MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB€¦ · Van den Bosche cock called Trev on 1680. Martin Hoogendyk,...

MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING

CLUB

Portland Report, September 2015

By Mike Lakin

Portland Provides a Second National

Victory for North Staffordshire’s Mr & Mrs

Andrew Hargreaves

Mr & Mrs Andrew Hargreaves

For the sixth consecutive race of the season

the MNFC was able to declare an increase in

birdage in comparison to last year. On this

occasion an entry of 4,427 birds was

mustered by 337 members were released at

7.45am into a very light South Westerly

wind. Surprisingly the majority of the early

arrivals were to fanciers situated on the

western side of the country. The only

possible explanation we can uncover is the

fact that near to the south coast there was

an eastern influence to the wind’s direction.

A close up of the National Winner.

Leading the way with a winning velocity of

1768 is the North Staffordshire loft of

Andrew and Linda Hargreaves who clocked

a Dark Lambrecht cock. Andrew said that

earlier in the season the young cock had

coupled to a young hen and had settled in a

corner of the loft floor. Unfortunately the

young cock took control of the loft floor

which wasn’t good for either him or the

other loft inmates as every time they

dropped down to drink, they were soon

MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

chased off again which meant that they

struggled to get a drink and he got no rest.

So Andrew split the sexes up and this

calmed the situation but the bird soon

realised that on his return from a training

flight that his hen would be waiting. Darren

Adams the partners friend who normally

called the birds into the loft on their return

while Andrew was on his way back home

told Andrew that he the Dark cock was

always the first bird into the loft. Let’s now

take a closer look at the bird and his

breeding. Well as has already been stated

he is a Karl and Cyriel Lambrecht based bird

bred by Gary Ayres a local fancier who has

some excellent stock but due to breathing

problems is unable to race himself but this

result underlines the quality which is

housed at Gary’s. Gary got his Lambrechts

from Mr & Mrs Jim Dutton. The national

winner is a grandson of Donker Kris which

has 3 x 1st fed wins on his record. His

mother is a daughter of Champion ‘De Zot’

the best ever Lambrecht breeder.

Pigeons which were determined not to be

pulled off track belonged to Simon

Parkinson of Crowle who clocked his first

bird a Blue cock which is bred off birds from

Luc Van Mechelen just over a yard behind

the race winner. The pigeon will win young

bird specialist Simon 1st North section. I am

told that the bird’s bloodlines are 100%

Stickers Donkers and he is closely related to

their ‘No1 Koppel’ and the

‘Dortmundduiven’ the partners’ Ace pigeon

which was later sold to Dirk Van Dyck.

Simon in fact had a great race as he also

took 2nd and 3rd North section and 11th

and 12th Open with two of their Jochems

Van Hasselt bred pigeons.

Simon Parkinson and his dad with their first two

birds from Portland.

These birds have become Simon’s base

family. Both of these birds are closely

related to a great racer and breeder known

as ‘The Special One’ which won umpteen

races and has won 10th 12th and 23rd

MNFC Open placings. Peter Humphries who

is a friend of Simon’s tells me that the

sliding door method is used which has been

tweaked to suit and this has made Simon

Parkinson a formidable young bird flyer.


Brian Leadbeater receiving more prizes. The

Lebbies took 3rd 4th and 10th Open from

Portland.

Another well-known team take not only 3rd

4th but also 10th Open and 1st and 2nd and

4th South West section for C Leadbeater

and Sons of Rugeley with a Blue hen on

1765 and a chequer cock on 1764 and

combined winnings of nearly £700. These

velocities were 1765, 1764 and 1751

respectively. So all in all a good day’s work

by the Lebbies pigeons.

The Goodwins’ 2nd NW section & 5th Open.

I see another team of speed merchants fill

2nd NW section and 5th Open in the form

of R & J Goodwin & Son. The partners

clocked Dark hen of Verheye x

Vandenabeele bloodlines on 1763. Richard

the son tells me that their bird is closely

related to a hen that won many fine

placings in the MNFC including 2x2nd

section and 6th and 10thOpen and winnings

of over £3500. On the sire’s side he is nest

mate to a bird that has won £1000 in the

North Staffs Fed Young Bird Carentan.

Mr & Mrs Geoff Kirkland 6th Open this time.

6th Open and 3rd NW section is taken by

Mr& Mrs Geoff Kirkland who need no intros

from me. Their bird on this occasion is a

young chequer hen and records 1762 which

once again highlights what a close finish we

had with the top six birds split by less than

six yards!

7th Open is taken by 3rd SW section winner

Martin Smith & Son whose pied cock

recorded 1759.


Marin & Charlie Smith with their 7th Open

winner.

The bird is a Busschaert x Janssen. The

Busschaert bloodlines coming from

‘Parkside Superman’ and the Janssen side

from the late Barry Fellows. The bird was

sent paired to two hens and all three were

sitting 7 day old eggs and a chipping egg

was placed in the nest prior to basketing.

8th Open and 4th NW section is lifted by

Rochdale’s P Hardman who will collect a

nice cheque curtesy of his Blue cock which I

see is carrying a Gold Ring so could well

feature in the Gold Ring race from Carentan.

McGraw Clegg & Preece of Sandford Hill in

Stoke on Trent grab 5th NW section and 9th

Open with one of Cleggie’s bird I believe.

The lads each race a team of their own birds

within the partnership and the competition

I’m assured is ‘white hot’. Keiran tells me

that he often lies down on the loft floor

with the birds while playing music on his

phone. Is this the secret of his success?

Ricky take note!

Mellonby & Wheelhouse, who had a superb race

up in the East section.

A loft enjoying a fabulous season with the

MNFC is that belonging to the Bridlington

partnership of Mellonby & Wheelhouse

who are proving that you can still win if you

are one of the section’s longest flyers. As

many will no doubt be aware of the fact

that Kerry Mellonby works for the Premier

Stud and he races exclusively with Premier

pigeons. The partners latest section winner

is a Blue hen which is of De Rauw Sablon x

Hardy Kruger blood. The pigeon also wins a

very creditable 13th Open placing on 1744.

The partners though enjoyed a superb race

also winning 2nd 5th 6th 7th and 9th East

section. The second timer was a Kruger

pigeon being a grandson of Hardy’s super

‘Black Power’. The other three early birds

are all Pemier birds with one being a

daughter the partners fine racer ‘Channel

Queen’ which was a crossing of Cuesters x

Geerinckx and Derwa blood. The 7th section

winner is a Gaston Van de Wouwer bird

who raced the world famous ‘Kaasbouwer’

(CheeseMaker). Kerry tells me that this bird

has been an absolute ‘star’ so perhaps he

should be named ‘The Moneymaker’ as in

total the lads will be banking a cheque for in

excess of £1000. To round up the East

section 3rd section was taken by Paul and


Helen Johnson on 1711 with a blue chequer

cock and the 2013 Bordeaux National

winner Jon Walker fills the 4th slot on 1706.

Paul & Helen Johnson, 3rd East section.

Also up with the leaders in the East section

is Tony Meek who clocked a self-bred

Vandenabeele which Tony got from Jutla

Brothers. Tony has only been flying on the

South road over the last two years but tells

me that he is really enjoying flying with the

Mid Nat.

Rob Pashley with his 4th North section winning

bird.

Tidying up the North section we see Mr &

Mrs Rob Pashley take 4th section 1742 and

their bird is a vandenabeele based hen

being bred from parents acquired from M &

D Evans and D & J Hawkins who are both

famed for their superb Vandenabeele

pigeons. 5th section was claimed by the

super multi-National winning Mick Betts.

Mick clocked a hen steeped in his ‘Super

Blue’ blood x a cock from Ian Vernon.

‘Super Blue’ won 16 x 1st prizes and topped

the Fed 4 times for his achievements this

fine Soontjen based cock won 3 RPRA

awards.

Mick Betts, still smiling and winning.

Turning now to the North East section now

and there we see Eastwood flyer C Dolan

taking the 1st section trophy timing in a

Blue cock on 1737 which will see his owner

pocket a nice cheque. In 2nd section

recording 1734 we see Monty Buxton & Co

of Denby Village. The bird responsible is an

Irish bred pigeon from Monty’s friends

Brown & Stewart who the partners

exchange half a dozen youngsters with each

year. The bird is down from the world

famed Van Dyck cock Kaanibaal while his

mother is a granddaughter of Lockker which

is of Bourges lines. Ralph Jepson of

Underwood is enjoying a good season with


the MNFC and he continues the good work

when a Blue hen takes the 3rd slot for her

boss with a velocity of 1727. Langold is the

location of the 4th section winner with

another Blue hen recording 1715 for

Somers Brothers.

The South Centre section sees Litherland

Bailey & Harrison take not only the 1st slot

but also 3rd placing. The section winner is

yet another Blue hen doing the business for

them her velocity of 1721 sees her 11 yards

in front of the 2nd section winner belonging

to Bill Marbrow who saw home a bird bred

by Woodville’s Alan Clamp. The bird’s sire is

of Dutch Master x Golden Gaby breeding

and the dam is of Klien Figo lines. The bird

has proved his ability previously when he

won 1st Warwickshire Fed from Bath. The

3rd section winner is a dark cock which

clocks up 1696.

Albert Babbington, 4th SC section.

The 4th section spot goes to Albert

Babbington who timed a red cock which is

bred from a cock from Walsall’s Symonds &

Patton which Albert tells me won both

inland through to Niort where he topped

the Wolverhampton Fed. His mother is a

hen purchased off Belgium fancier Bertell’s

of Lier. I am told that it is the first time they

have been paired together but I think that it

is a fair bet that Albert will keep then

together. Also in the frame are Swadlincote

fanciers Hoogendyk & Parker who timed a

Van den Bosche cock called Trev on 1680.

Martin Hoogendyk, flying high in the South

Centre.

The winning pigeon in the North North

West section put up a very creditable

performance when a Blue cock recorded a

velocity of 1716 for Lydgate’s Kevin Thorp.

This is Kev’s second section victory this year

well done sir.


Kevin Thorp, the North North West section

winner.

2nd section was taken by the very

successful team of Mr & Mrs Brian Fisher &

Son of Todmorden who are right behind

Kevin’s bird being a mere .8 of a yard

behind when they saw home a Dark cock.

The Fisher family, 2nd NNW section

In 3rd slot we see a loft which is making a

big reputation for itself in the form of Leach

Brothers who timed young chequer cock

which Adrian tells me is from two of the

lofts best breeding couples namely

‘Ganacus’ and ‘Blue Magic’.

'Blue Magic', the dam of Leach Bros’ 3rd NNW

section winner.

Is the result any real surprise when you see

his grandparents are ‘The Syndicate cock’,

Miles Sunderland’s class hen ‘The Claret

Eyed Hen’. On the mother’s side we see

Wall Lunt and Green’s ‘Rebel’ and ‘Miss

Magic’. Adrian highlights the sportsman

ship that abounds up in the NNW of the

club as he was quick to praise the section

winner.

The Taylors with their 4th NNW section.


The 4th & 5th section winners are P & B

Taylor who clock two birds together. The

first is a half-brother to their good hen

Emily and the second .4 of a yard behind is

a chequer bred from a good bird which has

two fed wins on it CV. Paul echoes the

sportsmanship of Adrian Leach by

congratulating the race winners and his

own section winner. He was full of praise to

Adrian who had rung him to apologise for

verifying the slightly incorrect time which

nudged Paul down a place. Great stuff lads.

News from the West section is pretty thin

on the ground which is sad because how

can I give the pigeons the credit that they

deserve if I get no info?

F Jennings & Son, the winners of 1st West

section.

Anyway it is the Chorley loft of F Jennings

and Son who claim the top spot with Blue

hen on 1710. This team has flown well in

the past so are no strangers to success. In

2nd spot is J Burnett & Sons who timed a

chequer cock for a speed of 1684 on its trip

up to Warrington. Fighting out a close finish

for 3rd slot are two Burtonwood lofts

winning out is Thomas Forber on 1666.99

with a young chequer hen close behind in

4th section is taken by the very successful R

& B Smith partnership on 1666.98. I did say

that it was close! The brothers’ bird is a

good darkness hen with 2 x 1st prizes to her

name already from Cheltenham and

Mangotsfield. She is closely inbred to the

Smiths’ good breeder ‘Hughie’.

'Hughie' of R & B Smith. Their latest 4th section

winner is inbred to this champion.

Moving down to the far South East we see

Mick & Daley Godfrey take the honours in

the East South East section with a chequer

w/f hen and a powder blue hen both birds

recording 1653 which will finish in 1st & 2nd

section. I am told that the lads have been

racing with broken pigeons and a few late-

breds off their friend Mick Plowman having

just moved earlier this year. The Chequer

w/f is bred from a nest pair off Mick

Plowman’s best stock pair which are of


Busschaert x Van Bruane bloodlines. How

many would couple a nest pair to race?

Well it’s paid dividends for the Godfreys.

Mick Godfrey with his East South East section

winner.

The other bird is a Leen Boers bird from

Tumley Lofts. The partners had good

returns and were delighted in how well the

birds looked on their return. 3rd section

was claimed by Steve Surrey who timed a

Blue Pied hen bred from birds on loan from

Tony Webster from Erith. The bird contains

the blood of a 2nd UNC winner and on her

dams side a cock with 3 fed wins on his

record before being retired to the stock loft.

Steve is enjoying a great season and

recently took the top five places in his club.

A cool looking chap, Steve Surrey, the 3rd ESE

section winner.

4th section is taken by Alan Maile with a

Grizzle cock called ‘Fenland Supreme’ and

was bred by Peter Lingham of Warboys. The

pigeon is a Roland Janssen X Staf v Reet

with the grandsire being a winner of a

phenomenal 22 x1st prizes winning 1st ace

pigeon in 04,05,06,07 and 6th Gold Ring

from 20,000 birds. On his dam’s side the

bird is inbred to ‘Rode Bingo’ belonging to

Louella Pigeon World. Thanks for the

details from Mick Plowman.

Alan Maile, 4th ESE section.

Winning the South East section is J & T

Gateley who saw home a Dark Haelterman

x Vandenheede hen simply flying back to

her perch. Her sire is a previous

Northampton Fed bird of the year and is

from stock off his good friend Jerry Wright

who Tom says leads him astray every year

during the Blackpool show weekend!


Tom Gateley, the winner of the South East

section.

2nd section in the SE goes to Hardy & Volz.

The partnership comprises of Stephen and

Avril and I’m informed that it is Avril who

managed the young birds due to her

parner’s hospitalisation.

Hardy & Volz, 2nd the SE section winners.

The partners would like to thank Andrew

Seymour for his help with the training etc.

Their bird is bred from Frank & George

Bristow stock. The sire is a Cassaert which is

bred from ‘Nasdaq’ and ‘Streeter’ lines. On

the dam’s side it is of Eric Ceuleman blood

containing the lines of the Bristows ‘Erica’

and ‘Rosie’. The bird was sent guarding a

nestbowl and won his local club a couple of

weeks ago and took 3rd place in the

Harrowden fed.

The 3rd placed bird belongs to Gavin Cole

who is starting to make a habit of getting

into the winners area. The bird on this

occasion is called ‘Morning Glory’ and was

bought in off the afore-mentioned Frank

and George Bristow and Gavin is confident

that this blood will blend in well with his

own Soontjen and Janssen based birds. I’m

told that the team has flown the full

programme and started and finished with

35 pigeons. Wow! That is superb flying sir,

I’m very impressed.

Gavin & Grace Cole, 3rd SE section

Another name that is enjoying a great year

with the club is Ian & Rob Jarratt. On this

occasion it is father Ian who is flying the flag

with a very consistent bird that was carrying

the owner’s main hopes. The young cock is

a De Meyer based pigeon and bred from a


sister to the Jarratt’s 1st SE section winner

from Carentan (2). His sire is a gift bird from

Damien Pierce of Wolverhampton and is a

previous fed topper. A very nice present

indeed.

Ian Jarratt, once again prominent in the South

East.

Well, that rounds another very successful

race for the club. The only down side is the

fact that inland races tend to be more

localised with the wind often dictating the

result.

Mike Lakin

MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB€¦ · Van den Bosche cock called Trev on 1680. Martin Hoogendyk,...

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Transcript of MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB€¦ · Van den Bosche cock called Trev on 1680. Martin Hoogendyk,...