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For every race a young bird has been given from a top NFC member to be raffled and the money raised will go to the Tarbes Grand National / International prize money.Members can enter by sending a cheque to Geoff Cooper for the number of required tickets @ £5 each with their name address and telephone number and he will send the tickets to the Secretary, Sid Barkel.
They can purchase tickets at the marking stations where the I/C’s will have a person(s) selling them and the counterfoils will be sent to Sid Barkel along with all the other paperwork.
There is no limit to the number of tickets a fancier can purchase. The winners will be notified and given the donors details to arrange carriage / collection.
Any questions to Geoff Cooper 07950 772257 / 01761 435292
This is it - the main event. For the Grand National / International Super Raffle it could not be more fitting to have a pigeon from Brian “the Legend” Sheppard. Brian has been a household name for many years with his many top performances from all distances in National and Classic racing. He became a worldwide name in 2003 when he won the International from Dax and then the following year he won 2nd open with a full brother. Many scoffed when the NFC first went to Dax with the International, “they’ll go to Belgium,” “you’ll never see them again..” “it will be won in Kent..” these comments were common place and totally wrong. After flying with the International three times and winning 1st open, 1st open and 5th open anyone who tries to peddle that old line will look and sound rather foolish. Not that we won’t cheer loudly if the International is won in Kent! I just hope people are not put of by the doubters, as there always will be doubters, and send their birds to this historic race. Historic because for the first time the International is the Grand National - what a combination. All the top fanciers in the country can’t wait to have a go at this race and we are hoping for a good turn out. The support we have had for this raffle has also been fantastic, not a single donor hesitated to give a bird off their best. Brian Sheppard is no exception, he has given a bird from his Tarbes Classic winner which is down from the Red Barcelona. The Classic winner was flown North as a young bird and then turned South as a yearling racing through to Saintes nearly 400 miles. All throughout his pedigree are top National winning pigeons, you know the saying - like breeds like. The Dam of the raffle bird is out of a top racing cock which raced Dax International 2003 and was 3rd National BICC Pau International, 1st west section. Brian doesn’t race hens but all the hens on the pedigree are either daughters or sisters of top racing cocks. You could not buy better from his loft.
Tickets @£5 each will be on sale at the marking stations and by post from Geoff Cooper, Dove Dale, Huddox Hill Peasedown St John, Bath, BA2 8EA. If you send a cheque, please make it payable to the NFC.
The money raised so far has raise £2300 in prize money for the Tarbes International race. £500 1st open, £300 2nd, and £200. This is on top of the National prize money which means a first open prize of £1000 including £200 for 1st section and 12 other 1st section prizes of £200.
All the top fanciers are supporting this race but we need the rank and file members to send as well so the whole country can take part in this great event - and as you know in pigeon racing, top fanciers are there to be beaten and they often are. So this is the one that could make you the next” Legend” of International racing.
Just send your part A’s as normal to Sid - on time- and that’s it, no extra International fees to pay, you’re in! If anyone is unsure how to fill in the International forms, help will be on hand at the marking stations to complete it.
Mr and Mrs Bedford from Bristol were the lucky winners of the young bird out of George, Geoff and Catherine Cooper’s Tarbes Grand National winner. They bought two tickets, so they doubled their chances and got the result they wanted. The winning ticket was sold at Frome marking station. The money raised from the following raffles will be flown for on next years Tarbes NFC International.
