Jim Biss Brundall

[1967]

The 1979 season was undoubtedly the famous Fear Bros of Clandown pinnacle year.They won all three of the long distance races into England a feat that probablymay not ever be equalled.For Fear Bros 1979 was truly remarkable,toto win their first ever National and the coveted Kings Cup and follow this performance with two more outstanding National performances within as many weeks.After negotiation the Fear Bros three great champions arrived at Hillside.These were Prima,1st prize Barcelona National;Hermana first prize Palamos National and Hermano first prize Barcelona National Hermana and Hermano are a nest pair, and are probably the best nest pair of long distance champions of all time.

The Fear Bros 1st prize Pau winner,a two year old,was a half brother to Hermana and Hermano,all three being from the same sire,as it was his only performance i did not purchase the Pau National N.F.C. winner.Black Velvet,the Perpingnan National winner and his son the international were also purchased during the 1970s.Then was added the best racing cock and hen in Belgium at that time i.e The Adamo and the Barcelona Hen from the Belgium champions G&M Vanhee.Since that time i have become a personal friend of the Vanhee family.Other pigeons obtained included children of the Vanhee's champions including Vale Prins,asgrauwen Debou,Napoleon,Greyspeerdt,Lourdes,St Vincent.Domino Geschelpte Prins,Bambino,dam of the Vale Prins and the Motta Hen.Recently,and soon after the death of Julien Matthys ,wo was 97 and the undisputed long distance champion of Belgium,his feats from Barcelona alone are legendary,judiciouse purchases were made.The Matthys purchases included his two great racing cocks Napoleon and the Bear.Additional purchases included a son of each of the above two ace racing cocks.Added to the above were Julien Matthys five best breeding hens Vale Jamin,Vale Mulder,Sister Bear,Vale Cesar,Blue Pursang also Blue Matthys and Mealy Matthys.Julien Matthys was the undisputed champion of Belgium and recognised a by the cracks of Belgium.Julien produced his family over many years and kept them almost pure with just an occasional introductions of new blood.There is no doubt that Julien became a legend in his own lifetime.

To illustrate my own opinion af a cross,at around the early seventies the name of De Croix&Son of Belgium,was emerging as one of the top middle to long distance racing loft.Having won 1st Lourdes international.1st Cahors National,and in 1984 1st Perpignan international,and never far away from the top.The De Coix family were based on sprint and middle distance performers.During the 1960s and 70s the De Coix Brothers,(as major racing in Belgium was then)were the short and middle distance ace flyers of Belgium.However,during the past seven to eight years,short distance racing in Belgium hes lost much of its attraction.The emphasis in Belgium today is on long distance racing with Barcelona international as the pinnacle of their ambitions.for example during the last eight years for this prestigious event has doubled.The De Croix Bros were among the first to become aware of the ''wind of change''Consequently they decided to introduce reputable long distance blood into their sprint family. subsequently results proved the wisdom of this policy.Today all their present middle and long distance winners come down from just two birds,the Geschelpt Wittibje,and Merckx who was first provincial champion 1971,7th provincial champion 1073 and olimpiade Budapest 1975 champion and won over £11,000.Today at Hillside i havein my loft the Grote Merckx winner of 40 prizes and four firsts he is a son of Merckx Also housed at Hillside is a Daughter of Merckx,and children from Hanne,1st Lourdes international.Geschelpte Chico,1st Cahors National and Goliath,1st international Perpignan.Also a sister of Goliath,grandson of The Merckx.

[buster151]

interesting read