Memory Lane

[Pompey Mick]

I was looking through some photos and thought it would be a good idea for members to post any photos of their first loft.  Here's a couple of photos of my first racing loft  built 1962 in the back yard on top of a double ,brick-built ,air-raid shelter half of which was in my Aunt Jessie's back yard. It backed onto a coal merchants yard a proper inner-city set up. I was a fifteen yr old urchin in those days.

[Pompey Mick]

In 1965 we were relocated due to Council redevelopment (Slum Clearance) to a house with a 60ft garden with open space around, Heaven. It didn't matter that the council tip was only 50yds away. It got filled in and grassed over eventually, the loft was to remain here until 1984 when the untimely death of my Dad caused the birds to be moved to my present address.

[snowy]

WOW

LOVELY MEMORIES FOR YOU I BET!

great pics,

i remember my very first pigeon coop

it was a converted double kitchen cupboard (with the double opening doors removed & wire mesh in its place, & it was put on a fence post in my back yard) i was about 10.

;D

[paul l]

CHEERES FOR SHAREING THAT WITH US THAT IS WELL GOOD MATE

 

 

                             PAUL

[ribble]

good pics,look how open the lofts were in those days.

[stevebelbin]

Bet there was no such thing as respitory disease in those lofts  

[Wiley]

brillant photos ill see if i can get my dads old lofts up when he was younga,lol as mine are still fairly modern for pigeon racing today only being a 1989 bornchild

[Pompey Mick]

The 1984 loft was a foot off the ground and had two floor grilles for added ventilation. We were 'Old Hand'  fans.  The left-hand half of the loft  was utilised when I had to hurriedly transfer the birds to my address when Dad died.  We had just had that years crop of YBs out for the first time so time was of the essence.

[Pompey Mick]

My first ever prize giving, the Hilses Invitation Club 1963, held in the Oakwood Pub (Club Headquarters) Portsmouth. There is still a club operating from that Pub now, 'The Parade.'

The members were at that time,

Back row standing L-R

Dave Brooks, Johnie Elliott, Ronnie Byng, John Morgan, Vic Morgan, Les Betteridge, Harry Harman, Jimmy Mellis, John Byng & Reg Betteridge

Front Row seated  L-R

Jock Hutchinson, Roy Johnson (My Dad) Yours Truly, Mick Johnson, Albie Fleet, Joe Hopkins, & Teddy Wells? Of that group there are only four fanciers still flying today.

[ribble]

nice pick,it looks like you had a good season.

[Pompey Mick]

Here is a photo of my very first winner in my first ever race in 1963. She won Dorchester (60mls) by 25mins

[Guest REDFOXKRAUTHS]

WOW THATS WAS BLIMING GOOD,I HAVENT GOT A PIC OF MY FIRST SHED BUT IT WAS A 6X4 THIS WAS MY SECOND EVER SHED(8X6)