The Joe Murphy Column

Today is my wife’s Margaret’s birthday and I would just like to wish her ‘All the Best’ she has been my soul mate and the biggest influence behind me, ever since we first met in 1962. She was not keen on the pigeons then, but has become a ‘die-hard’ fanatic fancier since and knows a good pigeon. She has picked the ‘Best in Show’ at a federation open show when asked to judge years ago.

We ALL hope you have a lovely day sweetheart. Our son Mark and his wife Veronica gave me a wonderful artist drawing for my 75^th birthday. (see attached photographs) called ‘Making Friends’ and it was done in graphite and charcoal.

This drawing was created by Gemma Furbank Art, (who has a Facebook page if anyone wishes to have a look), she is very good. She has already done drawings of Mark & Veronica’s Rottweiler’s and they are superb.  We went for a ‘birthday meal’ at Mavi’s restaurant in Leven as we celebrated both our birthdays along with the rest of our family (22 of us).  We had a brilliant evening; our family means the world to us and it was good to spend this special occasion with them!!

Liam McCall

I noticed in the BHW 1^st April issue a report on South Leinster Federation which details the performances of Liam McCall of Wicklow, and his wonderful hen ‘CHLOE’. (see photo) What a pigeon she is as in 2015 she won 1^st IHU NFC race from Malo winning the King’s Cup with a velocity of 1343. She ALSO won 1^st open Saint Allouesetre King’s Cup old bird national in 2017. A double King’s Cup winner and NATIONAL winner you cannot get any better than this. Why am I highlighting this as she was bred from pigeons Liam obtained from me when he crossed them with his own Harkness/Gilmour pigeons. It is good to see Liam and his wife Gertie doing well with my offspring and it gives me great pleasure to read about this in the article on them well done to you both. I have added a photograph of this wonderful hen Chloe for my column.

Feed Back

Received a phone call from John from Northumberland who congratulated me on my article on 2 of the Greatest Pigeons to fly in the SNFC. John said ‘I have always had a great respect for Scottish Pigeons but when you read about these 2 pigeons and their performances they are truly very ‘Special’. I also received other phone calls regarding this article which I do appreciate. I also obtained a phone call from Christopher Bell of Northern Ireland, who first phoned me away back in the 1980’s when we stayed in Kennoway. Christopher stated he liked my article on John Kirkpatrick and says he has enjoyed it so much that he must have read it about 20 times. Great to hear from him once again and thank you to the fanciers who have also remarked how much they enjoyed my weekly contributions these past few months.

Special Request

Received an email which was as follows; ‘Good evening I wonder if you can help me, my grand-daughter has just told me. ‘On her bucket list (she's 16 this year bucket list lol) she would love to hold and feed a pigeon for her 16th birthday. I wonder if you could to be able to make this possible for her? I was wondering if you knew anyone in Evesham Worcestershire area that had any pigeons, I could contact to see if this is possible. Thank you for your time reading this hope you are able to help, regards J Smith’. Obviously, I do not know anyone down in this area, but the other problem was when was her granddaughter’s birthday. So, I wrote back to her asking the relevant details. Julia replied and said, ‘Hello Joe, her birthday is 25th June not sure yet what my son and daughter in law has planned for her yet. If you think this is possible, can you give me some details about where to take her and what she will actually be able to do with the pigeons so l can talk it over with my son as he will have to take her, regards Julia’. I contacted the RPRA and a gentleman helped me with a phone number of a Mr. Duggan who lives in Evesham. I phone Mr. Duggan and explained the above to him and he agreed to help Julia out and once this is         finalized, he has agreed to send me a photo of Julia’s granddaughter holding the pigeon and I will put it in my weekly article.  Julia wrote back and said ‘Hi Joe, thank you so much for your time and help really appreciate it and I will keep you updated. Thanking you once again Julia’. Let’s hope we can help this young girl achieve a score on her bucket list. This took me back years when I read this email. Joe M.

Request Number 2

Received another request this time from Steve Frankland who wrote; ‘Hi Joe,

I hope you are well and enjoying the Easter break. I have just purchased Guy Reeds DeWeerdt young bird b in the BBC young bird sale and I was after his other one but missed out on it unfortunately. I am in the process of building a team of long-distance birds to fly 600/700 miles, and in the past, I have gained 3^rd section 79^th open at Tarbes flying 734 miles in the NFC and 3^rd section, 6^th open Bordeaux flying 615 miles on the day in the MNFC. I have always wanted a pair of DeWeerdt’s to breed some good distance birds from and I read on Elimar that you and Guy actually visited DeWeerdt a few years ago and you have said you are a fan of them. I was wondering if you are still in regular contact with Guy as ideally, I would like to buy another bird of him to go with the one I bought in the young bird sale that hopefully would be a matched pair and maybe if you could ask him when you next speak with him? I would ring him but I don't have his contact number and I have read your article on Elimar today. I can ring you but didn't want to disturb you in the Easter break. I enjoy your weekly article in the BHW especially ‘Joe's Joke’ which has me in stitches most weeks. Anyway, if you could assist me with the above it would be greatly appreciated but no worries if you can't. Anyway, stay safe in these difficult times and I look forward to your reply. Steve.  I wrote to Steve and obtained his number and passed this onto Guy. Who was going to contact Steve, who replied back as follows?

Hi Joe, I rang Guy this afternoon and had a good chat with him and he is sorting me out so that's great. I’m hoping to make a family and the DeWeerdt’s and this sound the ideal birds for 600+ to pair together or cross with mine. He is a cracking bloke and I'm looking forward to receiving the birds. Thanks again and keep writing your entertaining column & I look forward to your next joke. Fingers crossed for channel racing this year, regards Steve.  

Results in my Column

As the new season has just begun, if you wish to have your club or federation result published in my weekly column then send me the details of your first 3 birds in the club, (10 in the Federation or send a fed result). If you can get any information on the club or federation winner all the better as this makes more interesting reading than just a velocity. The MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR is I require this information by WEDNESDAY after the race; as I send my article away to the pigeon press on a Thursday. I don’t mind sitting compiling these for one day but I have other things to do during the week, so please help me by abiding to this request. If your results are not in on time then they will just go in the following week. If you have a photograph of the fancier or the winning bird all the better.

Obituary

Davie Baxter of Thornton, I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Davie this past week. He lived in a cottage as you come into the village from the Glenrothes vicinity and was a member of the local club when it was in the village. He was also a member of the Kingdom federation

Joe’s Joke

Margaret lost her glasses while making a banana bread, she was blaming everyone including ME, lol. Happy Birthday Sweetheart from Joe & the family. (See photo of cake.)  The Kids gave me a poem for my birthday; It is SO TRUE it Hurts!!!!

Another year has passed, and we’re all a little older.

Last summer felt hotter, and winter seems much colder.

There was a time not long ago, when life was quite a blast.

Now I fully understand, about, ‘Living in the Past’.

We used to go to weddings, football, games and lunches.

Now we go to funeral homes, and after-funeral brunches.

We used to go out dining, and couldn’t get our fill.

Now we ask for ‘doggie bags’, come home and take a pill.

We used to often travel to places near and far.

Now we get sore asses from riding in the car.

We used to go to nightclubs and drink a little booze.

Now we stay home at night and watch the evening news.

That, my friend his how life is, and now my tale is told,

So, enjoy each day and live it up, before your too damned old!!!!

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 Email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or you can also view online editions on: www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk - Dwww.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com or https://sites.google.com/site/internationalracingpigeon/ Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland?

© Compiled by Joe Murphy