Wiley

A cockateer strikes again well done lad

Dagenham South road marking station The effects of success Recently when flicking through facebook I see an interesting piece on the contrasting effects of success. So I have slightly Oscar Wilde’d the piece to make it fit purpose. Our marking station are really working hard, they are putting in the hours to improve their craft, but to also improve our marking station. From a marking station that started with 9 likeminded individuals within one season it has shown the potential by the end of the last race of the year that potentially there could be 25 likeminded individuals, all believing in the big dream. I guarantee the success or the path of success affects people. From the marking stations growth, it has had its naysayers, but to quote Arnold Schwarzenegger with his 6 rules to success his number 4 was to ignore the naysayers and If he would have listened to the naysayers, he’d have still been in the Austrian alps yodelling. The kind of effect success has on people is dependent however on their mentality and vision in life. You can divide these people in two groups, the first group is intimidated by your actions, they are green with envy, but they quietly keep track on your progress, you’ll never hear a word of encouragement from them, but they are always hoping for the big dream to fail, and hate to see the dream and vision is becoming a reality. The second group of people are the winners, these people are not only winning in their lives, but they are also happy for your and the marking stations successes. They work hard themselves and also get pumped by seeing the great things you are doing and achieving. Every club or marking station should surround themselves with these people, and appreciate their energy, the world is a better place when we are all cheering each other on, you should look to be one of them. Consequently, that brings on another great subject of the tipping point, but I will leave that for a future article. 6 Rules of the south Arnold came out with 6 rules, I mentioned the naysayer one previously in this article. However, all I feel can also be used for south road racing too, and many of the marking station members have shown that they follow it, and it can only mean one thing in the end. SUCCESS!! 1. Trust yourself: Firstly, you must trust your ability as a pigeon fancier, but you must also trust your pigeons. Everyone this year has trusted their own ability and trusted their pigeons. They asked themselves what do they want from pigeons and I reckon every single member of our marking station stated a new challenge. They then put that trust in their pigeons to brave the channel, even though they heard the naysayers saying you lose a lot of pigeons on that south. However, they trusted themselves, took that leap of faith and realised mostly what they heard was BS. 2. Break the rules: Break their personal rules, I am not saying breaking laws, but I know each and every member in our club, what they thought they knew about pigeons from their experience on the north road, had been turned upside down and inside out. So, they all had to do things that broke their own personal rules about pigeons, they couldn’t follow the systems that they done on the north, they couldn’t feed or water the same, everything had to be adapted and their personal rules had to be broken. Every day is a school day in pigeons, but nothing like learning about a totally different route, that’s like starting at pre-school again. What’s the point on being on this earth if your happy being stuck where you are, and being the big fish in that small pond? 3. Don’t be afraid to fail: Look what our marking station is trying to achieve, all likeminded individuals who aren’t afraid to fail. This is a great trait to have. You can’t always win, and if you did or do I would go as far as saying you’re not in a strong enough club or marking station, a massive statement to make…I know. We have had members who have even attempted international racing this season for the first time, NO FEAR, did they time in race time, honestly they did not but, and it’s a big BUT, they gained experience and it has lit a fire for them to push themselves and their pigeons. They will keep pushing and believing in their vision and they know it’s the right thing to do, their success will come. So don’t be afraid to fail. 4. Don’t listen to the naysayers: As mentioned earlier in the article, but how many times have you heard that you can’t do this, and you can’t do that, and it’s never been done before? Our marking station heard this a lot before we even had our first race, but as I said the likeminded this just put fuel to the flames, never listen to these people can’t isn’t even a word in our minds, we all are focused and only listen to ourselves and the likeminded and say “Yes we can!â€. Be your clubs or marking stations biggest cheerleaders, cheer on each other’s progress we on this ride together. 5. Work your butt off: Things do not get handed to you on a plate!! The marking station has had some terrific results especially in the BICC this season, but I know first-hand how hard each member has worked. The community our marking station has created is fantastic, daily there is conversation on what each other are doing, and how they are doing it, however the flag is always flying and the banners are all out, of-course the competition is there, and these conversations drive the competition even harder, as Joe Bloggs is out training every day at 4 am, this then drives Jack Black to work even harder, but we all cheering each other on along the way. BUT remember you cannot climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets. 6. Give something back: We are not where we are today without a little help, or should I say a lot of help. We have been fortunate to have many friends across the UK to help us in many ways to get the marking station up and running, and we are eternally grateful, and that help will go the other way too. We are also looking to do a few other things to give back, however they are in the pipeline and once set in stone you guys will be the first to know. I have a dream For some of our readers some will remember the great speech by Martin Luther King Junior in his “I have a dream speechâ€, and for those including myself who was not born yet, would have been educated about it, especially in this current climate where BLM is pushing a big stand. I would just like to quote this great speech “And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.†This quote hit home to me, on how much the ex-North road fanciers who now race with us in the Dagenham South Road Marking station, often say how the buzz of getting a bird from the channel is the best feeling they ever had in pigeons, and how they wish they made the move from north to south so many years ago, especially after seeing how well organised the organisations are that they have joint in the Thames, UBI and BICC. This buzz, has created more as many now want to get as many channel races under their belts that they can, and there is talk that many will join the NFC and the BBC next year also. As we talk about the BIG DREAM, we move onto the last BICC race of the year old and young birds racing from Countances roughly 183 miles give or take to most lofts in the marking station. The marking station put up some impressive results in both the old and young bird race. Just touching on the old bird race, Dean Burns finished provisionally 10thopen, 7th east section with a Blue chequer yearling hen who had previously won Huntingdon on the north road last year as a young bird in the Barking club. This hen was sent straight from the perch and was sent with only 4 flights to go. She was bred from Deans family of Van Lints that he has blended for many years now originating from Gary White. Burnsy also had a great young bird race to finishing 16th open, and 15th east section. This little pigeon is a pigeon just hitting a purple patch she won the marking station last week from Lyndhurst, she was raced on the darkness and again she is just racing to the perch. Her bloodlines are Van lint x Deans cousin Joe Fenn’s blood. Slav Zielinski had a cracking young bird race finishing 8th open and 8theast section also, with a fantastic looking hen who was from the Vercammen x Heinz Meier bloodlines. She yet again was raced on the darkness system racing to the perch. Andrew Foster and Lee Finan, or F & F as they are known in the marking station, have finished their year on a high. Week in week out these boys have been there or there abouts and have flown a fantastic pigeon. A son of the bird I named Southend Sid after returning back to southend every single week, was18thopen in the young bird race, and 17th section. This cock is proving to be a decent breeder for the partnership. Lee has recently been trying to work out which hairstyle suits him best, answers on a post card please. Micky and Michael Connolly were 39th young bird open and 30theast section with a Franz Zwols natural young bird with 2 flights left to drop, which is a tough ask for even the best of birds with a full wing to finish so high up in the open so a great result. The marking station only had 4 of our members send to the BICC, and all 4 finished high up in the open racing in the strongest of competition and racing against the whole country. The marking station not only for this race but for all the races they have sent to, should be extremely pleased with their achievements, and will be going into their second year on the south in a much stronger position then they did previously. I have finished an article like this before when doing a loft report for a partnership many years ago, but to quote Yazz “THE ONLY WAY IS UP†Sayonara for now Grasshopper

Dagenham South road Blimey where has the time gone? Anyone that knows me personally will know its been a difficult few months for me, and to be honest the pen has taken a back seat. However, lets come back with a vegengance. Last time I wrote, I said i would give a mention to a blast from the past of the London North Road Combine. That blast of the past was the great partnership of dagenham Stevie White & Sons. Stevie was dominating the London North Road combine at its peak. Stevie was also doing it regionally in the london region when it had over 6,000 members. I have attached a few photos of Stevies Loft and trophy haulage in one year, as well as Stevies top pigeon White eyes a cock who had 15 x 1st to his credit, a fantastic pigeon to own. I would like to mention one of the Dagenham marking stations great supporters Duncan Goodchild, who has supported the marking station at its birth. Duncan races pigeons on behalf of the legendary fancier David Hales who sadly passed away last year, and Duncan has done a phenomenal job in my opinion. His results this season 5th, 113th and 114th National St Phil 7500 birds, 2nd, 16th & 47th National Barcalona, 1st, 7th, 18th and 20th National Perpignan, 63rd, 71st and 106th National Bordeaux (sent 4), 15th Combine Le Mans, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 9th and 31st National Narbonne. As you can see some of these races Duncan was timing in as if it was a sprint race, and as a fancier with international hopes, these sort of results aspire myself to work even harder. Another friend and old club member of mine on the north road that I would like to congratulate is Michael Connolly of the Joe Connolly and Son partnership. Micky has won the only London North road combine race of the year from Aycliffe with 63 members sending 937 birds. I knew Mickys dad very well and it was Joe, who gave myself the pen name Grasshopper. Joes ambition was always to be considered in the same leagues of the great Alf Baker, he called Alfs book the bible. Joe sadly passed away some years ago now but even before his passing he in my eyes was considered onenof the greats of the north road. With Mickys win it takes the partnership to 8 x 1st London North Road Combine, with Mickys help Joe certainly achieved that ambition of being at the same table with the great Alf Baker. So what about our marking station whats new? 'The big dreamers' marking station seems to be growing from strength to strength, and we already have 7 applications sitting on the table before the season has even ended and if these all get accepted by the Thames Northern and Eastern Counties club it would give us 25 flying members, and amongst those names sits many passed London North Road Combine winners, and Essex and Kent Amalgamation winners. Is there a club/marking station locally that can offer that sort of competition? For those who have shown an interest and are considering applying, I would suggest doing so the earlier the better. The south road gives so many options and so many races on a weekly basis. If sprinting is your game, theres a sprint race every week, if middle distance is your game you have the chance for channel racing with the Bicc, Ubi, Nfc and BBC, and the way their programs sit you potentially could have one of them each week until the real long distance and marathon events start, but even then there is middle distances races inbetween to make your mouth water. Those ex-north roaders have all said how good the condition the birds arrive in. As i said due to personal reasons the pen hasnt been my biggest priority of late so i am so far behind with results. The young bird season has been really good for the marking station, and many are happy how the education for their birds inland is progressing, and they are looking forward to having a good team due to minimal losses as yearlings. Foster and Finan have been the partnrship to watch young birds, and week in week out they have either won it or have peppered the top positions in the result. This success continued with all members that sent their young birds to the bicc at falaise. Foster and Finan provisionally sit 12th open and 9th east section. Slav Zielinski had a great young bird and old bird race. For young birds he was 29th open, 18th east section, and i believed 13th open in the old bird race. Dean Burns was 39th open 24th section, Bernie and Jamie Wilson was 81st open 41st section, and Edward Santos was 101st open 52nd section. I dont think it will be long before the 1st national winner since the marking station forming will be crowned. 2 weeks prior Micky and Michael Connolly had a great result in the old bird race being 8th open who is a daughter of their top pigeon 88 a 7x1st club and 4x1st federation winner as well as being 3rd, 9th and 9th open thurso all timed in on the day. I do apologise for not having the details of the previous weeks racing, it would fill the book up I am sure. However on the 5th September the marking station was racing from Lyndhurst, with a 9am liberation in a north westerly wind. 1st marking station was Dean Burns, who is helped tremendously by his wife Sharon. Deans pigeon is one from his own family that he has blended together for a number of years now. 2nd, 3rd and 4th was the partnership all of dagenham are talking about Andrew Foster and Lee Finan. Their first bird was out of their number one stock cock, with their 2nd bird on the clock a pigeon who has had a 2nd and a 3rd previously. Their 3rd timer and 4th marking station is out of their Southend sid cock. The marking station has many ideas that we are hoping to run over the winter and in early spring so watch this space. Sayonara for now Grasshopper

He didn't sell them all, he then sold his sprint pigeons to concentrate on distance. Take from that as u will

Neil, Makes sense to race winners dont it, so many dont race hens and some have been exceptional young birds, i think its a waste, well done keep racing em hard and well

Just marathon birds

Dagenham Marking Station On the week of the announcements that the pubs will be open on Saturday 4th July, we saw that many pigeon fanciers were extremely happy. This week could only best described as a strange one with high strong winds and very unpredictable weather. The week saw Ardy Santos, join the so-called lazy fanciers gang and has finally got the unikon ets. More and more of the club fanciers are turning to the ets system, which is excellent to see, as it does make life so much simplier, from start to finish. The fact of not having to write out a race sheet, then the quickness of the marking of the birds, followed by the saturday with the print out and order of the birds arriving to the loft is excellent. Our marking station, only accepts Unikon and the original outlay, can seem quite expensive, but believe me the benefits are there to be seen. I was on the Thames website recently, and was just readinf about the Thames history. For those that havent been on the website it is really interesting and was made exceptionally well by Rachael Bacon. For those unaware the website is www.thamesnec.co.uk, One thing i noticed on the website and I feel with the Thames could be a huge success if it was kick started again, would be open races from the Isle of Wight on a wednesday. With the membership now exceeding 163 members in the club, I personally feel this would be very well supported considering in its day when the club had only 43 members they was reaching between 1,200 birds and 2,000 birds a week. The isle of wight would allow the pigeons to get used to the water for national amd classic club races, and would be sticking to the club's roots of being a training club in preparation for channel racing. Many of the marking station members have started to really train their young birds now, and some are going to put them into the first littlehampton. Gary White and Roy Rowlands have been getting well supported in the club with the club trainer. The training pick up point is in Dagenham, however I am lead to believe 2 further pick up points will be starting in Beckton and Canning Town in the very near future, so if you have an interest in joining them on their training tosses, please dont hesitate yo get in touch, and i can advise on times and places. Duncan Goodchild, loft manager of the late legendary pigeon fancier David Hales, has been a fantastic supporter of the dagenham marking station since its inception last winter. He yet again has helped out the marking station by donating a fantastic young bird for marking station funds. The marking station are extremely grateful for all the help and support that Duncan has given us. Thursday came and I think it was unamious decision that Saturday racing would be a no-no. Fair play to the thames they post poned racing for 24 hours, with a Saturday marking for a Sunday race from littlehampton. This made many of the club members happy as they could taste their first pints as the British Legion in Becontree, where we mark our birds could finally open its doors. Saturday marking came, and due to Poitiers with the BICC and Falaise with the UBI, the membership sending was down on previous weeks in the marking station due to many of the members wanting to send across the channel mainly with the UBI at falaise. Those sending to Falaise it will be many of the ex north roaders first attempt at the channel, and hopefully they really enjoy the experience. This would mean for many of the members there is a potential for 3 races for them next weekend. Another advantage with the ets is that you can have 5 races on the one clock which is ideal especially with the amount of races you can have on one weekend on the south road. The weekend of the 1st of August would be interesting, BICC Barcelona International 716 miles roughly, BICC St Vincent International 547 miles, BICC Bordeaux National 456 miles, and NFC Blue Ribbon Race from Pau 560 miles. If your serious about your distance racing, south is definitely the way to go. Back to Littlehampton, the wind was blowing a strong south west wind. The marking station was aware of the speeds the intercounties was doing out of yeovil who had an early liberation, and they was exceeding 76mph, so many was expecting the thames to do similar. The thames still had a very strong birdage just short of 1,300 birds, which is still great birdage considering there is a number of channel races in the week coming up. 1st and 3rd this week was Dean Burns who is really enjoying racing on the south. Dean sent a mixture of old birds and young birds this week, and had brilliant returns. Deans winners is a Van Lint, a family which he has had for 10 year's which he got from fellow club member Gary White. Dean has line bred and inbred this family throughout the years and has only added the odd bird here and there. All but one of his old bird team are related in someway. His winner this week is an uncle to the 3rd marking station pigeon. The winner is a 2 year old pigeon who has won on the north before and is very consistent to the loft. The 3rd marking station is a 5 year old cock and is another previous winner on the north. 2nd and 4th this week was Andrew Foster and Lee Finan. First on the clock is a Mealy Cock, otherwise known as Southend Sid. This cock disappears once a week to southend and spends the night at lees old address. He is of Vanden Bulck breeding, and was raced out to thurso last year as a yearling. 4th club is a 4 year old blue cock, which lee describes it as a bitsa, bits of this and bits of that. The members that sent said the returns was good and the birds came very well. On the final result with the BICC, Alfie Gadsdon & Son Ryan, finished 42nd open 16th section, against a convoy just short of 8,400 birds. The members are excited for predominantly their first channel adventure, we wish them the best of luck and look forward to writing *touch wood* about their success. Next week we will have a blast from the past, about one of the greatest London North Road Combine fanciers, watch this space... Sayonara for now... Grasshopper

Dagenham South Road Marking Station Another week, brings another BICC race from St Philbert roughly around 284 miles and another race in the Thames and Northern and Eastern Counties from Honiton roughly 145 miles. The week as usual started with a weather report, and for both races it was strobgly predicted that they would both be fairly quick races. As the days passed it seems the weather man was highly unpredictable and as the weekend got closer and closer on the Thursday the Thames made the decision to post-pone marking for 24 hours. Also on the Thursday, the BICC was marking for the St Philbert race, a new race point for the BICC. I have to say Joe House, and his team of workers are doing a fantastic job, and the whole process seems to get smoother and smoother with each race. In regards to the BICC Saturday morning came and a held over was announced for the 8, 000 plus birds. However, news had broke that for the second race running the BICC had escapees. A bromley crates flap had fallen in, and 18 pigeons where released, which luckily belonged to the one fancier, in the bigger scheme of things. Consequently, this did cause a massive talking point in our whatsapp group, facebook, and the fancy in general. As many will know the dagenham marking station have been awaiting for our club crates to arrive, and good ole Terry Bentham, finally was able to drop them off to us on Saturday evening ready for marking. So for many of our ex- north road fanciers the race from Honiton, would mark the furthest their birds have been so far on the south, and many were keen to race from the race point as it gives us, westerly fanciers in the thames some actual distance to work with, as i have said before the Littlehamptons, are far to short especially for the fanciers this side of the convoy. Considering most fanciers westerly and easterly of the convoy train to the coast, I would like to think the Thames in future season could consider looking for a slightly further alternative. Michael Waller, took alot of the older fanciers and younger fanciers back to some blasts from the past this week, reliving some custom house and canning town days. Some great moments was brought into the conversation as well as some memorable but unfortunately passed friends such as Billy Jasper, Johnny Gill, Jimmy 'The Horse' Edridge, Bill Thompson, Micky 'Bunter' Martin and Micky 'Busby' Hardy. Sunday came and the breaking news was that St. Philbert birds were released at 8.30am, in a west south westerly wind, and going dead westerly in the channel. Many predicted a very quick race, but as my good friend Duncan Goodchild states, no channel race is an easy race. Taking 1st, 2nd and 4th from St Philbert was the partnership of Alfie Gadsdon and son Ryan, flying just over 284 miles. 1st to the loft was a natural Blue Pied hen sent sitting eggs, being a direct daughter of the partnerships London North Road hall of fame winner when paired to a Bill Walsh and Derek Walsh gift hen from the lines of Extreme of Marcel Wouters, provisionally the pigeon is sitting in 27th Open and 14th East Section. 2nd was a yearling Chequer Pied natural hen, sent on a chipping youngsters, who was kindly bred by John Chipperfield for the partnership. 4th Club was again a natural yearling Chequer Cock sent sitting, he is from Mark Bulled Son Of Legacy when paired to a daughter of Darran McFaddens Megans Lad and Razors Girl. 3rd club was the very hard working team of Andrew Foster and Lee Finan. Who clocked a yearling blue pied widowhood cock, who I believe was broken out from Lee's previous address. Those that sent to the BICC, generally had a good race with all members of our marking station having good returns on the evening. I was unable to make the Saturday marking for the thames so I must thank Lee finan and Andrew Foster, who went above and beyond to help me out and get my birds picked up and marked for the race. Lee is also becoming a dab hand at setting the ETS system, which is new to all members but we are starting to get a sway of more and members buying and looking to buy the unikon system. A big part of the banter within the group is the T-Shirts and slogans the King of Scotland wears up the marking station. Lee Finan, had bought the King Alan Cook a new shirt, asking 'Where was the ring scheme?'. If you know please send answers on a post card... As i needed to collect ny clock from Lee and Andrew, I met them round Dale Bagge loft to watch the North road race with the West Essex Federation from from Huntingdon. Dale had a very good race in his club the Dagenham Invitation and took home the red card. The Thames race from Honiton was up at 10am, and many thought they Biccs and Thames birds potentially could come at the same time or there or there abouts. 1st and 2nd Club was Terry Green. Terry timed his good blue cock who has now won the marking station 2 x times aswell as a hostbof other performance as previously mentioned in another article. This 4 year old cock has truly switched on, on the south and has a 3rd and 18th open to his credit. Inpressively with this weeks performance, racing against the wind. He was a good pigeon on the north and is proving so to be on the south too. Terrys second pigeon is named Popcorn name given to him by fellow club member Ardy Santos. Popcorn is a Gaston Van de wouwer from Bobby Harris stock of Barking. 3rd marking station from Honiton was George Metcam. George is another grafter in the club and truly deserves everyrhing he gets. Georges pigeon is a grandaughter of Lobar Rose 1st BICC Perpignan , of Ron Elliott of Chadwell Heath. 4th marking station is the inform loft of Tony Giordomania, otherwise known as Taxi Tony. Tony timed a 2 year old blue cock of the heinz 57 variety, who has been very consistent pigeon so far on the north and south. The races are now coming thick and fast on the south now something, many of the ex north roaders have never experienced. The weekend of the 11th July our members have a choice of potentially 3 races if they choose to send to all 3, the Bicc at poitiers, the ubi at falaise and the thames from littlehampton. So if you like the sound of an adventure something new and the possibility of multiple races per week, have a good think the south road might be for you... Sayonara for now Grasshopper

Its a must

Got em firing mate

When i was sprinting they would be tossed usually the week of or just after the 1st old bird race. 4 days a week, which would be 3 to 4 months before the 1st young bird race. I would get them to first race point, and then theyd be trained in accordance to the wind. Tail wind they went 50, head wind 27 mile. There inital tosses were usually 2 at loughton 14 mile, 2 at harlow 20 mile, and 5 at bishop stortford, then duxford as many times i could then Peterbrough. Then when the racibg started the wind is how i trained Now if i give my ybs 2 x 15 mile tosses it would be a lot neil, but my goals are much different and different pigeons, i do not even take a clock out for the ybs now

Dagenham South Road Marking Station Another week in the dagenham and the buzz in the club seems to get stronger and stronger as the weeks go on. We are just off the back of a very successful week of hope and glory in the marking station. Following last weeks littlehampton in the Thames, as you may remember there was some controversial conversations in the group and online regarding the decision to put back the marking 24 hours. The marking stations very own Terry Green took the bronze medal in the thames taking 3rd open against a very respectable just under 2,000 pigeons, which is a very strong birdage considering the race was set the same week as the BICC's opening channel race from Falaise. One thing that is noticed by the members who all have raced north in the past, is the huge difference in milage between the shortest flyers in the thames and the longest. I remeber having conversations with fanciers in the East London federation about them having to give away 2 miles maximum in club and federation. The north road mentality thankful is something that our members have banked in their pasts as they are getting a better understanding of the south road at local level, where the amount of overfly can be anything upto 45 miles. As stated a few weeks back the marking station currently has 17 members on our books, and since then we have had a number of people declare their interest in joining the Thames and our marking club. On the last marking night Micky Connolly made a good comment that the club feels like the good old days in the custom house. There is a good variety of characters, where the banter is flowing continuously not only at the marking station but within the Whatsapp group chat, and every member is willing to help each other out. There was a lot of talk of squirrels in the group chat this week, which exploded from a statement of some group members being secret squirrels. This lead into even bigger banter with photos being sent of flying squirrels, and how many squirrels are the members sending this week. I think that conversation was put to bed by one of the members of the group saying we was all NUTS. Onto this weeks race from Purbeck on the 20th June. Many predicted a quick race during the week when looking at thw forecasts as a good day was set with a South westerly wind. On marking it was the first week of marking station members using the ETS, which lead to alot of interest from the fanciers who havent seen it yet, as I have stated before locally in the east london area, to my knowledge we are the first to be using it. Many of the members were amazed how quickly marking of the pigeons are, and not having to fill a race sheet, and getting a record of how the birds have come on race day is a bonus. The Purbeck birds were released at 10am in a South West wind. The predictions for the Thames to hit massive speeds fell slightly short, but a race over 1600 ypm was still achieved, which on the old north road into east london would still be classed as a quick day. Taking 1st and 2nd this week is Tony Giordomania, or as he is known locally as Taxi Tony. Tonys first 2 pigeons won the marking station clear by 11 yards per minute, so very deserving winners who was on the task at hand. Tonys first pigeon is a 2 year old Blue Chequer Hen, who is a heinz 57 of Tonys own variety, who was raced widowhood and then put onto the natural system, where she was racing home sitting. Tonys 2nd pigeon is yearling Blue Cock, who was a gift from Van Sanchez, another member of the marking station, some readers may know him as the Romford flyer on Facebook. Tonys 2nd marking station was also 6th marking station on his first race this season, so a very consistent pigeon especially for a yearling, he might be the one to watch in the future. 3rd this week was thw hard working partnership of Andrew Foster and Lee Finan. These guys have the marking station at heart and really put in a big effort for all of us, so before i go into details of there pigeon, just want to say hats off to you boys. There Blue cock was a previous winner on the north road, and has only been lightly raced the last few seasons. 4th marking station, was Ardy Santos, a fancier who has not been in the sport long, but who is a very keen fancier, and always willing to help anyone out. Ardy (Edward) timed a latebred having its 3rd race of its life. His sire was a London north road combine hall of famer from Thurso for GiovanniSanchez, and the dam was direct from Mark Evans. Many stated that the race came in waves, with droves of pigeons followed by periods of quietness. Many of the old east london federation fanciers put it into comparison of when the east london federation joined the essex and kent amalgamation the first 3 races, in that organisation could only be described as drips of blood. However talking to other fanciers in essex, it would appear that was the case for the majority, but with that the majority of the fanciers locally and deeper all said that they had excellent returns. One thing I would like to mention about the marking station which is an interesting observation, from 3 races in the thames we have 3 different winners, not only 3 different winners but different names each week in the top 4 of the marking station. In my opinion this shows the strength of the marking station, and long may it continue, as we hopefully grow from strength to strength. The talk in the group has set the focus on the next BICC race from St Philbert a distance of 284 miles to my loft, where we mark on the Thursday for a Saturday race. Whitey has a few pals fishing in france on the day some 30 miles south of the race point, so we have nominated him to pester them for regular and update weather reports. For those in the marking station and in the thames I wish them to be successful. As well as the BICC we also have a race from Honiton in the thames on friday. Many of the marking station members are excited about this race point, as for the marking station it is one of the longest races we can get inland racing south, a distance to my loft of 145 miles. As a marking station, we would love for the Thames to consider having a lot more Honitons in the program for next season. The season with its late start is moving on with pace, and many of the marking station members are considering starting their young bird training, as officially we are only 2 races away from the official first young bird race. The last race from Purbeck had birdage over 2,500 birds, it will be interesting to see how big the birdage will be once the young birds are entering the baskets too. I think you can all agree like the song from yazz, the only way is up. Sayonar for now.... Grasshopper

What is he feeding too?

John gave me a call we sorted now thanks

Any guys know how to set up 2nd pocket clock, it is a 2nd hand one, and want to link it to my first

Cheers Jamie he is a son of Islas Rainy Day Boy and inbred to Reggies Boy

Dagenham South Road Marking Station So with another week been and gone, and with the channel races looming the dagenham boys all made up of ex north roaders, excitement is starting to build. With the new restrictions in place those members with channel on their minds, all had booked their time slot places at the Basildon Marking Station run by Joe House for the forthcoming BICC race from Falaise. For Joe and his team our hats must go off to him and his team, they done a fantastic job with the current circumstances. Alot of the talk in the group chat this week was about this weekends up and coming weather and wind. Those not sending with the BICC was noting the wind to be South Easterly on Saturday, with extremely good weather. Considering the size of the thames, this side of the liberation along with the sundridge we need a little help with the wind, and anything with easterly too us this side is a bonus. You can imagine that the air was blue, when the marking for the club race from Littlehampton a distance to most members this side around the 55 mile mark, was post ponned due to potential storms. As you can imagine the group chat went into a flurry of screenshots of weather reports, to which followed by facebook. It was clear it was not only the east side of the club that was shocked by the decision. It was also made clear on Facebook that littlehamptons have a no-hold over rule, and that obviously lead to the questions on why do we use it as a race point?With many of the clubs members either individually or training on the numerous group training facilities down to the coast on a regular basis, which would vary in distances from the shortest members of our club 50 miles to some of our longest at 100 miles, would it not be beneficial to find an alternative? Salisbury possibly which to the shortest is roughly 80 miles to the longest on average 120ish, just food for thought maybe. This week also saw our club move into the 21st century of the sport with the inclusion of ETS system. I think this is a great push into the sport for our area of East London as I believe we are the only club in the area to use this, as many clubs in the east london area were and still are totally against it. The King of Scotland will not be a turn co to his trusty manual however, as he calls those on ETS lazy ets fanciers. Back to Falaise, the BICC released the birds at 6:15am in a southly wind, which was turning more easterly as they hit the channel. Many of the clubs members who have been racing south for a couple of years now predicted the birds would run roughly down to cherbourg with that wind before crossing and the early birds would be on the west side of the country. The difference in velocities for the main Bicc result would suggest just as predicted. Taking 1st and 2nd club is Bernie and Jamie Willson. Their first pigeon being bred by Patrick and Tony Mahoney and had previously scored from fourges as a baby. 2nd club is a really good pigeon for the partnership previously being a winner of the UBI combine from Falaise. 3rd and 4th went to Alfie Gadsdon and son Ryan, with first on the clock the partnerships all section pooler Black Cock, being a grandon of Isla Rainy Day Boy crossed with Mark Bulled Bloodlines. 4th is a Cheq Wf hen yearling bred by last years Barcalona winner John Chipperfield. The race in itself was a good test for the pigeons this side of the country, and they knew they had to work for it. Like all BICC races the condition the birds returned in was excellent. Despite the conspiracy theoriest out there, saturday marking came for the race from littlehampton, and considering alot of the clubs members sent to the BICC, the response for this club race was extremely good, with 10 members sending 143 birds. Winning 1st club, and on his first race of the year was Terry Green, with an exceptional 4 year old blue cock, who was a winner of 4 races on the north including 11th Open London North road Combine. Terry also takes 4th Club. 2nd club Micky Connolly and son Michael, with a blue Franz Zwols cock. 3rd club was Slav Zielinski, who had a fanatastic result on his first race of the year, after only having one training toss onnthe south too. Slavs pigeon is a chequer pied Jos Vercammen cock bird. Many reported an iffy race with the early ones making good time, but then it became what I would deem a steady race, despite the quick early velocities. I must also state when i do say club in my articles, it must not be taken out of context it is meant as marking station. For those who have an interest in the club and are tech savvy please dont hesitate to look us up on Facebook where regular updates of the dagenham marking station take place. Sayonara for now.... Grasshopper

Top man

Dagenham South Road Marking Station at The British Legion Becontree So after the club trainer last week from Littlehampton last week, the club was on a real high and a buzz, with many of the club having 100% returns, and those with the odd ones short worked their way back over the next couple of days. Many of the dagenham boys have turned their complete teams from the North Road to the south road, and all are flying high with excitement. All the new south road boys are really excited for the challenge ahead, with many of them planning their races for the channel already. The banter started mid-week when the "King Of Scotland" Alan Cooke, noted a dead west wind on the up and coming Purbeck race, and the talk of a lady godiva bet would be held, with the King being first in the side bet. A score side bet was also discussed for thw Bicc's first race from Falaise on 13th June. Many of the club members have noted, how well organised the Thames North & Eastern Counties club is run by our great secretary Rachael Bacon, and how all members are kept up to date with all information about the club and exactly what is happening, both via email and facebook. Some members of the marking station also mentioned the Bicc's handbook, and what a lovely document it is. Many of the old timers were reminiscent of how the London North Road combine used to produce something similar. Talk began from Tuesday onward on what club members where sending and how many roughly. It became apparent early on it would be a decent send with well over 200 birds. As the day got closer and closer there was a few differences, with few fanciers saying they had eggy hens and such, so their numbers may vary. Jamie Wilson has been working very hard for the club behind the scenes and I failed to mention all the hard work Jamie does for us as a club last week. Thursday came, and Rachael informed all members that due to the forecast for Saturday marking would be put back 24 hours. Those organisations on the south that did liberate on the Saturday experienced high velocities with some speeds hitting 83 mph, which for many of the ex north roaders 24 hour marking put back they said was a blessing in disguise as alot of their birds may have gone over the top. Saturday marking day, and the heavens opened up in east london at 5.30ish, and there was thunder lightning, hailstones, you name it, it came down. Definitely was not pigeon marking weather. Personally I refused to leave the loft until it died down a touch, but it was my own fault for only wearing a t shirt and shorts!! The banter did not stop at marking, and George Metcan, took the brunt of it for being last at marking, with many saying he was catching 40 winks round the corner, so he could go straight through with his pigeons. Lee Finan, had to be on the receiving end of the bants too, as he opted for a curry and a pint instead of attending the club to mark his pigeons, leaving his poor racing partner Andrew Foster to brave the rain. 11 members sent 203 pigeons, which was there or there abouts a similar number to the previous week. Sunday 7th June, opened up to a lovely morning in london bright and warm. Then it was announced that at 7.30am the birds were liberated in a West wind. Whitey, got hold of the liberation on video, and to say it was an impressive sight of the clubs being released was an understatement, shame about the silver car though. 2654 pigeons all released at once in the sky, and on the first turn you could see a batch break from the main bunch and head for home. Many on the group chat was predicting times, but Ryan Gadsdon was closest when he said 2 hrs 10. The winners of 1st club was Micky Connolly and Son Michael, with a Blue Cock bred by Andrew Wilton and is a winner of the Wednesday South Road club 3 times previously. Their winner was timed with a velocity of 1515. 9 2nd Club was Alfie Gadsdon and Son Ryan, with a long distance special being a grandchild of Isla Rainy Day Boy, and a great grandchild of Wingdown and Little Gem. Their velocity being 1512.0 3rd and 4th Club was Bernie Willson and Son Jamie, with velocities of 1501.7 and 1491. 1, with two yearling hens from the soontjen lines mainly of Rob Fenwick and Chris Howard of Doncaster. Many of the club reported a good steady race, which we all hope will put the birds in good stead especially with the up and coming channel races, which many of the members are looking forward too. With the race being held on a Sunday, it means thursday soon looms for falaise basketing with the BICC, and friday is also round the corner where the club will be having another race from Littlehampton. I would like to wish all the club members the best of luck for all competitions. Sayonara for now..... Grasshopper

Dagenham South Road Marking Station at the British Legion Beacontree Dagenham, a suburban town in east london, famous for its industrial routes especially with the Ford Motor company, and famous for being the birth place for the greatest and only successful England football team manager that has ever lived Sir Alf Ramsay. Pigeon wise, it has always been known to be a hot-bed of sprint and middle distance racing on the North Road, with many house hold names within the discipline of sprinting being located within the area. However during the winter of 2018, several like minded fanciers started speaking with the view of a new challenge to bring to the area, and that is to try and create a stamp, and try and compete on the south road. It was unanimously decided that the Thames Northern and Eastern Counties would be the club that the members would like to apply to, and thankfully we was accepted. Starting a marking station from scratch is not an easy task, and a lot of materials and things are needed to do such a task. So from the help from a number of friends, many who where members of the Thames, a phone in auction was held, to give the club a good head-start. The members of the Dagenham marking station are extremely grateful to both the donors and buyers in the sale. Currently the membership of the club is standing at 17 members, with many London North Road Combine, and Essex and Kent Amalgamation winners amongst its ranks. One of its standing memberships B & J Wilson even won the BICC and UBI combine, last season before the club was formed, and we are hoping as a club, some more of our members can follow in there path, by taking there north road success onto the south road. 17 members in any club in this day and age can be considered a good club, and we are hoping that we can keep building on this number. If anyone from East London or Essex has an interest in joining please dont hesitate in making contact. Covid-19 put a stop to us ex north roaders hopes of starting the season in April. Through the group chat we was in contant contact, and giving each other any updates we had seen or heard from the RPRA. The update came for which we was all hoping for that individual and group training could take place in England, and we must thank Ian Evans and his team for the hard work that they put in to make this possible. The members then had to thank one of the other standing members Gary White who organised for some group training to take place, with all the RPRA's guidelines being strictly adhered too. This was then followed by another announcement that on 1st June racing can take place in England. As you can imagine the club was ecstatic about this news, especially when the Thames decided to do a group trainer from littlehampton. Friday 29th June soon came and the basketing for the group trainer soon followed. Many members where like the photo attached of Fred Perry of Isle of Dogs praying before sending there feathered friends, as many of the members birds had never seen the coast or been that far on the south as of yet. 11 members sent to this training toss, with over 200 pigeons basketed, yet again the RPRA guidelines were all strictly adhered too. The designated markers commented on the group chat how impressed they were with the Thames new trailer. Plenty of banter was going back and forth all evening on the Whatapp group, with everyone excited. Saturday came and the news we was expecting with an early lib of 7.15am in a light North Wind. The banter continued, and has still continued up until i penned this article. However many reported a good race, with very few if any short, their prayers had been answered. The club now awaits Friday 5th June when the birds will be sent to Purbeck, which was a similar distance to the ex north roaders favourite Newark, a distance to my loft of 114 miles. This will then be followed by the choice of a club race in the Thames or sending to Falaise with the BICC. I think for many of the members the choice of racing is a big advantage, and if this was a normal year with no covid-19, the members could have the choice of racing on the south with the Thames, BICC, UBI, BBC or NFC, with some of these races all on the same weekend, which is something we as fanciers have never had on the north road. I will keep you all updated as the weeks go on with any news of the club and pigeon racing in general. Lastly I would like to take the opportunity from all the members to thank Dale Bagge for the use of his facilities at the Becontree Legion Club, as it has been a god send, and he has really helped the club out. I know its been a long time since I wrote this Sayonara for now...... Grasshopper

Sent a pm about the unikon champ price

A great way to race cocks however is racing them this way but it requires 3 sections and 16 widowhood cocks. Left section V Perches, middle section 8 widowhood boxes and right section V Perches. It is for out and out sprinting however. 8 cocks on left paired to 8 hens in centre, rear and back in the left. Then do the same on the right. On exercise all cocks from both sections let out togethwr but they must trap only to there v perch sections never get access to the middle box section. On a friday hens in boxes, and cocks let out for exercise, and all cocks then to trap into box section, first cock back in goes in with the hen, cock trap last sits on front fighting and seeing his hen with the other cock. 5 minutes only maximum, basket and sent to a race. I would also if possible handle the birds in a specific order so the xoxks paired in box 1 wasnt sharing a crate all night, sometimes its unavoidable though

Cocks got the full box mate.

Dont worry what other people think mate

If they all flying good as u say mate id race them all this year but just me