Jack Barkel, was born the son of a pigeon fancier On the 3rd August 1936. He lived the first 28years of his life, on the North East Coast of England, in a place named Ryhope ,Near Sunderland. He kept pigeons for 24years in England, then Immigrated to South Africa in 1965

He was never far from pigeons after settling in the new land, but his work prevented him from taking up the sport seriously, as he was travelling the country most of the time. In 1989 he decided to start in the sport again in a town named Potchefstroom, in the North West province. Fanciers had so much success with his assistance that he was once again travelling the country, and in 1998 had to stop competitive racing. The demands for his pigeons and his expertise has steadily increased each year, and has become for him a pigeon fanciers dream, doing what he likes most for a living. Jack brought out a video in 1999 that has met with some success world wide,and many fanciers who viewed it, have urged him to write this book. Jack says, you either like him or dislike him and that there is no in between, but that he is dedicated to helping others