THE ELIMAR INTERVIEW
JIM EMERTON CHATS TO
ALWYN HILL
1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 11th & 15th Section I
2nd, 26th, 59th, 82nd, 95th & 151st Open NFC Tarbes 676 miles - July 2012
Alwyn
Alwyn, kindly introduce yourself and explain your origins in pigeons.
I first got started in pigeons as a 13 year old and flew my first birds on an allotment to an old chicken shed. My dad then built me a loft and I got birds from everywhere to put in it. My first prize card (which I still have by the way) was a 4th prize from Harrogate with a 7 year old silver blue hen. I still remember it now. I packed in by the time I was nineteen and then got married.
How did you progress up to National level and what are the origins of your top performing birds?
I moved to Swinderby in Lincolnshire in 1988 and restarted with pigeons in 1992. I raced there with my wife until 1999, winning practically everything you could on the sprint/middle distance with a team of Staf Van Reets and Van Wildermeersch birds. Then I moved back to Ilkeston and spent five years travelling the world. I then got diagnosed with a bone marrow disorder, then diabetes, then had two minor strokes and was told to slow everything down. I had to do something so in 2005 I decided the only thing I knew how to do was to race pigeons. But this time it had to be a different challenge. I had seen how bitchy local club flying can be and didn't want to enter that environment again so decided to go for the extreme distance events. That winter I spent hour after hour trawling the International results until 3 to 4.00am, logging fanciers’ names and results. I subsequently tried to contact a number of them and make arrangements for visits, which was not easy when some didn't speak English. Anyway, when all was in place I visited these fanciers. Not all were well known names BUT they were people with performances. When I couldn't purchase the bird itself I purchased their children. Believe me, I bought until it hurt. Not all have been successful but those that have are now showing their true worth.
Home to a super team of Tarbes pigeons
Please highlight some of your performances?
From the word go my ONLY aim has been the National and International races. My first attempt at the International Pau was with the BICC. There were 3 home on the night into Dover and I timed my blue hen next morning to be 4th Open. I have now resigned from the BICC as you have to travel half-way to the race point just to get your birds marked. It should be renamed the South Coast National! I only really have my clock set for the National races. I send my yearlings with the N.M.C.C. and the Tarbes birds have one prep race there and the birds always come home in good condition. For three years I have sent the yearlings to Saintes (501 miles) and been 1st, 2nd and 6th.
Do you enjoy the sportsmanship in the hobby?
The friendship I have gained with people who fly the nationals has been superb. No back biting, just genuine appreciation of other people’s performances, whereas at club level the greed and jealousy is unbelievable. There will be no such thing as club racing shortly.
What personality factors are at the centre of your success in pigeon racing?
This is what makes us all different. I have a real desire to get the best out of EVERYTHING I do. I’m constantly looking at ways to improve my performances and am already chomping at the bit to get this season over so I can start altering the loft and get ready for next season.
What birds/performances are your favourite or greatest?
I have been fortunate to own a number of great racing pigeons but I suppose "Wing Down" could be classed as a bit special. I have been told there has NEVER been another bird to be 3 times in the top 7 of the Grand National Open result at this distance.
What advice would you give to an ambitious fancier who wishes to achieve greatness?
I couldn't say as that is not where I think I am at. Just try your very best and have a real desire to get there.
Have you set yourself future goals?
My future goals are to just be better than my last result. I really want to have a go at Barcelona and hopefully the team I am putting together will take me there. But that takes a completely different kind of animal. I am a ware of that. But that has to be the challenge.
How do you hope to be regarded as a fancier?
As someone who set himself a target and worked damned hard to get there.
Above: The pinned together flight which Wing Down was carrying on his way to recording 2nd Open NFC Tarbes.
Below: A super collection of photos of Wing Down, one of the greatest pigeons in the history of the UK pigeon sport.
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Other articles in the Elimar Interview series can be found in the Loft Reports & Articles section on Elimar.
