Lanarkshire News - Darlington Race
This week takes us into County Durham in England which is around 135 miles back to Lower Central Scotland. federation.
The race programme was scheduled for Thirsk but because of bird flu restrictions we switched to Darlington.
The weather can only be described as "scorching " well it is to us Scots.
It was typical blue sky with not much moving in the Skye ,in my experience not a good racing day.
When racing down the east coast there is always a risk of "haar" of the coast causing later liberations and this was one of those weeks .
The convoy had to wait till 11am before liberation in a hot North East wind.
Alarm bells always activate in the mind of a pigeon fancier when these conditions are around and with the later liberation and the birds having to face the heat of the day it was going to be a major challenge for yearlings and late bred pigeons.
The birds were well strung out with significant numbers missing at close of day. A very worrying day at the home end.
Later reports that a number of birds had returned with falcon injuries another risk in these conditions.
As always stated, we are all our own race controller and ours gave the birds every chance he could to get a clear flight.
This week’s 1st sect,1st Open federation winner is Richard Copland of the Burnbank club on the west side of the federation .
His winner was timed on 2hrs 48 minutes for a distance of 134 miles, recording a velocity 1404ypm.
I managed to have a chat on the phone with Richard to get the details of his 1st West sect,1st Open federation 4,781 winner.
Richard races a small team of 12 pair of roundabout birds to his 26ft loft, he has a small section with aviary attached to his garage for 5 pair of stock pigeons and twenty youngsters, well nineteen if one doesn't return from previous evening.
This week’s winner a Mealy pied Dirk Van Den Bulk 3yr old cock pigeon is from a pair of stock, purchased from P & D lofts .
This pair have bred really well with around nine federation ticket winners.
Richard says these are the best looking pigeons he has raced.
The winner has been a very good pigeon for Richard winning 6th sect,23rd ,14th sect,111th Open ,6th West sect in the Lanarkshire federation.
He has been on form throughout his career and been on form this season and wins this week’s pools in the club. week.
Richard who is 71yrs young races in Burnbank club and Hamilton Independent club with these pigeons, scoring well in both taking 1st federation prize last week in the South Lanarkshire.
The management of the birds.
As stated, he races on the roundabout system with loft exercise twice per day for the cocks, going out early morning and evening. The hens only the once in the afternoon.
No road training other than one trainer before first race.
Richard stated the cocks fly for around 20 minutes with the hens flying for over an hour, sometimes having to be shouted down.
A consistent time frame is maintained daily.
The feed this years is Bamfords Chaos mixture twice per day ,measured to requirements.
Nothing is added to the water.
Harkers 4 in 1 tablet before racing is the only treatment other than yearly vaccination for Paramxyo Pigeon Vaccine.
The birds get twenty minutes together on the Friday before basketing and on return have the box.
Thanks to Richard for his time and sharing his winning system,
all the best for the rest of the season.
For those who follow Lanarkshire news you will see that this is the third week in a row that Burnbank club in the West section of the federation has topped the federation.
This club is red hot at the moment with J Green and Son just being pipped this week into 2nd club,2nd sect,2nd Open federation. This loft are on fire at the moment with James and Gary being nudged out of first place by this great performance by Richard.
Section winners
West section
1st R Copland
Richard Copland showing us his 1st sect,1st Open Lanarkshire federation winner.
2nd J Green & Son
3rd W Gordon
Billy Gordon has shown his versatility with the sprint races winning another first in Blantyre club
Centre section
1st Wilson & Cairns
Wilson & Cairns come to the front winning in the strong Newmains club
2nd J Whiteford & Family
3rd T McGinn
North section
1st R Anderson
Robert Anderson winner of Chapelhall club & 1st North section
2nd Young & Kelly
Karl Kelly & Stuart Young are flying brilliantly this season winning another first in Chryston & Young & Kellys winner of Chryston club and 2nd North section.
This 2yr old cock pigeon was consistent as a YB then went missing from the first race from Annan as a yearling returning after a week .Bloodlines are Dirk Vanden Bulk from Central lofts.
3rd J Donnely & Son
Jim & Scott Donnely winners in Coatbridge SC
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John Carswell (L) winner in Uddingston club |
John Frood is a good winner in Lanark club |
The Gillon partnership are this week’s winners |
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John Barr makes it a double this season |
Johnny Sirrell is a good winner in |
The ever consistent Mio Krivokapic |
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Davie Love (L) winner in Clarkston club and 4th North Section |
Tom Corrie jnr
Lanarkshire Press Officer
