Kevin's interest in pigeons started when he was just a lad of eleven. John worked at the local cemetery and Kevin with some mates made a makeshift compound from the damaged/vandalised headstones with a wire roof, and then caught feral birds to house. John, who originates from Malta had relatives there who had knowledge of pigeon racing and recognised that it would be a good hobby for his son. A conservatory was then utilised as a makeshift loft but this proved unsuccessful with the birds continually trying to fly into the glass windows! A partnership was formed and they joined the Milton club in 1993. They have raced from their present address for just 8 months. They did something that I think only two men could do!!! They were aware that many of the houses in their road had access to nice plots of land behind them, ideal for a pigeon loft compound. The house had previously been under offer, but when John noticed that the board outside the house reverted back to 'For Sale', they investigated at the back of the house to see what land it had with it, and then rang and made an offer. They hadn't seen inside the house, but bought it because it was what they wanted for their birds. Is that a bloke thing or what!! They are not new to glory where their hobby is concerned. In 1998 they had a weekend that most pigeon fanciers can only dream of when they were 2nd Sect, 1st Open CSCFC Pau, with a hen that had previously been raced on the north road, winning in the same season from Rugby, and 3rd from Berwick before being turned south. Then, on the same day they timed in her son to be 1st Sect, 11th Open from Cooper Angus, 408 miles on the North Road Championship Club. Top off the weekend they then won the fed . These performances afforded them the accolade of writing an article in the Squills for that year entitled 'A Day to Remember'. The hen that they clocked from Pau has bred many good pigeons for them included another son who won 2nd Sect, 2nd Open CSCFC Messac. They have developed their own family from various strains including Jan Aarden and KO Nipius for the distance racing that they prefer. This year has seen them import a new strain to improve their sprinting results. Their relatives brought over 20 eggs from a fancier in Malta who has been the Maltese champion 3 times ( in races with a ten bird limit) with the best pigeons he could buy in Europe. Fourteen of these eggs hatched, and will now be the basis of a new team of stock birds. Their fed topping pigeon was bred by Keith Laslett, bought in a kit to try. After their win, they have since bought the parents. They were also 2nd club, 7th fed with a blue cheq hen from their own Zerafa family on 1825 ypm. This is the first year that John & Kevin have really felt able to concentrate on National and Classic racing, as now they feel that with bigger lofts they have the capacity to do so. They started this season with 64 old birds and the same number of young birds. The old birds are flown on roundabout. They are trained from the north as far as Basingstoke or near Guildford about 8 - 10 times before racing only. Their young birds are trained twice a week and flagged at home for an hour in the morning, and at night to maintain their fitness. They have been flown naturally this year for the first four weeks of racing, but had been split before my visit. I was very interested to be introduced to a pigeon I got the feeling that John & Kevin think of as part of the family, their white dropper cock bird. They gave me a very impressive demonstration of its reliability. It flew across the approach to the loft going no higher than 3 feet high and entered the trap. They attribute the reliability and speed that their birds trap to his consistency. The set up of this loft is more than impressive. There has been a good deal of thought gone into the design and detailing of the loft. But for me the best part was the summer house where we sat for a very pleasant time during our visit. Never mind 'face book' or internet chat rooms. I have been told that this summer house is the networking capital for the local fanciers. Up to fifteen at a time visit there and why shouldn't they? Kettle, fridge, wonderful hosts, good company, why go anywhere else?
John & Tommy Austin were 3rd club Milton HS, 13th fed with a blue cheq hen on 1781 ypm.
Mr & Mrs Cross & Son took top honours in the Bitterne Park FC with the same blue cheq pied Janssen hen as in last week's race from Exeter. This super hen took 1st club, 8th fed on a velocity of 1820ypm. Dave Sherry was 2nd club, 16th fed with a Belgium blue cheq hen bought from the Natural Breeding Station on 1771 ypm. This YB was the first of the club's breeder/buyer to return therefore winning this competition. Tony and Ingrid Jurd were 3rd club, 48th fed with a Van Loon blue hen that was a gift pigeon from Mannor Lofts on 1702 ypm. 4th club was S Harris loft 1 with a Vandenabeele blue cock on 1672ypm.
S Harris was the man they couldn't beat in the very strong Channel FC. He took 1st club, 10th fed with his blue bar hen on 1791ypm. Last weeks winner K & L Cleife were 2nd club, 26th fed with a blue cheq Gaby Vandenabeele cock on 1760 ypm. Never far away are G Moody and F King. This time 3rd club, 37th fed with a blue pied hen.
Gosport RPC had 8 members send 102 birds to Guernsey, and again Bob Clarke had the winner with his separated youngsters for the 3rd week running. His winner, also taking 15th fed ion 1776 ypm is the same blue w/flight hen that was 2nd Exeter the previous week. Bill Edwards had the next two arrivals. 2nd club on 1708 ypm, a blue self bred De Klak cock having his first race and 3rd club on 1700 ypm a blue cheq pied Buschart hen bred by Bill's good friend Geoff Newson, the' Squire of Tarporley'. This hen also wins the prestigious Hants Two bird Championship club and is the 2nd young bird that Geoff has bred to win this club from Guernsey.
In the Racecourse SRFC, Mark Ellins took all three top prizes. His blue bar Maurice Matthews cock was bred by Bob Thompson of Wales, and was doing 1766 ypm. His cheq pied Van Geel cock was 2nd club, 24th fed on 1761 ypm. This bird was bred by G & M Stud, Portsmouth. He clocked a blue bar hen bought from the Lier Market, Belgium to win 3rd club, 25th fed on 1761 ypm.
A Barrett took the first two places in the Parade HS where 11 members sent 187 birds to this race. He clocked a cheq pied cock that was bred for him by fellow club member DaveMitchell on 1732 ypm to take 1st club, 32nd fed. His second pigeon, a Cortel Bernard cheq pied cock on 1732 ypm to win 2nd club, 33rd fed, was bought from the Louella stud as part of a kit. Parade this year had a ring nomination sale, and this was the winner of the £150 first prize. A Barrett also took 2nd prize in that competition to win £100, with Horn Bros (Loft 2) Taking third prize and £50. Back to the race, and Horn Bros loft 1clocked their blue pied Hartog cock on 1728 ypm to win 3rd club, 35th fed, and the £5 club noms.
D Hayles & Son took all three positions in the Eastleigh Irish RPC. His 1st club, 39th fed young bird was a blue cheq Buschaert hen, doing 1713 ypm, flown on roundabout. Next to the loft was an F Shaw x blue cheq cock on 1561 ypm. His third home was a blue cheq Spangels x cock on 1541 ypm.
Wakey! Wakey you guys at Bognor & Chichester SRFC, or are you going to let Alan Akmenkalns have the whole of the young bird season his own way. Alan has taken the 1st three positions in the first three young bird races, and........he has done it again this week.7 members sent 88 birds over the water. Alan's 1st club, 40th fed was a blue cheq Janssen hen on 1712 ypm. The sire of this bird is from the Ponderosa Stud, and the dam, from Spitfire lines from Nottingham. The second yb home is a full sister to the above pigeon. A blue cheq Janssen hen, she was 2nd club, 41st fed on 1711 ypm. Making up the three, 3rd club, 42nd fed was his light cheq Van Melmerk Janssen hen on 1708ypm. This is a Janssen bred from stock purchased from the Foxwood lofts.
It was 'Wiggins, Wiggins and more Wiggins', in the Portsmouth Manor Park FC where 4 members sent 19 birds. 1st club, 83rd fed was M Wiggins & Sons with their mealy pied cock on 1653ypm. 2nd club was B & M Wiggins with a cheq pied cock on 1528 ypm. And 3rd club?? You guessed it, M Wiggins & Sons again with a red cock on 1457 ypm.
Romsey SRFC had 12 members send 74 birds to this race. 1st club was the partnership of Charlie Vincent & Richard Bull with a light cheq Janssen/Van Reet hen on 1613 ypm, bred from their own stock. 2nd club were Martin & Claire Norman of Mannor Lofts with a blue Janssen cock on 1586 ypm. The post note to their report was that it was bred from secret new stock.....how intriguing???? 3rd club was Brian Basham & Son with a dark cheq Janssen cock on 1535 ypm. The parents of this pigeon were purchased from the Ponderosa Stud, Weymouth.
Thank god for overseas 'chancer' (in house joke) races, that's what I say, flying from officially the worst position in the fed for coastal dashes! My Mardon Van Reet Blue hen made the most of this rare opportunity to win a young bird 1st prize card in the Wootton & Bashley WMFC. She was bred in the racing loft from two yearlings, both of whom incidentally have both won this year, and the hen was my first pigeon from the BICC Guernsey Old Hens race last week. Charlie Lakeman previous fed winner took both 2nd & 3rd club with his 'British' distance family
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Fawley FC saw another family affair. James (he of the hoodie) Cox gleefully took 1st club with his slatey Janssen cock on 1552 ypm. Mr & Mrs S Cox had to be satisfied with 2nd & 3rd positions with their slatey red Dale Newcombe cock on 1483 ypm. This bird was bred down from a Kings Cup winner. Their 3rd club was a mealy pied Jan Aarden cock on 1303 ypm.
Conveyers Report.
Thursday. On Portsmouth dock by 2230hrs. All birds watered on docks and all vents opened. Friday, out at 0530hrs. All waters checked and replenished. Drinkers emptied to board ferry, and refilled after going up the ramp for the 7 hour trip to Guernsey. Arrived on site at 1720hrs. (Ferry was one hour late arriving). All birds given a light feed and water replenished and checked up to dark. Tony called to say weather not too good for Saturday, only very early. This was the case so we decided to go as early as possible. At 0700hrs we liberated into broken cloud and sunshine, into a south to south west wind. All birds cleared in seconds to the north, and a very fast race was to be expected which was proved to be the case. By 1000hrs the islands had full grey covered skies and drizzle.
Many Thanks to the Club Press Reporters.
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