Background on Windmill View Lofts

Windmill View Lofts was established in 1993. Pigeons were obtained from various lofts, some gift pigeons and some from squeaker sales - probably the normal set-up style. Also some from my father-in-law and son-in-law, who had some outstanding pigeons. The aim from the start was to obtain quality not quantity. Furthermore, good pigeons were sought regardless of any strain or type, just WINNING pigeons. The distance that I wanted to win at was sprint to middle distance, so obviously pigeons fitting that description were found. A 14x8 foot loft was erected on the garden in early 1993 and the first youngsters raced to that shed at Crich & District H.S. The first race I competed in was on the 31st July 1993 from 64 miles (Harrogate - North Road), I sent 18 youngsters and won 4th & 7th Club, 195 birds. I won my very first race later in the year on 4th September 1993 with GB 93 C 18169 White Hen, she won 1st Club Hexham by over 100 yards/minute. She went on to win twelve Club / Fed prizes. I call her "My Favourite" - because that's what she is ! ! She is now 12 years old, but she still handles like a two year old and she is still laying - see her picture opposite, this was only taken in December 2005 - doesn't she look a beauty!!

I raced North-Road in various Club's until 1998 when all local Club's turned and started to fly on the South-Road. I did not race my old birds, but bred a team of youngsters, which flew fantastic. Some performances : 1 st Club, 515 birds, 83 miles, 1 st Fed, 2,201 birds; 1 st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th Club, 344 birds, 163 miles, 1 st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 10th Fed, 1,439 birds; 1 st & 2nd Club, 210 birds, 217 miles, 1 st, 5th Fed (Special Race - Winning £400); 1 st, 3rd, 5th Club, 130 birds, 108 miles, 5th, 11th, 15th Fed (Sent 8 pigeons); 2nd Club, 168 birds, 143 miles, 11th Fed, 1,700 birds.. etc.

In 1999 my performances were again very good, topping the Fed four times, plus many 2nd's.... Examples : 1st, 3rd, 6th Club, 190 birds, 143 miles, 1st, 4th, 7th Fed, 2,147 birds; 1st Club, 515 birds, 130 miles, 1 st Fed, 1,632 birds; 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th Club, 437 birds, 170 miles, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th Fed, 1,208 birds; 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th Club, 424 birds, 130 miles, 1st, 4th, 5th 6th, 11th Fed, 1,377 birds. Then came the BEST winning 1st OPEN MIDLANDS NATIONAL Seaton, 176 miles, 4,549 birds, vel 1546 yds/min - winning the race by a clear 14 yards/minute (2 minutes) with 3 out of 4 section winners in the first four Open positions - very fair race. Due to the outstanding performances the 'drug squad' paid me a visit ! ! I was pleased that they did, as it stopped all local gossip. My performances in these two years gave cause for articles to be written in the fancy press and I was asked to write for the Pigeon Sport Year Book.

At the backbone of my stock loft was a White Cock, GB 88 R 71360. He was bred by Alwyn Paddey of Doncaster, being a Herman Van De Weyer pigeon. He was a direct son of "Turbo Lightning", winner of 9x1 sts, 6x2nds, 1st Fed Sartilly e.t.c.. I paired him to a Cheq Pied Hen, of Van Den Bosche / Janssen Van Hoppe bloodlines. I called her "Honesty" and when paired to the White cock "White Hawk" they bred excellent pigeons in every nest. "My No.1 Pair." "My Favourite" White Hen pictured right is a daughter of this No.1 Pair. This pair are responsible for over 60x1 st prizes. I purchased pigeons direct from Alywn Paddey and in 1997 I purchased "Polly", a super hen and when paired to a son of the No.1 pair "Young Hawk", they bred my NATIONAL winner. Thank you Alwyn for all the outstanding pigeons ! ! !

At the end of 1999 I stopped racing. But I retained my winning bloodlines for breeding. In the late nineties I visited Frank Dixon in Liverpool. Frank was an old friend of the late Tom Dawson at Chesterfield of whom I was also a friend. Frank houses the Janssen pigeons & after seeing the quality housed in his stock loft, I ordered some latebred youngsters in 1999. These Janssen birds have crossed in exeptionally well with my 'own' pigeons. You will see this in the following pages - in the pedigrees / pairings of the stock birds. I also have a very special hen "Jemma", bred by John Kirk, being of the Van Den Bosche strain. You will also see some old Busschaert lines, being from Fountainhead Lofts from the Kirby Blue lines and pigeons from the old Coppi Cock lines. One thing is for sure, you will find very few "pure bred" pigeons in my loft - a good pigeon is a good pigeon regardless of strain. A fancy pedigree does not and never will win races. Good pigeons win races.

My Favorite