The club held its annual Young Bird Exchange /Panel Night for members and friends. The young bird exchange is always a worthwhile venture as it allows members exchange birds for a healthy purse. These fanciers only give their best as they wish their loft the best.
.As usual we met up in the Avonbridge Hotel in Hamilton, with two very special guests Billy Billsland of Ayton and Walter Boswell of Hamilton. These two guys are National flyers through and through and both have been at the top of their game in 2018
Billy Billsland, Walter Boswell & Club President Ronnie Reid showing the clubs Gold Cup
Billy is a "record breaker" and a household name in Scottish pigeons., He has won that many National he had forgot the total, he honestly said he just got his turn like anyone else, when flying in the Lanarkshire Social circle. He mentioned the large birdage, with sometimes over a thousand birds racing in this club Billy said it?s hard to put your name in the top five each week.
Billy spoke about how he would send 12 to the Young Bird National when flying to the north of Glasgow and be lucky to get 2 home. Whereas down in Ayton his present home he can sent 37 and has 34 on the shift. He said It?s just much easier to race in his present address than flying into the west section of the National. Billy races mostly the Vanderabelle birds stating their his favourite one day pigeons .And with the Jim Cullen of Uddingston lines in the mix they, takes him onto the longer events.
Walter Boswell and Billy Bilsland winners at National level
Walter is a man for the Nationals, who raced one of the best distance pigeons in Europe this year. Louella Lady Helen .He was a great listen and gave everyone some insight into how he has raced a top National pigeons into central Scotland. He spoke about his ups and downs in the sport but his determination to buy the best his money can buy and line breeding and inbreeding to the original Louella Jan Aarden stock have gave him his just rewards!
Walter Boswell and Billy Bilsland winners at National level
Both took questions from the floor about the training, racing ,preparation and the dreaded illnesses the our feathered friends suffer.
They both complemented each other very well.
The committee would like to thank both fanciers for their time and sharing their knowledge.
Young bird exchange -J Moffat -G Baird
R Reid -J Cameron
A Wilkie - E Jones & G/son
J Leggate =M Findlay
J & C O Hara -J Cullen
B Allison-F Welsh
B Gordon-J Lawrie & Son
H Wallace-Lindsay & Henderson
Best of luck to everyone.
Aaround the tables with members and friends
Another great social organised by club secretary Dave McCaig
Tom Corrie jnr
Lanarkshire Press Officer