The latest from Tom Corrie Jnr
Pigeon racing has taken a back seat to what has been happening in the world with Covid 19. It is sad to hear of those who have lost their lives over the past few months and with everyone in lock down, those who are not considered 'key workers' have had to adapt to a new way of life. Hopefully, things will be more positive in the upcoming weeks.
The news broke that from the 28th May the lock down on training our pigeons is lifted (albeit certain guidelines must be followed). Now, hopefully not in the to near future we can get back to racing our pigeons! We will have to adapt our management of race marking but at least, it is now possible that anybody who wants to race can race.
Pigeon racing is a great sport for helping people relax and get away from the stress of life and with the possibility of racing then it will help. Those that feel they don't wish at this time have the choice to opt out.
The committee took the decision to join on behalf of all members the RPRA to allow our members the chance race their pigeons. The programme started at Dunbar on Wednesday 17th June as the previous Sunday’s race from Hexham was cancelled and the birds had to be brought back due to fog. Kelso was the chosen race for 17th June but again due to the fog they were re-routed to Dunbar. You couldn't write the script!
The birds 3,500 were liberated at 2.20pm in a light NE wind from Dunbar. The birds made velocities i have never seen in the federation during my time. Recording a velocity of 2162, roughly around 44 minutes for the 55-mile journey. Incredible!
From now, hopefully we can get racing going down the correct line and fanciers enjoy their sport.
This week’s federation topper is Andy Eadie of Eadie & Kelly in Newmains club.
Well done Andy on a terrific start and I bet you got some kick when you see a pigeon at that time. Now named." Eadiean Rocket" winning 1st Open federation is bred in the purple as its father topped the Lanarkshire federation in 2018. Its breeding is the very best of M & D Evans Vandenabeele introduced in 2006 and have stood the test of time and the loft has never looked back. He also has Herman Custer bloodlines in the cross
The birds on return appeared to enjoy their flight with many overshooting their destinations, but most were happy with their returns.
The Lanarkshire federation revised race programme.
Old Birds
Kelso on 17/6
Hexham on 20/6
Kelso on 24/6
Ripon on 27/6 Charity race
Worksop 4/7 Yearling derby
Melton Mowbray on 11/7
Kettering on 18/7 Old Bird Open Race
Maidstone on 25/7 Old bird Open race
NB -If the SNFC are going to Ypres we can look at this matter at a later date.
Young Bird Programme
Kelso 1/8
Kelso 8/8
Hexham 15/8
Hexham22/8
Sedgefield 29/8
Ripon 5/9 Young bird Open
Kelso 12/9
Please note all races count in federation averages.
Race results from Dunbar on 17th June
Dalziel. 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th J King. Brilliant flying from John, who will not mind me saying, is a young 87 years of age.
John King(L) had a brilliant start in Dalziel taking 1st,2nd,3rd,4th, 5th. Brilliant flying Johnwith Douglas Telfer
Coatbridge SC. 1st J Forsyth. Well done Jim
Fine start for Jim Forsyth wining 1st in Coatbridge SC
2nd,5th Pollock & Cairney. 3rd,4th Sharp Cummings Durning
Chryston. 1st,5th P & E Conroy. Well done Paul & Erin
P & E Conroy of Chryston club 1st club Dunbar
2nd J Gormanly. 3rd,4th C Gray
Cambuslang. 1st,4th W Gordon. 2nd,3rd,4th E Robin jnr. Well done Billy.
Billy Gordon records a good win in Cambuslang club
Airdrie. 1st,2nd C Baird. 3rd ,4th E Porter. 5th G Mann. Well done Chalmers
Chalmers Baird wins an excellent 1st,2nd in Airdrie
Clarkston & Dist. 1st,3rd Mr & Mrs McKee. 2nd Muir Bros. 3rd D Mitchell & Son. 5th P Stangoe. Well done Andrew on his first race since joining Clarkston club
Andy McKee wins 1st in Clarkston
Carluke. 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th Graham Bros.Top flying Andy.
Andy Graham(L) had a cracking race wining 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th in Carluke club
Burnbank. 1st W Bosewell. 2nd,3rd R Copeland. 4th Torrance & Mann. 5th J McGuire. Well done Walter
Walter Boswell recorded a good win in Burnbank club
Newmains. 1st Eadie & Kelly. 2nd J & K Miller. 3rd,4th T McGinn. 5th W Gilchrist. Well done Andy
Andy Eadie is this week’s 1st Open federation winner from 3,500 birds. Well done Andy
Cambusnethan & Morningside. 1st Eadie & Kelly. 2nd J & K Miller. 3rd,4th T McGinn. 5th W Gilchrist
This week’s lovely loft set up of Eadie & Kelly.
Uddingston & Dist. 1st,2nd J Wood. 3rd,4th,5th J Cameron. Well done Jim
Jim Woods(R) wins a fine 1st,2nd in Uddingston& Dist
Low Waters. 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th G Lightbody. Well done George
George Lightbody (L) wins Low Waters club
Blantyre. 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th Tallis & McDonagh. Well done Tommy top flying
Tommy McDonagh(R) has a top class result winning 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th in Greenfield & Blantyre clubs
Greenfield. 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th Tallis & McDonagh. Well done Tommy top flying
Coalburn. 1st T & G Steele. 2nd,3rd,4th D Morrison & Son. 5th J Jackson. Well done Tommy
Tommy Steele wins Coalburn club
Larkhall. 1st,4th ,5th R Smith. 2nd,3rd J Newbiggin. Well done Robert
Robert Smith wins 1st,2nd in Larkhall & Dist
Newstevenson. 1st JJK Gillon. 2nd JJK Gillon. 3rd ,4thF McMahon. 5th M Gillon. Well done Kelly,Joe & Joesy, brilliant performance only sending 3 birds
JJK Gillon win Newstevenson club
So, looking forward I wish all Lanarkshire members the best for the coming season - whatever format this will take. I know that all the committee members will do their best to give their members all the information they need.
Tom Corrie Jnr
Lanarkshire Press Officer