It’s been a forte of the Flimby Homing Society loft that has landed them the coveted Big Cup in the Derwent Valley Federation on six occasions.
At the weekend the Cumbria Combine pigeon were held in France at Messac until 8.30am on Monday.
Liberated in a north-west wind it proved a really hard race with only three gallant birds making it home on the night.
Only five others were clocked before the race closed on Tuesday night.
The winner was clocked by Bromley and co – Alan Bromley and brother Stanley – at 9.36pm, closely followed by birds for John and Liz Walters in Workington and Albert Hayton, also in Flimby.
Topping the Federation sheet is a two-year-old chequer hen, sent by the Bromleys sitting a fortnight on eggs.
“She is a Busschaert, a breed we introduced from the north east in 1994 and have blended in with our old Vandie family,” says Alan.
The Bromleys have sent eight birds to this week’s final channel race of the old bird season from Ancenis, looking to retain the Derwent Valley’s Big Cup for Combined Averages.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here