By Jimmy Graham

The first race of the 2014 season saw the Federation down at Appleby on Saturday 19th April. With a convoy of 2122 birds liberated at 11am into a South-East wind things were looking good at the home end with the birds homing in large batches and not many losses reported. The West section of the Federation cleaned up with the top seven birds all from Dumfries. Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Karl Gunther and Grandson who timed the three leading velocities well into the 1800s

Club Results:

Eastriggs H.C. 

A big clap for Mr & Mrs N Thomson for timing the leading bird here in the Club as well as taking 9th East Section in the Federation. Their winner being a yearling Chec Cock with a velocity of 1750, well done Norman!

A Dunglinson took 2nd Club doing 1748. W Pirie is 3rd Club on 1738 and J Pollock is 4th doing 1729.

Brydekirk H.C.

A good win here for J M Dalgliesh from Annan (races in Brydekirk Club). He timed two yearling Cocks to take 1st and 2nd Club with velocities of 1777 and 1760. His winner also takes 9th Open Federation.

R J B Renwick has the next two on velocities of 1759 and 1755.

Hoddam F.C.

The Club had a good entry of 241 birds and timing the winner with a velocity of 1773 is Mr & Mrs J Graham. The winner was bred by Ron Crook and is a four-year old Blue Hen. She’s been a good bird for me over the years and won a lot including 2nd Section, 3rd Open S.N.F.C. from Ypres racing 1,707 other birds. I know it’s only Appleby but it was still nice to see her homing first.

Not too far behind is C Hannah with a yearling Grizzle Cock doing 1761. W Gilmour takes 3rd spot on 1737 followed by Jimmy Dalgliesh who was 4th Club doing 1736.

Annan H.C.

From an entry of 312 birds from 15 members R & M Seaton timed three birds to take 1st, 2nd and 4th with velocities of 1783, 1747 and 1731. Club secretary A Simmons is 3rd doing 1734.

Springfield H.C.

With a drop of sixteen birds G Grant & Son timed the leading eight birds, the winner on a velocity of 1759.

The Club had six members sending 187 birds.

Lockerbie H.C.

A good win here for father and son team Ewan and Alan Hind who timed their winner on a velocity of 1716. The next three places were claimed by Kenny Thomson on velocities of 1712, 1710 and 1709.

Langholm H.C.

D Norton takes this one doing 1573, followed by R V Graham who takes 2nd and 3rd doing 1488 and 1481. A Henderson is 4th on 1452.

I’ll give the 5th bird as it looks to be a new fancier, well done to K Braban.

Dumfries F.C.

1st, 2nd and 3rd Club as well as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Open goes to Mr & Mrs Karl Gunther and Grandson with velocities of 1835, 1835 and 1834.

Stanley Boyd takes the 4th spot doing 1787.

This is good flying from the Club with a birdage of 251 birds from 15 members and a Federation entry of 2112 birds. Well done!

Nith Valley H.C.

T E Varcoe won the Valley on a velocity of 1819, followed by G Russell doing 1815. Albert Hay takes 3rd Club on 1800 and J Russell takes 4th spot doing 1776. The Valley had 240 birds away from 13 members.  

As always any news call on 01576300615 or e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

“Clintpark”

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