Lancashire Social Circle

Following the move to the new locations for the Circle's twice yearly Gatherings, the new venue was unable to accommodate us with the same weekends as our previous hotel. On the face of things, at the time this didn't seem to be a problem, as our Spring Gathering that was traditionally held the first weekend in March always clashed with the Spring  Show in Holland. Putting the weekend back one week into February it was hoped fanciers might have their birds on eggs and not youngsters giving them a better opportunity to be away for the weekend. As the saying goes "you can't do right for doing wrong" this new date seems to have clashed with no end of other events including the RPRA Meeting, the 700 Mile Club Presentation and the BICC Dinner. This resulted in a number of regular guests being unable to attend resulting in the numbers for a Spring Gathering being the lowest we have experienced for a number of years. I have spoken with the hotel management in the hope of moving the weekend but as of this time the regular booking of a dance group has taken over our preferred weekend, so we live in hope.

The President with his guests John Wheatcroft Alan Hallsworth and Cosmin Talis

Having said that a total of over 60 members and guests made their way to St Anne's on Sea for the Friday night buffet supper. Ray Bullen one of our Committee men had put together a Quiz and with the help of one of the Vice Presidents Malcolm Parry-Jones and fellow member George Pendleton ran the quiz night. The quiz turned out to be a great success with some friendly revelry from a number of the teams with some general knowledge and sporting questions. The winning team donated their prize money to Charity which was donated to the one the hotel had been running over the weekend for Marie Curie. The rest of the evening was spent in conversation with fanciers from all parts of the country on topics of all things pigeons.

George Pendleton and Malcolm Parry-Jones hard at work with the Friday Quiz & Malcolm Parry-Jones with his guest Barry Maidment

Following breakfast on Saturday morning the Management Committee met to resolve a number of issues going forward including the race programme and the ladies weekend along with a look the finances. Making sure all members are getting the full benefits from their annual subscriptions. The rest of the day was spent making the most of what the hotel had on offer with several members taking in the sights around the sea side town. I understand a group of members and guests made a loft visit to a couple of the local fanciers in the afternoon, while a hand full of members helped put the room together for the official dinner that evening. While the hotel staff do all the work of dressing the tables the programme of events and hand crafted place cards and napkin holders all need placing in the correct order with the members who are not on the top table who are speaking positioned in the best possible position for everyone to see and hear.

J Hampson S Stringfellow Paul Bolton B Harrison A Bamford T Donnelly

With everything set for the official dinner, following pre dinner drinks everyone gathered in the Ball Room where the president Stephen Beardmore made his opening address by welcoming all to the Spring Gathering before a minutes silence in memory of one of the Circle's past presidents Eric Entwistle. Dinner was followed by the loyal toast before another of the past presidents Bob Smith paid a very fitting tribute to Eric . Bob explained How Eric was a big fan of cowboys having been brought up on them in the 1940/50s and even going to the point of naming his two sons after film-stars who played the cowboy roles, Gary Cooper and Lawn Greed from the Bonanza series. Being a farmer in the 1950/60' Eric was scraping a living until his son Gary bought a JCB and along with Eric put together a company that over time was to make them a sound investment. Bob first met Eric when he came to his loft along with The Scribe (Fireman) to do a write up on the winning partnership of R & B Smith.  Moving on to 2008 when Dick Mellinger and his partner Walter Hackworth came over from the US as guests of the Circle a friendship was formed when at the time one loft racing was taking off in a big way in the state of Texas. Bob along with Eric and other interest fanciers travelled to America where Eric was in his element fulfilling his dreams as a cowboy, where the first thing he did was but himself a Stetson Hat that never left his head. At this point Bob Asked the President could he brake with protocol and put on a waistcoat and cowboy hat to carry on hid tribute.  He explained a great length how Eric was in seventh heaven with the Horses, Cattle, Guns and the Ranch. Bob explained how he had a passion for horse racing and had two tickets to the Cheltenham Gold Cup and asked Eric if he would like to come and use the company Mercedes, Eric suggested one better and said we can use the company helicopter. Which proved a fantastic day out for the pair of them having VIP treatment throughout the day and also backed the winner Imperial Commander.  It was explained how Eric followed Roger Sutton into the office of President of The Circle up holding the traditions and with his mentor the Late Joe Haworth by his side were a formidable team. With Eric you got what you got calling a spade a spade, but if you borrowed a spade you better make sure you returned it.

Bob Smith in cowboy mode giving his tribute to Eric Entwistle

James and Stuart Gregory Bob Smith Robert Gregory

President Stephen Beardmore thanked Bob for a very fitting tribute and as a follow up he then introduced a new member to the Gathering who was to replace Eric. David Hilton from Ramsbottom who has been coming as a guest of Eric for around 12 years, was asked to stand when the President was pleased to see him on the Top Table but joked, the next time he was to be there was when he took on the role as President. This appointment was very well received by all the membership and we all look forward to seeing him throughout the season when his exchange partner in the Breeders Exchange in Dennis Little.

John Dearden introducing the main guest      Secretary Brian Dearn with New Member David Hilton

John Dearden was the next member to his feet who introduced the principal guest for the weekend, Doug Went from London, known for their famous winning pigeon "Champion Steptoe" Doug took the trouble to travel from London to be with us and was described in the programme of events as a fanciers with a string of achievements within the sport of pigeon racing.

John Dearden Doug Went and Jim Nelson

John has been a close friend of Doug's for something like 30 years and gave a rundown of how the two of them first met. Over the last 12 months or so, Doug has been writing articles in the fancy press covering a wide range of topics. He's proud of his own pedigree, as he puts it, being 100% pure mongrel, with his dad Victor being the son of a Dutch-raised Afrikaan Boer. While his mother Nellie was the daughter of Shadrach and Rebecca, both from the Dengie Marsh Romany tribe. When Doug arrived on the scene his elder siblings consisted of Lol, Gwen, Les and Olive, but it was oldest brother Lol that Doug was attached to almost becoming his shadow. Lol became his mentor, and went on to teach him all there was to know about country lore, and it was Lol who first got the pigeons. Lol was taken ill and lost his fight for life with Cancer. His other brother Les was a ladies-man playing the field with the local girls before doing his National Service. Life at this stage was tough and got tougher when his sister Olive dropped the bombshell that she too had terminal Cancer. As if this was not enough his sister Gwen also entered the Pearly Gates, and at this point Doug had no idea where life was taking him and with his only brother Les on National Service in Egypt his mum was distraught. The pigeons and the rest of the livestock now fell on his shoulders, and as time passed his mother Nellie got more and more involved with the pigeons. Their family of winning pigeons that were originally founded by brother Lol had some fine performances with the most well known of them being "Champion Steptoe" a cracking blue chequer cock raced on a natural system being the winner of 2nd London North Road Combine from Thurso when only 12 were timed on the day and was beaten by decimals;  1st LNRC Thurso two years later. He was a complete all-rounder whether the race be short, long, fast or slow. As John explained this cock was raced on a natural system to a 14' loft built from scrap wood and old doors on a council estate. This cracking cock was not only a top racer but he sired a string of winners with his children and grandchildren.  When Louis Massarella arrived in the Rolls Royce to by the pigeon with an open cheque mother Nelly told him where to go as this was her sons pigeon.  

Henry Krasowski Bobby Brandon Albert Stockwell Brian Woodhouse John Dearden George Chalkley

Doug Went took to his feet following this great introduction, and I have to say provided us with over 15 minutes of some great stories from his many vast experiences. He wondered how he was going to fit 83 years into 15 minutes so decided to leave out the women and this would save some time. He explained how his eyes had seen some fantastic moments from football, his eyes had seen Henry Cooper, Muhammad Ali, Red Rum and the racing pigeon Steptoe. These hands have shaken hands with Winston Churchill, Bill Haley and Alf Baker the finest pigeon fanciers that ever lived. Alf loved fishing and Doug would go with him and on one occasion Alf gave him one of his caps when it was raining and I have never given it back, as he slipped it on and carried on with his speech. Doug had placed an old black and white photo on every table of what could only be described as a man who must have been a real caricature it was Doug's mothers brother Ted who was introduced as a loveable rogue and the tails of many childhood stories . Ted joined the Foreign Legion in the great war and won medals and in the Second World War did more of the same. He met his waterloo in 1942. His mother suffered from dementia before she died but Ted was always in her memories. When Louis Massarella came to call with and open cheque to by Champion Steptoe Doug and his brother were very tempted to sell him as the money could be well used but mother Nelly told him to clear off as she was only looking after him for her son.

Main Guest Doug Went with Secretary and President

Doug's many childhood memories of his school days coming from a travellers background had some special needs but he won through it in the end. His mother's family had a black and yellow chocker worn with pride with all who were presented with one and the one Doug wore did get him into some trouble throughout his school days. The inter schools boxing match with a rival school was another memory he recalled, Doug not being much of a boxer was matched with the rival schools top boxer Eric Mason the school boy champion. It was felt that whoever had to fight the champion would lose, so matching him with the worse one in the home team would mean the others would stand more of a chance. The contest was coming to an end when it was Doug's turn Eric Mason took pity on him or maybe he knew of his big brother, but Eric said to Doug look as though you are a boxer and the bout ended in a draw with both schools having 19 points. The following day at school he was applauded and had a great run of girlfriends. He finished with a story I can't repeat in the BHW but thanked John Dearden for his kind words of introduction, saying in London's cockney land the term "Mucker" is used meaning, loyal friend and true and this is what John Dearden was to him. David Pritchard made the reply on behalf of the members with a short thank you to our principal guest speaker for a great speech full of some very amusing stories.

David Pritchard responding to the main speaker

President Stephen Beardmore gave his address informing the Gathering of the forthcoming Ladies Weekend that is being run by David Newson and is to be held at the Clifton Arms Hotel at Lytham on the 20th 21st October of this year. David has some experience of these events as he has been a travel rep in his early working life, and as a result has already been on the lookout for a venue for 2024's function. Stephen then asked Jamie Campbell's guest to stand as he introduced him to the Gathering as the future of the sport being a young man who has a great interest in the sport Harry Farley.

Jamie Campbell Vincent Donnelly Harry Farley

Maurice McCartney and Joe Headley

Phil Allen with Andy Florek

The evening was brought to a close by the Secretary who explained following the change of venue that had resulted in a change of date this had clashed with several other pigeon events and as a result the numbers were a little down on normal Spring Gatherings. He went on to explain how he, along with David Newson had travelled over to see Honorary Life Vive President John Marsden a few days ago, who he was sorry to have to report had deteriorated a little more since their last visit some months ago. But was in good Spirits especially the Single Moult variety, and sends his best wishes to us all. Another of our Life Vice President George Hilson is still house bound looking after his son Darren, who again sends his best wishes for a great weekend. Darren is making steady progress and George hopes to be with us at some future Gathering. Tony Merrick also sends his good wishes, and with David Newson taking over the role of Events Organiser for the Ladies Weekend we can all look forward to another good weekend at the Clifton hotel in Lytham. While all members receive a copy of the LSC Hand Book a number of guests often like to purchase one and the Secretary informed the gathering there was still a limited number still available. He then explained this might be the last chance for members to arrange a pair of youngsters from a guest or honorary member to take part in the friendship race. A long time guest Mick McGrevy who was unable to be at the weekend Gathering wished to be part of the Friendship race offering a pair of youngsters and David Sowerby took up the offer. Then finally closed the evening by wishing everyone a good racing season and looked forward to seeing everyone at the race marking for lunch later in the year, before wishing all who were travelling home later a pleasant and safe journey.

 Brian Dearn Tel. 01254 772515.