26 British Homing World, June 22nd, 2012

Hello, National members and welcome to my latest offering. It’smarking day for Messac as I write this and I wish all participating fanciersall good luck in the coming National race. I want to give you a few details now of where your birds are racing from.

Messac is a small town situated in Brittany in Western France, in thedistrict of Redon. Redon used to be a racepoint some years ago, I thinkfor the Irish. Messac has a population of approximately 3,100. The riverVilaine runs through the town and separates Messac from Guipry, whichare connected by a bridge. There is a music festival held every August andit is a real celebration of music and drinking. Messac is unique as touristscan mountain climb, abseil, ski or surf all in the one day, such is the terrain.Whilst being near to the sea it is also close to a mountain range. A bit of trivia now. The first potatoes ever planted in France were planted

here in 1771. The biggest battle fought here was the Battle of Messac(Blain) in 843. The Bretons won and towards the end of the fighting,Renaud Count of Nantes, who was leading the opposition was killed. The NFC has flown Messac a number of times in recent years.

Members will no doubt remember that in 2011 the Messac National waswon by Crammond & Langstaff. I say won, but this partnership actuallytook the first four Open & Section which is an incredible performance atany level. We wait to see what performances are put up this year. I notice that a very good birdage of almost 6,000 is declared for this

race. There are a good number from our new marking station in SouthWales and the Welsh members are steadily rising in numbers. The North-East of England is also well represented. As a fellow Geordie I amdelighted that these members who, incidentally, fly probably the furthestdistances in England, have a go and send their birds with highexpectations. I look forward to the day when I report on a Section or evenan 1st Open in this area. There are some well-known names sending fromCounty Durham but I want to single out Neville Daley, who has enteredbirds and, living in Ashington, Northumberland, flies the furthest of all. Icome from Blyth which is about six miles from Ashington, on the coast andstraight east. Looking to the west of here, as the Scottish Border is at anangle, there is a whole Scottish county stretching south of Ashington, so

there are Scottish fanciers who fly fewer milesfrom France than these fanciers do. On to the race now. Here are the details as

sent to me by the weather forecaster, weathermaps and the race controller’s report, whichdetails everything from marking, transporting tothe racepoint and conversations between officialsright through to the actual liberation. This is goodinformation as members can see the effort thatgoes into giving everyone the best race possible.Well done to all of our Officials and the weatherforecaster.

THE MESSAC NATIONAL RACELIBERATED ON SUNDAY, 17th JUNE

AT 0600HRS INTO NO WINDPROVISIONAL TOP 30 POSITIONS IN THE OPEN

TELEPHONE VERIFICATIONSNat Sect Birds Pos Pos Name Town Miles Ring No. Velocity Sent1 1A D & K Jones Havant 213 GB10N38449 1750.58 212 1E J Donovan & P J McHugh Warlingham 254 GB11N16018 1720.26 103 2E G J Bentley Leighton Buzzard 287 GB10N79521 1709.749 84 1B Bartlett & Jones Southampton 216 GB09N80092 1678.459 185 2B Mr & Mrs D Waterhouse Portsmouth 211 GB11N56327 1660.738 86 3B Mr & Mrs D Waterhouse Portsmouth 211 GB09N89143 1659.506 87 2A F Hall & Daughters Worthing 217 GB10N2465 1658.258 58 1F Dave Hawthorne Tadley 244 GB10B33060 1652.861 109 3A Stewart Reed Havant 213 GB09N20248 1640.141 510 4A Stewart Reed Havant 213 GB11T30671 1639.306 511 5A L Severe Chichester 213 GB11J23807 1635.881 2112 4B P Harris Portsmouth 211 GB08N96113 1625.193 1013 5B Colin Edwards Romsey 219 GB11N15952 1620.013 314 1G N Templar Bristol 249 GB11N20024 1617.544 1615 3E R Whenman New Malden 256 GB09N54460 1617.136 1116 2F Bob Taylor & Son Abingdon 268 GB10N88291 1616.787 417 1C Spracklen & Thomas Dorchester 201 GB11N71345 1615.188 1518 6A Mr & Mrs T & C Welch Chichester 213 GB09N61524 1613.977 1819 4E S & P Kulpa Reading 252 GB09N54852 1612.957 2520 5E G J Bentley Leighton Buzzard 287 GB11N64542 1610.705 821 2C Michael John Ward Blandford Forum 209 GB08V33379 1604.977 822 1H David Beech Newmarket 317 GB09N05991 1604.917 223 6B M Collins Southampton 215 GB08S65345 1599.432 324 3F J & P Parker Reading 249 GB10B21534 1597.897 1025 2G A & D Collins & M George Bristol 251 GB11P43244 1594.227 426 3G K Emery Trowbridge 243 GB09N63470 1594.151 927 4G S Moseley Bristol 249 GB11N91038 1594.117 528 5G Brooks Bros Bristol 243 GB08N44861 1593.128 1529 3C K & C White Weymouth 195 GB10N86912 1591.673 1230 6E D Heywood & Son Laindon 278 GB10J09671 1589.162 8

FOUNDED 1898

NATIONALFLYING CLUB

Patron: HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

President: Mr John Edwards.

Messac National Race

D. K. Jones with his 1st Open NFC Messac.

British Homing World, June 22nd, 2012 27

Race advisor’s report. ‘I rang Terry Scoley at 6pm Friday and wasinformed that it was unlikely that we would liberate on Saturday due to lowpressure generally and the possibility of rain en route. It was agreed tospeak again at 6am Saturday for an update. Nigel Rigiani rang at 6.10pmand I gave him the information as detailed above. The weather at Messacat that time was windy with rain showers, it was agreed that I would ringNigel at 6.05am Saturday. I rang Terry Scholey at 6am as agreed and wasinformed that there would be persistent rain on the west side of Englandand it would last well into the afternoon. I rang Nigel at 6.05am and aftera discussion it was decided not to liberate. I spoke to Terry atapproximately 6pm Saturday and was informed that Sunday lookedpositive, this was relayed to NigeI rang Terry Scholey at 5.35am Sundayand was informed that the conditions were perfect with west-to-south-westerly winds and good visibility throughout, Nigel was immediatelyinformed and it was agreed to liberate. The birds were liberated at 0600hrswith no wind on site. they split into two batches and headed north. Manythanks to all concerned. Paul Clements, Race Advisor.’This turned into a great race with fairly high velocities, although as the

wind direction changed as the birds moved up country the velocities werelower. In fact, in my own area, Section L, the wind was north-westerly sothe birds had to work as they neared home. Looking at the early times Inote that there were four Section winners in the first eight of the Open list.That’s a good even race in anyone’s book. Some notable performanceswere Eason, Baker & Knight from Brighton who sent two entries and timedthem six minutes apart. Then Mr & Mrs Waterhouse of Plymouth with eightentries timed their first two 10 seconds apart. K. & L. Elstone flying 339miles with two in 19 seconds and, best of all, S. Reed from Havant sentfive and timed two in seven seconds to gain 3rd and 4th Section A, 9th and10th Open. Incidentally the first bird timed in this race is 1st Open and isalso from Havant. The furthest bird timed on the day was to Anderson &Sons up there in Country Durham flying 490 miles. These are just aselection of really good performances and as usual, are subject to changeonce clocks are opened etc.

The honour of 1st Section A, 1st Open NFC Messac goes to D. & K.Jones from Havant in Hampshire. Dek, as he is known, is the son of thepartnership. His father, who was also his best friend, sadly passed awayover eight years ago. Dek’s father was an excellent fancier in his own right,and taught Dek a great deal. It is entirely fitting that the 1st Open Messacwas won on Fathers Day. This brought a tear to Dek’s eye and, as a tributeto his father’s memory, the pigeon is now named Dad’s Lad. Dek says,‘After the amazing feeling from yesterday’s performance, I still feel like I’mon Cloud Nine. I want to say a huge thank you for all the calls, emails andtexts I received throughout the day. The person who I would like todedicate this win to is my late dad, who was my best friend and my racing

Dad’s Lad, 1st Section A, 1st Open NFC Messac for D. K. Jones.

D. K. Jones’ loft.

partner. From the early age of 10, he educated me in the sport andallowed me all the experience I have today. My dad was one of the mostknowledgeable fanciers I have ever had the privilege of spending timewith. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his help and guidance, forwhich I will be eternally grateful. The National winner is a 2y blue cockwhich contains bloodlines of Ian Axe Delbars. He is of medium build andscored as a yearling from Carentan winning 1st Club, 4th SolentFederation 2,145 birds. This year as a 2y he came 6th Section A NFCFougères. The loft races roundabout with the hens going out from 7-8amevery morning and the cocks going from 5-6pm every evening. Finally Iwould like to thank Chris Sutton the official photographer on a veryprofessional service he offers and a great photo of Dad’s Lad. This is DekJones signing off from happy Havant, still on Cloud Nine!

1st Section B, Bartlett & Jones from Southampton also in Hampshire.This partnership timed a cracker of a blue cock. First of all Rob would liketo congratulate the man with the biggest smile on the south coast onwinning the 1st Open, Dek Jones. The partnership of Fred Bartlett & RobJones of Southampton consists now of just Rob Jones as his uncle, FredBartlett, passed away six years ago now, but the partnership name hasbeen kept. As usual all birds are raced natural with today’s timer sitting foureggs up to Tuesday before basketing, then a 10-day-old young bird waitingfor him when he got home from a Tuesday evening training toss. The firstbird timed is the good 3y blue van den Bosche cock that is a multipleprizewinner at National and Classic racing and was the loft’s all-pooler asa fast race was predicted and he loves fast races, proved by him winning30th Open NFC Messac last year and 2nd Classic double from Messacbeaten by a loftmate by one second. This cock won over £3,000 worth ofprizes and money last year alone. Training is regular against the wind,normally around 30-40 miles, mainly from Fontwell by Nigel Langstaff, asthey have a training agreement and take turns with Rob’s birds to Nigel’sloft and vice versa. All birds are fed Rob’s own mixes of corn made up fromVersele-Laga, Marimans, Vanrobaeys and a few straights. All birds get theAviform products for racing and they swear by them for total health and

would like to thank the Aviform team for all their help and advice. The firstbird timed was very nearly missed as Rob was going to pick up his mate,Bill Norman, for him to watch the birds home from the National but, as Robwas pulling away, the bird was just going in the trap, so Rob ran in fromthe road to double check and shouted a big YES as he didn’t think theywould be quite so quick in Southampton with the strong west wind blowing.He would like to thank Nigel Rigiani for being a excellent convoyer and abit of a lucky charm as he was the convoyer for the BBC last year whenRob won the BBC National Poitiers. Rob was 12th Open from FougèresNFC a few weeks ago with his all-pooler once again (which was omittedon the result) and should win well over £2,000.

1st Section C was timed in the city of Dorchester in Dorset. Spracklen& Thomas are probable 1st Section C. Neville is delighted with this winhaving been pestered for the last month by a pair of peregrines nesting300 yards away from the loft. He thought his season was over and camevery close to calling it a day but his close friends rallied round andpersuaded him to carry on; he would like to thank them very much for theirsupport. The winning bird is a blue yearling widowhood cock, a great-grandson of Bartoli. The dam of Neville's winning bird is a granddaughterof Mark Gilbert's Southfield Supreme. Neville said Mark's pigeons havecrossed in very well with his Janssen de Klaks. Although Neville flies asSpracklen & Thomas Darren has not seen a race for a few years but keepsin touch and likes the winter social scene. Neville would like to thank‘Diddy Dave’ for taking the birds to the marking station, and the officials atthe Weymouth clock station. A special thank you to Charlie Riley, RogerLowe and Tony Weller. Into Cullompton now, which is in Devon, for 1st Section D, Mr & Mrs

A. & D. Hodge timed a very well-bred grizzle cock, and I was saying only

28 British Homing World, June 22nd, 2012

Mr & Mrs Hodge, 1st Section D. 1st Section E, Donovan & McHugh.

Bartlett & Jones, 1st Section B. Spracklen & Thomas, 1st Section C.

British Homing World, June 22nd, 2012 29

SECTION APos Sect Name Town Miles Velocity Sent1 1A D & K Jones Havant 213 1750.58 217 2A F Hall & Daughters Worthing 217 1658.258 59 3A Stewart Reed Havant 213 1640.141 510 4A Stewart Reed Havant 213 1639.306 511 5A L Severe Chichester 213 1635.881 2118 6A Mr & Mrs T & C Welch Chichester 213 1613.977 1840 7A A J Baughen Liphook 229 1567.731 269 8A P & L Gorringe Brighton 222 1539.622 672 9A D Bridger Littlehampton 215 1537.579 35107 10A D J Deveson New Haven 225 1514.617 7SECTION B4 1B Bartlett & Jones Southampton 216 1678.459 185 2B Mr & Mrs D Waterhouse Portsmouth 211 1660.738 86 3B Mr & Mrs D Waterhouse Portsmouth 211 1659.506 812 4B P Harris Portsmouth 211 1625.193 1013 5B Colin Edwards Romsey 219 1620.013 323 6B M Collins Southampton 215 1599.432 331 7B J M Edwards Southampton 214 1588.569 639 8B D M T Whitcombe Southampton 216 1569.673 1545 9B Mr P Abrook Cowes 202 1564.173 648 10B Wearn Bros 1 Ramsdean 222 1553.873 50

SECTION C17 1C Spracklen & Thomas Dorchester 201 1615.188 1521 2C Michael John Ward Blandford Forum 209 1604.977 829 3C K & C White Weymouth 195 1591.673 1233 4C L J Fry Dorchester 201 1586.755 1035 5C M R Staddon Crewkerne 215 1584.742 744 6C Mr & Mrs A W Roberts Axminster 214 1564.214 654 7C Peter H Doble Crewkerne 215 1550.324 658 8C Mr J P Halstead Kington Magna, Nr 220 1548.306 761 9C G Glaze Shaftesbury 220 1545.599 1285 10C Frank Fournier Bridport 204 1531.27 12

SECTION D186 1D Mr & Mrs A & D Hodge Cullompton 221 1448.177 6221 2D Geary & Quainton Paignton 198 1422.905 4227 3D R Goodier & Sons Marsh Green 212 1416.784 15240 4D A W Harwood & Smith Sidmouth 208 1412.337 10292 5D Mrs Sue White Sidmouth 210 1372.882 6319 6D Smith & Hannaford Plymouth 204 1355.584 4325 7D Beavis Bros Newton Abbot 204 1351.392 6346 8D Mr & Mrs P Naum Watchet 241 1339.277 14397 9D Mr & Mrs A Mabin Buckfastleigh 203 1303.295 12398 10D Mr C Stevens Sidmouth 210 1302.157 9SECTION E2 1E J Donovan & P J McHugh Warlingham 254 1720.26 103 2E G J Bentley Leighton Buzzard 287 1709.749 815 3E R Whenman New Malden 256 1617.136 1119 4E S & P Kulpa Reading 252 1612.957 2520 5E G J Bentley Leighton Buzzard 287 1610.705 830 6E D Heywood & Son Laindon 278 1589.162 832 7E R V Ball Northchurch 278 1587.219 1336 8E S B Frost Redhill 248 1575.96 541 9E I & D Holt Chesham 274 1566.078 457 10E Mr & Mrs E Corkett & Sons Leighton Buzzard 287 1548.952 26

SECTION F8 1F Dave Hawthorne Tadley 244 1652.861 1016 2F Bob Taylor & Son Abingdon 268 1616.787 424 3F J & P Parker Reading 249 1597.897 1043 4F E Smith & D Baker Swindon 257 1565.243 1251 5F Antony Finn Newbury 243 1553.01 471 6F Crowley & Green Compton Bassett 250 1537.587 3279 7F Crowley & Green Compton Bassett 250 1536.249 3284 8F E Smith & D Baker Loft 2 Swindon 259 1532.463 2895 9F Mr & Mrs Webber & Son Abingdon 266 1526.036 7103 10F E Ilsley Wantage 262 1519.266 20

SECTION GPos Sect Name Town Miles Velocity Sent14 1G N Templar Bristol 249 1617.544 1625 2G A & D Collins & M George Bristol 251 1594.227 426 3G K Emery Trowbridge 243 1594.151 927 4G S Moseley Bristol 249 1594.117 528 5G Brooks Bros Bristol 243 1593.128 1534 6G Mr & Mrs A Bedford Bristol 251 1586.421 337 7G C Howse & D Parsons Devizes 241 1571.097 4038 8G K Emery Trowbridge 243 1569.981 942 9G Mr & Mrs A.N. & J.E. Stone Portishead 256 1565.793 247 10G R H Bevan Gloucester 278 1555.757 3

SECTION H22 1H David Beech Newmarket 317 1604.917 274 2H A Smith Wellingborough 315 1537.316 2286 3H G Pugsley Spalding 352 1530.986 6126 4H John Searle Cambridge 309 1504.921 12131 5H D J Debbage Norwich 364 1503.227 8184 6H D G Taylor Cambridge 320 1450.929 4220 7H Mr & Mrs R Strowger Leiston 338 1424.14 2270 8H D G Clover Norwich 364 1389.835 3294 9H Patmore & Rayner Saffron Walden 301 1372.258 6315 10H Neil Weatherhead Bungay 352 1358.32 10SECTION I46 1I G & J Jones & Adams Redditch 309 1559.791 653 2I T J Durows Birmingham 317 1550.486 16105 3I Cliff Sanders Atherstone 328 1515.132 12108 4I Robert J Rome Cheltenham 281 1513.682 14122 5I Mr & Mrs J Wright Lutterworth 324 1509.027 10135 6I Mr & Mrs Armitage Redditch 309 1497.657 5149 7I G Inger & Son Nottingham 358 1487.034 4152 8I S J Wain & Son Foston 349 1486.324 10156 9I Kevin Godfrey Chipping Norton 285 1480.43 4177 10I Mr & Mrs J Bryan Stratford on Avon 302 1460.402 6SECTION J56 1J M Williams Hereford 293 1549.8 1280 2J Pete Barlow Coombe Hill 285 1535.959 691 3J D Aldred Cannock 338 1528.077 1293 4J T & J Davies Malvern 290 1527.245 896 5J R Scriven Bridgnorth 322 1525.092 6100 6J Christopher Preece Bridgnorth 321 1520.943 5114 7J Stephen H Hanman Gloucester 281 1511.746 10130 8J I J Barnbrook Bridgnorth 321 1503.275 5136 9J Booth & Roper Tewkesbury 289 1496.59 4154 10J F Machin & Son Stoke On Trent 365 1484.321 5

SECTION K185 1K R & N Dennett Meden Vale 374 1448.825 6239 2K F Ellis Worksop 378 1412.829 6249 3K B & P.Winter Howden 411 1407.007 25277 4K Mr T Roebuck & Son Rotherham 390 1383.843 17307 5K B Shackleton & Son Keighley 417 1363.104 9335 6K D Mallinson Barnsley 398 1346.4 11361 7K Colin Dixon Nr Mansfield 372 1328.699 8364 8K S Harrison & Son Bradford 410 1327.605 2368 9K Nicholas Adshead Selby 412 1318.999 3385 10K H A Rawson & Son Mansfield 372 1309.703 8SECTION L118 1L G Bowyer Congleton 368 1509.825 6138 2L A G Clements Manchester 390 1495.54 12151 3L Ray Bullen Cheadle 385 1486.638 3173 4L Peter Berry Crewe 367 1462.451 2182 5L R & B Smith Warrington 389 1454.569 10192 6L O'Hare & Woodward Middlewich 371 1444.685 16197 7L Tom Jackson Preston 412 1442.852 6203 8L K Morris & Son Congleton 369 1439.425 4208 9L G Marskell Leyland, Preston 407 1437.439 4212 10L R Geary & Son Macclesfield 375 1434.782 7

NATIONALFLYING CLUB

Messac National RaceProvisional Top 10 in each section (1st bird only) telephone race result

the other day that not many grizzles are about these days. Well, this oneis about and, given the wind, is a cracking timer. Andrew & Denise Hodgewin Section D for the eighth time with a grizzle widowhood cock which won1st Federation from Bedhampton last season as a young bird and wasalways consistent. He is from Mark Dorrington of Litton bloodlines, havingpurchased a team of latebreds from his successful 2009 race team whichmake up their stock birds. The birds are raced on the basic widowhoodsystem and fed VL Superstar Plus Mix in their boxes. They had five out ofsix on the day and would like to thank the convoyers for the excellentcondition on their return.

2nd Open, 1st Section E, Donovan & McHugh a father-in-law, son-in-law partnership formed in 2005 which races its birds in Warlingham inSurrey. In a relatively short space of time they have become one of themost consistent partnerships in the local Federations and Combines.They are not regular participants in National races, but when they docompete they more often than not score a good position. From Messac,their first National race of the season, their confidence in their team entryof ten was well rewarded with their first arrival, a yearling blue cock DéjàVu, topping Section E and taking 2nd Open NFC Messac. Raced onwidowhood this van Hee x van Reet was competing in his first Channelrace having previously only raced inland. As a young bird he flew all of theinland race programme. This season he had seven inland races with theSurrey Federation, not showing any winning form until now. The sire wasa 2007 latebred, only raced as a yearling and was then stopped for stockas this particular line were performing well for the loft. A full brother to thesire was 2nd Club beaten by a loft mate but scored 4th Fed, 10th CombineMessac in his first Channel race. Two weeks after this he was 2nd SectionE, 8th Open NFC Alençon winning over £1,000. Proving how successfulthis line is, a half-brother to the sire was 1st Club, 1st Fed, 1st CombineBergerac in 2008 over 1,000 birds competing. The dam of Déjà Vu is aself-bred van Reet bred from J. Donovan & Sons birds and at stock has

more than proved herself, breeding several good pigeons including adouble Federation winner. P. J. started racing pigeons in 1998; John hasraced pigeons all his life and up until this partnership was formed he flewvery successfully with his father as J. Donovan & Sons. Right from the offthis new partnership got off to a great start and in their first season theywon 9 x 1st Clubs, 3 x 1st Fed, which included winning two separateFederations on the same day with a pair of nestmates. The Donovanfamily goes back many years in pigeon racing, with John’s lategrandfather being a very successful fancier and was himself 2nd OpenNFC. So, in memory of his grandfather, as they have both won 2nd Openthat the bird has been named Déjà Vu. John is a good worker for the sportand appreciates what people do in the sport. He would like to thank hisdad, John Donovan Snr, for helping with training; Tom Firmanger andHarry Kennett from Bromley clock station; and Mike and Lyndsey at theAsh marking station for all the time they put into it.

1st Section F is D. Hawthorn who hails from Tadley in Hampshire.Although I lived in Hants for a number of years I am not familiar with thistown but knowing the county it will be a great place. Dave says, ‘Firstly Iwould like to congratulate D. & K. Jones of Havant on their bird’s winningperformance. I have named my winning blue pied hen Pamber Diamondfor two reasons. Firstly to celebrate the Queen’s 60-year reign and alsobecause the hen’s ring number ends in 60. All my birds are raced on thenatural system and she was sent to the race sitting 10-day eggs. Her damwas 7th Section, 83rd Open NFC Messac 2011. Her breeding is from myown family of distance birds that includes various strains from the followingfanciers: Patrick Brothers (Somerset Lad winner of 1st Open NFC Pau);Southwells from Ray Fossey, Emsworth; and Jimmy Sheppard, vanCoppenolles, Delbars and Ebony Aardens. In her pedigree are thebloodlines of Pamber Triple Crown, winner of the CSCFC Blue ThunderChallenge Trophy 2009 and Pamber Surprise 1st Section NE, 2nd OpenTarbes CSCFC.’

1st Section G is Nigel Templar from Bristol. I was waiting with my matefor birds from Fougères when I received an email giving details of Nigel’slatest Section winner. I wondered how he knew he was 1st Section but Ichecked the early times and saw it was 1330 I realised that he could notbe beaten. Well done to him for being so helpful and sending details and

30 British Homing World, June 22nd, 2012

Donovan & McHugh, 1st Section E, with John’s son, Bradley.1st Section F, D. Hawthorne.

D. Hawthorne, 1st Section F. 1st Section G, N. Templar.

photo early. Thanks, Nigel. Nigel adds, ‘Alright, Geoff, just thought I wouldgive you some details of my latest winning bird. A yearling widowhood cockof the Dirk van Dyck lines. The Sire ‘73’ is a bird bred by the late GerritLahuis down from Showpiece and Noble Blue on the sire’s side andUnique on the dam’s side. The dam of the Section winner is direct Dirk vanDyck 2003 hen from a son of the Kannibaal and a daughter of DenBourges, a brother to the Kannibaal. Again this bird arrived in perfectcondition, so well done to those that look after the birds from marking toliberation.’Over to 1st Section H now and to the loft of Andy Smith from Suffolk.

Fanciers will recall Andy winning 1st Section H from Cholet and here he isagain. Well done. This yearling hen is a great-granddaughter of PaulKendal’s Morning Glory, twice 2nd National, and was raced flyingroundabout. Andy also won 1st Section H Cholet but details did notarrive in time, so here they are now. His Section winner from Cholet wasa van Bruaene x Matt Rake’s previous Tarbes NFC winner, Breman, flyingroundabout. The dam of this pigeon has now bred three Section winnersin NFC, MNFC and BICC. Next, 1st Section I, Jones & Adams from Redditch in Worcestershire.

Graham Jones explains, ’This is a classic case of good observation andnoticing when a fancied bird has gone off form. This hen was substitutedfor another hen which was not handling well enough. She comes downfrom a pair that were lent me by Bobby Walton of Warley a few years ago.I crossed their children with my own breed which produced this lovely bluewhite flight apple-bodied hen. This was her second time over the waterthis year and she was my second bird from the Midlands NationalCarentan race.’Once again I had the pleasure of calling M. Williams from Herefordshire

to gain details of his latest 1st Section J winner. Yet another fancier whohad already won 1st Section this year. Well done to you as well. He tellsme, ‘Here is some information on my winning hen. She was 3rd Section,

272nd Open NFC Fougères 2012 behind her two loftmates. She was also9th Section, 100th Open from Cholet 2012. Her sire is a pure Roodhooft,whilst her dam is Roodhooft x Huybregts. The sire is also sire of 1stSection NFC Angers 2008. A full sister to the dam was 9th Open CSCFCCarentan this year. A brother to this hen was 10th RPRA One-Loft Race2010. I hope to send her to Saintes, with the right motivation. As ayoungster she was reported at a stables near Reading. Roger Lowe kindlycollected her for me. She returned looking a bit sorry for herself, but in2011 she found her line of flight and had an average year. She was pairedin March to a widowhood cock, which I subsequently lost to a peregrine offthe loft. She has been racing on the roundabout system since, showing toany available cock bird. I missed Roger at Salisbury marking, so I still owehim a drink, which has turned into a bottle now!

1st Section K is once again the very good racing partnership of R. &N. Dennett who fly in Nottinghamshire. This is another partnership whichhas already won 1st Section this year, so very well done to them onanother fine performance. One of the partners had this to say, ‘Well, whatcan I say? I just cannot seem to do anything wrong this year. I am doingnothing different from other years but the birds are coming great. I wouldfirstly like to say a big thank you to Colin Dixon for taking my birds to bemarked, I owe him a few beers now. (You certainly do – GB). The hencame 2nd Section NFC Fougères (1). Her sire is Bartoli x van Osch, andher dam is The 11 Hen which has won over £3,000 racing. The best henI’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. Hope my luck continues for the nextbig races. Fingers crossed.’ Now to Section L, the Section we will compete in when we become NFC

members for 2013. 1st Section L is G. Bowyer who flies in Congleton inthe county of Cheshire. Mr Bowyer says his winner is a 2009 blue piedcock, Alfie, named after Billy Turnock’s grandson, a young pigeon fancier,just starting up, Alfie is a big strong lad and so is my pigeon! Flown on the

British Homing World, June 22nd, 2012 31

Nigel Templar, 1st Section G.A. Smith with his grandson, Rhys, holding 1st Section H Messac

1st Section H Cholet, Andy Smith. 1st Section B, Bartlett & Jones.

widowhood system, Alfie is on the clock most races he enters. He is veryconsistent. His last race before Messac was the Cholet National. Hearrived home on the day while I was at the clock station. The day after theCholet race all my pigeons were kept in the loft for a week as I went onholiday to Suffolk. I would like to thank Mavis, 83 years young, for lookingafter the loft while I was away. She comes most weekends to watch thebirds return home from the races. Keen as any pigeon fancier I know, sheloves it. She certainly did the job while I was away. The same day as theMessac race I also came 1st and 4th in the Club race from Fougères, withdaughters of Alfie. All my birds are fed on Vanrobaeys corn supplied byAstbury Pigeon Supplies, Bent Farm. I would also like to thank RogerSutton for all the hard work he does at The National clock station.’That concludes this report on the Messac National. A very good race,

and another one for which I thoroughly enjoyed contacting the winners onyour behalf. Just talking to these winners is great as every one of them,without exception, is awestruck and on a high. Most of them cannot eventalk properly, they are so proud. This is what makes National racing andmy job in particular so great. These Section and Open winners are, in themain just ordinary fanciers. Once they have won a race such as theNational Flying Club, however, I think it’s fair to say that they are never thesame afterwards. They have joined an elite band. That’s it for this time. Well done to the winners and everyone who

clocked an early bird, or birds. I look forward now to the ultimate race inthe pigeon calendar, Tarbes. I will be writing an article for next week solelydevoted to this race. I hope you enjoy reading it.

GEOFF BLACKHALL Press Officer

32 British Homing World, June 22nd, 2012

Jones & Adams, 1st Section I.

1st Section J, M. Williams.

M. Williams, 1st Section J.

R. & N. Dennett, 1st Section K. G. Bowyer holding Alfie, his 1st Section L winner.