Tony C

I've got some broken ridge tiles if anybody wants to sweep them up, it got mine too.

We run it from a local tenants association club (no charge for hall). Family, friends, neighbors made up most of the numbers. We knocked up some tickets and charged £2.50 each entrance, this was mainly to give us some idea of how many people were going to attend plus covering the cost for the hire of the DVD & race tote tickets. I think the charge for these was in the £70 region, not 100% sure on that though. Can get you more info if you wish. Tony

We done a couple of race nights last year, worked out well.

To be the dogs wotsitsnames :o

No fixed time to start training, when the birds and weathers right I'll start. Have put them into the first race with only one toss behind them, would rather do that than rush them or train in those early east winds.

One Saturday club for me, trying to get a midweek club going though.

I remember reading about boiling up linseed and making a tea up with it, Can anyone throw any light on this?

Whats that Ray, the lead of the roof ;D

That make you a 'spotty' teenager then? ;D ;D

Welcome chucka & Steve.

Yes Bilco he is very approachable and more than helpful. He can normally be found working on a stand upstairs in the Blackpool show. Can also be contacted via this link http://www.poultryhealthcentre.com/default.htm

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Wings 04

Tony there was a case around here where a couple of fanciers took it to the centre, they won the day, the union ruled that you cant charge someone for a service that they may not use.

johno, I read an article where droppings were tested from a race pannier, some were found to be positive for banned substances. Either the article was cobblers or there are cheats out there. I've never finger pointed, whispered or accused no one of this but I couldn't say it has never gone on going by what has been reported.

I think testing is a good thing for 4 reasons 1) catch the cheats 2) as a deterrent 3) stop the whisperings/doubts against successful fanciers by having a negative test. 4) negative test on successful fanciers sends the message out that you don't need drugs to win big

I haven't picked up my Homing World yet so I cant tell you what sales I'll be attending. The ones I will attend though will not be one of the 'big' sales. These sales attract some people with more money than sense and in my eyes pay over inflated prices for them. I look for sales going on at the same time as these 'big' sales and see if anything there takes my fancy. If its value for money you want do the same.

Personally I think the we should be concentrating more so on targeting the older generation. More than not have time on their hands, an income & transportation. Its a fact that most people in the pigeon game got into it through a member of their family. By targeting the old'uns a good % of these will have grandchildren, no doubt they'll be introduced to the pigeons at some stage and hopefully a seed will be planted for the future. I would have glossy brochures printed in the 100.000s and sent out to Dr's, Dentists & Hospitals to be put in their waiting rooms, pay for adverts in gardening mags or whatever. Yes, its going to cost but word of mouth just aint doing the trick. We all know how it could be funded.

Dont fall for it Rick. If you give them your resiganation now and pay them again you'll have to pay this years fees on top as your AGM has passed,

This'll never happen but would it work? No prize money or cards to be won in club, (in affect clubs would just be marking stations). Prize money, pools, cards can only be won at fed level or above. Would clubs then merge as there would be no benefits to be had in remaining small.

Pigeon racing in the UK is in freefall. Maybe the unions should formulate a questionnaire and send it out to those that have quit in the last 5 years. Find out why they packed the game in, would they return if things were different. We need new starters coming into the sport but more importantly we need to keep those that are in it to remain so.

Sounds like the cock dont know if his an Arthur or Martha (van Geel) ;D ;D

I suppose the best way I can answer this is when I first handle a pigeon I sort of look away whilst feeling the pigeons balance, feathering, vibrancy. I next look at the expression of the pigeon, eyes beak head to be in proportion to the size of the pigeon. Thirdly I will look at the wing, again this has to be in proportion to the size of the pigeon. If I dont like what I feel first in the hand, no matter what other qualaties it has I will never like it.

I can only speak for myself, I go to meet old friends and make new. The actual show for me is secondary.

If they sh*t golden nuggets put me down for a pair

If I get in the first 1% of the result I'm happy, happier still if I win it