Les J Parkinson
Over 30yrs ago Kim was talking to her teacher at Cledford Junior School about pigeons and they asked if I could go and give them a talk. There were 25 in the class and I received a letter from them all and I still have them, I have included Kim’s but I think her drawings have improved since those early days. Going out to schools is a good idea and there are fanciers who have worked on the way the presentation’s go and are doing a good job. Whether these school visits will encourage new fanciers I am not sure because my view has always been that you must be bred into racing pigeons if you are to take them on and stay the distance. Pigeons are a labour of love and there are few youngsters in todays hi tech world who want to be in that position, from experience the less work they have to do the better because they can spend more time on the gadgets that they now have. There is so much for the younger generation to do unlike in my younger days when you went out into the world to find something that you wanted to be a part of. In my case, it was pigeons and they have stuck with me ever since and these last two years have been a bit of a nightmare at times but circumstances dictate. When we go shopping we often see past pigeon men and have a chat to them and they are generally still interested in pigeons but far too often say that they just do not have the time for them. They managed well enough before and could do again if they were so minded, it sounds like they have found more time for themselves. I used to find the pigeons a bit of a get away from the working side of life and they are a great relaxation when you are sitting in the garden watching them.
Anyway, getting back to schools and pigeon visits and the latest photos were taken by Helen Kemp at St Saviours Primary school in Bolton where Gerry Clements and Ray Bullen attended on one of their days out. Gerry was saying that they were a real pleasure to be with and went out of their way to make the lads welcome.
From Gerry. "I thought readers might like to hear about a very enjoyable day, my good friend Ray Bullen and I had, when we took along several pigeons to St Saviour’s School, in Bolton, at the invitation of Head teacher, Helen. The children were really interested, wanting to know as much as possible about them, so there were many questions. I think the best part for them, was when they were invited to hold and stroke one of the birds, quite a change from normal school activities.There was also a lot of interest in hearing of the role, racing pigeons played in the first and second World Wars and again, when hearing of the use of racing pigeons by the Cotton Traders of the North West, to communicate price levels of cotton in London back to them, so they could set their selling prices correctly. We thought it amusing at the schools closing time, that the teacher, for the first time I think ever, found herself having to encourage the kids to leave the birds and go home"
These are the fanciers who are willing to put themselves out and go into schools to show the younger generations what they are missing. I have passed the comment on many occasions that when parents stop their children having pets in the back garden, “Aren’t they better off having a team of racing pigeons in the back garden instead of roaming the streets where you have no idea what is going to happen to them, especially in this day and age”. That’s something the clear majority of parents don’t consider, what’s around the corner, many are looking for an easy option and that is let the kid’s go out and they can have a bit of peace. Anyway, these school trips are a really good idea and the likes of Gerry & Ray should be applauded for the work they are doing for the sport. I believe there are a few fanciers around the country who are doing the same thing so well done to them all. No matter what my views are on whether it is a good idea or not to visit schools they are still worth a visit and the people who are taking these jobs on deserve the credit for what they are doing. We have to hope that some will eventually look at the sport and sometime down the road remember the lesson in pigeon racing they had in their young days and decided to come on board. These fanciers are doing something and they have to have credit for that because unfortunately there are not a great deal who will go out of their way to promote the sport. There is the possibility of another good plus through these visits and that is the new generations might just look at pigeons differently than some are looking at them at the present moment. Carry on with the good work we need you.
Ray Bullen & Gerry Clements - Ray Bullen watches the stars of the show
Above photos taken by Helen Kemp at St Saviours Primary school in Bolton
Fanciers come and go for whatever reason, Geoff Bebbington is one who packed up a few years ago because of chest problems but with working for himself he got to the stage where it was all work and no play, or at least not much play. Pigeons have always been in the blood of the family and to take a break from working all the time Geoff has started again. As I type these notes out Geoff with his business is doing some alterations to the back of the house and so we have been talking from time to time about the pigeons. He was always keen and willing to work at the club and no matter who would apply to the club Geoff would not turn them down, he thrives on competition and he is always willing to do his share at the clubs. Anyway, he now has two loft locations, one in the previous house where his son now lives and one in the house where he has now settled, for how long I am not sure. With going out for meals with Geoff and Paula we have seen how he has always been interested in the pigeons and I suppose it was inevitable that he would start up again eventually. When I think back we have always talked about pigeons and Geoff like me has missed them. Also like me Geoff is not that interested in club racing and is more inclined to go for the National and Classic events. I don’t think it will be very long before he has his pigeons up amongst the winners, yes, he is only going into his first nearly full year’s racing but he is keen. When we go out for a meal it will be Geoff who will be telling me about how the pigeons have raced instead of the other way around. As I was saying earlier in these notes, these are the type of ex fanciers the sport needs to attract back into pigeon racing. Also, Geoff appears to be more excited about racing than I have ever seen him.
Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive,
Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ.
01606836036 Mobile 07871701585.
Email
web site www.elimarpigeons.com
