Obituary - Ollie Gittens (Bude), Cornwall

[willie reynolds]

Death has occured of a good friend Ollie Gittens (Bude, Cornwall) RIP
Ollie was a big part of the pigeon scene in Northern Ireland, checking weather for English and French races for over 40 years. Ollie was a friendly character who made many friends and enjoyed his visits to Ireland, never failing to keep in touch, RIP to a good friend and top Pigeon Fancier x
Sending Condolences to Ollies Family at this sad time. Jim McCrory Convoyer (retired).

OLLIE GITTINS, BUDE .

It is with a sad heart that I report the death of Ollie formerly of Bude RPC who died this morning in Barnstaple Hospital . A friend for over thirty five years and one of life’s great characters. They certainly broke the mold when they made Ollie . I could write a book about the times we had travelling the country , Ireland and Belgium for all things pigeon , horse and dog related . A real life Greengrass character he was a great stockman whether it be with pigs , poultry, dogs and in particular pigeons . His team of busschaerts were almost unbeatable in the eighties and nineties as many old WECA fliers will remember. He had the knack of picking out what would be a good stock bird and getting the best out of their offspring . He was a great friend to many fanciers in Northern Ireland where he visited every year namely Jim McCrory and Davie Black plus many more . I accompanied him to the Irish flying club dinner where he was guest of honour many years ago , such was his relationship with the Irish fanciers . Ollie was one of the earlier convoyers for the WECA and traveled the continent with the birds . He could talk to anyone and on one of his journeys as a long distance driver called in on Jim Biss where a butler opened the door to him . He asked Ollie who he was, what he wanted ? Ollie said “ Ollie Gittins from Bude , come to see Jim Biss I’m a pigeon man . He said Jim Biss came to the door , welcomed him in and showed him the lofts and his champions . Ollie regarded him as the best fancier I the country at that time . We will never forget Ollie and the stories around him will be talked about for a long time . Condolences from Bude club members go to wife Val , daughter Paula and family and sons Ivan and Glynn . RIP Ollie . Paul Gunning