The Northlink Ferries sponsored Lerwick race is the most awaited and prestigious race on the NRCC’s calendar and it finally arrived on June 29th. With many a fancier spending extra time in and around the loft preparing their birds for the journey across to Lerwick and return time spent on the wing, no one could have predicted the mocking finger mother nature decided to point at the Shetland Islands. With the birds basketed up and on the transporter, the convoyers made their way towards what was to be an unsettled and unpredictable weather pattern creeping slowly down towards the liberation point. The anticipation and thrill of this particular race takes centre stage for many of us and as each hour ticked by, we were given an ever more disappointing prediction by the weather men on T.V. that all was not well or in our favour for a Saturday liberation. Mother nature decided that it was going to be her time to take centre stage on the weekend of the race and not the NRCC’s planned liberation. Bringing a band of rain and low cloud in right over the Shetlands on the Friday evening and with a stubbornness and just the minimal breath of wind, she sat as tight as a broody hen into Saturday and as time ticked on and the conditions worsened, the convoying team were left with no other option other than call in a hold-over on the Saturday morning. The forecast for a Sunday liberation didn’t prove to be any kinder and although Mother nature decided to shift her broody self it wasn’t any further then into the Northern parts of Scotland. The stubborn band of rain refusing to clear and reaching right out like a long finger across the North Sea in front of the Shetland Islands, it blocked any chance of a way through for the NRCC pigeons, leaving the convoyers with no say in the matter as the persistence of the broody weather hen stayed put dictating how it was going to be and despite the cloud thinning above Lerwick, it was a tease of short-lived brightness and a hold-over was again called and posted on the NRCC website. Monday proved to be no different and with frustrations building for both the fanciers and the convoying team the wind finally picked up late on the Monday afternoon and moved the broody stubborn backside of Mother nature, breaking up the rain band into showers and away down into the North Sea and across towards Scandinavia. After a tense three-day hold-over, the weather team and convoyers had some good news and the Lerwick birds were liberated at 05:30 hours in a light North West wind turning West on route. All the birds were reported to have left the crates and clear the site well and heading towards land. The North Sea was reported as clear and there was good visibility down the line of flight. The race was on and as the hours ticked by the early birds began to clock and day one drew to a close, it was Ross Lark from Belton, down near Great Yarmouth, sitting pretty at the top of the leaderboard with a brilliant, almost 45-minute lead and a velocity of 1695.83 setting the marker. The following morning, once all sections had verified a time, it was confirmed by Ian Bellamy that Ross had indeed taken ownership rights of the prestigious Kings Cup for 2024 and would have his name etched on the trophy joining previous winners that go back over a hundred and twenty years. Living in Blundstone at the time and taking an interest in the sport at the tender age of 16, his first pigeons came from a friend’s dad. Ross gave it ago and raced his birds on the South Road with a degree of success. Racing from Tours in 2011, 357 miles, he won 5th open and in the same year he also won 4th open from Falaise, 263 miles with the Norfolk and Suffolk Championship Club. Since moving to Belton, Great Yarmouth, Ross has raced in the Ness Point flying who, up until 2022, were a South Road Club. Both Ross’s winner and her sister weren’t raced as babies. Both being late-bred they were raced for the first time as yearlings (9 months old) on the South before being turned North. Ross tells me that on ‘Black Saturday’ the club were racing from Kingsdown and only 9 clocked home on the day. Both her and her sister were two of those that clocked. After turning North in 2022 Ross joined the NRCC to get the distance and last year sent to Dunbar and Perth and although not in the top results he certainly set out the bar for this year’s racing so far sending to Fraserburgh, Perth and then Lerwick. Sending six and getting two home on the day! Both are now going into the stock loft and who can blame him for making that decision! Ross has a small team of 20 old birds, 10 cocks and 10 hens and races both hens and cocks on widowhood. He uses the birds from his stock loft to motivate his race team and they only see each other and spend time together on the return from a race. Prior to Lerwick, they hadn’t seen their opposite partners for two weeks! The exercise regime for the birds is a stretch out twice a day, morning and night and no training once racing has started. They are fed communally with the hopper being taken out after they have had their fill. There was no specific feeding or changes to their mix with the only addition being electrolytes in the water on their return. Ross pairs up his stock very early, November time, with the intention of breeding around 30 babies and them being strong and through the moult by the time the young bird race program starts. Training starts at 5 miles and ends at 60 miles although, and only if time permits, they may go as far as 90 miles. Finishing up with the winning hen, she is a bred from a Zak Williams & Grandad bird on the dam’s side paired to a bird from Stonehaven Lofts on the sire’s side. Both have a winning bloodlines that can be credited for breeding top performing pigeons. Ross had confidence that she could win the club but was in total shock to see her sitting in the top position. He didn’t even see her come due to work commitments and although he had a rough idea of an arrival time in his head, she far exceeded his expectations. He has named her Trident. ‘I wanted something that represented her pied, I’ve always called her my tri pied due to her unusual colour, and then my girlfriend said we need to put something in the name that represents the water crossing. She said what about Trident, so that’s what we went with. It wasn’t until afterwards I remembered that was the name of my nan’s company, who was a big influence on me keeping animals.’ On a final note, Ross would like to thank Phillip Harrod, a club member who has been a great friend and support and who, Ross says, he has gained much of his pigeon racing knowledge from. He would also like to thank Sue Dyer who is a big part of the club and can’t do enough for the members. She always goes out of her way to help anyone. Well done Ross, it has been great to meet you and report on your winning performance and may you stay racing with the NRCC for many years to come from the NRCC committee. A truly fitting name for a well deserving hen, a brilliant performance. Section F Ross Lark: Clocked at 14:46. 9 hours 16 minutes. Distance 535/142. Velocity 1695.8317. 1st open NRCC Lerwick 2024.
Section A, J and S Dangerfield: Clocked at 17:07. 11 Hours 37 minutes. Distance 487/1634. Velocity 1232.0717.
I would like to say a big well done to all of the other section winners! We sure had it tough over in section A but this is what championship racing is all about. Our first pigeon was a 3-year-old Frans Zwols x Van Loon blue bar hen. Raced widowhood she has picked the odd club prizes up here and there. We sent a team of 7 and got 6 back, so on that note I’d like to say a thank you to Darren and Merv for doing a brilliant job of looking after all the race birds. Onwards and upwards to Thurso! Yours in the sport J&S Dangerfield
Section B, Mick Lowe and Creese: Clocked at 16:04. 10 Hours 36 minutes. Distance 510/783. Velocity 1411.2944.
The Lowe and Creese partnership was formed when the late John Creese, who was an avid flyer for many years, became ill and asked me if I would help him continue being involved with racing. John had become bedbound so along with the help of his wife Mandy they would breed the youngsters and I would then take them to my loft in Moulton and train them for racing. We have raced both South and North but prefer the North Road racing. John’s biggest wish was to win a Lerwick race. He was always talking about Lerwick being the best race there was. Unfortunately, John passed away and I have continued with the partnership name in memory of John. The loft backs onto the cemetery that John is buried in and the birds fly around it twice a day. Since then, I have tried to use the skills and knowledge John passed on to me. The pigeons have been okay, bringing mixed results within the club setting over the last couple of years. Before the partnership my results within the club were at best poor, always around the 25 to 30 position. John came along and the results in the club got better, 17 to 25, the next year 10 to 17. This year within the club I have had a 4th place.
GB21R03663 is a little blue hen whose best placement within the club this year has been 10th from Blaydon. It has always been within the first few pigeons back to my loft every week even if not placed higher than 10th in the club. I looked at the loft placement of each bird and chose 3 birds for Lerwick which had in my eyes earned a chance. I chose to nom another little hen who has been looking good, but not this time. I was over the moon when 663 landed, I had no idea how well it had done as I could not get on to the results page and had to rely on a club member to keep me informed. I had the other 2 birds back early the next day. Only two of us sent to Lerwick from the club so I made 1st in the club as well. Lol! I have been over the fence to report the result to the boss, I’m sure he would be over the moon with the result but would be saying to me “Boy, get them in the basket and get them down the road.” Onwards and upwards.
Section C, Martin Hilton: Clocked at 17:06. 09 Hours 36 minutes. Distance 512/1001. Velocity 1566.1823
Section C, Martin Hilton: Clocked at 17:06. 09 Hours 36 minutes. Distance 512/1001. Velocity 1566.1823Firstly, I would like to congratulate Mr Lark on his Lerwick win. I joined Sutton Bridge Pigeon club in 2021, completing my first young bird season. At the time I was just happy to be placed on the first sheet. My other club members welcomed me with open arms and were always there with helpful advice, as well as Tom Burkill and David Hicks, and I would like to send a big thanks to them all. As I am sure that without their help, I wouldn’t be writing this today. I purchased the successful pigeon from James Cook of Tumley Lofts in 2022 with distance in mind. She is a little blue bar hen, following a distance blood line. It is nice to open my old bird account with a win, with it being from Lerwick, makes it even more special. First ever attempt at Lerwick only 3rd old bird season. 3rd NRCC open, 1st section NRCC, 1st Peterborough fed, 1st section, 1st, 2nd and 3rd club. My first ever old bird club win.
Section E, Clive Brown: Clocked at 15:58. 10 Hours 28 minutes. Distance 539/1486. Velocity 1512.9395
First of all, I would like to thank the convoyer as my birds arrived after a seven day hold over looking like they had been on a short training toss. Well done. I got three on the day and all home on the second day bar one. I would also like to thank the treasurer and race secretary of the NRCC, Ian Bellamy for all of his hard work. Ian is also my club secretary and a great guy. Lerwick, in my opinion, is one of the hardest race points on the racing pigeon calendar and anybody who wins the Kings Cup deserves all the accolades they can have bestowed upon them so, congratulations to the winner Ross Lark, well done. I grew up in Walthamstow, London, E17 with my grandfather and from our small back yard I could see nine lofts and on race day you could hear the clocks going off. Three clubs in those wonderful days, the Walthamstow had 20 members, Walthamstow Avenue had 35 members and the Walthamstow United had 40 great members. I also raced in the Woodford and District Flying Club from 1970 – 1999 and was 3rd Open Thurso from 3,000 birds. I now only keep a small team of old birds, 22, and breed 20 young birds for myself. My section winning pigeon is a black white flight 4-year-old cock. He has flown Tarbes, 625 miles and 51st Open from Bordeaux. Bred in the purple for distance. I don’t keep any sprint pigeons as short club racing doesn’t do it for me at all. His breeding is a Jan Aarden x Stickleback. Since I moved to this address some 11 years ago, I’ve purchased some of the best 650/700-mile blood I can get my hands on. Some great Barcelona blood from the House of Aarden. Also, I need to mention a club member of mine, GV and W Britton. They timed in 15 Lerwick pigeons. Great flying. Well done! Wishing everyone a great NRCC Thurso race, all the very best to everyone, Clive Brown.
Section H, Trevor & Adrian Wilson: Clocked at 16:55. 11 Hours 25 minutes. Distance 572/661. Velocity 1469.4493. We are Trevor and Adrian Wilson of Manuden near Bishops Stortford. We have 2 lofts 1&2 and our timer (ATTITUDE) a 3-year-old dark We are Trevor and Adrian Wilson of Manuden near Bishops Stortford. We have 2 lofts 1&2 and our timer (twice lucky) a dark chequer yearling cock. This was chequer cock has been a very consistent pigeon for us on the south and north road. Sent sitting a 14-day old baby and driving his hen to nest. We have called him Attitude as he has exactly that (good and bad). This was his first attempt at Lerwick and he’s done us proud sitting provisionally 1st section H 15th open. 572 miles in 11 hours 25 minutes turning up in perfect condition and looking good to go again. Credit again to the convoyer, as usual on every occasion when we have sent to the NRCC the birds have returned in great condition. His breeding is Jelle Jellema on his sire side and is out of our no 1 stock cock whose breeding has been superb for us. His dam is (Fatty) our BICC Berwick section winner and Dam to many of our top pigeons.
Section I, Roger Tate: Clocked at 17:50. 12 Hours 20 minutes. Distance 599/837. Velocity 1425.7797.
I was over the moon when my pigeon GB22B03640 arrived home from Lerwick after being held over until 02/07/24. It was a Dark Chequer Cock. I do fly hens also but this year am concentrating on the cock birds. I, or rather the Pigeon, flies 599/837 from Fobbing in Essex. I don’t have any set breeds as fly pigeons bred by myself. I fly widowhood and the birds are kept in a 40ft loft, with Y/B having their own loft. I use Unikon ETS which works out perfectly for me. I buy all the Pigeon food locally and mix in extras with it – don’t want to give away too many secrets! I also feed peanuts. My marking station is Cambridge, a fair distance away. This is the first time I’ve won Section I from Lerwick and I feel it’s a great achievement. I have won Section I from Thurso before but with a different bird a few years ago. I’ve been flying pigeons roughly 26 years although I had pigeons when I was a young lad. I really enjoy flying long distance and the NRCC gives me that opportunity. Advancing age means I started this year with 16 pairs and manage these on my own. All my birds are vaccinated and wing stamped which is a must when racing. I’m hoping to see all the other winners at the day of champions in December.
A little bit about Lerwick: I didn’t think it would be fair not to mention the host of the NRCC race and pass on a few facts about his remote and beautiful place up in the Shetlands. Lerwick is just one of around one hundred islands that make up Shetland however, only sixteen are inhabited. Lerwick is a name with roots in Old Norse and its local descendant, Norn, which was spoken in Shetland until the mid-19th century. The name “Lerwick” means bay of clay. Evidence of human settlement in the Lerwick area dates back to the Neolithic (4000–2500 BC) and the Bronze Age (2500–800 BC). From 2020, at the last count, figures show Lerwick has a population of just 6,760. Centred 123 miles (200 km) off the north coast of the Scottish mainland and on the east coast of the Shetland Mainland, Lerwick lies 211 miles (340 km) north-by-northeast of Aberdeen; 222 miles (357 km) west of the similarly sheltered port of Bergen in Norway; and 228 miles (367 km) south east of Tórshavn in the Faroe Islands. Lerwick’s nights in the middle of summer only get dark twilight and winters have below six hours of complete daylight. Lerwick is a very cloudy town, averaging only 1,110 sunshine hours annually. February is the coldest month, with high temperatures averaging around 5.8 °C (42.4 °F). In August, the warmest month, average high temperatures are 14.7 °C (58.5 °F). Due to intensive farming, weather and thin soil the Shetlands are quite devoid of trees however, this is due to change with a grant from Scottish Forestry and Woodland Trust Scotland after an increased demand and interest from the Islanders to ‘get planting.’ There are three chip shops and one Chinese takeaway and although the cost of living is nearly double of that to the UK, caused by a much colder climate, poor insulation and a lack of cheaper energy options, such as mains gas. On the plus side (big plus) Lerwick does have its own brewery! Lerwick is also one of convoyer Merv’s favourite places and if you ever get a chance to have a catch up with him, he will give you a history lesson about the beautiful Shetlands and the lovely people there who always make him feel so welcome. I thought it would also be naive of me if I didn’t mention the many brilliant comments that flooded social media following the Lerwick race with a small random selection of the other fanciers who either raced as NRCC members or went on the transporter from the East Coast North Road Club. My reason for this is to show just how much of an achievement and buzz this ‘one’ race can give to the fanciers who send their birds to this race point.
The first person I would like to mention is Mark Bell whose racing name is CM and L Bell. He posted ‘We live in Bridlington; East Yorks and our bird has been to every South Road race down to Eastbourne. We then sent it to Lerwick. Our lass came on the day today from Lerwick having never been in a basket North. 423-miles, 9hrs 4 mins on the wing!! The pleasure it gave my dad was priceless!!! And its my mum’s pet one lol!’ The second mention goes to Scott Walker who posted ‘What an amazing few days flying Lerwick, winning the club 3rd section and 4th open as my first proper season racing after my dad, Tommy Walker, has not been able to look after the birds anymore so, garden shed converted and youngsters bred with a couple of old birds brought over.’ What a brilliant achievement. The third mention goes to Scott Maritt from Hull who posted ‘Sent to Lerwick and Bourges from when I was 12-years-old onwards and never clocked on the day before. I’m buzzing, 441 miles!’ Last but definitely not least, the fifth mention is for George and Steve Chalkley, who’s congratulatory post came from the LNR WhatsAppgroup and was posted by Combine secretary Johnny Purton: ‘That’s what racing is all about!!
Georgie Chalkley timed his previous 1st combine, 1st section, 9th open NRCC pigeon to win 2nd, combine 2nd section and another decent open prize. What a pigeon. 2nd time home on the day from the NRCC Lerwick race. WOW.’ The amount of lovely positive congratulatory comments and likes for the above four fanciers was brilliant and I hope it won’t be the last time they are able to share with others in the sport just how proud it made them feel to get their birds home on the day after a three day hold over, six days on the transporter, and a broody weather hen! Truly heartwarming. Congratulations must go to all the fanciers that sent with the NRCC and who got in the results; hopefully long may it continue! Thank you to everyone for sending me all of the information and photos to be able to put this article together. It is greatly appreciated and always an absolute pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing. Christina lincolnshirelondoner@gmail.com