A morning with the UNC at Newark
On the morning of Sunday 17th April I and my young daughter set off down the A1 to Newark Livestock Market to watch the mighty Up North Combine liberate the birds. My daughter is pigeon mad, well; she loves any animal and wildlife really, which I absolutely love. I think it’s great for kids to want to be out doors instead of being sat in front of a computer or TV screen.
So on the weekends that she stays with me we plan all kinds of activities, even more so now I am without a loft at my new house and won’t be racing this year. But when I get a new one built that is where she’ll be, I can’t get her out of the loft most of the time. She injects them, puts the eye drops in and pops tablets down their throats for me whenever needed, and all at just 4 year old.
Whether we make a trip up to the farm, a walk round to my neighbours stables to see the horses or like yesterday, go and watch a race liberation. She just loves to put her boots or wellies on and get outside.
We arrived at Newark around 7:30 in beautiful blue sky and bright sunshine, all be it a little nippy. Amidst all the UNC wagons appeared the familiar figure of chief convoyer Steve Proffit with his right hand and mobile phone welded to his ear. Once he had finished the call he came over to speak with us, but his phone soon rang again “Hang on a minute, it’s the boss” he said. After a full update to the boss, Pam Grange, it was agreed the first lib, Section 1, would go at 8 o’clock.
Cutting the strings - Young Leon cutting the strings
We then continued our chat with Steve in which Darcey told him how much she loves the pigeons and being in and around the loft. With that, and without hesitation he told her he would breed her a pair of babies for her to race next year. You’re a gent Steve cheers, its all she spoke about when we stopped off for some breakfast on the way home.
As well as allowing Darcey to look on the back of one of the wagons to see how the birds are fed and watered whilst away from the loft. He kindly arranged for Darcey to assist Andy Dean with the liberation of the Section 4 birds which consists of the Sunderland Premier Fed, Sunderland & Dist Fed, Shouth Sheilds Fed and North East Counties Fed. The lib went very well and the birds cleared in no time. Thanks lads, she absolutely loved it.
Their off - Look at that smile!
Several cattle wagons were also coming and going, loading and unloading sheep and cows into the market area, so we had a good look at those too with Darcey found interesting.
After this we stayed for the liberation of the Section 5 birds before heading off immediately behind them to follow them along the A161 towards the A1. And what a great sight it was to see several large packs of pigeons with their heads down, strung out, really working hard racing low over the fields right beside us. Darcey was the spotter and spot them she did, pack after pack racing hard and low back up north to the two Teesside Feds and Shotton & Trimdon Fed.
For me the UNC is the kind of organisation that others should be following, particularly when they get further down the road and have one joint liberation for all the birds going into the same geographical area. The feeling of winning 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st Sec and 1st Open from such a large number of pigeon must be truly amazing, and something that most of us will never experience. Even the Section liberations that they have on the shorter distances have several Federations in them with around 6,000 birds going up together. I’m sure one day these kind of joint federation liberations will become the norm, it certainly makes sense to me.
Along with Steve, Andy and the rest of the convoyers at Newark was a smashing young man called Leon Jones who was helping out with the liberations. Leon is only 12 years old and has just started with pigeons. He’ll be racing for the first time with young birds this year in his home town of Middlesbrough. Steve tells me that Leon is as keen a mustard, so lets hope that continues. Good on you young man, I wish you all the best for your first young bird season. I'm sure Steve will keep me updated of any successes you have. And if you listen to him, I'm sure they'll be a few prizes coming your way...!!! Also congratulations to Steve and the lads he flies on winning (if my memory serves me right) 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th and 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Federation in the first two races, superb flying lads.
Theres some weight on this mans shoulders to get it right each week
Thanks again for an enjoyable morning. Seeing young 12 year old Leon and Darcey who is just 4, enjoying being around the racing pigeon scene is just great. And is something we all know is lacking in our sport, and is something we must try and encourage for the future.
All the best
Chris Gibson
