West Cumbrian fanciers will race from Garstang tomorrow after managing to fit in two mid-week training flights from Flookburgh.
The first one on Wednesday wasn’t without a few concerns but yesterday’s repeat was more satisfactory.
The decision then was made to race tomorrow as the weather forecast for Sunday – which was looking like the original choice – was not as good.
Training in mid-week had been organised because of concerns over the limited training by some members, and the fact that a number of lofts didn’t send to the first official Flookburgh race and the second one was cancelled.
They can push on 17 miles to Garstang in the knowledge that all the members have had at least one spin out for their birds from Flookburgh.
Meanwhile the new Midweek Members club did race from Flookburgh yesterday with six lofts taking part. It would have been more had not the official Federation training taken place earlier.
Once again it was the longest flying member Jason Dempsey, of Maryport, who dominated the result sheet filling the first 20 positions.
He picked up £50 in prize money, the £60 nom and a bag of corn.
Sadly Jason is having to quit the sport because of health reasons at the end of the season but he wants to put something back into the sport that has given him so much pleasure since he was a boy.
He has a late bred youngster off his chequer pied hen which won his two races and earned multiple tickets. It will be offered for sale and the highest bidder wins it with the money going back into the club.
Peter Bewsher, a leading light in the formation of the Midweek Club, said: “It’s a fine gesture by a great lad and it’s a great shame he is having to give up. His birds certainly rattled home on Thursday.
“As for the race it seemed to be a struggle;e as the birds were coming back all night but returns in the end were positive. It’s another lesson added to their education which is what this club is all about.
“A big thank you top John McNichol, the best convoyer in the land who was looking after our birds.
“I believe if we all stick at it, this will be a brilliant club with lots to fly for and it will give the birds the education they need to become yearlings.”
MIDWEEK MEMBERS CLUB (6 sent 245): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Dempsey, son and Reay 1054, 1053.9, 1053.9, 1053.9, 1053.7, 1053.4.
