Solent South Road Federation Press Report

We're getting down the road now. Saintes this week and we issue a warm welcome to Dorset who joined us on the lorry to be transported by the Solent Fed. This was the first time in the recent history that we have transported another federation, and it does make economic sense for all concerned and to the benefit of both sets of fanciers to join forces and share costs. The autumn will see a forum of like-minded representatives from federations in the south to discuss the possibility of sharing the cost of transporting to the continent, with the possibility of the reintroduction of combine racing. It is time for the federations to fight back, and the only way is to provide racing at a fraction of the price of National and Classic racing, and also create racing has prestige. Had the Dorset not sent with the Solent, the members would have had to pay 26% more for this race than they did. The lorry was not one half full, therefore had we taken other organisations, fully utilising our resources, we could easily have cut the cost down by half. Who else races Saintes for £1.90 which could have been £1.50 with only another 350 birds on the lorry. This could certainly have been attained but it takes co operation between organisations to achieve. Please accept this as an open invitation from the Solent management committee to other southern federations to contact us to talk, that's all we ask at this stage. We need to get together and discuss a plan of attack to stop the rot of declining numbers and increasing costs due to the variety of causes that are the blight of the grass roots fancier.

1st Club, and topping the Solent South Road Federation from Saintes is Michael Vince from Gosport.

Michael Vince
1st Solent South Road Federation

The 'recycled' loft of Michael Vince
All for the sake of the enviroment of course!

The Vince's two children have their
own rabbit hutch loft with a pair of birds

His blue cheq 3 yr old cock was timed doing 1277 ypm. Michael began racing in 1992, when a friend he played darts with who kept birds told him that he was going to join the then newly formed Gosport club. Now, I didn't know Michael then , but he tells me that he was 'a bit of a lad' constantly going out spending money in pubs and clubs, and decided that keeping and racing pigeons would be a good way of reforming to the straight and narrow. (I know, I lost the plot there also! After all, nearly all pigeons clubs are housed at pubs or drinking clubs?) Well, if that what he tells me, all I can say is that the pigeons worked, for the man I met with his delightful wife Angela and two children is a perfect example of a family man. Michael works 6.00 am til 6.00 pm as a builder, and it was not long before his original 6 x 4 ft shed soon was developed into the extensive loft from which he flies today. He did tell me that the only part of the loft he did have to buy were the nest boxes, everything else was 'surplus' from the building sites on which he was working. From originally, just seven young birds Michael now starts each season with approximately 40 old birds each season. He constantly tries to develop a family of birds that will fly all distances. They are a mixture of Janssen with other strains, but the main input has been Demeesters. This is a name that Michael always looks out for in advertisements, particular the 'Seville' and 'Crinola' bloodlines as well as purchasing odd birds from top performing fanciers. His fed topper is typical of this breeding, his sire being a Janssen Van Bremen lent to him by good friend Kevin Robinson, and the dam, a Demeester. He has won a few club cards before including 1sts. His preparation for this race was Fed, Lessay and Falaise. NFC Fougeres and Angers, and then into Saintes. Michael feeds Brian Wall, Gem feed and supplements. He decides whether or not to break the pigeons down on a weekly basis, dependant on the weather, the type of race expected, distance etc. His 60 young birds are trained before racing and then sent on the north road to race. Michael feels that this is steadier/more educational racing for his team before turning them south as yearlings. This system does work and what's more is improving all the time. Last year saw the best year for Michael in the Classics and Nationals where he feels that his birds performed at their most consistent. Top performances have included 2nd Sect. 4th Open CSCFC Pau, timed on the day, and 7th NFC Sennen Cove.
When developing a church, the beams Michael was taking down were just perfect to be used as roofing beams for his loft. This, of course posses a question, 'Do his birds race with divine intervention?' They came with 'God's speed' in this one!

1st Club Totton, 2nd Solent South Road Federation for this race is a well known and popular fancier in the Southampton area, M/M B Norman & W Moore.

Billy Norman
2nd Solent South Road Federation Winner, Saintes

Billy's two year old blue white flight hen was timed doing 1262 ypm. The sire of his prize winning hen was bred by Robert Jones of Bartlett & Jones, and was a cock out of a hen that was 11th Open CSCFC Pau, one of only 12 birds timed in on the day. Her Dam was bred by Jack Beggs, a Friek Romain Janssen called 'Rouie'. Billy's loft is highly consistent. This hen was also 1st Club, 85th Fed Falaise this year. As well as this, he has won 76th Fed Picauville, 34th Fed Messac, 37th & 44th Fed Tours, and in this race 2nd, 9th, and 82nd Saintes.
Billy had been keeping pigeons for about 30 years, and started when he was 15 yrs old, with a box in his parent's garden. These meagre beginnings fed a passion for the sport that has stayed with him ever since. He raced with his brother Martin for many years, firstly flying on the North Road where they won about 5 x 1st Feds. They then joined the Southampton South Road Club, and more recently Maybush, and then Totton. This is the time of the racing season that Billy looks forward to. His favourite races are Saintes and Bergerac in the club and fed. Over the years they have been successful hunting grounds for him, having been Saintes - 1st Club, 7th Fed. 1st Club, 21st Fed. 2nd Club, 43rd Fed. 1st Club, 27th Fed. 1st Club, 43rd Fed. 2nd Club, 41st Fed. 1st Club, 18th Fed. 1st Club, 26th Fed. Bergerac - 1st Club, 31st Fed. 2nd Club, 49th Fed. 1st Club, 25th Fed. 2nd Club, 52nd Fed. 4th Club, 55th Fed. He feels that his best performance was 2nd Sect. 43rd Open CSCFC Bergerac where he won £950.

This cock later went on to perform equally as well in the stock loft and has bred Billy 15 x 1st prize winners. He starts each season with about 35 racers which are separate for the first four weeks of the season and then repaired. They are let out at 0600hrs each day, and then again in the evening. He admits that his birds are not trained as often as they once were due to the increase in fuel charges. He feeds a heavy mix, restricted amounts early in the week, and then more generously towards racing. They have garlic in their water 24/7. The 70 young birds he breeds each year are trained in any direction that he is going, and he expects them to complete the fed programme where ever possible. Guernsey, Billy feels is a fair task for young birds, but he feels that many good young birds are lost from racing from the continent, and he is reluctant to waste them. Billy has made many friends through his involvement with pigeon racing, but two people he would like to especially thank are Jack Beggs who has gifted him many birds from which he has bred winners. A keen eye sign man, Jack has also given Billy valuable advice when pairing his stock birds. He would also like to thank his best mate Robert Jones for the help he has given him over the years.

Through my now numerous loft visits I have met some lovely fanciers and their wives/partners. I have now decided that the fairer sex is definitely the more competitive. Without exception when I ask questions about the routine of the lofts it is ALWAYS the wives who say 'Don't give away any secrets dear........' You'd think I was asking about their sex lives!!!!!!

The Channel SRFC saw a win for K & L Cleife with a yearling cheq hen on 1262 ypm. A top performance, securing also 3rd fed. This hen was bred for them by Wayne Ford. Keven King and B Newing were 2nd club, 15th fed with a three year old cheq hen on 1226 ypm. D Waterhouse was 3rd club, 42nd with a Belguim rung blue pird hen on 1162 ypm.

Charlie Vincent and Richard Bull have been there or thereabouts all season and topped the result list at
Romsey SRFC this week with their two year old red Fox Janssen Mealy Hen on 1252 ypm. This hen was sent unpaired as her cock was lost 2 weeks ago. This is her first card. Not quite correct boys. Not only 1st Club, but 4th Fed as well! Alan Sutton again had a cracking race. 2nd Club, 8th fed for him was a two year cheq hen on 1245 ypm. This is believed to be from his previously successful Janssen family. Alan runs his own family business and is difficult to track down. At the moment this loft is 2nd in the Buckingham Points trophy table. I think quiet, but deadly is a term that would be appropriate. I love to hear when real worker for the sport do well, and Gerry Worral, Club secretary of Romsey has scored this week. His three year old Van Reet cheq hen collected 3rd club, 10th fed on 1239 ypm.

Milton HS saw 18 members send 111 pigeons to this race. Mick and Sue Betteridge topped the table and took 5th fed with a yearling check cock on 1249 ypm. He is a Cattryse x and was sent sitting. This bird has already won 1st club, 3rd fed Falaise, and 36th Open BBC Poitiers. With pigeons like this Mick and Sue will have no trouble paying their corn bill this winter, as he also wins £188 pools and Noms. Nice One! 'Bomber' Mellis was 2nd club, 6th fed with a two yr old mealy Janssen hen on 1247 ypm. Well, here are the ones to beat. Albie Webb & Son may only have been 3rd club this week, but the 16 valuable Buckingham points that 11th fed awards them takes them into the lead after this race. They are the first loft to top the 100 points marker. These cards were secured by a yearling blue pied Hollywood Janssen cock on 1236 ypm, flown on widowhood.

Oh dear Parade FC, I owe you a huge apology. I missed you from the Red Barrell points analysis I printed the other week. (not the best thing to do when the club secretary is the Federation Chairman). That's the bad news, but the good news is that after this race Parade are in the lead!!! There is a massive battle going on at the top of the table between Parade on 230 points, and the second placed club, Channel on 227. The plot thickens....... Picking up the points for this club this week, 1st club, 12th fed was Harry Butcher. His 3 yr old blue cheq cock was doing 1235 ypm. This pigeon is a Janssen x Buschaert, bred by Bill Warren. Flown naturally, he was sent to the race sitting 10 day old eggs. Jason Ross was 2nd club, 37th fed with a 4 yr old blue cheq cock on 1172 ypm. This Louis Cooreman pigeon has previously won 3 x 2nd prizes in the club, and has also topped the fed from Cholet in past seasons. He also won the club's £5 noms. Hamid Laakland took 3rd club, 38th fed with a two year old blue widowhood cock on 1170 ypm. He is a Jan Aarden, originating from the Ponderosa stud. This is the first card for him. Hamid should be congratulated on his two wonderful performances from over 500 miles. He clocked the same pigeon on the day both times from CSCFC Tarbes, and NFC Tarbes. Great flying, well done to him.

8 members sent 39 birds to this race from Camrose. A Finn took 1st club, 19th fed with a blue w/f yearling Buschaert hen flown naturally, on 1206 ypm. Dave Hawthorne was 2nd club, 22nd fed with a two yr old mealy cock, on 1192 ypm. 3rd club, 24th fed was won by Billy Gilbert with a yearling blue cock, flown naturally on 1189 ypm.

D Hayles & Son had a good race from Saintes, taking both 1st, club, 26th fed and 3rd club at Eastleigh Irish Club RPC where 7 members sent 50 birds. His club winner was a 3 yr old Fred Bloor black cock, flown on roundabout on 1186 ypm. The 3rd prize winner was a yearling blue cheq hen of the 57 variety on 1107 ypm. She has previously won 3rd club Lessay. S Waldock split the two with a 3 yr old blue cheq cock, flown naturally. This Buschaert was doing 1174 ypm to secure 2nd club, 34th fed.

Portsmouth Manor Park had all to beat when Mr & Mrs D Tolfrey sent their top blue pied cock who proved too strong for the rest this time. The two year has already won 1st club, 2nd fed from Tours 1, and this time was doing 1182ypm to take 1st club, 28th fed. B & M Wiggins took the 2nd spot and 40th fed with their yearling naturally flown cock, sent to this race feeding a 6 day old youngster, on 1167 ypm. They also won 3rd club, with a 2 yr old cheq cock, sent on 8 day eggs, on 1134 ypm. This bird previously has won 3rd club, 18th fed Tours 2

. Dakin & Vine took the top spot in the Bognor & Chichester SRFC where 7 members sent 48 birds. Their 2 yr old pied cock is ¾Janssen x ¼Staf Van Reet and was sent driving his hen and was doing 1155 ypm. Dave Farr, club press reporter was 2nd club with a yearling cheq pied hen, on 1099 ypm. Her breeding is Dr Rigg x with Van Der Wegen from the Ponderosa stud. She was sent sitting 10 days on eggs. 3rd club was Dicky Nash with a 2 yr old blue cheq hen on 1092 ypm. The sire of this hen is from an old strain Marseilles hen crossed with a KO Nipius/Jan Aarden hen. She flew Tarbes last year as a yearling, clocked the next day.

Wootton & Bashley WMFC saw 8 members send 32 birds to this race. 1st club was Ray Hoare and Claire. My 6 yr old red cheq hen 'Pinky' is a full sister to the infamous 'Reg'. Not the quickest of birds but wonderfully reliable. She has carded from NFC Bordeaux before as well as quite a few club cards, and now goes to NFC Saintes. 2nd club was Mick and Sharon Whiddett with their cheq w/f yearling cock. Despite the fact that this has been a very reliable performer for them, having previously been 10th Open BBC Poitiers, Mike has a, let's say, colourful name for this bird, disputing its parenthood? I'll let your imagine work for that one. Their blue yearling hen has scored yet again, taking 3rd spot, having previously been 2nd club, 6th fed from Picauville.

East Cowes FC saw a win for Eric Churches with his 2 yr old blue cheq cock on 1019 ypm. This consistent cock was a gift bird from mr len Hodges, Isle of Wight. His breeding is Linse cock x Janssen hen. Mr Robert Harbour secured both 2nd and 3rd club. His first bird home was a yearling blue bar Cattryse hen on 1012 ypm. His 3 rd prize winner was a 2 yr old blue cheq Bricoux hen flown naturally on 954 ypm.

Conveyers Report.Stopped on route to Saintes 3 times to water and rest the birds. The last time we gave a light feed and water. Saintes on Friday, Birds water checked regularly throughout the day and a light feed given at 1315 hrs. Tony called in the evening to say we had a good forecast for Saturday and was hoping for a good early lib. Out at 0500 hrs. Clear blue sky, sun not then above the trees. Tony called to say not to go at 0630 hrs, which was the plan, because there was some patchy mist on the coast and in the channel. We agreed to give it an extra half hour for it to clear. We liberated a 0700 hrs into blue skiesand very warm sunshine, no wind. Birds cleared in seconds, going north.

Many Thanks as always to the club press reporters. Remember, I'm a woman, I thrive on gossip. Embellish your reports as much as possible!