'Funny How Time Flies'

‘It’s amazing how times have changed’ is a common saying I hear from the more experienced members in society, but I never realized what it really meant. The year 2007 compared to the year 1907, was like two entirely different worlds in the sport of pigeon racing. However the ironic thing is that when researching England’s present and past, that they only mention disasters. But I suppose like the saying goes ‘No news is good news’, however the news of both these era’s are probably there only similarity, depressing.
I mention the specific date of 1907, as I am currently reading through The ‘Homing Pigeon’ Annual, and as I mentioned the sport is entirely different to what we know of it today. There was no mention of fancy methods, such as widowhood, celibacy, darkness and light systems, everyone stuck by the beliefs of keeping everything near enough as close to nature as possible. The fancier’s photographs were some what different, to what they are of today, fanciers never seemed to be casually dressed down at the lofts at 1907, but always seemed to be wearing there best attire, and had wonderful long and upturned moustaches. One thing is for certain the price tag on everything back then was a lot cheaper, compared to the prices associated with the sport today. I understand the price rates where a lot different compared to today but I would love to buy a pair of squeakers for a pound, in today’s day and age this would be an impossible mission to find top quality birds at such a price.

A few fanciers have already started to make a big impact on my own East London Federation, when viewing the federation sheet each week, these two names keep cropping up constantly. They have made an impressive start to the season so far. John Henderson & Daughter Carly and the partnership of Colin & Karen Porter of Mr. & Mrs. Porter, I must say there season has started of with a big punch, and on Colin’s article in the RP of the 18th May, he showed that he wasn’t afraid to give out a few tips to get the extra yard out of your birds.
A lot of the London and Essex area federations were on the Newark Race site on the 19th May, a comeback race before the up and coming London North Road Combine from Berwick. The Saturday for the fourth day running of the week, the weather man had got the weather wrong. The 19th turned out a beautiful warm, day and ideal for racing. The East London federation was up at Newark, which is 114 miles to my loft, at 7.45am in a south wind. I believe the winning times in my federation were in at 2 hours 20 minutes flying time, which I believe provisionally is won by Mr. & Mrs. Thorpe of Ilford and District. My own birds I was very happy on how they came and I had all 17 birds sent in a matter of six minutes.
The West Essex Federation were also at Newark, and there birds were liberated at 8.00am. Dagenham Trades Hall had fifteen members send 337 birds. There winner with I believe his second win of the season, was the Trades Halls highest prize winner last season, 1st T WILLIAMS, who has had a great start to the season gaining some top positions in his club. S VIALLS & SON was 2nd club this week, this partnership have also had a terrific start to the season with two wins under there belt. Taking the 3rd and 4th position in the club was once again T WILLIAMS.
Silverhall HS had five members send 51 birds. The Silverhalls winner in 1st place was F
BUTCHER velocity 1408, with the same pigeon they won the club with last week. 2nd and 3rd club was D O’NEAL velocities 1384 & 1358.
Well ladies and Gentlemen; think that’s it for another week from me, any news or views
don’t hesitate to email me at racing-pigeon@hotmail.co.uk Sayonara for now!