By Alan Roscoe

On the one hand sits our Euro fanatic 'Franc' who believes that everything 'pigeon' about Europe is streets ahead of the UK. Every bird with a European ring is a world beater which will excel in both the show pen and the breeding loft. On the other hand sits Fred our 'Little Englander' who wouldn't have a European bird given to him (not a pigeon anyway). He contends that the continentals have never given us anything worthwhile in any aspect of life and this is especially the case with pigeons.

After all don't they, for instance, have those silly comment and grading cards instead of the far better system of First, Second and Third prize cards used here. Fred doesn't want somebody giving his bird 'points', he wants a prize card to show he has beaten his fellow competitors. After all you can't brag to the neighbours with a grading card but a prize card . . . now that's the thing. Yes, but what about the quality of the judging, queries Franc. You know that to judge in Europe and award high grades the judges have to be qualified, tried and tested - literally! They have to really know what they are about. Fanciers don't find themselves judging after very little time in the hobby, they have to learn their 'trade'.

Who wants to go back to school? Retorts Fred mockingly, we just get as many names as we can on our judging lists so that we can all show as often as possible without any inconvenience. It is not up to me to be concerned with the standard of judging (except when I don't win). The breed clubs and show organisers can sort all that out. It is the competition and beating your fellow fanciers that counts; if I win I must have the best birds and that's what matters.

Our European supporter is bemused by this attitude. It is obvious that winning regardless of quality is all you are concerned about, not standards of excellence or the progress of your breed. After all, many fanciers in Britain keep lots of breeds and even those with fewer breeds will keep a multitude of different colours. How can it be possible to improve quality on so many fronts? Most continental fanciers will keep a single colour of one breed only. He will strive for years to move towards the standard of excellence. This is real pigeon breeding and showing he says, it is not beating others which is important, it is testing your own efforts against the standard. Look at the attitudes towards judging, Franc continues, warming to his task. In Europe it is regarded as an honour to be asked to judge whereas to many in the UK it is simply a chore to be avoided at almost all costs.

Fred must respond. What about our shows? We have plenty of them and very rarely are they longer than a day's duration. Let's get in, let's get the prizes and let's get out, that's the thing. After all there is another show in a few days time. This is far better than messing about for days on end, taking birds on, say, a Wednesday and not being able to get them out again for maybe three or four days. Who wants that? Not to mention the entry fees which might be the equivalent of £6-plus per bird. (If you concentrated on quality instead of quantity it wouldn't matter, Franc mutters under his breath.)

Franc then interjects and points out the massive entries at major European shows, the careful and dedicated judging, the use of comment cards which ensure both detailed judging and are helpful for the exhibitor, as well as the many trade stands and associated pigeon activities at a big show. All these are topped off by a much better level of 'presentation' and sense of occasion. This is the way, says Franc.

An extract from the June 2004 issue of Feathered World

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