Thoughts by Les. J Parkinson
In my last article I mentioned the fact that loses in the races is a problem that many have their views on. Clashing is one problem that is more likely to affect the youngsters and a point that has been raised since I started putting views in these notes. I am more than inclined to agree with many fanciers from the North West on the liberation's that take place on the west side of the country. There is no doubt that a lot of problems are being caused by the organisations who cross the country with liberation's heading north. The reason we know that there are problems is because during the young bird season there are quite a number of young birds reported on the eastern side of the country and when we have looked there are organisations who have liberated on the same line flying north, into the likes of Yorkshire. I like the idea of corridor flying a system used by the North West Classic Club, we do know that there is still the east west divide but that is always going to be the case no matter where we race from. Many years ago, I said that there has to be a point where the powers that be step in and set guidelines for liberation's I say guidelines because there are fanciers who are not in a position to corridor fly. Such guidelines and corridors would more than likely only affect counties mainly from the lower Midlands upwards, south of that is a problem because of distances involved. However, the views of many are that there has to be a cut-off point somewhere and the governing bodies are the only people who can sort this one out. There is no way that some organisations are going to do it by themselves for the good of the sport because let's face it, most fanciers are only looking out for themselves and I do say most.
I was talking to a fancier who reported a classic youngster in Yorkshire, he was saying that many from that side of the country like to get their young birds over in the west because of competing in the Midlands National. When I asked why, he said they were looking for a breaking point to get them on a good line, I went a bit quiet and he asked, "Are you still there" to which I obviously replied "Yes". I went on to say that you only have to look at the MNFC results to know where the birds are and that the prevailing winds send them in that direction anyway. I also pointed out that when the young birds go across the channel they will cross further along the coast, which is very often highlighted in the NFC young bird results. Anyway, the conversation finished off with me repeating myself on the subject of results and we left it at that, he did finish off by saying, "I do see your point".
Let's get back to the losses, the follow up from my last article and reasons that have been discussed. Liberators should also come into the reckoning which is a point that I have mentioned before and one that has raised most comments. There have been a lot of bad races and probably one of the worst for a few seasons, I say that because there were a lot lost in early to Mid-May. As well as clashing and probably more to the point, many also believe that a fair percentage have been down to the birds being liberated when the conditions are not right. By this I am referring to the fact that pigeons have not left the liberation site and have not had a clear flight home.
A fancier was telling me about a training toss that he gave to his pigeons and they wouldn't clear, even though it looked a good day. A local soon fancier saw him ad told him the reason why and he was spot on, local advice can very often be good advice and something that Mike will remember next time he tosses the pigeons in the area. This is something that can quite easily happen at the race or training point and with a little local advice could help with the safe return of our pigeons and better racing/training all round. Fanciers are waiting at home wondering where their pigeons have got too, they are asking themselves "What have I done wrong" most fanciers pigeons have been trained and sent right so should in theory put up at least a reasonable effort.
Things that need doing to improve pigeon racing, Liberators, who are aware of the area and can cover the first half of the line of flight. Then the appointed race controllers can cover the home end. Most might think that this already happens but when you look at some of the races it clearly is not happening.
I have said on many occasions that there are some good race controllers about but on the other hand there are some not so good, the ones who don’t have the experience needed to take on such an important position within the sport.
We were hash tagged into a message from Crewe fancier Ashley Powell. “In my first National FC race I managed to get one of my three pigeons back on the day. Very proud of “Old Boy” a yearling with some experience now. Also, a huge shout out to my Uncle Ken who topped section L from the same race, what a performance” This was a very hard race with many not making it home on the day, in fact after three days there were still many missing into the North West. Having said that, all over the country.
When you get into the National’s at full strength you will enjoy racing even more, not just the Nationals but the top specialist clubs. When you enter these races there is a different feeling even while waiting for them and when you see one diving for the loft the excitement gets much better.
I have to say the enjoyment I got out of sending to the National was far above any other racing. On the downside when you don’t get one you are down more than when competing in a club race. Also, when there is a bad lib you get angrier about losing your birds, because you expect better from the top clubs.
The main point being in the National races, the further down the road you go the better you feel when you get one even if they are lower down on the result, the feeling is still there.
