Pigeon racers keen for more events in 2022

National Flying Club chief convoyer Dom McCoy said the club had received a warm welcome to the island this year and that his members had enjoyed coming to Guernsey.

Over the course of 2021, thousands of NFC birds have taken part in races during three visits to Guernsey, including pigeons owned by the Queen.

‘We will be back in Guernsey next year,’ said Mr McCoy.

‘At the moment, we are provisionally booking for three times, but it could be five times.’

The island was also a great location for the NFC, he said, with a final decision on the number of visits to be made at the club’s annual meeting in January.

‘It is a relatively short crossing to the UK, so it is good for getting our birds used to flying again. We always get a warm welcome when we go to Guernsey.

‘We, at the NFC, have over the years been to Guernsey numerous times and are always greeted by residents, and we are always happy to talk and answers numerous questions that the local residents ask us.

‘We are also always supported by lots of local residents and also fellow pigeon fanciers who live and race on the lovely island.

‘We look forward to returning and carrying on with the great relationships we have formed with the wonderful people on Guernsey.’

The most recent NFC visit to Guernsey saw more than 3,500 birds released, including a number owned by the royal family, from Pembroke to race to their home lofts in the UK.