This article was penned in early 2008 and Trevor has subsequently go on to win 1st BICC Marseille, 748 miles.
MR & MRS T. ROBINSON
OF HULL
talking to Les Parkinson
The 2007 season threw up a new name to me in the pigeon world, especially at National level when the partnership of Mr & Mrs T Robinson had three birds on the first five of the individual bird averages with the NFC. That is some achievement and obviously one to follow up on for more information. With that in mind I e-mailed a q & a form for them to complete. It has taken some time but they got there in the end.
Trevor Robinson outside his main racing loft
Please introduce yourself and tell us how you got started in the sport.
Some people may have called it a day on the past situations I faced to race my birds but I enjoyed being among the birds and also value the friendships I have made among fellow fanciers. I live in a village north of the river Humber and twenty miles east of Hull. I started like most people did over fifty years ago with one or two strays in an orange box that was next for firewood. I would be about twelve or thirteen, and with my twin brother over the next few years the "loft" progressed to a tin water tank to a small chicken hut on four-foot poles. There was no club in the area but about a dozen people had pigeons, mainly fantails and crosses. Four or five people in the area started to purchase birds from names such as JOHNSTONE, MUNDELL, both of Larne Northern Ireland, MAJOR OSMAN, TOMMY BUCK, HUGHES OF LIVERPOOL, JOHN McALPINE OF ARMADALE, SCOTLAND and FRANK GEORGE OF NORTHANTS.
When we were sixteen a club was formed and a delegation came to see "THE LADS" and asked us to join, this we did. We were only there to make club numbers up, as we did not have a clue about racing. The secrets were closely guarded but who cared, we enjoyed ourselves on Saturday nights. A member who had a baby Austin car, two in the front, two in the back, two on the bonnet and two on the roof. Out to the village pubs then back to examine the birds with bacon sandwiches at a members house. No one had a telephone in those days and the liberation times were by word of mouth. A board was put up in the window of our headquarters to inform members of liberation times. It would state as such Hunt.11:30 L.SW. The day trippers thought it was a secret clan meeting, a fox hunt or a horse race tip off, the owner said I don’t tell them, they keep coming in and buying a pint. At the start of the sixties my elder brother came out of the forces and I decided to join the forces and leave my twin brother holding the pigeons together. Although away from the birds I was still planning the mateings and sharing the cost. A good friend helped my brother to clock in when he was working. Once he clocked a good one in only to find it was a stray with a plastic ring. He said, “I thought it was hard to pull off for a rubber ring". Another time on a channel race he was at the loft at twelve o’clock, nothing came that day, and he waited till ten at night and was back at five the next morning. At one in the afternoon a club member came and told him to get ready, they were held over and let off this morning and should be home in a couple of hours. While in the forces I used to visit Jack Holmes of Abergavenny south Wales. I remember going with Jack to the national north road marking and seeing those Lerwick 600mile pigeons the blue bars were outstanding. This I believe is when I became interested in distance racing although it would be many years before I tried it. It was also while on leave in 1964 that I met Enid who became my wife and enabled me to continue my hobby that gave me much pleasure. In 1970 I came out of the forces and raced birds with my elder brother, my twin brother had married and moved away from the area. We enjoyed some good times in the seventies.
The auctions by Wally Pope at Bently near Doncaster, what good birds were sold by Wally? Also Peter Kelsey the showman and auctioneer, Peter lived in the next street to my brother and was also a member of our club. We had first hand information of Peter’s auctions. In 1980 I decided to race with Enid at our own home, and an 18ft loft was purchased which is the same I have today. During the eighties we also formed a north road club and from this some true friendships were developed. Although only eighteen members north road, we had a sell out one hundred forty people for the prize nights. Also the weekends were something, pigeon talk and back to members houses, making your own wine did not help. Due to work from 1982 I was based in Manchester, I saw my birds on a Sunday night and never saw them until they came home from the races on a Saturday. I assessed form, made out the race sheets, left any feed info, and put coloured rings on cocks and hens for Enid to basket. I still found time to look after my own and my parent’s gardens and Sunday was our family day out up to Scarborough or Bridlington. Into the 1990s and with the family grown up life was more genteel. Although racing with the NFC due to being away in the week, only the odd races were participated in. Club racing north and south was still enjoyed.
By the year 2002 I was aware of the time being away from Enid and I decided to retire, I gave due notice at work and retired in 2003. I would like to thank my close friends Steve and Jackie Turley. Alec and Margaret Dodson, and Gordon Cooper who for over twenty years between them collected my birds and ensured my clock was brought home. Enid retired in 2004 and we looked forward to enjoying retirement with holidays, visiting friends and enjoying the distance races. I’m afraid this was not to be; I lost Enid in 2005 to leukaemia. I know that there are fellow fanciers who have been faced with the same situation, and when I say that a light went out within me, they will know what I mean. I remember when we had both retired, we were talking about going on holidays, and Enid said "We cannot go on holiday in the summer due to the pigeons. I said well if you wish I would give them up. Enid just looked at me and said “If you think I have looked after your birds for over thirty years for you, and then you give them up when you retire, you have another thing coming". Then Enid said, "If ever anything happens to me, do not give up the pigeons because they will keep you going". How true this proved to be. The year 2006 was going through the motions, but with being involved with the club, talking to friends at NFC basketing, and two trips to Holland with Chris Varley of Hull to collect his youngsters, I kept going. The year 2007 was a good year for me racing, as for 2008, well who knows, win or lose I will still enjoy seeing that first bird arrive home from the race.
Do you consider there to be any advantage having a racing partnership.
There can be advantages in a racing partnership, it must be like a marriage and if you cannot get on with each other it will not work. You could have a partner who likes you to do all the pigeon management and provide financial support, provides the ground for your lofts and does all the training because he has a car or retired and many more reasons. If you have an active partner you have to agree on your racing objectives and management, feed, stock etc. Do not take a partner just because he maybe is a good flyer, you have to get on with each other, otherwise your partnership will not last. I know from my friends who I could be in partnership with and whom I could not.
Are there any points that you disagree on and if so how do you compromise a situation where there is a different viewpoint?
If there is a disagreement, both sides should be listened to and come to the best decision for the partnership. In the forty-three years I raced with my brother and with Enid we never argued over the racing of the birds, discussed and debated yes, but no arguments.
Do each of you have an area within the partnership where responsibilities take control regarding a decision.
The training, selection of races and stock purchase was left to myself. In the week, the exercise and feeding was left to Enid. You could say I was operations manager and Enid admin manager.
Give the readers the most memorable results that you have achieved flying as a partnership and flying on your own.
In partnership we won on the north through to Lerwick 450 miles. On the south all channel points in club to longest point 491 miles and 470 miles having the only bird on the day from the longest race. Winning first North East 700mile club, 1st section K and 9th open NFC Pau 714 miles, and taking 7th section from Palamos 823 miles. I was pleased last year when on my own I had ten out of thirteen from Tarbes 722miles also taking first North East 700mile club, 2nd section K NFC old hens.
Is there anything that you have not won in the sport that you would like to achieve?
I would like to win the NFC longest race that’s why I race in the NFC. This year I may have a go at the BICC international races, Marseille and Barcelona are the ones I may go for.
What organisations do you race with?
I belong to the Withernsea D.H.S, which races on the Yorkshire Middle Route Combine. The North East 700mile club, The National Flying Club, The British Barcelona Club, The British International Championship Club, although I have not raced in them all.
Do you hold any official position and if so do you take an active part, if no what are your reasons.
I am president and treasurer of W.D.H.S, also on the committee of the North East 700mile club. Due to being retired I can help the club baskets, marking, clock etc.
Mealy Cock - 5th NFC individucal bird ave 07
What are your lofts made of and how big are they.
My racing loft is 18' by 6' and I have the "coal bunker” 6’ by 3 1/2' with a 3' by 3' aviary over the coalbunker. This was intended for retired birds, but the old story when a few race birds became a permanent home.
Do you attach any importance to having a tiled roof on a loft, if so are there any benefits.
I do not have a tiled roof so I cannot comment, and would not change just to have a tiled roof. The wind from the North sea ensures no stale air lingers inside my loft.
Do you use any form of heating system in any of your lofts. Do you think it would be advantages for the birds?
My birds are not used to any heating in the lofts and I would not install it if it were free. I do not breed early so I don't see any benefit. When I stayed in certain hotels when I was working I would come away with the sniffles due to the heating turned up and that makes you think.
How do you control the ventilation in your loft.
The front of the loft faces west, and I have wire mesh at the front under the landing board about 2 1/2 ft in height. At the rear a six-inch gap at the top covered in wire mesh and fixed lower. I do not change it summer or winter.
Do you have any grills fitted in the floor or in the boxes, are there any advantages to using them.
I have a grill as you step into the loft, they will keep your shoes clean, and save you cleaning out for a few days. It's what your happy with; I may get around to a bit more down.
What families of pigeons do you keep?
A mixed family but with distance in mind containing the stock and lines of Jim Biss, Van der Wegan, Jan Aarden and a touch of Van Hee and Kirkpatrick plus a blend of Jim Emertons.
Easterly or Westerly do you set any stall by the position and if so why.
Due to me being near the East coast I require a South West wind for me to be up front, otherwise they are up the middle or over to the west. But that's all in the game if it's good for me it's hard for the Western lads.
Chequer cock - 1st North East 700ml Club 1st sec 9th open NFC Pau
BREEDING AND RACE PREPARATION/PLANNING
How do you go about bringing in a new family and what do you look for.
If I bring a new bird in, I look at what that line is performing. It must be direct or grandchild and I must have handled the bird. I only bring the odd bird in, as the ones I have I am happy with.
When you bring in that new family do you think that they need time to acclimatise, if so how long.
New birds do need time I have found. The first year may not produce what you expect, they maybe of an unsettled mind. After the third year you should have seen some encouragement that the performance is coming through. a few people have told me that they had spent between two and five thousand pounds on a strain I have , only to dispose of them after two years, because they won no young or yearling races. It’s not for me to say they were wrong.
When looking for new pigeons do you look for a particular family, one for specialist races or club races or just by name.
If looking for a new bird, I may decide from a family, then a particular line, it will always be one that I think can improve for the national races 550/850miles.
Which of the two sexes do you consider is the most important when it comes to breeding?
They both are, but if you find a hen, dint let it go, you may have a long wait for another one.
Some fanciers like big hens for breeding does the size of the hen make any difference to the quality of youngsters that she breeds in your past experience.
I do not have big hens, I have had the odd one or two in the past and they bred big youngsters that did not stand the test of the basket. I have seen big hens in top sprint lofts but for distance I cannot say that.
When it comes to breeding do you line-breed or use a first cross or just pair winners to winners.
I put my stock together on what I think, it maybe line or a first cross, depends how I feel at the time. The race team is "help yourself ". This was to make it easy for Enid when I was away. With an experienced race team, some pairs are together for three or four years and go to the same race points. This takes a lot of problems out of the racing and breeding.
Big Red - 13 times across the channel, 9 times over 500mls
Do you think that fanciers change for the sake of changing or do you think a loft can breed a winning team out and lose track of the winners.
Yes. Some fanciers who are not winning they will blame every thing but their own management. Selling their birds, accepting others in, or thinking they are the best and know it all and not planning their races can ruin a winning team. Suddenly the loft is empty and all good birds sold, panic mode in gear.
What method do you use to select your breeders
P.H.E performance, handling the bird, the eye, I like the looks.
Did you find your best breeding pigeon by luck or judgment?
With having a small loft compared to some, luck places a lesser role than judgement. I only take youngsters from pairs I wish to.
What materials do you use for nesting
I buy straw from the pet store and give them plenty. for the stock I also put a felt liner in the nest bowl.
When do you pair your pigeons and why then.
Stock are paired in the first week of February and the race team around the last week in march. I don’t breed to win young bird races, and the old bird race team will be ready for the long races.
How many stock birds do you keep and do you breed off your race team also how many pigeons do you think that you need to breed off any individual stock pair each year to see if they are quality producers.
What you would like to do and what you can do due to your loft space are two different things. I keep between seven and ten pairs of stock birds. I also breed of selected race pairs. You should be able to breed eight youngsters to race from a stock pair. As mentioned earlier at the end of the third year you should have seen something to please you. if not its your decision.
Please explain the method used from pairing up until the first race.
Due to pairing up in March the birds are still on eggs or feeding young for the first three races.
Do you move the hens with the young birds?
Some spare hens will be in the young bird compartment but not my main hen race team.
What is the farthest distance that you would train your old birds or young birds?
Due to my location I have to drive 100 miles to get a 30mile on line training toss, so I do not train very much. Old birds and young would be about 50 miles depending on what I thought they needed.
Do you breed off the top widowhood cocks after the racing has finished, do you breed late bred youngsters and what do you think of those later bred youngsters.
I do not plan and breed off the birds when racing has finished. However I always have about eight or so late breds from certain birds. Late breds must be handled correctly or you will lose them the following year. I have only known one person "Geoff Hines a club member" who can breed late breds in October and November and win channel races up to 470 miles the following year.
For every 50 pigeons that you breed realistically how many of them would win at 500mls, based on your past records.
If I only raced club up to 500 miles, I would be looking from fifty youngsters having at least thirty as two year olds doing the 500 mile race points. As for winning who knows, with racing nationals you are looking at the 700mile plus and that can sort them out if you have a bad race.
Trevor's coal bunker loft
RACING
How do you race your pigeons and how many.
I race widowhood, twenty cocks and twenty hens with maybe a dozen spare racing to the young bird section.
Do you compete in the National events, if not why not? Or are you happy to race in the club.
I compete in the club and national events. Although a member of the B.B.C. due to only having one marking station at Salisbury it would be a twelve hour round trip if I sent, I have only sent a couple of times. If the B.B.C. wishes to have members from the north they will have to have a rethink.
Do you ever think of competing for averages, if not why not?
No, I do not chase the averages. I was most surprised when a person rang me and said see what Les Parkinson said about your average NFC performance. You can ruin a bird by giving it that one more race. You can burn the fire in it out, and they just become homers.
Do you race your pigeons every week or do you prefer to condition them for a specific race.
I send them to a few races each week then prepare them for specific races.
In your view do you think that a loft needs different pigeons for different distances?
I do think certain breeds and management are required for the sprint, middle distance and distance races.
Is there any specific condition that your pigeons perform best at, or any particular time of the year
I’ve had birds performing from 450 to 823 in different race conditions. If they are not in good health and in race condition no incentive will make them top performers. I plan my birds to come into race form for June and July.
When do you allow your racers to take a bath?
The birds have a bath on a Sunday it is their lazy day.
Do you use any floor dressing or do you clean the pigeons out daily.
I have been using easy bed and in winter clean out once a week or sometimes two weeks, the perches each day and during racing it will be each one or two days, again with perches each day.
Do you like to have plenty of room for the pigeons?
What I like and what I have are different. I would like more room but accept what I have.
How do you feed the cocks and what do you feed them on, a branded mix or do you buy separate corns and mix your own.
I feed cocks and hens twice a day when racing. I buy a branded mix and also separate corns and then mix my own accordingly.
Do you measure the amount that you give to each pigeon, or are they fed according to the individual pigeon.
I hopper feed but also measured amount for the number of birds. I do not see some birds getting more than others as they are all feeding together. If birds are standing back then you are over feeding.
Do you attach any importance to grits and minerals or can the pigeons get what they want they are out of the loft.
My birds have access to grit and minerals and I always make sure it is dry. I have never been a disciple of the open loft. The birds are either in the air or in the loft.
Is there a way that your pigeons let you know when they are in form?
If you use your eyes then you will know when the birds are on form. Some birds will show it in different ways, take note of the hen that just coos softly and is quieter than normal with the odd little flip off her wing.
Do you have any secrets about what you do with your pigeons and how you get them right?
I do not have any secrets most of what I do other people will do part of it in some form. My management has had to be kept simple due to me being away from home. I do what I think is best for the birds and myself.
Do the pigeons need any special treatment on their return from the race to help them relax? Is any such treatment needed for the short or long distance races or the hard races compared to the easy races?
Normal races on return the birds always have clean water, nothing added, light feed Sunday bath time for a couple of hours. If it has been a hard race, they maybe kept in on the Sunday, so Monday becomes their lazy day.
How many weeks do you think a pigeon can maintain its form on the widowhood system for both cocks and hens?
I have found out they can keep their form for about six weeks. I know the sprint fanciers can race the full race program but for distance I plan for the long races, which covers the six weeks, the shorter races up to 400miles are part of the build up.
Does this include channel races or are the specified number of weeks for sprint races and do you think that a pigeon can be prepared at fortnightly intervals for the channel races.
As mentioned above some channel races 260 to 373 are used as part of the build up. However my yearling team would be going to these shorter races up to 550 mile and I would be looking to do well in them. If the races are not hard races, then the birds can go each fortnight to the channel. Last year the NFC races were 373, 460, 363, and 722 miles for the first three races I sent an average of ten birds to each race and dropped three in total. Four went on to the 722 mile and came on the first race day. This year depending how the form is, and the type of race they encounter will be consideration for their first distance race.
If your race team went off form during the season what action would you take to restore their condition?
It all depends on the reason why the birds went off form. It could be a bad batch of corn, over feeding, over exercise combined with hard races. If it was bad I would stop racing until I was happy with them. I am not talking about sickness, if it was, I would see the vet.
What happens when you are racing either widowhood or the roundabout when you have a bad race and lose a few from one sex, how do you continue with those pigeons who have lost their mate.
it is not the end of the world when you lose a few from the same sex. You can use the first come first served system, or show another sex pure basketing. I do not see this as a big problem, just something to think about. You have lost them so its no good moaning about it.
Is a favourable loft location the single biggest factor in sprint racing.
The old saying "drag beats wind" in my opinion is true. It also depends on how big the drag is, anyone within ten or fifteen miles of the dragline will have his work cut out in the sprint races.
Do you treat pigeons differently with their preparation if they are to go to the bigger races whether National, Classic, Specialist club or open.
The birds are treated differently as the races progress to the distance you have in mind. the feed, exercise and rest is changed to suit the team you are preparing.
Do you think a pigeon has the capabilities of racing both short and long distance races? Also what distance can a pigeon actually still “RACE” as opposed to homing from any race point?
Some pigeons do win at both short and long races. However if i came up against a dedicated sprint (under 250) he would beat me each time. If the same birds went to the 550-750 mile I would back myself. It is not always the birds; it is the management of preparing a distance bird over the three years for its ultimate goal that is the difference. On a good race day with little helping wind 650 miles could be achieved, the norm would be around the 550 mark. IT all depends on the release time and weather on route.
What proportion of you pigeons get better on subsequent trips to the long distance races and what do you call distance.
As I am interested in the distance races, I am looking at them all to improve as the distance increases. Any winners under the 500mile still go to the distance races, which are the 600-850 mile races.
Which is the more difficult, establishing a team of sprinter’s or distance pigeons and why.
I admire the sprint men, and I would think a lot of thought and planning, feed, training, motivation has to go into it. The distance has always appealed to me and it was easier to manage when I was away from home. For distance you have to be prepared for the losses as you sort your team out, and establish a method of management that suits your birds.
Sprinter or distance, there is no difference; it is all in the feeding.
NO. The difference is a combination of the strain of birds, the feeding and the management.
If you could pass on one piece of advice or tip, at this point to fanciers old and young, what would it be?
Observe your own birds and facilities, observe other fancier’s birds and facilities. Listen to them talking. Don’t tell them they ere talking rubbish, don’t be afraid to do your own thing on feeding and preparation. If you don’t try you will never know. Get the feeding right, only you can do that by knowing the work you gave them.
What problems do you think are most detrimental to race condition in modern day racing, both Old Bird and Young Bird?
Dehydration of birds in the transporter. The N.F.C new transporter has made a tremendous enhancement of the well being of birds during transportation to the races. The electronic energy from satellites and mobile phones must have some effect, particularly on close humid days. Who knows what the "spooks" are sending through the airwaves.
How far do you race your yearling’s.
All yearlings will have at least two 320-370 miles races. Most will have three or four between 320-470 miles. Two or three depending on the season I am having will go to 550 and 608mile race point.
What races do you send your long distance candidates to before their chosen race.
This depends on the season and the severity of the races. They will have about three inland races to the 180-mile point, then two or three selected races around the 350-450ml mark. You have to be flexible to meet situations on the condition of the birds.
Where do you house your widow hens.
Partitioned off in the loft next to the cocks. I have to make do with what I have and I’m happy with.
Can you tell the readers your routine for preparing pigeons for the longer races? Do you look forward to the channel racing.
For the long races 650-850 you already have an experienced team or you should, of two, three, four-year-old birds. You must have them what I call "fit at home" then you select the race points inland and channel. My birds do not go onto widowhood until after the first two or three inland races. Selected races are sent to, this is to give "time on wing". I like a seven to eight hour race for all distance candidates, maybe two if it suits them. For feeding I am not a small feed man and I may feed beans more than some. Each fancier will have his own ideas. If not, look, listen & learn.
YOUNG BIRDS
Young bird sickness is a problem; have you had this in your loft and if so what have you treated them with.
I have never had young bird sickness in the loft so I cannot comment.
Do you race your young birds, if so how many races, if not why, do you think they are better off in the longer events if they are only raced lightly.
I race my young birds but this is more for education. They fly to the perch, and if they win it's nice but I do not put any future potential on a young bird to win. I like them all to have three or four races to the 150mile point. Then I will stop half of them, the rest will be stopped when I feel it is right.
What do you think the sport should do to change things for the better, in relation to your points made a couple of questions ago
We do need a public relations person to counter any bad press and also promote our sport. If we had half of the financial profit from the Blackpool show, we would have a financial case to fight D.E.F.R.A. and local councils if the need arose. I do not accept this cannot be done. The decline in Blackpool was there for all to see. It was also spreading to the winter gardens.
Do you use any preventative medication? If a pigeon goes ill do you try to put it right or does the bird have to go.
I treat for Canker and worms. If a bird goes off (and you can tell if it going to recover) I would dispose of it. In the past I have treated a few just to see how far they would perform to. They will do the easy races, but the first 350 plus nose enders they will go down.
Earlier in the article we discussed the wind direction, do you consider that good pigeons will win in any position.
As I mentioned earlier, drag beats wind. A lot depends on how far you are off the drag and the strength of wind. In my opinion if Jim Biss had raced to the Oxford area with the N.F.C he would have won more than he did. But with the BICC again in my opinion he was better of at Norwich than Oxford.
Some fanciers go out and purchase good quality winning pigeons but never appear to make the grade, why do you consider that this happens.
Just because you purchase winning pigeons, and the bigger the price is the bigger the hopes, all you are doing is hoping to have purchased the winning genes. it then comes down to the management of the birds which the fancier has to develop to his style. Anyone can buy and sell pigeons, it takes a bit more to win at the distance lack of patience and planning for their team is a major downfall of distance fanciers who just fall short.
Do you give any special treatments when the pigeons return from the race as a precaution against anything that they may have picked up in the basket?
I sometimes put potassium permanganate in the water if I hear of any off colour birds in the area.
Do you use the darkness system for the young birds, if so for how long and do you think it affects them later in life.
I don’t use the darkness system, if I wanted to have a go at the young bird races, then I would have to have them on it.
Are there any feeding methods for the young birds i.e. do you break them down, do you keep them hungry for control purposes, do you give them a trapping seed mix.
My young birds are fed for the development for the future. I do not break them down, race to the corn tin or give small seed. They are under control but never starved.
Do you attach any real importance to the pigeon’s wing i.e. back wing, end four flights and do you look at the wing to see if they have cast before a race. Any other comments on the wing.
I am not a person who is always handling the birds, observing yes, When selecting for races I will handle and it is obvious that if two flights have been cast or broken. They will not race. I have no wing theories.
If random drugs tests were carried out on your pigeons, would it reveal any substance, illegal or otherwise?
My birds can be drug tested at any time nothing would show.
THE MOULT/WINTER
What criteria do you set down for the pigeons you winter with your thoughts on the following seasons racing and breeding?
All the birds that I winter I am happy with plus the few late breds that I always have and any that take a check will be disposed of, this though is very rare. For the following races my thoughts are very simple, the birds are a year older and go onto the next stage. At two years it’s just what distance race they will be prepared for 650-850miles. As I am going for the distance, I do not have to worry about the shorter races.
Are there any special treatments that you give your birds once the season has finished what do you recommend the readers to do with the birds
I cannot recommend what other fanciers should do. I can only inform them what I do. The birds go on 40% barley and the loft is dry. The birds are let out three or four times a week, but not in strong wind or misty weather. My hens were flying for two and a half hours last month so I cut the barley down and kept them in for a week. I do not like them too fit in winter, other people do, that’s the enigma of the sport, what suits one person does not suit another.
What were the last four things that you put in your drinking water, when and why and did you notice any benefits.
Cider vinegar last week, clove of garlic two months ago, elderberry juice six months ago ( I make my own and it gives me something to do ) potassium permanganate five months ago. I don’t know if it does any good, but it does me good thinking it does the birds good.
If you could only give your pigeons one supplement what would it be.
Cider vinegar because I have a cup as well.
GENERAL
Irrespective of how your pigeons have flown, what are your views on the past season whether good or bad or the management of the sport in general.
I am happy with the development of my team last year. D.E.F.R.A put the spoke in, we have to support Peter Bryant, and I’m sure we are on a stronger footing now for challenging D.E.F.R.A than we were two years ago.
Taking into account distance, which is more difficult racing to your area, is it; a case of a 600ml race is a 600ml race regardless of competition or route.
Although I am only three mile north of the Humber, birds follow the south bank and cross 8-10 miles to my west. My birds have to break in NFC races around Northampton if they come over the Cherbourg peninsular. If they push further up country with other northern birds then break east to my location I have lost out. There are not a lot of NFC fanciers in the North Humberside area to create a small drag. I’m not complaining, I knew this when I started distance racing.
Which fancier has influenced you most, in the way in which you fly your pigeons?
I have never had a mentor or an older fancier to influence me. Over the years you hear and see things and do what you think is right for the birds.
Which Champion pigeons over the years have left an impression on you and perhaps influenced your direction in the sport.
The best pigeon I have handled was NATRIX of Jim Biss. I think Jim’s performances at distance influenced me in that direction.
Whenever I have visited a loft fanciers always look at the pigeon’s eye. Do you consider that the eye has any importance in (a) the breeding, (b) distance races (c) sprint races. (d) The pigeon’s health. Or do you steer clear of the subject and if so why.
You will not find a good pigeon without a good eye. However nowadays I do not take any notice of it. In the seventies we were eye sign nuts. I remember visiting Albert Witty near Sledmere. I Mentioned I was interested in eye sign, he gave me an eye sign glass and brought me all his pigeons, I could not get away, he was very impressed. The trouble was you could breed good eye sign and neglect the racing signs thinking all you have to do is send them and they will win.
Who do you consider being the best fanciers in the Country and for what reasons.
I can only tell you of the fanciers in my area who race the distance, they may not always win but I admire them for what they do. People like Dave Fussey and Gordon Ridgeway who only send one or two birds. Mick McGrevy who runs the NFC Sheffield basketing station and also flies a good pigeon. Chris Varley who supports the Hull clock station even when he is not sending. The two men you have to beat to win in this area are Chris Gordon and Brian Denney. Chris is dedicated to the distance and does a lot for the sport. Brian with his wife Thelma have created a team of quality pigeons in a family garden location, which are always at the front of the races.
What do you think can be done to take the sport forward?
The problem today compared with the past is that in the younger generation both partners are working, maybe not local. The houses have very little gardens and also may have restrictions on them. The pleasure as a hobby for retirement could be promoted more. One-loft races at home and abroad does create interest but mainly from existing fanciers who can afford to participate. It will not create new club members to form new clubs, although you may have a one-loft race format (say twenty members) racing in a federation. How long the other members would last is another point.
What percentage do you consider it takes to win with racing pigeons for Management and pigeons and why.
I would say 60 - 40 to management. No matter how good a bird or line is if it is not prepared to its potential you are giving it a handicap before it starts.
What past mistakes have you learned from?
Overfeeding, sending birds to races not loft fit. Tossing youngsters on those lazy, hazy days of summer, allowing dampness in the loft.
Who or what motivates you to remain successful?
I am not interested in financial success. So my motivation is a self-satisfaction that my time with the birds produces the rewards, when you see the 600-700mile birds arrive home that's my motivation.
What qualities do you think must be present for a fancier to be classed as a top fancier and at what level must he/she have achieved results to be rightfully so-called a “Champion”.
A fancier must be consistent over at least three or four years. I am sure there are many small loft fanciers who get no publicity who are worthy of the name "a champion".
Do you think winning fanciers should move on from club racing once they have reached a certain level of consistency? Are club performances paramount for personal satisfaction or sales purposes?
It is up to each fancier to do what he wishes. At club level when a fancier is clocking everything that comes just to gain position for sales, he is only looking after himself and the club.
To term a phrase are you a professional pigeon fancier and do your circumstances make a big difference.
I am not a professional and do not have a loft manager. I do not race or breed pigeons to sell. Being retired I can spend what time I like with the birds, which will be more than the working fancier.
Chequer cock - 15th sec 94th open Tarbes 07 and a son of the Pau cock
You are a successful fancier, there are far too many leaving the sport, to encourage fanciers to either join or stay in the sport what do you think about limiting prizes to two per race per loft. If not Why. If yes Why.
In my local club we had four big team fanciers 40 to 80 birds while the rest 10/20 birds. Although there was a gentleman’s agreement to only clock one or two in and three over the channel with clock what you like for the longest race. The small team member did not stand much chance of taking first place. The saying "crumbs make a cake" is true and a few cards can keep the small team man in the sport. A few years ago with the full support of the big team members a thirty birds limit was introduced, but you could send as trainers as many as you like over the thirty-bird limit. This resulted in the big team sending near the thirty-bird number and not trying to win by weight of numbers. Plus it was a genuine well done to the race winner and no one thinking its only winning by numbers. The one or two clocked in agreement was done away with, however members still continue to clock one or two in. I know other club members have told me they would like it in their club. But the big team men rule the day.
Is pigeon racing as a hobby going beyond the average working man? Is it becoming too technical and complicated or can you keep everything simple and still win with the pigeons.
The sport is not dear, look at the cost of football tickets and other sports. It is time that is costly. You can still win by keeping it simple more in the nationals than clubs with all the policies that some clubs have.
What is your view on pigeon "moots" or "panels", are they over played and outdated and what do you think may bring as much or more interest to the quiet season when racing is not taking place?
I've only been to one "panel" presentation. I am not particularly interested in them. If they are well organised and for interest they could be ok. But you only have to have some know alls yelling out, and the noise at the bar is more active than the panel then it becomes a bit of a farce. Do we need more interest in the quiet season; most fanciers I know look on this time to get things done at home and spend time at football, rugby or other sports, besides the extra holidays.
What do you think about the vaccination programme for the pigeons and do you think it affects the pigeons long term.
It’s a case of having to. I think in the long term it does affect the fertility of birds at say five or six years.
What do you think of veterinarians in the UK and have you had any dealings with them.
I only go to the veterinary to collect my vaccination and I do not have any further dealings with them.
How do you consider that the British sport is going compared to the continentals and do they have any ideas that you think would benefit the sport in the UK?
I like the idea of Hens, yearling besides the overall winner. Their prize system gives credit to consistency rather than the first three or four. For distance racing, there could be some good pigeons disposed of at yearling stage because they have not taken a prize.
What is your view on pigeon shows and showing?
I used to enjoy the local club shows but the clubs decline and drink driving stopped the get together. Provided they are not taken serious, they can be enjoyable.
Do you read many magazines/Articles, if so which type of article do you find interesting and why.
I only have the one weekly paper. I enjoy the individual articles about what’s going on in their loft. I think Bert Braspenning articles are full of sound advice. Bernie in the compound, Bilco's, John Harwood and Peter Wheble, I enjoy their thoughts being put into print, also from beyond our shores. Doug McClary, Steve Patrick, Mike on his hill. They are all individual characters but write with honesty and not for financial gain.
What aspect of the sport interests you the most?
I enjoy all the aspects of the sport. For the breeding, you are always looking ahead and wondering how the youngsters will turn out as two and three year olds.
Is there anything that you do not like about the sport, something that you feel needs changing for the good of the sport?
It is very commercial now, but everything else is, so it’s the changing face of the modern world.
If you went into another fanciers loft and were given the opportunity to leave with a pair of pigeons, how confident would you be that you had selected the best pair, or in other words do you consider that you are a good judge of a pigeon.
I would be confident that I had selected a pair of pigeons that appeal to me. If they produced the goods, only time would tell. I have been happy what I have selected in the past.
Is your loft of pigeons as strong as it was 5yrs ago?
Yes. Since I concentrated on the south and national racing when I decided to retire. The team has blended into a good experience team.
Do you have any further comments about anything that we may have missed in any area of the sport?
I think the questions are of interest, but at the end of the day it is up to the fancier to take the path he chooses.
