LOFT MANAGERS REPORT - END OF SEASON  

The birds for the Winners Auction (top one hundred) are all moulting like hell and should look like pictures come auction day, which has been set for Sunday November 2nd with viewing from 11am and the sale starts at 1pm and this year we will sell the birds from the Europa lofts with light refreshments being available as usual.

The auction list is available now by clicking the Auctioneers hammer logo on the top right hand side of the Europa Classic home page. The site will go live to take your bids from late on Tuesday Oct 14th.

As well as the first hundred, we shall sell at the same time another 70 or so with full details on the auction link. With this many birds it should be a good day with plenty of action and the gallant winners of this years very hard race truly deserve big respect as hard core fighters.

Going through the pedigrees you can see the real quality entered.
The winner is bred from two prize winners in previous Europa classics and lot 15 is absolutely full of Europa winners in his pedigree. Lots 87 and 98 are both bred direct from 1st National winners !!!!!! Lot 31 and 101 are a nest pair bred direct from a first combine winner. Lot 12 is bred from parents that both finished inside the top 20 of previous Europa classics. Lot 3 is bred from a direct Janssen Bros stock cock. Lot 54 is a grandson of 1st Belgium National Cahors. Lot 2 is a grandson of 1st Belgium National Narbonne, this bird showing the speed to be up with the winners in the easy hotspot races, but as well as having the grit and determination to be second in a very testing main race and taking the New Car prize for Ace Pigeon 2008. A truly great pigeon.

It is quite obvious no matter who enters birds here, they all do the same thing and send the best they have!

Yes we truly have a great bunch of birds for sale which can truly be described as the best of the best. Of the 2,000 plus birds sent that were all trying to get in the top hundred from some of the best lofts around, these have done it!!! Never mind your pure this, or pure that, the basket never lies and these are best.
I am confident that given the race we had from 312 miles, all of these are more than capable of flying 500 miles as yearlings, which is why I am proud to announce that the Europa 500 old bird race for 2009 is definitely going ahead.
Full rules are available if you click the yellow and red Europa 500 logo link on the home page and those are the race rules we will stick to. However, all the figures were based on us getting the race full which we will not, because we just have not had enough birds home.
So what we intend to do is use these rules, but pro rata down all the prizes by the amount of birds we get and to make sure this race gets going, we will as long as we get just 100 birds entered, GUARENTEE A FIRST PRIZE OF £10,000, yes Ten Grand on offer to beat just 99 other birds.

As per the rules, the entry fee is £250 per bird. Now as well as the birds we will sell at the auction on 2nd November, we are now announcing that any fanciers that have birds they purchased from the winners auctions of 2007 and 2006, you are welcome to bring back those birds and enter them in the Europa 500. Any birds that get lost resettling will get a refund, this we are doing as a one off to try and get as many birds into the 500 as possible. Indeed we already have ten old birds on their way back from various fanciers, including Gibb & Byrne who paid a lot of money for last years Ace Pigeon and they are sending her back to have a crack at Thurso in the 500. Big respect to you guys for taking up the challenge.

JUST TO BE CLEAR, ALL THE BIRDS GETTING SOLD BY AUCTION WILL AS USUAL BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THE BUYERS. WHOEVER THEY ARE, IT IS UP TO THEM IF THEY TAKE THEM HOME, OR LEAVE THEM WITH US TO RACE THE EUROPA 500 (Lots 1 to 130 require payment of the entry fee of course).
ORIGIONAL OWNERS OR NEW OWNERS, ANYONE WHO IS THE BUYER CAN ENTER THEM INTO THE EUROPA 500 IN THE ORIGIONAL NAME OR A NEW NAME FOR A NEW OWNER.
Here is some advice to the owners of these gallant birds, don't let someone nip in and pinch your bird for £80 or something daft and then go and win the 500 with your pigeon!!! TRUST ME, YOU WONT LIKE THE FEELING.

The New rules for the 2009 Europa Classic have been sent to the RPRA for approval and the Open race licences have been issued by them, and all this is on the web site under the 2009 entry form link. As discussed last time, the rules are much the same as last year apart from the fact that the main race will be held from Carlise in 2009. Some of our best supporters have said that they would rather have stayed at Edinburgh, and believe me I respect those views, but the decision has been made and we must give it a chance. What I would say, is the people who think this will be far too easy, they should realise this is still a stiff course that will take some flying and when we fly this race, 9 times out of 10 the wind will be South Westerly right on the nose, so let's give it a chance. However we have under consideration the following:
After the main Europa Classic from Carlisle on August Bank Holiday weekend, the first hundred birds will be taken out for the winners sale, as per the rules. All other birds will be offered the chance by their owners to be withdrawn from training to be entered into the Europa 500 of the following year (at no cost other than the entry fee). Those that don't want to enter them, can if they wish stay in training for an extra race from Edinburgh in the middle of September at £50 per bird. With four big prizes paid 40%, 30%, 20% and 10%

As always any questions on any of the above, just give me a call.

Derek Nicholls - 07810 323827

  NEWS UPDATE October 9th  

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE BIRDS THAT FLEW POSITIONS 101st TO 120th
IN THIS YEARS EUROPA CLASSIC

Any birds that return after publishing this sale list will be added to the Europa 500 race team and firstly offered to the breeders, then if declined by them, added on as Venturers.

LOT 101 BELGE.08.6217285 - WINGNUTS - CHEQUER HEN - BRED BY EDD SITTNER & SAME WAY BRED AS THE WINNER OF 31ST EUROPA 08
LOT 102 GB08R03323 - HILLVIEW LOFTS - BLUE PIED COCK
LOT 103 GB08V02651 - GOLDEN MILE BOYS - BLUE HEN
LOT 104 WHU08D07401 - R & N SHEPERD - CHEQUER HEN - BRED BY P BAMFORD & SAME WAY BRED AS THE WINNER OF 58TH EUROPA 08
LOT 105 GB08S30998 - HANGMANS CORNER - BLUE HEN
LOT 106 WHU08D01417 - OWEN & HOGARTH - BLUE COCK
LOT 107 SUO8ML3706 - OLD PENTLAND BEES - BLUE WFCOCK
LOT 108WHU08K06872 - STEPHENS ROCKETS - BLUE COCK
LOT 109 GB08N39523 - HAPPYLAND LOFTS - CHEQUER WF COCK
LOT 110 BELGE.08.6002934TORA TORA TORABLUE COCK
LOT 111 SU08ML3701 - OLD PENTLAND BEES - BLUE HEN
LOT 112 GB08N37905 - SCAFFOLDING GB - BLUE COCK
LOT 113 SU08P2013 - NEW LOTHIAN SYND - BLUE COCK
LOT 114 SU08CA2373 LUCKY WHITE HEATHER - BLUECOCK
LOT 115 GB08D34833 - P T DOBIE - CHEQUER COCK
LOT 116 GB08E03851 - STOCKSBRIDGE LOFTS - BLUE COCK
LOT 117 BELGE.08.6002675 - HILLTOP LOFTS - DK PIED COCK
LOT 118 GB08S69798 - MJ WILKES & SON - BLUE HEN
LOT 119 GB08X40258 - VON RYANS EXPRESS - BLUE COCK
LOT 120 WHU08B01084 - DEE & IAN - BLUE HEN

Any owners of lots 101 to 120 that want to enter them into the Europa 500, can do so by just paying the £250 per bird entry fee and your bird will be withdrawn from the auction for you.


THE FOLLOWING ARE BIRDS IN THE LOFT THAT WERE LOST BEFORE THE MAIN EDINBURGH RACE AND HAVE SINCE RETURNED
PLEASE BE AWARE THEY HAVE NOT FLOWN THE 300 MILE RACE
However, there are some really nice birds amongst them
Lot 125 was 3rd in one of the hotspots and turned up hawked on the day of the race!
Lot 126 flew all the hotspots but went missing from the last but one training toss and turned up an hour after the transporter left for the main race with a knock on the leg.
They are all worth giving a chance.

LOT 121 SU08CA551 - BLUE COCK - THE GLASSMEN
LOT 122 GB08N23811 - CHEQUER COCK - ELIMAR VENTURER
LOT 123 GB08Z44381 - BLUE COCK - LAMP LIGHTER
LOT 124 WHU08D12092 - MEALIE COCK - WILDWEST WIZARD
LOT 125 WHU08D01418 - BLUE COCK - OWEN & HOGARTH
LOT 126 SU08CA665 - CHEQUER COCK - B CUNNINGHAM
LOT 127 BELGE.08.6001089 - CHEQUER WF HEN - HILLTOP LOFTS
LOT 128 GB08T07418 - CHEQUER HEN - M & W SYNDICATE
LOT 129 GB08C27201 - BLUE COCK - CORRIGS SYNDICATE
LOT 130 GB08T31913 DK - CHEQUER COCK - VENTURER EUROPA

Any owners of lots 121 to 130 that want to enter them into the Europa 500, can do so By just paying the £250 entry fee, and your bird will be withdrawn from the auction for you.


THE FOLLOWING LOTS ARE ALL PRIZE WINNERS IN THE EUROPA CLASSICS OF 2007
They were bought by the race organisers to breed venturers, but we are now willing to sell them to flyers looking for good birds to fly the Europa 500 in 2009.
THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BUY THEM TO ENTER IN THE 2009 EUROPA 500 OLD BIRD RACE

MINIMUM BID IS £250 WHICH IS THE COST OF ENTERING THE EUROPA 500
AFTER THAT THEY WILL BE SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER AND THE PRICE PAID WILL INCLUDE THE ENTRY FEE INTO THE EUROPA 500 OLD BIRD RACE

LOT 140 GB07Z28607 - CHRIS TURNER - CHEQUER HEN - WON 19TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 141 GB07B20855 - BRIDLINGTON BLUE HEN - WON 27TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 142 SU07P543D - NEWCOMBE - CHEQUER COCK - WON 45TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 143 WHU07T00158 - HOWELLS & T - BLUE HEN - WON 50TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 144 SU07P3326 - NEW LOTHIAN - CHEQUER COCK - WON 54TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 145 GB07F29167 - KENTISH MEN - DARK HEN - WON 57TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 146 GB07Z57425 - LIZ KIRK - BLUE COCK - WON 68TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 147 NEHU07CON124 - SOME SPECIAL - CHEQUER COCK - WON 91ST EUROPA 2007
LOT 148 SU07CA1775 - B CUNNINGHAM - BLUE COCK - WON 95TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 149 BELGE.07.6014635 - PARKSIDE - LIGHT CHEQUER HEN - WON 182ND EUROPA 2007
LOT 150 BELGE.07.3186070 - NAT' BOYS - BLUE WF HEN - WON 229TH EUROPA 2007
LOT 151 NL.07.1207189 - GERARD KOOPMAN - BL COCK - WON 231ST EUROPA 2007
LOT 152 BELGE.07.3186113 - S HANSON - BLUE WF HEN - WON 233RD EUROPA 2007
LOT 153 BELGE.07.6015142 - UNKNOWN - parkside lofts - BLUE HEN - WON 123RD EUROPA 2007
LOT 154 WHU07C08010 - UNKNOWN - mad cow - BLUE WF COCK - WON 135TH EUROPA 2007


THE FOLLOWING LOTS FLEW THE EUROPA CLASSIC 2007 OUTSIDE THE PRIZES

LOT 155 GB07E17754 - WISKEN & GARDENER - BLUE COCK
LOT 156 GB07D16298 - GIBB & BYRNE - CHEQUER HEN
LOT 157 SU07P542 - DALE NEWCOMBE - CHEQUER COCK
LOT 158 WHU07D02611 - BIG FRED - DK CHEQUER COCK
LOT 159 WHU07C06307 - BJ & JB - BLUE HEN
LOT 160 WHUO7C03387 - ROMPNEY REBELS - BLUE HEN
LOT 161WHU07T00486 - TYNANT TIGERS - CHEQUER PIED COCK
LOT 162 GB07K22793 - DURHAN CHAIN GANG - BLUE HEN
LOT 163 ROMANIA07.6266 - PELTESCU TANASE - DARK CHEQUER COCK


THE FOLLOWING LOTS WERE ALL PRIZEWINNERS IN THE EUROPA CLASSIC OF 2006

LOT 164 GB06C84454 - NIKKIES GIRLPEN - PIED COCK - WON 5TH EUROPA 2006
LOT 165 BELGE.06.6007561 - W'WEDDING SYND - BLUE COCK - WON 10TH IN EUROPA 2006
LOT 166 GB06N55201 - FORMULA 1 LOFTS - BLUE HEN - WON 34TH IN EUROPA 20006
LOT 167 WHU06N14231 - SCAMMELL & PEPLOE - CHEQUER COCK - WON 67TH IN EUROPA 20006
LOT 168 NL.06.4063901 - H VAN BOXMEER - CHEQUER HEN - WON 100TH IN EUROPA 20006
LOT 169 GB06B54571 - BROMFORD SYND - BLUE COCK - WON 120TH IN EUROPA 20006


ANY FURTHER BIRDS THAT RETURN BEFORE WE PAIR THE OLD BIRDS UP WILL BE ADDED TO THE RACE TEAM OF THE EUROPA 500, AND FIRSTLY OFFERED TO THEIR ORIGINAL ENTRANTS AND IF DECLINED BY THEM, ADDED ON AS VENTURERS FOR ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.

  LOFT MANAGERS REPORT - FINAL RACE 2008 

First of all let me say sorry for the delay in this report but I have had to think long and hard before I put pen to paper. Now in consultation with my family, partners, and local club I have our new direction set in my mind, but before we talk of the future let me recap on 2008. As you all know we had a great series of hot spot races and were bang on target with over 50% of the birds making it to the final race.

All who attended the marking were in agreement that the birds were in great condition with over a thousand birds in perfect feather and just a hundred or so that were a bit loose in the body feather but none at all in a bad moult. Two of the birds were found to have small cuts from hawk strikes and I put a couple of stitches in these as they were not to bad and I know that Jim was not to keen on the idea of these birds going to the race but I spoke to the owners and as usual they wanted them sent!

After the security marking attended by this years security observer who was Jim Dyer a lay preacher and pillar of his local community as well as a life long pigeon flyer and local reporter, the birds were then placed back in the loft and fed and watered Jim then sealed the loft up at 7pm and handed over to the night watchman and convoyer, who slept at the lofts.7am Saturday Jim arrived and broke the seal to the loft and the birds were then again fed and watered and at 11am the birds were loaded onto the transporter and then sealed into the crates by Jim. The journey north was totally uneventful and they arrived in Edinburgh at 8pm and the birds were watered next morning the birds were given more water and made ready to liberate.

At the home end our race advisers were surfing all the weather web sites and consulting widely, the consensus was that the country was split by weather down the middle from Scotland to the south coast of England and the forecast was that from the middle of the country out to the west it would be dry good visibility with the odd rain shower however from the middle of the country over to the east coast there would low cloud mist and some heavy rain showers, winds in all areas of the north would generally easterly or north east and west or south west in the south. With this in mind our thoughts were that if we liberate in an east wind this should send them down the west side of the country into the decent weather and get home without to much trouble this decision was taken on a unanimous vote by the 6 people involved, and Jim was asked to cut the seals at 0720 ready for a 0730 liberation. All 20 of the guys that were attending Hopetoun house to watch the liberation were more than impressed with the condition of the birds and the liberation in which all 1176 birds cleared south in very short time, even though a batch of about 100 did come back over the site 10 minutes later. the whole thing was video taped as usual by the convoyer, and while Jim and the assistant convoyer/driver went home in the transporter the convoyer himself caught a plane from Edinburgh to Cardiff airport and the film of the liberation was being shown on the big screens to the assembled crowd of 450 waiting in the marquee just after noon and it was plain to see that it was a good liberation in good conditions.
This obviously prompted the crowds to think this was going to be a very easy race as the guess the time competition was flooded by tickets guessing 5, 6 and 7 hours very few thinking it would be more than that, in fact less than ten people put down more than 10 hours, the eventual winning guess being 14 hours odd that was from a woman non fancier from the west country then one from Lee Jones a non fancier of 13 hours and Poor old Louise Draper from Cardiff who in fact wanted to guess 15 hours but her fancier husband told her not to be so daft and made her change it to less than ten hours, the reason I mention this is because of the hundreds of experienced flyers who were at the race had all seen the weather forecasts and just about every one of them was expecting conditions to be plenty good enough to provide a good race and were betting their money to say so with predictions of an easy race and even though 6 people made the decision to liberate this was endorsed by at least another 20 in Edinburgh and another 450 in Cardiff.

However as we all now know what followed was a very bad race with no birds on the day it soon became clear to me that the birds for some crazy reason had gone down the eastern side of the country into the worst of the weather which by the way was a lot worse than what was forecast including flash floods in Northumberland from late morning just about the time the birds would have got there if they took the eastern route.

Anyway we are all pigeon flyers and sometimes you just get a very bad one when you just never saw it coming, who will ever forget the RPRA Centenary race! And this was one of those days. The poor boys in Galway did not get a single bird in race time up at the same time as us. As I said at the dinner on the night this means that everyone is still a potential winner and the birds with true grit will come second day to win this race.

The loft was attended by 20 people overnight including our own security I arrived at first light by the time we had got the bacon rolls tea and coffee sorted out we had got nearly a hundred people waiting for the birds, then just before a quarter to eleven a lone blue pigeon dropped from the dead north and trapped to make itself a true hero in a very hard race and nice to say the owners Bill and Beryl Lewis were there to see it and take the many congratulations from the gathered crowd as well as the famous winners jacket, crystal glassware and trophy. This lovely couple are well known one loft flyers that have been around the world at the best one loft races,

The winning bird that is truly bred for the job both parents are big winners in previous Europa classics! Second bird arrived 24 minutes later this was one for our Kuwait friends namely Nabeel Albaker who is an officer in the Kuwait army this was bred for him by Elimar, and has a pedigree full of long distance national winners this runner up is also the car winner Ace bird for best average all races 2008.these were followed throughout the day by another 27 valiant birds that had obviously seen a great deal of rain, eventually we had just 48 birds in race time, and the clock will be left on for at least a week, While others drift home. Obviously the RPRA rules say we can not pay prizes to the birds outside race time however we will give a credit in next years race to all the birds up to the one hundredth home to the same value of the prize allocated for that position.

As per the rules all prizes will be reduced by one third as the published prizes are based on the loft being full at 1000 paid birds and 2000 reserves and as we all know the loft only had 660 paid birds plus reserves this is a simple calculation, as the race was less than two thirds full, we pay two thirds of the projected prize money that is exactly what has happened in previous one loft races flown by the RPRA itself as well as this years Emerald Classic and South west one loft races.

Apart from the winners £30,000.00 which will be paid in full twenty thousand from the race and ten thousand from our sponsors Europa Auctions like the rest of the prizes this was not guaranteed but I personally have always said the winner of this race will get thirty grand no matter what and I will make sure that happens.

That is 2008 out the way now for the future,

It has always been our intention for this race to be a true test of a pigeon to sometimes push them to the limit in an effort to find true champions this is why we have chosen a very difficult race point at 312 miles to be the final test of the birds we are sent by our loyal customers each year, and even though the race has never been full we have paid the prizes in full thinking if we do that the race will be full next year but this has never happened and it may never happen so perhaps it is now time to make some changes and these are my proposals.

As from 2009 the Europa classic will not be considered the final test of the birds you send us but just a stepping stone to the Europa 500 which will be.

Europa Classic will still have the same race rules and entry fees and prize money as previous years, but it will be flown from Carlisle 240 miles and it will be flown on August bank holiday weekend and will be preceded by 5 hot spot races from Brough 200 miles Leyland 160 miles twice Whitchurch 100 miles and Ludlow 60 miles.
We anticipate getting a big percentage of the bird's home from Carlisle which is a much easier race. These young birds can then be entered by their owners into the Europa 500 to be flown as old birds from 500 miles and this will be our new ultimate challenge for the birds we are sent to race, giving our long distance men a chance to shine. Obviously flown as old birds fully motivated into widowhood boxes it will be much easier to get a classic long distance performance from the birds. Also giving our customers year long entertainment from short middle and long distance races.

Finally I would like to thank the many people who have phoned and e mailed with messages of support, of course hundreds of people had a great day out eating and drinking all day with a super atmosphere at the loft even with no birds on the day.
Bill Lewis thinks it was a great race of course Beryl was reduced to tears of joy and all the other big money winners are pleased, those that did not get a bird are disappointed this we understand, and most of the guys who are down at the moment are already saying or well better luck next year because we will be having another go then. Nobody is more disappointed than me and the team. I was 100% sure we were going to get 600 birds home however that's racing, and perhaps we are pushing them to hard that's why we are making the changes we have outlined, please be aware this is very serious for us it is full time jobs on the line here for people who work hard and try their best for you. Indeed we have had very few complaints from our loyal customers who have seen many good races here at the Europa Classic, however you get knockers who have never been to the race and these numptys who hide in a chat room where any Tom, Dick or Darren can say any old rubbish that is no where near the truth need to be treated like the scum they are. Why the hell would I want to throw away all the birds when the auction money alone could be up to a hundred thousand pounds!!!!!!

Any way roll on next year for the dawn of a new era.

Best of luck to you all

Derek Nicholls and all the Europa Classic/Europa 500 Team

  LOFT MANAGERS REPORT - LAST HOT SPOT 5  

The 1342 birds remaining were basketed for the last hot spot on Thursday night and travelled up to Leyland at 0400 the weather all the way was clear skies and a light tail wind. Birds were then liberated 0800 and a faster race than the previous week was anticipated by the 80 or so flyers waiting at the lofts enjoying the bacon rolls and free flowing cups of tea, most of the clever money was on the three and a half hour mark to cover the 160 miles. However just before quarter past eleven a group of 5 birds were sighted heading for the lofts up very high, indeed like dots in the sky, as these five circled to get down to loft roof level from very high, a group of just over a 100 birds were seen heading to the loft from further towards the north and this lot were already very low at loft roof level, all these birds then hit the concrete trapping area together and indeed we timed in 114 birds in less than a minute!!!!!!!

The lucky fancier to win the brand new car for first prize was Tim Christmas of Kent, of course with over a hundred birds together in front of the trap it has to be an element of luck as to which ones decide to go through the trap first and win the big prizes, that's why a one loft race of this size and stature has to hold the final from over 300 miles as it takes at least that sort of distance with a good jump into it, to separate these birds down to a reasonable chance of getting just one bird alone to win the main event or at worst no more than 3 or 4 together.
Anyway luck or not, well done to Tim for a top bird that was 2nd in the 4th hotspot 1st in the last hotspot and 1st in the Hereford trainer one day in the 7 days that separated these races as well as ending up Ace bird sprint best average all five hot spot races. Perhaps there was not that much luck involved after all eh!!

This last hot spot was a great race in which we timed 500 birds in less than 5 minutes and over 800 birds in less than 10 minutes with 1177 birds recorded before the close of the race that represents returns of very close to 90% and these figures if you look through previous races and training would suggest that we have here a team of about 800 birds which really are trying every time we liberate them this being backed up by the fact that the first 800 birds in the ace pigeon standings are separated by less than 2 hours after 5 races and the best part of 600 miles of flying, if your bird is not in the top 800 at the present please do not be despondent as we have seen many times that top performers at 300 miles quite often come from well down the rankings at the sprints, as the Edinburgh to Cardiff route is not just about speed but a great lump of heart courage and brains are also needed by the winners of this the real deal of one loft races for young birds across Europe.

Any way we look forward to seeing you all once again under the Europa big top marquee this is your last chance to book the hotel at £149 per person for 2 nights at the hotel, 2 breakfast, dinner dance bus transfers and food and drink inside the marquee all inclusive it really is value for money.
Day visitors are £15 standing or £20 seated in the tent
Loft open from 9 am to 8pm

For those interested in increasing their team we still have 100 birds in the race unpaid and all listed as bird for sale £100 each.
For those that still have birds in the race in their own name which have not been paid these will now be changed to bird for sale and sold to anyone interested. You have been warned the birds have done the job by flying all the races and training. And every one of the 1200 remaining birds has every chance of winning this great race. However if you don't pay for it then you can't win it, and I am pretty sure someone else will, you all know this has happened before and will probably happen again. But don't let it happen to you!

Best of luck to you all
Derek Nicholls - 07810 323827

  LOFT MANAGERS REPORT - HOT SPOT 4  

The 1662 remaining birds were loaded on the transporter 7pm on Thursday night and drinkers attached until they left for Leyland at 0400 on Friday morning. It was a stunning beautiful day that dawned as the birds travelled north with clear blue skies and wall to wall sunshine, birds arrived at Leyland at 0800 and more water was offered to the birds whilst they rested after the journey for a quarter of an hour, Then they were liberated at 0820 in perfect racing conditions and a very slight head wind. Most of the 50 flyers waiting at the loft gave the birds a four hour fly for this race However a few of the better judges thought that they would make more than 40 mph for the 160 miles and predicted arrivals by 12 noon.

As it turned out noon came and went with no birds but at 4 minutes past twelve a group of 20 birds were sighted coming for the loft right on line, just behind this batch were another 2 groups of about ten birds each and all these hit the loft together and just after five past they starting going through the trap, with thirty birds recorded in less than a minute.

These were followed by batches of an average of 50 in each and we had 500 on the clock in ten minutes and over 1000 birds on the clock in less than half an hour, then they started to come in groups of 4 or 5 at a time and quickly started to arrive one at a time when we still had 500 birds away, this is always a bad sign and sure enough we ended up with 1333 birds home and over 300 missing! On the plus side we have got over 80% of the birds home, no comfort however to the people who have lost their birds! It is a plain fact that has been proven year after year at the Europa, as long as we keep the birds at or below 100 miles we will and do get most of the birds home however when you go to 160 miles you are going to lose between 10 and 30 percent.

That's just a fact of life, and as this is a quest for excellence to find the best birds here flying from the full classic distance of over 300 miles for young birds you are going to have some loss's along the way.

Anyway the last hotspot is this coming week with massive prizes on offer including a brand new car for the winner!!! We are due to fly from Leyland again on Friday however if the weather forecast is not good for Friday we won't delay until Saturday because of federation racing, but we will in fact bring the race ahead a day to Thursday if the forecast is better for then, so get your pools in early and keep an eye on the web site.

Best of luck to you all, for those not in the race we have plenty of birds for sale so anyone can join in just pick one out of the training list and pay the £100 activation fee by credit card on the phone and you are in the best one loft race in Europe!!!!

Derek Nicholls - 07810 323827

  LOFT MANAGERS REPORT - HOT SPOT 3  

The remaining 1,840 birds were race marked for the third hotspot race due to take place from Nantwich 110 miles on Sunday August the tenth. However as most federations were held over on the Saturday before, we decided to fly from Whitchurch 100 miles and west of most federations flight paths along the M6 corridor. The birds were loaded on the transporter at 0530 hrs on Sunday morning and they travelled to whitchurch which saw a decent day weather wise except for a very strong west wind with frequent very heavy rain showers.
It was obvious to me and all the 50 or so other guys waiting for arrivals at the loft that it was going to be a hard race, and the first real challenge for the birds this year. However hard a day as it was we liberated the birds at 0950 into clear skies and a strong west south west wind, most were predicting a 3 hour fly.
What most people don't realise is that the loft is only 500 yards away from the sea and when the rain and wind squalls come in from the west it is very wild and blustery indeed, the wind just before the birds got home was so strong my grandson Finn could not even stand up unaided in front of the loft as the wind was so strong. Anyway a batch of about 40 birds were sighted at 1240hrs flying very low and fighting hard against the wind to drop on the loft roof, right behind these were another two groups of about 30 birds in each batch. As the birds landed a tremendous gust of wind blew in from the sea and the birds all had to crouch down tight against the roof to avoid getting blown off!!!!!
A minute later as the wind dropped a little, the birds flew down to the trap and 99 birds were recorded on the clock in less than a minute. The remaining birds then battled in at groups of about 50 at a time for the next half an hour indeed we had over 1000 birds recorded in less than 20 minutes and a total of 1,671 birds home on the day which is over 90% on a very hard day.

This week's fourth hotspot race will be flown Friday from Leyland 160 miles. So get the pools in early also the hotel wants definite numbers off us in 7 days so if you want to stay with us for the weekend book now or it will be to late.

For those who don't have their own birds in the race, all spare birds are now listed as BIRD FOR SALE on the training results and are available to anyone at £100 each.

Tickets to the main race are now available at £15 each food and drink included or £20 each seated in the marquee. Dinner tickets for the presentation in the night at the Copthorne Hotel are £40 each to non hotel guests and these are included free of charge to those who have bought the hotel package.

Best of Luck
Derek Nicholls - 07810 323827

  LOFT MANAGERS REPORT - HOT SPOT 2  

Race 2 has arrived and we counter marked 1959 birds into the Unikon clock, just 26 down on last weeks race, we were scheduled to go from Whitchurch 100 miles but with not the best of weather forecast and the fact that the day previous thousands of birds were lost by the local federations on both north and south routes with no particular cause or reason, we decided to play safe and go short to just south of Shrewsbury 80 miles liberated into a light west wind with broken cloud and sunshine at 0950 most of the 70 or so fanciers present at the lofts were predicting a 2 hour fly. But we can only assume they picked up some north in the wind as just before half past eleven a batch of about 75 were sighted heading for the loft out of the east, as these circled the loft dropping towards the trap a second batch of about 125 birds arrived and they all landed on the trapping area together and 200 birds were recorded on the Unikon OLS clock in just 61 seconds!!! We clocked over 1000 birds in less than five minutes and had another great race, however we only got back 1881 birds so infact lost 78 birds if yours was one of them, I am sorry we do our best but as hard as we try there is no way we can keep hold of them all, as we all know, that is young bird racing!
Congratulations to the lucky prizewinners.

Next weeks race is from Nantwich, and as a lot of flyers usually turn up at this site to watch us liberate the address is Brookfield Park, Shrewbridge, Nantwich. Code 4074
However please be aware any doubt on the weather again and we will go short so please phone us before you travel to far.

Our announcement last week that we are running an old bird race as from next year has been met with great approval by all but one of the many, many people that have contacted me over the Europa 500 most seem to favour the option of flying the race in conjunction with the Welsh grand National Thurso race, and we will keep you informed of progress before the entry forms and rules are released at this years Europa classic Sept 7th in actual fact we have booked in the first 4 birds to the Europa 500 when I explained to the 2 guys involved that we can not guarantee that they will have birds home from Edinburgh to put into the race both said the same thing, don’t worry about that I will get 2 out of the auctions if that’s the case but make sure my spaces are booked as a 400 bird limit means spaces might be snapped up really quick.
And I suppose they could be right so they are in and we have our first 4 birds booked into the ‘Europa 500’ 2009!!! We have also been given more sponsorship from those wonderful people at Unikon who have told us they will supply us with an additional timing system for the new Europa 500 loft thanks to Ray Knight and Darren Harold who will be in attendance at the main race to discuss all your ETS needs, don’t forget they are the market leaders because they are the best and we should all support those who support us.

If you want to stay with us at the Copthorne Hotel for the 2 day main race package get on to us ASAP as the rooms are now going fast.

Best of luck for this week’s forthcoming 3rd hotspot race.

Derek Nicholls 07810 323827

  JULY LOFT MANAGERS REPORT  

(First Hot spot race Ludlow 60 Miles)

Well as most of you will know from watching the website our early training has gone without a hitch and the birds are in great condition and form. Therefore we are proud to announce that we have indeed reached our first annual target that was to get 90% of all the birds that entered the Europa Classic loft for 2008 into the first hotspot race! The first race marked list shows 1975 birds going to race one, and another 8 birds in the sick bay with broken legs and other wire damage giving a total 1983 birds here out of the original 2204 birds that is indeed over 90% great news !!!!!.

Our second target is to get home at least 90% of all the birds sent to each hotspot so lets hope our luck holds out, as you can see from the following we are indeed still on target after the first race which was probably the best race we have ever had at the Europa.

Sunday July 27th 0530hrs we started to basket up the birds by 0710hrs the last of the 1975 birds were on the super Geraldy/Mercedes transporter and by 0715hrs we were on our way to Ludlow, the drive northwards was totally uneventful and all we saw on route was clear blue skies and brilliant hot sunshine with perhaps if any wind at all just a very slight tail wind. At 0850hrs we arrived at the Ludlow liberation site, normally I would not give the birds a drink before the first race as they only left the loft 3 or 4 hours previously, however as it was already 75 degrees I decided to quickly offer the birds water from the geraldy gimble watering system and my thanks to bob and the other 2 flyers that had arrived to watch the birds get liberated who helped with the watering. Then at 0900 hrs the birds were liberated and with only one circle of the site they turned due south heading for home and looking like they meant business! At the home end Russ on the trapping whistle and the girls cooking up the free bacon rolls and about 75 flyers were enjoying the food drinks and fine weather when at 1023 hrs a tight group of about 150 birds were sighted coming in from the dead north as these birds swung a circle around the loft another batch of 200 were seen right behind them these more in a line than a tight batch and as these were landing on the trap area a third group of about 500 were seen heading towards the loft in a great long line across the clear blue sky indeed a fantastic sight and the marvellous unikon timing system recorded over 1500 birds through the trap in less than 6 minutes!!!!! First in and the winner was Dean Pallatt flying in his first ever one loft race!! A man with a life time of pigeon racing and breeding experience at the highest level and indeed very close to being a household name in British pigeon racing well done Dean I said you would enjoy it if you gave us a chance!!!

I was happy to see 9 of the top 10 birds were activated birds so only one flyer lost out on the prize money they could have won. So please activate those spares to avoid getting caught out as per the rules any bird not paid after hot spot 2, will be re listed as BIRD FOR SALE available to any one who wants to pay for it!!! The venturers are already selling so please don't think your bird will just be left unpaid it has always proved in years gone by IF YOU DON'T PAY FOR YOUR BIRD SOMEONE ELSE WILL!!

As we can all see 60 miles is no way far enough to split these birds up, we know this but we have to start somewhere and the good news is we got over 99% of the birds home ready to fly hotspot 2 on Aug 3rd from just short of 100 miles should present a bit more of a challenge good luck to you all.

The hotel bookings are now coming in thick and fast and those that want to attend should make the booking ASAP at a total cost £149 per person for 2 nights in the 4 star Copthorne hotel, free bus transfer free food and drink at the loft marquee and full silver service dinner dance in the hotel ballroom it surely is great value and a great weekend away so come and join us.

SEND YOUR BOOKING DIRECT TO RUSSELL OR USE YOUR CREDIT CARD ON 07900 131592

The birds will be trained every day this week Monday to Friday ready for the second Hotspot race on Sunday track your birds on the site under training if you want to keep an eye on them with a view to pooling them, and we hope to see plenty of you down at the loft waiting for birds from 1000hrs on Sunday.

On a separate issue we have now decided that as from 2009 we will be holding a race for old birds from 500 miles full rules will be available from Sept 7th but the main points are, of the birds that get home from the main race this year a maximum of 400 birds will be allowed to compete in the 'Europa 500' these old birds will be flown to a brand new widowhood loft that we have got planning permission for, sited right next to the existing Europa Classic loft the new old bird loft being ninety feet by twenty feet Containing 200 nest boxes and 200 hen boxes these birds will be paired, bred from and flown on classic round about system, for a hot spot race of 260 miles another hotspot race of 330 miles and then the main race of 500 miles.

Cost will be £250 per bird to enter with a first prize of TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS.

At this stage we have 3 options that is

(A) to transport the birds our selves as per the Europa Classic or

(B) To transfer all the birds into a holding name and join the Welsh Grand National and fly the birds in the 3 Nationals they already hold at the same distances on the same dates this means the National would be in control of the birds after basketting, and the Europa 500 birds would be eligible to win prizes in the National including 1st OPEN NATIONAL in a club where we are well situated to expect to compete at the top level against local flyers and indeed the whole of Wales

(C) to join the NRCC and fly a hotspot race from their Perth National and then the final Europa 500 from their Thurso National the downside of this option is that we are in a very bad loft position for this club, flying a hundred plus miles further than most members and against a very adverse east to west drag. However the upside is we would have the chance of competing in 2 of the most prestigious races flown on the north road in Great Britain and if we could some how against all the odds win 1st Open National for one of our owners it would truly be an achievement of International note !!

LET US HAVE YOUR THOUGHTS

Anyway back to 2008
As per the Europa classic rules the first 100 bird's home from the main Edinburgh race this year will be sold at auction.
Whoever then buys those birds can take them home as in previous years, or as from this year they can elect to pay the entry fee and leave them at the loft to fly the Europa 500. Any birds home from Edinburgh outside the first 100 can be entered into the Europa 500 by the owner just by paying the entry fee nothing else, any owner that does not want to enter his bird in the 500 that bird will be offered for sale by auction and the buyer will then be entitled to enter that bird in the 500 if he so wishes.

Over the next 28 days anyone that would like to send any ideas they have for rules for the new Europa 500 please send them to me by e mail
Best of luck to you all

Derek Nicholls - 07810 323827

  JUNE LOFT MANAGERS REPORT  

"JOYUS JOY"

This is the best time of year for the loft manager of a one loft race, no more small babies to worry about and you can get to work on your team for the year! The loft has closed to entries at the end of May, with almost an identical number of birds as last year, that being a total of 2206 birds from 12 countries for the 2008 Europa Classic.
We are of course disappointed not to have filled the race yet again, but we thank you all for your support, and promise to strive to bring you the best race in Europe yet again this year.
All birds have now been flying out at the loft for at least 3 weeks, and are let out each day at 06-45am and fly very well roaming the skies of south east Wales for at least one hour fifteen minutes until about 08-00am, and will do at least another 3 hours during the rest of the day. They are in super condition and great form, so we introduced them to the transporter the last week of June and have just been given their first toss from 5 miles.
Of the 2206 birds entered into the loft we have still got 2162 birds here alive, well, and successfully home from training that is a very impressive 98% of all birds! Figures which are normal for the Europa but that can not be matched by any other one loft race in the world! Of course it is inevitable that we are going to lose pigeons but we do set the standard year on year that others can not match. Our targets for this year are the same as previous years and are as follows

We started with 2206 birds and our aim for the years is;
Get 90% of those to the first hot spot that is 1980 birds
Get 90% of those to the second hot spot that is 1780 birds
Get 90% of those to the third hot spot that is 1600 birds
Get 90% of those to the fourth hot spot that is 1440 birds
Get 90% of those to the fifth hotspot that is 1300 birds
Get 90% of those to the FINAL race that is 1170 birds


This is above the magic figure of 50% of all birds going to the final? It is our aim to maintain these figures and if we do not, it is regarded as a failure to you as our customers, on our part. At this stage I would like again to thank our sponsors for their wonderful products that enable us to maintain 2000 plus birds in peak condition. Namely Gem Supplements for the corn and natural health products and supplements including of course the miracle products of Gemthepax and Strike 2, BRIAN AND VIV YOU TRULY ARE DIAMONDS. Thanks also to the Australian pigeon companys medications for standard pigeon ailments worms, canker, coccidiossis, etc these are also via GEM.

Also many thanks to Doctor Ockie Botha from South Africa for his made to measure Specialist antibiotics for the times early in the year when you mix together babies from 500 plus different lofts when you must watch the babies so very carefully before they have built the group immunity that can only come with time, vaccinations and medications given at the precise right time in the precise right order. As always all prescription medicines are overseen by our retained veterinary surgeon. Ockie Bothas new cure for young bird sickness in particular is totally miraculous. THANK YOU OCKIE MY FRIEND.

The game plan from now to the first race on Sunday July 27th is as follows:
We will continue to loft fly the birds, as well as slowly training the birds by road up to increasing distances up to our daily standard toss of Hereford, 40 miles as the bird fly’s. Exactly when will depend on the weather etc, but we intend to get to this point sometime before the middle of July and as from Sunday July 20th we will no longer loft fly the birds at all but toss every day at Hereford and publish this training every day on the website.

I REPEAT AS FROM JULY 20th YOU CAN FOLLOW THE BIRDS EVERY DAY ON THE SITE, UNTIL THEN YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO BE PATIENT A LITTLE LONGER.
Russell has sent all the pool sheets, hotel booking forms etc with this report and you will get a letter just before the first race telling you how many of your birds are still in the loft. Inviting you to activate your reserves at £100 each before the deadline of August 1st when if not paid for by you will be re listed on the computer as BIRD FOR SALE!
Always remember this however, when we do a head count on the day we inform you of what is left here it is a snapshot of that day and bear in mind in training we could have say 20 missing that day that could return the next or indeed a few days after that, and go on to fly with distinction later in the year. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES
The safest way is to pay for all your reserves before the first race, that way they will all count for all the prizes including the ace bird prize for fully activated birds from before the first race! Last years ace bird missed out on a brand new car because of this. So if you sent 1 paid and 2 reserves pay for the 2 reserves now it’s the safest way!
Also remember, ANY ACTIVATED RESERVE THAT IS LOST BEFORE THE 1st OF AUGUST WILL HAVE THE £100 ACTIVATION FEE REFUNDED IN FULL!
Best of luck to you all. I am sure we have a great team of birds here and am confident of putting on a great race series for 2008. One thing is for sure someone is going to win THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS, and this race has shown many times, every one has the same chance to win in this race, but you have to be in it to win it!

Best regards
Derek Nicholls
Loft manager
Any queries call 07810 323827

All are welcome at the lofts on the following mornings for free tea, coffee, bacon rolls, doughnuts etc.

First hotspot race Sunday July 27th 60 miles
Second hotspot race Sunday august 3rd 100 miles
Third hotspot race Sunday august 10th 120 miles
Fourth hotspot race Friday august 15th 160 miles
Fifth hotspot race Friday 22nd 160 miles

MAIN RACE SUNDAY SEPT 7th WITH AS ALWAYS THE MARQUEE, BIG SCREENS, FREE BEER, FREE FOOD, FREE PARKING AND THE USUAL CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE. TO QUOTE MANY FANCIERS, "The best day out in pigeon racing".
All for only £15 per person to get into the grounds and school children go free!
Tickets in advance available now, LIMITED TO THE FIRST 1000 PEOPLE ONLY! The hotel guests are also included at no extra charge.
SEE HOTEL PACKAGE FOR DETAILS.

  MAY LOFT MANAGERS REPORT  

“Time is getting on in the year and in my last report I told you that we had 1500 birds at the loft and by the second weekend in May all of those 1500 birds were flying out and I might add are in super form and condition. On the latest intake that is the last but one we had a further 270 birds, which are now in the aviary taking a good look around before they join the flying out birds in another 10-days. We then had an intake of birds on the weekend of the 9th May so those figures will have increased even further to close on last year’s numbers in fact as I write these notes we have had 100 birds for this intake. This final intake session will last until the 23rd May and by then we will be in good strong position for the season.
This now brings the total birds in the loft to 1870 and with 2 weeks to go at time of penning these notes before the final closing of the loft for 2008 we fully expect to get over 2000 birds in total for this years Europa Classic. We already have birds in this year from China, Taiwan, Romania, Spain, America and indeed birds from a total of 14 different countries. We have missed the entries from a couple of Countries in the Middle East who supported our race well so the restrictions by DEFRA have affected the numbers in the race. This all points to yet another truly great international event that will be a great day out for all the family come final race day at the lofts and the Copthorne Hotel Cardiff. (LJP. We went to take some birds to the lofts and decided to stay at the Hotel for the night instead of travelling back home and it is a nice Hotel) Don’t forget anyone can win this race that has been proven year after year however as always to win it you must of course enter so if your sat on the fence now is your last chance.

If you are new to one loft racing or unsure about any of our rules or procedures just pick up the phone and ask. But come fly with us and be part of the greatest one loft race in Europe.

Best of luck to you all. Loft manager Derek Nicholls. 07810 323827”

  APRIL LOFT MANAGERS REPORT  

Well since my last report we have had another 1000 birds into the loft, which brings the total so far to 1500. This number will increase and be within range of last year’s numbers because there are another 2 opening periods right up to the final loft closing date the third week in May. In those periods we expect to take in at least 250 from each therefore we anticipate attracting over 2000 birds in the 2008 Europa classic and match the record-breaking entries of 2006 and 2007.

The many visitors of the last month have all commented on the 2008 improvements we have made to benefit the birds and our flyers/guests, they have all been very positive and complimentary and we appreciate their input. We have also just purchased a new state of the art lawn mower and I am assured by Rhys the loft cleaner/grounds man that with this new machine he will have the 3 acre lawn in front of the lofts in such fine condition that our 1000 guests will be able to play croquet on it come final race day, best of luck to him.
Speaking of our guests the hotel bookings are going very well and yes the price in the brochure is for 2 nights not just one like last year and is very nearly half the price for a very nice 4 star hotel that the Copthorne Cardiff offer, check it out on the website and get it booked for a top weekend win lose or draw.

The first 500 birds that are now flying out are going really well and flying at least 2 hours a day and by the time this report appears towards the end of April we will have the next 600 birds flying out giving us a batch of 1100 flying around the home skies a truly great sight. If you have not sent your birds yet it is still not to late to enter just pick up the phone. Please don’t think that because they are towards the end of the intake they are at any disadvantage as I explained to Mr Lin from China whose 24 birds are coming to the loft at the end of April, last years 2007 Europa Classic had 4 birds drop together to win the final race from Edinburgh of which 3 of them came to the loft in May. And many top judges are convinced the later you send them the better they are for the final race. People who insist they are not sending until May this year include previous big winners in the race such as Edd Sittner, Mark & Dick Evans, Brian Bolton and Gerard Koopman who is currently one of Europe’s top fanciers.

Don’t forget we always welcome guests/visitors to come and have a look around, even if you are not entered in the race just come and say hello to loft manager Derek Nicholls, Tel. 07810 323827.

  MARCH LOFT MANAGERS REPORT  

Since Blackpool and my holiday in South Africa the loft assistant Rhys has been left alone at the loft to jet wash and disinfect the entire complex three times!! On my return from the Million Dollar race on February 10th the place was totally spotless like a brand new loft that had never had a single pigeon in it and we then got to work on the alterations for this year. Firstly, we have always had the birds in previous years on a semi darkness system, which has not been totally successful in controlling the moult so our first job was to get the place much darker to get onto a full darkness system. This we have done by changing all the louvers doors on the loft frontage to ply backed doors that keep all the light out and we have also ply lined a lot of the fixed louver units to keep out even more light and this has now enabled us to use a full darkness system this year. We have also replaced the rear intake aviary with a full closed in loft section and extended it by another one hundred and twenty square feet for another 200 perches. Added to this we have now designed a completely new baby intake system, which now incorporates a temporary aviary connected to the trap and which allows the new intake babies to go in and out through the trap, but only via the aviary until they are given their full liberty three weeks after being sent to us.
We have also put a new tarmac drive for 90 feet up the entrance way and laid another 100 tonnes of loose stone road to the rear of the lofts. All in all, 4 weeks work in which we have achieved a great deal of improvement here at the Europa Classic race loft site.
The first babies for this years race arrived on day one of our opening on February 15th and we had 500 birds into the loft in the first two weeks!!!!! and we opened again on Friday March 14th and again it was a very busy weekend.

The new rear alterations


The new temporary aviary

If you have not booked to fly Europa 2008 yet, we still have plenty of room and we invite you to come on down and see the babies that we have so far and all are in super condition. As our visitors in previous years will know we have always been very strict when it comes to bio security and disinfecting, however this year we are even more strict and it seems to be working great so far.
Gem Supplements water sterilisation product Aqua Guard is totally invaluable at stopping cross infection and this is being used with the products of our new disinfectant sponsors 'Science with Nature'. In particular their dry loft powder and loft guard are top class! The loft guard is used every 7 days in a fogging machine, which puts a cloud mist of the disinfectant through the entire loft birds and all!!!! Gemthepax and the full range of gem wonder products will soon have the first bunch racing around the home skies of South Wales.

The first birds are now flying out and things really are looking good. So get your birds in and for those who are sitting on the fence still thinking about it, don’t forget you have to be in it to win. We have proven more than once to everyone; no matter who you are, you have every chance of winning this great race and the thirty grand that goes to the winner.

Anyone looking for another one loft race to fly, we will help you to enter the following races overseas:

'The Vegas Classic'

that will be shipped mid April (see link on our front page).

'The Million Euro'

race in China will probably be shipping mid May again (see link on our front page).

'The Tenerife'

race that is a nice little race and this one will be shipped mid June and I am sure this race will appeal to many UK guys because it is only 90 Euros a bird and the birds don’t have to go till June when most people have birds off their top pigeons that are a bit too late for UK racing, but ideal for the Tenerife race which is the following May (yearlings). This one will be ideal to visit with your better half for a holiday combined with a race as many cheap package holidays from most UK airports can be found to go and see the main race in the Canary Islands in late spring sunshine. I am sure this will be a big hit in this country (see link on our front page).

On a personal note I have to report the sad passing of my father Hayward only 71 years young known to many pigeon flyers since I was a boy and only 14 days after falling ill he was dead. Many thanks to all who have sent their condolences.

On a happier note it was our 25th wedding anniversary on March 14th all were welcome to my massive bash at the 'Mount Sorrel Hotel', Barry, that went down well.

I look forward to seeing you at the lofts and I wish you the best of luck in 2008.

Derek Nicholls. 07810 323827”.

  LOFT PHOTOGRAPHS  

ENTRIES GOING THROUGH THE TRAPS     INSIDE THE TRAPPING AREA INSIDE OF THE NEW TRAPS - SECOND SET OF BOBS THE BIRDS HAVE GOT TO WALK OVER 80 UNIKON TIMING PADS TO GET TO THE SECOND SET OF BOBS - 99 OUT OF 100 TIMED IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH - 999 OUT OF 1000 TIMED IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AS WE WANT TO BE SURE EVERY SINGLE BIRD IS RECORDED     WAITING TO BE LET OUT TO FLY