sherbs

Don't you all think that the RPRA is missing a trick with Blackpool ? It is the one and only time in the whole year when a large proportion of the rank and file members get together and the only thing to occupy their time is to get pissed and buy birds they don't really want or need. Don't get me wrong I like a pint and the crack just as much as the next man and I know I'm probably gonna come home with a pair of stock birds I had no intention of buying Friday morning, but I feel there could be so much more to do. Why no meetings or get togethers about the problems of the sport such as raptors or encouraging new members ? Why not get experts in to give talks about various aspects of the sport such as pigeon health or even planning laws etc. Why not organise some really good moots with top class fanciers who people like me would never get the chance to listen to coming from the wilds of North Devon as I do. All this would take some organising but isn't that what a Governing body is for? I attended Blackpool for the first time in 15 years last year and let's face it two hours walking round the stands and you're done so it's hit the bars and try to drink out the thought that you're in Blackpool in the middle of winter. I know Blackpool is primarily a show but reading some of the comments on this thread I think too many people are living in the past and if it is to survive then it has to adapt and offer so much more to the fancier, and this is maybe why the sport of pigeon racing is dying, our governing body thinks it can simply offer the same things it did 30 years ago when the sport was at it's height and expect the sport to flourish, it ain't gonna. If you want Blackpool and the sport to survive start getting creative offer more and stop just expecting and hoping people will turn up. Sorry went on a bit there , Mark.

I'm on there Mark Sherborne add away

The Barnstaple and Pilton RPC will be holding a Moot at the Ex-Service Mens Club Barnstaple this Saturday 5th December. It starts at 12.00 pm and all are welcome. On the panel Terry Williams from The Somerset One Loft Race and Peter Willcox National winner and past president of the BBC and also chief convoyer for many years. For more details feel free to PM me, cheers, Sherbs.

Hi Martin unfortunately "The Duke" is missing in action. He went down when i sent him earlier in the season to Lessay . He had been coming fairly well up till that point but the channel was obviously a step too far for the fella. Hope you are well and thanks for the interest, I hope your new guest is repatriated soon, Mark.

Regarding attendance at club meetings i am the first one to say that democracy should be preserved and the only way to do that is to be part of it and attend meetings, and i am not proud to say that i no longer want to attend. My father was chairman of our club for many years and i have sat through hundreds of meetings growing up, going over and over issues, but that was then and this is now. The members i grew up around have all reached a certain age together and no new blood has come in to keep things fresh. In my fathers day in the 50's, 60's, 70's the age range in the club was very wide from children such as myself through to old age pensioners but now the demographic predominantly consists of people over 60. Sadly this is one more thing the sport has going against it this is not to say that people of this age range are bad members or do not have good ideas, or that just because you're a bit younger that you know best. I just think that in any organisation a healthy mix of ages and ideas can only benefit the sport this is where we need strong leadership to try and change the demographic, and before someone says why don't you do something about it then ? I arranged a visit to my local school and organised a small race from the school playing field i used the club ringer and 5 rubbers, but i heard through the grapevine, not to my face you understand, that some people were not happy about me using club equipment, so even when you do try some members will always look for the negative. This is a fantastic sport i and love my birds dearly but the politics will kill the sport and i for one wish to enjoy its last remaining days before it becomes unviable and unworkable, i do not want to argue with old men who on a one to one basis have been very good to me they are for the most part my fathers age, have health problems and i was brought up to respect my elders. Perhaps it is me who has the problem and it dosen't help when my alarm goes off at 4 in the morning every day and then having to attend a meeting on a friday night after a hard week, perhaps my loss of the will to live in these meetings is down to my tiredness, but i am happy in the conclusion that i will see out the twilight of pigeon racing meeting free and a lot happier for it. Sorry for the rant!

Until recently i would attend every club meeting but it seems that all the members in my club have reached a troublesome age all at the same time. I am sure that some of them don't take their medication before they come to the meeting just so they are in an argumentative mood for the evening. Most of them have reached an age where if it's not how they did things years ago then it is automatically wrong, and there are not enough younger fanciers around to drive new ideas through. Phone calls and kitchen meetings take place before the real thing so issues are clouded and judgements formed before they arrive. I have come to the conclusion that i am better to stay away from meetings and just race my birds doing as much of the work on basketing nights and clock nights as i can. I feel that i really don't want to get dragged into arguments with increasingly old men with health problems that i have known since i was a child, better for me to just enjoy my racing with these guys whilst they're still around because i don't think it will be that long before there are only a couple of us left to race against. It is a shame that people who i get on with on a one to one basis seem to change once they enter a meeting room, it seems that being in one place at one time with fellow pigeon fanciers brings out the worst of the sport. Therefore instead of sitting in meetings wishing i was somewhere else i will stay away and save myself the misery.

Hi does anybody know where i can buy a good pair of Jan Theelan stock birds ??? Cheers.

Hi Martin have just been told by a mate that you posted on here asking after the Duke , well the Duke is doing fine he is not going to be raced anymore and he is really starting to moult heavily. He is one of the lucky ones i am racing four other birds at the moment and in fact won my first race on saturday 23/8/08 from Fareham, i also took fifth. The Duke will enjoy a leisurely winter then he will be mated up and a pair of young ones bred from him. Then training will start again and he will once again be flying over your way so you might see him again yet. Thanks for looking out for him and keep the water and food handy as you never know he might have told some of his loft mates about your generosity. All the best, Mark

Yep he's back home Martin, safe and sound ! Think you've made a friend there. We've named him "The Duke" (because he obviously likes Wellington! ) This time he went missing from a training toss from Tiverton. In fact out of 13 birds relesed on Tuesday i didn't get any till Wednesday morning and i ended up with 8 out of 13. I have had 3 races so far and only lost 1 bird but training is killing me so rethink required i reckon. The Duke turned up last night none the worst for wear no doubt thanks to the pit stop he enjoyed at your place. Once again thanks for looking after him at this rate i'm gonna have to send you lodge money ! Not sure if he'll be sent again i've only started back in the sport this year with young birds and as i say i've taken a hammering training and i'd like to have some for yearlings next year. But you never know, he might stop by at some stage in his career to say hello. Thanks again, all the best, Mark.

Just thought i would let everyone know that i think the bird Martin has been looking out for is mine. My club The Barnstaple and Pilton RPC had a club race come training toss for young birds from Wellington on sunday the 6th. This turned out to be a disasterous race with only one bird being timed in race time. This from a race point which is only 35 miles to most members. It is rumoured that most birds never left the race point with talk of birds being lined up on local rooftops. I myself only sent six as i am just starting back in the sport with young birds this season. I had 3 on the day and one next morning, one member lost 21 out of 26. A few have been picked up from Wellington in the week and a couple have worked home but no great numbers. The bird i think Martin has been helping was waiting on my loft roof when i returned from club this Friday evening the 11th the day Martin says the bird disappeared. The colour of the rings he described matches mine as does the phone number. I have just phoned Martin but he is not home i have left my number and will do all i can to thank him personally. It's very nice to know that some none fanciers at least see pigeons as more than just flying rats, and it is very interesting to find out what at least one of the lost birds had been up to. Hopefully this will be the first and last smack we take this year but knowing pigeon racing there will be more to come.

i've had two sparrowhawk attacks inside 7 days, one bird was hit at head height not 6 feet away from me, the other knocked off the landing board whilst i was in the loft. Managed to save both birds,escaping with minor bloodied wings. Has anyone got any ways of deterring these attacks ? My garden is now strewn with cd's in vain hope this works. I've only just come back into the sport and these attacks are really hard to witness.

after a few years out i have just started back in the game my 14 babies have been out three times on the third day (yesterday) a cat came from nowhere and had a lunge at them, it missed, the birds scattered around roofs and whilst i was getting them down and in a sparrowhawk knocked one to the ground six feet away from me it looked at me and let the bird go as i tried to kick the little **** ! What a welcome back to pigeon racing not even training yet ! Anyone got any advice to deter sparrowhawks worried now that my loft might be in a hot spot, cats i can deal with. Be grateful for any thoughts cheers.

thanks sportka

Hi can anyone recommend any books or dvds that specifically deal with long distance racing ? It's been awhile since i've kept pigeons and would like to catch up with the latest methods. Thanks Mark.

Thanks guys just been round to the neighbour who i thought had most cause to complain, with the intention of tackling sensitively any complaints or worries he had, but he says it wasn't him. I suppose he would though, don't want to fall out with anyone and a bit disconcerting not knowing whose got a problem with us. All i want is a quiet life and to enjoy the birds to much to hope for i suppose. No wonder the sport is dying no one is allowed to be a bit different anymore, we all have to conform to a set model and ive in our boxes vegging on the sofa. Not me though i'm gonna kick against that a little longer or until they drag me off to court !! Thanks again Mark