Established 1979 Company Number: 11693988 VAT Registration Number: 284 0522 13 +44 (0)1606 836036 +44 (0)7871 701585 elimarpigeons@gmail.com

Malta News December13

 

 

 

TONY HARTE'S

NEWS FROM MALTA

December 2013

UK fanciers enjoying the Gozo sunshine

In November the weather finally changed, heralding the arrival of autumn. Apart from a couple of thunderstorms we have hardly had any rain and the temperatures have been around 26 28 C for most of October. As I write this the temperature has dropped to around 23 C, with some possible thunderstorms and some cloudy overcast days forecast. The recent tourists have been well pleased but the farmers have been crying out for rain for their vegetables. The new racing season is nearly upon us and of course we could do without the stormy weather whilst training and racing. Looking at my notes on the calendar, I spotted a white swallow on the 1st October, then just before a rain shower on 6th October I saw a kestrel, then some swallows on 9th October, a buzzard and a kestrel on the following day. On 20th October I saw some robins and a thrush, after a period of some strong winds, then some starlings and wagtails on the 22nd. On 3rd November I spotted 3 moorhens, plus a harrier and today on the 5th, whilst loft flying my birds, a kestrel appeared and my birds, not really familiar with birds of prey, instinctively flew at and above the kestrel, making it swerve, to avoid being hit. I never cease to be amazed at how birds like moorhens and quail follow their instincts in flying many miles over the sea. These are birds that you never see in the air for any length of time and yet we are so concerned about training a pigeon to cross the channel. Talking of migratory birds, a couple of migratory British fanciers were spotted in Gozo on their annual pilgrimage to Malta - see photograph.

Every year there is a vote for the positions on the Malta Federation Committee and all fanciers are expected to vote; if they do not, they can be banned from racing for two years! As you can imagine there is normally a good turnout. I am attaching a photo of the scrutineers who came across from Malta to Gozo to oversee the voting.

The scrutineers who travelled to Gozo from Malta to conduct the voting for the Malta Federation Committee

On 26th October the Malta Federation of Racing Pigeons held its Presentation Night at the Nigret Nightclub & Restaurant, Rabat, Malta. The night was very well supported and we even had two English fanciers, Melvyn & Sheila Horn, who joined in the proceedings (see photograph). The food was excellent and consisted of a first course of either Lasagne or Soup, ½ a chicken or a steak for the main course, followed by a choice of desert. Not forgetting the complimentary glass of wine! After the meal the presentations were made and the best fancier short distance in the Federation for the 2012 2013 season was Bertram Debono, Club 11, Central Racing Pigeon club, Mosta. Runner up was Mario Cardona, Club 3, Birkirkara Homing Union. In 3rd were Manuel & Luke Sammut, club 6, Northern District Homing Union. 4th was Henry Pullicino, Club 11, 5th were Raymond & Nicholas Gauci, Club 11 and in 6th place were George & Jeanette Portelli, club 6. The best fancier long distance, Malta, 2012 2013 was Michael & Reuben Saliba, club 7, Msida Pigeon Flying club. In 2nd place was Elvin Magri, club 25, Central Velocity Homing Union. In 3rd was Tony Grech, club 18, Rabat Racing Pigeon Club, Gozo. In 4th was Anthony Micallef, club 25, in 5th was Busuttil, club 16, Southern Pigeon club and in 6th was Seychell Baldasser, (Charles Farrugia), club 16. The best fancier overall distance, Malta, was Bertram Debono, club 11. In 2nd was Mario Cardona, club 3. In 3rd was Anthony Micallef, club 25, in 4th was Josmar Cassar & George Borg, club 11, Michael & Reuben Saliba, club 7, were 5th and in 6th was Henry Pullicino, club 11.

Next came the presentations for the best pigeon short distance and was won by Manuel & Luke Sammat, club 6, Northern District Homing Union. In second George & Jeannette Portelli, club 6, third were Joe & Duncan Dimech, in fourth was Bertram Debono, club 11, fifth was Victor Farrugia, club 25, Central Velocity Homing Union and sixth best bird short distance was won by Charles Attard & Jos Thone, club 12, Qormi Racing Pigeon club. The best pigeon long distance award was won by John & Mark Attard, club 6. Michael & Reuben Saliba, club 7, came second, third best bird long distance was won by Irene Pisani, club 11, Brenton Micallef, club 3, Birkirkara Homing Union had the fourth best pigeon long distance, 5th was Camilleri Busittill, club 16, Southern Pigeon Club and in sixth was Jesmond Ghirxi, club 10, Cottonera Zabbar Homing Union.

The best pigeon overall award was won by John & Mark Attard, club 6, in 2nd were Manuel & Luke Sammut, club 6, in 3rd were Michael & Reuben Saliba, club 7, in 4th was Iren Pisani club 11, in 5th were George & Jeanette Portelli, club 6 and in 6th place was Busuttil Camilleri, club 16. Finally it was time to present the award for the best club Malta, season 2012 2013, which was won by club 11, Central Racing Pigeon Club, Mosta.

After the presentations were over we were entertained by the “Diamond Girls”, drag queens, enjoyed by everybody and all too soon the night was over. So now we are back in business, as our season starts with the first race from Pozzallo, Sicily, scheduled for Sunday 17th November. Basketing will be on Friday 15th and the Maltese pigeons always have two nights in the basket, at least. The pigeons are basketed at the clubs and then every club has to transport the pigeons from the club to Luqa, where the transporters have to be loaded the same night. The transporters then catch the very early Saturday morning ferry to Sicily. On arrival at Pozzallo the transporters drive to the race point and will be ready to release on the Sunday morning.

Our club, Club 18, Rabat RPC, Gozo arrange training tosses from Malta to Gozo and whereas a fancier can only send a maximum of ten pigeons per race, for our club training there is no limit. I am showing a photograph of our truck loaded with around 2000 pigeons, just for a 20 mile training toss! I think a lot of Federations in the UK would be envious of these numbers and this is just for a one club training toss!

Just a reminder that the Malta Pigeon Show is scheduled for Monday 10th February 2014, which is a Public Holiday here in Malta.

Rabat RPC members loading 2000 pigeons for a club training toss

Central Racing Pigeon Club, Mosta, Best Club Overall, Malta Federation Season 2012 - 2013.

Bertram Debono (left) Best Fancier Short Distance, Best Fancier Overall Distance, 4th Best Bird Short Distance, Malta, Season 2012 - 2013.

Michael & Reben Saliba, Best Fancier Long Distance, 5th best Fancier Overall Distance and Best Pigeon Long Distance, receiving the trophy from President, Malta Federation of Racing Pigeons.

Entertainment with the Diamond Girls at the Malta Federation presentation night

British fanciers Melvyn & Sheila Horn enjoying the hospitality at the Malta Federation presentation night

---