LES J. PARKINSON'S
NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES
As I sit here with this week’s notes I am wondering how long the young birds will last because they are not on the darkness. Some have already started to cast and grow their new coat for the winter while others appear to be that much slower and will no doubt last that little bit longer. I shall send them as long as the weather is good. We did it years ago and they were successful so why do we have this mindset that they cannot do it in the modern days of racing pigeons just because others are on darkness and their pigeons already have a new coat. When you look in the race basket nowadays most are like show pigeons, still say that is not enough to make them win. I am happy with them so far but as we all know things can soon change in this game - at the top one minute and the bottom the next.
Good pigeon
From time to time I receive emails from Julian Foets about the Rene Van De Weyer pigeons and again they have a fantastic result from La Souterraine 610 Km in what was very hard race 1160mpm. Julian went on to say that the National winner was down the flight of 80 miles. The New Brourgesman 240/11 again beside his top result from Bourges 495Km 4th place against 22,663 pigeon’s with the wind on the nose. Then four weeks later: La Souterraine 1st club 158 pigeons, 20 minutes ahead. 1st place OAF 267 pigeons. 2nd Union 295 pigeons. 2nd provincial from 981 pigeons. 9th National from 7,245 pigeons and in all the big pools. It’s always nice to see such fanciers win because they have been around for so many years and even though they are not as young as they used to be the wins still keep coming in much the same way as my next subject under winners.
Winners
There are always winners worth writing about and in this case we have a pair of 2yo nest mate cocks that have really flown well for Derek Woodward. These two cocks are: “Wincham 83” - 3rd club 7th Fed Cheltenham, 1st club 13th fed Mangotsfield, 1st club Portland, 2nd club Frome, 3rd club 5th fed Yeovil beaten by his nest mate, 3rd club Frome beaten by his nest mate, 1st club 2nd fed Mangotsfield. “Wincham 82” - 1st club 13th fed Frome, 1st club Portland, 1st club Frome, 1st club 3rd fed Yeovil, 1st club Frome, 2nd club 4th fed Mangotsfield beaten by his nest mate, 2nd club Portland beaten by his nest mate.
Over the years Derek has always had multiple winners in his lofts and not just the odd ones, and these winning numbers increased considerably after he introduced the Peter Fox pigeons in 2002. A lot of this was down to his “Golden Pair”. In racing lofts we very often see good winners but they do not always reproduce themselves but in this case Derek is on the third generation who are doing just that, winners breeding winners and producers. When you look at pedigrees of winning pigeons there is more often than not a gap of a couple of generations before they come back up again. I wonder how much of this is down to fanciers buying pigeons off winners and with the introduction to a new loft they are not raced and then their children do not win but produce winners. Breeding racing pigeons is an art in itself and one that some sail past failing to get to grips with it while others struggle. Coming across a breeding pair is more luck than judgment, yes I know we pair them to breed winners but how many actually do breed what we expect of them. When we pair them we are pairing to what we think but percentage wise there are few that end up breeding winners. I suppose it is just as well because if all pairings produced winners there would be no challenge. We put pigeons together under our own judgement and yes there are a handful of fanciers around the world who have gone to other lofts and done it. I always have to pass the comment “there is always the exception to the rule” and these handful of fanciers are just that, the exception. I have seen this done so I know it can be done but I must also add that you can go to some lofts and do the selection process and the owners will still not win. I would go as far as to say that there are pigeon lovers in this game who will not win because they treat their pigeons too well. I have personal experience of that while going through a spell of looking after them too well and that is where many of us lapse with the pigeons. We lose track of what we have set out to do and start to look at the pigeons in the loft and think that we need to give them a bit more of this and that. In Derek’s case he has the pigeons and has built up a good foundation that are reproducing themselves.
“Wincham 83”
“Wincham 82”
C-W-L
The partnership of Curtis, Wall & Lunt were telling me at Blackpool that they having problems getting into clubs and they thought they would have no club to fly in. Then, in February they were accepted in two clubs, Acton Bridge Flying Club and Altrincham & Sale Flying Club, whose members the partnership would like to publicly thank for being true sportsmen. They paired their race birds up on the 1st of February but, when the birds had started laying there were severe wind storms which blew the main race loft over. Fortunately they managed to rescue all the birds bar one and the next day they erected the loft and restarted again. The birds settled surprisingly well and went down on eggs in good time. On the 19th of April they started racing the old birds from their new address and took the first four positions in Altrincham Fed so a good start for the birds in their first fed race ever. Since then they have flown very well every week. At present they have won 23 x 1st including 6 x 1st Feds, and also 1st Open North West Grand National Flying Club Falaise 325 miles vel 1394ypm. This velocity proved to be the fastest on the day in the North West with many thousands of birds competing. The team were also 2nd and 3rd Open North West Grand National Flying Club at Fougeres flying 351miles. They went on to say that they are very pleased with the way the birds are racing as it is their first season racing old birds in the newly formed partnership and to a new location. I have included photos of most of their winners from this year. I know they say this is their first year but the hub of the partnership is the same and this is a case of good fanciers winning no matter where they place their hats. I have written a great deal about them over the years and as they say “You can’t keep a good man down” or three in this case.
Stray
One thing I like to see is the general public taking an interest in our pigeons and I always take time to help them wherever possible. The latest stray that obviously comes through the web site is another of those that has decided to land on a ship. I know it is probably not a UK pigeon but it is still of interest to me. “Good afternoon, my name is Alessandro Ubaldini and i work on the "Topaz Commander" an offshore vessel at the moment moored in Esbjerg, Denmark. Around 6 days ago a beautiful pigeon came on board. We were around 20 nautical miles off the coast between Denmark and Germany and the wind was constantly over 30 knots. The pigeon was exhausted as reported by who looked at him first. Immediately was offered him fresh water and then when he came on my sign some bread. He looked very familiar with people around and sure some visible rings on his legs clearly identified he was a purpose traveller. After had took a look on some web sites i started feed him with mix of cereals and non salt crackers grind and he is appreciating a lot! Now he's staying outside the superstructure in a quiet place well protected by the rain and wind. I read the more visible code on one of his 3 rings: NL 2014-1088075 (an orange ring on his right leg) I'll keep feed him until he will decide to leave. For your information the vessel will keep working offshore Denmark no more than 20 miles off the coast. For any other information just write back and I'll try to send couple of pics once I’ll have the chance. Best regards, Alessandro” Also thanks to Paula Farrell and her family for reporting one of our Mid Cheshire Fed breeder/buyer pigeons.
Club/Fed News
In the Poynton RBLHS 7 members sent 143 birds to the first young bird race from Tewkesbury which is approximately 98 miles to this area. Pete McGill took the red card 1385ypm with a bird bred from club mate Pete Stanway stock. D & G Brown were 2nd vel 1373ypm with a De Rauw Salon youngster. Richard Given was 3rd vel 1368ypm with Staf Van Reet and K Johnson was 4th with a bird from Wall Lunt & Green stock. In the next race from Hullavington 5 members 73 birds. In a fast race Ernie Sellars had a good day timing two birds on the same second both with velocities of 1885ypm and both finishing up 18th Fed. The two birds were From Gerry Clements/Massarella Janssen and Les Parkinson X Martin Hough stock. Richard Given was 3rd vel 1781ypm with a Louis Cooreman/Herman, a gift bird from club mate Keith Hall. Ken Johnson was 4th vel 1831ypm with a Kirkpatrick. The members sending and birdage has been very low so far due to YB sickness but when the programme restarts at Tewkesbury again we should see the entries increase dramatically. 7 sent 125 to the Middlewich FC race from Cheltenham where Parkinson & Wilkinson had a third consecutive win after recording vels of 1470/1463ypm after having a good race in comparison to others, this could be partly down to these pigeons having their third race while many others were on their first. The winner is once again a breeder/buyer from the Mid Cheshire Fed sale and was bred by John Richards of Whitchurch I believe from his Vandenabeele lines, sure John will let me know if that is not correct. Their second is one of a batch of 6 that were bought on the Elimar auction site but not paid so they were bought and paid form at Middlewich. Their next in the clock was bred by Jack Laidler from the direct De Mayer & Son stock via Kevin Head & Steve Maylett. The nest mate to this second pigeon was 1st club 7th fed in the first race. 2nd & 4th go to Billy Wilson & Son whose first in the clock is a Janssen with the sire being out of a pair of eggs from Harrison & Hull of Preston and has now had a 2nd & 5th. Their second is a Van Den Bosch from their old breed. The Crewe West End had another good send when 16 members sent 369 birds to Tewkesbury. Rob Mellor took the red card with a vel of 1562ypm while the next three positions all went to Mick & Wendy Mellor on 1556/1555.7/1555.1ypm. This is one of the better clubs in the area so it’s a pity they don’t have a PO to forward details on their winners. The Moulton FC were at Cheltenham when Tony Lacking collected the red card after seeing home a chequer cock on 1439ypm. K&S Bell were 2nd after clocking a blue on 1409ypm followed by Mr & Mrs Roy Croxton on 1390/1388ypm with a blue cock and chequer pied hen. The West Coast Fed were at Shrewsbury when 58 members sent 1474 birds that saw the sky and a moderate south west wind send them on their homeward journey to the manly sunny North West seaside resorts. Kirkham & Wesham saw one of their members G Dodd top the list ahead of their fellow club members J Hassall & Jackson 2nd & 19th ahead of Jones & Harrison 3rd & 4th. The race of the day went to Tom Roskell & Williamson who saw 17 go through the trap in 50 seconds to finish 5th to 13th with a further five in the early 20’s of the fed, these entries were with the Stalmine & District and the Pilling Inv. Mr & Mrs French clocked a couple for 14th & 19th positions leaving 20th to JA Devalle with one of his Staining HS pigeons. More clubs than usual missed the top twenty this week staring with Blackpool Col regulars Ron & Shirley Mott with Mr & Mrs Holloway & Family topping the list in the Fleetwood & District. Blane, Edge & Blane secured another red card in the Fleetwood HS as did Marton Village winners Cornell Lofts. The Queens Invitation was won by Paul Fisher & Son with Thornton & Cleveleys C Mellor & Son doing likewise in their club. In the Middlewich 5B 9 sent 111 to Tewkesbury when Mr & Mrs Albert Austin picked up the top two positions with a blue pied cock and blue w/f hen recording vels of 1587/1549ypm. Ken & Stan Bosson are 3rd with a blue pied hen ion 1539ypm while 4th goes to DJ&CJ Wilkinson after David and his loft manager Sam saw a blue w/f hen go through the trap on 1524ypm. Latest news from Winsford is that the club raced from Tewkesbury instead of Cheltenham, the federation switching due to the volume of liberations at Cheltenham. 13 members entered 310 birds, which was an excellent turnout. Taking first two positions with velocities of 1585/1584ypm we have the Moulton lofts of Harry Vernon. His first pigeon was a white Grizzle hen flying to the perch and is one from the Jos Thorn's stock. In second place was a chequer pied cock being home grown and again flying to the perch. "Good flying Harry" Mel. In third position was David Dickenson & Son vel 1581ypm with a blue cock off A.N.L Painter of the Midlands. This cock has already scored this year. In fourth position were Mr & Mrs Albert Austin with recording a velocity of 1581ypm with a blue hen flying to the perch and the breeding of this hen is a Vanwildermeersch. I believe this loft also took the first two in the Middlewich 5B, good flying Albert & Margarite. In fifth vel 1578ypm and getting slower with the T3 (That’s not the clock but age) was H. Bratt & Son with a Mark Kidby chequer hen flying to eggs where two hens are paired to the same young cock. In sixth position vel 1577ypm were Dave Dickenson & Son with a Van den Bosch off his very good family of Derek Walker pigeons. That’s it for another week Mel Bratt Winsford PO. Now over to the Sandbach FC where Eric Taylor had a flier after clocking a blue Van De Rhee cock on 1537ypm ahead of a chequer Staf Van Reet cock on 1507ypm racing to the lofts of Wayne & Roy Beverley. 3rd & 4th go to John Allbutt on 1489/1467ypm with a blue Staf Van Reet cock and a grizzle cock being a cross of his old well established Staf Van Reet lines and those of Willy Thas. Our PO man over at Lostock must be working hard his mate and boss Kenny Burke has sent the results through the post. The first young bird race was from Tewkesbury when Derek Woodward clocked a blue w/f cock and a grizzle cock for 1st & 4th places on 1367/1302ypm. Coming in between is Kenny Burke with two blue hens in 2nd & 3rd positions recording vels of 1360/1316ypm. The club then went to Cheltenham when Kenny Burke secured the top two positions on 1700/1699ypm with a blue hen and a blue cock while Keith Herbert took the next two positions with two blue hens. It was then back to Tewkesbury for the third young bird race when 1st & 4th went to Derek Woodward on 1538/1523.4ypm with a grizzle cock and a blue hen. Derek has not been too well recently we wish him well. 2nd & 3rd go to Kenny Burke with a blue hen and chequer cock on 1524/1523.5ypm. The first young bird race for the Minshull mid week saw Tom Howarth take the top two positions quite easily with two chequer cocks on 1119.4/1119.2ypm no doubt hit the landing board together. The next two positions go to K Riley & Son nearly 100 yards further back on 1021/1006ypm with a chequer and chequer pied both being hens. Normal service resumed in the second race when Tom again took the top two places after seeing home a chequer and blue both cocks with vels of 1155ypm, the way they are winning the club they are certainly on form for the early races. 3rd goes to Jason Lambert with a grizzle cock on 1061ypm while K Riley & Son finish 4th recoding a vel of 1056ypm with a blue hen. 59 members of the Mid Cheshire Fed sent 1174 birds to Cheltenham to be liberated at 7.45am in a south west wind. Sandbach members had a good race with Eric Taylor taking top spot followed by Wayne & Roy Beverley and then John Allbutt who was 3rd & 17th. Wrinehill winner Colin Lindop clocked two in 5secs for 4th & 5th with 6th 7th 8th all going to Kingsway winner R Worrall. Mr & mrs Geoff Matthews also had a good race with the Crewe Premier and in the fed ended up with 9th 10th and two in equal 15th position. John Peever is 11th ahead of Geoff Hanagan 12th with Steve Parkinson 13th. Middlewich winners Parkinson & Wilkinson are 14th & 19th with fellow club members W Wilson & Son 18th and Tommy Hulme & son 20th. There are four club winners who missed the top twenty this week and they are Rob Bebbington over at Acton Bridge. Tony Lacking who won in the Moulton club. Bill Mather collected the red card in the Cheshire FC as did B&G Mainwaring in the Rudheath club. The South West Cheshire Fed were at Tewkesbury when 49 sent 907 birds that were liberated at 8.30am in a West South West wind. Greenbank saw their winners Ken & Stan Bosson top the list this week less than half a yard in front of Middlewich 5B winners Mr & Mrs Albert Austin who were 2nd & 6th Their second being an entry in the Winsford club that saw Harry Vernon top their list and collect 3rd & 4th fed. Sprint specialists Dave Dickenson & Son are 5th 8th 9th 10th with Mel Bratt being 7th. A rarity occurred this in the fed when the strong Crewe West End missed the fed when their winner was Rob Mellor. If you are in the local area do compete in the open and 2B races from across the water then keep an eye open for the Middlewich 2B club and open race that will be advertised in the BHW for both the race and then the result. The race is to be held on the 20th September with marking on the 18th with the race being from Carentan so a good test at the end of the season for your youngsters.
Photos
We have two more photos from the top Middlewich team of Mike O’Hare & Ron Woodward this week showing their recent winning team. “505” 8th Sect L, 96th Open NFC Messac this year. 41st Sect L 88th OPen NFC Cholet this year. In 2013 5th Open NWCC Fougeres. Sire is a De Klak from the Mr & Mrs Turner pair that have bred many winners. The dam is M and D Evans Vandenabeele being a granddaughter of Benetton, Misty and the Golden Gaby. The other is “713” who last year as a YB was 1st Middlewich breeder/buyer and 1st Middlewich 2 Bird club Carentan. This year 20th Sect L, 35th Open NFC Cholet. 30th Sect L, 269th Open NFC Saintes 520mls. Sire is a Van Der Wegan from direct stock via Tony Merrick while the dam is a Vandenabeele and is a granddaughter of Gaby 563, Super Girl 310 Dream Maker and Gaby 562.
Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ, +44 (0)1606 836036. +44 (0)7871 701585. E-mail:
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