LES J. PARKINSON'S
NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES
Middlewich FC and the Middlewich 5 Bird 2013 Prize Presentations
The local clubs Middlewich FC and the Middlewich 5B held a joint presentation on a Sunday lunchtime when the members put on a few sandwiches. When I say a few, there were enough for teatime as well. The clubs have had some good presentations over the years but now like so many more have settled down to a local gathering instead of a full evening event. One thing that I have noticed since joining the club at the end of 69 is there have always been fanciers in the club with a positive attitude so everything keeps moving along, with always someone to step in when needed. Although there are, like most clubs, fewer members the competition is still strong and that’s what matters. The 5B increased their limit to 10 a few years ago and have since opened their radius to include members from other towns so the club is at the moment open to the SWC Fed. I can see where the members were going when they took these steps because competition is on the decline but the feds are there as the next step from the club and I think it is more a hindrance than a benefit to have such a radius. The reason for me is this type of radius makes it harder for new starters to put themselves in a position where they can compete against the locals in the town and pick up a few prizes. Competing against a wider radius makes it that bit harder and therefore any prospective new starters can be disillusioned before they can get into full swing. Having said that, the members in Middlewich are more or less from pigeon families. Anyway that was not what the day was about, this event was for the winners in the 2013 season that is now well behind us with many preparing for the 2014 season by getting their birds sorted and paired up and no doubt by now hatching out. What will happen for the 2014 season? Will we have the same people at the top? That is another matter because if anyone has their pigeons spot on who knows, because there are a few who can and do shine in the two clubs. I notice Mick was having a quiet day, most probably because of the Newcastle win the day before and with Mel’s team on the other end of the city winning there was a good reason to have a low profile. Early days yet Mick and who knows, there might be a miracle and the reds pick up? Won’t hold my breath at the moment.
In the Middlewich FC the lion’s share of the trophies went to DJ&CJ Wilkinson where David had a real good season being highest points winner with 50 and collected the following trophies: Ch ave, 2 Longest races, Niort, Points trophy, C&A Crabbe, J Garner, Wright Cup, R Smith, Foden, Gladys Bratt, Greenhall Whitley and L&J Hollinshead, making it 12 trophies in all. Dickens & Wilkinson have 37 points so son and grandson Craig is following in dad’s footsteps and wins the OB inl, Wilkinson Bros, P Dean trophies. Next are Parkinson & Wilkinson on 30 points and the E&M Evans Rose Bowl and YB ave so mother also got in on the act so mother, son and grandson all won trophies. There were two trophies not won and they are the OB & grand averages. Other points went to Dudley & Irene Niblett, O’Hare & Woodward, Billy Whisker, Mark & Heather Smith, Syd Latham, son & Daughter, W Wilson & Son, Mr & Mrs Healey and Alan Groom. I don’t have a list of the 5B winners but they are nearly all in the photos.
On the same day there was a show and this will go on to the longest land race with the SWC Fed and the prizes went to the following. Starting with the hens: 1st & BIS Mr & Mrs Geoff Mathews & Son. 2nd Mr & Mrs Dudley Nibblet. 3rd and first nom Jim Smith. 4th, Reserve and VHC Carl Rouledge. H.C W Wilson & Son. Com Dickens & Wilkinson. The winners in the cocks class are 1st & nom O' Hare & Woodward. 2nd & Res Carol & Robert Carson. 3rd & Com Mr & Mrs Geoff Mathews & Son. 4th Carl Rouledge. VHC & HC Albert Jones & Son. Best YB and a bottle of whiskey went to David Wilkinson. There were 75 birds entered in total and so the race will be for £75 paid out 1st £40, 2nd £20 and 3rd £15. Race will be with the longest inland O.B. Race with the South West Cheshire Fed from Portland in 2014. Thanks to the judges Brian Lee, Mark Cliffe, Richard Geary & Kevin Moores. There was a pigeon put in the wrong pen and Mike O’Hare did ask if anyone knew the pigeon and no one came forward so Mike went and took the ring number. He came back into the room and called out the ring number and silence until Mike’s partner Ron chirped up “It’s one of yours” which caused a right royal roar of laughter. Thanks must go to all those who provided food and also those who organized the event. It was a good few hours spent where pigeon fanciers had a gathering that was enjoyable.
Other news from the club is the Mid Cheshire Fed race programme for the 2014 season which starts on the 19th April from Worcester going on consecutive weeks to Cheltenham, Mangotsfield twice, Yeovil, Portland, Carentan, Mangotsfield, Fougeres, Mangotsfield, Messac, Cheltenham finishing the old bird programme at Niort. The young birds start two weeks later on the 26th July at Worcester followed by a second Worcester, Cheltenham twice, Mangotsfield, Yeovil, Portland, and Worcester. This is a good programme so let’s hope we are not let down as with the 2013 races when we were dropped short with the young bird races.
A shy looking Mr Mathews. You're OK, Rita wont eat you.
Alan Groom
Billy Wilson
Craig Wilkinson and the boys
Dave Healey
David Wilkinson with one of the many cups he won
Dudley Niblett
Joyce Latham
Shaun Devanney and Les J Parkinson
Lynn Healey
Mark Smith
Mel Bratt
Mike & Rita O'Hare
Richard Ormandy
Rita O'Hare and Albert Jones
David Wilkinson with the bottle of whiskey for BYB in the show
Geoff Mathews
Irene Niblett
Jim Smith
Carl Rowledge
Robert Carson
Ron Woodward
Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ, Tel: +44 (0)1606 836036. Mob: +44 (0)7871 701585. E-mail:
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