2016 Prize Presentation
With the breeding season well under way the last of the major presentations locally took place on Saturday 4th February at probably the most apt venue that could be utilised for such an event. This was the fourth year that I had attended. Each year this event and venue improve on what can only be triumphed as an exceptional evening.
The venue is the Cheshire View is located in the picturesque village of Christleton and stands in its own grounds less than four miles south from the centre of Chester. This is a venue with a touch of class, it boasts beautiful scenery within and around its locality but for simple pigeon men it delivers an ambiance that makes you feel welcome on arrival and invites you to be comfortable and enjoy yourself throughout the evening. The venue boasts a number of attributes, including; a bowls centre and two greens, wedding and conference centre facilities and also hold caravan rallies within its grounds.
The catering that is on site delivers food to an exceptional standard and as a group the Beeston people as a whole could not fault the food and the service provided for the presentation. The entertainment this year was supplied by Tony Roscoe. Tony a Liverpool comedian is billed as a top entertainer with 25 years’ experience in the entertainment business what I can say if it is being an established entertainer if it’s a night of fun and laughter, look no further than Tony Roscoe.
A special mention is also required for the man behind the scenes, I am not exactly sure how long Jeff Churchill has been the secretary of the Beeston Two Bird Specialist club, but his knack and attention to detail when arranging even things such as the tables and how the layout of the whole presentation is staged, is perfect and spot on year on year. It must take months of planning and arranging, just getting the trophies back in can be a pain to some secretaries but Jeff does everything in his stride and if he does complain he does it behind closed doors. A special touch is the individual quotes on each individual page of the presentation evening program which are itself a touch of class and huge thanks are extended to Jeff from President, committee and members of the Beeston Two Bird Specialist Club.
A sad note to report is that Mo Hilson (beloved wife of George Hilson) our special guests in 2015 passed away on July 1st 2016. Only sixty five years young Mo, a beloved wife, mum, nana and great nana is deeply missed by her beloved family. The President, committee and members of the Beeston Two Bird Specialist Club extend their deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to George and his beloved family at the sad passing of Mo.
Happier days Mo and George Hilson at the 2015 Presentation. “Grief is the last act of love we have to give those we loved. Where there is deep grief there is great love” RIP MO.
The special guests this year need very little introduction locally flying into North Wales are Mr & Mrs Barry Maidment who race in the partnership of Graham & Mark Connah & Maidment at Buckley. Barry is and has been one of the sports more active participants being the former long serving secretary of the Chester 2 bird club along with his role as secretary of the Wrexham Federation. Flying in the ultra-competitive club namely the Horse & Jockey HS in Buckley, the racing partnership does more than hold their own both at club and federation level.
The partnership of G & M Connah & Maidment evolved from Graham Connah whom commenced racing in the Rose & Crown H.S. in 1965 and was joined by his brother Mark a few years later. Barry joined the same club in 1971 having previously kept show pigeons in his home town of Harlech. The partnership was to join forces in 2007 when Barry was leaving the sport due to uncertainty about the land where he kept his pigeons. Graham (still working in them days) asked Barry join the partnership which is the same partnership you see today.
Barry's highlights were winning the North Section of the Welsh South Road National Flying Club on four occasions. Barry is Secretary of the Wrexham Federation and until recently the long standing secretary of the very well-known and highly regarded Chester Two Bird Specialist Club. Today Graham, Mark and Barry race in the Horse & Jockey (Buckley) and Mold Invitation clubs as well Wrexham and Chester 2 Bird Clubs and North Wales Championship Club.
The birds the partnership race today are Grahams old family which is a blend of Jan Aardens, Smit Van Winkles and Lefebre Dhaenens supplemented with more recent introductions of B & L Baertsoons and Vandenabeeles. The main family is now the Hereman Cuesters which were introduced in 2007 and have performed really well for the partnership and also others who have been lucky enough to have them.
(L to R) Special guest Barry Maidment with his racing partners Mark Connah & Graham Connah (Photo Courtesy of the late Heather Rogers).
The presentation commenced with a warm welcome to all members and visiting guests from club secretary Jeff Churchill who then introduced the club president Norman Welch for his annual address. Norman thanks his fellow committee and members for their support throughout the year, special thanks to Jeff Churchill for his sterling work not only as club secretary but for his usual un-swathing detailed work in arranging this year’s presentation and dinner.
On completion of the president’s address the attendees were asked to stand and raise a glass to toast her majesty queen Elizabeth II and then raise a glass to the Beeston Castle Two Bird Specialist Club. Once the toasts had been completed the guests were asked to say grace and the meal was served. The catering at this venue has been ultra-consistent and again this year with a choice of soup starter, a roast dinner followed by cheese cake was eaten with zest by all.
On completion of the dinner the program was set for the presentation, the entertainment, and the raffle and then the dancing could begin. A special note about the raffle, there must have been at least a dozen (if not more) first prizes (donated by members and guests alike) as people were still interested after the first twelve prizes had been claimed which again is testament to the support of the member ship. On completion of the raffle there was the annual sale of youngsters from the winners of a few select pigeons which were quickly sold by founder member George Pulford in his usual enigmatic style. George (whom retired from the committee in 2015) has been an extremely long standing and loyal servant to the Beeston Two Bird Specialist club for which we once again extend our sincere thanks for his attendance and help.
The presentation of the prizes commenced with yours truly gaining a tenth in the yearling classic.
Alan Shinton receiving his prize
The Bromborough Bomber Tommy Hayes receives his prizes
George Harrison receives his prizes
Ben Oakley (J & B Oakley) receives the partnerships prizes
Club Pesident Norman Welch receives his prizes
Warren Walker receiving the A S Jones Cup
Richard Johnson receives his prizes
Alan Walker (who flies in partnership with brother Keith as W Walker & Sons) collects the yearling cup and the Silver Salver.
Jeff Churchill collects The Eric Oulton Shield, the Mr & Mrs J Fay Trophy, the Evans & Price Trophy and the Robbie Houghton Trophy for the best average all races 2016 congratulatrions Jeff.
The family partnership of Jones lamb and Daughter collecting the Vice Presidents Cup and the Sam Cummings Rose Bowl.
The younf bird carentan winner Mickey Locke collecting The Brian Wilde Trophy and the R Lloyd Trophy.
Anthony Oates winner of the Carenat Yearling Race and the Blue Ribboned event the Messac Classic race.
It is believed that this is the first time that both old bird races have been won by the same loft in the same season. Anthony receives the C Davidson Trophy along with the coveted Presidents trophy
congratulations on a great season.
The tables and the guests
Jones Lamb and Daughter along with George harrison and guests
Anthony Oates and guests
Mickey & Win Locke share a table with John and Ben Oakley
The presidents (Norman Welch) table with Alan Welch along with Richard Johnson Alan and Keith Walker
Trophy Winners 2016
Messac Classic Race
The Presidents Cup???..Anthony Oates
The Vice Presidents Cup????.Jones, Lamb & Daughter
The Eric Oulton Shield???.Jeff Churhill
The Yearling Cup???.W Walker & Sons
The Silver Salver???.W Walker & Sons
The A S Jones Cup???.Warren Walker
The Sam Cummings Rose Bowl???.Jones, Lamb & Daughter
Carentan Young Bird
The Brian Wilding Trophy???.M K Locke
The R H Barton Trophy???.Sid Arathoon
The Mr & Mrs J Fay Trophy???.Jeff Churchill
The G & K Hitchen trophy???.Not Won
Classic and Young Bird
The Evans & Price Trophy???.Jeff Churchill
The Greenhall Whitrney Trophy???.Not Won
Carentan Yearling Derby
The C Davidson Trophy???.Anthony Oates
The R Lloyd Trophy???.M K Locke
Best Averages all races
The Robbies Houghton Trophy???. Jef churchill
Club News Change to Club RADIUS
The Beeston Castle Two Bird Specialist Club has recently tweeked its radius to enable the application of some new members. It has been a commitment by the clubs committee to keep this progressise club moving forward and as such thought it time to enable people close to the boudaries to apply. The change has moved the Western Boundary has changed to a ine of Longitude 2’ 58’’.00’ from the southern boundary up to the southern bank of the river Dee.
The Eastern Boundary has also changed to a line of longitude of 2’ 34’ 00’’ from the southern boundary up to the southern bank of the river Mersey. For any people who are interested in joining this old established, well founded but forward thinking club please apply to Jeff Churchill (Club Secretary) at
