NEWS FROM SCOTLAND

Reports by Joe Murphy

I meant to put this in last week’s column but forgot, Kevin gave me the new rings for 2012 which have the tag part at the back for the ETS ring to go in. While ringing youngsters I thought these rings are a little smaller in diameter than the older rings I have used in the past but to be honest they will be the same. However if you leave the youngsters too long you will never get the rings on their legs, especially if they are being single reared. In the past I have seen me putting some cream on the babies’ feet and pulling the ring over the joint and I would assume that many fanciers will have experienced the same problems over the years. While on about rings, I have had a request from a fellow fancier, Alan Wilson, who collects rings asking me if any Scottish fancier has any old rings would they give him a call on 01304 612165 and he will pay the postage. Alan is trying to obtain as many Scottish and North East rings as possible and like many other ring collectors is making another appeal hope someone can help him out.

Blast from the Past

The pictures are of Mr & Mrs Bert Shepard of Tranent taken while judging at the SHU Show at Wonderwest. The second is of another lady fancier, Karen Newcombe of Macmerry, who has proved over the years that she knows a thing or two about pigeons as she has won her fair share of diplomas and prize money. Karen is also the press officer for her club Traprain and does a very good job making sure her club mates receive the publicity for their efforts.

Mr & Mrs Bert Stewart judging at the SHU Show

Karen Newcombe with one of her winners

Pride of Scotland

This week’s three pigeons come from the east side of the country with the first a very good blue chequer cock GB08J 42494 raced by Glen Cameron of Aberdeen. He has won 3 times from inland nationals.

The second pigeon is raced by the Rockliffe & Manson of Duns partnership. This chequer cock NEHU09BOR 302 has also 3 inland national prizes with one being as a youngster.

The successful partnership of W & S Aitchison of Eyemouth won the national last year with their chequer pied hen NEHU09FUT 375 who had previously won as a youngster as well as a double in 2011.

Scottish Show Racer Society (East Region)

News from Struan Ferguson who writes: ‘Our third standard show was held at the Bowhill War Memorial Club Cardenden on Sunday 8th January 2012 with the judges being Ricky Simpson, Ian Rowley, David White and Tom Davidson, all from the East Lothian area. The Best in Show went to Fitzpatrick & Fleming with a four year old red chequer cock that won the Likeliest Old Cock class judged by Ian Rowley, this bird being a former Champion in our Society. Runner up to BIS and Champion Young Bird was won by John & Alice Bell with a young dark chequer cock that won handling young cock under David White. Other winners were Fitzpatrick & Fleming with a total of four firsts out of eight classes, John & Alice Bell won three classes, the other winner being S Ferguson with a seven year old Mealy Hen winner of Handling Old Hen. The bird to represent us at Blackpool was a young red chequer cock owned by Fitzpatrick & Fleming, a second prize winner today, however a clear winner for the whole season. The Malcolm Frame team competition was won by Charlie Miller of Blackburn, only member to have a full team. Championship points were won by John & Alice Bell 180 points from Fitzpatrick & Fleming 169, Charlie Miller 114, Wallace & Ferguson 106, and S Ferguson 80points. Other trophy winners were S Ferguson Champion Old Cock with a four year old Mealy, Wallace & Ferguson Champion Old Hen & Yearling Champion with a Dark chequer yearling. Fitzpatrick & Fleming Champion Young Cock also Most Consistent best young bird points with 110 are J & A Bell 107. Charlie Miller won Champion Young Hen with a young Mosaic.'

Old Cock Handling -judge Ian Rowley; 1st Fitzpatrick & Fleming red chequer (Best in Show) 2nd Wallace & Ferguson 3rd S Ferguson 4th S Ferguson 5th J&A Bell 6th M & D Winter & Daughter 7th Mrs A Ferguson 8th Mrs A Ferguson.

Old Hen Handing -Judge D White 1st S Ferguson Mealy 2nd Wallace & Ferguson 3rd C Miller 4th S Ferguson 5th Mrs A Ferguson 6th Fitzpatrick & Fleming 7th C Miller 8th Wallace & Ferguson.

Looking Thru Wire Old Cock -Judge Tom Davidson 1st Fitzpatrick & Fleming dark chequer w/f 2nd Fitzpatrick & Fleming 3rd Mrs A Ferguson 4th M D Winter & Daughter 5th C Miller 6th J & A Bell 7th J& A Bell 8th M D Winter & Daughter.  

Looking Thru Wire Old Hen -Judge Ricky Simpson 1st John & Alice Bell -Silver chequer last shows Best in Show 2nd Fitzpatrick & Fleming 3rd J & A Bell 4th Wallace & Ferguson 5th J & A Bell 6th J & A Bell 7th Wallace & Ferguson 8th Fitzpatrick & Fleming.

Looking Thru Pen Young Cock -judge D White 1st Fitzpatrick & Fleming -Red chequer 2nd Fitzpatrick & Fleming -this year’s Champion for Blackpool 3rd J & A Bell 4th Fitzpatrick & Fleming 5th J & A Bell 6th S Ferguson 7th J & A Bell 8th Wallace & Ferguson.

Looking Thru Pen Young Hen -Judge I Rowley 1st J & A Bell Red chequer 2nd C Miller 3rd Fitzpatrick & Fleming 4th Mrs A Ferguson 5th Mrs A Ferguson 6th Fitzpatrick & Fleming 7th S Ferguson 8th S Ferguson.

Likeliest Young Cock -judge D White 1st J & A Bell -Dark chequer -Best Young Bird and Runner up to BIS 2nd Fitzpatrick & Fleming 3rd J & A Bell 4th J & A Bell 5th Fitzpatrick & Fleming 6th F Burns 7th S Ferguson 8th J & A Bell.

Likeliest Young Hen -judge R Simpson 1st Fitzpatrick & Fleming -Mosaic 2nd M D Winter & Daughter 3rd Fitzpatrick & Fleming 4th Fitzpatrick & Fleming 5th Wallace & Ferguson 6th C Miller 7th Wallace & Ferguson 8th F Burns.

Joe’s Joke

Where I have and have not been; I have been in many places; but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can’t go alone; you have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognises you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there; I have made several trips there thanks to my friends; family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions; but you have to jump and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too often. I’ve been in Flexible but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I’m in Capable and I go there more often as I’m getting older. One of my favourite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! But one place I never want to be is Continent.

My thanks to Les and his good lady who both enjoyed Stress Management and I enjoyed the above many thanks.   

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 or to my email address joejmurphy1947@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com  www.Pigeonportal.com or www.racingpigeonsuk.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.

 © Compiled by Joe Murphy