NEWS FROM DOWN UNDER
by Doug McClary
August 2014
Introduction
This month it is a pleasure to have some show news to impart thanks to fanciers who have sent me details. It certainly helps in the production of a column such as this from one hemisphere for another. No sooner had I sent off my notes to the BHW for the edition of August the 1st when I became ill again and realised that my planned trip to the National show at Ipswich in Queensland was out of the question. I was most disappointed to have to cry off because I had been looking forward to judging the 170 show racers entered there. It would have provided me with an insight to how the breed is developing here in Australia. I was able to do some phoning around and both Mark Tung and Dr Colin Walker agreed to judge is necessary. I felt that it might be appropriate for Mark to do the adults and Colin the YBs, as he had entered a small team of adults only. However, for some reason club members did not like the idea of there being more than one judge (a strange Australian concept) so Mark was asked to do the lot. Apparently he was unable to complete the judging on the first day and set the judging of the specials for the second morning. It proved to be a successful show for Fred Frendo winning several classes and best and best opposite sex with Glyn Williams of Queensland winning BYB.
Tony Baugh
Tony Baugh sent me a large envelope of old pigeon material. He mentioned that his comeback hit an obstacle when some gales brought down trees on to his loft and aviary causing considerable damage but fortunately the birds were not harmed. However, problems from builders had the result that he was unable to pair the birds so lost a complete breeding season. On top of that his old dog died at the ripe old age of 18years so the house will be a quiet one now. Tony mentioned that Oliver his grandson is nine years of age and his sister seven. What a great shame it is that Kath is not around to enjoy their development. The cuttings brought back some memories including Sparnon Queen winning best in show at the GYA in 1973 and a photo from January 1988 of me judging at the Ayr Dam Park Charity show with my steward Jim Logan of Dalrymple. I remember that trip well made with John Robilliard and if my memory serves me well, Jim Fitzpatrick won BIS there and we returned via the Old Comrades where Jim had won BIS and my opal mosaic hen, obtained from Peter Kelsey, was BOSex. Advertised was the Derby Police Show of January 12th 1963 to be held at the Drill Hall, Becket Street, Derby under the presidency of F.G.Hulme the Chief Constable and the secretaryship pf O.Oakley of the Central Police Station, Derwent Street, Derby. Apparently these were really good shows and existed for several years.
The Show of the West
One of the items enclosed by Tony was a cover from a Show of the West catalogue from 1967. I have this item in my cupboard for the show held at the Mechanics’ Institute, Emlyn Square, Swindon under the secretaryship of George Goddard of 420 Ferndale Road. The judges were Bill Cowell, D.A.Cox of Wolverhampton, Major Claude Hill, Cyril Lowe of Guernsey, A.G.M. Stevens of Swindon, John Waddell of Kilsyth, Herb Webley of Abergavenny and Fred Woodbridge of Kingsbury. Reserve judges were Charlie Kellaway of Mill Hill and Ken Gardiner of Bath. Nearly 1200 birds were entered from the top show racer fanciers of the day, confirming that George Goddard had built the event into a top classic. Included were birds from Her Majesty the Queen. The show provided a surprise because Percy Mitchell of Bideford won class 1 for Adult cocks flown 400 miles, with an opal mosaic, a remarkable feat seeing that his birds didn’t fly out even. The explanation was that Percy in a hurry had entered Class 1 supposing it to be for adult cocks unflown and when he realised his mistake, he returned his prize card and apologised for his mistake. Percy always laughed about his error. It is worth mentioning that the two classes for 400milers were all won by the top showmen and for that I offer no further comment. I have the full list of results as a most impressive listing. The first prizes were won by Smith and Oakley, Fred Bushen, S.Arrowsmith. Holmes Brothers(2) Harry King (3), T.G.Long, Ron McCarthy, Mervyn Patt, Bert Dando, C.Alexander, A.Redgewell, H.W.Kitchener and another by Percy Mitchell. I had a small team at the show but with little or no success and t may have been the show that I met up with Harry King who was at the top in those days and who won BIS, BYB and BOSex YB. Best Opposite sex went back to Scotland with Holmes Brothers. The Show of the West in 1963 was my first ever experience of a classic event. I entered four birds and won a 2nd and a 4th and was proud of this, and thought that I ‘had arrived’. I was at that time attending a year-long course at the Police College in Bramshill, Hampshire, and called in to the show on my way home to Cullompton for the weekend. I assume that Ann had prepared and railed the birds up for me.
Driffield Show
It is good to note that Paul Littlewood has returned to the show racer fold, bringing with him a lot of pigeon and administration experience. He was good enough to send me details of the Driffield Show, one of the best known and long-established agricultural events in Britain. Paul has just enjoyed his second breeding season so should be seen at the shows from now on. There was an entry of 150 show racers for Clint Swinburn to judge. Best Show Racer was Alastair Tankard who also took Reserve Best Show Racer Best 2014 Bred was shown by Keith Story Adult Cock 1st A Tankard Best Show Racer 2nd W & B Wharton 3rd Duane Mcclaymost Adult Hen1st A Tankard Reserve Best Show Racer 2nd A Tankard 3rd Dixon & Dodgson Young Cock 1st and Best Young K Story 2nd Dixon and Dodgson 3rd A Parker Young Hen 1st Dixon and Dodgson 2nd K Story 3rd Duane McClaymost Adult Colour Cock 1st W & B Wharton 2nd K Story 3rd A Tankard Adult Colour Hen 1st Maxwell Wilson 2nd A Tankard 3rd PG Shipley Young Colour Cock 1st and 2nd A Parker 3rd Dixon and Dodgson Young Colour Hen 1st and 3rd A Parker 2nd PG Shipley Ad cock thro wires 1st and 2nd Dixon and Dodgson 3rd M Mason Ad Hen Thro Wires 1st and 3rd Dixon and Dodgson 2nd M Mason Young Cock Thro wires 1st PG Shipley 2nd Dixon and Dodgson 3rd A Parker Young Hen Thro Wires 1st Dixon and Dodgson 2nd K Story 3rd D Fussey Challenge Class 1st and 3rd A Tankard 2nd Maxwell Wilson.
Various shows
Devon County show for the Saturday had to be cancelled owing to extreme weather conditions. This was a great pity as the scheduling of Mike Horner to judge had attracted a good entry of show racers. Devon County was followed by the Royal Bath and West show at Shepton Mallet where the livestock sections were well supported both by entries and by members of the public. Mike Horner’s adult opal mosaic cock took the award for best, also winning best flying variety but losing out overall to a Norwich Cropper owned by Geoff Travers of Southampton. The Southern Counties club seems to be a forward looking organisation and the summer young bird show was no exception, thanks to Dave Savage and his lovely partner Sharon Tyson, with the show also featuring a barbeque. After the class judging three birds were presented for top honours, to be judged by Dave Mackintosh. These were Dave Baker’s cream West of England hen, Jim Trimm’s blue hen from the racing section and Mike Horner’s dark chequer WF hen. Mike’s pigeon received the nod of McKintosh approval and he went home happy and contented. The Reading fancy pigeon club held its Summer event with a good entry including show racers. Sally Hustler won the adult cock class with a dark chequer; while Mike Horner’s adult opal mosaic hen won the adult hens class. There was a large class of young birds won by Brian Watts with a silver chequer hen. Sheila Goodman judged the show racers and selected the chequer owned by Sally Hustler as the best show racer
Alan Pollard
Alan is back in the sport with his show racers and has moved to Ayrshire where he is building a good looking team thanks to Jim Fitzpatrick and Colin Carter. I attach herewith a photo of his loft which looks impressive and should be ideal for its usage as a show loft with its sunny aspect.
Alan's loft
Loft Visits
One thing I miss is having visitors to view my birds. Living some 45km south of Melbourne in a sparsely pigeon populated country, such visits are rare. Gone are those days when Roland Thresher came down from Minehead to spend a few happy hours with the birds. However, recently I was pleased to have Colin Jones of Consett, Co.Durham stay here for a couple of days. He had travelled to Australia to judge at the National show at Ipswich with Scott Sharp of Scotland. They flew down to Melbourne to stay with Eddie Kloprogge, a Norwich Cropper enthusiast, so Colin was able to come here. He had been a great help to me when my birds were exported from England in 2004 and his wise advice made a great deal of difference to the success of the venture. Bob Reeves and I stayed with Colin and Linda after we had deposited birds at the export quarantine station and enjoyed some wonderful hospitality. Ann and I took Colin up to the Dandenong Ranges to see the parrots an experience he enjoyed. How much value have I on my shoulders with those beautiful sulphur crested cockatoos I wonder.
Colin and Doug
Doug with the cockatoos
Another visitor has been Murray Hayes of New South Wales who was on a birthday visit to Melbourne with his family. He came out from the city for the visit and we spent a happy time looking through the birds. Murray possesses a good eye for a pigeon and this adds to the enjoyment of the occasion.
My Scrapbooks
As I mentioned some historical facts in this column, I spent a while looking through my extensive collection of scrapbooks which I started in 1963 and now provide a record of my experiences and of the development of the show racer during the intervening years. As just about every scribe will have discovered, when you write for the magazines, which means popping your head up over the parapet, you are the subject of the rants of some people who manage to be critical rather than constructive. I have collected a fair measure of flack over the years some of which I accept has been deserved. However, scribes know full well that there are those who just wait for an opportunity to mock, to criticise, to try to destroy. This applies even here in Australia where a couple of dark destroyers ache for an opportunity to mock and offer vitriol. They are fed by a couple of ‘friends’ who gladly send them my notes. Mind you, I am not unique in their attacks as they try to have a go at just about anyone who works for the fancy. It is sad that we have to put up with such people for the hobby would be so much better without them.
Concluding thoughts
That seems to be my lot for another time. As stated, the task has been a little easier owing to having news from shows to write about. I express gratitude my gratitude to Alan Pollard, Paul Littlewood, Mike Horner and to Tony Baugh. I am always happy to receive news here at 3 Kunyung Road, Mount Eliza, Victoria 3930, email
Kemyel Lofts of British Show Racers
douglas-mcclary.blogspot.com.au
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