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WHAT I WANT TO SEE HAPPEN
I would like to witness, a gradual expansion of the BICC into the midlands and the north of England, and some more attempts to conquer Barcelona. The negativity in man will remain, yet a timing into Ireland will set the pigeon world on fire. We could do with a great champion bird out of Barcelona International. It would be interesting for the NFC to include an International race point in the race prog. All these ideas would raise the standard in these areas of racing, although they are optimistic and the ideal scenario. We will see what money, politics, logistics and organisation apply to these ideas!
Jim Emerton.
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BICC CHIRK MARKING STATION.
The sanctioning of this facility, to cater for Northern/ Midlands fanciers is a positive move for the great BICC. Now the onus is on fanciers to enter their birds in all the races to keep it open. The BICC does not allow egos and politics to detract from progress. Distance and marathon racing is secure with this current, modern and innovative club. Praise to the people who lead and manage the BICC-it is a club for the people-they are the future of the sport. Now over to the publicity machine to profile the news.
Jim Emerton.
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SENSE OF DIRECTION, FOCUS AND PURPOSE.
The whole basis of the sport is in the head of the fancier, it is psychological. Wise to decide very early, what you want and then plan to execute your desires. In the people I help I am looking for a narrow focus on objectives. Pigeon racing can be learned from basics to advanced levels in practice, yet you must enter birds into the races or nothing happens but chat and dreams. However, the great results are the fruit of dreams. We all start as naive novices in the game and this is where you need all the help you can muster. To do well, or be a champion means sacrifice in other life areas, as when you start you are like a mushroom in the dark. To balance out competitive urges, it is nice to make a contribution to the sport, as time goes by.
Jim Emerton.
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DARK CHEQUER PIGEONS
I have a liking for silky specimens in this feather colour, akin to the ancient Alois Stichelbaut birds of the 1940s. Like Aaarden they exist now in name only. As a person I can spot changes in condition on a dark cheq, where they will sparkle and glow with vitality. I am not keen on the look of blue pigeons, especially continental sprinters. After 41 years dark cheqs are dominant in my strain, where external characteristics are important in our dedicated research work. There is an idea about that this colour of pigeon breeds and survives better as feral birds in the wild. Take a look at our Musgrove Addiction pigeon on google-we had a big offer for her from Japan-she was a beauty. Good racers can be of any origin, colour shape, size and outward confirmation.
Jim Emerton.
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REMEMBERING MY ROLLER PIGEONS.
It was 1954 when we got some lovely roller pigeons at Skegness. I recall a dun cock and a red cock. It was the genesis of watching these acrobats of the sky over many years and 3 counties of Lincs/ Derbys and Yorks. High in the summer sky, a performing kit is totally absorbing, so that you need to focus on nothing else. From badges to bronzes, the jewels come in a myriad of colours and are one of the wonders of nature. 65 years later after my initial baptism my love for pigeons has endured and grown. There were some deep spinners and some crashers which killed themselves. I would rush home from school to watch them perform-a wonderful education for a lad.
Jim Emerton.