peter pandy

Just read in the BHW this week, pages 44-46 regarding Gerhard Schlepphorst's families. And its worth noting his remarks regarding older families {see column six quote} " There are fanciers who successfully race and maintain a high standard with the older strains. Is their any real need for change". which just about sums up my belief.

Jimmy, One can only obtain further knowledge by enquiring those with more. I am sorry to say I have not read of Jan slabers however Pol Bostyn along with Vanhee, Roger Vereecke, Descamps Van Hasten, Camiel Donckels, Rudolph Verhoeve and Count de Villegas's families were based on Stichelbaut and would you believe Andre Busschaert. I am also led to believe Bricoux and Sion had as a base Stichelbaut but had to be crossed due to the reds and mealies within their families, perhaps someone can enlighten us. Regards Peter Pandy

The history of the Stichelbaut strain is as follows. Around 1870 a poor man named "Potti" from Waregem was able, thanks to Jules Desmet,to buy a pair of pigeons whose descendants gave fantastic results. The "Potti" breed formed the basis of the pigeons of such fanciers as Jules Desmet, Blondeel, Van de Velde,Abido Coppens, August Stichelbaut [Alois's father] and Petrus de Waele. Between 1920 and 1940 they were known as very successful fanciers whose pigeons were the ancestors of breeds which are still well known to-day. Between 1935 and 1940 Alois Stichelbaut of Lawe was able to obtain, by breeding from his fathers pigeons, one of the best Belgian strains for long distance flying. Before his death in 1948 Stichelbaut sold all his pigeons i.e. 24,at a public auction on 27th Jan 1946, for what was then a record of 150,000 Belgian francs. These Pigeons were of a light variety, mostly chequered. The principal purchaser was Marcel Desmet [Jules son]. Others known to cultivate the Stichelbaut strain are Father Brusseel of Grjzegem, Andre Vanbruaene of Lauwe, Cattrysse and Devriendt from Moere, Charles Vander Espt and Bernard De Weerdt all International winners I believe.

Looks to me like a harmless COYPU.

In the past you were in the section to whichever federation you paid your SHU dues. Has this changed ??. I.E. If you paid your SHU dues to the Midland Fed then you were automatically in the West section as SNFC sections were decided on federation boundaries.

sending 1 set up for it!! anybody know the address of the Boness marking station ?.

Read Elvis Pressley's { Falkirk manager } remarks and observations in to-days press and he has reiterated what I forwarded earlier.

Jim Heeps from Plean built mine and I could not find fault in quality of wood, construction and price. He will quote a price that will not be beaten by anyone. Give him a phone on 01786816278 and arrange a meeting. You have nothing to lose.

Scottish footbal was on a downward slope after the introduction of 4 leagues making it a financial catastrophy if a team was relegated. When there was just two leagues, teams would blood youngsters in games against weaker opposition. This no longer happens with the consequences that youngsters are not developed into the learning curve. I doubt we will ever see the dalgliesh's and Mcoist's coming through the ranks again.

I am extremely surprised that not one of you experts have mentioned cover flights as being one of the reasons for losses and how very important they are. If you will permit me I will endeavour to explain. When the 4th secondary is thrown the cover flights on top of them start to moult out. This is made worse when the heat in the transporter overnight accelarates this moult and birds can be liberated minus up to 10 cover feathers resulting in every downward wing beat losing 50% of lift. Therefore the cover flights are the most important flights on a pigeon. I made the comment when marking at the first young bird race that from 150 birds that I race rung I prophosised that if it was a difficult race then half the convoy was doomed !! it was and they were.