Warwickshire and District Federation
Prize Presentation 2018
Saturday 10th November saw 70 member and friends of the federation gather for the annual presentation of prizes to the hard working members who were seeing the fruits of their labours. Amongst the group of merry revellers were members of 5 of the 12 clubs who are members of the federation, a sign of the times I suppose but still a disappointment especially given the efforts put in by Monsell club members who organised the buffet and entertainment.
The committee would like to thank Trisha Simons for her efforts in providing the excellent food and Pud Simons for organising a brilliant Magician who went around all the tables entertaining the guests. This would have been no mean trick in itself as I have met some of the federation members!! By all accounts it was a cracking night and the committee would like to thank all those involved in making it happen.
Johnny Gilbert King of the Golden Mile.
The federation chairman Johnny Gilbert, got the proceedings underway by introducing Jack Ramm as the guest of honour who was tasked with the honour of giving out the prizes. Johnny gave an overview of another successful season for the members and he can take some credit for this as he is the race controller for the federation. Over the season1,704 members of Warwickshire federation sent a combined total of 26,347 birds to compete over the 27 race programme, this reflects the quality of racing we have been given again in the 2018 season. Thank you to Johnny and the transport team on a great seasons racing can we have it again for 2019 please.
He also thanked the federation sponsors and acknowledged the hard work of the wonderful Ann Covington, the unflappable federation secretary.
The shy and retiring Pud Simons.
Included in this report is a comprehensive list of the prize winners and a few photos (apologies in advance if they startle some of you) of the main prize winners. Top prize winner is the Frankton loft of Tim Atkin who topped the federation on 4 occasions during the season and to underline his consistency he also won the old bird inland and young bird averages. For all the niggling and theories about fanciers needing to be out on the eastern side of a federation to win, its worth noting that Tim is situated to the west of the central line of the federation. It shows that commitment, hard work and focus can over turn most theories, and having put Tims’ birds through most basketing nights it comes as no surprise that his birds are up with the leading pack most weeks as their condition is a credit to his endeavours. His approach reflects his belief that you need to do more than just have your birds on the transporter if you want to win although of course, that does help.
The top club in the federation were Nuneaton North Road, which is situated slap bang in the centre of the federations radius. To have come out top in the weekly scrap for supremacy shows the skills set of its members who are a regular force to be reckoned with and will be peppered throughout the federation result most weeks.
Federation top prize winner Tim Atkin.
2018 Race Winners
Old bird races.
14th April 2018 Bath OB B Lovell 1701.965
21st April 2018 Bath OB Mr/s J Huddlestone 1536.035
28th April 2018 Honiton OB B Lovell 1192.593
5th May 2018 Kingsdown OB P Robinson 1578.954
12th May 2018 Newton Abbot OB M Lennon 1566.074
19th May 2018 Yelverton OB E Allen & Son 1516.822
19th May 2018 Carentan OB P W Hudson 1387.484
26th May 2018 Bath OB L Turner 1216.443
2nd June 2018 Newton Abbot OB T Atkin 1714.671
9th June 2018 Kingsdown OB M Lennon 1341.544
12th June 2018 Portsmouth OB R Shelton 1213.425
16th June 2018 Newton Abbot OB E Allen & Son 1997.421
23rd June 2018 Honiton OB J Armstrong 1504.302
30th June 2018 Kingsdown OB E Allen & Son 1271.689
30th June 2018 Tours OB J Havens 1120.679
7th July 2018 Newton Abbot OB B Lovell 1415.374
14th July 2018 Yelverton OB Farrell & Brennan 1590.490
22nd July 2018 Vire OB R Shelton 1331.69
The hard working Steve Malin.
Young Bird Races.
28th July 2018 Bath YB Mr/s R Lovell 2123.98
4th August 2018 Bath YB S O'Rourke 1350.192
11th August 2018 Wincanton YB T Atkin 1687.718
18th August 2018 Honiton YB D J Duffin & Son 1761.026
25th August 2018 Newton Abbot YB S O'Rourke 1499.442
1st September 2018 Bath YB B Lovell 1791.792
8th September 2018 Honiton YB T Atkin 2097.323
9th September 2018 Portsmouth YB J Murphy 1731.217
15th September 2018 Kingsdown YB T Atkin 1775.106
Baz Lovell
Federation Averages winners.
Old Bird - 1,085 members sent 16,703 birds to 14 races
Federation: Tim Atkin
North Section: Baz Lovell
Young birds - 469 members sent 8,185 birds to 8 races
Federation winner: Tim Atkin.
North Section winner: S O'Rourke.
Combined Inland Averages - 1,554 members sent 24,888 birds to 22 races
Federation winner: T Atkin
NorthSection: Baz Lovell.
South Section: Tim Atkin.
Old Bird Combined - 1,219 members sent 17,915 birds to 18 races
Federation winner. K Wilson & S Malin
Mick O’Rourke.
Youngbird Combined - 485 members sent 8,355 birds to 9 races
Federation winner: Bill Marbrow
3 Longest Young Bird - 143 members sent 2,309 birds to 3 races
Federation winner: Tim Atkin
North section: S O'Rourke
South Section: Tim Atkin
Overseas old bird - 134 members sent 1,289 birds to 4 races
Federation: JA Murphy
North Section: JA Murphy
South Section: K Wilson & S Malin
Overseas combined - 150 members sent 1,289 birds to 5 races
Federation: JA Murphy
John Havens
I hope to catch up with one or two of the stars of the 2018 season for further info before it all kicks off again in April. Until next time, take care and let’s hope you have plenty of full nest bowls.
As always, 01926 817796, or
Drew Callan
