Warwickshire Federation Notes
The 2019 season kicked off a little later this year following a successful proposition to push the start date back by 2 weeks. The run up to the first race saw a good stretch of decent weather that allowed federation members to get in the necessary pre-season training and to get the birds out for regular exercise, all in readiness for the weekend of the 28th.
As luck would have it the first race was pushed back 24 hours because of poor weather being forecast for Saturday which would have made a liberation very unlikely. So, s is only right and proper, the race committee decided to basket on Saturday for 1 night in the baskets. Sunday morning dawned bright but a bit at first light, but with time on their side whilst waiting for a clear flight path the birds were sat with sun on the baskets relaxing. The convoyers, Steve and Adam, were given the nod by our race controller Johnny Gilbert for a liberation mid morning. And so it was that at 11.00 the strings were cut and flaps released to allow the 1,771 birds from 93 members to get up and away from Bath. The first race of the 2019 campaign saw the convoy up in a light West, North West wind which stayed on their shoulder throughout the route home, and as always the wind was to influence where the winners will be.
Top of the tree this week and taking advantage of the wind we have the Adderbury club taking first 5, with club secretary Richard McNally taking 1st and 2nd federation on 1455 and 1427 ypm. Close up behind is the national winning loft of Kevin Godfrey on 1423 ypm and less than 0.1 yards behind fellow club mate John Hambidge. Well done gentlemen. Taking the next 5 is the Dunchurch RPC member Tim Atkin who has kicked off his season with intent, staring a 1411 ypm down to 1409 ypm. Back to Adderbury now, with Kevin Godfrey taking the next 5 in the federation starting at 1407ypm. Taking top 2 in Nuneaton and 16th and 17th Fed is the Golden Mile Lofts of federation chairman and race controller Johnny Gilbert. Winning Monsell and claiming 18th federation is the top Leicester loft of Malc Slater, closely followed by Alan Rheams who wins Lime Tree club and 19th fed. Johnny Gilbert manages to squeeze another sneaky one in to round off the top 20 for the first race. Well done every one.
Week 2 saw us back at Bath with 2.103 birds sent by 112 members getting up and away at 8.20 in to a steady north wind. Taking 1st federation is the former National Sprint champion Keith Arnold with a Belgian import doing 1345 ypm. Keith won a club race last year with a Belgian import, I should think that this might be the same hen. This win will be a real tonic for Keith who was convinced that last season would be his last competitive season due to health reasons that led to a disillusionment with the hobby. It’s good to see that he is back up and at it as our health is more important than pigeons. Well done Keith, let’s hope it’s the first of many more federation wins. Pete Bicknell will want the name of that loft in Belgium now.
Next up is a team of birds that had the sole intent of getting their heads down and getting home. I was lucky enough to be at the lofts when these birds arrived and believe me they hit the traps with a bang. This team performance saw the Dunchurch lofts of Tim Atkin take the next 13 positions in the fed, from 2nd through to 14th – with velocities between 1339 and 1337ypm. He also claimed 18th and 19th Fed on 1327 and 1325 ypm. Without taking anything away from the fed winner, this was the team performance of the day and a real treat to see. They were like wasps round a jam jar, as an old fancier friend used to say.
Next up claiming 15th federation and topping the mighty Monsell club we have Mick O’Rourke – a man who can sprint with the best of them. His club winner was on 1337 ypm. Top 2 in Nuneaton club, and winning 16th and 17th Fed we have the loft of Wilson and Malin on 1332 and 1328ypm. Well done Ken and Steve. Rounding up the top 20 is the far flung East Leake winner Mr and Mrs Elton, with a bird doing 1317ypm. Well done all those who made the cut!!
Week 3 saw Adam and Steve sat at Wincanton with a mighty 2,373 birds on board. A clear line of flight and ideal weather allowed h to get the birds away at 8.00 – with 2 early libs in 2 weeks some fanciers thought we had changed race controllers!!!, but let me assure you that we are still in the safe and caring hands of Johnny Gilbert. Taking the bragging rights this week is the Monsell loft of Mick O’Rourke, who won with a Belgian import doing 1342 ypm. Mick is no stranger to being at this end of the sheet and he has not long been back racing in his own rights after a couple of years away. Welcome back mate, and let’s have a few more of these.
Up with the lead bunch again, and racing a s a team we have the Dunchurch loft of Tim Atkin taking the next 6 positions from 2nd to 7th, with all 6 having velocities on 1341 ypm. Tim is the split with a 2nd for Mick O Rourke which takes 8th fed on 1340 ypm. Next 5 in the fed then fall to Tim Atkin again on 1340 through to 1338ypm. Next up we have Simon Cole taking top spot at The Lime Tree and 14th fed on 1337.9, just squeezing out club mates Farrell and Brennan who are 15th fed on 1337.7 ypm. We have another club winner taking 17th, 19th and 20th federation – with Kevin Godfrey claiming the top spot at Adderbury on 1335 ypm. Taking the remaining spot in eh federation we have last week’s Nuneaton winners Wilson and Malin on 1331 ypm for 20th fed
Right folks that is the first 3 races done and dusted. Hope you are enjoying your racing so far. Any news or views I am as always on 01926 817796 or if you are shy you can email on weebu@hotmail.com.
Drew Callan