The Joe Murphy Column
I received a phone call from Dave Smith asking if I could help out the South West of England Lerwick club transporter who were racing from Thornton and could not get into the local park. I gave this task up a couple of years ago however I did assist by going round and speaking to the convoyer Pete and managed to get the gates open for him. The following morning Saturday 12th June I went to assist Pete prior to the liberation which took place as 06-30 hours into a light west wind. The club had 25 members sending 171 birds and I filmed the liberation and sent this down to Dave who in turn has forwarded me a copy of their results. The winner is P Hatherell with his winner doing a velocity of 1330 for the 321 miles. C & J Adams are 2nd on 1311 with Dave Smith in 3rd 4th & 5th places with 3 birds together. The New North Road 2 bird Amalgamation club had 17 members entering 33 birds and the winner of 1st North section 1st open are A Kempt and son on a velocity of 1463 for the 235 mile trip. 2nd was Wayne Noble on 1453 with Mr & Mrs Paterson & son winning 1st section C 3rd open. I’m glad the above organisations had a good race and it was nice meeting Pete and talking to Dave. I was only glad to help them out, but I’m not going back to doing this on a weekly or yearly basis.
Convoyer Pete prior to liberation
Convoyer Pete prior to liberation
Results
Angus Federation
No news from the Federation but I see that Kenny is doing a Tayside News in the paper so it looks like I’m not getting the federation results now.
Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club news from Charlie Cameron who informs me 5 members sent 53 birds to Wooler with the convoy liberated into a light west to North West wind. Charlie and his son Glen take the first 3 place with Les McKay in 4th & 5th spots. Graham McKenzie is 7th & 11th with Chic & Ann Carry in 8th & 9th positions.
Almond Valley Federation
Secretary Lyne Stewart forwarded the result of the Melton Mowbray race flown on the 6th June with the entry of 126 club birds liberated at 08:20 hours. Taking the first 2 places in the race as well as 4th 18th & 41st open is W Fairley of Balerno club. John Bird of West Calder is 3rd 5th 23rd 25th 29th 33rd 35th 37th & 40th open J & I Alston of Carnwath club are 6th 15th & 17th with Jamie Sweeney of East Calder club in 7th position. John Hadfield of West Calder is 8th 13th 19th 30th & 31st places. John Jamieson of East Calder is 9th with his brother Freddie & son of the same club in 10th 20th 24th places. Colin Bain & W Fairley of Balerno club is 11th & 14th open with J Burt of West Calder in 12th & 27th open. Jimmy Young of East Calder is 16th open with my dear old friend Jimmy McGinty of West Calder winning 21st 38th & 39th. A Burnside & Drysdale of DEA are 22nd 28th 32nd & 36th with Vic Couper of Bonnybridge club winning 26th 34th places, we then have club mates E Jones & grandson are 42nd open.
From the Wetherby race flown on 12th June the convoy of 690 birds were liberated at 08-30 hours. Taking top honours is J Burt of West Calder with Burnside & Drysdale of DEA in 2nd 11th & 35th open with Jimmy Young of East Calder winning 3rd & 21st places. W Fairley of Balerno club is 4th & 23rd with Colin Bain & W Fairley of the same club in 5th & 22nd positions. John Bird of West Calder is 6th 7th 8th 17th 20th & 29th we then come to John Hadfield of the same club who wins 9th 13th 15th 16th 19th & 25th open places. John Jamieson of East Calder is 10th & 37th with Dougie Bald of Balerno in 12th 30th 31st positions. Bonnybridge club George Harris is 14th with Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder winning 18th 24th 28th & 40th open. Colin Ross of Balerno club is 26th & 27th with Ian Jamieson of the same club winning 32nd & 36th open. East Calder Mr & Mrs Fleming are 34th open with J & R Fairley of Balerno in 38th place and G Young of West Calder makes up the top positions by winning 39th open.
Balerno 165 birds; W Fairley 1100; C Bain & W Fairley 1095, D Bald 1087; C Bain & W Fairley 1071.
Bonnybridge 91 birds; G Harris 1081; 1025; 1025.; Dr Lynch 1012.224
Carnwath 76 birds; I Thomson 980. J & I Alston 965; 933; 924;
East Calder 96 birds; J M Young 1101; J Jamieson 1088; F Jamieson & Son 1075. J M Young 1071;
West Calder 142 birds; J Burt 1127; J Bird 1093. 1093. 1092.
Ayrshire Federation
For Ayrshire Federation 8th race of the season saw us at Melton Mowbray on Saturday 12th June with an entry of 630 birds flying a distance of between 227 miles to 263 miles to the north end of the fed. Jim O’Hare had the birds up and away at 07-45 into west to North West wind. No report was given on how the birds cleared the liberation site, but going from reports on how the returns were unfolding, the birds certainly encountered real difficulties on route or just after liberation. This was by far the worst race this year for the federation and feedbacks from around the clubs, at clock checking were returns were very poor.
Topping the Federation this week on 1000 ypm and recording his second 1st federation win of the year is Ricky Young of Moscow, flying in the Kilmarnock Invitation club. Ricky’s team of birds have been flying well this year and it is no surprise he’s on the winning podium once again. Ricky timed a 3 year old widowhood hen. She has been flying very steady this year and had previously won 4th club, 4th fed Wooler, beaten by 3 loft mates. 1st club, 3rd fed Blaydon and now 1st fed Melton Mowbray. She had one toss prior to racing starting and then just trained around the loft. Both parents are stock birds Ricky obtained from the late Tam Blair. Ricky would like to congratulate everybody who got pigeons on what was a very tough day. 2nd, 3rd & 4th fed on 994.7, 994.6 and 994.4 club mate,Jim Shepherd of Beith.
Ricky Young 1st Fed Melton Mowbray
Jim’s is another loft that is on great form and this result is a follow on from his 2nd & 3rd fed in the previous week’s race from Wetherby. Jim’s winning pigeon “6895”, is a red chequer cock flown on a “sort of celibate system” and is the same pigeon that scored 2nd fed at Wetherby in the previous week. His breeding is just a mixture of bloodlines Jim has within his loft. 3rd fed for Jim, is a blue bar hen, flown on a similar system. Her breeding contains 50% of Jim’s own blood and 50% of Robert Reid of Beith bloodlines. Thanks very much to Ricky and Jim for the prompt info on their winning pigeons.
Ricky Young 1st Fed Melton Mowbray
Jim’s is another loft that is on great form and this result is a follow on from his 2nd & 3rd fed in the previous week’s race from Wetherby. Jim’s winning pigeon “6895”, is a red chequer cock flown on a “sort of celibate system” and is the same pigeon that scored 2nd fed at Wetherby in the previous week. His breeding is just a mixture of bloodlines Jim has within his loft. 3rd fed for Jim, is a blue bar hen, flown on a similar system. Her breeding contains 50% of Jim’s own blood and 50% of Robert Reid of Beith bloodlines. Thanks very much to Ricky and Jim for the prompt info on their winning pigeons.
Jim Shepherd 2nd & 3rd Melton Mowbray
Winners from in and around the clubs
North Section 234 birds; 1st Dalry HS, Jim Shepherd 994.7, 1st Ardeer HS, J & C Nicol 915.6, 1st Kilwinning HS, J & T Davidson 751.2.
Central Section 181 birds; 1st Kilmarnock Inv, R Young 1000.0, 1st Darvel HS, Welsh & Holland 922.1, 1st Irvine HS, McKenna & Diamond 876.4.
South Section 215 birds; 1st Whitletts & Dist, A McNellie 994.0, 1st Cumnock & Dist, J Mackenzie 898.2, 1st Dalmellington PC, J Sloan 888.1, 1st Mauchline & Dist, E Stewart 710.6, 1st Annbank & Dist, J Mathieson 668.6.
Central Federation
News from Bernie Britton with the Broxburn & Uphall pigeon club result from Melton Mowbray were 5 member’s sent 120 birds the convoy were liberated at 08-30am into a light west wind. Taking 1st club 7th fed is Gordon Mackenzie flying a home bred Gabby hen on r/about. 2nd club 8th fed is Gordon Mackenzie with a blue bar cock on r/about bred by Hawkins & Evans this bird has won several races and won the fed a few times. 3rd club 9th fed is John McNeill with a 2y/old red hen on r/about out of the stock loft, sire is a g/son of J. King’s (Mary) dam is a daughter of Sannie’s Memory both have bred winners with other mates. Gordon was also 17 fed John was also 18th fed.
Winchburgh & District Pigeon Club
6 members sent 111birds taking 1st club 2nd fed is Mark Doran flying a mealy cock on roundabout. Sire was bred by Mr. & Mrs Britton & Daughter from the stock loft from birds from Terry Rigney. Dam was bred by Mr. & Mrs Britton & Daughter from the stock loft a Hermans Ceuster. 2nd club 19 fed is Mark Doran with a blue bar cock on r/about. Sire is from his Tommy Blair stock. Dam is from his Joe Davis stock. 3rd club is Robert McGill again on r/about. Sire was bred by James Mark from Tranent Dam is from his club mate Peter Keogh. Well done to R & J Ward on winning the federation, once again many thanks Joe sorry for the late result yours Bernie’,
East of Scotland Federation
News from Tom McEwen with the result of the Weatherby race flown on the 12th June with the convoy liberated at 08-30 hours with no wind at the race point. Following on from his great result last week we have John Bird of Prestonpans topping the federation and another bird finishing in 6th open making it another great weekend for John. Then we have Davie Blair who also comes from Prestonpans timing a fantastic double to win 2nd& 8th open. Keeping up his impressive run of results is Keith Howie who is also from the ‘Pan’s’ in 3rd & 7th open after topping the federation last week. We then have Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton in 4th open. Then in with a nice double is former Gold Cup winner George Veitch of East Saltoun who wins 5th & 10th open. Then completing the top ten with good bird in 9th open is Tom (and wife Marlene) & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone.
Prestonpans HS
1st club is John Bird with a yearling clue white flight cock on roundabout. He was purchased from Brian Shipley of Woodside Lofts. This cock has previously won 4th club 5th federation from Weatherby, his sire’s side he is a grandson of Eisenhower (a son of ‘Champion Shadow’ when he was paired to ‘Joint Venture’). On the dam’s side the granddam is ‘Charlotte’ Woodside Loft’s Number One stock hen. 2nd club is Davie Blair with a yearling chequer hen bred by Tom McLeod of Elphinstone, Sire is Leo Van-Rijn bloodlines; and the dam is Herman Ceuster bloodlines, down through Gary Inkle’s national winner. 3rd club is Keith Howie with a yearling blue cock; sire is ‘Banjo’ a full brother to ‘Blue Arrow’ Keith’s top pigeon. Dam is a Vandenabeele from Robert McCourt of ‘Glen View Loft’. Wishing you and Margaret all the best yours Tom’
Fife Federation
News from Geordie Todd with the Huntingdon race flown on the 5th June with 683 birds liberated at 06-30 hours into a light variable North West wind. Topping the federation is Dave Baldie of St Andrews with a velocity of 1431 ypm 2nd place is Sean Diamond of Kennoway club with Willie Pratt of Crossgates club in 3rd place. Kennoway’s Tam Laing is 4th & 8th with this son in law Brian Chalmers of the same club in 5th & 6th spots. J Hynd & son of Crossgates club are 7th & 10th with Eddie McWilliams of Dunfermline club in 9th spot. The East section had Kennoway sending 160 birds; St Andrews 27 birds and Methilhaven club 110 birds. 1st & 7th section is Dave Baldie of St Andrews, followed by Tam Laing who wins 2nd 5th & 6th places. Brain Chalmers is 3rd 4th & 8th with M Molloy of Methilhaven club in 9th & 10th positions.
The Centre section had Novar club sending 45 birds; Sean Diamond of Kennoway club takes 8 positions with Jock King of Novar winning 2nd & 7th places. The West section had Lochgelly club sending 54 birds; Dunfermline 104 birds; Perth 30 birds and Crossgates 153 birds. Willie Pratt of Crossgates is 1st 5th & 10th with J Hynd & son of the same club in 2nd & 4th spots. Eddie McWilliams of Dunfermline club is 3rd with R Cook of Crossgates club in 6th & 9th places. Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club is 7th with club mate J Robertson in 8th place one yard behind. From the Alnwick race flown on the 12th June 771 birds were liberated at 08-45 am into a North West wind. Topping the federation are the father and son partnership of Jim & Garry Peggie of Methilhaven club, Davie Hunter of Dunfermline club is 2nd with Brian Chalmers of Kennoway in 3rd 5th & 7th places his father in law Tam Laing is 4th & 8th with Honeyman & son of Kennoway in 6th spot. Tam Cook of the same club is 9th & 10th. The east section had St Andrews sending 13 birds; Kennoway 165 birds and Methilhaven 221 birds. Jim & Garry Peggie of Methilhaven club win the section with Brian Chalmers in 2nd 4th & 6th places, Tam Laing is 3rd & 7th with Honeyman & son of Kennoway in 5th spot with club mate Tam Cook in 8th & 9th positions and M Molloy of Methilhaven club in 10th place. Centre section had Novar sending 41 birds and Kennoway’s Sean Diamond wins the first 8 places with Novar Jocky King in 9th & 10th spots. The West section had Lochgelly club sending 138 birds Dunfermline 85 birds and Crossgates 108 birds. D Hunter of Lochgelly takes the top spot with club mate Jim Doig taking the next two spots. The remainder of 4th to 10th are won by J Hynd & son of Lochgelly club.
Traprain
John Baillie forwarded the result of the club with, ‘Hi Joe. Please find the result from Traprain club race flown from Melton Mowbray. The 2 Rab’s had the birds away at 08-30 with no wind at the race point. We had another erratic race developed with the birds well scattered, it’s not like the good old day's Joe. Taking top spot this week again is Jim McNeil with his note saying ‘Hi John today's winner was third in the Wakefield race; his sire is a Geerdink and his dam Herman Ceusters from Taylor Brothers’. Taking 2nd and 3rd is Newcombe & Black a note from Ian says, ‘6712 is a late bred in 2016 unfortunately I have no info on this bird and7906 is bred from the best of the Fife SNFC winners. The sire was bred by Brian Kinnear from ‘Stitchy’ crossed with Brian Denny and the dam is from Len Downie of Errol. At clock check off Joe quite a number of birds were still missing, but I’m glad to say that most have worked home; that's it for this week Joe, once again many thanks yours John B’.
North of Scotland Federation
News from George Duthie who informs us that Worksop Old Birds flown on 12th June with 52 members sending 540 birds liberated in a light west to North West wind. The East section had 25 members sending 313 birds while the west section had 27 members sending 227 birds; Topping the east section and open is S Glew of Peterhead & district club. A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District club is 2nd & 30th with Stuart Maskame of Peterhead & District having a good race winning 3rd 4th 5th 9th 10th & 11th with Robbie Higgins from Fraserburgh West End club wining 6th 7th & 8th positions. Ryan Hay & Family of Devern Valley club are 1st west section 9th open with a very good pigeon. 2nd west section 12th open is J Abel of Devern Valley club with A J Reid of Keith club winning 3rd west section 13th open positions. A Robb of Inverurie club is 11th east section 14th open with Chris & M Williams of Peterhead & district club in 15th open J S Robertson of Inverurie club is 16th open with Fulton & Ritchie Loft 2 of Devern Valley club winning 4th west section 17th open. Eric & Nicky Yule of Inverurie club are 18th open with R H Whyte of Peterhead club winning 19th 20th 21st & 22nd open. R Wilson of Keith is 5th west section 23rd open with namesake G Wilson of Devern Valley club winning 6th west section 24th open. G Findlay of Peterhead & District takes the next 3 places winning 25th 26th & 27th open positions. A Wilson of Devern Valley club is 7th west section 28th open with club mate D Smith winning 8th section 29th open and A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District club winning 30th open. Jack & Reid of Elgin & District club win 9th west section 31st open with club mate John Thomson winning 10th west section 32nd open.
Clubs First Bird
Peterhead & District winner is S Glew; velocity 1194.670
Fraserburgh & District winner is A W Buchan velocity 1193.725
Fraserburgh West End winner is R Higgins velocity 1181.870
Devern Valley winners are R Hay & Family velocity 1148.212
Keith winner is A J Reid velocity 1137.625
Inverurie winner is A Robb velocity 1137.485
Elgin & District winners are Jack & Reid velocity 1084.078
Buckie & District winner is J Cumming velocity 776.168
Well done to S Glew on topping the federation and also well done to R Hay & Family on winning the West Section
Pentland Hills Federation
From the Wetherby old bird race flown on Saturday 12th June 10 clubs sent 1763 birds with the convoy being liberated at 08-30 hours with no wind at the race point. Taking the first 3 open places is the loft in form for this season Freddie Robertson of Danderhall club he is also 10th open. Stuart Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier club is 4th with A W Robertson of Danderhall club in 5th spot. Our Press Officer Andy Miller of Sighthill club is 6th with his club mate Steven Girdwood taking the next 3 places.
CLUB WINNERS;
Danderhall 495 birds; F. Robertson 1268.8 F. Robertson 1268.1 A. Robertson 1250
Edinburgh Premier 192 birds; Gilchrist 1248 Gilchrist 1217.9 P. & J. Hutton 1217.8
Sighthill 112 birds; Miller 1244 Girdwood 1243.9 Girdwood 1243.1
Arniston 276 birds; W. Pryde & Son 1241 W. Pryde & Son 1226 W. Pryde & Son 1219
Woodburn 118 birds; Brown & Black 1228 Brown & Black 1218 Lapinskie 1217 Bonnyrigg 144 birds; MacGregor & Lawrie 1222 MacGregor & Lawrie 1189 Watson & Daughter 1165
Easthouses 180 birds; Thomas 1198 Perring & Cameron 1195 Perring & Cameron 1167
Castlebrae 42 birds; Fulton 1195 L. Mitchell 1137 L. Mitchell 1136
Edinburgh West 62 birds; Lamb 1110 Lamb 1109 Bennett 1103
New Lothian 22 birds;
Loanhead -----
Peebles -----
Others 120
New Lothian RPC
News from Andy Miller on the Wetherby (2) old bird race flown on Saturday 12th June 2021 with 53 lofts sending 1153 birds these were liberated at 08-30 with no wind at the race point. The man to beat just now is Freddie Robertson of Danderhall who wins 1st 2nd 10th 11th 12th 17th & 18th places winning £579 for his efforts. Freddie’s timer is a 3 year old hen that was hatched off a round of eggs purchased from Les Green from Irlam in Manchester. Flown on the widowhood system she is a previous club winner of Melton Mowbray in 2019.
A Robertson of Danderhall is 2nd with S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier in 4th spot. He is followed by A W Robertson of Danderhall with the man himself Andy Miller of Sighthill club in 6th place his club mate Stevie Girdwood is 7th 8th & 9th with W Pryde & son John of Arniston in 13th & 16th places they are followed by Brown & Black of Woodburn club with 14th spot A Walker of Danderhall is 15th place. The last 2 places are won by Danderhall members M Robertson in 19th place followed by Black & Robertson in 20th place. The total pay-out was £1365-50p. Returns again were excellent Joe and well done to the race control team again.
Joe’s Joke
Two Irishmen sat at a bar... To pass the time, they began to get to know each other. “Where you from, laddie?” said the first “Oh, I’m from Dublin, ya see” said the second. “Oh ya don’t say! I’m from Dublin, too! What parish were ye in?” “Oh I was in the St. Thomas parish, ya see”. “Ya don’t say! I was in the St. Thomas parish! Who was yer father?” “Oh I had Father O’Sullivan, ya see” “Ya don’t say! I had Father O’Sullivan!” An American sitting down the bar overheard the conversation between the two, and he leans into the bartender and asks “What’s up with those guys?” The bartender says “Oh, nothing, the Murphy twins are drunk again”.
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