By Jimmy Graham

The Solway Federation had 601 birds down at Newbury on Saturday 6th June convoyed by the S.N.F.C. However due to the heavy belts of rain across the country they were held over to the Monday when they were liberated at 10.45am into an East-North-East wind.The pigeons homed well with velocities into the 1300’s. The leading ten pigeons were spread across the Federation with six Clubs being involved in the result.

The winner of both the Fed and the Open S.N.F.C. was Springfield fancier W.F.Van Nuil; his yearling Blue Cock recorded a good velocity of 1357. The winner had sixteen yards to spare over the second bird timed by Kenny Thompson of Lockerbie. Back to Springfield Club though and 2nd and 4th Club, 5th and 8th Fed was Raymond White with velocities of 1321 and 1282.  E.Hodgson & Sons take 3rd Club, 6th Fed doing 1318. Congratulations to Springfield Club for their great S.N.F.C. results of 1st, 5th, 6th and 15th from 4,501 birds competing.

Lockerbie H.C. was won by Kenny Thomson of Whamphray. Kenny timed a three year old Blue Cock to take 1st Club, 2nd Solway Fed on a velocity of 1342.Robinson & Jamieson were 2nd Club doing 1280 and taking 3rd was W.Swanson up in Moffat doing 1232.Kenny Thomson is in again at 4th with 1225 and 5th goes to Robinson & Jamieson on 1223.The Lockerbie members took 2nd, 16th, 42nd, 48th and 56th Open.

Hoddam F.C. went well in this race as well with John Gilmour and Jimmy Dalgliesh leading the way this week. John timed his yearling Chec Cock to take 1st Club, 3rd Fed on 1331.  Jimmy only a minute behind took 2nd and 5th Club, 4th Fed with velocities of 1326 and 1232.John Little was 3rd and 4th Club doing 1249 and 1238. Mr.  & Mrs.J.Graham takes 6th on a velocity of 1230.In regards to the National, Hoddam took 3rd, 4th, 27th, 35th, 43rd and 45th Open. Well done to both John and Jimmy.

Annan H.C. was won by R.S.R.Rome & R.J.Rome with a velocity of 1289.  J.Willacy is 2nd Club doing 1267.Dennis Anderson takes 3rd and 4th doing 1236 and 1216.Steve Ferguson is 5th Club on 1195.The Club took 12th, 21st, 37th, 68th and 95th Open.

Eastriggs H.C. found Jim Ferguson taking 1st Club on 1267 followed by Mr. & Mrs.Mark Goldie taking 2nd and 4th with 1245 and 1217.Bill Pirie is 3rd doing 1238 and C’Halbert comes in 5th doing 1190.The Eastriggs members were 18th, 29th, 33rd, 66th and 99th Open S.N.F.C.

Brydekirk H.C. was won by J.M.Dalgliesh with a velocity of 1254, followed by H.Dobie doing 1223.Ewart Warwick was 3rd with 1215.Brydekirk Club were 26th, 57th and 69th Open S.N.F.C.

Langholm H.C. had A. Henderson take 1st and 2nd Club, 81st and 107th Open.

Dalbeattie H.C. done well with N.McCulloch & Son taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, 1st, 5th and 6th West Section. Their National results being 46th, 72nd and 75th Open.

Mr McCulloch of Dalbeattie

Dumfries F.C. saw R.Dalgliesh take 1st Club, 2nd Section on 1219. Mr.  & Mrs.K.Guenther was in 2nd spot. G.Nicholson is 3rd and J.Thornhill 4th with velocities of 1218, 1189 and 1187. Nationally the Club were 60th, 64th, 103rd and 104th Open.

Dumfries S.C. was won by D. & R.Osbourne doing 1198. The bird was also 7th Section and 93rd Open S.N.F.C.

Nith Valley went to J.Millar on 1215. His two year old Mealy Cock took 1st Club, 4th Section and 70th S.N.F.C.

Kirkcudbright, referring back to the Windrush race I was pleased to get an e-mail from Terry Kendall regarding J.McCormick's Federation winner. The bird in question was a Cock and not a Hen as reported, its Dam being from a Jan Aarden & Ko Nipius Cock. The Sire is down from ‘Berwick Queen’ and ‘The Rocket’. Thanks for putting the record straight Terry.

J. Mcormack's bird

Ralston Graham

W. Smith of Dumfries

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