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#Post#: 457--------------------------------------------------
Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: Tony Chavarria Date: September 22, 2010, 8:55 am
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I ran across this really cool tribute article on Pensom and
thought I would share part of it here and provide a link for the
complete article. It appeared in the American Pigeon Journal May
1988.
Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons:
"...Although it was important that Pensom's essays were
unusually well written, stimulated the imagination, and were
widely read, there was something else about them that was far
more important. The techniques he described worked! Fanciers
discovered that when they applied the disciplined approach which
Pensorn had outlined, their success with the birds and their
enjoyment of the hobby dramatically increased.
Suddenly there was a clear, practical method for training
youngsters and for managing flyers. and a system (though perhaps
not so clear) for choosing breeders and matching them into
pairs. If one followed the method and the system, one reaped
rewards far in excess of that which had attended the haphazard
habits of the past. This standardizatio n of method, in turn,
gave a coherence to the hobby which it had never really had
before, a coherence which fostered far more interaction among
Roller fanciers.
The common frame of reference which Pensom had provided gave
fanciers a meaningful context within which to talk to one
another. They could now compare notes on the effects of varying
this or that aspect of the basic technique. Innovations began to
emerge, and the hobby began to progress. Roller clubs, Roller
newsletters, Roller books, in short, Roller culture began to
evolve at an unprecedented rate, and the lives of fanciers were
significantly enriched. To a great extent, this entire process
was sparked by a single individual, William H. Pensom.
Thus, another reason Pensom was so influential is because he
broke new ground in terms of the clarity and detail of his
essays, presenting a well-specified, functional approach which
served to bring together and then significantly advance the
hobby. Furthermore, he came to be identified with a very popular
strain of imported Birminghams to the point where the names
"Pensom" and "Birmingham Roller" became vitually synonymous.
Another thing that helped make Pensom a legend was that he was,
quite simply. an unforgettable character. Americans are always
impressed by people with English accents, their figures of
speech, choice of words, turn of phrase, etc., and this was, no
doubt, part of Bill Pensom's charm. But it went beyond that. He
was clever and witty, and he could be very entertaining.
For example, he liked to play the banjo and sing, and could be
cajoled, without great difficulty, into leading others in an
old-fashioned singalong. And although he held the exalted
position of world's leading Roller authority, he was never
haughty or aloof., he was always more than willing to talk to or
correspond with anyone. novice or expert, junior or senior, true
fancier or pigeon keeper, treating all with courtesy,
generosity, kindness, and grace. People felt good and had a good
time when Bill was around, and so he became influential among
pigeon fanciers for reasons of personality, good humor, and
charisma, in addition to his interest in Rollers.
Fanciers identified with Pensom even further because he was also
a "regular guy", a working man, a family man. He was not a rich
man in fact, quite the contrary, and he was faced with the task
of balancing his devotion to the hobby with meeting family
responsibiliti es in the same way that other fanciers were. In
doing so, he demonstrated that raising Rollers was not a trivial
or frivolous pastime suitable only for boys or hermits, but a
serious pursuit - a kind of calling - for mature, responsible
men with families, homes, and jobs.
Also, by example Pensom proved that one didn't have to be a
rocket scientist or existential philosopher to think
analytically about a problem or to write thoughtfully about it.
This encouraged other regular working men to venture forth and
to explore scholarly pursuits of potential relevance to the
hobby, to indulge in a bit of scientific contemplation, and to
attempt to express themselves in writing.
For several, this brought added dimension and richness to their
lives, and in some cases it brought singular meaning to
otherwise rather mundane existences. It is understandable that
they would be immensely grateful to Pensom for the part he
played in this personal self-actualization, and that they would
hold him in very high regard because of it.
Pensom is also remembered by many today because of the effect he
had on the formation of their character. Most likely without
being aware of it himself, Bill Pensom presented a wholesome
model of adult decorum to young fanciers who were teenagers in
the 50's and 60's.
It is clear now that Bill Pensom served as a very good example
to many youngsters of that generation, and that he had a
positive influence on them which extended well beyond the
backyard pigeon coop and their teenage years. His writings on
the simple subject of raising pigeons taught how civility,
scholarliness, and dignity could be brought to even the most
ordinary aspects of daily life. To a number of budding young
fanciers.
Bill Pensom came to represent what it meant to have an earnest
dedication to something, a disciplined commitment to an ideal.
an unyielding perseverance. These are concepts which apply to
life in general, not just to raising Rollers.
Finally. Bill Pensom's memory endures today because he endured.
Through four decades he was the preeminent figure on the
international Roller scene, steadfast and constant. Fads.
trends, and personalities would come and go. rise and fall, but
W.H. Pensom was always there.
While some of the finer details of his conception of the
Birmingham Roller changed over the years, his general
interpretation and view remained remarkably constant from the
1930's through the 1960's.
In other words, he stood for something that lasts. And although
it is quite easy for the contemporary fancier, with the benefit
of a modern education, to find the occasional illogical,
nonsensical, or just plain false statement in Pensom's writings,
the great mass of what he wrote is rich in practical wisdom and
insight, and it will continue to advise and guide the serious
student for a long time to come. Answers for the future are
often found buried in the past.
Bill Pensom brought a patient gentlemanlines s to the bobby of
raising Roller pigeons the likes of which we may never see
again. In a way, he was an ambassador from another era, bringing
attitudes and knowledge from the past to the fanciers of the
present. firmly but diplomatically pressing his cause,
negotiating new ideas and perspectives, all of the while
transmitting the values and skills of stewardship required to
assure the successful transfer of the tradition to the fanciers
of the future.
There was a real uplifting of spirit and habit, sometimes even
in other aspects of their lives, among those who took his advice
to heart and emulated his manner. And by the many who practice
the classic approach today. this gentle man of pigeons will
never be forgotten. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE
HTML http://pigeon00.tripod.com/tribute_to_wiliam_Hyla_Pensom.htm
#Post#: 460--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: BigShawn Date: September 22, 2010, 11:00 am
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Thanks for sharing Yony that was a great read. Shawn
#Post#: 503--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: Tony Chavarria Date: September 23, 2010, 12:06 am
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[quote author=BigShawn link=topic=70.msg460#msg460
date=1285171248]
Thanks for sharing Yony that was a great read. Shawn
[/quote]
I thought this article really speaks to what makes Pensom a
roller legend. A very good case is made that is hard to refute.
I would have really liked to have known him. :D
#Post#: 723--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: wannaroll Date: September 28, 2010, 4:52 pm
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Bill Pensom and Homer Coderre in So. California
HTML http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt248/jeepndave/WHPHomerCoderreatHomersloft1953.jpg
#Post#: 725--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: BigShawn Date: September 28, 2010, 5:08 pm
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Tony I would have loved to meet and talk pigeons with him. I
don't have anyone near me to do that. I have a friend from the
San Diego Metro Pigeon club that I'm a member of who helps me.
But he raises show homers. Wannaroll, that is a cool pic. wish
there was a shot of him and more of his birds. Thanks for
sharing. Shawn
#Post#: 6309--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: scott70 Date: April 21, 2011, 2:15 am
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thank you for sharing it is nice to see the man that did so much
for the sport and the love of the birds
#Post#: 6316--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: wannaroll Date: April 21, 2011, 10:02 am
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At least Homer is still around and active going to pigeon shows.
He comes up to Richard Apodaca's every now and then. He has some
amazing stories.
#Post#: 6319--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: Tony Chavarria Date: April 21, 2011, 11:18 am
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That's the Homer Corderre that a bit of my Ruby Roller strain
birds go back to and I have really begun to appreciate his
efforts to breed good pigeons. 8)
#Post#: 6320--------------------------------------------------
Re: Tribute to Wiliam Hyla Pensom: Gentle Man of Pigeons
By: Cliff Ball Date: April 21, 2011, 11:24 am
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Everyone of us owe a debt of Gratitude to WH Pensom, every time
we watch our birds. We only rise on the shoulders of those that
went before us. Cliff
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