WRITING FOR THE MEDIA.
I have written volumes of words in my life and i like to be creative each day. In my bias ,it strikes me that the better articles shed light and insights into the nature of both the people and the pigeons,and are more advanced than simple loft reports that give basic details as a recipe of results and what happened. There are some serious ,informative and enlightened books about ,often by academics and scholars in their field of expertise. I like books that educate and teach the reader of the art/science/psychology and philosophy of pigeons. Some great authors are Zsolt Talaber/Colin Walker and good old Liam Ocomain,who combine truth with science in a concise and lyrical manner. In the British pigeon racing papers scribes offer their services freely out of enthusiasm and the need for recognition and love of the sport. I am keen to see a new author appear on the scene to alert mass attention in a sport that is in decline.
Jim Emerton.
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RETURN TO MY YOUTH.
After 50 years i found myself returning to the seat of learning-Askham Bryan College. It was a homecoming ,laden with nostalgia for the 2 years i studied there whilst resident in room 31 of the new hostels in the grounds of the farm. As a young neophyte i indulged in all aspects of the courses resulting in one of two distinctions gained in the Recreational and Decorative Course. With shooting on the estate on a Wednesday afternoon,home cooking by lovely ladies,it really was a great experience. On grants we were spoilt within the sheltered environs of a great institution. Since those naive and heady days of a young academic,the College has expanded into an establishment of great class and merit to degree level and beyond. Since then my pleasure has been many years blessed by higher education up to Mensa level.
Jim Emerton.
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BIRDS AT THE MAJOR STUDS.
If you buy wisely,there are some top birds of great breeding to be had at eg Louella. With a shrewd eye for quality you can found a loft as i did in 76. Not nice to blame the stud ,when the answer lies with yourself. However,you will do well to find a top breeding pair or two. Some studs do source the very best bloodlines and breeding available for the fancy to indulge themselves in.Your racing prowess will prove the case and it will prove you as a fancier. G children of the champions are perfectly good enough,as apricots fall far from the tree,along with apples cliche. In 76 i had the personal attentions of John and Michael Massarella for 1.5 hrs on a cold winters day when we chose the sire of my No 1 stock hen.At other times i chose out of handling birds in the pens-the secret is knowledge!
Jim Emerton.
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END OF THE SEASON BLUES.
After a long sesaon of competitive stress many fanciers are tired,had enough,packing up, resting and praying for the off season. I have felt this syndrome ,yet maintain a lasting enthusiasm for pigeons and the game. Wise,not to get too excited in the early season as you can not burn the candle at both ends. Take the races steadily ,dont let people intimidate you and build up gently to the big races in July. Set realistic racing goals, and keep away from jealous individuals who may work on your psyche. However, critics will come to the fore,when all you can do is be the best you can be at any level you function at. I f you get depressed , you may resort to happy pills from a prescription as millions do globally. Many creative people are labelled as bipolar today,especially in the manifestation of mood swings. Pigeons are both calming and exciting,yet i love them still.
Jim Emerton.
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MARATHON RACING OF YOUNG BIRDS.
Specialists and chancers are capable of getting nearly 500 miles on the day with a young bird say on darkness/lightness systems. It requires specialist motivation and feeding regimes and a great deal of preparation from one year to the next. In my minds eye over 350 miles is YB marathon flying. One of the top men has been Chris Gordon and most men seem to live in Yorkshire and the Nor East of England. Fit natural birds may do it and Little Darkie was 362 miles Sartilly for me on the day in the NFC.This type of regime is not condusive to marathons with the old birds and is a specialism in itself. For many years all my young birds went at least once to the coast up to approx 230 miles from Holtby on my open loft ,specialist natural system. Race points are getting shorter,we are getting softer and the bench marks,standards of excellence are shrinking,with modern society impacting on time ,patience and the expectation of instant gratification.
Jim Emerton
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