NEWS FROM SCOTLAND

The Joe Murphy Column

I did not get down to the Epsom show this year but my good friends Guy Reed and John Tyerman have informed me that is was a good day and a lovely autumn sunshine. The show was well attended and all the trade stands seemed to be doing a good trade.  Visitors came from all over and I even spoke with fanciers from the Far East who was in the UK on holiday.  It was an enjoyable weekend and great to see so many friends there I have sent you a couple of photographs that you many find time to put in your column they are left to right are Douglas Owen of Dumfries, Dave Farr, John Tyerman, Tony Welch and Stuart Earl. The other picture is of Dave Farr, John Tyerman and Tony Welch who are Chichester FC members. The venue at Epsom Downs is first class and the organisers John Donovan, Tom Firmager and Steve Dunn are to be congratulated on yet another fine show. However John informed me that Steve Dunn the past editor of the RP took ill during the week and ended up in hospital so we wish Steve a speedy recovery. John also informs me that he has to undergo treatment commencing on Monday 9th November for a period of 6 months. So we wish him well in his therapy and I will continue to keep in touch with emails and the odd phone call. The BICC stand had many visitors during the Epsom show with 27 new members actually joined the club for 2016 with many more showing an interest. Like all shows it is about meeting fellow fanciers and Guy said it was like meeting a ‘Whose Who’ as nearly all the top fanciers from England were present at the show.

L to R Douglas Owen of Dumfries, Dave Farr, John Tyerman, Tony Welch and Stuart Earl.

Irish Visitors

I was not disappointed with my weekend as we had a visit from Gerard Lynch his wife Josephine and son Christopher from Tralee in County Kerry. Christopher’s graduation was held last week at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and mum and dad came over for the occasion. (See photo of the 3 of them) They have all fell in love with nation’s capital city and Christopher says he enjoys living here and the Scottish people are so friendly and he has also secured a job with an engineering company here in Scotland.  So it looks like this young man will be here for a long time and we wish him all the success for the future. While going on about securing a job our 2 grandson’s Connlan (our oldest son Mark’s youngest boy) and Kieran (Kevin’s oldest son) have both been successful in obtaining a job. Connlan who has just finished collage and was going to go to do art at university has obtained a job as a kitchen designer and is just back from a training exercise in Germany. Kieran who left school in July has obtained a job as a plumber in Arbroath after getting 97% score in his interview, so 2 very proud grandparents who wish the boys well in their future careers. A few weeks ago I took our (daughter Beth’s) children out to gather some chestnuts and when we got home I tied them with a piece of string and then showed them how to play  ‘Conker’s’ with each other.  We had a good laugh as they could not hit a barn door if they were standing next to it, but it gave them a lot of fun and brought back a lot of happy memories to me of my school days. I hope the photograph of the children with their conkers brings a smile to older fanciers faces as many will remember these wonderful days when we made our own enjoyment no D’s or Play Stations in those days.

L to R Christopher, Joe Murphy, Josephine and Gerard Lynch

Health Issues

I had to attend the doctor last week regarding more blood tests as I have had a pain in my side since June and the results were ok however after examining me once again the doctor has advised that I now start using 2 crutches while out walking. He says this will help me stay upright and will also give me extra support to my knees. I was a bit down with this news but have to say that since I have used the 2 crutches they have made a difference. Those of us who spend time in a doctor's office will appreciate this week’s Joe’s Joke!

Good SNFC Birds

This week I start with 3 pigeons from the south section who won SNFC Silver Award in 2015 at the resent national dinner the first is W J Smith of Maxwelltown with blue white flight cock SU08S 9473. This cock proved his worth by winning 3 times in the first 65 in open races by winning the following. He won 9th section A 63rd open Alencon in 2013 flying 485 miles the same year he was sent to Clermont and won 4th section A 20th open flying 470 miles. This year he was entered from Ancenis and won 13th section A 39th open from a distance of 542 miles a very noble pigeon well done to Bill.  The second pigeon belongs to Dennis Anderson of Annan (see photo of Dennis taken at my sporting challenge night out) with his blue chequer hen GB11N 94158 who also won a SNFC Silver Award at the same national presentation. She is something extraordinary as her performances testify as she has won 3 times in the first 40 in the open national races. These are as follows in 2013 she won 8th section A 37th open from Clermont flying a distance of 457 miles the following year she was entered for the Ancenis race and won 9th section A 16th open flying 534 miles. She was then sent back to the same race point in 2015 and she won 6th section A 9th open so well done to Dennis on winning this very special award. The 3rd pigeon is another top pigeon that has won 3 times from the Gold Cup race and has been in the top 60 open positions 3 times. He is a chequer cock SU11S 4775 raced by J Willacy of Annan a winner of the SNFC Silver Award at this year’s award ceremony. He won 6th section A 57th open from Alencon in 2013 flying 474 miles, the following year he again won 6th section A and achieved 13th open then this year he won 14th section A and was 30th open proving to be a very good pigeon. Well done Mr Willacy on winning a Silver Award and with a very special bird that has triumphed 3 times within the top 60 open places proves that he is an exceptional pigeon.

Dennis Anderson of Annan

Joe’s Joke

Doesn't it seem more and more that physicians are running their practices like an assembly line? Here's what happened to Tommy.  Tommy walked into a doctor's office, and the receptionist asked him what he had. Tommy said, 'Shingles.' So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number, and told him to have a seat. Explaining that the surgery was very busy and there would be quite a wait. Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Tommy what he had.... he replied, 'Shingles.' So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Tommy to wait in the examination room. A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Tommy what he had, he said, 'Shingles.. .’ So the nurse gave him a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, and told him to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor. An hour later the Doctor came in and found Tommy sitting patiently in the nude and asked him what he had he replied, 'Shingles.' The doctor asked, 'Where?'  Tommy said, "Outside on the truck, where do you want me to unload 'em??"

HOPE THIS MAKES YOU LAUGH LIKE I DID....  THESE DAYS WE NEED ALL THE LAUGHS WE CAN GET!!

My Grandchildren playing conkers!

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 log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk and www.pigeoncraic.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.

© Compiled by Joe Murphy