NEWS FROM SCOTLAND
Reports by Joe Murphy
Almond Valley Fed Transporter
Attended the SNFC first sale in Easthouses in Mid Lothian last Sunday; there was a good turn out of fanciers and the venue was excellent; the sale itself can be described as ‘Sale of the Century’ as there were bargains galore and anyone who was looking for top long distance pigeons could have had a loft full for at least £500, which is what some people are paying for ONE pigeon nowadays. I said in my reports on these sales that I would be going to look for a bargain and, believe me, I’m not disappointed in my purchases. I tried for a few birds without success; however my 2 birds purchased will do me some good; Lot 44 bred by Jim Donaldson of Peterhead direct from his 2nd north section 7th open SNFC Alencon 2008 winner when she was paired to her own son; remember this hen was only beaten for the top section position by the Gold Cup winner Heather’s Dream. My second purchase was an empty pen from another SNFC winning loft Brian Cunningham of Traprain club; this bird is also bred in the purple sire is the sire of Dale Newcombe’s car winner who in turn is a son of Bankton Belle 1st open SNFC Newbury; and the dam is a direct daughter of 1st Europa Classic winner; so I’m more than happy with these 2 new additions; the latter will go into Kevin’s race team while the Donaldson youngster will be kept in my stock loft. I also obtained my youngster from Norman Black & sons of Dromore that I purchased on my trip to Ireland in January; this little chequer hen is a beauty and again bred in the purple; she will compliment my other Black pigeons in the stock team. This week end is sale 2 and if there are as many bargains this week it will have been a fantastic opportunity for fanciers to obtain quality pigeons at a fraction of their price; it’s a buyers market at the moment.
Results
The new season is underway and I had a happy Kevin on the phone on Saturday night; as he won 1st and 3rd club just beaten by a decimal by Joe McLeod for 3rd place. His winner was bred in my stock loft from a Dr Phil Lynch cock when paired to a John Barnett black pied hen whom I returned to John. Kevin’s second bird a chequer hen was again bred in my stock loft from my George & Gareth Rankin blue cock son of their number one stock cock; the dam of Kevin’s hen is from Jimmy Dickie’s Broadsea Lass; this pigeon was purchased from an Irish lad who was giving up the pigeons, he phoned and offered her to me as Broadsea Lass was in my sporting challenge. I fancy this chequer hen of Kevin’s to score in the SNFC this year as she and her sister are two quality looking pigeons; watch this space; now for the club results forwarded to me this week; if your club is not mentioned then you know what to do send me and email and the details of the first 3 birds in your club; I will do the rest we start with a new club to the column.
Clyde Coast HS news from Ian Stuart who writes; ‘Hi Joe; I wonder if it would it be possible for you to include the race result within your article. My club is based in Ardrossan, Ayrshire and all the local clubs in the area, struggle to even get results etc printed in our local paper, on reading your pages I did notice you asking for the west coast of Scotland boys, to get their results in to you, and you would try and help via your column. I will try and email you on a weekly basis with our club result. 14 members sent 233 birds; liberated at Locherbie at 10.30am into a East to North East wind; the club winner this week is Big John Donald the local taxi driver; with I Stuart in 2nd & 5th places; J Grant is 3rd 4th & 6th and returns were about 60% throughout the fed, many thanks yours Ian’, whom I thank for his news however I would like some more details on the winning pigeons.
Almond Valley Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies news from Jimmy Young the secretary of the federation; who informed me that their recent young bird sale raised £1870 from the sale and raffle a good sum to help federation funds, Jimmy also forwarded news of the Stobs Camp races flown on the 25th April; 7 clubs sent 1235 birds liberated at 12 midday into a East South East Wind. Topping the federation and also winning 2nd & 8th positions is G Finlayson with the first 2 birds a couple of NEHU rung yearlings on velocities of 1568 & 1563 respectively. The first 10 in the federation are from Armadale club with J Hendry in 3rd, 6th & 7th places. J Clark is 4th & 9th with Dave Fleming in 5th & 11th and the number ten position is won by W Salmond. Prize Money Sponsored by Livingston Mechanical Ltd with £15.00 each Section, split 1st £5, 2nd £4, 3rd £3, 4th £2, 5th £1; East Section winners Dunsmore & Bell £3 velocity 1395.82; F Jamieson & Son £2 & £1 with velocities of 1383.47, 1383.06.
The 3 Bird Result is as follows; Fred Jamieson & son are 1st & 2nd; with Mr & Mrs Fleming in third place just ahead of Colin Bain in 4th spot; member who pooled in open will have monies returned Colin Bain to have £1.50 returned. We started this Three Bird Club for fanciers to have a gamble we even made section pools and open pools to suit. So what is stopping you from having a go?
All Members are reminded that they must have a Vaccination Certificate handed to their club secretary to be placed on transporter to adhere to DEFRA Instructions. Secretaries please take note 28 birds minimum must be in crates each week.
Almond Valley transporter
Gordon Grant is sending a draft of 60 young pigeons to be sold at Auction in East Calder Homing Society Sports & Social Club on Sunday 10th May; birds penned for 12.30 with the sale commences at 1 p.m. All pigeons will start at £15.00, these are good young birds and anyone requiring young birds should get along and do themselves a favour the president has won with these birds as well as me and other members in the federation.
East Calder & District first 4 places are won by Fred Jamieson & son with Mr & Mrs Fleming in 5th place; and Young & Claffey take the next 4 places; yours Jimmy Young;’ my thanks to Jimmy for his news.
Glenrothes & Leslie news from Maxie who writes ‘Hi Joe, hope you are keeping fine, the e-mail I sent you last week about the yearling race from Leicester the birdage is £4 and not £5 my mistake Joe sorry about that, here is this weeks result:- 21 Members (16 lofts)sent 322 birds to Kelso with Bob Wilson taking the red card doing 1337ypm with a 3 year old cock full pooler winning £24.03p, however no details of the breeding Joe; 2nd place goes to Jim Kinnes doing 1313 ypm with a blue pied yearling henalso a full pooler bred from Brian Kinnear Janssen stock cock crossed with a Belgium, rung hen from Barcelona stock, 3rd place goes to Turpie & McCord doing 1302 ypm with a2 year old Braspenning cock which was injured last year at the same race and this was it his first race since. P.S Joe I would be obliged if you could give John McCord a mention on behalf of myself; the club members and federation officials for the very good job of spray painting the federation transporter and the excellent job he has made of it, thank you very much John and believe me Joe it is very much appreciated yours Maxie. Just heard some bad news Joe that Billy McKechnie of the partnership of Reid & McKechnie who have just joined our club has died suddenly at home although Joe I only met the man 2 or 3 times I can offer my sincere condolences from myself and the Glenrothes & Leslie club members to his family & friends and Duncan Reid and his wife we are thinking of you all at this sad time.
Dunfermline RPC news from my old pal Walker Kennedy who writes ‘Well Joe here we go for another racing season with the first result of the Kelso race Sponsored by Lauders Bar from Dunfermline; 10 members sent 154 birds. Leading the field this week is Wattie Sharp with a velocity of 1541.5 he timed in a 2 year old blue cock on the round about system; bred from Frank Sheader of Scarbourgh stock. Second is Giles Mournian on 1532.2 with a 2 year old blue bar cock sitting 4 days on eggs being a Busschaert bred by Hall & Fosterfrom Prudhoe in the Up North Combine. Third place goes to Frank Mitchell with a velocity of 1494.9 Frank timed in a yearling dark checker cock flying to 10 days on eggs; he is bred from the late Jock Traill and the late Dale Newcombe well Joe you do not get them bred any better than that. If you don’ t mind Joe I would like to comment on the race controller Mike Donnachie as I think he did a good job this week holding the birds till the weather cleared; with the returns were very good everyone will be happy (well hopefully everyone you know what pigeon men are like) all the best for now Walker’.
Crossgates news from Gordon Bell who has been asked to take on the position of press officer after Walker Kennedy moved to Dunfermline club; from the first race of the season 9 members sent 250 pigeons taking the red card are the Crossgates partnership of Keith Cochrane and son who timed in a 2 year old blue widowhood cock was doing 1508 and has previously scored at Fife federation Eastbourne, he was bred from Keith’s own family with his sire and grand sire both having scored at national level, well done to Keith and son. In 2nd place on 1105was the Kingseat loft of ‘little old wine drinker me’ Mike Donnachiewith a yearling blue hen on roundabout she is from his Rutterfamily with her sire from Mike’s Golden Pair. In 3rd place on 1497 is Mike,this time with a yearling blue white flight cock again on roundabout, his sire is from Ian Hynd’s C.L.W.G Janssen down from Grey Gem lines,with his dam being out of Tommy Blair’s 2nd National hen when paired to a son of Mike’s old Gold Award cock. Mike was also 4th with a pure Rutter also on roundaboutbred by his great friend Ralph Rutter and is the same breeding as Mike’s good blue Gold Award winning cock; cheers for now Joe yours Gordon’ whom I thank for taking on this position once again and it is good to see the members supporting Gordon by supplying him with the details.
Lochgelly Homing Society news from Alex Wight who writes; ‘The club members were raring to go, after having a successful trial with our newly acquired ETS. We marked the birds for our trial 2 weeks ago and most members took up the opportunity to actually see the system work for the first time. Most were surprised to see how quick and simple it is, and right away knew it was going to be a good clock to use. The birds were taken to Aberdour where they were released straight away. Then it was back to the club hut to strike the race off, again it was a surprise to most as to how easy and quick the system is. So we now move onto the real race from Kelso old bird race, the first of the season. 12 members sent 262 birds, and the buzz around the hut was great. A lot of banter was getting bounded about of who was going to best. (I quietly sat doing the ETS, knowing it was going to be difficult for me to keep up with these hardened season pigeon men/women). In first and second place goes to ex Glencraig member Jock Brockie with his winner a 2 year old chequer hen sent flying on round a bout; this hen never raced as a young bird, and its from his own family of birds called the ‘Van Brockies’. Jock’s second pigeon again was one of his own family again a 2 year old blue hen, also raced on the round a bout. She has been a steady pigeon for Jock, which flew the young bird programme and went out to Leicester as a yearling. Third place goes to James Beveridge, who won with a 3 year old blue pied cock, raced as celibate and bred from his own family of pigeons. James pigeon went missing at the third young bird race in 2006, before returning to him nearly 2 years to the day from when it went missing. He trained him out again with his young birds before putting him back on the road this following year and has come up trumps in our first race. On behalf of all the members, well done to all, on a personal note Joe it was my first race for 19 months and I forgot how exciting it is, to see your birds return home. When I got my first one (3 minutes behind our winner), it brought a lump to my throat and I could not help shout as loud as I could to Karin my wife that the first one was home. We all now look forward to the next race from Otterburn and see how takes the honours; all the best Joe yours in sport Alex Wight’ my thanks to Alex for his report.
Fife Federation of Homing Pigeons Societies news from Catherine Jarvis the federation secretary of the first race of the new season from Kelso where 2526 pigeons were liberated at 11.30 hours on Saturday, 25th April 2009 into a North East Wind. Topping the west section and federation is Willie Sharp of Dunfermline with a 2 year old GB rung bird doing 1541.54 Willie is also 12th west section, his club mate Giles Mournian is 2nd with Keith Cochrane & Son of Crossgates in 3rd place; N Jarvie of Valleyfield is 4th 6th & 8th with race controller Mike Donnachie of Crossgates in 5th 7th & 11th places. F Mitchell of Dunfermline is 9th section followed by club mate Ricky Pearse in 10th place.
Centre section has J King of Novar in 1st 2nd 5th 7th & 8th section; Martin Bell of the same club is 3rd with Jim Kinnes of Glenrothes & Leslie club in 4th place; followed by club mates Turpie & McCord in 6th & 11th positions; Willie Frew & son Archie of Novar are 9th with the Glenrothes & Leslie partnership of Maxwell, Bethune & Low in 11th spot just ahead of Perth’s Len Downie who flies in Errol.
East Section is dominated by Kennoway club with Tam Laing in 1st 5th & 10th section positions; Brian Chalmers from the same club is 2nd with Jock Davidson of Methilhaven club in 3rd place; Mook Honeyman of Kennoway is 4th & 9th section with Dave Brown of Leven club in 6th & 7th spots; Dave Clark of the same club is 8th with club mate Jim Mackie in 11th place just ahead of Norrie Smith of Kennoway; my thanks to Catherine for the result.
Lawhill Racing Pigeon Club, news from Willie Donachie who wrote ‘Hi Joe, here are some details of the winning pigeons in my club for our first two races; from Arniston flown on 18th April a distance of 43 miles, liberated at 9.30am in a light East Wind, 5 members sent 84 birds. Taking the first 3 places was Bruce McKenzie with three widowhood cocks on 970,970,941 velocities; the winner is a 2 year old mealy cock which carries the same lines as Bruce's ‘Twirler’ who won 3rd open SNFC Newbury, on the dam side is a daughter of Andy Thomson's 1st section SNFC Leicester and 1st Combine winner. The second pigeon is a 2 year old that won 1st club, 3rd federation Witton Castle as a yearling; once again the sire is Twirler lines and the dam bred by John Ellis of Wellbank. The 3rd pigeon is a 3 year old which was bred by Brian Donnelly, this cock has won club and federation positions for Bruce.
Our second race was flown from Lauder on 25th April when 6 members sent 172 birds for a distance of 54 miles, liberated at 9.15am in a Light South East wind. This race was sponsored by W H Donachie (Plumbing & Heating) Ltd.
Leading the pack once again is Bruce McKenzie and takes 1st 3rd & 4th club with three yearling cocks flown on the widowhood system doing velocities of 1347, 1302, and 1299. The winner is bred down from a pigeon from Ron Williamson being from his 'Heartbreaker' family, this cock has left Bruce five generations of winners, the nest mate of the winner scored 25th open SNRPC Leicester last season.
Second pigeon is a son of a top performer of Bruce's that has won many positions including 1st federation Witton Castle and the 3rd pigeon is again from the Twirler lines crossed with Barry Cuthill pigeons, this yearling cock won 1st federation Otterburn as a young bird. Winning 2nd club this week is Paul Cameron who has come so close to breaking his novice status, never mind Paul that glorious day will happen!
Paul timed a 2 year old mealy cock flown widowhood on 1318, this cock was a gift pigeon/late bred from Bruce McKenzie... which had some short racing last year as a yearling then sensibly put on the shelf for this year. Well that’s it for this week Joe will keep the news flowing as usual this year all the best Willie’ my thanks to Willie for his news.
Gifford Homing Society news from Malcolm Fowler; who writes; ‘Hello Joe, well a new season starts with Otterburn on 17th April. We had 4 members only sending 45 birdsthis turned out to be a horrible misty Thursday & Friday with a cold easterly wind which put a lot of us off sending birds with last years losses in the early races in mind. The birds well spread out with some of the late arrivals tired. The winner is Fowler & McIntyre with a velocity of 934 with a yearling blue bar white flight cock Staff Van Reet crossed Busschaert through gift stock from Ronnie Bremner of Sighthill; the winner was sent sitting 10 days. 2nd is Gordon Veitch velocity 755 with a 2 year old dark chequer cock, sitting 14 days the parents were purchased at a John Ellis Wellbank late bred sale. George tells me that it has done nothing as a yearling, maybe this will be it’s year you never know. In 3rd place is R McIntyrewith a velocity of 716 with amosaic cock who is 6 years old with a lot of miles on the clock, I'm told you can rely on this bird with your life when the going gets tough, as was the story today, when asked the breeding "my old trusted stock" was the reply.
Ridsdale 25th April. What a difference a week makes warm clear weather. 8 members sent 173 birds; they were up in a southeast wind and a fast race was anticipated, and this is how it turned out; the birds flew as fast asI drive! First place goes to B Veitchwith a velocity of 1694; he timed in a 3year oldblue bar white flight cock that is making a name for himself in the club, last year he topped the federation from Thirsk as well as being 2nd federation from Newark. In this race he was well fancied and scooped all the club pools; he is a Staff Van Reet crossed Busschaert and was flying on a roundabout .I am still working on a plan on how to beat this bird!! In 2nd place are the Fowler & McIntyre partnership with a velocity of 1670 with a yearling chequer hen which was a gift from Ronnie Bremner (as are most of the loft)Ibelieve she is a grand daughter of Dennis the Menace; so they are hoping for more from her once the distance increases she was sent sitting overdue.In third place is Gordon Veitch on 1620 with a yearling blue bar cock bought at the Prestonpans young bird salebred by Bobby Green no pedigree details Joe however this young cock was raced on the roundabout system all the best for now Malcolm Fowler’ whom I thank for his report.
Traprain result from Margaret Cunningham who wrote; ‘For our race from Ridsdale a distance to most lofts of approximately 70 miles we had 14 members sending 481 birds The convoy were liberated at 09.25 into a south east wind taking 1st and 2nd places are A Thomson & son with velocities of 1673 and 1663.8. The Sinclair's first timer was a 2 year old Van Reet chequer cock on roundabout and their 2nd timer was a 2 year old John Bosworth crossed John Hoodchequer hen on roundabout. In 3rd place was Jim & George Whitson with a velocity of 1663.4 they timed in a yearling celibate chequer henbred from their own distance family, that’s it for this week Joe all the best yours Margaret’ whom we thank once again for her weekly report.
Aberdeen Federation of Racing Pigeon Societies; news from secretary Willie Davidson of the Thornton 2 race flown on 25th April the convoy of 1120 birds were liberated at 11:00 hours into a Light East Wind. Topping the federation are Elliott Brothers they are also 2nd 6th & 7th federation; A Rae is 3rd & 9th; with S & A Robertson & Sons 2 in 4th spot; E & K Elliott are 5th with J & E McKerron in 8th place and the number ten position going to G Crombie; my thanks to Willie Davidson for the result.
Prestonpans HS news from Jamie Combe who writes ‘Hi Joe, here are the details of the race winners for the first 2 races of the year from Otterburn flown on the 18th April the winner of this first race of the year was John Muir. This is John’s 2nd full season having started with the young bird racing in 2007 and he has proved to be quite a success winning his first race last year and taking plenty of tickets in the club. His winning pigeon was a 2008 late bred grizzle having her first ever race and not only did she win the club but also topped East of Scotland federation. The winner is a Delbar from Eddie Clark of Edinburgh. In 2nd place was Mr & Mrs P March with a pigeon gifted from top sprint racer and SNFC Newbury winner Brian Cunningham. Dougie Valentine takes 3rd spot with a Busschaert bred by club mate Corker Thomson. From Ridsdale flown on the 25th April we had John Bird who dominated the inland season in 2008 bagged his first win of 2009 with a 2 year old cock from his Lefebre Dhaenen crossed Soontjen stock. This bird is a full brother to a cock who did well for John in the last year or two and if he follows in his brother’s footsteps he will be in the prizes again in the coming weeks. Taking 2nd & 3rd prizes is John Muir who continues his good form; interestingly, these 2 pigeons are nest mates that he obtained from Stuart Fraser of Edinburgh and are of the Delbar strain; well that’s it for this week will keep in touch cheers for now yours Jamie’ again I thank Jamie for his contribution he does a good job for the club and East of Scotland federation.
Pentland hills federation; New Lothian RPC; Sighthill HS news from Andy Miller who wrote ‘Hi Joe; the above organisations held their second race of the season from Ridsdale, some 65-76 miles for the federation members on Saturday 25th April. The 3000 birds were liberated into a South East wind and a fast race was expected. Winning 1st federation and New Lothian (70 members 1810 birds)is the father and son partnership of Willie and John Pryde, who stay in Gorebridge and fly there pigeons in Woodburn club. This is their first season in Woodburn club along with other members formerly of the Midlothian Federation who have decided to seek pastures new in Woodburn and the Pentland Federation over the last 2 seasons. The winning pigeon was bred by the Pryde’s brother Jimmy (who also had a good race on Saturday) from his old original family cultivated over a “100 years” of Osman/Barker/Logans. This yearling widowhood cock was making his first appearance at the winner’s enclosure. Well done to Willie and John (S.B.) Willie and John Pryde are also 3rd 4th 5th 6th & 7th in both organisations; J Neri & son of C/B are 2nd with A Young of Danderhall in 8th & 10th positions; McCormack & Fraser of C/B are 9th.
Winning first Sighthill H.S. and going one better than last week is the in-form loft of Steven Girdwood, (Mr B.T.) who timed a yearling widower also making its first appearance at the prize table. This cock was lightly raced as a youngster and is bred from stock obtained from Steven’s good friend Mick Betts from Doncaster, being of Soontjen origin. 2nd Sighthill is G & I Summers who timed a yearling Janssen widowhood cock a previous second prize winner as a youngster. The dam of this cock was 65th SNFC Eastbourne last season. 3rd Sighthill is Andy Miller timing a 2 year old Staff Van Reet widowhood cock, which was last weeks federation winner, this pigeon also has a 2nd, 5th, and 9th federation to his credit and is bred from stock from Dave Allen from Woodburn, kindest regards Andy’, whom I again thank for his report.
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 after 7pm week days or my NEW email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.pigeonglobe.co.uk or www.Pigeonportal.com http://www.cyberpigeon.co.uk/
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© Compiled by Joe Murphy