TEAM RML
Loft: LN7913
National Flying Club: R389E
British Barcelona Club: D279
National Flying Club: R389E
British Barcelona Club: D279
E-mail: -secretary@rml-international.org
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B.B.C. Vire -
Training Race No. 1.
The first training race for TEAM RML will be with the British Barcelona Club from Vire on 8th May. The Marking Station at Walkern, approved for the 2010 season, will make the B.B.C. much more accessible to those on the eastern side of the country and it is hoped will draw in many more competitors.
The first training race for TEAM RML will be with the British Barcelona Club from Vire on 8th May. The Marking Station at Walkern, approved for the 2010 season, will make the B.B.C. much more accessible to those on the eastern side of the country and it is hoped will draw in many more competitors.
Vire viewed from from the "Place du Château" -
Photo by Ikmo-ned
Photo by Ikmo-ned
Vire.
This is a charming little town to the South West of Caen in Calvados, Lower-Normandy (Basse-Normandie). The town was originally built on a rocky outcrop by the side of the River Vire providing it with a strategic position. Like many race points in France Vire has long standing association’s with the UK and as early as the 12th Century the town was fortified by order of the English King, Henry I, who was also the Duke of Normandy. From these times it has been prosperous initially from the fur and leather industry later changing to wool and cloth. More recently it has become more involved with farming and agriculture particularly milk and the dairy products associated with it. Like many parts of France there is a particular local association with food and drink and here it is “Andouille de Vire”, a smoked pork sausage unique to the area, and smoked ham washed down with local cider or better still Calvados.
In 1944 Vire came under heavy bombing attack as part of the allied landing on the Normandy beaches, just a short distance away. Vire had been known as the Capital of the "Bocage Normand" and it was now that this word took on full significance for the invading troops. Bocage describes the landscape, a mixture of woodland and pastures interlaced with narrow roads bordered by high banks and hedgerows effectively reducing visibility to a few yards. This presented a great obstacle to the allied troops as they tried to battle forwards against well entrenched opponents.
This is a charming little town to the South West of Caen in Calvados, Lower-Normandy (Basse-Normandie). The town was originally built on a rocky outcrop by the side of the River Vire providing it with a strategic position. Like many race points in France Vire has long standing association’s with the UK and as early as the 12th Century the town was fortified by order of the English King, Henry I, who was also the Duke of Normandy. From these times it has been prosperous initially from the fur and leather industry later changing to wool and cloth. More recently it has become more involved with farming and agriculture particularly milk and the dairy products associated with it. Like many parts of France there is a particular local association with food and drink and here it is “Andouille de Vire”, a smoked pork sausage unique to the area, and smoked ham washed down with local cider or better still Calvados.
In 1944 Vire came under heavy bombing attack as part of the allied landing on the Normandy beaches, just a short distance away. Vire had been known as the Capital of the "Bocage Normand" and it was now that this word took on full significance for the invading troops. Bocage describes the landscape, a mixture of woodland and pastures interlaced with narrow roads bordered by high banks and hedgerows effectively reducing visibility to a few yards. This presented a great obstacle to the allied troops as they tried to battle forwards against well entrenched opponents.
The liberation point address is shown as the Market Place, VIRE and one of the main market area’s is in the vicinity of the magnificent Eglise Notre Dame church. But Vire is a market town and the co-ordinates take us HERE still in the town but a little further north.
Eglise Notre Dame-
Photo by Ikmo-ned
Photo by Ikmo-ned
From the B.B.C. Web site
"04-05-10
As of today 288 members have entered 2,377 birds for the Vire National. May I remind you that late entries will be accepted at marking at £4.50 per bird subject to room on the transporter."
05-05-10
As of today 323 members have entered 2,657 birds for the Vire National. May I remind you that late entries will be accepted at marking at £4.50 per bird subject to room on the transporter.
"04-05-10
As of today 288 members have entered 2,377 birds for the Vire National. May I remind you that late entries will be accepted at marking at £4.50 per bird subject to room on the transporter."
05-05-10
As of today 323 members have entered 2,657 birds for the Vire National. May I remind you that late entries will be accepted at marking at £4.50 per bird subject to room on the transporter.
Marking Day - 6th May 2010.
I was impressed by my first visit to a B.B.C. Marking Station and a new Station to the Club at that. Clearly the B.B.C. is a Club that is looking to move forward from a sound and efficient administrative base. This is a Club that seems eager to serve its membership from communication with the Secretary to the way it is pushing out the spread of its marking facilities. The helpful attitude of the Club is in good hands at Walkern where a friendly reception is guaranteed
Walkern itself is a quiet village set amidst rolling countryside yet only a few miles from the hustle and bustle of London and its bulging suburbs. Driving those last few miles to the Walkern Clubhouse reminded me very much of the description of Vire, perhaps Walkern is the Capital of the “Bocage Herts.”. The Clubhouse itself is a substantial building in good repair providing an ideal marking facility in any weather. The car park is spacious and down one side is a large, modern, clean and comfortable Village Hall where fresh bacon sandwiches tea and coffee are served at modest prices. In short the facilities, surroundings and reception are so pleasant that marking here is a pleasure.
I took all 28 cocks but only 27 got marked and sent. Entirely my fault and something I must remedy. I replaced the old straps on the baskets some time ago with thick red cord which has served well up to now but I have noticed, the last few times I have used the baskets, some of the knots have loosened. When I arrived today one of the baskets was a little open, though nothing seemed amiss but when we put the birds through one was missing. I thought I must have mistakenly left it behind so let things go at that. But, when I went out to the trailer to put the baskets back in, what do I see but GB09J31666 sitting inside. It was too late then to do anything so his race became a single up from 20 miles or so. A lovely day and they’re away - let’s look forward to Saturday.
From the B.B.C. Web site
"The 2,714 birds entered by 329 members are on their way to Vire one day later than planned because the starter motor decided to give up on route. Our thanks go out to the driver Darren Hatcher, convoyer Nigel Rigiani and committee man Brian Adamson and his daughter Louella who managed to procure a replacement which was eventually fitted at 0300hrs in the morning."
Saturday 8th May
Unfortunately due to the bad weather forecast for England the birds at Vire have been held over and will not be liberated on Saturday. This message will be updated at 0800hrs on Sunday morning.
Sunday Morning 9th May.
Weather conditions are forecast to improve and we are hopefully going to be able to liberate. This message will be updated at 0915hrs.
Good news the birds for the Vire National have been liberated at 0835hrs in clear blue sky's and a light Southerly wind turning North Easterly on route. Please do not forget to verify your pigeon within 60 minutes, after verifying you will be given a 4 digit number which should be recorded on the top right hand corner of your verification paper. I will update this line with the provisional early times. Good luck.
"The 2,714 birds entered by 329 members are on their way to Vire one day later than planned because the starter motor decided to give up on route. Our thanks go out to the driver Darren Hatcher, convoyer Nigel Rigiani and committee man Brian Adamson and his daughter Louella who managed to procure a replacement which was eventually fitted at 0300hrs in the morning."
Saturday 8th May
Unfortunately due to the bad weather forecast for England the birds at Vire have been held over and will not be liberated on Saturday. This message will be updated at 0800hrs on Sunday morning.
Sunday Morning 9th May.
Weather conditions are forecast to improve and we are hopefully going to be able to liberate. This message will be updated at 0915hrs.
Good news the birds for the Vire National have been liberated at 0835hrs in clear blue sky's and a light Southerly wind turning North Easterly on route. Please do not forget to verify your pigeon within 60 minutes, after verifying you will be given a 4 digit number which should be recorded on the top right hand corner of your verification paper. I will update this line with the provisional early times. Good luck.
7 - 8 mph
0908 UK time
Steve Appleby's Weather for Pigeon Fanciers
UPDATED SUNDAY 9th MAY AT 09:00 HOURS.
A mostly dry day today as any rain has petered out over night. The main problem we have is the cloud cover affecting the southeast, southern Midlands and channel. The Met Office forecast is for conditions to improve as the morning progresses. The cloud over some regions is quite heavy enough to produce the occaisional shower but sunny intervals should develop. Bearing this in mind it could take some time for the cloud to break up. As we are aware a liberation sky is essential for a good start to the race, so some organisations will wait until they are happy to liberate. Oviously the longer you wait the better the conditions become.
Over In Northern France the weather conditions are better as broken cloud and sunshine is the general picture. Again a fair amount of cloud is evident over the channel. Winds will come from the northeast but are forecast to be lighter over land. Over the open sea winds will be stronger reaching force 4 or at times force 5. Although generally conditions are not ideal especially the pigeons facing a north east wind over the open sea, racing will be possible.
Channel
Weather : Rather cloudy at first. Some sunny periods developing.
Max : 15 °C
Visibility : Good.
Wind : Northeast moderate force 4, increasing at times to fresh force 5.
First Home.
Well Mike may well be pleased to hear that GB08R45928 was the first home today at 14-56-20, not very quick but not a bad fly nevertheless.
Well it proved quite a stiff flight for a first training flight in many ways just what was needed and overall I am quite happy with the way things went, as long as they improve over the next few weeks. The first pigeon home can be seen in the Provisional Result at 261 Open, 27th Section with the fastest pigeons being on the West side of the Country he has not done to badly at all and with 12 home on the day including one yearling the only real omission is the Paul O’Leary Single Bird N.F.C. Nomination, but hopefully he will return soon.
Timings:
Day 1.
GB08R45928 14-56-20
GB08R45948 15-31-08
GB07V44109 15-56-44
GB07V44141 15-56-46
GB08R45947 16-03-18
GB05N07250 16-03-29
GB08R45967 16-14-28
GB05N07249 16-37
GB08R45902 17-01
GB05N07222 17-04
GB08R45984 17-32
GB09J31664 18-28
Day 2
GB08R45951 0500
GB05N07237 0700
GB09J31665 0700
GB08R45953 0800
GB08R45937 1000
GB08R45966 1100
GB08R45987 1400
At least the Paul O'Leary Single Bird Tarbes Nomination is back. Just watch his improvement over the next few weeks.
Vire - Race Review.
Looking at the timings, as well as the weather, it is clear that the pigeons had a good hard fly directly against the wind so the time of the leading pigeon was satisfactory. 45928 was provisionally about 27th Section and as far as I can see about the furthest east so he didn’t do to badly. The gaps between were then quite large, not unexpected on the first outing and in these conditions. Those that made it on the day performed reasonably for a first trainer race and included one yearling which was pleasing.
Well Mike may well be pleased to hear that GB08R45928 was the first home today at 14-56-20, not very quick but not a bad fly nevertheless.
Well it proved quite a stiff flight for a first training flight in many ways just what was needed and overall I am quite happy with the way things went, as long as they improve over the next few weeks. The first pigeon home can be seen in the Provisional Result at 261 Open, 27th Section with the fastest pigeons being on the West side of the Country he has not done to badly at all and with 12 home on the day including one yearling the only real omission is the Paul O’Leary Single Bird N.F.C. Nomination, but hopefully he will return soon.
Timings:
Day 1.
GB08R45928 14-56-20
GB08R45948 15-31-08
GB07V44109 15-56-44
GB07V44141 15-56-46
GB08R45947 16-03-18
GB05N07250 16-03-29
GB08R45967 16-14-28
GB05N07249 16-37
GB08R45902 17-01
GB05N07222 17-04
GB08R45984 17-32
GB09J31664 18-28
Day 2
GB08R45951 0500
GB05N07237 0700
GB09J31665 0700
GB08R45953 0800
GB08R45937 1000
GB08R45966 1100
GB08R45987 1400
At least the Paul O'Leary Single Bird Tarbes Nomination is back. Just watch his improvement over the next few weeks.
Vire - Race Review.
Looking at the timings, as well as the weather, it is clear that the pigeons had a good hard fly directly against the wind so the time of the leading pigeon was satisfactory. 45928 was provisionally about 27th Section and as far as I can see about the furthest east so he didn’t do to badly. The gaps between were then quite large, not unexpected on the first outing and in these conditions. Those that made it on the day performed reasonably for a first trainer race and included one yearling which was pleasing.
The first to arrive on Day 2 was 45921 quite early in the morning so I think that was reasonably satisfactory. Next was 07237, who flew Perpignan last year, though slowly, so this was no surprise for him. Next was the second yearling 31665, and nestmate to the Day 1 yearling, so again this was reasonable. Then came 45953 a two year old that had never raced before so we need to see his performance over the next couple of races before drawing any conclusions. Then came 45966 the N.F.C. nomination and this was clearly a disappointment, he should and was expected to do better, he seemed uninjured and well enough on arrival so we will just have to see how he performs on the next race. The final pigeon to return was 45987 the second two year old that has never raced before so again judgement will have to wait. Of those that remain missing are five previously untested yearlings, two previously untested two year olds and 45941 who previously took a couple of days to return from Falaise. So all in all it has not been a bad first trainer with several to look out for over the next couple of races and hopefully a gradual build up in fitness and performance.
Vire Result. (Final position 771st Open, 80th Section D.)
Vire Result. (Final position 771st Open, 80th Section D.)
Top 10 Open.