showman

Sort of a probationary period !! Now that's thinking outside the box! A very interesting concept, and could be administrated at club level providing the 'probationary fancier' is aware of membership limitation. Great stuff and worthy of further investigation. Well done Will.

Your re-evaluation of your situation within the hobby will be good for you. I sincerely wish you the best of luck whatever your decision. Cheers John.

Thank you Gareth.

Having been disillusioned with pigeon racing for the past few years, I thought it time to take a step back and assess the whole situation. On and off I've had them for the past 42 years, and back in the day, pigeon racing was the hobby for a lot of working men to be in. Anyone of a similar age will hopefully appreciate my good memories and can smile at their own. Pigeon racing has changed and still evolves along a path which Unfortunately it's not in a good way, and there are many changes effecting its' future. To say BOP are the sole problem is naive to say the least. They are only a small part of it. Anomalies caused by radio waves, solar flares,satellite signals etc. not to mention the exorbitant money we pay just to be part of it all play their part. We are a minority hobby, and the forces of modern technology cannot be denied, as the world in general demands access to these technologies. Pigeon racing in itself is simplicity personified. The passing years have complicated and now endangered its' very existence. I started pigeons as a source of enjoyment. That's now gone. Pigeon racing has nothing to lure new members into its' ranks. Most young people will not be interested, as their leisure time revolves around making use of such modern technology. With these confines encircling the hobby, I can't bring myself to be part of it any more. It's now unfair to our charges to ask them to put their all into what they see as just getting home. Sorry folks, but I just can't or won't do it any more. My best wishes to you all. Paul.

Can you give me a link to show these figures applying to the UK ? Many thanks.

Now that is a good 'un.

A fair point Tony which I can fully endorse. 2 years ago, the club I am a member of welcomed another club's approach to share facilities. We are both in a rural setting and I believe both of us have 6 members. We are based in an outbuilding of a local farmer and on marking night / results night the banter is good. We held a series of shows last winter between us, and both clubs will share in a reasonble pot, which will probably pay for their racing birdage this year. Co-operation again was great and the craic was mighty on show nights. I, for one, enjoyed it greatly and really looked forward to it every week. It has been mentioned openly that wouldn't it be better for our 'survival' that the 2 clubs should become 1. No chance, it won't happen. One club, in the main, are totally against it. Why should they become members of our club ? At the minute they have all they need in our clubroom. The new routine suits us both it would appear, so in essence we don't need to be one club.

Idealistic, not realistic.......will never happen.

Just wondering if you've had a look through E-bay.....that's where I got my ceramic ones. Had a search last night, but couldn't find them again. Sorry.

Any idea of price of these rockets ?

What type, ceramic, wood, slate ? Any preference ?

Sorry, but it seems you're looking for answers and not giving any info to help these guys to try and figure your problem out ! Hope you get the problem solved......I'm out !

You were asked before as to what supplements you use. Can you list them ?

Best of luck to all taking part.

Buy yourself a copy of The Widowhood Year by Dave Allen. Take your time over the Autumn / early Winter to read it and take it all in. This will be a great reference book for your library. By the time late Winter comes around, you'll be well fixed to have formulated your own management system. OMO.

Yea, just seen it mate and was wondering.........Is it a good or bad thing that Y.B's in their first race are held over ?

NIPA liberated in Navan. Waiting for weather to improve in Mullingar & Tullamore.

'UV Fly Killer' is what I searched for on E-bay. I bought a couple of the 'plug-in' type. Very handy.

Mornin' all.

1st T & K. Mawhinney 2nd T & K. Mawhinney 3rd T & K. Mawhinney 4th T & K. Mawhinney 5th T & K. Mawhinney 6th T & K. Mawhinney

1st E. Murray 2nd E. Murray

Big well done Peter.

No

Mornin' all

1st E. Murray 2nd E. Murray 3rd E. Murray 4th M. Duggan & Son 5th M. Duggan & Son 6th E. Murray Great result for Eddie Murray. Keep up the good work