Trevor Dryden

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THE FEDERATION WESTERLY PROFILE

I can probably tell you more about this month’s westerly profile than most, this being that Trevor from Pucklechurch, Nr Bristol has been my travelling companion to most of the shows over the last four years or so, but I can’t tell you all otherwise we would both be arrested. Trevor is married to Doreen his childhood sweetheart and they have been together ever since some forty years. Trevor is now 56 and they have three children Tracey (40), Yvette (37) and Tina (34) and between them they have given Trevor and Doreen 9 grandchildren and the news is that this year they will have their first great grandson (yes they have had the scan) in December this year. Trevor was a keen footballer and according to Trevor a good one at that, playing for his local school (Cotham Park) and finally Bristol boys in the old fashioned inside right position. One of Trevor’s hobbies is fishing which along with course fishing includes deep-sea fishing and at one time Trevor owned a cabin cruiser based in Weymouth from where he would take out punters on fishing trips. Trevor has kept various livestock over the years, which have included Greyhounds, Rabbits, Canaries, game Chickens and currently Horses. Trevor had a lot of success with his greyhounds and one particular called Black Port (see photo), which had various open wins and held the track course record at Swindon for 14 years until they recently changed the course. Trevor started his working life as an apprentice painter and decorator but soon realised that his salary would not sustain a young family so started working for his Uncle’s business as a cost clerk and eventually a Tic Taker in his Uncles bookmaker business until his uncle died which is when he took up his occupation running his own Tarmac Construction company (one of the boys from the black stuff as they say) which he still does today. Trevor has various other hobbies one of which he enjoyed was artistic painting but he openly admits he was not on the scale of his brother-in-law Alfred Thomas now living in Canada whose work was recently advertised in the Feather World.

A. I am a true Bristolian and lived in Bristol all my life apart from the 7 years I had away working all over the Country. My Grandparents brought me up and we lived in the Easton district of Bristol.

A. I first became aware of pigeons from my half brother and his Grandfather (Jim Foster). Jim used to get me to take all the strappers on a Saturday morning to Gloucester Lane in the centre of Bristol where I got 6d (2½p) per pigeon unless it was feathered legged then we got 9d (4p). From the proceeds I would buy all his corn and get 6d (2½p) for going and the rest would be for him to have a drink. He became known as the strapper king. This was when I was eight years old and my first introduction to the West of England Tumbler. Jim offered to build me a loft if I got some timber which I acquired of the local builder who was pulling down some buildings nearby and true to his word Jim built me a 6’ x 6’ x 6’ pigeon loft on stilts which had steps up to the entrance. After I had been flying my West’s I was approached by George Houselander a well known Tippler Flyer to keep my birds in on certain Saturday’s when they had a fly for this he paid me 1/= (5p) my first earner and carried on for quite a while. I had the birds right up until I was 16 when I got married and although I wanted to keep the birds again this proved impossible what with working away and the accommodation that we were living in. So I never got the pigeons again until I was 26 and kept them right up until I was 43. It was then 5 years ago that I decided to get the birds again and that was after an absence of 8 years. Although I never had the pigeons I did keep other livestock and had my canaries in fact I think I must be the only person that flew his canaries out. This was after I had been out for a drink came home fed the birds and accidentally left the door open. Falling asleep I was woken by the neighbour saying that we had some beautiful coloured birds in the trees. These were my canaries and the wife got some seed and tempted them all back.

A. I have only ever kept West’s in all colours until I recently stated to keep a few Tipplers. But if I was to be honest I do not have the same love for the Tipplers as I do the West’s

A. At present I have about 100 West’s in most colours and 30 Tipplers in Bars, AOC’s but no prints.

A. As far as I am concerned it must be pleasing to my eye. There is a saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it’s like any livestock whether it be dogs, cats, horses it has to please me first. I am not one of these people that believe that a pigeon has to be big but I do like a cock bird to look powerful and have that presence no matter what size. My hens I like to look sweet and to a certain degree have a cocky tendency to them and slightly domineering. Once I have a bird that is pleasing for me to look at I then look for all the obvious things like width of feather, good pearl eye etc.

A. I have just purchased a new loft which is 18 foot x 8 foot divided into 3 compartments this is to go with my existing loft which is 15 foot x 8 foot which is also divided into 3 compartments but I will probably be taking this down later this year and I also have two breeding lofts one which is 8 foot x 4 foot and the other 7 foot x 9 foot.

A. In terms of numbers I used all the rings up that I purchased which was 80 West rings and 30 Tippler rings. I will only keep the birds that are better than I have at present because as you know Dave I am building my stud and I believe this is the only way to do it. I am pleased and feel that I have some promising youngsters this year but only time will tell and of course providing I can get them through the moult without any disasters

A. To beat Dave Walters, you know what I have said for a long time I think you have the best birds around and just to beat you would give me a lot of satisfaction and to watch you coming home crying. At present I am taking each stage as it comes but to win consistently at the major shows followed by best west in show and then of course making that first champion. These are my fist aims; ultimately I would love that feeling of winning The Federation show

A. Look for who is doing the winning and talk to them. If it’s convenient ask if you can go and see there set up, not just the birds but also the way they look after them is also important. It certainly doesn’t cost any more to feed a good bird than an ordinary one. Get the best birds you can always remember no-one is going to sell you there best birds but if you can buy the best they have to go and from their established lines then you are going in the right direction. Always remember success doesn’t come over night and it will take a while to get the right birds together. Always be prepared to listen especially to those people that are winning, remember it cost nothing to listen and it’s up to you whether you do what is suggested or not, you will soon learn who is giving sound advice. No matter what livestock I have kept I have always listened to those that have been winning and it has done me no harm especially when I look back at the success I had with the Greyhounds.

A. Can I just say that the first birds I bought with serious intent was from a Polish man here in Bristol and I paid £15 a pair over 40 years ago. I have got no complaints the birds were brilliant but the birds today are no less than they were then and I think there are some excellent birds on display. When I came back I went to see Terry Gerrish and I thought his birds were good and he put me in touch with yourself and you know what I think of your stud and I think the birds have improved. Sometimes I do get despondent when I go to the shows and hear people saying there are only one or two good birds here as I said before what pleases one man certainly doesn’t please another. After all we would all be chasing the same woman if that were the case. I must be honest I don’t like all the bickering that goes on, I don’t believe that life is a rehearsal and that we are only here once so let’s help one another where we can. Treat others as you want to be treated yourself. Of course like everyone else I am concerned about the limited number of youngsters that are taking up pigeons as a hobby. It was pleasing to see The Federation show was such a great success after all the effort that was put in and I can only see going from strength to strength. What I would like to see is prize money or a momentum for the winners of The Federation show after all it’s not something that most of us are going to win year after year.

A. I would like to thank Terry Gerrish for his help when I first came back into the fancy, and Colin Hawkins after our first contact I thought he was a miserable (shall we just say) person but after some straight talking I get on with Colin very well, he really is a character all on his own. Mainly though Dave I would like to thank you for the best birds I have had from anyone since coming back into the fancy and also your comradeship and help that you have given over the years, but remember I am out to beat you it’s my main aim. (Good luck to you Trevor, you deserve it– DW). I of course want to thank my wife Doreen for all her support which really peaked last year when she done us all proud with the catering at last years Federation show. I have got to keep her sweet and hope I can convince her again this year. Most people I have met going round the shows have been really good to know and rather than risk leaving anyone out I am not going to list everyone but just say “This is what makes the sport what it is and I am looking forward to doing battle again this year.

Thanks Trev not too many secrets given away. Well a couple of weeks and we will all hoping that the birds we bred this year will be good enough to win. I look forward to meeting up with the many friends that I have made within the pigeon fraternity. Can I please ask those that have promised donations, cups or specials for this year’s ‘ test for the best’ show please let Ian or myself know to make sure that we don’t get any doubling up of trophies and that they can go on this year schedule.