From The Chair By Chris Williams
As I begin to put these notes together it is Saturday November the 6th, I have just come in from the loft and am very happy with the condition of the birds. The pigeons are looking very well and are coming through the moult lovely. A few days ago, myself and Dad passed the time by going through some of our stock birds and already in theory at least. We have begun to think of our pairings for the pending breeding season. I’ve included two photos of two of our FBI Van den Bulcks , which type wise I think would complement each other well, but as they say the proof of the pudding is in the eating and for the moment everything is going to plan. This has given me a much needed boost as being honest with you in winter time some days it’s hard to get motivated, particularly when there is not much happening in the sport and the social scene is a little quiet.
I saw recently that another top fancier had made their way to the loft of Luc Vervoort, Willem De Bruijn a fancier of exceptional quality who has been at the pinnacle of the Dutch sprint/middle distance racing scene for decades and is always in search of top pigeons, as we know cross breeding is a common practice among the European elite and it was interesting to learn when speaking with Nicole during the week that the mother of the 206 which was first Ace pigeon this year for Luc and Nicole is from the loft of Willem De Bruijn, perhaps this offers yet more proof that we need to move away from the notion of “pure strains” and perfect pedigrees and instead focus on good pigeons and performance, after all pedigrees are only as good as the fancier who writes them and ultimately it is the results and shape/feel of the bird which tell us the real story, I cannot speak of Luc Vervoort and Nicole Van Nuffel without mentioning their prolific performances of 2021, a few nights ago Luc took to social media with a simple post stating: I'm pretty proud of my pigeons. Now this is an extremely modest master fancier because they have the first 4 ACE PIGEONS from Quiévrain with the YOUNG BIRDS (racing with just 10). They also have the first ACE PIGEON from Quiévrain with the YEARLINGS (racing with just 3). They also have the First, Second and Fourth ACE PIGEONS from Noyon with the YOUNG BIRDS (racing with just 10) and have the first and third ACE PIGEON Middle Distance with the YOUNG BIRDS. I am certain that there are many “big names “both in the UK and Europe who can but dream of such results. How refreshing it to see a genuine small loft attain big results at the highest level, such things should serve as a great source of motivation to all ordinary back garden flyers that with hard work and dedication we too can strive for and indeed attain sporting success. Speaking with one or two who were in attendance it looks like the Doncaster show was well supported, with pigeons going for good money. It’s fantastic to see fanciers are all once again enjoying the all-important social side of the sport in preparation for the BHW show of the year, I for one can’t wait!
Under normal circumstances at this time of year we would be heading across the sea to Ireland to celebrate my birthday with “The Boss” Sheldon Leonard and the many friends we have over in that beautiful part of creation. I have spoken to Sheldon recently, shortly following his latest visit to Belgium, during the course of our conversation he told me about Blizzard King Kittel, the latest star to carry the blood lines of Dirk Van Den Bulck a tremendous pigeon that this year with a coefficient of 0.94 establishing itself as one of the greatest sprint pigeons ever to fly in the principality of Belgium breaking the 2013 record set by the now iconic Kittel. The grandparents of this new ace now residing in their new home of Flanders Breeding Ireland, which is of course otherwise known as F.B.I.
I am always on the lookout for fascinating facts relating to the fancy and just recently found out that one Walter Elias Disney, better known to you and I and millions around the world as Walt Disney was captivated by pigeons. The California State Racing Pigeon Organization (CSRPO} has a trophy that is competed for annually and that is known as the Walt Disney Trophy and originally sponsored by Walt, was to be awarded for the “best flier in California ” based on the bird’s fastest average times for long and short racing distances. These races range from 100 to 700 miles in distance,” at the event. In 1960, the racing pigeon organization had 1,500 members in 60 affiliated clubs and raced some 10,000 pigeons throughout the state. He even produced a television show in which pigeons play a central part, entitled “The Pigeon That Worked a Miracle” the story follows a boy Young Chad Smith becomes an invalid after a baseball game, and is forced to trade in his favourite pastime for pigeon racing. Through this newfound hobby, he develops affection for one of his pigeons who suddenly flies away, to escape a neighbourhood predator. Filmed mostly in documentary style, the movie tells the tale of this special pigeon and his journey throughout the countryside, before his eventual return to the boy who loved him. Disney makes several references to pigeons in many films, the most famous being 1964s Mary Poppins Which of course included the exquisite song “feed the birds, tuppence a bag” , written by the Sherman Brothers this is reputed to have been Walt’s favourite song. Believe it or not Mr Disney was at times known to have a bit of a temper and feed the birds was the only song which calmed him down.
Looking at the clock I think I had better put down my pen and head to the loft and “feed the birds, no pun intended. until next time my friends enjoy your pigeons.
Chris Williams
Willem De Bruijn on a recent loft visit to Luc Vervoort Hallaar, the mother of the 206 first ace pigeon this year for Luc and Nicole is from the loft of Willem De Bruijn
One of our FBI stock cocks
One of our FBI stock hens, I’m seriously contemplating pairing these two together?
Champions day in the in the DIAMANTVERBOND for the 2021 Season the loft of Luc Vervoort won 2ND PLACE OVERALL CHAMPION 2021..
1ST CHAMPION YOUNG BIRDS 2021 NOYON..
3rd PLACE OVERALL CHAMPION of QUIÉVERAIN 2021…
In addition to this they have won..
1st ACE BIRD YOUNG BIRDS NOYON 2021 with the very good 6032206/21…
Another fantastic effort against some of the best in Belgium with very few birds to race.
Averaging 3 Old Birds and 10 Young Birds , Nicole can also be seen with the elegant trophy for winning the lady’s race.
Luc holding yet another trophy .
206 first ace pigeon from Noyon in the diamantverbond. this year for Luc and Nicole
The new star of the Bulck dynasty
Feed the birds, Jane Darwell as the bird woman in Mary Poppins in 1964
A photo from back in the summer, yours truly busy getting to know the young birds .
