KEVIN & CHRISTINE WHITE

of Chickerell

talking to Les J. Parkinson

This report has been a long time coming, I say and do mean a long time because Kevin has never been one for publicity, he is rather shy and reserved in that area, however we did eventually get him to sit down and put pen to paper. I can’t actually remember when we first went down to visit Kevin & Christine but I think it was through calling at the Ponderosa Stud in Weymouth where Kevin used to help out. Then whenever we were in the area we would call and see what the present day winners were and built on our friendship from there, I do know that it has been over 15yrs since we first met. It was also on one of these visits that Kevin took us to see one of the legends from the South Coast, Reg Churchill, a name that has been around pigeons for more or less all of the time that I have been involved. Then there was also a connection via Tony Heynes of Blandford where Kevin has also helped out over the years. In fact we had a good weekend down that way while judging the Dorset Fed show many years ago. Having said that we are always happy to go to this part of the world because no matter where you travel there is always something worth looking at. Getting back to the report and Kevin & Christine who have been winning at the highest level for many years a report is long overdue. So we are going to try to get as much info as possible on the methods that have seen so many performances in top competition arrive at their lofts.

Q. Please introduce yourself and tell us how you got started in the sport.
A. Hi my name is Kevin White l am 41 years of age and live in the village of Chickerell, three miles west of Weymouth. I work on Portland in the stone industry. I first started keeping pigeons as pets when l was 12 years old. My interests came about by childhood friends who had the same interests as myself. I also kept and showed poultry. My father used to breed pigs and keeps a few rabbits. I have always been keen on most sorts of livestock’s. At first l would go to the local fanciers and watch these birds return from races. In the village of Chickerell where l was born and still live today. We had a club, so in 1976 l joined and started to race y/bs that season. My first loft was at my parent’s home and l raced from there winning a few prized cards sadly the club is now defunct. The Chickerell club flew North road and was affiliated to the Bournemouth federation. I raced to this loft until 1981. Then had a short break from pigeons, starting again in 1984 going in to p/ship with Fred Owers flying as White and Owers, from Fred’s home he had empty lofts in the garden, as he was going to give up owing to work load and age. We soon acquired some birds and were back in business. While in p/ship with Fred we had a great deal of success, being highest prize winners in the club and the South Dorset Amal. On many occasions also winning in the Bournemouth Federation. When the club switched to the West of England North Road Combine we gained some good positions in this as well, our best being 2nd open in the Combine 5200 birds from Claycross. Also when flying with the West of England Lerwick Club in the Berwick open race. We won 1st open. It was in this period, when going into p/ship with Fred that l met my present day partner and wife Christine. Who was living next door to Fred. Christine and l were married in 1987 and more lofts were erected at out present home. Sadly Fred passed away in 1992 and was a great personal loss to us both. As he was one of the old schools a true gent straight as a dye he was always there in our hour of need like a father figure. That indeed brings us right up to date as at this present day we fly as K & C White (Mr & Mrs).

Q. Give the readers the basic results that you have achieved as a partnership.
A..Results from 1992 – 20002. CSCFC Nantes 4th SW Section 8th open 2.212 birds. NFC Nantes 8th Sec C 75th open 11.436 birds. CSCFC Nantes 53rd SW Sec 74th open 2.791 birds. NFC Saints 16th Sec C 577th open 5.273 birds. NFC Nantes 6th Sec 171st open 11.412 birds. CSCFC Rennes 6th SW Sec 53rd open 4,939 birds. CSCFC Pau 2nd W Sec 3rd opens 1.593 birds only 4 birds on the day. CSCFC Rennes 11thSW Sec 24th open 4.960 birds. BBC Nantes 25th & 33rd Sec B 114th & 150th 2.042 birds.
CSCFC Bergerac 25th SW Sec 52nd open 1.517 birds. BBC Bordeaux 6th 8th & 20th Sec B 23rd 31st 69th open 1.302 birds. BBC Rennes 5th Sec B 20th open 1.483 birds. CSCFC Sartilly SW Sec 33rd opens 5.361 birds. BBC Nante s 21st 28th &51st Sec B 40th 57th 121st open 2.235 birds. NFC Saints 16th Sec C 120th open 5.470 birds. CSCFC Pontorson 2nd SW Sec 2nd open 4.839 birds. NFC Nantes 19th & 23rd Sec C 223rd 254th open 8.475 birds. CSCFC Bergerac 24th 26th SW Sec 74th 76th open 1.172 birds. CSCFC Messac 1st SW Sec 2nd open 4.280 birds. BBC Nantes 27th 28th Sec B 136th 143rd open 2.691 birds. CSFC Nantes 62nd SW Sec 144th open 2.853 birds. NFC Nantes 9th Sec C 72nd open 9.785 birds. CSCFC Pau 3rd SW Sec 5th open on the day also 35th 50th. SW Sec 99th 130th open in the race 4 birds sent 1.166 birds. CSCFS Bergerac 5th SW Sec 16th open 1.175 birds. NFC Saintes 1st 21st 32nd 33rd Sec C 7th 262nd 440th 469th open 6 birds sent 4.620 birds. BBC Bordeaux 15th 22nd Sec B 78th 116th open 1.122 birds. NFC Nantes 17th Sec C 275th open 9.074 birds. CSCFS Bergerac 43rd 46th 47th 48th SW Sec 90th 95th 100th 101st open 945 birds. NFC Saints 19th 23rd 30th 36th Sec C 133rd 159th 225th 273rd open 3.606 birds. BBC Lambella 21st Sec B 113th open 2.147 birds. CSCFC Ramsgate 13th 47th SW Sec 14th 77th open 2.464 birds. CSCFC Ramsgate 23rd 46th SW Sec 30th 60th open 2.256 birds. NFC San Sebastian 3rd Sec C 81st open on the day also 12th Sec C 408th open 5.564 birds. CSCFS Choelt 1st 5th SW Sec 2nd 28th open 3.810 birds. CSCFC San Sebastian 11th 12th SW Sec 40th 42nd open 740 birds. CSCFC Bergerac 7th 5oth 53rd SW Sec 19th 134th 148th open 810 birds. BBC Bordeaux 8th 13th Sec B 45th 92nd open 1.061 birds. CSCFC Lamballe 7th SW Sec 67th open 1.172 birds. BBC Lamballe 8th Sec B 45th open 2.086 birds. Weydor Specialist Club. 14x1st 14x2nds 13x3rds racing in the local club we have won over 60 x 1sts. Dorset Federation 7 x 1sts. Sending on average 6 birds to all NFC CSCFC & BBC races.

Q. Amongst those results what are the real highlights?
A. CSCFC Pau. 2nd SW Sec 3rd open 15hrs 10mins on the wing in an N E Wind. Only four birds on the day. Flying 512miles 1.593 birds. CSCFC Pontorson 2nd SW Sec 2nd open 4.839 birds. CSCFC Messac 1st SW Sec 2nd open 4.283 birds, winning the cornom same pigeon was 2nd open in the 1998 and the 1999. CSCFC Pau 3rd SW Sec 5th open on the day also 99th 130th open 1.166 birds 4 birds sent. NFC Saintes 1st Sec C 7th open 4.620 birds. NFC San Sebastian 3rd Sec C 81st open on the day 5.564 birds. CSCFC Cholet 1st & 5th SW Sec 2nd 28th open 3.810 birds. CSCFC Nantes 4th SW Sec 8th open 2.212 birds. We have been 2nd open three times in the last five years. In 1999 we won the following average trophies in the CSCFC. The Chris Catteral trophy, Nantes and Pau same pigeon. The Ron Michleson Mem trophy bests ave two longest races. Ken Griffith Mem shield best average two longest races SW Sec. Whirl wind trophy best average all old bird races.

Q. What organisations do you race with?
A. We compete in our local club Weymouth HS. Also Weydor Specialist Club the Central Southern Classic Flying Club National flying club and British Barcelona. Over the last 4 – 5 years we have mainly sent birds to club races for education and fitness purpose as we have only a small team concentrating our efforts on the Classics and Nationals. The Weydor Club is a duplication of all classic and National Races within our own clock station with pools and noms. Where some good money can be won. In 1999 season we won over £1000 which l think is the most ever won in the season.

Q. Do you hold any official position and if so do you take an active part, if no what are your reasons?
A. When we sent in the Weymouth Club l help as much as possible, usually race marking the birds and afterwards helping to set the clocks we very rarely go to any Classic or National race marking. We both work we are very grateful to Dave Davies who takes our birds to the marking stations.

Q. Do you ever think about competing for averages, if not why?
A. As the outset of the season l never really think about averages, but after a few races if we have done well and the birds are really on song l do stop and have a think. The worst thing that you can do is to chase after averages. When the birds are not coming that well throwing your birds away especially from 350 miles and over that is no way to building a team. In 1999 the loft was in top form and we ended up winning 4 average trophies in the CSCFC. We never set out at the start of the season to do this. If you usually fly the whole programme and have successful season average trophies usually come with it.

Q. How do you race your pigeons and how many?
A We race our birds on widowhood, starting the season with 20 cocks. We also have 12 hens, which are celibate at the start of the season. Just flying to V perches. As the season progress these hens are paired to our stock cocks in our stock loft. We pair them and have them sitting about 12 days for a big race, usually Pau then afterwards catch them and a youngster at Bergerac. Or Bordeaux. This works well for us they come well on the first eggs and youngsters.

Q. what are your lofts made of and how big are they?
A. Our main loft is a converted cedar wood and asbestos garage with three sections. The main section for widowhood cocks. Measuring 8ft x 9ft stock section 5ft x 9ft and 3ft x 9ft with just V perches for celibate hens this section has open door trapping. The widowhood and stock section have sputnick traps. The Y/Bs loft measures 13ft x 5ft with pent roof and a partition if needed. All lofts are treated with sadilon to preserve them. The widowhood hens are kept in what you would call a deluxe rabbit hutch. It measures 8ft x 3ft with plastic grill floor and poles each end for perching, with a wire front which can be left open in summer and partly closed in winter. This unit is fitted at the back of the young bird loft out of sight of the cocks.

Q. Do you attach any importance to having a tiled roof on a loft, if so are their any benefits?
A. We do not have any tiled roofs on any of our lofts. But l have thought about it before, and they do look very smart but l am happy with the set up at the moment so l will not be disturbing anything at present

Q. 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?
A.. We keep 10 pairs of stock birds usually taking two rounds from each pair, plus we take youngsters, from the best widowhood cocks. The stock birds get two years to prove them selves.

Q. When do you pair your pigeons and why then?
A. Widow cocks are paired 14th February when hopefully the weather is getting better. I don’t pair before because our first race is not until the 1st or 2nd week of May. Usually from Picauville, so we can pick our days to train the cocks and there is no rush. We do not want to take chances in bad weather early in the season. The stock birds are sometimes paired at Xmas. When l have some time home from work, or paired the same time as the widowhood cocks and their eggs are floated under the widowhood cocks.

Q. Do you move the hens with the young birds?
A. If I was to use this system we would move one youngster with the hen and leave one with the cock to finish off.

Q. Young bird sickness is a problem, have you had this in your loft and if so what have you treated them with?
A. Young bird sickness is the biggest problem we personally face. At this present time we have tried every remedy there is, some years are worse than others. I think the powers that be should get to grips with the situation as it is driving people from the sport.

Q. 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?
A. Our plans for young bird racing has been derailed in recent seasons due mainly too young bird sickness. But usually we like to give the young cocks 2 or 3 races from about 80 to 150 miles also the young hens bred from our distance lines get the same treatment. The rest of the team are sent to the Classic and National events.

Q. What criteria do you set down for the pigeons you winter with your thoughts on the following seasons racing and breeding?
A. Racing over the channel every week the birds usually sort themselves out. L do like to keep a young team usually we add 8 to 10 young cocks to the team. The good old cocks are put into the stock loft after 4 or 5 years. Some of the celibate distance hens are kept on the road a bit longer, as sometimes the old wise ones shine through on a sticky day.

Q. Do you have any grills fitted in the floor or in the boxes, are there any advantages to using them?
A. No, but there are advantages in using them as the droppings fall away from direct contact from the birds.

Q. What do you think about the vaccination programme for the pigeons and do you think it affects the pigeons long term?
A. At the outset obviously something had to be done. It is an aweful virus having seen it first hand. I also think it has an effect on the pigeons fertility in recent years l have not heard so much about it. Only the odd isolated case l really do not know what the answer is. But I would much prefer to jab them only once in their lives.

Q. Do you attach any importance to grits and minerals or can the pigeons get what they want they are out of the loft?
A. Grits and minerals are very important to a pigeon’s well being. All the old birds have red stone grit before them at all times. The young birds are given fresh grit about a hand full after each feed every evening. During breeding and racing pink mineral and clay blocks are also used.

Q. Do you use any floor dressing or do you clean the pigeons out daily?
A. As a floor dressing l use Portland lime stone dust from where l work. I also sometimes us easy redwood chip in the young bird loft. In the summer the lofts are cleaned every day but in the winter dark evening we clean out at weekends only. Just leaving a covering of stone dust under the perches.

Q. Do you like to have plenty of room for the pigeons?
A. We like to give the birds as much room as possible. They always look happier and healthier with more room especially the young birds, if you over crowd them all sorts of problems arise, especially respiratory

Q. 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?
A. We feed the widowhood cocks in their boxes from a pot. We mix all our own corn wheat and barley and peas from a local farm. With the remainder bought as straight seed from Versele- Laga. The basis of our mixes is depurative to which we add the peas and maize. We don’t feed any beans in general they are on a good varied mix all year round. No breaking down just a light feed on return.

Q. Do you measure the amount that you give to each pigeon, or are they fed according to the individual pigeon?
A. Yes we give the main feed after exercise at teatime. 1 heaped spoonful in the morning l check the pots and if empty they get a level spoon as the distance increases so does the food.

Q. Easterly or Westerly do you set any stall by the position and if so why?
A. Without a doubt the wind does play its part and every dog has its day, I always say to win a Classic or National Race. You must have good pigeons and the lofts in top form, The wind also being favourable then you have a great chance some say pigeon fanciers move east and cowboys go west..

Q. Do you consider there to be any advantages having a racing partnership?
A.. As already mentioned we fly as Mr & Mrs and l know for sure we would not do so well if l was flying on my own, Christine is a full partner clocking in birds, going training, cleaning out, sewing up injured birds, there is nothing she can not turn her hand to, we work as a team.

Q. Are there any points that you disagree on and if so how do you compromise a situation where there is a different viewpoint?
A. There are time that we don’t agree on certain issues, but we sit down and discuss our view points and usually get a positive solution to our different ideas.

Q. Do each of you have an area within the partnership where responsibilities take control regarding a decision?
A I take full control of pairing and breeding with Christine taking charge of regular exercising and training.

Q. To term a phrase are you a professional team of pigeon fanciers and do your circumstances make a big difference?
A. We class ourselves as a small back garden set-up. But we will go about our business 100% effort you only get out what you put in everyone has to do an apprenticeship and over time success should come your way.

Q. Whenever I have visited a loft fanciers always look at the pigeons eye. Do you consider that the eye has any importance in (a) the breeding, (b) distance races (c) sprint races. (d) the pigeons health. Or do you steer clear of the subject and if so why.
A. Years ago l did show an interest in eye sign and tried to study it, but today l just like to see a bright expressive eye, I think it is just a small part of the whole makeup of a good bird.

Q. 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?
A. We do use preventative medication at the start of the season before mating. For us it is the only way of making a clean start. I think that some of the herbal remedies are very good, We try and stay off the hard stuff and keep as close to the natural products as possible. If a bird or birds fall ill often then they have to go, we have found our best birds have never been ill in their life.

Q. How many weeks do you think a pigeon can maintain its form on the widowhood system for both cocks and hens?
A. We find that some birds come into form the same time each season if the whole loft is in form then anything is possible usually you get a pattern of 2 or 3 good races then the cock might go quiet for 2 weeks. Then comes back strong towards the end of the season, in our situation living on the coast and having a channel race every week. You can race them every week for the first 3 or 4 races then we have to set them up and rest them for the longer events.

Q. 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?
A. It depends how hard the race is, the harder the race the more rest they get, sometimes they get two or three weeks off then maybe a short come back race in the club then into a good Classic or National race fresh.

Q. Do you treat pigeons differently with their preparation if they are to go to the bigger races whether National, Classic, Specialist club or open?
A. All our races are Classic and National races every week some birds are picked out at the start of the season for specific races the rest of the team go when they are telling us after watching them exercise around the loft.

Q. 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?
A. What we have found with our family of pigeons is certain line are good for certain distances. All the Pau pigeons are bred from one pair of stock or a first cross, probably all our birds can do well up to 400 miles but there is only a selected few that will fly from Pau especially on the day. We believe the 500 plus miles have to be bred for the job from proven distance pigeons. A real test is 500 miles on the day.

Q. What proportion of you pigeons get better on subsequent trips to the long distance races and what do you call distance?
A. Our best distance birds have all made the odd mistake, we find they do improve with time. The more races they have from 400 to 500 miles. To fly the distance they have to be spot on they are soon lost from these races if they are not 100%.

Q. Which is the more difficult, establishing a team of sprinter’s or distance pigeons and why?
A. Its possible to create either l think it would take you longer to create the distance team the further you go the harder it becomes.

Q. 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?
A. We do not race roundabout and the widowhood hens are always at home waiting for the cocks, we also keep a few extra hens in case a hen goes stale. If we have two hens pairing together we take on of them away in our isolation box for a while.

Q. Sprinter or distance, there is no difference, it is all in the feeding?
A. The feeding has a lot to do with it but also management and of course as we said before a good percentage just want fly over 500 miles.

Q. 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?
A. Our pigeons have to come on a true line, more so on the short races. We prefer a steady 1200ypm race as tail winds the birds very often over fly.

Q. What families of pigeons do you keep?
A Herbot Bros Van- Loon Van Reet E Deweerdts Wildersmeerch.

Q. How do you go about bringing in a new family and what do you look for?
A., We usually study results we never chop and change for flavour of the month. If it is distance birds l will look for someone who gets them on the day from 500 miles or some one consistent on the shorter to middle distances, but always raced from over the channel and competing of National or Classic level. The youngsters bred will compete against the team we have had if successful we will blend them in.

Q. When you bring in that new family do you think that they need time to acclimatise, if so how long?
A. Usually two years but distance pigeons may take longer, If I was to bring in new stock to race I would prefer to purchase egg’sand hatch them under my own feeder’s in our own loft.

Q. 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?
A. Some fanciers do chop and change birds and systems too often, instead of giving things time to prove itself sometimes you must be patient and of course hardworking.

Q. When looking for new pigeons do you look for a particular family, one for specialist races or club races or just be name?
A. I look for a successful loft winning at the distance I require racing on the channel in National and Classic competition. The strain does come into it but is not that important, there are winners in every strain.

Q. Early in the article we discussed the wind direction, do you consider that good pigeons will win in any position?
A. We think on the shorter races wind and drag do play a part, but the further you go an outstanding pigeon will come through regardless of conditions.

Q. Some fanciers go out and purchase good quality winning pigeons but never appear to make the grade, why do you consider that this happens?
A. There are lots of factors involved first of all you must decide what your goals are some fanciers are pigeon lovers and content just to have the birds around them and see them come back home. No one is going to hand the races to you on a plate, l think it does help if you have stock sense, and had livestock around you most of your life. Learn from your mistakes quickly, befriend a good local fancier and hopefully they will help you on your way.

Q. 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?
A. Our pigeons receive tepid water with honey in it, we just keep an eye on their dropping, if there was a problem we would treat them.

Q. Do you race your pigeons every week or do you prefer to condition them for a specific race?
A. We like to give them all a race or two to start with then as the distance increases we like to rest them and send them fresh. Once they have had a good blow out, they are easier to keep fit.

Q. Is there any specific condition that your pigeons perform best at, or any particular time of the year?
A. The widowhood cocks perform better with the sun on their backs, if we get a nice spell of warm dry sunny weather for several weeks the cocks come into super form and you could have some good racing.

Q. In your view do you think that a loft needs different pigeons for different distances?
A. If a certain pigeon excels at a short to middle distance i.e. 100 miles to 350 miles we tend to keep them there. The steady consistent ones are usually sent further, but you can not expect a pigeon to go every week and win the longest race they have to be set up for the job.

Q. Which of the two sexes do you consider is the most important when it comes to breeding?
A. Both sexes are capably of breeding good birds but if you have a good cock on the bull system its easier.

Q. 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?
A. Yes we do like the hens to be a nice medium to large or you could end up with a few sparrows.

Q. Is there anything that you have not won in the sport that you would like to achieve?
A. We would like to win a National or Classic race, we have been runners up three times in the past 5 years, so we will keep our fingers crossed.

Q. Who do you consider to be the best fanciers in the Country and for what reasons?
A. There are some good fanciers across the country all doing there own thing be it Club, Fed, Combine, Classic or National in our own area we admire fanciers who do well right through the programme, the likes of Patrick Bros and Geoff Cooper. We also have a special friendship with Tony Heynes, he has encouraged us a lot and has been a great help and we would like to take this opportunity to thank him.

Q. What do you think can be done to take the sport forward?
A. One problem that does crop up quite often is when a fancier wishes to join a club and is in the radius and is refused membership, this should not be allowed to happen.

Q. Do you read many magazines/Articles, if so which type of article do you find interesting and why?
A. I read, as many articles as possible, l like to read fanciers methods, systems, anything about pigeons. I read it all., and try some ideas to see if it’s better than our way.

Q. Are there any special treatments that you give your birds once the season ha finished what do you recommend the readers to do with the birds?
A. We give them plenty of rest and a good bath once a week. During the moult we feed the best corn and extra small seed as we see a good moult being very important, also pigeon tea and moulting seeds.

Q. when it comes to breeding do you line-breed or use a first cross or just pair winners to winners?
A. I find the breeding side very interesting, spending many hours pairing them on paper. Its nice to breed winners, and its even better to get youngster to your liking i.e. type, shape. We don’t have any rules really. If they look good together that’s ok for us we have had good results pairing daughters of good performance cocks to other good racing cocks.

Q. 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?
A. No we do not breed from our widowhood cocks after racing we just let them sit a round of eggs then part them for the winter.

Q. If your race team went off form during the season what action would you take to restore their condition?
A.I would try and find out the reason and treat them if there was a problem.. Or just feed them lightly and rest them until l thought they were flying well around home again.

Q. Is a favourable loft location the single biggest factor in sprint racing?
A. It is a big advantage but you also need good birds and to be a good fancier.

Q. 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?
A. We have flown the darkness system, l would say the best bet would be put 50% to race and leave some for on the darkness and leave the rest natural for the future.

Q. 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?
A. We feed the young birds the same mix all the time except on return from the race when they get trapping mix, we do not fly them to the corn tin. We feed them well but also keeping control of them.

Q. What percentage do you consider it takes to win with racing pigeons for Management and pigeons and why?
A. 50-50 because you need both a good pigeon and good management.

Q. What is the farthest distance that you would train your old birds or young birds?
A. The furthest we train our old birds is 25 miles, the young birds are trained to 35 miles.

Q. If random drugs tests were carried out on your pigeons, would it reveal any substance, illegal or otherwise?
A. Any official would be most welcome to our lofts to test the droppings, l think it is a good policy to drug test if you win out of turn, there is always someone saying ah well they use this they use that.

Q. 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?
A. Yes the sport in Britain has moved forward and got more competitive, the outcome of races is know much faster I early times, Fax, Computer also the weather forecasting, l don’t know much about the Continentals, but it seems what everything they do catches on over here at some time.

Q. 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?
A. You can compete at what ever level you wish be it at Club and Fed or Classic and National, the basics are the same, do thinks within your means work hard and you will be rewarded. I was talking to a friend the other day, I said “You had a good young bird season” to which he replied “They were flying to no more than a chicken shed with a dirt floor, nothing fancy”. You cannot get anything simpler than that and he was winning out of turn.

Q. You are successful fanciers, 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?
A. I would not get any satisfaction from having something l new l hadn’t really won, in sprint club racing you do get people dominating results by filling the clock up, but in the Classic and Nationals it is a bit different and the prizes do go around.

Q. 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?
A. I think it depends on the person’s own personal ambition’s, we always look at the competition when buying pigeons.

Q. Do you attach any real importance to the pigeons 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?
A. I do look at a pigeons wing sometimes, if it is just done well in a race to see what stage it is at. A few years back it did concern me if they dropped two flights at the same time. But this happened one week when the bird went on to win a good race, and it has not concerned be so much since, but l would prefer a steady fall of the flights.

Q. Do you use any form of heating system in any of your lofts. Do you think it would be advantages for the birds?
A. We do not use any heat in the lofts we just rely on mother nature,

Q. 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?
A. if we experienced a hard race, the birds are locked up for at least 24hrs to rest, we have given them a hand bath in the loft with warm water.

Q. Is there anything that you do not like about the sport, something that you feel needs changing for the good of the sport?
A. I wish we had only to vaccinate the birds once in their year of birth, even better not at all. I would like to see some full time pigeon vets, perhaps funded by the RPRA.

Q. Do you compete in the National events, if not why not? Or are you happy to race in the club?
A. We do compete in the National Flying club and we also entered the one loft race being 25th Open.

Q. Do you have any further comments about anything that we may have missed in any area of the sport?
A. we both enjoy the hobby, we work together trying to make a success and like everything you have good and bad years. We have made lots of friends through the pigeons and we also enjoy the social side of the sport. On a personal note we always have plenty to talk about.

Summary. This report has been a pleasure because I like so many more have been asking the question “How do you win at National level when you are a small team fancier”. Well I am sure that there is something here for you and they are am inspiration to anyone who wants to compete against the best. There’s no hiding at club level here, Kevin and Christine go out and have a go at the bets, that is what pigeon arcing is all about. Thanks to these fanciers for their time, we shall be down on the South Coast again and call in to see what is new.