Well what a good start we have had to the new season, the race marking for the club’s Messac National went exceptionally well thanks to our great band of volunteers, including the Irish lads Phil and Thomas who brought over the small

but very welcome Irish entry, you are all second to none, I can not thank you all enough, marking nigh on 2500 birds they made light work of it and the competing members who had a bit of a wait were all in good spirits and understood the situation, you can only do what you can do.

The race itself saw the birds liberated by Pete Willcox at 07.00 hours into a no wind situation picking up on a light westerly over the channel with the westerly winds gaining force as the birds made their way on up to the far reaches into section E.

Apart from sections E and F our furthest competitors, the overall early times result shows that the first four into each of the other sections will probably finish up in the first twenty of the open result, now that is something that I have never witnessed before plus the first four into section E could end up in the first 30 of the open result as well, now that is certainly something to write home about,

proving that it was, given the prevailing winds on the day, a race that any member living wherever could have won if their birds were in the leading packs, we know some back markers did struggle finding it hard as they headed to the west side of the country, as is always the case when winds are as good as dead west, but taking stock of things after the phones finally stopped ringing, over 300 calls were recorded, it can only be described as a good and encouraging start to the new campaign and all successful members must be congratulated.                  

My grateful thanks go to all those that were called upon to go and verify the leading birds.  Vels and positions shown are only approx and probable so naturally may change when clock paperwork is to hand also so sorry to hear that one of the leading members in this race had a mishap timing into the wrong clock.

 

Now on to the race itself the field is led by the husband and wife partnership of

Mick and Sue Betteridge of Portsmouth. Hampshire who timed in their 3 y/o Cattrysse blue hen named “Gemini” at 10.54 flying 208 miles recording an approx vel of 1566 knocking up 53 mph to probably win 1^st section A, 1^st Open.

Flying to a small back garden loft on the natural system this hen purchased from a Mr. Everard of Skegness was lightly raced as a young bird, then as a yearling she was given a couple of short races then on into Cholet where she took 5^th club, she was then sent on to Bergerac taking 3^rd club, 11^th Solent Fed and two weeks later she was in our Bordeaux National taking 6^th sec, 15^th open, so showed plenty of promise for the future.

Last season she was sent to our Carlisle National returning home badly injured and was just left to get over her ordeal and the patience has certainly paid off for  Mick and Sue who sent her for a warm up race two weeks ago to Picauville then having her sitting eggs ready for this one and what a result.    

As Mick and Sue’s two year old grandchildren Lois and Macy both girls were playing in the garden at the time it was only natural that their winning bird be called Gemini after the Zodiac sign for twins, a really nice touch that.

Birds here have food before them at all times being fed on Vanrobaeys corn and given the well known Gem Products to keep them right. 

 

Barry Robertson & Steve Vaizey of Portsmouth come next timing in their yearling blue cock a Janssen cross Vandenabeele at 10.56 for an approx vel of 1557 flying 208 miles to probably take 2^nd sec A, 2^nd Open.

This one named Husky was bred by Steve at his stock loft from a Janssen cock The Little One direct son of Golden Balls when mated to the Tame Hen from Barry Nicholas . The Little One was purchased from their good friend Lee Madgin & Son of Rugley, the dam was bred for stock, the g/dam also from Lee Madgin & Son bred by Mike Ganus and is herself a g/daughter of Topo, Picanol V111, The Godfather and Saint. The g/sire is a Vandenabeele from M & D. Evans out of Gential cross Ambers Pride.

Barry and Steve are only just getting going in the sport and are planning to expand their loft to accommodate 24 w/hood cocks and do take in the advice given to them by friend Keith Arnold of Leamington Spa.

Barry and Steve send their congratulations to M/M Betteridge, Bomber Mellis and Lee and Terry Austin.   

 

Edward (Bomber) Mellis also from Portsmouth had his one in the clock a 3y/o blue cheq at 10.57 flying 208 miles approx vel 1547 and could take 3^rd sec A, 3^rd Open.

Flown on the w/hood system she has been very consistent for Bomber, both her sire and dam being past section winners.  Bomber who flies in his local club the Milton Homing Society and the Solent Fed is quite successful with his small team which are all fed on corn purchased from John Zerafa.   

 

Derek Reid of Weybridge. Surrey no stranger to any result has his one a yearling mealy cock in at 11.48 flying 252 miles for an approx vel of 1543 winning probable 1^st sec G,  4^th Open.

This one of Derek’s was having its fifth race this year and two weeks ago it was 2^nd club, 3^rd Berkshire fed from Picauville.

The grandsire was a gift bird from the successful Khan Brothers of New Malden, the grand parents on the dam side was bred from two birds selected by Michael Massarella from their famous Smaragd Jan Aarden family.

Raced on the w/hood system and fed on Beyers premium w/hood mixture from Brian Wall Gem Products plus all birds are given Gem Theepax on their return from the races and on Sundays they all have strike in their drinking water. Derek says that as usual with the BBC the birds returned in excellent condition, this was echoed by a number of members, 14 out of the 16 entered on the day were very good returns.       

 

Terry  and  Lee Austin of Portsmouth had their one a yearling Janssen blue hen in the clock at 10.59 flying 208 miles approx vel 1532 to probably take

4^th sec A, 5^th Open.

Sent sitting about 10 day eggs it was given three tosses from the 20 mile mark due to the seven day restriction having been previously to Falaise with the BICC two weeks ago.

 

Tom Wilson & Son of Farnborough. Hampshire is in to take probable

2^nd sec G, 6^th Open clocking his 2y/o Janssen cheq cock at 11.43 flying 243 miles approx vel 1516.

This cock was not raced as a y/b and only had one race from from the north road as a yearling and this year it has been trained three times a week from the coast and then on into this one for it’s first race of the year.

This cock was bred by Brian Wall of Gem Products, Brian having bred many good birds for Tom in the past racing from the north route and south route right up to Palamos.    

 

Lou Severe of Chichester. West Sussex has his 3y/o Janssen cross Verheye blue cheq cock in the clock at 11.08 flying 213 miles approx vel which could see him take 3^rd sec G, 7^th Open 

This year in preparation for this one he has had four inland races and one over the channel and was sent sitting 10 day eggs, it was hoped that this one could pull off another section win as it was 1st section Messac last year, but not to be this time, just missing out for what would have been a grand double, but still a great performance.

 

Brian & Derek Young of Bournemouth. Dorset timed in their 2y/o dark cheq w/hood cock of the Houben lines at 10.56 approx vel 1508 flying 202 miles to probably take 1^st sec B, 8^th Open.

The one timed having only it’s second outing was from a direct sire from the Luc Hovens family who Brian and Kenny Land met at Manchester.

Brian losing his brother Derek 6 years ago has carried on keeping their partnership name well to the fore winning many honours at National, Classic and Open races including 3^rd Nantes Classic, 36^th open on the day Pau Classic with birds of the same family that has won 4^th and 6^th open Nantes Classic. They have also won the well known Romsey Guernsey Open as well as many top honours in the Dorset Fed.     

 

Den and Jean Chambers of Bromham. Wiltshire come next to probably take 1^st sec C, 9^th Open timing in their yearling blue cheq hen at 11.48 approx vel 1506 flying 246 miles.

Flown on the R/About system this cock has been coming well, his sire was 2^nd sec CSCFC last season.

The G/Parents are a pair of Kuwait rung birds purchased at a Europa sale in 2004 and have already bred a number of winners.

Den was 71 young on the Sunday following this race so it was a nice advanced birthday present to do so well at Messac.

Den would like to thank his lovely wife Jean for all her help with the birds as Den also loves to compete in road race running, so Jean often has to see to the birds into the loft in his absence.    

 

Don Green of Little Kimble. Buckinghamshire has his slatey blue cock also a yearling in the clock at 12.23 approx vel 1502 flying 275 miles to probably win

1^st sec D, 10^th Open.

Although being a very successful fancier when living at Monks Risborough Don moved to Little Kimble late 2005 and decided to start from scratch so to speak with the following years youngsters and having an empty w/hood section he tried a dozen cocks on the w/hood system with birds from his good friend Paul Watts of Walworth Road London plus some sound advice on how to feed (they really don’t need twenty peanuts a day?).

Getting a bit lazy Don decided to put in plenty of effort and in that first flying year took 4 - 1sts, 2 – 2nds and 2 -3rds and 8 fed positions in the top twenty and this year has seen him take 2 – 1sts already, in fact the one timed here took 1^st club from Lulworth a few weeks back, both the parents are from Paul Watts Combine winner of the Darwin lines.

Don would like to thank all his club mates for their congratulations and to Horace King who left a pint to go and verify Don’s bird.

 

Mr. & Mrs Brown of Kidderminster. Worcestershire timed in their yearling Busschaert blue pied hen at 13.10 approx vel 1499 flying 315 miles to probably take 2^nd sec C, 11^th Open.

This one has only been trained with the Severn Valley Fed prior to going to this it’s first proper race. The sire has had two 2^nd Open positions and the dam has won multiple prizes and has bred many prizewinners. All birds entered arrived back home in good time and in excellent condition.      

 

R. Hampton of Bognor Regis. West Sussex clocked his one at 11.08 flying 211 miles approx vel 1499 to probably take 4^th sec G, 12^th Open

This super dark cheq cock named “Bruce Almighty” is a Luc Van Copenal and has already won 7 -1sts including two as a baby from Guernsey plus 2005 1^st sec, 15^th Open BBC Bordeaux,  2006 12^th sec 56^th Open BBC Bordeaux and this year he has taken 1^st local club Picauville.  Will be earmarked has one of his candidates for our Poitiers National.

 

Richard Spooner of Stafford. Staffordshire had his 2y/o red cheq cock in at 13.45 approx vel 1498 flying 344 miles to probably win 1^st sec E, 13^th Open

This one is bred down from a few reds obtained from Richards very good friend Marnix Lutenex of Belgium in 1991 and are basically Desmet Matthys and Vanhee.

Richard is only just starting to really test them as due to his business commitments he only got going with them in 2005 and they are starting to show their worth as a full brother to this one was 5^th sec from our Bordeaux last year.

Richard says to probably win the section against some very good competition is a real honour and as a coincidence as it was cup final day he recalled winning his first ever race at the age of 13 on the day of the 1957 cup final flying with the Derby Premier F.C. 17 from the 19 entered were home on the day all in excellent condition a credit to all concerned.

   

Michael and Lorna Dickinson and son Stuart of Hemel Hempstead. Hertfordshire had there one a 2 y/o light cheq white flight in the clock at 12.26 approx vel 1498 flying 277 miles to probably take 2^nd sec D, 14^th Open.

A late bred so was un-raced as a baby and as a yearling as it was a w/hood hen.

This year she has had three inland races arriving in good time, then on into Picauville two weeks before this one being their second bird to the loft thus asking to go to this one and it proved them right.

The w/hood hens here have been giving the w/hhood cocks a run for their money and will be left to mate and sit eggs in readiness for the distance events later in the season including the hen timed as she is bred for the distance on her sires side being from their old family, the dam was purchased from C.&J. Wheeler of Linslade this pairing has bred other prizewinners at club, fed, combine and now national level.

The Nicholson’s would like to thank Claude and John Wheeler for providing them with top quality stock, thanks are also given to the officials and race markers of the BBC for doing such a grand job for such a successful unit as the BBC is.

 

Tony Stephens of Poole. Dorset is in to take probable 2^nd sec B,  15^th Open having his yearling Vandenabeele blue w/flight cock in the clock at 10.58 flying 202 miles approx vel 1498.

This one was not raced as a y/b and this year it has had one race from Guernsey then on into this one on the w/hood system. His sire is a brother to Rob Roy 1^st CSCFC Vaines in 2004. His dam is also the mother of the 2005 Guernsey Mad Hatter winner. 6 birds entered and all home in good time. 

 

Mr. &  Mrs Carrick from Chesham. Buckinghamshire new members to the club this year had their one timed at 12.23 approx vel 1494 flying 274 miles to probably win at the first time of asking 3^rd sec D, 16^th Open just grand what a nice start for them both.

 

Martin and Clare Norman of Mannor Lofts Southampton had their blue cheq yearling w/hood cock in at 11.14 approx vel 1493 flying 215 miles to probably take 5^th sec A, 17^th Open

Quite consistent as a y/b taking 24^th Open Truro with the Wiltshire Continental, and 92^nd open Truro with the CSCFC.  The breeding of this one is a Staddon’s Brothers Van Loon, his grandsire being Perrot Darkie which has bred many winners including 1^st sec, 69^th open CSCFC Cholet and 7^th Open BBC St. Nazaire.

Martin and Clare have had a very good start to the season as they have already amassed 5^th open, 46^th open, 68thopen, 87^th open and 102^nd open BICC Falaise.

1^st club, 2^nd Solent Fed Picauville and 76^th open CSCFC Fourgers and are hoping that their good fortune continues.     

 

Tony and Carol Welch of Chichester. West Sussex were in at 11.12 approx vel 1492 flying 213 miles to probably take 5^th sec G, 18^th Open with their yearling dark cheq cock, this one has flown every race along the coast this year prior to going over the channel to this one.

Bred down from the Janssen lines crossed with Tony’s old distance family. 

 

Billy Woods of Shaftesbury. Dorset comes next, timing in his 3y/o Houben blue cheq cock at 11.20 approx vel 1492 flying 220 miles to probably take

3^rd sec B, 19^th Open.

Bill had both the sire and dam gifted to him, the sire was from John French and the dam was from Kenny Land of Bournemouth.  The one timed is quite consistent having scored as a yearling and across the channel as a 2 y/o.

The nest mate to this one went astray and ended up in Wales and I was asked to repatriate it to Bill and being so grateful as he was, he won’t stop buying me drinks every time he sees me.

 

Burgin & Marshall of Bovingdon. Hertfordshire also new members to the club had their one a blue cheq cock in the clock at 12.25 flying 275 miles approx vel 1491 to probably take 4^th sec D, 20^th Open.

This yearling is a Steff Van Reet and is raced on the w/hood system and has shown to be a very consistent bird. Keep it going lads.

 

In for probable 2^nd sec E, 21st Open are Mr & Mrs Nigel Shaw of Shavington. Cheshire who had their one a 4y/o Sootjen cross Verheye cheq cock in at 14.09 flying 363 miles approx vel 1490.

This cock has been a very good servant to the Shaws having already won   

17^th open with the BICC from Falaise and with our club he has taken 6^th sec, 63^rd open Ingleton,  5^th sec, 176^th open Carlisle,  15^th sec, 72^nd open Messac and 6^th sec, 184^th open Bordeaux and can now add this performance from Messac.

Very consistent this one.

 

Probable 3^rd sec E,  26^th Open are Tony and June Whitehurst of Shardlow. Derby. who had their one a 2y/o Delbar cheq cock flown on the r/about system in at 13.55 flying 349 miles approx vel 1481.

This cock was bought at their local club Etwall & District F.C. breeder/buyer sale being bred by 90 year old Bert Peach their old club secretary.  This one has already taken 2^nd and 5^th in their local club and was 18^th sec, 87^th open from Messac last year with the BBC.  The original stock coming down from PJ Lofts suffice to say that Tony, June and Bert are all delighted with this performance and well deserved it is too.

In for Probable 4^th sec E we have David Ellams of Telford. Shropshire clocking at 13.42 flying 337 miles approx vel 1476.

 

Sorry to say that no birds have been recorded at the time of going to press by our members over in the emerald Isle section F and Scotland.

Although the club web site was updated after birds were being verified by phone as the race progressed, we did have a problem updating the club information line on the evening of the race our apologies for this, this has now been rectified.         

The only draw back to the season so every one keeps telling me, is the seven day ruling imposed on us by defra, all organisations racing from across the channel are feeling the pinch fighting for the same birds, it also causes fanciers real problems especially if they only have a small team, but there we go Defra is Defra and they are the law of the land, if we were all called Bernard Matthews there would be no problem? Also Defra with their quarantine law of 28 days on our Channel Island members denied them the opportunity of competing with us at Messac let us hope this can be sorted for the Sarnians before our next race.

  

Will members take a good look at their baskets, as two baskets went missing from the marking station, no doubt taken by mistake, so if you have a basket that does not belong to you, give the Sec’s a call and talking of baskets the basket sponsorship on this race was won by John Dennis of Marlborough. Wiltshire.

76 year old Ray Fossey of Emsworth who has been poorly of late and is attending the hospital each week for kidney treatment but pleased to hear that he is definitely not down and out as he still hopes to be sending to Palamos come the time, good on you Ray, so let us hope a good number of you out there can also find a bird or two for Palamos this year especially as the race was lost to us last year, we all send you our best wishes Ray.

Next Race The Poitiers National June 9^th sheets in by 2^nd June.

Jim Hooper