It was great to see so many having a good race from Guernsey with the National Flying Club as it was the first opportunity for anyone in the UK to race over the channel this season. Fred Hall in Worthing put up a great performance with his winning bird reaching 68mph with the high than expected velocities right up the country. 

Birds were timed doing good velocities into the Scottish borders and it was a real tonic for an otherwise sombre season, with Black Saturday blues still hurting many fanciers. With that said the club Committee has voted to cancel the last race of the season from Guernsey. With the race date having been moved to late July in the hope of getting a Grand National race from San Sebastian, it was felt by most that with the beginning of the young bird season being around the same time and us not being able to have the Grand National from Guernsey in respect of the previous performances from the long distances, plus the Treasurer expressed caution so the Chairman agreed to hold the vote. We can now look forward to the young bird season with the next race being from Guernsey on the 4^th September along with the usual Old Hens race and we wish you all the very best of luck in the preceding Federation races.

Section A

First section and first Open was Fred Hall and Daughters with Fred’s Syndicate lofts bloodlines reported in the winners article.

Second and fifth was Mick Skidmore in Havant who has been having a great season in the NFC. For the second time in two weeks he has been asked to write a few lines on his pigeons.

“But first I must congratulate the national winner Fred Hall of the Premiere 100 Club at Havant, “Well done Fred”, my winning pigeon is two-year-old checked pied cock flown on the widowhood system. It was the first race across the water after being raced as a yearling Bird from my half brother and half sister mating the Sire is 50% Busschaert and 50% Joss Thorne with the dam being the same mother. The sire has been top class widowhood cock winning eleven national cards is also sire of the second open Messac with the central southern classic dame won first club Bergerac and raced with the NFC.” Third was Mr & MRs Brian Wall also in Havant as is Dec Jones who was fourth. He timed a blue yearling cock having his first channel race. His nest brother as a youngster won the Premier 100 P Ring race and £1000 pound and his mother was a good racing but now breeding hen, coming to win 1st section 8th Open NFC Messac. His grandfather was a cock I call Dads Lad winning 1st Section NFC 1st Open NFC Messac. The Cocks are raced on pure widowhood system going out once a day and no training is given once racing starts.

Section B

First and third section B was Jason Bowden who would like to congratulate all of the section winners.

He timed a two year old hen flown on widowhood which has been a very consistent bird on both the North and West routes, being 6^th in the Premier 100 Club from Honiton the week before. His second bird is a red grizzle hen which was unraced as a young bird but has been to every race in the Premier 100 Club this season and was sent sitting 10 days on eggs for this National. Second section was Rob Harbour who would like to congratulate Fred Hall and all the section winners.

He timed a two year old hen of “Black Power” lines on both sides via Hardy Kruger.   Mr & Mrs Dave Waterhouse were fourth and fifth and Dave would also like to congratulate Fred Hall a fantastic result. Both his birds are together and down from his old family of Jacob Poortvliet x Leo Hermann. The hen was having her second race of the season and the cock is a grandson of his “Ace Pair” this was her 2^nd race of the season and came with her cock. Dave’s third pigeon home, a granddaughter of “Kettle”, was nominated in the Premier 100 Club winning him £100  

My 2^nd pigeon was 4^th section 7^th open which again is from my old family Jacob Poortvliet pigeons he is a grandson of my Ace pair. His birds are raced on roundabout and fed on Van Robaeys Super Widowhood mix.

Section C

I was pleased to see that Neville and Diana Spracklen was first section C which is their twenty fifth section win. They had to wait for two seasons to get the 25^th having hit the post several times and it was more pleasing to win it from a channel race.

The winning bird is a Hoogland x Deklak x Mark Gilbert's “Sebastian” which is a strange combination, but it is working for them. He is a yearling widowhood cock and was their first pigeon from the BICC Truro race and was well placed. They would like to congratulate the winner and all the section winners. Mr & Mrs Mick Wiffin was second with a blue white flight widowhood cock called “Treble”.

He has been very consistent this year having flown west from Sennen Cove and north from Chesterfield. And was their second bird from a hard Upper Heyford race. He is from their own family of pigeons which Mick can trace back to 1969 when we bought a pair of Busschaert yearlings from Doug Gifford for 30 Shillings (£1.50) so I think they got their money’s worth. Third was John Halstead from North Dorset with a yearling chequer widowhood cock.

This cock was John’s first bird two weeks earlier from the BICC Penzance race when he finished 38th Open from 3575 birds. His Sire 972 has flown NFC Tarbes and Pau in the last 2 seasons being a son of “Nyland Reco” winner in 2017 and 2018 of 9th and 23rd open Barcelona. “Reco” is a grandson of “Ashley”. Dam of the yearling was bred by M.Gilbert from a son of “Tuff Nutt” and “Cilla”, both Brian Denny to a daughter of Etienne Meirlaen 7 times Barcelona cock. John had 100% returns even though 3 homed around 8.30 pm on the evening of the race. Fourth was David Wilson of Yeovil and fifth was Terry and Linda Vincent in Steepleton. They timed a yearling cock sent sitting eggs and was bred from Tony Porter birds acquired when Tony gave up the sport. His wife Linda is pictured with the bird and is a great help for Terry and they had a very enjoyable day as the birds came well after flying North Road for the first time this season, Terry was glad to be able to race over the channel once again getting six out of six home on the day. Linda Vincent was 5th section.

Section D

Marcus Balckmore wins section D and would like to thank the National Flying Club for a great race from Guernsey plus Wayne Wright and Mr& Mrs Wright for the parents that bred his blue bar cock.

He is also grateful for the help and advice they have given him over the last couple of years since he returned to the sport. Marcus flies a small team and is thrilled with his two section positions in the last month, a 5th from Sennen Cove and a first from Guernsey is a dream come true having sent 3 and had 3 home. Second and third was Simon Cordery in Sidmouth who timed a blue hen he bought at the Ken Ware retirement sale in 2017, flown to the nest.

His second bird is a Leen Boar which also finished 18^th section in the first Sennen Cove race. Both parents were purchased from Tumley Lofts. Fourth was Kevin Smith with a cock sent sitting ten days on eggs.

His sire is “Thornlea Flashy Boy” which he bought from Gerry Francis and is full of one loft racing birds including National, Fed, Classic Open race winning positions. The dam is a Vandenabeele hen he bought from Alan Baker which has bred winners with different Cocks including an RPRA winner and many club positions when owned and raced by Steve White, liberator of the NFC. In preparation for the Guernsey race he was sent sitting 10 Day old eggs and raced with the DCWSFC each week to get him up to speed taking club and open positions on the way. Fifth was Club Chairman Paul Naum who is working tirelessly for the benefit of the club and it is great to see him get a top position in the section.

Section E

Mark Gilbert has topped his section once again along with the third place. He has had a fantastic old bird season with top positions both North and South routes, hats off to you Mark. Second was Steve Buckle who races Janssen bloodlines. Fourth was Gary Inkley with a blue chequer hen bred from his 2^nd Open NFC Saintes winner which was himself bred from his “Northern Lights” 1^st Open NFC Saintes, when paired to a daughter of Hannibal x Genie. Her dam is via Tim Atkin bred from a son of Bandit x Moonglow with a daughter of War Drum x Rhiannon. Fifth was the ever present Mr & Mrs E Corkett & Sons who are always in the mix with their Gust Jansen Strain

Section F

The Rostrons topped their section in Thatcham and would like to congratulate the overall winner and all the other section winners. They are over the moon with their very first section winner, a hen which has been a consistent bird for them.

She is a pure Franz zwols from stock birds purchased at Formula 1 lofts which they have raced birds on the roundabout system this year and they, along with the birds, have really enjoyed it. They would also like to say a big thank you to Allan Webber for training their birds. Second was J& P Parker in Reading, with Kieron Marcham,from Newbury third with a widowhood hen that I had brought in a breeder buyer sale last year. She was bred by Darren Aspy from Wolverhampton out of some Van Loon stock he had brought in. His second bird was fifth section and was another widowhood hen which he had bred himself out of his original Jansen based birds he had been given when he started up 10 years ago. This family have been very consistent in the club and BBandO federation competing in the sprint races which are his main concern although he is getting the bug for National racing. 

Fourth was David Clark, also in Reading with a Blue Chequer Hen which also raced well last year being in all three 2020 races taking 248th Fourges 9,976b, 160th Nort-sur-Erdre 5,349b and 174th Pau Grand National 2,730b. 7th was Andrei Bargaoanu.

Section G

Thanks go to Catherine Cooper who sent me the details for section winners Fab Barresi, Dom Barresi and Donald Bull who race in partnership at Peasedown St John, Somerset. They timed a two year old widowhood cock which is now called “Luka” after Fab’s grandson.

 Luka was bred by friend Brian Goodwin and the parents are from Mickey Collins Van den Bulck lines. Just this season this cock has won, 1st club Eastbourne 25th West of England SR combine 2394b, 4th Eastbourne club. 36th West of England SR combine 1344b and 3rd Ramsgate club, 32nd West of England SR Combine 1419b. Second was D Wyatt & M Gray from Nailsea in Bristol and third was Chris Templar in Hartcliffe. Elmer Harvey was fourth with a two year old called “Bones” as it was previously picked up by a non fancier at Western Super Mare flown out.

Winning the club the week before the National from Brighton it is bred down from “The Machine” via good friend Ian Stafford. All his three entries arrived in good time in great condition. Fifth was S Luff & Walker Bros in Dursley, Gloucestershire.

Section H

Steve Bartholomew won the section with a three year old Blue Cock raced on the Chaos System which also won the first race of the season in his club and was second on the Black Saturday race from Weymouth beaten by his loftmate.

His dam has won 1 x 1st 2 x 2nds 1 x 5th racing in the Midshires Fed being a gift bird bred by Mark Cauldwell of Uley Gloucester.

A full Brother to the Section winner was 3rd SE Section MNFC Holmsley. Steve entered 8 for the race had 7 on the day and one next morning. Second was Patmore & Rayner in Saffron Walden with a Sliver Chequer yearling cock which was 17 minutes in front of his next bird.

He had never been paired as he was one of 8 surplus yearlings as they didn’t have enough boxes. There was always hens floating around in the loft on a Saturday so he sort of got the idea of widowhood and after loosing one or two older cocks he took a box which he defended to the hilt. Steve Bartholomew was third with his second bird and fourth was Colin and Adam Crick in Stotfold, Hertfordshire.

Fifth was Nicolae Babes in Ely who is originally from Transylvania in Romania.

He came to England as a student in 2003 and since he decided to remain he joined the Cambridge Granta Pigeon club in 2009. For the last few years he has taken the responsibility of the Club Secretary and helps with other club work. Nicolae races his birds on the natural system due to work commitments and trains them once or twice a day around the house at different hours. His first bird is a blue chequer hen bred in 2018 which flew Pau last season as they are long distance bloodlines and he hopes to fly from Pau once again next season. 

Section I

Shaun McDonough won first and fifth section with a yearling chequer cock bred for him by his friend Pieter Oberholster.

He is raced on widowhood and has won this year 1st club, 5th fed, 3rd club 3rd fed being beaten by loft mates he arrived with and also 1st section from Penzance in the BICC and is bred from a son of MJ1 x Gaby Vandenabeele. Second was Jon Perrott with a cock raced on natural and sitting eggs which won his club the week prior to the NFC. He is bred of his own channel family crossed with a hen of my very good friend Dave Shorthouse. Top Leicester fanciers Summers Bros & Daughter were third with a bird that was 2^nd Club 12^th Fed from Lyndhurst the week before. Fourth was Clive Yates who had a good days racing when four dropped in four minutes and had 20 out of 25 on the day which all looked well.

He also won the first four in the federation on the same day so had got them right for the job. The hen he timed has won a few prizes in the past, her dam is full of his FVW stock that they have had for 40 years, in her breeding she has Clive’s four Open MNFC winners. Her sire is bred by syndicate lofts being a grandson of Mona Lisa of Mike Ganus, his best ever stock hen.

Section J

Mr & Mrs P Shaw won first section with yet another of his Mandelartz pigeons which is also a multiple club winner.

Second was Williams Bros with a hen raced on widowhood bred by their good friend Adam Stokes of S Stokes & Sons.  She was 1st Club 3rd Wolverhampton Federation as a youngster and was a very consistent yearling. She continued this consistency as a 2 year old and was 3rd club 4th Wolverhampton Federation a few weeks before the National race from Guernsey. Third was K & P Herbert & F Jones from Stourbridge with “The Bridesmaid Cock” which is a very consistent cock, always in the mix and never lets them down. His sire was bred by Jack Walker from his son of Johannesburg and the Dam by John Crehan being a daughter of Colt45. Fourth was J. & B. Oakley in Whitchurch who timed their good yearling cock “George” which topped the section from the NFC young bird race. He must like the channel as his form has been steady this year until this race. He's raced on widowhood and bred from their good son of GWP Macaloneys “Back Caviar” & "Black Gold" when he was paired to a daughter of Ian Wheatley's “Red King”. These are proving to be a real power couple with numerous other top national/fed positions coming through these again this season. Thanks to the NFC for making a great lib call on a difficult day, to Pete and Sandra Shaw on topping the section and Fred Hall for winning the race. 4th were J & B Oakley.

Fifth were Cooper Bros in Kidderminster. 

Section K

First section K was H A Rawson & Towers with a four year old hen bred from their old family of K Morgan and Rod Sparkes which has been their most consistant bird this year, winning 1^st Club Marlborough and now 1^st Sect K, which is now her fifth first prize.

Second was J R Woods with a blue Mandelartz hen from stock off John Gerrard. Previous to this she has had a first Club, 7th Fed Falaise 330 miles and a 1st Club, 1st Fed, 2nd Mid Yorkshire combine Falaise. Third were Tomlinson & Green from Barnsley who timed two yearlings in great condition which were bred by good friends Ray & George Anderson in Washington. They had a great race having 29 out of 30 on the day with the last one early the next morning. Pete Hagland was fourth with a dark chequer cock which is a Houben x Herman Beverdam. This pigeon was injured in one of the early races and this was his first race for three weeks after recovery. Pete was very pleased as this has been a very consistent pigeon in the past. Fifth was J T Dudhill in Doncaster with a Marcelis x Delbar whose sire and dam both won prizes in the NFC and NC and one loft races, winning over £3,000.

Section L

B & G Smith from Congleton, Cheshire won section L with a two year old Roundabout Hen berd from a pair of stock birds they brought direct off Roger Lowe of Reading.

They are De Rauw Sablon’s from the “Freddy” & “Limoges” lines when paired to a Hen bred by John Jackson of Redruth which is a Heremans-Ceuster from their New Diamond x Dark Debbie lines. This season she has flown inland races in the local club as well as going to the first Sennen Cove race with the NFC being first back to the loft finishing 2nd Eccles 2 bird Club and going to Yelverton with the North West Classic Club.

In preparation for this race she had the weekend off from racing prior to Basketing and fed Vanrobaeys Racing Exclusive with fats added closer to the race date. Second and third were J Wood and Son in Oldham with two hens which were both sitting 10 days on eggs.

First over the pad was a blue Busschert hen and second over the pad was a blue hen same way bread as their 4th section L Sennen Cove 2 which was from J&S Ward and Chris Gordon’s pigeons. Paul Hart in Haywood was fourth with Roger Sutton of Bent Farm in Astbury fifth.

Section M

I was pleased ot see some very good pigeons being timed right up into the Scottish Borders and I asked John Hodgson to send me some details of his race. “This was the first time I have sent with the NFC and felt this year would be a good time to send due to limited racing from across the channel. Due to the late liberation, I thought the birds would find it difficult to home on the night as they would have to fly around the last 100 miles on their own and no helping wind they then have to come through the Cumbria hills however they did and I was very pleased as the pigeons all came home in excellent condition.

My first 5 pigeons were all hens sent sitting 10 days prior to this they were flown widowhood and my first pigeon had been racing very well having a 1st & 2nd club, her sire was bred by Oswald Schneider and dam is a R&X Verstraete Top Star bloodlines. The second hen is sired by a R&X Verstraete Top Star Bloodlines, dam is a direct Daughter of Louella's "Incredible" gifted to me by John & Michael Massarella and my third is a Grandson of Top Star and dam a daughter of the Monar in turn bred from Yelena. The fourth birds sire is a son of Louella's "Incredible" gifted to me by John & Michael Massarella dam is a half sister to Mark Gilberts "Iron Man" and my fifth pigeon is called Roxy both parents bred by Oswald Schneider. I decided to send my fourth and fifth pigeons back to a Guernsey race on the 9th of July with SNFC as they were is excellent condition ,both these hen scored at this race flying 760 miles in 6days. I would also like to say I am very impressed with the NFC website with the arrivals map etc.”

Section N

J Best & Son won 1st Section N with a yearling cock through Bob McKie’s ‘The Driver’ x Kannibaal/Farmer George bloodlines.

Steven’s 2nd Section was a 3yo hen from a full brother to Southfield Melissa x ‘Pure Gem’ star performer, winner of 1st & 2nd NFC Section N in 2016 for John & Steven Best. Tony Lyons' inform loft won 3rd Section with a 3yo hen from his Brian Denney/Marrtin Vinkerbourg family.

This hen  won 2nd Section N from the first Sennen Cove race. Kevin Kelly won 4th Section with a 3yo cock with previous channel form, winning 61st UNC from Gien. G/Son of Marshall’s ‘Champaign Charlie’ x Nouwen/Paesen bloodlines. Brian Hopper & Son won 5th Section with a 2yo cock from their Ian Axe bloodlines, sent to the race 'in between eggs’ 

Section O

Dave Travis timed two for first and second section and he had entered five birds for this race all Southwell pigeons bred form stock obtain from Nigel Corwood, which he said were not the fastest but very reliable.

The section winner was third section from Sennen Cove 1 and has flown a few channel races including twice 500mile on the day and would have been his candidate for the Grand National if we could have gone the greater distance. The second section pigeon was fifth section from Sennen Cove 1. Dave is also into his Motorbikes and is pictured with both his passions.

Section P

With an excellent entry of over 550b the clear leader of the section was V Belcher and son from Plumstead and was also fourth.

Tony timed a yearling Lambrect hen bred from a pair of birds from James Parker. This pair have already bred some good pigeons for Tony and has seen this loft feature well up in recent national races. Second section is another previous national winner in Bruce McAllister

This is what Bruce had to say about the race “ My second section winner is a two year old blue pied cock raced widowhood, consistent with an outstanding pedigree. The sire is Dynamite Wittcop, a Cooreman purchased at one of Bob Fenech’ s sales. The Dam is my Goldmine hen which is an outstanding breeder, dam of my 1st and 2nd National and another daughter has topped the fed 3 times so pretty special. I had a good race with 27/30 on the day and the other 3 next morning. Well done to all the winners” Third section is Kevin Foster of Longfield Hill, with a three year old widowhood hen.

A very consistent pigeon winning from club to national level where she was 21st National Cholet as a yearling. Her sire is a Koopman from Tim Rodwell while her dam is from Robert Rome bred directly from Bernie 1st Welsh National when paired to a top stock hen the 187. The hens have been in good form this year appearing in the first 10  of the section result in the last three  national races in c 1st Section BICC National Penzance. Fifth is Damian Szpak from Bromley and he said “ My first pigeon is a yearling cock bred from my ‘Queen 85’ a super racing hen and from last year a breeding hen. The nest sister to my first pigeon won 20th open BICC Coutances YB last year and many other top position. Congratulations to all the winners”

Sixth section is a recently formed partnership from Bromley. J Newman, L Firmager, S Dunn and J Elston who said “ The pigeon we timed in was a Michael Van Lint that i purchased from Dean Pallatt at the South of England Epsom Fayre as a squeaker . He’s done everything I’ve asked and has always been consistent. This year I’ve had help from Tom Williams who has given me a fresh approach to pigeon racing. To be honest I was at the point of packing it in but now have my enthusiasm back. I will dedicate this performance  to my pigeon partner Steve Dunn “

Section Q

Thanks to Chris Boyce who compiled this report “After missing the first two National races from our Sennen Cove, section Q finally got some National racing from Guernsey, on paper only 90 -130 miles to Cornwall, in reality with a southerly wind and rain in the South West it turned out to be yet another hard national race for the Cornish fliers.  12 fanciers sent 83 birds to Guernsey. The first bird home was Dave Johnson’s Blue cock, ‘Q King’ see picture, in 4hrs 36mins and the velocity of 756 yds per minute gives you a feel for how hard the race had been.

This turned out to be the fastest bird on the day, Dave flies with the Cornwall classic club and with St Austell. His winning bird was bred from a pure Logan cock obtained from Brian Snell. The hen was out of ‘Young Connie’ a bird Dave had bred from Keith Mott’s ‘Connie’ which in turn came from Eric Cannon stock. Second on the day was Darren Hosking from Penzance club, Darren had a great day’s racing with three birds in the top ten. His blue chequer cock ‘Tufty’ was a cross between a Daniel Aerens cock obtained from the Gregory brothers at Blackpool a hen that was half Mueleman and half Jan Aarden. In third place was Dick Anthony who has over 60 years of pigeon racing experience had second and eighth on the day. Dick has been very ill over the last 12 months or so and his wife Gail told me this will probably be his last year of racing as they run down their old bird race team. They were both delighted with the results, Dick told me that the three year old Blue cock was from his own stock the cock bird being a son of his third open Saintes bird (2013) (ari-bissor breeding) and the hen was twenty eighth open St Vincent BICC ( Ari-Bissor/Marriot breeding)

A final mention must go to Keith Frost of St Austell, at one point ‘Frosty’ had 3 pigeons in the top four but as the race results developed he had to settle for 4^th,5^th and 7^th still a creditable result. Overall we had a very hard race with nine different fanciers appearing in the top fifteen positions great for competition and we are all looking forward to Guernsey Two.

Section W

First section were S & B Cooke in Wrexham, with a yearling pied hen raced on widowhood, with both her parents being bred by good friend Shaun McDonough, of Pelsall.

The bird is bred through the lines of Shaun’s main birds, with “Magic Pie” “Ultimate” and “Coronation Joy”, among them. She has been really consistent through out the season. They would like to thank Shaun for the birds, and also the winners. Second and fifth was D. Wright & Son also in Wrexham with a Frans Zwol hen which has had minor club positions including 3rd club 18th fed Eastbourne this season. Their second bird is a Vandenbelle originating from M & D Evans. Which was 1st section 64th open Welsh South Rd National Eastbourne, 1st Wrexhan 2 bird specialist club Carentan, 3rd club 12th fed Eastbourne, 3rd club 14th fed Eastbourne, 4th club 29th fed Eastbourne and also bred a yearling hen 2 x 1st club and 2 x 1st fed and 2nd club 12th fed. Third were M & L. Bowen,in Rhyl with a bird out of a pair bought from Brain Clayburns clearance sale. He won Monmouth the week before when they took the first six. D Jones was fourth.

News and views to me Chris Sutton on 01530 242548 or 07792 356330 email