A TRIBUTE TO PETER MERCER OF SPELTHORNE.

I received a phone call today from Angela Goodwin to inform that our mutual friend, Peter Mercer had passed away in hospital on the morning of 20th December. I have known Peter for many years, and I judged at several top shows in his company, including the C.H.A.S.E. Charity Show at Horsham. We also had several of Brian Goodwin’s pigeon trips to Belgium over the years and Peter was always good company. Peter was one of the ‘nice guys’ of pigeon racing and racing in partnership with his wife, was one a very good pigeon racer.

Peter Mercer’s nickname at the Spelthorne pigeon club was ‘fat wallet’, because they say he was the richest man in Middlesex! I not sure about that being a fact, but he certainly was a great guy and was very successful with his pigeons every year. The 2007 season saw him win the Berkshire Federation again after winning it, plus 2nd open UBI Combine Wadebridge in the 2006 season. His 2007 Federation winner, which also recorded 3rd open UBI Combine (2186 birds) from Fougeres, was his Willy Thas blue chequer widowhood cock, ‘Good Win’, and he also won ‘Champion Old Bird’ in the Spelthorne Club of 2007. This game cock was bred from gift pigeons from club mate and close friend, Brian Goodwin, and also won 1st club Wincanton (149 miles) and 2nd club Picauville (149 miles) in 2007. A wonderful pigeon! Peter also won R/U ‘Champion Old Bird’ with his Goodwin / Thas dark chequer natural cock, ‘Fat Wallet’, and he won 2nd club Newton Abbot, 2nd club Yelverton and 2nd club Lulworth Cove. This pigeon was one of Peter’s favourites and raced best when sitting ten-day old eggs. The Spelthorne club’s 2006: 2nd open UBI Combine Wadebridge winner was another blue chequer hen and she was bred and raced by Mr & Mrs Peter Mercer. This game hen named ‘Laura’, was also a Willy Thas pigeon and was bred from stock birds obtained from Brian Goodwin of Hanworth. She was raced natural to the perch and had every race on her way to winning 2nd open Combine from Wadebridge.

Peter’s 15 pairs of old birds were raced natural and were paired up at the end of January. The main family at the Mercer loft were Willy Thas obtained from Brian Goodwin and were fed a good quality ‘Gem’ mixture. The loft was 22ft long and the six pairs of stock birds were housed in a 5ft section at the end. When Peter was selecting breeders, he liked a good type and the candidates had to be well balanced in the hand. Peter bred 20 young birds every season, which raced the whole Federation programme and they were trained every day from 20 miles. Peter started up in the sport when he was 14 years of age and had raced north and south road. He said, he was not really bothered about winning races, being a pigeon lover and just enjoyed his birds in the garden. A great attitude! Peter Mercer RIP.

KEITH MOTT (DECEMBER 2019)