Dear fellow fanciers,

Traveling from Dublin in the Emerald Isle, three Irish men arrived in Belgium for a weekend of 100% pigeons, my first time, I was very excited.

Arriving in the darkness of Brussels International Airport we made our way to Nijlen, to the home of Swa Van-Der Weele, our driver for a couple of days. Upon arrival his wife had prepared a fantastic dinner for us and subsequently after hours of talking about many subjects including good pigeons, even better fanciers and their methods, before we knew it the night was over. Sleeping very well it seemed no time at all until 7am. Enjoying or first breakfast of ham, eggs, cheese and coffee we set of in what can only be classed as a bitterly cold January morning to Antwerp.

I was still very much up for it and looking forward to our first visit. A fancier who we knew had a very fine set up, lots of pigeons, good results, but I didn’t feel excited about them just - didn’t have the spark for me. So saying our good byes we went to a second loft and before we knew it on to our third. The third loft had a very big reputation but his pigeons for me didn’t fit the bill, don’t ask me to explain it, just not for me. There were several hundred pounds spent at this gentleman’s loft with many fine pigeons purchased, but just not for me. Time was starting to press on 3.30pm, my feet more like blocks of ice at this stage. When the mention of another loft visit came up, my heart sunk, feeling sorry for myself, I just wanted to go to our hotel.

But we were heading in one direction to 6 St Paul Street in Retie, on our arrival a small man came around the corner of a very pretty house, fantastic gardens, brick built and timber lofts well placed to catch the sun and line of flight, all very tidy indeed. Good Afternoon in Flemish, hello’s over, out of the home came a very fine lady Willy’s wife Maria. She was out to explain that tea would be ready in 20 minutes, so we decided to look at some of the pigeons until then. To be honest I would rather have spent that time over Belgian Chocolate, cakes and coffee. Willy Van Herck doesn’t speak English so we were lucky to have Walter Verbinnen with us, a pigeon player himself, but also a member of the Belgium Fed KBDB drug enforcement team.

Walter was a great help. Willy explained that most of his birds were now coupled (starting around 28th November) as rings were now available in Belgium on 1st January each year. We initially started viewing through an aviary six late breds from 2001 and seven stock hens which he had taken eggs from before he was planning to put back to the stock pens.

Willy, Gerald, Pat, Walter walked on down the garden towards the widowhood lofts, but I couldn’t leave that aviary, the quality, condition and the pure beauty of these birds was unbelievable. I called on Walter to ask Willy if it was possible for me to view the pigeons in the aviary, Willy made his way back up the garden and I handled all 13 pigeons, the other lads were looking around the widowhood lofts. The feelings of cold and hunger had left me, at that moment I knew these pigeons were for me.

Willy’s wife Maria called up the garden to let us know that tea was ready, heading back I asked Walter to see if Willy would sell me some pigeons, to my surprise he agreed, so I purchased four late-bred’s, two cocks and two hens, this began my love for the birds of Willy Van Herck.

Now in Willy’s home he began showing us many photos of all his Ace Birds KBDB, Zuiderkempen and Antwerp Union. Willy is no stranger to success, flying in his local club of 80 members he has been Top Prize-winner 11 x times, 9 x times runner-up and twice 3rd top prize winner all in 21 years of racing. Also he currently is the only fancier in Zuiderkempen to win the Championship three years in a row. Not even the great Karl Meulemans could manage that! The Zuiderkempen has 1,000 members plus, sending a weekly birdage of more than 3,000, but only the best birds are sent with the average per loft being between four and ten.

With the Belgium trip at an end it was time think and really study the four new additions to my stock loft, it became very aparrant that they were miles better than anything I currently had in there. It was time to make a move and obtain more birds from Willy Van Herck. After many phone calls to Walter it was agreed that I would have 10 Young Birds bred from Willy’s best.
The 10th of June bred young birds arrived in July, two days later I booked a flight to Belgium. With the Ring Numbers of the parents in hand to rely on. With the arrangements made I meet up with Walter and headed to Willy’s Home were we were to spend 7 hours in negotiation. I left with the best 5 pairs of stock birds. Next time I was to return in January 2003 Willy had a new car, he called it Philip.

Over the past 10 years I have made nine visits to Willy Van Herck in Retie. I bought three Ace Pigeons, parents, also the mother of Gerald’s Ace Hen of all Belgium, also a breeding hen. Sisters, brothers of all the Champion Birds, as well as many stock birds. Currently at the moment I have 81 direct Belgium rung Van Herck some are nearing their end being as old as 1993, but I have many children from the older stock and I have a further 20 bred by Willy and unpaired, these are for the future.

The base of this family are 30% Van Herck, 30% Jos Van Der Veken 20% Karl Meulemans 10% Theo Ysheut, 5% Van Gestel and 5% Frans Arijs, all at the top of the pigeon sport.

Being in Belgium so many times I also have got 26 Jos Van Der Veken birds at stock, one full round of his stock birds booked with a 2 year waiting list, and six originals from Willy Van Herck. This is the single most under rated pigeon player not in Belgium, but in British racing circles. Jos’s bird can and are found in many of the best players in Belgium - Flor Vervort, Reme Demy, Kees Bosch, Kris Van Massenhoven, August Van Hove and many more.
Vanleestpeeter Champion of all Antwerp. 8,000 members I have also 10 very good birds sons and daughters of Prins Charles, Young Bobby half brother to Bobby etc.

Willy Van Herck (Results)

Zuiderkempen (North & East Antwerp) 1,000 + Members

2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Champion. 3rd in 2004 and 6th in 2005.

Retie Club 80 Members

CHAMPION: 1982, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005. Runner-up 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2004. 3rd Place in 1994 and 1995. Many Ace Pigeons in Zuiderkempen and KBDB.

Van Leest Peeters

5 x Times General Champion Nijlen (Biggest Club in BELGIUM)
2 x Times champion Middle Distance Lier
3 x Times General Champion Middle Distance Lier
2 x Times General Champion Antwerp Fond (Long Distance).
Winner Golden Duif 2002
Runner-up Golden Duif 1999
All Round Champion Antwerp Union 2003
All Round Champion Antwerp Union 2002
Winner KBDB National Champion Long & Middle Distance 2003.

Jos Van Der Veken - Possibly Best Unknown (British) Player

Winner of MANY Championships, many times winner Provincial Champion ANTWERP. Family of bird have been base of many well known names in present day BELGIUM.
A very shy and unconcerned type of fella, with a fantastic family of birds.

Yours In Sport,

Philip Boal

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