This is the section report for the final race of the season for the National Flying Club was held from Guernsey on the 6th September which was sponsored by Benzing and The House of Aarden. Both young Birds and Old Hens were raced in conjunction with Mike Lovelock winning the Young Bird race and Brian Reenes the Old Hens, both of which have been reported on separately. Firstly I would like to thank another one of our sponsors Vanrobaeys who have supplied all of the pigeon feed for the transportation of our birds in all of the National Flying Club races. They have supported the club for many years and it is hoped for many years in the future. Many thanks to them and their team at Astbury Farm for ensuring the transporter always had adequate supplies of quality corn on board.

Section A 

On to section A and I would like to thank Darren May for applying his local knowledge and helping to compile all of the reports once again over the season. I would also like to extend a special thought to Alan Blake who sadly passed away a few weeks ago, his contributions were always acquired with great enthusiasm for the section and he even approached Darren to replace him when he knew he would no longer be able to give as much to the NFC as he thought the members deserved. R.I.P Alan, you will be sadly missed.

First section from Guernsey was Charles Ayling who also won 3rd and 5th. Charles would like to thank the marking team for doing a great job over the season and congratulate Dave Waterhouse and Rodney Broome for their results on a hard day in an easterly wind.

A1Charles Ayloing 1st 3rd & 5th Sect A NFC YB Guernsey

His first pigeon was home bred from a pair of Vandenabeeles bought at the Holland show in 2019 from Roel Gossen and was flown natural. His 3rd and 5th placed birds were also home bred from his Vandenabeeles. He would also like to thank good friend Brian Wall for putting himself out to take him training and to the Premier 100 club for all their congratulations. Second was Rodney Broome with a Busschaert direct from Louella stud and they too extend their gratitude to the Convoying team for looking after the birds.

A2R broome and grand son 2nd Sect A NFC Guernsey YB

Fourth was Daryll Luxford in Horley adn can be seen pictured with his daughter Erin.

A4Daryll & Erin Luxford 4th Sect A NFC Guernsey YB

He times a blue cock whos sire was bred by Nigel Llewelyn of Southampton from his Van der Espt blood ad nth edam was bred by House of Aarden being a double granddaughter of “Iron Lady”.

First section in the Old Hens race was Bertie Shepherd with a hen down from his Merit Award winner “Rainbow Lad”.Second was A J Boughen from Liphook with D Turner in Dorking taking third and D Walker in Bordon fourth. Gordon Marsh came in fifth with “ Woodlands Anne“ sired by a winner of 4x1sts and other prizes including 3rd fed 2140 birds.

A5Gordon Marsh 5th Sect A NFC Guernsey OH

His sire being a full brother to Crammond and Langstaff’s 8 times fed winner plus a full brother to “Woodlands Anne” was first section A NFC, 3rd section BICC a couple of years ago, then “Anne” went back to Guernsey the following week to score 1st central section Any Age in the BICC.

Section B

Once again, I am grateful to Bill Edwards in Gosport for all his help in compiling the section reports, it is truly appreciated. Bill writes; Leading the way in Section B, in what turned out to be a testing Guernsey YB race is the ever consistent Mark Gower of Fordingbridge on the edge of the New Forrest. Mark would like to congratulate the winner, Mr Lovelock on a great bird at that distance. Marks pigeon was on Darkness until mid-June but apart from that everything is natural with both sexes in together and a few pair up.

Mark Gower 1st Sect B NFC Guernsey YB

They are fed on Country wide YB corn and trained a couple of times a week when work allows. The sire is a lovely cock bird gifted by Gordon Emm and had won 1st Open BBC Messac for Gordon & Pat, being a Herman Cuesters bred from Ponderosa Stud. The Dam was bred by House of Aarden and is from their direct Frans Zwols birds. The preparation for the section winner was two 61 mile and one 107 mile races from the West with the Wiltshire Fed. Mark entered 12 birds and had 7 on the day with 2 more early the next morning and finished by saying well done to the convoyers, as all his birds came back in good condition after an extra couple of days in the basket, and also thank you to the Southampton marking team who are always very helpful. Enjoying a great race taking 2nd and 3rd sect is top flyer Dave & Lisa Waterhouse.

B2Dave Waterhouse 2nd & 3rd Sect B NFC Guernsey YB

Dave would like to congratulate the winner and all the Section winners on a very hard and testing day where there are a lot of babies and old hens still missing. Dave said that his first two birds fought a very strong North East wind on a very hot day. His first bird being bred out of the race loft, the Sire being a G’Gson of the Greipel VDB x Lambrect and his second pigeon is a Leo Hermans, which is down from Olympic Power. Dave also has another 4 or 5 hens that are in the result which gave him a much fulfilled performance but he only had 7 back on the day and 13 missing which he hoped would work their way in over the following days. Dave would also like to say a big thank you to the convoyers and all involved. Fourth is another consistent Portsmouth loft, Nick Wilson from Hilsea.

B44th Sect B for Nicky Wilson NFC Guernsey YB

Nick said that his babies have been coming really well in batches and the bird has been with the leading birds every week. He is a Van Den Bulck from WBS breeding station’s Kittle and Blue Leo lines via Robbie Jones.

Rod and Angie Berry were fifth on the edge of the New Forrest and would like to congratulate all the section winners on a testing race.

B5Angie Berry 5th Sect B NFC Guernsey YB

Rod and Angie sent 8 birds and had 7 on the day. Their 5th section winner is a Ch pied hen having Pitbull blood lines on both the sire and dams side. The nest mate was 1st club, 9th Fed 2 days earlier. Sixth was Mr & Mrs Gower with seventh being the Wimborne loft of Jim Fisher.

B7Jim Fisher 7th Sect B NFC Guernsey YB

His first and 3rd birds home were bred from a cock that had been purchased from the D & D McFadden clearance sale which was named Mary’s Boy who himself was a good racer, scoring 1st Section National Fougeres, which was paired to a direct Eijerkamp hen from the Claudio Che lines.

Leading the way in Section B for the Old Hens National and enjoying an excellent race by also being 4th and 5th section is the Portsmouth loft of Jason Ross, who is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure and Jason would like to congratulate all the prize winners on a tough day.

B1Jason Ross 1st 4th & 5th Sect B NFC Guernsey OH

This is the first time that he has sent to the NFC Old Hens as he is usually busy training the youngsters, but this year he did not breed any young birds because he is looking to finishing once the remaining old birds are raced out. After deciding to keep the old hens going he sent them to Guernsey the week before with the BICC but was disappointed with their results, so he decided to take them off roundabout and pair them back up. This turned out to be a good decision and gave them the motivation required. Jason’s Section winner is a yearling Vandenabeele hen bred from his stock birds and has previously had good positions in the Club and Fed. Jason had 10 of his 12 entries home on the day. Second is the Southampton loft of Phil Priddle, again, no stranger to the prizes.

B2Phill Priddle 2nd Sect B NFC Guernsey OH

Phil only sent 2 birds to the old hens National and knew that the birds old and young were in for a hard race after a 2 day hold over and a North East wind. He was pleased to see his first old hen trap at 12 47 closely followed by his 2nd hen at 13 03. His 2nd Section winner is a Vandenabeele who’s Dam and Granddam both flew well for Phil in National races and being bred down from Mark Evans pigeons. His second arrival is from his old family of Lafebre Dhanens that he has cultivated successfully over many years. Phil would like to congratulate all the prize winners and also thank all the workers in our sport. Third was Keith Thomas from Havant.

B3Keith Thomas 3rd Sect B NFC Guernsey OH

Personally, it was a great pleasure to speak to Keith about his success because he has not enjoyed the best of health over the past few years. Keith would like to congratulate Jason Ross on winning Section B old hens. As well as winning third place Keith had another two quite close behind and all six entries home on the day. His bird is now called Meridian Lucy and was gifted from good friend Dave Cave of Emsworth who is consistently hard to beat in the Solent Fed. The hens were prepared for this race on his own very loose Roundabout system with 25 mile training tosses 3 or 4 times a week for the last 3 weeks which included Guernsey with BICC the week before where they did him proud, but he let them down badly. His health problems in 2019 and 2020 has left him with interrupted sleep patterns so generally he gets up around 5 am which he did on the day of the BICC race. After a long wait 2 arrived together at a very good time so he thought that he would have a coffee first before verifying. Well, he fell asleep and did not wake up until he had missed the verification time for them and a couple more. On asking his wife why she had not woken him, not that he had asked her to, she replied that he looked so peaceful and did not want to disturb him. Keith explained that his hens may be older than most and this is because he only breeds or keeps 8 to 10 young birds each year.

Section C

These reports for section C are with the kind assistance of Dianne and Neville Spracklen who have once again made themselves available all season to help compile these comprehensive reports for their section and I am pleased to say they have on many occasions been the subject of interest having been in the top five themselves. Well done both and I thank you once again. First and fourth in the young bird race was M & M Wiffen in Dorchester who would like to thank the NFC for the great race.

C1Mick Wiffen 1st Sect C NFC Guernsey YB

He had eight on the day and two the following morning in good condition with the first bird being a dark chequer hen whose sire is a black Rico cock from the House of Aarden and the dam is from his Scot Storrie distance family. The second bird was a chequer white flight cock, the sire is from the Blue Badge lines from the House of Aarden and the dam is also from their Scot Storrie distance family. They are both darkness young birds and having retired in March Mick has had more time with them and this has made a big difference. Second was the ever present Mel and Sue King in Blandford Forum. They would like to congratulate all the winners and their first bird was bred from the race team being line bred back to their original M & D Gabys. The sire won 1st in the Federations longest Y.B race 2020. His sire is a G son of Bliksem 781 full brother of Rudy. The Fed winners sire was paired to a full sister of Eros 1st open NFC  National Nantes. The dam is again from another full sister to Eros when paired to the sire of our 1st open NFC Countance winner which is of P & D Houfflijn origin. In third place was another consistent fancier in National racing John Halstead who also won second and fourth section in the old hens. In the YB national John timed a blue chequer cock of Gaby Vandenabeele bloodlines whose 2 grandsires had both won first in National races. His dam is the last daughter of Nyland Nadal winner of 1st BBC Bordeaux 429 miles in 2008 for John. This young cock had also won club first prizes on the 14th and 22nd of August and has been flown on the darkness system. In the old hens National John timed two dark chequer hens sent sitting 12 days on eggs at basketing. The second prize winner is a granddaughter of Nyland Ashley (2nd open Barcelona) and has previously been 5th & 7th section in the same race in 2019 and 2020, whilst her brother has achieved 2nd section in the 2018 YB National and 3rd section 115th Open NFC Messac against 4909 birds as a yearling. His second bird was a 5 year old hen of Bertus Corteels and Vulcan hen bloodlines which has previously won 1st sect 86th open 964 birds from NFC Coutances in 2017, 2nd section 54th open BBC Fougeres and 5 other top 8 section finishes in Nationals, indeed the previous week she finished 8th section 50th Open BICC Guernsey 1502 birds. Fifth in the young bird race was Phil Bond who would like to pass on these tips ‘When the young birds are about 2 months old I put 2ml of Molemec on the back of their neck, and 2ml on their vent. Why put it on their vent? Well, the fleas have to drink don’t they? And this works for me. I get it from Mole Valley Farmers and it’s for cattle and birds but isn’t suitable for dogs and cats. After 2 days there are no fleas and I do this twice a year. I think it works much better than One-Spot. Then at the same time, I put the young birds in the training boxes for 24 hours only, with food and water. When and young birds are ranging they go off in the north, north-east and north-west and some times in the south but this is very rare. When they start to come back from ranging from 1 to 5 hours in small groups, I put them to their first training toss, at 30 or 40 mile twice or three times south, south east and south west. They have 17 training tosses up to 60 or 70 miles away, then when all birds are fit and healthy, they go to Guernsey 3 times, twice with the BICC once with the NFC. I never insult my birds with stage training, when they are training around the loft, going off 1 to 5 hours they don't need it. Otherwise, you end up with a loft full of rubbish. They get good mixed food, and when training they get light food and mixed food, if I give them a day off or more. In their water I put apple cider vinegar and garlic and this keeps the birds in good health, I do this all the time. I hope some readers will find that helpful and trust me Molmec really does work. I wish everyone the best of luck in our sport that is getting all the harder.’ First, third and fifth in the old hens is Mike Staddon of Crewkerne who had a great race and would like to congratulate all the section and Open winners especially Brian Reene of Honiton for winning 1st Open Old Hens Race with a single entry, and Mike Lovelock 1st Open Young birds.

Mike Staddon 1st 3rd & 5th Sect C NFC Guernsey OH

 Mikes section winner is a Chequer Pied Yearling sitting in the young bird loft paired to a young cock. She came direct from the west and trapped really well having her first experience of the English Channel. She was bred from two racers which were lost this season on June 19th. His second hen was bred by Neville Spracklen of Dorchester. Not knowing the exact breeding, she was one of six gifted to him by Neville in 2019.  Mike entered 12 Hens and got all 12 back in excellent condition on the day so a big pat on the back for the convoying team and race controller. All 12 Hens were sent natural, all sitting eggs and Mike believes this is his 45th time of winning 1st Section, a record to be really proud of.

Section D

With Gill and John McClements off to sunny Spain and Portugal in their camper van, Richard Goodier stepped up to take over this time to compile the section D report. My thanks go to John and Gill plus Wayne Wright as well as Richard Goodier who are all willing to give their time for the NFC reports. First and second section in the young bird race was Joshua Goodier with a chequer raced on the darkness system and bred by his dad Richard Goodier from his P & D Stud Van Den Bulck lines, "Expensive Kittel", "Nova Sagan" and "Goede Roede Witpen”. His second bird was a chequer pied hen gifted to him by club mate Simon Cordery who always gifts birds every year to new starters and young members. She is bred from one of Simons good Ken Ware pair which have bred lots of section D prize winners crossed with a hen from Rich Goodier. Both birds where raced on darkness and are fed Versaelle Laga mixtures. This is a well-deserved win for Josh, not only does he put the time and effort in with his own birds he is a hard club worker and takes the birds in to Exeter to load on to the Fed lorry every Friday night, well done young man. Third and fifth was Mark and Sarah Beavis who send their congratulations to Josh for 1st sect 4th Open.

D3Mark, Sarah & Beth Beavis 3rd,5th & 6th Secti D NFC Guernsey YB

Their first bird “Emma” was bred from a bird purchased from Mike Lysett, Vandenbelle X Demeyer who has been very consistent as a young bird. She was sent to Guernsey very keen on 10 day old eggs. Their second pigeon “Tip Top Lesley” has been very promising in her early years. She is bred from the very best of the Franz Wolz of The House of Aarden. Sire is from Steve’s generation, Dam is from Lesley’s generation, both bred from their super stock cock New Generation, off the Champion Pigeon Tip Top Junior. This Hen was also sitting 10 days and won the 1st Club, 11th section, 46th Fed from Newbury the week before. Fourth was Alan Harwood from Sidmouth who timed a blue cheq natural cock bred through the lines of "Blitzen" & "Mystique"which was gifted to Alan by his good friend Bob Kirby. The birds where in excellent condition on return so well done the convoy team on looking after the birds for such a long time in the basket. Alan would also like to congratulate Joshua Goodier who is my club mate on his 1st & 2nd section, 4th & 30th Open, Josh showed his dad how race young birds the national way. After a long hold over it shows how important it is to train your young birds to eat and drink in the basket.

First in the old hens race was the outright winner Brian Reene with a hen bred by Peter Clarke of Rowly Lofts being a double granddaughter of Darran McFaddens “Simply the Best” winner of 1st Open LSECC Tarbes in 2005 when paired to his own daughter “Razors Girl” who had also won 1st Open LSECC Tarbes in 2008. Peter acquired both the parents at the entire clearance sales of Darran’s and Crammond & Langstaff. When Brian purchased “The Chosen 1” as a baby, Peter suggested she should go straight into the stock loft but Brian had other ideas as he likes to race his birds and although she was not raced as a youngster, he gave her a federation race from the Isle of Wight as well as letting her hatch a youngster to look after in preparation for the NFC race from Guernsey. Brian knew she was very keen on her baby and although his single entry raised some eyebrows at the marking station, he grew more and more confident as the holdover went on as he knew she would grow even keener to get home. The afore mentioned Simon Cordery was second and fourth section and would like to congratulate Brian Reene on winning the old hens open race, as we haven't had many national winners in this area. 

D2Simon Cordedry 2nd & 4th Sect D NFC Guernsey OH           D

 He would also like to congratulate club mate Joshua Goodier on finishing fourth open young bird national, as he spent most of the day in first place.  Simons 3rd Open 2nd Section hen was a Lambrecht racing to a pair of dummy eggs. When he was at the Blackpool show in 2019 he took a fancy to a hen for sale on the JPS lofts stall and after getting into conversation with James Parker, he purchased the Lambrecht hen and he kindly gifted Simon two cocks. One was paired with the hen and every youngster off this hen has done well for me.  His fourth section winner is a Leen Boar bred from a pair purchased from Tumley Lofts and she has been a very consistent racer from Sec D Old hens. Third was Wayne Wright with a chequer hen bred by Mark, Sarah and Beth Beavis which comes from their De Clack family and was also 51st open in NFC Guernsey 2.

D3Wayne Wright 3rd Sect D  10th Open NFC Guernsey OH

She was unraced as a young bird and was raced on the roundabout system as a yearling. Wayne would like to say thank you to everyone who works hard and gives up their free time for the NFC. The partnership of Simon Cordery and Colin Roast finished fifth section with a hen which was bred from a pair of Richard Goodier stock birds which were kindly loaned to them.  This hen was also 6th section young birds national a year ago.

Section E

First and fifth section in the young bird race was Mr & Mrs Froude from Caversham in Reading with Steve Buckle from Northwood winning second section.

E2Steve Buckle 2nd Sect E NFC Guernsey YB

His bird has also won 1st Club 2nd Fed Yelveton, 1st Club 2nd Fed Blandford. The Dam is a De Klak x Van Loon Cock gifted by Jeff Poole, a club member from Kings Langley. Steve is pictured with his dog Kilo and Grandson Baye, a future pigeon fancier in the making. Third were Chitty Brothers from Kings Langley with Mark Gilbert fourth and also winning the first four positions in the old hens race. Garry Inkley came in fifth place with a grizzle yearling hen, previously raced widowhood but repaired and sent feeding a seven day old youngster.

E5Gary Inkley 5th Sect E NFC Guernsey OH

From the previous Guernsey she won 13th section and 234th open and her sire is from Peter Fox, Syndicate Lofts being a son of Outlaw and Rowen. Her dam I purchased at the De Duif sale, bred by Bosman-Leekens.

Section F

Once again J & P Parker from Beenham take the top spot in the section as well as the second place too. Third and fourth were B Sherman and S Wells in Oxford with their frist young bird bred down from Silver Shadow Van Loons and the second one from a grandson of Southfield Supreme when paired to a Marcel Sangers hen from a Camphuis cock X the Stipa hen.

F3B Sherman & S Wells 3rd & 4th Sect F NFC Guernsey YB

They were raced on the darkness system and separated from the young hens only seeing each other when they came back from a training toss or a race. Also being fourth in the old hens race their birds was bred from birds bought at John Fretwells clearance sale as they were the parents of John's 1st open Midlands National winner from Carentan. Their hen was sent sitting a four day old youngsters and they would like to say well done to all the Fanciers who done well in these two races. Fifth Section youngsters is Dave Lee of the Mr & Mrs HD Lee partnership from Reading who timed ‘Number 75’ a Janssen / Syndicate Lofts young cock which was bred for Dave by his good friend Brian Murray from Altrincham. The Sire of Number 75 is a half-brother to 'Astbury Mint' winner of 1st Section L 55th Open NFC Sigogne 2,660 birds 2018, 3rd Section L 30th Open NFC Sigogne 2,531 birds 2019, 80th Open NFC Fougeres 6,678 birds 2019, 80th NFC Messac 4,909 birds 2019 plus 1st Section & 1st Open Bamford Gold Ring race winning £1,462 and many other prizes etc.  The Dam of ‘Number 75’ is a daughter of 'V55' winner of 1st Club, 1st Fed , 1st Section 3rd Open Up North Combine 11,772 birds. First section in the old hens are the Cowley Brothers in Cirencester who would like to congratulate Brian Reene of Honiton on a testing day, sending one bird and winning! Incredible.

F1Cowley Bros 1st Sect F NFC Guernsey OH

Their section winning pigeon is a two year old Jos Thone grizzle hen. Sire of Sumo lines and Dam of Poco lines. She timed from this race as a yearling and was 61st open BICC AA the previous week. She was sent feeding a 2 week old young bird. She has been consistent this season and they are very pleased of her late form. Second, third and fifth were Mr & Mrs D J Newman in Long Crendon, Aylesbury.

Section G

First section G was Leigh Sheppard in Bath who is having his first season back in the sport following the passing of his grandfather Brian Sheppard of Towbridge.

Leigh Sheppard 1st Sect G NFC Guernsey YB

He bought four young birds online from Chris Baxter of North Yorkshire as it seemed like a very genuine add and after they got chatting to arrange transport, he said he would really like to send me a couple more birds completely free of charge and one of these was the section winner. She is bred from a Soderland & Maddison pigeon King Arthur 1st open NFC Saintes on the sires side and Ulrich Lemmens lines on the dams side.She had 15 training tosses south before being turned north to race 3 times with the WOESRC for some experience in which she was his first pigeon twice and won the club from Stratford upon Avon. She then had five tosses south in preparation for the national and was sent on a 10 day old squeaker. She was really fancied on the day so he had her pooled up on the race sheet and Leigh would like to take this opportunity to thank Chris Baxter again for his generosity in sending him the pigeons, a real gentleman of the sport. Second and fifth was R Guest from Lydney with Dave and John Staddon from Dicheat in third and fourth place. They sent 13 summer-bred youngsters and 2 darkies to the Guernsey National. The summer-breds were all having their first race and were very ragged in the moult. They had two weeks of intensive training before the race in all weathers and they got 9 summer-breds home which we were very pleased with, in a difficult race. The winner of 3rd section G is bred from Rembrandt a son of Portrait Boy 1st Sec 2nd Open 68th International Agen 22,000b when he was paired to Evie their NFC Ace Pigeon in 2018.

G3Dave & John Staddon 3rd & 4th Sect G NFC Guernsey YB

The mother is Jella a hen bought from Barry & Pete Winter. The 4th Section winner is bred from Marathon Man a son of Red Treble and Evie NFC Ace Pigeon 2018 when paired to Gina G-Force a daughter of G-Force their 2016 NFC Ace Pigeon when paired with the racing legend Gina G who won 2nd 4th & 4th Open in National races. All these youngsters will be put away for 2022 now. First and fourth in the old hens was Mr & Mrs Kerr from Gloucester who would like to congratulate the winners and all who took part.

Mr & Mrs R Kerr 1st Sect G NFC Guernsey OH

Their 1st Section winner is a fantastic consistent hen which was also 15th WOESRC 4,500 birds from Littlehampton. Her dam is a half-sister of our Champion ‘Izzy’ bred by Alen Gibb and sire is a full son of ‘Izzy’. Their next two birds full sisters and are great granddaughters of ‘Izzy’ being bred from stock birds. Their whole full loft is based on direct birds from ‘Izzy’ which was a racing bird until her retirement in 2019, which meant she wasn’t heavily bred but all her direct birds went into the stock loft. For anyone who doesn’t know, she was 1st Section 4th open, 1st Section 1st open, 2nd Section 2nd open CSCFC and 1st Section 16th open NFC from Tarbes and Pau, 604 miles and 597 miles. In this year alone we have had 3 section winners and an open winner plus two 4th sections in the NFC and CSCFC all down from her. She was a superb racer and now an ace breeder. They are sorry to say that due to family commitments they are finishing this year, they have thoroughly enjoyed it but now it’s time to move on they’ve met some great people, had some great results and now are bowing out with a fantastic NFC result! Second was W Morris with “Treble ‘O’ Two” a dark medium to small hen bred from birds that have flown the Channel for a number of years.

G2William Morris 2nd Sect G NFC Guernsey OH

She flew the Channel as a yearling and all the National races this year so this was her third visit to Guernsey. Unfortunately she lost her cock earlier in the year so has been flown to her perch. On her return to the loft she was still quite fresh so decided to have three fly pasts before landing. Her Grandsire on the Dams side flew Tarbes 604 miles on the day, winning a cup for longest flying bird on the day when he lived near Gloucester. Bill Harris from Elton followed up with third and fifth section.

G3Bill Harris 3rd & 5th Sect G NFC Guernsey OH

The first bird is a 5 year old Blue Cheq bred by Cormac O'Hare of Northern Ireland and hen has been a consistent bird which has flown the channel many times including Bergerac with the CSCFC. His second arrival was a 2 year old home grown blue bar bred out of a pair of stock birds. The sire is a Vandenabeele on loan from Joe Baker of Hereford and the dam was purchased from the RPRA One Loft Race auction as she was 8th Ace Pigeon. All his birds are raced on the roundabout system. He sent five birds to the race and had all five home in good condition. He sends his congratulations to Mr. Kerr of Gloucester, the section winner, and thanks the race controlling and convoying teams for their patience and good work over the weekend of the race.

Section H

First section H was C Crick & Son in Stotfold, Hertfordshire. Their first pigeon was a little chequer hen that was sent sitting eggs who on her previous race she was 2nd in the Baldock Flying Club being narrowly beaten by a loft mate. She is bred from Cooreman x Mark Gilbert pigeons and they were very pleased to see her make it home in good time. Having a great race taking second, third and fourth places was John Black in Stottford, Hitchin.

H2John Black 2nd 3rd & 4th Sect H NFC Guernsey YB

He timed a Blue cock from eggs via club mate Les Jones from his family of Marley Westrop birds, which have proved very successful for him over the years. Sire was 34th Open Messac and Grandsire was 23rd Open Tarbes for Les. Second bird home was a Chequer cock son of his good Raymond Molderveld who has bred birds to win up to 1st Section Agen, the Dam is from Simon Knowles of Kent full of Barcelona winning blood. Third bird home at fourth section is a Red Chequer cock. Sire Mealy cock from Guy Reed Isle of Wight from his family of National winning birds, this being his first year in the stock shed, Dam is a Granddaughter of “Seb” father of “Wingdown” on one side on the other side she’s a Granddaughter of John Chipperfield Lady Teresa 1st Perpignan and 2nd Pau. All three cocks where racing to the perch. John says “well done all Section winners and thanks to the National flying club for doing a good job of looking after the birds, returns where not bad 6 from 14 on the day 4 more next day happy on a hard days racing.” Following up in fifth place was Paul West from Newark with a bird of the old school, Frans Van Wildemeerch which he has had for 25 years.

H5Paul West 5th Sect H NFC Guernsey YB

It's Grandsire was 2nd Section K 42nd Open NFC and it's Granddam was 6th Section 25th Open MNFC Bordeaux for the Corkett Family. It was a tough old race for those in the East, Paul had three of his five entries home. One on the day and the others next morning. Well done to the winner, and a big well done to Jonny Walker in my old Section K. Also thanks to Gringo Ablitt for doing the clocks all season. It gives me great pleasure to report on Barry Baker for winning the old hens section as well as third and fifth place.

H1Barry Baker & Family 1st 3rd & 5th Sect H NFC guernsey OH

He had leukaemia and has not been in the loft since November and is thankful to his family as they have all helped with the basketing, feeding and watering. They followed his instructions but he knows he could not have continued without the help of them and friend John Norris. His first pigeon back was a 2 year old hen, bred from a son of Mark Gilbert’s Southfield Supreme when paired to a granddaughter of the European Bull. All were sent feeding a 10 day old youngsters and his second bird back which was 3rd section was a yearling Ken Darlington special, her sire was Ken’s Superstar and her dam was the nest mate to his Guernsey bird national winner. The 3rd bird was a 3 year old experienced hen, she has been across the channel 6 times. She is bred from a son of Jan Poulders Black Magic Woman, Perpignan National Winner. In second and fourth place was Noel Callaghan in Great Shelford with a hen bred by neighbour Bernard Wallman from Jan Aarden stock. She previously went to Guernsey with BICC and was 29th N.E sec 328th open and had homed just out of race time from N.F.C. PAU in 2020. His second bird is from his Brixioux family blended from birds from Jimmy Hamilton of Fife and Bill Kitchen Midlands although sadly neither are no longer with us .Last year she was 12th NE Sect 179th Open BICC Bordeaux 502miles 4th Sect H.59th Open N.F.C. Old hens 25th NE Sect 173rd Open B.I.C.C old hens 2018 as a Yearling late bred she was 8th Sect H 185th Open NFC Old Hens and 23rd NE Sect 153rd Open.BICC old hens. She comes from a long line of birds scoring for all the time all the way out to Barcelona 750 miles. 

Section I

First section I was Lourens Londt in Cannock with a blue bar hen bred out of two young birds he bough tat John Fretwells entire clearance sale.

I11st Sect I for Lourens Londt NFC Guernsey YB

Jonathan Hamplett was second with T R Lowndes in Fenny Bentley third and fourth. Fifth was R J Perrott & Son from Birmingham with the old hens race being won for the third time by Mr & Mrs John Passey and Family in Atherstone. Returning in perfect condition after a justified two day holdover she is a three year old bred from a Geoff Kirkland Flor Engels x his distance lines cock paired to a Pat Frisby of Hinckley hen that /john accuired from Pat when he finished racing. As a yearling she was 2nd section 37th open NFC Cholet and then 34th section 403rd Open NFC Sisogne. She had a quiet season last year with the uncertainty over channel racing with just a 34th section Fougeres being her highlight. This season she had 4 nights out from the black Saturday Exeter race and had flown all her weight off so she was put in a spare section to recuperate. After a couple of weeks she was looking well so she was put in with the youngsters where she paired to a young cock and started up training with them. She was sent sitting eggs and as stated previously she looked really well on her return so congratulations to the convoyer on looking after them in a first class way. John would like to say a big thank you to Geoff and Barbara Kirkland for all the help, advice, birds and kindness that they have given us over the years, we certainly wouldn’t have had the success without them. Second and third was R M Taylor in Warley with fourth going to RPRA Development Officer Richard Chambers.

I4Richard Chambers 4th Sect I NFC Guernsey OH

His hen was brought a from the House of Arden as a Young Bird and is a Grand Daughter of Padfield Gareth, Lady Kenny, and Padfield Jack. She was sent to Guernsey sitting 14-day old eggs she needed to go to Guernsey in the old hens race as she missed the last two Guernseys in the BICC and NFC as she had hit the wires for the second time this season. Next year he is hoping to send her and the team to Tarbes and Bordeaux French racing permitted as the whole loft is now set up for 600 mile plus racing. Fifth in the old hens race is young Alexander Holyland in Swadlincote.

I5Alexander Holyland 5th Sect I NFC Guernsey OH

His father describes the feeling witnessed by Zandie : “Really happy and proud of Zandie for getting all 3 of his pigeons back from Guernsey NFC race this week. In his first national and channel race he got all 3 of his girls back even though 2 of them had been attacked. His best few days in pigeons so far and he was so pleased to get 3/3 “ and Znadie said “ To say I am excited is an understatement! I went out for breakfast in the morning with my Dad and Brother which is a rare occurrence, then when I returned I scraped out and we waited. I was happy to get one back and even happier to be in top 10 of my section and I had two come back whilst at school so was able to see the arrivals on my Benzing App. I am over the moon and to be fair to the NFC they are in good nick”.


Section J

Aurel Voiculescu is Committee member for section J and was instrumental in securing the Benzing sponsorship of a new system for the young bird national winner. Our thanks go to Thomas Zimmermann and Jim Savage from Benzing UK as Mike Lovelock will receive a brand-new Benzing system with Smart Hub that will allow Live ETS racing. Mike was 1st Open 1st Section J with “Little Faith”, her sire was bred by De Ruijter from his Leo Herman lines and the dam is of Steffan Lambrecht bloodlines via Hans and Evert Jan Eijerkamp in Holland and bred from a pair of pigeons given to Mike by Team Eijerkamp as a good will gesture in appreciation of his regular custom. They advised him to couple the pair together and he was first rewarded in 2019 by winning the British Barcelona Club from Fougeres in a race that 224 members sent 1,690 birds, as well as second and third by timing three yearlings on the same minute from a 311 mile race from France. Second section was Sebastian Szul, a young man who started in the sport just this year.

J2Sebastian Szul 2nd Sect J 2nd Open NFC Guernsey YB

The pigeon was bred together with Greg Czerwinski from parents who they bought together last season from Paul Tumbwood. The parents of the young bird are Van den bulcks origin with a pedigree full of great pigeons like Better then bolt, Wild wind,Samson , Red Alert and others. This young hen had previously won the Shropshire Federation in first race and 18th Shropshire federation from Bath. Sebastian has got a small garden loft due to lack of space and shares his stock at his friend Greg Czerwinski’s house. Sebastian said “I do not know what to say to be honest, I am a bit shy and don’t enjoy the limelight. I was so pleased to join the NFC and the team at Alveley made me welcome. There is no secret in what I do, I started with 49 young birds and have 16 left. Due to my work commitments and my young family, I train them Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 25 miles and I think I got lucky this time” third section was J & R McLatchie in Stoke on Trent and Jim is pictured with his Whippet Reeva.

j3Jim McLatchie 3rd Sect J NFC Guernsey YB

They would like to thank the convoyer for looking after the birds so well, they arrived home in excellent condition despite the hold over. The young hen was sent showing to a young cock and her sire had topped the fed from Fougeres and her Dam is bred down from good honest Channel Pigeons. Dave and Kyle Harris in fourth place said “Congratulations to Mick Lovelock on winning the NFC Guernsey national, he has had a fantastic season all round and this topped it off, also our congratulations go to Sebastian Szul of Telford, his first year back in the sport and certainly one to look out for in the future, well done lads fantastic flying, all of us fly in The Bell (Tong) FC in the Gloucester Federation so a great day all round. 

J4Dave & Kyle Harris 4th Sect J NFC Guernsey YB

 

I would also like to thank Chris Whittingham our local trainer who puts the birds to the full test training everyday doing the hard miles up and down the road at six each morning. Our first timed was from the old Evans and Walker Soonjten lines, the father being a 2009 bird brought from Gerald Perks of Penkeridge, he was paired to a gift bird of Timmy Mawhinney of Northern Ireland via “The Destroyer” Keith Gaut, the nest pair were actually bred for stock due to the age of the sire, our first bird was weaned off and flown out  and we would normally move the young birds bred for stock into the aviaries once they start to range but obviously missed this one, thank goodness. She had flown the whole federation young bird programme but hadn’t shown any great promise until the last two weeks, she was from our second round and was on the darkness until the end of June, the young birds have been well schooled and have fled really well for us this year in the club. Our second timed bird held by Kyle was from some new blood lines brought in this time through Brian Dearn stock via Anthony Evans, she had not been as consistent as others from the same family but a good start for the new introductions. Thank you to all the NFC officials and workers behind the scenes that makes days happen, it is appreciated. One such worker is NFC President Ray Scriven who came in fifth section “I am over the moon how everyone has done in Section J .

J5Ray Scriven 5th Sect J NGC Guernsey YB

We had a very good race and I think we had most of the top 10 than any other section. Well done all! Our young hen was bred from a Leon Wegen bloodline, her mother was 1st Section 12th Open 2 seasons ago. The young hen has also won 1st and 3rd club this year. I am also pleased with our old hen coming in 8th Section J 27th Open. She was 2nd Section J /14th Open few seasons ago. She was flown on chipping eggs and paired to a young cock. Thank you for all fanciers basketing at Alverley and we look forward to see you again next year.”  In the old hens race it was G. M Smart in Bushbury taking first place and can be seen pictured sharing the moment with good friends. His 1st section 2nd Open National Old Hens race winner is a small grizzle Hen which showed a bit of promise when she was 59th open in the Midland National Guernsey race, bred from a cock off Alan Concliffe and a hen from Graham Owen, two prominent local fanciers.

J1Graham Owen Alison Concliffe Alan Concliffe Sue Smart and G.M. Smart 1st Sect J NFC Guernsey OH

Graham was quick to say that this Hen was given to him by the recently deceased Nicky Bilboe. “It's funny how things happen at the pigeon weekend in Blackpool we all met up in the Elgin Hotel for a few beers to have a laugh and tell a few good yarns. This led to Alan saying he had bought a good cock from a local sale advertised in the RPRA magazine. A good fancier, A. Jeavons of Bilston, Wolverhampton had sold up. Alan went on to say that it was brother to a Fed and Combine winners and said he would like me to have it, pair of to one of my hens and we would share the youngsters, I agreed and left it at that. Later on talking to Graham I said I was short of a few hens the idea was to race the cocks to. Graham said he would sort me out a couple. 
After Blackpool I collected the cock from Alan then called on Graham who said have you got a basket and he then started to fill it up walking out with 15 Hens most were his young race hens with a couple of older birds, I must admit I was taken aback, bare in mind you could write a list as long as your arm of fancier who have done very well with his birds. He explained that he only races cocks, well I took the birds thinking how lucky I had been. I must admit that conscience got the better of me and the next day I had to ring him up to see if he had second thought. Basically, he had given me his lifetimes work, he said they are yours, do well with them. Didn't my local fancier do well. Yours in Sport G.M.Smart”. Second was Neil Greatwich in Cleobury Mortimer “Firstly I’d like to congratulate all section and open winners on what was a lovely but testing day for some.

J2Neil Greatwich 2nd SecT J NFC Guernsey OH

I’d also like to thank the convoy team for looking after the pigeons so well with such a long time in the basket at this time of the year the pigeons arrived in immaculate condition. Due to work commitments I decided at the start of the year that I would not race young birds and prepare my 11 racing hens for the old hens national. The hens were paired to my yearling widowhood cocks at the start of the year and we’re only allowed to sit pot eggs. They were let out once or twice a week though out the old bird season and as the old bird season was heading towards the end, I decided to lightly train the hens and put them into a race but unfortunately this was the Black Saturday race. I eventually got 8 of the 11 back after a couple of weeks. The hens were rested up and as the middle of the young bird season was under way the hens were paired up and allowed to sit. Due to no time to train them south the hens were put in the basket and taken north with me to work and singled up. I’d also like to thank fellow club member Graham Edwards for training the birds whilst I was working from home. They were then sent in two young bird races with the Heart of England which I’d like to thank their committee, members and driver George for coming out of their way to pick the Clee Hill HS pigeons up. At the time of basketing I sent 6 out 11 I originally started with. The hen I clocked first was feeding a 10 day old youngster and spent no time in getting back in box once she had trapped. She is a 2019 bird and is a granddaughter off my number one Frans Zwole pair on the dam side paired to a direct Kris Masshoven cock. Third was Ian Ball in Stoke on Trent with a hen of Jacob Poortvliet lines purchased from Louella pigeon world in the summer of 2017.

J3Ian Ball 3rd Sect J NFC Guernsey OH

He first raced her in 2018 and in 2019 she achieved two fed positions from France. She was flown on the natural system and on the day of the Guernsey old hens race she flew back to a six day old youngster. This is only his fourth season of racing and his first season racing with the National Flying Club so would like to say thank you to all the fanciers who have offered help and advice since I came into the sport, you know who you are. Fourth was Jim McLatchie adn fifth was Preece Brothers in Cleobury Mortimer.

Section K

First and fourth section K was J D walker with a hen bred from a pair via his great friend the late Dickie Evans.

K1Jon Walker 1st Sect K NFC Guernsey YB

“The day after he died I received a call from his son Richard. He asked me to come and pick 3 pairs before any went up for sale as this was Dickie’s wishes. My hen now called J.J was bred from one of these pairs. She has raced consistently and was starting to show up to a young cock. In the NEPC, we had only flown 117 miles as this was as far as the club would go. This forced me to train to a good distance myself which was certainly worth the effort”. Second and third was Hancock & Hutchinson in Sheffield and fourth was Brian Boden & Hollingworth. In the old hens race J Castello & Family & Adrian Leech were first section with a real nice apple bodied blue hen which is no stranger to the winning podium this year as she previously won 1st club 2nd west riding federation earlier in the season, also flying from Guernsey.

K1Castello Family & Leech 1st Sect K NFC Guernsey OH

Her sire was bred by our co-partner Adrian Leach (Leach Bros) and carries the blood of his very successful “Syndicate Cock”. The Dam to our sect winner is from my own tried and tested family of pigeons where the basket has ultimately been the pedigree for these very reliable pigeons. Their policy has been pair the best to the best and let the basket be the test. Second was Peter Hagland with a Herman Beverdam x Houben which is a daughter of the old hens winner in 2009 from Fougeres.

K2Peter Hagland 2nd Sect K NFC Guernsey OH

Previous NFC winners with “Tree Top” is Frank Pearson and Jane Dransfield in third place with fourth going to R & J Hardy in Huddersfield. Fifth was Mr & Mrs R Newton whih a hen sired by a pigeon bought at Blackpool bred by Joe Raenburn of Swindon paired to hen off Sjack Buwalda in Holland. She was sent sitting 12 days and has had previous positions in club, fed and MNFC from channel races.

Section L

Previous outright winner in both races on the same day, Roger Sutton in Congleton won section L in the young bird race, was second and fifth in the old hens also winning £544 in the Gold Ring band C.

L1Roger & Gerg Sutton 1st Sect L NFC Guernsey YB

“The young bird National, after a two day holdover, proved to be quite a test for the young birds in the North West. I timed 8 on the day with 8 next day and a few since out of the 27 darkness young birds sent. The old hens, mostly yearlings with that extra experience coped better with all twelve back. They must have also dealt better with the extra time in the basket. All my young birds are weaned late March - early April straight onto the darkness system which lasts till the longest day.  They live with about 20 yearling hens, also on the dark which are aimed at the Old Hens National late in the season. All these birds have a lot of open loft time during the summer and they are well trained with twelve in a basket liberated 5 minutes apart. They then fly as many races as possible before the National. The yearling hens fly some old bird races as well as going as trainers with the young bird races. All the above birds are bred at Astbury, from my own family developed from over 40 years of National flying. Middle distance birds are introduced regularly - the best recently have been from Brian Murray Sylvan Lofts. The birds are fed on a combination of Vanrobaeys mixtures, i.e. Platteeuuw Special, Super Racing Bordeaux, Top Energy and Diet Extra. Sometimes tic beans are added as a grain protein.” Brian Fisher was second section YB with a hen that is very consistant, and flown every race.

L22nd Sect L for B Fisher NFC Guernsey YB

She is bred down through their family going back to the 03 hen. She bred five individual birds to win the Lancs combine on both hard and easy days. Third and fifth was E Taylor from Crewe with Gavin Buckley in fourth place with a gift pigeon off J-B Oakley.

L4Abbey Buckley 4th Sect L NFC Guernsey YB

The breeding of this hen is a sire Brockamp inbred to George and the dam is a granddaughter of Mucking Fagic and The Machine. She had 6 races prior to the NFC consisting of three midweek and three club races up to 117 miles. She had been down for a drink on return but in great condition. Special thanks first of all goes to my little loft manager daughter Abbey who is holding onto "Oakley ". In the old hens Kevin Tagell from Congleton was first and third section 6th Open.

L1Kevin Tagell 1st Sect L NFC Guernsey OH

His first hen was bred by his good friend John Millington and as a youngster she won 4th sec A 9th open North West Classic Club from Carentan. This season she was mainly used as a widow hen for the returning widowhood cocks and when old bird racing was finished, she was paired and trained with the young birds. Her breeding is on the Dams side Dirk van dyck of Kannibaal lines and Eddy Janssens and the sire is a direct Van den Driessche. His second hen is home bred from a dark chequer pied hen which won 1st sect 16th open OH National Coutances 2019 and in 2020 was 13th sect 203rd open OH National too. She also won 6th sect 8th open North West Classic Club Messac and her sire is a Willy Thas grizzle cock which has won lots of prizes in club and fed racing. Second was Roger Suttopn

L2Roger Sutton 2nd Sect L NFC Guernsey OH

Third was Tim Webster in Chorley with a blue tic eye Gabby cross which she was 7th section last year.

l4Tim Webster 4th Sect L NFC Guernsey OH

She is from a son of Derick Jones Niort cock x a daughter of my Rambo, a prolific winner for me and this pair are responsible for generations of winners. His birds returned in very good condition none the worse for their four nights in the basket.

Section N

In the Old Hens race Allan & Carol Walker of Stockton won 1st 2nd 5th & 6th section N.

N1Allan & Carol Walker 1st 2nd 5th & 6th Sect N NFC Guernsey OH

Their first bird  is a four year old from their W Tarren and Tom Gilbertson stock. This hen was bred for the distance and had raced from 612 miles. She was closely followed by a three year old from their B & P Winter stock. Both hens were flown on the roundabout and had suffered BOP attacks earlier in the season. Mick Lilley & Son of Hartlepool were 3rd & 4th section.

N3Mick Lilley & Son 3rd & 4th Sect N NFC Guernsey OH

Their first bird was a yearling which has flown consistently all season prior to this race and was bred by Dawson & Peacock. Their second bird, a three year old Busschaert is daughter of their 4th UNC hen mother to Ruby and many others. Flown on roundabout these hens went to last four races with the North East Central Route FC at Ferryhill to keep them in condition.          

Section P

A big thank you to Kevin Foster who compiles the section P reports with enthusiasm, your help is great appreciated Kevin. “Once again those Section P members competing had to contend with less than favourable wind conditions but as in previous attempts, acquitted themselves really well. None more so than Chris Kavanagh of Oxted leading the way in both Young bird and old Hen races into the section. In the Young bird race, they clocked a chequer cock which the week previous had taken 6th section from the BICC national. Racing to the perch and being a grandson of the one-time star racer in the loft the ‘222’, it has already shown enough to pick up from where the former top racer had left off. Chris bought in pigeons from Leir marker during the late 90’s and early 2000’s and this young cock along with all loft mates is bred down from the originals through trial and testing, they also timed another for 2nd section. Third, fourth and fifth section is Tim Pierpoint at Sheerness.

P3Tiom Pierpoint 3rd 4th & 5th Sect P NFC Guernsey YB

Tim has had another good season at club and fed level and in fact as these notes are compiled has just won the Feds longest YB race and will be well up in the Kent Combine result. Tim told me this was his first attempt at NFC racing so not a bad start! His first bird home is a chequer cock bred by Colin Fagg from his national winning family, the bird went astray on an earlier training toss and had to be returned from Lincoln!. It hasn’t put a foot wrong since. The second bird is a blue hen bred by Tony Bushell out of his combine winning Zwols cock when paired to a Formula1 Zwols hen. Both the birds were flown unto 150 miles with the club and fed and were raced on the sliding door system before being entered in the NFC race. The 5th Section P was a Benny Stevenick hen both parents bred by Bob Fenech. Well done Tim, a nice entry into National racing. Leading section P Old hens is Chris Kavanagh at Oxted - also the winner of section P young birds. Chris timed a yearling hen which the previous week was 75th open BICC National old birds Guernsey. This hen was in with the young birds and was sitting on eggs when sent. Bred down from the original Leir market imports this looks like another for the future. Chris also timed another for 2nd section on another hard race into the south east. Many thanks to Chris’s better half Denise for the info provided. Third and fifth section is Alan Annis of the A Annis and sons partnership from Wingham. Alan is generally better known for some of his long distance exploits and will be remembered for the wonderful hen he raced from Tarbes NFC scoring in three successive years in the top 100, latterly 12th open in 2019 when his single entry. This time around his first pigeon was of Jimmy Shepherd lines on sent sitting 14 days eggs, his next pigeon was also a hen on eggs from Geoff Preece “Wiggins” bloodlines. Well done Alan. Sixth section was Sonia Nightingale who was urged to write in by her son in memory of her father John Nightingale who passed away in February this year.

P6Sonia Nighingale 6th Sect P NFC Guernsey OH

He is greatly missed by all the family who promised to race this year out in honour to his memory. The little chequer hen had not achieved much this season and being a bit on small side they didn't rate her. She was always consistent and was nick named "The Sparrow" and although she took her time, she achieved 6th position for our section. John would have been happy with this achievement so for bit of recognition and on behalf of John they thought they would tell the story. “We have given her a proper name now, "Jenny" in memory of our late mum. Her bloodline is from House of Aarden Padfields lines Champion St Vincent and Barca Witbuik. Dad bought a dozen of Padfields in 2019 to build up good family of long distance”. We are more than happy to hear your story Sonia and “Jenny” has certainly responded to your management. Please continue with the birds if you can, there are very many fanciers who would be happy to help out if you need and I’m sure your Dad would be just as proud of you as he would have been for the win. ATB Chris   

Section Q

Thanks once more to committee member Chris Boyce who has taken up the reporting for section Q where Perry Liddle left off. He writes; As ever, you never know how your young birds are going to perform on their first Channel race. Despite a relatively low entry for the last National Flying Club race of the season the birds certainly delivered. The wind was far less of a factor as nearly 2700 birds were finally released into a clear sky following a two day holdover. There was no ‘Penzance Express’ this time and the birds worked hard to fly initially to the south coast and then take the long slog down into Cornwall. No spectacular times just good solid flying, as ever we first saw birds appearing on the results sheet all over Section D, but it always seems to take an age before the birds complete that last leg on down into Cornwall. Our first old bird home was flown by the Master himself Duncan Harvey,

Q1Duncan Harvey 1st 2nd & 3rd Sect Q NFC Guernsey YB

who also completed his double by taking first in the young bird race ( Note: Only the week before he had won 1st OB and 1st YB Open in the BICC) Duncan didn’t have it all his own way as Keith Frost of St Austell had the 2nd OB with Duncan also taking 3rd OB. In the YB race it was 1st 2nd and 3rd for Duncan followed by Jake Waldock also of St Austell with a creditable 4th place.

Q4Jake Waldock 4th Sect Q NFC Guernsey YB

Duncan’s 1st OB was a 2yr old CQ pied out of a Ron Dove cock and a Wim Mueller Aarden hen. The same bird had come 4th in the BICC race the week before and was sent sitting eggs. His 2nd bird the 3rd in the race was a 5 yr old Wim Mueller Aarden that had flown Pau in 2020.

The 2nd OB on the day was flown by Keith Frost this bird was a Frans Zwols blue bar that Keith had obtained from Stewart Wilcox.

Q2Keith Frost 2nd Sect Q NFC Guernsey OH

The bird was sent flying on the roundabout system. The Young Bird result was a full podium for Duncan Harvey 1st 2nd and 3rd. The 1st bird home was a blue bar cock from a Vandenabeele cock and a hen from Louella pigeon world. The 2nd bird was a blue bar cock bred from a Crammond-Langstaff Vandenabeele paired to a Ceusters Jellle-Roziers (Note same way bred as his 1st BICC bird) The 3rd bird was a DCQWF hen from a Louella Extreme Long-Distance pigeon paired with a Van der Wegen Verheye.

The 4th bird in the race bred by Jake Waldock came from one of the older British bloodlines a ‘Spangle’. Jake provided the following details:

‘The young bird timed is from my old Spangle family bought in the mid – 80s from the late Mike Young of Timsbury. Her sire is from a grandson of the ’BANKER’ 4 times Pau 564mls and 5 times Perpignan 647 mls when he was paired to a great grand daughter of ‘ROME BOY’ flown Dax 530mls, Barcelona 721mls then 17th home from Rome 959mls. Her dam is from a grandson of ‘SPANGLE HEATWAVE’ – 9th BICC Marseilles, plus twice 1st BICC Marseilles including only bird on winning day from 666mls when he was paired with a great grand daughter of ‘SPANGLE HEATWAVE’ Some serious blood in that SPANGLE family Jake, well that’s it for 2021, its been a year of highs and lows for many of us, hopefully we will all get some better racing in 2022. Lastly many congratulations from all in the NFC to Duncan Harvey on his amazing year in distance racing.

Section W

Derek Jones of Wrexham topped the section in both races, also second in the old hens. His young bird winner is a granddaughter of his national winner “Treble Six” and his old hen is one of his own “Joneses” which are hard for others to keep up with. She was raced as a youngster but not given any old bird races this year. She was trained with the young birds and this was her first race of the season. Dereks second section old hen is also of his own family. Second section young birds was M Talent and A Westbury also of Wreham. Many thanks to Malcolm Jones and Stuart Treharne for their help reporting on section W race results over the year.

So, another year over and deeper in debt to the RPRA for their hard work trying to secure a continuation of channel racing into 2022. Nothing can ever be set in stone, but I do know everyone concerned in the organisation of our racing in the National Flying Club are endeavouring to provide a Channel race program which will be discussed at length at the next committee meeting on the 13th October. IF you feel your section is underrepresented at Committee level, why not come along.

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