PATTY BHOY

Renier Gurnay of Verviers, Belgium, began in the sport as a runner for the great Mons Hansenne of world wide pigeon fame. A teenager in the time of no timing clocks in the 1870's he relished the tasks that he had to do for Hansenne. For his love of pigeons had started early in life and this was stimulated by Hansenne whose own sons had no interest in the sport. In due course Gurnay received pigeons from his mentor and as Hansenne died in 1903 he purchased some very good stock of the latter's lofts because of his inside knowledge and began a journey which saw him in the eyes of others eclipse his mentor. His foundation hen called the 'Old Blue Hen' whose progeny won over 500,000 dollars was the base of a wonderful and prosperous pigeon career although he was a successful business man in his own right as a merchant in tailor linings. It is estimated that since he started racing pigeons in 1886 until 1936 Gurnay had won 600,000 dollars in prize money. A phenomenal sum in those day at the beginning of the 20th century. In fact in his first season his birds won 160 prizes in one of the largest pigeon bodies in Europe and we should bear in mind that his successes were achieved when Bricoux and other giants of the sport were at their best. One could say that fate had dealt a very good hand to Renier Gurnay for as some believe he had everything handed to him on a plate because of the genius of Hansenne and their relationship. Yes, I have no doubt that Gurnay was a good pupil and because of his role as a runner he was constantly taking in what Hansenne was freely giving and of course the obtaining of the best of stock. However there is something born within oneself which is a necessary prerequisite to possess in order to form a loft of winning pigeons at the distance especially if one wants to reach the heights of Hansenne and Gurnay. Of that Renier Gurnay definitely possessed. And I believe that this was reflected in the fact that he was a hard culler based upon a very strong love for and commitment too the sport. And this involved a loft of about 20 to 30 inmates and no matter what the bloodlines if one had to be culled it was culled. This was necessary for he was also a very close inbreeder who in the main kept his birds until they were 2 years before they went to the races. Again like many maestro's of the fancy acknowledging the need for maturity. Gurnay was acknowledged as the official champion in Belgium for over 30 years which is testimony to how he was thought of and to how brilliant he was as a pigeon fancier, breeder, and racer. And I know that myths can be created or grow up around the exploits of any fancier but the evidence available would suggest that Renier Gurnay was an outstanding participant in the sport of the common man. In other insights into various strain makers I have outlined some results but in the case of this master it is not I think a necessary practice. In fact I knew of one deceased fancier of my youth who was nicknamed 'Gurnay' and this was in the 50s of the last century which would imply that in the consciousness of the ordinary fancier Gurnay is a legend otherwise why use his name to describe the modest achievements of another?

Alexander Hansenne was from Verviers in Belgium and before he died in 1903 he had moulded a strain of outstanding racing pigeons. In fact the late AH Osman attributed the Hansennes as being the primary base of the then emerging Englishstrains atthe beginning of the last century. In his writings the same authority believed thatHansenne was the greatest long distance racer of his day. Some of Hansenne's best birds included 'Le Criquet' who was hatched in 1877 and as a racer was 1st National from Paris, 1st from St. Benoit and 3rd from Tolosa. There was also an outstanding racer known as 'Calvi' who amongst other successes was 1st from Calvi. There was also the great 'Le St. Vincent ' which was 2nd St.Vincent and 1st St. Benoit and Agen respectively. Alexander Hansenne was known to have bought up more than one loft in his pursuit ofa particular bird or birds, culling the others in the process. Wherebreeding wasconcerned he had a policy of never breeding off a cock until it wasraced hard atthe longer races. As a family they were composed mostly of dark chequers with tracesof bronze and short in legs and necks. Chest wise they were not so broadas otherfamilies of the time. His commitment to the long distance races was extreme by reputation and there is no doubt although he would not have been aware of it, that this contributed to the advancement of the long distance and marathon type of pigeon racing which we are witnessing today. The Hansenne bloodlines lies at the base of many of the old Belgian, British and other world strains. Indeed this maestro was a pivotal figure in our sport and Wanroy, and Aarden etc, and others of today owe much to this outstanding pioneer.

hope this is handy for someone.

managed to get his first name,Frank ??

don`t know who he is but has cracking birds.

One thousand, seven hundred and sixty yards is a distance, and this distance is traditionally referred too as a mile. So distance can be defined as a measured length between two points. Or within the sport of pigeon racing the measurement in miles or metres between the pigeons point of release and their home lofts. Distance traditionally within the sport has been broken down into three strands namely short (sprint), middle and long distance. Of course as the distance was extended the word 'marathon' became more and more a part of pigeon racing parlance. There is no universal agreement what miles or metres constitutes the three or indeed the additional fourth strand. But it could be in the miles category as follows: Short Distance: 0 to 200 miles. Middle Distance: 201- 400 miles. Long Distance : 401 - 600 miles. Marathon Distance: 601 plus. In normal flying conditions the latter definitions are acceptable as long as we acknowledge that weather for example can intervene and turn a middle distance race into something akin to a marathon. We need however a workable definition and I believe the above are fair as long as we consider the many factors that can effect the velocity of the racing birds. So the present definition refers to long distance as between 401 and 601 miles plus.

SCOTLAND’S PREMIER LONG DISTANCE RACING PIGEON CLUB The only National Club open to ALL fanciers with lofts situated in Scotland The largest Prize Money pro rata to Membership & Birdage Membership Application 2009 - £25 (payment after 1st April – an extra £5) Name……………………………………… Address……………………………………................................................. Post Code………..Tel.No……………….Mobile No……………………. Email address.......................................................................................................... Federation………………………………..RPRA/SHU No………………… Latitude………………………..Longitude……………………………Grid Reference........................... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please return application form along with cheque/postal order for £25 made payable to S.N.R.P.C, to The Secretary Mrs. Jessie Keir. 15 Beechwood Court Glenrothes. Fife KY7 6GJ. Phone No. 01592 748801 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RACE PROGRAMME 2009 Inland National - Wanstead Flats - 6th June Premier Gold Medal Race – Reims - 26th June Long Distance Race – Andrezel – 4th July Channel Sprint Race – Lilliers – 18th July (including Yearling Race) Extreme Distance Race – Saintes – 25th July Young Bird National – Leicester – 5th September

second best again ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

wait till Alf comes back. ;D 8) ;D :P

i think there all cracking. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

who has the best avator,me,Alf or Wings04.

mind breaking a bird when i first started as a young lad,would always go back to original loft just 3 miles up the road.but when it was broke to my loft,was always in the top 5 birds from every race he was sent to.(160 miles - 380miles)great doo.

spot on again Jimmy. 8) 8) 8)

next thing the seagulls will be in the loft taking the ybs and eggs.

thanx for replys guys.

what would the members say would be the latest for to get y/bs for racing this year.

REALLY GOOD PHOTOS,VERY CLEAR.

365 DAYS A YEAR,NOT WHEN YOU CAN ONLY BE BOTHERED.

who ever reported it must have raced it??

My own theory is that the wattle is fleshy and soft to protect the nostrils. Humans' noses are soft with the hardest part being cartilage. If it were bone or a hard substance and were to break it would do a greater damage to the external openings of ours and the pigeon's respitory system - just a thought. Now do you think that a pigeon's wattle could be pierced for a nose ring??? Just kidding, folks... please do not do this!

heres the Unikon website. http://www.deister.com/content/english/ident/sports/unikon/

hi all can anybody let me know if there is blank spots on the Unikon pads what I mean by that is the centre of the pad a blank spot or do you need a divider in the middle of the pad so as the bird can only walk on the perforated area regards.

try this on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=320348066831&Category=20550

happy St Patricks day

who do the members think build the best lofts in Scotland.