JACK BATE

of Sandbach

by Les Parkinson

The article was headed, "Sez Les visits Jack Bate of Sandbach 18 times first Nantes" there are probably more Nantes wins since then but that is another story. Over the next two issues I am going to include that article and also visit Jack to see how he is getting on. Not going to say anymore so here is the article I did some 20yrs ago.

"I sometimes wonder whether us pigeon men are crackers when we go and stand around a loft for hours on end, well that is what l did recently when l; made my visit to the loft of Jack Bate. That nip {rather large} of whisky most probably helped a bit but the wind was howling past my ears in these lofts. But as soon as we got back to the house Mrs Bate had laid on a hot drink to go with the sandwiches and cake that was most welcome. Anyway down to the facts of Jacks pigeon world he first started flying pigeons on his own in 1935 but was interested in pigeons from about the age of 12yrs old. Jacks first confrontation with racing pigeons was when with his brother he used to carry a pannier a distance of about 1 ½ miles to Burslem station for a local fancier. But when he did start on his own in 1935 he made his presence felt by holding his own and better every year since.

The lofts are rather large as Jack keeps around 150 birds Louvers run the length of the loft on the front as well as at the ends. There are no fronts on the nest boxes in the racing loft as the birds are allowed to pair as they wish. He is a great believer in letting the birds have their own way as much as possible and he gives them the open loft, even though the doors are left open between the compartments permanently the birds are very tame and Jack has no problem in picking them up. Most don't even have a nest bowl they just build where they want to and if the build on the floor Jack just puts a brick by so that he does not treed upon it. It is surprising how happy these birds looked on Jacks methods, none were bothered and were content to sit there as we walked through the lofts, Any local fancier will tell you that Jack's birds are left to breed all year round although only odd ones do, some may think this rather odd{in fact most would} but having said that what about that good National cock who took 3 open prizes in 3 years he was one of these very late bred youngsters. As l said earlier Jack has about 150 birds of which quite a few are retired raced and killing old winners is not one of this strong points.

There are about 70 Dordins some bred by John Ikcke of Woore the others are bred from them. Jack says that John must have been on of the first to have Col Hopas Dordins as in 1959 he bought the well known Le Producer and his hen. John is also known for being a breeder of some great pigeons such as the Icke Hen Bordeaux Cock, Nantes Hen. Jacks Blue Pied Cock great winner was also bred by him, which is why he always goes to John for pigeons Jack went on to say he has a g-son of Remus paired to a g-daughter of Remus which have bred some good birds one such bird is White face winner of 11 prizes including 1st Nantes, 1st Weymouth, 3rd Rennes. The blue cock as a youngster 1st Penzance Middlewich 2 B 1st Frome and 1st Weymouth etc then stock also quite a few more winners. This next bit is exactly what Jack said " l bought three Schelfont Wegges at a sale by Dr Manil, These were sold by Bob Mayo in Manchester, what l would like to pay for this red cock was knocked down to me for £3. This bird bred me a great many different club and fed winners. I have now four generations of winners in the loft, winning from Worcester to Nantes, which proves it is not necessary to pay big prizes for good pigeons. Jack also has a family of pigeons which are a mixed lot being J Smith of Cheltenham and Boston Bros. These have also done very well for him like the good cheq cock 1st Nantes 70 1st Nantes 71 1st Nantes 72 4th sect N.F.C and 10 other prizes, The blue cock 1st Nantes club and fed 72, 15th open Midlands Nat 70. 6th sec L N.F.C sec L N.F.C 72 Cheq cock 1st Middlewich 2-b 1st Minshall, 2nd Winsford 3-b 5th Middlewich 2-b and 2nd Sandbach all at Rennes so you see whichever family of birds Jack flies they win.

Channel racing comes easy to Jack with 68 prizes since 1969 plus absolutely hundreds of other prizes. In the house there are some 80 trophies to show for his efforts of racing, more recently in fact during the last 3 years he has won over 60 prizes in good hard competition which include 1st Nantes again in 1977. Again with averages he has won them all in club and fed. Although Jack didn't like to pick a favourite bird he did think that one of his best is a Dr Manil Red Cock who in 2 seasons won seven 1sts four 2nds one 3rd and three 4ths then stop where he is breeding winners. He said just remember one thing and that his pigeons are what you make them they are only as good as the man who is racing them. As for widowhood well Jack is going to stick to his own methods, as he is quite happy with his winnings after 43 years of good consistent racing. On training the birds they go on the fed transporter with occasional toss in between at about 20 miles. Eye sign is something that Jack feels very strongly about and has always been interested in it,. Jack adds that the birds must also be good in wing and have body fitness in his own family of birds he can tell the racers from the breeders. Another thing that Jack has noticed in his birds is that when birds are kept inside for a considerable time the eye sign is more pronounced which is his own opinion. You must know your own family of birds to know what you are looking for. Feeding well what Jack feeds them on is the cheapest mixture from the local corn merchant. Having a big stock of birds including poultry and geese, so they all get the same feed, Additional feed for the pigeons being a seed mixture from the same merchant.

I asked Jack for his best advice to the new starters there are some points here that that just might do a lot of people some good "l think if l was a novice l would do some serious thinking before paying much money for pigeons. The best thing to do is have a talk to the winning local fanciers, who l feel sure if a new starter is interested enough, would be very lenient with him/her, don't forget the local fanciers is probably able to put 40 years of experience at his disposal.

"My own best birds are gifts or not fancy priced ones.. Without experience and knowledge of racing pigeons a fresh starter could loose a lot of money, When the novice gets his birds, which l think should be late bred {you are more likely to get winners this way} the best thing to do is train them up to 10 mile feed and winter them well, then as l say your supplier will advise you, because not all birds require the same attention..

If a bird is fed well given clean water plenty of training, one table spoon of common table salt a week in water also ½ tablespoon of iodine per week and the same with sulphamethazine, it is enough to keep them in a good healthy condition".

One thing that l did notice in abundance through out the lofts in pots was mortar and coal broken up finely I always like to know who those fanciers worthy of loft reports think is the best fancier around, Well Jack was reluctant to name one as he thinks the one who won the previous week is the best.

The lady of the house Mrs Bate made the visit worth while with hospitality second to none. She also told me that every six weeks all 80 odd trophies are cleaned, as she always think they are worth being on show as Jack has worked hard with the birds to win them.

Although Jacks methods are out of the ordinary they certainly work with the prize cards and trophies to show for it, Another thing is do not ever go near the lofts without Jack even though he has a dog those geese are more than sufficient to keep any intruder at bay as they are vicious and go for anyone without hesitation.

Hope l has not missed anything Jack, and thank you and your good lady for a most enjoyable afternoon, even though it was cold down at the lofts.