LANARKSHIRE FEDERATION

Tom Corrie

Blantyre HC 2013 Presentation Night

I made my way over on the 9th December to support the club’s presentation night. In the car we had Danny Mitchell, Peter Anderson, Martin Hilley and Tom snr. Wullie Semple and other members had organised a smashing night in the social club with the presentation and buffet meal. A sale of 2014 youngsters that would compete in the Breeder/Buyer bird of the year competition for one hundred pounds split 50/50 and some other top pigeons were available at a reasonable cost.

This year’s question and answer panel was John Lawrie from Newmains club, Lanarkshire Fed, John McFall, SNRPC Secretary and President of South Lanarkshire Federation and Tam Richardson also from Newmains club. All these lads have had consistent success over the years and are held at high regard by fellow fanciers. Each had their own opinion on the management of everything pigeons with questions like: antibiotics or natural products - John Lawrie was an advocate for Deweerdt products as was Tam but only if the dropping sample came back positive. John McFall is very much natural products and hasn't treated for canker for years using garlic and vit 12 product Impact; Lanarkshire racing with the SNFC Inland Nationals - John L stated he would have preferred to transport with the National to these races but also stated he thinks there should only be the second Inland National race. John McFall passed on this question. Tam stated in his opinion National racing should only be from across the water and he is happy the Lanarkshire is racing on their own Inland. But stated he always goes with the majority decision; Racing systems - Old Birds. John L races his birds on the roundabout, loft exercise, whereas John McF races on the celibate, no training during racing other than for National racing and Tam races also the roundabout, training heavily during the week; Young birds - John L uses darkness system and naturals, John McF uses natural and Tam is on darkness; Racing the distance and preparation for the distance - all agreed that you cant burn the candle at both ends and fresh pigeon are more likely to perform at these difficult distances. 3 races out to 250 miles seemed to be the preferred option with significant training flights before the main event, although there are always exceptions to the rule; Feeding for the distance - Tam stated the trends have changed from beans to low protein diets with carbs and fats the flavour of the day and using multi oils, stating protein poisons the blood. John L likes the carbs with lots of peanuts on the last few days. John McF stated high carbo with lots of hemp last days but don’t forget to restore the protein on return from races; What do the panel think of flying widowhood at 500mls - all the panel stated they don't fly total widowhood but John L stated he will not to re-pairing his roundabout pigeons before these events. John McF’s birds are re-paired before these events working well season 2012, being 1st section Arras SNRPC but this year it his result was poor, for reasons unknown to John as the same birds were competing; Have the panel ever used Colostrum - panel had heard of this but hadn't used this cow product; What type of pigeons make the best distance racers, body frame, size ect - Tam stated they come in all shapes and sizes but it’s the bloodlines that count. Pigeons that win into this area. The slow velocity pigeons will come through in the very hard races, but you can’t base your loft on these as you will be last on the sheet most weeks but there is always that disaster of a race they turn up. J McF stated that they have to be bred for the job. John L thinks many strains will win in the right condition; Do you believe good pigeons don't get lost, they are killed during flight -Tam stated one of the best pigeons he owned got lost. J McF & J L believed that both cases are true; Has the panel heard of the fancier Jimmy McMillan - This brought great laughter to the night as Jimmy is a member of Blantyre club and was sitting at the side of the panel. Other questions relating to our feathered friends were asked and we even got a song off John Lawrie and Tam Richardson. The panel blended well and great banter from everyone around made it an excellent night.

Trophy winners 2013 season

Tallis & Mcdonagh

200 mile ave
Old bird points
YB points
Combined points
Feelie memorial
3bird sprint
Yb ave
Inland ave
2x yb ko's

J&A Wylie
Old bird ave
Combined ave
Radiator shield
Jubilee cup
D.Baird memorial
Taxi cab
Barney McLennan
2x ob ko's

A. Morrison
Yearling ave
1st yearling Leicester
Inland national

J. Watt
Novice cup
Dawes memorial
1st yb ko

B. C. Ward
Longest ob Ypres

J. McMillan
1st ob ko

Members would like to thank all that turned up and supported our presentation night and to those that donated 2014 youngsters.

Tom Corrie

Lanarkshire press officer

Aki & Jimmy Wylie receiving one of their trophies from John Lawrie (middle)

John McFall (L) presents Brian Ward

Tam Richardson (L) presents Akie Wylie

Jimmy McMillan (r) winner of the Old Bird KO cup with Tom Corrie jnr

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