REMEMBER
Elimar Lead Where Others Only Follow.
Elimar wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year no matter where you are in the world.
Well I suppose it was going to happen one day, the FIXERS are now in the game with the F1 series. They bent the rules that suited Max, nothing against him he is a great driver but I expect he would have preferred to win the title in straight races, rather than have two farcicle races towards his points tally. The farce in Belgium was not good with a 3 lap race in the rain and points awarded. Then in the last race of the season the officials made one almighty blunder. They should have followed their own rules and let all cars un-lap themselves in the same way it has always been done but they didn't it was just the 5 to bring Lewis and Max together for the last race. It was never going to go Lewis's way because he had the hard worn tyres against Max's new soft tyres. Sorry Max you were not the real winner and many F1 fans will tell you that. Never mind Max one day you will be a creditable world Champion because you are a great driver. Even my missus who doesn't like F1 said it was a fix and I have cancelled my subscription to Sky, no point in watching the sport if they are not going to run it fairly.
Brains and Beauty.
As you will know Kim’s daughter Ebony is having one half of the 24ft loft with her own birds for old and young birds racing. Well, she has had a great set of GCSE results and has a Distinction, A**, A*, 3x A’s and 3 x B’s, she is over the moon, well done. I am getting worried now in case some of those brains work with her pigeons and she leaves me behind each week.
Testimonials for the Colin Priestman Entire Clearance sale starting on September 29th.
COLIN PRIESTMAN stock flying in partnership with Arkless and hall in the strong Consett and district federation. Colin has obtained the best stock available no expense has been spared assembling this stock team and there results back this up been very successful winning federations averages and one loft race top positions in big birdage . Top class birds from top class fanciers I am sure they will excel wherever they go Paul Stobbs STOBBS BROS & MOSEY
Colin became a customer of mine several years ago and he continued to purchased pigeons almost every year without fail right up to the present time. During this period Colin has become not only a valued customer but a well-respected and valued friend. A True Gentleman. Regarding the pigeons on offer, Colin only purchased the very best from my own loft and from the loft of D & J. Hawkins on my recommendation. Anyone studying the top M & D. Evans bloodlines in Colin’s sale will realise that they have done me very proud, and I would have no hesitation in recommending these pigeons to anyone requiring top bloodlines for future stock. We guaranteed Colin that our bloodlines would breed him winners and the performances achieved for him, and his friends have proved that fact. Mark Evans. (M & D. Evans, Myrtle Lofts)
It Pleases me to write about Colin Priestman. The founder of Forge Lofts, in my opinion the best kept secret in the North East. I have known Colin for 12 years or more, I have found him to be a person who is as honest as the day is long. The amount of success his birds have achieved for him, and other fanciers has been phenomenal. The most fancier being the Durham Dazzler raced by Mark Shepard winner of 1st National Alencon 6590 bird’s 5th National Falaise 3278 birds. This was a pigeon not raced as a young bird but raced the season after a remarkable performance. Colin bred this pigeon, to breed a pigeon “Luke” this I look at it to make a nice cake you need the finest ingredients. That means pigeons were sourced from some of the top fanciers in the Country and abroad. Colins knack has been studying the Lunes of the pigeons he wanted to make his strain which is proving successful up and down the UK. Bob Lee
“I first spoke with Colin after selling a daughter of Golden Gaby on Elimar Pigeons to him. His knowledge on the strain was second to none after getting to know Colin he then went on to lone us Pigeons from his stock loft and the pigeons we had of him have gone on to do us a lot of good. Colin is a genuine and honest guy and has become a friend Ryan Nuttall”
I would just like to say Colin Priestman only ever purchased the very best birds from us over a number of years and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending these birds to anyone. Good luck with the sale Colin. Dave Hawkins. D/J. Hawkins. & Evans
“Colin being the gent he is sends my daughter Keelie, 6 Ybs every year to race and try out. Have to say these have been very consistent pigeons, hard to lose and excellent body and shape. We have Colins pigeons still in the race team from the first kit sent over back in 2017. These pigeons have won Keelie many NIPA Open and Section prizes racing in the NIPA where there is massive birdage. The latest star that was sent over is a 2018 bred Blue Hen, Amply named “Colins Lass” this hen is the proud winner of an RPRA award for Keelie being the best YF pigeon in the 250 – 400-mile category last year. She was well up in the National from Barleycove that year flying 253 miles. “Colins Lass” has also other NIPA Section diplomas to her name so not a one hit wonder. She is now retired to stock for the upcoming 2022 season. These pigeons have played a big part in Keelie winning multiple awards with the RPRA and helped get her the UK YF of the year 2 seasons running. Without doubt these are class pigeons, and we look forward to racing them again in 2022. Eamon Wright”
I have known Colin Priestman for approximately 10 years now and what I can say for sure, a more honest man you could never meet. Colin and I met around 2011/2012 after both showing keen interest in the same pigeons which were coming up for auction, as a result we got chatting and have been very close since. From 2012 onwards, Colin would send down 12 youngsters to Plymouth for me to race. He genuinely wanted to know how these pigeons competed against my own and other lofts in Plymouth. Results from day one were exceptional, competing and winning at Club and Federation level. In 2013 Colin sent me a pair of nest brothers, they were June bred and as a result did not compete as young birds. In only their 2nd race as yearlings, both came together (to win) from a 90-mile race. One was 2nd and the other 4th (keeping each other up, as opposed to trapping). The following week both cocks were entered in the BICC Falaise National, 3278 birds. So high was my confidence, both were fully pooled. The Blue Cock, now better known as the Durham Dazzler was 5th Open, the Cheq Cock (which I thought was the better of the two was never seen again). Two weeks later the Durham Dazzler was sent to the BICC Alencon National, 6823 birds. He won the National and was the first pigeon into Plymouth by almost one hour. A truly remarkable pigeon, which was bred by a truly remarkable stockman. I could continue and fill several A4 sheets with the success I achieved (and others that I am fully aware of). Colin gained success in RPRA One Loft Races, Algarve One Loft Races (Helga below), Tenerife One Loft Races. Together with his birds, he was a master breeder. I have a lot of confidence in saying, anyone who purchases pigeons from Colin’s final clearance sale will not be disappointed and success will come from those pigeons. The pigeon world will be a much sadder place without the great Colin Priestman. Good luck with your retirement Sir. Mark Shepard. Plymouth.
“Just like to say a few words about colin and his pigeons. I bought 1 pair off Colin, and they bred me fed toppers in their first nest plus plenty of other club and fed cards. I have two race hens at the moment with 4 x 1st between them they are half Colins blood from the famous Dazzler lines. Fantastic pigeons. But more than that Colin is Genuine fella you could wish to meet. Good luck Colin and we must keep in touch mate. Mick Dyer”
“Colin is an absolute gentleman and has been very good to me over the years. I have had some really good pigeons from Colin, one that stands out was winning the Hull NR Fed from Lerwick, a race point North Road fanciers like to win from. Most of the pigeons that have won for me over the years have been from colin’s blood. Colin has always helped we with any charity event. Colin always bought the best and was not ever expecting a great deal back, his satisfaction was in seeing others win with his pigeons. A true gentleman of the sport and a shame to see him part with what are a real good team of pigeons. Harry Wallace”
“I have been good friends with Colin for several years and in this time, I have had several birds from Colin that have won club and federation positions I have also bred a 1st WDA from Arass with a bird bred from Colin and was 5th WDA from Maidstone this year with a bird bred by Colin. Brian Denham”
North or South
I was talking to Roger Sutton about North Road racing and at the time I did not see it from the same angle as he was, we were looking at differently. Roger has a level head when it comes to most matters involving pigeon racing’s, that’s probably why he gets so involved in everything, good job there are such people about, because workers in the sport are getting scarce nowadays. Anyway, as I started off saying we were on the subject of racing the pigeons on the North Road and would it work. That depends where in the country you are living because the Pennines make a big difference to racing from the North. As Roger pointed out if you are coming out of Scotland then the pigeons are on the other side of the hills straight away and they will follow that sheltered line down country. Some will come through the M62 gap, but most will not head across country until the Pennines come to an end. When you look at the results of those who have raced from the North this year, the results have nearly always reflected this point. As we all know there is always the exception to the rule, but they are few and far between, and not enough to balance things up. Getting back to the point of where we live and race our pigeons, the North West would be the area to suffer and there are a lot of pigeon fanciers in Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside plus we must not forget Cumbria. This is where the North West would see heavy losses because of the line they would take. The NFC would be the organisation mostly affected and if we cannot get across next year then the only genuine alternative is racing from Guernsey, no matter how many races they have. They have been racing from Sennen Cove but that as a race point is neither use nor ornament especially as a race point for the NFC.
Is there a future
The weather is not being good to pigeon fanciers with lots of heat which will suit the sunseekers or the rain which suits the gardeners as long as there is not a deluge washing their garden away. According to the Meteorological Society this is going to be the norm in years to come. I can remember it well, when the winter saw mostly snow for month on end, then into a refreshing autumn and the summer where we would play out all day long in mostly sunshine. Then came the 60’s when the whole world changed, most of it not for the better.
Pigeon racing in the 70’s saw the pigeons basketed on the Friday and raced on the Saturday, there was the odd holdover but not many. There was no cancelling the race because the weather forecast was not good, they went down no matter what. Even with all the care that appears to be put into the races we are still having disasters so who is wrong and who is right. There is no doubt fanciers years ago were right, when they made their own decisions. A couple of years ago we were out having a meal with a fancier and discussing the future of racing pigeons. He said, “There will be no racing as such in 5yrs” to which I replied, “Of course there will” now I am beginning to wonder because grassroots racing pigeon fanciers are being turned off the sport at a serious level.
Good pigeons
I was talking to Nigel Shaw from Shavington about the North Road racing with the BBC from Thurso. It is a known fact that getting pigeons into the North West from North Road racing is not easy, they appear to follow the East side of the Pennines for most of the way before they cut back across country which can put hours onto their flying times. So, Nigel was more than pleased to clock the only yearling on the day winning 1st section E competing in the section against fanciers over the other side of the country. Because of the much harder task for pigeons in the North West we see fewer entered into such races.
Losing a good one.
I was talking to Alan Wicker about the Truro race and he was telling me that he had lost his St Vincent National winner. When I asked what he thought about him not returning he said, "Something has happened to him otherwise he would have been home" I then spoke to Alan on the Monday evening and he was in high spirits which suggested that he had good news which he had, "The National winner has just turned up, I told you something had happened to him, part of his wing was missing, he had been struck by a bird of prey"
Mick Mellor the expert at One Loft Races.
Just been talking to Mick Mellor who was telling me how they have gone on in the mighty Victoria Falls One Loft Race to date. Hotspot one 5,071 bird’s 3rd Open 1st UK. Hotspot two 4,598 bird’s 43rd Open 2nd UK. Hotspot three 4,224 bird’s 19th Open 1st UK. Hotspot four 1st UK 47th Open 3,900 birds. Let us hope the trend continues into the final races. Mick has won big in these races and has entered many races around the world where his birds have more than held their own.
Sennen Cove
Over the years I have visited many fanciers and reported their views on racing pigeons and all that goes with it. Position and wind have always been two topics that cause heated conversations, mainly because those who live in what are the premier positions for wind conditions do not see it that way. This issue could not be highlighted more than in the two NFC Sennen Cove races that have so far been held this season. The prevailing winds during the racing season are from a westerly direction. That was the case in the first of these two races which was reflected in the result when the birds heading north clearly followed the dog led out of the west country. That was not the case for the second race because the wind had moved to the opposite direction and this sent the birds across the Bristol Channel much earlier and up into Wales, which again is reflected in the result. As we all know we send our birds to races and trust that they will get the breaks somewhere along the line. Having said that they must be conditioned, motivated, healthy fit both physically and mentally when they are sent, and that is all down to the fancier. Well done to all those who have competed in what for many have been testing races.
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Since fanciers found out that the channel racing is back on there has been an increase in interest in the season. I suppose this is down to the southern half of the country not getting a great deal of distance racing on the traditional south route. Let's hope all the National races go ahead and there are no more delays, pigeon racing doesn't need any setbacks.
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The local mid-week club basketed their pigeons on the Wednesday morning for a day race that were eventually brought back to Penkridge for a race of 40mls, depending on where you live. We were in Warrington that day and the weather was awful, cold, sleet, windy, you could not have wanted a worse day to race pigeons. However, the people in control of the race got it right on the day because the winners were on 1400ypm plus and I hear good returns with race winner Malc Hewitt closed up in good time. When you see them racing home with good vels on a day like this one was, you realise just how good our racing pigeons are and they are far better than the credit they are given in trying circumstances.
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Every now and again we get birds reported by the general public and one such bird is, 2018 NWIRC 322, I have never heard of such a ring before, can anyone tell me what it is, the pigeon died on Thursday 8th April.
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Over the last 7yrs I have missed out on racing and hopefully that is going to change for the young bird season. What I am doing is finding myself checking up on how things are done and whether over the years minds have changed on the way things are done. What I have been looking at is where we race from if the EU/French decide we cannot go that way, I doubt if the Belgium’s would turn us away?? Here in Cheshire, we can go down to Sennen Cove about 260mls depending on where you live in the country. We could of course go North Road and find another 3/300mls taking us up to 600mls plus. There is one problem with the North Road into Cheshire, is if they get the other side of the Pennines most are going to have gone well past before they know where they are especially with the prevailing winds being westerly. A lot to think about in the coming weeks. It would certainly be a challenge racing from the Faroe Islands.
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At the present moment Elimar are carrying on selling pigeons but if you are outside the UK please enquire with the relevant authorities regarding shipping out of mainland UK. We have asked for full guidance but have not yet received anything that will give us any idea of what the EU plans are because it is them who will say what happens, DEFRA will have no alternative other than to fall in line.
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I have had a few text's and calls regarding the Christmas Panel and they were reflecting the email below. As any scribe will tell you a good response is always appreciated.
Hi Les
Just want to compliment you in your recent collection of superstars Christmas panel. I have long lost the enthusiasm for waiting for the weekly books to arrive but the expectation of part 2 arrival renewed that interest . Excellent work !
As an aside don’t you think that the actual words used by the fanciers in these type of responses are far better than any write ups ? I say this respectfully as the pigeon sport has many fine writers but I believe that when you use the spoken words of fanciers you get an insight into their thinking that cannot be conveyed in a loft write up .
Thoroughly enjoyable reading and well done to those fanciers for opening up and giving the sport an opportunity to get inside their heads .
Kevin Foster
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20-12-20; The last year has not been good to many but as always, we British will rise above everything that goes on in the world and we are in for a few testing months before we get back to any kind of normality. We will all be hoping that 2021 will be better, let us hope so.
15-12-20; Well, its been a few days of have a go at Elimar and let’s be honest the people who have most to say are the ones who had gone against the T&C of the site which are clear for all to see. In fact, regarding those who have placed bids on pigeons and not paid for them, the question I ask is, “If you sold a pigeon and the buyer did not pay would you be happy” no you would not so why incur that on others. What’s more why have a go at Elimar when you are the one who is in the wrong.
Also let’s face it those who are having a go are the ones who have not paid for the pigeons they have won with bids and those who have a vested interest in other sites and even though they think they are gaining they are not in fact not doing themselves any favours becaue people see through you, and they are showing how low they need to go to get busines, which is not good by any standards, and if they have to go that low, they are not worth dealing with. What I do say is I hold my hand up to the fancier who started one of these thread's and has since admited that he was wrong, at least he has stood up as a man, which few keyboard warrior's can do.
16-11-20. The sales are going along well and we are recieving many messages of satisfaction with the efficient service that we provide. If you have any birds for sale there is always room for more on the UK's PREMIER PIGEON AUCTION SITE where there is so much choice for everyone, you need go no further than Elimar where you will find quality pigeons for stock or racing.
17-10-20. My apologies for the delay with the NWCC Carentan report which will be out in the next few days. We have been so busy with the Auction site with sales increasing all the time and what we are pleased about is seeing fanciers coming back into the sport. We have spoked to several who have now seen their family grow up ans leave home so are looking for an interest, previously being fanciers they have re-joined the sport which is pleasing to see.
02-10-20 Due to a glitch on the Auction site yesterday there have been a few problems but we are nearly there, with just an odd ID appearing to require a small change, if this affects you send an email to Elimar with full details. We apologise for this disruption.
27-08-20; Even though I am not racing pigeons to the back garden I am still a member of the Middlewich FC and from time to time I am told I have been a bit strong in my views on the racing they are doing. The strong words must have got to someone because they have had a real good season in the much increased Mid Cheshire Fed races and averages. Well done.
11-08-20; News is the channel pigeons are starting to turn up, as Craig said it looks like they never crossed at the weekend, his dad David had 3 in 30mins on Monday all being on 13.00hrs.
01-08-20;
The weekend for the Pau National has always been an attraction and even though I have not sent I always look at the results.
Just a mention for a few fanciers up here in the North West who have done well in the Nationals this weekend, flying a long way.
Team Wicker & Wright from Bolton;
1st Section 1st Open St Vincent National BICC sending only 2.
4th Section 95th Open Pau National FC
Mr & Mrs Nigel Shaw from Shavington;
2nd Section J 19th Open Pau National (beaten by a friend of ours from Stoke Paul Dewsnap)
5th Section 95th Open and clock a few.
Brian Lee from Congleton
1st Section L 48th Open Pau National
Well done to these and other fanciers on their National performances on what at times has been a hard day.
Also Well done to Mark Gilbert on another 1st National this being from Pau.
And also to Nicholas Adshead 1st Section 4th Open Pau 724mls
I will make room for a mention on an inform loft and someone we know very well, David & John Staddon who are having another great year, well done.
27-07-20; Bit of a mixed bag over the weekend, some got them from across the channel while other's didn't.
26-07-20; The North West Classic Fougeres birds were liberated at 7.45am in a light West Wind.
25-07-20; There will be no lib for the North West Classic at Fougeres and neither are the Mid Cheshire Birds at Messac today.
22-07-20; Recieved a draft copy of the North West Classic race from Carentan which turned out to be a good race with the first 4 all being on the same yard. What was more interesting was that they were from different parts of the country, Mr & Mrs Nigel Shaw from Shavington topped the list followed by Wignall & Jones from Denton, Pat Smith of Reddish and K Nuttall from Darwen.
Mr & Mrs Shaw are on a roll at the moment with;
1st & 7th North West Classic Carentan
1st Section Midland National Fourgeres
1st 2nd 3rd SWC Fed Yeovil
1st 2nd 4th SWC Fed
3rd & 4th Section BBC Fourgeres
1st 2nd 3rd Cheltenham
1st 2nd Mangotsfield
14-07-20: The Middlewich members have been having a good time in the Mid Cheshire Fed whose birdage has more than doubled this year so there is very good competition. Craig Wilkinson under Dickens & Wilkinson topped the fed in the first race and two races later Dad David topped the fed, talk about keeping it in the family. We had Craig’s winner on show so here’s Dad’s from the third race. Click read more to see the winner.
12-07-20: By all accounts, the channel racing into the North West this last weekend was a tough but good day for a competitive days racing. Some had them in the clock close together while others had gaps between them, this is always the case when there is a race where the pigeons must work that bit harder for their corn. Be interesting to see the NWCC result.
11-07-20; The North West Classic Birds at Carentan were liberated at 7.45am in a light North Wind, have a good race.
07-07-20;
If you are a member of the North West Classic Club and sending your birds to the this weeks race via the marking station at Middlewich please put the correct money in an envelope or a cheque made out to the North West Classic Club.
04/07/20;
Obituary
Anthony Evans. This morning Saturday 4th July I was sad to receive a call telling me that Anthony had passed away and was only in his mid 50’s. When I first joined Middlewich FC in 69 there was a young fancier still at school but even in those days, he was a confident young fancier looking to win the races with his dad Kenny. Over the years I have had many laughs with Anthony and was only talking to him a few days ago about the good job he was doing as secretary to the Mid Cheshire Fed. For this season Anthony had gone into partnership with George Mainwaring and they were looking forward to racing a good team of pigeons, especially the young birds. I remember one year we had a cracking time racing the old birds and on the evening of the Niort race, we were at the club in 1st & 2nd positions with only Anthony to bring his clock. As was often the case Anthony turned up last and had the winner in his clock. I was talking to him after the clocks had been done and said “You won’t catch us in the points now” to which he replied, “There’s the young birds to go yet” I found that out later in the season when Anthony and his dad along with Denis Gleave took nearly all the YB prizes and topped the points list, lesson learnt. A number of years ago Anthony and dad Kenny with the help of Bill Lyons run the Smithy in Middlewich and there were many callers to talk about pigeons, I was often there to talk to them. I am sure the members of both the Middlewich FC and the Mid Cheshire Fed will join us in sending our condolences to Anthony’s mother Gillian and family on this incredibly sad occasion. Les & Elizabeth.
30-06-20; The first race of the season saw Dickens & Wilkinson topping the fed, in this the third race Dad David Wilkinson tops the fed.
The testing on how many will be sent by how many will probably change this week when other organisations get under way. This is a case of instead of having one big fed worth competing in there could in all probability be two feds reducing that strong competition that we have seen in the first three weeks of the season. Pity because the bigger the competition the better the pigeons become.
29/06-20; Just looking at the BICC result and was pleased to see the longer flying members having a go and getting in on the result from St Philbert. Geoff Bebbington has been working hard for the Northwich marking station to cover northern fanciers and saw them travel many miles to mark at Northwich. Geoff takes the birds down to the Radstock marking station where he has his birds marked and not at his own organised marking station which is the right thing to do.
The birdage in the race has been excellent and shows that there are fanciers further up country looking for more National type racing. If the trend continues, I do not see any reason why the International cannot be won by a fancier flying north of the Midlands. In this latest race Geoff came good with 1st NW Section and clocked 4 in 10 minutes, good going but he does set his team out for the National and specialist races. If you have a go you have every chance of a good result, if not then you can only blame yourself when everything is heading your way, because it will happen.
28/06-20; The Mid Cheshire Fed officials have done a good job with the fed and are getting birdage figures to match those of the late 70's / early 80's. I do understand that the other local fed have not been yet so the figures will drop when they do in the coming weeks. However, I have had a few on to me about a consideration to have two liberations, surely that is a backward step after all the work they have done to increase the birdage so much. That is like the fed breaking up and having two feds as opposed to one, now that is a backward step. If such things are done then you may as well just race in the local club and forget the rest, you will never please everyone. The one thing about competition is that it makes better pigeons and better fanciers.
Done a good job so don't spoil it now, competition is what all fanciers want, without that what is the point in working on a team of pigeons in the first place.
22/06/20; Due to health issues I will be taking a back seat for a while. Kim will be the main person to contact on the Elimar mobile and Lizzie is back at work next week. LJP.
19-06-20; This weekend looks as if they can dodge the showers and it is going to be warm so there should be no problems. The weather forecast for next week is good.
I am gearing up for the first weekend in July when the F1 starts, that is the only time I move into the other room to watch the TV. Do not know if it will make any difference but we are having the new Sky box etc fitted on the 26th June with HD as well. Plenty of football to watch as well and we will see the rightful Champions return to the Premier position. Cannot knock Liverpool they have had probably the best 12 months that anyone can have in football, just look what they have won.
18/6/20 Mid Cheshire Fed
When I see change in our area and it is moving the sport forward, I have to mention it, and in this case the Mid Cheshire Fed have opened up their boundary. They have gone from 12 to 20 clubs in no time at all and their first race saw a mega increase in comparison to what they have been sending in previous years. In the first race from Cheltenham 146 members sent 3,617 birds, the fed is normally probably averaging less than 1,500. There are the birds in the area to increase these numbers but will they, we shall have to wait and see. Well done to the officials for taking this step forward, not only for the Fed but also for pigeon racing in the area. There are and have been small feds around the Cheshire area for some time, but this could be the start of joining them together and having a fed worth winning. I suppose the benefit of these numbers was due to other’s not racing yet but it is an indicator of what can happen if they get together. They could go back to the entries of the 1970/80’s when there was good birdage and on a regular basis. Well done to secretary Anthony Evans on getting a quick result out.This weeks Fed winner.
15/6/20: They have all come at once, I am referring to the number of strays that are settling in non fanciers gardens. The pigeons under the panels on our roof are increasing so I have asked Mick Stockton the best way to sort the problem out, don't think I am going to be going up on the roof, those days are over. The non fancier in the Cul de sac across the road who has the same problem has brought people in to get rid of them from under his solar panels and they have scaffolding down one side of the house, costing a few bob.
