Daily Report-2008

Posted By John Marles 10th December 2008.
FINAL RESULTS 300 MILE FSI RACE.
MARLES & EVANS 1st FSI AVERAGE SPEED,
MARLES & EVANS 1st, 5th, 7th, 12th, 19th, 21st, 24th FSI ACE CHAMPION BIRD.
1st CHAMPION LOFT POINTS .
Finally, the season is over!!!! Mark & Dick Evans' birds came through in flying colours and managed to nail down 1st Champion Loft Points in the last Concourse race of the year
Now to sleep in tomorrow and for the next few weeks. Unfortunately, old bird racing starts in early January and the first race is January 30th. Once again, no rest for the weary or the wicked.

FINAL RESULTS OF THE TAMPA BAY CONCOURSE
1st AVERAGE SPEED
2nd AND 3rd CHAMPION BIRDS - 2nd CHAMPION LOFT
The Tampa Bay Concourse results are up and overall it has been a very successful first year racing down in Florida. I must admit that even I was a bit surprised by the overall results because it seems that I have been jumping over many hurdles since I arrived in Florida. I finally started to put the racing birds together as they start training in January. I will very soon put the stock birds together. This year I plan to race a few more of my own birds (approximately 45) to give myself a better run towards the end of the schedule. I will probably race widowhood cocks in old birds instead of the double widowhood system which I have raced since the 70's. This may give me more time to work around the house and the grounds. .

Posted by Mark Evans 9th December 2008.
Roy Mulligan from Doncaster
1st Open Northern Classic Picauville.
The birds were liberated at 9.10am into a strong North West wind in Picauville together with the birds from the North Derbyshire Federation. A very difficult race was predicted and so it turned out with just 12 birds recorded on the day and only 51 recorded in race time. Roy Mulligan clocked the race winner flying 288 miles in seven hours and 21 minutes for a velocity of 1148. His winning pigeon a blue M & D. Evans x Van Reet cock. Roy’s Van Reets have been winning for him for many years now including his Northern Classic Winner from Messac in 2007. The M & D. Evans bloodlines came from his good friend Alan Darker from Scunthorpe who purchased these bloodlines from Myrtle Lofts in the early days. Roy’s 1st Section, 1st Open winner contains the “Jester” & “Carrie” lines.

Posted By John Marles 24th November 2008
TAMPA BAY CONCOURSE RESULTS FOR THE 250 MILE RACE MARLES & EVANS 3rd, 4th & 7th
1st AVERAGE SPEED
1st AND 3rd ACE CHAMPION BIRDS
2nd CHAMPION LOFT
We have extended our lead in the Average Speed category to a little over 10 minutes with one race left, the 300 mile event Saturday. Hopefully the troops can maintain their form for which they will be well rewarded. (more peanuts) That's the good news, the bad news is that old bird training begins in January for these warriors so as they say, ' no rest for the weary'. CU-Sylvanlofts-2008-50 has Ace Champion Bird wrapped up in the Tampa Bay Combine and is over 200 points ahead. He looked so good when he landed last Saturday that I'm sure he could have continued for another 100 miles. Instead of going for water or food, he went to his hen first. 'Ain't Love Grand.' I have made the decision to put him in the stock loft for one year to see if he can replicate himself. 50 has been to 10 races and has always been near the top. He raced 7 Tampa Bay Concourse races with the FSI club.

Posted by John Marles. Florida. USA
EVANS BIRDS TAKE 1ST PLACE AVERAGE SPEED IN COMBINE.
JOE FERREIRA RACING MARK & DICK' EVANS LINES WINS YOUNG BIRD AVERAGE SPEED IN THE UP NORTH COMBINE IN CONVINCING STYLE. HE PLACED 12 BIRDS IN THE TOP 100 OF THE COMBINE. JOE ALSO WON HIS CLUB RACE AT THE 350 MILE STATION AND WAS SECOND BY 23 SECONDS ON THE SECONDARY RACE. MIKE VALENTE ADDED TWO MORE WINS TO HIS COLLECTION ON THE WEEKEND BY WINNING THE CLUB 300 AND ALSO WINNING THE SECONDARY RACE FROM POWASSAN. THESE TWO FANCIERS MANAGED TO PUT 13 BIRDS IN THE TOP 47 IN THE COMBINE WHICH SAW 68 LOFTS AND 834 BIRDS. TO ADD TO JOE'S WINS THIS YEAR HE ALSO WON THE AUCTION RACE FROM 350 MILES (SEPARATE LIBERATION) TO CULMINATE IN A FANTASTIC WEEKEND. IN THE ACE BIRDS OF THE COMBINE MIKE AND JOE WERE 4, 6, 8, 16, 19, 23. ON THE SECONDARY RACE WITH 62 LOFTS AND 810 BIRDS THEY WERE 6, 7, 16.
I ALSO HEARD FROM DERRICK HUMPHRIES OF GEORGIA WHO IS RACING THE EVANS GABYS AND HE HAS WON HIS FIRST THREE YOUNG BIRD RACES.

Posted by John Marles. Florida. USA 24th September 2008
CATCHING UP ON ALL OF THE RESULTS BY THE EVANS BIRDS....
First off, the results of the Evans’ birds continue to pour in daily. So many that I have trouble keeping up with all of them. Joe Ferreira kicks it off with a club win at 300 miles two weeks ago and then another club win at 300 miles this past weekend. The first club win was also a Combine win. In fact, the Evans birds had a field day. 1-8-14-16-18-21-23-27-55-61-63-64-73-76-78-81-84-86-100 Combine, 77 Lofts 1,063 Birds. This represents almost 20%, 1 in every 4 birds was an Evans and yet this was achieved by 2% of the lofts in the Combine. These results continue to mirror those of past years. Mike Valent also won his club 300 two weeks ago and then was only 23 seconds from winning last week’s 300. Pat Kleyn continues to perform winning the secondary race last week. An interesting note comes from Gord Whale of Toronto. He was breeding from a granddaughter of the Jester x Carrie pair. One of the young ones in the nest had some fret marks on its tail. Gord told me he was going to cull it. A friend of Gord’s, Wally Beelik, was over and asked if he could have the young one. Well, it has been in the TOP Combine Results on 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. 24th Combine 92 lofts 1,499 birds, 30th Combine 67 lofts 963 birds etc. What do we KNOW??????
IN HAWAII, Ivan Endo, 2 x 1st Hawaiian Concourse in 4 weeks of racing with M & D Evans. Ivan writes, “THE AMAZING THING IS THAT THE BIRDS THAT I BOUGHT FROM YOU WENT THRU 3 TIME ZONES AND DID NOT EVEN HAVE TIME TO ACCLIMATE TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE AND THESE YOUNGSTERS ARE COMING IN SO FAR. MOST STOCK BIRDS WE BRING IN, THE YOUNGSTERS GETS LOST IN TRAINING.”
“GLAD TO SAY ANOTHER BIRD OF EVANS CAME THRU ON A VERY, VERY TOUGH RACE. IT WAS CLEAR AND NO WINDS AT RELEASE POINT. BUT GOING THRU THE 3 CHANNELS OF WATER IT WAS 15-20 MPH OF HEAD WINDS AND NOT TO MENTION THE BIRDS HAD TO FLY THRU THE THICK VOG (VOLCANIC HAZY)…AND THE TERRIBLE HEAT!! 90'S AND HUMIDITY.
THE COCK IS FROM THE EVANS HEN 717 (BROTHER X SISTER MATING OF LTD. ADDITION X MRS. VERVOORT). FROM 170 MILES. A 4 HOUR 15 MIN FEAT. I WON THE CONCOURSE AGAIN. THE OTHER CONCOURSE WINNER IS FROM 736 ( WESTKAPPELLE X FIENEKE 804 MATED TO SHADOW X EBONY”.
Got a call from Richie Stern of upstate New York. He purchased two pair of Evans last year from birds that Joe Ferreira and Mike Valente raced. Richie told me that in the first race he only sent 1 Evans bird and clocked it before all the rest of his young birds. In the second race he again only sent 1 Evans bird and again it was his first bird. Then on the third week of racing again he only sent 1 Evans and yet once again his first bird. As he was telling me this he said,” The funny thing is that I bred my friend 1 from the Evans birds and it was his first bird on this last race.” Richie told me that he needs to clean house as he has 16 pair of breeders. We agreed that he really only has 2 pair of breeders. Last night Martin Ward from the Braintree club in Boston called to tell me that an Evans bird won his club and was out in front by 4 minutes ahead of the club. He has been told that he might win the South Section and he could be in for a win in the Combine. Stay tuned. I was talking to Vern Dean of Minnesota the other day. Now before Vern got the Evans birds he had raced for five years and hadn’t been in the top 10% of his club. He is now winning in the club and has done exceptionally well in the Futurities. He told me, “It’s fun now. We are competitive. The rest of the people are starting to recognize us. It is actually fun to go to countermarking knowing you have a chance to win.” In the Minnesota State Futurity his bird placed 1st in one race and 4th in the second race. In the Minnesota Gold Band Futurity (1,500 birds entered) the Evans bird sent in by Dean was 6th from 1,145 birds and then 27th from 1.241 birds ). With one more good performance he is hoping to win this Futurity. Dean sent an Evans into the Detroit area and Mike Morris won with that bird which Mike promptly stocked. Vern Dean said that he would compile all of his Futurity races with the Evans birds and send it to me in the coming month.

Posted by Mark Evans 16th September 2008.
Mr & Mrs G. Lloyd from Hereford
1st Open Central Southern Classic Old Hens from Lessay
The winning pigeon was a blue M & D. Evans Vandenabeele yearling hen which had already won 2 x 1st and a 2nd as a young bird. She was bred from a pair which were kindly gifted to them from Brian, Paul & Wendy Hyatt from Tewkesbury. They very generously allowed Mr & Mrs Lloyd to pick the pair from their M & D. Evans stock birds. The two year old sire (Bred down from Shadow lines) has already won 7 x 1st prizes including two first Federation wins.

Posted by John Marles. Florida. USA. 14th September 2008.
Another Winner in Hawaii.
Hi John,
Glad to say another bird of Evans came through on a very, very tough race. It was clear and no winds at the release point, but going through the 3 Channels of water it was 15 – 20 mph head winds and not to mention the birds had to fly through the thick vog (volcanic hazy) ..and the terrible heat !! 90’s and humidity.
The cock is from the Evans Hen 717. From 170 miles a 4 hour 15 minute feat. I won the Concourse. I had 3 birds on the drop. I will send the result when I get them. The other Concourse winner was from the Evans 736 Hen.
Regards Ivan Endo. Hawaii

Posted by Mark Evans 2nd September 2008
David Reed from Chainbridge Lofts
Equal 1st South West One Loft Race from Great Yarmouth.
The SWOLR held their final race of the season from Great Yarmouth approx. 300 miles where 5 birds dropped together to win equal 1st prize and share the first five lots of prize equally between them. The Sire to David Reed’s winner is bred from a direct son from “Jester” & “Carrie” when paired to David’s 1st Scottish National winner “Swintonhill Lady”. The Dam is a direct daughter from Myrtle Lofts Champion Breeder “Shadow” when paired to a daughter of “Rolls Royce & the “Queen of Diamonds.

Our M & D. Evans Bloodlines
have now won to date
35 x 1st Open National Winners

The National winner is a 5 year old widowhood cock which he has always been a high performer right from his first Classic race as a young bird when he won 60th Open Guernsey 3,228 birds. He flew particularly well North route in 2006 winning 47th Open West of England Combine from Weatherby 2,289 birds & 116th Open BBC National from Carlisle 1,120 birds. His Sire is “Nistleroy” bred & raced by Nigel Langstaff to take 1st Section, 30th Open NFC National from Guernsey in 2002 from 7,190 birds. “Nistleroy” was bred from a son of Myrtle Lofts well known breeding pair “Jester” & “Carrie” when paired to “Perfect 92” a daughter from “Hannah” winner of 1st Stafford Gold Ring Race in 2000. (The very best M & D. Evans bloodlines) The Dam was purchased from Paul Newbold and the parents were bred by Gaby Vandenabeele in 1996. A grandson of “Den Brive” when paired to a granddaughter of the “Kleinen”

The name of Ian and Nigel are constantly shown amongst the top fliers in major racers over the last few years. This time the 1st Section winner 4th Open is 100% M & D. Evans bloodlines. This cock has already won 2nd Open BICC National when beaten by a loft mate when they both dropped together to win first and second National. He also has won 2nd Open London & South East Classic when Ian & Nigel had three birds drop together to win 1st, 2nd, 3rd Open Classic. This outstanding performer is a direct son from Myrtle Lofts Champion Breeder “Eisenhower” when paired to a direct daughter from “Benetton” & “Devon”. This cock is also a umcle to Ian & Nigel’s previous week’s winner 1st Open London & South East Classic winner from Bergerac.

In Canada this week the following people won with Evans birds: Mike Valente won both races in the Borden club, Joe Ferreira won the York Region club and Pat Kleyn won the North Wings club. Pat Kleyn was 1-3-4-7-12-14-15 and 19th. Full results to follow.

I also heard back from Ivan Endou a fancier that is racing in Hawaii. He informed that he won last weeks race in the club and the Hawaii Concourse with a M & D Evans. Mark and Dick Evans developed this family of birds to race over 80 to 100 miles of water and compete at the top in National level from France etc. Therefore, I felt that they would do well in Hawaii where they must travel over many miles of water in between the islands. It's great to hear that the M & D Evans birds are successfulI in Hawaii.

Posted by Mark Evans 21st July 2008
Updated report from Colin Crowe. Scotland
Hi Mark,
Hope you are your family are keeping well?
I must give you a call sometime and catch up with things and hopefully arrange a trip down. I thought I'd give you an update on just some of the highlights from the old bird racing this year. The following positions were all achieved by pigeons containing 100% M&D Evans bloodlines -
1st, 2nd & 3rd Club; 2nd, 4th & 5th Fed 1,584 birds
1st, 2nd & 3rd Club; 3rd, 4th & 5th Fed 1,378 birds
1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th & 7th Club; 1st, 7th, 9th, 13th, & 14th Fed 750 birds
1st, 2nd, 28th & 40th Open 437 birds
3rd & 4th Club; 32nd & 33rd Fed 1,528 birds
Not only that Mark, other fanciers are winning races and topping Feds with your bloodlines bred by myself. It just proves that this remarkable family of pigeons are continuing to win being generations from the top breeders. They are a totally awesome family of pigeons that I'm very proud to have in my lofts.
Kind regards,
Colin Crowe.

Posted by Mark Evans 20th July 2008
Gaby Vandenabeele. Belgium
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 18, 21, 35, 38, 71, 74, 80, 81 Provinciaal 4,933 birds.
I am often asked if Gaby is still achieving top results with his bloodlines. Well the answer is YES as you can see with the outstanding result which was achieved only this last week from almost 5,000 birds. This result shows that the great master is still as strong as ever and his bloodlines are still capable of winning in the strongest of competition.

Posted by Mark Evans 17th July 2008
Ian Crammond & Nigel Langstaff
1st Section, 1st Open London & South East Classic from Bergerac
182 members sent 1,112 birds.
The winning pigeon doing a velocity of 1219 and flying approx. 420 miles was a great performance on a day that proved to be one of the toughest this season with many pigeons failing to get home on the day. The winning pigeon is 100% M & D. Evans bloodlines and contained some of the very best bloodlines from our lofts. The sire is a direct son from the World Famous Breeding Pair “Jester” & “Carrie” and the dam is a full sister to Myrtle Lofts “Roman” & “Legend” which are all direct children from champion breeder “Eisenhower” (son of Shadow x Saffron) & “Golden Lady” grand daughter from “Shadow” x “Amber Louise” & “Golden Boy” x “Tonique”.

Posted by John Marles 15th July 2008
Derrick Humphries of Woodstock, Georgia. just e-mailed his results from this year, 2008. His results were truly amazing when you consider that these Evans’ yearlings were never raced as young birds due to Derrick injuring himself. Then, this year he has had to work out of State and therefore left the feeding and watering of the birds to a friend. These M & D Evans’ yearlings were raced strictly to the perch. Derrick would come home each weekend to ship them.

Dear Mark and Dick,
Just to let you know that in our club I was the Middle Distance Champion loft and also in the Peachtree Combine Middle Distance Average Speed. These birds were yearlings so I never sent too far and stopped racing after the middle distance races. They were coming home to the perch. I was working in Florida from January till the end of June. (These are the months that they race in Georgia). They had a small amount of training. I would set out the feed for the week in little baggies and a good friend of mine and a club member Bob Traverse would feed, water and loft fly them for me. He took great care of them, maybe too good because on Saturday these birds would beat his. Here are my results as I only raced in eight races. The first loft in the combine is 38 miles less than mine so I really should not get anywhere near the top of the Combine.
4/20 200 5,7,8,12,16,21,22,25 Club
4/26 300 1st 4th club 2nd 5th combine xxx
4 26 ob 475 mile 5th Club
5/4 200 2nd 9,11 club 2nd Combine xxx
5/10 200 1st 3,4,5,6,8,9,11 club 2nd 11th Combine xxx
5/17 200 1st 2,3,4,9,10,16,17 Club
5/24 200 1st 2nd club 11,12 Combine xxx
5/31 200 3rd 4th club 3rd 4th Combine xxx
Thanks for the great birds, mates. Derrick Humphries. Georgia. USA.

Posted by Mark Evans 14th July 2008
David Reed from Chainbridge Lofts
1st South West One Loft Race from Wincanton.
The SWOLR held their 2nd Hotspot race of the season yesterday from Wincanton and the winning pigeon entered by David Reed from Chainbridge Lofts, Berwick-upon-tweed. The winning pigeon is bred from a direct son from “Golden Gaby” when paired to a hen bred down from the “Shadow” & “Princess” bloodlines.

Posted by Mark Evans 11th July 2008
Ali & Linda McLeod. Billingham, Teesside.
1st Section 3,859 birds, 8th UNC 20,472 birds.
Hello mark, how's the family? everything OK mate,
just a quick email to let you know, that from the Folkstone National flown on 28th June I was 1st club, 1st Federation, 1st Section 3,859 birds, 8th UNC 20,472 birds, 100% Vandenabeele bloodlines bred from 100% your stock.
cheers mark
Ali & Linda.

Posted by Mark Evans 8th July 2008.
Peter Fox from Syndicate Lofts e-mailed me earlier today to say a 2008 bred grand daughter NL08-3857214 from “Golden Gaby” won last Saturday 5th July
1st Club 444 birds, 1st Federation 2,183 birds
1st Combine (Union de Baronie) 7,631 birds.
Sire of the winning pigeon is a direct son from Peter’s (Syndicate Lofts) outstanding breeding pair “Galileo” & “Agent Starling” who are both better know as the “Young Couple”. “Galileo” is a Vandenabeele based pigeon bred down from the well known names “Picanol” & “Wittenbuik” and “Agent Starling” is a D & L. Van Dyck based pigeon from the well known “Rambo” & “Kannibaal” bloodlines. Peter's “Young Couple”are an outstanding breeding pair that are parents, grand parents to many, many winners. Dam of the winner is a direct daughter from Myrtle Lofts “Golden Gaby” when paired to a direct daughter from Peter’s “Blue Diamond” son from “Wittenbuik” & “Sissi” This 1st Combine from 7,600 plus birds is a great start for this young 2008 bred hen racing in Holland and it will be interesting to see what other performances she can achieve.

Brian & Sue Stone from Belper, Derbyshire.
1st Section, 1st Open North Midlands Continental.
118 members sent 1,060 birds.
Brain & Sue are no strangers to success but the winning hen at this event is some performer. Her first venture overseas was as a young bird in 2002 where she gained 6th Section I, 158th Open National from Guernsey with the NFC out of an entry of over 7,000 birds. A feat she battered as a yearling with the NFC from Falaise where she recorded 2nd Section I, 126th Open National. With the Continental Club she as scored three positions in the last two seasons 4th Section, 7th Open and 41st Open from Fougeres and 16th Open from Falaise. She has gained many Federation positions and has a 1st, 2nd, & 3rd from the continent with the Derbyshire Two Bird Club, plus a fine 4th Open National in the MNFC Lulworth old birds but the 1st Section, 1st Open NMCC will be her crowning glory. She was bred by Brian & Sue via two direct M & D. Evans pigeons. The sire is a direct son from “Pearce” when paired to “Jade Leanne” and the dam is a direct daughter from “Logan” when paired to “Ebony” and with a pedigree showing lineage from such eminent champion stock it is no real surprise she has performed so well.

Our M & D. Evans Bloodlines
have now won to date
34 x 1st Open National Winners
Posted by Mark Evans 30th June 2008.
John & Pam Gladwin of Southend-on-Sea.
1st Section, 1st Open B.I.C.C. National from Tours
405 members sending 3,693 birds.
The winner is 100% M & D. Evans bloodlines bred by John & Pam’s son John Gladwin and his partner John Cowlin who between them own Formula 1 Lofts and race separately to John's mum and dad. John Gladwin & John Cowlin purchased the parents direct from Myrtle Lofts. This is the information John Gladwin e-mailed to Myrtle Lofts regarding the breeding details. Sire: GB04T25383 Blue Pied Cock The double RR cock Bred by M & D. Evans. This super cock has bred the goods from the first nest for us he is sire and grandsire of some top pigeons including being grandsire to our first pigeon from both L&SECC y/b races in 2007 as he should when you look at his pedigree being a direct son from “Rolls Royce” a big winner on the road and even bigger winner at stock the first 5 children bred from this cock were put to stock all 5 bred federation winners in there first year at stock when paired to “Nationaal Fideelke” herself a champion breeder being dam, grand dam to winners including 1st Open National in the N.F.C. 10,148 birds Dam: GB04T25397 Blue Hen Bred by M & D. Evans. This cracking hen has some of the best M & D. Evans bloodlines being bred from two top breeders “Benson” & “Misty” “Benson” is a brother to “Blauwe Fideel” a winner of 1st National. “Benson” has gone on to be one of the best breeders housed at Myrtle lofts he is sire G.sire to countless winners in Club, Federation, National & One Loft Races the dam of 397 is “Misty” who is nestmate to “Jas”. “Misty” like her nestmate have bred many winners at Myrtle lofts. 397 has bred winners for us she is dam to one of the best race hens at Formula 1 Lofts at present.

Graeme Warman from Stocksbridge Lofts
1st South West One Loft Race from Honiton 504 birds.
The SWOLR held their first race of the season today and the winning pigeon was 100% M & D. Evans bloodlines bred by Graeme Warman. The Sire is a pigeon called the "Statesman"a direct son from “Solo” top breeder right through to National level for Stocksbridge Loft. “Solo” was bred by M & D. Evans and he is a direct son from Champion Racer & Breeder “Solitaire”. "Solo" was paired to a direct daughter from Myrtle Lofts "Enrique" & "Witpen Lady" The Dam to the winner is "Stocksbridge Beauty" a direct daughter from Graeme’s No1. Breeding Pair “The Governor” (from a direct son of “Jester” & “Carrie” when paired to a direct daughter of “Golden Boy” & “Amber Louise”) the other top partner to the No1. Breeding Pair is “Megans Magic” (from a direct son of “Benetton” & “Saffron” when paired to a direct daughter of “Golden Boy” & “Amber Louise”)

Posted by Mark Evans 29th June 2008.
Tom and Niel Chalmers. Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Dear Mark,
Another winner to report from our loft.
On Saturday 22nd June, 2008, Blue Cock ring number ZAOP .2007. 23153 bred late December 2007, WON Colesburg to Port Elizabeth 364 kilometers velocity 1374.8520.
This cock was bred direct out of your pigeons that we bought at your auction in 2006 The sire is GB2006Z62655 direct son from “Shadow” when paired to “Saffron” and the dam is GB2006Z62638 a direct daughter from “Steve McQueen (son of Jester & Carrie) when paired to “Carrie Black” (daughter of Shadow & Carrie)
Thank you
Kind regards
Tom and Niel

Posted by Mark Evans 25th June 2008.
Another top performance from the loft of
D & J. Hawkins. Dunsville, South Yorkshire.
Old Birds & Yearlings
In the Midlands National Tours 459 members sent 3,214 birds.
1st North East Section.
1st North East, East & South East Sections.
2nd Open National Yearlings.
1st North East Section.
1st North East, East & South East Sections 1,474 birds.
5th Open National 3,214 Birds.

Posted by Mark Evans 20th June 2008
THANK YOU MARK & DICK FOR SOME CLASS PIGEONS…..
Hello Mark, after our telephone conversation about the top pair of pigeons that you bred me. I have enclosed the breeding details and the performances bred down from them. The pair I have left are class and will turn out to be a credit to the M & D. Evans Vandenabeele name …… They are the Blue Cock GB2003 son of “Golden Boy” x “Hannah” paired to GB2003 daughter of “Nationaal Fideel” x “Belle”. This pair are Sire and Dam to a 2005 late bred who won in 2007. 1st Club, 1st Federation, 1st Section, 2nd UNC Maidstone 16,000 birds 269 miles. Another 2004 son off this pair is sire to 1st Tyne to Tweed Section 4,995 birds, 7th Section 4,392 birds, 7th Section 5,000 birds, 11th Section 3,422 birds, 47th Section 9,099 birds etc ….. A daughter from this pair is the dam to our best racer who’s won 3rd Club158 miles, 4th Club 237 miles, 3rd Club, 21st Section 4,236 birds, 5th Club, 21st Section 4,444 birds, 2nd Club, 40th Section 2,842 birds, 147th UNC 16,626 birds, 2nd Club, 20th Section 7,551 birds, 5th Club, 28th Section, 139th UNC 16,000 birds and on this day we were 2nd – 12th – 139th UNC and all were children or grandchildren of the pair I’m on about. Another daughter from this pair is dam to 1st Club, 1st Federation, 2nd Section 8,793 birds and another daughter is dam of 3rd Club, 4th Section, 12th UNC 16,000 birds….also dam of 1st Club by 6 minutes, 1st Federation by 4 minutes, 1st Tyne to Tweed Section by 11 yards a minute against 4,612 birds…..but I am told (provisional) up to now I have the fastest velocity of all the three sections released together approx. 20,000 plus pigeons. THANK YOU MARK & DICK FOR SOME CLASS PIGEONS…..watch this space…Yours Chris Kelly.

Posted by Mark Evans 19th June 2008
“One so Wonderfull”
Letter I received today from Dave Hawkins of D & J. Hawkins. Dunsville from South Yorkshire.
Hi Mark, I am often contacted by different fanciers who are interested in your bloodlines and I am almost asked the same question by everyone. They ask me to recommend which are the best M & D. Evans bloodlines that they can obtain from yourselves. I always explain that I have so many different lines from you that keep producing top performances in major competitions. I wouldn’t like to say because I have had so many winners bred down from so many different breeders in your loft for example Benetton, Jester, Shadow, Solitaire, Rolls Royce, Joe Jones, Dream Maker, Carrie, Gaby 562, Super Girl 413, Band of Gold, Queen of Diamonds, Kimberley etc. etc. When I have the spare time in the winter months I will forward you all the results bred from our M & D. Evans stock but here is a fine example of the pigeons you have bred for me. “One so Wonderfull” she is a direct daughter from your “Solitaire” and “Band of Gold” and below are some of the performances bred down from this hen that we have raced ourselves. Please understand this is only an example because we have many more from our racing loft plus other prizes achieved for other fanciers who have obtained her bloodlines.
1st North East Section MNFC 2,231 birds. Falaise.
7th Open National MNFC 7,131 birds Falaise.
1st North East Section MNFC Yearlings 468 birds Falaise.
4th Open MNFC National Yearlings 1,234 birds Falaise.
8th North East Section MNFC 1,901 birds Alencon.
70th Open National MNFC 6,540 birds Alencon.
11th North East Section MNFC 2,331 birds Falaise.
20th Open National MNFC 7,131 birds Falaise.
20th North East Section approx 2,000 birds Picauville.
37th Open National MNFC approx 5,000 birds Picauville.
39th North East Section MNFC 1,705 birds Falaise.
39th Open National MNFC 5,577 birds Falaise.
9th North East Section MNFC 2,331 birds Falaise.
18th Open National MNFC 7,131 birds Falaise.
6th North East Section MNFC Yearlings 468 birds Falaise.
10th Open National MNFC 1,234 birds Yearlings Falaise.
1st North Section Northern Classic Picauville.
1st Open Northern Classic 556 birds Picauville.
2nd North Section Northern Classic beaten by loftmate Yelverton.
3rd Open Northern Classic 876 birds Yelverton.
2nd Open North East Provincial Club 1,093 birds beaten by loftmate Newbury.
4th Open North East Provincial Club beaten by loftmates Alencon.
1st Open North East Provincial Club 438 birds Falaise.
2nd Open North East Provincial Club 582 birds beaten by loftmate Buckingham.
2nd Open North East Provincial Club beaten by loftmate Portsmouth.
2nd Open North East Provincial Club 869 birds beaten by loftmate Buckingham.
3rd Open North East Provincial Marlborough.
1st Open North East Provincial Club Tours.
Provisionally
1st North East Section, 5th Open MNFC National Tours.
1st North East Section MNFC Yearlings Tours.

Posted by Mark Evans 13th June 2008
On the 27th May the Midlands National raced their first National of the season from Falaise in France. The birds were held over for three days and then liberated on the fourth day with very poor weather conditions on route and on top of this the pigeons had a east wind in the English Channel and north east wind here in the UK. Not surprisingly this race turned out to be the worst MNFC race that I can ever remember and must be the worst on record. Unfortunately many top fanciers only clocked odd birds and some reporting no bird’s home on the day. Here are four different fanciers who have reported good birds from our M & D. Evans bloodlines that made it home that day.
M.N.F.C. National Falaise
745 members sent 6,431 birds.
Mr & Mrs E Corkett & Sons. Leighton Buzzard
1st South East Section, 5th Open National.
Vaughan Brothers & Son. Dawley
3rd South West Section, 6th Open National.
Mr J. L. Davison & Sons. Liverpool
3rd West Section, 16th Open National.
Vaughan Brothers & Son. Dawley
8th South West Section, 23rd Open National.
Vaughan Brothers & Son. Dawley
10th South West Section, 27th Open National.
D & J. Hawkins. Dunsville
6th North East Section, 52nd Open National.

Posted by Mark Evans 10th June 2008.
D & J. Hawkins. Dunsville, South Yorkshire.
1st & 2nd Section, 2nd & 3rd Open Northern Classic Yelverton.
Hi Mark, we raced with the Northern Classic last weekend from Yelverton at a distance of 249 miles. The birds were liberated in a strong north east wind which turned out to be a very hard race with only 7 birds breaking 1000 ypm. We timed our first bird after 7 hours which was a yearling hen and a grand daughter from your “Rolls Royce” when paired onto “Carrie” crossed “T.C.” when paired onto “Princess” Velocity 1033 ypm. Our next bird was clocked a second after and was a son from our “Golden Cock” (bred by Myrtle Lofts) a son from “Dream Maker” when paired to “Gaby 562” The dam of the second section winner is “One So Wonderful” a hen I rate very highly in my breeding loft and was bred by yourselves at Myrtle Lofts and is a direct daughter from “Solitaire” when paired to “Band of Gold”. I have lots more winners to report which have been either raced by us or bred by us and raced by other fanciers. I promise as soon as I find some spare time I will put this winning information to print.
Many thanks Dave Hawkins.

Posted by Mark Evans 9th June 2008.
3 x 1st Open National Winners in 8 days
After last weeks top winning reports I didn’t expect things to get much better but on Saturday night I received a telephone call to say that Gary & Lee Sullivan & Partners had just won 1st Open NFC National. That makes 3 x 1st Open National winners in 8 days that contain our M & D. Evans bloodlines.
L & G Sullivan, P. Potter & T. Reeves. Brighton
1st Sect, 1st Open NFC National.
Angers 5,977 birds.
The winning pigeon was bred by our good friends Gordon Brothers in Northern Ireland.
Sire is bred from a direct son of “Logan” & “Lady Bond” when paired to Gordon brothers 1st Open Hen which contains the “Jester” & “Carrie” bloodlines crossed into their own blood. The dam of the 1st National was bred by Myrtle Lofts and she is a direct daughter from “Roman” (inbred to “Shadow” son of “Eisenhower” x “Golden Lady”) when paired to “Sissi 264”
Lord & Day & Jordan. Barnsely
1st Sect K. NFC Angers.
The Section winners is a great grand daughter of “Logan” and “Ebony” on the sire’s side and “Benetton” and “Saffron” on the dam’s side crossed with two hens that were inbred to the world famous Vandenabeele hen “Sissi”

Posted by Mark Evans. 5th June 2008.
Only last week I told my father that if the weather stop dull and over cast and wind stops in the North East that I would expect some good result been reported that would be bred down from our bloodlines. Here are the National & Classic results which have been reported to us in the last three days (what a fantastic weekend for winning reports) we are very proud and would like to congratulate the following fanciers.
Jason Ross. Hampshire
1st Sect, 1st Open BICC National.
Alencon 456 members sent 4,550 birds.
Bred from M & D. Evans bloodlines that were purchased from Graeme Warman of Stocksbridge Lofts and crossed with a Vandenabeele hen that Jason purchased from Tony Carter's entire clearance sale.

Steve Harris. Hampshire
1st Sect, 1st Open Central Southern Classic
Messac 305 members sent 2,269 birds.
The winning pigeon now named “Golden Shadow” is from Brian & Sue Stone and bred down from Myrtle Lofts champion Vandenabeele breeder “Shadow”

Mark & Julie Gower. Hampshire
1st Sect, 3rd Open Central Southern Classic.
Messac 305 members sent 2,269 birds.
Mark’s section winner is a hen bred from a direct son of Rolls Royce and Queen of Diamonds when paired to a direct daughter from Golden Boy. The very best of the Gaby Vandenabeele bloodlines.

Dunn, Son & Seal.
1st Sect C, 2nd Open Welsh South East National.
Maidstone 4,951 birds.
Bred from their M & D. Evans stock.

Scammell & Peploe.
2nd Sect, 2nd Open Welsh South Road National.
Messac (Birdage to be confirmed)
50% M & D. Evans (Vandenabeele) x 50% Van Reet

B & H. Nicholls & Son. East Yorkshire.
1st Sect K – National Flying Club Fougeres.
Bred from their M & D. Evans stock

McGimpsey Bros. Newtownards, Northern Ireland
1st Sect, 1st Open N.I.P.A. Yearling National
Roscarberry. (Birdage to be confirmed)
The 1st National winner is 50% M & D. Evans bloodlines. The sire is a pigeon called "Mansell" bred direct by ourselves at Myrtle Lofts. “Mansell” is the nest-brother to Mrs C. Lycett & Son’s No 1. Breeding hen "Pale Rider" Both “Mansell” & “Pale Rider” were sold to Mike Lycett as youngsters then Mike kindly offered “Mansell” to his very good friend Eddie McGimpsey in Northern Ireland. I’m sure after yesterday’s performance of 1st Open National that Eddie was pleased that he took Mike up on the offer of purchasing a direct son from the champion Vandenabeele breeding pair “Benetton” & “Saffron”. Eddie told me on the phone tonight that the mother to the National winner was from his very good friend Jeff Greenaway and she is a Van Reet crossed Soontjen pigeon.

Posted by Mark Evans. 26th May 2008.
Mr & Mrs Baker of Highbridge
1st Sect, 1st Open Central Southern Classic
Lessay 350 members sent 3,026 birds.
The winning pigeon is 75% M & D. Evans bloodlines 25% Marcelis which was bred from stock obtained from Stewart Knowles of Widnes. Stewart told me on the phone yesterday that he has now purchased the Classic Winner back for his future breeding program. I would like to add this is just one of many winning reports which we have received at Myrtle Lofts concerning our bloodlines winning from stock that was purchased from S & L. Knowles. Credit to Stewart for been honest and selling the genuine winning bloodlines.

Posted By John Marles. Florida, USA 19th May 2008.
More Wins with Evans Bloodlines...
I just got off the phone with Derrick Humphries of Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He called to tell me that he has already won three club races so far this year with the Evans birds and that the Evans birds are off to a great start. Derrick was unable to race his new Evans young birds last year due to a work accident. Due to working out of State this year, Derrick is racing these Evans yearlings with limited training and to the perch. He races in the North Atlanta R.P.C. with the Peach State Combine. He has had five races thus far....
Week 1 - 7th Club
Week 2 - 1st Club, 2nd Combine 300 miles
Week 3 - 2nd Club, 4th Combine 200 miles
Week 4 - 1st Club, 2nd Combine
Week 5 – 1, 2, 3, 4 Club Combine results not up yet. Derrick is really impressed that the Evans birds are beating several top Combine members who race 40 miles shorter than his location.

Posted by Mark Evans. 19th May 2008.
Here is an updated list of different fanciers who have already reported
1st Prize winners this year 2008 containing M & D. Evans bloodlines.

S. Gill & Son. Castleford. West Yorkshire.

Posted by Mark Evans 13th May 2008.
Stuart Ager
1st Essex & Kent Amal from Ripon 3,210 birds.

Hi Mark, Just thought I would drop you a line to say after 6 races so far this year 2008 I have won 5 of them and was second in the other. Up to now I have taken 23 positions in the South of the Thames Federation with the average birdage being from around 1,050 up to 1,400 birds the highlight was on the 10th May when I raced from Ripon winning 1st Club 1st Federation 1,075 birds and 1st Essex & Kent Amalgamation 3,210 birds. The Amal Winner is now named “Blue Amal Star” after his father “Blue Star” which is now housed with you at Myrtle Lofts bred from a direct son of Gaby Vandenabeele’s “Bliksem” and the dam is GB2005Z49834 bred by you at Myrtle Lofts from NL.01.1967573 (son of “De Spirit” when paired to “Nikita” daughter from “Super Gaby” when paired to “Gerty”) x NL.2001.1967578 (daughter from “Super Gaby” son of “Wittenbuik” & “Moriska” when paired to a sister to Koen Minderhoud’s top racing and breeding cock “Gaby 103”
I would just like to take this opportunity in thanking you and your father for all your help over the last 3 seasons and for the top quality pigeons and advice. You are true gents of the sport.

Yours in sport
Stuart Ager

Posted by Mark Evans 8th May 2008.
I would like to take this opportunity in thanking the fanciers who are taking the time in calling me or e-mailing me their achievements that have been achieved with our M & D. bloodlines. Thank you all very much.

Ali & Linda McLeod. Billingham, Teesside.
I have raced pigeons for 38 years with no breaks; your pigeons the M & D Evans Vandenabeele are the best pigeons I have ever owned, breaking all records for the last 4 years in Teesside Federation. I have had “Bird of the Year” in Club and Federation 4 years running all of them your pigeons, your pigeons over the last few years have won for me at least 15 first prizes on a average of 2,000 pigeons plus, I believe through your help I have some of the best Vandenabeele to ever of left your loft and I would like to thank you and your father for your advice, sportsmanship and most of all honesty you have given me. I believe you not only have some of the best Vandenabeele based pigeons in the country but the world. You deserve all the praise you get; you are two of the most down to earth genuine fanciers I have had the pleasure of dealing with. You have my full permission to use any of my results at anytime you feel fit,
Thanks again.
Yours in the sport
Ali & Linda Mcleod.

Jim Coutts. Kintore, Scotland.
Hi Mark. Just a note to tell you that my M&D Gaby's have started the 2008 season well, The second race I was 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 all with Gaby Vandenabeele bloodlines the third race I won with a blue cock bred out of a grandson of “Shadow” when paired to a great grand daughter of “The Boss” of Gordon Bros was also 5th 6th and 9th in this race. Both these weeks my first 7 of 8 birds are all Gaby's. I will keep you informed of more wins this season I am sure as they are starting to look and handle the part.

J. Gregory & Sons. Northern Ireland.
19th April 2008 – 1st Section D in the N.I.P.A. from Tullamore 111 members sending 2,244 birds, 22nd Open 1,015 members sending 19,496 birds.

Davy Mawhinney. Northern Ireland.
26th April 2008 - 1st Section E in the N.I.P.A. from Roscrea 212 members sending 4,393 birds,
10th Open 1,184 members sending 23,557 birds.

Posted by Mark Evans 6th May 2008.
In the last three weeks the British Homing World & The Racing Pigeon magazines have featured on their front covers three top racers. All three have been bred from M & D. Evans bloodlines.

The Racing Pigeon 11th April 2008.
“STOURCREST SINBAD”
Winner of 1st Section, 1st Open Central Southern Classic Truro 2007 against 1,348 birds. Bred & raced by Mel & Sue King of Blandford Forum.

B.H.W. 18th April 2008.
“DAWLEY EXPRESS”
Winner of 1st Section, 1st Open Midlands National Falaise 2007 against 7,815 birds. Bred & raced by Vaughan Brothers & Son of Dawley.

The Racing Pigeon 2nd May 2008.
“CHAMPION LINDA”
Winner of 1st Club 205 birds, 1st Federation 1,287 birds, 2nd Section 3,424 birds, 4th Open UNC 20,221 birds Brooklands. 2nd Club 354 birds, 2nd Federation 1,984 birds Melton Mowbray. 2nd Club 105 birds, 3rd Federation 1,545 birds, 120th UNC 29,005 birds Brooklands. 14th Federation 2,344 birds Huntington, 17th Federation 1,008 birds North Weald, 15th Federation 1,243 birds Huntington. “Bird of the Year” Teesside Federation 2006. Bred & raced by Ali McCleod of Billingham.

Posted By John Marles. Florida, USA - 21st April 2008
The '636' hen of Martin Ward's Strikes Again.......

Martin Ward just called me to tell me that he won the first race of the old birds 2008 in the Braintree club with the Evans' hen 636. She was two minutes ahead of the club and should be a good one in the Greater Boston Combine. Her sire is 572 from the son (GB2002S86674) of “Jester” x “Carrie” when mated to a daughter (GB2004T25025) of “Shadow” x “Saffron” The dam of 636 is from Legendary (Shadow lines) mated to “Carrie 100” (direct daughter of Jester x Carrie). Line breeding to two of the best lines that Evans has to offer!!

Posted By John Marles. Florida, USA - 20th April 2008
Update on M & D Evans' Results - USA & Taiwan

I was talking to Martin Ward yesterday who races in the Braintree club in the Greater Boston Combine. He reported that a youngster banded 636 from the “Jester” and “Carrie” lines was the Ace Young Bird of the club scoring on 6 races. This bird also scored six times in the Boston Combine. He will be sending the results to me. He also mentioned that at the strike off of one of the last races club members asked where 636 was and Martin told me that he must have missed scanning as he would have been once again at the top of the results therefore scoring in almost every race. Martin also mentioned that it felt very good to race birds that have the potential to be at the top of the Combine each and every week.
We had many excellent reports from last year of the Evans birds taking top honors in the Combine. Ashley Berwick had the Champion Young Bird of the Eastern Ontario Combine which was bred by Gilles Paquette.

chu hsin an from Taiwan reported that from his M & D Evans birds he scored a 53rd from 6,000 at 230 km and from an Ocean race he was 3rd from 7,000 birds. This bird was from the “Shadow” and “Jester” x “Carrie” lines from a cock bird banded GB2005T19010. Last year this bird bred 2 birds to be Ace birds in the Up North Combine in the final Top Ten of the Up North Combine for J & J Ferreira. One of these now resides in Texas in the House of the Rising Sun.

Posted by Mark Evans. 18th April 2008

Thank you Ian & Liz for a great day out.
I have just returned from a great day out at the loft of Ian & Liz Purver from Skinningrove. Both Ian & Liz have made me very welcome and to say how cold it’s been across the country to day it didn’t seam to bad up there looking across the North Sea. As you stand in front of Ian’s loft you can see the waves about 800 yards away which becomes a problem once the sea mist moves in and out from time to time. Several fanciers out of this area have all told me it can be thick mist around the lofts but five miles inland and it’s as clear as the sky is blue.

I had a good look around the birds and with the new future stock in their breeding lofts I can see Ian & Liz’s performances getting ever better as each year goes by. This is a credit to them both because they fully understands it doesn’t matter how much you are winning at the present, it is still very important that you don’t stand still and plan for the seasons to come.

I myself didn’t just return with memory’s of a great day out but also I returned with the fantastic “Gaby 07” which Ian kindly loaned to me so I can cross her with some of the top breeding cocks housed at Myrtle Lofts.
“Gaby 07” was bred by us and sold to Ian as a young bird and was winner of many prizes including 18th UNC 29,784 Birds, 46th UNC 21,388 Birds, 154th UNC 26,854 Birds, 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th North of England Championship Club. Plus other prizes at Club and Federation level. But however good you think “Gaby 07” was at racing; her ability as a breeder far outshines any of her racing successes. Here is a small example of what she as bred which doesn’t include all the club and Federation prizes.
3rd UNC 24,199 Birds
3rd UNC/NEHU/DC 34,303 Birds
7th UNC 17,763 Birds
8th UNC 20,721 Birds
9th UNC 24,199 Birds
9th UNC/NEHU/DC 34,303 Birds
25th UNC 17,763 Birds
26th UNC 14,753 Birds
44th UNC 17.234 Birds
54th UNC 14,753 Birds
69th UNC 17,234 Birds
93rd UNC 24,692 Birds
130th UNC 23,138 Birds
Winners of the Best Two Bird Performance winning the Ian McDonald Trophy 3rd & 9th UNC 24,199 Birds.

Posted By John Marles. Florida, USA - April 7, 2008

As Mark and Dick Evans' Birds Lead the Way...

I just got off the phone with Rick Vanveldhuisen and he told me that Keith Lord had won the tough 250 mile race at the GHC with a bird bred from a hen bred by Mark and Dick Evans. The conditions were overcast with high heat and humidity. Rick mentioned that he also had two on the front sheet at 13th and 22nd from the Evans lines. There is a long, long list of GHC members who have scored with Mark and Dicks bloodlines so far which include Sal Lama, Ray Brower, Rainer Schmeichel, Laurie Mc Connell, Bob Gregory, Keith Littlejohn, Roger O'Neil and others.

PrimaLac

Now sold in the UK
For many years we have been advised by the top pigeon veterinary’s around the world that it’s essential that if we want to be successful on the health side in pigeon racing, we must ensure our birds maintain a strong immune system at all times. At Myrtle Lofts we agree with all the experts. If you are constantly using antibiotics to maintain the health of your birds you are fighting a losing battle. Our own opinion is if you are using antibiotics year after year you will never achieve long lasting success in breeding or in racing.
An alterative to using antibiotics to maintain the health is by using a probiotic instead. It is worthwhile to mention what a “probiotic” is. Probiotic is a term which means “for life”. Probiotics are live sources of friendly bacteria that are ingested as a supplemental aid to promote health, growth, and disease resistance.
Two years ago my very good friend Dr Gordon Chalmers from North America advised me to try a probiotic called PrimaLac which is produced in the USA. I had no hesitation in taking Gordon’s advice and sent for some the following day. After using PrimaLac I have found an unbelievable difference to all our pigeons which is not surprising after you read the field test results on the product. PrimaLac is a probiotic that has been in commercial and private use for many years now and it has proved useful in control and prevention of several diseases in poultry, among which are E.coli and Salmonella infections. Other benefits are enhanced growth, better feed digestion and utilization, along with better feather quality.
On the following web-site http://www.primalac.com/ you will find information on PrimaLac which includes an interesting article by John Kazmierczak, DVM.
Anyone trying this probiotic will not be disappointed and the good news is we now have an agent for PrimaLac right here in the UK.

UK Agent is Dave Hawkins
Tel: 01405 741591 or 07867 504022

e-mail: Hwkyhawkins@aol.com