Ian and Denise Wood of Harrington Central have been confirmed as the West Cumbria Amalgamation winners from the final old bird race of the season from Guernsey.
Success is not new to the loft as Ian (pictured with the winner) has been well established for a number of years as one of the most respected fanciers in the area.
The winning pigeon is a five-year-old chequer pied hen who has proved a top class performer for the loft over the years.
She has been 2nd Copeland NW from Hullavington; 2nd Copeland NW,11th Red Rose Fed from Tewkesbury; 6th club,22nd Derwent Valley Fed,28th Amal from Falaise; 2nd club,6th Derwent Valley Fed,7th Amal,19th Combine from Messac.
In 2020 she flew Portland with the North West Grand National club and this year was at Lyndhurst with the North West Grand National club as well as Weymouth with the Cumbria Combine, both times being Ian’s third pigeon home.
She is bred from a Frank Sheader cock who was a direct son of Bant’s Choice and Golden Lady.
Her dam is from Paul Stobbs’ Stonehaven lofts being a direct daughter of The Gypsyand Olympic Star.
Ian was also and his second pigeon was bred from his Paul Fisher stock, being a Kees Bosua and Jan Hooyman who has had a minor position from Appleton as well as 2nd club, 7th Fed,7th Amal from Cheltenham. He flew the bad Weymouth race before being sent to Guernsey.
He sent seven birds to Guernsey (356 miles) andgot fiove on the night with the other two homing on Saturday.
“My racers have never been paired all year and the only time they have seen each other was for ten minutes or so after their return from a race apart from the day they were basketed for Guernsey when they were allowed to mix for 30 minutes,” said Ian.
WEST CUMBRIA AMALGAMATION (177 birds): 1,3, I. and D. Wood (Harrington Central) 1072, 1041; 2, Berwick and co (Dearham) 1042; 4, Blacklock and sons (Workington Victoria) 1038; 5, Fitzsimmons and son (Cleator Moor) 997; 6, Varty, son and grandson (Flimby HS) 992.
DERWENT VALLEY FEDERATION (124 birds): 1,3, I. and D. Wood (Harrington Central) 1072, 1041; 2, Berwick and co (Dearham) 1042; 4, Blacklock and sons (Workington Victoria) 1038; 5, Varty, son and grandson 992; 6, Martindale and Lawman 986.
WEST CUMBRIA FEDERATION (53 birds): 1, 2, 4, Fitzsimmons and son (Cleator Moor) 997, 973, 934; 3, Wilson and Buchanan (Egremont Rangers) 944; 5, 6, Graham and co (Cleator Moor) 926,918.
WORKINGTON VICTORIA (6 sent 30): 1, Blacklock and sons 1038; 2,5,6, Varty, son and grandson 992, 901, 879; 3,Martindale and Lawman 986; 4, McLuckie bros 953.
CUMBERLAND SOCIAL CIRCLE (15 sent 30): 1, I. and D. Wood 1072; 2,Blacklock and sons 1038; 3, Varty, son and grandson 992; 4, M. Pearson 868; 5, Nelson and Crellin 734; 6, Rushforth and Hunter 614.
FLIMBY HS (9 SENT 78):1, 4, Berwick and co 1055, 883; 2, 3, 5, Varty, son and grandson 994, 903, 881; 6, M. Ward and son 802.
HARRINGTON CENTRAL (6 sent 21): 1,2,3,4,6, I. and D. Wood 1072, 1041, 965, 811, 711; 5, N. Semple 787.
