The 122 members sent 570 birds, which were held over till 06-00hrs on Saturday, which is down a little from last year, it was to be expected as the BICC and NFC were all racing as well. The weather forecast was clear all through but what a wind, the birds had to struggle, that is why no birds home on the day this year. But one bird did nearly make it and that was the winner, flying 588 miles clocked in on Sunday at 05-15 doing 1059ypm was a four year old hen belonging to Mark Bulled of Harlow. This brave hen arrived home with a lump on its keel, did it try to make it and injured her self? This bird is own bred from Westcott based birds which his Father had and won the Combine from Thurso with in 1975 only bird on the day from some 5500. The bird was named “The Owl”.
Mark Bulled adds another exciting win to his ever expanding CV
They have won Lerwick 583 miles five times also LSECC 19th Open from Bergerac, 48th open Tours and 52nd Tarbes now the big one to add to it. She was sent sitting a three day old chick, previous she was parted with the Widowhood Hens, this is Marks third year on the South Road and he enjoys it. His loft is 40ft L shaped and he keeps 32 Cocks and 12 hens all on widowhood, he has some sixty young birds, and is trying the darkness system for the first time. He feeds a Gem mix and Versele Laga and tops it up with peanuts and maize. He would like to thank his wife Hana for putting up with his obsession and his Mum Barbara for looking after his stock birds so well and all the friends for the congratulations he has had for winning.
The Winning Mark Bulled Cheq Hen clocked at 5.15am flying 588 miles.
Second place is F.Cornwall of Southend On Sea doing 930 this is a six year old 100% Jim Biss Cheq cock on widowhood, in 2005 it was 69th Open 15th Sec in the Tarbes NFC race and the only bird into Essex. In 2008 it was 45th open in the BICC Tarbes this year it has only had a couple of club races and went to Alecon with the BICC, his loft is 18ft with a 3ft corridor. He feeds Versele Laga Gerry Plus has 13 racing cocks all on widowhood does not race his hens, and has 24 young birds. He sent four and had them all back on Sunday.
Third place and 1st SW is R.Hammond from Albury flying 555miles on 872ypm this birds grandparents won LSECC Pau in 2005 called “Simply The Best” its Daughter was given to him by Alister Muir and crossed with “Andys Boy”, it has had two races and the Hawk had its mate for tea, and it was sitting seven day eggs. Loft is an old Kidbys 30 year old 18ft x 6ft he is getting older now and does not do a lot of training, his feed Cranleigh No1 comes from Pets Pantry which is run by D & D McFadden, he has15 pair natural racers.
1st SE Section winner is Fred Emberson & Son of Godmersham on 760ypm this a four year old Cheq W/F Hen, she was due to hatch so he put a youngster under her a couple of hours before she went to be basketed, she is a Van Brewen X S B Griffiths in 07 she was 43rd Open from Pau, in 08 she went to Tarbes returned next morning and two weeks later she went back to Tarbes with the BICC and was 15th Open, his loft is 18ft Kidbys he has 17 natural old birds and 23 young birds. He feeds Irish Mix as main feed and half Diet and half Irish he sent five and had four on Sunday, the Dam of this bird was bred by his Nephew Vic Emberson of Banstead. Fred has two Merit Awards for his birds.
1st NW Section were Rita and Terry Robinson of Cheshunt on 742 this a four year old Cheq hen bred out of a son from Terry Haleys “Misty Lady” and one of their own called the “Motivator”, this bird has scored five times in Nationals and Classics.
The winning loft of Rita & Terry Robinson who topped the NW Section from Tarbes
On behalf of the LSECC I would like to congratulate all those who had returns, and thank all our SPONSORS for the Races.
The next race is from Bergerac and the winners of last years race were Crammond & Langstaff who are lying eighth in this race and had another eleven minutes later.
Weather Report
Examining the weather conditions over France on Saturday morning the picture was one of broken cloud and sunshine all the way from Tarbes to the northern French coast line. Visibility was good in fact a perfect flying day. Winds flowed from the north west and at times veered to north north west from central France northwards at speeds of approximately 8 mph. This wind flow was sustained all day over France and was obviously the major factor that affected the possibility of day birds. Making further observations early on Sunday morning weather conditions remained much the same as Saturday. The flight path from northern France to southern England was clear with broken cloud and sunshine. The wind direction although still coming from the north west had eased in strength especially over the channel reaching a maximum of force 2 or 3 which is relatively light over the open sea. Visibility was also good up 11 miles. So to conclude this was without doubt a tough event and although flying conditions were very good the northerly element in the wind played a major role in affecting the success of the race. Well done to all members timing in a difficult race.
Steve Appleby
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Convoyers Report
A good journey down to Tarbes arriving at 1300 hours. Birds checked then fed and watered. That evening rang Steve for weather report for Friday which was not encouraging. Up early Friday morning and was disappointed as it was raining with no chance of it clearing in time for a liberation so we held over. The birds were checked in the morning and they all looked well. During the day we replenished the watering system on the transporter. Our thanks to the local fire brigade who allowed us to use their facilities. Fed and watered again at 1300 hours. Rang Steve in the evening and we were pleased to hear that weather conditions were good for Saturday. Heavy rain during the night so was hoping it would clear up. Up early Saturday and skies were overcast but showing signs of breaking. Conditions improved quickly and we were able to liberate the LSECC birds at 06:00 and the CSCFC at 06:15. Both batches cleared the site quickly heading north. Travelled back in sunshine and broken clouds all the way to Caen. Winds were north westerly all the way back. Arrived Caen at 19:30, sea were calm and visibility excellent. My thanks to Ian Mead my new assistant who was a great help.
Fred Healey.
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