Roland

Well said.

Agree whole heartedly with Dal12.

Whose Tim Henman, and what did he do? lol I think Walter sums it up a treat. As for sour grapes etc. Well that old gripe and jib is as old as when the Picts came to your' shores and hold as little merit now as it ever 'Hasn't'. Yes as for 'Sour grapes' lol.... The knighted of the English far out weighs the rest of the British isle times over. AND THAT IS in ratio to populations, so no need for sour grapes here then. Indeed we will leave them in the mouths of the more deserving. I think achievement wise in tennis Andy's done as good - if not more than any brit since Perryman, and that's for sure. Though there was better before and at same time as him just to set the record straight regards Andy's achievement's. But first off the 'Knighted' has become a sad joke and for the old boys club - which Andy qualifies for. Before one mounts their 'Chargers' to come to defend against post not needing defending, perhaps one should look up what qualifies one to have the so - called honour! They will soon be handing them out with a package of cornflakes. The fact is that in many walks of life very many deserving cases are shunned, ignored, and been replaced with Hair Dressers, rich man's nanny's as such, with manipulative so called M'P's and money bought so called honours and old pals acts galore.

Yes he is a good tennis player, no doubt about that and probably will be knighted as he comes from good and well connected stock. But let's not get carried away here! There is, and has been, far more deserving who never get a mention or a thought even in that regards.

Good to see him singing 'God save OUR Queen' LOL.

I usually say 'Donate! Not flippy likely ... I like birds ... so am sure I am not giving money to enhance you murdering them'1 Oft a shocked face, especially if a waited till there are few about, and then spout how £millions are raised... to no more than provide a s/h feeding table which the RSPB encourage!

Probably :emoticon-0140-rofl:

Can't use them on another master timer. Can't delete old unless it is the club's computer. Or you may know different....

No extra cost Greenlands, just money lost which is invariable. However, most, I would ssy only place ET rings on their' birds shortly before racing.

Was a time when a stray was reported - sent home by rail etc. at the cost of 3/6p (17p).Indeed often a lot less or for nowt. That it was customary to offer a drink / payment for the birds up keep when looked after to the finder as a thank you. Yes, this was invariably declined and a well meant thanks was sufficient. Indeed many friends were made, and often, yes often decent youngsters were exchanged or given. Now we hear the whinges instead of 'Lost the price of a E.T. Ring!

It is far better and easier, less hassle for a stray to simply remove a ring than a note. Especially on a rainy day or when / if it goes down for a drink and it could get soggy lol.. You know the fact is the gripe for the pound odd lost! One if they want to0 race it again costs a quiddy or so! Indeed rather than know that it has been in another's loft and cared for! A £1 20 say yet that may mean a fiver per season at best! Yet the same fanciers will spent umpteen fortunes on silly bottles / pills and powder to gain a march. Will buy culls from other fanciers - sadly often heartless fraudsters - and fancy trapping devices, etc. etc. yet whinge when some one does tyhem the kind service of letting them know their' bird was cared for and release in a good condition to return home. Indeed allowed if the owner so wishes to let it race another day. Maybe a coloured clip on ring - far cheaper - could be used for those concerned regards the cost, which could be collected via other fanciers to use and as such both benefit!

Agree. What if a fancier, for any reason wants to remove it and it is glued? Also when a pigeon is retired one can simply remove and put it onother bird. Saves costs. The cost most whinge about when they get a bird back without it's ET. Which THEY can't use, but it tells the fancier that it has been in another's loft. Which I for one want to know.

Well, for what it is worth, I went onto Deep litter a couple of years back ... due mainly because of ill health -- Was quite pleased, and have scrappers outside the loft doors for taking off the litter. Plus a few door grids. So clean boots and no litter in the house etc. I decided rather than rake etc. that I could shovel into bags when needed and lay fresh -- making sure some old droppings was always about. - Yes brushed lime into concrete flooring and perches / nest bowls and boxes. £18 3 times a year and well worth it. Read and saw videos on broken cobs and was impressed etc. Asked the supplier his views which was 'Many use it and is well liked' etc. So tried it. Any drier - maybe but definitely not noticeable. Soon full and cover in droppings any way. - My 4 -6 inch litter took the odd lime mixed white if and when need or thought the weather was wet etc. did a far better job. Cobs way dearer, and removed a lot sooner. So chucked it out and went back to Deep litter. Can just go in and scrape the perches etc. and have removable boards under the aviaries for easy, quick and effective cleaning. So won't be paying a far lot more for something in my case not so good. J.M.O. and experience.

Good to see it Ian. Hope it is tried and carried forward. Hope it doesn't get boo - hooed by the pigeon fraternity.

Costs eh! Stop the bombing of Syria and Liberia etc. for 5 or 6 weeks and you would have stack spare cash after paying for it eh!

All the best and congratulations to both.

Gosh ... Down side would need a bank loan ... Upside the wife would leave me lol :emoticon-0140-rofl:

Every loft carries some kind of ailment ( for want of a better word) where in their loft they are immune. Newbies of course will become affective and show signs. They usually also become immune... as will all youngsters late bred in that loft. How much a bird is affected is usually down to how strong their constitution is.

Good post. Realistic and true. Plus Ditto.

Good and true post. Indeed has been suggested a few years back that it was a callous act to drag competitors down., and used for such purposes.

You're pathetic Dal2. Your permanent goal to wind me up doesn't affect me - lesser ones always strive to bring the betters down eh! ... it's just how stupid and out of context the bait is that niggle me.- Of course, sadly you don't know, nor realise any better. I don't brag regards my 'Swallows of summer', but that doesn't mean your contrive efforts bear any merit. End off ... as again you take the topic right of course ... well done eh? To answer your question Dal2 Yes, of course. Indeed used to prepare etc. Have also seen much, learnt much and know a little, and as such there is still a lot to be learned. Have been blessed with friends and Given or Bought good birds. I fly in an area of 12 miles tops with 8 National winners or more, and very many high placed. I know that only healthy and conditioned birds win races outside of when beaten by paper backs. Know also birds that never show can, and do all of a sudden win, and win well. I know that Parents mean not a jot regards breeding and winners come in every shape, weight and size. I also know full well that many roads lead to Rome and none are sign posted.

I see you are spouting the brown stuff per usual. Plus the demeanour of stupidity in what you are implying. In no way, let alone or in any aspect of the rubbish you spelt is of relevance. Nor can be drawn from any sense of any of my posts on this subject. Just a silly line plucked from out of nowhere per usual.

Good Post gulkie. Like I said many different aspects contribute to Winners or losers. Also means available and location. Plus many may have superbly kept pigeons in supreme condition week in and month out. Hardly ever have ailments and health set backs. These are of course fanciers of the highest order. Others it may mean 'Winning is the be all and end all .... But are they truthfully appreciating and enjoying their birds like many of us do? I doubt it. I for one never dream of 'Culling' a bird regardless how bad or well it performs / breeds etc. Mine either go and choose to live else well or grow old happily in the place that they have enjoyed the freedom and safety of the hotel I provided for them. Will say though the main draw back can and is having sometimes too many.

Known Drivers to take 'Strays' etc. ... of course let up way before the races ... The biggest mistake, as history proves time and time again is 'EH! They couldn't cheat... (ET's no exception... Will be a time when we look back and say 'I can't believe it ...'. A false notion that it can't be done leaves the doors wide open I fear.

Well geordie1234 to say that one would have to be clever to taper with --- ANY clock --- would have to be a smart cookie. True, but then there are very many smart cookies. Indeed in every walk of life where one has wanted to cheat / steal or what ever then they have done. one only has to see the different ways that the Banks have been cheated and still are to realise that. JMO