Lancashire Social Circle
Over the last few Gathering the Circle has seen a small drop off in numbers, this has been a result of several things, the biggest of these being the Covid epidemic, not only did this country suffer from it but the whole world. A second problem that is facing the membership is the ageing situation we all find ourselves in, which has resulted in one or both of a couple suffering from health problems. But I am very pleased to report the Autumn Gathering of the Lancashire Social Circle saw the largest number of members and guests attending since our relocation to the new hotel at the Inn On The Prom at St Annes on Sea. With guests travelling from all parts of the country, a few made the decision to miss the Friday traffic and only attend on the Saturday.
Friday is free and easy with fanciers arriving throughout the day and make the most of what the hotel and surrounding area has on offer. We had a total of 78 members and guests sitting down to the Friday night Hot Supper that went down very well, before the draw was made for the Breeders Exchange, where all members names go into the hat. The exchange went as follows, Kenny Atherton with David Newson, Ian Cooper with John Mills, William Curtis with David Pritchard, Peter Latham with Bob Smith, Jim Kenny with Jamie Campbell, Roger Sutton with David Jones, Tom Owen with Brian Walsh, Jim Frost with Dennis Little, Ernie Fergusson with George Pulford, Gary Cockshott with Maurice McCartney, John Winstanley with Jeff Churchill, Maurice Jackson with Gerry Clements, George Pendleton with Chris Corfield, Brian Holland with Peter Morris, Bobby Brandon with John Dearden, Vinnie Donnelly with David Hilton, Ronnie Wignall with Malcolm Parry Jones, Alan Bamford with Stephen Beardmore, Alan Jones with Chris Knowles, Ray Bullen with Graham Mackay, and finally Peter Robinson with David Sowerby. Over the weekend we saw the return of three of our past official guests one of which was Doug Went from London who has been writing a column in the fancy press over the last year or so that has been well received. Doug asked if he could put a quiz together with a list of questions from the past that covered the whole of the UK with questions on Scottish National winners, Welsh performance pigeons, the North of England winning pigeons along with NFC questions all going back, in some cases a couple of decades. Doug put up the money for the winning team, explaining this was from his heating allowance and if each team member put in a £1 this would cover the second prize. The hotel hold a raffle in aide of Marie Curie and the total winnings from the quiz was donated to this cause that was a total of £150.
Following breakfast on the Saturday morning the Management Committee met to resolve a number of matters before the whole of the membership met up for the AGM. All officials were re-elected with the addition of Brian Smith being made a Vice President. A general meeting followed the AGM when it was agreed to hold two Channel races from France as the majority of the members have now obtained their CPH numbers, and for those who have not, an inland race is to be organised from Weymouth. The young bird race will again be from Weymouth in early September, this will also incorporate the exchange and friendship races. The Secretary also gave his report at this meeting, explaining how the sport of pigeon racing has taken a big leap backwards these last few seasons for many reasons everyone is well aware of. The Lancashire Social Circle on the other hand has come out of this decline much better than any other organisation. Having maintained its membership, held the subscriptions, while still providing two Gatherings and a Ladies Weekend every year. Along with all the traditions going back that our forefathers built the Lancashire Social Circle on. The Hand Books being just one example of this. The biggest problem the Circle faces is an ageing membership. That has been made more clear since the purchasing of the Silver Salver, engraving the names of the past members. While many of our members are still fit and well this is not always the case with wives and partners. A good example of this is Graham Mackay and George Hilson who have not been able to attend the Gatherings for family reasons. And the Secretary felt he spoke for all members when he was pleased to see both of them back in our company this weekend. It was very pleasing to see the free lunches provided at the race markings are being well received with the funds being in a position to cover these. While on the subject of finances it would be remiss not to touch on the workings of the Circle. With ever increasing prices of Postage, Stationary, Printing Costs and larger Bills from the hotel. A great help this season has come from several members who have very kindly sponsored the races, these being displayed on the Balance Sheet. Another massif contribution has been the return of a Gold Stick Pin that will save the Circle a great deal of money in time to come. As can be seen from the Balance Sheet the Club is in a strong financial position going forward into 2024 with assets and donations all helping to maintain a healthy turnover.
Saturday was left for everyone to make the best this seaside town has to offer, but with the weather outside being a little wet a little bit of quick thinking went into over drive and our guest speaker for the evening was approached to give the Gathering a question and answer session. The guest in question was Ian Taylor a Veterinarian who has been of great help to many fanciers all over the country in acquiring them their CPH numbers, and it was amazing just how many members and guests knew Ian. The session covered around an hour and a half and filled a gap in the proceeding that was well appreciated by all who attended. Ian was going to be a guest at the FCI meeting in Maastricht on the 26th 27th 28th January this next year and was there in an official capacity, and if any member had any questions they would like him to bring to the table regarding racing issues from the continent he would be only to pleased to receive an email from you. his email is
The President then asked the secretary to read a tribute to the late Keith Iddon that had been prepared by Alan Bamford who was unable to be with us that evening as he was recovering from a knee operation, missing his first Gathering in 23 years. It was explained Keith who was born in 1952 was quite the performer in his youth, being a singer in the church choir and went on to take leading roles in armature dramatics. as a teenager he and two friends formed a band and auditioned for Opportunity Knocks. On leaving school he attended Wigan Technology College studding Business Studies, that followed by a job at a company called Haydocks who sent him to Warwick College. Keith grew up in the village of Croston and had a passion for motorcycle's and a great love of cars, and still had his first car a Morris Minor. Following in his father's footsteps Keith embarked on a career in haulage, before setting up his own business in 1973 with a ten year old 8 tonne lorry which cost him £50 borrowing £12 from his mum to pay for the road tax. Over the next 34 years, working with his younger brother Philip, the business grew to 60 tractor units with a livery which caught the eye of everyone, and even the toy maker Corgi produced a model in the livery. Keith's involvement with pigeons went back to his teenage years when he first went into partnership with Martin Bentham. In more recent years his partnership with Ronnie Wilson has seen the two of them winning more than their share of first prizes in the Lancashire Social Circle races. With the last race the Circle held from Maidstone, saw Keith's name at the top of the result, so you could say he went out as a winner. As well as being a pigeon man Keith was heavily involved in local politics, initially being elected to his Borough Council in 2006, then three years later to the position of Deputy Leader, the same week he passed away his greatest achievement was to become Chairman of Lancashire County Council. When a window of opportunity arose he along with partner Diane Bonney Purchased a number of transporters from the Chris Catterall's company, and for many years provided a transport service to many racing organisations including the Lancashire Social Circle. Keith, as a member of the Circle was called upon a number of times to address the Gatherings in particular when one of our main speakers had given back word, sometime at very short notice. I remember on one such occasion when he informed us, when Brexit that was taking place at the time this would mean we would not be able to race our pigeons from France, and this has proved to be correct at least for all clubs, feds and combines. Always a man that was not only generous with his time for others, he was more than generous to the members of the Circle by transporting our pigeons free of charge, this being his way of putting something back for the lack of time he was unable to give to the Circle.
The task of introducing the official guest speaker fell to the newly elected Vice President Brian Smith. Brian explained how he first met Ian Taylor earlier this year when he was looking for a vet to do loft visits. Ian was recommended by one of our other guest Jon Dodd the MNFC Secretary. Ian was born in Dundee to a Scottish mother and an Irish father, and to say the least money was tight. Living in the tenements in Dundee and then moving to Glasgow to similar accommodation, in Ian's words, they didn't know they were poor because everyone around them was in the same boat. Ian's mother was a force to be reckoned with, and in 1939 at the start of the Second World War, she joined up and quickly pushed her way in through the door of Special Ops. She was stationed at RAF fighter squadron, spending the duration of the battle of Britain underground at RAF Northolt, Biggin Hill. So with a mother of this calibre, Ian was under the cosh to succeed, with her attitude to exams being if you came second you were only the best failure. In his school life Ian excelled winning a scholarship to Monmouth Public School in South Wales and going on to qualify for a place on a Veterinary course at Cambridge. It was while he was at university he met and married his wife Hilda, now of 45 years. Ian started his Veterinary career in Alfreton Derbyshire, working there until 1984 when he and his wife bought a shop and gave it a go solo. His timing proved to be perfect with James Herriot making the job look sexy, within a couple of years, he had six vets and 20 other staff working at the now-named "Spire Vets" of Chesterfield. Ian always like the farm side of the practice so he left the more profitable cats and dogs to the others leaving him to his cows and pigs and all things smelly. After 40 years of being kicked about by all manner of beasts, he was thinking of retiring when a Welsh black cow made up his mind for him by tossing him 20 feet into the air and struck him several times with her horns. Not being the retiring sort Ian got involved with the importation of cats and dogs into the UK, or rather the prevention of the smuggling of the said cats and dogs. Catching about £4 million worth of illegal dogs and cats imports. But after a lifetime of veterinary practice, he has finally been introduced to the pigeon world doing over 500 loft visits this year, and as Brian said "Oh what a lucky man he is".
President Stephen Beardmore thanked Brian for the great introduction and asked Ian Taylor to address the Gathering. This being his first as an official speaker he was a little wary of his time on his feet but had no reason to worry as he reeled off story after story of the many funny things that had happened to him over his career. Stephen then presented him with a Circle Guest Tie and Hand Book before asking Ian to accompany him to the trophy table to present the trophies, diplomas and awards to this seasons winners.
Brian Holland in his maiden speech replied on behalf of the members picking out several of the funny points Ian had made. One being how Ian explained how it was easy to be a vet, as when the pet owner comes in to the surgery with a cat or a dog all you have to do is ask them what's wrong with their pet, and they tell you. All you have to do then is prescribe two treatments and take their money. The final member on his feet was John Winstanley who made the reply on behalf of the prizewinners. John spoke of the great races the Circle had held this season with almost all members making the result sheet with excellent returns from every race, with the prizes going round to all areas, even the longer flyers up into Cumbria. He was pleased that the membership had now agreed to increase the number of races over the channel as it was from the distance races that the Lancashire Social Circle was originally formed.
The evening was brought to an end with the President thanking a number of member for their help over the season, starting with David Newson who had organised the Ladies Weekend this year and was in the process of trying to arrange the next one in the Lake District. Thanks also went out to Brian Smith along with John Mills for the trophy display and getting the trophies engraved. Thanks also went out to Alan Bamford for storing the trophies, David Newson for arranging the flowers, and all the speakers who helped to make the evening a most enjoyable one for all. He finished by thanking the Secretary for all the hard work he put into arranging the evening and setting up the room, with a great programme of events that contained a fitting tribute to Keith Iddon. Then wished any one travelling home that evening a safe journey. This left us all enough time to spend until the early hours of the morning to catch up with old friends and make new ones from the several guests that were attending for the first time.
Brian Dearn. Tel. 01254 772515.
Brian Smith of R & B Smith David Jones and Brian Dearn Dennis Little collects his diploma
George Hilson Scott Irving with Brian Dearn Graham Mackay winner of the Webster Bros Trophy Guests Paul Dalton and Paddy Cousins
Ian Cooper Jim Kenny winner of the Exchange Race Jim Kenny winner of the Exchange Race
Maurice Jackson with his Trophy Ray Bullen with his Diploma
Secretary Brian Dearn with Brian Holland Secretary Brian Dearn with Brian Holland
Secretary Brian Dearn with Jonathon Dodd MNFC Secretary Secretary Brian Dearn with Jonathon Dodd MNFC Secretary
