NEWS FROM SCOTLAND

Reports by Joe Murphy

We had a very good time over Christmas and did not even have to cook as we were invited to our son Mark’s for Christmas Day dinner then our daughter Beth’s on Boxing Day and then we ALL joined up at Kevin’s on the Saturday and had another party so a grand time was had by all. We are blessed that we have such a good loving family and the kids keep us occupied with all their enthusiasm and of course the excitement of Santa Claus. It is lovely to see the youngsters getting so excited and dressing up and I have included a photograph of 3 year old (well in January) Conner who was going about frightening everyone. My only problem was that I cut my forefinger on my right hand with the jigsaw and have been attending the nurse to have dressings put on the injury. I was lucky in the respect that I did not lose the tip of my finger and I’m glad to say that today she has taken off the dressings and I can now let the air back in to help it recover. Hence the rush to catch up on articles for the pigeon press prior to the close of the offices for the New Year holiday period. Once again my I wish all readers of the column all the very best for 2015 and hope that your dreams are achieved.   

Flanders Collection

Received 2 photos of Sheldon Leonard doing a contract with the Flanders Collection which is one of the most expensive collections of pigeons in the world and the reason for this? Leo Herman & Yannick De Ridder have paired 35 pairs of the best Leo Herman’s pigeons from the Flanders assembly for an exclusive sale on Red Star Lofts for 2015. Some of these exclusive pairings will never to be repeated again so for the sprint men watch this space! And I will tell you more about this nearer the time. I have also included a photograph of Daniel Aerens and Andre Roodhooft deep in conversation about racing pigeons.

Daniel Aerens and Andre Roodhooft deep in conversation

Shaking on the deal - Yannick and Sheldon

Wonderful Achievement

My good mate Guy Reed has forwarded me a photograph of his mum Fay and dad Jack out celebrating their 67th wedding anniversary which is a fantastic accomplishment that many couples never achieve. They went to the White Lion in Arreton which was very nice, with Guy and Carol Ann and daughter Zoe, plus Guy’s cousin Jill and her 2 children Skye and Lola and they all had a marvellous time. We send our congratulations to Mr & Mrs Reed on this happy occurrence.

Jack and Fay

SNFC Good Pigeons

My ongoing quest to highlight good pigeons that have won in the Scottish National continues with a photo from Jim Hannah of ‘Emily’ a SNFC SILVER AWARD Winner for G & C Rae of Aberdeen. I have already highlighted this wonderful hen however I take great pleasure in emphasising her winning performances. She won 4th section G 52nd open Clermont in 2011. The following year she won 2nd section G 217th open Cheltenham inland national and she was then sent to Ypres and won 3rd section G. This year she won 2nd section G 79th open Buckingham inland national then sent to Alencon Gold Cup race and she won 4th section G 144th open to win her Silver Award. As you will have observed from the above this hen has won all her positions in the top 4 in section G which is the North section of the Scottish National. A great hen who hopefully wins her Gold Award in 2015. I will keep you posted if she does.

Our next fancier is Stewart Donaldson of Blairgowrie in Tayside with his blue chequer pied hen SU09F 8270 winner of the SNFC SILVER AWARD. This hen won 30th section C 66th open from Clermont in 2011, the following year she won 2nd section C 21st open Alencon Gold Cup race and this year from the same race point she won 5th section C 48th open. Again you will notice that she has won prizes in the first 70 in each of her national races - well done Stewart.   

We now come to our next fancier John Bosworth of Elphinstone whose blue bar cock SU11P 739 named ‘Skyfall’ is also a winner of SNFC SILVER AWARD. This cock scored 14th section B 17th open in the Leicester young bird national then as a yearling he won 45th section B 81st open Maidstone and was sent to Ypres where he won 1st section B 2nd open. As a 2 year old in 2013 he was again sent to Ypres and won 8th section B 16th open and this year he was returned to the Belgian race point of Ypres and he won 13th section B 22nd open so 3 times in the first 25 from this 426 mile race point.  

My last pigeon for this week is from the loft of Willie Kinnear & Son Barry from Gilmerton in Edinburgh with their blue bar white flight cock ‘Ypres Reekie’ SU11P 3068 winner of SNFC SILVER AWARD. As a yearling he won 2nd section B 5th open then in 2013 he won 6th section B 14th open from Maidstone then he was then sent back to Ypres and he won 37th section B 102nd open. This year he had the same 2 race points with the national and he won 74th section B 104th open Maidstone and then 38th section B 64th open Ypres.  

Outstanding Pigeons

About a month ago I highlighted the offer of 6 pairs of yearlings bred from Willie Jacobs’ best lines. I received a phone call from Sam Graham of West Lothian who obtained these birds and he has informed me that these birds are excellent and of super quality and he cannot thank enough Tom Varley of Kent who looked after the birds until they found a new home. It is nice to report on the true meaning of ‘sportsmanship’ and I wish both these fanciers all the best for 2015 season.

Joe’s Joke

One day Paddy, an Irishman, goes into a chemist shop, reaches into his pocket and takes out a small Irish whiskey bottle and a teaspoon. He pours some liquid onto the teaspoon and offers it to the chemist, and says "Could you taste this for me, please?" The chemist takes the teaspoon, puts it in his mouth, swills the liquid around and swallows it. "Does that taste sweet to you?" says Paddy. "No, not at all," says the chemist. "Oh that's a relief," says Paddy. "The doctor told me to come here and get my urine tested for sugar." 

Costume Party. A couple was invited to a swanky costume party. Unfortunately, the wife came down with a terrible headache and told her husband to go to the party alone. He being a devoted husband protested, but she argued and said she was going to take some aspirin and go to bed and there was no need for his good time being spoiled by not going. So he took his costume and away he went. The wife, after sleeping soundly for about an hour, awakened without pain and, as it was still early enough, decided to go the party. Since her husband did not know what her costume was, she thought she would have some fun by watching her husband to see how he acted when she was not with him. She joined the party and soon spotted her husband cavorting around on the dance floor, dancing with every nice woman he could, and copping a little touch here and a little kiss there. His wife sidled up to him and being a rather seductive babe herself, he left his   current partner high and dry and devoted his time to the new babe that had just arrived. She let him go as far as he wished... Why not? (Since he was her husband) Finally, he whispered a little proposition in her ear and she agreed. So off they went to one of the cars and had a quickie. Just before unmasking at midnight, she slipped away, went home, put the costume away and got into bed, wondering what kind of explanation he would make for his behaviour. She was sitting up reading when he came in, and she asked what kind of a time he had. He said: "Oh, the same old thing. You know I never have a good time when you're not there." - "Did you dance much?" - "You know, I never even danced one dance." When I got there, I met Pete, Bill Browning and some other guys, so we went into the den and played poker all evening... But you're not going to believe what happened to the guy I loaned my costume to..."  

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.

---