Article published September 2002

"They come as a double act, if you book one, you get both" explained YCC Secretary Jim Bannon to Bill Oldroyd, the Tadcaster CBS secretary. "If Terry judges, Sid will travel with him and show, and vice verca. You get two for the price of one, perhaps more, because they'll tell their pals to come too."

And do you know what? Terry judged, Sid and a few friends turned up, and Tadcaster CBS club achieved a record entry of 152 Yorkies, increasing from only 8 birds two years earlier. Local club member Jack Gillam delivered the pies, and a good time was had by all.

Terry Salt and Sid Goacher are not actually joined at the hip, but they are just as inseparable.

Living only a few miles apart, both are champion Yorkshire Canary breeders, exhibitors and judges of the highest calibre.

Both men in their own unique ways, contribute as much to the fancy as any individuals have ever done. Each is successful in his own right, and they both understand the need to help both CBS clubs and specialist societies in their efforts to serve the fancy. They are prepared to put more work in than most fanciers, particularly to encourage new bird keepers, and extend our hobby. And remember, whilst Sid and Terry are helping others, they are taking valuable time out from caring for their own birds, which is never convenient in today's hectic world.

Sid's contributions

Sid's strength lies in his individual views and observations. And of course, his impassioned pleas and speeches, whenever he has something to say.

This was the case when Sid lead the campaign to have Yorkshires benched sideways-on at leading CBS clubs. Sid argued that the birds could not be viewed by the public, until they were displayed the same as other varieties, rather than being stuck away on the top of the staging, end-on, where the public could only see "up their backsides." Sid raised himself up to his full height of approximately four feet six inches to make this plea, and since that day has been know as 'Sidewinder Sid' to his friends.

Over a number of years, Sid's theory was tested at various Midlands based CBS clubs, until finally, the National Exhibition of Cage and Aviary Birds also sanctioned the change, acting upon a recommendation from the Canary Council. The result is that Yorkies are now noticed by visitors who otherwise would simply pass the birds without a second glance, and as a result, more people are taking up the breed. Comments from leading fanciers from other sections included "you should have done it years ago", endorsing the strength of Sid's vision.

Ex couloured canary man

Sid sailed through the Novice section, and many of today's Champions will remember his strength in Clear Yellow Hens, towards the end of his Novice career. He had seven which he exhibited simultaneously, and they each seemed to take it in turns to win. If only I had a pound for every time he told me he wished he still had those birds, then I'd be a rich man!

That was a number of years ago, and Sid is now consistently winning in the Champion section.

Baptism of fire

A few years ago, he noticed that our open show judges risked being temporarily overlooked when they arrived, as officials got on with the important business of benching the birds. Soon rectified, Sid is now installed as the 'meet and greet man', in charge of ' judging hostility.'

Active CBS man

Sid also lectures on the local CBS circuit whenever he can, and encourages other clubs to develop, going so far as to introduce other local fanciers to help support their shows and encourage a growth in membership. Taking his CBS experiences back to specialist club level, Sid argued at the YCC that the time had come for specialist clubs to provide patronage free of charge, rather than charging an affiliation fee. "You get free publicity through their schedules and catalogues in return for a few rosettes or diplomas", he argued, "and you may even pick up a few new members too. But the CBS can't afford it - they have other sections to consider, and the price just mounts up". Sid was supported by the membership, and the YCC immediately dropped affiliation fees, and now provides free patronages, whilst Sid is installed as YCC Patronage Secretary. That's a fair swap. I'd say!

Sid undertakes many other activities alongside his friend Terry Salt, which you will be learning about in a subsequent article. In addition, he now represents the YCC at the Canary Council, where his overall experience and understanding of other varieties can be put to good use for the ultimate good of our hobby.

I cannot end without commenting on Sid's latest impassioned speech at a recent YCC meeting. Getting to his feet, he started: "Mr Chairman, here we are, the richest, bestest Yorkshire Canary Club in the whole world, and we send a man out in the rain to photocopy our award sheet! I suggest we break open the piggy bank and buy a copier of our own." And after we stopped laughing, Sid had another motion carried!

I am sure you will join me in applauding Sid for all the good work that he undertakes on behalf of our hobby, because without his cheery services, the fancy would be much poorer.