NEWS FROM SCOTLAND
Reports by Joe Murphy
Margaret and I have been away on holiday for a couple of weeks and boy did we need the rest, especially after the problems with the person getting hold of my email details and the trouble they caused. You would not believe it, when we came home I had received an email from my son warning me about a DVLA scam. He said ‘Watch out for emails claiming to be from the DVLA asking you to verify your driving licence details via an online link – it's a scam. The DVLA has not sent any such email, so if you get one delete it immediately. This is a copy of the email that is circulating: From: DVLA Subject: Update Your License Details We are currently upgrading our database and all drivers are required to update and verify their driver's license details. To complete your license verification with us, you are required to fill out the form in the link below. {Fake link} Drivers that refuse to upgrade his or her details within two weeks of receiving this verification email will lose his or her driver's License and will have to take a fresh driving test. We sincerely apologise for any inconveniences this might have caused you. Thank you for your co-operation. (c) Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Swansea SA6 7JL. SO DO NOT REPLY TO THIS IF YOU GET IT SENT TO YOU.
Backlog
Due to the backlog of results and news forwarded to me while away I have split this information up into two weeks to give me a chance to catch up so if PROs sent me in a load of results then do not worry the remainder will go in next week.
Blast from the Past
This week’s pictures are of Dickie Graham of Ecclefechan judging the supreme champion at Central Scotland Charity Show; Dickie was a top fancier who knew how to set up pigeons for the shows. He had the Kirkpatricks and won many an Eyesign class with this family of pigeons. The second photo is of Davie Hamilton of Kennoway with John Ellis of Elphinstone and Danny King of Kennoway with Joe Murphy in the back ground.
Dickie Graham
Davie Hamilton of Kennoway with John Ellis of Elphinstone and Danny King of Kennoway with Joe Murphy in the background.
Results
Angus Federation
Arbroath news from Kevin with the result of the Leicester race taking the 1st; 2nd & 3rd places are Charlie Cameron with his winner a blue bar yearling cock bred from a full brother of Jos when mated to a black Rik Cools hen. The 2nd bird is a dark chequer 2 year old Malfait cock he won 16th open SNFC Clermont last year and the 3rd bird is a blue bar 2 year old cock bred from Little Dorrie winner of 3rd open SNFC Reims 2010 when mated to Duracell 51st open Reims 2010.
The following Saturday’s result from Witton Castle had the birds liberated at 07-30am into a west wind the first two places going to yours truly Kevin Murphy my winner is a 2 year old chequer cock flying roundabout. Very inbred to Mystical Rose our 1st open SNFC Sartilly winner of 1992 his sire is also an inbred grandson of Mystical Rose when paired to a great granddaughter of Mystical Rose. My second bird was also a 2 year old blue cock flying roundabout. His sire was bred by Tom & Mary Paterson of Plean being a direct son of Midnight Son when paired to a blue hen from Tom McEwan she in turn is bred from distance blood as her sire is a direct son of 1st & 2nd INFC winners via N Black & son of Drumore of Northern Ireland. 3rd club is Charlie Cameron with a blue bar white flight yearling hen a granddaughter of Little Dorrie. Both her parents scored from Eastbourne with the SNFC as yearlings.
Fife Federation
From the Ripon race 912 birds were liberated at 10-05am into a light west wind topping the east section and federation is Brian Chalmers of Kennoway with another 3 birds in 7th 8th & 9th section. 2nd section is A Cassidy of Kennoway with J Lumsden of Tayport in 3rd place just ahead of Jim & Gary Peggie of Methil; John Harcus of St Andrews is 5th & 10th section with D Brown of Leven in 6th place. East section birdage is as follows; St Andrews 81 birds; Leven 146 birds; Methilhaven 70 with Kennoway 123 & Tayport 12 birds. West Section winners are Jock Hynd & son Ian of Crossgates they are also 4th & 5th section (I would like to say that Ian has done a marvellous job as race controller for the federation in his first year. The thing that impresses me is he always puts the ‘Pigeons First’ which is something I have advocated for many years and I just wish other controllers would do the same; anyway well done Ian) 2nd section is Jim Doig of Lochgelly club with Bob Wilson of Glenrothes & Leslie in 3rd place (well done on topping the fed from the Leicester race Bob) Stuart Donaldson of the same club is 6th with Wattie Forman of Novar in 7th spot just ahead of Willie Stark of Crossgates in 8th place followed by George Dow of Crossgates in 9th spot. Birdage for the west section clubs Lochgelly 60; Dunfermline 46 with Valleyfield no details & Crossgates 94 birds.
Centre section is won by Maxwell & Bethune of Glenrothes & Leslie with club members taking the first 8 places; Mick McMurchie is 2nd & 8th with his brother Iain in 3rd place; Brian Kinnear is 4th 6th & 7th section with Jimmy Bell of the Spittal & Bell No 2 loft in 5th place. Jock King of Novar is 9th with Martin Bell of the same club in 10th place the birdage as follows; Perth 11; Glenrothes & Leslie 159 birds & Novar 110 birds.
Glenrothes & Leslie news from Maxie with the last two weeks results from the SNFC race 10 members sent 75 birds 1st club 1st federation 1st region C 6th open Cheltenham are Iain & Pam McMurchie with a 5 year old hen on roundabout she is a broken bird bought at Stuart Redpath`s clearance sale and was on the Leicester open race result for Stuart her dam is a direct daughter from a Barcelona winner while her sire is direct son of Iain`s brother Mick`s Maidstone cock. The fed winner has already flown Eastbourne & Clermont. In 2nd club 4th fed 4th region C 56th open is brother Mick with one of his Van Loon widowhood cocks. 3rd club 20th region 201st open is Brian Kinnear with a 2 year old chequer pied cock on roundabout his sire is a son of the International Dax winner who in turn is grandson on Gran Canaria. Dam is a sister to Len Downie’s Alencon hen who is a great granddaughter of Gran Canaria. I would like on behalf of all the club members congratulate all 3 winners especially Iain & Pam on their great result with special praise for Pam (from Iain) who lets the birds out at the same time every day and feeds them on return her hard work is much appreciated. From Ripon (2) we had 11 members sending 159 birds taking the top honour this week is yours truly Maxwell & Bethune with a yearling hen sitting 10 days on eggs. She is a daughter off our 1st & 2nd open Fife federation open young bird national winners of 2009 when paired together. 2nd club is Mick McMurchie with a Van Loon widowhood cock; 3rd Iain & Pam McMurchie with a 2 year old cock on roundabout a direct Van Loon cock crossed with a hen from Andrew Shepherd of Sunderland from his Money Box cock. This hen is in the stock loft now breeding winners and she has also won 4 x 1st prizes herself. That`s it for this week Joe once again our congratulations to Iain & Pam on a terrific performance yours in sport Maxie’.
Dunfermline RPC news from Walker Kennedy who writes ‘Hi Joe this should be the Newbury result but as we all know it was changed to Cheltenham and it is the poor birds we feel sorry for. As regards this shambles of a race the people who caused it should walk away and take a back seat as they are not doing the national or the sport any good at all. First club goes to Frank Mitchell with a velocity of 1024 he timed a 2 year old cock from his distance family on widowhood. In second place was Eric Reid on 945 also with a 2 year old red hen sitting 14 days on eggs; Eric’s late dad would be proud of this one and Eric also wins the nom. In third place is Frank Mitchell on 808 another 2 year old cock. To let you know how bad a race this was Joe up to 11-40am on the 2 day there was only 9 birds made it home which is a disgrace!!!. For the Ripon comeback race 5 members sent 46 birds 1st through the ETS pad was John Robertson on 1013 he was also 3rd club in 2nd place was Wattie Sharp on a velocity of 987 sorry not any details of the winners I have not had much time this week sorry yours Walker.
Dundee Federation
Downfield Friendly RPC news from Willie Donachie who writes ‘We were at the 204 mile race point of Wakefield sending 94 birds with the federation convoy; liberated at 09.15am into a North East Wind first bird clocked and winning their 4th red card of the season were the ever consistent partnership of Ness & Kempton. They clocked 2 good birds at 14-22 and 14-39 hours to win 1st & 3rd club 8th & 16th fed 12th & 22nd Grampian Combine on velocities of 1172 & 1108. The winning pigeon is a 6 year old blue chequer hen flown roundabout this hen was put in the stock loft after her young bird season and was only put back on the road this year not only has she won this race in fine style she has also been 4th club Alnwick this season. This hen is a blend of all the partnerships most successful lines namely the Luc Van Hoecke/Rietvink Janssen/Vandenabeele. There second pigeon is a 2 year old blue cock a full brother to the lofts other 3 winners this season with one brother having won 2 x 1st prizes. He is bred from the Luc Van Hoecke's family being from a direct son of 'De Superdax' when paired to a direct daughter of 'Den Provincial'. Splitting these two pigeons were Brown & Donachie (2) also timing at 14-39pm winning 2nd club 15th fed & 21st Grampian Combine. This pigeon is also a 6 year old being there successful blue cock 'Blue Loon' a winner of many club & fed prizes with his best win being 1st club 1st fed 1st Grampian Combine Leicester in 2011. He is a Van Loon being a grandson of Barry Intins famous 'Applejack' a champion breeding son of Planet Bros; Little Scrumpy a son of Scrumpy 30 x 1st prizes. These Applejack Van Loons have been a roaring success for us having won 22 x 1st feds & 3 x 1st Combine and a 1st open Amalgamation from 9144 birds at 386 miles. This race which was meant to be our first Leicester race and is our yearling cup race winner was Alec Donaldson and his pigeon finished 4th club 20th fed 28th Combine. The following week we were at our second Combine race and we did get a liberation from Leicester a distance of 278/279 miles to our club members. The 73 entered pigeons were liberated at 08-30am into a South West Wind, but it still turned out to be a very difficult race with a few empty perches that night. Winners this week timing a 2 year old widowhood hen at 15-19pm are the partnership of Brown & Donachie (2) recording 1197.52, this hen wins 1st club 3rd fed 3rd Grampian Combine she has previously won minor prizes including 1st club 8th fed Witton Castle as a yearling. She is bred from our Andre Clement family of pigeons originating from William Hay of Methil that have now bred us some handy pigeons since their introduction in 2008. Ness & Kempton timed the next two pigeons at 15-26 and 15-40pm to win 2nd & 3rd club 6th & 11th fed. Their first pigeon is a cracking 2 year old Blue hen flown roundabout that won the yearling cup last year winning 1st club 2nd fed 4th Grampian Combine as a young bird she won Bird of the Year Award in our club for winning 1st club 1st fed Ripon then one week later 1st club 1st fed 3rd Grampian Combine from the Wakefield young bird open race she has also some other club & fed prizes. She is bred from a grandson of Luc Van Hoecke 'De Superdax' when paired to a Galaxy Lofts Rietvink Janssen. There second pigeon is a 2 year old blue chequer white flight cock also flown on the roundabout system.
Midlothian Federation
Rosewell Please find our results! Sorry for delay in forwarding them over this has been due to work commitments; from our 4 race from Thirsk the winners are M & D Winter & daughter with a chequer cock on widowhood doing 1104. 2nd is Brian Massey with a blue cock flying widowhood on a velocity of 1103 also winning full pools. 3rd is W Tytler with a grizzle cock on widowhood doing 1090. From the come-back race from Otterburn due to poor weather a distance of around 58 miles the winners are M & D Winter & daughter with a blue pied cock on widowhood doing a 1392 velocity. They are also 2nd with a dark chequer cock also on widowhood doing 1386. 3rd is C C Winter with a blue pied hen flying natural system on eggs. Brian Massey wins full pools with blue cock will catch up on the other results next week.
East of Scotland Federation news from John Bird who wrote ‘Hi Joe I was very sorry to read in your article that you were the subject of an attempted scam thank goodness it was stopped and no one lost any money. I have forwarded the results that I think have been lost as well as this weeks (will add the last race in next week). This was the Federation Open race and should have been from Peterborough however due to the weather conditions the birds were brought back to Newark and were liberated at 10.10 hours into a South East wind turning East on route. 1st & 6th is yours truly John Bird with a winning velocity was 1216; 2nd are Mr & Mrs Peter March, 3rd Ronnie MacIntyre; 4th Jamie Combe, 5th Tom & Scot McEwen, 7th Graeme Wardhaugh, 8th, 9th and 10th is Tommy (Corker) Thomson. From the Peterborough liberated at 08-20am into a west south west wind turning north on route. 1st & 5th fed is Mr & Mrs Andy Burgess, 2nd Tommy (Corker) Thomson, 3rd, 9th& 10th is Tucker Watt, 4th & 6th are Tom & Scott McEwen, 7th is John Bird and 8th was Bert Nisbet. The winner recorded a velocity of 1177 with returns good for some and very poor for others with some members failing to time in.
Prestonpans Homing Society result from Newark 10 members sent 137 birds liberated at 10.10 hours into a south east wind turning east on route. As previously stated in the federation result the race should have been from Peterborough but due to bad weather at and around the race point the birds were brought back to Newark. 1st club and 1st fed open went to yours truly John Bird with a 3 year old roundabout cock. This cock was a late bred bird and was not raced in 2009 as a yearling he was raced to 250 miles. In 2011 as a 2 year old he was 4th club 5th fed from Thirsk he was timed from Ypres but failed to make the result. He then went to Claremont and won 157th open. On the sire’s side is Richard Combe bloodlines and on the dam’s side her sire was 5th section 11th open Alencon in 2005 paired to 57th open Alencon 2005. In 2nd place was Mr & Mrs Peter March on a velocity of 1187 this natural bird was sent sitting eggs. In 2009 he won 4th club 4th fed from Newark. In 2010 he was 9th fed from Peterborough and last year he returned badly hawked from an early race and was left to heal. The dam is from Brian Cunningham stock and has bred a number of winners for Peter. The sire is from Kirkpatrick bloodlines and was purchased at Musselburgh Show. In 3rd spot was Jamie Combe with a 2 year old roundabout hen on a velocity of 1185. As this was a late bred pigeon it did not race in 2010. In 2011 raced as far as Peterborough if spared this hen will go as one of Jamie’s entries to Claremont. The grand dam on the sire’s side won 40th open Reims and 1st section Tours to her name while the other grand dam has won 8th open Andrezel and 10th open Bourges. At clock checking most members reported that returns were much better than in previous weeks. Prestonpans Homing Society from Peterborough 10 members sent 106 birds liberated at 08-20am into a west south west wind turning north on route. 1st club with a blue roundabout hen was Tommy (Corker) Thomson the winner recorded a velocity of 1161 the parents were obtained from G Wilson in Banff and are of Sterkins lines. The parents have produced fed winners for both Tommy and club mate Doug Valentine and the nest mate of this 09 hen has previously topped the East of Scotland federation. The hen has a number of tickets including 2nd federation and surely would have won more but when she was a young bird she entered a loft in Falkirk and when racing she often stops off at a loft in Falkirk for a short stop before heading home she obviously did not have a pit stop this week however she is now known as the Falkirk Flyer. In 2nd and 3rd places is Tom & Scot McEwen their first bird on a velocity of 1153 was a lightly raced 2 year old chequer cock sent chasing his hen. The sire of this bird is a direct son of Petite Rose their 1st open 2005 Tours winner when paired to ‘The Bib’ another of Tom & Scott’s national pigeons. The dam is a Mark Gilbert Deweerdt bred through Mark’s famous Emile lines. The 3rd on a velocity of 1141 was a 2011 late bred natural hen that was neither raced not trained last year this chequer hen had one toss prior to racing and has been to all races this season; Her sire is a full brother to Brian Cunningham’s 2004 1st open SNFC Newbury national winner Bankton Belle when paired to Petite Rose see above. As Tom feels this hen is still a baby she will be put away for next year. As in previous weeks we had another strange race with some members having decent returns and others failing to record a time in.
Traprain
News from Karen Newcombe with a couple of results the members sent to Peterbourgh an approximately 258 miles with the birds liberated in a west south west wind. The 1st club position going to George Hunter from Elphinstone with a blue hen flying roundabout bred from his Kipp crossed Jan Aarden lines on a 1209 velocity. 2nd & 3rd is yours truly Karen Newcombe of Macmerry my first bird being a black pied hen bred from stock birds gifted from Brian Cunningham’s lines on a 1208 velocity. She was followed by a blue cock on a 1196 velocity this cock won 8th open young bird national last year bred from Koopman crossed Jos Thorne lines and both birds flown on natural system. This week’s winner from the comeback race a distance of 135 miles liberated in a west wind the winners are A S Thompson from Port Seaton with a chequer Van Loon hen flying roundabout doing 1218 velocity. Second is J Bosworth from Elphinstone on 1205 with a blue cock sitting fresh eggs bred from The Graduate crossed Ko Nipius lines. Third is T McLeod also from Elphinstone with a blue Gaby Vandenabeele hen flying roundabout doing 1162 velocity no details.
Pentland Hills federation & New Lothian news from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe we had the best race of the season on Saturday I sent 17 widowers timed 10 bird in 15 minutes from 263 miles so Pentland federation must be lucky or just good! As a matter of interest Barry also had them all home in an hour. The New Lothian RPC with the Pentland Hills federation raced from Peterborough on June 9th race controller Bobby Graham had the birds away at 08-20 in a west to south west wind turning north west on route. The winning velocity of 1206 going to “Super Ally” Robertson who flies with the Gilmerton club Ally timed a 2 year old Busschaert crossed Wildermeersch widowhood cock, a previous winner as a youngster and yearling. The sire was obtained from ex- fancier and club mate Fraser Perring on the dam side this goes back to Jake and Tam Young from Danderhall via Gilmerton’s Jock Hardie, second 6th & 7th open are Willie Kinnear & son Barry of Danderhall; with J Robertson of New Lothian in 3rd place. Sammuals & Lunn of Castlebrae are 4th with Nolan & Farwell of Danderhall in 5th & 10th places with their first bird lifting nearly £350.00. Super Ally is 8th with yours truly Andy Miller of Sighthill in 9th place returns were excellent by close of play.
Dalzell Flying club
The birds were liberated at 06-00am at Salisbury with 9 members sending 40 birds taking the first two places is Mr Jim Cassidy on 990 with a blue cock and 2nd on 931 also with a blue cock both from Jim Cullen’s family of pigeons. In 3rd place is O & J McFadden on 871 with a Ray Lander Busschaert well done to Jim Cassidy winning this week’s hard fought race.
Obituary
Bob Reeves of Exmouth. It is with a very heavy heart that I report the passing of Bob whom I have known for more years than I care to remember. We first met at Blackpool Show and I have included a photograph of Bob and I along with Bernie Bennett at the show. Margaret and I also met up with Bob and his wife Ina in Malta (Ina is Maltese) and he showed us around some of the lofts and we met up with many fanciers at the bars at night. We have swapped pigeons over the years and Bob was one of the first people that I can remember having early youngsters and one year he brought about 6 babies to Blackpool show for us to take back to Scotland. We have exchanged Christmas cards all these years and met up every year at the scribes' room in the Winter Gardens. Even last January we met up with the whole family including Bob’s dad, who will be devastated at the loss of his son. Words cannot express how shocked we were when informed of Bob’s passing and he will be a friend greatly missed, by none more so than by Ina, his sons, their families and Bob Senior, to whom we all send our condolences. Rest in Peace my old friend.
Bob flanked by me and Bernie Bennett.
Mable Mann of Stonehaven; wife of the famous Eddie who won 2nd open SNFC Rennes on the day. Mable broke her hip and was in Aberdeen hospital for a short while and on return home she took a stroke and was rushed back into hospital but sadly passed away. She was in her 81st year and Eddie is a little younger and she always called him her ‘Toy Boy’. They were both dedicated to each other and it will be hard for Eddie and his daughter and grandchildren at this sad time. On behalf of all your friends within the pigeon sport Eddie (and family) we send our heartfelt condolences at the passing of Mable.
Joe’s Joke
A rich man living in Darwin decided that he wanted to throw a party and invited all of his buddies and neighbours. He also invited Colin, the only aborigine in the neighbourhood. He held the party around the pool in the backyard of his mansion everyone was having a good time drinking, dancing, eating prawns, oysters from the BBQ and flirting. At the height of the party, the host said, 'I have a 15ft man-eating crocodile in my pool and I'll give a million dollars to anyone who has the gumption to jump in.' The words were barely out of his mouth when there was a loud splash and everyone turned around and saw Colin in the pool fighting the croc, jabbing the croc in the eyes with his thumbs, throwing punches, doing all kinds of stuff like head butts and chokeholds, biting the croc on the tail and flipping it through the air like some kind of Judo Instructor. The water was churning and splashing everywhere both Colin and the croc were screaming and raising hell....finally Colin strangled the croc and let it float to the top like a dead goldfish then Colin slowly climbed out of the pool everybody was just staring at him in disbelief. The host says, 'Well Colin, I reckon I owe you a million dollars.' 'Nah, you all right boss, I don't want it,' said Colin. The rich man said, 'Man I have to give you something. You won the bet how about half a million bucks then?' 'No thanks; I don't want it,' answered Colin. The host said, 'Come on I insist on giving you something; that was amazing. How about a new Porsche and a Rolex and some stock options? Again, Colin said "No." Confused, the rich man asked, 'Well Colin, then what do you want? Colin said, I want the B….. who pushed me in’.
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 to my NEW EMAIL ADDRESS at; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.Pigeonportal.com www.fancierchat.com or www.racingpigeonsuk.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.
© Compiled by Joe Murphy