Wright was the winner at the Farrington club and he was 2nd fed 37th combine doing 1356-85. Mr&Mrs Tommy Stewart were the winners down at the Cornhill club doing 1356-82. That’s how close this race was for the early birds, decimals splitting them.
Well that is it for the last old bird race of the season and what a season it has been. I would just like to say a big well done to all the winners over the season and a special well done to R&A Evans, Dixon & Gibbon for winning the Up North Combine channel ave for the 4th year running. We are having a week off with the young birds to try and get a bit more training into them before the first race so until next time, THATS ALL FOLKS – GORDON.
