THE RACING PIGEON 3 NOVEMBER 2023 and young birds of my best lines in those days (Roosens-Mersch, Boeykens, Bricoux from Ernest Duray, Gruson, US Trenton and Barcelona Gorby, to name the main ones) in order to test them throughout the race programme. Though still hammering the oppo- sition with the descendants of my long distance lines in the 100-200 miles stages, he more than once hit the jackpot at the distance from, gaining red cards from Brive and Jarnac (400+ miles), Montauban and Narbonne (500+ miles) and even Barcelona (650 miles). The gap he left when he passed away at the age of 84 in January 2012 remained painful, and, concomitantly with my numerous work commitments, both his influence and moral heritage inclined me, in my turn, to concentrate more on short distance racing in the late 2010s and early 2020s. The loop is completed
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ANGUS & DUNDEE FEDERATION PIGEON TRANSPORTER FOR SALE
2000 MAN 7500kg in good condition for age, used this season. Capacity of 1,792 birds in 128 crates, full set of crates included, MOT until March 2024. For sale because we have purchased a smaller Geraldy transporter. There are 112 heavy duty plastic crates which are extremely durable and will last a lifetime along with 16 wooden crates. The crate size is 800 x 600 x 270mm.
At the early start of my pigeon sport life-path in the 1970s, I developed a quite friendly relation with one Baclène cock, bred by the late Joseph Jacquemain of Vottem in 1977. Named ‘Willy’ by his breeder, the latter bird was as tame as a dog, dropping onto the landing board or my shoulder at the first call. Although I was almost ignorant of what managing the birds correctly meant, ‘Willy’ scored quite brilliantly in the short-distance races, on his own. But, in those days, I was already aiming at long distance racing and “Willy” stood home whereas others, bred from my Mersch-Roosens birds, were sent to Bourges (300 miles) as young birds, Argenton (380 miles) or La Souterraine as yearlings and finally Marseilles (510 miles) as two years old. On becoming the Vice-President of my 135 years old club, La Royale Egalité of Chênée, five years ago, I felt I should more frequently participate in the short distance races the vast majority of our members enter for. It so befell that, in 2021, 15x1sts, 15x2nds and 8x3rds were gained by my long distance birds in about 50 short and middle distance contests. In
For further information contact: David Liddle on 07801 368663 or John Wiseman on 07714 950802 Or Email djliddle54@aol.com
Lessmeisters, Barcelona Gorbys and, of course, Bricouxs, the other lines are closely related to or largely tinged with the old strain of Marc Roosens, out of his legendary 525 and Foreu cocks. And I come full circle, don’t I. The kidding words of my late friend still sound to my ears: “I didn’t know you were breeding sprint birds with your long-distance lines! But all-round, versatile birds are the best, aren’t they?” 1291, 1280 & 1224. Splitting these birds was club Secretary Frank Mitchell in 3rd on 1268. From the entry of 1,205 birds on the Dewsbury transporter the highest velocity on the day went to Mick Holt in the Morley club where he took the first three positions the winner on 1459. Second highest over at the west Leeds club with Mick McGrath on 1449. Over the hills to the Luddenden Foot HS flying with the West Riding Federation who had two members sending 23 birds, up at 7.30am in a south west wind, David Bowler once again took the first four places on 1526, 1497, 1481 & 1480. Lower down the sheet in 11th place David Bowler had the first Produce bird and picks up £28.50, Tattersall Brothers took 2nd prize of £19 in 16th place. David Bowler wins the first five young bird average on 1385. “KYE”
International winner, Bourlard’s Montélimar and Limoges National winners, Nihoul’s Narbonne Ace-pigeon, along with my own strains of Barcelona Gorbys and thoroughbred Belgian Bricouxs… This would not have been possible unless with tame, ‘talkative’ birds, like my old ‘Willy’, which show and express their feelings, love to play with my hand as much as I love to play with them. Quite interestingly, save the Tom with a cock in 5th place on 1386 and picks up £38. Denbrook Lofts and L & V Page & Dtrs both receive Easaway cash specials. Over to Thornill HS also on the Dewsbury wagon with 7/76, taking the red card was Sam Shaw with a blue cock on 1415 followed in 2nd place by Martin Sorby with a dark chequer cock taking his first card of the season on 1410. Everyone in the club was pleased for Martin as he is an excellent worker for the club week in and week out and never has a moan over anything, well done Martin. Pickard & Wilby take 3rd place with a dark pied hen on 1401 and finally John Quinn in 4th with a grizzle hen on 1345. Down to the Shipley club where 7 sent 100 birds, having an excellent race was Paul Sharp who took 1st, 2nd & 3rd places on
2022, 24x1sts, 13x2nds and 10x3rds were claimed and, in 2023, though one third of the racing team moved to the breeding section, 21x1sts, 18x2nds and 11x3rds were reported. With typical stayers. Long-distance birds out of the best European champion pigeons such as Cousin Serge Martin’s ‘Barcelona 911’, ‘Barcelona 700’, ‘Perpignan 382’, Pocholle’s ‘Frappadingue’ and ‘Divin’, Decool’s ‘Supercrack Gruson’, Lessmeister’s Pau
BRADFORD AREA NOTES
one second with a flying time of 2-10-31 & 2- 10-32 to take 1st & 2nd Club on 1422.7 & 1422.5 with a cock taking the red card and picking up the Fred Nothers £10 winners prize followed by a hen in 2nd place, the winner was also their Gold Ring bird and picks up £95 prize money. Taking 3rd place on 1393 was Massy Ali with a young cock this was his single bird nomination and picks up the £20 prize sponsored by Hollinger & Gallagher. Taking 4th place and flying his first young bird race with the club this season was Mick Holdsworth on 1388 with the 2nd placed Gold Ring bird and picks up £57 prize money. The 3rd prize in the Gold Ring goes back to the winners J & P Ross &
Down to Rugby this week with the Dewsbury & District Federation and we start off with the Dudley Hill & District HS who had 8 members sending 177 birds, this was also the club’s Gold Ring race with members flying for the three prizes with a total of £190. Up at 10am in a light south west wind with all members flying 104/105 miles. The partnership of J & P Ross & Son Tom had an excellent race clocking two birds in
Mick Holdsworth and Pam Ross (J & P Ross & Tom) winners of the Gold Ring prizes.
Dudley Hill members basketing for the Gold Ring race and loading the transporter for the off.
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