Success On Two Fronts

There’s nothing more satisfying as a big win with your specialist breed... unless it’s a second big win with your other specialist breed. It doesn’t happen often, but last year it happened to HARRY CLARKE , one half of the successful Clarke & Gillott Fife partnership. He talks to Dave Brown about the well-oiled workings of the partnership, and also his own solo enterprises.

CANARIES

TO WIN an award at a national show takes a great deal of commitment and skill, so a fancier who can win two top prizes at such an event is something special. Harry Clarke, in partnership with Paul Gillott, has for many years produced top-quality Fifes capable of winning at the highest level. 2017 was no exception and the partnership took the award for best Fife in show with a self blue hen at the National Exhibition against an amazing entry of 1,050 other Fifes.

The competitive pair also took major awards at other specialist shows during the season including best Fife at the Southern Counties Fife Club and champion specials at the Cleveland Border & Fife FCC and the North Staffs & South Cheshire Fife FCC.

Outside of his work in the partnership, Harry has developed an interest in old variety canaries and, over quite a short period, has established an excellent strain of north Dutch frills. His fine variegated example deserved its award for best of breed at the National, the icing on the cake on what was already a fantastic day.

Dave Brown: How did you get into the hobby?