LES J. PARKINSON'S
NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES
Well I mentioned my itchy fingers last week when I was looking at the pigeons and thinking of pairing them up. I lasted another week before on a sunny day I cleaned the lofts out, turned the nest bowls over and put the felts in and stood looking at the cocks going mad in the bowls. As I stood there Elizabeth opened the door and asked "Are you going to pair them up?" I lookED and smiled before saying "Yes I think I will". "Wondered how long you would resist" she said. So the next step was to let the hens into the old bird section and what a noise they made. All that build up after being separated for the last 6 months saw them really enjoying themselves and it didn't take long before they were treading and what was a clear sign of relief could be seen in the loft after such a long time on their own. I don't have the time now to let them rear a nest of young birds. I start getting them ready for racing so I will let them settle on eggs for a couple of weeks; this will settle them to their boxes. When they have been sitting 14 days I will if all goes to plan separate them and see what time there is before the first race with thoughts being on re-pairing them and getting them on a second nest of eggs before preparing them for racing. So the calander will be coming out and the dates set so that they will be in the right position for the first race.
Fugare Show
Took a few days out to travel to the Fugare Show in Belgium where there appear to be a few more UK fanciers going each year. This is not an overly big show but one that has the potential to improve in the coming years because it is a big venue. This show is the baby of Guillaume Vanneste the son-in-law of Frans Rigole and a now fancier who had nothing to do with pigeons until he met Frans’ daughter Leen. Although not a previous pigeon fancier, Guillaume is a couple of generations back related to the legendary Henri Vanneste and the one person who can tell you all about that fancier is Bilco, who told me a few stories over the phone. When you walk round you can see more or less anyone who is known on the continent at this show. This is the official report sent out by the officials of the show. "FUGARE 2014 reinforces its status as international platform for the pigeon racing. This weekend, during FUGARE 2014 in Kortrijk Xpo, it was again confirmed that the Belgian pigeon racing scene is world class. Exactly 7,808 visitors attended the annual international pigeon fair. This growth of 5% in the number of visitors clearly shows that FUGARE, despite the reduced amount of national pigeon fanciers, is winning ground on an international level. Yes that’s right, international. Not only did the people attending the fair speak English, French and German, but Polish and even Chinese was used as well in order to gain advice and buy products. Even the negotiations with regard to the prices of our young Belgian pigeons took place in the international pigeon language. Every year it is FUGARE’s objective to fill the needs of every pigeon fancier: numerous exhibitors, i.e. producers of pigeon rings, feeds, dovecots, observing systems, alarm systems etc., but also different auction sites, pigeon photographers, veterinarians and so on completed the programme. Each and every one of the 95 exhibitors called the fair a commercial success. Many of the exhibitors have already confirmed their participation in the next edition. This year, the forum was again a huge hit. Especially the discussion of Ruben Lanckriet and Pascal Lanneau attracted a lot of attention. Moreover, the panel discussion between the different father-son tandems (Herbots-Platteeuw-Pierre) and the top people of the KBDB, the Royal Belgian Pigeon Federation, were real crowd pullers. Furthermore, the many prizes that were distributed painted a clear picture of the numerous pigeon fanciers. After the overwhelming success of FUGARE 2014 the organization can hardly wait to put their back into the next edition."
I must admit that I do enjoy this show with it being a place where we can and do meet new fanciers and some of the best fanciers on the continent, in fact most of the best fanciers on the continent. As you will see from the photos that I will include over the next few weeks there are many household names in the pigeons world who attended. Fanciers came from far and wide. Taiwan, China, India, Canada, France, Holland, Portugal, Poland, Croatia, UK and probably a few others that I do not know about. I was talking to a top official from India who was telling me that there are now over 4,000 fanciers over there and the numbers are growing fast. He has also given me his details to get pigeons over there. I have had set back after set back, so who knows? I have heard of several countries where the sport is growing but that will more than likely be down to the fact that pigeons have been here for so long and fanciers are finding it hard with the increased costs. However in the newer countries to pigeon racing where the sport is expanding the prices are more than likely less inflated than they are here and on the continent where pigeons are also on the decline. I spoke to quite a few fanciers who had stalls and they were pleased with the way the show went. Kurt Platteeuw was telling me that he had done a similar thing to what we have done and that is supply pigeons without paperwork so that others can purchase them and be able to afford to race them.
This week’s photos include one of Ian Crammond in discussion with Frans Rigole. I wonder who is leading the way? There are a couple with UK fanciers who supported the show well, the only problem was a bus full from down south got stuck in a 9 mile queue waiting to get on the ferry; much easier on the chunnel and faster. Elizabeth took nearly all the photos including one of the girls on the Bopa stand because they were busy working away most of the weekend. Stijn Van Lare is one of the up and coming names on the continent and we have including a report of them in this magazine. This is a family affair and they were all there together enjoying the weekend. I had a good conversation with Frans Vanwildersmeerch who was telling me that he is behind with his breeding this year so did not have a stand at the show.
Frans, Guillaume, Douglas, John with Ian seated.
LJP with Ferdy Vandersanden
LJP with Mr & Mrs Frans Vanwidersmeerch
Frans Rigole with the Van Lare family who race a real good pigeon
Girls on the Bopa Stand - they were working hard all weekend
Guillaume Vanneste, Gust Taveirne - Frans Rigole.
Kevin, Mick & Les
Miss McGee getting in on the act at the Fugare Show.
Ian Crammond and Frans Rigole. I wonder who is teaching who?
UK team seen at the Fugare show
LJP with Niels & Martin at the Pipa stand
NWCC
Mark Cliffe was telling me that the North West Classic have now reached the number they required for their annual presentation that will be held on the 15th March at the Kinderton hotel, Middlewich. This is a change of area venue for the club because they normally settle in the Congleton area. As always a change is as good as a rest.
Les J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 ONJ. Tel/Fax; 01606 836036. Mobile 07871 701585
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