Roy Partington

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First I would like to thank everyone that has phoned to say how much they enjoy reading The Federation Westerly Profile it’s that sort of encouragement that keeps me going. No Profile last month took time out to earn some money. I will be starting and running a new series as discussed last month called TIP(plers) TOP FANCIERS alongside Westerly Profile

This month we have gone back up North to talk with Roy Partington. Because of Roy’s occupation and location I do not get chance to meet up with Roy very often, But one thing you can be sure of if Roy is showing you know you are going to see some class birds. Roy always puts his birds out in fine order.

Roy still considers himself something of a novice because he really never started with pigeons as a child but was introduced to them by his father-in-law, who was a keen racing man from the north Liverpool area. Maybe this was the reason he married Paula some seventeen years ago!!! Roy and Paula now have two children a son Howard (10) and daughter Devon (7). Devon has been seen with Roy at shows and shows a great interest in the birds.

Roy has worked in the cut-throat business of High Street retailing (his words) for over 20 years and currently is Manager of the Littlewoods / Index operation in Manchester a multi million pound business employing over 120 staff.

The pigeon loft has become Roy’s escape from the pressures of the rat race something I think we can all relate too. He disappears for an hour or so each evening without being hassled by anyone or anything. His West’s have become his ‘Stress Relief Therapy’ or at least that’s the story Roy is sticking to.

Unfortunately Roy works most Saturday’s and has to select the shows that he can attend carefully. He usually makes a handful of Championship shows each year, as well as a couple of the smaller friendly shows at venues in northern locations. When work and family commitments allow he intends to travel further afield and compete at the likes of Bristol, Egremont and Reading.

A. We moved here six years ago when I was working in Leeds. Before that we had lived in Portsmouth for seven years and before that I had worked all over the country, from Newcastle to Ilford and various stops in between! Hopefully we are now settled for some time to come. I was actually born in Blackburn, Lancashire, and came to university in Leeds, so West Yorkshire is my second home, hence the choice of name 'Tudor Lofts' after the symbol of peace (the Tudor Rose) between Lancashire and Yorkshire after the wars of the Middle Ages.

A. It's eight years now since I was given my first pair of cross-breeds which lived in a small box at the bottom of the garden! This sparked my interest and enthusiasm to discover more about these fascinating creatures and after visiting the local library and finally tracking down Feathered World, I visited the Reading Show in January 1992 , having driven through torrential rain on the M4 to get there ! This was my first experience of seeing such a diverse range of weird and wonderful pigeons - I WAS HOOKED !

A. My first pair were cross bred, white birds, which the neighbours considered to be 'doves' . After my visit to Reading as mentioned earlier, my mind was completely made up to get hold of the breed I thought to be the most impressive in every way at that show, the West Of England Tumbler. Living in Portsmouth at that time, I was extremely fortunate to make contact with the most prominent and successful Hampshire fancier, Mike Horner, who invited me to his lofts and fixed me up with two pairs, Duns and Silvers. These have been the basis of my stud ever since; any success I have had since then can be traced back to those birds - thanks Mike!

A. The West has always been my first love, but I have dabbled with Schimmels and Wolverhampton Tumblers just to entertain the kids and have some birds fluttering around the garden.

A. I have exclusively Wests just now. I have bred from 14 pairs this year producing 36 young birds. I keep mainly reds, yellows, blacks and duns and I am developing and expanding the tortoiseshell pattern of which I now have six birds.

A. Very simply, they should look good and feel good. To look good they should have bold, powerful heads, bright pearl eyes, with a broad rounded chest, supported by a low leg and muffs of 1" - 1.5" . The wings should be folded symmetrically upon the back, giving good coverage and a tightly folded tail. In the show pen, I like to see a West with 'Positive Attitude', which really gives a bird an edge. Handling is of course critical, with balance, firmness and feather quality being the key indicators of a good bird.

A. My main loft is 12' x 8' divided into two sections. Onto this I have a flight of 12' x 6', making each section in total 14' x 6'. This allows for plenty of room and fresh air for the birds to stay healthy. I can lock the birds in either the aviary or the loft to allow me to thoroughly clean either without the birds flapping around. In addition I have just acquired a second shed, with a 6'x4' section for weaning Y/B's or special colour projects and a 6' x 6' penning and storage area - I can finally clear out the garage !

A. To continue to thoroughly enjoy every aspect of keeping Wests. To breed quality birds which can compete at the highest level and to help to set up at least one new fancier each year.

A. Firstly to walk the Championship shows and identify the breed that most appeals to you. Every fancier favours one breed and colour - choose the one that you can remain dedicated to for many years. Secondly, discover who the successful breeders are and talk to them to discover some of their methods and ways of working with the breed. When setting up a loft, always build the biggest you can manage, as space is always critical. Buy two or three quality pairs from different fanciers, ensuring the key points are visible across the stock purchased. By line breeding for three to four years you can then develop your own family of birds.

A. It is unfortunately obvious to us all that this is a hobby declining in numbers. I would like to see the NPA taking the lead in re-introducing the keeping of pigeons to more people by marketing all the positive aspects of the sport directly into schools, libraries and other public places, such as parks and gardens and even pubs. There must be opportunities to sponsor scientific studies at all levels of education, Which would create interest and knowledge to future generations. With respect, an amateur video of a few old timers sat in their garden isn’t going to excite too many people. Please give David Attenborough a call!

Roy has given some in depth and well thought out answers to the questions poised but like most pigeon men Roy is modest and would not mention his Federation win in 1996 something I know Roy is very proud of. I would also like to thank Roy for his help when I returned to keeping pigeons back in 1995. I was desperate for Creams and Roy sold me a Cream cock, which helped form the foundation to my stud. By the time you are reading this profile I believe the early shows will be well under way I would like to wish everyone a successful show season and look forward to meeting a lot of you around the pens. Yours in sport DAVE WALTERS