Passing of Mick Harding Previous 1st Open Pau NFC

[swilcox]

Mick Harding; One of the hardest things about being a young man in an older mans sport is the passing of friends and mentors. I have been fortunate through my short life to have known such mentors as Ron Nash, Dick Sparey and Harry Brooks, there time and knowledge helped mould me as a young man. It’s with per found sadness that I report the passing of another great mentor, friend and pigeon fancier Mick Harding. As a youngster I was drawn to Mick and his Brother Gordon, there knowledge, warmth and fatherly advice, helped me understand and develop my skills as a fancier and as a person. Mick was an honest man and a hard working fancier on both the north and south routes. A long time member of Carlingcott HS, Midsomer Norton HS and Radstock EWFC flying in partnership with Gordon as Harding Brothers. Mick was an accomplished pigeon man with the highlight being 1st Open NFC Pau in 1994 with Ashgrove King, there were many other winners timed to his small loft and in recent years his birds called Fareham and Fareham’s brother were always hard to beat. My fondest memories of Mick will be at the bar on a Saturday night with Gordon, Andy, John, Sid and Wishbone, 1 swish of the Toby Jar and down it goes, and he always set a difficult pace. A life long plasterer Mick was a big hard man who did not suffer falls gladly and commanded the respect of everyone he knew. Throughout his life Mick worked hard for his wife Pat and his Family and I’m sure they are immensely proud of him, I’m also sure that Gordon is proud of his brother and the bound they shared. I would like to thank both Mick and Gordon for the time and guidance they have given me as there friendship has meant so much to me over the years.

 

Kind Regards

Stuart Wilcox

 

[Guest REDFOXKRAUTHS]

RIP Mick