LES J. PARKINSON'S
NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES
I am getting to that age in life where I make notes, those “post it” pads are a big benefit because I have started to jot things on them and stick them on the wall or even on my desk until they are finished with. At one time I didn’t do this, I trusted my memory far too much, but things have changed, and I don’t trust it the same anymore. I talk to some fanciers older than myself and think “How do they remember from that long ago” I did have a conversation with Elizabeth about this and she said that she has heard me talking in much the same way, about things that have happened years ago. I think as we get older, we do still remember what has happened in the past because it is at the back of your mind, it is always stored there. The problem is if we are in a hurry trying to think about things then it is much harder as we get older. The point I am making is if we get talking to fellow fanciers it is surprising how much we can remember without even thinking about any part of the sport. It is surprising how the conversations flow and that is for one reason, you enjoy what you are doing. Elizabeth said “You will talk pigeons all day” probably right. The other reason I mentioned this was because I often think, “Do we trust our memory too much when it comes to breeding”. From time to time a pedigree appears on the site and we get queries about them, we don’t have control of what is on any pedigree we are trusting that they are correct. It is a fact that anyone so minded can put anything on a pedigree and the majority of fanciers would not have a clue whether it is correct or not, they are trusting to the people who write them in the first place. It doesn’t have to be details intentionally added to mislead other’s, it can be a genuine mistake, something that we all make at some point in our lives. Our memory is not what we would always like it to be. I have over 3,000 on the pedigree system so I can look back when needed. I still have my breeding books that go back to 1969, I have to laugh when I look at them because I used to write everything about the day down. This included the position of each pigeon to the loft, the club and fed positions plus whether they had a night out. Then further down the page I would write about the day, giving all the conditions for that race. This carried on before I started leaving it to memory and that was a mistake because my breeding books started to supply less and less information and ended up with just the parents details of each pigeon bred.
Been talking to Mark Smith about the Middlewich 2B and what they are going to do with it for the future. They have some new officials who are looking to move forward and maybe reintroduce a race that the club had for a few years. The race being the “Champion of Cheshire” race that was a good event that many fanciers enjoyed competing in. There used to be a few good races in Middlewich when I first started racing but there are far less fanciers now so there are always going to be changes in the races available. The club is now being run by Mark Smith and Peter Latham plus Joyce Latham who is secretary, there are others who I have not yet heard about, but we will get to know shortly. What I do know is the club is far from what it used to be and getting it back to that level is never going to happen but there is still room for such clubs and with some effort there is no reason when the club cannot move up a gear or two. Going back to the “Champion of Cheshire” race that the club held a few years ago. I think at the time the B & G Mainwaring partnership from Lostock gave a trophy and were influential in the start of the race. This is a race that could be rejuvenated because there are a lot of fanciers who like specialist races. To help it along they could go with one of the major organisations to save costs and plough more money into the prizes paid out instead of paying transport fees. I have to say I have never been in favour of duplication because to a certain extent it can lead to domination of races. A fancier can take 1st club, 1st Fed, 1st Combine and if they are duplicated into the specialist clubs another top position can be gained. The first three are covered with the combination of organisations, a system of working from the clubs upwards. However, we are now in a position where there are not so many fanciers about and we need to adjust the way we do things and duplicated entries is probably one way of helping some clubs out who are struggling to keep afloat. I will keep you up to date with this club, perhaps it is one that a few might consider re-joining. The club was run by Alan Groom for many years but due to health reasons he has now stood down. The current officials said they would like to thank Alan for his loyal service to the club for so many years.
I have had several conversations about attracting people into the sport and one way is to send check out fanciers who have left the sport and send them the BHW FOC. Through my job I have come across many fanciers who packed up, saw their family grow up and were looking for something to do. This is an email from a fancier in such a position. “Hello. I am just coming back into the sport after 20 years away, it’s a minefield hahaha, I have tried to join the auction page, but It says I need approved? I have seen a couple of pigeons I would like to watch/bid on, but It does not allow me. Could you please help with this? Also, you are a man with your finger on the pulse of what's what and who's who. I am looking for DeKlak and Stichelbaut pigeons, also pigeons of Beute & Son in Holland, these were super pigeons, I had 3 direct from the Van Basten Couple before I had to finish, these pigeons were doing very well for me, and I wonder if the family is still around? I would be grateful for any help you can give me, I had to retire early due to an accident, so my plans are very small scale, 12-16 widowers and maybe 40 babies, it has to be, my pension does not allow more, I wish It did. So much has changed, families, methods etc etc, to be honest I am a bit lost with It all. I am up on the East Coast of Scotland, Carnoustie. I am looking for birds to excel out to 400mls, from this area. Wildemeersch and Van Hee were also birds that did well they were all crossed through each other and were a good race team. I do realise that I will never re-create what I had, but I would like to come fairly close, if I can. My Stichelbauts came from my dear friend Capt. Derrick Cutcliffe of Stile Lofts, outstanding pigeons. I just want to get some babies on the road this year and get going again. Best wishes Mike” These are the people who have time on their hands, and many do have the finances to re-join the sport. The RPRA alone could not achieve this, we would need fancier’s in town’s and Cities who know of past fanciers. They could then supply the name and address of the fancier concerned and send it to the RPRA. The reason the RPRA would need help in achieving this is because we wouldn’t want any pigeon information sent unless we were fully aware that the ex-fancier concerned was still living there.
The North West Classic is going well, and it looks like another good pay out for the 5 races held with the club and in all probability, we could top the £17,000 plus paid out in 2018. I was in conversation about the trophies and where they had all gone, we do have some and they will be cleaned up ready for the coming season, not sure whether they will all be good, but we will try, see photo of a previous presentation when the full array of trophies were on display, this was 1996 when I was last secretary of the club. It looks like the membership will be the same if not more for this year with the new marking station at Bolton, there 16 resignations but as many new members. The Gold Ring race in conjunction with the club young bird race will have about the same prize money £3,000, there are still a few left if anymore are required. I have included a photo of the 1996 presentation which shows what a good array of trophies we used to have.
PhotosWe have the latest photo of young Oscar from dad Craig who was saying that he is really keen with the pigeons which granddad Dave has also told us. Let’s hope he keep’s an interest into later life we need young blood, problem is as they get older, they start on the PC games and pigeons go out the door. The photos are of the last three generations of the Wilkinson pigeon line and they are Dad & grandad David which is a school photo, son Craig carrying the pigeon clock in his much younger days and the latest being Oscar with the pigeons. It is a pity we couldn’t find the previous generations of the family as youngsters because the Wilkinson line goes much further back.
David Wilkinson in a school photo
Craig Wilkinson early days
Oscar Wilkinson starting early
Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ. 01606836036 Mobile 07871701585. Email
