Wrexham Writings - 29-07-25

Wrexham Writings

I can’t believe we are at the end of the old bird season already.

Once again, the weather presented issues, with hot temperatures forecast and coming to reality on race day. The fed wisely picked up earlier to ensure an earlier lib.

The Thirteenth old bird (and final) Race of the 2025 season for the Wrexham Federation saw the birds released at 6am on Saturday 12^th July from Weymouth in a Northeast wind.

25 members sent 399 birds.

1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th S. Jones, Brymbo 1300, 1300 and 1285. 3^rd Mr & Mrs M.Beck, Horse & Jockey 1285, 5^th W.Hollins & Son, Llay 1281, 6^th Richards & Jones, Cefn 1278, 7^th, 8^th and 9^th P.Bates & Son, Bagillt 1266, 1265 and 1265, 10^th Mr & Mrs B.W.Jones & Son, Horse & Jockey 1257

33 mins 28 seconds covered the first 40 birds in the fed. 13 of the top 40 were yearlings this week.

Well done to Steve Jones of Brymbo on topping the fed this week. Fully deserved as amazingly consistent this season.

Brymbo HS saw Steve Jones taking the top 4 positions. First in the clock a 4-year-old Mealy Lambrecht cock, last year this bird took 21^st (1089 birds) and 5^th (659 birds) in the fed. This year he won the opening race and the first Wincanton also scoring 12^th (1334 birds), 9^th (1456 birds), 22^nd (971 birds) and 35^th (887 birds) in the Fed. Second club is a 3-year-old Leo Hermans, last year in the fed this bird scored 4^th (1380 birds), 21^st (1008 birds) and 36^th (859 birds). This year scored 22^nd (1334 birds), 32^nd (1456 birds) and 15^th (769 birds). Third club is a 4-year-old Lambrecht x Leo Herman, last year in the fed this bird took 3^rd (1380 birds). This year scored 7^th (1583 birds). Fourth club is a 2-year-old Lambrecht, brother to the winner. Not raced much due to a wing injury.

Horse And Jockey saw Mr and Mrs M. Beck taking 1st and 3^rd. Both birds are Demeesters. First in the clock is a 2-year-old Cheq cock which took 3^rd club Hereford as a young bird. Second in the clock a Yearling Blue Cock. Second and Fourth club Mr and Mrs B.W. Jones. Timing two Widowhood Van Den Bulck x Les Green. The first in clock a yearling followed by a 3-year-old.

Llay HS saw W. Hollins and Son winning, Peter timed a 2-year-old which previously took 40^th (416 birds) in the fed from Brighton. Second and third club G&G Williams and Son, timing a 2-year-old Ceusters roundabout cock. The second bird is a yearling roundabout cock bred by Steve Burgess. Last year this bird took 2^nd (1464 birds) in the Fed, this year he was 4^th club Hullavington. Fourth club Derrick Jones timing a yearling, this one was 26^th (416 birds) Brighton in the fed.

Bagillt HS saw Chip Shop Boys Phil and Neil Bates taking the first 3. The winner is a 2-year-old. There second bird is 3-year-old cheq hen, last year this bird took following fed positions 16^th (1380 birds), 1^st (1089 birds). This year 2^nd (1547 birds) and 25^th (1583 birds) in the Fed. Third club a yearling.

Wrexham and District HS saw Steve Burgess taking the first 3. The winner is a bird that has had an amazing season, a yearling May Pigeons x Ceuster Widowhood Cock now a winner of 4x1st. Last year this bird scored 2^nd Club Hullavington and 20^th (874 birds) in Fed. This year he has scored in fed 8^th (1547 birds), 9^th (1583 birds), 3^rd (851 birds), 5^th (971 birds), 6^th (917 birds), 31^st (887 birds) and 18^th (751 birds). Second club is a 2-year-old Geerinckx x Janssen Widowhood Cock who has now taken 3x2nds. Last year in the fed this scored 11^th (859 birds) and 36^th (659 birds) and is a previous winner of 8^th Fed. This year scored 17^th (1583 birds) and 22^nd (751 birds). Third in the clock is a 2-year-old Lambrecht Widowhood Cock, Winner in the past of 1x1st, 6x2nd, 3x3rd, 1x4th, last year this bird took following fed positions 10^th (1212 birds), 6^th (859 birds), 17^th(833 birds), 17^th (659 birds) and 31^st (360 birds) and this year 13^th (1547 birds), 37^th (1456 birds), 34^th (851 birds), 19^th (971 birds) , 4^th (917 birds) and 15^th (791 birds).  Fourth Club H.V. Bateman & Son, Clive’s timer is a 3-year-old.

Cefn Mawr HS saw Richards & Jones winning, Michael and Mark timed a 5-year-old cheq hen. In 2^nd and 4^th is C. Prevette & Son, Toni timed a 3-year-old blue cock, this is a Frans Zwols bred out of Toni’s ‘Lucky 13’ who won 5x1st and high fed positions. Second in the clock is a 5-year-old blue cock. Paul Coombes bred this one. He won a 2^nd club and got on fed sheet as a 2-year-old and this year was 2nd club Brighton scoring 13^th (416 birds) in fed. In third club Hale, Langa & Roberts timing a blue yearling cock.

Leeswood saw C & G Roberts take the top 3 positions. First in the clock a home bred cheq hen from John the Farm stock. Prized as a young bird. Second in the clock a blue cock bred out of John the Farm Roberts stock has prized last year and this year. This one was 2^nd club last week. Third in the clock cheq white flight cock out of an Irish cock. Has prized before. Fourth club R, T & K. Hughes, Ray, and Tim timed a Blue Cock, this Busschaert has prized before.

Well done to all the prize winners and thank you for all the support over the old bird season.

We now move onto the fun of young bird racing and all the challenges that presents. I have relied heavily on my results database for these articles, but for young birds I won’t have that data so it would be great if you could supply the press officer’s or me directly with as much breeding information as possible. More detail and photos make the article a more interesting read.

Photos

I run a small WhatsApp group which was set up when the old pigeon chat forum closed. We are only a small community, but useful tips and advice is shared. One member is the Ace flyer James Dutton. I have included a photo of James’s daughter Grace. Grace is keen on the birds and is looking forward to the young bird season. Good luck Team Dutton.

Charlie Milward also sent me some photos of a recent trip he made to Flanders Museum in Ypres, Belgium. I have included one of these. Looks an interesting place to visit. Charlie also told me his Grandad has had a stint in hospital, pleased to say he is out now, and I hope on the mend. Get well soon John.

In My Own Loft

I decided to keep mine at home this week. I haven’t had them as I’d like this year and I felt that if I can get my act together next year, they should repay me.

Having young birds later this year should not have caused an issue but trying to get these out around working hours has been a challenge. It’s either windy or too hot. I’m struggling to get them going. But I will be patient and I’m sure things will work out.

If anyone else would like a multi performance bird in fed or other racing highlighting, please get in touch.

Any feedback (good or bad appreciated). Please send any info or photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wayne Jones