OBITUARY FOR ELLA SCAIFE OF YORK.
I recall this lady with affection,as she was an excellent member of a most competitive pigeon racing family. With rivals like the late Chris Mason,we spent happy hours at The Four Alls Prs. Around 89 to 92 i enjoyed racing and chats in the clubhouse,and spent my pools on drinks for the members. Ella was a lively ,knowing lady and shocked me by pulling down my trousers for all to see-exactly the kind of embarassment i deserved as a cheeky young chap. Sadly another great character has left us behind.
Jim Emerton.
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DVDS TODAY.
There are some good ,entertaining and informative ones available for all to enjoy. I have ongoing personal contacts with Janet and Stewart Guy of Countryside Audio and Visual. Their whole series are well presented,researched,and loaded with visual and verbal information on leading pigeon racing fanciers and country pursuits. Stewart maintains a gifted and creative quality to his filming,with relaxed ,probing and sensitive interviews of a very high standard. The couple leave no stone unturned in their quest to be the best.
Jim Emerton.
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RESULTS OF INBREEDING.
Learning of this in 55 i have practiced it for 41 years. It is the way to create your own strain over the years of serious progeny testing. Recently our top 2 Barcelona hens have both been inbred to my originals. On observation birds look similar,yet not identical,and may become smaller,more compact and uniform in external appearance-atypical is the large example in the group. The iris colour is paler,and the pupil may be encircled by violet or blue. Feather wise,colours are similar with some frills and crests ,and there may be infertility in both sexes. There will be some double recessive gene combinants in the genome of individual birds. I love inbreeding to marathon performance birds.You are then on the right track for stock and for outbreeding. Testing all the birds out to Barcelona resolves any innate weakness in progeny as your strain evolves over time. When the man dies,his esoteric knowledge goes with him.!
Jim Emerton.
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PRIORITIES IN PIGEON RACING
With all the psychology,politics,jealousy and resentment and duplicity in the sport,it is shrewd and wise to keep to the essence of the game. The purist makes actual racing his central target and objective. Icons are there because of their talents and dedication to the management of birds to be competitive. Clever fanciers plan for the big races wherein lies the kudos. They develop strategies to cope with criticism and other negative outpourings on their reputation. When all is said and done by cttee personalities,i love the race prog of The BICC, although some slight alterations are imminent. You too can make International racing your priority and modus vivendi. As for moi,i promote the sport in the media,as thing to do.
Jim Emerton.
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THE LADY FANCIER.
When it comes to personality ladies often show a great deal of care and attention to detail when looking after the birds. A top man often has a woman who is the day to day manageress of the lofts and colony.Good qualities are kindness and gentleness with the birds and tone of voice. Meg Murray is very competitive in racing and afforded due recognition for her efforts. My mother was a shining example of diligent dedication. Sometimes sensitivity can balance out ruthlessness in the approach to the sport. Wise to share your passion for the sport with a supportive lady ,like Jean and I for 40 years,as the hobby is a way of life. I note that ladies are often secretaries of leading organisations,and business concerns.
Jim Emerton.
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LIMELIGHT.
Many seek fame and fortune,whilst others shun it. In my long career i have encountered people in both categories. The essence is to publicise the sport in a knowing,responsible and honest way. A few fanciers can express great facts and insights in the global media,which may build on the foundations of the sport. The man who springs to mind as serving the fancy through his books is Zsolt Talaber,the Hungarian Vet. Chris Sutton and Ghenty have the onerous,and powerful position of promoting the finer aspects of The BICC-the people and the pigeons,and to the wider world. Electronic communication will serve them well in this objective. Any reports should obtain,deep and original material to illustrate the sophisticated nature of racing at the highest level. They will bring their personality to the fore with good effect.
Jim Emerton.
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THE SPIRIT AT XMAS.
Most humans have some development of a spiritual essence or nature within themselves as part of their humanity. If you tap into an inner perception of this within your own psyche,it will enhance the growth of the inner man. This can happen in a most human way without an external religion or belief in an omnipotent god. Any self belief associated with this trait may be shown in your creative writing and attitude towards interests that involve other individuals and humanity at large. The corollary and consequence can be altruism and generosity of spirit and acts of giving to good causes,as a balance against rampant capitalism and materialism. In my hobby as a pigeon racing buff,we give birds away,mentor people and write freely in the media to share expertise. The SPIRIT AT XMAS, may concentrate the mind in these objectives.
Jim Emerton.
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