Profile on Harry Balchin - Jun 1999

Harry Balchin

48 Willoughby Road

Langley

Berkshire

SL3 8JQ

Tel No. 01753 547764

Catering For West of England Tumblers,

Exhibition and Flying Tipplers,

Exhibition  and Flying Rollers

National Federation

THE FEDERATION WESTERLY PROFILE

Fancier – Harry WC Balchin

Location – Langley, Berkshire

Harry William Charles with names like that you could well believe that you were talking to royalty, having the names of the first three in line for the throne. Harry is very proud of his names, in fact he is very proud of his surname and he informed me that the Admiral of the Fleet. was Sir John Balchin (1669-1744) and he sailed the Victory. The Victory was a first rate man of war and a ship of the line. The largest ship in the world at the time of its construction at Port­smouth in 1737 with a tonnage of 1921 bur­den. A beam of 50 foot and a gun deck of 174 foot 9 inches in length with a compliment of 110 guns and almost 1000 crew she was lost with all hands of the Channel Islands in Octo­ber 1744. A portrait of Sir John Balchin is in the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich together with a model of the Victory. At this point you could well be thinking that you bought a history magazine and not a pigeon magazine but that is how much Harry thinks of his name. Now more about the present day Mr Balchin. Harry lives in Langley, Berkshire with his wife Joyce. They married in 1958 and have no children. Harry has many interests, which include playing golf and, prior to an accident at work damaging his right arm, he used to play C8 but now he has to be content with a handi­cap of 13. 1 wish 1 could establish a handicap. Harry's local golf club is Datchet. Harry's other great love besides his pigeons is angling and he does so in competitions for British Airways, his employer for the last 33 years, having previously learnt his trade as a block printer with Sandersons Wallpapers for 13 years. Harry took great pride in telling me his best catches so 1 will list them here Tench 71bs 4ozs Best bag 172 lbs. Barbel 5 over 1 01bs his best 11 lbs 12ozs. Chub 18 over 51bs his best 61bs 2ozs. Carp 191bs 8ozs. Salmon 191bs and Cat Fish at 681bs from Spain. I think Harry was avoiding answering the questions, but here we go.

Q. How long have you lived in Langley?

A. I have lived in Langley for 21 years, it is very handy to Heathrow Airport where 1 work.

Q. How long have you kept pigeons?

A. My biggest influence in keeping pigeons was my Grandfather whose name was Hooper. He had Racers and flew the North Road from his house in Southall Middlesex. He won some of the best long races, his birds were even used in the war. 1 can remember being at the house when a bird came in with a message on the leg. Memories. 1 started with West’s ten years ago after seeing them at the Reading Show. 1 asked my friend to buy me four pairs of West’s. 1 tried to breed from them with no success. 1 then went to John Jones of Maidenhead. His advice was get rid of them, disinfect the loft, then come back, 1 was back within the week. John sold me two pairs of black balds and made arrangements for two pairs from Neil Thomson. What a start.

Q. What breeds did you start with?

A. 1 started with doves twelve years ago. 1 tried to fly them from a box 3 foot x 1 foot on the side of the house with no success. 1 would buy them, put them up there and they would fly away. 1 was green, 1 did not realise they had to have eggs first before 1 let them out.

Q. Have you kept other breeds through the years?

A. Not pigeons but 1 remember my brother and 1 kept canaries and English birds. That was before we went into the Army (RAOC).

Q. What breeds do you keep at present, How many birds and in what colours?

A. 1 have twelve pairs of West’s in all colours new and old. My Favourite are black balds. 1 also fly 10 birds from a small loft 6ft x 6ft. They look good flying, just like butterflies, the wings black and white and they tumble, what a great way to spend a summer evening or Sunday afternoon.

Q. What do you look for in your stud?

A. In my birds 1 look for good balance, very good muffs, low in leg, good pearl eye and most important to me a good head with a good back skull.

Q. Mat size are your present lofts?

A, My other loft is 24ft x 8ft with four 6ft x 8ft compartments. Two are with breeding boxes of 22ins x 22ins. Six in each.

Q. What are your future aims?

A. To continue to breed birds that people want. The best on the day, Best in Show and Cham­pions.

Q. Have you any tips for beginners / novices on the Flying Breeds?

A. Go to the best fanciers for the best birds. Talk to them, go back and talk to them some more. The more you talk the more you learn. Go to the shows and talk to the judges. But most of all do not have too many birds.

Q. What are your personal views on the fancy in general, show birds, fanciers etc.

A. In my view 1 would like the show season two months later. Why breed birds Jan, Feb and Mar when it's cold short days and very cold nights. My records say my best birds come in May and June when it's long days and warm nights. 1 would also like to thank John Jones for his help and his advice ‑ without John 1 would be still trying to climb onto the first rung of the ladder. Following some domestic prob­lems John and 1 are now partners so look out Jones and Balchin are about.

1 really enjoyed talking to Harry and 1 know he is too modest to mention it but winning Best Bird in Show at the South Coast Fancy Pigeon Show last year gave Harry a real big thrill. 1 am pleased that Harry has stepped in to encourage John; we cannot afford to lose good West men like John. Another feather in your cap Harry. 1 hope everyone is enjoying reading these profiles as much as 1 am preparing them.

Yours in sport.

DAVE WALTERS