The club’s long awaited Palamos Blue Riband National of 2004 was under way when convoyers Pete Willcox and Chris King, after checking out the prevailing  conditions with our weather expert Steve Appleby, cut the strings on Friday 2^nd July at 06.40 hours and the 670 birds entered in this long distance event were on their way, they cleared the lib site very quickly with a very light easterly wind all heading into the north east and in the words of our convoyer Pete Willcox it was the perfect start to our 2004 Blue Riband National.

It was forecast that the birds would encounter a light westerly wind over northern Spain and on into southern France, but to greet the birds as they would be nearing ever closer to the home end the winds would be strong westerly in northern France and over the English Channel forecast to be force 4/5 at times and gusting.

So with this information to hand one could predict that the more eastern located members would get the possible benefit of any early arrivals.

As expected there were no birds recorded on the day of liberation but on the following day Saturday,  the well known and very successful Tony Leggatt of Havant. Hampshire rang in to say that he had timed in his 3 y/o blue hen at 10.34.43 recording an amended velocity of 908 (31 mph) flying 647 miles.

As Saturday was Tony and his wife Susan’s 33rd wedding anniversary it came as no surprise to hear that the very gallant blue hen has now been named “Anniversary Waltz” and I bet Tony and Sue are still dancing on the proverbial cloud nine, my word what a super anniversary present to have.

I will also let you in on something else that occurred that day for when Tony had given me all the required particulars when verifying his bird he then said that he had tears in his eyes and that coming from a hardened blue riband flyer and from my limited past experience of having birds home from this very special race,

I and many other long distance enthusiasts, will know just how it feels and totally relate to Tony’s omission and that is what I always keep telling those fanciers who for some reason do not enter a bird or two into our blue riband National for they do not know what they are missing out on if successful in just getting one home let alone pulling off the magical achievement like Tony has done in winning  this our “Big One”.

Due to members flying to the more northern areas it was not until six o’clock in the evening that I could inform Tony that he had pulled it off taking 1^st Section A, 1^st Open in the club’s 2004 Palamos Blue Riband National and what Tony said then I will treasure for a long time to come, to say he was pleased would be an understatement, he was ecstatic and rightly so for having to wait from the time of clocking in early that morning to six in the evening it must have been just

un-bearable but it was a wait that was definitely worthwhile for Tony and will no doubt bring him many phone calls/letters of congratulations from fanciers all over the country and why not, as he is a very respected fancier in his own right and this win after many years of trying as many well up positions have been won from Palamos/Barcelona in the past,  will be deemed by many as most deserved and most definitely not before time.

Anniversary Waltz raced the young bird programme to Guernsey and as a yearling she was Tony’s fourth bird in The South Coast Feds Bergerac race.

In 2003 she flew the B.B.C. Bordeaux National coming on the day and this proved to Tony she was a fighter in whatever the conditions she has faced.

This year Tony raced her on the roundabout system and her build up races were Hastings, Picauville, Fourgeres and Messac all with The Solent Fed and then on into Palamos.

This is the first time that Tony has sent birds to Palamos on the r/about as birds here have normally been paired and sitting.

Her Sire, now retired, has taken 22^nd sec, 119^th open BBC Y/B Rennes;  6^th sec,  139^th Open NFC Saintes 1997;  19^th sec, 70^th Open BBC Bordeaux 1998; 15^th sec, 25^th Open BBC Bordeaux 1999;  31^st sec, 129^th Open BBC Bordeaux 2000;

57^th sec, 245^th Open BBC Palamos 2001and 20^th sec, 74^th Open BBC Palamos 2002.

The Dam has taken 23^rd sec, 95^th Open BBC Bordeaux 1997;  5^th sec, 22^nd Open Palamos 2002 but was lost at Palamos last year.

Tony’s second bird “Leggatt’s Lad” a dark cheq cock also in on the winning day was timed at 17.18.45 for a vel of 687 will take 2^nd Sec A, 10^th Open and will no doubt win for Tony the coveted BBC Appreciation Trophy for the second year running for the Blue Riband Palamos two bird average.

Leggatt’s Lad also raced the young bird programme to Guernsey and has won 26^th sec, 104^th Open BBC Sennen Cove 2001;  19^th sec, 215^th Open NFC Saintes and flew Bordeaux 2002 and last season he flew Saintes and Pau/Saintes always being a good and honest pigeon.

Sire of this one was 1^st sec, 158^th Open NFC Saintes 2000 The Dam is a good long distance bird having taken 53^rd sec, 223^rd Open Palamos 2001.

All the above mentioned birds are from Tony’s Norman Southwell based family which go back to Ned Hammond of Emsworth. Hampshire.

All birds here are fed farm peas white and brown mixed with Willsbridge Irish Mix with added tares and red maize for the distance, Tony also uses groats and linseed for trapping.

Only 16 pairs are raced on the roundabout system to four identical compartments the hens being locked in their boxes. Tony is up at 5.45 each morning to clean out and both the hens and the cocks are let out for their exercise which is for one hour and when returning from work at 5.15pm they are again let out for one hours exercise this is done throughout the racing season.

Tony suffers from pigeon lung and has to wear an aircap, which he highly recommends for on his last check up at the hospital his lung function test had improved.

Tony is not into pigeon politics has he just loves to compete and fly his pigeons in the best of competition and this he does with much success in the BBC it was only a few weeks ago that he won the two bird average in our San Sebastian National taking 3^rd and 6^th Open. I have always said when a fancier has his loft in form he could win by sending budgies.

Tony would like to thank all those fanciers and friends who have rang to congratulate him on his success, it is appreciated.

The officers and membership of the club extends their heartiest Congratulations to Tony and Anniversary Waltz for achieving such a wonderful performance in winning this our Palamos Blue Riband National.

In for 1^st sec D, 2^nd Open we have the ever present M/M. Ken Hine of Hayes. Middlesex who timed in their 4 y/o “Charville Joe” a cheq pied cock at 14.34 vel 808 flying 685 miles.

Sire of Joe was bred by the renowned Fear Brothers of Clandown which was purchased at their final auction sale.

Dam of Joe is a hen bred by Peter Titmuss and gifted to Ken in 1994 which goes back to Second Thoughts bred and raced by Peter and in Ken’s opinion was one of the best hens to fly into England and has reproduced her like many times with exceptional birds that are steeped in the 500/600 mile bloodlines.

Ken say’s they are very easy pigeons to race being very tough and can be raced natural or on w/hood. Charville Joe was sent to Palamos on the Widowhood system and was prepared by going to Guernsey and Fourgeres plus a couple of inland races and has been a very consistent bird for Ken so much so as he had him has his top of the sheet and as M/M. Ken Hine have a marvellous record in our Blue Riband races being a past winner in 1993 plus they have achieved many notable successes in other organisations, they like Tony above to score so highly in Palamos will not come as a shock to no one, such is their dedication and ability to prepare the wonderful long distance stock that they have, to do the business when asked. All birds here are fed on the Gerry plus of Versele Laga with a few peanuts given as a treat. To Ken and Lil our Congratulations

The Birdman of Kent comes next being non other than Jim Roy of Margate who has his one in, a 2 y/o cheq hen “Maria” named after the Russian girl who won Wimbledon, at 13.43 vel 804 flying 659 miles to take 1^st sec G, 3^rd Open.    

Prior to Palamos she was given two short inland races and three races from across the channel, Beauvis, Generville and the BBC Nantes then rested and given a pipe opener from Lyndhurst, never mated Maria laid two eggs about fourteen days before going then deserted them after four days so went to Palamos playing up to Jim has many of his hens do, often going into his kitchen and playing around Jim’s feet such is the bond that this Birdman of Kent has with his birds and maybe that is why he is so successful.

Jim say’s his favourite club is The British Barcelona Club as it is a family orientated club and the officials and members are always so friendly and willing to chat, that is why,  when he can,  loves to go to Salisbury for the race markings with his close friend Jeff Lyden.

Sire of Maria is Jim’s well known Emmet and the Dam is Jim’s Barcelona hen only bird on the day in 1999 from Montaban she also won the single bird nomination from Barcelona,  1^st Orleans with the local club also winning from La Ferte Barnard and also 5^th open Barcelona.

Mother of Jim’s Barcelona hen was a gift from Mick Price of Marlow

Jim say’s that his hen arrived home in excellent condition with feet lovely and clean showing that she was well cared for, this is something he always looks for when birds return from whatever race.

A Palamos virgin is next, his words not mine, M/M. Keith Nethercott & Sons of Bristol who had their arrival a 6y/o blue hen “George’s Fancy” in the clock

at 15.56 vel 791 flying 708 miles to take 1^st sec C, 4^th Open    

Georges Fancy who is recorded as the furthest flying bird on the winning day has won in the past 3^rd club, 9^th combine Marmande 492 miles plus 193^rd open NFC Saintes and 100^th open BBC Nantes.

The sire of this one is a son of Keith’s 2^nd open NFC Pau 1995. The dam is a

B. Denny cross Fear Brothers good pigeon which was 14^th open NFC Pau plus many other good positions.

Georges Fancy was raced on the r/about system in the early part of the season going to every race including BBC Nantes and Cholet with the combine having eleven hours on the wing after which she was then rested in readiness For Palamos where she was sent sitting a two day old youngster on the day of basketing.

The loft routine here is fairly simple, breaking down birds after each race with depurative then building them back up for their chosen races. A w/hood mix is fed and at the present time Keith uses Bosmolen PLX and Buxton’s Ruby with red maize added and as Keith says (good gear). Redband and peanuts are given to build up the birds for the longer distance races and Hormoform is before the birds at all times.

Keith does not use any form of medication as he likes the Aviform system which is in the water as this keeps the birds healthy.

Keith passes on his grateful thanks to the convoyers as his hen arrived home in excellent condition due no doubt to the care she received while on the BBC transporter. Keith I certainly hope from now on that you have the Palamos bug and that this will be the first position of many.

John Nicholson & Sons of Rochester. Kent timed in their “Kate” a 3 y/o blue cheq hen at 15.56 for a vel of 760 flying 665 miles to take 2^nd sec G, 5^th Open.

Kate flew the young bird national in 2001. As a yearling she flew five channel races including Nantes, Saintes and Pau where she took 424^th open.

As a 2 y/o she had three prep races channel races before going on to Palamos where she gained 7^th sec, 34^th Open after which she was prepared for the Perpignan International 610 miles and took 3^rd British Section also winning 1^st G.S.D.N.F.C.

This year she has had two short channel races before going to Palamos and was sent rearing a 6 day old youngster arriving home from Palamos and in John and Spencers words arrived in excellent condition with no noticeable weight loss.

49 year old David Newey of Weymouth. Dorset another first time trier at Palamos had his bird a 2 y/o dark cheq hen now named “Anna” after his wife and his only entry in at 15.29  vel 747 flying 657 miles to take 1^st sec B, 6^th Open.

Anna is bred from a cock from Colin Young and a hen from Reg Churchill both successful club mates of David for which he is very grateful.

Preparation for the Blue Riband was by way of a Picauville with the club Nantes with the BBC followed by two training spins at the 30 mile mark then Anna was sent sitting a 7 day old youngster.

As a yearling she was 42^nd sec, 194^th open CSCFC, 4^th Cheltenham, 1^st Warwick and 3^rd Chesterfield in the Weymouth H.S

This is David's first season flying 12 w/hood cocks and one of them has scored with 4^th open Messac CSCFC and possibly 72^nd open CSCFC San Sebastian

This very good position with his first attempt will I hope stir David and hopefully other members into becoming ardent Palamos competitors for many years to come.  David also had a bonus win by taking the £300 SODEXHO sponsored prize in The Weydor Specialist Club,s duplication from this race.

Adrian “Budgie” Craythorne & Len Parrott of Benfleet. Essex had their single entry “Kiln Matador” a 3 y/o mealy cock in the clock at 17.04 vel 725 flying 677 miles which will see them gain 2^nd sec D, 7^th Open.

After timing this one in he was so full of himself that he picked a fight with one of their other cocks named Kiln Red Bull so they thought that Matador would be the perfect name for their Palamos arrival.

Bred down from their Warrior Strain which is Craythorne & Parrotts own breeding that has several different long distance lines that have been blended together to cover all aspects of weather and distance racing.

Matador raced the full programme as a young bird and as a yearling he was sent to the Dax Int. Last season he was sent to Beauvis taking 22^nd open with the East of England Continental he then went to all races with the EECC then on into Perpignan Int. where he achieved 8^th East Sec, 13^th Open BICC 622 miles. His half sister was the only yearling to be clocked in race time from the Perpignan Int. into England 2002.

This year prior to going to Palamos he was given just that bit more preparation and definitely came up with the goods, he will now be prepared once again for the Perpignan Int in August. Well Done Lads and the best of luck with Matador in his next target.

Bill A’Herne of London who has many past successes at the distance to his credit had his bird a 3 y/o cheq cock named “Bernie’s Boy” timed at 17.56 vel 711 flying 671 miles that should see him take 3^rd sec D, 8^th Open.

Bill gave his bird two short channel races prior to going as he hoped after being timed last year from Dax he would come up trumps and he certainly has and as his hen was sent to the NFC Pau he was left feeding a big youngster on his own.

Being only a small back garden loft not many birds are kept and as sights are only set on the long distance type races birds are brought along into peak fitness slowly just as the distances races come around. Birds here are fed on farm peas which are added to a mixture that Bill gets from his local store plus depurative is used. Hormoform is before the birds when they are feeding and no medication is given.

Sire of this one is a G/Son of Bill’s Barcelona Bernie’s brother when mated to a Jim Biss hen of the Turbon lines that Bill purchased at Blackpool.

Dam was 78^th open NFC Pau.

M/M. Brian Siggers of Aldershot. Hampshire cheq timed their “Palamos Dream” a 6 y/o dark hen in at 18.01 vel 694 flying 671 miles to take 3^rd sec G, 9^th Open

Being a late bred it was left to develop before being just trained along the coast to Dover and Weymouth.

As a yearling it flew La Ferte Bernard, Herstal, Brugge also Montlucon taking 70^th open then on into BBC Bordeaux to win 197^th open

In 2003 she was 10^th sec, 38^th open Palamos and in duplication to the Greater Distance Club was 4^th sec, 5^th open.

The sire is from a Bill A’Herne of Neasdon cock which was H/Brother to Bill’s Barcelona Bernie 1^st Barcelona when mated to a Van Der Espt hen from Nigel Llewellen of Southampton which has bred good birds to score out of Pau.

The dam was from a red cheq Osman cock on loan from Brian Williams of Ash. Kent when mated to the Blind Hen of John & Rose Wills of Frimley. Surrey being from a 2^nd 3^rd and 4^th open Marseilles.

In for 4^th sec D, 11^th Open are Twyman & Son of Harrow. Middlesex who timed their 4 y/o blue hen at 19.29 vel 677 flying 688 miles  

Mick Parish of Great Burstead. Essex last years Blue Riband winner is in for 5^th sec D, 12^th Open by clocking his first a 5 y/o dark cock at 19.13 vel 676 flying 681 miles.

Mick also timed in another three birds on the Sunday at 06.55, 10.09 and 16.24 vels 583, 533 and 457 which could see him take 8^th, 9^th and 10^th sec D also 25^th, 27^th and 33^rd Open at the time of going to press.  

3^rd sec A, 13^th Open is George Wood of Ventnor. Isle of Wight who had his 3 y/o blue cheq hen in at 17.20 vel 673 flying 635 miles. This hen has flown Pau and San Sebastian and has taken 5^th sec, 30^th Open BBC Bordeaux.

The sire of this one is bred from a stock cock bred by Phil Hayball of West Parley. Dorset from his 7^th Open Palamos bird of the A.G. Cottrell bloodlines and a Van Geel(Viekje) and Cattrysse down from Leading Lady 1^st Welsh National Lerwick.

The dam is a Jan Aarden bred by LPW which was a gift from Frank Attrill Isle of Wight

The G/Dam being a grand daughter of 2^nd open Palamos for M/M. Newman Petersfield and R. & M. Venner of Street. Somerset bloodlines

Grandsire is a son of 1^st Barcelona for M/M. Newman.

1^st sec CI, 14^th Open is Richard Mauger of St. Sampsons. Guernsey who timed in his 6 y/o cheq cock at 15.26 vel 671 flying 590 miles. Richard also timed in a second bird at 17.53 vel 613 to possibly take 3^rd sec CI, 19^th Open

6^th sec D, 15^th Open is M/M. Stuart Guy of Tadley Hampshire having their one a single entry 4 y/o bk pied hen in the clock at 19.38 vel 666 flying 680 miles

Les Kidd of New Milton. Hampshire comes next to take 4^th sec A, 16^th Open flying 652 miles with his 4 y/o red hen.     

In for 2^nd sec CI, 17^th Open is Bryan James Kett of Vale. Guernsey who had his 4 y/o cheq pied hen in the clock at 17.20 vel 626 flying 590 miles

Maurice Richards of Weymouth. Dorset timed in his dark cheq hen a 3 y/o at 21.13 vel 614 flying 660 miles to take 2^nd sec B, 18^th Open

7^th sec D, 20^th Open is R.J. Goddard & Son of Reading. Berkshire clocking in their 3 y/o dark hen at 05.48 on the Sunday morning vel 609 flying 688 miles.

One thing to notice regarding the above early arrivals is that there are FIVE section winners in the first SIX places of the open result but sadly, as yet, there are no arrivals recorded in to the furthest reaches section E but as so many good fanciers did compete in section E I am sure we will soon learn of news that a bird/s are in up there. Up until the time of going to press the furthest flying bird recorded so far is to L. Thomas & Son of Newport. Gwent flying 727 miles and The only Spanish Diploma winner for 2004 that I am aware of at the moment is going to The Dowden Brothers of Paulsgrove. Portsmouth who have timed in their “Relentless Endurance” a 5 y/o blue pied cock on Monday at 16.47 vel 311 flying 649 miles having previously taken 27^th sec A, 104^th Open in 2002 and last year he was 16^th sec A, 70^th Open both from the Blue Riband Palamos. Well done lads, you definitely deserve it, as does your grand bird.

Peter Bennett the club’s official photographer will be in attendance at The Salisbury Livestock Market for our next race marking which is of course The Bordeaux National on Thursday 29^th July so why not take the opportunity to bring along your winners/favourites to have them photographed by Peter,  just give him a call, see you all there with your entries.