When the going gets tough, look out for a Bromley pigeon.

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.

Results

DERWENT VALLEY FEDERATION (88 birds): 1, Bromley and co (Flimby HS) 1075; 2, Mr and Mrs Walters and son (Workington Victoria) 1067; 3, A. Hayton (Flimby WC) 1046; 4, 5, I. and D. Wood (Harrington Central) 786, 722; 6, R. McAvoy and son 642.

FLIMBY HS (4 sent 15): 1, Bromley and co 1077.

WORKINGTON VICTORIA (5 sent 15): 1, Mr and Mrs Walters and son 1067; 2, J. Walsh and son 533.

FLIMBY WEST COAST: 1, A. Hayton 1046; 2, Hunter bros 522.

HARRINGTON CENTRAL (4 sent 19): 1, 2, I. and D. Wood 786, 722; 3, R. McAvoy and son 642.

CUMBERLAND SOCIAL CIRCLE (13 sent 26): 1, I. and D. Wood 786; 2, J. Walsh and son 533.