Meeting Notes July/August
In order to catch up on the meeting notes I have added August in with July. On both meetings we had a good turn out, we had two entreating and informative quizzes from Irene who also supplied us with some goodies and the quiz rounds were also very informative. John, Moira, Val, Maureen and Peter read out the research work they had done which I will try and write up as soon as I can, the topics were quite diverse but none the less informative and entertaining some of them are included below.
We still have on the agenda a trip to the Railway Museum at Shotton, this had to be postponed because of the the groups holiday commitments. There are plenty of exhibitions and events coming up in September. Check out our members work below and if you have any comments or suggestion please get in touch.
Following our them of entertainment here is article from Iris about Pigeon Racing
Pigeons have long been considered an archetypal Northern working class male sport or hobby. This is disproved by finding Queen Elisabeth has pigeon lofts and is keenly interested in pigeon racing. It has been an important part of male working class culture in northern industrial areas.
Wooden pigeon lofts, made from waste wood and painted in bright colours to attract the birds have long been part of the working class landscape. predominately on allotments. Historians have mostly overlooked this activity and therefore missed the opportunity to study something central to the history of working class culture.
Pigeons offered not only the thrills and excitement of racing, but also the more intellectual interest and skills of the breeders and the rearing of Doves - Pigeons are indeed Doves.
Gentle handling by the breeders is necessary to enable them to be trained, contrary to 'Racers' who discard ruthlessly if they fail to win. In 1760's fancying pigeons, birds butterflies and bees developed from an increased interest in natural fauna. By 19th century the natural world was less threatening and once man wasn't in a constant struggle with nature he could enjoy his doves. However 'fancying' gave way to racing due to mans use of birds for business rather than pleasure.
At the end of the Victorian period, King Leopold of Belgium gifted pigeons to the Duke of York and the Prince of Wales, who showed great interest in racing their birds. The 'Times@ in 1899 claimed @since the Prince of Wales won the race from Lowick it is shown by announcement in daily papers there is every indication the sport will become more popular.
Long distance racing developed a new more 'reptable clientelle' The Newcastle upon Tyne Homing Society formed in 1892 and not untypically it included local Business men, Doctors, Innkeepers and Colliery officials. Yest the majority of long distance racers before the First World War were probably working class.
By 1905 North Eastern trains ran 'Pigeon Specials', so popular was the sport carrying 7 million birds during the racing season! During the 'Great War' the service of pigeons was very valued. They are loyal creatures and 'Come home to root' some manging to return with bullet wounds.
In the 1920's a decent bird cost 25 Shillings though the best one record was £225! so obviously 'Family' did without a lot in favour of the pigeons which mus have caused immense stress in hard times.
The pigeon loft was, for the most part, an escape and also a masculine enclave, through for some an opportunity to share family time. Though though to be associated with flat capes and whippets, as signifies of the working class northern male, in reality its geographical base is far wider, None the less it was an important part of male working class culture in the late 19th century early 20th century.
For allot of working class families, open displays of emotion towards pigeons contracted uncomfortably with the more suppressed relations men showed their women or children. In 1934 as one racer put it 'We fanciers are deprived of the joy of following the course and cheering on, our own favourites. Anticipation is the sole quality that holds us magnetically in bounds of faith and hope, for we only see the final outcome of our own birds efforts. Aye1 and what emotions are aroused thereby !'
When this racer received the telegram announcing his bird had been released on their race, he felt 'a throb of exhalttation' When he saw his bird approaching, he became 'Transfixed, Electrified; almost simultaneously, upon the small platform at the entrance of the loft, 'There is the bird of his dreams.'
Our next meeting will be at our usual venue The Into Newcastle University Cafe, 10:30 Wednesday 12 September.
