GWENT GREATER DISTANCE CLUB
FIRST YEAR REPORT
by Gareth Watkins
The club was formed in the winter of 2006/7 with the objective of competing in long distance races against the best in Wales, England and the Continent courtesy of the superbly organised BICC. Expectations were high and yet even the most optimistic club member could not have imagined how well the inaugural season would go!!
Right from the off our members were recording excellent pigeons in BICC races even when the weather conditions were against them. Come the first “east wind influenced race” and up comes Adrian Ware and Daughter to win both 1st GGDC and 1st Open BICC with more than 4,500 birds competing. The standard was set for the rest of the season with more than 50 Welsh birds taking prizes in the first 50 of the section and 51 appearing in the first 500 of the Open BICC with up to 4,500 birds competing, the vast majority of which were entered by English fanciers and in most races with a prevailing westerly wind blowing. I think it is fair to say that the GGDC members can take a great deal of satisfaction from their first season competing against our English cousins.
One race that I have not so far covered in my reports is that of the Guernsey race flown under the auspices of the BICC. I must apologise for the lateness of this report, but can only plead ignorance in my defence, as I was unaware that it was a club race since it was organised at the last minute, after DEFRA lifted the ban on overseas racing. That’s my excuse anyway and I’m sticking to it!
Taking 1st GGDC and 16th section 89th Open against a field of 1,949 birds was one to the Cardiff loft of Jim Hooper. Jim’s winner recorded a velocity of 1701 ypm winning the club race by 160 ypm. As everyone will know, Jim is a tireless worker for the sport as well as a keen long distance enthusiast and so this latest performance is well deserved.
In second spot is one to the Caerleon loft of club secretary Carol Gardner ably assisted by husband Terry!! This one also features well up on the BICC result at 24th Sect 148th Open.
Gordon and June Mears, probably the hardest working members of the club, come in for 3rd GGDC and 28th sect 187th Open BICC to add to their earlier successes which include 1s prize in the Pau race.
Finally we come to the Cwmbran partnership of Steve Jude and Dai Rawlings who finish here at 4th club 33rd section and 254th Open BICC. Just a week later, Steve and Dai were to clock the National winner in the Welsh SRNFC race from the same race point, when GGDC members took the first four open positions in the Welsh National. That gives you a fair idea of the quality of fanciers we have in the GGDC.
Moving on now to the next bit of club news. A meeting was recently held at the club’s H.Q., The Ebbw Bridge club, on October 14th. It was decided that the club hold it’s first ever annual presentation evening in conjunction with the Welsh SRNFC on Saturday 24th November. An auction of pigeons will take place at the same time and the proceeds shared equally with the National.
In future all applications for membership of the GGDC must receive unanimous support from the members otherwise the application fails.
Trophies have been presented to the club by Jim Hooper; Dave Whitefield; Gareth Watkins; Gordon & June Mears; Steve Jude; The Padfield Family; Brian Corten and Dan Driscoll, all of which were gratefully accepted, with thanks to the kind donors. Each trophy will be presented at the presentation evening along with a commemorative plaque. It was also decided that we approach the BICC to apply for a marking station at the GGDC H.Q.
Included with this report is a picture of the three successful fanciers in the R.G.Davies sponsored Guernsey race. They are from l-r Steve Jude 1st GGDC 1st Open WSRNFC; Ray Strawbridge 2nd GGDC 2nd Open WSRNFC and Denis Ford 3rd & 4th GGDC 3rd & 4th Open WSRNFC. Pretty impressive stuff.
12/11/07
