PIGEON fanciers are flocking to buy a book

PIGEON fanciers are flocking to buy a book about a disorientated racing pigeon that stopped off at the home of an Ashbourne artist.

Simon Manby, from Wootton, was inspired to write a story for his grandchildren after a bird stopped off on his roof for a four-day break while en route from France to Manchester.

Mr Manby, a sculptor, watched the bird from his studios and started dreaming up his story which he later illustrated and turned in to a children’s book.

He said: “I knew it was a racing pigeon because it had two rings, one on each leg.

“At first it was very timid and it just stayed on the roof but, after the second day, we were able to tempt it down with some seed and, by the third day, it was beginning to peck at my shoe for food.”

Mr Manby looked on the internet to see how he could track down the owner of the bird and found the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. He was that told the bird, which was traced to the Manchester area from its ring numbers, had probably lost its way or become exhausted.

Mr Manby was advised that, after a short while, the bird would recover and set off to complete its journey.

He said: “I gather if they come in to contact with a predator, like a peregrine falcon or something, they scatter and that’s what might have happened in his case.

“I think he just needed some time to regain his strength and get his bearings. We could tell he was ready to leave on the fourth day because he was looking north, towards Manchester.”

Mr Manby then set about turning the pigeon’s adventure into a story and began writing about a racing pigeon called Albert who became tired on his way back from France.

Albert stopped overnight on the roof of a house to rest and felt so welcome he decided to spend a few days there on holiday, to return later to his beloved mate Victoria – who had a surprise waiting for him.

After he had finished the story Mr Manby wrote to a pigeon fanciers’ magazine explaining he was about to produce a book, in a bid to track down the bird’s owner.

Members of the pigeon flying community started ordering copies of the book and inquiries came in from across the country.

Mr Manby said: “I was hoping to find the owner, that was the objective, so I was surprised and delighted it had such a positive response.

“A man from Essex told me he was pleased to find the book as there were lots of books about racing pigeons, but no books about them were aimed at children.”

Mr Manby, who has four grandchildren, said he might consider writing a sequel, focusing on Albert’s adventures after his holiday.

IANYOUNG wrote:

PIGEON fanciers are flocking to buy a book about a disorientated racing pigeon that stopped off at the home of an Ashbourne artist.

Simon Manby, from Wootton, was inspired to write a story for his grandchildren after a bird stopped off on his roof for a four-day break while en route from France to Manchester.

Mr Manby, a sculptor, watched the bird from his studios and started dreaming up his story which he later illustrated and turned in to a children’s book.

He said: “I knew it was a racing pigeon because it had two rings, one on each leg.

“At first it was very timid and it just stayed on the roof but, after the second day, we were able to tempt it down with some seed and, by the third day, it was beginning to peck at my shoe for food.”

Mr Manby looked on the internet to see how he could track down the owner of the bird and found the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. He was that told the bird, which was traced to the Manchester area from its ring numbers, had probably lost its way or become exhausted.

Mr Manby was advised that, after a short while, the bird would recover and set off to complete its journey.

He said: “I gather if they come in to contact with a predator, like a peregrine falcon or something, they scatter and that’s what might have happened in his case.

“I think he just needed some time to regain his strength and get his bearings. We could tell he was ready to leave on the fourth day because he was looking north, towards Manchester.”

Mr Manby then set about turning the pigeon’s adventure into a story and began writing about a racing pigeon called Albert who became tired on his way back from France.

Albert stopped overnight on the roof of a house to rest and felt so welcome he decided to spend a few days there on holiday, to return later to his beloved mate Victoria – who had a surprise waiting for him.

After he had finished the story Mr Manby wrote to a pigeon fanciers’ magazine explaining he was about to produce a book, in a bid to track down the bird’s owner.

Members of the pigeon flying community started ordering copies of the book and inquiries came in from across the country.

Mr Manby said: “I was hoping to find the owner, that was the objective, so I was surprised and delighted it had such a positive response.

“A man from Essex told me he was pleased to find the book as there were lots of books about racing pigeons, but no books about them were aimed at children.”

Mr Manby, who has four grandchildren, said he might consider writing a sequel, focusing on Albert’s adventures after his holiday.

Good little read Ian "Thank's". All on the positive side of the ledger I would say for our sport by Mr Manby. "Just think" a million copy's spread around schools & local libarys etc for all the kids to read about what we enjoy so much etc.