The San Sebastian National race marking on the Tuesday evening of the 842 birds entered went really well with a jovial atmosphere amongst those members competing and our dedicated team of volunteer race markers soon got to grips with their task and all birds were race marked well inside the allotted time.

Our transporter boarded the ferry at Plymouth around the lunch time on Wednesday for the 18 hour sea crossing to Santander leaving only a short road journey to San Sebastian arriving around the lunch time on the Thursday.

Chief convoyer Pete Willcox rang on the Thursday evening to say the crossing itself was good with calm seas so the birds and he and Chris King had a smooth journey down to Spain also saying that every thing was fine and after talking with our weather guru Steve Appleby it looked good for an early lib the next day.

Friday dawned to a clear blue sky and after further checks with Steve regards the weather on route the strings were cut at 06.00 hours with the birds clearing well heading due north with a very light helping southerly wind although the birds would encounter a forecasted light north easterly wind on route.

Pete and Chris felt that has the birds had had a good start we should have birds on the day but sadly this was not to be as the Friday went a begging with not a call, so it was all to play for on the Saturday which one could say was fair to every competing member although I know many would have liked to have seen day birds.

Is it asking too much of the birds from this particular racepoint ? Is it a distance race that wee bit too early in the season regards entries and performance? Or can it be that whenever there is a north east wind it is going to be a downer for a large number of the entries for as we all know however light that type of wind might be the birds most certainly do not like it, whatever, it must be food for thought for the future as this national race was put on to try and get birds on the day but too be fair it is only the shorter flyers that could accomplish this unless of course we had a very favourable southerly wind with the birds all the way and that is praying for something. It was also regarded as a race to nurture birds competing as to future Palamos entries, this is not how it is working out as two San Sebastian races have now come and gone and returns have not been very good to put it mildly, so what of the future, we shall all have to wait and see?.

Now on to the race itself with no day birds recorded it was everyone looking to the skies come the Saturday morning and the first to ring in was Ginger Carteret of St. Sampsons on the isle of Guernsey verifying his bird at 07.48 so at least we now knew they could not be too far away from the mainland.

Probable winner of this San Sebastian National is Don Green of Monks Risborough. Buckinghamshire who timed in his 3y/o blue pied hen now named “ Callum’s Choice” which was sent sitting 5 day eggs at 10.02 flying 583 miles recording an amended vel of 813 to take 1^st sec D,  1^st Open.

Named “Callum’s Choice” after Don’s grandson who picked it out as a youngster saying “that’s the one”.

Although this was not Don’s pooler it was expected to put up a good show and it has certainly done that doing itself and Don so very proud.

The breeding of this hen is down from Don,s good cock “Workaholic” who is the grandfather on both sides workaholic flew the channel over 25 times and some of his performances have included 1^st east sec, 13^th open L&SEC Pau on the day 560mls;  86^th open NFC Pau and after moving from London to Buckinghamshire he then went on to Palamos finishing on a very high note taking 15^th open 670 mls. His lines are Van Der Espt from Sid Bedford of Peckham and the Burgher line from Terry Wilson of Sydenham.

Callum’s Choice was one of a team of eight that was sent to the Pau national which turned out a disappointing race for Don, clocking only one on the second day, six of them crawling home over the following few weeks and Callum’s Choice was one of them having three weeks out. Don has had this happen before but have found that they invariably learn a lot from this kind of ordeal which does stand them in good stead for the future distance races.

Callums Choice has been given a couple of inland races and our St. Nazaire National having a nice few hours on the wing which must have put her right for this one.

Don also timed in a second bird his all pooler a 4 y/o Putman red cheq cock a gift bird from Harry Young of Peckham at 15.36 vel 643 which will take 2^nd sec D, Probable 23^rd open these being the only two birds into the section on the winning day a truly wonderful performance.

Birds here are fed on ten different feeds all mixed together which Don purchases from Mr & Mrs Dunstal at their Slough corn shop where there is always an excellent choice on offer. Don also feeds a multi mix and a few peanuts.

Don would like to pass on his grateful thanks to all the fanciers who have rung to congratulate him on his success and also sends his grateful thanks to the club’s great race marking team at Salisbury who had helped to make his win possible.  

On behalf of the Officials and membership of The British Barcelona Club we extend our Congratulations to Don Green on his marvelous achievement in winning this hard 2005 San Sebastian National.

Dudley Lever of Alton. Hampshire comes next taking 1^st sec A,  2^nd Open with his 5y/o cheq hen named “Fortunately” timed at 09.53.55 flying 539 miles vel 757.

Fortunately won 1^st sec A, 2^nd open in our 2004 season San Sebastian so that is what you really call knocking on the door, maybe next year? Third time lucky as if all goes well that will be the plan of campaign for her in 2006.

This is an all pooler and all noms for Dudley as after his last years performance what would you expect otherwise.

Dudley specialising in the long distance type races could not manage without the help of his wife Sue and daughters Emma and Marie, although Marie has more of an interest that Emma.

Fortunately flew Pau as a 2y/o Dax as a 3y/o without setting the thames alight, last year however she came to the fore taking 111^th open Falaise and 40^th sec, 435^th open B.B.C Nantes and as the prep race for this one she was sent to Alencon two weeks prior and was sent to this one sitting a 5 day youngster, being full of distance winning lines as she was bred from a half brother to Roger Chant’s 1^st open Pau and the dam is full of the Ian Benstead bloodlines being a full sister to a 2^nd open San Sebastian and 18^th open Dax bird.

In for  1^st sec C, 3^rd Open are the partnership of Bernard Smith, Peter Thomas & Wayne Dickson of Sharpness. Gloucestershire who timed in their 2 y/o blue cheq cock at 12.01.13 flying 580 miles vel 739.

This cock was sent to St. Malo with the CSCFC then on to St Nazaire with us being the partnerships first bird in the clock, he was then sent to this one on chipping eggs.  J. Barnett of Newport. Berkeley bred the bird for the lads being from the Ern Deacon lines. Feed here is by way of the well known Willsbridge corn.

Nigel Rigiani of Porton. Wiltshire claims 2^nd sec A, probable 4^th Open positions with his 2 y/o blue hen “77” at 10.52 vel 723.5 flying 539 miles.

This one is bred from a pairing of Nigel’s old Clerebaut lines cross Eric Cannon and the BBC Stud.

Nigel’s good bird Cheyenne a past Spanish Diploma winner was lent to Andy Parsons of Broken Cross Ford to mate with his cock from Eric Cannon’s Culmer Gold which was crossed with Culmer Pat to produce the dam of the bird timed on both sides which was then crossed with the cock Nigel purchased from our very own BBC stud which was down from four Spanish diploma winners.

77 was sent to this one feeding an 8 day baby which Nigel has kindly offered to me, he knows that I will accept his offer.

77 flew the y/b programme including Falaise and our Lamballe as a yearling it was lightly raced on to Picauville 122mls and this year it has gone to Picauville and our St. Nazaire as preparation for this one.

Nigel feeds with Willsbridge popular and field beans all winter and as he puts it good heavy food for hard racing

Frank Quinn of Devises. Wiltshire is in to take 2nd sec C, probable 5^th Open with his 2 y/o blue cock in at 11.27.43 flying 553 miles vel 723.4

This one was flown on the w/hood system and has always been over shadowed by his brothers but not now, putting up this good effort.

Before going this cock has had two inland races and three channel races so was well prepared for this by Frank.

Sire is a G/Son of Jim Bred Champion Vend 1^st NFC Pau and the dam is a daughter of Courage Laddie which was purchased at the MacPherson sale in Blackpool.

All birds here are raced on the w/hood system 26 cock are in the team an increase on previous years due to the hawk problem that besets us all.

A few training flights are given at the start before racing but none after unless of course Frank thinks it is required.

Birds here are fed on the Versele Laga  corn and the Harkers Hormaform.

Frank passes on his own congratulations to all the section winners

John Gordon of Southampton. Hampshire is there to take 3rd sec A, 6^th Open clocking his 5 y/o cheq cock at 10.20 vel 721 flying 524 miles.

Sent feeding a 14 day baby this one flew our San Sebastian National last season taking 17^th sec, 30^th open with a vel of 670 so it was well proven regards putting in an effort in a hard race.

The sire of this one was bred by Len Painter of Southampton Bred and purchased at a breeder buyer sale in 1998 being bred down from a 4^th open Pau and a 2^nd open Pau of Lennie’s.  The dam was bred by John himself from his Bob McDonald of Fraserburgh Ko Nipious stock.

Bob Rose of Portsmouth. Hampshire comes next to take 4th sec A, 7^th Open with his single entry a 5 y/o Van Reel cheq pied hen at 10.20 vel 712 flying 518 miles.  This hen was sent sitting 7 day eggs having had our St. Nazaire as a preparation race.  All birds here are fed on the Concorde mix.

Tony Leggatt of Havant. Hampshire had his 2 y/o r/about blue hen in the clock at 10.46 vel 704 flying 522 miles to take 5^th sec A, 8^th Open.

This one has now been named “Sue-do lou” which is a nickname for Tony’s wife

Prepared for this one by having gone to Picauville, Fourgeres  and Cholet.       

Occasions are a lucky omen for Tony as most of you will recall it was his anniversary when he won last years Palomos National and on the day of lib of this one it was his wife Sue’s birthday plus this hen timed is the same way bred as his now famous Anniversary Waltz coming from the last nest in 2003.

Unfortunately the dam was lost at Palamos so her type can not be bred again.

Bred from one of Tony’s best workers now retired having scored 22ns sec, 119^th open Rennes, 6^th sec, 139^th open Saintes,  19^th sec, 70^th open Bordeaux,  15^th sec, 25^th open Bordeaux,  31^st sec, 129^th open Bordeaux, 57^th sec, verified Palamos and 20^th sec, 74^th open Palamos.

The Dam 23^rd sec, 95^th open Bordeaux,  5^th sec, 22^nd open Palamos.     

Tony also timed in two others at 12.39 and 13.36 recording vels of 648 & 623 and could finish up with 22^nd and 32^nd open also another one was timed on the third morning.

“Bouquet” the second bird timed is bred down from Tony’s black cock 9^th open Palamos of the Southwell based family when mated to a gift bird from Jack & Joyce Randall from their marvelous and now very famous “Lady Jane” six times in the result from Palamos/Barcelona Nationals.

Bouquet has been a very cosistant bird for Tony having won 15^th London & South East Combine Falaise as a Y/B, 23^rd sec, 58^th open Bordeaux as a yearling and 2^nd sec, 3^rd open San Sebastian and 102^nd open Bordeaux last year. The four birds timed by Tony are of the Southwell based family.

Derek Human of Petersfield. Hampshire is in for 6^th sec A, 9^th Open having his 4 y/o blue hen in at 11.20 vel 699 flying 532 miles.

8This one was bred by Graham Matthews of Fareham from stock obtained from Derek, a case of a good one coming back home as she has won some very good positions such as 1^st sec NFC this year and 12^th open in our St. Nazaire National she was sent to this one sitting 10 day eggs having been trained twice weekly with Brian Yates from around the forty mile mark.

This hen must be a very gutsy bird as it homed completely covered in oil as after a good clean up which she had to go through after just arriving home Derek was not all that certain that it would get over the night but I am pleased to say it has

and will be put away for the rest of the season, could well reward Derek again come next season.

Derek Reid of Weybridge. Surrey comes in next to take 1^st sec G, 10^th open

with his Wim Muller Jan Aarden w/hood 3y/o dark cheq cock timed in at 12.44 for a vel of 692 Flying 560 mls.

Given prep races from Portland, Fourgeres and our St. Nazaire it was certainly fit enough as all birds timed must have been to tackle and face the north east wind that they had to encounter.

Sire is a G/Son of the No1 pair and the dam is a daughter from Derek’s No1

The dam being a full sister which has taken 17^th open Pau and 1^st sec, 4^th open Palamos a half brother won 43^rd open San Sebastian and another half brother has taken 49^th open Pau.

Having a very good start to the season is our Derek and what a week he has just had 1^st sec E, 1^st open NFC St. Nazaire, 1^st club Shepperton and now this one, long may it continue, a loft in form it truly is, plus Derek won the San Sebastian Station Raffle to boot.

3rd sec C, probable 11^th open we have Keith Nethercott & Son of Bristol. Banes who had his one a 4 y/o late bred blue cock flown on the w/hood system in at 12.45 vel 690 flying 559 miles  

This one has had every race up to and including Messac with the West of England Combine being a very consistent bird and so it should be having been bred from their No1 stock pair the cock is an Eric Cannon bird and the hen is a daughter of their 2^nd open NFC Pau.

The cock timed is also a cousin to their 4^th open Palamos last season.

Tony Cottrell, Ollie Richmond & Son Martin of Wimborne. Dorset who timed in an all pooler at 10.59 vel 689 flying 517 miles to take 1^st sec B, probable 12^th open with their 6 y/o cheq pied w/hood cock bred from a pair of birds that Ollie purchased from the late Roger Jones, Roger bought the sire at a Chris Gordon of Old Snydale sale at Salisbury, the dam is a De Weerdt purchased from Andy Gregson at the GB stud.

This one has also homed just like Derek Human’s bird mentioned above completely covered in thick black oil in fact quite tar like in substance and as Tony and Ollie have stated it is a miracle that this bird ever got home, guts it must have in abundance and the love of home is surely there having previously flown Dax Int, Pau, Bordeaux etc.

2^nd & 3^rd sec B, 13^th & 16^th open are the husband and wife team of Jake and Janice Waldock of Stoke Trister. Somerset who clocked their first a 6 y/o mealy hen at 11.51 vel 685 flying 567 miles

This hen was sent sitting 10 day eggs having had our St. Nazaire National as a prep race for this one. It was their first bird from Dax and their second bird from Pau so it has proved itself before this hard race and so it should having been bred down from the lines of Reg Venner and Sid Miles little darling two exceptional fanciers, having been a gift bird from Dave Vowles of Street.

Their second bird a 3y/o blue hen was timed in at 12.29 for a vel of 667 was also sitting 10 day eggs and also went to our St. Nazaire taking 4^th sec, 18^th open. This one is of the old gurney strain from the late John Dickerson of Charlton Mackrell. Somerset.

Feed here is mainly peas and beans with a build up for the races of Versele Laga Super plus.

7^th sec A, 14^th open is Lennie Painter of Southampton. Hampshire having his  good 6 y/o red hen in at 11.27 vel 684 flying 524 miles.

This hen was just given a number of 60 mile flips and put straight into this one as she is so consistent and has plenty of experience having taken 2^nd open Bergerac with the Solent fed and 1^st Hampshire 2-bird, she has also taken 5^th sec, 29^th open NFC Pau and 2^nd greater distance club Pau last season.

Being bred from Lennie’s own distance family that he has blended together over many years and so successful they have been for him winning many major awards at the highest level over many years with Pau being somewhat of a specialty for this top loft as being a past winner of the Langsone Gold Cup proves.

All birds are flown to an open loft being hopper fed on mainly beans plus a mix that Lennie prepares himself.

4^th sec C, 15^th Open is Ian Barnbrook of Aveley. Shropshire who timed in his single entry a Janssen Peat Manders cheq hen at 16.12 vel 680.

An all pooler it was bred for him by two good friends Len Turford and Graham Ward when Ian started racing in 2001 he joined the BBC two years ago.

As a yearling this bird went to MNFC Picauville having nearly twelve hours on the wing and in 2003 she went to Falaise and Nantes winning money, the prep race for this one was our St. Nazaire National.

This bird was the furthest flying bird recorded on the winning day 631 Miles

2nd sec G, 17^th open is David Chapple of Snodland. Kent who had his 2 y/o blue W/F hen a Van Geel cross in at 113.51 vel 666 flying 564 miles.

Sent feeding a 5 day baby it has had three channel races prior to this one as prep races having scored 10^th sec, 74^th open in our Bordeaux National as a yearling.

1^st sec CI, 18^th open is Michael “Ginger” Carteret of St. Sampsons. Guernsey clocking in his 4 y/o blue hen at 07.48 vel 664 flying 426 miles

This one has been very consistent for Michael being a gift bird from Bill Gaudion and is of the Busschaert strain. She was sent to the race sitting 8 day eggs.

5^th sec C, 19^th open we have John Clarke of Clyffe Pypard. Wiltshire who was clocked his one in his 6 y/o blue cheq cock at 14.05 for a vel of 659 flying 564 miles.

This cock has been a good servant for John having previously flown Dax, Pau three times and Perpignan 647 miles, this year he was sent on to our St. Nazaire and then in to this one feeding a 16 day youngster.

The sire was bred by the late Peter Titmuss and the dam was bred by the late Sam and Roly Fear true distance blood here.

John also timed in other birds at 14.48 vel 641 and 15.04 vel 634 on the winning day and two further birds the following day at 08.30 vel 453 and 16.14 vel 374.

In for 6^th sec C, 20^th open are the partnership of Richard Crowley & Anna Green of Compton Basset. Wiltshire clocking their good 5 y/o Jan Aarden blue cheq cock “The Predator” an all pooler at 14.15 vel 652 flying 561 miles 

This cock has previously won 12^th open CSCFC San Sebastian as well as 47^th open in our Bordeaux National, 46^th open CSCFC Bergerac and 181^st open NFC Saintes.

Their other entry the well known “Minute Man” another exceptional racer for the partnership, is at the time of going to press, still not home but the hope is that it will like many other members missing birds from this race.  

At the time of going to press we have Cameron Stansfield of Sweeney Mountain. Morda. Shropshire in for 1^st sec E, probable 53^rd open having timed in his single entry a 3 y/o cheq cock at 07.07 Sunday vel 550 flying 658 miles

Unraced as a y/b then lightly raced as a yearling to the 250 mile mark as a 2 y/o

it was sent to our Nantes National then on into NFC Pau.

This year he was mated in February and then had three inland races flown celibate he was the re-mated for this race and sent sitting 12 days. Fed mostly beans and barley he was given as many peanuts as he could eat the five days prior to basketing.  Both parents of this one were gifts from John and Rose Wills of Frimley, the sire is a son of Ian Bensteads 2^nd, 3^rd & 5^th BICC Perpignan when the former was paired to John and Rose’s Actonian Queen 43^rd & 70^th open NFC Pau. The dam is off a cock who won 95^th & 120^th open Pau when mated to a hen that flew seven 500/600 mile races in three seasons taking 1^st club Nantes, 4^th BICC Perpignan and 3^rd BICC Pau.

CAameron passes on his thanks to John Mellor for taking his entry to the marking and to Steve Richards for the setting of the clock.

2^nd sec E, Probable 61^st open is last years section winner Keith Bush of Cossall. Nottinhamshire who timed in his 3 y/o cheq hen on Sunday at 10.42 vel 506 flying 668 miles and the only other section E bird to be timed at the time of going to press was to the Smith & Hatherley partnership of Rochdale. Lancashire who had their 3y/o mealy cock in at 15.13 Sunday for a vel of 483 flying 711 miles to take 3^rd sec E, probable 63^rd open and is so far the furthest flying bird verified. 

3^rd sec D, probable 76^th  open is Don Pembroke of Reading Berkshire who clocked his one a 3y/o cheq cock on the Sunday at 17.12 vel 367 flying 564 miles           

3^rd sec G, probable 24^th open is Doug Gatland of Reigate. Surrey timing his 4y/o blue cheq cock an all pooler in at 14.10 vel 643 Flying 552 miles.

4^th sec G, probable 41^st open is David Farr of Bognor Regis. Sussex having his top of the sheet in at 14.39 vel 594 flying 520 miles. David also timed in another two birds at 16.29 vel 555 and 20.50 vel 479      

2^nd sec CI we have A. & R. Phillips of Castel. Guernsey who had their 2y/o cheq hen in at 12.09 vel 539 flying 425 miles and in for 3^rd sec CI we have .

Lawrence Le Ruez of St. Peter. Jersey having his 3y/o blue cock in at 13.52 vel 481 flying 407 miles.

Another bird worth a mention was timed in by Chris and Gloria Moore way down  the leg into Camborne. Cornwall who had their 3y/o red cock in at 14.37 vel 572 flying 500 miles the furthest westerly pigeon timed on the winning day certainly a sole performer this one. Having flown the channel five times taking sec and open positions such as 1^st sec Messac and 1^st sec Saintes both with the West of England Continental Amal. This one was bred by the partnership from their Mike Young of Timsbury Spangle bloodlines. Mike would be pleased to see this one.   

As stated above the San Sebastian marking station raffle was won by Derek Reid of Weybridge. Surrey and the San Sebastian basket sponsorship has been won by Fred and Rose Webber of Abingdon. Oxfordshire with Basket No.84

Next race is our big one The Blue Riband Palamos National come and give it a go and we shall then see you for the race marking on the 27^th June and the big magnificent dozen draw.

Keep smiling as I am sure you will if you time in a bird/s from Palamos 

Jim Hooper