JOHN ELLIS OF WELLBANK
Pigeon Fancier extraordinaire!
by Stuart Bowman
The above title explains how I would sum up John Ellis. The excuse this time for a loft report is simply that John has had a very good season in 2005! For example, flying with the Scottish.National Racing Pigeon.Club, he won 1st Sec C. 4th Open Alencon 572.mls with Wellbank Lass (a dark pied hen), now 4 times a winner at 500 plus mls.
First a little bit of info on John himself wouldn't go amiss. John has his own Scottish country dance band. He originally started in a band in 1950, known as the "Blue Bonnets". He and his friends formed a new band in 1955 with 6 of them in it, as there are at the present time. They were first recorded in 1957 and have appeared on Grampion t.v., and have had numerous recordings in the studio. John and the band have rubbed shoulders with the likes of Bobby McCloud, and of course was friends of Sir Jimmy Shand Snr and Jnr, plus a few other bands of past and present. I have heard radio presenters talk of the John Ellis country dance band, and I have listened to them play, and must say they're very good. By the way, John plays the fiddle, and is Honorary Dundee vice president of Strathbey & Reel society. The band has been as far afield as Australia, Ireland, Canada etc. Once while on hoilday in Australia he and his wife Pat were browsing through a record shop and came across some Scottish country dance music. The assistant asked: ‘Would you like that one?’ John replied, ‘No thanks son, I' ve already got it!’ It was in fact one of John and the band, strange though it seemed, thought John. As you can see he and the band are held in high esteem round the globe.
He also has his own landscape gardening buisness, ably assisted by a few helpers, two of which are John’s good lady Pat and Jimmy Anderson; who also flies the doos successfully. They do a lot of bedding plants, which you might see at nursing homes etc.. Ive seen some of their work, very tidy I may add. Pat & Jimmy keep John right in the office, so they tell me! Another of John’s interests is fishing - he showed me a photo of a 25 pounder pulled out of the River Don. Quite impressive.
The beginning
John came into the sport accidentally, when there was a number of chickens running about over the land, behind the house! John’s interest was aroused further when John’s father, also named John, brought 2 strays home one day, and these mixed in with the chickens; this was in 1958. From these humble beginnings John took more of an interest in pigeons, and in a few months a loft was put up.
Some eggs were gifted by a good fancier, namely Matt Telfer of Dundee. One of these eggs was a mealy cock, which was later paired to a red Logan hen, which was another gift from Frank Black of Forfar. The red Logan hen was from 1st Fed Dinard smash 540mls. The mealy cock & red hen produced a good red cock "4985" which turned out to be a very good breeding cock, as you will see later. John then purchased the whole y.b team of D. Mcleod, a local fancier who was packing in, these were Robert Strachan birds. Bob Strachan was a talented fancier, and although confined to a wheelchair, and after having been unlucky enough to have been diagnosed with Polio, he raced some fine birds over many years. One of them was "Starlight Special", a red cock who was 72nd Open Rennes 583mls, timed at 8 or 9 mins to midnight on day of toss. Also "Tayside Princess", 4th Open Rennes 1955 & 3rd Open Rennes 1956.
Bob flew in partnership with the late Wullie Wilson of Larkhall, and when Wullie moved elsewhere in Lanarkshire, Bob moved and settled in at Wellbank. Wull and Bob still exchanged birds, and remained friends to the end. John of course was good friends of both. When John got a grandson of Tayside Princess from D. Mcleod, he paired it to a Delmotte hen from Jocky Brown of Carnoustie, which had a 1st Fed Dol 533mls to his credit. This hen came via Ed Fell of Workington in Cumbria. John was very impressed with this hen, and contacted Mr Fell. Later a cock and a hen were bought. Ed's famous strain were known as the ABC family, these were gaffers, clayton gits, delmottes and barkers. Ref A, Red cock "Bar None". Ref B, Red hen Second to None. Ref C, Dark chq hen "Flying Wonder" which Ed felt was one of the best 600milers in the land at the time. The red hen John bought from Mr Fell was a daughter of a Delmotte x Jurion cock and "Red Queen". The sire of Red Queen was "Red Prince" who was from a son of Ref A x B, when paired to a daughter of "Strinesdale Queen". The dam of Red Queen was "5654", she was from Ed's "Good Red", when paired to a Bricoux hen. Good Red was from a son of Ref A&B when paired to Ref C. The above Bricoux hen was of Dr.Anderson lines.
However when John received the 2 birds he noticed the hen of the pair had a bent keel. He immediately called the Cumbrian Maestro. Ed laughed, and said she was from Red Queen when she was 11years old, but still considered she would breed John winners; and if she didn't he would send another. John needn't have worried! This hen became known as the Bent Keeled hen. She bred umpteen winners, when paired to the red cock"4985" mentioned earlier, from the Telfer mealy cock and the Black of Forfar red logan hen."4985" and the Bent Keel hen bred winners out to 1,044.mls. They in fact bred the "Beauvais hen" channel 5 times, only bird north of the Tay at Beauvais 531 mls, 24th.sect 44th Open 75th international Usher Vaux race. Also they were parents of Red cock known as the "Paris cock", who as a 2y.o. won 30th Open Paris smash, East of Scotland Continental club 1963, when 36 made it in race time 3-days. He was then sent to Nantes 643.mls, and was picked up 2.mls from his home badly injured, and if he was clocked at the time he would have won 1st Open. However, he was timed from Rennes the following year and just missed the prizes. He looked so good though, John thought he must send him back the next week to Nantes; he came up to the front and was 6th sect 11th Open. GREAT PIGEON!
In 1965 Billy Gardiner of Lockerbie won Rennes, and while John and his father waited on an arrival, time came and went when they should have had one to beat the Gardiner pigeon, but out of the blue, a strawberry mealy hen "Wellbank Pride" was eventually clocked in the dark at 10.32.pm for 583.mls. She won 1st east sect 8th Open, what a thrill!
Remember, John had not been in the sport that long, in fact he only joined the national in 1962. He has failed only once to get in the prizes the year being 1982, the year John’s father died. After getting over this, he has gone on and won at national distance races every year to date. The 65 sect winner also won 2nd north of Scotland CC, Worcester as a yearling, and 31st sect Cheltenham 321 mls at y.b national. Her sire was the mealy cock, a gift egg from Matt Telfer mentioned earlier containing Strachan and Shearer bloodlines. Dam was a red pied from Jocky Brown from a son of Ed Harrow’s 3rd Open Nantes. A few years later, John tells me the story of when he asked Dave Liddle of Forfar if he could buy a pair of birds at the end of the year. A long time passed, and then one-day Pat came out and said "Davey Liddle's on the phone!" John was invited to his place, and was asked to take his pick. John said "how much?" Davey said "30 shillings". John pulled £2 or £3 from his pocket, and Davey said "oh no son that's for the pair!" (Not bad for pigeons John thought he wouldn't get!) When John gave the late Hugh & Jock Reid, Stenhousemuir one same way bred as the "Paris Cock" J. Reid was so impressed he said he would return the favour. John replied to Jock Reid, in conversation, saying "what I need you can't give me!" Jock asked "What's that then?" John replied "One same way bred as "Daphne's Delight", Nash of Croy's 1966 Rennes winner, bred by the Reids. Straight away Jock said to brother Hughie, "Go in and get one from the pair that bred Jim Nash’s winner!" That's friendship for you isn't it!
John also shared a friendship with Duncan & Sandy Ogilvie and the pigeons he received from them were influential. The Ogilvies brought the great A.R Hill all the way to Wellbank to see John. Of course John received one from "Double Award "and a half sister to "Silver Lady". Incidentally the one John got from the Reids as a gift was paired to a hen from D. Hutton of Leslie in Fife. She was a g.daughter of J.W.Langstone's noted pigeon "The Sister". This pair bred a Blue hen "Patrica", named after John's good lady. She won 6th sect 9th Open Beauvais,Vaux trophy 1st bird north of the Tay. Later she won 84th sect Avranches vel 630. Flew Rennes in 70, Beauvais in 71, Avranches 72, Nantes 73. In 74 she was clocked from Pau NFC 915.mls and was only a mere 2 yds off the result. Flew Avranches again in 75 then stock.
Round about the same time John had a pigeon called "Wellbank Favourite". She was a g.daughter of the F.Black, Red logan hen. She was first bird north of the Tay 17th Open Beauvais 1968. Flew channel 6-times and as an 8.y.o.won 7th sect 22nd Open Nantes. He had a cock on loan from the same D. Hutton mentioned earlier... which scored in Rennes and was of Dr Anderson Lines. This cock paired to the 17th open Beauvais hen producedRed hen "Wellbank Star!" she was timed from Rennes 67. In 68 she was 65th Open East of Scotland Continental Club Avranches, and later in the same year won 1st fed 69th sect Avranches. In 69 she was right at the front to win 2nd sect 5th Open Nantes. Then in 1970 she won 75th open.
As mentioned earlier John struck a friendship up with Dave Liddle; it was Dave who supplied John with the pigeon known obviously as the "Liddle hen" who turned out to be a good breeder! She came from a cock John gifted to Dave, when Dave paired it to his famous Blue hen, 2nd Open Nantes. John's Liddle hen flew Avranches 545.mls as a yearling, Nantes as a 2.y.o, Rennes as a 3.y.o. As a 4.y.o in a hard 1971 Nantes race was timed 3.50pm 2nd day to win 20th sect 43rd Open. In the next few seasons she flew several times from Avranches & Rennes. As a 9.y.o.she won 96th Open Avranches, and Avranches again as a 10.y.o. and was in fact 2nd bird to the loft, before being retired!
Wellbank Endurance - 1000miler
In 1971 John entered his now famous Red pied cock "Endurance" at the Usher Vaux Beauvais race, then later in the year the fed Avranches race. In 1972 John plucked up the courage to send this cock to Palamos 1044.mls with the "British Barcelona Club". He finished 2nd sect.E and I think 82nd Open. In 1973 John flew the flag again for Scotland from Palamos, or (should I say Endurance did!) This time he won the sect and was 27th Open, and the remarkable thing here was, that he was flying approx 400mls, YES 400 further than the pigeons that beat him. John must have been elated! He won the BBC trophy, a gold medal, and the Gordan Hair cup, furthest flying bird in race time! Endurance in fact came direct from the 1965 Rennes E sect winner. Wellbank Endurance was later bought by the late Jim Biss; who had him at stock for 4 years. John bought the pigeon back through F.W.S.Hall of Enfeild, at one of his famous auctions, for in fact less than he was sold for! On return John took him from a box, looked at him, let him go and he went half circle to the board, straight through the trap, and up to his old nest box! John was very pleased for this special pigeon, home at LAST! Endurance came direct off the 1965 sect winner "Wellbank Pride", who was from the Matt Telfor gift egg containing Bob Strachan x Dave Shearer of Strathaven, in Lanarkshire bloodlines.
Still with the B.B.C, John sent a young bird to Rennes with them in 1972 & 1973 respectively and got both his young red & young mealy cocks home from 583mls. Not bad going for young birds. This must be some sort of record.
First Gold Award Winner
In 1977 John won his first gold award in SNFC with "Wellbank Faithfull", a black pied hen. As a young bird she was lost from training, (where have I heard that before?) In the spring she returned and flew the programme to Avranches winning 53rd sect. As a 2.y.o. just missed prizes in Rennes, but was sent back same year to Avranches winning 172nd Open. The next year she was 38th Open Rennes, one of only 2 in the fed on the day. She was 279 th Open Rennes in 1975. Disaster struck in 76 when she came home injured from Rennes! As a 6.y.o. in 1977 she recovered enough to win 285th Open Rennes. She flew the channel again from Rennes in 78, her eighth time over the channel, just missing the prizes. She was from the same mealy cock mentioned above, containing Strachan x Shearer blood. Therefore she had the same sire as "Wellbank Pride". The 77 award hens dam was from Duncan Ogilvie, with J Reid lines in her!
Second Gold Award Winner.
You will see from the start up to this point, that John has had many good pigeons from great fanciers. He has tried some from others but they haven't come up to expectations. John has had to always go back to the original Strachan, Shearer, Ed Fell, Liddle etc. to keep the family going. It was a son of the 77 award hen, paired to a chq pied hen, which won 1st fed only bird on the day, 48th Open Sartilly, who became parents of a blue cock, who was breeding winners, and sired the second Gold Award Winner, a chq hen " Wellbank Reliable". The Sartilly hen was an inbred g.g. daughter of the 1965 sect winner! Dam of Reliable won 4th Open Sartilly when only a yearling. The 4th Open was from a Blue hen which won from Rennes 3 times. She was a bit inbred and was a g. daughter of the "Paris Cock" & "Wellbank Star". The actual parents of the blue hen went to a fancier in South Africa. "Wellbank Reliable" herself was definitely a special hen! She won in various nest posistions. Winning her award for 5 channel Diplomas when only a 3.y.o. takes some doing, especially flying into Tayside!
Another great influence was a Mealy cock, which figured prominently at the time and at present in the progeny. Any time I have visited John, he has always talked of it. Others have done likewise! He came from a son of the Paris cock & Wellbank Star. His dam was from D. Liddle’s great blue hen 2nd Open Nantes, when she was beaten by a decimal on the trap, after preening herself etc, for a few moments! Consider this, his g.parents were 2nd 5th & 11th Open Nantes. Anyway the Mealy sired a Red Hen to win 8th Open Rennes 1988! I think this is the year John won R. Telford award in the SNFC, for the best ave all races, though I stand corrected. This 8th Open hen keeps the line going, as a son of her bred Stuart Young of Bonnyrigg's 30th Open Nantes. I believe Stuart hails from Broughty Ferry. Mr & Mrs Young have been great friends of the Ellis's for donkey’s years.
Foreign Impact
John purchased a 6th Open Rennes pigeon, and when put over the channel became lost. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as you will soon discover. The bird was reported in Belgium, and John wondered how it could be returned. He spoke to Capt Tom Buchanan, who said don't worry! Tom put John in touch with a good fancier namely Bernard Miles of Brighton. It was all through this that another friendship was stuck up! Here was the first hint of foreigners, you could say, coming all the way to Wellbank through Bernard ! He sent two birds up to cross with John’s established loft. One was a b,chq cock a g. son of the "Tee" of Emiel Denys! This cock bred at least 3 x 1st Fed winners, and was g. sire of S.Young’s 6th Open Rennes winner! The other was a D.chq Pol Bostyn x Vereeke hen. She bred many winners through to Fed & Classic level, probably best being Chq cock 7th Open Sartilly & 106th Open Sartilly, when the Vereeke hen was paired to one of three good stock cocks from "Endurance" he had at the time.
Wee Bob Strachan
Another friendship was formed when Robert Strachan returned from Lanarkshire, to Wellbank they got on like a house on fire! Many birds were exchanged and both done well. One example was when John gifted a chq hen from a D. Liddle pigeon, which won a heck of a lot of money at Rennes for Robert. He in turn gave John a Red hen which was a sister to Robert’s noted "Dorchester Hen". This Dorchester hen was well known on Tayside, as a great breeder and still talked about in the area! Anyway the sister of this hen bred 3 different winners from the channel for J. Ellis in national racing. John misses Robert greatly, and the friendship they had when Robert was alive! You will see that John’s best birds came mostly through friendship! When it's like this you can't beat it. This has been happening to John for over 45 years!
Some others worthy of note, are as follows: Mealy pied hen 21st Open Nantes, 643 mls, day of toss. Blk, pied hen from J Reid birds, won at Avranches as a yearling, and as a 9.y.o. from Nantes 643mls. Blue Rennes hen 4433 won in Rennes 85,86,87, dam of 4th Open Sartilly, and g. dam of Reliable. B. pied hen 3992, won 43rd, 52nd, & 74th Open Nantes, in 85,86,87, and dam of 15th & 23rd Open Niort 712 mls. This brings us up to the early 90s and another favourite appeared in "Wellbank Triumph " a Red cock, 93DF2566. He won 66th & 68th Open Sartilly both in 1995. 36th Open Rennes 96. 48th Open Sartilly 97, and 127th Open Sartilly 98. However the latter prize did not qualify for a third Gold Award, as he did not win sect prize money. Unfortunately this grand bird was lost the following year at Rennes. His sire 4432 was nestmate to Blue Rennes hen 4433, above.
In the late 90s and into the millennium, the French racepoints were changed around a bit, but it made little difference. John was in from the majority of them. When local man Bill Gibson retired from the sport, John bought a pair of nestmates, which were originally bred by Andy Thomson. The " Gibson cock won 217th Open Newbury, 77th Open Lille, 137th Open Messac, 72nd Open Liege, and 122nd Open Reims. He was unfortunately lost in 2003 going for G.A. There was a son from him who won 27th Open Reims, 333rd Open Newbury, 174th Open Reims, and 63rd Open Newbury. The nestmate of the Gibson cock has flown the channel 12 times, and she bred an 81st Open S.N. R. P. C. Alencon in 2005. I have handled some of these pigeons in the past and one I remember was a B.w.f. hen, 1424. She won in YBnational.As a yearling she won2nd club 8th Fed Beersal.vel 998, for 484 mls. As a 2.y.o. won 15th Open Reims vel 882, 580 mls. As a 3.y.o. won 82ndOpenReims, vel 927.She was unfortunately lost in 2004, at Laferte Bernard. The reason I mention her is that there isa lot of herblood running through the loft at the moment, and i'm sure we will be hearing about her progeny in the next few years. I asked John about a dark hen on the floor. I was informed that she won 25th Open Laferte Bernard 2004, 595 mls, vel 1070. From this race she was 16 hrs, 18 mins on the wing. She hadlovely feather, good wing and good balance. One for the future I think . You can see from the above, I have highlighted quite a few pigeons, (could have mentioned a lot more ) which were winners, and some very influential breeders. The purpose of doing so, is to show anyone who doesn't know of John Ellis, the calibre of fancier he is, and the company he has kept overmany years!Hopefully the above pigeons and photos in this loft report will suffice!
O.B. MANAGEMENT.
John has cut down a little in recent years, and now houses approx 25 pairs. They race to ordinary open fronted widowhood boxes. The o.b.s are hopper fed in a tray on the floor. He used to get his feeding from the research institute at Blairgowrie, or the farm. He now buys it localy from J. Duthie. He mixes this all himself, which consists of beans, peas, maize and wheat. For the last few years he has put some tares in it, thinking it will help the babies , when they are first on hard feeding. This is the same mixture that they have all year, nothing is added to it. Some peanuts, only 2 or 3 are given in each nest box. He tries to pair best to best, but sometimes tries something a little different. It works to his advantage sometimes. Jonh generally likes them in their old nest boxes.
They used to be paired mid march, but in recent years he has paired them a few weeks earlier. The reason being, to get the babies away, and that the racepoints are nearer home when he starts them. Where as before he was finding that he was loosing some, when they wern't quite fit, and some of them were good birds. They would normally be trained from Elie pointabout 25 mls. This was his normal practice, but about 5 years ago he tried widowhood with about 8 cocks in a small section, with some success. Two birds at the time which were winning, were the Gibson cock, and his son! In the last two or three seasons John has tried the roundabout system, with success out to the channel. Sometimes the birds are repaired, and sent to the channel in their favourite nest condition, again successfully. John thinks roundabout & widowhood, are worth a try, and have given him some fun especially at the club races. He says they are a lot less hassle to get fit, as they exercise like y.bs. Although he has tried the above with success, he generally prefers pigeons paired and sitting for the long races. When birds are paired they are usually onan open loft, depending on the hawk problem.
His yearlings normally have about 6-8 races and some are put over the channel, from there he can easily observe their best nest condition. The o.b.'s usually have 3 maybe 4 races, hoping for about 8hrs on the wing, from their last prepartion race. Sometimeshe will let a pair rear a round of y.bs then a single in the second, and still further another in the third, so that John can have plenty of time to observe them. Understand that John is very busy with his gardeningbusness at this time, and he prefers sometimes to leave them alone. John keeps meticulous records and in the winter months he studies the generations etc, in his loft book, which I call his bible! He sits at the same log fire, as I sat at when doing this report at Isla cottage which John & Pat have lived in since they were married in 1969. Many a good pigeon will be bred in the above manner. He takes note of training stages, preparation races, their whims and fancies, and tries very, very hard to get them set on their favourite nest condition. He likes the pigeons last prep race to normally be from 280-315mls, although the last channel race of the season they would probably fly from the south coast approx 400mls, about 4-weeks before the said channel race. I should also add that all birds build their own nests from straw , in clay bowls. There are also grit & minerals in pots on the floor daily, with a bath put out once a week. John was very successful for many years trying the deep litter method, but alas he gave this up almost 20-years ago. They are now spoiled, John preferring to scrape them out twice daily, with the inmates looking dandy and with equal success! Old birds are vaccinated, but vey little medication is given. The only thing that John puts in the water is Aviform Ultimate, which he says is very good. The loft is sprayed throughout the season, when he gets the time. Sometimes the birds are given Red Band as a trapping mixture. Some linseedis given during the moult after the main feed.
Y. B. MANAGEMENT
John usually rears approximately 40 y.bs, in 2005 in was 20, and in 2006 it will probably be about 20 again as he is not involved in club racing at the moment! Y.bs are vaccinated, and are given Avinform Ultimate in the water, seems to keep them right says John. If there's any probelms he gives them 2 or 3 days, and if there is no inprovement they are disposed of. They are exercised in the evening, but sometimes go out with the old birds to stop them ranging to many times. Their training starts at Tayport 5mls, St.Michaels 8mls, Strathkinness 12mls, Largoward about 15mls,and Elie point approx 25mls, from where they are double tossed. With the Perigrine and Sparrowhawks in that area, it's a good idea !Occasionally they are trained from Grangemouth, which is way off line, but doesn't do them any harm. Another reason he goes there is that his daughter Joan, and son in law Peter live there, and it saves him money training, crafty sod ! The y.b.'s usually race to the last race approx 210 mls, no consideration is given to the moult. Some go to the Y.B. National 280 or 310 mls,just flying to the perch, with success and no worries about the moult. They are fed twice a day, same as o.b.s, and are fed the same mixture. No darkness is practised here yet. Pretty simple methods you would say.
LOFTS
The main racing loft is approx 30 feet x 6, slopes from front to back, and was built in the early 1960s. The main OB section is about 12, feet with 18, or 20 nestboxes in it. The middle section sometimes has 2 or 3 pair of stock, but is mainly used for baskets, feeding etc. There are 2 other 6 feet sections for Y.B.'s, which also house the hens in the winter on box perches. There is a 6 feet section at the end of the garden for widowhood, although it wasn't tried in 2005. I would say the loft is pretty well ventilated, with openings about half way up and a doweled front at the top half. There is a 2 inch gap running the full length of the loft, front and back. The loft is whitewashed yearly and there are no tiles or skylights in this loft, which faces south, and is about 12 inches off the ground.
His birds are in high demand, people come from near and far to see them ! One example was when a coach load of fanciers turned up at his door saying, good day mate we are from Austrailia ! Imagine that eh ! Some of them were keen to take pigeons back with them, and offered lots of money. John said never mind that, take thisMealy cock, and a few others home with you. Which is what they did, and of course the Mealy has bred winners there, at 600 &700 mls.
What of the 2005 Season!
Well due to circumstances and events beyond John’s control, he can no longer compete at club or fed level, which is a pity as he has been a member since 1960. However he would like to thank Forth bridges club, Leuchars club and last but not least the members of the Kingdom racing pigeon association, who took it upon themselves to get John pigeons down the road.John hoped this would get his birds fit enough, so he could set them up for the channel. It certainly did just that!
Racing in 2005 with the "Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club" John has won 12 positions with them. From the main Alencon Gold Medal race John won 1st sect, C 4th Open 572 mls Vel 920, with his black pied hen named " Wellbank Lass " who is no stranger to success. She has previously won as a yearling, 58th Open Clermont, 541 mls. It was at this time that I remarked to John after seeing and handling her that I thought she was the best racer in the whole loft. As a 2y.o. she won 87th Open Reims 580mls. In 2004 she won 42nd Open Laferte Bernard 595mls. she is a quality pigeon and I have handled on numerous occasions. She is small to medium with good balance, with a short back wing and a good step up, with her last 4 flights having good spaces between them. She raced from Tow law, Ripon,Wakefield and had a toss from Kirkliston, before racing from Huntingdon 315mls 3 weeks before Alencon. Prior to the big one she was given one toss from Grangemouth approx 40mls. She was on her 2nd flight and sitting 3 days overdue and slipped a 4 day y.b on Monday before basketing. In this race John also fininshed 11th, 12th, 19th, & 25th sect C and 35th, 37th, 57th, and 81st Open. His second bird was a son of Reliable, when paired to a daughter of the Gibson cock. The third bird was a red cock which came via George Anderson of Scone, Perth. John is pleased with this one. Fourth bird was a grand daughter of 2717 who won 50th Open Clermont, 238th Open Reims, and in 2005 won 20th Open Cholet with the S.N.R.P.C. Dam was a g. daughter of his 31st Open Liege 2001, when his good friend Les Mckay won the race. Fifth bird previously won 250th Open Falaise. His sire came from the late Gordon McGaw, once of Errol, latterly of Pitlessie. Dam was the Bill Gibson hen. This was an exceptional race for John as he had 8 home from 10.
From S.N.R.P.C. Cholet 659mls, he timed 2 birds the 1st bird won 10 sect , 20th Open and was previously mentioned. The 2nd one was 12 sect 23rd Open, and was timed from Tours 2004. If my memory serves me correctly it was bred by Andy Thomson. From S.N.R.P.C. Falaise 538mls the birds were liberated at 6.15.am and John timed in at 10.28 pm in the dark, when only a few minutes earlier on the phone he said, I dont think I will see any now! This brave pigeon was a yearling blue cock known as "Wellbank Jack The Lad ". The sire was from a g.daughter of Reliable. Dam was B w.f. hen 1424,15th Open Reims. He was raced from Kelso, Otterburn, Ripon, Wakefield, Newbury inland nat, Maidstone, 390mls, with Forth Bridges winning 3rd club. He then had a comeback race from Otterburn, and was sent on his second flight 3/4 grown and sitting a 14 day y.b and his hen just laid. He is medium sized with short back wing and good spaces in the last 4 flights. John’s next two were 20th & 21st sect, 42nd & 43rd Open, the first of which was another yearling, a Pencil Blue cock. He is a son of Davy Wilson of Balmullo's, 2nd Open Clermont of a few years ago. Dam a daughter of 15th Open Reims. The third bird was 3.y.o. Blue cock, previous winner of 198th Open La ferte Bernard, and 122nd Open Newbury. Another good race for John, he had something like 9 home from 15 by teatime on 2nd day.
From S.N.R.P.C. Newbury 360 mls he timed a Blue hen flying spare to win 132nd Open. Sire is a son of 15th Open Reims hen. Dam came from Jim Hooper of Cardiff, from his stud, where another friendship has been struck up. John is very impressed with the Hooper pigeons, which are steeped in distance winners at his stud. Finally from the S.N.R.P.C. Leicester Y.B. National 280 mls, John won 2nd sect C 42nd Open with a chq, w.f. hen racing to the perch. She was bred by John's good friends Jimmy Anderson & son Derek also of Wellbank. The sire is a g.g. son of Wellbank Endurance. Dam is a Janssen. These Janssens of the Andersons are winning across Scotland, for other fanciers at all levels.
I asked John have you any theories? He said no. What about eyesign? No way. Wing theory then? No way. No theories at all? Just the first one home on a Saturday. His favourite nest condition is 3 days overdue, and sometimes slipped a small y.b. already 3 or 4 days old. At this point I must say that John acknowledges the help he has recieved from his wife Pat, a retired nurse. Without her assistance it would have been difficult. She has encouraged him from the start, training, letting them out letting them in, feeding them, even cleaning out. If John isn't there Pat can take charge no problem. Yes your help is much appreciated Pat. All this help encourages John to keep this distance family going, with their lines as much apparent today as they were at the start. John is one of the all time greats! Many say a legend in his own lifetime, and who am I to argue, with the winning they have done for himself and others over many years!
ADIVCE
His advice to novices would be to work away with the correct blood to start with. Go slow at the start. You don't nescessarily have to spend lots of money for ybs from the top pigeons. You may only be throwing your money away! Pair them up, but make sure you put their youngsters through the mill! At the same time John would like to see the extreme distance race with the S.N.R.P.C. being a success! He would like nothing better than fanciers in Scotland, proving that their birds are as good if not better than anyone else’s on the planet!
Finally I must add that John’s daughter Joan has been in hospital a few weeks back, but is now on the road to recovery. Hope this continues. John himself has been in hospital recently, and been through the wars. He basically had a lump plucked out his stomach, and limped out of hospital same day! He's a couple of pounds lighter now! The day I was there he showed me the scar, (YUCK) rest up John take it easy. He says he may cut down on his other activites, we shall see.
I would like to thank Mr & Mrs E, for the goodies and cups of tea all day, while at the same time looking after their g son Jack! The apple of John & Pats eye at the moment! Only a year old, with a wicked smile! Won't be long till he's pulling ybs from the bottom boxes. I very much enjoyed doing this report, and will sign off sitting at John’s cosey coal fire, with a message to the Ellis's: Lang May Your Lum Reek!
