Sharp/Cummings/Durning of Coatbridge FC,Lanarkshire Federation,Scotland
Winners of 1st Yearling Open
Coatbridge is a town in North Lanarkshire about ten miles east of Glasgow city centre set in the central lowlands, the town with neighbouring Airdrie is part of Monklands district.
We took the short trip down the motorway to meet up with the top loft of John Sharp,Wullie Cummings and Jim Durning for a "winter warmer" loft report.
After a slight hiccup, attending the wrong loft ,old Tom thought it was next door to the club premises, we were warmly met by John and Wullie (Jim was working).Well firstly it was "Super Cooper, Johns friendly German Shepard who came our way.Thank God it was friendly it was the size of Wullie .
The first thing that struck me was what a cracking set up, smart design of lofts ,very up to date and well kept ,everything that promotes the sports as fanciers who look after their environment.
Loft set up with top racing loft first right - Stock sections far left with hen and young bird sections to follow
Before a section was opened I thought to myself I can learn something hear today.
The birds were in first class order, all sitting youngsters and looking very healthy in their environment. First up was the top racing section(First right) ,not my view but that of John and Wullie who are contemplating changing the rest of the loft set up to match. Like all good fanciers they dont sit and being left behind.
John ,Wullie and Jim's partnership was formed in 1998 after each had a need to keep racing and the partnership was the best for each party,with John having the home environment for the loft set up. John and Wullie carry out the daily routines around the loft and Jim(They call the memory stick) helping around his busy work schedule. The partnership has worked in harmony for many a year and is reaping the rewards of their hard work.
Well after being shown around the lofts we took to the living room, "We had to ask Cooper to sit down" haha", to ask all the important questions.
Inside main racing section - Roof section inside racing loft
Loft size - around 60ft made from wood and perspex
Floor space in main racing loft - Hen section
Breed of pigeons - One day pigeons from Leach Bros of Hebden Bridge, Pennine ,Syndicate Lofts(Peter Fox) ,,Van Lint pair from Dave Sterey nr Portsmouth, Pat Halliwell of Sheffield
These birds are a mix of Curtis/Wull/Lunt/Green, Camphus and the best of GWP Macaloney lines.
They have also got some top class Aarden base distance lines from George Palmer of Belshill.
John said he also swapped pigeons with George Mann of Airdrie Dist club.
Tom admiring Open winner" True Blue" - Tom holding 13 Check cock winner of two firsts going into his 2yr old racing career
Their stock are top class lines and with these lines are making an impact on the federation results.
Numbers raced
Old Birds
35-40 cocks every week
Hens are raced very lightly possible the couple of races and the come back races.
Sample of Young bird section perches
Youngsters, 80 reared and usually start racing 60 after losses.
Race performances 2015
9 x 1st club
4 x 2nd
5 x 3rd
7 x 4th
1st Open Yearling Derby Lanarkshire Federation
10 x West section prizes in the Federation
Wullie Cummings (L) Tom Corrie snr and John Sharp (R) - Super Cooper awaiting his next command
Race System
Cocks on widowhood, seeing hens for a couple of minutes on Friday (Basket day) and couple of hours on Saturday
Birds are trained up to 20 miles before racing and thereafter loft exercise twice daily (They fly for fun)
Youngsters get around twenty tosses before racing and trained regularly during racing.
Feeding is on return Protein mix with depurative build up to VL Start Plus at later part of week. (John felt this mixture is as good as any widowhood mixture and the birds raced well on it.
Birds are lightly fed in morning after 7am flight and all they wish after 2pm loft flight.
Products used
Extensive mixture of grit and minerals, including Kilpatrick grit and black ,pink and red minerals ,Columbine All in one and Matrix
All Vaccinated with 2 in 1, young as they are in nest.
Canker/Cocci product Gambakokid
Virkon s every six weeks
Cider vinegar for respiratory clear throats
Electrolytes from VL Dextrotonic (Very good to stop thirst)
Dont treat too much during season if it not broke dont fix it, if something wrong he would use the appropriate product, if this is an antibiotic so be it.
Timing system-T3 clock
Loft environment
Wooden grills with easy bed underneath same, cleaned regularly. John feels the grills are essential to provide the right environment, humidity and keeping birds away from floor.
The yearlings were the best performance pigeons last season and were stopped after seven races, to give a team of two year olds.
John stated the federation was moving in the right direction and is only has praise for the committee members.
Each of them takes an active part in the club working as President (John), Secretary/Treasurer Wullie and Jim Press Officer and federation delegate.
Ideal Pigeon
Small to Medium in size, apple body frame .
Well done to
Jim Wilkinson, Mick McCormick, George Mann for their performances.
What is your pigeon day John
Starts at 7am then all day about loft, possible out and in house /loft over twenty times unless its sunny then its out with a beer and a nice cigar
Disappointment
No youngsters coming into sport, too interested in playing computer games
Top Tip
Keep on top of the rodents as they are the silent killers.
Hawk problem
John laughed he said one of my birds got pinned a couple of gardens down, He ran over asked the hawk to "stop doing that and he never returned. Remarkable the power of communication. John you can charm the birds of the trees.
Club or National racing - Federation only.
They race their birds to win every week and enjoy their sport and everything it brings.
I really enjoyed my time talking with these successful fanciers and I will see their names again at the federation level next season.
Thanks Lads
Tom Corrie jnr
Lanarkshire Federation Press Officer
