THE BORDEAUX NATIONAL

The British Barcelona Club’s last old bird race of the season was held from the town of Bordeaux in southern France and with an entry of just over 1300 birds it was hoped that we would experience a good race, but as we now all know the heat that the birds had to endure last weekend was really quite something and with very little cloud cover to give them any respite we knew it was not going to be so easy for the birds but as always is the case whatever the prevailing weather conditions a number of gallant birds came through to put up some very good performances .

Being re-leased at 06.10 hours into a clear blue with not a cloud in sight our convoyer Pete Willcox said he witnessed no wind at the site though and with the help of our weather man Steve Appleby, we knew that the birds would pick up on a light north east wind on route.

Six section winners from the seven should finish in the first twenty of the open result.

Mark and Julie Gower of Fordingbridge. Hampshire leads the field timing in their “Avon Jewel” a two year old blue cheq hen at 16.49 flying 422 miles to record an approx vel of 1162 to probably win 1^st Section B, 1^st Open.

All birds are raced on a w/hood system racing both the cocks and the hens, the hens are kept in a separate section of the loft on v perches and a wired floor which is shaped so as to avoid mating between the hens on the floor.

Generally the birds do not see each other before the races apart from the distance races.

Birds are mated in mid February and allowed to rear a single youngster they are then separated for the whole season.

The birds are given 5 to 6 training flights prior to the start of the season and are then trained to the 40 mile mark once a week if they have not raced on the Saturday, the rest of the time they are allowed to exercise around the loft twice a day for which Mark relies on Julie and the three children Luke, Joe and Bethany as his work does not allow him to do the honours.

Feeding here is by way of a Vesele Laga W/Hood mix with 50% depurative given at the start of the week. For the longer races the birds are given Buxtons Irish mix with red band and Hormoform given as a tit bit.

All bird here are treated for worms and canker at the start of every season and  then for canker every four weeks throughout the season.

Avon Jewel was prepared for this Bordeaux National by being given 3 inland races from Seaton 60 miles, Exeter 81 miles 2^nd club and Seaton again then 3 channel races Messac 3^rd club 216 miles, Messac again and then Bergerac 434 miles with the classic taking 48^th open.

Mark did not intend sending her to Bordeaux bu being as she looked and handled so well his mind was made up for him.

Her breeding is the sire was borrowed for one year from Nigel Llewelyn of Fawley and mated to a daughter of Gary Jacob’s of Salisbury Pondreosa Janssen cock Stitchy who had many firsts from sprint type races.

Mark and Julie also timed in a second bird at 17.48 approx vel 1064 to probably clinch 7^th sec B, 19^th open.

The Officials and members of the BBC extend Congratulations to The Gower Family on their marvellous achievement in winning The 2004 BBC Bordeaux National.

Tony Swain of Winterbourne Came. Dorset comes next timing in his 2 y/o grizzle cock named “Came Survivor” at 16.44 flying 411 miles for an approx vel of 1136 to probably take 2^nd sec B, 2^nd Open.

This cock flew three Guernseys as a young bird and as a yearling it was 8^th sec, 35^th open CSCFC Bergerac.

This year it was entered for our San Sebastian National and returned with only five feathers left in his tail so was left for a short while for them to re-grow and then given three 40 mile trainers one week prior to race marking.

This sire of this one is of the Fear Brothers lines and he himself has won every year of his life, seven years, and in 2003 won 4^th sec,  37^th open BBC Palamos and 10^th sec, 84^th open BBC Bordeaux.

The dam is a stock hen from The Ponderosa from the best of the James Bond Janssen Lines.

Tony has had a lot of bother with the raptors as a hen sparrow hawk terrorised his team between February and April and seventeen birds including previous winners have been lost while at daily exercises around the loft some being found having been devoured in nearby fields, this meant the birds only had their freedom at certain times and early bred youngsters were kept in their loft, but 

Miraculously the attacks stopped around the easter time.

Probable 1^st sec C, 3^rd open we have Janet Wilcox of Radstock. Somerset who timed in her 5y/o blue cock at 17.51 flying 449 miles approx vel 1127.

Bred by Dave Vowles of Street from the good Pau cock “Thermal King” three times Pau on the day being a Alfons Bauwen from BBC club member Geoff Kirkland. The dam is a Reg Venner cross Ron Youde bloodlines.

Their timer has always been consistent from the distance races in 2003 12^th WECombine Marmande 483 miles on the day.

2004 2^nd WECombine Marmande again on the day then on to Bordeaux being flown on w/hood with the hen being introduced overnight prior to basketing.

Janet’s second bird to be timed in the clock at 18.32 approx vel 1066 to probably win for them 6^th sec C, 17^th open.

This one is an Alfons Bauwen the sire and dam having been bred by Geoff Kirkland and again this one has been so consistent from whatever race point but has excelled from 400 miles plus for Janet winning many prizes.

2003 13^th Marmande WECombine and in 2004 has been in outstanding form 124^th open NFC Pau and ten days later 4^th WECombine Marmande 483 miles on the day,  1^st Somerset & Avon 2-Bird club then on into this Bordeaux for his 3^rd 450 miles plus race in 33 days.

Also flown W/Hood being shown his hen overnight prior to basketing.

Janet and hubby Ken would like to thank the BBC for the excellent convoying facilities.

In for probable 1^st sec A, 4^th open is Edward “Bomber” Mellis of Portsmouth. Hampshire who timed in his 2 y/o blue W/F hen at 16.50 flying 408 miles for an approx vel of 1122. Bomber has named this hen “Bordeaux Gill” after his wife.

This hen has been very consistent for Bomber as she was his second bird in the Vains classic and his second bird from our Nantes it then went on to the San Sebastian classic taking 5^th sec, 15^th open.

She has always flown w/hood but for this Bordeaux National she was flying to eggs as Bomber had to let her into the young bird loft as she had paired up to a young cock who she took a fancy to. A couple of trainers from the 25 mile mark were given prior to race marking.

Many of the older fanciers who know about their boxing may well remember the name of Bomber Mellis has he was a very good amateur boxer in his day at home and abroad, but the name Bomber did not come about through his boxing exploits as you would expect, knock out punch?,  but being a war baby, like yours truly, it was an aunt who nick named him bomber as she held him in her arms as the bombs were falling around them and the name as always stuck .

Paul Davies of St. Clement. Jersey had his one in a 3 y/o blue cheq cock Jan Aarden cross Janssen bred from direct imports at 14.09 flying 304 miles for an approx vel of 1120 to probably take 1st sec CI, 5^th open.

Raced on the w/hood system this cock has already had 18 races this year up to the 325 mile mark and prior to this race, as preparation, he was shown his hen for twelve hours before basketing it certainly worked for Paul.

Paul also timed a quick second bird at 14.37 approx vel 1058 to gain Probable  2^nd sec CI, 20^th open

Probable 2nd sec A, 6^th open is Ray Fossey of Emsworth. Hampshire who timed in his 3 y/o red cheq hen at 17.00 flying 411 miles approx vel 1113.

As a y/b this one had flown Yeovil and two Guernsey’s.

As a yearling it has flown Picauville, Cholet being the first bird to the loft,

La Ferte Bernard, Nantes and Alencon then went to our Bordeaux national taking 3^rd sec, 20^th open then as a 2 y/o it flew Picauville and Saintes and this year it has flown Picauville, Fourgeres, Messac, Vains and Pau taking 22^nd sec, 263^rd open,  raced natural.

Mark and Graham Ayles the son and Father partnership of Weymouth. Dorset are next in line taking probable 3^rd sec B, 7^th open clocking at 16.55 flying 405 miles approx vel of 1106 with their 2 y/o blue hen of the Van Loon lines which was sent feeding 7 day old youngsters.

This one has previously been to Fourgeres, Messac and Nantes this year.

They also timed in a second bird a 2 y/o blue cock also of the Van Loon lines at 16.59 approx vel 1100 to probable win for them 5^th sec B, 11^th open this cock was also sent feeding small youngsters and has had races to Vains, Picauville twice and Messac. 

Both birds were bred from separate parents gifted to them by Tony Haynes of Ranmoor Lofts Blandford Forum for which they are very grateful to Tony for his generosity.

Mike Staddon of Crewkerne. Somerset had his 2 y/o dark cheq pied hen “Perrott Dab” in the clock at 17.30 flying 426 miles approx vel 1102 to probably take 4^th sec B, 8^th open.

Raced celibate all season this one has flown Pau this year being the 3^rd bird to the loft and has also taken 2^nd club Littlehampton and 14^th sec, 45^th open Guernsey but was mated and sent on a small youngster for this one after having had training spins of 30/50 miles against the wind as preparation.

Sire is a blue w/f winner of 3 firsts being a son of Perrott Nadia 1^st open NFC Sartilly being full of the Houben Influence.

 Chris Howse of Devizes. Wiltshire should end up with probable 2^nd sec C, 9^th open with his 2y/o dark cheq cock timed at 18.06 approx vel 1102.

This cock is a half brother to Chris’s C.S.C.F.C winner “Windup” and has been a consistent bird for Chris this season.

Chris also timed in a second bird a 2 y/o blue cheq cock at 18.28 approx vel 1069 which could take 5^th sec C, 16^th open having previously won 89^th open Messac classic and a third bird another 2 y/o blue cheq cock at 18.51 approx vel 1037 and this one may take 7^th sec C, 25^th open having previously taken 1^st Wilts Continental from Picauville and 108^th open CSCFC Bergerac.

The second and Third birds timed are nest mates being bred down from a good Busschaert cock that has won many 1^st prizes for Chris.

All birds here are flown on the W/hood system with only the cock birds being raced, all mated early in December and are allowed to rear one round of youngsters.

The birds are under the care of Vet  D. Parsons and are regularly checked over Avipharma products are used.

The birds that Chris timed flew Bergerac a couple of weeks ago. Chris is pleased with the way his birds have performed this year having won many club races and some good open/national positions such as 21^st open NFC Nantes, provisional 10^th NFC Saintes with nine birds being timed inside one hour that should also figure well up in that result.

Probable 3^rd sec C, 10^th open are the partnership of Wyatt & Gray of Wraxall Hampshire clocking their one a 2y/o blue hen in at 18.30 flying 463 miles approx vel 1101.

As a yearling it was raced through to Nnates and went to Cholet this year and as it was a tough race she was rested and prepared for this one.

The hen timed is a G/Daughter of their Barcelona National winner Birdcombe Belle on the sire side and a G/Daughter of Birdcombe Belle’s G/Mother on the dams side with a bit of Ted Lock and Fear Bros bloodlines thrown in for good measure.

Terry Preddy of High Littleton. N.E. Somerset had the first of his arrivals in the clock at 18.26  approx vel 1083 flying 453 miles to probable take 4^th sec C. 13^th open.

Peter Sabba of Northwood. Middlesex leads the way in section D timing his yearling blue hen, which was sent sitting 10 day eggs, in at 18.36 flying 463 miles for an approx vel of 1093 to probably take 12^th open

Full of the Huybrecht bloodlines this one her parents being bred by Alan Incledon of Liverpool of Oakville Lofts.

This good hen has taken 1^st club 2^nd fed from Minstead and 117^th in the Y/B National and this year she has been 40^th UBI Combine from Fourgeres.

B & L. Clark of Newbury. Berkshire are in for probable 2^nd and 3^rd sec D,

24^th and 26^th open timing in two good ones at 18.50 and 1858 flying 450 miles approx vels 1043 and 1032.

Don Pembroke of Reading. Berkshire could come in for 4^th sec D as he had his one in the clock during the hours of darkness at 23.25 approx vel 870 flying 455miles

Nigel Rigiani of Porton. Wiltshire is in for probable 3^rd sec A, 15^th open clocking at 17.59 approx vel 1077 flying 434 miles.

D. Walker of Bordon. Hampshire had his one in the clock at 18.08 flying 428 miles for an approx vel 1050 which could see him take 4^th sec A, 21^st open.

Lou Severe of Chichester. West Sussex with his Sonjens cross Janssen 5 y/o blue cheq cock takes 1^st sec G being clocked at 17.27 flying 410 miles approx vel 1065 which could also see him take 18^th open.

This is the second year in succession that Lou has won his section from our Bordeaux National.

This cock has been a very consistent bird for Lou always trying his best and one that he can rely on. This cock was prepared for Bordeaux by having daily 20/30 mile spins for a fortnight before going and was sent feeding a big youngster.

This year it has been to BBC Nantes, NFC Nantes and four club races around the 200/250 mile mark. 

Probable 2^nd sec G, 30^th open is D. Chapple of Snodland. Kent who had his bird in the clock at 18.55 flying 446 miles approx vel 1027.

Ian Crammond of Fontwell. West Sussex could come in for 3^rd sec G, 33^rd open having timed at 17.59 for an approx vel of 1021 flying 411 miles.

K. Abbott of Brighton. Sussex had his bird timed at 18.08 flying 412 miles approx vel 1011 to probably take 4^th sec G, 35^th open.

John Staddon & Son of Merriot. Somerset. timed in their yearling blue hen at 17.48 flying 428 miles for an approx vel of 1079 which could see them take 6^th sec B, 14^th open.

David Ellams of Telford. Shropshire timed in the first bird into sec E at 08.46 on the Sunday to make an approx vel of 859 flying 545 miles.

John Mellor of Shrewsbury. Shropshire comes next to take 2^nd sec E also timing in on the Sunday at 09.16 flying 549 miles.

Chris Gordon of Old Snydale. West Yorkshire got his one on the Monday to probably gain 3^rd sec E at 06.16 for an approx vel of 556 flying 608 miles. Chris also timed in a second bird at 16.48.

Alan Parker of Downham, Nr. Clitheroe. Lancashire is in for probable 4^th sec E had his first in the clock also on the Monday at 16.33 flying 626 miles approx vel 433.   Really game birds to keep plugging on up into section E.

Probable 3^rd sec CI, is R.J. Le Noury of Vale Guernsey in at 16.01 approx vel 985 flying 330 miles

Probable 4^th sec CI, M. Bentley of St. Martins. Jersey who clocked his one at 15.56 flying 326 approx vel 981           

A fairly hard fly to most lofts especially to those situated more northerly, but on the whole not to bad an end to the old bird season, but I admit it could have been better.

Next race the Lamballe Young Bird National September 11^th and do not forget this race incorporates the Annual Gold Ring Scheme with a grand total of £5,277.07 up for grabs.

JIM HOOPER