The history of the Magpie Club by H H Shrives.

The formation of the Magpie Club took place in 1885. Two years before this the first standard of the Magpie was drawn up by one of the best judges of the Magpie at that time. Mr P H Jones, with the assistance of two other well-known breeders, Messrs A O Mudie and F P Bulley.

The present minute book was started in 1906, and as I have no earlier records I shall have to start from then. The first entry is of the annual meeting held at the Crystal Palace on November 13th. A dinner was held in the evening to celebrate the twenty first anniversary of the foundation of the club. There were five branch secretaries in those days: East, West, North, South & Midlands. W C Lamb was Secretary and continued in office till 1920. He was followed by W Driver, who came from Cambridge. 1920 – 1927, when W Machin took over until 1930. E G Moorman held the reins in 1930 and 1931, when Geo. Cousins took over for the next fourteen years. W Machin was in office again from 1946 till I took over in 1953. It will be seen from this that with one exception, the secretaries have lasted very well!

In 1907 the first definition of a novice was made: Any exhibitor who has never won a first prize in any colour Magpies at the Dairy, Palace or Club Shows (novice and selling classes excluded). This remained in force until the present definition was adopted in 1920. The challenge cups in those day could be won outright by winning them a certain number of times, This resulted in the club having a whip round from time to time to provide new ones. The Stevens bowl, which is now awarded as the novice cup at the Club Show, was presented to the club in 1908 by Mr A Stevens. The Frank Lake Cup, which is now awarded for best Magpie at the Club Show, by Mr F Lake in 1935, and the Bracey Memorial cup, for best young Magpie at the Young Bird Show, by Mr S G Bracey in 1949.

After being discussed at the 1955 annual meeting, it was decided in 1956 that all cups, with the exemption of the three mentioned above, be sold and the money invested. The interest to be used to provide spoons for the Club Shows.

A bit of domestic trouble at the club show in 1910 led to the formation of the National Magpie Club, which continued until after the 1914 -18 war when it was absorbed by the parent body.

In 1922 the Club standard was revised and the present standard was adopted. It was at this meeting that the resolution was carried  “that in view of the increasing prevalence of wry tails, the Magpie Club hereby instructs it’s club judges to penalise severely any exhibits that may be shown under them with such a defect.”

Stained beaks have been discussed from time to time, and at the 1959 annual meeting it was decided that they should be severely penalised.

The first record of the affiliation of the club to the NPA was in 1925. This must have lapsed, as in 1935 the subject was brought up again, and the club became affiliated once more, and has continued to be so ever since.    (taken from Pigeons & Pigeon World Vol 10 No. 1 May 1960)

Characters

James William Wardell

Hartlepool Fanciers - do you know who they are?