National Championship Fly 2009
Judge Norman Howarth
Thursday 15th October
 
DES MURPHY: YOUNG BIRD
We set off on our journey up to Des and arrived in good time were we were greeted by Des making us a lovely English breakfast thanks Des. He liberated the kit were they got up to a good height, but one winged for most of the fly they kitted well and there were some nice individuals in the kit, but were quiet.
SCORE: 59

WAYNE GROVE: OLD BIRD
Next to fly was Wayne, we arrived after a two hour drive, there was a nice turn out of fanciers at his place, Wayne liberated the kit they started to work with big breaks 10 mins before they went on the clock due to them being at distance, once on the clock they went quiet, but were a nice kit, better luck next time Wayne. thanks for the sarnies.
SCORE: 107

FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER
PAUL CHANTRY: YOUNG BIRD
Paul  was our first flyer today with his young birds the kit was liberated at 7.40 am, the conditions were fine, the birds flew too fast and were low and very buzzy, but need more time as still young.
SCORE: 28

DOMINIC BUTTERWORTH: YOUNG BIRD
Off next to big Doms at Leeds, after a lovely breakfast from Di, the kit was liberated, were the birds got up to a good height, the weather was fine and the kit kitted well and had a good depth on them ,flying a nice pattern. Nice kit Dom just need more frequency.
SCORE:94

MARK McCRORY: OLD BIRD
Marks birds flew in a good pattern and kitted well together, the breaks had good depth, the kit was just not active enough.
SCORE: 71

ANDREW TETLEY: YEARLINGS
Andrews birds just flew very high and did not work at all.
SCORE: 28

PAUL CHANTRY: OLD BIRD
Paul liberated the kit, the birds again flew very low and too fast, he did have a nice silver in the kit
SCORE: 49

PHIL ARMED: YOUNG BIRD
We arrived at Phil’s and by now the wind had built up a bit, Phil had a nice kit of young birds that would have flow better had the wind not chased them all over, it really spoilt the kit, better luck next time Phil.
SCORE:71

STEVE BREARATON: YEARLING
On to the next flyer Steve after a cup of tea he liberated the kit, giving them the full 10 mins before putting them on the clock, they flew in a nice pattern, but not much activity, 1 landed on 12mins and 2 more on 14.43 min.
SCORE: DQ

DONNA CHANTRY: YEARLING
Donna was the last of the Bradford flyers, she liberated her kit and the birds got to a good height, unfortunately they were joined by a team of racers so they were taken off  the clock for 3 mins, the birds were then flying too fast with not enough breaking, but kitted well together.
SCORE: 62

JODIE RIXSON: YOUNG BIRD
Our Next stop was over to Harworth to Jodies, after battling the road works we arrived in good time, the weather conditions were sunny with some wind, the kit was liberated, and the birds flew up to a good height and started to work 1bird landed on ten minutes and they went away a little the wind spoilt some of the breaks, they had a nice depth and were overall a nice team. Thanks for the tea and cakes jodie.
SCORE: 101

SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER
ANTHONY KELLY: YOUNG BIRD
Anthony was the first to fly today in Ireland, we were picked up from the airport by Billy Moffet and Nicky Scott who drove us to Anthony from the airport, about 1 hour away, as we landed in Ireland there was a lot of fog and mist in parts and this was still evident as we got to Anthony, we waited for a little while but the fog had only cleared a little and Anthony decided to fly the kit, the birds never really got up but as they flew you couldn’t see them, then 1 landed and 3 more came down and then the lot on 3min 36 sec.
SCORE: DQ

GARY KELLY: YEARLING
Gary was flying after his dad and the fog was still really thick so we decided to go and get something to eat, and as we drove a few miles down the road it was lovely and bright and sunny. When we got back luckily the weather had changed it was sunny, the birds were liberated and flew nice and slow and were at times too relaxed but they were a nice kit.
SCORE:99

KEVIN  McKINNEY: OLD BIRD
Off to Belfast now for Kevins first kit to fly today, the birds were released and they went up high they kitted well, with 13 breaks, they were very relaxed in the roll.
SCORE: 160

KEVIN McKINNEY; YEARLING
Kevin liberated the yearlings and they were a very busy kit, that lost big breaks with following through, they flew in a good pattern and were nice to watch.the weather was fine and sunny.
SCORE:180

SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER
ANTHONY KELLY: YOUNG BIRD
Anthony was flying the young bird again this morning, he had better weather today it was dull but fine he flew 19 as one of the birds from the previous day had took a bump, the kit did some good work for the first 10 mins and then went a little flat in the middle of the fly and worked again at the end they had a good quality about them and flew a good pattern.
SCORE:171

KEVIN McKINNEY: OLD BIRDS
Off to Belfast to Kevin to fly his Old birds again today, the weather was mild with light rain, the birds flew too high and had to be taken off clock for 10mins, they put in 7 breaks with one of 12, but had birds out of the kit.
SCORE: 123

We had met up with Austin Fox and some of the flyers in Southern Ireland, John Hall and Morris Hole, so plenty of support well done lads. We went back to Billy Moffets and he made us some sandwiches and cake, thanks Billy, then it was time for our flight back to Manchester.

MONDAY 19TH OCTOBER
WAYNE HITCHCOCK: OLD BIRD
We set off nice and early this morning for our first flyer Wayne, but hit traffic on the M6
So got there at 8.10 am, it was light by this time so we were ok.
The weather conditions were nice and clear but very still, the kit was liberated but just didn’t get high enough, they were put on the clock and then two came down with one bumping on the roof, Wayne scratched them, which under the circumstances was the right thing too do as they were dangerous.
SCORE: SCRATCHED

ALAN VERON: YEARLING
Again the weather was fine and clear but very still, the birds were liberated, After a minute Alan put them on the clock and the kit split into two tens with one high and the other one very low ready to land so he scratched them.
SCORE: SCRATCHED

GEORGE MASON: YOUNG BIRD
George was our next flyer, we went in the field to judge them which had young bulls in it luckily they didn’t bother us, the birds were liberated, and they got up quite high they flew at distance at times and there were some following through, they put in 9 breaks, one of the birds landed on 4 min. There was a good turn out of fanciers for the Derby flyers today.
SCORE:107

LEIGH BOWN: YOUNG BIRD
Off to Leicester for Leighs kit, the weather was nice and sunny, the kit was released, and got to a good height flying in a nice figure 8 pattern, did a few breaks but then just switched off and just glided around.
SCORE:64

DARREN DEACON:YOUNG BIRD
Darren liberated the kit, they flew fast did 5 breaks, but followed through a lot, he had some nice individuals in the kit they just needed to work more as a team.
SCORE: 79

RICHARD THORNLEY: YEARLING
Off to Nottingham now to Richard, we hadn’t met him before and hadn’t seen his pigeons, the weather was fine and sunny, he liberated them and they got up to a good height flying a nice pattern, they were a nice working team, flying fast though at times but they did plenty of work, well done Richard and nice to have met you.
SCORE: 162

KEVIN JOHNSTONE: OLD BIRD
Back to Derby now for our last flyer of the day, Richard and Dean came with us. The weather in Derby was dull and breezy. The birds were liberated they got up to a decent height and were put on the clock, they put in some good big breaks in the first ten minutes
Then switched off for 8 minutes and did a couple on nice breaks in the last two minutes, they had good depth and quality.
We stayed with Kevin and his wife Karen  for the evening had a lovely tea, Lana did paper work and we chatted and watched some pigeon dvds, then off to bed, thanks for putting us up Kevin much appreciated.
SCORE:222

TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER
WAYNE HITCHCOCK: OLD BIRD
Wayne was flying his old birds again this morning, the weather was fine and dull, they managed to get up today, the birds flew at distance at times,  having nearly 3 min off clock, but they were nice birds and good to watch, they put in 13 breaks.
SCORE:160

LEIGH BOWN: YOUNG BIRD
Back to leigh with his young birds the weather today was dull and breezy the kit was liberated and the birds blew away for 20mins, when they came back they did a few nice clean breaks and showed some nice quality.
SCORE: 79

PAUL GREEN: YOUNG BIRD
Off to Birmingham for Pauls kit, the weather was dull and windy, the birds were liberated they got up and Paul put them on the clock, they did a break of 7 then blew away and we never saw them again. Paul said they came back later.
SCORE:7

KEVIN BOWDEN:YEARLING
The weather conditions were still dull and windy, Kevin liberated the kit  they held the wind well but split at times and were spoilt by the wind, they had a nice quality. Kevin had a lovely buffet waiting for us thanks very much, really appreciated.
SCORE: 113

TONY BAGLEY:YEARLING
Weather was dull again and windy for Tony, the wind just spoilt the birds but we were back again tomorrow and the weather would be much better, we will see.
SCORE: 80

TERRY HARPER: OLD BIRD
Off down to Stourbridge for Terrys yearlings, the weather was not good for this kit it was very windy and rainy, they were liberated and worked well in the wind and rain with nice depth
SCORE: 126

TIM WILKES: YEARLING
Next to fly was quite a new comer into the hobby Tim, the weather again was dull and breezy, the birds flew fast and had lots of 3+4 birds going, they put four breaks in, again weather spoilt them.
SCORE: 66

GORDON DAFFURN: OLD BIRD
For our next flyer we were in a race to get there before it was too dark to fly them, we made it and Gordon liberated them at 5.15pm in dull and very windy conditions, they were a good strong working kit, worked and kitted great in strong winds, we really enjoyed them, they would have scored higher if the conditions were better. We travelled down to Bristol that evening while there wasn’t as much traffic on the roads and had a good night sleep.
SCORE: 181

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER
IAN VAUGHAN: OLD BIRD
Up bright and early for our next flyer Ian, the birds flew in a nice pattern and kitted very well together, but not enough work for a big score. We were met by John Lenihan and Ian Lawrence, had a cup of tea and then off too the next of the Bristol flyers.
SCORE:108

DAVE EDWARDS:YOUNG BIRD
We got to Daves after battling traffic, their had been a crash earlier and this was having a knock on effect, he let the kit out and the birds broke at times but there were birds out of the kit, one landed on 14min and 1 landed on 15 min.
SCORE:65
IAN LAWRENCE:OLD BIRD
After a long drive through country roads, and Lana panicking about the time, as we had a long drive back to Birmingham and Leicester, we got there. just as Ian was about to put the kit out the heavens opened, so he waited a few minutes till it cleared, the kit just never got going and split up 1 landed on 14min and one on 15 min, we said our goodbyes and headed off to Birmingham.
SCORE:16

TONY BAGLEY:YEARLING
We finally reached Tony, and he put the kit out,they were worth the journey back, they got to a good height the weather was perfect, the kit flew well together with a nice quality and 4 big breaks one of 14 very nice Tony,he made us some sandwiches for our journey to Leicester thank you it was really appreciated.
SCORE:212

LEIGH BOWN: YOUNG BIRD
Back at Leigh’s again for his third attempt with the young birds, we got there at 5.10pm were we was met by Dave Mosley and Darren Decan
the weather was fine and dry, he put the kit out and they were lovely to watch working well together kitting nice and tight, they had a good depth and quality today, not massive breaks more fives and sixes but of course they all mount up well done Leigh we really enjoyed this kit today we had a cup of tea and waited for the traffic to ease as we were travelling up to Barnsley tonight ready for the morning,
SCORE:186
THURSDAY 22ND OCTOBER
GRAHAM WHITE: OLD BIRD
After a good nights sleep we landed on Graham who was only a few miles from were we were staying and was met by Jodie Rixson and Gary Spencer, the weather this morning was fine and dull, we had a cuppa and then, the birds were liberated they were a very active kit with real nice quality and depth, unfortunately they landed on 8 min 30 sec after putting in 12 breaks shame we were enjoying the kit, better luck next time Graham.
SCORE: DQ

BILL OCALLAGHAN:YEARLING
It was lovely to see Bill again, we had a quick chat and a cuppa and then he liberated his kit, the birds got up and were put on the clock they did some very nice breaks and then split into a 12bird kit and and 8 bird kit, the 12 birds were very busy and breaking in fives and sixes they had a good quality and depth after, 5 mins the kit got back together and put in some more breaks.Jean brought us some bacon sarnies, thanks very much.
SCORE: 175

RIXSON/HARRISON:YOUNG BIRD
Off to Harworth, Doncaster now for the first of Jodies two kits, the kit was put out but they never really got it together, but did some nice work, 1 landed on 14min 30 sec.
SCORE:93

RIXSON/HARRISON: YEARLING
We had a cuppa and some cake while Jodie dropped the kit, well inside the time allowance, the weather today was fine and dull, the kit was liberated and flew a good pattern but just didn’t do enough work, there were some nice individuals in the team.
SCORE:86

TERRY ALLINSON:YEARLING
Up to the Boro now for the first of the kits in the north east, we got to Terry’s In good time, and was met by Terry, Deano, Sivvy and Andy Dawson, the birds were put out and at first flew nice and put in ten breaks, they then stopped working and just flew very low.
1 landed on 13min 30sec, 1 down on 17 min and 1 down on 19 min.
SCORE:123

COLIN BAILEY:YOUNG BIRD
The weather again was mild and fine for Colin’s kit, they were liberated and worked ok when they first came out putting in 8 breaks they came low and then landed on 9min 50sec.
SCORE:DQ

ANDY DAWSON: YOUNG BIRD
The last flyer of the day, weather again was fine, the kit was put out and they flew at a nice steady pace and pattern with nice quality and speed in the roll, again like Leighs not big breaks but lots of fives and sixes that mount up and a break of ten, well done Andy a nice kit of young birds. We stayed for a cuppa with the lads then went  to our accommodation for the night, Lana caught up on the paper work and I had a little kip.
SCORE:179

FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER
PETER ROBINSON:OLD BIRD
Up bright and early for the next flyer, Peter had put breakfast on, thanks for that, the weather conditions were fine again, the kit was liberated and they just didn’t get going and 1 came down on 3min 30 sec and 2 landed on 3min 32 sec, then the whole lot landed on 4 min.
SCORE DQ

GRAHAM SIVITER:OLD BIRD
Next flyer Sivvy, Deano liberated the kit for him as he was in an exam, they were a nice kit to watch flying very steady, with good work rate 21 breaks highest a 12, nice quality and depth to them, overall a good working team  that were good to watch well done.
SCORE:240

DEAN FORSTER:YOUNG BIRD
Deano was next he let the kit out, and put them on the clock right away, they got up to a good height, but the kit split which spoilt them, but there were some excellent birds in the kit.
SCORE:118

TERRY ALLINSON:OLD BIRD
Off to Terrys now, he liberated the kit but the birds never got into a pattern they seemed to switch off and one wing, 1 landed on 14 min, 1 landed on 14 min 50 sec, then they all came down on 18 mins.
SCORE:74
GRAHAM SIVITER:YOUNG BIRD
Again Deano liberated the kit they flew in a good pattern and height but were quiet, putting in 5 breaks.
SCORE:74

GEORGE FROST:YEARLING
Our last flyer in the Boro George released the kit, they didn’t do much they were quiet putting in three breaks before they all landed on 14min.
SCORE:DQ

EDDY BALDWIN:YEARLING
We had an hour drive up to Eddy in Newcastle, of which we were met by Alan Milne, Eddy liberated the kit and they were a very nice working team flying a good pattern and height, again a lot of smaller breaks but good breaks, with one 12 break, well done Eddy we enjoyed them.
SCORE:203

ROSS YOUNG:YOUNG BIRD
Ross was our last flyer of the day and we wanted to get to him before it as too dark, we picked up John Hall on the way and arrived in good time. The weather was fine and dull,
Ross was waiting for us and he let the kit out right away, they put in a couple of breaks
They didn’t really get going with one down on 7 min, 7min 30 sec 7min 43sec.
SCORE: DQ

SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER
ROSS YOUNG: YOUNG BIRD
We stayed the night with Ross And Helen, had a few drinks and a lovely Chinese and chatted a while, then off to bed not too late.
Ross was flying his young birds again, the lads from Bradford and Leeds had come up for the last day, the weather again was fine and dull, the birds were liberated they got up and kitted well together they just didn’t do enough work, putting in six breaks.
SCORE:109

SHAUN OVERFIELD: YOUNG BIRD
We got to Shauns and were met by more fanciers from the Boro, John Wanless, Deano, Colin etc Morris was here as well quite a turn out well done everybody.
Shaun’s wife Alison had made breakfast for everybody thank you it was lovely.
The kit was put out the weather was mild and dull the kit was very quiet with four breaks.
SCORE:79

MORRIS HOLE:YEARLING
Down to shilden now for Morris kit, it was dull and windy when we got there, the weather was picking up and didn’t look too good for the flyers who still had to fly.
The kit was liberated but couldn’t get really going,  but they still kitted well the wind just spoilt them.
SCORE:94
SHAUN OVERFEIL:OLD BIRD
Back to Shaun’s  the weather was very misty here, the birds were put out and they did some nice breaks but kept swooping low in the field again the wind spoilt them.
SCORE:122

GORDON JOPLING:OLD BIRD
Off to Gordon in Sherburn with a big crew of cars following, again windy, the kit was put out and they just swooped about n the wind, putting in three breaks.
SCORE:63

EDDY BALDWIN:YEARLING
Off to Eddy’s  for the yearlings again, we finally got there after battling busy traffic in Gateshead and Newcastle and Lana panicking about the last two flyers. We got there and the weather was wet and  windy, the kit was let out and the birds flew and worked well considering the wind and rain, but they didn’t beat their first score, maybe on a calmer day they would have.
SCORE:130
ALAN MILNE:YEARLING
On the way to Alan’s the traffic had eased somewhat so we were still in good time, thanks to Lana’s planning, it was still raining and windy when we got there, Alan put them up and they were a nice kit again spoilt by the weather.
SCORE:128

JOHN HALL:OLD BIRDS
Off to Consett for the last flyer of the championship, we were all looking forward to this kit as they had won the old bird fly in the All England,  the weather was at this point nice and bright after the earlier rain. they were liberated and got up to a decent height and flew a nice pattern, the birds just didn’t turn  it on, scoring nine breaks one of 10. We stayed for a cuppa and a lovely buffet thanks John, And then headed home back to Rossendale.
SCORE:140

A WORD FROM THE JUDGE:
When John asked me if I could judge the nationals, at first we couldn’t see a way to fit it in as we would be in Serbia for the tenth anniversary of the Serbia Roller Club, at the time the nationals usually start, as nobody had come forward John asked again and said they could be put back to when we get home, we thought about it and said yes why not.even though we had taken a year out and had already judged the Euro Cup Final.
Can I just say from Lana and myself, I would like to thank you all for allowing me to judge your birds, this was a fabulous and memorable experience, seeing all the different types of kits of which some were outstanding, others didn’t do it on the day and others were spoilt by the weather, I saw different things in different kits and at all times I judged purely what was in the air not the man the strain or type. And. with this I realised that the roller hobby in the UK is actually very strong when it comes to comps. I would like to thank Lana for helping me I.e. paper work and shared driving and doing a fantastic schedule which run like clockwork, (even though some tried to sabotage it lol). I cannot understand why more people don’t come forward to judge, as it is well worth it by what you see and learn as it doesn’t matter if you have had them one year or thirty years, we are all still learning.
NORMAN HOWARTH