Around Middlewich
Well the last of the races down at Middlewich have now finished and they have not had too bad a season competitively but there have been some races that many wish they had not sent to because of the losses. I can see there being more and more of a problem with the changing patterns in the weather and we could do with starting later and finishing later because we are getting better weather later in the year. The dates are obviously set so early because of the channel racing and it is highly unlikely that the transport people for the channel are going to put the races back. The last race we have information on is the NWCC race from Carentan when 21 sent 162 birds flying for just over £1000. When it comes to the channel events to the North West they are never easy races but there are always some get thought. Even so on this occasion it really was hard and the winning vels. were down to having two in the 800ypm bracket with the rest being below. In fact there are only 4 in the 700ypm's and none in the 600ypm range, a hard race.
Ron Woodward, the Open winner
The top spot was taken by Ron Woodward who is always more interested in the longer races than the sprinter's. Isn't it odd how some things happen as in this case because there were a pair of egg's in a box of some pigeons Mike was looking after he put them under a pair but then forgot about them until they hatched so Mike told Ron he could put rings on them so he did and they went into his race loft. They know nothing about the young bird at all other than they think it might be off Mark Gilbert stock when I am told there were only 6 on the day. This is the pigeon that has won the race for Ron with a vel of 898ypm winning by over 90ypm. Ron is one half of the very successful partnership of O'Hare & Woodward but Ron is now racing on his own from the same location and doing a good job of it. With the pigeons still being with Mike I wonder if they still get their heads together. Brian & Gary Smith from Congleton clocked one on the day and the first one next morning to take 1st & 2nd section A 2nd & 7th Open on 806/596ypm. This partnership has been racing a good pigeon but I did email but no more information has arrived. Their first Pigeon was a Blue Pied Hen, the sire is a son of a pigeon they call "6601" who as been 1st Club, 22nd Fougeres & 15th Section L Ancenis. The dam is out of a pair of stock birds they brought off Roger Lowe from his De Rauw Sablon lines & she herself was 14th Section L Young Bird National with the NFC last year. Thier 2nd bird was a white grizzle Hen bred down from a Cock off Alan Winstanley & the Dam is bred down from a pigeon off the late George Chadwick & Philip Kent. Rob Bennett from Crewe is 2nd section B 3rd Open with a chequer hen from his good friend Peter James. Rob is generally a good channel man but in this race struggled with one on the day, 5 next day and the other 10 have still not turned up which is something a lot have experienced this year with old and young. This hen was sent paired after being reared on the darkness and was sent to Portland the week before but flew around for 7 mins. so booking her place in the team for this race and it worked.
Eric Taylor's 4th open
Eric Taylor comes in next with 3rd section B 4th Open with one more from my own family of Verheye x McDonald x Sangers stock that have been winning for the last 20yrs as I know of. Eric was saying that this has been a steady young pigeon throughout which is why he decided this was the race for her. She comes from two good pigeons because the dam has topped the federation twice and the cock was 1st Cheshire Combine. Ken & Mark Cliffe are 3rd section A with their first pigeon that was also timed in the young bird National with provisional result of 26th section L. Mark was saying that this was a particular hard National but the bird was looking good on arrival but Mark said she had earned her perch for the coming seasons so never considered her for Carentan. However when he was basketing she caught his eye and he picked her up to see that she had fully recovered so into the basket she went. Mark was pretty confident so also entered her into Cheshire 2 bird fully pooled up wining over £300 in total she was also are main pool pigeon in Eccles 2 bird but at moment no results are available. She was bred by Mark's good friend John Machin of Mow Cop and she is of the Drum lines crossed with those of Van Dork. She is small apple bodied but a really nice eye which does attract you to them. "Congratulations" to Tom Howarth who is the Sole winner of the Goldring race who wins the £640.00 total prize fund.Thanks go to sponsors of the race who are, Phil Brown Transport Services, I T/S and K & M Cliffe.
Moulton Flying Club are holding their annual shows at the local club in Church St. Moulton Cheshire. The show Programme 2016 will be through the wires and are as follows.
November 1st Young Cocks. November 8th Young Hens. November 15th Old Cocks. November 22nd Old Hens. November 29th Any Age Hen. December 6th Any Age Cock. December 13th Grizzles and Pied?s. Handling December 20th Christmas Show: Any age Cocks and Any age Hens. Penning 7-30 to 8 pm. Entries 50p, Nom £1. Four prizes: £10, £5, £3, and £2.
Westlands
