Bobby Wickes chats to Jim Emerton

Q1. How did you start with pigeons?

A1. I started with pigeons in 1952 at the old age of 3 years at Skegness, where my Dad was in business. I have loved then ever since.

Q2. Have you kept them continuously since then or has work/family meant the occasional break from them at times in your life?

A2. The birds move from there to Skendleby in the country of the Wolds, with us as we were nomads. Later I flew a kit of rollers from Alvaston ,Derby and made pals of all the pigeon men as a teenager, with visits to them on my bike. I caught strags in Derby and fed ferals on peanuts-it was bliss...

Q3. Have you had them everywhere you lived and have you moved to different places specifically with Pigeons in mind?

A3. In 67 I gave up the birds to study horticulture at Askham Bryan College and with a distinction, I was chosen for 3 years at Kew, where I was top student in the first year in my honours science subjects. With 11years in post school education, I graduated in Rural Studies from Teacher Training College, before study at degree level with the University in Humanities and Social Sciences, before joining Mensa. I became a gifted intellectual.  

Q4. Have you always coveted the great Barcelona race? Was there a particular event in your life that switched your focus almost exclusively to that milestone?

A4. With success at Pau 1994 at 735 miles, I transcended the sport in 1995 with Barcelona Int at 879 miles, BICC record flight-it put me in a class of my own, as it is the greatest race in the world.

Q5. What was your profession and how did it affect your routines with the pigeons?

A5. As a country boy, in love with nature I evolved as head gardener for York Council and top union convenor for all the works people. I planned life around the birds as they became priority.

Q6. Did you have to work around the pigeons or did the pigeons have to fit around you?

A6. Every decision involved thoughts of racing my birds from 76 onwards at Sycamore Cottage, Holtby.

Q7. Have you always had the pigeons or have you had to take time out from them over the years?

A7. With time at colleges, constant moves and new jobs I was void of birds from 67 to 76,yet went shooting.

Q8. What are your other hobbies, sports or interests?

A8. I was a countryman with dogs, shooting and wildfowling on the Wash-a right little hardcase eccentric. I have been a prolific creative writer, poet, philosopher for Mensa, a journalist for the media and have a legacy of 9 books.

Q9. Have you kept, or had an interest in other animals?

A9. I love the natural world ,and we had a menagerie of animals and birds at Skendleby with some 3 acres. This is in my book Countryman.

Q10. You are a scientific man and endorse supplements and additives based on firm scientific research. Is there one thing you used in your keeping of pigeons, natural or otherwise, that you would never have been without?

A10. I love peanuts/layers pellets and hormoform for pigeons with Chevita products.

Q11. Do you have any heroes (aside from yourself) in the sport? Or perhaps simply people you admire?

A11. I admire geniuses and great people like Senna/Blake/Bronowski/Renoir/Monet and Bolt.

Q12. Why do you admire those individuals?

A12. They are all gifted people with a cultural impact.

Q13. If you had to place percentages on the fancier, the pigeons and the location for success, how would it be split?

A13. The man is key with the highest score percentage ,then pigeon and location. Top men crack the success code.

Q14. You are not a fan of One Loft Racing, although it has generated additional interest in recent times. What would you do to improve the appeal of the sport and attract new people to it?

A14. Publicity apart, the sport is in decline, yet we try to raise the profile.

Q15. Is there anything in the sport that you think is done well and could be expanded on for the success of the sport?

A15. The BICC is the exemplar on running the modern game and caters for all types and racing.

Q16. What would you consider your greatest achievement in Pigeon Racing? The single thing you are most proud of?

A16. 45 years in strain development with my 9 books are the best I have to offer people in the sport.

Q17. Is there one thing you wish you could change in retrospect? Not a regret, as regrets are not healthy, but a learned lesson? Something you would have done differently?

A17. In retrospect, I would wipe out human hatred, jealousy and resentment manifested by the many -Jim Emerton.