THE LAMBALLE YOUNG BIRD NATIONAL

The British Barcelona Club’s last National race of the season held from Lamballe saw a marvellous entry of 1800 birds especially when one takes on board the losses from the earlier races that most fanciers have incurred during the past couple of weeks going by the comments made to me on our race marking day.

The race marking for this young bird national went really well, as always, with all birds being race marked in good time by our very efficient marking team to whom we owe a great deal also our thanks go to the lads that carry the panniers and load the transporter all being part of a super team that other organisations would be more than pleased to have, especially when one realises that they are all volunteers receiving no pay just being more than happy to help and work for the club, so to you all, I pass on the grateful thanks of all of our membership for doing such a grand job in not only this race but in all of our races held this year, you are all very special people as without your help freely given and turning up come rain or shine where would we be? and last but by no means the least our convoyers Pete Willcox and Chris King/Terry Jones and our weather guru Steve Appleby for giving the club a good racing season.

Also to you the members who have competed in our nationals this year thanks for the grand support that you have shown to me and Hazel and for being so patient at the race markings when being in the inevitable queue that do form on such race marking days, no moans just friendly banter, you too are great and to you all our thanks from the club for all of your support throughout the season.

I can not praise everyone too highly you have all been marvellous, but there again I have said that many times before that is why The British Barcelona Club is so different from any other specialist club and so very special to the members therein.

On to the race, the transporter arrived at Lamballe just after lunch on the Friday and the needs of all birds were tended to and they were then left to rest, hopefully ready for a lib come Saturday.

Saturday dawned to a glorious morning at Lamballe and our convoyer Pete Willcox assisted by Terry Jones rang early to say that he would wait a while to let the sun get on to the transporter and warm things up a bit, this being done and after consultation with our weather man Steve Appleby the green light was shown and Pete and Terry cut the strings at 07.45 hours with the birds making light work at clearing the liberation site and on route for home, winds at the site were very light south westerly and this same wind would be with the birds through France and over the English Channel, but it was forecast to gain some strength over the channel and the mainland, so those members that rung the clubs information line on the day were warned that it could be a fast race and not to get caught out as it was on the cards that a fast and good race would be the outcome, but having said that, due to the direction of the winds, the feeling was that members birds flying to the far west of the mainland would find it hard and this is exactly how it turned out to be with the bulk of the early arrivals keeping more to the centre and east, with a number of birds getting right up into section E our furthest flying section, with birds being timed flying well nigh on the 400 mile mark and when it began to happen with birds arriving to their lofts the phone end got a bit hectic as over two hundred calls were received verifying first birds by 2.00pm on the day.

Now on to the race itself and leading the field in emphatic style are the husband and wife partnership of Mike and Sharon Whiddett of New Milton. Hampshire, new members to the club, who had their bird a blue cheq hen, now named Sharon’s Choice, in the clock at 10.21 to take 1^st Section A, 1^st Open flying 162 miles with an amended velocity of 1836.

They also timed in two other birds at 10.38 and 1044 for amended vels of 1649 and 1597. Their second bird could probably end up with 4^th sec A, 15^th open.

Sharon’s Choice is a Buschaert cross Herman and was sent to this one sitting on pot eggs, her previous success was to take 3^rd club Buckingham and 4^th club and 8^th fed Warwick on the north road plus she has been to every young bird race on the north, nine in all, so she was certainly fit and ready for this task as she has proved and another point worth mentioning here is that this Lamballe National was her first race on the south route.

Mike started racing pigeons with his dad in 1980 in Northolt. Middlesex and moved to New Milton four years ago and that is where Sharon became involved with the pigeons doing most of the cleaning out, the feeding of the birds and the training of same, they are her pets and Sharon does make a fuss of them, no doubt Mike is a very happy man to have a wife as keen as Sharon.

For the first two years at New Milton they flew with Wootten and Bashley F.C on the north road being top prize winner, they then joined the Bournemouth HPS racing on the north road taking top spot again.

It was not until the beginning of this year that Mike and Sharon were talked into giving the south road a go and they eventually became members of The CSCFC and of course The BBC where to be fair they have excelled as new members timing in on most races, two weeks ago from Guernsey with the Classic they gained 38^th sec, 49^th open and in the old hens they were 11^th sec, 14^th open and in the Wiltshire CC open race from Guernsey they took 2^nd open all this on top of winning five old bird races and five young bird races plus numerous positions in their local club the Bournemouth HPS.

Birds here are fed on Vesele Lag super W/Hood mix and are definitely well up to any task that they are put to, for as with Sharons Choice, they have been given every race as babies and to cap a lovely weekend for the Whiddetts they also took 1^st and 2^nd in their local club from Chesterfield, so hopefully Mike’s plastic money bag will be opened and drinks will be forthcoming for all of his local club members plus the New Milton lads will certainly have more to cheer about come our big gala evening at Bournemouth in November.

The officials and members of the club extend their heartiest congratulations to Mike and Sharon and Sharon’s Choice on their wonderful performance in winning this Lamballe young bird National.

Roger Lowe of Reading. Berkshire comes next to take 1^st & 2^nd section D, 2^nd & 3^rd Open timing in two beauties at 11.23.15 and 11.23.25 for amended vels of 1765 and 1764 flying 218 miles.

It is great to see Roger win his section having taken 2^nd section on many previous occasions and with a close second bird to back it up there was no problem this time.

The birds timed are both hens bred from Rogers new family of Walt Zootjens as Roger purchased twenty two birds in the spring of 2003 one direct from each of Walt’s top stock pairs.

Roger breeds about 80/100 youngsters each year from the main strains kept which are his well known Hartogs and the De Klaks as well as the Zootjens this year.

All young birds here are trained very hard until the first race comes around and then no more training is given relying on the weekly races to give them the education and fitness required for the big open and national races such as this Lamballe and of course for the future as old birds.

The birds are fed Versele Laga being given as much as they can eat.

Roger thanks all concerned for a very good race.

In for 3^rd & 5^th section D, 4^th & 6^th Open is Ron Ball of Northchurch. Hertfordshire who had his two in the clock at 11.52 and 11.53 for amended vels of 1731 and 1726 flying 243 miles.

These two birds arrived together and being a cock and hen when they landed the cock started to drive the hen on the loft roof the cock eventually being the first to trap.

This Blue cock sent playing up to an hen was bred by Matt Rokes of Paulton from his Van Breeman lines having had three previous inland races in the local Boxmoor club the furthest being from Lulworth Cove 105 miles the week prior to this one where he was 10^th fed.

The cheq hen timed is a direct daughter of Dragoon, Ron’s number one stock cock,  she was sent just flying to the perch having had two inland races plus Guernsey, both of these birds were flown on the darkness system.

The Kinnersley Brothers of Hillingdon. Middlesex are next in line taking

4^th section D, 5^th Open having their blue cheq pied hen in the clock at 11.39 for an amended vel of 1730 flying 230 miles.

The sire of this one is a Van Geel/Jan Aarden from the LPW and the dam was bred by Ken Hine of Hayes out of Jake a Spanish Diploma winner three times in race time from Palamos.

The pied hen timed has had five inland races prior to this one and was sent sitting 14 day eggs, her second round. Short report Colin does’nt say too much!

That man Brian Sheppard of Trowbridge. Wiltshire is there again to take

1^st section C, 7^th Open having his blue hen in at 11.09 for an amended vel of 1705 flying 198 miles.

 Prepared for this one by having only one trainer to the Isle of Wight and one down to Portland then in, sent feeding a small baby this being her first race of the year.  The sire is Brian’s 2^nd sec G, 2^nd open NFC Saintes and the dam is a half sister to Brian’s 2^nd International Dax winner.

Brian also timed in two others at 11.23 and 11.50. The breeding here is Brian’s old family/Jos Thorne lines.

What another good year has been had by this loft here are just some of the positions taken 99^th/108^th/120^th/136^th/139^th/146^th/193^rd/213th open BBC Nantes, 

67^th & 69^th open BBC San Sebastian,  44^th open NFC Nantes,  2^nd open NFC Saintes, 2^nd open Dax International and 1^st sec G, (open position to come) in the recent NFC Fourgers race.

Mark & Julie Gower of Fordingbridge. Hampshire are also hitting the headlines once more after their Bordeaux National win taking 1^st & 2^nd section B, 8^th & 10^th Open having timed in two good ones at 10.46 and 10.47 for amended vels of 1699 & 1694.4 flying 175 miles.

Their first a blue hen is a Vanden Beele that was purchased from M.&D. Evans, being a big hen she was thought to be a cock and as such was raced that way but just recently she was seen showing up to a cock and therefore selected herself for this race.

On the darkness system although being a bit late as she was bred in March    

She has had three races on the west route and one on the east route the furthest being 81 miles with the Wiltshire fed.

All young birds are fed on Buxtons no maize Y/B mix with small amounts of Red Band and Hormoform given.

About two weeks before the young bird season begins training starts and all are given 10 mile tosses in all directions then on up to the 40 mile mark east and west and once the season starts they are sent racing every Saturday and are trained a couple of times each week in between racing, the sexes are not separated for racing just left to play about and nest bowls and straw is placed in their section. 

Most of the young birds have at least two channel races if possible.

Another well known name that of Bartlett & Jones of Southampton. Hampshire is in for 2^nd section A, 9^th Open clocking their Van D Bosch/Van Loon cheq hen at 10.49 for an amended vel of 1694.5 flying 177 miles.

This one has raced three coast races, two Guernsey’s and NFC Fourgers taking 10^th sec probable 70^th open.

The sire was bred by Bolton & Williams of Bridlington and was one of a batch from Brian Bolton’s stock loft being very close to Witoger Kweeker and Boomerang and 019 all the best of the Planet Brothers.

The dam is a sister to their 1^st open NFC Nantes car winner and also the car nom winner in the CSCFC the following season.

Birds are raced here being fed on their own mix made up from Versele Laga, Van Robaeys and Beyers corns.

M/M. Tony Hayward of Sandhurst. Berkshire is in for 6^th sec D, 11^th open 

Clocking their cheq hen at 11.27 for an amended vel of 1686 flying 213 miles.

This one is bred down from a W/Hood cock who has had six 1sts and is of the Huijbregts breed, dam is a Van Loon who herself raced well as a young bird.

The hen timed was having her fifth channel race in succession having previously flown four Guernsey’s and looking to a cock prior to basketing.

In her first race from Yeovil she was 3^rd club beaten by two loft mates, in her second race she was 12^th in the Dorset fed Guernsey open, her 3^rd race again from Guernsey with the CSCFC she gained 169^th open, in her fourth race she was 1^st club, 19^th fed and in her fifth race once again from Guernsey with the solent fed she was 1^st club, 16^th fed being the single entry winning the breeder buyer.

Young birds here are put on the darkness system and trained to about 50 miles all being fed a W/Hood mix from Beyers corn, not broken down, and allowed to pair up if they wish.   

F. & J. Halstead of Kington Magna. Dorset are there for 3^rd sec B, 12^th open   

Clocking in their blue hen at 10.48 for an amended vel of 1670 flying 174 miles.

This in form loft has in the past few weeks won the Crewkerne open from Littlehampton, 1^st sec, 32^nd open provisional old hens NFC Fourgers and 5^th sec NFC Fourgers y/b. 1^st & 2^nd west of England combine Littlehampton, this being the second time this season that they have won the combine and as this is only their second season racing in Dorset having moved from the Midlands the above performances speak for themselves.

The hen timed was having only her third race, the first being the above mentioned Crekerne open where she was the last bird back taking almost 10 hours for the 80 mile trip, in her second race she was the fourth bird to the loft again from Littlehampton her three loft mates taking 1^st, 2^nd and 24^th open in the combine, she was then sent to Lamballe sitting a ten day old youngster and just beginning to look at her mate again.

Her breeding is 100% Gaby Vandenbeele as her dam is Leoney a big winner when raced in the Midlands, the sire is J53  a brother to M.&D. Evans Rolls Royce.

The young bird team here are fed on Versele Laga, a mixture of Gerry plus, Liegous and depurative and all are raced on John Halsteads own darkness system which has been improved and refined over the last ten years after releasing a video on this very subject back in 1995.

Rod and Marilyn Verney of Aylesbury. Buckinghamshire the club’s San Sebastian winners are in for probable 7^th sec D, 13^th open  clocking in their blue cheq cock Lowman Lad at 12.02 for an approx vel of 1656 flying 241 miles.

This one has been to Minstead three times , Blandford twice, Lulworth Castle and Guernsey before going to Lamballe so has been kept quite busy.

Rod & Marilyn also timed in other birds at 12.24, 12.27, 12.32 and 13.54 making it a very good day for them.

Their third bird a blue hen was gifted to them by their hard working local club secretary Stewart Dukes of Wendover from his dordin family this bird has now been named Lowman Duke.

Rod & Marilyn and their club mates would like to pass on grateful thanks to Horace King and his good lady Chris mine hosts of The Prince of Wales pub in the village of Marsh for giving the club a home, Horace himself is a fancier winning the club’s Snowbird Classic from Newbury on Boxing Day.  

One from Rod – He worries about growing old by himself as Marilyn only has a birthday every three years.

John Gordon of Southampton. Hampshire had his red cheq hen in the clock at 10.53 for an amended vel of 1649.9 flying 176 miles to probably take

3^rd sec A, 14^th open

The sire of this one is a mealy that was gifted to John by Tony Jordan of Great Preston. Nr. Leeds,  the dam is 30568 the sire of which is 100% Ko Nipius from Bob McDonald of Fraserburgh and this one is still filling his eggs at the age of 17 years.

The dam of 30568 was bred by Harold Hutchison of Penicuik being a G/Dtr of Sharon’s Dream who was 2^nd Scottish National Rennes.

All young birds here are raised on Gem economic high protein and Mixy Blob after which they are raced on Buxtons Red W/Hood and Ruby gold.

The mealy timed has flown Guernsey twice with the Solent Fed.

John also timed in two others making vels of 1295 & 970.

Arthur and Gillian Ind of Swindon. Wiltshire timing in their blue pied cock at 11.32 could be there for 2^nd sec C and probable 16^th open with an approx vel of 1647 flying 212 miles.

This one is bred from their Soontjen family and was flying to the perch having previously flown six inland races with the Wilts CC and two weeks ago was their first bird to the loft from Guernsey.

Others vying for high section C positions are Roy Ferriman & Son of Carterton. Oxfordshire, Nicholas the son had his 42^nd birthday on the day of our race marking. Now these two had a very good race timing in at 11.55 for an approx vel of 1630 flying 231 miles.  They also timed in a good second bird at 11.57 approx vel 1617.  

Geoff Bracey of Bristol had his first in the clock at 11.29 approx vel 1619 flying 206 miles and Brian Sheppard mentioned above could get in to the first four of section C with his second bird which was timed at 11.23.

Tony and Ingrid Jurd of Southampton. Hampshire are in for probable 5^th sec A, 17^th open timing in their Ray Hoare & Claire of Minstead bred blue hen at 10.53 for an amended vel of 1640 flying 175 miles.

The sire of this one was bred by Ron Ayres of Walkford the G/Sire bred by Curtis,Wall,Lunt & Green the Special Cock from the Fantail/Gold Velvet. G/Dam bred by Ron Ayres a full sister to 36 average winner in the solent fed Messac.

The dam was bred by Ray Hoare & Claire the G/Sire bred by Ron Ayres The Slate Cock , his dam is the mother of 36 G/Dam bred by A & I. Jurd both parents being from the the very best Janssen lines of the Ponderosa Stud The Golden Pair (Famous 05/Bange 780 hen) 007 and the ace racer Bonapaute.

The youngsters here are given plenty of work as Tony & Ingrid love to go off in whatever direction for a day out training the birds.

Due to Tony and Ingrid’s winter migration each year down to their villa in

Spain they only fly young birds all of which are gifted to them by close friends for which they are very grateful as it gives them a great deal of pleasure to race these youngsters from their small eight foot loft on the balcony of their home in Southampton. These gifted youngsters which are still in the loft at the end of the season are then offered for sale in the BBC charity auction.

Tom O’Leary of Denmead. Hampshire timed in his first bird at 10.58 which could see him take 6^th sec A and probable 18^th open with an amended vel of 1639 flying 180 miles. This bird was flown on behalf of The Barrow Valley Boys entered in the pbosolutions one loft race organised by son Paul.

Tom Butters of Milton. Oxfordshire had his blue cheq cock in at 11.45 for an amended vel of 1638 flying 224 miles which could probably see him take 8^th sec D and probable 19^th open.

The sire of this one was purchased at our own BBC sale having been donated by Mr. Orchard of Wareham, the dam is a pure Busschaert.

Raced all club races from Minstead through to Exeter and trained privately once a week this was another one fit for the task asked of him.

Birds here are fed on local beans plus a small amount of maize and young bird pellets.

Graham Jones of Cannock. Staffordshire could pull of 1^st, 2^nd & 4^th sec E and possibly 20^th, 22^nd and 34^th open clocking his three in at 13.00, 1301 and 13.06 flying 293 miles all being blue cheq hens they were shown to the old cocks a few days before and given nest bowls before basketing for this race.

The youngsters here all of the Houben strain and are raced every week in Grahams local club, the first bird went to Fourgers last week in the NFC and could figure well up in the result, the second and third birds timed have been coming quite steady.

All youngsters were given a single up from Weston-S-Mare in preparation for this and other specialist races.

Splitting Graham’s birds in section E is one from Chris Gordon of Old Snydale. West Yorkshire who timed six birds at 14.22, 14.32, 14.55,04, 14.55.44, 15.57 and 16.53 the first of which with an approx vel of 1613 could probably see him take 3^rd sec E, 31^st open. Flying 363 miles, now that is very good young bird flying by any standard especially from the distance flown.

Other very good section E birds worth a mention were timed by David Ellams of Telford. Shroposhire in at 13.06 flying 291 miles;  M/M. Hole of Shifnal. Shropshire in at 13.11 & 13.25 flying 290 miles;  Alan Parker of Downham Lancashire in at 14.56 & 15.00 flying 375 miles;  Mr Peever of Crewe. Cheshire who had his two in at 14.09 & 14.12 flying 320 miles; Barnett & Dtr of Telford  are there again in at 13.36 flying 292 miles followed by John Mellor of Shrewsbury in at 13.37 also flying 292 miles;  M/M. R. Croxton of Weaverham. Cheshire flying 330 miles had two in the clock at 14.54 & 15.12 all the above mentioned birds doing over the 1300 ypm. 

Richard Nash of Bognor Regis. West Sussex had his Pencil blue cock in at 11.01 for an approx vel of 1621 to probably take 1^st section G and this one should finish in the first thirty of the open result.

The sire of this one was bred by Ian Benstead and the dam is the old Bergerac hen three times on the day into the London area and 36^th open LSECC Pau

Richard only moved to Bognor Regis three years ago from Ashford. Kent and after setting up his loft etc has now got the birds really racing for him and this year has seen him winning four out of the six baby races in his local club which competes in the  solent fed

When at Ashford,  Richard won our club’s Rennes National in 1984 and was also 1^st BICC Marseilles and 5^th BICC Barcelona.

Other good section G birds timed were to new member Bill Edwards of Pagham. West Sussex he had his one in at 10.59 flying 178 miles;  Matthews & Lunn  of Sevenoaks having their one, the first bird into Kent in the clock at 11.57 flying 228 miles;  John Harkness of Chichester. West Sussex came next timing at 11.06 flying 181 miles.

Ist sec C.I is Richard Mauger of St. Sampsons. Guernsey who leads the field her with his blue Jackson Andrews hen whose dam is Misty Lady who won the Bordeaux National in 1997 for Richard clocked at 09.04 flying 69 miles.

This one was given seven training flights from St. Malo then on to Messac was then left to go down on eggs in readiness for this one.

Most of the Gem products and supplements are given here.

Richard was followed by son Paul into this channel Isle section who had one in at 09.07 flying 69 miles, then came R.J. Le Noury of Vale who had his one in at 09.09 flying 70 miles.

Once again as in our previous Nationals held this year the leading birds from all sections will be well to the fore in the finalised open result and this seems to occur in our races whatever the winds,  it was also nice to hear from many members having timed in saying how well the birds were on their return to the lofts, many not even going to the drinker for water, this is something that can only be achieved if the birds are looked after right while on the transporter, a statement borne out by many that this was the case and a credit to our Convoyer Pete aided by Terry.

As this is my last race report of the year can I pass on my thanks once again to all of the members/fanciers that I have called on to verify the leading birds in the section and open in not only this race but all of our Nationals held this year, maybe next year you will be having somebody coming to verify one of your birds?  and to A.E. James (Willsbridge Corn) Bristol for once again sponsoring all the corn that has been used in all of our National races this year and last but by no means least to you the members our thanks for showing to the club the support that you have during the season with your race entries, race specials, buying rings, pigeon draw tkts and basket sponsorships you have all done this special club and yourselves proud.

The next event on the agenda to look forward to is the Friday Fun Night and our Gala Presentation Dinner at Bournemouth on November 19^th/20^th .

JIM HOOPER