Dagenham South Road Article 2

Wiley · June 7, 2020

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