ROSE OF THE SHIRES
Sue & Nathan
Alnwick O/B
Raunds
The Northants Fed had their birds at Alnwick on the 22 June, a distance of some 220 miles or so to most lofts. The day opened bright but it was very windy with some gusts reported in the north of the country at 60 miles an hour. Thank goodness it had calmed a bit by the time the birds were up there and at 0700 hours it was fine but with a very fresh southerly wind. Hard work was the order of the day for the birds as the convoy cleared quickly and got their heads down into the wind. It was going to be a tough one but no particular area should have a wind advantage so a good race was anticipated. And so it proved to be with Fed card winning birds being spread across both east and west sections.
In the Raunds club it was Phil Lane and Son to the fore once more on 1111.9ypm with his this year’s Northallerton winner. Phil was enjoying a rest in Turkey this week so I have no further details but I would think it is one of his very quick Van Reets. Phil leads a very hectic work life and only manages to get out to his holiday home in Turkey 6 or 7 times a year. He took the snowball proceeds out there with him as spending money. Max Hinde slipped one into second place and collected the pools into the bargain which should give him a lift after a bout of ill health. This very well bred hen, her dam had won the NRCC section from Lerwick twice and was 4th section 13 Open in 2004 for Max, had lost her mate from Fraserburgh and was flying spare and recorded 1096ypm. Four quick ones were clocked by the evergreen Barry and Joy Andrews partnership in just under two minutes when many were still watching the skies. Their first in the clock was one of their Pete Butler Van Reets that had already had 3rd club Pontefract and 2nd Club 5th Fed Whitley Bay this year.
Pontefract & Lerwick - 28/06/08
Corby Town
Out of Corby Town, 6 members sent 58 birds. R.Fairbairn took 1st & 2nd club doing 1362/1359. Murphy Brothers netted 3rd & 4th club-1358/1356. P Phoenix took 5th & 6th club doing 1349/1345. As yet no members have had any back from Lerwick. Will keep you posted if and when there is any returns.
Raunds
Saturday 28th June saw the Northants Fed at Lerwick, with the East Midlands North Road Amalgamation and at Pontefract for the annual Charity Race. This year the beneficiaries are the Northampton Association for the Blind. The race itself was under the auspices of Graham Draper who had a week-end off from the long trips. The Lerwick birds were in the care of John Williams from "First Flight" of Hull. "Wag" Freeman and Graham agreed to do the Pontefract Liberation at 08.30hrs, and the birds cleared almost immediately into the west wind for the 100 mile or so race.
In the Raunds club it was fancied that the club winner wouldn't be far off fed winner. It was none other than "Lucky" Mick Lawless whose bird was one of 81 sent by 8 members and it recorded 1418ypm. This Willy Thas widowhood cock won club and fed a couple of weeks ago from the same race point and just before that was 3rd club Berwick. The next 3 places went the way of Barry & Joy Andrews partnership. Their first in the clock was a Pete Aitcheson of Leicester gift bird, bred down from the famous Alf Chamberlain and Son blood. This yearling hen has been there or thereabouts over the last few weeks, and the duo knew it was only a matter of time before she scored. The next bird home was of course one of Pete Butler's van Reet birds, which seem to be in the cards every week for one fancier or another. This hens only real showing was when flying the tough NRCC young bird event from Dunbar last year.
From "the long one" Lerwick, only 2 club members sent birds, but the race still had to be won. Barry & Joy Andrews and Adrian Webb were the two, and with all due respect to Adrian this race is not his ideal distance. So it was that the Ashfield Road loft clocked one of their 3 entries at 1310hrs second day after 6am liberation. The only bird in the club to be recorded in race time. Their 2y old hen has been lightly raced this year, with this race in mind. The sire topped the fed from Perth as a yearling, and was bred from a Corbett Busscheart from Louella. and a loan hen from the I & J Jarratt loft. Was christened "Lazy Bones" owing to it's reluctance to exercise as a young bird. Hard luck story of the day comes from Adrian Webb, who's only entry was reported dead on the road in Dundee early in the week. Good news comes from the loft of "Lucky", Mick Lawless as he clocked a bird from Lerwick at 8.17am second day. Which took 1st section 5 NRCC and a probable top 100 place in the open. Once again Mick makes it 2x1st's in one day.
The EMNRA birds finished up being liberated at the same time as the NRCC convoy. Due to some birds entered in a Yorkshire based Lerwick Championship club, being split between the NRCC vehicle and the First Flight transporter. Both sets of birds had to go together to remain in this Championship club. The race turned out to be difficult due to the strong head wind the birds faced, as soon as they hit the mainland, and remained southerly fresh all the way home.
Wellingborough North Road
Out of WNR 40 birds from 6 members went to the race point. Dave "Darn Good" Gent took 1st & 2nd club. His first was his "Son of Tyson", and his second place was "600". Both birds have had a good O/B season. A.Johnson/Son netted 3rd club. Andy "Mr do it all" and young Dennis got 3rd with a blue pencil hen. This hen was bred by Brian Greenman. Brian "Big Man" Lawrence took 4th club, with his selfbred van Lawrence. It was just a blessing to have the Pontefract birds home. Lerwick race was a disaster and none home as yet.
It was another week that the weather wasn't on their side. A long day for you lads and lasses waiting for them to come home. Something went drastically wrong for the Lerwick birds, only a handful got home. Him indoors lives in hope that our bird "Herman the German" is out there somewhere still alive. It's the not knowing that gets to you, especially when they are all experienced birds, and raced from Lerwick before. Keep the flag flying and the loft traps open, last O/B next week. Whether you're sending or not to the last race, keep the BBQ going and have a good week. Until next week guy's and gal's take care. N.B: Please note that we can only do write-up's on the information we recieve, and apologise if your placing hasn't been included. Bye for now-Sue and Nathan
