Plans for a new mid-week racing club for the West Cumbrian pigeon fraternity have been launched in Egremont.
One of the men behind it is Peter Bewsher, from a pigeon racing family but who only started himself this season – and won his first race a couple of weeks ago.
He said a start-up meeting will be an open invitation to all Amalgamation members to attend.
He said: “The meeting is for the organisation of a mid- week racing club for the young bird programme.
“I have spoken to the RPRA and the regional secretary, and to get this club off the ground, we require a minimum of six members and we already have those on board.
“The club will be a not-for-profit club based on a youth charity within our local community.
“Anything the club raises will be put back into a local youth charity – for kids football teams, rugby teams, boxing clubs, etc of the club members’ choice.
“In turn with the donations, hopefully, we get to introduce pigeon racing to youngsters and hopefully get some them involved to carry on with the great sport.”
The club will have its own facilities based in Egremont, its own convoyer, and it will be short sprint racing of 60 miles to 120 miles throughout the season.
The race programme will be confirmed by the members with input from the convoyer.
Peter said: “The racing will also accommodate the fanciers that work as there will be an option to basket the night before. A member will ensure baskets are watered until pick-up time. However, the intention is to basket for a same day race.
“Liberation time will be afternoon, so hopefully, all members can enjoy the opportunity of mid- week racing.
“Belgium, Netherlands, Taiwan and China have the biggest input of youth in the sport of racing pigeon and they are all racing twice a week with something to racing for. I understand the terrain is different, but that’s what the start-up meeting can touch on.
“This club will not interfere with any Cumbria combine/Amal racing and is looking for a good relationship to work together.”
