Fred Osbourne was a mentor for me in every aspect of pigeon racing when I was younger. A retired painter and decorator for the local council. When I first met him his wife had already passed away and Fred himself was in his seventies. Many hours were spent in Freds garden talking pigeons. One particular Saturday I was there waiting with Fred for his pigeons to return from a race when a swarm of bees descended into his garden. I was ready to vacate the garden pretty quick but Fred said “Stay still they won’t hurt you.” True to his word they swarmed on to an apple tree in Freds garden whilst his pigeons returned flying through them. I can’t remember if Fred won the race but it was an experience I have never forgotten.

Fred kept everything as simple as possible. Being a smoker all of his fag ends were thrown into a bucket of water and before the onset of breeding his lofts were sprayed with this concoction. Beer mats were soaked in creosote and put under the nest pans. Also all the privet clippings were thrown on the loft floor, all of which kept the dreaded red mite at bay.

One Sunday I remember going round and seeing all of his pigeons covered in grease. Fred explained they looked like this because all of the fat from the Sunday roast was left in the tray mixed with garlic powder and chicken mash then given to the birds. Come the following Friday Freds pigeons looked a picture.

Another time he had a red pigeon that had won several prizes was walking round the garden with something stuck in it’s throat. “ What’s the matter with that one “ I asked. “I think it’s got a bit of bacon rind stuck” came the answer.

Later in life when Fred was less mobile the pigeon drinker was placed at his feet on race day because 9 times out of 10 this is the first port of call for pigeons returning from a race and was easier for Fred to catch them to clock in.

With bird flu rearing it’s ugly head again this winter we will have to see if we are allowed to race. With only 1 suspected case in a collar dove way back in the nineties our racing will be curtailed until given the all clear. We are allowed to let them out to exercise and fanciers outside the restriction zones are allowed to race with pigeons daily crossing the restriction zones. If that make sense. It seems pigeons cannot catch it but DEFRA just want to control everything. If people want to see how me and Jimmy get on this year with racing drop me an email Flying Feathers@hotmail.co.uk and I will send them to the local community page online. Snowy and the Knocking Shop will have to wait for another day.

Until next time, John