Sheffield & District 5 Bird Championship
Well it only seems like yesterday that I was writing about the old bird season being over and how I was looking forward to seeing how the young bird season was going to pan out in this top club. And as I write this article the young bird season is almost over. Where does the time go, it really does only seem like yesterday. Having said that, the last three months since becoming a farther really have flown by, what with working 10 hour shifts, having very little sleep and changing nappies like they’re going out of fashion. I just don’t seem to have time for anything, so I am really glad we don’t race young birds as would simply not have the time and would certainly be suffering from even more earache than I do already.....!
Mark Sherwood and our hard working secretary Mark Thomson
On to the racing now and just as I had thought, the young bird season has so far turned out to be very interesting with the nine prizes being well shared out most weeks which is great for the club and illustrates the level of competition that you’re up against in this superb club. It was nice to see one or two of the new members winning prizes and pocketing a healthy amount of cash for their efforts, well done. It was great to hear from two of the new members saying just how much they enjoyed the racing in the 5 Bird Championship with one of them saying how much more of a buzz he gets on a Saturday compared to just regular club racing where he is at a disadvantage both position wise and numbers wise. That is what this club is all about, and with the three prizes he’s won so far, he’s picked up enough money to pay for next years racing already.
On to the results and the first race of the young bird calendar was flown from Stratford on 23rd July with 29 members sending 145 birds liberated in no wind. 1st & 5th D Turton 1387, 1331, 2nd & 8th Mr&Mrs A Jackson 1371, 1315, 3rd K&M Wolstenholme&Morton 1344, 4th Halliwell&Hutchinson 1337, 6th M&A Sherwood 1322, 7th A Burton&son 1319, 9th A Plant 1309.
Dave Turton, What a return to the sport.
Windrush 30th July saw 30 members send 150 birds liberated in a light north east wind. 1st Carder&Thomson 1470, 2nd A Burton&son 1448, 3rd 4th & 7th M&A Sherwood 1444, 1442, 1429, 5th Helliwell&Hutchinson 1430.46, 6th D Turton 1430.17, 8th B&C Brelsford&son 1422.77, 9th T Garner&Morton 1422.23.
Hullavington 6th August 30 members sent 150 birds liberated in a west south west. 1st Carder&Thomson 1566, 2nd & 6th M&A Sherwood 1564, 1527, 3rd & 4th D Turton 1543, 1540, 5th B&C Brelsford&son 1532, 7th K&M Wolstenholme&Morton 1524.77, 8th A Burton&son 1524.75, 9th S Wood 1522.
Blandford 13th August 24 members sent 120 birds liberated in a fresh south west. 1st Carder&Thomson 1428, 2nd & 8th Mr&Mrs T Dury&son 1421, 1326, 3rd & 6th S Wood 1394, 1335, 4th D Turton 1365, 5th B&C Brelsford&son 1358, 7th Helliwell&Hutchinson 1334, 9th S Neville&son 1319.
Portland 20th August 27 members sent 135 birds. 1st D Turton 1808, 2nd & 6th S Neville&son 1798 1759, 3rd J Burton 1789, 4th K&M Wolstenholme&Morton 1788, 5th Mr&Mrs T Dury&son 1776, 7th & 8th A Burton&son 1756.14, 1756.14, 9th Garner&Morton 1748.
Stan Wood - 3rd & 6th Blandford, 9th Hullavington
In just the first five young bird races the members were racing for £1,754 in pool money alone, not to mention the superb prize money that is paid out also. Well done all. I have to give a special mention to Mr Dave Turton. You’ll see from the above results he’s won more than his fair share during the first five young bird season and you’ll be surprised, as I was, to know that this season is his first year back in the sport following a 13 year absence. I find that quite staggering really Dave, to win what you’ve won at this level against the best for miles around is simply fantastic mate, well done.
During the winter months I will be doing my usual two or three loft reports and Dave’s will be the first one I do, followed by J&M Hobson of Darnall who had a fantastic old bird season and then M&A Sherwood of Woodhouse who yet again have had a superb season in the Championship and one hell of a season in the Derby&Durton Federation.
That’s all for now, please do not hesitate to contact me on my email address if you have any news or views. Thanks for reading.
