Stan Stephens

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THE FEDERATION TIP TOP FANICIER

You could be forgiven if you think that we have already visited Stephens in South Wales, yes we have eighteen months ago but today we go back to visit Ian’s father Stan, who kindly accepted the invitation to step in because of the lateness of a couple of replies (JJ, DC,JF). Since we compiled the profile on Ian he has now left home and has a house of his own, which he shares with his partner Linda, sorry Zoe (DW - I promise it’s the last time I do that one guys) so Stan was left looking after Ian’s birds while he arranged to get a loft at his new place. Stan joined the Federation when he decided to keep some Flying Tipplers so that he could enjoy showing some birds when he attended the shows with Ian. John Keepin kindly helped him out and he has already told John he is ready for that challenge this year. Stan’s first love is his racing pigeons (which ironically happens to be the same as John Keepin’s), which he has been involved with since 1969 and when he stopped racing them he kept show racers, which he still has today along with the Exhibition Tipplers.

Stan is the Eldest of four boys (60 last July) and the only one to carry on the family tradition of Pigeons from his mother’s side where his Grandfather kept and flew West’s mainly in black saddles and black & red balds. His uncle from his fathers side also kept Tipplers so as a boy he was never far away from pigeons. In 1965 Stan married Ruth and they have three children (Martin, Ian and Rachel) and at present three grandchildren (DW - hint, hint Ian). Kieran (8) is the eldest and is Rachel’s son, and then we have Thomas (3) and Katie (1) the other two grandchildren whose parents are Martin and his wife Catherine. Stan and Ruth have lived in Pennard on the outskirts of Swansea for the last 30 years.

Stan is a time served compositor (serving six years apprenticeship) working for the local newspaper for 35 years until being made redundant in 1992. Stan is a member of the Swansea Variety Pigeon Club. He was a keen footballer when he was younger and enjoys playing squash and badminton – his wife says he only played Badminton because the shuttlecocks were made of feathers - in the later years he helped with the training of the local youngsters with football and the boys club movement. At present he is trying his hand at golf but never mentioned his handicap

A. We have lived in Pennard, which is a village on the outskirts of Swansea for the past 30 years

A. In 1969 I started to keep racing pigeons, racing on the North Road and ended racing in 1994 on the South Road because of the trouble I had with the hawks, killing the birds around the loft, I started attending the shows with my son Ian who shows West’s and met you Dave and then you introduced John Keepin and his Tipplers to me. I was looking for something to replace the Racers and John kindly started me off with a few birds which I showed in 2001 at the Federation Bradford Show winning a few cards and got the bug which I then showed the birds at Bristol TTSS and the main Federation Show in Pucklechurch winning yet more cards.

A. In the past besides the Racers I have tried Long Faced Tumblers and Wolverhampton Tumblers but now along with the three pairs of Show Racers I have five pairs of John Keepin Exhibition Tipplers in Dun, Black and Cuckoo.

A. This year I have bred 14 Exhibition Tipplers in various colours and 6 show racers.

A. I have two lofts, both 8’ x 6’ and I am in the process of building a carport (24’ x 10’), but the car is only 12’ long and the wife keeps asking what the other space is for? Store Room, Deep Freezer or Workshop? Pigeons – I wonder!!

A. I like a compact, balanced bird with good quality feathering and conformation

A. I class myself as a novice when it comes to the Tipplers but I would recommend that you attach yourself to an experienced fancier in the breed of your choice and be guided by them and attend as many shows as possible and most importantly – Enjoy.

A. To breed a good class of bird that will do well at the shows such as Bristol and the Federation show and compete against people like Nigel Solly, Mike Horner, Steve Carey and of course John Keepin.

A. As I have said I am new to the flying breed and showing game but I must admit since I have started to keep the birds I am enjoying the competition that the Flying Breeds offer and I have found the people associated with Flying Pigeons to be a nice bunch of characters.

A. Over the years I have kept pigeons there are numerous people to thank but with the Flying Breed fraternity there is one name that sticks out more than the others and that is John Keepin without any shadow of doubt John has been most helpful with the birds that he has let me have and his help and advice.

I would like to thank Stan for stepping in at very short notice but I think you will all agree in the circumstances it is a very good profile and certainly gives you an insight into Stan. Next month we go to the south coast to meet up with a relatively newcomer to West’s but nevertheless a young man that I feel sure will make a big impact into the pigeon showing scene in the not so distant future.

Everything is now in place for the Federation show including the arrangements for delivery of the corn from Versele-Laga, we have also been fortunate to get sponsorship from a local pigeon corn and provisions supplier (A Nichols (Cow Mill) Ltd) all down to Trevor Dryden.

If you have not received your schedule by the time this profile is written then you will within the next few days and I would ask all members whether they are showing or not to return the questionnaire remember it’s your Federation and your chance to influence the future development of our organisation. The shows start in earnest next month so I will take this opportunity to wish all our members every success in the show pen and please remember it’s only a hobby to be enjoyed by winners and losers alike.