I first started the doos in 1976, I joined the local club which had about 15 lofts the following year, it was soon time to ring my first ever pair of ybs. I was so raw and a bit nervous, the first one which turned out to be a big long cast dark cock, I managed to break it's foot putting the ring on, my neighbour, advised me to dispose of it but being only a lad I did'nt have the heart to, it survived the training and went to every race, in the last yb race (think it was Burtonwood) he was the only bird timed in the club. As a yearling he had 3-4 races and I decided to send him to longest inland race (Dorchester). When I got to the club one or two smart comments were made about me throwing it away, A yearling going to the south coast? Thats a mistake son etc. Away he went, the birds were up and it was a right Dreich day, I timed him around tea time and again he was the only bird on the day in the club and took a fed ticket. That pigeon with its gammy leg raced and regularly won tickets for the next 3 or 4 years but was eventually lost. His nestmate, a beautiful blue hen also won but was killed by a cat. What strain? Both sire and dam were strays which I caught using a landing net on my pals roof. Those were the days!