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I asked the members a number of question about themselves and of course their birds. All were asked the same and they responded by giving me the questionaire back. Here is what they said! More to be added soon.
Paul and Heather Beaden
Paul and Heather have been racing pigeons since 1999. Paul's Father-In-Law George Greenwood races pigeons with his Wife Linda,and Paul's curiosity took over and he intially went into partnership with his brother In-Law Mark Greenwood. Since 2001 Paul and Heather have flown as a partnership. Recently erecting new lofts at there home. Previous to this the birds were kept on a local allotment.
They keep 20 widowhood birds and breed appox 40 young birds each year.
Their biggest achivement to date was having a 2nd and 4th in the same race and a 2nd in the 2001 season.
Now they can manage the birds better at their home address they are hoping fo better things to come!Paul and Heather would like to add that without the support and encouragement from George and Linda Greenwood they would not be where they are now. Paul says that they are both ambassadors to the sport and it never fails to amaze him how they give out help and advice to whoever comes their way!
Martin Hough
Martin fly's as F/M Hough in memory of his late Father Frank, with whom Martin started flying pigeons with. His principle strains kept racing on the widowhood system are his own blend of Busschaert x The Belgian, Staf Van Reet's and Van Loon's. He keeps on average 20 widowhood cocks, 3 stock pairs and 30 young birds. Martins main highlights of his racing performances are as follows: 3rd Open National Guernsey-10,416 birds, 1st Section L with 'Cheeky' this bird was only beaten by 2 birds flying 98 miles shorter to the London Area in a North West Wind- what a star! Other highlights: Winning 1st and 2nd Fed Niort 487 miles, within a minute of each other after 13 and a quarter hours on the wing. Timing full Brother to Cheeky in at Pau, 692 miles to win 15th section National, first time he had flown Pau in race time. One season he won all channel races, Rennes, Natnes and Saintes (360, 420 & 526 miles). Martins 12 year old Nephew Jamie Hough has taken a great interest in the last two seasons and it is hoped he will continue to race pigeons within the family for another generation.
John Proctor
John Proctor is the clubs sponsor secretary. This basically involves collecting sponsors for each race that the club have and allocating them to a race.
Although John now no longer races pigeons he is a great asset to the club.
Looking back, John started with the birds in partnership with his Father in 1936.He was secretary of Kettlebridge FC in Darnal, Sheffield in 1938. He then joined D Ball HS also in Sheffield in 1939. He then went on and joined the army which he served in from 1939-1946. From the time he left the army he joined Macclesfield and District Club 1947-1948. He then went onto Macclesfield Central as their secretary from 1948-1962.
The principle strains that John has kept were Osmon, Barker-Gits, Sofflr and Hausemane. He raced on the natural system to 1962 then he assisted friends on the widowhood system.
He kept a maximum of 12 pairs of birds. His main highlights of his racing career were a s follows 1939, 1st and 3rd club, 3rd and 9th Fed with 2,500 flying home from Worcester. 1947, 1st 2nd and 3rd Christchurch YB average. 1954 he had a 1st with the only bird on the day flying home to John from a young bird open race form Guernsey.
John had contact and assisted fanciers racing during the war years in N. Ireland, Scotland, Linconshire. He has also visited practically all French liberation points and many lofts in Holland, Belgium, France, Portugal and Malta.
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George and Linda Greenwood
George started in the sport with his Father in 1960. His grandfather raced pigeons and they obtained some from him along with birds from his Brother Ralph Greenwood and his Brother In Law Graham Jones. After the death of his Father Harry, Herbet Haynes became Georges partner. Then in the 80's after Herbert finished in the sport he was in partnership with Stuart Goldstraw and finally before moving to his present address his Son Mark and Cousin Freddy Greenwood joined togehter in partnership. This takes us to the present day where George and Linda have been flying at Nancyview lofts since 1992.
Several strains have been kept over the years starting with the Brico/Sions, then introductions of Dordins, KO Nipus. Their present day strains which are raced are Busschaerts, Verheyes, Van Den Bosch, Van Reets and Wildermeerch.
Their old birds are raced soley on the widowhood system. Cocks only. No racing at all with old hens. Their young birds have been raced on the darkness system since 1996. These are raced to perch unless they pair up naturally themselves.
They keep approximately 20 widowhood cocks along with 40 young birds, together with 3 pairs of stock.The highlights of their racing started when George and Linda won their first club race together. Then onto their first federation and open race win along with good positions in the Midland National section and topping the Chesire Combine form Messac. Also five federation wins on the trot, both inland and channel was one of the main hglights in the 2000 season.
They say although they are ultra competitive they fel that the social side of the club is equally important. This is made easy by being in a good friendly club where fellow members have the same thoughts. One of their biggest thrills was when Georges Daughter and Son In-Law Heather and Paul Beaden started in the sport and are now flying in parnership to their own newly erected lofts. George says that he knows with the dedication they both show that it wont be long before they become a team to look out for.
Brian and Jill Smith
Brian and Jill have been racing pigeons now for the past 30 years. Brian is the club's president and Jill is the clock committee chairperson.
They were introduced to the sport through a friend. The strains they keep are Haelterman's, Van Reets and Hartog's. Flying on the widowhood system they keep 16/8 pairs.
Highlights in their racing career are as follows, they were 577th in the RPRA Centenary Race from Nantes in 1997 and 7th Section, 166th Open in the NFC Nantes Race in 1994. More recently they have topped the ECF with old birds from Worcester in 1999 and Cheltenham in 2000.
Kevin Bowers
Kev started in the sport in 1970. His brother Roger had racing pigeons when he was a young lad and now they compete against one another! He keeps Staf Van Reets and Van Den Bosch. He uses the widowhood system racing on average 12. His main highlights was winning his first channel race in 2000. Winning his first race in 1990 and winning the young bird average, North Cheshire Fed in 1990. Kev says 'lets try and make the sport more interesting and inviting for youngsters to enter the sport. Just maybe the internet is one of these ways as that's the only way I think the youth of today will learn about our hobby. |
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