By Jimmy Graham

The Solway Federation was down at Eastbourne on Saturday 21st June.  Sixty-one members sent 356 birds to be liberated at 6.15am into a light North-west wind.

Once again it turned out to be a very tough race with velocities into the 1100’s. Only one bird made the 1200s and that belonged to Dennis Graham of Springfield Club. Dennis’s good three-year old Soontjen Cheq Cock recorded a velocity of 1202.

This week the leading ten Federations diploma cards were spread between five Clubs, Springfield, Eastriggs, Annan, Hoddam and Langholm. As mentioned earlier Dennis in Springfield took 1st, 2nd Open Fed went to D.Nordon doing 1199.6.

W.J.Gilmour of Hoddam is 3rd Open on 1199.4. McMorrine Bros of Eastriggs take 4th Open doing 1198.

5th Open goes to Mr & Mrs Gus Power & Allen with 1183, Club mate Les Smith & Sons are 6th Open on 1175 both lofts being in Springfield.

R.S.R.Rome & R.J.Rome from Annan takes both 6th & 9th doing 1175 and 1160.

L.Smith & Son of Hoddam are 8th on 1166 and finally D.Anderson of Annan comes in 10th with 1157.

Now onto the Club results.

Annan H.C. 7/40

1st, 2nd and 3rd went to R.S.R.Rome & R.J.Rome who took this race easily doing velocities of 1169, 1160 and 1080. Stevie Ferguson was next on 1034. A.Nicholson took the last two positions on 1005 and 991.  

Eastriggs H.C.  10/45

Once again the leading five are all timed into different lofts.

McMorrine Bros timed the winner, followed by C.Halbert, Nelson Bros, Mr & Mrs Mark Goldie and Jim Ferguson. Their velocities being 1198, 1172, 1102, 1071 and 1062.

Hoddam F.C. 8/50

The Gold this week went to W.Gilmour, timing a yearling Red Hen on 1199, followed by Les Smith & Son doing 1166.

John Little (who’s flying well at the moment) took 3rd doing 1142.

G.Dalgliesh & Son take both 4th and 5th, also with yearlings with velocities of 1140 and 1111.

Springfield F.C. 10/75

At the top of the ladder once again is Dennis Graham with his good three year-old Soontjen Cock on 1202 (this bird also topped the Fed), followed by Mr & Mrs Gus Power & Allen on 1183.  L.Smith & Sons were 3rd doing 1175. Raymond White took 4th and 5th on 1153 and 1150.

Nith Valley 4/10

Winning the West Section is W.J.Smith with his good three year-old Blue Hen doing 1150. This was the only bird timed.

Dumfries F.C. 9/36

This one went to Mr & Mrs Karl Guenther on 1127 and also takes 2nd Section. Terry Richardson takes 2nd, 4th Club, 4th, 8th Section doing 1105 and 1055.

G.Nicholson is having a great National time, timing in most races up to date and in this one takes 3rd Club, 7th Section. W.Swan is 5th Club, 9th Section doing 1016.

Dumfries S.C. 2/14

Once again takes the leading three being 1st, 2nd, 3rd Club and 3rd, 5th, 6th Section on 1106, 1083 and 1064.

J.Brown is 4th Club, 10th Section.

The West Section sent 68 birds from 17 members.

As always any news call on 01576300615 or e-mail address     jimmygmobvf@hotmail.co.uk     “Clintpark”.