Nick Jackson

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THE FEDERATION WESTERLY PROFILE

Location - Grimsby, Lincolnshire

This month we have a touch a de-ja-vu. I remember back in 1995 when I was considering coming back into keeping my birds reading an article in the Feathered World from the Grimsby Fancy Pigeon Club on Nick and showing his beautiful black spangles on the front page in a line very similar to the photograph attached to this article. So without knowing it Nick you could say you were partly influential in me starting to keep pigeons again.

Although Nick now lives in Grimsby he is a true Bristolian like myself. Born in Bristol some 46 years ago, leaving to join the RAF when he was 17. His two younger brothers Vic and Mike still live in Bristol but neither has interest in the pigeons like Nick.

Nick lives with his wife Christian and is a Catering Manager. Nick’s main hobby is his pigeons and when you read his profile you will realise how dedicated he has remained to the pigeons throughout the years even when he was not able to keep them. Nick’s other interests include cooking, gardening and walking.

A. I have lived in Grimsby since 1981 after returning from Germany with my wife Chris where we both lived while serving with The Royal Air Force. My hometown is Bristol (origin of the West) where I grew up. As a lad my Father let me keep pigeons to keep me out of mischief.

A. I kept pigeons from about the age of 6 years; my Father would bring me all types of pigeons from Avonmouth Docks where he worked. I think my Father thought I would grow out of pigeons, as I got older. I then joined The Royal Air force when I was 17, this did stop me keeping pigeons for a few years but my love for pigeons was still there and in 1975 I managed to start keeping pigeons again at the rented marriage quarters. The Royal Air Force then sent me to Germany so again I gave my pigeons away to a good pigeon fancier. When I returned from Germany in 1981 I purchased myself a pigeon loft and I still keep pigeons in this loft to this day.

A. I started with Tipplers about the age of 13 and I was a member of the pigeon club at Staple Hill in Bristol.

A. I have always kept flying breeds, Tipplers, Tumblers (West’s) and Rollers. I did keep some racing pigeons for a short spell but then reverted back to West’s.

A. I keep mainly West’s but I do keep a second breed, which are three pairs of White Indian Fantails. I am a member of the Indian Fantail Club but I must say the West is my first love and always will be. I have sixteen pairs of West’s for breeding in Black, Dun, Red and Tri coloured spangles, together with Balds in Black, Dun, silver and Khaki. Khaki’s are the new colour in my loft and I hope to breed some Khaki Spangles in the near future.

A. All nicely balanced birds that are pleasing to my eyes. Deep in colour and well marked. I like a nice clean under carriage and short in the legs. Well feathered on the foot, a nice white eye, good head, nice soft feathers and in excellent condition.

A. I have two lofts. One new loft size 8 foot x 10 foot for my young birds. The second loft is 16 foot x 8 foot for my breeding pairs. This loft has an aviary the same size to give the breeding pairs plenty of space.

A. My future aim is to carry on breeding and showing West’s and to keep trying to improve my stud of spangles in as many colours as I can produce. I will continue to promote and encourage new fanciers to keep West’s because West’s in my opinion will always be top of the breeds.

A. There are many tips for novices. My best tips are don’t rush in to keep pigeons. Do your homework first. Have a good look round the pigeon shows. Go to as many pigeon fanciers’ places as you can and ask what costs are involved in looking after pigeons. Ask yourself have you the time for pigeons. If the answer is YES, ask pigeon fanciers to help you pick your first pair of birds. There are many things to think about, but at the end of the day you must be able to enjoy your hobby.

A. I enjoy seeing all the different fancy pigeon men and women at the shows. I always amazed to see all the different variety of pigeons at the shows and long may it continue.

A. I would like to thank the late Graham Beswick for the encouragement that he gave me to breed and show black spangles. I would also like to thank the late Vic Salnicki for the beautiful pair of blacks, which he sold me way back in 1992, which greatly improved my black spangle strain. Cheers to two great West men – who will not be forgotten.

Thanks Nick can I just reiterate that sentiment and remind our members that that any donations for a Vic Salnicki trophy would be greatly received (see last months Federation notes).