Wrexham Writings
The fourth race of the 2026 season for the Wrexham Federation saw the birds released at 9am on Saturday 9th May from Bath in a light North East wind.
56 members sent 1347 birds.
1st and 7th Richards & Jones, Cefn 1512 and 1482, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th and 9th G. Williams, Cefn 1498, 1490, 1488, 1480 and 1479, 5th and 6th Mark Jones, Cefn 1485 and 1484, 10th S. Burgess, Wrexham & District 1478
Gaz of G & G.Williams & Son, Llay holding 1st Club Bath (2), 13th (1347 birds) Fed
5 mins 31 seconds covered the first 40 birds in the fed. I always like to look at number of yearlings on fed sheet and there was 18 of the 40 this week.
Well, done Richards & Jones, Cefn on topping the Fed this week.
Cefn Mawr HS saw Richards & Jones take the win. Mark and Michael timed a 2-year-old blue pied hen, Van Den Bulck x Frans Zwols. As a YB took 9th (1096 birds) fed, Last year took 4th (1583 birds) in the fed. Started this year strongly with 12th (1229 birds) and 22nd (1613 birds) in the fed. I have included a photo. Second, Third and Fourth club Gary Williams. First in the clock a Yearling blue hen. Sire from Chris Gibson, he has bred a fed winner. Dam is a daughter of 'Tuwaity' from Rod Sparks. Next in the clock a Yearling blue hen. Sire Gary's pied cock which was a gift off Mike Hale. This cock bred a fed winner and a triple winner. Dam Alan Atkinson hen. Fourth club a 2-year-old pied hen off Gary’s number 1 pair, these are Gert Heylen from Stock from Joe McGough of Lancaster. As a YB she was 4 times in the top 7 of the club. Last year she scored 1st (1583 birds) and 34th (971 birds) in the fed.
Richards & Jones, Cefn Mawr. 1st (1347 birds) Wrexham Fed Bath (2)
Wrexham and District HS saw Steve Burgess taking the top four positions. The winner a Yearling blue pied widowhood cock, D. Nesbitt & Son (Mark) bred from the stock loft. This cock won opening race. Also taken 28th (1229 birds) and 24th (1604 birds) in fed this year. Second club a 2-year-old widowhood cock, May Pigeons x Ceuster Widowhood Cock. A winner of 4x1st. In 2024 this bird scored 2nd Club Hullavington and 20th (874 birds) in Fed. 2025 this bird was amazing scoring in fed 8th (1547 birds), 9th (1583 birds), 3rd (851 birds), 5th (971 birds), 6th (917 birds), 31st (887 birds), 18th (751 birds) and 11th (399 birds). Already this year taken 3rd club, 10th (1613 birds) fed and 2nd club, 11th (1604 birds) fed. Third club a Yearling widowhood cock, D. Nesbitt & Son (Mark) bred from the stock loft. Fourth club a 2-year-old blue widowhood cock, Janssen x Geerinckx. Won 4x1st. As a young bird was 25th (1233 birds) fed. In 2025 scored 6th (1495 birds) in the fed. Started 2026 strongly with 2nd club, 40th (1229 birds) fed, 1st club, 1st (1613 birds) fed and 1st club, 4th (1604 birds) fed.
Llay HS saw G & G. Williams & Son take the win, Gary and Gaz timed a 3-year-old mealy roundabout hen, Sire Lambrecht ‘Red Rossi' bred by Campbell and Curren (Ireland) x their own Ceuster 'West Bay Girl' as the name suggests won many club and fed prizes from West Bay. Lambrecht x Ceusters. She won from Hullavington last year, scored in fed 2nd (1495 birds) and 15th (399 birds). Last week scored 2nd club, 12th (1604 birds) fed. I have included a photo of Gaz holding this hen. Second club Derrick Jones timing a Yearling. 14th (607 birds) in the fed last year. Third and Fourth club S & B. Cooke, Shaun, and Barry’s first in the clock a 3-year-old hen, Lambrecht. Won prizes before. Next in the clock a Yearling cheq hen, Syndicate lofts bloodlines. Scored 38th (1229 birds) and 19th (1613 birds) fed this year.
Horse And Jockey saw GM Connah & Maidment take the win, Graham and Barry timed a 4-year-old blue cock. Van Den Bulck x Hermans Ceusters. The sire was a gift from J, I and C Millward. In 2024 scored the following in the fed, 28th (1380 birds), 6th (1212 birds), 9th (1008 birds), 8th (859 birds), and 12th (833 birds). In 2025 took following fed positions 5th (1334 birds), 28th (1583 birds), 17th (1495 birds), 16th (1456 birds), 22nd (851 birds), 4th (971 birds) and 2nd (887 birds). Was the Western Regions Sprint bird of the year last year, 10th in the 2025 RPRA Sprint Awards and 2nd in my unofficial coefficient table. I’ve included a photo of this great bird. Taking Second and Fourth club is Mr & Mrs B W Jones & Son, Barry, Maureen, and Jason timed a 2-year-old grizzle hen, Venderest from Philip Boal x Van Den Bulck. In 2025 in the fed scored 38th (887 birds). This year won the opening race when taking 25th (1229 birds) fed. I have included a photo. Next in the clock was a Yearling cheq hen. Self-bred of Macoloney breeding. This year scored 22nd (1604 birds) in fed. Third club Zak Williams & Grandad, Zak and Derek timed a 2-year-old blue hen. Mixture of Geert Munnik, DeMayer, Gert Heylan and Herman Ceusters. Previous won 2x1st and 2nd in Shotton club scoring in fed.
GM Connah & Maidment, Horse & Jockey. Amazing '737' winner this week.
Mr & Mrs B W Jones & Son, Horse & Jockey. 1st and 2nd club this year.
Brymbo HS saw Steve Jones taking the win and third and fourth. The winner a Yearling cheq hen, Best Kittle x Leo Hermans. 2nd club Hereford, 36th (1613 birds) fed. Third club a 3-year-old mealy cock, Van Den Bulck x Leo Herman. In 2024 scored 36th (1286 birds) and 3rd (833 birds). In 2025 6th (1583 birds) and 18th (971 birds) in fed. Fourth club a 2-year-old blue yearling cock, Leo Hermans x Lambrecht/Gaby Vandenabeele. He won 4th in the YB Gold Ring race from Brighton. The brother to this was 2nd in the Breeder Buyer 2023 also taking 1st in the open race. This cock won 2x1st last year scoring 12th (917 birds) and 6th (751 birds) in the fed. Scored 3rd club last week. Second club Lloyd Brothers, Rob and Tim timed a 2-year-old cheq pied hen. From there old family that score so well in Breeder/Buyers and Gold Rings. This hen won Whitchurch Breeder/Buyer Guernsey when it was only bird on the day winning £2740.
Ellesmere HS saw Andrew Lawley taking the first two, the winner a 2-year-old blue cock. The Sire bred by Owen and Joesbury. Direct Son ‘Bieke’ x Full Sister to Hurricane. The Dam from 'Max' bloodlines. Last year won 2nd club. Second club a 2-year-old blue cock, sire is a G/Son of Steve Windsors ‘42’ cock x Macaloney Ceusters x Gaby. In 2025 took a 1st and 2nd club, 14th (1456 birds) and 38th (851 birds) in the fed. Scored 2nd club last week. Third club P&A. Howell, Hoot timed a 2-year-old blue hen. Bred by Ray and Darren Hunt. Won 2x1st as a YB and scored a 2nd club last year. Fourth club Alan Shinton timing a 2-year-old blue hen. Bred by Paul Coombes, Ellesmere Port. She took a minor card as a YB.
Bagillt HS saw the Chip Shop Boys Phil and Neil Bates taking the top two positions, first in the clock a 2-year-old cheq hen. Won 2x1st last year. Scored 5th (769 birds) and 9th (971 birds) in the fed. Second club a 2-year-old hen. Consistent hen that has taken cards. Third club Gareth Jones timing a 3-year-old cheq roundabout hen. Van Den Bulck. In 2024 scored 4th (1456 birds) fed. In 2025 scored 4th (769 birds) fed. Fourth club Dai Blackwell timing a Yearling blue cock. Bred by Brian Griffiths, a Louella Van Den Bulck.
Rhyl saw Mike Price take the top two, the winner a Yearling blue cock. 'Better than Bolt' lines from Dave Armstrong, Wakefield. Second club a 3-year-old grizzle hen. Cross of pigeons from Paul Pym, Exeter crossed with Bob Bolt, North East. Third club Gwynn Jones timing a yearling. Fourth club Malcolm Jones timing a Yearling bred from 'Hoolinman Cock' which is from GM Connah & Maidment x 'The Parrot Hen'. Both parents’ excellent racers winning numerous 1st prizes on South East Route, now retired to stock. This one taken a 1st and 2nd club already this year.
Deganwy saw Malcolm Jones take the win with the same bird that was fourth club in Rhyl (Duplicated). Malcolm also took second and third club timing a Yearling and a 2-year-old. Fourth club D. L & E. Jones timing a 3-year-old.
Well, done to all the prize winners. Thank you for all the information and photos.
Other clubs
Some other clubs have asked me to put something in about their clubs, hopefully I’m not treading on any other scribes’ toes. Please get in touch if I am.
Bala & Corwen HS fly in the Shropshire Federation.
This week’s race was from Honiton and saw Gary Williams taking the top three positions. First in the clock also taking 1st Shropshire Federation 1123 birds was a 2-year-old pied cock. Sire bred by Mike Hale. Dam Kittle bloodlines. Second club also taking 2nd Federation was a 2-year-old blue cock. Gifted as an egg to Gary by Michael Lovelock, Shrewsbury. Won before and is very consistent. Third club also taking 3rd Federation was a 3-year-old mealy cock. Bred by Richard James, Ellesmere. Previously won 3x1st, 1x1st fed, 2x3rd fed and 2x4th fed. Fourth club and 4th Federation was Stuart Davenport timing a 2-year-old mealy hen.
Chirk Central HS fly in the North East Wales & West Wirral Federation.
This week’s race was from Bath. Taking the first four positions was Gary Williams. Gary’s first in clock also taking 1st North East Wales & West Wirral Federation 1160 birds (WJ – Superb Gary winning 2x1st Federation and 2nd in your other Fed) was a Yearling cheq cock, this is one of Gary's favourites. The Sire from Gert Heylen stock was a double winner and topped Shropshire fed. But was dropped on a training toss at start of this season. The Dam from Alan Atkinson stock who won several minor positions. The nest mate to the winner won 2x3rd and 5th (760 birds) in Wrexham Fed. This cock won Chirk last week. Second in the clock taking 6th Federation was a 2-year-old. From Gary's Gert Heylen family. Sire 3x1st, 1st and 2nd Fed. Won 18th top 6 prizes. Dam Alan Atkinson bloodlines. In 2024 scored 31st (1233 birds) and 7th (874 birds) Wrexham Fed. Third club taking 7th Federation was a Yearling. Bred from a good Alan Atkinson hen Gary had which took 17 club prizes, unfortunately lost racing last year. Fourth club and 8th Federation was a 2-year-old hen. Darren Ede x Roger Lowe. 2024 12th (874 birds) Wrexham Fed. A very consistent hen for Gary.
Ruabon IFC fly in the North East Wales & West Wirral Federation.
This week from Bath Mr and Mrs Tommy Baker and Son Richie take the top four positions. First club also taking 2nd North East Wales & West Wirral Federation 1160 birds is a Yearling cheq cock. Van Den Bulck x Newlarts. Sire won 4x1st, Dam bred 9x1st winners with 5 different cocks. This yearling started consistently. Second club also taking 3rd Federation is a 4-year-old blue pied cock. Sire Andre Derrick cock, winner of 8x1st and 10x2nd, Dam same as the winner. This week’s 2nd club won the opening race of the season and 4th last week. A winner of 7x1st. Third club taking 9th Federation is a Yearling pied cock. His sire is the bird that was 2nd club. This yearling won the club last week. Fourth club taking 12th Federation is a 3-year-old blue cock. A previous winner but this is his first prize in 2026.
If any other local clubs want to be included, please get in touch, but I will need as much information as possible please.
Amazing Talent
As well as pigeons I have a passion for old lorries (as my father was a lorry driver). So, when I saw a post on Facebook combining both, I had to include. I asked permission so please find some amazing photos. Bob Foster made these amazing models of the Chris Catterall’s transporters. Bob’s father was the original driver of HFV808E. I am sure you agree that the talent and workmanship is to be admired. I have included a photo of the model, of one of these Leyland vehicles in use and sadly how it looks today. The old wagon is for sale but sorry I have no further details.
Transport in it's working days & Bob Foster's Amazing talent
Bob Foster's amazing kraftmanship & Sadly how it is now (I believe for sale)
If anyone has photos of old transporters, please email me as I find them interesting.
Any feedback (good or bad appreciated). Please send any info or photos to
Wayne Jones
