LES J. PARKINSON'S
NEWS-REPORTS-ARTICLES
Well I have stuck to my decision (so far) to race widowhood cocks and lock the hens away and out of hearing distance. They have had a few tosses with the cocks coming back to the hens but with taking them myself I am not seeing how they arrive home. Our reliable Alan has gone off the radar in these early weeks of the season but he may be back. With having more interest in the club races I am taking more interest in what is going on in the loft but so far I am resisting the temptation of going into the loft all the time to see how they are going on. Widowhood cocks need peace and not me disturbing them all the time.
Sales
With having the web site I am seeing how the sport is changing when it comes to fanciers buying pigeons. The impression has always been that the general pigeon sales start in mid September, or that's how it used to be but that is not the case anymore. We have just done the John Whitaker clearance sale and they have gone down far better than John thought they would. He also said the adverts in this weekly were a great help.
Mealy
The mealy cock saga goes on and from what is happennng I don't think he is too far away. He comes and goes and is always looking well, which is an indication that he has a second home or should I say a near full time home where he is obviously being looked after. It makes you wonder whether a pigeon like that is worth bothering with but I know the pigeon and I think he is worth a second chance if I can settle him, that is if he comes back and actually stays for long enough. I have a thing about some pigeons and I think there are some that deserve a second chance and I beleive he is one of them. Whether it will be worthwhile at the end of the day is another matter but as we are all aware it takes all sorts and this might be one of those who could come good he appears to be intellegent enough. There are some very good pigeons that have had a second chance as there are in the human race. The problem with pigeon fanciers is there are far too many who are impatient and that is not very often good for pigeons or the fancier.
Mid Cheshire Fed
I called John Allbutt recently to see how he was going on after his recent illness but he is getting better just in time for the racing season. John is the secretary of the Mid Cheshire Fed and he was telling me that the information of what the fed are doing is not in general for whatever reason getting out to the members. He went on to say that the officials have agreed a deal with convoyer Tommy Gerrard who is charging a set price for all land races. This means that all monies left from entry fees will be put in a kitty and the total will be devided between the land races and split evenly as prize money for every land race with the channel races also receiving prize money. Another point that John made was that the officials have also agreed that there will only be one prize per loft which is never a bad idea in this day and age when the sport is on the decline. The fed has been pretty stable for a few years but as I have said for many years, there are too many organisations after the same birds and that reduces the competition, mind you that is what some are after, easier wins, when they should be after making the competition tougher and more birds competing. This week sees the local feds get off to a flying start with the first race of the season from Worcester, that is as long as the weather is good enough for a race - one never knows. All the best to everyone for the season that has now arrived. On the subject of the weather, according to reports we are in for a nice summer. It will probably end up too hot to race pigeons, mind you an early lib will sort that out.
Charity
I was talking to Ray Lunt about the ISG charity sale that they did last year and they are doing it again this year. This is a charity that needs support because it is not a problem in children that has sufficient patients for the government to give them any real support. Ray and the lads did this sale through their Highline International Auctions site and will be approaching top fanciers over the coming weeks. Ray was saying that they are hoping to top the £6,210 that they realised last year be going for more donations from winning lofts. Kim was saying that Philip Schofield who is patron to the charity was surprised at this amount being made through an auction of pigeons and passed his thanks on to everyone involved.
Photo
I am told "Queen Bee" (see photo) is back in the loft and the pigeons are responding well. Yes Marjorie is back with hubby Derek's pigeons after being ill for a while. Derek is the first to admit that over the years Marjorie has been a great help to him with the pigeons, they always settle to her and at times I think they race to her and not the hens in the boxes, some ladies have it and some don't and in this case definitely. As we can see from the photo, Marjorie looks at home in the loft and the Grizzle cock appears to be happy in her hands.
Marjorie Woodward
Emigrated
Had a few words with Geoff Clare who has emigrated to Australia. "Hi Les, hope you are well. We are settling in well to life down under and finding our way round the pigeon scene. We had some races with young birds last season and have a nice team for this year. Youngsters race with the old ones and are sent a lot further than in the UK. We sent 7 young hens to Coober Pedy 810kms nearly 500 miles. We had 2 on the night 11hours 33mins on the wing and the other 5 by 9-15 the next morning (dark till 6am) so a bit of a base to start with. Hawks & Falcons are a big problem - hundreds of the buggers. Its a case of breed 100 which means 20 for you 80 for them. Take care, Geoff." Thanks to Geoff who has sent a few photos of how things were sorted and put together since his move to Australia.
Geoff's trainers
Geoff's Aussie loft
Les J Parkinson. 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ. +44 (0)1606 836036. Mob: +44 (0)7871 701585. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Web site; www.elimarpigeons.com
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