The Joe Murphy Column

Sorry, there was no column last week but Margaret and I had weeks holiday up in Arbroath seeing our grandchildren and having a long-awaited rest, hence the reason for no article. For normal I take my laptop and catch up on the results for the column, but to be honest I needed the rest. In saying this I visited Charlie & Glen Cameron for a coffee, (didn’t even go to see their birds). While we were in Forfar, we visited my old mate Gavin Ferguson who has not been keeping well for a long time. We had a ‘Forfar Bridie’ which is a horseshoe-shaped meat product, it has a shortcrust covering and the filling consists of beef, onions and seasoning, and are very tasty. Gavin and I wandered down to the loft, (Gavin does not race now) to see the birds and his set up. I was very impressed with his layout. The pigeons (all of them) only go out one trap and they only enter by one trap. He has a seat in his little cabin and sat their on-race days while the birds would drop down and just walk into the loft, it was so simple. None of this ‘Oh here’s a bird’ and you have to get out of the way as it comes down to land on the loft. Gavin and his partners Macaulay & Curran won Silver Award in the SNFC with their lovely blue cock ‘Fergie’s First’ who won 33^rd section C 108^th open Roye 2017; 14^th section C 45^th open Falaise 2017; 24^th section C Roye 2018. See photograph. We spent a lovely time with Gavin and his wife Denise and thank them for a lovely day.

    

Fergie's First                                                                Gavin's Trap bottom out Top In

Sky Tracking System

Lanarkshire 3300 birds plus 18 crates were brought back to Wooler on 4^th June for liberation at 09-30 hours. You will notice this pigeon did not head up towards Dunbar, but went to Coldstream then headed west toward Lauder/Galashiels then up towards the Pentland Hills before heading to Livingston then westwards towards Wishaw and then home arriving at 10-54 hours. Once again, my thanks to SHU Secretary Andy Frame for the Sky Tracking photos and information.   

    

Tracking from Wooler 2 & Graph of flight home

 Race Results

Scottish National Flying Club

Held their race from Upper Hayford on 12^th June with the convoy of 3002 birds sent by 369 members liberated at 06-00 hours into a south west wind. Taking the top honours of 1^st section B 1^st Open are Freddie & Wullie Robertson of Edinburgh with their chequer cock Golden Mile Charlie doing 1406 velocity. (See photo of winner, supplied by Andy Miller (Press officer for the Pentlandhills Federation) who also done well winning 7^th open SNFC well done mate.

Golden Mile Charlie SNFC Upper Hayford Winner

S & L Trodden of Gretna had a good race winning 1^st section A 2^nd open (they had a good race with 4 birds in the top 60 open) 1^st section C 13^th open is R Cook of Rosyth (with another press officer in Kenny Droog & son winning 5^th section C 39^th open) Hendry Borthwick wins 1^st section D 42^nd open; with Mike Main of Portlethen winning 1^st section G 78^th open. Hugh Menzies of Slamannan wins 1^st & 2^nd section E 110^th & 120^th open, with W Lawrence of Ayr winning 1^st section F. I heard that there were some birds missing by nightfall but they did return home the next day. Whereas news from the West of Scotland said they are good returns on the day with the odd one or two missing at nightfall.   

Freddie Robertson SNFC Winner

Angus Federation

News from Kenny Droog who writes, Angus federation result of the Newark race flown on the 4^th June with a 11-15am liberation into a north east wind. Topping the federation on a velocity of 1368 is Davie Glen, he is also 4^th & 10^th with club mates K Droog & son taking 2^nd & 3^rd with David Liddle winning 5^th spot. the next two places. Ian Scott wins 6^th 7^th 8^th 9^th 11^th 14^th 16^th & 19^th positions. Charlie & Glen Cameron from Arbroath club are 12^th 18^th & 20^th with Eric Galloway of Forfar winning 13^th 15^th & 17^th places.

East Section

Charlie & Glen Cameron of Arbroath are 1^st 3^rd 4^th 5^th 7^th & 8^th positions, with William Dorward of Gourdon winning 2^nd spot. Les McKay of Arbroath is 6^th with G Campbell of Montrose winning 9^th & 10^th positions.

Club Winners

Forfar 177 bird’s winner Davie Glen; Montrose 22 birds winner Gordon Campbell; Gourdon 30 birds winner William Dorward; Arbroath 87 birds winners Charlie & Glen Cameron;

Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club

Had 5 members sending 87 birds liberated into a north east wind and taking the first 4 plus 6^th & 7^th positions are Charlie & Glen Cameron. With Les McKay winning 5^th 8^th & 9^th places, Graham McKenzie is 10^th with a GB rung yearling.

Ayrshire Federation

News from Archie McIntyre who says ‘Hi Joe, Please find attached race report from Ayrshire Fed's race from Melton Mowbray. As well as the attached report, I have attached pictures of the 1^st & 2^nd federation winners this week. Once again, many thanks Joe’.

Ayrshire Federation 7^th race of the season saw us at Melton Mowbray on Saturday 4^th June with an entry of 368 birds (a drop of 642 on the previous weeks race) The distance of this race was between 227 miles up to 264 miles to the north end of the fed. The race control team had the birds up and away at 10-20 into a light north east wind. Reports from the liberation site was the birds cleared immediately. Leading the way in the federation this week and recording their 2^nd x 1^st federation win of the season on 1355.4, is the ever-consistent partnership of Stirrat & McKenna of Ardeer H.S. The partnership’s winning pigeon is a grandson of their 2 best hens, nestmates ‘26’ and ‘27’.

David McKenna of the Stirrat & McKenna partnership 1st Fed Melton Mowbray

The grand sire on one side is their ‘Jimmy Dunn’ cock and on the other side is the ‘George Rankin’ cock. The federation winner this week lost his mate the previous week and was flying spare. In 2^nd federation this week on 1337.3 is the husband-and-wife partnership of Jim & Sandra O’Hare of Ardeer HS. Jim was telling me his yearling hen ‘986’ was bred by family friends the ‘Johnston Brother’s’ from Belfast. This bird is the same way bred as their double section D winner in the NIPA Penzance race flying a distance of (311mile), his brother and sister are both Skibbereen (250mile) derby winners, his brother was 1^st club -1^st centre - 1^st section from Talbenny (200 mile) young bird NIPA national in 2021, the following week his brother won 1^st club-1^st centre-3^rd section from Skibbereen (250 mile) in the NIPA young bird national. ‘986’ so far this year for us has a 10^th club- 20^th federation from Wooler, 4^th club -15^th federation Blaydon, 8^th club Bubwith and now 2^nd club -2^nd federation Melton Mowbray.

J & S O'Hare 2nd Fed Melton Mowbray

The partnership would like to thank Mick and Martin for their continual support and friendship and we would like to congratulate fellow club members, Jim Stirrat and Davie McKenna of Ardeer HS on their 1^st federation win this week. In 3^rd federation on 1333.4 and his 2^nd x 3^rd federation win in a row, is Harvey Pollock of Irvine NTHS. Harvey is no stranger to being in one of the top positions on the leader board. Unfortunately, I do not have any details regarding Harvey’s winning pigeon.

Winners from in and around the Clubs

North Section 167 birds:

1st Ardeer HS, Stirrat & McKenna 1355.4, 1st Dalry HS, R & G McCallum 1311.7; 1^st Kilwinning HS, J & T Davidson 1260.9.

Central Section 80 birds;

1^st Irvine HS- H Pollock 1333.4, 1^st Crosshouse HS- I Noble 1258.3; 1^st Kilmarnock Invitation is O Pacala-1054.7, 1^st Darvel HS is R Donegan 1023.0.

South Section 121 birds;

1st Whitletts is A McNeilly 1319.6; 1^st Mauchline & District is E Stewart 1298.8; 1^st Cumnock & District is J Moan 1154.0; 1^st Annbank & District is D Graham 974.1; Carrick & District is Jamieson & Cameron 920.0; 1^st Dalmellington PC is J Sloan 802.2.

Almond Valley Federation

News from secretary Lynne Stewart who forwards the result of the Newark race flown on the 4^th June with 939 birds liberated at 11-15 hours. Topping the federation are Law & Brady of Bonnybridge club with a 2-year-old blue hen doing 1358 velocity. Wells & Scott of the same club are 2^nd open with Jamie Sweeney of East Calder winning 3^rd 17^th 28^th 33^rd & 36^th open. Fauldhouse club member T Gavin wins 4^th, 12^th 38^th & 39^th open. Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder are 5^th 7^th 9^th 16^th 18^th & 27^th open.  Carnwath S McArdle is 6^th place; the Lumsden Colligan & Hope partnership from Fauldhouse club are 8^th 14^th 15^th & 35^th open.  Balerno’s C Ross wins 10^th & 40^th open with John Bird of West Calder winning 11^th & 26^th places. Thomson Brothers of Carnwath club are 13^th with C & C Smillie of Fauldhouse club winning 19^th 23^rd & 25^th positions, J Hadfield of West Calder club wins 20^th 21^st 27^th 31^st & 32^nd places. Club mate J Burt wins 22^nd open with I McLelland of Bonnybridge club winning 24^th open place. H Drummond Son & Hilditch of Fauldhous club are 29^th with Vic Couper of Bonnybridge club winning 34^th open.

Balerno 95 birds; C Ross 1324.592, 1275.261, 1272.116, C Bain & W Fairley 1255.474

Bonnybridge 157 birds; Law & Brady 1358.093, Wells & Scott 1354.271, I McLelland 1297.394, V Couper 1280.860

Carnwath 165 birds; S McArdle 1344.592, Thomson Bros 1316.220, S McArdle 1272.807, 1256.196

East Calder 98 birds; J Sweeney 1353.814, F Jamieson & Son 1352.407, 1341.173, 1333,306

Fauldhouse 240 birds; T Gavin 1352.785, L Lumsden, Colligan & Hope 1340.464, T Gavin 1321.367, L Lumsden, Colligan & Hope 1311.223

West Calder 184 birds; J Bird 1323.845, J Hadfield 1300.058, 1298.845, J Burt 1298.289

Dundee

News from press officer Brian Donnelly who writes; Hi Joe, for our 7^th race of the season we should have been racing from Leicester.  However, due to unfavourable weather conditions at Leicester, the convoy was moved back to Newark, around a distance of 250 miles for most club members. 10 members sent 180 birds these were liberated at 11-15 into a north east wind. Winning for the 4^th week running, is the very consistent loft of Danny Henderson. Danny had 2 yearling cocks arrive together to take first and 2^nd club.  Danny's first pigeon over the pad on a velocity of 1361.9 ypm was bred from a Billy Bilsland cock a (brother to 2 national winners for Billy), when paired to Danny's own national winner " Rollercoaster", winner of 1^st open SNRPC Hazebrouck. Danny's 2^nd bird, on 1361.6 ypm is from Hardy Kruger bloodlines, his sire has been twice 1^st federation for Danny, being bred down through ‘Ribery’ & ‘Letizia’ lines. The dam of Danny's 2^nd club winner is a daughter of ‘The Magician’ when he was paired onto a daughter of ‘Ribery’. Both Danny's timers are flown on the roundabout system.

Danny Henderson with his winner and dog

Third club, and knocking on the door again is federation president, John Wiseman. Who timed a 2-year-old blue cock on 1359 ypm, he is flown on the widowhood system? This bird is from a first cross of pigeons from the late John Duthie and Bruce McKenzie both of Dundee. 4^th club is Charlie Watson, who is having a very consistent season. Charlie timed a three-year-old grizzle cock on 1348 ypm, he is flown on the natural system. His sire is from the bloodlines of the late John Duthie and the dam is Ray Lander cross Bricoux. Brian winner is from a Billy Bilsland cock that is a brother to 2 of Billy’s National winners; and the dam is from ‘Rollercoaster’ winner of 1^st SNRPC national from      Hazebrouck for myself. The 2^nd bird is a hardy Kruger its sire has been 1^st federation Twice for myself and is down through ‘Ribery’ & ‘Letizia’ the dam is a daughter of the ‘Magician’ when paired onto a daughter of ‘Ribery’. Congratulations lads and kindest regards Brian’.

East of Scotland Federation

News from Tom McEwen who writes, ‘Hi Joe, the federation were at Newark with the convoy liberated at 11-15am into a north east wind. It was another great race for Keith Howie of Prestonpans as he topped the federation and also took 2^nd 8^th & 10^th positions. The federation winner was a 3-year-old dark chequer cock, it topped the federation last year from Newark and was also 4^th federation from Newark last week. His sire was Keith’s great cock ‘Blue Arrow’. Its dam is a Soontjen on bloodlines. John Bird from the ‘Pan’s’ is well to the fore in 3^rd open with Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton finishing well in 4^th place. Former Gold Cup winner George Veitch of East Saltoun finishing with a great treble in 5^th 6^th & 7^th positions. Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone complete the top 10 winning 9^th open.   

Prestonpans Homing Society

First and 2^nd club is Keith Howie with the winner a 3-year-old chequer cock, this bird topped the federation last year and was 4^th fed last week. Keith’s 2^nd bird is a yearling blue cock bred by Spider Rowley from a Koopman crossed Van Den Bulk bloodlines. This cock topped the federation from Darlington. 3^rd club is John Bird with a 3-year-old chequer hen from Vandenabeele crossed Busschaert bloodlines. Cheers Joe and all the best to you and Margaret, yours Tom’.

Fife Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies;

Federation secretary Geordie Todd forwarded the following race result for the Melton Mowbray 2 race flown on the 4^th June with 540 birds liberated at 10-45 into a north east wind. J Hynd & son of Crossgates club are 1^st 2^nd 4^th 5^th & 9^th open with Brian Chalmers of Kennoway in 3^rd & 8^th place. Austin Whittaker of Methilhaven club is 6^th A Simpson of Dunfermline club is 7^th with club mate Frank Mitchell winning 10^th place.

West section had Lochgelly club sending 53 birds, Dunfermline sent 135 birds, and Crossgates sent 70 birds. J Hynd & son of Crossgates club are 1st 2nd 3rd 4th & 6th with Dunfermline club A Simpson is 5th Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club is 7th & 8th with J & J Greenhorn of the same club in 9th spot. Another Dunfermline member A Ritchie wins 10th west section position. East section had Methilhaven club sending 98 birds; Tayport 14 birds; St Andrews 77 birds and Kennoway 84 birds.  Winning 1st 3rd 6th & 8th section is Brian Chalmers of Kennoway, with Austin Whittaker of Methilhaven club winning 2nd place.  K & N Honeyman of Kennoway are 4th with Alan Cassidy of Methilhaven club in 5th spot. John Harcus of St Andrews club is 7th section with T R Stevenson (Ronnie) of Leven winning 9th section. Past SNFC winners Jim & Gary Peggie of Methilhaven club are 10th; the Centre section had Novar club sending 12 birds and the 10 section positions were won between 2 lofts. Brian Kinnear of Tayport club wins 1st 3rd 4th 5th & 6th with Sean Diamond of Kennoway winning the other 5 places.

Pentland Hills Federation

News from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe, for our 7^th race of the 2022 season. This was flown on Saturday 28^th May, from Newark, a distance of 209 to 222 miles for the 83 members who entered 1401 birds. These were liberated later this weekend due to early morning cloud cover into a north east wind at 11-15 hours. The federation winner is Keith Wright from Danderhall who timed his yearling late bred cock flown roundabout and well pooled in club and federation with total winnings of nearly a £1000. This cock was un-flown as a youngster but has been very consistent all season. It was bred by club mate and good friend and the man to beat most weeks in Danderhall, Freddie Robertson from his Premier Stud Hereman Ceusters. A full brother was 3^rd federation for Freddie in the same race. Speaking to members, the returns were mixed with about 80% by the next day and more returns again this week with Peregrine injuries! Regards Andy.  First federation is Keith Wright of Danderhall with a velocity of 1442.11. F & W Robertson of the same club win 2^nd & 3^rd, with Walker & Brown are 4^th 24^th & 29^th with club mates Robertson & Black winning 5^th with club mates T Nolan & son winning 6^th 7^th 8^th 11^th 16^th 18^th & 26^th places. P & J Hutton of Edinburgh Premier club win 9^th open. B Thomas & son of the same club are 10^th with Woodburn’s Brown & Black winning 12^th place. Mr & Mrs Lothian of Arniston are 13^th with Andy Miller of Sighthill club winning 14^th & 27^th places. Danderhall’s M Robertson is 15^th & 21^st with S Girdwood of Sighthill club winning 17^th & 19^th positions. Gilchrist & Murray of Edinburgh Premier are 20^th with E Willis of Castlebrae club wining 22^nd open. Ian Summers of Sighthill is 23^rd, he is followed by Walker & Brown of Danderhall in 24^th place followed by club mates Mr & Mrs Lindsay in 25^th position. B Stoddart of Edinburgh Premier is 28^th with R Simpson of Easthouses in 30^th place.  

Scottish Central Federation

News from Bernie Britton who writes, ‘Hi Joe, we hope you and Margaret are keeping well. From our Newark 2 race the convoy of 745 birds were liberated at 10-45am into an east wind. Angus Orr & son win the federation with a 5-year-old blue white flight cock, they are also 4^th 5^th 6^th & 16^th federation.

Broxburn & Uphall PC 

Had 4 members sending 108 birds; Gordon Mackenzie takes 1^st 2^nd & 3^rd club; 2^nd 9^th & 10^th federation. His first bird is a 2-year-old chequer hen on roundabout and she was bred by his good mate Bobby Logan. This bird won 2^nd combine as a young bird and topped the federation as a yearling. His 2^nd club is a yearling chequer hen flown on roundabout she was also bred by Bobby Logan. Gordon’s 3^rd club 10^th federation winner was a chequer pied hen also on roundabout, she was a home bred ‘Gabby’ as a matter of interest Joe, Gordon was also 13^th & 14^th federation. 

Winchburgh & District Pigeon Club

Had 7 members sending 135 birds, winning 1^st club 11^th federation is Henry Borthwick with a 2-year-old widowhood cock bred by his good mate Andy MacCartney from Raploch in Stirling from his Taylor Brothers bloodlines via Donaldson, these birds have flown well for Henry. 2^nd club 15^th federation is Mark Doran with a 2-year-old blue bar cock on roundabout, bred in the stock loft from his Tommy Blair crossed Joe Davis stock. 3^rd club is Peter Keogh with a 4-year-old blue hen flown celibate previous 1^st section D, out of his ‘Quiet Man’ a multi-national winner for Peter. Thanks to Peter from getting me the information from his club members, thank you Joe and please take care, yours Bernie’.          

North of Scotland Federation

News from George Duthie who writes, ‘Hi Joe, we had 54 members sending 753 birds to Darlington (1) flown on the 4^th June, the convoy were liberated into a light east to north east wind. The east section had 28 members sending 457 birds with the west section having 26 members sending 296 birds.

Topping the federation and East section with a velocity of 1176 is A Higgins of Fraserburgh West End club he is also 7^th east section 23^rd open. First & 5^th west section 2^nd & 6^th open is J Able of Devern Valley club. His club mate D Smith is 2^nd west section 3^rd open with another Devern member G Wilson winning 3^rd 7^th 10^th 11^th 12^th & 14^th west section 4^th 8^th 13^th 14^th 15^th & 17^th open.  R Wilson of Keith club wins 4^th 17^th & 18^th west section 5^th 27^th & 28^th open. A Hay of Devern Valley club wins 6^th & 16^th west section and 7^th & 21^st open. A J Reid of Keith club wins 8^th west section 9^th open with A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District club winning 2^nd 3^rd 8^th 9^th 10^th east section & 10^th 12^th 24^th 25^th & 26^th open positions. Fulton & Ritchie Loft 2 from Devern Valley club are 9^th west section 11^th open. P Thomson of Elgin & District club are 13^th west section 16^th open with G Findlay of Peterhead & District club winning 4^th 6^th & 11^th east section 18^th 22^nd & 29^th open. R Higgins of Fraserburgh West End club is 5^th east section 19^th open with A Wilson of Devern Valley club winning 15^th west section 20^th open and R Adamson of Inverurie club wins 12^th east section 30^th open.

Clubs First Bird.

Fraserburgh West End winner is A Higgins with a velocity of 1176.897.

Devern Valley winner is J Abel velocity of 1173.546

Keith winner is R Wilson velocity 1169.708

Fraserburgh & District winner is A W Buchan velocity of 1148.592

Elgin & District winner is P Thomson velocity 1145.340

Peterhead & District winner is G Findlay velocity 1142.429

Inverurie winner is R Adamson velocity 1125.782

Buckie & District winner is J Cumming velocity 1120.626

Well done to A Higgins on topping the federation, also well done to J Abel on winning the west section.

Obituary

Davy Wilson; who was a pigeon fancier and professional footballer, for Glasgow Rangers and Scotland. Davy played for his country 22 times and scored 10 goals; he was also included in the Scotland Hall of Fame as one of Scotland’s All Time Greats of Scottish Football. Davy was also a first-class pigeon man and I was on a panel with him at Larkhall, which is a red-hot Rangers known area. The patter between us was great and we both enjoyed our banter back and forwards. Which went down with the fanciers present, I also met up with Davy at the Hillcroft Hotel, for the Scottish Homing Union Centenary celebrations. He was a true gentleman and will be sorely missed by his family; may he rest in peace.     

Joe’s Joke

Poster found in a church in France… (Translated).

‘When you enter this church, it may be possible that you hear ‘The Call of God’. However, it is unlikely that He will call you on your mobile. Thank you for turning off your phones. If you want to talk to God, enter, choose a quiet place and talk to Him. I you want to see Him, send Him a text while driving’.

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 - www.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