RHONDDA VALLEY FED
Reports by Martin Dunn
2011 Presentation Night
The 2011 Presentation night was held at the Fed headquarters, the Pontygwaith ‘Cosmo’ club on Saturday 28th January 2012. There were almost 90 members and guests who enjoyed the 3-course meal, with the guests for the evening being Newport’s Bob Saddler and Glyn Hazelwood. These two fanciers have been members of The Rhondda Valley fed for more years than I can remember and the fed committee thought that it would be nice to reward these two gentlemen for their support towards the fed over the years.
The evening didn’t get off to the best of starts, with there being confusion in regards to the Bird of the Year in the federation. The bird of the year requires the members to submit their application to the secretary by the end of October after racing has ended. The applications are then sent off for judging to an independent source; this year it was the Editor of the British Homing World who carried out the task. This then ensures the trophies and replica are available to be presented on the night of prize giving. Unfortunately there was a misunderstanding and one partnership thought that the award was judged on the night and they could submit their entry to be judged. After a brief discussion between the fed officials it was decided that we could not change how the Bird of the Year was judged and this year’s result would stand.
Before we move on to the winning fanciers, I will give some appreciation to the drivers and convoying team that work hard throughout the year, both collecting and at the race point. Their dedication can be seen in the condition of the birds returning home week in week out, so a big thanks to Robert, Martin, Chris and Gwyn. Another important member is Chris Butler; not only is he the Race Controller, he also looks after the lorries and makes sure that all repairs and alterations are carried out throughout the year and that the lorries are stored safely at his yard.
Moving onto the presentation night, no one works harder than Chris Jones who makes sure that the wonderful array of trophies are returned and replicas are ordered in time for the evening. Finishing off with Clive Harris who makes sure that the day-to-day running is done smoothly and keeps the purse strings closed so that the fed is in the strong position it finds itself in today.
The Rhondda valley Federation Champions for 2011 were the Maerdy partnership of Davies & Evans, who had what can only be described as a dream season. They take Most points in the fed, 396 points, Combine average winners, Young Bird average winners and best average from Maidstone/Folkestone old and young birds. They also won 3 x 1st Rhondda Valley Fed and to add icing on the cake they were 1st Welsh South East National and 1st Welsh South East Combine from Maidstone old birds.
L-R: Martin Dunn, Bryn Evans, Glyn Hazelwood, Bryn Evans, Bob Saddler and Gareth King
Another top partnership are Penygraig’s A&K Davies, who picked up their rewards for 1st fed Pont a Mousson, the Channel Points trophy, Old Bird Average trophy and Channel Average trophies to complete another successful year for Arnold and Keith.
Clive and Carwyn Harris are normally at their best when the National races come along, and 2011 was no exception. They were 1st Fed from Folkestone young birds, and followed this up with 1st Fed from Lillers, this one taking 1st combine and 2nd National. This gave them the 2-bird average from Folkestone y/bs and enabled them to secure Bird of the Year in the fed.
Clive Harris, Glyn Hazelwood, Bob Saddler and Carwyn Harris
Ian & Corey Lewis from Gyncorrwg had a really good season in the West Section with around 6 x 1st section and some good Open positions in the fed, which gave this father and son partnership the title of West Section Champions for 2011. With young Corey being as keen as mustard, it’s no wonder they have done well again.
Ian & Corey Lewis - West Section Champions
The only other average trophy to mention is the best 2-bird average from Maidstone. This went to Penygraig’s Gill Bros &son, with Maerdy being the doiminant club in 2011. They won most points Old birds/young birds and therefore were Club Champions for 2011.
C. R. Jones & Son - 1st Fed Maidstone
Gwyn Humphries of Humphries, Son & Faulkner - 3 x 1st fed with young birds
Neil Francis of D. Francis & Son - 2 x 1st fed with young birds
Tenny Tipper - 1st fed Swindon 3300 birds
Race Winners 2011
Old Birds
Swindon – M. Gibbons – Newport – 3542 birds
Newbury- W.M Thomas – Kenfig Hill – 4048 birds
Guildford- Raymond Son, Howe – Maesteg – 3673 birds
Newbury 2 – R. Sheperd & Son – Gurnos – 3459 birds
Maidstone – Davies & Evans – Maerdy – 3259 birds
Folkestone – G. Keepings - Newtown – 2722 birds
Newbury 3 – G. R. Thomas – Gurnos – 2874 birds
Lillers – M/M Jones & son – Maesteg – 2236 birds
Newbury 4 – K. English & g.son – Tonypandy – 1968 birds
Folkestone 2 – B. Holmes – Abercwmboi – 1179 birds
Newbury 5 – Davies & Evans – Maerdy – 1658 birds
Reims – R. H. Webb & son – Ynyshir – 1192 birds
Newbury 6 – G. Keepings – Newtown – 1148 birds
Pont a Mousson – A&K Davies – Penygraig – 522 birds
Young Birds
Hullavington – G. Humphries, Son & Faulkner – Tylorstown – 2233 birds
Hullavington 2 – M/M Dunn – Tonypandy – 2412 birds
Swindon – T. Tipper Jnr – Penywaun – 3325 birds
Newbury – G. Humphries, Son & Faulkner – Tylorstown – 3146 birds
Swindon 2 – G. Humphries, Son & Faulkner – Tylorstown – 4119 birds
Guildford – D. Francis & Son – Newtown – 3654 birds
Maidstone – C. R. Jones & Son – Trebanog – 2596 birds
Folkestone – C. B. C. Harris - Abercwmboi – 1672 birds
Swindon – D. Francis & Son – Newtown – 1373 birds
Lillers – C. B. C. Harris – Abercwmboi – 404 birds
Swindon – Davies & Evans – Maerdy – 8282 birds
Maerdy Breeder Buyer – 2nd Sale
Moving onto other news, the 2nd Maerdy Breeder Buyer will be held on Friday 16th March at the Maerdy British Legion Club, kicking off at 8p.m. This is a break from the normal Sunday Sales, so make a note of the Friday night. Come along for a good night out and couple of pints. This sale will include the Pen sale. 1st bird home that is sold direct from the Pen will also have the added prize of £150 for Breeder/Buyer.
The race will be flown from Folkestone or its equivalent. You can buy your 1st bird back for £10, the rest go up for auction. There was £5500 paid out in 2011 and the first sale raised nearly £2000 for the prize fund. If you need any further information then give Robert Pugh a ring on 01443-755161 or 07792 323049.
