In my quest to explore, I've started taking pictures of the pigeon fanciers down the road. I thought it'd be a nice look at what goes on round 'ere. They were flying the first race of the season this weekend, back up from Stafford. The birds, ringed on Friday night and picked up by the pigeon wagon about 8pm, flew back on Saturday. The winner was decided at 7pm Saturday by getting the sealed rings from the timers. Ye gads it's a precise sport. The fanciers seem pleased to be documented. They just let me roam round them with my camera. When I spoke to them, they were complaining that it's a dying, old man's sport, with few coming in to start breeding & racing. A bit like the area itself, in need of a bit of positive spin and loving attention.
So rather than just watch this sport, I thought I'd participate. On Sunday I got myself down to the pigeon auction at Greenlands, took some pictures, and bought a young bird. It's being housed by the person who raised the chick, Kev, who I think lives somewhere round 'ere in Ribbletonia with 60 birds and his family. Presumably the birds live outside.
I haven't named it yet. But it's got a white feather on its wing, which apparently is lucky. The auction was for young birds who will race at the end of the season, in September. The birds that have been bought are now in competition for a £3k pot of money. That could be mine! Especially with the powers of the lucky white feather. Yes, I'm spending the money in my head right now. Ok – so it was only £16, and I bought it cos no-one else wanted it. But supporting the underpigeon is preferable to one of those £80 show-birds, and my gran always said that God loves a tryer.
I'll post the pictures.
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