Roland

Gosh I feel a lot better today - so far. That's life. Mind he / we will no doubt be get to see many sporting events in time to come. As they say 'As one door closes another opens'.

Nephew and I get on very well. A few years back he surprised me saying he had bought me a ticket to meet Ali. Had paid over 3200 quiddies. Had to decline as it was that evening when we (Joyce and I) flew to Mexico for our holiday … was tempted to be sure, but I never went. We do go and see many sporting events together. So yesterday he surprised me again having bought me a ticket to see Joshua's fight etc. Am having bad turns of late (Health wise) so daren't say yes … Son will go instead. Still I hope that they enjoy.

I see some sense there. When I was into fish and showing, it was a good thing to not feed one day. They would clean up any left overs. Another day in the week no feed meant a nice hollow belly - fit and show pen It also clears the digestive system etc. So as there is no waste feed normally in the loft no need to with hold a feed. However it would / will be god for the cleansing if the digestives season. If 'Hopper Fed' remove such a day a week. Now I know many will say I only feed what they need - and how they do it … But truth is in the eating! Now see a birds condition when going a stray for a few days etc. One can't condition their birds as good regardless of one spouts. Nature and the wild always teach and show us something … mostly and sadly ignored. J.M.O.

Same basic as all the year round Tic beans and groats and a little canary seed once a week as always through out the year.(Linseed after a race). But I will add a little maize or hemp when cold weather. Winter! Small wild seed once a week is cheaper than canary lol.

I can't HONESTLY understand why any fancier won't invest a few quiddies in an Electric fence. I'd wager those five are / were worth far,far more than a Legal electric! Ps woody, I feel for your loss.

Firstly I will say well done for your effort and good will, and intentions KBBigman. Your one that does do the so - called sport credit! Good of you. Now his maybe another who can, just or barely, to afford them to keep and race sometimes. BUT can't afford to lose them. Costs would be horrendous! Before anyone bothers to spout 'Shouldn't have them then' etc. etc. Remember there are very many also, indeed very many here that are in the same boat. Personally I have over the last decade or so, never moaned or made a fuss when hearing the excuses. I just say 'If able, then I may lib near you or when that way' I ALSO STATE, WITH THEIR AGREEMENT' I AM WILLING TO send up the road ... there again If I felt, or liked the bird(s),I may offer to keep... after a few tosses. One must also take on board, many may very well be the ones YOU beat most weeks, and they help financially the sport still with costs! The one who moan are often, or most likely the ones who BRAG about beating them. Oh for a perdect world eh!

I want Wilder (Now lol), did he mean to finish with Not to be about … pun intended lol.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/their-racing-pigeons-caught-a-bullet-train-then-the-authorities-caught-up/ar-BBMGmEU?ocid=spartandhp

I have built some very good lofts via going to a demolition site and talking about pigeons and building a loft. I got some first class mature worm free wood for next to nothing. Just a polite how do and a little chat worked wonders. Good luck.

Aye, true and he isn't over wrought, that's for sure …. mind he isn't a Wilder!

Eddie Hearn says Dillian Whyte is Anthony Joshua's most likely opponent at Wembley next April as a fight with Deontay Wilder "looks impossible". Good management! Better to have 2 easy fights and get paid the same as a fearful beating might well happen. Some say it ruins the sport … gone are the days when champs - mostly - fought good and suitable opponents. Ones rated in fact. Many so -called 'Legends' earned a healthy - and deserved Bank accounts ducking and diving those too good and deserving a shot of the title. Ok we can go back to the days of Jack Dempsey and reason he would fight certain foes. the most ridiculous was 'He's a back man and supposedly hit his wife'! True.. Ok maybe the 6 or so 'black fighters' paid the price in some way for the great Jack Johnson'! But to look at the foes who were fought when way past their best, those coming back from a long retirement, whilst deserved opponents were kept at bay. Junior Witter for instance won a title from British / European, and world yet Hatton say I'm not making him rich by fighting him lol. So when Witter offered to fight him for nothing, or all his money to go to a charity, he never replied lol. Mind when my son - in - law, who went to America to see him fight etc and met him there and other times, he was most disappointed when going to Cambridge to hear him, the first words out of Hatton's' mouth was 'Don't ask about Junior Witter'. Carl Froch sat on side for 4 years asking Joe Calzaghe for a fight... refused. Now when Joe wanted one more fight to equal Rocky Marciano's record, and then another to realise his boyhood dream - lol as often stated - he was order to fight Froch! But retired instead! Then afterward bad mouthed Froch from afar. Yes Froch who had sat patiently for a title shot and NEVER ever gave a bad word against him! the list is endless. The great Ali gave all and sundry a chance. Many like Zora Folly, Big Cat Williams etc. a chance. For he said that though they were past their best, the deserves a shot... and a big pay day. Like when he fought Old man Moore. I know many 'Greats' who fought other greats like you all do! Both domestic and world wide. indeed I - like you all, could ring of loads. So when I/we see such good management - at the cost of the sport, do we applaud, and sigh? Would we do the same?

the one thing - Plus lol - is they have a 'Write Up' one week how being just a small back garden flyer with no more than 20 pairs ever … then a few weeks later A. they have famous fancier endorsing their birds That they have flown to a very good and large extentand B. they are selling 1000's lol

Maybe Walter … then that quote would also apply to him... Like posted at time, Well done etc.

I offered always ... nigh. Never ever refused to stand up and be counted and did all and any chores.. … till bad health curtailed I some what! But the very truthful and honest reply is 'The youngsters (Now the sheep) would and ARE doing it. They help the older ones to take their baskets into the marking station... some older gents- two have younger ones collecting them etc. Now the fact is also now Walter, they are the very ones seeking 'Change' to their' sport, and quite right too! For they will soon be custodians pushing for change, if the dinosaurs don't completely kill of our sport. (I personally, like many others. have had great enjoyment in our hobby, so I believe the Sheep' should be attended to and helped to preserve this sport FOR THEM!) It is the old Dinosaurs preventing it! Again SHAME on them. Time that they allowed their views to be heard and put to the vote instead of cow wowed to be silent and respect others whom will soon be responsible for the very ending. time that they stood aside and let the 'Sheep' look ahead and try to safe guard the sport... their' Children!? In fact 2 of the 3 clubs I am a member off, wouldn't exist with out their help! We owe these sheep the chance to preserve their sport, like wi do and or did! I'd wager too the younger club members were more than genuine happy for your recent success!

spit in the eye. Always has worked. especially if a smoker lol. Mind, will say many say 'Old Hat' and time to change with the times... and pay for years old remedies lol.

Now that is a brilliant retort Tony. Sadly so very true!

true Walter, but then again it IS up to the club members / then fed members to stand up if, or when they feel a change would be relevant and worth while. So the chalice if Too many member feel it is a waste of time and let Them' get on with it to very on going detrimental to our sport. Apathy is here, no two ways about that! Plus also very many things that want changing NOW by the vast majority of the sport. If and when some take a stance, then no doubt changes for the betterment will be changed.

I've dealt with Davie. A first class honest fellow. No two ways about that!

which I'm certainly not. But like you all I've seen many actions and rulings that only suit a few privileged. Seen some terrible decision regards our libs, transporting. Seen a very bad 'Stuff you I'm alright Jack' attitude. Seen very many things that wanted, needed changing! Seen an apathy grown right through our sport. Seen many detrimental traits regards the caring of our beloved friends. Now I'm all for a change in a couple of things. Not really a crusade, that's for sure. But one thing for sure, my harping on may have ruffled a few feathers so to speak. If so I'm sorry for that, BUT that doesn't affect me if it is in good intensions and speaking truth. I love and want others to comment, to take a voice. To put forward constructive ideas of a way forward. But my heart is in the right place that's for sure.... Now, at least I see others voicing an opinion. Others thinking 'Yes maybe it is time for a change.

Our club allowed the young birds to race with the old birds for the last 3 … then two races with the old bird in the season. Then was made into two different races... Was destroyed as most realised the Old birds were left behind. Just like when training with the hens. The excuse then was the widow hens weren't trained enough lol. So why did the cock birds finish behind also? It was agreed that it would no longer be practised etc. Now on the one hand many are saying they train youngsters to experience for them. The Moult etc. But later bred youngsters flew the programme up to 250 miles or more when on third flight … which I feel personally that extra power to the bird, like a woman having a baby, is for the other reason, the moult. So SEVEN races would more than satisfy and do the chore intended. A later start would mean that a good rotation of pigeons for certain races would be easier, due to the nest circle. Will have to say Dal12 Quote: '.... Andy....loads of adjustments could be made....the old ways aren't working that's plain to see so doing nowt isn't an option'. If it means a loss of a couple of races. maybe someone could explain how? the betterment of our pigeons surely now! must be paramount!

Yep true... But dinosaurs are extinct. Like the 'Powers to be and their follows' will ensure. Then the adage take control of 'It will regardless...' No ones is asking for the 'Goal Posts' to be moved, to take an advantage. All those that have 'A march' will still have same. But for the sake of our beloved friend I feel we NEED to do them justice and take on board a sensible and caring attitude. For the betterment of not only the pigeons them selves, but the members. The grass roots may have a little leg up sometimes... but that surely is no more than they deserve after bolstering the coffers for so long.

Also the later days into September have been far better for the young birds. So August - september most season has plenty of time for youngster to gain expeirence Race birds- as nature intends - mated in March has so very many add ons and better for old birds and young birds races alike. 2nd week even 3rd May means plenty of time to get the ob's ready fror racing and better bred youngster settled. No trailers idle saving fuel in June either. Still have sharter distances to prepare for the longest races.

Very True Walter... sadly. Too many make bullets for others to fire eh! But I, truthfully, and personally never missed a meeting, not club, Fed or RPRA. Came a time later in life when I wasn't able to always. … Often our Fed delegates found it a bit embarrassing as I would spout out … But I still went, if only to make sure that they voted the way the club members had voted. Seen, and heard of many a delgate on the night vote the way others wanted them too.

Your point being?

Well Walter, it's is Like the match stick. Singlely they are easy to break. A few together ADDS STRENGTH. Single voices are easily ignored. A trio of 'Ear Ticklers' make sweet sounds of nonsense, and drown out the single voice, and the single if forgotten and took no notice of. (Like most committees do). But if a few together answered the voices of the 'Ear Ticklers', agree with the single voice, put forward a realism of sense, of what they feel is needed, then the 'Ear Ticklers' become quiet and huddle into 'Corridor Politics' at best. Then a movement of choice, debate and a way forward, or agreed, then a decision, whether voting or such, is taken up and solved to the Majority. Are you putting your name up Walter for a debate? Or happy to go with the flow?