South East Ireland
with Billy Walsh
Every generation needs a new revolution
It is a quotation that hangs on the kitchen wall facing where I tend to sit. I put it here intentionally; I removed a picture of the last supper given to me as a house warming present. I have long since outgrown religion in any event. It wasn’t easy. Giving up God. He's not the kind of guy you don't vote for. Not the kind of guy you can easily displace. Fear of change, of going a different path, it doesn't come easily or quickly. What do you replace it with? Should it be replaced at all?
Bloody Hell it's cold. Had to come in and have a chat with you lot to get warm. Kettle on the boil, the ginger nuts warmer than my own at this minute in time. Cold weather clears the head gives you a good sense of smell. The farmer located behind me decided this was a good day to spread the slurry. Not the most pleasant of smells but I have grown accustomed to it. An inevitable part of new growth. It is a consequence of change. Even agriculture had a revolution. All aspect of life over time must adapt and change or die. Pigeons are no different. We must have change, new blood, youth, and vigour. The whole mix. Too much of pigeon racing culture has been directly inherited from the 50s and 60s and 70s. Directly passed down from the previous generation of the 30s and 40s.
The culture of the world at that time is different from the culture of today But in pigeon racing there is simply too much of a time warp associated with it. Too many stay beyond their sell by date rather like the Pollitt Bureau of old, they prevent progress, prevent change. Power becomes intoxicating; Power becomes more important than doing the right thing. They are not easily displaced because of the misguided loyalty of those who vote. Old friendships and loyalties seem more important than progress. Modernity. Recognising that change is necessary is so vital to the health of every organisation. Speaking with Frank Corcoran recently he cited how the older lads in his club had taken a back seat to the youth, and it wasn't nearly as painful as they had feared. The new generation, the generation of modern Ireland, are more capable of ushering in a new day. I have said it many times, there is but one rule in pigeon racing, "The Sport Comes First". Once we accept that as true then we can concentrate on what unites rather than what divides. Where the issues of my club your club this fed that combine are replaced by a single question. What is best for the sport? Then it all becomes so easy to understand. To accept. Because then our own prejudices slip away. Only when you see without prejudice do you see what is real.
A belated picture Tom O Gorman from Carlow holding the Van Reet cock winner of 2nd Open I.H.U.N.F.C Barleycove 2016. Sons Mikey and Thomas are also in the picture. According to Tom Mikey is the next generation of pigeon fancier in the family. Tom is currently involved in the setting up of Carlow Invitation
in order to fly south road. Best of luck to all involved
Every generation needs a new revolution.
With Blackpool over and done for another year and the breeding season on the go we can look forward to 8 months of peace with regards to nonsense. Nevertheless, the birds be enjoying the weather they're marauding around the loft like Vikings on Viagra hauling their women off to nest, fighting, balling, roaring. Change is taking place. The circle of life. The old giving way to the new.
There comes a time in every organisation when the old ways, the old methods and view points become outdated. And generally, have been outdated for years before anyone ever noticed. There is a time for old faces, old allegiances and loyalties to pass into history. Politics, pigeons, flower growing or methods of milking cows. It is all consequence of change. The farmer who buys a milking parlour no longer keeps in touch with the man who for 40 years sold him 3 legged stools. The inevitable consequence of change. The farmer has lost a friend. But you and I can buy cheaper, safer, milk.
Every generation needs a new revolution.
This is the most important meeting in pigeons for many years with some big big decisions to take and questions to answer. Maybe we should have a town crier parading the streets of Kilkenny. Roll up! Roll up! for the Mystery Tour. The Magical Mystery Tour is waiting to take you away. Where are we going? Which route will we fly in 2017? Well, the AGM of the I.H.U.N.F.C takes place in Club House Hotel in Kilkenny at 3 pm on Saturday the 27th Feb. According to the bus hire companies It will be standing room only. If you really want this route, really want to herald a new beginning for the sport here then sacrifice all else and get to the meeting.
Every Generation needs a new revolution.
Sometimes change is welcomed with open arms, In such cases it is long since overdue and we have recognised far too late that stagnation that has taken hold. The rot has set in. The assumption of power, the entitlement to power, they always lead to the same end. Failure. A truly successful organisation knows that change is needed long before the windows are rotten and the front door is lying on the ground covered in cow shit and nettles.
Are we going to grasp the nettle and make this national what I know it can be. The equal to the BICC. An organisation I have the utmost respect for in what it has done for the sport in the UK.
The proposed new route
Every sitting room becomes outdated. Every head needs a new hat. We must always be innovating, Thinking. Progressing. Developing. In a practical and sensible way. Taking what is best practice elsewhere and adapting it to our use. Building on it.. Accepting progress is not always easy but accepting that change is inevitable is part of the battle. It is the first step. Modernity, once accepted it is seldom given back. No one returned their colour televisions because they yearned for their black and white ones back. But I knew plenty who swore they would never buy a colour television. I see no reason why the I.H.U.N.F.C cannot emulate the B.I.C.C in both size and ambition; and have not only its own domestic nationals but become fully fledged members of the International racing community. Introduce National and International racing here for those that want it. Personally, and it is just personal, racing from Ypres. Rosemont and Bonn (600 miles to Dublin) in conjunction with the Welch, Scottish and fanciers in the norther part of the UK such as the UNC or NW combine would be achievable in the short term. An independent National with independent transport, its own route, and above all its own vision for where it wants to be and knowing how it will get there. It must come to fruition if we are to grow and modernise this once great sport.
This meeting is more than simply about race points., It is a vision for the future. A future that can and will capture the imagination of every fancier on this island. Racing for prizes previously unheard or undreamed of. We can, we must promote and develop our sport in a way not previously imagined. We can. We must. We will.
Every Generation Needs a New Revolution
Had a look at the new Les Green DVD. Now there's a warrior. A man always looking to adapt and change and progress. Have to say I did enjoy and it he does have a meticulous nature with his pocket books going back to before Adam was a boy. I've yet to meet a successful man or woman who was not completely focused to the point of knowing every element and strand of whatever it was they were involved in. It is an inbuilt Arial view of just whatever it is they are looking to achieve and they are driven to achieve it.
"Lead me follow me or get out of my way". General George Patton.
Kettle has boiled. Adios.
Prometheus.
