National Bulletin
Pau 2002 Golden Jubilee Grand National Review
Report by Les.J.Parkinson, Clive Merrills & Bill Edwards
The Queens Golden Jubilee Pau National sponsored by Dream Breed Lofts was a tough race
after the San Sebastian race that the pigeons encountered last season. What also made it a
tougher race was the fact that the majority of South Road pigeons have encountered much
easier races with the consistent Southerly winds that we have had for most of the season
which has not helped the birds to put in any amount of work. You could write a few stories
about some of the performances put up in this race, such as the only bird on the day for
John Ayling or the Brian Denny pigeon flying some 738mles or so to end up in the top
handful. Also worth more than a mention is the one raced by Mr & Mrs Paul Kendall who
are 1st section 2nd open with the same pigeon that achieved 2nd open two years ago, what a
pigeon. It is also noticeable that Brian Deacon has now taken three straight section wins,
what a performance. There will also be many team performances in the final result
highlighting just how committed these fanciers are to achieving their goal in the Blue
Riband race of the season for the seasoned campaigner’s when it comes to the longer
races at National level. With some of these pigeons we shall be on the subject of
“Blood will tell” and this could not have been highlighted any better than with
the 2nd section pigeon for the Padfield Family. This pigeon has won 2nd sec 12th Open Pau,
9th sec 33rd WSRN Saintes. 2nd WSRN Pau beaten by loft mate and is a top breeder. The sire
has won 92nd Tours, 91st NFC Pau, 216th WSRN Saintes and 3rd Open CSCFC San Sebastian.
When you have read through this report just remember the top competition that you are up
against.
Probable 1st Sect 1st Open Pau NFC Only Bird on the Day
John Ayling realised a life long dream when he clocked his 2YO BB cock at 21.16
Friday from 517 miles to record the only bird on the day from the NFC Pau race. The winner
now named “Home Alone” is ¾ Delbar with both parents being bred by fellow club
mate Graham Mathews. The sire being pure Delbar and breeding several good birds for John.
The dam is a winner of 1st club 2nd Fed from Saintes and part Dutch stray, a Mealy that
has left a dynasty of good distance pigeons over the years. John sets his stall out with
Pau in mind each year for his relatively small team. John started the season with 36 birds
4 of which were late breds and they are all flown totally naturally. ‘Home
Alone’ had previously won Hexham 290 miles north last year. In preparation for Pau
national he has had 5 club races the last being Exeter on the 1st of June and the furthest
south was Cholet 260 miles the week prior to Exeter. He had had 4 x 30-mile single tosses
with 5 days rest before basketing when he was sitting 8 days on eggs. All the birds are
flown naturally and hopper fed a mixture. Winning Pau NFC created a unique double for John
as he had previously won 1st section 1st open CSCFC Pau on the day. He has also won 2nd
section 5th open NFC, 2nd section 26th open NFC and 4th section 30th open NFC, 12th open
CSCFC on the day and many other top positions from Pau. ‘Home Alone’ came very
high from the north like a dot and resulted in John having a long, nervous wait on
Saturday as news filtered through of birds further up country. Johns worry at being caught
by birds flying further was heightened by it being light just after 4 am on Saturday and a
stray that was sat on the roof opposite had cleared by 04.30 hrs. To highlight that
John’s birds were on form, he had 6 of his 8 entries by 14.30hrs Saturday and also
won 1st and 3rd on the same weekend from Cholet. I was fortunate to handle “Home
Alone” Saturday morning and he was in excellent condition. John said he had not lost
any weight and he certainly looked lively enough. John’s second arrival at 09.23 was
a brother to the winner and his 4th at 11.20 a son of his Pau Classic winner. Well done
John, a well deserved champion performance by a champion pigeon and a first class fancier.
Thanks to Bill Edwards- Gosport for the above contribution.
Probable 2nd Open and 1st Section F.
The 2nd time - 2nd open and 1st section - Not only the fancier but also the same bird
- What a fantastic pigeon. Paul Kendal from Wantage is nearly there again with
‘Morning Glory’ he arrived at 7.30am. Paul is married to Helen and they are a
smashing couple and deserve the accolades that this performance will heap on them. He is a
carpenter /builder and they live in a lovely place. Paul spends many an hour walking the
downs with their black Labrador dog. Beware this dog does not like visitors. But enough of
the idyllic conversations back to the pigeon. He is a 5 year old widowhood cock a g.son of
Holloway Boy’ which won the NFC Pau for Paul in 1992. The dam is out of a Daughter of
‘Jane’ (Geoff Cooper) He arrived at 7.20am for his 2nd spot in 2000 and was sent
to San Sebastian in 2001 being 82nd open. Paul had intended to retire him to stock but
decided to go for the diploma for three times in 1st 100, which he believes has only been
done about 15 times before. This bird deserves not just a diploma but a special place in
the NFC archives. For the analysts he was prepared for the race with a Club Picauville,
Classic Picauville, BBC Nantes, and the NFC Nantes.
Probable 3rd Open and 1st Section E
Kenny Hine, a stalwart of the NFC committee, takes this spot. He tells me it is now
about 14 years since he was first elected. Having retired 12 months ago to spend more time
with his wife Lillian and his birds (in that order he tells me) it seems to be paying off.
The birds are mainly natural but he has been experimenting with widowhood for the last
three years. His stock is mainly of Titmuss and Fear Brothers origin with the odd
introduction of a good bird from outside. The one that scored however is one of six
youngsters brought in from Tony Hayward of Sandhurst origin to implement the middle
distance team. Kenny has all his sights on Palamos and Pau and all his team are geared up
for these races. The bird was then in with the team stood the pace and seemed to like it.
He went to a 400-mile with the BICC and then the next week with the NFC Nantes and had 9
hours. Kenny is not much on the paperwork side as he keeps pigeons for the joy of race
days. Although grateful for his 3rd spot he was as pleased with his second arrival
‘Charville Kathy’ it is her 3rd time at the distance being his 1st arrival in
2000 from Pau and from San Sebastian in 2001. She has two out of three in the 1st 100 for
the diploma.
Probable 1st Section A
We now go down to the South coast and to Brighton. The lofts of Peter and Leon
McMahon. Peter originally hails from London moving to Brighton when he was 14. He became
friendly with a school friend who kept pigeons and from there his interest never stopped.
Racing from his current place started in 87. He is grateful to his wife Teresa who even
though she has no real interest, lets out the birds when he cannot because of work. The
pigeon is a slatey 2-year-old on widowhood. As a side issue Peter hopper feeds his
widowers and never breaks them down. To continue - he is bred down from a cock, which was
from the Ponderosa and via Kenny Abbott. Whilst mentioning Kenny he would like to tell him
‘thanks for the encouragement and help over the years.’ The cock has the Janseen
Merx Cock in the pedigree. Which was paired to a Verhey hen owned by Reg Sarre from
Blackpool. The cock is a nightmare in the loft he wants to fight all in sight and will try
and claim any nest box, which takes his fancy. This year he has had some real work. To the
BICC one week the next LSECC Le Ferte Bernard the next, then BICC, then LSECC Tours, then
after a weeks rest NFC Nantes, then next to BICC Bruges and so to Pau.
Probable 1st Section C
Alfie James from Poole fills this spot with a 2-year-old cock on widowhood. He is Jim
Smith Wildermerche via Louella. He was one of six he bought in as youngsters. These were
for the distance as all his others are Van Reets. He has noticed that on normal days the
Van Reets are well in front but when it gets tougher the Wildermerches catch them up.
Alfie is a retired docker married to Doreen with two sons neither of who showed any
interest in the pigeons. Alfie was up and out at 5am waiting but ‘sods law’
meant that he was not looking when the pigeon dropped at 9.10am.
Probable 1st Section D
Down towards the West Country and ‘Hawk Country’ at Exeter we find Richard
and Malcolm Wellington. With west in the wind the performance is excellent - timing in at
11.30 am. The partnership is Richard the son and his father Malcolm. Malcolm the father
and his father before him are the pigeon fancier lines. He hopes that Jordan his
5-year-old son will continue. He has a loft of his own and Richard has just weaned 6
youngsters, which are now his sons ‘race team’. The birds are flown roundabout,
which means that no training is necessary. 3 times 10 miles at the start of the season is
all they get. Why? The answer is the hawks. They have a pair of peregrines in the church
tower with a web cam for the kids to view. Do they ever show the pigeons being torn apart
for feeding the young? The pigeon is a 6-year-old prepared all year for this race. He has
been ‘over the water’ 19 times being 97th open Classic Pau. On that occasion he
had a stopped clock and had to cycle 5 miles to Paul Pyms to time in. (The children had
the car). He wants to say a thank-you to the girls still at home, his wife Martina and
daughters Karraleigh and Gemma for their support. He realises as we all do the patience
our partners have to have with a pigeon fancier. He has now attained one ambition (section
from Pau) He next two are to time in race time from Palamos and to win NFC.
Probable 1st Section G
1st section G goes to Dave Rivers with a pigeon bred out of a pair of Van Geels from
Louella that were later lost off the loft. This pigeon has had quite an unsettled life
because Dave was telling me that he has moved a few times and this section winner has
flown to four different lofts, that’s how he has kept himself fit Dave. Dave is no
stranger to competitive races having won 4th & 10th Open Pau in the CSCFC. 8th Pau
NFC. 1st & 2nd Bergerac in the Amal. Last season he finished around the top 50 in the
San Sebastian race. There are only 12prs kept to race on the Natural system, Dave has
tried widowhood but prefers to race them natural. A mark of a good man is knowing how far
he can push the pigeons and in Dave’s case he can do just that because not only has
he done it on the south but also on the North route. He has successfully raced to 550mls
up in the far North and Pau to the South which cannot be easy.
Probable 1st Section H
1st section H goes to one of the legends in the sport S.G.Biss otherwise known as Jim
who is no stranger to the leader board when it comes to the longer races. I have only
spoken to Jim a couple of times and he has some very strong views on the sport that I
shall take on board for a future article. For this race Jim clocked a Blue cock known as
“Emboli” who was bred in 1998 and flew San Sebastian last year and has also been
to Pau before. Jim faxed me through the pedigree of this section winner and for those who
follow pedigree breeding you can see and appreciate just how well this one is bred. The
breeding takes in such pigeons as “Cubit” 1st Grand National. “Lama”
twice 1st National Marsailles. “Titan” 7th National Pau. “Vend” 1st
National FC Pau and probably the best breeder ever owned by Jim. “Favori” whose
National and International performances are legendary. I would liked to have added more on
this breeding but space and time are always limited on these reports. However I must say
that when it comes to distance racing the pedigrees do not get much better than this
section winner.
Probable 1st Section I
1st section .I. sees the ever present Brian Deacon at the top of the list a place that
he has been used to being for quite some time. Brian took the rubber off a Light Blue
Chequer Hen sent sitting a nest of small youngsters and her cock starting to show her his
attentions. This is from the old Pol Bostyn lines that Brian had some years ago and later
sent a team of them down to Fred Bloor which were blended into his own Gits family. This
has proven very successful and they have produced many top pigeons. This section winner is
also aunt to 1st section 3rd open San Sebastian. This is the time of year when Brian
really enjoys his racing because the longer races are the ones that he strives for and no
one can deny the fact that he is never far away and achieves his goal with ease.
Probable 1st Section J
The Fowler family lead the way in section J, the family being brothers Anthony and
Paul with dad Roy doing the jobs that they don’t want to do, or that’s the way
it sounds and not forgetting her in doors who does all the brewing. Anyway this section
winner is a Cheq w/h cock from the Jim Biss Julian Mattjys pigeons so they are no
strangers to the longer races. They have only had these pigeons for about three years so
are well pleased with the early results shown. The preparation was a trip to the Nantes
National where he had 12hrs on the wing and by the way this is the p/ships first attempt
at this race point and Anthony said that it was “Most definitely worth it”. The
lads were waiting for the pigeons from the Moorlands sprint race and as they were dropping
this one followed so it was a quick change of loft and into the clock. They have had a
good season and in the seven inland races the lowest that they have been is 16th against
as many as 4,000 plus birds. I shall be compiling a full report on this winning team over
the next few weeks so keep an eye out to see if you can latch onto a winning system.
We mention good performances early in the article, this is one such performance,
Brian Denny flying 738mls is 1st section K probable 5th Open. This addition to his many
wins is with a 6yo Dark Cock called “Tuff Nut” because the harder it gets the
better he comes. On the sire’s side the breeding is down from “Dark Peron”
a top racing and stock cock of the past for Brian. Then on the dams side we have the Van
Bruanes that are known for keeping up when it gets to the longer events. Brian has never
shyed away from sending this cock have been to the following distances in the years
mentioned. As a 2yo 470 & 573mls. 3yo 2 x 470mls and 573mls. 4yo 412-470-573mls. 5yo
with the F & M only went to San Sebastian and as a 6yo he has had three inland race
then into 412mls before going to Pau. Brian was telling me that he has now retired this
cock to the stock loft even though he does like them to race in their 7th year. Michael
Spencer is another who is no stranger to the winners enclosure in these races having added
1st sec L and a top 30 position for this race. This is with a 5yo sent sitting 6 day old
youngsters. He has had great success in the Lancs & Yorks Cont with the following,
15th Nantes, 4th San Sebastian, 4th Nantes. He is a g.son of “Border Duke” who
had seven National prizes and a full brother to “Border Prince” 1st NFC Nantes.
The sires side saw 12th Nantes, 3rd Pau and 3rd Saintes to win the ave in the Lancs &
Yorks club and on the dams side there is 1st & 6th WESRC Dax over 500mls. Michael was
saying that he sent this cock to the Nantes NFC and feels that it put him right for this
race where he is pooled to £50 section and £10 open. An added bonus is that he is also
entered into the Single Bird Greater Distance club and is closely related to the cock that
won the section in 97. I have quite a bit of other info on these pigeons that I shall use
in future articles. Well done to all the winners in what turned out to be a hard race
after the pigeons have had so many tail winds during the season.
Les.J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive,
Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 ONJ. Tel/Fax: 01606 836036. ljohnp@elimarpigeons.fsnet.co.uk web-site www.elimarpigeons.fsnet.co.uk
