Tippler History
(Internet Published) Nov 2000
I dislike the term "timer". The task of supervising a kit of Tipplers is not
simply a matter of time keeping. I prefer the term " referee" because this
indicates "judging" combined with advisory capacity based on a good
knowledge and experience of the breed. It does not follow that every man who
flies Tipplers must have expertise. It is remarkable how many people keep
pigeons in a state of perpetual ignorance, blundering from mistake to
mistake and making no progress.
The strictness and discipline which prevailed in the Tippler fancy in the
20's and 30's in Sheffield, England is illustrated by the following
account:-
The first local East End Young Bird contest, July, 1934. Seven competitors,
three of which had their lofts fairly close together in the Carbrook area of
East Sheffield. Andrew Atter, Jack Thompson and a novice called Amos
Grindley. The release went very well. The three referees joining forces at a
local vantage point on fields close to "The Pheasant Inn".
The trouble started when all three kits merged into one kit, totaling 13
birds. Sometime later, only 12 birds could be seen and for one hour the
missing bird had not reappeared. The senior referee, Mr Jack Hattersly said
"...All three kits disqualified" Atter and Thomson Accused the novice,
Grindley, and told him to take responsibility for the rogue bird, and allow
the contest to go on. Grindley refused because it could not be proven. The
bird returned and joined the kit but could not be identified. The
disqualification stood but all three objected officially and asked for the
refund of fees. The panel rejected the objection and would not refund the
fees, which had been paid one week in advance of the fly. There was a
disturbance and an outcry against Grindley, the novice. The President,
banged his fist down on the table and said "That will do I am having no more
of this. The ruling stands, so shut up of get out of the room". The members
immediately responded, the matter was finished and no one mentioned it
again. That was the way things were. If little else, there was order in
those days.