GWENT GREATER DISTANCE CLUB
Reports by Gareth Watkins
BICC Presentation weekend at Bournemouth
Trophies at BICC
Following on from the excellent weekend enjoyed by GGDC members at the 2007 BICC dinner and prize presentation at Harlow, a large group of members decided to make the 2008 BICC presentation at Bournemouth an extended weekend affair. So it was that a virtual convoy of cars began to leave South Wales early on the morning of Friday 27th February to make their way to the seaside town of Bournemouth on the Dorset coast. On arrival at our hotel, The Queens Hotel in the Eastcliff area of the town, we were amazed to find many guests already there enjoying the hospitality in the bar. Needless to say, we were not long in joining the party atmosphere. It was especially good to meet up again with Albi and Jan Deacon and another old acquaintance John Tyerman, who was to give an excellent speech at the prize presentation the next night. I have to say that the BICC is one of the most friendly club’s with which I have been associated, as we were welcomed with open arms by our English club mates and it was clear from the start that this was going to be a special weekend.
After sampling a few pints of the excellent local brew, it was soon time to set off on the short stroll, or in my case taxi ride , into town for an early evening meal , before returning to the hotel to watch the France v Wales rugby match. This turned out to be the only bad point of the whole weekend!
Saturday dawned bright and sunny and most of the Welsh contingent were up early and enjoying an excellent breakfast. Shortly after 9 am we were on our way into town via the coastal path to undertake some retail therapy- or at least Judy was. I found a newsagents and a comfortable seat in the sun to rest my “bionic spine” , read the Guardian from cover to cover and complete the crossword before rejoining Judy for lunch in the park.
The afternoon was spent at leisure just reading and watching some more rugby before getting “hosed down” ready for the evening’s festivities. By 18.30 most of the fanciers present were waiting to sit down to dinner in readiness for the prize presentation. This soon got underway and after a brief speech by new club President, Mick Bunney, in which he mentioned the great loss to the club following the death of former club President Brian Long, the microphone was handed to John Tyerman who did a marvellous job as M.C. for the rest of the proceedings.
Dennis Ford and wife
As a Welsh man I was particularly pleased and proud to hear John highlight the magnificent performances, achieved under trying conditions, by the small contingent of Welsh pigeons in the club’s races during the 2008 season. Each and every recipient of trophies was greeted by a warm round of applause and none more so than Blaenavon’s own, Dennis Ford, who was treated to a standing ovation when receiving the Brian Long Memorial Trophy for his two year old hen’s brilliant performance in winning the BICC Tarbes National. It is widely accepted that if this hen had been racing to the south coast she would have been clocked on the day and in all probability would have won the International race. As it was, she attained the highest International position by a British pigeon during the 2008 International campaign. It was good to see Dennis there along with his family enjoying the night. If there is a better fancier and nicer bloke than Dennis, currently flying pigeons into the British Isles, then please get in touch and I’ll do my best to give you the coverage you deserve in the pigeon press.
Dennis Ford 1st Open BICC Tarbes and winner of Brian Long Trophy for Highest Internation position by a British pigeon
Spencer Jones of Pontypool, the winner of the Falaise 2 race arrived 10 minutes before “kick off”, got changed in the back of his car and disappeared in a northerly direction shortly after receiving his winner’s trophy from a slightly bemused Fred Sharman. I will, one day, retell the story of Spencer’s epic bike ride from Germany to south Wales. It should be a best seller.
Darren Roberts from Wrexham picked up 5 x 1sts section in his first year competing with the GGDC and BICC. Darren was accompanied on the night by John Porter of Liverpool who has now been firmly adopted as the GGDC’s resident scouser! We really did have a great night in good company with wall to wall laughter and plenty of friendly banter. It was a pity it all had to come to an end so soon. The die hards however, were still going strong at 4 a.m. but I’m pleased to say that those days are well and truly over for this scribe!
Sunday morning dawned grey and misty and after another excellent breakfast we were soon on our way home to South Wales. All those who attended have indicated that they will definitely be booking up for this year’s dinner which it’s hoped will be at the same venue. Many thanks go to Albi and Jan Deacon, along with the other officials and committee men who organised this year’s racing and prize presentation. You did us proud. My thanks go also to Ray and Marie Strawbridge for the transport and good company throughout the weekend. Finally thanks to David Carey and Pam Gladwin for the photos that accompany this report. Oh, nearly forgot, John Porter [ the aforementioned adopted scouser] if you read this, beware – I rarely forgive and never forget – so you can look out next time we meet!! Come on you Reds!!
Fred Sharman and Spencer Jones winner of 1st BICC Falaise 2
Alastair Muir and Adrian Ware
Next we move on to a brief report on the AGM of the GGDC held on Sunday March 8th.Attached are the minutes of the meeting promptly distributed by new club secretary Tony Coombs. Sponsors for 2009 are Clive Hughes Photography of Tonypandy; Brian Corten; Able Coatings and Robert Davies Feed Merchants.
