(Based upon editorial created for The British Homing World magazine)
First to clock, and, 1st and 2nd Open was Terry Johnson with ‘Spartan’ and ‘Pippin’ racing his Whitstable loft, 692 Miles from Barcelona. The birds were liberated with over 27,000 other birds from Europe on Sunday and ‘Spartan’ was timed at 12 Noon on Monday with ‘Pippin’ just over two hours later. The year before, ‘Spartan’ was 7th Open B.I.C.C Barcelona and ‘Pippin’ was 6th Open. Both birds were bred whilst Terry was in partnership with Geoff Head, flying as ‘Johnson & Head’
During this time a small long distance team was bred and the partnership won several long races. ‘Spartan’ and ‘Pippin’ started their overseas training with the B.I.C.C. and also on Geoff Hunts transporter from Blois. In fact ‘Spartan’ will spend his retirement paired to many of Geoff Hunts long distance hens. New nest boxes have been purchased for ‘Spartan’ from Ray Vidler of R.V.Woodcraft, Dover.
‘Spartan’ will be spoilt rotten in a single bird section of Terry’s ‘Clydesdale’ loft. ‘Spartan’ and ‘Pippin’ were raced on the roundabout system and have not been in their own nest boxes for several months, they just perch on wooden blocks attached to the nest box fronts to prevent any fighting amongst late comers. The birds are fed mainly Tic Beans with titbits added as basketing approaches. This has changed slightly & now more maize & barley are fed.
Author: Terry Johnson
