32 British Homing World, August 3rd, 2012

I recently came across a copy of a 30-minutevideo tape produced by a TV company in theMidlands, which covered the NFC’s race fromNantes in 1987. It was included in the series‘Everyone a Winner’. In my opinion this was, andstill is, one of the best films made on pigeon racing.Much of what was reported then is still applicableas much today. Indeed, only a reference to ETS ismissing. This is my first attempt at reproducing thecontents of a film in writing and therefore Iapologise if it does not meet the required standard.Those featured in the film (and there were many)included Alec Kew of Coventry; Convoyer JohnGoodwin; Assistant Convoyer Ronnie Bradshaw;Major Edward Camilleri; Tom Birch, the Secretaryof the NFC; the two main participants being JackAdams and Geoff Kirkland. There were many morefanciers on camera, the problem being there areno names to go with them. Nevertheless the endproduct is one of the best general films I have seenon pigeon racing.The scene opens at Louella Pigeon World and,

apart from filming the main hall and breedingcompartments, there was footage of ChampionPeter Pau (purchased for £41,000 in 1986) whoseyoungsters were priced at £750 each. Jack Adamstook his great-grandson around the breeding pens,explaining to him the very basics of pigeons. Thecameras then moved on to Jack’s loft with Jackstressing the importance of contentment, it beingthe number one component for success in pigeonracing. Geoff Kirkland, who was seen in hisoccupation as a monumental mason, explainedthat while his work was extremely demanding heobtained total relaxation from being so deeply

involved in pigeon racing. Geoffwas also seen inside hisspacious lofts and stressed theneed for attention to the birds ata minimum of twice a day butmore importantly, every day ofthe year. He added that hisfavourite for the NantesNational was the now-famousPest, and with a name like thatit is easy to imagine why.Alex Kew was then on

camera, seen obtaining 100rings from the RPRAHeadquarters at Cheltenham.We could see how these wereduly registered in his name.Back at Jack Adams’s home,Jack was seen completing hisentry form for the race whileenthusing that pigeon racingwas one of the most excitingsports imaginable. The focusshifted to the race markingstation at The Cattle Market atReading. Here the birds werechecked in, race rubbered andwing stamped. In those daysthere were only two markingstations for the National race,Reading and Crewe being theappropriate venues. The atmosphere at both madethem ideal for the social atmosphere that alwaysprevailed. Reading railway station was also usedby many for sending their birds by rail, one club

official making regular visits to the station to collectthe birds. Also seen on the film were the wives ofmany of the officials who dealt with the vastmajority of the paperwork and ensuring accuracy inthe entries. Once a member handed his birds overhe never had access to them again. Alwayspopular was the John Goodwin (Chief Convoyer)Weather Forecast table. Here, John was only toopleased to explain to members the latest weatherforecast he had for the Saturday liberation. Alsoextremely popular was the Jack Adams DiscussionGroup where Jack was only too pleased to discussany matter affecting the sport with the members.Indeed, Jack was always easily found by the crowdsurrounding him and the regular roars of delight (orotherwise) were clearly audible.Film was shown of the three vehicles’ journey

across France: their passage through Gavray wasmost impressive. During the journey both JohnGoodwin and Alec Kew spent some considerabletime in the cab discussing the sport of pigeonracing. The subjects covered would be of interestto fancier and non-fancier alike. The liberation siteat Nantes, located on the racecourse, provided allthe facilities for a good liberation site. The birdswere fed and watered on arrival (Friday evening)and John Goodwin was busy collecting all theweather information for the following day.The film then reverted back to England and

footage was shown of clocksetting at Telford, theneeds for this being explained for the benefit ofnon-fancier viewers.

National Flying ClubNantes Race 1987

Birds competing 10,445,winner M. King, vel 1435

by Brian Newson

A rear view of the marking station.

Wing stamping at Reading.

British Homing World, August 3rd, 2012 33

Race day itself dawned bright and JohnGoodwin was seen making his way to thetelephone for an early morning call to NFCPresident, Reg Jarvis. After a discussion on theweather both at Nantes and en route, a decisionwas taken to effect a liberation at 0715hrs, RonnieBradshaw making the necessary arrangements forthe baskets to be ready. Everything went accordingto plan and precisely at 0715hrs the flaps droppedto give spectators the thrill of a mass liberationwhere the pigeons performed to perfection. (As arider, the liberation of pigeons always attracts greatinterest from the public and in my opinion it is a pitywe do not give more attention to such liberationson race days.)The cameras then showed arrivals at the loft of

both Jack Adams and Geoff Kirkland and althoughthere was no doubt as to the two loft locations, noinformation as to timings was given. Nevertheless,

it looked good. The attention of the camera thenmoved to clock checking and the reading of dials atRedditch under the supervision of Tom Birch andagain, the reason for clock checking wasexplained. We next saw the Computer Centre atBirmingham where the results were processed,some 3,500 birds having been timed in. Prior tofilming, the secretary Reg Jarvis and his wife,Barbara, Alec Kew and Sid Davies, had spent anumber of days at the Centre processing the entryforms for input to the computer.The final part of the film dealt with one or two

questions to the secretary, the main oneappertaining to losses (for interest, returns hadbeen good) and strays – with the RPRA’sheadquarters The Reddings, and its GeneralManager, Major Edward Camilleri, being filmed.Major Camilleri dealt with a stray bird report andshowed that the owner of the pigeon received

notification of the bird’s whereabouts in a veryshort space of time.To conclude, background music was provided

by a brass band which suited the occasion to a ‘T’.On two occasions pigeons were shown in slow-motion flight and most effective that was, too. All inall I found it a most enjoyable film, one that wouldcertainly help anyone in promoting the sport ofpigeon racing.I have also been very pleased to receive a

supply of photographs from Jeff Horn of Berwick-on-Tweed which show race marking scenes atReading, round about the same time as the filmwas made. Certainly, the two periods are in closeproximity. The photographs highlight a number ofthe major aspects relating to activities at Creweand will be remembered by many. If anyone canrecognise people or places I would be pleased toknow the details.

Starting to load (could be a Jack Adams discussion group).Marking table in full swing.

In the queue at Reading. Another view of the queue.