Nantes - Verified Early Times Report

 With an entry of over 3200 birds entered by just over a third of the membership, with entries coming in from all parts of the British Isle and Eire the race marking for our first race of the season The Nantes National held at The livestock market in Salisbury. Wiltshire went much smoother than we had visualised and although there was the inevitable queue, at times quite long, the competing members were very patient and accepted that the officials were doing there best and with a good team of unpaid volunteers manning the marking tables, for which we are eternally grateful, where would we be without them, we soon had all birds race marked, fed and settled into the club panniers. It is a big task to race mark all birds at only one station but it is only this race and possibly the baby race where patience by all concerned is required and our members, I am pleased to say, have that in abundance. 

 As Saturday dawned all competing members were aware that with the east to north east winds in the offing it was going to be a hard race and members to the east side of the country were going to be in for a longer wait than is normal for this sort of distance race but as always gallant birds did get over to them and many had more than a bird or two in the clock come the end of the day we also received calls from members residing in the northern parts up as far as Lancashire and Yorkshire informing us of their arrivals on the day.

Once again Pete Willcox and Chris King our convoyers, are to be congratulated as overall members have phoned to say that the condition of their birds on arrival was marvellous especially after such a hard fly.

Up at 06.55 hours into a mainly easterly wind Pete rang to say that the birds cleared the site within seconds into a clear blue sky but we knew that the birds would be picking up on a east north east wind on route so they had it all to do, but having said that we received well over three hundred calls from members verifying their first birds on the day, some informing us that they had all home.

Probable 1^st sec B, 1^st open is 50 year old Steve Williams of Weymouth. Dorset.  who timed in his yearling cheq cock now named “The Don” of the Leo Van Rijn lines at 12.31 flying 237 miles for an amended vel of 1240 knocking up 42 mph.

Steve has been involved with the birds from a very young age having moved down from the midlands where he competed with the Warwickshire federation with a fair amount of success.

Always on the look out to improve his stock Steve went with his friend Eddie Wright of the Fountainhead stud to Holland to visit the lofts of Leo Van Rijn and after a few more visits to Holland Steve was able to purchase a few birds and has not looked back since as in the sprint to middle distance races they are the goods.

With an established team of between 14 to 16 widowhood cocks Steve is now reaping the awards in the classic and National races these being his main objectives.

Steve’s young son 14 y/old Chris now has is own loft set up which has been adapted for his use as he is in a wheelchair and is becoming as fanatical has his dad, which can only be good, but with two pigeon fanciers now in the family Steve’s wife Les certainly has her hands full but she is very supportive of their hobby of racing pigeons which is just as well because I am sure she would be on a losing battle, we will watch out for the name of Chris Williams in the future.

Steve had nine out of ten on the day so his birds were certainly on form as this smashing win has proved.  All birds homing in good condition.

On behalf of The officials and members of The British Barcelona Club we extend our heartiest congratulations to you Steve on your marvellous win 1^st Open B.B.C. Nantes National 2004.

Probable 1^st sec C, 2^nd Open are the partnership of Jimmy Knox and Brian Stewart over in Appledore. Bideford situated on the west coast line of Devon.

They timed in their 3 y/o Busschaert blue cheq hen at 13.45 flying 288 miles amended vel 1237.850.

This good hen has now been named Estuary Lofts Rachel due to the lofts being close to the coming together of the Taw and Torridge rivers.

This hen is no stranger to success having taken 2^nd sec D,  N.F.C Saintes last year.

The birds here are only trained 12 mile due to the persistent peregrines around the area in which they live and it is a case of the birds running the gauntlet to reach their home loft, it is not a very pleasant situation to be in as many other fanciers who have the same problems can testify.

Jim and Brian work away from home Jim getting home most weekends and Brian does manage to get home every other two weekends so the birds are on an open hole system and they are very dependent and indebted to their friend Arthur Wyley who travels the three miles every day to feed and lock up the birds come night fall, with Jim’s dad another Jimmy who opens up the lofts giving the birds their freedom each morning.

They had five out of their six entries on the day so were very pleased with the outcome in such a cold wind plus they say that the birds were in excellent condition on their arrival to the lofts.

Feed here is by way of a Buxton super w/h mixture with the birds being kept as close to nature as possible and with their open loft they find that the birds have become street wise when flying around the loft but mishaps can and do still happen.

Proving that the birds are in tip top form they have won the first five races in their local club so a good performance was expected and hoped for. Well done to you both.   

Probable 1^st sec CI, 3^rd open is Derek Blanchard of Vazon. Guernsey who timed in his yearling blue hen at 10.44 for an amended vel of 1236 flying 161 miles.

Derek purchased this hen from Dogie McClean and is of the Braakhouse strain from Belgium, last year she was trained around the island then sent to Sark about 6 miles and after four Sark trainers she was sent to Jersey 20 miles then on to St. Malo twice 64 miles not doing to well in either race, she then went on to Rennes 102 miles and was 9^th club.

This year she had trainers to Jersey and St. Malo showing up well from both she was then prepared for this Nantes race being sent sitting 8 day eggs.

Birds here are fed on Gem corn and Hormoform.

Probable 2^nd sec B, 4^th open are the husband and wife partnership of Brian

(Jack) Frost and Chris of Crewkerne. Somerset who timed in their yearling blue cheq cock a ponderosa bred Houben cross planet brothers van loon at 13.01 flying 257 miles for an amended vel of 1233.

This cock is the same way bred as their double combine winner.

Sent to Lttlehampton and Vains as warm up races prior to Nantes he certainly came good on the day for the Frost Family.

In for probable 2^nd sec C, 5^th open is Janet Wilcox of Radstock North East Somerset timing in her 2 y/o cheq hen at 13.39 amended vel 1225 flying 281 miles.

The sire of the bird Janet timed was bred by Tom Sherwood of the Janssen line related to Champion Jack twice N.F.C. Saintes.

The dam was bred by Geoff Kirkland from his old Desmet Mathis/Alfons Bauwen family

As a young bird she flew six races on an easterly route then sent on to Guernsey and Picauville in 2003 she had ten races through to Saintes taking 1^st club, 17^th Amal W.o E. S.R.Combine and this year she has had Vains and into this Nantes being flown on the R/About system.

Janet is waiting on surgery to her hips and back and needs all the help that hubby Ken can give her in the home and the lofts but she is manhandled into her seat in her w/h cocks loft come race days having a team of 30 cocks.

A good team effort is made here by Janet and Ken and success is always achieved such is their dedication to their pigeons.

Ken as spent a lifetime in pigeons winning his first race way back in 1948, I didn’t think Ken was that old wintering well my son, and since Janet has flown in her own right starting in 1968 she has had as her main base the Geoff Kirkland family of birds

Ken and Janet passes on to all concerned for another good race.

Probable 3^rd sec C, 6^th open is Hughie Eades of Street. Somerset Hughie having his one in the clock a 4y/o cheq pied hen of the Busschaert cross Geerts lines at 13.28 amended vel 1221 flying 272 miles.

The Sire of this one was 1^st sec, 5^th open from Bergerac 456 miles and the dam won two races as a Y/B then put to stock.

This hen has been quite consistent winning many cards including 2 – 1sts, 

2 – 2nds and 2 – 3rds plus she has taken 1^st club, 1^st Amal and 1^st open West of England combine  from Gent 3,000 birds.

Sent flying on the hens w/h system and racing to her nest mate brother she has been the first bird to the loft in her last three races across the channel Guernsey with the Romsey club, Vains with the classic and now Nantes.

In for probable 4^th sec C, 7^th open is Peter Atherton of Portishead. North Somerset who timed in his 3 y/o cheq hen at 14.07 for an amended vel of 1213 flying 298 miles.

This hen was bred by Dave Wyatt of Wraxall from his old family and has been a very consistent bird for Peter. Sent to this race on the R/About system she was having her third race having been to Littlehampton and Vains.

Prior to racing she was trained down to Shepton Mallet and Blandford twice so she has proved she was well up to the task in this Nantes National.

Peter feeds his birds with a Bamford w/h mix.

The one and only grand stalwart of the B.B.C Reg Churchill of Weymouth. Dorset is in for probable 3^rd sec B, 8^th open having timed his 3 y/o blue hen a Busschaert at 12.38 amended vel 1210 flying 236 miles.

Reg’s hen is bred down from the 007 lines which is directly down from his 1984 Rennes classic winner.

Next comes Chris Balson of Bristol for probable 5^th sec C, 9^th open who timed his NL rung bird a 4 y/o cheq cock at  14.08 approx vel of 1210 flying 297 miles 

Probable 6^th sec C, 10^th open we have Geoff Cooper of Peasedown St. John. North East Somerset who timed his one in a 3 y/o cheq cock at 13.48 approx vel 1210 flying 283 miles.

Taking probable 1^st sec A are the inform partnership of Bartlett & Jones of Southampton. Hampshire who timed in their yearling cheq cock a Carrera Vandenbeele at 13.53 approx vel 1074 flying 255 miles.

This cock was bred by Martin and Jayne Mitchell and was gifted to them with the provisio that they try and win a classic or National race with it.

This yearling was an excellent young bird coming to win at least 3 – 1sts in their local club but was beaten to the trap by loft mates each time, he also went on to win 1st Hampshire 2 bird championship club and then went on to take 3^rd sec, 13^th open in a hard Fourgeres y/b classic but did win for the partnership over £1000 which can’t be bad.

This year as a yearling he has again came to win two races but as before was beaten by loft mates to trap but he did hit the trap first to take 1^st Picauville, 9^th Solent Fed 4200 birds winning all pools in the club and fed bringing his total won to £1500 plus what he will pick up in this race, proving to be a real money spinner for the partnership.

Rob goes on to tell me that all birds were sent driving.

Preperation is by way of two training tosses per week and are fed on his own mixture made up from Versa Laga/Beyers and Van Roebays corns.

 In for probable 2^nd sec A is John Rawlings of Southampton clocking in at 13.55 approx vel 1059 flying 252 mls.

Probable 3^rd sec A we have Raymond Murray also of Southampton who timed his one in at 13.57 approx vel 1054 flying 252 mls.

In for Probable 4^th sec A are Mr & Mrs C. Lever of Romsey. Hampshire who timed at 14.08 approx vel 1053 flying 252 mls.

 Probable 1^st sec D are M/M. Paul Kendall of Wantage. Oxfordshire who timed in their 3 y/o w/h cock named Peasedown Genes at 14.50 approx vel 1110 flying 299 mls.

Last year this cock was on the result from B.B.C. Nantes, N.F.C. Nantes and N.F.C. Saintes. Called Peasedown Genes because both parents were bred by Geoff Cooper of Peasedown St. Johh and gifted to Paul.

The sire is from Triple 3 who is out of Little who topped the West of England Combine and is a brother to John one of the top national winning birds in the country taking 4 positions in the first eleven in national racing.

The dam is a hen called no ring which is from Geff Coopers Elsaker lines.

Paul mated his brids in February and this was their fourth race of the year the other three being from Picauville.

Paul mixes his own corn which includes Gerry plus proving this is good stuff as he timed in all of his eight entries on the day. Thanks Cath.

               

Probable 2^nd sec D is Roger Lowe of Reading. Berkshire who had his one a    in the clock at 15.12 for a vel of 1039 flying 293 mls.

Roger at the moment seems to have seconditus a win is surely on the cards in the not too distant future.

In for probable 3^rd sec D are M/M. Webber of Abingdon. Oxfordshire clocking their bird at 15.36 vel 1031 flying 305mls.

Probable 4^th sec D is Joe Deville of Sandhurst. Berkshire Joe had his one timed at 15.06 vel 1024 flying 285 mls.

 

Section E saw some very good birds being timed, the first and probable 1^st sec goes to David Ellams of Telford. Shropshire who clocked a 2 y/o Busschaert dark cock at 16.28 vel 1161 flying 378 miles. This bird could finish in the first thirty of the open plus David had another two in the clock on the day.

It was the first time across the channel for this one being a son of 14 who was a tremendous racer from Nantes taking 70^th and 106^th open with the N. F.C.

14 is a son of 47482 who was 2^nd open M.N.F.C. as a  y/b then put to stock.

Feeding here is by way of Versele Laga w/h mix.

David would like to thank his friend Graham Bailey for all his help especially as Graham is not too well at the moment, a speedy recovery is required.

Probable 2^nd sec E M/M. Geoff Kirkland of Longsdon. Staffordshire who clocked in their 2 y/o blue cheq cock at 17.20 vel 1137 flying 404 miles

In for probable 3^rd sec E  we have the ever present Chris Gordon of Old Snydale. Yorkshire who had one in the clock at 18.26 vel 1134 flying 445 mls. Chris also timed in a further three birds on the day.

Probable 4^th sec E are M/M. Barnett of Telford. Shropshire who had their one in at 16.55 for a vel of 1110 flying 378 mls.

These were followed by Barnett & Dtr Telford vel 1099 flying 379 mls;  Graham Jones of Cannock vel 1092 flying 377 mls;  Alan Parker of Downham vel 1091   Alan had another two on the day and a further two before 07.00 hours the next morning. Alan had the honour of timing in the furthest flying bird on the winning flying 460mls in this Nantes National.

John Mellor of Shrewsbury was in with a vel of 1085 flying 381 mls and Brindle & Farrell of Blackburn. Lancashire had there one with a vel of 1073 flying 451 mls.

I am sorry to say that no birds have been recorded into Ireland sec F at the time of going to press which is a big shame as the Irish certainly deserve a bit of luck when one takes in the fact that they do a 600 mile round trip to get to the marking station and it is always nice to meet up with club members Phil Smith,  Pat Davis and their friend Thomas Dardis who endeavoured to make the long journey over with the Irish entry they were there bright and early, now that is true dedication and it would be just marvellous if the Irish are rewarded with some birds in the result.

It was also good to meet Kevin Kirkland of Edinburgh who travelled down with a friend with his birds for entry into this Nantes National, again that is dedication at it’s highest and deserves success but again at the time of going to press there is no news yet of an arrival into Scotland to Kevin or Willie Bell of Brechin. Angus.

Probable 1^st sec G we have Derek Squire of Addlestone. Surrey who had his 2 y/o blue cock a Bert Campius cross W. De Bruijn in at 15.21 vel 1002 flying 288 mls.

This one was privately trained then into a local club race from West Bay 100 miles then on into La Ferte Bernard taking 17^th open L.S.E.C. so as others have proved it was bang in form and more than ready for this stiff test.

Only 15 pairs are kept by Derek who feeds his birds with Beyers corn and all are raced on the R/About system.

Probable 2^nd sec G is Mike Armitage of Ash. Surrey who timed his top of the sheet a 2 y/o blue cheq hen at 15.08 vel 997 flying 279 mls.

In for probable 3^rd sec G we have the husband and wife partnership of

M/M Brian Siggers of Ash Vale. Hampshire having their first bird a 2 y/o dark cheq hen in the clock at 15.24 vel 969 flying 280 miles.

Probable 4^th sec G could be Lou Severe of Chichester. Surrey timing in his first a 2 y/o blue cock at 14.41 vel 945 flying 250 miles. 

Probable 2^nd CI we have the partnership of Derek and Chris De Carteret of Vale Guernsey who timed in their first a 7 y/o cheq hen at 10.55 vel 1185 flying 161 mls.

In for probable 3^rd sec CI is Paul Mauger also of Vale Guernsey in at 10.57 with a 2 y/o cheq hen vel 1173 flying 161 mls.

Probable 4^th sec CI are Legg & Sons of Castel. Guernsey clocking their 4 y/o blue cock in at 11.08 vel 1118 flying 160 mls.  

Grateful thanks are passed on to all of those fanciers/members called on to go and verify the leading birds for the club, some having to travel more than a few miles to do the honours.

All bird positions given are probable and may alter here and there with clock variations etc. especially as some velocities are tight.

A good race overall with some very good loft performances.

Just a few things to get off my chest so to speak as I find it is no good leaving things just carry on regardless plus it costs me my time and the club money.

There are some members who have used a club clock envelope to send in their part A of the race sheet, PLEASE do not do this, as clock envelopes are solely for the purpose of sending in clock details etc. I have also been informed that some members have arrived with their clock at whatever clock station that they have had their clock set without a clock sheet/verification paper and/or envelope there is no need for this as every member has been supplied with the paperwork required for each race, which was double checked before it was sent out to each member and as I have stated in my past club reports if anyone does need extra paperwork then just give me a call or ask for same when attending a race marking. Clock officials should not open a clock if a member has failed to bring to them the required paperwork, as I do not want odds and sods of clock details on other clubs sheets and other club envelopes, so to those who are letting themselves down get your act together as while waiting for your birds you all have plenty of time to get yourself up and ready before going to your clock station.    

Having said all that now can I say roll on for our next race which is our new San Sebastian National here’s hoping you will all do your best to find a bird or two for this one and help us to reach our target of 1000 plus birds?

How does a man show that he is planning for the future?  He buys TWO cases of beer. 

One for the wives and girlfriends – How can you stop your husband/partner making a fool of himself at a party?  Simple,  just leave him at home.

Keep Smiling   

JIM HOOPER