2015 Prize Presentation
With the breeding season well under way the last of the major presentations locally took place on Saturday 6th February at probably the most apt venue that could be utilised for such an event. This was the third year that I had attended and the first as the Beeston Two Bird scribe. 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. It is an assumption on my part but after the previous year I immediately re-booked my tickets for 2015 and again this year I will be re-booking my tickets for 2016.
The venue the Cheshire View
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. My personal favourite being "Sociability is the wine of life".
It has been an even more stressing twelve months for Jeff as he and his brother care for his mum who is in here nineties and still managing to give the Churchill brothers the run around so as a group of people I am sure as I write this report I speak for the whole committee and membership when I thank Jeff for his continued efforts and outstanding work that nobody ever sees or indeed appears to appreciate rest assured Jeff you appreciated by us all and a huge thank you from us all.
The special guests this year were renowned George and (wife) Mo Hilson of Manchester. George needs no introduction to pigeon fanciers nationally, George has been a figure head within the fancy for a number of years and the first time I can remember reading the name George Hilson (as I am fairly new to the sport) was a write up on the well known Salford partnership of Crehan and O'Connor on the Pipa website. It was all about John Crehan and his huge achievements which were some of the greatest ever achieved locally within Johns club and nationally, it was in this article that John Crehan mentioned George Hilson and how he had looked up to George as a lad, a fitting testament from the new brigade to a leading light that still has his say in the nationals today.
The presentation started with the annual toast to the queen and grace prior to the meal. The president (Mr Norman Welch) addressed all those gathered, he reminisced on another successful season and outlined the challenges that lay ahead in the coming season. Norman also thanked everyone who had attended especially the special guests for the evening George and Mo Hilson for taking the time and the effort to travel for our function. There was also a special mention for the two retiring committee personnel namely George Pulford and Warren Walker. George is a founder member of the club and is an extraordinary worker for which ever club he is associated with and carries the best wishes for the future from the president and the membership. Warren Walker has been the press officer for the Beeston for probably longer than he cares to remember, conscientious and courteous his curt anecdotal scribing will be missed and again the president voiced the extreme thanks from himself and the membership.
On completion of the speeches the program was set for the presentation, the entertainment, the raffle and then the dancing could begin. A special note about the raffle, there must have been twelve first prizes as people were still interested after the first dozen had been won 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. As already mentioned George retired from the committee in 2015 and has been an extremely long standing and loyal servant to the club and has helped me no end as the new scribe for which I extend my sincere thanks.
Special Guests Mo and Geroge Hilson "a fantastic fancier at all levels and a tireless worker for the sport" and our illustrious leader Beeston Castle Secretary and Master of Cerimonies Jeff Chruchill.
The trophy table for the Beeston castle Two Bird Specialist Club presentation.
The tables and the guests
A fitting testament from the membership to the Beeston Castle is that no less than one hundred and sixteen tickets were procured by the membership and friends. The tables (round with eight to ten seated) were positioned around the dance floor in such a way that everyone had access to the floor and a view of the presentation table. Next would be the entertainment
Lennie Anderson, Comedian, Actor, Singer and Raconteur. An excellent all round entertainer
The entertainment has been of an excellent standard the last twice I have attended so I for one was wondering would the committee take the easy option and go for an artist that we had seen and enjoyed previously and be safe. Not likely? Lennie Anderson was engaged and if you are looking for an all round entertainer Lennie is your man, one hour of comedy followed by a singing voice that was easy listening and music and if desired easy to dance to. He comes highly recommended.
The consistent John and Ben Oakley and family (J & B Oakley) share a table with Alan & Keith Walker (W Walker & Sons) All previous multiple winners of the Beeston Castle Two Bird Club
The Wirral Wizard Mickey and Win Locke sharing their table with their family. Mickey won this year's Messac Classic
Brian and Karen Jones (Jones, Lamb, and Daughter) and George Harrison sharing a table with John Clews (J and J Clews) and Family winner of the yearling race.
Alan & Louise Shinton and friends along with Linda and Paul Coombes (front right).
Dave and Lynn Woodworth (D & L Woodworth)
Jenny Dodd (West Cheshire Federation Secretary and great friend of the Beeston Castle two Bird Club)
More Friends and family of Denny Gobin (Fletcher and Gobin)
Friends and family of Denny Gobin (Fletcher & Gobin
More friends and family of Denny Gobin (Fletcher & Gobin). Denny’s wife Sandra is on the left, but where is Denny
More Friends and family of Denny Gobin (Fletcher and Gobin
James Shinton, Nico Crabtree, Becci Rochel Gill and Richie Denny (R & R Denny)
Left to right at back. Tony Moglioni, John Rixon, guest of John Fairclough, John Fairclough and Warren Walker. Front, Mrs Glenys Walker and guest.
R Dodd & Son family and friends (L to R) Paul Dodd, his dad Ronnie Dodd, Joe and Pat Dodd, Emma Dodd. Mickey Dunne and wife Angela and Miss Patricia Johnson being served
The Chairman's (Mr Ted Shore) table From L to R at back: Guest of Mr Ted Shore,
Ted Shore and Ian Cooper from Northwich and front Mr George Mainwaring and partner from Northwich.
The Top Table (with some illustrious names) Left to Right Mrs Erlys and DL Jones George Pulford, George Hilson and Mrs Mo Hilson.
Another longstanding member Mr Alan Harrison. Still supporting his club after ill health curtailed his racing prowess. Alan raced until 3 years ago with the help of Derek Griffiths
The Prize Presentation
John Rixon receiving his prize cards - John is another tireless worker for which ever club he flies. Consistent both racing and more importantly a personality that is always there to help others A vice President of the Beeston Club John is a long standing and well respected servant of the club
Tony Moglioni receiving his awards for his positions from the Messac Classic
Paul Coombes - previous winner of the classic and the young bird race collects his prize cards for Messac and Carentan Yearling rac.
George Pulford - Founder member of the Beeston specialist Two Bird club and "all round good guy" receives his prize cards for Carentan yearling and young bird races
Previous winners John and Ben Oakley (J and B Oakley) receive their prize cards and trophies for the Messac Classic, Carentan Yearling and Carentan Young Bird Race, they still remain the only fanciers to win two races in the same year in 2014
Denny Gobin (Fletcher & Gobin). Denny receiving his prize cards for the Messac classic and the Carentan young bird race. Denny was the most popular fancier on the presentation night receiving rapturous applause which he receives annually. A special mention this year as Denny's Caravan Cock was awarded a certificate of merit by the National Flying Club and was also the recipient of the Lancashire Rose Trophy for 2015 - Huge congratulations from all your fellow members of the Beeston Castle Denny
Brian Jones (Jones Lamb and Daughter) another previous winner who again works tirelessly for the club. A family affair this fairly new partnership go from strength to strength each collecting their prize cards for the Messac Classic and the Carentan Yearling Race.
Warren Walker (The Outgoing press officer) another previous winner - Warren is also a current vice president of the club and is a press officer with a difference. Warren collected his prize cards for the Messac Classic and the Yearling Carentan race
Richard Johnson of Frodsham another club stalwart and worker, a current vice president of the Beeston Castl, Richard collecting hos prize cards for the Messac classic and the carentan yearling race
Ronnie Dodd (R Dodd and Son) collecting the partnerships prize cards for the very hard Carentan Young Bird race. Ronnie(along with his wife Jenny) are great workers and advocates for our sport. Ronnie is the out - going president of the West Cheshire Federation - a short rest and more prizes beckon now he has time to concentrate on his pigeons
Alan & Keith Walker (W Walker & Sons) Tarporely, Previous winners of the Beeston Castle this duo are consistently in the top echelon of the prizes. Here they are collecting their prize cards and trophies for the Messac Classic, the Carentan Yearling and the Carentan Young Bird race. One of only two fanciers to time both entries in the very hard Carentan young bird race
The Beeston Castle Two Bird Specialist Club Winners
Carentan Yearling Winner John Clews (JJ & DM Clews) Receive the C Davidson Trophy for First Carentan Yearling Race
Carentan Young Bird Winner - Alan Shinton. Alan receives The Brian Wilding Trophy, The R H Barton Trophy, The G & K Kitchen Trophy (Carentan Young Bird Race). The Evans & Price Trophy for the Messac Classic and Carentan Young Bird Best Average. The R Lloyd Trophy Runner Up Carentan Yearling Race. The Robbie Houghton Trophy Best Average all Races
Messac Classic Winner - Mickey Locke. The Maestro that is Mickey Locke, known as the Wirral Wizard Mickey needs no introduction to classic winners, His pedigree is strewn with fed, national sections and specialist club winners. This has to be one of if not the most consistent loft in the country who dominates his locality when racing in the two bird or specialist races. Here Mickey is collecting the Presidents club for First Messac Classic and also the Yearling Cup,
The Final Presentations to the Ladies
President Norman Welch presenting the Bouquets to the worthy recipients Mo Hilson, Margaret Pulford and Joan Churchill
Chris Welch with his mum Mrs Welch son and wife of club president Norman Welch. Mrs Welch received her bouquet from her husband. Both Chris and Norman are another two stalwart workers for the club
Mrs Margaret Pulford (wife of George) and her very close friend Mrs Joan Churchill receiving their respective bouquets from the president
The Beeston Castle Two Bird Specialist Club 2015 Trophy List
Messac Classic
The Presidents Cup M K Locke
The Vice Presidents Cup W Walker & Sons
The Eric Oulton Shield D & J Pickstock
The Yearling Cup M K Locke
The Silver Salver D & Pickstock
The A S Jones Cup R Johnson
The R Cummins Rose Bowl W Walker
Carentan Yearling
The Brian Wilding Trophy A Shinton
The R H Barton Trophy A Shinton
The Mr & Ms J Fay Trophy J & B Oakley
The G & K Hitchen Trophy A Shinton
Classic and Young Bird
Evans & Price Trophy A Shinton
The Greenall Whitney Trophy J & B Oakley
Carentan Yearling Derby
The C Davidson Trophy JJ & DM Clews
The R Lloyd Trophy A Shinton
Best Average All races
The Robbie Houghton Trophy A Shinton
