South Yorkshire Times, May 23, 1959

Ex—Polish Refugee is now Highgate’s Keenest Fancier

Had Never Seen Pigeon Flown Until He Came to England

One of the keenest members of Highgate Homing Society is ex-Polish refugee Basil Rudnyckyj, of 33, Straight Lane, Goldthorpe, who had never seen pigeons being flown until he came to England ten years ago.

So intrigued by the sport was Basil (34), a pan turner at Goldthorpe Main Colliery, that he decided to make it his hobby. It was not until early last year, however, after he had met Society members, that he really took pigeon flying seriously.

Early and Late

Now wild horses could not drag ‘Basil away from his allotment in Barnsburgh Lane Gardens, Goldthorpe. Indeed he spends most of his spare time there. Shift work does not deter him. When on the afternoon shift he goes to the allotment early in the morning and immediately after work. He goes to tend his pigeons before working on the night shift.

Born in Poland, he left Lwuw at the age of 18 when the Germans invaded his country. He was taken to work on a farm in Nuremburg. He first lived in Mexborough when he came to England and worked at Hickleton Main Colliery before going to Goldthorpe.

Basil told a “South Yorkshire Times” sports reporter that he had never seen a pigeon flying until he came to Goldthorpe.

“It seemed a very good hobby,” he said, “so I decided to give it a try. It’s my main interest now. I cannot seem to keep away from my loft.”