Pigeons
In order to see this content you need to have both enabled and installed. Visit for full instructions
"It was my job to wait for the stragglers to come home." At sixpence a bird, Dianne's loft life had become a lucrative little earner!
Transcript
"I never really liked pigeons. My interest was purely material. They were a source of income.
We always had to share my father with his birds. He had kept them since the age of six, he knew the pedigree and character of each bird.
His loft was on the mountainside behind the house. Every day, after dinner he would go there. While they exercised he would clean the loft. Then sit and watch them for hours.
On Friday evening, I would watch him carefully select the potential winners. Holding each bird facing his chest, their feet between the first and second finger, he would place a numbered rubber ring on to one of their legs. They were then put into a wicker basket and taken to the station, for the long journey to the race start.
On Saturday, once he knew the birds had been released, I was only allowed near the loft, if I promised to keep quiet and stay out of sight in the 'look out cot.' I would watch the exhausted birds, tumble out of the sky, diving into the passage way that divided the loft into two. Once inside, my father would quickly retrieve the rubber ring, place it in a metal thimble, then into the pigeon clock, that recorded the time of arrival.
Once three or four birds were home, he would set off down the club, to open the clocks.
Before leaving, he would describe the birds that were missing. This is where I became important. It was my job to wait for the stragglers to come home. Just as he did, I closed the door once the bird was in the passage and ushered it through a sliding door in the bottom of the partition wall, so it was not be tempted to go out again.
For every bird, I was given SIXPENCE. I loved helping Dad, but I have to admit that I was more interested in the cash. Any pigeon that landed got a warm welcome from me whether it belonged to dad or not."
An interview with the author
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I have lived in the Rhondda Valley all my life, 30 years of which I have been married to Andrew. I enjoy writing children's stories and, after months of practice, became able to draw pictures on the computer to illustrate them. I've been a teacher, bookkeeper, barmaid and gardener. But for the last eight years have worked in a supermarket. While checking some fruit and veg, I realised the tomatoes had travelled further than I had. This sparked off my love of flying.
What's the story about?
My observations and involvement with my father's hobby of racing pigeons. I would watch him go through the process of selection the day before the race. Then, keeping in the background, I would share his excitement as they returned. I loved helping my father and encouraged by the chance of extra pocket money, I was responsible for the late comers, making sure they were safely back in the loft.
Why did you choose to tell this particular story?
I hope it illustrates the confidence and trust my father had in me as a young child, which allowed me to share his happiness.
What did you find most rewarding about the workshop?
Having never written a 'grown up' story before, it gave me the confidence and belief I could write. My story took on a different outlook. Surrounded by such an enthusiastic team, I soon realised, with the technological skills they were only too willing to share, my collection of ordinary photographs were brought to life. Image and sound combined to produce something I am really proud of.
