The club’s long awaited Palamos Blue Riband National of 2005 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 1st July at 07.30 hours and the 650 birds entered in this long distance event were on their way, they cleared the lib site very quickly with into a light North Westerly wind our convoyer Pete Willcox said it was a good start to our 2004 Blue Riband National and hoped that many birds would be timed on the Saturday.

It was forecast that the birds would encounter a light westerly wind around the Bordeaux area and then pick up on a south westerly wind around the Saintes area and this wind would be with the birds over the channel and on up over the mainland and with this in mind we were naturally all hopeful of having many birds verified as home come the Saturday and Sunday.

So with this information to hand one could predict that the more eastern located members would get the possible benefit of any early arrivals and that is how it has turned out although the returns on the Saturday and Sunday were very disappointing to say the least and after the very indifferent San Sebastian race it was hoped that this years Palamos race would be a good one for all concerned but alas it was not to be, which after the efforts put in by officials and competitors alike it is a crying shame that more birds did not make it in the early stages of the race, did they get caught up in a belt of rain that crossed over some parts of France or was it something else that we are unaware of that stopped them, this we shall never know, with an helping south west wind we most certainly should have fared much better than we have .

As expected there were no birds recorded on the day of liberation but on the following day Saturday the first bird verified was to the very in form loft of Derek Reid of Weybridge. Surrey who rang in to say that he had timed in his 4 y/o dark chequered cock an all pooler named “Dark Smaragd” on the Saturday at 13.25 to make a velocity of 864 (29 mph) flying 675 miles and as it has turned out Dark Smaragd led the field all the way to take 1^st section G, 1^st Open.

The G.G. Sire of this one was bred by Louella being a direct son of Bruer Smaragd which was bred by Wim Van Leeuwen being a full brother to Chs De Smaragd 1 and De Smaragd 2.

The G.G. Dam is a Wim Muller Jan Aarden from their No1 stock pair.

In 2003 this cock was 130^th open Saintes/Pau and in 2004 he was the second bird to the loft from our San Sebastian and the lofts first bird from NFC Saintes and his plan of campaign for this year in readiness for this Blue Riband saw him going to Portland then on to Fourgeres with the SMT Combine being the seventh bird to the loft then on into our St. Naziare being the third bird to the loft he was then rested before being given an opener from Lulworth Cove and then into Palamos.

Derek’s distance loft is 18 feet by 9 feet and has 28 w/hood boxes and this year has been the first year since this loft was set up in 1999 that Derek has filled all of the boxes. Every bird here has to fly 500 miles plus at 2 years of age.

Derek pairs up the birds on the 5^th January each year and lets them choose their own mates, when the babies are about 15 days old Derek removes the hens and let the cocks complete the rearing process, the cocks are then re-mated with their hens in April it is then that they are taken on the training spins by Derek’s wife being given 3 to 4 10/20 mile flips and if the weather is good around that time they are then given a toss from the coast.

When the eggs are about 6/7days the hens are removed and no more training is given as w/hood then begins.

Birds here are fed Versele Laga Gerry Plus up to the last week before basketing they are then given Versele Laga W/Hood plus, Derek also gives his birds Gem products on their corn and via the drinker.

Here now is Derek’s own words ...

”Winning Palamos has been a dream come true as in 1998 Les Kidd now of New Milton persuaded me to join the B.B.C and on doing so only flew the Y/B national that year taking 1^st section G, 4^th Open.

My wife and I then went to the B.B.C Gala Presentation dinner that year and on witnessing the presentation of that years Blue Riband National on driving back home I said I would win Palamos one day and that day has now arrived though I still find it hard to believe that I have won what I consider to be the most difficult race in the U.K and as my father would say when I was a young lad, waiting for a bus you wait ages and then two turn up at the same time and that is how it has been for me this season winning two nationals, definitely a year to remember” Derek is of course eluding to his fine win in the NFC Sat Nazaire and now this our Palamos Blue Riband National plus Derek was also 1^st section G, 10^th open and 6^th sec, 47^th open in our own hard San Sebastian national plus many other good performances to boot and as I have stated above certainly a loft so much in form. Derek would like to thank everyone from all over the country who has rang him offering their congratulations he has really been overwhelmed by their calls which has been very appreciated."

The officers and membership of the club extends their heartiest Congratulations to Derek and Dark Smaragd for achieving such a wonderful performance in winning this our 2005 Palamos Blue Riband National.

In for 1^st sec D, 2^nd Open we have the ever present Mick Parish of Great Burstead. Essex who timed in his 3 y/o all pooler a blue W/F cock named “Lily’s Pride” after Mick’s late mother on the Saturday at 16.45 vel 761 flying 681 miles.

Lily’s Pride was unraced as a youngster then as a yearling he was trained with Mick’s local club The Thames North & Eastern Counties F.C down to the coast approx 90 miles, he was then jumped straight into our Bordeaux National 465 miles flying it on the day to take 22^nd sec, 167^th open being one of nine yearlings that Mick timed in that day. As a 2y/o he had a few trainers down to the coast with the local club then one training flight from 230 miles and then on into Palamos being the fourth bird to the loft of the seven that Mick clocked that finished in the 2004 result taking 10^th sec, 33^rd open.

This year he has had three training flights from the south coast, one Alencon trainer at 220 miles and then once again straight into Palamos.

Mick’s preparations for this year were started later than normal due to his fathers illness and later passing and did not really expect to be racing this year and parted with a lot of his first round youngsters.

Mick also timed in a second bird a 3 y/o blue cheq cock on the Sunday at 10.52 vel 535 to take 3^rd section D, 6^th open.  This cock had previously taken 8^th sec, 25^th open in last years blue riband. The same preparation was given for this one as Mick’s first bird.

Breeding of Lily’s Pride is mainly the late Eric Cannon of Godalming being inbred to Culmer Channel Queen a diploma of merit winner with the NFC winning 23^rd, 29^th, 98^th and 183^rd open. The dam was purchased from Keith Nethercott of Keynsham. Bristol from his very good Cannon cock in fact all birds here are based around British long distance winners.

It is Mick’s belief that you can not teach a good pigeon the way home by showing it every lamp post en-route from wherever therefore Mick’s birds get very little racing and put in at the deep end from the big ones such as this Palamos Blue Riband National.

All birds are hopper fed on tic beans and are trapped in with a bit of mixture and red band. 

Mick says “Palamos is my main aim each year, as I believe, as many other long distance fanciers, it is the ultimate race to win my Lily’s Pride looked extremely well on his return and would have been able to have gone on a lot further, my thanks to the convoying team”.

Dark Smaragd and Lily’s Pride the furthest flying bird on the winning day, were the only birds recorded on the Saturday the winning day.

R.J. Goddard & Son of Reading Berkshire come next who had their one an all pooler a 5 y/o blue hen “Rebecca” at 05.55 Sunday vel 623 flying 688 miles to take 2^nd sec D, 3^rd Open. This hen now wins a coveted Spanish Diploma having previously taken 21^st sec, 146^th open 2003 and 11^th sec, 36^th open last year.

Bred from a full brother of Toe Nails 1^st sec, 3^rd open Palamos 2000. The dam is a dtr of 2^nd open Scottish National F.C. Niort when mated to The Cream Juliam Mattys Mr. Barcelona blood, this pair are in the breeding of 1^st Irish NFC Messac 2004.

The preparation here was 12 training tosses then jumped straight in to Palamos sent feeding a 3 day old baby.

Their second bird who returned injured was a 4y/o dark hen that was timed in at 13.13 for a vel of 508 taking 4^th sec D, 8^th open. The same prep for this one as their first but was sent feeding a 5 day youngster, this hen took 7^th sec, 20^th open Palamos last year.

This one is inbred to their 2^nd open Palamos hen through the sire and dam both being bred by their great friend Geoff Hunt of Westmarsh. Kent.

Timing in these two hens brought tears to Dave Goddards eyes as he feels it is the greatest race on the pigeon racing calendar, never easy but always special when one is lucky enough to time in from Palamos.

Another ever present John Nicholson & Sons of Rochester. Kent  had their first arrival a 2y/o blue cheq cock “” in the clock on the Sunday at 06.59 vel 582 flying 665 miles to take 2^nd sec G, 4^th Open.

Their second bird an all pooler a 4y/o blue cheq hen was timed at 10.32 vel 526  to take 3^rd sec G, 7^th open and will now receive a coveted Spanish Diploma

Their third bird was in at 13.55 for a vel of 482 which will take 4^th sec G, probable 11^th open

No further news to hand on the above two birds.

Roland Gillett of Southampton. Hampshire timed in his 3y/o blue cock on Sunday at 08.46 for a vel of 547 flying 657 miles to take 1st sec A, 5^th Open.

Sire of this one is a Delbar and the dam is a Kenyon x Jan Aarden both of which came from Billy Treggonning of Glyn Neath. West Glamorgan.

Roland’s bird was sent sitting 15 day old eggs and was on it’s second wing flight.

Feed here is by way of Vesele Laga superstar with two thirds Country wild super w/hood.

This one flew Pau in 2004 and this year was sent to St Nazaiare and returned with a damaged foot, his foot having fully recovered it was then sent on to Palamos returning home with a damaged keel and a third of it’s tail feathers missing, see photo, kindly taken by Tony Jurd.

A truly game bird is this one, must be full of the required guts that is needed by any bird in an extreme distance event such as Palamos undoubtably is.

Tony Leggatt of Havant. Hampshire last years winner had his bird a 4 y/o blue pied hen named “Lady Hamilton” in at 11.56  vel 494 flying 647 miles to take 2^nd sec A, 9^th Open.

This one has been quite a good bird for Tony over the years flying through to our Sennen Cove (F&M) as a baby, then as a yearling it took 2^nd sec, 15^th open in our Bordeaux national, flew the NFC Saintes/Pau race in 2003, but last year it homed late from our San Sebastian national still with his rubbers on and having looked after himself, so it was earmarked for this years blue riband.

Tony raced Lady Hamilton out of his young bird section not being mated until three weeks prior to going, she was raced really hard early on in the season competing in six races, three Picauvilles, Exeter, Fourgeres and Messac which was then followed by three weeks of complete rest being sent on her first nest of the year.

Her sire won 9^th open Palamos and her dam has been twice just out of race time from Palamos, so definitely derives from birds that will dig it out and stay on when it matters. Tony sends his good wishes to Derek and Mick for having the only next day birds.

Ken & Lil Hine of Hayes. Middlesex had their 5y/o cheq hen “Charville Kayleigh” in the clock at 14.27 vel 491 flying 685 miles which will see them gain 5^th sec D, 10^th Open.

This hen was 12^th sec, 40^th open 2004 being of the Titmuss x Fear Brothers lines both the sire and dam have scored good positions from Pau, the grand dam having taken 1^st open Pau L & SE Classic on the dams side it is full of the late Peter Titmuss bloodlines the grand sire being given to Ken as a birthday present form Peter.

Ken most definitely rates Peter and the Fear Brothers family of pigeons very highly indeed and there are many fanciers out there who would certainly second his opinion.

Tony Szyra of Alfold. Surrey timed in his very good cheq cock a 7 y/o named “Expected” at 13.42 vel 480 flying 658 miles that should see him take 5^th sec G, probable 12^th Open.

Tony gave Expected just two short trainers from Fontwell Park race course about 30 miles prior to going with no races having been competed in and no other training flights given as this is the method that he has always followed with this cock and being a past Spanish Diploma winner for in 2001 Expected was 2^nd sec, 112^th open, 2002 3^rd sec, 15^th open and in 2003 12^th sec, 44^th open, last year Expected was rested.

Sent having been given a youngster just the day before basketing after sitting eggs for only four days it showed Tony it was very keen sitting over the baby until 9.00pm that evening.

Prepared this way by Tony, many fanciers would wonder what he is up, to but it certainly works for this cock.

Breeding of this fine cock is, the sire was an Eric Cannon mated to a hen from the tame hen of the Taylor Bothers, both the sire and the dam were gifted to Tony from Eric for helping him carry his basket at a Pau national race marking due to Eric’s arthritis.

Feed here is as much as they can eat of a good mixture, but no peanuts are ever given and no specifics are added to the water.

When you study the above it definitely goes to show, that whatever system or method call it what you will, that is carried out in preparing birds for the longer type races by who ever, it is the bloodlines of good proven distance stock that always comes to the fore of that you can be certain.

Geoff Snelling of Aldershot. Hampshire timed in his 4 y/o blue cheq hen at 15.19 vel 469 flying 669 miles to take 6th sec G, probable 13^th Open

This one was sent sitting 13 days at the time of basketing having already scored in the L&SE Alencon Classic prior to going.

As a yearling this one had overshot it’s loft when entered in a Saintes race going in to some much farther a field but it did home the next day showing Geoff that it had a good constitution and so was earmarked for future distance events plus it is closely related to Geoff’s 1^st section San Sebastian bird.

Geoff uses the shorter classic races as preparation for the longer races and his birds do do well in these type of races.

The breeding of this one is full of Belgium Barcelona lines and the birds here are fed on Gem corn.

Geoff having been hospitalised a couple of times this year has found things a little harder than other years but with good reports from the hospital and this Palamos result it will pick him up no end.

1^st CI, probable 14^th open we have Michael “Ginger” De Carteret of St. Sampsons. Guernsey who timed his 3 y/o braakhuis x busschaert blue cheq hen named “Lisia Jet Stream” at 10.27 vel 469 flying 591 miles.

Michael says that this one has flown very well for him in the past and as always been a banker, her sire was bred by Don McLean and the dam was bred by past blue riband National winner Reg Churchill of Weymouth.

She was sent on 8 day old eggs having been fed on a mixture that is purchased at the start of the season so that all birds are on the same corn right through the season.

Having won his first race in 1953 Michael has had the birds for quite a time but did break away to try other pursuits returning four years ago into our sport and with his partner Rose they do get a lot of pleasure in just seeing that their birds that they enter in the races just home safely.

Les Kidd of New Milton. Hampshire is in for 3^rd sec A, probable 15^th Open by clocking his all pooler a 5 y/o red hen at 15.43 vel 453 flying 652 miles.

This hen was 4^th sec, 16^th open last year so has improved by one but as once again proved that she is certainly a gutsy hen and definitely has the love of her home and that goes for all birds having been recorded from this Palamos National.

This hen has been very consistent for Les having scored in nearly every classic and open event she has been entered in and here again it is a case of blood will tell being bred by Gary Frewin from a cock bred down from Ken Hine of Hayes stock when mated to a hen of Les’s from George Burgess of Wraysbury.

One short race from Picauville 100 miles was the prep for her then straight in sent sitting 10 day eggs

All birds here are fed via the hopper with farm beans.

Mike White & Son of Bournemouth. Dorset are in to take 1^st sec B, probable 16^th Open with their 3 y/o dark cheq cock named “ Mark” in at 16.34 vel 448 flying 657 miles.

Mark was 60^th open CSCFC San Sebastian in 2004 

This cock was sent sitting 12 day eggs and was prepared for this one by having three races from Picauville 100 miles with the Dorset Fed.

All birds are fed on Willsbridge No2 all year round adding extra maize and Paddy rice during the racing season as the distance increases. Groats and cod liver oil are given twice weekly.

The birds are mated during March and allowed to rear a pair of youngsters, with training starting as soon as the young are weaned, as much training as possible is given from the new forest about 20 miles.

The grand parents on the dams side are Stevie Wonder and Becky both having won a coveted Spanish Diploma.  Becky’s grand dam on her sires side is Phil’s Pride Mike’s 1991 Palamos National winner.  Marks Great Grand dams are Spanish Diploma winners Mandy and her half sister Ann and his great Grand sire is Nick who is a half brother to Stevie Wonder. Again truly great Long distance stock with years of proven distance performances over many years.

George Wood of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight timed in his 4 y/o dark hen at 15.08 vel 447 flying 635 miles to take 4^th sec A, 17^th open.

The sire of this one is a Reg Venner which goes back to Tony Cottrells BICC Pau winner on the day and also Ken Hines Palamos winner Gemma, the dam was one from Frank Attrill of Ryde. 

George also had a second bird a blue cheq 4y/o hen on the Sunday which he found in the loft on returning from the clock station after having had his clock read but waited until the Monday morning before timing it in at 04.59 vel 384 to take 8^th sec A, probable 23^rd open. This second bird was 13^th open Palamos last year.  The dam of this one is a Jan Aarden and the sire is from Phil Hayball of West Parley

In for probable 5^th sec A, 18^th Open are M/M. I. Reed & Son of Emsworth. Hampshire having their one a 5 y/o blue cheq cock in the clock at 17.10 vel 434 flying 647 miles

Competing from Palamos for the very first time they have certainly been rewarded by this grand performance

Gary Frewin of New Milton. Hampshire comes next to take 6^th sec A, 19^th Open flying 652 miles with his 3 y/o cheq hen timed at 18.22 vel 426      

In for 2^nd sec CI, 20^th Open is Lawrence Le Ruez of St. Peter. Jersey who had his 8 y/o blue cheq cock in the clock at 13.18 vel 418 flying 567 miles.

This good cock has now won a Diploma of Merit for Lawrence having previously taken 33^rd open Palamos 2003 and 64^th open Palamos in 2004

The only other birds that were timed on the Sunday were to John Parker of Reigate. Surrey who had his single entry an all pooler a 3 y/o dark cheq cock at 20.44 vel 410 Flying 661 miles to probably take 7^th sec G, 21^st open and   

Asa Williams of Southampton. Hampshire a young lad showing his elders how to do it, timing in his 5y/o blue hen at 20.36 vel 410 Flying 658 miles to probably take 7^th sec A, 22^nd open

Once again a most difficult race but congratulations must go to all successful competitors and their birds.

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 28^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 Bordeaux candidates.

Jim Hooper