RHONDDA VALLEY FED
Reports by Martin Dunn
Received the list from Clive Harris, Fed secretary of the main trophy winners in 2008.The main winners are as follows,
Gill Bros & Son – Brian and Mike have enjoyed a superb season in 2008, ending up as fed champions and added the following average trophies that were testament to their Old Bird Performances.
Combined Averages, Old bird averages, Channel averages and most points from Channel races. They also win most Points in East Section for Old Birds and highest points winners in the federation over all. Congratulations on an excellent season in 2008.
Gwyn Humphries, son, Faulkner of Tylorstown were rewarded for their brilliant young bird performances when winning the young bird average velocity proper trophy, summed up by only missing one fed result all young bird season. Well done Gwyn.
Fed secretary Clive Harris ably assisted by Son, Carwyn, carried on with their winning ways, for 2008 they pick up the best average from Maidstone and Ramsgate with the young birds, they actually topped the fed from both race points, with the Ramsgate winner going on to win the Welsh South Road National from Eastbourne. They also win the averages for the Maidstone and Ramsgate old bird and young bird combined.
Moving on to the 2-bird average trophies, first of which is from Maidstone old birds, this was won by Brian Fitzgerald of the Tonypandy club, Brian had 2 come together, taking around 4th and 5th fed to secure this trophy. Morris Pugh Whitcombe of Maerdy are the winners of the Ramsgate young bird 2- bird average, hardly surprising the way the young birds flew for this partnership.
There is a new trophy to fly for in 2008, the A.B. Howard trophy for the lowest winning velocity during the season, this goes to another Maerdy partnership, Owen, Evans and son, when winning the Longest race point from Giessen, for this excellent result, they also pick up the John Didcock trophy for the longest race winners.
Dave Gore of Kenfig Hill wins the most points old bird in the West section, this is the third year running that Dave has won this award, showing how well he flies year in year out. Final point’s trophies are the club awards, highest old bird Points go to the Penygraig Con H.S, with the big Maerdy club winning the Young bird points. Top club overall in 2008 was once again the Penygraig Con H.S, this is the third time in 4 seasons that this really competitive club has taken this trophy.
The federation presentation night will be held at the Heritage Park Hotel, Saturday 31st January 2009.This is the week after the Blackpool show, If you want to order your tickets then please contact Clive Harris or order through you club sec. Clive’s number is 01685 879159.
Talking of presentation evenings, one of the first this winter was a joint affair with the Cwmparc and Treherbert clubs, by all accounts this was a really good night out with an excellent sit down meal and good entertainment afterwards to keep everyone happy.
John Phillips, former president of the Rhondda Valley federation gave out the trophies to the winners at the Cwmparc club, Heading the list here are Butler Bros and Son, Chris and Jonathon are a very difficult partnership to beat on race day, which can be seen by the prizes won, in 2008 they cleared 12 x 1st, 6 x 2nds, 8 x 3rd club, you can add 1st Rhondda Valley fed Hullavington to go with it, plus a total of £504 prize and pool money.
Runners-up are Roy Street and Les Hughes, these two have enjoyed another excellent season in both the clubs they fly in, up at Cwmparc they take home 7 x 1st, 8 x 2nd, 7 x 3rd club and £442 to fill the corn bills with.
Next in area Matthias & son, they had a really consistent season, unlucky when it came to race wins, they earned 5 x 2nd club and 4 x 3rd club, plus winnings of £55. Fred Tucker takes 2 x 1st, 2 x 2nds and 3 x 3rd club, and cash winnings of £96.
Other winners include Hughes and Griffiths, who take 1st Newbury old birds and £98, Thomas son Stevens were unlucky with 2 x 2nd club and 1 x 3rd club £55, Vince Merritt wins 1st club at Swindon young birds, £ 64 and Ray Williams finishes the presentation off, Ray takes his customary Channel win at Huy and takes a Total of £43
Ray had a Busy Night, he gave out the prizes to the Treherbert Members, sadly Ray has had to finish with the birds at the end of 2008, and this will be another big loss to the fancy.
First up at Treherbert are Stanton Bros and Evans, this partnership have enjoyed an excellent 2008, they have won 6 X 1st, 8 x 2nds and 9 x 3rd club, plus cash winnings of £266, they also picked up some nice prizes in the various ring schemes held locally to add to the cash total, you can add the Old bird averages, Overseas averages and combined averages to cap a really good year.
Runners-up are Lee Hughes and Harris, another good year for these boys, they have 2 x 1st club, 5 x 2nd club and 2 x 3rd club, plus winnings of almost £200, despite having to move the birds due to development on the land the birds were kept on.
New Members for young birds were the Gill Bros and Son Partnership, they made their presence felt when taking 4 x 1st, 3 x 2nd and 4 x 3rd club, plus the young bird averages to go with it. They also picked up a total of £162.
Next in are Goodenough and Jones, Keith flew really well with the old birds, winning 5 x 1st club, 2 x 2nd and 1 x 3rd club plus winnings of £120. Bob Garn only flew with the old birds and picked up 1 x 2nd and 2 x3rd club plus £90 winnings.
Mike Davies enjoyed some excellent results with the old birds picking up some good fed positions with it, he won 3 x1st club and a total of £70, Howard son and Grandson were 2nd cub at Swindon and 3rd club Lillers with old birds and young birds, Wayne has cash winnings of £68.Gwyn Collins had his young birds in top form for the National races, winning at Maidstone, plus 2x 2nd club and 3 x 3rd club, gave Gwyn total winnings of £42.
Others to pick up smaller amounts include Dave Clatworthy, £30, Thomas Son Stevens take home £27, John Evans was 1st Hullavington and 1st Newbury with the young birds, plus £12, with Williams and Reeves picking up £5 and Ian Jones completing the result with £3.
Glyn Hazelwood sent me a list of winners for the Newport club, I’d like to thank Glyn for the results he sends me throughout the season, Glyn himself tops the list, he has had an excellent year, winning 8x 1st club, plus 9 x 2nd and 7 x 3rd club for top prize winner.
Runner – up is Tony Gibbons, he’s had a really good old bird campaign, highlight being 1st fed Lillers and 2nd fed Brussels with the same pigeon. At club level he takes home 9 x 1st, 5 x 2nd and 5 x 3rdclub. Bob Saddler is next, Bob clears 6 x 1st, 5 x 2nd and 7 x 3rd, highlight being only bird home from Giessen, 500 miles.
M/M Paginton takes home 1 x 1st, 3 x 2nds and 3 x 3rd club, with new starter Tariq Abou Zalhr, having a really good first season, he wins 1 x 2nd 2 x 3rd and 1 x 4th with young birds, Completing the list is A.Cotterill who wins 1 x 2nd and `1x 4th club in 2008.
Included is a Photograph of the Newport members showing off their new Ets systems that were secured by the Awards for all scheme that as enabled the Newport club to purchase this system for which they are all delighted.
Newport club with their cheque from Awards for All
That completes this weeks effort, I will try to catch up with the bits I have over the coming weeks, if you have any information, then you can contact me on 07920 10 1980.
