Ian Adcock wins the Classic broken cap silver cock
After the loss of the Classic last year due to Covid restrictions it was pleasing to see the 2021 Classic go ahead and be well supported.
The show retained most of its tried and tested format, but there were innovations too. We had new staging; a much simpler two-tier assembly that is easier to store, transport and assemble than the old version. There was a new LCA banner, an eye-catching display that provided a backdrop to the prize ceremony thanks to the initiative of Alex Maclean. The icing on the cake was a generous cash prize list donated by an anonymous supporter of the LCA; a much appreciated contribution.
The show ran like clockwork. Chris Jordan took on the stewarding single-handedly because David Newton was forced to miss the show due to illness; he never missed a beat. Noel Sidney presided over the catering with his usual exuberance, this time aided by Anne Maclean who added a Scottish twist to affairs and introduced us to ‘clootie pudding’. Debbie Goacher organised the raffle with some very generous prizes donated by LCA members. Life is so much better when people work together.
Now to the birds. This year’s show attracted over 160 entries, but a number of exhibitors had to withdraw for unavoidable reasons, and the number of birds benched was 129. Joe Coakley judged, and as always Joe gives each bird every chance to display its qualities.
Amongst the Champion colour-fed Lizards, Carlos de Santa Ana, Gary McCarthy and Neville Jones all won classes, along with Kevin Skinner and the Maclean & Benussi partnership. Kevin’s star has been on the rise throughout the 2021 show season, and so it proved here. His strongest competition came from the Maclean & Benussi partnership which not only won Best Champion Colour-fed, but also Second Best and Fourth Best colour-fed Lizard in show. The partnership’s performance was all the more commendable considering the difficulties Alex faced when he worked away from home for much of the year.
LCA Classic 2021 special winners
Second Best colour-fed Lizard canary, a male non cap silver (Maclean & Benussi partnership).
Fourth Best Colour-fed Lizard canary, a broken cap silver female (Maclean and Benussi)
Novices have an excellent record against the champions at Lizard canary shows and once again it proved so in 2021. Ian Adcock, in his final year in the novice ranks, not only won Best Novice Colour-fed, but went on to win Best and Third Best Colour-fed in show. He didn’t have everything his own way though; John Hannam won several Novice classes and junior Toby Ashpole also put up a good fight. (Juniors compete in the Novice classes at the LCA Classic to give them useful competition, but their birds are eligible for separate prizes in order to ensure that their junior status is not compromised).
LCA Classic 2021 special winners
Ian Adcock with his Best colour-fed Lizard canary
Third Best colour-fed Lizard canary, a female clear cap silver (Ian Adcock)
The classes for natural coloured Lizards attracted an entry of over fifty birds, and even without David Newton’s show team, the quality was consistently high. Tony Horton, in his first year in the Champion section, entered a very strong team. He not only won four of the seven classes but also Second and Fourth Best Natural Lizard too. Toby also entered a small team of natural coloured Lizards, and it was one these birds that won Best Junior. Unfortunately Toby wasn’t able to attend the show but his father Darren brought his team of birds.
LCA Classic 2021 – Natural Lizards
Huw Evans won Best natural coloured Lizard canary, a female broken cap gold (Huw Evans).
Second Best natural coloured Lizard canary, a female non cap gold (Tony Horton)
Third Best natural coloured Lizard canary (Huw Evans)
Fourth Best natural coloured Lizard canary, a female clear cap silver (Tony Horton)
Best Novice and best Junior – broken cap gold (Toby Ashpole)
Before the judging started, we held our AMG and this year there were two highlights from the meeting.
First, it was good to see our chairman Jeremy Goacher being awarded the Robert Yates Shield for his work in the resurrection of the LCA in 2019 and ensuring that the Association remains dedicated to the promotion and conservation of the Classic Lizard canary.
Second, the LCA Council was augmented by three new members: Andrew Beesley, Andy Chaney and Jon Martin. Their enthusiasm for the classic Lizard canary is evident and I am expecting the 2022 Classic to be even better thanks to their input.
And finally, a big thank you to all the members who made the journey to bring their birds to the show.
Ian Adcock
Show Secretary
Click here to see the Results sheet
Full report from the Judge Joe Coakley to follow along with picture from the show
LCA Classic 2021 – Prizes
After the issue of the show schedule we received a very generous donation for use as prize money at the forthcoming 2021 Classic.
The donor has requested that the money be presented as follows:-
- £50 for Best Colour-fed.
- £25 for Second Best Colour-fed.
- £50 for Best Natural.
- £25 for Second Best Natural.
- £25 for Highly Commended Champion (i.e. any other bird in the Champion classes that the judge considers worthy of acclaim).
- £25 for Highly Commended Novice (i.e. any other bird in the Novice classes that the judge considers worthy of acclaim).
The prizes will be awarded as follows – one bird, one prize.
LCA Classic 2021 – Sunday 14th November
The 2021 LCA Classic is to be held at Roade on the 2nd Sunday in November – 14th November.
Classes for the 2021 Classic will be the same as 2019 ie Colour fed – 14 Champion and 14 Novice classes and for Naturals – 7 Champion and 7 Novice classes. There will be awards for both Best Colour fed and Best Natural Lizards. Show schedules and entry forms have been sent out to all members.
Click here for the Show Schedule Classes and rules 2021 booklet
Click here for the Show Entry Form
They are also available from Ian Adcock – the Show Secretary. Please either email Ian at adcock33@btinternet.com call 07711 191811
Entries close on the 7th November
Special rules that apply to the 2021 LCA Classic.
Most importantly, to ensure everyone’s safety, you must not attend the show if you or anyone in your household has Covid-19 symptoms or you have been in close contact with someone who is Covid positive.
If you develop Covid-19 symptoms within 7 days of visiting the event alert the Show Secretary so that the other attendees can be alerted.
As you are probably aware, there are no longer any specific Covid restrictions in place.
Although face coverings are no longer mandatory, if you feel more comfortable wearing one, then please feel free to do so. We recommend them whilst moving about.
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone and believe that, with a little common sense, we can enjoy ourselves as safely as possible.
Please note that the Classic will revert to its usual slot of the 1st Sunday in November in 2022.
LCA Classic 2021 – Sunday 14th November
The 2021 LCA Classic will be held at Roade on the 2nd Sunday in November – 14th November.
Classes for the 2021 Classic will be the same as 2019 ie Colour fed – 14 Champion and 14 Novice classes and for Naturals – 7 Champion and 7 Novice classes. Best in Show Awards for the 2021 Classic – The approach for the 2019 LCA Classic will be adopted for the 2021 Show ie there will be awards for both Best Colour fed and Best Natural Lizards.
Show schedules and entry forms will be sent out to all members by the Show Secretary in October.
Please note that the Classic will revert to its usual slot of the 1st Sunday in November in 2022.
26th August 2021
The National Exhibition Show – Stafford 2021 – 3rd October
The show schedule and entry form have been sent out to all members.
National schedule and entry form are also available from Tony Horton – the Show Secretary. Please either email Tony at anthony.horton01@gmail.com or call 07885 371903
Classes will be provided for colour-fed and natural coloured classic Lizard canaries.
Click here for the National show schedule
Click here for the Entry form
Entries close on 24th September 2021
October 2020
LCA Classic 2020 – CANCELLED
We have been working towards holding the 2020 LCA Classic on the 1st November. We were hoping that by the first week of October the number of infections would be falling and the rules on gatherings would be relaxed, which would have allowed us to proceed with the show. However, this has not been the case and it is now clear that we are experiencing a second wave of Covid-19 infections. This means it would be rather foolhardy to continue with our plans.
It is, therefore, with great regret that I have to say that the 2020 LCA Classic has been cancelled.
Key outcomes from the LCA Council meeting – May 2020
LCA Classic 2020
We are continuing to work on the assumption that the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic that will be such that the 2020 LCA Classic at Roade is able to proceed. This is assuming that the we are able to meet all of the requirements placed such events by the Government.
Judge – Joe Coakley
Show Manager – Chris Jordan
Show Secretary – Ian Adcock
Entry fee is £1.00 per bird
Classes for the 2020 Classic will be the same as 2019 ie Colour fed – 14 Champion and 14 Novice classes and for Naturals – 7 Champion and 7 Novice classes.
Best in Show Awards for the 2020 Classic – The approach for the 2019 LCA Classic will be adopted for the 2020 Show ie there will be awards for both Best Colour fed and Best Natural Lizards.
Tubular drinkers on show cages
This has been something that has been raised as an welfare issue for the birds. The council have therefore approved the use of a 10ml tubular (medicine) drinker with a black base and clear top. The usual black ‘D’ cup drinker is still the preferred option and the use of the small tubular drinker is optional.
Honorary member
For his services to the LCA the proposal to make Ernest Garcia an honorary member of the LCA was approved. Congratulations to Ernest.
February 2020
Bottoms up!
Before you jump to conclusions, this article has nothing to do with drinking toasts, yet, when used in connection with the Lizard canary, it involves an action that is very similar. It means to take a bird in your hand and turn it upside-down so that the belly is uppermost. Some canary breeders do it to sex a bird, although that shouldn’t be necessary with the Lizard which is sexually dimorphic. There is however one very good reason why all Lizard breeders should. Click here to read the full article posted by Huw Evans on his blog Fine Spangled Sort on the 16th February 2020
15th January 2020
Updated LCA Handbook issued
The LCA Handbook has been updated and issued to all current members. If you haven’t received your updated handbook by 22nd January please advised the Secretary via email. The email address can be found on the LCA officers – LCA Council page.
3rd November 2019
Alex Maclean wins the Classic with a broken cap gold hen
After the loss of the Classic last year it was pleasing to see the 2019 show go ahead and be well supported…for the full report click here
To read the article in Cage and Aviary Birds…click here
November 2019
What does rescinding the colour feeding rule mean?
At its AGM on 3 November 2019, the Lizard Canary Association revoked the “colour feeding rule”, introduced in 2012, which had the effect of disqualifying all but colour-fed Lizard canaries from LCA patronage shows. From now on, both traditional colour-fed Lizards and natural coloured Lizards are recognised by the LCA. In order to avoid possible confusion that may arise from this decision, the LCA wishes to clarify the following:
● ‘Natural colour’ refers to the rich yellow ground colour that is unique to the classic Lizard canary.
● ‘Colour-fed’ refers to the traditional practice of adding red carotenoids (e.g. Carophyll Red) to the diet of the classic Lizard canary.
● It will be down to the personal preferences of individual breeders whether they colour feed their Lizard canaries or not. Both are permitted at LCA patronage shows.
● Show organisers have the discretion to provide separate classes for colour-fed and natural coloured Lizards, or to combine them in a single classification.
● In the event that clubs provide a separate classification, they will have the discretion to offer an award for Best Lizard(s) in addition to the awards for Best Colour-fed and Best Natural.
The same options apply to all-Lizard shows, including the LCA Classic. The approach to be taken at the latter will be decided at the LCA Council meeting in May 2020.
7th October 2019
The LCA Classic 3rd November 2019
The Show schedule, classifications and entry form have now been issued to members. Classes are being provided for colour-fed and natural coloured classic Lizard canaries. The show schedule and entry forms have been issued to members. If any member doesn’t receive the forms they can downloaded from the links below.
Any new member wishing to join the LCA and show their birds at the Classic are able to print off the show schedule, the entry form and the new member application form.
Click here for the New Member Application form.
Click here for the LCA Classic show schedule.
Click here for the LCA Classic Entry form.
Entries close on 24 October 2019.
Birds can be benched on Sunday 3rd November 20190 between 8:00 to 09.00.
Judging will start at 10.15 after the AGM.
30th August 2019
The National Exhibition Show – Stafford 2019 – 6th October
National schedule and entry form available from Bridget Boulton, biddyandnatasha198@tiscali.co.uk 01335 344085. Bridget has a Guardian system on her phone – please follow the instructions to speak to her.
Classes will be provided for colour-fed and natural coloured classic Lizard canaries.
Click here for the National show schedule
Click here for the Entry form
Entries close on 26 September 2019
1st June 2019
Following a break in 2018, the Lizard Canary Association (LCA) Classic is back this November and it will be even bigger with separate classes for non-colour-fed Lizards.
At a recent LCA Council meeting, it was agreed that the show would be held on the usual date of the first Sunday in November, which this year will be 3 November, at the Roade Village Hall in Northamptonshire. We are looking forward to a strong turnout for the UK’s premier Lizard show to compete for the LCA Founder’s Trophy, which was presented to the LCA in 1946 by Robert H. Yates.
The show manager is Chris Jordan, John Record is show secretary and the show judge is David Allen. A show schedule will be sent out to all LCA members at the end of September.
In addition to bringing back the LCA Classic, officials have decided to put on separate classes for non-colour fed Lizards on a trial basis. Rosettes and prizes will be given to the best non-colour-fed in show, best non-colour-fed champion and best non-colour-fed novice. However, the Founders Trophy can only be competed for by colour-fed Lizards.
The provision of classes for natural-coloured Lizards at shows in recent years has proved to be a popular innovation, and more clubs and specialist societies are planning to follow suit during the 2019/20 season. Following a postal vote of all members, which closed on the 31st May, members voted by 21 votes to 15 in favour of revoking Rule 38 – the colour feeding rule. The LCA has suspended the rule requiring Lizards to be colour fed for exhibition and its guidance to judges regarding birds that are not colour-fed. This is pending a vote on revocation of the colour-feeding rule at the AGM in November. This means that natural-coloured Lizards will be eligible to compete at all shows granted LCA patronage in the 2019/20 season.
This decision was taken so that breeders, judges and show organisers would have sufficient notice to plan ahead for the entire show season. Hopefully, members will consider the trial to be a success and non-colour fed Lizards will continue to feature at the Classic in years to come.
10th March 2019
At its Extraordinary General Meeting (EMG) on 10th March, the LCA elected a new council and set a clear agenda for the future to ensure the continued survival and success of the Lizard canary – one of the oldest (if not the oldest) known canaries in the world. Thanks go to all the former LCA officials for their sterling work over the past few challenging years.
Over the months since the EGM was announced work has been underway to pull together a series of proposals that were put to all the members attending the meeting. These proposals included a renewed commitment to the original aims and objectives of the LCA – the key priorities being:
- The conservation of the traditional Lizard
- Revised governance procedures
- To lead the LCA forward via the formation of a strengthened committee
It was pleasing see that the hard work put to the members who were able to attend the meeting were overwhelmingly approved.
The full list of the council members and their roles can be seen in the LCA Officers section under LCA Council on this website.