LES J. PARKINSON'S
NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES
The young bird training at Rushton Drive is well under way and at one Thursday’s training I saw the first 28 of the 32 come together after 1hr 25mins. The other 4 were coming all day but they came and this was only from 12mls. So the following day they went to the same place and then the next stop was 25mls. They have actually had a look around the countryside for the first time and I am pleased with that. In all the years that I have been racing pigeons, this year is by far the earliest that I have started training the young birds but this is only because they were not ranging at the home end. The first race (if they are still here) is next week but by then they will have been in training for five weeks and not the usual two weeks as in the past.
Big enough teams?
I was with a group of fanciers and the subject they were discussing was “Should there be land races on the same day as channel races for your local clubs?” This is something that has been ongoing for quite a few years but I have never heard as much said about it before - that’s probably because the channel racing is suffering. I am aware that there are a lot of fanciers about who just prefer land races. I am now talking about racing to the Cheshire area where we can get up to 180/190mls in land races. However this does not just apply to this area but also other parts of the country. Having come home and thought about it I see their point of view and it is a genuinely valid point. These double race weekends with the same club/fed are not good for pigeon racing in this area because the channel racing is suffering and fanciers are not building a loft of pigeons that they can rely on when the going gets tough. Fanciers are far too often wrapping their pigeons up in cotton wool and then when they get a tough race even on land they wonder why they don’t return or when they do they are shattered. Years ago we had good quality all round pigeons that could quite easily win the land races and go up to 400mls across the channel but that is happening with far fewer pigeons nowadays. After the 400ml stage they were much less limited because they were more of a specialist pigeon. Having said that, in the modern days of racing pigeons those 400mls years ago is now more like 500mls in today’s racing with good pigeons. There are some good 2B and specialist clubs suffering because there are not enough birds to go round as it is without adding to the burden and reducing the quality of pigeons that we have in our lofts. Yes we know some fanciers like just racing in the sprint races and that is up to them. However if additional races were not included the clubs in this area such as the Middlewich 2B and the Cheshire 2B would have a better chance of success. I do understand that these races can come in handy and I have to admit on the odd occasion and it is the odd occasion I have sent to one myself but they are not helping fanciers to make their pigeons more versatile in the long run. I have since spoken to a couple of local fanciers on this same issue and they are of the same opinion. I have and always will have the opinion that sprint racing is mostly down to the fanciers racing them and the amount of work those fanciers put into their birds. Once you get over the channel to this part of the country in 7 times out of 10 you are talking of a different pigeon and different mentality with the fanciers who are racing them. It is OK if fanciers have a big team to spread about but that is not the case in the majority of fanciers and when we get to the channel racing there are many fanciers who struggle to find a decent team to send.
Strays
Reporting pigeons very often comes my way but the problem is fanciers do not go that bit further to make sure the general public get the best views on the sport. I recently had an email come through from a concerned lady and I duly replied and gave her advice on what to do. “Hello. I live in Pontefract and on Monday a stray homing pigeon landed in my garden. I thought it was tired and resting en route to somewhere and gave it some seed and water. After about 4 hours it flew off. It came again Tuesday morning and evening and again Wednesday and this morning. Obviously I have fed it too well and it wants to be my pet. It is very tame and I have stroked its head but daren't spread its wing to see if there is a name and address. It has a pink band on one leg GBA37400 (the year is missing) and a blue band on the other. It seems very healthy though yesterday it sustained an injury to its chest. There are lots of cats around and some jealous wood pigeons so I fear for its safety. I have nothing to contain it in but it is very tame and easy to grab. It has even been in the house. Do you know of any pigeon fanciers nearby who could take it and maybe find its owner? Thank you. Judith Cavanagh” The lady followed my advice and all came good. “Hi. Thank you. I have now found the pigeon's owner in Rotherham. I am waiting for a neighbour to bring home a box from work so the pigeon can go in it to await collection. Hopefully he will finally get home safely. Judith Cavanagh”. This is how I would like them all to end but sadly they don’t. So if a none fancier’s calls about a pigeon remember the better the response the better it looks on the sport.
Rene Van De Weyer
Every year I get an update from one of Belgium’s best racing lofts but for some reason he does not appear to get the recognition in the fancy press that such a loft deserves. Julien Foets is the man who does the paperwork side for this loft and from time to time calls for a chat that lasts for quite a while but it is always good talking to winners. He was saying that the season started with beautiful weather and right from the start the pigeons were showing pace but failed by seconds in the first race where 80 members were competing so not a small club by any means. Although they did not collect the red card their pigeons were racing well and from their 32 entries at 90mls 25 dropped within 6mins so not a bad race. The next race saw an increase to 101 members so the competition was getting even better but they were beaten for the top spot by 7 seconds so had to settle for 2nd 3rd 4th & 5th places in a North West wind. The “Olympiade Utrecht” pigeons are flying well and are nearly always the ones to beat. While listening to Julien it is obvious that they are no different than us in the fact that they have the problem of position and that is what beats them when it comes to the federation races. In the race from Soissons 144mls 32 pigeons were entered and what you must remember is that there are old bird and yearling races and in some cases hens races combined together. Anyway this turned out to be a good race with 30 prizes from the entry of 32 so another good race and yet again the grandsons of “Olympiade Utrecht” were the ones that led the way home. This yearling cock is really making a mark on the4 racing scene as he is always there in the results and they believe this is another Champion in the making. There was then another race from Soissons when 81 members were competing with 31 birds from the Van De Weyer loft competing and picking up 25 prizes with Double Ace being in front to the loft. These pigeons were also picking up a good share of the pools with the “Olympiade Utrecht” cock being a sure bet in each race he is sent. As the saying goes, the apple is not far from the tree and this new star is no exception his breeding is as mentioned a grandson of the “Olympiad Utrecht” The White pin 967/06 X The Hen Argenton 648/04 winner of 2nd National 23,078 pigeon 573 KM = 360 Miles. Julien was telling me about the problem he had with the registration plate BRICON which each service refused but after 6 minutes lost the system was newly established. The first bird was 116/13 and 20 seconds later the second nominated yearling arrived. Their view is it may cost them the National title, middle distance yearlings in the league ace. When they come to the middle distance it was a great race with very heavy wind on the nose 3 wind-force strong 1177 m / min. They had 20 pigeons in 15mins back in the loft and from the 31 entered they won 26 prizes 13 of which were in the first 10%. They also had the best two in the club from 788 pigeons that were 2mins in front. This is how the season has been going for Rene Van De Weyer and his team; they are consistently in amongst the prize winners. “New Bourgesman” (White flight) whose dam is “The Argenton Hen” 2nd National 23,078 birds 360 Miles. Also the dam from 2nd & 3rd Ace Pigeon M.D. 2013. Sire “ Den 56” who is also a top breeder. 240/11 Full brother top racers 423/10 & 473/10, half brother 405/09 was put into the breeding loft after doing so well. Angerville 242 Miles 1st Club. Bourges 310 Miles M.F.C. 423birds 1st, O.A.F. 842birds 2nd, Provincial 3,540 birds 2nd. Pithiviers 250mls 2nd Club 255birds. Angerville 2nd club 187birds and was 2nd again from the same race point. Orleans 268mls 2nd. Soissons 150mls 3rd club. Pithiviers 3rd club 228birds. 3rd Fed 641 birds. Bourges 310mls Nat. Z. 4783birds 3rd, National 22,663birds 4th. Pithiviers 662birds in the fed 4th. Souppes S-Loing 234mls 4th club 493birds. Orleans 268mls 4th Fed 226birds. Pithiviers 5th club 247birds. Sourdun 200mls 5th club. Laon 130mls 5th club 370birds. Angerville 5th Fed 255birds. Angerville 6th Fed 409birds. Pithiviers 6th club. Orleans 268mls 8th Provincial 2,301birds. Angerville 9th Fed 451birds. Laon 9th Fed 547birds. Soissons 9th club 215birds. Sourdun 10th Fed 779 birds. Momignies 90mls 10th Fed 782birds. Angerville 10th club. For those who like to see who fanciers are competing against, in the local federation there are 7 clubs and they are Mol Millegem, Meerhout, Dessel, Winkelomheide, Veerle, Tongerlo and Geel with a membership of 500. The results in 2012/2013/2014 up to 14/06/2014, they have already 58 prizes covering a distance of 6,500 Miles winning 20 times in the first five Club & Federation. 29 times in the first ten Club & Federation. 30 times in the first ten percent Middle Distance Club & Federation. 37 times in the first ten percent Club & Federation. The systems are not a great deal of difference to what we race here in the UK; it is a case of understanding the finer points is where we get a bit lost.
Rene
Inside Rene's loft
Rene's set-up
Nantwich Show
This show has been going for many years and like everything in this sport it has had its up’s and down’s but now they are going well headed by Dave Windsor of the long time winning partnership of Reg Windsor & Son who race in the Wrenbury DHS. Last year saw 180 entries but Dave is looking to increase that number so if you want to have a go you can contact him on 07884268523. Remember this show is seen by many and the vast majority are none fanciers. The Show is sponsored by Osmonds of Whitchurch who have put up the following vouchers; £5 for each class winner and these are old cocks, old hens, young cocks and young hens through the wires. Best in show a £20 voucher and Best opposite sex a £10 voucher. Entry fees are £1 per bird which will be accepted by phone and all entry fees will be paid back as prize money. The Show is on the 30th July so you have plenty of time with penning 8am to 9.30am. There is also a Geoff Machin trophy for the Best in show. Exhibitors will receive an admission ticket and a car pass. I do have a few entry forms if anyone locally wants them. There is also a section run by Albert Dodd and that section includes show pigeons and fancy pigeons.
Club/Fed News
I was wondering why I was not getting the information from the Crewe West End club this year so I emailed Richard Young and he said he had a new system but had been sending them, we have now sorted the problem. In the Mangotsfield race 10 members sent 115 birds that saw Mr & Mrs Richard (Badger) Young collect the red car ahead of Mick & Wendy Mellor who are next on the result with a yearling. 3rd & 4th both go to J Clarke who clocked two 4y/o’s. On the same weekend the club also had a race from Messac when Mick & Wendy Mellor collected another red card with a yearling. 3rd & 4th both go to Mr & Mrs Richard Young with two 3y/o’s while Rob Bennett was 4th with a 4y/o. Could do with a bit more info like colour, sex, system. Old Lodge HS raced from Mangotsfield in a comeback race on the 21st June with the Lymm Federation. Flying into a north wind Dave and Janet Hull of Harrison and Hull took the first 6 positions in the club by a clear margin with six widowhood cocks. The red card in the club and 4th Fed was won by 2yo Louis Cooreman cock Caspen now the winner of 3 x 1sts and 3 x 2nds plus multiple top ten positions in both the Club and Federation. He is a direct son of The Pencil Cock winner of multiple 1st prizes including 1st Fed and 1st Combine and is a grandson off Anita a direct daughter from the Louis Cooreman prolific golden couple Tap and Benita. A yearling chequer, full brother to Caspen took 2nd Club and 7th Federation, this cock is just starting to grasp the widowhood system showing an improvement on his last performance at Mangotsfield when he was 4th Club and 24th Fed. All the next 4 that were clocked were yearlings who also are just starting to work out what widowhood is about and all of them are showing a lot of promise for next year. The 3rd position in the Club was taken by a Jan Van Coor on his first show this year and the 4th card goes to a Janssen cock who was at Yeovil winning 5th club and 21st fed. After a few days holdover some of the birds racing from Messac made light work of it while others struggled.
In the Middlewich FC race the red card on 1425ypm went to DJ&CJ Wilkinson when David saw home a yearling chequer hen that was bred by Harrison & Hull from Preston and bought at last year’s breeder buyer race. She won as a young bird and has been pretty steady this season and she is out of the Harrison & Hull section winner with the National FC. David then clocked an 07 bred blue cock for 4th and was from the Taveirne-Rigole lines being a grandson of the very good pairing of “Sparky” & “Paige”. This very good cock has prized every year from across the channel and prizes include, 1st club 6th fed Niort 2013. 2nd section 4th open North West Classic Niort 2012. 4th section 15th Open North West Classic Niort 2011. He has also won many other prizes. 2nd goes to Mike O’Hare & Ron Woodward who clocked a 2yo Vandenabeele blue cock to collect first share of the pools while clocking up 1365ypm. 3rd & 6th are Parkinson & Wilkinson with their first being a strawberry mealy cock collecting a fourth prize. He started the season by being 3rd at the first race of the season from Worcester and then went quiet until now, he did prize across the channel last season. He is bred from a son of “Winston” 1st National Ace Pigeon and a daughter of “Red Barcelona” with the dam being bred by Mark Anderson out of a grandson of 1st National winner “De Narbonne” and a granddaughter Brive 1 from the Taveirne-Rigole lofts. This cock has also won 4th Carentan, 2nd Swainswick and 3rd Worcester. There are only 6 on the day result so I will mention them all the other being Peter & Dawn Latham who clocked a 2yo chequer cock on 1124ypm. There were just 4 on the day result with the Middlewch 5B Messac race so again they didn’t have it all their own way. Peter & Dawn Latham topped the list with a well fancied 3y/o blue hen being pooled ABCDE. Peter & Dawn moved to their present address nearly 20yrs ago and the only thing that has held Peter back at times has been his working hours that are not always the best for pigeon racing. This winner is a late bred 2012 mealy cock sent sitting a few days and is bred from the Staf van Reet crossed with the Jan Aarden lines. He has had the odd minor prize or two but nothing special but has been consistent. The second in the clock is a Staf Van Reet crossed into the Taveirne-Rigole pigeons and had just chipped out the day before basketing and is also a winner of a couple of minor prizes. This year they decided to race on the natural system because Peter is back on shift and therefore cannot be consistent with the widowhood system. This has paid off because this has been a good year for the channel period and that includes the inland races in between. By flying on the natural this has given them extra birds to send but then again also extra birds to prepare. Peter is a 4th generation of pigeon fanciers in the Latham family as I know of and there could be more prior to that. Peter son Philip has also got pigeons in the back garden now and said he hopes to race next year. The pigeons are fed on Vanroabays number 12 with a bit of diet added plus a little bit of seed from time to time. On the products side they just have cider vinegar and multi vitamins twice each week. Carol & Robert Carson were 2nd & 4th on 1321/1265ypm. First in the clock collecting the second share of pool money is a 4y/o blue pied Busschaert hen who has won minor prizes in the past. Their next is a 5y/o Busschaert blue hen who is dam of their first in the clock. 3rd sees DJ&CJ Wilkinson having a good day clocking in each of the club’s that David sent to on this extended weekend. David clocked a chequer pied cock that was smashed up as a young bird but now showing why he was retained in the race team. He is again a son of “The Old Pied Cock” that is responsible for so many winners especially when it comes to the quality channel races. The Moulton club race from Messac was better than others on the same day from this race point. Peter & Mike Child are in the winners enclosure again after a break away, they are 1st & 3rd recording vels of 1325/1244ypm. Their winner is a 3y/o blue cock followed home by a 2y/o chequer pied cock. Mr & Mrs Chris Herbert had a good race finishing 2nd 4th 5th 6th & 7th with only 8 clocked on the day result. The first two are both Dordins with first in the clock being a 3y/o chequer hen with the 2y/o blue cock finishing 4th to record vels of 1288/1243ypm, the old Dordin family are still reliable when the going gets tough. Had an email with the result of the West Coast fed with a message that it is not good reading, think that was par for the course on this particular weekend. The race was from Fougeres when 30 members sent 195 birds to be liberated at 8.45hrs in a light North East wind. No matter what the race there are always the winners who cope with the circumstances the best on the day of liberation. In this race the top spot went to the Stalmine & District winner J Julian who did well in a very testing race collecting 1st 4th & 15th fed ahead of fellow club member JB Riley 2nd & 11th. No matter what the race you can rely on Blackpool Col winners Ron & Shirley Mott being in amongst them and they are 3rd & 5th plus they are winners of the old bird inland average on 1654ypm with the fed with the runner up being PJ Stockton 1636ypm. Paul Fisher & Son win the Queens Inv and are 6th followed by Greeves & Roe from the Fleetwood HS. 8th goes to P Hodgkinson while Kirkham & Wesham winners J Hassall & Jackson are 9th. Dave Farrell clocked two in the Marton Village for 10th & 13th with Kenny Cardwell 12th. The Fleetwood & District club saw George Anyon take the red card and finish 14th fed with Pilling inv winners Mr & Mrs H Pearson finishing 16th & 18th fed. J Pawson from the Staining HS is 17th, Cornell Lofts 19th and Parkinson & Fox 20th. This was not an easy race with the winning vel being 733ypm going down to 20th 385ypm so all birds clocked appear on the result with 20 in total. It just goes to show have the bad races have affected The Mid Cheshire Fed with only 34 members sending 140 birds to Messac to be liberated at 7am after a 2 day holdover. This was an odd race with vels being from 1543ypm for the winner down to 20th at 1352ypm. Crewe Premier member Steve Parkinson filled top spot. Tommy Hulme & Son from the Sandbach club are 2nd & 7th with Mr & Mrs Geoff Matthews having a good race collecting 3rd 12th & 15th. Charlie Peel clocked two that finish 4th & 20th while Eric Taylor also put two in the clock to collect 5th & 16th positions. Frank Speed won the Wrinehill club and is 6th fed with Rudheath winner Malc Hewitt being 8th. Dave Jenks clocked one of eight yearlings to figure in the top twenty of this race and finishes 9th ahead of Ian Cooper who had a good race picking up 10th 11th & 18th fed. DJ&CJ Wilkinson are 13th with David doing his usual good job in the channel races. Graham Davies is 14th with Keith Herbert 17th leaving 19th to Mike O’Hare & Ron Woodward. Now then who missed out on the fed result this week just Peter & Mike Child who collected yet another red card in the Moulton Club. In the South West Cheshire Fed race from Messac 24 members entered 111 birds with Mick & Wendy Mellor collecting the red card after entering their birds into the Crewe West End. Greenbank winner Mick Stockton is 2nd ahead of Winsford winners Jones Bros. Mel Bratt is having some good aces and is 4th & 10th but is also doing well in other clubs. Mr & Mrs Geoff Matthews are 5th ahead of Middlewich 5B winners Peter & Dawn Latham. The next two places of 7th & 8th go to Ray Lovell leaving 9th to Mr & Mrs Richard Young. The four competing clubs all figured on the fed result this week. On the same weekend the fed were also at Mangotsfield when 38 sent 379 birds that were liberated at 1pm with no wind. This was another good day for Mr & Mrs Richard Young who are 1st & 7th fed with Richard Ormandy also having a good race collecting 2nd 5th & 10th fed after making an easy job of taking the first five in the Winsford club. 3rd are Mick & Wendy Mellor while J Clarke is 4th & 6th with Middlewich winners Mark & Heather Smith 8th and Greenbank winner John Peever 9th. The Macclesfield FC Hullavington race saw 9 members sending 82 birds when Roger Bowers claimed the red card on 1315ypm clocking the yearling widowhood cock that was 3rd club a few weeks earlier. The breeding is from the lines of the impressive Sootjenn’s and bred by him from the stock loft of birds direct from Frank Sheader, a well deserved win for Roger after a consistent season. Club PO Kevin Bowers is second on 1314.8ypm in a tight finish with a yearling widowhood cock bred by Nial Bowker of Doncaster from a batch of six Kevin purchased last year off his RPRA winning birds. Bernie Barrett is third and fourth on 1314.5/1314 .1ypm with two yearling w hood cocks. The firsts an Engel Van Loon cross Kees Bosua bred for him from fellow club member Stuart Goldstraw of Congleton. The sire was 2nd section Messac National last year for him with the second bird being a Lambrecht bred by Bernie off birds direct from G & J Dutton of Birmingham, as mentioned in a previous report these birds are showing a good investment for him. The Winsford HS race from Mangotsfield saw 10 members sending 111 birds that were liberated into a no wind condition. Richard Ormandy had his team ready and took the first four places with velocities of 1280/1266/1258/1254ypm. No further information, so unable to give the pigeons the credit they deserve. The main race was from Messac that saw a very disappointing turn out from a membership of 27 the club had 4 members sending 17 birds very poor for such a good club. Why do fanciers keep birds all year and then fail to send, maybe because of losses in many other races but come on '4 members'. The race resulted in Jones Bros taking the red card with a 2y/o recording a velocity of 1456ypm. This 2y/o chequer Pied that is an excellent racing hen has already won 2x1st and was not clocked when the partnership took the first five, a very good hen. In second position vel 1442ypm was H.Bratt & Son with a yearling chequer /f cock. This yearling started the season in the YB loft because he was kept as a hen. He had little training but when I lost a cock he took his place. It took a while for him to settle but over the last three weeks has come to form. The sire is a VDB bred and raced by Roy Spruce and the dam is my number one stock hen bred and raced by Mark Kidby. In third position vel 1344ypm are again H. Bratt & Son with a yearling Blue cock the lines from a John Preece Busschaert crossed with a Mark Kidby Janssen. In fourth position vel 1313ypm are Jones Bros with a 2y/o chequer cock. This one won 4th Middlewich 2B Messac last year and has already won 1st Falaise this year also taking 8th Federation and 29th Cheshire Combine, flown on widowhood and off the lads very good Andre Clemens family. I thank Karen for taking the time to report the bird’s performances. Mel Bratt PO Winsford.
Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ, +44 (0)1606 836036. +44 (0)7871 701585. E-mail:
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