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Wooliss Strain of England
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 Lona
There are those whose loft or lofts contain
a strain of their own making but for some
reason they are not acknowledged as strain
makers. One of the latter is I believe
the family of Paul Woolliss of Grimsby
in England. This family contains some
of the best long and marathon type racing
pigeons in Europe today. An example of
their stature is 1st Section National
Flying Club Pau at 703 miles, 1st Section,
7th Open British Barcelona Club from Palamos
at 815 miles, and of course the exploits
of the great 'Lona' with eight national
positions and three times Spain to her
credit.
The
base of the strain has its roots in Holland,
that is, the bloodlines of the van Wanroy's
of Jo Hendricks of Twello. Apparently
purchased in 1984 when the Twello lofts
were at their best they were crossed with
Paul's Stichelbauts and in due course
became the Woolliss strain. Again we see
in this series the input of the Stichelbauts
into the evolution of an ultra distance
family.
The
founder believes that it is quality that
counts especially for this type of endurance
racing and emphasizes very strongly that
the key for success is the necessary requirement
of 'condition'. And it is generating the
proper condition that occupies the astute
intellect of Paul Woolliss within the
context of his yearly racing objectives.
An intellect that is pro quality and ensures
that about two dozen youngsters along
with a few late breds are bred each year
and that the present widespread mass breeding
addiction in the fancy is held at bay.
This of course coupled with apparent patience
has saw the growth of a family which is
amongst the leading strains in Britain
at present. Of course as a small team
fancier Woolliss has ensured that his
stock loft contains the best of breeders.
A basic and essential necessity!
The
Woolliss lofts are not a one bird loft
although it would be difficult to refer
to the strain without referring to the
noble exploits of the magnificent blue
hen known as 'Lona'. Rung NEHU 95 HAR
7400 and of van Wanroy/ Stichelbaut bloodlines
this outstanding thoroughbred scored:
1st SECTION E 46th OPEN PALAMOS 815 miles
BBC. FURTHEST FLYING BIRD IN RACE TIME.
2nd SECTION 68th OPEN PALAMOS 815 miles
BBC AGAIN WINNING FURTHEST FLYING BIRD
IN RACE TIME. 55th OPEN BARCELONA 3rd
SECTION E VERIFIED 842 MLS. 39th OPEN
NANTES 4th SECTION E 438 miles. 133rd
OPEN BORDEAUX 3rd SECTION E 596 miles
BBC. 604th OPEN PAU 33rd SECTION K 703
miles NFC. 195th OPEN LE FERTE’BERNARD
370 miles MNFC. 9th SECTION BORDEAUX 283rd
OPEN 596 miles BBC. Seven times over 596
miles. Fifteen channel crossings. Lona
flew over 7,987 national miles. What a
pigeon!
To
conclude, Paul Woolliss has formed his
modern strain of marathon racing pigeons
inspite of the fact that he suffers from
pigeon lung disease. Of tremendous help
and support through the years of this
condition and during the development of
his strain was his wife, Wendy, and in
this brief insight I include her too in
my tribute to a modern English strain.
This truth concurs with the saying which
I often heard in my childhood and youth
'Behind every good man there is a good
woman.
by: Liam O Comain
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