Pigeon Lung

This has been a problem to many fanciers with some using it as the reason to leave the sport and have a big clearance sale. Much of this has been written before in one way or another but I am going to go through it in full after receiving calls about pigeon lung recently. When I first started racing pigeons at the end of the 60s I did not have much of a problem although I did used to have coughing spells when I had been cleaning out. In those days every nook and cranny was cleaned out with the brush and shovel being in near constant use. Through the 70s I was not too bad but as that decade drew to a close I knew that I had a problem when I was around the pigeons. At the start of the next decade I went to see my doctor and explained everything to him and included in that conversation I told him that I had racing pigeons. Now we all know that when you tell a doctor that the first reaction is that “You will have to get rid of them” As soon as some fanciers hear that the pigeons are gone but not me I, as they say “Eat, sleep and Drink pigeons” As with anything to do with the breathing apparatus of the human body the doctor’s jump on the easiest solution and as pointed out in my case get rid of them. The next step from the doctor was three inhalers four times each day and wanting to keep the pigeons and stay with pigeon racing I took them up and started using them religiously. My breathing and lung capacity improved by the end of the first day and so I thought, “Great I am sorted and can carry on with the pigeons as normal” The use of inhalers carried on through the 80’s and 90’s and I started to use a mask for the first time. Them as the new millennium begun I started to cut down on the use of the inhalers by taking them three times each day instead of four. I also made an appointment with my doctor to discuss the use of medication for my breathing. During this appointment he suggested that I started to wear a cap while with the pigeons because he pointed out that the dust would settle on my head and go through my scalp into my system. So when I went into the pigeons I would wear a mask, hat and loft coat probably from the pigeons were looking and think, “What’s that” they probably did without the gear but that’s another matter. So after that conversation this decade has seen me look at what I do in another light because leaving the sport is the last thing on my mind. I was now getting into my 50s and looking at the sport in a different light, I was now looking at what I could do to help both the pigeons and myself. I was never in favour of using the inhalers and as much as I was appeared as if I was just keeping myself alive. I then had a conversation with Sir Richard from Dazer about what other steps I could take to help the pigeons and myself. I also include the pigeons because in today’s ways of keeping them mostly closed up the dust may also affect them. So I introduced the Yakuso/Airogard around my neck, which I use when the pigeons are in the car and I found it worked. So my next conversation with Sir Richard was about the lofts and after that I introduced the ionisers into each section and what a difference they have made. So with all these changes I started to wean myself of the inhalers against my doctor’s advice. So as the first decade of the new century draws to a close I have discarded all the inhalers for nearly 12 months now. The precautions in the lofts are all in place, the Yakuso/Airogard goes with my in the car and in general my breathing is not too bad. The only real downfall’s are when we are marking bird sat the club I do not take the Yakuso/Airogard with me and I should. I do get a bit wheezy from time to time especially in the hot weather but in general I am much improved on how I was before I introduced what I call my bodyguards. Those bodyguards are my hat/loft coat/mask/Yakuso/Airogard compared with three different inhalers four times each day. How I will go on through the next decade if I am still here is another matter but as we get older our bodies do not have the same protection so I may just to help myself go back on the inhalers. However having gone through the chest problems that dust can bring I would at keeping pigeons in a different light and protect myself from day one. So if you are young and in pigeon racing protect yourself from the offset with the hat/loft coat/mask/Yakuso/Airogard. Then you may stay in pigeons longer and not suffer with your health because at the end of the day such health problems can be avoided and you may be able to race pigeons right up to the end. Always remembers prevention is better than cure and pigeon dust or any dust will not affect everyone. Pigeon racing is a great hobby to have so protect yourself and your pigeons the best way you can and you will enjoy them more.

Winners

I was down at the local club for the last NWCC race when we were discussing winners and I mentioned the fact that Ron Williamson is without doubt the best fancier in Europe if not the world. Ron is competing on a regular basis against big numbers and actually winning as against many of the continental fanciers who list performances even down into the 1000 plus mark. On the night in question a fancier said “You cannot have the fancier though and you don’t see his pigeons winning anywhere else” Now we know that fanciers do win with them but keep most to themselves because they want to keep ahead of the competition and that is the case with many strains or lines of pigeons. A bit later in the night another fancier quietly said to me, “Don’t you read the articles that go onto your web site and in the fancy press, “Why” I asked, “Well recently there was an article telling everyone about the Scottish National winners” he went on “1st Open Scottish National winner from Newbury over 5,300 birds and the winner is bred direct from a hen off Ron Williamson it also quoted him as the famous Northern Irish Fancier. That is now 3 X 1st Scottish National winners from Ron’s, 2 for Seaton of Annan and 1 for this guy sorry forgot his name” my next question “How did you remember” he looked round and said “Because I have his pigeons and my recent big winner was off Ron’s stock but I keep it to myself so am relying on you to do the same” I was tempted to say something but thought better of it. “Oh don’t forget the likes of John May who sold up last year also won a National with Ron’s lines as have John Gladwin & John Colwin 1st Open NFC, 1st Open BICC Hen, 2nd Open BICC Yearling, 3rd Open BICC Tours, 8th Open BICC (he did confirm by e-mail the following day) wins have been with Ron’s lines” Apparently it looks as if I am one of the few who do not know about the many winners that come down from the Stock of Ron Williamson the Bondhill Superstar I will have to read a bit more. This has been another fantastic year for Ron and if he carries on with the last two races he will again be without doubt the supreme fancier of Northern Ireland. No I take that last remark back, he already is the supreme fancier of not only Northern Ireland but also the UK.

Club/Fed News

Missed out on a couple last week with going to Belgium so it is catch up time starting with the Messac race for the Middlewich FC. The red card goes to Dave & Lynn Healey who saw home a blue hen collecting her second channel win of the season recording a vel of 1322ypm. Alan Groom keeps in amongst the prize winners as he comes in 2nd after taking the rubber off a 2yo Van den Bosche blue cock. The next two positions go to Mark & Heather Smith on 1303/1280ypm after clocking a pied and a blue both being 2yo FVW hens that won as young birds. The club then went to Cheltenham where Alan Groom collected another red card after seeing home a yearling blue cock on 1810ypm that prized in the Middlewich 5B earlier in the season. Mark & Heather Smith are 2nd & 3rd clocking up 1785/1763ypm. First in the clock is a 2yo chequer hen from his Sid Latham lines that won this year and was followed home by a 2yo FVW that was also in the prizes earlier in the season. David & Craig Wilkinson are 4th on Craig’s 21st birthday. This is a blue pied yearling hen from their Taveirne-Rigole x Busschaert with the sire being 2nd Middlewich 2B last year. The club also saw W.Lyons & Daughters collect the red card on 1427ypm after an Alan Groom special blue Van den Bosche cock dropped through the door collecting a second first prize of the season. O’Hare & Woodward are 2nd with a vel of 1413ypm after seeing home a yearling blue pied Vandenabeele cock. Mark & Heather Smith are there again after taking the rubber off a blue pied yearling Roy Spann hen on 1406ypm. That leaves 4th to Alan Groom who clocked a yearling blue Van den Bosche cock on1371ypm. We now move on to the Middlewich 5B race from Messac when Billy Whisker clocked a 7yr blue pied cock from Dave & Lynn Healey breed. 2nd sees the impressive run fro Mark & Heather Smith continue after they took the rubber off a 5yo chequer pied on 1205ypm this being a winner of several prizes including 1st this year. Carol & Robert Carson are 3rd recording a vel of 1159ypm with a yearling chequer cock followed by Dave & Lynn Healey who saw home a 2yo FVW chequer cock that was also 2nd at Fougeres. The same club were at Wincanton when the top two positions went to Alan Groom recording vels of 1831/1817ypm with two blue Van den Bosche cocks. The winner is a 7yo that has won many prizes followed by an equally good 3yo. 3rd sees Billy Whisker in the prizes after taking the rubber off a yearling dark hen 1816ypm. That leaves 4th to O’Hare & Woodward who took the rubber off a yearling Vandenabeele blue hen on 1812ypm. After catching up with the local clubs we move on to the Royal Wires Messac race when the birds were liberated at 9.30am in a light southerly wind. Bill Mather collects a couple of cards with 1st & 4th on 1284/1202ypm with the winner being a 5yo blue Willy Van Houtte cock that has won on land and the channel in the past. Bill then clocked a blue cock for his next 4th position in the race his winner collected £17.50. Geoff Hanaghan had a good race with 2nd & 3rd on 1235/1232ypm after seeing home two chequer cocks to collect £23. First in the clock is a black cock bred by John Kirk bred from his direct stock while next in the clock is a Janssen/Walter Docx cock that was also bred by John Kirk both being raced on the widowhood. The club then went to Cheltenham to see the birds hit the sky at 12.45 in a light southerly wind for a club race only. The winner is once again Bill Mather with a yearling chequer Ponderosa Janssen cock raced on the widowhood to record a vel of 1421ypm. John Lawson takes the next two positions on 1419/1408ypm starting with a blue w/f hen bred from Syndicate Lofts stock with the stud’s top stock hen “Gerrie” on both sides of the pedigree. John’s next on the clock is also bred from the same stock on the sire’s side while the dam is a Staf van Reet that has scored a number of times this season. George Davies if 4th on 1400ypm after seeing home a blue cock. Poynton RBLHS. 11 members sent 121 birds to Frome, approximately 150 miles. Mike Webb was 1st & 4th Club vels 1383 & 1379. Mike’s first bird, a Lefebre Dhaenen, has now won 4 X 1sts. Tommy Bradbury was 2nd Club vel 1382 with his good 3yo cock that has won 6 X 1st Club & topped the Fed. Mr & Mrs Stanway were 3rd Club vel 1380 with a Wimy Moens via Mark Evans. These four birds also took the first four positions in the North Section of Staffs Moorlands Fed. Tommy Bradbury had a field day at the next race from Poole taking the first three positions in the Club & North Sect of the Fed they were also 6th, 7th & 8th Open Fed 172/2141 bird’s vels 1431,1430 & 1429. All three were out of his good 21 cock that won the Club 6 times and also topped the Fed. Richard Given took 4tth Club, 4th North Sect & 11th Fed vel 1421 with bird out of Chris Knowles good Red Cock. Over in the Crewe West End 20 members sent 205 birds to Wincanton plus 15 extras from Stuart Hart when the birds were liberated in a southerly wind. The team to beat this year are Mick & Wendy Mellor who are having an excellent season with this race being no different when they have come home with the top two positions recording vels of 1858/1849ypm. 3rd goes to my mate from the days at Rolls Royce in Crewe Bob Humphries on 1848ypm while Manley & Lloyd are 4th after recording a vel of 1846ypm. This week’s nom winner is A Davies who collects £22.50. Martin Joy is having a good season over with the Lymm FC when the birds were liberated at Cheltenham in a south west wind. Martin comes home with the top two positions on 1788/1785ypm. The winner is a Van DeMayor followed by a Lucien Greet both being widowhood cocks that have been in the prizes before. 3rd & 4th go to Derek Woodward who saw home two blue widowhood cocks from his Peter Fox stock that are a yearling and 4yo recording vels of 1773/1770ypm. The Rudheath WMFC were at Cheltenham with the birds being liberated at 8.45 in a south west wind. Ian Cooper leads the way with the top two positions. Ian is another fancier who is having a good season and in this race finishes 1st & 2nd with two yearling chequer Busschaert widowhood cocks on 1772/1768ypm. Derek Woodward takes the next two positions recording vels of 1756/1722ypm after seeing home two yearling chequer hens off Peter Fox stock. Now we move onto a couple of results from the Sandbach FC staring with Messac. Eric Taylor took the top two positions recording vels of 1326/1295ypm Eric also topped the fed on this occasion. They are both 2yo blue widowhood cocks that have won prizes before and are from the well established Verheye/Phil McDonald lines that have won numerous prizes for Eric. 3rd & 4th go to John Allbutt with vels of 1275/1269ypm with a yearling chequer widowhood cock that was not raced as a young bird and a 2yo chequer w/f Staf Van Reet Soontjen sent sitting 5 days for its 3rd prize of the season. The club then went to Cheltenham for their last old bird race of the season when the top spot went to John Allbutt. The winner is a 5yo Staf Van Reet/Janssen widowhood cock on 1786ypm and is a son of the number one pair that are responsible for most of John’s winners. This cock has been a real good one with his wins including 1st sec NWCC earlier in the season and has 2 x 1st feds and Taylors Choice under it’s belt so a good one. 2nd goes to Bob Bagnall recording a vel of 1770ypm after taking the rubber off a 3yo blue pied widowhood cock. 3rd & 4th see Eric Taylor collect another couple of cards on 1756/1749ypm with two of his prize winning team of Verheye cross Phil McDonald stock these like most of the pigeons at this loft have won prizes by the time they get to be 2yo. The Middlewich 2B had a good steady race from Messac with their selected 2 birds against two, which is how some fanciers like it. Mel Bratt likes that kind of competition and in this race he came out on top with the same pigeon that won the club last year. Mel was confident in this race because he pooled her all the way to collect £137 in pool money. Billy Whisker also had a good race coming in with 2nd & 6th the first being all pools and double nom with his second entry that picks up the last of the FG pools and they also win the 2B ave for the race winning £143. Mr & Mrs Albert Austin are 3rd pooled to E to collect £29 and finish just ahead of Mr & Mrs Dudley Niblett who pick up £47.5th goes to A Williams with Carol 7 Robert Carson 7th, Jones Bros 8th, Mick & Wendy Mellor 9th to collect part of the H pool amounting to £30. The last of the prizes go to Mark & Heather Smith in 10th position with the other pool winners being Alan Groom who collects £22 while Joe Glover along with O’Hare & Woodward also get a share of the H pool. In the Mid Cheshire fed race from Messac 54 sent 297 birds that were liberated at 9.30 in a light south west wind. The top spot in the fed this week goes to Sandbach winner Eric Taylor who was also 10th & 21st with race controller Dave Healey and wife Lynn finished just 4yds further back racing with the Middlewich FC. C Ingram from Earlstown is 3rd & 15th while Alan Groom is 4th & 19th. Crewe’s Derek Lawton is never far away in the channel races and this week is no different after topping the list with his club to collect 5th fed. Mark & Heather Smith are 6th & 14th with Joe Glover from Wrinehill coming in with 7th & 12th. Jones bros take the first three over at Winsford and they all come into the fed result at 8th 20th & 22nd. The Moulton winner is Mel Bratt with Peter & Dawn Latham 11th. The Royal Wires sees Bill Mather top the list while Mr & Mrs Geoff Mathews are 16th. John Allbutt comes in at 17th & 18th positions with W & P Brown 23rd, K R Owen 24th &30th, Bill Whisker 25th, Tommy Hulme & Son 26th, W Lyons & Daughters 27th, Bagnall & Antrobus 28th, with Dudley & Irene Niblett 29th. Just one club missed out on the fed this week and that was Weaverham where Arthur Stanway led the way home. In the Mid Cheshire Fed race from Cheltenham 70 sent 768 birds to be liberated at 8.45 in a light south wind. Nice to see hard working Middlewich sec Alan Groom still showing them how it’s done by topping this week’s list. Ken & Mike Lamb are having a good season and showing them how its done with 2nd 3rd 4th after taking the first three at Winsford with Dave Dickenson 5th & 6th. Crewe Premier sec Dave Jenks tops the list with his club while Arthur Stanway chipped in with 8th & 16th. Mike & Margaret O’Grady are 9th ahead of Sandbach winner John Allbutt in 10th position followed by Mr & Mrs Roy Parker & Son 11th 14th & 26th. Mark & Heather Smith are 12th, P & M Child 13th & 18th with Earlstown winners W & P Brown 15th and their fellow club members K J. Parkinson 17th 19th & 20th with C Ingram 21st. Ian Cooper took the top three at Ruheath with his best two coming in at 22nd & 28th fed while Bagnall & Antrobus are 23rd, Derek Lawton 24th with Peter Atherton 25th after topping the list at Moulton. Mr & Mrs Geoff Mathews are 27th, Lionel & John Goostry 29th and Henry Dolman 30th. A Couple just outside the fed result this week are John Lawson who tops the list with the Royal Wires while Joe Glover did likewise over at Wrinehill.

Photos

Craig Wilkinson's 21st Birthday cake

David & Craig Wilkinson

This week I have included a photo of David & Craig Wilkinson and one of the cake that was made for Craig on his 21st Birthday. Malc Hewitt reported a young bird so we called to collect it and Elizabeth was saying what a colourful garden that Malcolm and Pauline have.

Les J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 ONJ. Tel/Fax; 01606 836036. Mobile 07871 701585 elimar.pigeons@sky.com web-site www.elimarpigeons.com