| The
Busschaerts
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The Busschaerts have made their mark on
British pigeon racing history and, like
the great Slabbinck another Belgium born
fancier with British connections, they
are assured of an honourable place in
it because of the successes which flew
from this remarkable family. A family
capable of winning again and again as
the records show. One can recall the names
of fanciers in Britain who successfully
raced Busschaerts such as the Larkins,
Henson, Palmer and Duncan to name but
a few. And as R. Kirkbride who flew them
with success once wrote 'I don't think
there will ever be a type, family, call
it what you will, of birds, put together
by one man to make such an impact on competitive
pigeon racing in this country again. 'A
view shared by quite a number of others.
As a family the Busschaerts took to the
British fancy and although defined as
a sprint and middle distance type its
representatives have flown well at the
distance into Britain and Ireland. The
phenomenal success of Ireland's, Ron Williamson,
with his Busschaert family is known world
wide.
Georges
Busschaert was born on the 12th of May
1911 and was one of three brothers and
one sister well known in Belgium's industrial
society. They opened a textile manufacturing
plant in England and as a fervent pigeon
fancier Busschaert made the connection
with their lofts in Belgium and the sport
in England. Georges ran the company's
plant in England and through his various
duties met many English fanciers which
eventually ensured the coming of many
of his pigeons into English lofts, and
from there into the rest of Britain and
Ireland.
While
in England Busschaert went into partnership
with Gil Duncan of Deal and this perhaps
was the opening for the successes of the
breed in Britain for in the late 1950s
and early 1960s the partners birds had
reaped a harvest of approximately 150
1sts, while breeding great birds such
as 'the Coppi cock' and 'The Crack', etc.
As the years passed however the plant
in England was eventually sold and Georges
returned to Belgium where he won races
galore and was unbeatable upto 400 miles.
The contacts he made in England however
were not forgotten and many visited Georges
loft at Beveren-Leie and bought what they
required.
There
appears some vagueness about the roots
or base of the Busschaerts but apparently
the Commines (which I have written about
in this series) have been an input along
with Vandevelde, Nachetregaele, and Baele
bloodlines. In later years other crosses
were brought into the family from Doetreloigne,
Declerc and De Klinge... and these led
to the winning of 1st National Limoges
twice, 1st National Perigeux, 2nd National
Cahors, 3rd National Brive, 5th National
Cahors, 33rd San Sebastion International
and 27th Barcelona International. Thus
reflecting the genius of Georges Busschaert
as a pigeon breeder and racer!
In
partnership with his brother- in- law,
Albert Nuttyens, Georges Busschaert moulded
a family of pigeons who came in various
shapes and sizes but possessed many winning
genes. Thus was ignited a fire that is
still burning for here in Derry City,
Ireland, a few weeks ago (11-6-2005) a
Busschaert owned by Liam Hegarty and Son
won a tough race from Bude in Britain
at a distance of 300 plus miles (only
4 birds in the Fed' on the day of liberation).
Yes, the fire lit by Georges Busschaert
is still burning as we traverse a new
millennium and long may it continue.
by: Liam O Comain
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