JM29/7/10

NEWS FROM SCOTLAND

Reports by Joe Murphy

To all the press officers and readers can I please apologise that my article has not appeared the last month or so but I have been ill during this time and to be honest I’m not right even now; I attended the GP yesterday 27th July and he gave me a good MOT; and we are awaiting the results and I go back next Wednesday to see him.

I attended the Barcelona race out in Hernicourt in France and met up with some wonderful people: Lou & John McGee; John & Lynda Tyerman; Lou’s mum and friend; Karen & Lee Sullivan from Brighton; Terry Peart and John Donovan from London; Paul Rennison from Worthing; Brian Holland & John Highley from Yorkshire as well as local French fanciers.; I had a great time but more about this when I do my story on the race. This was a very hard race and we had to wait all day before we timed a pigeon. The winner of the Barcelona One Loft race was my good friend Ian Gill from Northern Ireland and I will add a photograph of the cock SECONDS after he arrived.

1st Barcelona Challenge. Bred by Ian Gill from Northern Ireland

Then lo and behold 20 minutes later John McGee timed in another, this time a dark chequer hen entered by Harrison and Hall from Preston; believe it or not she was mated to the winning Ian Gill red cock. After being timed in I took their photograph which I have included. Ian’s winner is from Norman Black & son's 1st & 2nd INFC winner; while the dam is a red hen who won the Irish Derby. The 2nd pigeon was entered by Harrison & Hall of Preston; this hen contains their Tommy blue Janssen lines and also Betty De Bruyn of Holland and Narbonne Bombshell lines. We got a few more the next day Sunday and they are still working their way home. I was lucky that my pigeon arrived a week after the race to be 39th home to the loft out of the 141 entries; the experience will have done her some good and like all these pigeons who made it home will be better distance pigeons next year.

Ian Gill's cock and Harrison & Hull's hen seconds after being timed in from Barcelona

Owner French National Nord Pas De Calais Hens

474 Fanciers 320 Fanciers 163 Fanciers

2814 Birds 1721 Birds 818 Birds

IAN GILL 96th 44th

HARRISON & HULL 119th 55th 45th

RAY MCILROY 561st 309th 148th

CHRIS WILLIAMS 576th 321st 152nd

BARKEL BROS 650th 369th 171st

B J SMYTH 666th 376th 175th

CRAMMOND & LANGSTAF 675th 384th 177th

OWEN & WILSON 691st 392nd 183rd

GB07N74965 415th

BRIAN HOLLAND 195th

We are still awaiting the International open result; more about this when it comes out.

The prize money for the one loft races is as follows: 1st £1000; 2nd £750; 3rd £500; 4th £400; 5th £200; 6th £150; 7th £100 and 8th to 19th win £75. All monies will be paid out 1 month after the race in case of more returns also to give fanciers the chance to if they so wish to reactivate for next year.

I cannot fault the hospitality shown by Lou & John McGee and John & Lynda Tyerman; as well as my fellow fanciers who attended. They were the ‘salt of the earth’ and we had some great times and laughs. However on the way home at the airport I took ill a couple of hours before I caught the plane. I was taken by ambulance to Beauvais hospital and kept in overnight; having tests done; drips in; and an ECG heart monitor (I have an enlarged heart) but no heart attack. But I was not right and kept falling over the place and blacking out; it was so bad I had to phone my oldest son Mark and ask him to text me saying that ‘I think I have food poisoning’ in France; as no-one could understand me. Anyway they discharged me on the Tuesday and how I got home only God knows as I kept passing out and falling all over the place; my family had made arrangements to get me another flight home and Kevin came and met me at the airport and I have never been so glad to see him in my life. I looked like I contacted food poisoning at the airport from a ham and cheese sandwich and boy have I suffered. Lou McGee thought it was something she had done and was quite upset when she heard I had not made it home and in hospital but nothing could be further from the truth - she was excellent and looked after everyone. It was just one of those things that happen in life but there is something else wrong and I will have to wait and see what the test results show.

This escapade spoilt a wonderful weekend with great company, and believe me, John McGee is a credit to the Barcelona One Loft; the work this man does for the pigeons is second to none. I have sung his praises before but believe me until you see the work he does it is exceptional; the pigeons come first and foremost. He works at them all day long and going by the pigeons left in the loft they were in ‘tip top’ condition.

Both Johns (Tyerman & McGee) showed me my cock who was withdrawn out of the race due to an injury and they were spot on; better to wait and when the pigeon is ready he will put up an effort; whereas if they are not 100% then they don’t go. If ever a team of men and WOMAN deserved to win then it is the Barcelona One Loft; they are so dedicated you could not ask for more. John McGee never ate a thing all day Friday or Saturday as he was so uptight about the race (we have all been there) and when he timed in the ‘pressure’ was offand he relaxed and had something to eat and drink. Believe me if anything happens to John McGee, the project will not be the same.; I’m a dedicated pigeon man through and through and I told both Johns that I would not do what John McGee does day in and day out. He has a timetable and system that does not change regardless who visits; the birds are first and foremost. He is without doubt one of the best and long may his crusade of trying to win the Barcelona race continue; and don’t be surprised if he pulls it off as he is without doubt ‘One in a Million’.

Thanks to Lou, her mother and friend who did the cooking and looking after all the fanciers as well as Lynda Tyerman who was a ‘Gem’ and looked after me, but being a Fifer, she had no alternative; it was a great experience and one I will never forget; it was just a pity the homeward journey spoilt a wonderful week end.

To all the press officers I will catch up on your reports as soon as I have time, however this may take a while as I’m not 100% yet; so you will have to be calm.

Good News

Kevin texted me to say that he had timed in Rocket from Ypres with the SNFC and had won another diploma; everything was on track for Claremont; when he texted me to say that he timed him again to win his Silver Award with the SNFC which is great news when you consider he is only a 2 year old and in 6 SNFC races he has won 5 times; however he required 3 section prizes from France to win the Silver Award; which he now has. I’m so proud of Kevin’s achievements these past few years and he is proving to be a top pigeon fancier in his own right and long may it continue. He was telling me that he now has a good team of distance pigeons for next year with 10 yearlings having flown the English Channel; and 10 more flown 420 miles in 2010; so this collection should do him well in the future; plus he has some older pigeons. To be honest this has been his biggest problem as he has not had ‘experienced pigeons’ in the past; however this is getting harder and harder every year with 2010 proving to be the death knell of many distance pigeons in the national; some fanciers have very few pigeons left never mind experienced birds.

I received an email from Alex Wight who wrote; ‘Hi Joe just a short note to tell you I won 4th club; 10th west section; 33rd open Fife federation; 94th region C and 252nd open SNFC Eastbourne 2010. I’m well chuffed, and a huge thanks to yourself for gifting me the cock back in 2008. Thanks again and I will get the Eastbourne result to you as soon as possible to go into your column; kindest regards Alex’. Which is great news as Alex had a bit of ‘bad luck’ and I tried to help him out and thankfully it has worked out and this has indeed given me a great deal of pleasure to hear when someone wins with your pigeons; another fancier who phoned me was Dave Pirie of Aberdeen he informed me that his 1st region G 1st north section (only bird in the region and section in race time) 7th open SNFC Borges flying 720 miles; sire was bred by Joe Murphy from a 5 year old chequer cock whom Dave purchased from Kevin when he moved home to Arbroath; his sire was a son of 14537 a son of Mystical Rose 1st open SNFC Sartilly; when he was paired to Violet Rose a daughter of Mystical Rose. Dam of the sire was a daughter of ‘The Golden Eye Cock’ (grand son of Mystical Rose when she was paired to her own son who bred George Rankin & son’s 11th open SNFC winner. The Golden Eye cock was paired to Priceless Rose (his mother and direct daughter of Mystical Rose to breed the dam. So you will see this cock was very much inbred to our national winner.

The dam of Dave’s winner was a Jock Traill hen who won 88th open Vire as a yearling she in turn was bred from a Dennis Dall stock cock when paired to a hen that won 13th open Nantes and 20th open Niort for Jock Traill. So Dave’s pigeon was bred from Fife bloodlines so to speak and he has had a great season in 2010 well done. More importantly for me anyway he took the time to phone me and tell me that I had some part to play in the breeding of his 7th open Borges winner; which makes it all the sweeter for me; and believe me was a boost to me while feeling so down.

Results

Dunfermline club news from Walker Kennedy who wrote ‘Hi Joe; just a short note about the Reims Race did you know it was a Dunfermline clubmember that topped the Fife federation again; 1st federation 6th region C & 24th open Reims was big Danny McNeely with a blue chequer hen well done to big Dan. Our next member was 12th region C 64th open and was won by Rickey Pearse and I say ‘well done’ to our two members from all our members who are very pleased for them. Well Joe it’s the start of the young bird training and I will be glad to see the back of that yours Walker’

Lochgelly club had 6 members sending 48 pigeons to Eastbourne, which again proved to be a very costly race for some, return wise. First position goes to Dom Gallagher who also won 5th west section 23rd open federation 71st region C 189th open. Dom's pigeon is bred down through a sire from Jim Anderson from Cardenden, which is 100% Jock King Kirkcaldy/Mell Bell of Coldingham bloodlines. The dam was from Dom's own breeding. In second position was Jock Brockie who also won 6th west section 26th federation 75th region C 198th open; this pigeon was a daughter of Jocks second pigeon from Reims in 2010 she also won 1st Bovingdon in 2010 and is down through Fortune Lady from Dale Newcombe. In third place was again Dom Gallagher who also won 8th west section 30th federation 84th region C 217th open. This pigeon is bred down through a gift bird from George Penman from Wullie Wilson the farmers strain, this bird previously won 2nd Leicester this year and was sent on pot eggs sitting 8 days. I hope no-one minds me mentioning that I won my very first SNFC diploma by achieving 4th club, 10th west section, 33rd fed, 94th region and 252nd open. This pigeon was gifted to me by a certain Joe Murphy when I was starting back up again, so a huge thanks you to Joe. The huge downside is that I sent 11 pigeons and to this day only got one, which is gutting. Well done to all members able to time in and good luck for the rest of the old bird season.

Crossgates club had 6 members sent 81 birds toEastbourne, taking 1st club, 1st west section and 153rd open SNFC is club secretary Davie Russell, his blue white flight yearling hen known as ‘The Sparry’ she was doing 1188 ypm and was sitting 12 days, she had every race to Leicester and 5 tosses to Dunbar prior to basketing, her sire was Leo Van Rijn cock which I gave to Davy when I packed up in 2008 he was bred by Bryn Davies of Barry South Wales and is from the Kaiser lines, her dam is a stock hen from Mike Donnachie and she was bred from his good Busschaert cock ( a gift from Davy) this cock had 3 x 1st club; 2 x 1st fed and 3 national diplomas to his credit
In 2nd place are Jock and Ian Hynd with a 5 year old roundabout hen doing 1171, her sire is a grand son of W L G Tame 21 and her dam is a daughter of Cammy crossed The Jewel and she has topped fed as a young bird. Taking 3rd place is a fancier who likes his distance racing Willie Pratt of Rosyth, his 4 year old hen was doing 1131 and she was sitting 12 days, her sire is a son of Willie’s good red cock that scored 4 times from 500 miles when paired to a hen from Davy Knox of Charleston this hen had scored twice from 500mls, the dam was from a brother and sister to his red cock when paired together.

Almond Valley Federation held their race yearling race from Newark with 49 members sending 305 birds; liberated at 06-45am into a North West Wind; 1st is A McCartney of Stirling; with A & G Bridges from Armadale in 2nd spot; club mate J Barrons is 3rd with East Calder John Jamieson in 4th & 6th places; being split by his brother Freddie for 5th spot; R Anderson of East Calder is 7th; J McGinty from West Calder is 8th with McDonald & Brandon of East Calder in 9th place; making up the top ten is J Hendry from Armadale. From Maidstone 36 members send 249 birds liberated at 6.30am into broken cloud with no wind at the liberation site. Taking the top spot is J Hendry of Armadale with a 4 year old clocked at 11 hours 12 minutes and recorded a velocity of 962; 2nd is John Jamieson of East Calder on 834; J Paton of West Calder is 3rd with J Brown of Armadale in 4th place. Fifth are J & A Stokes of Carnwath with D McBeath of Armadale in 6th spot; the Balerno G R J Fairley is 7th with Carnwath B Campbell in 8th & 10th places; S Fleming of Armadale is 9th place.

Downfield Friendly RPC result of the Eastbourne race for the flown on 21st June with the Scottish National Flying Club 5 members sent 37 birds to the 419 mile race point and they were liberated at 6.15am into a Light North West Wind. Clocking this week’s winner at 4.04pm was Alec Donaldson with a 2 year old red pied cock flown on the natural system, winning velocity 1251.this cock also won 15th section C; 39th open SNFC plus Alec had a second pigeon winning 43rd section C, 111th open SNFC. The sire of this cock is bred from a long line of established winning long distance pigeons that Alec has had for over 20 years, which has left some prolific winners for him at the 400-500 plus mile race points. The dam of the winning pigeon was bred by Gordon Telfer of the Beattie & Telfer partnership bred from stock obtained from Gunn & Cherrie of Roslyn. This very hen is the dam of Alec's single entry at the Falaise race with the SNFC in 2008, this exceptional yearling hen was the first yearling on the open result winning 9th section C 37th open SNFC Falaise from a distance of 542 miles. In 2nd & 3rd places were the partnership previously mentioned, Beattie & Telfer who clocking 2 pigeons at 4.25 & 4.27 pm to recording 1209 and 1205. Their 1st pigeon is a 2 year old blue white flight widowhood cock that also won 38th section C 99th open SNFC. This cock has scored this year before and is bred from a Belgium stock cock from the loft of Frans Lierman when crossed onto a stock hen from there established team of Geveart pigeons. 2nd pigeon timed is a 3 year old dark widowhood cock that also won 41st section C 107th open SNFC, this now being this pigeon’s third SNFC open diploma. The dam of this cock was a blue hen that won 1st federation Maidstone when paired to a cock that scored an SNFC open position from the 2009 Eastbourne race. Joe, from the small entry of pigeons the club done very well to have seven pigeons feature in the open SNFC result, with Beattie & Telfer having a third pigeon to win 293rd open, Brown & Donachie having two pigeons to win 201st & 329th open SNFC; yours Willie.

Prestonpans club catching up with some of the SNFC results in the club is Jamie Combe who wrote ‘The first national race of the season from Bovingdon saw a reasonable entry from the Prestonpans club with quite a few members taking part. It was slightly disappointing that none of the members could get near the top of the result but it was a close result in the club with the leading 3 pigeons timed within 2 minutes to 3 different lofts. The first prize in the club went to Jamie Combe with a 2 year old hen sent sitting on 2 day old babies at basketting. This was her first time in a national race and she will now be prepared for SNFC Clermont in the same nest condition. She was bred by Richard Combe and is a Combe x Jan Aarden cross with her dam an inbred grand daughter of De Smaragd II. This hen took 180th open in the SNFC. Second prize went to Tom McEwen with a 2 year old pied hen sent sitting a fortnighton eggs. She is a very well bred hen being a granddaughter of 11th open SNFC Falaise and a granddaughter of Tom’s good cock “The Bib” a winner of 4 SNFC diplomas on the other. This hen took 185th open in SNFC. Third prize went to Richard Combe with a 2 year old cock bred from his own family crossed with a Jan Aarden; he was sent to the race sitting on eggs. This cock took 201st open SNFC. Richard had the only other Prestonpans club birds on the result in 501st and 505th open. The second national race of the season was SNFC Eastbourne which doubled as the last old bird open race of the season for the East of Scotland federation. After a 2 day holdover the birds were released on Monday and a tough race followed but one which featured some good open positions in the national for Prestonpans members. The winner was John Bird who completes the double of winning both the Newark and Bovingdon open races and tops it off by taking 2nd prize as well. Both his pigeons were yearling hens flown on the roundabout system and they took 26th and 38th open SNFC. The winner is from John’s own family crossed with aVan Winkel purchased at auctionand she is a grand daughter of John's good national cock Bits n Pieces. The 2nd placed hen is also a cross this time with a Dale Newcombe crossed Van Reet. Third prize went to Jamie Combe with a yearling blue hen sitting on 3 day old babies at basketting who took 60th open SNFC; she is bred from the best of the Combe family. Her sire is at stock, a son of 18th open SNFC Tours cock paired to Ruby a SNFC Silver award winner and 4 SNFC diplomas including 12th open Alencon. The blue hen’s dam is also the result of a half brother/half sister mating with her being a double granddaughter of Sapphire winner of 5th, 29th & 31st open SNFC Sartilly & Beauvais). There were a further 5 Prestonpans birds on the SNFC result with John Bird rounding off an excellent race in 88th and 345th open and Richard Combe taking 282nd, 350th and 384th open. The SNFC gold cup race from Reims proved to be a successful one for Prestonpans members with 4 of them featuring on the result. The first prize went to Jamie Combe with a 2 year old dark pied hen sent sitting on a newly hatched baby at basketting who took 18th open SNFC; this was her first time across the channel but she had flown SNFC Eastbourne as a yearling being timed at 22:20 so she had proven her ability to fly a long time. Her breeding incorporates the best of the Combe family with a touch of a cross from one grandparent -a Tom McEwen crossed Norman Black & son from Northern Ireland hen. In 2nd place is Richard Combe timing just a few minutes later to take 19th open SNFC with a 2 year old red cock. This was his first time at the channel and he went to the race sitting on 2 day old babies; the red cock is bred from the best of Richard’s distance family with his sire being a grandson of SNFC Gold Award and Dewar Trophy winner Midnight Son. In 3rd place and taking 40th open SNFC is Jamie Combe with his 2nd entry, a 5 year old hen who was 1st section 5th open SNFC Tours in 2008. She was sent to the race on 2 day old babies and was collecting her 3rd SNFC diploma having won at Eastbourne in the year of bird flu. The only time she has failed to appear on a national result was in Alencon 2009 when she returned home injured by a hawk attack. She was bred by Richard Combe and is a granddaughter of 2 of his most influential stock birds. She had not been beyond Wetherby all season so Reims represented a 400 mile jump for her. Other Prestonpans birds on the result are Richard Combe at 10pm, taking 49th open and on the 2nd morning Mr & Mrs Peter March taking 97th open and Bobby Dickson taking 115th open; that’s all for now and I hope you enjoyed your time at the Barcelona race yours Jamie’.

Joke

Before giving you this week's joke the amount of fanciers who enjoy this part of the article is quite amusing as I never thought it would be; even the lads at the Barcelona One Loft asked where I get all the jokes; and then proceeded to tell me some which are unprintable in a family pigeon paper. However this joke is on me as it is about hospitals; a doctor was performing his rounds at the hospital one morning and while checking up on a man I asked; ' So how was your breakfast this morning?' 'It's very good except for the Kentucky Jelly; I can't seem to get used to the taste.' Bob replied.
The doctor asked to see the jelly and Bob produced a foil packet labelled 'KY Jelly.'

Please continue to keep the news flowing to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 after 7pm week days or email me at joejmurphy@blueyonder.co.uk Or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.pigeonglobe.co.uk www.Pigeonportal.com or www.racingpigeonsuk.com who wish my weekly contribution for my up to date portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.