LES J. PARKINSON'S
NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES
North West Classic Club
Had their annual presentation evening at the Kinderton Hotel, Middlewich on Saturday 15th March when 60 members, guests and friends turned out for what was a good evening and those I have spoken to agree. This was a well organized event with a few helping secretary Mark Cliffe out with the other main man being Mark Smith who has come into his own as a worker for the sport; probably getting older and is more confident at putting that bit more into the official side of the sport, plus the fact he has a way with the girls so doesn't have to chase them! From what I can gather they had sorted out between them who was doing what but then when the talk started Mark C got into verbal gear and that was it, he stayed there and Mark S was his helper instead of the compere. The only problem they had was the resident DJ had not left a microphone and they were struggling to make everyone hear what was going on, which was a shame. Whenever Mark Cliffe does a presentation he usually starts with a joke and again it was a pity that they didn’t all hear it. Everyone I spoke to was pleased with the food and the service with the only problem being when someone moved tables as the meals were booked to each table. I don’t know who it was who moved but these things happen and the girls serving the meals coped well. We must thank one of the very best National winning lofts of Geoff & Barbara Kirkland who were Chief Guests to present the prizes. Geoff has a brilliant record in National racing and with 11 x 1sts Nationals in tough competition and he is always going to set the standards. We must also thank our other main guests Pat & Liz McGuiness who are landlord and lady of the Boars Head where we have one of the marking stations for the NWCC. I would like to mention a few of the top names from the sport who were present but then there would be others left out so we shall leave it at that, however it was nice to see Allison there enjoying herself.
The trophy winners now. Carentan old and Niort trophies went to Mike O'Hare & Ron Woodward. The section trophy in the Carentan YB race and the Messac trophy went to Mr & Mrs Dudley Niblett. The Fougeres trophy went to Ray Bullen who has not been in the best of health - we wish him well. The Carentan YB trophy was won by Martin Hough who has had some really good results recently. Tommy Jackson won the Carentan YB trophy for section C. Roger Sutton, who is never far away, was 1st & 2nd in the Carentan Gold Ring race. Jim Smith collected the trophy for 1st in the Bedhampton old bird open race. Slicker & Daughter won the Bedhampton YB trophy.
I asked Elizabeth what was her view on the evening. She said: "It really was a social event, the atmosphere was excellent with people enjoying the night out." This was quite right and as I moved around during the evening there were people talking to one another and generally mixing, which always makes such an event run well. I would like to say thank you to all those who attended because, as Elizabeth said, it was a good social evening on the lines of what they used to be like.
Still not heard about what happened at Blackpool with Rick Geary but it was mentioned again at this event. Rick did tell me that they had a fire at home in the kitchen, don't think it was anything to do with Blackpool because I am told that this mess was down to Rick, the kitchen that is.
The following day the club held the AGM so it was a busy weekend for the officials. There were no propositions and the officials stayed as last year. There were 15 resignations but with the new clubs joining to use the NWCC as their channel race programme the membership is still the same but there are quite a few people who are showing interest in racing with the club for the coming season. The officials are still confident that there will be more pigeons competing in each race this year than last so let’s hope that is correct.
There are still a few Gold Rings available and through experience young birds bred now are a good bet. Mark did tell me that depending on things going to plan they are looking at the same venue for the 2014 presentation and this time he is looking to have it in October/November, again depending of the dates available. Mark has asked me to remind everyone that the subs are now due and members can apply to any of the officials but there will be an advert going in the paper shortly.
When I am looking at photos, it very often crosses my mind how odd it is when you catch someone who is probably just moving their head but the photo catches them in a certain way. Mark Cliffe has that look of love while with Mark Smith I’m not sure what he is thinking and when you look at some of the others there was certainly something said that must have been amusing and over the years there have been quite a few that see Rita O'Hare enjoying the banter. While Tom Howarth has the little boy lost look and it's all down to the camera at that one moment in time. Still, there were plenty of smiles all round.
Geoff & Rob Bebbington with their wives Paula & Joe who take time out while the boys discuss tactics
Dawn Latham collecting her prizes from Geoff Kirkland while Mark Smith looks on
Elizabeth collecting flowers from club secretary Mark Cliffe
Gerry Clements with Geoff Kirkland. I wonder what tickled their fancy?
Irene Niblett with Geoff Kirkland
Been a long night for Mark Cliffe
Mark Cliffe with Barbara Kirkland
Mike O'Hare, Ron Woodward and Geoff Kirkland
Roger Sutton and Geoff Kirkland
Tom Howarth and Geoff Kirkland
Ray Bullen and Geoff Kirkland
Susan Lee with Geoff Kirkland
Martin Hough and Geoff Kirkland
Allison Clements and Mark Cliffe
Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ, Tel: +44 (0)1606 836036. +44 (0)7871 701585. E-mail:
Web site: www.elimarpigeons.com
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