Parkinson L.J.
I have mentioned this fancier before (Derek Astbury) and the comment he made but quite a few years ago I was talking to him about how he was getting on since he got rid of his pigeons. He Said, “Since I have had no pigeons in the garden I have thought a lot about them and all the things we do wrong” No matter how you look at it that is how a proper pigeon man thinks, pigeons are gone, time on his hands and all the things he has done go through his mind and comes to the conclusion, “If only” That is right because since I have had none in the garden I very often think about the things I have done over the years and what I could have done better or differently. Having said that could I have been done it any better I have no idea because I don’t have the pigeons in the garden to try anymore. Take young birds, I wonder how many fanciers are going to fill their young bird section and later wonder why they have lost so many. I had an 8ft x 6ft section for youngsters and for a few years I was putting 40 plus in there but by the time they settled down I was left with 32 give or take the odd one. So that was what I needed to breed for the young bird team or should I say to go into that section. Ever since I can remember it has always been a mistake to overcrowd the young bird section but we do it far too often. I also used to breed early but at that time I was working during the day so could only get them out at weekends. I the later years of having the pigeons I would let the early bred young birds go and I would keep the third round or second in some cases, there are always the odd ones that would not go down on eggs with the rest. I found that the pigeons bred in April were the best for me as they seemed to last the course better as old birds and fly longer, when I say fly long I am of course referring to them lasting a few years longer than those bred early in the year.
I see some have still not lost the use of the old name I used in the email from Carl Turner. “Hey up Parky. Just read your first report since the Blackpool show at which I renewed my subscription to the Homing World as I've not had it for a couple of years. Been a while now since I've had the birds but I always attend Blackpool and assist your old friend Derek Nichols up at the Sheraton with the pigeon auctions. My good friend Mick Barlow from Blackpool always organises everything for the sale, putting up the pens ready for the first sales. I got down on the Friday mid afternoon and called Mick’s for a brew and a bit of lunch before heading over to the hotel for the first sale. Always have a good crew with us and the sales usually go without a problem and this year was no different with the two sales on the Friday and two on the Saturday. For me the pick of the 4 sales which were all Premier Stud pigeons this time were the De Rauw-Sablon birds from Lebbeke, Belgium. If I was to start in the game again which I am thinking of once I've completed the renovation of my house these birds would definitely be on my list. Perfect birds for the one loft races of which I am thinking of concentrating on if I did return to the sport. As I write this I would just like to congratulate Micky Mellor on his performances with the birds he entered this time in the Million Dollar Race. We were only talking about this in Blackpool because he was telling me how he has had a go at these races since I told him many years ago to have a bash at them because that was the way the sport was going. He's had a go and his birds have done him proud, well done Mick. Going back to the show I only went in on the Saturday and although it doesn't change much it's always worth a stroll round meeting old friends etc from all over the world. From what I saw to me this year was that Mr Pallatt seems to have took over, he had trade stands everywhere! Never looked back has Dean since he stopped being a flat roofer and bought out Staf Van Reet. What a move that was all those years ago, 1988 I think it was. He's certainly made it pay over the year, that’s for sure, so you can't knock him.
First birds I had were from Dean and they went on to do really well for me and one hen which I actually bought from Blackpool at one of Deans sales over at The Tangerine Club when I went with the late Tommy Stockton, went on to be my number one breeder! Every nest had a winner in it and often both youngsters went on to win, amazing smokey blue hen of small build and certainly wouldn't win a show but blimey could she breed em. The other thing I did notice in the show is that the clocking system trade stands were much bigger than Linells which obviously never used to be the case. Finally it seems the reluctant fanciers have to move forward now and accept the changes although I'm sure my old clubs have still not embraced the changes? Anyway, we all have a voice and are entitled to air it. Blackpool is still the place to hold such a show though in my opinion because of its atmosphere and bars and clubs and I would bet my house on it that if it ever moved to somewhere else for example the NEC etc the numbers attending would drop considerably. Anyway, I will leave you to wean yer young uns etc. and wish you all well for the coming season as I've just dropped my IPad off me knee onto the floor cos I'm dozing typing this ha ha it's past my bedtime. Speak soon” We have passed your place a few times Carl and it’s a typical builders site take twice as long to do a job as is needed, or is that the excuse for not putting up a loft yet. As far as young uns goes Carl I wish I was but circumstances do dictate, should have taken Elizabeth’s advice and moved to a bigger place years ago, perhaps the one you sold when you packed the pigeons up, the Golden Mile, he he. Racing pigeons into the local town of Middlewich has suffered like most other areas but there are still some good fanciers racing in the town so it all makes for good competition.
Alan Groom long serving Secretary - Elizabeth and Shaun Devanney
Ron Woodward - Shaun and Jim Smith
Pat McGuiness and a shy Billy Wilson - Pat McGuiness and Dawn Latham
Joyce Latham and Pat - Pat and Lynn Healey
Pat and Mark Smith
Dave Healey proposed that for the 2015 presentation be held at the Kinderton Hotel Middlewich when the numbers present were down to 30 which is a long way behind the days of three figures for these events but there were a lot of members in those days. However organiser Joyce Latham did a good job of sorting things out for our ageing population of pigeon fanciers who prefer a sit down and chinwag rather than the disco ball going round and that includes me, bit different from the old days. The food was good and well worth it with good service and I don’t think anyone was really left waiting and the food was hot when it arrived, well done to the staff at the Kinderton. I have to say I have not been to meetings or events recently but I was so relaxed at this one I couldn’t believe it, perhaps this is something I should start to do again. Unfortunately I didn’t get any prize lists so we just have the photos of those winners present from the three Middlewich clubs they being the FC, 5B and 2B. Chief guests were Pat & Liz McGuiness who are the landlord and lady at the Boars Head where we have our local clubs. By the time these notes are published Pat will have been in for an operation, we wish him all the best. Shaun Devanney who has been the President of the club for about 40yrs and was the original landlord when we moved to the boars Head all those years ago was also a guest and presented the prizes for the 5B club. As well as the trophies being handed out there were boxes of chocolates for organiser Joyce Latham, well earned, Liz McGuinness and Elizabeth as a sponsor for the club. Past fancier. I have heard the saying “Sods Law” many times and that now refers to our planned trip to the West Country at some point during the summer this year. I was talking to Elizabeth about where we were going and I said it’s about time we went back to the West Country and while there look in on Nobby Henley. Therefore I was sad to see in the BHW dated 5th Feb that he had passed away. I spoke to Nobby more on the phone than seeing him face to face but he was always pleasant and no matter what he always had thoughts of what needed doing in his mind with the pigeon sport. He had good ideas on the way forward which others did not very often follow, pity because he had some good ones. I was pleased to meet him and glad that I did, they were meetings that you remember. Our condolences go out to His family on this sad occasion. In the series of past reports I did one on the Henley’s and have sent it off to the BHW
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Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ.
Tel 01606836036 Mobile 07871701585.
Email;
Web site www.elimarpigeons.com
