The National Flying Club had a very successful first race from Guernsey on the 21^st of May with the Chief Convoyer Phil Leech liberation the birds at 10.00 am into broken cloud and sunshine with a 7mph WSW wind. Good team performances were recorded by many members with the weather conditions being very good right up the country and 2288 birds on the result.

In section A Darren May and his son Josh had a super day by timing the first five in the section. “Firstly congratulations to the winners. We are very happy with our team performance and that the birds returned in great condition. All of our birds were raced on roundabout widowhood and were raced in the CSCFC from Guernsey two weeks before, where they also had an excellent performance.” 1^st Section, 13^th Open is a direct daughter of their elite breeders Nieuwe Jul x Pretty Pitbull. Nieuwe Jul is responsible for many winners including Speed Titaness 2^nd National Ace RPRA YB 2021, 3^rd National Ace Titan Games YB 2021.

Pretty Pitbull is responsible for over 45 x 1^stFederation/Combine winners including Olympic Sarah’s Jul 2^nd Olympiad UK 2018/19, 4 x 1^st Federation, 3 x beaten by loft mates on the trap for federation and now responsible for over 10 x 1^st Federation/Combine winners across the UK. This hen also won 9^th Open CSCFC Guernsey two weeks ago. 2^nd Section, 15^th Open is bred from a grandson of Spiderman. She is previously winner of 2^nd Federation 1559 birds (BBLM), 3^rdFederation 747 birds (BBLM), 6^th Federation 1272 birds (BBLM), 10^th Open CSCFC Guernsey. She is also dam and granddam to winners for them and others across the UK. 3^rd Section, 16^th Open is a direct daughter of elite breeder Pitbull Superke x sister Champion 652 RPRA southern region sprint 2017. Pitbull Superke is top breeding son of the famous Pitbull and is responsible for many winners across the UK and Belgium. This hen is previously winner of 3^rdPremier 100 Specialist Club 400 birds (BBLM), 7^th Premier 100 Specialist Club 1137 birds (BBLM), 12^th Open CSCFC Guernsey, 18^th Federation 752 birds (BBLM), 19^th Combine 1605 birds (BBLM). 4^th Section, 17^th Open is a direct Yves De Wit hen. She is previously winner of 4^th Federation 1923 birds, 5^th Federation 1013 birds, 6^th Federation 1440 birds, 7^th Federation 1536 birds, 10^th Federation 1115 birds. 5^th Section, 33rd Open is “Speed Titaness”. She is winner of 2^nd National Ace RPRA Youngsters 2021, 3^rd National Ace Titan Games Youngsters 2021. She is a direct daughter of Elite Breeders Nieuwe Jul x Champion Pure Speed.

In section B Bill Edwards put together the following report; Topping the Section is the ever consistant loft of Dave and Lisa Waterhouse, of Havant, with another fantastic loft performance, 1^st and 4th Section and 2^nd   and 20^th Open.

Dave would like to congratulate the winner and all the Section winners. Their Section winner, a yearling hen, was bred by David Parker of Clitheroe and also won the Premier 100 club, being duplicated into their race. She is now named “ Gaynor “after David’s late better half. The Sire is a direct Patrick Boeckx X Jos Cools. She was very consistent as a youngster and was raced on Roundabout, fed on Versalager Super Star until Mid-week and then widowhood depending on the wind forecast. Dave’s 2^nd arrival for 4^th Section, 22nd Open, is a cock from a son of Sagon also raced on Roundabout. Dave said his birds came back in in fantastic condition with 32 of his 34 entries home and all but 2 on the day, so thank you to the NFC and everyone involved. 2^nd Section B and 9^th Open is Kenny Cleife, from Portsmouth with a yearling Blue cock, purchased as a young bird from friend, Richie Thomas flown Natural and sent sitting eggs. He flew consistently as a young bird and Kenny is over the moon with this performance.

3^rd Section B and 10^th Open and no strangers to the National prizes is the Ramsdean partnership of Jimmy Wearn and Eric Neilson with a two year old blue cheq hen from a son of Nigel Langstaff’s Spartacus that had been flown on the North and 4^th Solent Fed just 2 weeks earlier. Eric has been in hospital recently, so let us hope that this result helps him to a speedy recovery. 5^th Section B and 60^th open is Jason Ross from Portsmouth, with a three year old Vandenabeele hen flown Natural. Jason is spending more of his time in Spain and just racing his remaining birds out. He says that they have only been out of the loft a couple of times in the weeks leading up to the National, something to be said about rest over exercise.

Section C was won by Mr & Mrs Hodges in Templecombe who also took the fourth spot.  They timed a dark cheq cock raced on the chaos system which was sent to Guernsey three weeks previously being late home on the day having lost a lot of condition, which took two weeks plus to get back. Prilly  was in two minds whether to send him or not but was glad they did.

They also lost his original hen but on basketing day he took another hen which must have done the trick.The cock is breed from a pair of pigeon from are good friend John Gerard and this pair have produced pigeons to win 4 first west of England combines plus three sec winners and many top positions.To finish they would like to congratulate the winner and all the section winners.

Second section was Mr & Mrs L Cowley. Marg & Lawrence timed a 2019 Widowhood cock fwhich is one of 6 old cocks kept to fly Guernsey – the rest are going North. He was bred by Paul Dalton of St. Helens, from his Stijn Van Laere birds. He is the main source of this family in England and most of their birds have this blood in them and he sends them some down most years to try. “Thank you Paul and Thank you to Di & Nev for taking the birds to the marking station”. Third section was Danny Lanahan and John Gerard with a good pigeon for them so far this year, also winning 3rd section 55th open CSCFC Guernsey.

The pigeon on one side is a grandson of Dark flo 1st open CSCFC Coutances and the other side a grandson of Zwarte Louders 1st national Saint Vincent 16340 pigeons. Fifth section C was Terry Vincent in Dorchester.

In Section D John & Gill McClements help out with the report and sent the following from Michael Derrick 1^st and 4^th Sect D. “I moved to Somerset Dec 2017 and I had not owned racing pigeons for 20 years. Although I still liked to follow the hobby, I joined a pigeon facebook group in 2018, where I entered a bonus ball competition and won 6 young birds so I had to buy a garden shed to home them and from here the bug had started again. I then started to buy my stock birds from the best I could at the time. I converting my garden shed and expanding my pigeons into loft. In 2019, I joined Devon and Cornwall West Somerset CFC. I also joined BICC National and the NFC national. Also competing in various one loft races with great success. Somerset Queen's father was bred by Andri Giedra out of his flor Engels pigeon, her mother was bred by R & D Hunt, Dirk Van Den Bulck pigeon. Somerset Queen went to the BICC Guernsey National, taking 600 Open 64 section two weeks ago.

When she returned home she was telling me I want to go back so I put her into NFC Guernsey National. She came home taking 916th open and 1st section D. and she is telling me to send her again. So she has gone to the BICC Guernsey again this week.

I'd like to thank Andri, Ray and Darren for breeding and allowing me to have exceptional pigeons from their stock. Fourth place in the section was bred by Andri Giedra from is Flor Engles from his no 1 stock pigeons winners 5 x 1st, 6 x 2nd and 4th 5th 7th and 8th Fed, Sire is the winner of 12 x 1st crossed with the daughter of Engles 52, no 1 stock cock and hen. I lost the pair of youngsters but came back in winter both of them looking like oil paintings so put her into her first national and she has won 4th section D over the moon with my results.” Second section was A J Weymouth with a pigeon bred by Ringo Parkhouse the last year he raced before packing the sport in 2020.

“This was one of the youngsters he gave me, no pedigree but I believe most of his racing birds were from Andy Cridland who got them from Stuart Treharne from Nantyglo. It’s now a 2 year old, only raced in the club as far as Ramsgate last year. Usually in the second or third batch of bird’s home, never been in the clock before. Due to having short races this year with the longest being Ramsgate, which is 205 miles, I’m trying widowhood for the first time. Some cock birds have taken to it, others haven’t. This bird has been to two club races, no more than 70 miles each and put into the NFC. Can I say well done to Mr and Mrs J Buckfield for winning and Michael Derrick for winning the section D.” Mark and Sarah Beavis came in third section with a cheq hen having her second trip to Guernsey this year, she was previously raced on widowhood with the Devon South Road fed & BICC but paired recently sitting 14days.

Her breeding on the sires side is Bob Brown of Plymouth Palamos hen. On the Dams side is a pigeon brought from the house of Aarden called Iron Maiden down from Iron Lady, this pigeon has now been named after Sarah’s Dad, George, George’s girl who is seriously ill in the near by hospice it certainly put a smile on his face. Fifth section was John Smallridge with a yearling cock bred from a cock from Henry Franks paired to a hen from Brian Reene. He was raced as afar as Littlehampton as a young bird and was sent to Guernsey as a spare cock although John did a few motivation tricks with him which seems to have paid off. Alan Horwood in Sidmouth was sixth and really appreciated the members of Honiton SRFC for clapping as he walked in to the club , it meant a lot. “My first bird is a Vandenabeele cock feeding a big youngster . I have not split my birds this year so have been flown on the natural system , most of my birds are Vandenabeeles from M & D Evens and Brian Shipley , these lines have done me proud over the years and are good honest pigeons. I do worry where the sport is heading at present with all the Red tape which is creeping in, it seems to be getting harder to race our pigeons which after all is just a hobby.”

First Section E 3^rd Open was won by previous National Flying Club winner Paul Arnold of Sutton.

“Please extend my congratulations to the winners Mr & Mrs Buckfield, I bet you haven't come down from cloud nine yet. I know the feeling as it wasn't too long ago i had the honour of winning the greatest club in the country and after two years it's still an amazing feeling. My section winner was a blue hen raced on the double widowhood system, the sire. is a double grandson of Gaby Vandenabeele's famous stock cock Rudy. This cock I call King Rudy, as every one of his offspring I have raced has either won the club or fed. Her dam is a van der Wouwer hen purchased from Derek Nicholls of premier stud. I have altered my system this year from traditional widowhood with 16 cocks too 12 pairs raced on double widowhood as it was the first time in a while that I had a few good young hens. I must admit I love this hen as not only is she a very good racer but more the fact that she is so aggressive and is definitely the boss in the section and so easy to motivate. She scored as a baby and a yearling and has been in good form this season winning 3rd fed Honiton beaten by loft mates when having nine drop together and the previous week. I sent my hens to Guernsey with the BICC with an eye on this race to gain a bit of experience as none of my current team have been across the channel before. She was just over a minute behind my first two arrivals last week, who were 37th/38th open provisionally and i knew they would be better this week, so the plan paid off as my 2nd arrival in the NFC a few minutes later is 7th section E 25th open provisionally. I was expecting a good race because as I said my birds have been really well all season arriving in batches every race winning club and fed, but I really enjoyed this week as it's my first race back with the NFC since I won the Messac race in 2020! So, very proud to win the section, to say the least. Second section was Mark Gilbert with a two-year-old hen Van den bulk from the Kittle lines, she has topped the Federation inland this year and scored many times. Mark would like to thank everyone who arranged the race, the marking station for all their hard work and the race controller for providing an excellent race. Third was last years Midland National winning loft of Mr & Mrs E Corkett & Sons with a 2 year old Belgium Hen bred by Patrick De Meutter obtained through Mr Mark Darby. 

The week before the National Race this hen was sent to Exeter in the UBI Combine. She was 5th Club and 12th UBI Combine. “We had a good National race and had three more drop together 3 1/2 minutes after this hen. We had all of our 10 entries home within the hour of clocking the first hen. We would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate all the other section winners and the overall winner.” Fourth section was Robert Rome with a Late youngster from last year. “Parents are from my friend Wilfried Vandemaele, Kortrijk, Belgium.

 A small loft cultivated by Wilfried using only the best winning lines in Belgium since the 1980's but these are pigeons that can win 1st prizes from 5,000 + birds from the first race to last race.

 Wilfried’s pigeons are also used as base breeding pigeons by Gino Clicque, Joel Verschoot, Kurt Platteeuw and Cyril Harchies (who had the best long distance pigeon of Belgium in 2021 with an even better set of results than the previous record holder, Armando). Father of the winning pigeon from Guernsey is bred from a son of Wilfried's excellent racer and breeder Tommy, a winner of many first prizes and a string of top National results, the best one being 17th Nat Bourges 20,589 birds.  Tommy has been a goldmine at stock - he was quickly sire of 1st Provincial Brive and g-sire of 1st Provincial Bourges and responsible for the amazing racing machine, Hazard, which was  raced by Gino Clicque. Mother of the winning pigeon is bred from Wilfried's latest super breeding pair. They have bred many Ace Pigeons including his 1st Ace Pipa Long Distance Yearling 2020 and winners from 200 to 500 miles.  She is bred from a Son of Joel Verschoot's Contador, winner of 5th, 8th, 15th, 19th National when paired with a hen from Chris Hebberecht.  The Hebberecht hen comes from a super breeder Koopman cock (Son Champion x daughter Harry Hooymans) when paired with a fantastic racing hen (Vandenabeele x Benny Steveninck).

First Section F 74^th Open was the Rostrons who are having an excellent season once again.

This is their second NFC section win in two years and their hen “Spirit” was named after Shanes late Grandfather who had swallow tattoos and had recently passed away. At the cremation service a swallow paid a visit and one also made an appearance on race day, trying to go under the eaves of the loft, so when the hen came to win she earned the name “Spirit”.

This was her third top performance from Guernsey this season having also won 29th Sect 41st Open BBC Guernsy 2156b and 9th Sect 72nd Open CSCFC Guernsey 2683b. Second section was Steve Thorpe with a cock which was first federation in 2021 and second club the week before the National Race.

 He was bred from pigeons bought from Premier Stud. Third was J & P Parker in Reading and fourth was Kieran Marcham with a pigeon is of Lambrecht bloodlines bred from stock obtained from friend Clive Elliott of Wantage, he was previously 29th section 458th open the Sennen Cove 1 National and 9th section 20th Open CSCFC Wadebridge 2020.

Mr & Mrs Paul Kenny was fifth.

Sect G was won by Wojeciech Blachut in Towbridge who also took the fourth spot

and in second and third place was C & J Howse in Devizes. Fifth was Luff and Walker Bros.

Taking the first four positions in Section H was C Crick & Son from Stotfold.

Colin and Adam timed a three year old blue white flight cock raced on widowhood which had won at club level as a yearling but was generally inconsistent before this season where he has showed good form, this was his first national race. His sire was a very good cock bird winning at club and federation level. Breeding goes back to Cooreman lines purchased from Bob Fenech. Their second pigeon is a two year old chequer hen raced on widowhood, and bred by Garry Inkley of Uxbridge. She has won three races at club level most recently a tricky race from Honiton 2 weeks before the national. Their thanks again to Garry for gifting this cracking little hen. The third pigeon is a yearling blue white flight hen raced on widowhood. having her best performance to date. Sire is a Nigel Templar pigeon that has won at club and federation level and Dam is a Mark Gilbert hen purchased in 2019, which is a daughter of Southfield Darkie. Their fourth pigeon is a three year old blue Cooreman widowhood cock that has showed good form this season and had won a club race from Guernsey last season. All the birds have had 4 or 5 club races between 100-150 miles leading up to the race. Steve Bartholomew in Bedford was fifth section.

Section I was won by Tim Atkin in Rugby.

This is his third ever NFC race and he has now won two 1^st sections and come 2^nd in the fhird. His section winner is a Grand Daughter of New Harry and Friendship. He owns a direct son off New Harry purchased direct from Jan Hooymans and several off the Rik Hermans hen Friendship ( 1^st Nat Chateauroux 25,710b) Friendship is also a G/daughter of Harry. This was the hens 6^th race. His second bird was 6^th section from his great pair off son of Propere 10 paired to a dgt of Minerva. They have bred 1^st Section NFC and multiple 1^st Federation winners. Second section was Summers Bros & daughter in Leicester with a hen which had scored twice in the top ten of the Leicester South Road Federation this season, and her full brother was 3rd section NFC in 2021. Dam.won1st section, 9th open M.N.F.C.8,000+Birds.3rd sec,22^nd Open MNFC 8,000+Birds.7th sec 24th open 9,000 birds M.NFC 7^th sect 189th open 9,000+ birds MNFC 2ND ACE pigeon SC Sect in 2015. Her sire has won 3 times 1st club and 7 times top 10 Leicester South Road Fed. They were also 8th and 10th section with two sisters, Dam direct daughter off “Big Steve” L.K. Buddle and sire from Lol Turner stock in Coventry. Third and fourth was Mark Williamson, the first bird being a three year old blue cock, always a very consistent pigeon and a half brother to his MNFC Bordeaux winner, the father is a grandson of Jan Hooymans “Harry” and the mother is bred down from Jos & Jules Engels pigeons.

The second pigeon is also a three year old blue cock and a full brother to a MNFC section winner, and being a grandson of his Leo Heremans base breeder “Justus” whilst the mother is bred by Jo & Florin Hendricks, again being a granddaughter of Jan Hooymans “Harry”.

Fifth section was H Winstanley & Son from Sutton Coalfield with a three year old widowhood cock who was 20^th Tamworth Federation as a yearling from Carentan. His Parents were both gift birds, sire was a Koopman off John Preece from Telford and the dam was bred by Cliff Sanders from Hurley and is through the legacy lines.

In section J Bolton & Harvey took the top spot in Worcester and their winner Our is a dark 2 year old widowhood cock which had topped the fed two weeks before the national.  His breeding on the sire side is a son of their no 1 stock cock a winner of three 1st feds, and his dam is through a dark Vandenbrande hen called “Martina” a winner of two 1st feds plus second open MCC. Second was Dean Cartmell in Worcester who won the MNFC in 2019.

His 2^nd section is a cock from the best of the Syndicate Lofts bloodline and from the same sire as his MNFC winner. A breeder of class birds he is bred from Amulet x sister Sphinx and the dam is also from Syndicate Lofts stock a breeder of federation winners, she’s from Propere Rik x Perfect Lady. The pigeon in question is a previous fed winner 2000b 4th fed 6th fed and this year he’s had a 9th fed 1700 b so a very consistent bird. Well done to the open and all section winners, let’s try and go one better. Third section was Mr & Mrs P Shaw who have also recently won the MNFC.

Fourth was the consistent national loft of G M Smart in Wolverhampton

and fifth was another recent MNFC winner Jonathan Hamplett in Stafford.

Graham Clift and G Harding came in sixth and as the loft is predominately middle to long distance pigeons, Graham purchased a few sprint birds from the top loft of Gordon Bros Northern Ireland to be more competitive in the shorter races and this year he now flys in partnership with life long friend George Harding from the Tirley loft. Of the four remaining they have all won cards the cock from Guernsey in the NFC in the last three weeks has been 20th Severn Valley Fed Kingsdown 961b, 3rd Section 40th Open BBC Guernsey 2,156b and now provisionally 5th Section NFC Guernsey 810 birds unfortunately he did not receive any pedigrees when they were purchased but very pleased with their performances so far.

Section K top spot went to M Greenwood in Selby and second was H A Rawson, Son & Towers in Mansfield.

J & J Greenfield was third in Barnsley with R & N Dennett in Meden Vale fourth. Fifth was J R Woods also in Barnsley.

Section L was won by G J Hallam in Dukinfield with a pigeon bred by George Appleton from  Denton.  The sire is a Hardy Kruger and the dam Hereman Cuester which both came from Premier Stud stock.

It has been a good racer for him winning the club nom umpteen times. Hughes and Buckley from Rochdale won second place who timed a two year old blue hen raced on roundabout.

She is turning out to be a bit of a superstar in their loft having topped the Lancs Combine last year out of Yelverton in an east wind. As a youngster she won 1^st 1^st Fed 3^rd Amal Yeovil and 1^st Fed 3 Lancs Combine in a North wind. She is bred from a son of “Man O Chester” from Derick Nichols and a granddaughter of Kittel purchased at the Les Green sale in Blackpool. They would like to thank Paul at PJ Lofts for the supply of suppliments this season. Third and fifth was V Barker also in Rochdale and fourth was Jamie Robert Langrish in Chorley with the sire being bred from one of his father Robert’s birds, being a son of “Brad” from Rudi De Sars “Rainman”when paired to a granddaughter of “Rudy” via Herman Beverdam. The dam is from Jamies yearling National winner when paired to the “P5” cock, best of the Gabby lines, Bliksem Shadow. This pairing has bred winners for different lofts right up to section level.

Section N was sent in by Jeff Walton who wrote “Kevin & Tracy Kelly of North Shields won 1st & 2nd Section N. Their first pigeon is Ronnie, a 4yo Grizzle Cock. He is a grandson of Champagne Charlie from Marshall, Marshall and Smith on the sires side. On the dam side he is Nouwen-Paesen, the famous Barcelona flyers. his nest position was natural he was sitting 4 eggs for 7 days. He has won in 2020 1st club 5th fed 9th section 62nd UNC Gien flying 538 mile he was in 2021 4th Sportsman FC 4th Section Guernsey. Their second bird, a yearling Grizzle Hen. On her sires side is the P & D stud Pit Bull lines and on the dam side is the Alfie Hawthorn pigeons. She was sent as a round about hen. Dean Ward of Staithes won 3rd Section N with a Blue Pied 3 year old hen, flown on widowhood.

It’s her second time with the NFC after coming from Guernsey last year. Her preparation for this race was the Up North Combine program down to Chelmsford then a weeks rest and into Guernsey. She’s bred from pigeons bought from Basley and Roberts of Horden Hope, Adams & Webbor Family of Sunderland were 4th Section N with a 4yo widowhood hen. Her dam was from Kevin Lawson’s Chequer Cock, winner of 3rd NRCC Lerwick 500mile, 16hours on the day, as well as 4x1st Feds on. Sire of their winner was from R.Evans, Gibbon and Smith & a son of Silver, 2nd Up North Combine Bourges 569miles 1st Section 4 on the day 15hrs.19mins. John Richardson of Saltburn-by-the-Sea won 5th Section N with a 2yo natural hen sent sitting eggs. She was a gift bird from my good friend Andrew Lander from Helmsley.

Richard Hodgson kindly sent the following for Section O “1^st section O is 82 year old Arthur Wilson from Kendal with his 2 year old cheq cock.

This pigeon is a Van den Brande and Hardy Kruger cross who was sitting pot eggs on around the twenty days mark and was having his first trip over water. He was clocked after completing the 335 mile distance in 7 hours and 50 minutes. Arthur sent 4 birds to the race but unfortunately only managed to get this one. Arthur now only has 9 old birds to continue the season with as he had a rat problem last year resulting in him losing over 30 of his old bird team. Arthur has decided to look at this as an opportunity and has brought in a nice team of young birds for the future. Arthur would like to congratulate Dave Travis on his performance. In 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th place was Arthurs near neighbour Dave Travis. Dave actually clocked before Arthur but flies two miles less so Arthur just pipped him. Dave sent 20 pigeons to the race and clocked 15 on the day of which 7 were yearlings, so a good day. Daves first bird is five year old dark cock of Southwell origin. This pigeon has been a very consistent bird over the years recording 3^rd Section 559^th Open Messac, 5^th Section Sennon Cove, 5^th Section Fougeres and 7^th Section Cholet. Daves second bird is another consistent pigeon. She is also of Southwell origin and was clocked pretty soon after the first. She has previously been 2^nd Section Sennon Cove and 6^th Section Fougeres. The third bird into the clock was one of the yearlings which was bred through birds from Bruce Blamire and is Southwell x De Weerdt. He is a grandson of Bruces top racing cock that won many times from across the channel, so hopefully one for the future. All Daves birds were recently paired together and were sitting around five days. They will all be going back again next week. Dave would like to congratulate Arthur for his section win and wish him well for the rest of the season. Great flying right up in the top end of the NFC guys, you will get your day.

Section P is the home of the Open winner Mr & Mrs Buckfield in Rawreth and Kevin Foster, who also had a great race, put together this report on his section “A very good turnout from section P with over 500 birds making for a competitive race and as it turned out some of the leading pigeons in the open, none more so than the winners Mr & Mrs John Buckfield from Rawreth in Essex. The report on them has been covered by Chris so nothing more to add other than very well done on a good win.

At 2nd and 3^rd section 5th and 6^th Open National is Kevin Foster from Longfield Hill in Kent “I timed timed two pigeons within a few seconds, the first a three year old Widower cock which had won the club previously this year and flown well as yearling before a quiet two year old season last year. Bred by Tim Rodwell, this Koopman cock is closely related through his dam to the lofts previous 1st and 3rd National Le Mans.

Just behind was a two year old widower hen which had previously been 3rd section from Guernsey last year with the NFC, bred from a Cosmin Talas cock from Remy a multiple National performer. Her dam is a daughter of my Lerwick cock 29th National Lerwick last year in his first and only ever north road race. Well done to all the section and open winners and to the conveyors for the condition of the birds on arrival” Fourth section is D Wilton and son from Grays in Essex, here’s what Andrew told me about their race “Our timer from Guernsey is a yearling cock flown on widowhood, he’s been flying well for us he has already won 1st club 4th Thames North against 1,623 birds and as a young bird he won 4th BICC Guernsey young bird National.

His sire was bred for us by Mark Bulled from his champion Rocky and his dam was bred from co breeding between our top racer and breeder Altior and Bob and Ant Besant’s BICC Cholet national winner Gaby so was well bred for the job” Fifth section is the South Benfleet in Essex partnership of R & P Thomas, like the previous lofts the form seems to have carried over into this race, here’s what Paul told me “Firstly, I would like to congratulate my club mates Mr and Mrs Buckfield for winning the race. The pigeon we timed was a yearling blue hen flown on total widowhood she was my second pigeon from the BICC Guernsey race the week before.

Her sire is a Franz Zwolls bred from the very best formula one lines containing Amor and Tip Top blood , her mother is one of our own family that has been blended together over the years from all the local top fanciers she has scored well in the past including 8^th section Pottiers  2^nd section 5^th open Bordeaux  and she won the section in my last Guernsey race with the BICC.” well done to you both , a top hen in form. Sixth section is another Buckfield, this is Tony Buckfield of Hockley, the son of the National winning partnership and another top loft from an area in Essex that has a production line of National winners in recent years. This is what Tony had to say “This was her third race of 2022 her 1st race was a club race not positioned, 2nd race BBC Guernsey 11th sec, 273 open then this lucky one, Soontjen hen a sister to 84210 who had 5 first Thames and was there on two occasions with loft mates taking 1,2,3 Thames. Stopped at the end of her yearling race program. 699 is now on ferry for her 5th race with the BICC and I am expecting her to be my first home. Please congratulations to my mum and dad for a fantastic win and let them know I’m giving them no more secret’s. Well done to all who competed in this race. And to race advisers and convoy crew.” Let’s hope we get another good turnout for the next National race and good luck to all those who are sending. Thanks Kevin and just to point out that all the above birds mentioned are in the top twelve of the open result, with John Cowlin in at 18^th Open well done to all.

Section Q was put together by Committee man Chris Boyce who wrote “On Saturday 21^st May section Q had 13 members flying 75 birds from Guernsey. The weather was perfect for racing with clear skies and a light WS Westerly breeze. Despite a slight head wind on the Section’s birds the first bird home was recorded by Terry Luscombe, who only moved down to Looe in Cornwall from Plymouth last year. Terry flies with Plymouth but is located within the Section Q boundary for NFC racing. This bird is showing remarkable consistency having been 15^th open NFC Guernsey in 2021 and 14^th open in the first BICC Guernsey race this year.

Terry sent 5 birds to fly the 103 miles and was rewarded with 1^st Section in a time 2hrs 21mins and a velocity of 1293ypm. The bird is a blue bar 2020 cock bred off a son of his NFC Fougeres National winner crossed with a hen gifted to him by fellow club members Lee & Dyer she was bred off stock birds from D&J Staddon and full of their famous miracle hen. She has obviously been broken in well to her new home, congratulations Terry a very well-deserved win, you have set the bar high for the section this year. The second bird home in the Section belongs to me Chris Boyce of Truro club, I don’t know which of us was more surprised when she touched down on the roof after flying the 129 miles to the Perranporth on the North Cornwall coast in a time of 3 hrs 28 mins, (1097 ypm). I currently have an imbalance of cocks and hens amongst my yearlings, so I choose 2 hens that had been flying in the combine and regularly appearing in my top 5. Unfortunately, only one made it back but what a cracker she is, her parents are a Jos Thone cock and a Sablon hen gifted to me as stock birds by my friend Paul Pym of Exeter, a great way to start the Channel season, now I have got to keep it up.

The third bird home belongs to Keith Frost of St Austell, Keith managed an excellent 5 out of 6 birds home from Guernsey. His first bird home a Blue Bar cock flew the 115 miles to his loft in 3hrs 10 mins (1092ypm). The cock is a Franz Zwols that he obtained from Stewart Wilcox of Bristol.

Our fourth bird home was one of 5 sent by Phil Neville of St Austell, Phil’s bird covered the 117 miles to his loft in 3hrs 27 mins (994 ypm) Bird number five was also from St Austell club this time it was Jake Waldock who sent 15 birds and has had over half of them back so far. Jake’s first bird home completed the 116miles to his loft in 4hrs 8mins. Jake’s Blue bar hen was a Southwell yearling on her first Channel race. Her sire was a Jack Randell Southwell from a son of Lady Jane paired to a half sister of Lady Janes. Lady Jane herself came 6 times from Barcelona and Palamas, 20^th, 109^th, 6^th,25^th 67^th open Barcelona and 13^th open Palamas with the BBC. Her dam also from a son of Lady jane when paired to a direct Jimmy Sheppard Southwell bred down from Owen 4^th Barcelona and Posh Spice 4^th Marseilles. Some serious distance blood there Jake. A great first race for section Q with 8 different fliers in the top 10, fingers crossed for more close racing ahead this season.

Section W was won by Phil Bates & Son Neil as well as fifth place flying to a small village called Bagillt close to the River Dee in North Wales. “We are known as “The Chip Shop Boys” having run a successful Fish and Chip Shop until we were forced to close when my late wife Gwenda took ill. Up until 2012 when my wife took ill we had won collectively between Welsh South Road National and Welsh South east National eight National wins and fifty section wins. After this nursing my sick wife was our priority. As in previous Nationals, once again our section winner is bred from two direct from Peter Fox of Syndicate Lofts. We have named the cock “Mam’s Chocolate Soldier” after the nickname my wife called Neil.

The sire of the cock is from Mona Lisa bloodlines when mated to the Bonny Hen. Our second bird was also from Peter and was from Tefelo and Jennifer Lopez, a daughter of Prospere Rik and Sunday Girl. We race our bird widowhood cocks and widowhood hens with their partners not raced but at home to greet them. Derick Jone in Wrexham was second with a two year old hen which had “carded” last season and also sixth section. Third was J I & C Milward in Buckley and Charlie sent the following “Our first pigeon from Guernsey was a three year old cheq Geveart Hen. In the past she had positioned in the top few of the Wrexham Federation.

Her father is the principal breeder the "Wan Cock", bred by P&T Rodgers. He is responsible for pigeons such as the "11 hen", who topped the Wrexham Fed 6 times; the "36 hen" who topped the Wrexham Fed 3 times; the "44 hen" who won 8 x 1st clubs and 3 x 1st Wrexham Feds; and another hen who topped the Wrexham Fed twice. He has also bred numerous pigeons which have been in the top 5 of the Wrexham Fed, and a cock who won 33rd open MNFC Holmsley last year. She was sent paired to another hen and they are both sitting eggs. Her partner won from Weymouth on the same day in the club. Big congratulations to Phil and Neil on a very good Section win.” Fourth section was P & T Reece also in Buckley with a two year old roundabout hen which is ¾ Gary Inkley bloodlines. Seventh section was S K Davenport in Wrexham with a yearling hen whose sire is  from premier stud of Derick Nichols “Man of Chester” lines dam is Marsh/Smith Ian Stafford both good friends of Stuart's. He would also like to congratulate the whole NFC team for a fantastic race he sent 10, all home in just over one hour all looking good on returning home.

Thank you to all those who contributed to this article, it is truly appreciated. Just one quick note to say that there are videos available on the NFC website to assist anyone who may be having difficulties entering their birds online or verifying their pigeons on race day. Just go to nationalflyingclub.co.uk and click on the “Help” tab and you will find them there. Any feedback for further assistance videos would be gratefully received.

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

This is the section report for the final race of the season for the National Flying Club was held from Guernsey on the 6^th 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 3^rd and 5^th. 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.

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 3^rd and 5^th 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.

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

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.

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.

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 1^st 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 2^nd and 3^rd sect is top flyer Dave & Lisa Waterhouse.

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.

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.

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

His first and 3^rd 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 1^st 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 4^th and 5^th 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.

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.

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 2^nd hen at 13 03. His 2^nd 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.

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.

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 1^st 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 1^st open NFC  National Nantes. The dam is again from another full sister to Eros when paired to the sire of our 1^st 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 22^nd 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.

 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 1^st sect 4^th Open.

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 1^st Club, 11^th section, 46^th 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 1^st Open LSECC Tarbes in 2005 when paired to his own daughter “Razors Girl” who had also won 1^st 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. 

 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.

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.

His bird has also won 1^st Club 2^nd Fed Yelveton, 1^st Club 2^nd 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.

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.

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, 80^th Open NFC Fougeres 6,678 birds 2019, 80th NFC Messac 4,909 birds 2019 plus 1^st Section & 1^st 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 34^th 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.

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.

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.59^th Open N.F.C. Old hens 25th NE Sect 173^rd Open B.I.C.C old hens 2018 as a Yearling late bred she was 8^th 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.

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.

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.

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 1^st Open 1^st 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.

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.

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. 

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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 6^th Open.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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

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

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

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

The 4^th 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 17^th home from Rome 959mls. Her dam is from a grandson of ‘SPANGLE HEATWAVE’ – 9^th BICC Marseilles, plus twice 1^st 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 13^th 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

The first race of the 2022 season for the National Flying Club took place from Guernsey on the 21st of May when the Chief Convoyer Phil Leech and his team liberated 6531 birds entered by 607 members. The sky was clear with a visibility of 10 miles and a 7mph WSW wind. The winning pigeon flew to the Essex loft of Mr & Mrs John Buckfield, which was just a few yards short of 200 miles from the race point, flying three hours and 25 minutes to record a velocity of 1703 ypm.

John and his wife Pat live on a four-acre smallholding in the village of Rawreth where over many years they have been at the very top of the local competition, flying their birds on the north road. For decades they have been putting up brilliant performances, winning more Federation, Combines and Amalgamation races than can be remembered, and in 2020 they decided to take up a new challenge and as members of the Hullbridge Pigeon Club, they turned their attentions to the South Road. This decision was taken due to there being more opportunities available to them, in top level competition at the distances their birds excel. A wise one too as in just their second year on the south, they can now add a first open in the biggest club in the country to their long list of achievements.

Preferring the sprint races, they fly a small team of Widowhood cocks which Pat lets out for exercise every morning and a separate team of Widowhood hens which are exercised later in the day by John. All the birds are extremely tame which I thought reflected their slow careful movements around the lofts and the amount of time they can spend with them, but John also added that he had become a human peanut, giving them the little treats occasionally. They also feed a lot of diet mix which is measured per bird, moving over to a stronger widowhood mixture as the race approaches and they would never send their birds without ensuring they had a good feed on basketing day.

The hen’s team are motivated by using just two cock birds, which are allowed into the loft to play around in two nest boxes which become available for an hour or two before basketing. The nest box fronts are facing the wall during the week with a drinker placed on top and I asked John if the National winning hen had gone into the box with one of the cocks, but he said she had not and in truth, he is not sure what motivated her that day except that they are locked out during exercise, which John thinks encourages a real desire to be in the loft and the birds trap very well. Maybe the love of home they nurture in their birds is why she came so well.

The usual widowhood practice of pairing up around Christmas and allowing them to rear one young bird is the normal procedure each year but for this year they did not pair them up at all as their son Tony Buckfield, who also had a great result in the National at 11^th Open provisional, bred them a few youngsters out of his stock birds and it is those which are now being given some gentle treatment whilst they are acclimatised to the loft. Tony had acquired some top Staff Van Reet from the local national winning loft of Lee Bastone and it is out of these birds that he bred his parents the Guernsey winner.

The Hullbridge Pigeon Club headquarters is based at the Up River Yacht Club, which is owned by Tony Buckfield, and there are many 1^st National winning lofts racing in this club. When any one of them wins the National Flying Club, they celebrate the achievement well into the night and it was during this celebration that the Buckfields National winner was christened “Lucky Bucky” by his friends.

There is a large amount of effort put into the social side of the sport at their clubhouse, which forges lifelong friendships and they all play their part. They motivate each other towards greater performances, and I have been there many times reporting on their achievements. They are a real credit to the sport, and I was happy for the opportunity to visit once again, meeting a very nice Mr & Mrs partnership, who are obviously devoted to their birds in a calm and well organised loft.

Finally, I would like to thank our new Convoying team Phil Leech and his nephew Levi Leech as well as the transport company PJ Logistics based in Billingshurst. They did a great job for us this week, delivering clean crates to all marking stations on the Wednesday and collecting our birds from all over the country the next day, before the ferry crossing to Guernsey.  With a Police escort on the island, they all represented the National Flying Club in a very professional manner and the birds were settled on site by Friday afternoon. The Convoyers took good care of our birds with our Race Adviser Steve White giving up to date information on the weather. A good liberation and a good race overall, as we all know Guernsey can be a tricky race point early in the season, so well done to all concerned. After each race, please remember to email your information if you have a top five position in your section of the provisional result, plus a photo of yourselves if possible.

News and views to me Chris Sutton at Tel 01530 242548 or 07792 356330

It was the news that all members of the National Flying Club had been waiting for, when Race Adviser Steve White and Chief Convoyer Dom McCoy finally announced that the birds had been liberated into beautiful sunshine, at 10.00am on Monday the 6^th September to commence the Guernsey Young Bird National and combined Old Hens National sponsored by The House of Aarden Stud and Benzing. The wind was a light north easterly at around 7mph in the channel turning light South Easterly on the mainland and Dom said “It was a great liberation, all birds cleared site within two minutes and climbed high like little dots! Good luck to all.” This had come after a two day holdover due to the heavy mist and fog in the channel and a young blue hen called “Little Faith” belonging to Mike Lovelock of Shrewsbury, had passed the time thinking of her nest back at the home loft and won the National Flying Club from Guernsey by recording a velocity of 1380 yards per minute or 47 miles per hour.

She was bred in December of the previous year along with around 60 others and was weaned into the young bird section just as two pairs of Sparrowhawks were claiming the same territory to begin the spring breeding season. Each and every day when the young pigeons were given time out of the loft the hawks made their presence known and unfortunately quite a few went missing with “Little Faith” being one of them but after a few days she returned although she had broken her leg clean through in her panic.

Mike initially thought she was a stray bird because she had been gone for so long and after his inspection, he realised her injury required some attention and he nursed her back to full health, although the break was very severe and quite high up her leg. This caused him to think her racing days were finished before they had even begun, which is how she earned her name as she has now repaid his kindness twice over, having first won the local club and then raced back to her second nest of eggs, to win the National Flying Club. In fact, she is part of a young bird team that has truly reached top form at the right time as the week previous, Mike won the first 12 positions in the Shropshire Federation.

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 and now the same pair have bred “little Faith” to win the NFC young bird race when 274 members sent 2625b plus Benzing have agreed to sponsor our young bird race from Guernsey, and the open winner will receive a brand new Benzing system complete with a SmartHub for live racing. A huge thank you to Benzing and the House of Aarden Stud who will also present Mike with an August hatched young bird to the value of £500.  Whilst I was visiting Craig Chetwood, NFC member and Secretary of Wreakin FC came to assist in the verification of the bird and we spent a few minutes discussing the ongoing topic of channel racing over a cup of tea. I informed them that the NFC Committee were meeting in October and that there are various options on the agenda for us to continue to enjoy the prestige of racing in the one true UK National for the 2022 season.

As is the same every year, the National Flying Club also hold an Old Hens race in conjunction with the young bird event and it has become a showcase of the specialist fanciers. To prepare these hens for a race so late in the season takes months of planning in order for them to reach peak condition, whilst holding back the moult long enough for them to race with a full wing and for this event 155 members entered 955 old hens from all over the country. Brian Reene of Honiton is one such specialist who entered just one hen perfectly prepared and in peak condition, she flew at a velocity just shy of the winning young bird and these two birds were each over 30ypm clear of the remaining combined convoy of 3580 birds.

Bred by Peter Clarke of Rowly Lofts she is a double granddaughter of Darran McFaddens “Simply the Best” winner of 1^st Open LSECC Tarbes in 2005 when paired to his own daughter “Razors Girl” who had also won 1^st 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 she flew every race as a youngster, but in her yearling year she was exercised around the loft and he gave her just one 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. Great motivation, great preparation and a great little yearling hen having her first National race, it was a real joy to behold for Brian when she pitched in and his wife Vera managed to capture the moment on her phone for their daughter in Australia who is always interested in her Dads results as he has now won Section D of NFC 7 times and second section D 6 times and the last time he won section D he also sent just one bird.

It may be a little more difficult for Brain to race her now she has a 1^st Open National Flying Club herself and with her breeding being the very best distance blood from Darran McFadden are bred down from Ray Hammonds Pau, Bergerac, Palomos “Diploma of Merit Award” winners as well as Eric Cannons family, she definitely has one of the very best of British long distance pedigrees available today and with great generosity Brian has donated her youngster to the club to give all the members an opportunity to obtain the youngster and to raise club funds for future prize money.

Brian has stepped up to the role of top positions in the clubs over the years including the Chairman of the Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset Continental Flying Club until ill health forced him to step down, but he has continued to run a marking station from his garage which serves the Continental Club as well as being the clock station for the NFC, BICC and BBC making good use of Brian’s years of experience. Now having 66 members the club has recently taken delivery of a brand new state of the art transporter by securing lottery funding which provides excellent racing for the far south west of the country.  

Also situated in the south west, The House of Aarden have once again sponsored the Old Hens race with a youngster to the value of £500 so Brian will have yet another addition of top class long distance bloodlines to add to his small back garden loft. A big supporter of the NFC in their area, Steve and Lesley Wright of The House of Aarden Stud provide the same prize for the open winner of every race as well as the Section Q prize money for each and every race, outstanding support indeed. The Chairman has recently spoken to Steve Wright who has confirmed his sponsorship for the 2022 season and National Flying Club are truly thankful to all our sponsors for their generous donations and prizes, it is truly appreciated, and we shall continue to give full recognition of their support in the NFC handbook, website, social media and exhibition stands.

Please send me all your details if you have won a position in the top five of your section by email to and include a photograph of yourselves if possible, it really makes interesting reading how the bloodlines are performing on the Premier National stage. I will be happy to include them all in my section report, all I would ask is that you mark clearly which section and which of the two races your information is for.

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