Les J Parkinson - What’s on my mind this week.

RPRA

I must admit I didn’t see Ian Evan’s proposals to the RPRA until they were pointed out to me, I am not now a social media person, I now leave that to the younger generation. There was a time when I would participate but too many people passed comments without any thought going into what they were saying, and it became offensive. We started to have keyboard warriors who sat at home or went to the pub and had a few pints, go home and get on the keyboard which is not a good mixture. Many would not dream of saying what they do if they were down at the club and not hiding behind a keyboard. It is also a fact that many regret what they have put on social media, but once it is on it goes viral. Anyway, after Ian’s proposals were pointed out I did have a quick flip through them, and I mean quick. There is a lot of thought gone into these proposals and from what I have so far seen I like. I have spoken to Ian a few times in the past and he is a knowledgeable pigeon fancier who needs listening too. The problem I see is these proposals need going through properly, so time is needed to make sure the sport gets the best out of them. They need to be put to clubs now so that members can discuss them during the year and make a better judgment for meetings to be held at the end of the year. There is far too much to digest, which means a rush job will not get the best out of them.

New loft.

I was talking to a fancier about the new loft he has built and how it has all gone. He went the right way about it showing the neighbours what he was having built and they were all happy, mind you there were pigeons in the garden long before I joined the club in 69. All the neighbours were happy with no problems but now the loft is 90% built someone has decided to complain. We are getting to the stage where the pigeons need to be paired up and a round of young birds reared but what will happen now is another matter, it all depends on how the local council see things. At the end of the day, they will make the decision whether they are right or wrong. Plus, as we know from experience it all depends on who has got the loudest voice. Having said that the local council have always been good to pigeon fanciers. I have lived and raced pigeons at 8 different addresses in the town and never had a problem.

Racing not far away.

Time is flying by, and the races are getting nearer, I wonder how many will be ready for the first race of the season. There are some keen fanciers about who will be ready no matter when the season starts. Not sure who was telling me but whoever had told me that they were racing in March, now that is too early for me. As I sit here with the background music from “That’s Oldies” on Sky TV, love this channel, they are nearly all gems. The only thing wrong is they don’t play many of my favorite group since the early 60’s, The Rolling Stones who have the best front man in rock history with Mick Jagger. In those days it was either the Stones or the Beatles, I do like some of the Beatle’s songs with John Lennon, but I have never been a fan of Paul McCartney, so they were never going to be my number one. Enough on the music as Bob Dylan’s 1965 hit Subterranean Homesick Blues finishes and The Doors “Hello I Love You” starts. The sun is shining, and I want to go out and do something with the pigeons, but I like to be regular with them at certain times of the day, being rest times. Don’t think it’s going to make any difference because there is always activity in the loft, as we all know. If there wasn’t any activity, we would be wondering what was wrong in the loft. I remember going to Brian Long’s and he had a team of cocks with a black sheet in front of the boxes to keep them quiet.

North West Classic

The North West Classic Club’s AGM is on Sunday 2nd March 2025 at 2pm to be held at The Boars Head, Kinderton Street, Middlewich, CW10 0JE.

Propositions should be sent to the secretary by Friday 2nd February 2025.

Please note that we are looking into racing the Midland National program but if that isn’t possible it will be racing from Guernsey.

Gold Rings available from the Secretary, maximum of 20.

Please could anyone holding a NWCC trophy arrange for its return to the secretary.

Propositions, applications, and subscriptions to secretary:                               

Diane Bonney, 41 Middlewood Close, Eccleston, Chorley, PR75QG

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Telephone 07825 712581

This is one of those clubs who have had their ups and downs over the years with the club now stable and doing well. It is a popular club with many fanciers who keep it going and it is always hoped that new members will join in. Will that happen I don’t know but if they could get some channel racing there is a chance, when I say channel, I am referring to racing from France. The French races have been missed by many in local regions, yes, we do have the Nationals but there was far better racing when we had the local channel races where we could educate pigeons better. Educate them to race into areas of the country as opposed to being dragged in the wrong direction. It’s this experience that especially our yearlings are missing and with some regional racing they have a better chance of learning. I know that there are fanciers out there who do not agree with that, but we all need to be educated in one way or another and racing pigeons are no different. Over 48yrs of writing I have sought information from many fanciers and have had a varied response to all sorts of questions. One question being “Doe’s position matter” good fanciers with good pigeons will win anywhere but they will not win as much when the conditions are against them and that is agreed by most. I was talking to a fancier who enters pigeons into the National but if the weather turns and looks like being unfavorable, he will not send and did miss one race for that reason last year. There is a suggestion that the NWCC send their birds with the MNFC, I don’t know the program but if there are channel races it is a start for some. I am hoping to send a team to the National FC which is where I like to race the pigeons.

Mid Cheshire Fed race program

The race program for the coming season looks to be a good one, or at least better than the last couple of years, or at least an improvement if they stick with it.

19^th April           Cheltenham

26^th April                    “

3^rd May             Mangotsfield

10^th May           Frome

17^th May           Wincanton

24^th May           Weymouth

31^st May           Mangotsfield & Guernsey Thursday marking

7^th June            Wincanton

14^th June          Weymouth

21^st June          Cheltenham

28^th June          Mangotsfield

5^th July             Wincanton

12^th July           one weeks break

19^th July           Wollaston

26^thJuly            Worcester

2^nd August        Cheltenham

9^th August         Cheltenham

16^th August       Mangotsfield

23^rd August       Frome

30^th August       Wincanton Breeder/Buyer

6^th September  Weymouth Gold Ring

Les Parkinson.
11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ.
Tel: +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: http://www.elimarpigeons.com