The Joe Murphy Column

Margaret and I went to a coffee morning at St Agatha’s school in Leven, as our grandson and 2 granddaughters attend this school. We met up with a lady who used to live next door to me when we lived in Kennoway in the 1950/60’s, and in fact her daughter is the Headmistress of the school. (what a small world this is). Anyway, after attending this, we went to Sainsbury’s for some shopping, and on the way back to our car this lady asked me, ‘Are you not talking to me Joe Murphy’. I stood and spoke to her and she informed me that her brother-in-law Ian Gilmour of Leven had died 5/6 weeks ago. I could not believe this news and I was very disappointed that someone from the pigeon sport in this area could not inform me of Ian’s passing. I have not hidden the fact that the basis of my pigeon family is bred round Ian’s 1^st open SNFC winner ‘Robbie’s Boy’. Who has left countless winners not only to me but many other fanciers throughout the pigeon sport? To be honest when I was a teenager I used to go about with Ian’s younger brother ‘Robbie’, so we go back a long way. I phoned Ian’s wife June and apologised for not attending his funeral or for contacting her upon his passing. She said that he passed away on the 22^nd of March and is now at rest. To say this was a shock is an understatement and I’m really disappointed that no one informed me of this true gentleman of the pigeon’s sports passing. I have just heard today that Pete Patrick of Thornton has passed away, Pete like Ian above was a national winner as Pete won 1^st open SNRPC from Saints, he also won 2^nd & 5^th open Cholet, plus he had some good results in the SNFC. May both these two fancier rest in peace.

Lost Pigeon

Jim Coutts of Kintore in Aberdeenshire phoned to say he has had a ‘stranger’ come into his loft. Jim has kept pigeons for over 70 years and this is a first time he has ever had a TYWAN pigeon enter his loft. This yearling is rung TYWAN 2021-574332 if this is your pigeon give Jim a call on mobile 07986525189 or 01467-632930. My thanks to Jim for his phone call and chat.   

Race Results

Sky-tracking; before I go on about the weekly results, I would like fanciers not miss Archie’s report on a Knockentiber club pigeon in his federation result. I found this to be very interesting, and it shows us as fanciers who are sitting waiting on our pigeons to home and one bird is missing; It shows up hours after the race is over and you say to yourself ‘Where the hell have you been’. This tracking systems shows where the bird has been; and then you as a fancier take another outlook on the efforts our beloved pigeons have to undertake to make it home.

Wooler to Beith

Wooler to Knockentibe  

    

Bird who returned a week later & Tail of pigeon after hawk attack

Wooler to Largs

Wooler to Mauchline

Angus Federation

News from Kenny Droog who writes, Angus was at Swalwell about 125-130 miles, the federation had 617 birds, they were up at 09-30 into a light east wind. Most liberations were quoting North East and a quick race was not expected but the wind must have moved more South East and a much quicker race unravelled, with only seconds splitting the first two birds. Ian Scott would be 2^nd again, what a start he`s had winning 1^st, 2^nd and 2^nd Federation in the first 3 races. His 2^nd fed this week also has a 16^th federation win this year. Again, Ken Droog tops the federation with a yearling cock he is no stranger to winning as he was very successful as a baby winning 1^st club, 1^st fed Tow Law and 1^st Combined liberation that day.

Kenny Droog Fed winner

This time he will have to settle for 9^th place from over 1200 birds. He is basically the very best of Brockamps Euro Diamond blood, his dam is a super breeder bought direct from Mark Gilbert direct from his 1^st NFC Saines national winner. Last year two granddaughters won a 18^th and 34^th open SNFC at 317 to 428 miles. Ken also takes,3^rd and 9^th federation, his second bird a yearling hen being the best of Geerinckx crossed Van Loon, and the 9^th fed is another yearling, this young hen is the best of Wim Muller blood and flew right out to the hard SNFC Y/B national. Davie Glen`s good w/hood cocks are next taking 4<sup>th</sup>,5<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup> fed, with club secretary David Liddle`s birds are coming into form winning 7th, 8^th & 10^th place. Joe, I must mention Willie Nicol who has recently moved to Forfar, he has only just settled his birds and they had two or three short tosses and jumped into the race, winning 18^th Fed, I am sure we will all have to be on our guard when he starts with his young birds. Stuart Donaldson away out at Blairgowrie has been flying well takes 16^th Place. I hear my friend Angus Orr and son win down at Bo`ness so well done to him.

Angus Orr & Son

Club Winners; Forfar Kenny Droog & son birdage 420; Arbroath; Charlie & Glen Cameron birdage 1114; Gourdan; W Dorward birdage 52, Montrose G Campbell birdage 49.

Arbroath RPC news from Charlie Cameron who writes; ‘From our Swalwell race 5 members sent 114 birds. Taking the first 3 places plus 5^th are Glen & Charlie Cameron with Les McKay winning 4^th 6^th 8^th & 9^th places. Chic & Ann Carrie win the 7^th & 10^th positions.

Ayrshire Federation

News from Archie who writes ‘Hi Joe, Who said this writing malarkey is easy. I do not know how you do it week in week out covering the federations and the many other subjects you do, while keeping your column going throughout the year, more power to your pen. Please find attached race report from our federations 3rd race of the season from Wooler. As well as the race report, I have attached pictures of the 1^st & 3^rd federation winners. Firstly, THANK YOU for including the Sky-tracking of Ayrshire federations Lauder race into your weekly column. It has certainly raised awareness to what is happening with our pigeons on their journey home. I have attached a copy of our race from Wooler plus pictures, where I had 4 trackers on pigeons. Many thanks again for all you do in publicising the sport in Ayr and SCOTLAND overall. At the 2^nd Lauder race Joe, you might recall me mentioning one of the pigeons from West Kilbride who was carrying the GPS failed to return. The pigeon eventually returned on Friday night, the night of the Wooler basketing. I was able to download the trace for the 12 hours of its flight s as this is as long as it set them up for. You will see from the tracker the pigeon hit the coast below Ayr and headed down to Stranraer. After making sever attempts to head North but repletely getting turned slightly north of Cairnryan, the pigeon headed round Stranraer and headed north up the other side of Loch Ryan and headed out to sea. At one point he was 6.5 miles off the shore line before heading for land at Ballantrae. From there he continued his journey north where the tracker stopped over Culzean Castle. It is worth noting this was on the Saturday and the weather was heavy rain from early afternoon for most of the day. Till the tracker stopped he had covered 199.4 miles during his many attempts to head North, he was grounded 5 times for a total time of 3 hours 29 minutes, I have attached a picture of him just after he arrived and a view of his journey.  Now some more news from Archie McIntyre who writes: For Ayrshire federation third race of the season saw us at Wooler on Saturday 7^th May with an entry of 2,187 birds for a distance of between 91 miles up to 114 miles to the north end of the fed. The race control team had the birds up and away at 08:00 into a light north east wind. Reports from the liberation site was the birds broke into four batches with one batch eventually joining back up with another. The video of the liberation backed up what the conveyer stated. The GPS trackers on 4 of the pigeons gave us a similar picture of the liberation. Two off the pigeons headed off within 3 minutes of the liberation, but the 2 other trackers are telling us they took 22 mins to clear after heading north and then south a few times before striking out. The 2 GPS pigeons eventually headed off in different directions; with one heading north to north west, while the other headed south to south west. Returns were very mixed from the race, some fanciers reporting 100% home and others, around the 80% mark. Leading the way in the federation this week taking 1^st federation on a velocity of 1294.7 is fellow club member Robert Russell of Dalry HS. This will be Robert’s first ever 1^st club and 1^st federation win, he also won the 3 bird Championship club; and Robert lifted a tidy sum of £129.90.

Robert Russell

His federation winner is ‘2669’, a 2019 pigeon, who was a stray young bird picked up by Robert at his backdoor and was running with the feral pigeons. The pigeon was reported and it belonged to Stevie Boyce of Patna in Ayrshire. Stevie offered to Robert to transfer the pigeon to which he agreed. As a young bird ‘2669’was lost after about 5 young bird races, he then returned and as a yearling Robert did not race him. Then as a 2-year-old he was raced out to Melton Mowbray a distance of 256 miles. This year Robert has not been able to get any training into his birds and they have been only flying around the loft prior to the 2 previous races. ‘2669’ was sent to Wooler sitting on a 6-day old young bird. His sire was one of six young birds Stevie purchased from McCord & Turpie of Methven. The dam came from Stevie’s good friend Derek McCullen of Kilmaurs. My thanks to Stevie for supplying me this information. In 2^nd federation place is no stranger to being at the top of the leader board; this is another fellow club member Jim Shepherd of Beith. Jim trains his pigeons hard (4 times to the Euro Centrals in the week leading up to Wooler) along with fellow fanciers in Beith, John Shepherd and Robert Reid. Jim’s timer is a 3-year-old blue bar white flight roundabout hen, she is mostly of his own family pigeons with a touch of Danny Sweeny of Kilwinning and the late Tom Dunwoodie of Ardrossan’s grizzle’s family in the grandparents. 3^rd federation is another fancier’s we see regularly at the top of the leader board none other than Robert Reid of Beith. Robert timed ‘2247’ a 2-year-old chequer hen flying natural. Robert was saying, ‘Due to Covid and his apathy, ‘2247’ only had a couple of races last year. Her sire was lost as a yearling and was bred down off Robert’s 5^th open SNFC 580 miles winner. Her dam is a sister to 2 x 2^nd SNFC section winners. ‘2247’ so you will see that she is bred on the lines of pigeons Robert has owned since the last century. 

    

Jim Shepherd - 2nd Fed Wooler               Robert Reid - 3rd Fed Wooler

Winners from in and around the Clubs

North Section 886 birds

1^st Dalry HS winner is R Russell velocity 1294.740, 1^st Ardeer HS are Hutchinson & Tudhope velocity 1237.1. 1^st Kilwinning HS is M Salmon velocity 1209.7.

Central Section 568 birds

1^st Crosshouse HS is I Noble velocity 1283.1, 1^st Darvel HS is R Donegan velocity 1216.8,

1^st Irvine HS is H Pollock velocity 1207.3, 1^st Kilmarnock Invitation is R Young velocity 1182.5.

South Section 733 birds

1^st Whitletts are Cree & Cuthbert velocity 1147.5, 1^st Carrick & District are Jamieson & Cameron velocity 1128.8, 1^st Mauchline & District is G Slaven velocity 1109.5. 1^st Annbank & District is D Paterson velocity 1088.0,1^st Cumnock & District is A J Owens velocity 1063.2, 1^st Dalmellington PC is J Sloan velocity 977.3.

The Sky-tracking of 4 pigeons from Ayrshire federation race on Saturday our convoy were liberated at 08:00 into a light north east wind. Evidence from the video of the liberation shows the pigeons breaking into batches and having a difficult time clearing. This was evident from the tracking system; as 2 pigeons with trackers cleared the site within 3 mins and 2 others with trackers after some toing and throwing, back and forward, they eventually made off after approximately 22 minutes. Some basic information about the pigeons. The ‘Largs’ (name of the club) pigeon hit speeds of up to 60mph and went to a max hight of 604 meters and flew 30 miles further than her measurement. The ‘Beith’ (name of the club) pigeon hit speeds of up to 62mph and a max height of 579 meters and flew 17 miles further than his distance. The Knockentiber (name of the club) pigeon hit speeds of up to 57mph and went to a max height of 827 meters and flew 51 miles further than his distance and finally the Mauchline (name of the club) pigeon hit speeds of up to 51mph and went to a max height of 1060 meters and flew 46 miles further than his distance. The Largs pigeon left the site heading North. Both the Largs & Beith pigeons followed the same line heading towards Coldstream before turning west towards and going over Melrose to Galashiels. This is where they parted company. The Largs pigeon headed North slightly west of Lauder towards Bonnyrigg and over Balerno, Bathgate, Armadale and Slamannan. She then turned and headed down over Moodiesburn, Glasgow City towards Paisley, Howwood and following the route she took the previous week, down through Lochwinnoch, Fairlie Moor and onto the coast turning North for home. The Beith pigeon after parting company with the Largs pigeon at Galashiels, headed in a similar direction to his previous weeks track. He headed towards Innerleithen and up through Peebles towards Biggar. He then headed West to North West through Carstairs, Larkhall, East Kilbride, Newton Mearns heading home to Beith. The Knockentiber pigeon was one of the birds taking 22 minutes to get on his road after going back and forward. He eventually headed North into Coldstream then headed west going through Kelso towards Selkirk. He was on a line of approximately of 1 mile south of Selkirk and headed 9 miles south west of Selkirk where it got into a bit of bother and returned back to Selkirk heading to Galashiels. From here he headed in a westerly direction through Innerleithen, Peebles, Forth towards Newmains. This is where he was struck by the Hawk and went to ground sitting in trees for 2 hours 22 minutes.  Once back up he headed through Newmains on to Motherwell travelling over Strathclyde Park. He took and unexpected turn and headed South towards Strathaven then headed westerly again over Eaglesham and Newton Mearns towards home. The Mauchline pigeon was another pigeon that took approximately 22 minutes before getting a line for home. He headed North then turned and then headed South again flying South West along the English side of the border towards the M74. In the journey west the pigeon was going over a few mountain ranges where the pigeon was reaching heights of 1060 meters and eventually reaching the village of Canonbie in Dumfries & Galloway. He then headed towards Lockerbie heading North. Just before Johnstone-bridge he turned west over to the A76 turning North again following the A76 up through the valley over Thornhill, Kirkconnel, New Cumnock, Cumnock and onto Mauchline.

Winners from in and around the Clubs

North Section 679 Birds

1^st Ardeer HS are Stirrat & McKenna, 1^st Dalry HS is J Ramsay 2222.7,

1^st Darvel HS are Cowan & Findlay 2212.0, 1^st Kilwinning HS is J McNeil 2148.0.

Central Section 361 Birds

1^st Kilmarnock Invitation is K & K McKerrow 2239.0, 1^st Irvine HS, are McKenna & Diamond 2060.2, and 1^st Crosshouse HS is A Wilson 2004.2.

South Section 447 Birds

1^st Whitletts & District are W & C Gemmell 2224.7: 1^st Carrick & District are

Jamieson & Cannon 2197.6: 1^st Annbank & District is D Graham 2035.7;1^st Cumnock & District is W Johnstone 1768.9 1^st Mauchline & District is E Stewart 1514.6: & 1^st Dalmellington PC is G Mitchell 1404.7.

Almond Valley Federation

News from secretary: Lynne Stewart who has forwarded me the result of the Otterburn race flown on the 7^th May with the convoy of 1561 birds being released at 12 noon. Taking the top spot is Bonnybridge member George Harris with the only pigeon in the convoy doing a velocity of 1600 ypm; George is also 23^rd & 24^th open. His clubmates Law & Brady are 2^nd 7^th & 9^th open with Jamie Sweeney of East Calder club in 3^rd 4^th 5^th 6^th & 8^th open; I McLelland of Bonnybridge is 10^th 30^th & 31^st with West Calder’s J Burt in 11^th place. J Hadfield of West Calder is 12^th with Vic Couper of Bonnybridge club in 13^th & 35^th places. spot.  Lumsden, Colligan & Hope of Fauldhouse club are 14^th with John Bird of West Calder in 15^th 16^th 17^th 18^th 19^th & 20^th with the 6 birds all timed within 5 seconds.  Vic Couper of Bonnybridge club is 21^st with R Smillie of Fauldhouse club in 24^th spot. T Gavin of the same club is 25^th 28^th & 29^th with clubmates L & N Redmond in 26^th position. C Ross of Balerno is 27^th & 32^nd with Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder are in 33^rd place. J Loney of Bonnybridge is 34^th with club mates Mr. & Mrs. Conlin in 36^th place. Jamie Sweeney of East Calder is 37^th & 39^th with R & L MacDuff of Bonnybridge club are in 38^th spot. Making up the top 40 are C & C Smillie of Fauldhouse club.

Balerno 235 birds; C Ross 1478.328, 1476.037, C Bain & W Fairley 1451.036, W Fairley 1445.665

Bonnybridge 372 birds; G Harris 1604.661, Law & Brady 1546.893, 1522.375, 1507.173

Carnwath 188 birds; S McArdle 1428.136, 1427.588, 1425.948, Thomson Bros 1397.838

East Calder 127 birds; J Sweeney 1536.488, 1535.834, 1535.180, 1534.853

Fauldhouse 390 birds; Lumsden, Colligan & Hope 1495.222, R Smillie 1481.322, T Gavin 1479.318, L&N Redmond 1478.777

West Calder 249 Birds; J Burt 1503.507, J Hadfield 1500.175, J Bird 1493.676, 1493.097

Central Federation

News from Bernie Britton with the following result;

Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club; had 5 members sending 203 birds to Darlington on the 7^th May with the convoy liberated at 10-00 hours into a north east wind. Taking the first 3 places in the club and winning 1^st federation is Gordon MacKenzie with a Gabby hen flown on roundabout she was 3rd club last week, and is bred from the race team. Gordon’s 2^nd club 3^rd federation is a chequer hen flown on roundabout she is the mother of the federation winner. Bloodlines being ‘Gabby’ direct from his good friend Mark Evans. Gordon’s 3^rd club 4^th federation is a blue pied hen flown on roundabout again a Gabby from his race team. These ‘Gabby’s’ birds have done very well for Gordon as you can see Joe, as a matter of fact he was also 7^th federation. Hamish Ferguson was 8^th federation with Hugh Rafferty winning 16^th & 17^th federation positions. Well done to Gordon on a good federation result.

Winchburgh & District Pigeon Club had 8 members sending 253 birds. Taking 1^st club 2^nd federation is Mark Doran with a blue bar cock flown on roundabout his breeding is as follows; sire from Tommy Blair while his dam is from Joe Davis from his stock loft. 2^nd club 13^th federation is Henry Borthwick with same bird he timed in last week. It is flown on widowhood and was bred by Andy McCartney from Raploch near Stirling from his Taylor Bros bloodlines via Donaldson. Henry is also 3^rd club 14^th federation with a blue bar cock from the same loft as the above also flown on widowhood, and for good measure Henry was also 20^th federation, well done to all the above on their winning results.

Dundee Federation

News from press officer in Brian Donnelly who writes; Hi Joe, for out 3^rd race of the season we were at Swalwell, around 118 miles to most lofts. 13 members sent 356 birds, liberated at 9.30 in a light north east wind. This week's winner is Charlie Watson (this is his 2^nd win of the season) with his winner a 3-year-old mealy cock sitting overdue eggs, he was doing a velocity of 1404 ypm. This bird already has 2 x 1^st in club racing. His sire was purchased at the Lier market and his dam was from Ray Lander from Eric Ceuleman bloodlines. 2^nd club is Darren Phinn who timed the same pigeon that scored 2^nd club last week. This yearling widowhood cock returned a velocity of 1395 ypm, his bloodlines are Ceuster (bought from William Donachie) crossed with a gift pigeon from Danny Henderson. 3^rd club is the man himself Danny Henderson on 1386 ypm, with a 4-year-old hen flown on the roundabout system. This bird has a number of federation positions to her name; her bloodlines are Koopman x Hardy Kruger. 4^th club is Johan Hansen on 1382 ypm with a 3-year-old grizzle cock driving to nest. His bloodlines are the old Logan / Putman lines. Well done lads! Cheers once again Joe yours Brian.’

Charlie Watson - Dundee Fed Winner

East of Scotland Federation

News from Tom McEwen who writes, ‘Hi Joe, our federation were at Darlington on the 7^th May with the convoy liberated at 09-30 hours into an East to North east wind. Topping the federation for the 2^nd week running are Yours Truly and our son Scott McEwen of Elphinstone. Our winner is a 3-year-old blue pied cock; again, a pure Paul Stobbs bloodline: His sire is a son of ‘The Gypsy’ when paired to his own dam. Dam of the federation winner is also a Paul Stobbs being bred from their ‘Bob’s Choice’ when paired to a full sister to ‘The Gypsy’. Keith Howie of Prestonpans had a fantastic race taking 6 positions in the top 10 winning 2^nd 3^rd 4^th 6^th 8^th & 9^th open. John Bird of the same Prestonpans has a nice one in 5^th open place with Davy Blair there again with a good double in 7^th & 10^th positions.

Tom McEwen

Prestonpans Homing Society

First club with a 3-year-old blue pied cock bred down from their Paul Stobbs bloodlines is Tom & Scott McEwen from the village of Elphinstone (see above) 2^nd & 3^rd club is Keith Howie with his first bird a 2-year-old blue cock, a Vandenabeele. His sire is ‘Banjo’ a full brother to Keith’s top cock ‘Blue Arrow’. ‘Banjo’ has topped the federation and has also 2 x 1^st prizes in the club. Keith’s 3^rd club is a yearling blue hen also a Vandenabeele bloodline; this hen topped the federation last year in her 1^st young bird race of her life. Returns were very good Joe, and may I wish you and Margaret all the best for now, Tom Marline & Scott’.

Fife Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies;

Federation secretary Geordie Todd forwarded the following Catterick race result; with the 1501 birds liberated at 09-45 am into a light north east wind. The federation top ten are won by West section members (Crossgates 284 birds; Dunfermline 288 birds; & Lochgelly 131 birds) the winners are as follows; J & J Greenhorn of Dunfermline club are first with a 5-year-old GB pigeon doing a velocity of 1448.03. Willie Pratt of Crossgates is 2nd with club mates J Hynd & son in 3rd 5th 6th 9th & 10th positions. K Cochrane is 4th with O’Reilly & Park of the same Crossgates club in 7th spot. A Ritchie of Dunfermline is 8th section and open. East section birdage as follows; Methilhaven 235 birds, St Andrews 162, Kennoway 238, Tayport 83. First 7th & 9th is Tam Laing of Kennoway club. His son in law Brian Chalmers is 2nd 6th & 10th with club mate Tom Cook winning 3rd & 8th spots. Methilhaven club Alan Cassidy is 4th & 5th thus making up the top 10. The Centre section has Novar members sending 80 birds; with Sean Diamond of Kennoway taking the first 2 places. Erskine & son of Novar are 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th & 9th with Brian Kinnear of Tayport club in 8th spot and R Cunningham of the same club winning 10th place.

Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association

News from Pete Penman who writes; ‘Hi Joe, the Kingdom RPA held its 3^rd race of the season from Alnwick, with the convoy of 539 birds liberated at 07-45 into a light south east wind. They made light work of the 75 miles or so with top velocities of over1600 ypm. Leading the way this week again is Coaltown of Balgonie's Dyke Armour who takes the first 12 positions in the club and federation. Superb flying yet again. His first bird is a home bred Rod Sparkes 2-year-old chequer pied hen, then another home bred Rod Sparkes 2-year-old blue cock followed closely by a 3-year-old blue hen bred by Mr & Mrs Williams from Cornwall which was 2^nd in the Kingdom federation last week. His next pigeon was a dark chequer hen bred by Rod Sparkes. In 5^th position was last weeks federation topper, a yearling chequer hen bred by Lennie Jenkins. Then a home bred yearling red cock through Dave Burns x a youngster bought at the Kingdom sale brought up by our good friend David Powers, all Dyke’s birds are flying on roundabout.

St. Serfs club. Taking the first four position was Stevie Fleming, his winner was a home bred yearling chequer hen, a Padfield Invincible crossed Soontjen. Then a yearling blue cock a gift bird from Andy Barbour from his ‘Louis Cooreman pigeons.’ crossed ‘Van de Buik’ red alert lines his next timer was a home bred yearling black cock.

Pentland Hills Federation

News from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe, for the federation sent 2461 birds entered by 90 lofts, these were liberated at 09-30 into a east to north east wind. Winning 1^st 21^st 22^nd & 28^th places are T Nolan & son of Danderhall club. Stevie Girdwood of Sighthill club is 2^nd with Mr. & Mrs. Girdwood of the same club winning 3^rd 5^th 19^th 20^th & 24^th places. Andy Miller also of Sighthill club is 4^th 23^rd & 26^th open. L Affleck of Edinburgh Premier is 6^th with the partnership of Robertson & Black of Danderhall club winning 7^th spot. Mr. & Mrs. Lindsay of Danderhall club are 8^th with an all pooler winning £348.00 for their efforts. Clubmates Walker & Brown are 9^th 10^th & 29^th open with club mate K Wright in 10^th spot. The father and son partnership of W Pryde & son of Arniston are 12^th & 14^th with M Robertson of Danderhall winning 13^th 15^th & 27^th positions. J Milne of Arniston is 16^th with A W Robertson of Danderhall in 17^th spot. Brown & Black of Woodburn club are 18^th with S & S Tierney of Danderhall in 25^th place. E Willis of Castlebrae club makes up the top 30^th position. Regarding the Breeder/Buyer: Many thanks to the members who participated and for those members still to submit ring number(s) please add these to the bottom of next week’s Federation race sheet next to your name;

Traprain H S

News from John Baillie who writes, ‘Hi Joe, please find result of our club result from Darlington which is a distance of approximately 114 miles, with 11 members sending 586 birds along with the convoy from Central Federation. The birds were away at 10-00 am into a light north east wind. Looking at the charts in the morning there was due east and south east winds in various places on the way home, so another fast race was possible. Taking the 1^st & 2^nd spots are the Newcombe & Black partnership from ‘Kardale Lofts’. A note from Ian, their winner ‘261’ is off the race team; the sire ‘8143’ is a Soontjen while the dam ‘4267’ is ‘Kardale Sonic’ who won 1^st open SNRPC Arras. The 2^nd bird is ‘7860’ a Herman Ceuster crossed ‘Herman Ceuster from Eijerkamp. In 3^rd position is yours truly John Baillie with an inbred 2-year-old cock from my 9^th Open SNFC Ypres. It will be interesting to see the results of the GPS rings reports highlighted in your column Joe as the birds get further down the country. Hopefully the guys will keep giving you the information as it is very interesting, thanks once again John B’.

North of Scotland Federation

News from George Duthie who writes; Hi Joe, we had 59 members sending 1441 birds to Strathkinness in Fife these were liberated into an east to south east wind. The East section had 30 members sending 742 birds. Taking the first 3 places in the east section and open is A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District club with the 3 birds dropping together doing 1525/1524 velocities.  Colin McRae of the same club is 4^th 7^th & 8^th section and open with G Findlay of Peterhead club winning 5^th 6^th & 9^th section and open. A Higgins of Fraserburgh West End club is 10^th & 25^th east section and open. With R Bain of Fraserburgh & District wins 11^th 27^th & 28^th section and open. R Barclay of Fraserburgh West End club is 12^th 14^th & 15^th east section and open. D Ward of Fraserburgh West End club wins 13^th 19^th & 24^th east section and open. R H Whyte of Peterhead & District is 16^th section and open, With R Adamson of Inverurie club winning 17^th section and open. Gordon Willox of Peterhead & District is 18^th & 29^th section and open. With club mate Stewart Maskame winning 20^th & 26^th open. S Glew of Peterhead club wins 21^st & 22^nd section and open with Inverurie Eric & Nicky Yule winning 23^rd section and open. A Robb of Inverurie club wins 30^th east section and open. The West Section had 29 members sending 699 birds; taking 1^st west section 31^st open are Ryan Hay & Family of Devern Valley club who take the full west section positions. Fulton & Ritchie Loft 2 are 2^nd west section 32^nd open. G Wilson is 3^rd 5^th & 10^th west section 33^rd 35^th & 40^th open. A Mair (John) wins 4^th & 6^th section 34^th & 36^th open with N Raymond winning 7^th & 9^th west section 37^th & 39^th open and A Wilson makes up the total winning 8^th west section 38^th open.

Clubs First Bird; Fraserburgh & District is won by A W Buchan velocity 1525; Peterhead & District is won by G Findlay velocity 1503; Fraserburgh West End won by A Higgins velocity 1480; R Adamson wins Inverurie velocity 1451; Ryan Hay & Family wind Devern Valley velocity 1410; A Cruickshank wins Keith club with a velocity of 1333. J Cummings wins Buckie & District velocity 1273; G Geddes wins Elgin & District velocity 1207. Well done to A Buchan on topping the federation and to Ryan Hay and Family on winning the west section. George Duthie finishes off by saying ‘I’m sorry but there will not be an official result for the next 2 weeks as he will be away, as soon as he is back home on the 25^th he will get them competed and sent out to the members.

Joe’s Joke

Fifty-one years ago, Tam Brown, a fisherman from Peterhead was drafted into the Army. On his first day in basic training the Army issued him with a comb. That afternoon the Army barber sheared off all his hair. On his second day, the Army issued Tam with a toothbrush, that afternoon the Army dentist yanked seven of his teeth out. On the third day, the Army issued Tam with a ‘Jock Strap’. The Army have been looking Tam for the past 51 years.

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