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2007 Blue Riband Palamos National With no Blue Riband Palamos National last year due to DEFRA
restrictions we have all waited for this year to be trouble free so that we can
get back down to Spain for our “Big One” well the club’s long awaited Palamos
Blue Riband National of 2007 was under way when convoyer Pete Willcox after
checking out the prevailing conditions with our weather expert Steve Appleby,
cut the strings on Saturday 30th July at 08.00 hours and the 690 birds
entered in this extreme long distance event were on their way after a one day
holdover, they cleared the lib site very quickly into a clear blue sky with
hardly any wind to speak of though it was variable turning light south westerly
on route, see Steve Appleby’s weather report, this no doubt influenced the
grand race that we have experienced with birds getting so far up country on the
winning day.
As expected no birds were recorded on the day of liberation
and as Saturday dawned I did have a bit of a surprise when we had our first
call early in the morning from John Nicholson & Sons of Rochester. Kent who
timed in their first arrival at 08.37 hours as I was not really expecting them
until about 10.00/11.00 hours so the south in the wind must have given them a
nice bit of help and not before time, so with this early arrival it was hoped
that a number of birds would be in on the winning day and I must say that my
expectations were to be a bit exaggerated as 78 birds were finally recorded
come nightfall making this the best ever returns on the winning day in my
thirteen years of dealing with our Blue Riband National and as it is to be my
last, what a way to go out, absolutely tremendous and with early arrivals being
recorded on the Monday it is hoped that a very good result will be the outcome. It was also very pleasing for me to see so many members who
were having a go at Palamos for the first time doing so well, they have now put
a foot on the preverbial ladder for the club’s coveted Spanish Diploma and
talking of same it was also very pleasing to hear that a few Spanish Diplomas
have been won so I know their owners will be truly delighted and with the
club’s photogragher Peter Bennett coming down from Darlington for our Bordeaux
race marking it will give these members and previous race winners the perfect
opportunity to bring their birds along to have them photographed in readiness
for next years hand book and the pigeon press etc. If the final outcome of this race proves to be one of the best we have ever had, as it should be given the number of early arrivals that we have recorded as home, it will auger well for next year as with so many arrivals this year there should be a good nucleus of birds with the Palamos experience going back next season and with so many first timers hopefully now having been bitten by the blue riband bug one would hope others will follow in their footsteps and not be afraid to send a bird or two as well in the future. Velocities shown are to be taken as approximate and positions probable as they may change when clock paperwork is to hand.
Ernie and Darren were looking out for their Tarbes pigeons
on that morning so it gave them quite a shock when “Ian” turned in making
Ernie’s legs go from under him when realising it was their Palamos bird, in
fact Ernie was still in a bit of a state when he rang in to verify which is
quite understandable as that is what getting a bird home from our Blue Riband
National does to you and it is a moment they will both treasure forever, never
to be forgotten and likewise for all the other first timers who were successful
in getting a bird/s home, the same also applies to the hardened Palamos members
who as always, time in. Named Ian as it was bred by Ian Crammond of the Crammond
& Langstaff partnership of Fontwell as Ernie and Darren have exchanged
youngsters with them and in this case had the pick of the youngsters that were
in a basket. The winning bird was taken steady racing up to the 250 mile
mark and in 2006 was their fifth bird from Bordeaux. This year they sent him to Messac and then the Poitiers
Nationals with us and when he dropped in from Poitiers at 19.50 hours flying
356 miles looking extremely fresh it was at that point that it was decided that
Palamos would be his next race and come the marking of same it was holding a
full wing. This loft has won 3 x 1st opens with the CSCFC plus 20 1st
section positions in Classic, NFC and BBC Nationals so it goes to show what a
very successful loft this is and no doubt at our presentation dinner in
Bournemouth when they are acclaimed as the 2007 Blue Riband National
winners they will not know what hit them. I know ernie is definitely worried
about the blue riband winners speech but come the time, I am sure he will do
Darren and himself proud, in fact I am quite looking forward to it, they say
they are on cloud nine now and it has been a fantastic experience, just wait
until the dinner and the reception that they will receive it is definitely
second to none. Birds here are fed Gerry Plus and energy corn and Merimans
along with ad-herb on the corn plus monkey nuts are given which they purchase
from Tesco’s. My thanks to Darren and Ernie for their very kind remarks,
it is so easy to do my job when fanciers such as you, are members of what I and
others say is the greatest club in the land and I hope it will continue to be
for a long time to come.
The officers and membership of the club extends their
heartiest Congratulations to Ernie, Darren and Ian for achieving such a
wonderful performance in winning this our 2007 Palamos Blue Riband National. David Ellams of Telford Shropshire is in for 1st
sec E, 2nd Open having his first arrival a 4yo blue w/f cock a
Pollin x Haeltmen from his good friends Doug and Mark Nesbit in the clock at
11.47 flying 789 miles making a vel of 1113. The sire of this one has taken 7th sec, 52nd
open MNFC Tours; 6th sec, 26th open MNFC Tours. Two
1sts in the Banks Classic, two 1sts Breeden Cup. Both parents have won a great
deal of prizemoney. Davids second arrival is a 3yo Busschaert blue cock being
timed at 13.17 making a vel of 1038 which should see this one take 2nd
sec E, 11th open. This blue cock has already scored from Poitiers this year
taking 6th sec, 88th open. The sire is a son of a 1st
section winner from our Nantes National. All birds are raced on the w/hood system with no secrets
just honest first class contented pigeons. 2 sent 2 home and both pooled all
the way. John Nicholson & Sons of Rochester. Kent a really
successful long distance partnership are in with their first a 9yo blue cheq
hen “Hetty” named after John’s mother at 08.37 for a vel of 1107 flying 665
miles to take 1st sec G, 3rd open. This grand hen was completing her fourth trip from Palamos
having previously take 73rd open 2003; 212th open
verified 2004 and 45th open 2005 she now wins a coveted Spanish
Diploma which will be the Nicholson’s fourth such diploma, to win one is
marvellous, to win four, well what can one say, tremendous! Hetty’s breeding is Louella Silvere Toye lines and she has
now flown 34 races from over the channel including 8 times 600 miles plus and
will now be retired earning a well deserved rest, what a truly super
bird.
Their second arrival was timed at 10.16 for a vel of 1012 to
take 2nd sec G, 14th open this one named
“Jinny” a 5yo blue cheq hen was John and Spencers favourite choice for this
race having previously been 1st BICC Marseille, 56th
open Pau and 127th open NFC Dax. She could from this good Palamos
performance take 1st in the Greater Distance Single Bird National. Jinny carries all the best Nicholson bloodlines being a half
sister to another of their Spanish Diploma winners “ Little Dorrit” and a half
sister to “Mrs Brumble” who was 7th, 20th BICC Barcelona
and 42nd open
Palamos.
The Nicholsons also timed in a 3rd arrival at 17.59 vel 723 and on the Monday a fourth bird was timed at 13.36. Another also ever present partnership that of M/M. Ken
Hine of Hayes. Middlesex had their first in the clock a cheq hen at
09.12 for a vel of 1105 flying 685 miles to take 1st sec D, 4th
open. Bred by Richard Boylin from stock loaned to him by Ken the
sire was bred by Paul Stone of West Drayton which is full of the Jimmy Shepherd
Southwell pigeons and the dam a red hen which is bred from Latin and a daughter
of Lama.
Their second bird was timed at 13.08 vel 909 to take 7th
sec D, 31st open They also timed in a third bird at 14.59 vel 838. That makes 4 section winners in the first four of the
Open Another always present Mick Parish of Great Burstead.
Essex had his first arrival in the clock a blue cock at 09.09 vel 1101
flying 681 miles to take 2nd sec D, 5th open. Mick also timed in his second bird at 14.34 vel 848 for 12th
sec D he then had a third arrival was timed at 15.06 vel 829 to take 14th
sec D and a fourth bird was timed at 19.29 vel 702 a further bird was timed in
at 05.10 on Monday. Mick admits to being a Palamos junkie this being his first
competitive race this year and of the four birds Mick timed on the Sunday, two
were sons and the first a g/son of of his 2003 Palamos winner “Johns
Boy”. The first timed is a 2y/o late bred being untrained as a youngster
and as a yearling only had one channel training race from 200miles then was
sent to the BICC Bergerac 466miles and was Mick’s first bird taking 23rd
open. The preparation for this years Palamos was two training
flights from Portsmouth 87 miles then straight into Palamos and didn’t he do
well! In only his third channel race. Mick does not race young birds but
do believe in sending the youngsters to a distance.
All birds are hopper fed tic beans and trapped with a bit of
best all round mixture and condition seed and apart from the pmv jab they
always have garlic in their water as no treatments whatsoever are given and
that has been the case for the past 16 years. Just out of curiosity Mick had a health check done on his
birds by a vet about a month ago and all tests undertaken proved negative so
you can get birds to perform at the highest level such as Palamos without the
need for medicines etc. Mick has timed in two Spanish Diploma winners from this race
and I am very honoured indeed to have one of them named after me “Jim’s Lad”
due to the fact that I insisted on this bird being timed in on it’s first
attempt at Palamos in 2002 he has now flown Palamos four times once being
verified, 106th open 2002; 160th open verified
2003; 12th open 2005 and now probable 50th open. Mick’s other Spanish Diploma winner is “Lily’s Pride” named
after his late mother. This blue w/f cock a 5yo has been a marvellous bird for
Mick, his first race was as a yearling in our club’s Bordeaux National 465
miles 2003 taking 22nd sec, 167th open on the winning
day, he then went on to take 33rd open Palamos 2004; and 2nd
open in 2005 in 2006 he was not raced and was clocked in at 05.10 on Monday.
John Rodway of Worcester. Worcestershire was in with
his timer a 3yo blue cock bred by Terry Tandy at 11.16 vel 1090 flying 753
miles gaining 2nd sec C, 6th open. This one was a squeaker exchange pigeon and as a youngster
it was flown down to the coast. As a yearling it was highly tried being raced
up to Bergerac 521 miles homing four days late after receiving an injury from
an raptor attack. In 2006 John took a break from racing his birds but this
season the bird in question has had just three inland races prior to this
one. When basketing it carried a full wing and was in a very light
condition and on arriving home it had lost no weight and looked good enough to
fly it again. John has no particulars of the breeding but Terry Tandy was
known for racing a good distance pigeon. Now here’s one for the purists feeding here is whole oats
and barley, cut maize, oil seed rape and small amounts of maples all from
local farms. The birds also have any left over rabbit food, cereals including
crunchy nut cornflakes and lentils which they eat up a treat, no wonder it was
light, but if it works as it did this time round why not!
Terry Preddy of High Littleton. N.E. Somerset timed
in his 2yo cheq cock at 10.03 vel 1082 flying 703 miles taking 3rd
sec C, 7th open. This cock as previously taken 113th open in our
Poitiers National this year and was 11th sec NFC Saintes last year. The dam of this one is a daughter of Terry’s 2nd
sec, 5th open BBC Perpignan. The sire is a son of his 2nd
sec Bergerac and 23rd open CSCFC Pau. Terry timed in a second arrival at 16.19 vel 814. Bill Wardrop of Stroud. Gloucestershire had his one a
4yo blue pied cock in the clock at 11.01 vel 1062 flying 725 miles taking 4th
sec C, 8th open. Bred down from a G/Son of Bill’s 5th open Palamos
in 1986 when paired back to a daughter of the Palamos bird, which orginates
from the Van Den Brouke and Kirkpatrick lines which Bill brought in in 1972 and
have been blended together to make a very successful family. This cock timed has won many minor positions due him being a
bad trapper though very tame. A sister to this one topped the WESRC from Cholet
last year. Tim Ellis of Bristol comes next clocking his 4yo cheq
cock named “Nutters Boy” after his G/Sire Nutter at 10.35 vel 1061 flying 708
miles which will see him take 5th sec C, 9th open. This one was not raced last year and this Palamos was only
his second race this term, the first being from Cholet which was used as a
training race. Bred out of the Van Hee lines his sire was 80th
NFC Pau, the G.G/Sire Slatey Junior was a multi prizewinner 8th BICC
Barcelona, 18th BICC Barcelona and 5th club Dax plus many
more. The dam was bred from Nutter who was also a multi prizewinner from 80 to
550 miles.
Tony Swain of Winterbourne Came. Dorset timed in his
7yo cheq w/f cock at 09.29 vel 1050 flying 662 miles to take 1st
sec B, 10th open. This one is bred down from birds that Tony and his brother
David, a silent partner, acquired back in the 70’s from R. Rait of Aberdeen
whose long distance family was based on the Logans of a Mr. Strachan of Aboyne. Flown on the conventional w/hood system this was his third
crack at Palamos having taken 10 days in 2004 and in 2005 was timed doing just
14ypm outside of race closure but verified with 8th sec, 93rd
open. As a youngster it took 171st open CSCFC Guernsey
and 75th open in our Lamballe. As a 2y/o it returned home from
Picauville with a clearly fractured wing but after a long rest it recovered and
started to fly again and showed no weakness even after a hard fly. In 2006 it
flew in our Ingleton and Carlisle Nationals.
Paired early March it was allowed to rear two youngsters and
was given races from Truro, Messac and the NFC Alencon as preparation for
Palamos. Tony has previously taken 2nd open from our 2005
Bordeaux National. Mark Gilbert of Windsor. Berkshire timed in his
“Southfield Treble” named as such because he has competed in and scored in
three National and International races during 2005 all of which were from 540
to 625 miles. In the clock at 10.35 vel 1022 should see him take 3rd
sec D, 12th open. This one is bred out of Deweerdt cock when mated to a
double G/Daughter of Louella’s Smaragd. Many top awards have been won by this
loft so it is no surprise to see Mark doing well from our blue riband. Edward “Bomber” Mellis of Portsmouth. Hampshire has
his one a 4yo Burger red cheq cock in the clock at 09.35.53 vel 1017 flying 645
miles taking 1st sec A, 13th open. An ex amateur boxer, he has the nose to prove it, and pound
for pound Bomber must be rated highly amongst the best fanciers along the
south coast, as he is so very consistent at all levels of competition.
The red cheq had had four races prior to Palamos being from
Picauville, Fourgerers, CSCFC Cholet and BBC Poitiers taking 8th
sec, 20th open after which it was got ready for Palamos. The mate of this cock was Bombers second timer in at 11.33
vel 921 and could end up with 4th sec A, 28th open. Bomber purchased eight youngsters from Roy Boden ten years
ago and these pigeons have performed very well for him over the years and the
birds timed are bred down from them. Bomber races both cocks and hens throughout the season in a
total w/hood system to his small back garden loft, never pairing up the birds
for the longer races as he always likes to send the pairs to these races. Birds
are fed on Vanrobaeys corn that he buys in from his good friend John Zerafa.
This makes 6 section winners in the first 13 of the open result. The Lloyd, Kelly and Sparkes partnership of Abingdon.
Oxfordshire had their one a 2yo red hen in the clock at 11.27 vel 1008
flying 703 miles to take 4th sec D, 15th open.
Sent sitting 10 days the bloodlines of this hen are Grooter
x Crowley and Green of Compton Brimstone lines. Raced the y/b programme and this year it has had two races
with the BICC plus two federation races prior to going to Palamos. Birds here are fed 50/50 Gerry plus and Ruby Gold. The
partnership is with G. Sparkes of the Premier Stud who breeds most of the
youngsters which does seem to be working well. The partnership send their congratulations to Smith and
Baker and also their thanks to Eric Ilsley for running the clock staion that
they use and also all officials at the BBC for making the club such a
success.
Jim Etherington of Waterlooville. Hampshire had his
3yo hen in the clock at 10.07 vel 999 flying 651 miles to probably take 2nd
sec A, 16th open. Jim is a real BBC blue riband enthusiast having been a past
winner of 3rd and 7th open Perpignan in 1992 winning the
two bird average in the process plus Jim has also won the club’s very coveted
Spanish Diploma with his “Morley Lad” Jim shared in the purchase of a pair of
red late bred birds with Paul O’Leary from Jimmy Roy of Margate back in 1993
and when picking up these late breds from Jimmy Roy, Paul was very kindly
offered an un rung cheq direct from “Emmet” the winner of a BBC Nantes
National, so three birds not two were brought back and it was in the Etherington’s
stock loft they went with youngsters from them being shared equally and the
bird timed is bred down from the un rung cock and one of the red hens.
Prior to going to Palamos, which she was sent sitting eggs, this hen was
155th open BICC Falaise.
All birds here are raced natural and are totally geared up
for the Classic and National races with no federation racing
whatsoever.
85 year old Alan Mullholland of Bristol had his 7yo
blue hen which was bred down from the late Fred Harper of Abercynon. South
Wales in for a time of 11.56 vel 999 to probably take 6th sec C,
17th open. Due to Alan’s age he is now finding things a bit more
difficult with the training etc but no moans here he just gets on with it, not
like some I could mention, so the birds have to make do, so four inland races
plus one from over the channel was the preparation for this one in readiness
for Palamos and when she arrived home Alan as experienced and hardened to our
sport of ups and downs as he certainly is shed a tear, knowing she was back
home safely. Tony Baker of West Huntspill. Somerset timed in his
2yo blue cock at 11.42 vel 998 flying 704 miles to take 7th sec
C, 18th open. This cock has been raced through to Messac prior to going to
Palamos taking 4th club Lessay.
Bred from a blue hen purchased from M/M. Ken Hine of Hayes.
Middlesex on a line back to Hermano and the blue hen 1st open
Barcelona for the Fear Brothers of Clandown. The sire was purchased from
Mike Templeman of Taunton of a long line of Barcelona and Palamos birds. Tony’s timer will be mated next year to his 1st
sec 2004 San Sebastian National winner.
Ray Barrington of Wellington. Somerset had his 4yo
cheq cock timed at 11.37 vel 990 flying 696 miles to come in for 8th
sec C, 19th open. Flown on the w/hood system this Jan Aarden x Van Wan Roy x
Van der Wegan was not raced as a youngster but went on to take 15th
sec NFC Tarbes 2005 and flew Bordeaux last year. His preparation for Palamos
was two 50 mile tosses then into our Messac National being the 5th
bird to the loft, on into our Poitiers being the 2nd bird to the
loft scoring 214th open then rested for Palamos. The sire and g/sire have scored 5 times at Pau and Tarbes.
All birds here are fed on Buxtons and Bamfords corn as well
as Homoform which is front of them at all times, the birds are treated
regularly for canker and worms. John Gordon of Southampton. Hampshire had his first a
3yo blue cheq w/f hen in the clock at 10.53 vel 969 flying 656 miles taking 3rd
sec A, 20th open. This hen was 15th sec, 26th open BICC
Bergarac last year. Sire is a mealy gift bird from Tony Jordan of Great Preston
Nr. Leeds which is a son of Barrie Childs famous mealy an outstanding racer
from the distance. Dam is a blend of Bob McDonald of Fraserburgh Ko Nipious
lines and the late Harold Hutchinson of Penicuik being inbred to Sharons Dream
2nd open SNFC Rennes. 2nd sec B are M. Brown & Son of Poole.
Dorset timing in their first at 11.33 vel 936 flying 656 miles. 3rd sec B is Andy Parsons of Broken
Cross Ford. Wiltshire who had is one in at 13.48 vel 869 flying 675 miles 4th sec B is Phil Hutchings of Bradpole.
Dorset clocking at 13.41 vel 868 flying 671 miles. 3rd sec G we have Alan Tullett of Pyrford.
Surrey having his one in at 11.50 vel 947 flying 672 miles 4th sec G is David Farr of Bognor Regis. West
Sussex getting his first at 12.12 vel 886 flying 640 miles.
In for 3rd sec E is Chris Gordon of Old
Snydale. West Yorkshire who had his one in the clock at 17.04 vel 945
flying 840 miles the furthest flying bird on the winning day. 4th sec E is Keith Bush of Cossall.
Nottinghamshire getting his one at 16.44 vel 902 flying 792 miles. At the time of going to press still no news of an arrival
onto the Emerald Isle but there is still plenty of time so here’s hoping.
It would also be nice to see more birds timed into sec E the first four
birds into that section have certainly flown the flag for all distance
enthusiasts, so next year could see more fanciers/members having a go. It has
been a real pleasure for me to deal with such a successful Palamos Blue Riband
National. Jim Hooper
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Now on to the race itself and leading the field with the
best winning velocity ever recorded from Palamos shattering Mike White of
Bournemouth’s record in 1991 with a vel of 1081 are the very successful
partnership of Ernie Smith and Darren Baker of Swindon Wiltshire
who were giving Palamos a try for the very first time sending only the one bird
which was pooled all the way, so they were quite confident and rightly so as it
turned out, timing in their 4yo w/hood dark cheq cock named “Ian” at
09.32 making a vel of 1115 clocking up 38mph for its 704 mile journey from
southern Spain to it’s loft in Swindon to take 1st section C, 1st
Open.