Published in The Bury Times

Friday 2nd January 2015

Written By Andrew Bardsley

THE New Year was brought in with a flutter at an annual gamecock show.

Holcombe Old English Game Fowl Club staged its 171sdt annual gamecock show on New Years Day, at the Royal British Legion in Ramsbottom.

The event saw a total of 15 exhibitors showing 74 birds, with organisers hailing a large turnout in comparison to last year.

Russell Taylor, the club's honorary secretary, said: "The number of birds entered was higher than last year, with a high standard of entries.

"It was a successful show, with many local people visiting to support a tradition which has been upheld since 1843.

"The encouraging thing for me was that we had two or three younger breeders, which is good for the future of the event."

Visitors travelled to the show from far and wide, including people from Durham, Staffordshire and Lincolnshire, as well as those closer to home.

The results of the competition were:

Cock Class for the Oxford Centenary Cup:

1st, Mr Todd Fletcher, Chesterfield; 2nd, Mr Eamon Fletcher, Chesterfield; 3rd, Mr Dick Brearey Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

Hen Class for the Sam Jackson Cup

1st, Mr Todd Fletcher, Chesterfield; 2nd, Mr Todd Fletcher, Chesterfield; 3rd, Mr Eamon Fletcher, Chesterfield.

Stag Class for the Millie Whittaker Rose bowl

1st, Mr Todd Fletcher, Chesterfield; 2nd, Mr Eamon Fletcher, Chesterfield; 3rd, Mr Todd Fletcher, Chesterfield.

Pullet Class for the Harold Haworth Cup

1st, Mr Eamon Fletcher, Chesterfield; 2nd, Mr Eamon Fletcher, Chesterfield; 3rd, Mr Michael Durkin, Preston

Local Class for the Tom Randle Haworth Trophy

1st, Mr Russell Taylor, Bury; 2nd, Mr Mark O’Connor, Rochdale; 3rd, Mr Colin F. Haworth, Haslingden.

The Mary Shaw Cup for the best bird in show was won by Mr Todd Fletcher, with the winner of the Cock class.