Stuart Bowman

Details: Published: 20 January 2001; Hits: 732

PIGEON TOPICS

Stuart Bowman

Hello again folks, by the time you read this the New Year will be long gone and forgotten. I know I have, with having picked up some bug or something ( not alcohol ), which knocks you for six! Other than that things were fairly quiet which I usually prefer at that time of year. On the pigeon front things were even quieter. On that note let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful, stress free and successful season in 2010!

As I say things have been pretty quiet over the last couple of months. I didn’t do much during November just concentrating on getting the birds through a good moult with some linseed and a bath two or three times per week. Spent a very good weekend down at the North East Show at South Shields along with John Proctor, Peter (watchman) Penman, Jim Anderson and Jim Benvie. We were all invited down to judge at the NEHU Show and attend the NEHU Presentation at the Little Haven Hotel which is situated right on the waterfront at the Estuary in South Shields an ideal setting on Tyneside overlooking the old castle and the North Sea where many boats including the Ferry sail up the Tyne! The Hotel which has a lift in it was excellent and the rooms fine. There were several function rooms there so it had it’s advantages. After we put all our stuff away we went down to the bar to relax. First fancier we saw was the experienced David Power, the hard working NEHU secy, who actually supplied us with our first drink, Thanks David! Later President Tom Dawson came over and had a chat with us. We went later to the function room holding the presentation which was immediately held after the delicious buffet. There were a few well known names to me up to collect their rewards which all went without hiccups. I won’t mention all the award winners as they have already been covered in a report by the NEHU pro. One fancier I spoke to who I think deserves a mention was the young and polite Mathew Cornforth accompanied by his good lady. Mathew won the best Ave from the Queens cup Clermont and the NEHE Bourges race where he and his partner were 2nd Open, they were also 37th Open Clermont which gave them the Average trophy which is not easy to win! This is the well known Colonel Hopas Trophy. I kept emphasizing to Mathew how well respected the Colonel was around the UK. He was well known in long distance circles with his North Sea strain. He bred lots of good distance winners for others and tested them to the extreme himself. You could say in some respect he was a bit of a pioneer in some areas as he was known to send them to some incredible distances! To get your name on the Colonel Hopas Trophy is no mean feat and a great badge of honor. Well done Mathew, hope to meet you again. One fancier I didn’t get round to meeting unfortunately and who needs no introduction is Bob Donaldson, what a season he has had, Sorry Bob I will catch up with you next time. Fanciers, wives and friends just mingled in to the music and before you knew it the night was over.

Up early next morning for a healthy breakfast everyone was optimistic for The NEHU show. The show was held on the Saturday at the Temple Park Leisure Centre in South Shields and was an excellent venue for this cracking one day show! This has got to be one of the UKs top one day shows and I would thoroughly recommend anyone to go along to it next time round. There seems to be a reasonable amount of car park space. The show itself is held in a huge games hall with plenty of classes. Plenty of birds for sale at the stalls plus a charity sale. Various other stalls to buy what you might need for the coming season, even pigeon lofts. One bar down stairs with seats. Two bars up stairs, one with a restaurant one tucked away quietly at the back of the building and the prices are reasonable (these days) at £2.50 a pint! There are also many other leisure activities in the building. The most impressive I saw was the big swimming pool upstairs, with plenty having fun!!! It could be a pretty good day out for a family. Maybe more fanciers attending could take the wife along with them. Maybe she fancies a splash in the pool! Or if you’ve got kids take them along, some with dad and some with mum. Maybe they would take an interest in the pigeons if they haven’t already. Let them have a look at the show pigeons, it could be interesting, in theory you could spend all day there! It simply is a top class venue and could in all probability be a two day Show, why it isn’t I do not know!

We arrived early at the show John and Pete looking a bit worse for ware and a bit tired saying someone had kept them awake part of the night. Ok then its’s official Stuarty Bowman snores, but only sometimes and even then only on a Friday night!!! The Judges were all called into the Judges room King Rod Adams was there giving us a laugh, David Powers with his good lady Helen and Tom Dawson gave us our instructions and so on. After we knew what classes we were doing Tom handed us our Judges badge and our overalls most of which were white. It was a laugh looked more like decorators! Peter Penman looked odd though as it’s the only time he’s had overalls on without paint all over them!!!

I was given the flown 400ml and over cocks class and took plenty of time going over them eventually I plumped for the first in the class a neat chq cock. Don’t remember the other classes the two Jims and Pete did but I did see their class winners and they picked out nice pigeons. John Proctor had the 400ml Hens class and this is where the best in show came from a chq hen owned by E & N Yule of Kintore. Jim Benvie's class winner a light chq hen was BOS. The Specials were Judged by Ad Schaerlaeckens from Holland. Hope Ads name is spelt correct.

After the Judging we had a walk around the hall and bumped into a few familiar faces from different parts of the country. At the stalls Spoke to Liz briefly at the Boddie & Ridewood stall she remembered me from visiting them in Scarborough when I was down there last year. See you again Liz. Later I bumped into BHW Editor Steve Richards a couple of times, Steve was looking ok and he tells me the swine flu won’t put him off holidaying in Mexico, no way, he and the misses love the place! After going round and round the old feet get a bit tired, so we went for some refreshment at one of the bars.

When in there I met my friend Brian Riley from Sunderland with his friend Davie. Both canny lads! I spoke to Brian a few weeks before going to the show and he gave me the very sad news that his son Graham had passed away in the Autumn after his second battle with Leukemia. Having met Graham, only 36, I can say he was an extremely courteous and well mannered young man and I have scarcely met anyone his age who was as wise as he was! This tragedy obviously leaves a huge gap in any one's life, and we can only but imagine what Brian and Sue are going through. We can only hope that they can find strength from somewhere. It doesn’t get any worse, so lets hope there's some good luck in the future for them.

After the show closed we went back to the Little Haven and after a wash and a change went downstairs for a few refreshments. In what I think was a conference room there was a talk given by Dutch Fancier Ad Schaerlaeckens which most thought was pretty good. This was for about approx 1hour. The thing that stood out the most was the fanciers quick wit and honesty. Brian and Davie also came to the hotel to here Ads talk. After it ended we went through to the lounge and were sat round the table til the wee small hours also accompanied for a while with Rod Adams and a few interesting conversations followed.

The next morning up early and with a good breakfast behind us we packed and got ready to go home. I said to Pete and John that I felt tired. They said how come. I said what do you mean how come, I stayed awake all night so that you guys could get a sleep!!! They just laughed and I said nowt, I just thought to myself “Aye that will be right!!!

Alls well that ends well, and we talked about returning to South Shields again on the way home and were all agreed that we had an enjoyable weekend. Thanks again to the NEHU Officials!

South Lanarkshire Racing Pigeon Federation

Before the new year I received a letter from Mary Thomson from Hamilton with the South Lanarshire Fed Prize list for 2009. Mary Writes, The Presentation was held in Betrams Lesmahagow which turned out to be a most enjoyable evening. After a very warm welcome to everyone by our very worthy President John McFall a wonderfull meal was served by the staff and was appreciated by all. The President opened the proceedings by introducing the guests who were, Alex McInnes from Blantyre, George Lightbody from Low waters Hamilton, and the 2009 winner of the Lanarshire Circle RPC Gold Cup Trophy, Wullie Allison from Cambuslang. After a very warm and cordially introduction to our guests, they were each asked to present the trophies.

First to be called upon was John Callan who was the very worthy winner of the Presidents trophy for OB Ave. John had a most successful and wonderful racing season in 2009 In both Federation and National levels. Runner up were Mr & Mrs Elliot. Inland Ave was won by Mr & Mrs Elliot. Runner up John Callan. Young bird Ave was won by Mr & Mrs Elliot. Runner up J & I Alston. Combined Ave was won by Mr & Mrs Elloit, with the Runner up being John Callan.

The J.Syme memorial for first 5 race Ave was won by Hamilton & Thomson. “Very Well done”, (Authors comment) keep the old school on their toes!!! Runner up John McFall. The Ian Harrison memorial 3 longest inland races winner was Mr & Mrs Elliot. Runner up John Callan. Milton Garage trophy best Ave Maidstone OB & Wetherby YB, winner Mr & Mrs Elliot. J.Cosgrove memorial winner was won by Mr & Mrs Elliot. W.O’Neil trophy best Ave Reims & Lilliers Billy Davidson & Son. Nantes trophy for 1st Fed Andrezel was won by Mr & Mrs Elliot. This partnership has had an exceptional season in 2009 collecting no more than 11 Fed trophies. They were also scoring goals in the National races too. At Andrezel they were 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sect E, and proved it was not the easiest of races. Which makes it all the more special. Rennes trophy for 1st fed Reims was won by W.Davidson & son. R.Hislop memorial for 1st fed Lilliers winner A.K.Stainthorpe which also gained him 1st Sect E, in the National which is absolutely fabulous as Kerr is a dedicated with a great family of pigeons. The Innes trophy longest fed yb race was won by Mr & Mrs Elliot. The same partnership also won the Victor Gold trophy for 1st fed Maidstone. OB. Young Bird National trophy for 1st fed was won by Hamilon & Thomson. This pigeon was 2nd Sect E, and this is the second year on the trot they have been 2nd Sect, and have now reclaimed their 2008 position. Go for it 2010 could be (authors comment) third time lucky for this. J.Bairner & sons trophy for 1st fed Leicester OB was won by Martin & Cuthbertson. G. Hadden trophy 1st Wanstead Flats winners were Mr & Mrs Elliot. M.Hadden trophy 1st Lilliers A K Stainthorpe. A Scott memorial trophy 1st Yearling in fed from Wanstead Flats Martin & Cuthbertson. Peter Scott memorial trophy 1st nominated bird from Lilliers was won by John McNeish. Yearling Derby for 1st nom bird from Newark and a prize of £50 was won by Billy Davidson & Son Billy. Finally 1st Yearling Wanstead Flats and a £ 30 Prize donated by Stuart Bowman Cowdenbeath was won by Martin & Cuthbertson.

After the presentation it was time for the quiz. Each of the panel spoke briefly on how they came into the sport of pigeon racing. Plus a little of their past history of their victories, which proved to be very entertaining. The panel answered the questions in a very enjoyable manner. It was so nice to see so many fanciers and their friends who came along and gave support to this well deserved function. South Lanarkshire Fed cant thank them enough for their support which turned out to be a super night!!!

Well there you have it folks that seemed like a good night. Some household names among the winners theres always a good warm welcome from South Lanarshire! Thanks for the letter Mary and the Xmas card, liked the Gold Stars very much appreciated! May I wish the very best of health, happyness and success to the South Lanarkshire members in 2010!

Now in January the drinkers have been frozen here since mid December every day and it’s the first time for a few years we’ve had the frost for as long without a mild day. The birds have still been cut down on their rations and look none the worse. The hens have been well entertained watching me slip sliding away all over the garden! Happy days! More of that next time. I can be contacted at 118 sinclair drive Cowdenbeath ky4-9rg or tel 01383-518471, email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.