were situated. These people were
real heroes as death would have
resulted if the enemy had known
of their brave actions. There are
also two mobile lofts that housed
the war time messengers and
when you take a peep inside
them you can picture the birds in
them even though it was over 70
years ago since the Second World
War and a century since the 1st
one finished. For anyone who
likes nostalgia I fully recommend
a visit.On the walls are framed
photographs of many legends of
the last century including the
much fated Cattrysse Brothers
with montages of their many
World famous pigeons that made
them the names on the lips of all
long distance enthusiasts and
their name lives on into the 21stcentury. A huge montage and
massive silver hand engraved
trophy won by Gerard & Michel
Van Hee the partnership that
were considered to be the best in
the World in the 1960’s-70’s.
Gerard’s National wins both on
his own and latterly with his son
Michel were truly record breaking
with no less than 16 National
victories between 1949 and 1982.
Truly mind boggling! Ever likely
their good friend the Welsh
auctioneer Charlie Miller
proclaimed Gerard to be the best
long distance fancier that ever
lived and who could really argue
with him?The picture though that I was
most interested in was the
montage of Huyskens-Van Riel
with their team that simply
obliterated the opposition in 1949
from Libourne 530 miles when
the partners sent 14 birds to the
race and they took 1-2-3-4-6-8-9-
13-18-42-46-82-97 in the
Provincial (458 birds) and 3-7-8-
10-15-24-25-44-74-208-237-434-
503 (2,331 birds) and at
International level where only
five birds could be nominated
their team finished 4-5-15-27-565
against 2,341 birds the very cream
of Western Europe.More wartime memorabilia.The fabulous Van Hee's and many of their champions photographed
by Anthony Bolton without a doubt the finest ever pigeon
photographer.The magnificent trophy won by
G & M Van Hee in their heyday.