Bude Racing Pigeon Club (2026)

14/07/2025

Bude’s last race of the season took place on the 12/07 from Ramsgate with the Three counties . Up at 5.40 in a light south east wind it was hoped for a decent race and to get the birds home before the real heat of the day . Taking the top spot this week was Frazers Cook with his good grizzle hen which won three weeks ago . Good little hen this and was bred by club mate Tristan Darracott from his Tumley Dennis Ford x Lambrecht pair . Doing a velocity of1348 she was well in front . Well done Frazer and Tristan as the breeder . In second place on 1050 was Andy Haydon with a bird bred by fellow club mate Roger Thorne who gave it to Andy when he was forced to give up for health reasons two years ago . In third was Ann Mears on 1041 with her good blue hen which has had a previous first prize the year plus a couple of seconds . Ann once again provided the sausage rolls and cake for clocks on Saturday and bloody lovely they were too . All members appreciate what Ann does for the club . Thank you Ann . In fourth was the gaffer James Cook with his consistent pigeon bred by dad Derek . James is in the process of building the family home as well as running the stud and the products he supplies so you might say a busy man .
Friday night marking was a great atmosphere with the ‘ down Cornwall’ lads Joe Nuciforo , John Angwin and Dave Hosking joining us and sending .
That’s the old birds finished for the season and what we do young bird wise is yet to be decided . The three counties is and has been a disaster for us down here with young birds with a radius from Crewkerne/Glastonbury down to south of Bude and our earliest young birds finished for race starting at over a hundred miles . Oh to be a short flier but we aren’t and despite birds being trained hard in the past the losses are unsustainable for us . However we will get our heads together and come up with something .
A big thanks to James for breeding club members a round of young birds which we came away with last night . Beauties they were too . And will supplement our young bird teams . Funnily enough we don’t tend to have big numbers of young birds down here , most of us being relatively small team flyers compared to many .
Right I’m off , back dreckly
Shudehill .

09/07/2025

Bude were at Brighton with the Three counties on the 6/7 /25 . Liberated at 12.25 it was always going to be a hard fly for us down to North Cornwall flying a distance of between 179 to 195 miles .
Taking first place this week is young Elizabeth Cook with her Tumley bred hen which has been knocking about winning 2 x 1st, 2 x 2nd prior to this race from the 5 races she was sent to. To add to her success Elizabeth also won the Bristol Aquabike race the day before . The sky is the limit for this girl . You heard it here first !!! In second was Frazers Cook flying a c**k bred by Derek Cook off his distance birds and Frazers tells me it will be better this week for Ramsgate . This c**k has 2x2nds to his name prior to this . In third was Andy ( Elmer J Fudd ) Haydon with one of his old Ollie Gittins Busscharts . Andy is the one to watch as the distance increases so Ramsgate is going to be interesting . That is if anyone had pigeons left for then .
On a positive note this week sees club members pick up young birds that James has gifted us from the Tumley lofts stud which is a very generous gesture and which everyone appreciates. Thanks James . It looks like it’s gonna be a hot one this weekend so good luck to all .
Right I’m off , back Dreckly
Shudehill

04/07/2025

Apologies for the lateness of this result . I know it’s not good enough but sometimes life gets in the way and although now retired am busier than ever . Anyway onto the result and Bude were at Maidstone with the three counties on the 29/6 a distance of between 208 and 228 miles between shortest and longest fliers in the club . Topping the club this week once again is James Cook on 1113 and also taking third and fourth places with velocities of 1037 and 1000. These birds were down from dad Derek who kindly gifts club members young birds to race each year from his stock . James winner is I believe from Dereks Van Zwols and vandenebeele birds whilst his others are down from the Royal lofts stock. Taking second is young Liz Cook on 1048 and making it a clean sweep for the Cook family with her Tumley bred hen which was her only entry and has notched up some great results this season . Not content with this she also won the Torbay/Torquay triathlon the day before , her second triathlon win in two weeks . Well done Liz .
The peregrines have been playing havoc with my birds again and I am hanging in this sport by the skin of my teeth with birds returning home ripped up or just not returning when sent in good condition. Training is a nightmare for us in north Cornwall with members reporting hits most every toss . This week is Brighton again a distance of 200 miles to me . The last three weeks have been Brighton 200, Maidstone 225 and Brighton again this week , changed from Stoney Cross one of our shorter races of 130 miles which might have been good for some of our club members in getting less experienced birds in or ones that had suffered injuries earlier in the season but hey ho what do Bude club get considered ?
Right I’m off
Back Dreckly
Shudehill

25/06/2025

Bude were at Brighton again on the 21/6 with the three counties . Liberated at 7.30 into a south east wind , early times were expected ( yes even here in Bude ) . However only one pigeon came through to make a decent time and that was Frazer Cooks grizzle hen . I looked after Frazers birds a few weeks ago and was impressed with the quality of them and he’s had them from the best fliers in the south west . I’ve always said that your best birds are given to you and this was no exception, being gifted to Frazer by our club mate Tristan Darracott . Some of us remember Tris as an eight year old in the junior section we had at the time ( over thirty years ago) . The sire is a Tumley Dennis Ford pigeon whilst the dam is a lambrecht. Well done Frazer and Tris , this is what the sport is about , or should be . Velocity of 1516 . In second is Liz Cook on 1481 with one of her Tumley pigeons on 1481 with dad James in third on 1321 . Annie Mears is in 4th with one of her own multicoloured family . I also looked after Annie’s birds the when she was away the same week as Frazer was away and I think she has every colour pigeon you could imagine and all in fantastic condition. Her birds want for nothing and god help us when she gets up and running in her new loft which is now almost finished just needing the perches putting in .
Returns were apparently not great with most members reporting long gaps in between arrivals and poor returns . The washer wasn’t great at this end with thunder , lightening and heavy rain at the time the birds were expected .
Right I’m off , back Dreckly
Shudehill

06/06/2025

Bude were at Maidstone on the 31/05 with the Three counties . Numbers were down this week with many not sending due to recent losses . Topping the club this week with her sole entry was our young superstar ( not only in pigeon racing ) Liz Cook who timed her Tumley Jansen hen on a velocity of 1052 . This hen Ida granddaughter of Sophie from the well known Two Terrys of Plymouth . This was a double whammy for Liz as earlier that day she had won the Marazion triathlon in the adults section . What a star and what a great day for her as she puts so much into whatever she does and is constantly training for her chosen sports . Credit must also go to James and Vicky who take her around the country to compete in these events . I know what it’s like having had my two daughters competing at county and national level in athletics and netball . In second and third place this week was dad James Cook on 890 and 783 with a Derek Cook bred distance c**k in second and a latebreds Tumley Dai Evan’s in third . I don’t think James was too disappointed at being beaten by Liz and we won’t mention the bad traps eh ! The club members have all suffered losses in training and this was reflected in the turnout this week with only four members sending . Club president and the one to beat at the moment Ann Mears was away for a week but am hearing she is out to win at next weeks Brighton . Ramsgate May not be a goer for the Bude members this week but we’ll see .
Away from the Bude club and I must congratulate my old mucker Hugh Barradell , flying in the Welsh Continental Classic from Fougeres taking 6th club in what was a testing day in a strong westerly wind . The WCC were liberated from Fougeres with the NFC and it was a tough old fly into West Wales . Well done Hugh and a well deserved result in great company I must say looking at the result . A testament to your hard work and dedication .
Right I’m off , back Dreckly
Shudehill

20/05/2025

Bude were at Brighton on the 17th may with the three counties . A great atmosphere once again at marking with plenty of banter . With a north east wind forecast a fast race was anticipated. Topping the club for the second time this season was no other than club president Ann Mears with her good blue hen on a velocity of 1416 for the 198 miles covered . This little hen has picked up numerous cards for Ann and is never far away however this is her first red card . As many know Ann turns up every week with home made sausage rolls , meat patties and cakes for the club members . A lovely touch and much appreciated y everyone . Eat your heart out Mary Berry . In second and once again showing the fellas how it should be done is young Liz Cook on 1409 with her Jansen hen and single entry . This is bred down from Tumleys own Socks which in turn is from Joe 1st national winner . Great flying from Liz who has been winning in the club and fed since she was eight years old . Now a very competent and accomplished triathlete amongst all the other sports she competes in . Well done Liz . In third is new member John Thomas who flies down in Bodmin on a velocity of 1382 . Our club has no radius and many would be shocked at how far apart we all are but it all adds to the fun and the wins go around . Well done John who I believe has persecuted em up the road in training . In fourth is the gaffer James Cook on 1371 . The old saying is ‘ if you want anything doing ask a busy man ‘ and James is testimony to this . Now he’s building a new house on top of everything else which has meant he has no time to race or even keep a team of young birds this year .
Brighton again this week and it looks like the weather is looking a bit iffy . No doubt the race controllers and management team will make the right decision for the birds and pick the right day to race .
Right I’m off . Back Dreckly
Shudehill

Pictured: A happy Ann Mears with her winning blue hen . New loft which is yet to be finished , in the background .

12/05/2025

Bude club were at Chale on the 10th May with the Three Counties . Topping the club this week , taking 1st and 2nd was Luke Crago on velocities of 1681 and 1673 which were well in front of the field . Luke is a new member and is the son and Grandson of well known flyers from the 80s and 90s Alan and Paul Crago of St George’s lofts . I remember them well as they flew the old Delbars , a particular favourite of mine . Paul and Alan no longer race but still keep the birds and supply Luke with some young birds . Brilliant that three generations are still involved in the sport . Luke’s first pigeon is a blue Heremans Ceuster bred by Paul and Alan . As a young bird he flew the programme but was lost at the last race but turned up five weeks later which goes to show that mistakes can be rectified as this c**k has shown . His second bird is a silver cheq hen which was bred from a gift bird from Kevin and Tina Masters from St Austell and is proof of what I’ve always believed that your best birds are given to you by friends. In third is Andy Haydon and is from his old Ollie Gittins busschaerts on 1187 . Andy is a gamekeeper and flies a good pigeon particularly over the pond . Whilst at club marking he commented on one c**k in his basket which had flown Tarbes . A feat in itself given that most of us struggle getting em back from trainers in north Cornwall . In fourth is John Thomas another new member who lives down the Bodmin area . No details of his bird at the moment which was doing a velocity of 1113 . The influx of new members to the club has been fantastic and they have contributed to the great atmosphere at the club on marking nights . John Angwin , Joe Nuciforo and Dave Hosking were also present and sending with the three counties via Bude and again this can only be a good thing .
Brighton next week and hopefully the good weather continues . Well done all .
Right I’m off , back Dreckly
Shudehill

07/05/2025

Bude were at Stoney Cross with the Three Counties this weekend . Again no race for me as I was away with the daughters and granddaughters at River Dart Country park and lovely it was too . Taking the first three this weekend was the gaffer James Cook ( and Vicky of course ) . His first bird on 1617 was a three year old Leen Boers hen which is always consistent and never far away and was his third bird last week . These Leen Boers have stood the test of time and are still winning for fanciers all over the country . His second bird on1585 was a two year old c**k bred by dad Derek and is bred down from a bird from the Royal Lofts . Again always consistent and had a few wins last year . James’ third bird was a late bred Dai Evans/Dennis Ford hen on 1521 and is a late bred from last year and had two club races as a baby . James tells me she took a minute or two to spiral down as she was so high and could hardly be seen . Great flying from an in form team and a well deserved win . In fourth was el presidente Ann Mears on 1467 with a blue hen sitting pot eggs . This hen should have had a win last year but her ETS ring never registered .

Ann’s new loft is well on the way and will have plenty of fresh air and sunlight , ideal for her natural flying and great for the health of the birds .
Right that’s it I’m off .
Back Dreckly , Shudehill .

29/04/2025

Bude club were at Blandford for our first race this season with the Three Counties. I was unable to send as at a funeral up north.
Topping the shop in the club and the section of the 3 Counties was our club president Ann Mears on a velocity of 1126 to cover the 110 miles . Ann has been diligently training behind the scenes and they’re in the basket every time she goes to Tesco in Launceston. Think she’s named the pigeon Club Card as she’s amassed that many points from Tesco in training her team. The team which incidentally comprises a multitude of colours and are the result of late husbands Roys purchases over the years . A blend of Walter Docx , Bricoux and the odd Irish stray thrown in. Well done Ann and God help us when her new loft goes up. In second place was our very own Elmer J Fudd Aka Andy Hayden on a velocity of 1123 for the 107 miles. Andy has the most beautiful set up and drop and a lovely Ecco loft to boot. Birds are a mix of the old Ollie Gittins busschaerts and David Black from Northern Ireland. Ade Human is in third on 872 for the 94 miles fly . Ade ( Monkey ) again has a beautiful location apart from the daily peregrine hassle. We’re all suffering that unfortunately. Andy Haydonis there again in4th on a velocity of 730 .
Stoney Cross next week when hopefully we get some decent weather and a good race again.
Back Dreckly
Shudehill

15/07/2024

Stoney Cross was the race point for Bude club flying with the Three Counties on Saturday 23/07. Liberated at 07.45 into a north west wind and with clear skies forecast .
Ade Human continues his very consistent season with a red card on 1377 with his unpaired hen from his old family of cattrysse that he and father Derek flew so well over the years. I doubt there are many flying this strain nowadays so it was good to see this one winning the race. The Gaffer James Cook is there in second on 1238 with one bred by dad Derek of the Morris and Lucas x Royal lofts strain. This bird is a full brother to James’ winner last week. Very steady reliable pigeons these are turning out to be. Young Liz Cook keeps the cards in the family by taking third place with her very reliable gay pied Dai Evan’s hen that has flown so well this year having had a two firsts and several other cards. Velocity 1236. I was fourth on 1198 with a dark busschaert of the old Corbet lines. He has been steady since being put back into racing after being hawked in the first race. That’s it for old birds for the Bude club as no one is sending to the last O/B race from Ramsgate next week. A great atmosphere at the club on Friday and Saturday night when Ann Mears feeds us up with sausage rolls, meat patties and chocolate cake. Good to see John Angwin and Joe Nucifuro at the club on Friday night and well done to them both on their results on the Saturday. Great flying lads all the way down west Cornwall .
Right I’m off, back Dreckly,
Shudehill

04/07/2024

Bude club were at Brighton on Saturday 29th June with the Three Counties Classic Club. Liberated at 6.15 into a light south west wind although there was very little wind at this end (for a change). Once again topping the shop and getting the red card with his winner from last week James Cook bred by dad Derek from Frans Zwols x HRH lines and on a velocity of 1405. Great flying by James with his single entry and also winning the SB nom. In second is el presidente Ann Mears on 1314 with her black pied hen bred down from Tommy Mallaburn stock. This hen has won already for Ann and has been a very consistent pigeon. In third place was yours truly with a dark busschaert c**k of the old Corbett lines on 1272 whilst old mate Ade Human takes fourth on 1218 with one off his old family which have flown exceptionally well for him this season.
As I was sat here writing this I had the peregrine into my young birds scattering them to the four corners. Only yesterday I was at Ann Mears trying to repair the wounds on an Irish stray that looked like it had no chance such was its injuries. Spoke to Ann earlier and it’s still hanging in there. I read some of the chat on pigeon chat about training and exercise times and what colours they take. Believe me there’s no easy answer to it. Personally I’ve found open hole to be the best way around it but other factors eg cats and neighbours prevent some from doing it. Admittedly they’ll get hit as mine have this morning but they soon learn about the peregrine. As for colours it doesn’t matter. My last one to be caught was a pure black one whilst there were several whites and reds out with it in the group.
Result nights at the club are always good fun and last Saturday was no different with the Cooks providing the tea and Ann making the sausage rolls and fruit cake. My poor diabetes!
Right I’m off, back Dreckly
Shudehill

25/06/2024

Stoney Cross with the Three Counties Classic club was the race point for Bude members on the 22nd June. Liberated at 8.15 into a light north west breeze the winner this week was our hardworking gaffer James Cook on a velocity of 938. His winning bird, a previous winner this season already was bred by dad Derek and is from his Frans Zwols x HRH lofts. This c**k is the only pigeon James is racing at the moment and was put back into Stoney Cross after returning injured from a race a few weeks back. I believe his next outing is Maidstone next week so fingers crossed for another good performance from there. El presidente Ann Mears takes second spot on 811 with her blue bar hen which has been a consistent pigeon for her this season. Ann has brought a whole new dimension to clock checking when she turns up with home made sausage rolls and cakes. Just another little thing that makes our little club tick along. Andy Hayden takes 3rd on 791 with his winner from last week and 4th on 642 but no details to hand at the moment. Andy lives in the most beautiful isolated spot and can see the birds coming for miles. I have not been able to get to the club for the last two weeks due to family visiting and health problems. Waiting to see a lung specialist and after never having smoked in my life, being in competitive sports from being a kid throughout my twenties the issue of whether pigeons are affecting my health once again crops up. Will have to wait and see.
Right I’m off, back Dreckly .
Shudehill

Bude Racing Pigeon Club

14/07/2025

09/07/2025

04/07/2025

25/06/2025

06/06/2025

20/05/2025

12/05/2025

07/05/2025

29/04/2025

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25/06/2024

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