National Birmingham Roller Association

Articles and Reports - AERC Fly 2003

Author: Dex

A lovely calm and bright morning it was when we set out from Gordon Forbes house . Our first stop was to be at our good friend Morris Holes', lets hope the weather holds for the whole of the competition. On our arrival at Morris Holes' loft we still had nice peaceful weather, and Morris flew a good team of young rollers – a pleasure to watch, but they didn’t always break as a team or they might have scored a lot more. Nice one Morris!

On our way to Henry Armstrong’s, the weather was on the change, the wind was beginning to blow and a distinct sense of gale began to brew. Henry flew his young birds immediately on our arrival, but due to the now windy weather these were just blown away over the sea. They were off the clock for the full 10 minutes then Gordon, the judge, took them off the clock for a further two minutes. Their best rolling was probably done out of sight! On theirreturn they looked tired and strung out.

Derek Smith was next continuing the now impossible task of flying his young birds in very windy conditions. In fact the birds did well to hold the wind at all. Nonetheless managing one five bird break.

Back to Henry’s for his try at holding an old bird kit in the wind. They did in fact hold quite well but the conditions weren’t great for break building. As is often the case his best break was made off the clock! 200 points were awarded to his wife for great hospitality.

Back again to Derek’s for a turn with his yearlings - still not much joy with the weather but some quality points awarded this time as they held the wind slightly better.

Kevin Robinson next, some yearlings here performing well but too far away to judge clearly – hence 4 minutes of the best performance lost off the clock, but some quality points and 4 small breaks scored. Too windy to really assess the birds true quality.