Secretary’s Weekly Report

NFC transporter Ancenis bound

Ancenis National

Jeff and I have been busy all week with the Ancenis National. As expected the race entry was considerably reduced with 9 club members sending 42 birds. In the Open 5062 birds were entered by 651 members and in Section N 57 birds from 12 members.

Liberated on Saturday at 6.30 am into clear sky and no wind the birds cleared quickly. Nevertheless it was clear that this would be a stiff test and unfortunately there were no day birds in the club.

John Best receiving the Vanrobaeys sponsorship for the Messac race from Bob McKie

There was a trickle of birds on Sunday morning with John & Steven Best grabbing the honours of 1st Club and 2nd Section N when they timed at 6.29 am. Doing 838.19 ypm for the 498 miles was a smashing effort.

I understand that this is a very experienced bird with a proven track record of success at UNC level and she is now being retired to the stock loft.

Bob Mckie timed a 2 year old cock at 8.13 am to be second. Flying 523 miles and doing 799.82 ypm.

Close behind in third place was Driver, Dawson & Dawson with a well fancied yearling cock doing 791 ypm and flying 525 miles.

Next timing at 9.28 am came the ever popular Jim Nicholson taking 4th place with yet another yearling which was also timed out of Fougeres. Flying 526 miles and doing 754.65 ypm it is great to see Sunny Jim getting back to his old self after his recent illness.

In 5th place with their second bird doing 722 ypm were John & Steven Best.

Crates & drinking system on the NFC transporter

So another National has passed by. Returns are still disappointing with around 25% back. Hopefully more will follow. Next up in 2 weeks is the Saintes race which lifts us towards the marathon status as all lofts will be flying over 600 miles.

We would like to say a very well done to the Section N winner John Rumney who timed a real star at 20.36 pm on Saturday to record a velocity of 1077.93 and will be high up in the final Open result. This pigeon was a Section winner in the first race of the BICC programme from Falaise, earlier this year. This just shows what can be achieved in the National races when you have a plan and the right birds to work with. It does take time and a great deal of hard work and self-discipline to achieve this high standard.

Finally before signing off Jeff & I will not be available to do the Sheffield run for the Old Hens/YB race in September. Could we have some volunteers to do the run? Just give me or Jeff a call/text if you can take this task forward.

Bob Mckie