Parkinson. L J
Well it’s that time of year when many pigeon fanciers are looking at this year’s crop of youngsters, the early breeder’s that is and wondering what they are going to turn out like. Are there going to be any Champion’s, of course there are they appear every year the problem is finding them in the first place. Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if we could look at them in the nest and know straight away which ones are going to be the best racers and breeders. Actually when you think about it no, it wouldn’t because that would spoil all the fun of watching them grow and testing them down the road. I had an email sent to me containing the Mid Cheshire Fed race programme for the 2017 season and the first thing that came to mind was "Glad I am no longer racing pigeons" Why, because there are 11 races from Worcester or Cheltenham less than 90mls to here and that is not what racing pigeons need. The early races are treated by the majority of fanciers as preparation races, the ones to get them into the swing of things after a winters rest. There are 4 channel races so that leaves 7 races for old and young birds that are between about 119 & 176mls depending on where in the fed you live. I suppose the old bird early races are not too bad because they go down Worcester, Cheltenham, Mangotsfield, Yeovil, and Portland and then for some reason back to Cheltenham. Probably the last Cheltenham before the channel could be a good bet giving them a break before the first channel race. Then there are Cheltenham races between the channel races. The young bird programme is a bit of nonsense because the first 3 are from Worcester 68mls, 2 x Cheltenham 89mls, 2 x Mangotsfield 119mls, Yeovil and ending up at Portland, that is if there are enough birds going, if not they will probably go to a shorter race as they have done in the past. Why they have the three Worcester races and then two Cheltenham's bemuses me because all that does is encourage fanciers not to send to the first few young bird races giving themselves a bit more time to train them properly after the channel races finish.
Looking at the young bird programme I would miss the first three young bird races and start them at the second Cheltenham and then to the rest of the programme. I don't think there is any thought put into the race programme's but more looking at the costs. There are fanciers who have their young birds trained near enough to the distance of the first young bird race before the season starts. The Mid Cheshire are the short flyers on the transporters and therefore miss out because if there is an easy race or tail wind from the early races their pigeons are in the top end of Lancashire before they know it. As we know with young birds they can soon be gone and never to return. Yes we are aware that there are separate liberations but as anyone who knows pigeons well enough will tell you 10/15min gaps between liberations is not enough on most Saturdays. I like most others have heard it on many occasions, “They were liberated and we thought they had gone but then as the next liberation took place big batches were coming back and milling round” That does happen and that is when they get into batches going further up country because the longest flyers go first and they are the ones returning to the liberation point. There was a time when the federations made their own decisions and programmes programme and had a better outcome but not in the modern day of racing pigeons, they have to take what they are given. Most feds are not big enough now and they are reliant on business’s who are forever cutting costs to make a profit but effectively they are not helping themselves as they need to do.
I would like to thank all those who attended Elizabeth's birthday party at the end of January when over 100 turned out for what I am told was a good evening. I say “I was told” because I didn't make it with the sickness bug, Elizabeth was OK so she was able to go which was a good thing seeing as though it was her birthday. We were laughing about it because we were supposed to have had a new year’s party here but I was the same then and it was moved to Lizzie's home. What we laughed about was at the New Year’s party I had a similar sickness problem and was in bed early but woken up at midnight with the fireworks going off at Lizzie’s. Then after the birthday party we were woken up when the neighbours who were attending woke me up when they returned from the party late at night and the last thing I heard was from Linda across the road saying, 'I hope Les is Alright" So two party’s we were organising and paying for and I didn't get to either.
A very surprised Elizabeth! - Kim delivering her speech as Elizabeth looks on.
Thanks to Jim Moores for the two photos. I have had a few photos from Mark Williams after the Blackpool show and not wanting to send them all off at the same time I am spreading them out a bit. We have one of John & Mark who went to see Bert ‘Jock’ Ross after they missed his big smile and presence in Blackpool. “Jock” is a competitor in the Gran Canaria race. Jock has not been well recently as on Christmas Day he was admitted into hospital with broken ribs. I asked Mark is Jock a personal friend and he said it’s more a case of members of the organisation being 100% in favour of keeping in touch with their entrants of the race. Mark went on to say that they chatted and caught up for over an hour on all the Gran Canaria updates and making sure if he needs anything, then he has the support and help required. While there they showed him the “Ride” video of the birds training which was very interesting and I commented on this in last week’s notes. As was expected his big smile returned after watching the video and thought a photograph would be a great way to capture “Jock” feeling happy, we wished him well and said we look forward to hopefully seeing him in March.
Ian Heaton with John & Mark -
Lewis Hardaker with Les J Parkinson and John
Bert ‘Jock’ Ross with Mark & John
So, from all the GC Team we wish this great man a speedy recovery. There was also a nice gesture from the Gran Canaria team who presented young Lewis Hardaker (see photo) with a free team entry into the race. The young man was highly delighted and is going to follow the training and race programme right through. We can keep you updated on this one and let’s hope he gets one to the final and has a good race, plus visits the lofts on Gran Canaria. I had a Gran Canaria top off Mark Williams when we were at the Doncaster Show and it is good quality and with looking at something on the same lines for Elimar who are looking at having a stand at the show next year I asked Mark for details as to where they came from. He told me they are from Simplelogo where the managing director is Ian Heaton so we shall have to have a word with him. I had not really worn the one from Mark but I did ask Elizabeth to put it through the washer before we go ahead and purchase any and it came out OK. Mark was also saying how busy they have been visiting the winter shows but all is now done and they are looking forward to the Fugare Show in Belgium and then back to settle down with the pigeons ready for the final race in March.
Les J Parkinson.
11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich,
Cheshire, CW10 0NJ.
01606836036 Mobile 07871701585.
Email
web site www.elimarpigeons.com
