Plougastel O/B National
26/6/24
It only seemed like yesterday it was the first race of the season and in the blink of an eye we find ourselves at the show piece of the old bird season on French soil namely plougastel.
As usual in French racing shortly after liberation the jungle drums were beating, talk of how many day birds will there be, weather, getting home from work etc! The craic involved with these big races is mighty!
Winnng the EAA on this occasion and no stranger to success in what can only be described as an unbelievable season is Hugh Bigger. The north road lofts have been on fire all year and returned 5 pigeons in the NIPA result,6 in the EAA result, and as I’m writing this report I can tell you Hugh got another one this morning taking his total to 9 home!
The winning pigeon is bred on the sires side Robert Reid’s old French lines on the dams side it’s a jella man from Ian gibb. Hugh’s second pigeon was gifted to him from club mate and top flyer Geo Robinson which is nice to see there’s still that element in the sport amongst club mates!
The winning pigeon was 57th open st Malo in 2023,this year it finished 22nd open, I wonder what Hugh has in store for her next year
. I would go as far to say this possibly could be Hugh’s best season ever with the ybs still to get underway.
From myself and all at the EAA many congratulations Hugh you deserve it!
Special thanks to Alistair Stuart Mcnaghten who kindly donated the following
Best bird Penzance classic In the Larne centre
J&R Baxter Glenarm HPS £20
Best bird plougastel O/B National
Hugh Bigger Carrick Social A bottle of Bushmills Whiskey
With the old bird season now complete the points cup is as follows
Mr&Mrs R Reid & Hugh Bigger 1st place 133 points
D&J Campbell 2nd place 119 points
D&J Armstrong 3rd place 112 points
Well done guys
So as they would say in France “ keep er lit”
See you all in the young birds! Good Luck
Jonny baxter EAA press officer