With improved weather at the start of the week West Cumbrian fanciers have been stepping-up training for the new season which starts on Saturday.
The Derwent Valley Federation transporter has been used for training along with the private transporter of former convoyer John McNichol. Current Fed convoyer is Darren Lynchj, about to embark on his second year in charge of the birds.
The training exercises appear to have gone well and now fanciers are looking for a good start to the 2026 programme on Saturday.
The expanded Derwent Valley Federation, now including former West Cumberland Federation members as a south section, start the racing from Garstang.
The first two races, including Charnock Richard next week, will be for member clubs with the first Federation race from Penkridge on May 2.
The full programme is as follows:
Old birds
- April 11, Garstang; April 18, Charnock Richard; April 25, Appleton.
- May 2, Penkridge; May 9, Worcester; May 16, Cheltenham; May 23, Marlborough; May 30, Whitchurch.
- June 6, Fougeres; June 13, Holmsley; June 20, Norte-Sur-Erdre; June 27, Holmsley.
- July 18, Vire.
Young birds
- July 4, Flookburgh 1
- July 11, Flookburgh 2
- July 18, Garstang
- July 25, Charnock Richard
- August 1, Appleton 1
- August 8, Appleton 2
- August 15, Whitchurch
- August 22, Penkridge
- August 29, Wollaston
- September 5, Worcester
- September 12, Cheltenham
