A day out at Doncaster.
Saturday November 4th was the date for the drive up the M1 to visit the annual pigeon show which is held at Doncaster Racecourse. The weather was kind on the Saturday as it was not raining and there was plenty of activity both outside the show and inside. When I got inside it was packed as usual with plenty of fanciers viewing the pigeons which were up for auction hoping to purchase the pigeon that lays the golden egg. After going through the turnstile to enter the show the first person I bumped into was my good friend Ralph Jepson who has been very successful over his racing career. Ralph was as usual surrounded by his friends while he was having a catch up. Then Kevin Mathews and his good friend Trevor Jennings came round the corner both fanciers having an excellent season racing.
George Torry and his partner Molly, who both work extremely hard for our club both in the racing season and the show season
Walking further into show I spotted Darren Barks who was sitting having a cup of coffee with Simon Woolley. The first stall I visited was Universal pigeon products which is owned by that renown Irish fancier Jeff Greenway and his wife Lisa. The stall was very busy and I must say their products are first class as I have two of their traps myself and I heard fanciers speaking very highly of them. Then when I set of again I visited Steve Fletcher of Fletchers pigeon supplies and after purchasing a couple of bits it was back again into the busy crowd. It wasn't long before I bumped into the Derby lads Mick Willis, Steve Stone & Mick Stone who were having a natter with the Ilkeston partnership of Roger & Mark Duffield .Leaving their group Russ Bailey appeared then going further round I spotted that top pigeon flier Mark Nesbitt and after having a chat with him it was off to the British Homing world stall to see Laura & Tracey. While we were there who should show up but four of the finest roller men, Maurice Barwick, Trevor Slater ,George Mason & John Sutton and then we were joined by Midlands National ex-President Tony Whitehurst. By this time my wife and I were feeling a bit peckish and as regular visitors to the show and knowing the place to eat it was off to the Whitby Fish Bar & Restaurant. After enjoying what can only be described as fish, chips and mushy peas to die for it was back to the show. As we came out of the restaurant we bumped into John Hicks & Dave Waddington who were in the que waiting for their fish & chips. Just before entering the show once again I spotted three of Horsley’s finest Fred Turner, Dave Stone & Tony Mather. On entering the show once again I had a natter with Stewart Wainwright who was with his good friend Keith Cresswell. Then going to pick my purchases up which I had left at the stall Alan Peach had a word and it wasn't long before I bumped into Bob Ford & Brian & Sue Stone. Just before going to the exit there were four Derby fanciers in the foyer Gary Fletcher. Mick Newsham, George Torry and partner Molly and I will be writing more about these fanciers in a later article. After having an excellent day out and meeting lots of friends it was time to depart. Roll on Blackpool.
T.3.
