Pinner Strikes as NRCC Heads North to Arbroath
The North Road Championship Club’s 125th anniversary season gathered further momentum with the second old bird race of the campaign, sponsored by Solosan.
A total of 2,162 pigeons entered the starting gate, creating another impressive convoy as members continued their quest for championship honours.
Traditionally, Perth occupies the second slot on the NRCC race programme, but with that venue unavailable this year, the convoy travelled a little further north to the historic coastal town of Arbroath in Angus.
Although the race point changed, one thing remained constant the continued support of our valued sponsors Solosan.
Their products play an important role in maintaining the hygiene of the transporter watering system at both the beginning and end of every season. Solosan offer a comprehensive range of products and members are encouraged to visit their website to learn more about their services.
Located approximately 38 miles north-east of Perth on Scotland’s east coast, Arbroath is perhaps best known for its world-famous “Arbroath Smokie”, haddock traditionally smoked over hardwood fires. Thankfully for the pigeons, the convoying team had no intention of sampling the local delicacy and got on with the job in and tending to the birds.
The birds arrived on site on Friday morning, allowing plenty of time for the convoying team to settle the transporter, provide water and make preparations for feeding later in the day. Conditions throughout Friday were superb, with clear blue skies and uninterrupted sunshine.
The weather forecasts and reports received from contacts along the route home assured both convoyer Dave Pettitt and weather advisor Ray Luffman conditions were ideal for an early liberation.
At precisely 7:00am on Saturday morning, the birds were released into a light west wind and another chapter of NRCC history began.
Pinner’s Golden Touch Continues
1st Open & 1st Section C – Andy Pinner, Wainfleet St Mary
Some fanciers seem to possess an uncanny knack for producing winners and Lincolnshire’s Andy Pinner is undoubtedly one of them.
The 64-year-old retired land worker recorded his third NRCC old bird victory when his outstanding yearling cock raced to 1st Open Arbroath.
His previous successes include 1st Open Thurso in 2021, when he also secured the prestigious NRCC Average Trophy, followed by 1st Open Dunbar in 2025. Remarkably, this year’s winner is a full brother to last season’s Dunbar champion.
As the saying goes, ‘Blood tells’.
This game yearling had already demonstrated his quality by topping the Peterborough & District Federation as a youngster and later collecting £2,000 in the NRCC Young Bird Futurity after finishing 2nd East Section Dunbar.
The winner was bred from a pair of pigeons of Leo Hermans origin, gifted to Andy following his Dunbar victory last season by John Coles of Maidstone who bred the winner and entered into the Futurity sale in 2024.
For many years Andy raced under the partnership name A & J Pinner alongside his brother John. However, although John remained supportive, he was never actively involved in the day-to-day management of the loft, and in recent seasons Andy has competed under his own name.
Andy pairs his birds at the end of January. The eggs are replaced with pot eggs, allowing the pigeons to sit out the eggs until they start to drive again at which point the sexes are parted. Prior to racing, the team receives around twenty miles of road training before beginning a carefully planned programme through local club races and NRCC events.
The Arbroath winner was basketed sitting fourteen-day eggs after already competing from NRCC Dunbar and the federation Berwick race a week earlier. Feeding centres around Bamfords Breed & Wean, Superfly and Depurative mixtures, supplemented with Versele-Laga Energy Mix when additional fuel is required.
It is a straightforward system, expertly managed, and producing exceptional results.
Consistency Rewarded – 1st Section A – Kevin Spiers, Nottingham
Kev’ Spiers has been racing north road pigeons for almost half a century. After beginning as a youngster, he spent 32 years racing in the successful Rick & Spiers partnership before going it alone 13 years ago.
His section-winning chequer hen was in outstanding form. During the previous two weeks, she had twice finished runner-up in federation competition, narrowly missing top spot on both occasions.This week she left no room for doubt by winning ‘Section A’ by several minutes adding another major performance to an already impressive record that includes two previous federation victories. The hen carries the blood of Danny Van Dyck and Stefan Lambrechts’ renowned Super 8 family.
Kev flies total widowhood after pairing shortly after the Blackpool Show. Kevin reports the hens had been exercising exceptionally well before Arbroath, regularly flying for over an hour during exercise periods.Feeding is based around Beyers and Vanrobaeys mixtures, while medication is kept to an absolute minimum, guided by advice from the Pigeon Testing Centre in Essex.
Kevin concluded by thanking the NRCC officials and volunteers who make racing at this level possible, while also congratulating all fellow section winners.
Parker’s North Road Return Pays Off- 1st Section B – D Parker & Son, Grantham
Sometimes the best decision a fancier can make is to go back to what they enjoy.
For Alan “Alfie” Parker the retired roofer from Grantham, that meant returning to North Road racing.
Having previously raced south, Alfie admitted ‘he simply wasn’t enjoying it’ and turned the birds around in 2022.
Racing today under the partnership name D Parker & Son, a tribute to his late father Dave, Alfie rejoined the NRCC in 2025 and wasted little time making his presence felt.
His Section B winner was a yearling red chequer hen who had already shown her ability the previous week when recording 3rd Club and 15th Federation from Dunbar.
The hen boasts an impressive pedigree. Her sire is a Van den Bulck purchased by good friend Steve Rogerson from the Excelsior Auctions, whilst her dam is a Lambrechts pigeon from Ian Stafford. Interestingly, Steve actually raced the hen as a youngster before Alfie brought her to his loft in September 2025.
Alfie explained. ‘When she was on eggs, I broke her out to my loft had to fetch her back a couple of times, but she eventually stayed. Looking back now, it was definitely worth it. Thanks Steve!’
The birds are raced on total widowhood, receiving nine training tosses up to twenty-five miles before the season started. The hens are fed Vanrobaeys Lady Mix, whilst the cocks receive Premium Power Mix.
The cocks and hens are exercised an our a day and come together for twenty minutes before basketing. It is a system built around routine, and at Arbroath it paid dividends.
Family Effort Brings Section Success – 1st Sections D & E – Alan & Orawan Clarke, Ramsey
Sometimes winning begins with simply getting the birds to the marking station.
For Alan and Orawan Clarke, this race almost never happened after Alan discovered his pick-up truck had failed to start, completely blocking access from the driveway. Thanks to the neighbour and the patience and understanding of the marking station team ay Wyberton, the couple eventually arrived and were able to basket their pigeons.
They certainly made the journey worthwhile.
Only in their second season with the NRCC, the Ramsey-based partnership races as a true family operation. Their son Jimmy is rarely far from the loft. ‘The lad just seems to have an affinity with birds,’ said Alan. ‘I leave him to it.’
The birds are raced naturally and enjoy an open-hole system, something many fanciers might consider brave given today’s raptor pressures. Alan admits winter presents challenges, but during spring and summer there is usually someone in the garden and plenty of activity around the loft, helping to keep predators at bay.
Road training takes place twice weekly. Alan handles the transportation while Orawan waits at home to welcome the returning birds with Bamfords TK Conditioner Seed. Bamfords Superfly forms the basis of the feeding regime as distances increases the mix is added too making it a little stronger.
Their section-winning cock was driving strongly to his hen despite the pair never having reared youngsters together, as she is barron and never laid;.
“He just loves his hen,” Alan laughed. ‘That’s all there is to it.’
Sometimes motivation really is that simple.
Bowles Delivers Again – 1st Section F – Shaun Bowles
If consistency won trophies, Shaun Bowles would need a bigger cabinet.
The Sutton Bridge fancier has been racing pigeons for almost forty years and alongside wife Lisa has enjoyed twenty-five years of partnership success.
Their Arbroath section winner had already been the loft’s leading performer throughout the season.
His record reads impressively: 1st Club, 1st Section Blaydon, 7th Club Dunbar, 2nd Club Berwick and now 1st Club and 1st Section F NRCC Arbroath.
The blue widowhood cock also won twice as a yearling and twice finished runner-up in Open competition.
Bred from Soontjen bloodlines on the sire’s side and a hen purchased from Paul Pratt of Boston on the dam’s side, the cock combines quality breeding with outstanding racing ability.
Shaun believes motivation is key. ‘Some pigeons like to see a hen before basketing, others don’t. I try to work out what each bird wants and adjust accordingly’.
Add careful feeding and years of experience and it is easy to see why the Bowles partnership remains one of the strongest competitors in the club.
Simplicity Pays for Bulla – 1st Section H – Marius Bulla
At 42 years of age, builder Marius Bulla is proving that success can come from keeping things uncomplicated as this is is second section win in two races.
After keeping pigeons as a youngster, Marius spent years travelling and working across Europe before eventually settling near Watford. Once established, he returned to the sport he had loved as a boy.
Three years later, he is already making his mark.
Flying in the same club as renowned fancier Terry Haley, Marius operates a refreshingly straightforward widowhood-style system.
Birds are paired at the end of December and rear a round of youngsters before the sexes are separated. Due to work commitments, training has been minimal this season, with just a single road toss before entering the local club programme.
Both cocks and hens exercise together, often flying between forty minutes and an hour before being separated and fed in their respective sections. Evening exercise follows the same pattern.
I asked if the sexes are brought together before racing?
‘No,’ said Marius. ‘I simply don’t have the time. Even after the race they’re separated again. The system has to fit around my work.’
Feeding revolves around Beyers 49 Olympia, supplemented with lighter mixtures and occasional additions of Versele-Laga Energy Mix when required.
The results suggest the birds are thriving on the routine.
A Hat-Trick of Victories for the ‘Corridor Cock’ – 1st Section I – Terry & Jacqui Ivatt, Ipswich
Terry and Jacqui Ivatt have raced with the club for around thirty years, the couple returned to the north road four years ago and now also operate the Ipswich Marking Station, providing an invaluable service to fellow members.
Their Arbroath section winner was a blue yearling cock bred in the loft from bloodlines tracing to Jan Hooymans’ famous “Inbred Harry” family alongside Drum and Yuri influences.
Raced on the natural system, the birds enjoy extensive freedom around the loft. Once released in the morning, they are free to come and go until late afternoon.
The winning cock had recently developed a mind of his own.
Deciding he no longer wanted a conventional nest box, he established a new nesting site in the loft corridor. For days he could be seen carrying twigs, leaves and any other building materials he could find as he attempted to create the perfect home for himself and his hen.The unusual behaviour sparked a noticeable improvement in form. Prior to Arbroath he had already won two club races and featured prominently in federation results. His Section I victory completed a remarkable hat-trick of wins from his last three races.
Terry and Jacqui have enjoyed numerous section victories over the years and have also finished runner-up in the Open result. However, one ambition remains. ‘We have been second open twice and our aim is to win 1st Open in the NRCC,’ said Jacqui. ‘And we’ll keep trying!’
On current form, few would bet against them achieving it.
Looking Ahead
One thing became abundantly clear while speaking to all of the section winners. Every single one expressed their gratitude to the NRCC committee, convoying team, race controllers and markers whose efforts make national racing possible week after week. By the time this report reaches print, Fraserburgh will already have been contested and another chapter added to the club’s remarkable 125-year history.
With two races completed, the race for a coveted place on Champions Row at the Annual Presentation on Saturday 28th November is already gathering momentum.
Full result can be viewed here
Ray Knight
