Received an email from Paul Sumner from Australia who wrote; ‘Hi Joe, I wondered if you would you be interested in some photos of some pigeons partly down from the John Ellis pigeons that are being raced in South Australia and some details about them for your BHW column. They have some good results from Alice Springs which is a distance of 800 miles. I also have some old letters and articles from R M Wardhaugh, from North Berwick in East Lothian who was a correspondent for the BHW in the 1970's and wrote under the nom de plume RMW might be something of interest amongst them for your column? He used to have relatives that lived near my parents and his son visited us at one time. Just let me know. Regards Paul Sumner’. I wrote back and said ‘Yes, I would be very interested in these photos and stories, they seem to go down very well with the readers of my column; I look forward to hearing from you Joe M’. Paul replied ‘I have been talking to Russell Somerville of Williamstown which is about 31 miles North of Adelaide in South Australia. He informed me he has some pigeons down from the late John Ellis of Wellbank that were down from the 2 pairs imported into Australia by Ray Fewings in the early 2000's. Apparently Ray Fewings had arranged to import these 2 pair direct from John Ellis after visiting him while on an organized bus tour of Australian pigeon fanciers visiting different lofts around England and Scotland. And being very impressed with John Ellis's pigeons record in the long-distance races from France.
I have been talking to Russell Somerville of Williamstown, which is about 31 miles North of Adelaide in South Australia and he informed me he has some pigeons down from the late John Ellis of Wellbank. They were down from the 2 pairs imported into Australia by Ray Fewings in the early 2000's. Apparently Ray Fewings had arranged to import some direct from John Ellis after visiting him while on an organized bus tour of Australian Pigeon Fanciers visiting different lofts around England and Scotland. He had been very impressed with John Ellis's pigeons’ records in the long-distance races from France.
I have enclosed some photos, the red chequer cock, which is the sire of red chequer pied hen SA 18 15239, being 9th place in the South Australian Homing Pigeon Association race from Alice Springs, a distance of 830 miles in 2020. It was only12 minutes behind the winner, after 19 hours16 minutes on the wing. It was flown by the Buxton and Snyders Partnership of the Southern District club in Adelaide and bred by Russell Somerville. The red chequer cock is the son of SA 07 35406 the red chequer pied hen bred by Ray Fewings.
The red chequer pied was the daughter of one of the pairs imported from John Ellis. (Hopefully readers will be able to see the result. The winner’s distance was 1350.222 with their flying time being 19-16-12. You will also see that the Abbott & Son partnership sent 3 birds and timed the 3 of them in to win 2nd 8th & 34th open truly outstanding. The Buxton & Snyders partnership sent 3 birds
I have sent a photo of the red chequer pied hen winner of 9th Alice Springs just after she arrived from the 830-mile race having a feed. Also, a photo of a red chequer hen, another daughter of the red chequer cock being kept for stock to mate back to her sire. Russell said he is hopeful of getting a red chequer pied to strengthen the Ellis Blood. Also enclosed is a photo of the 2020 result list for the Alice Springs Race and some photos of the Alice Springs release and road trip photos on the return, hundreds of miles of nothing and very scarce water sources. Russell and I are wondering if there is anyone still keeping the bloodlines of John Ellis' birds. I was told by a friend that the late John Duthie of Dundee had done well with them. Russell Somerville just sent me another photo of the McDonald Ranges just to show that the Pigeons don’t just have to fly over flat country when competing in the Alice Springs Race, They have to encounter the McDonald Ranges. Hope all I have sent you will be of interest to your readers at some stage. That is all for now. Regards Paul Sumner. I hope fanciers have enjoyed the above from Paul, it was also good to know that the late John Ellis birds are still doing well out in Australia; with lovely photographs sent by Paul. Scottish pigeons (not all of them are) however quite a number are bred from good proven long distance winning pigeons as the above has proven. My thanks to Paul for the above information and may I wish the above fanciers all the very best for the future. Before I move onto the weekly results; I don’t think fanciers realise how far my column is read throughout the world; the above story is from Australia, I have had a request from a fancier from Malta enquiring about a Scottish Fancier, another from Ireland, the list goes on and on. It also pleases me to know that my column is well received in these countries.
Results
East of Scotland Federation
Good to have Tom McEwan back with us; however, Tom is not keeping in the best of health just now but is prepared to give me the weekly result. Therefore, it will be up to the winning fanciers (if they wish) to email me the details of their winning birds, as I can add this to Tom’s result. It is not fair to ask him to phone around everyone for these details as the man is not keeping well, it is up to them. From the Consett race the convoy was liberated at 07-40am into a west to south west win. Topping the federation and also taking 3rd & 10th positions is Keith Howie of Prestonpans. SNFC double national winner George Veitch of East Salton takes 2nd & 9th places, with Tom and his son Scott taking 4th open. Andrew Gill of Haddington wins 5th & 6th open and completing the top ten is Bobby Dickson of Prestonpans winning 8th & 9th open.
Elphinstone Club wining the first 2 places is Keith Howie with Tom & Scott McEwan taking 3rd place.
Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club
News from Charlie Cameron with the result of the 4th Wooler young bird race with 6 members sending 134 birds; these were liberated at 08-00am on 17th August into a south west wind. Charlie and son Glen win the first 3 places with Les McKay winning 4th 7th & 9th positions. Paul Cameron wins 5th & 6th with Graham McKenzie winning 8th & 10th position.
Angus Federation
News from David Liddle who writes; ‘Hi Joe, please find results attached for our young bird race on 10th August from Wooler. The strong westerly wind affected the birds and the first arrivals were slower than expected and an erratic race followed. Following his federation and combine win at the first young bird race, Adam Golicki emulated his result by taking the first four positions in the Forfar club, Angus Federation and the Angus & Dundee combined result. Adam lives near the top of Glen Prosen and did not expect to be in with a chance due to the strong west winds which should favour the birds on the coast. His first two pigeons were home bred grizzles from pigeons he was given by a friend when he started up in 2018. He believes they are Kirkpatrick’s regards; David forwarded the results attached for Forfar RPC and Angus federation second Wooler race on 17th August with 18 members sending 491 birds. Like last week there was a blustery south west wind for the birds to contend with and the race was a bit erratic with the early birds making good time and coming well and then slowing up for no obvious reason with a few empty perches at the end of the day. A group of eight birds hit Forfar 10 members sending 304 birds; after an hour and three quarters and it was one to Ken Droog & son which trapped fastest to win the club, federation and also top the Angus & Dundee combined result. Two birds for Ian Scott and five for Davie Glen filled the first eight places followed by five to D & D Hay in Gourdon and six to Charlie & Glen Cameron with another for Ian Scott completing the federation top twenty; regards, David’.
Scottish Central Federation
News from Peter Keogh with the result of the Thirsk race flown on 17th August with the 741 birds liberated at 07-00 hours with no wind at the race point. J Boyd takes the first 3 place plus 14th 17th & 20th with Joe Smith winning 4th 8th & 9th Tam Manger wins 5th & 6th positions with Charlie Job winning 7th 13th 15th 16th & 18th positions. Martin Brown wins 10th 11th & 19th places. Bernie wrote; Winchburgh club sent 236 birds Thirsk which were liberated into blue skies and no wind. Taking 1st & 2nd club 5th & 6th fed is Tam Manger with a pair of his Ritchie Elliot Ceusters on the darkness.3rd & 4th club and taking 7th, 13th , 15th , 16th & 18th fed is Charlie Job who is having a great season. Well done Tam and Charlie. Additional information from Charlie Job on his first two birds from Thirsk. Both birds are darkness youngsters one is a Herman Ceusters Ritchie Elliott 2 sire is from Peter Hall lofts ‘Mr Perfect’ blood lines; Dam from Kenny Droog. Thanks once again Joe yours Bernie.
Fife Federation
News from Geordie Todd with the result of the Darlington race flown on the 17th August with the 493 birds liberated at 7:00 in a south west wind. Birdage was as follows; Methilhaven 75 birds; Kennoway 90 birds; Lochgelly 35 birds; St Andrews 27 birds, Dunfermline 112 birds and Crossgates 154 birds.
The federation top ten and the east section top ten are the same; with B Chalmers of Kennoway winning first 3 places; Jim & Gary Peggie oof Methilhaven club are 4th & 5th with Tam Laing of Kennoway in 6th place. David Armour of Methilhaven club is 7th & 8th with Brian Kinnear of Kennoway club winning 9th & 10th positions. The west section is won by A Simpson of Dunfermline who also takes the 10th position. J Hynd & son of Lochgelly club wins 2nd 3rd 4th 7th 8th & 9th with Alaistair McCudden of Crossgates club in 5th spot with club mate R Cook in 6th position. John Harcus wins St Andrews club.
Kingdom Federation news from Pete Penman who writes, ‘Hi Joe, the Kingdom were at Darlington for our 4th young bird race. Coaltown of Balgonie’s Gary Hall is leading the way with a home bred Herman Ceusters chequer white flight hen sitting 15-day eggs. Sandy Proctor of St Serfs was 2nd with a blue cock from Brian Gorton bloodlines. 3rd & 5th is Coaltown’s Chic Dinsdale his first is a Jos Stone cross grizzle hen. Then a chequer cock who is a grandson of his good blue pied hen. In 4th place again is Gary Hall with another home bred Herman Ceuster chequer cock. With 6th place going to Alec Brunton of St Serfs with a chequer hen bought in a lot of 6 from Paul Dryden from Newcastle. Kind regards Pete’.
Almond Valley Federation
News from Lynne who writes ‘Hi Joe, I've attached you a copy of federations result from Alnwick 2 young bird race with an entry of 740 birds, which is as follows. Bonnybridge club’s S Russell tops the federation with a bird doing 1232 velocity. He also wins 5th 6th & 20th open. D McBeath of Armadale club wins 2nd position with Geordie Harris of Bonnybridge club winning 3rd & 4th places. James Burnside of Armadale club is 7th with John Bird of West Calder club winning 8th 14th & 19th open. John Hadfield of Armadale club wins 9th to 13th plus 15th to 18th places.
Armadale 152 birds; D McBeath 1225.257, J Burnside 1208.835, J Hadfield 1206.529, 1206.362
Balerno 16 J Fairley 989.118
Bonnybridge 246 birds; S Russell 1232.229, G Harris 1220.792, 1220.647, S Russell 1218.123,
Carnwath 41 birds; Dr J Salmond 851.586, Thomson Bros & I Thomson 767.209, 740.698, 669.693
East Calder 49 birds; F Jamieson & Son 1155.801, 1110.329, 1104.600, 1087.336
Fauldhouse 176 birds; T Gavin 1191.734, S Redmond 1185.946, T Gavin 1179.945, J Angus-Beaton 1174.541
West Calder 60 birds; J Bird 1207.136, 1205.635, 1202.148, 1187.750
North of Scotland Federation
News from George Duthie with the Auchendinny 1 young bird race flown on 17th August with 35 members sending 857 birds these were liberated in a south west wind. The east section had 16 members sending 474 birds winning the first 25 open positions. Neil Holt of Peterhead & District who is having a great season wins 1st 2nd & 5th positions. S Glue of the same club wins 3rd 8th & 10th with Maskame & Cordiner winning 4th 6th & 7th places. Gordon Willox wins 9th 14th & 15th positions with Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District club winning 11th 12th & 13th places.
A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District wins 16th 17th & 18th open with R Bain of the same club wins 19th 20th & 22nd open. R McKenzie of Inverurie club wins 23rd section and open with A Higgins of Fraserburgh West End club winning 24th & 25th section and open. The West Section had 19 members sending 383 birds and winning 1st 2nd & 3rd section and 26th 27th & 28th open is A Cruickshank of Keith club. His club mate Ronnie Wilson wins 4th 5th & 6th west section 29th 30th & 31st open with his club mates Duncan & Thomson winning 7th section 32nd open. Devern Valley’s G McLeod is 8th section 33rd open with Keith’s A Flett winning 9th & 10th west section 34th & 35th open.
Clubs First Bird
N Holt wins Peterhead & District velocity 1714.756; Colin McRae wins Fraserburgh & District velocity 1644.492; Fraserburgh West End is won by A Higgins velocity 1571.473. Inverurie club is won by R McKenzie doing a velocity of 1556.665. A Cruickshank wins Keith with a velocity of 1535.107. Devern Valley is won by G McLeod velocity 1451.058 with Elgin & District club won by W Ritchie on a velocity of 1293.521. George finishes his report by wishing Neil Holt on topping the federation and the same congratulations to S Cruickshank on winning the West Section.
Central Federation
News from Peter Keogh who informs us that the Federation sent 741 birds to Thirsk; these were liberated at 07-00am into blue skies with no wind at the race point. Winchburgh club sent 236 birds; to Thirsk which were liberated at 07.00am Taking 1st & 2nd club 5th & 6th federation is Tam Manger with a pair of his Ritchie Elliot Ceusters on the darkness. 3rd & 4th club and taking 7th, 13th, 15th, 16th and 18th federation is Charlie Job who is having a great season; regards Peter.
Pentland Hills Federation
News from Andy Miller with the Consett race flown on Saturday 17th August with 48 lofts sending 1148 birds, these were liberated at 07-40am into a west to south west wind. Andy writes; ‘Joe, for our fourth young bird race of the 2024 season it was again from Consett. This turned out a lot better than last week’s race which suffered heavy losses resulting in more than a thousand less entries on the transporter. Anyhow 1148 birds were competing and winning 1st 2nd & 7th are the partnership of Davie Brown & the late Jim Black & loft laddie Peter from Whitecraigs, who fly their birds in Woodburn P.C. They timed a home bred blue hen a “Heinz 57,” from all the lofts leading lines. Sire is a Gabby crossed Geerinckx when paired to a Herman Ceusters hen flown on the darkness. Davie tells me this was his last race of the season due to the horrendous losses. Third open are the Winters Family of Danderhall with W Kinnear & son from the same club winning 4th & 13th positions. L Affleck of Edinburgh Premier is 5th with J Dowling of Danderhall club in 6th position.
Black & Robertson of Danderhall are 7th with Lindsay & Mackie of the same club in 8th place. Woodburn’s Helen Aitken & sons take the next 3 positions with Roberston & Black winning 12th & 20th open positions.
G Stewart of Woodburn is 14th with Danderhall members D Crookston winning 15th K Wright being 16th S McVey is 17th W Hume is 18th and D Brown is 19th open. I believe young bird racing needs a complete re-vamp, starting with, when we the fanciers actually start and finish breeding, racing & educating them, followed by transportation and finally liberations. Food for thought! Joe; kindest regards Andy’
27 Day Space Weather Outlook Table.
2024 Aug 19 0225 UTC
UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2024 Aug 19 225 5 2
2024 Aug 20 225 5 2
2024 Aug 21 215 5 2
2024 Aug 22 210 10 3
2024 Aug 23 200 8 3
2024 Aug 24 200 5 2
2024 Aug 25 205 5 2
2024 Aug 26 210 5 2
2024 Aug 27 205 5 2
2024 Aug 28 200 5 2
2024 Aug 29 205 5 2
2024 Aug 30 205 5 2
2024 Aug 31 210 5 2
2024 Sep 01 215 5 2
2024 Sep 02 220 5 2
2024 Sep 03 220 5 2
2024 Sep 04 225 5 2
2024 Sep 05 225 5 2
2024 Sep 06 225 5 2
2024 Sep 07 220 5 2
2024 Sep 08 220 5 2
2024 Sep 09 225 5 2
2024 Sep 10 230 5 2
2024 Sep 11 230 5 2
2024 Sep 12 230 5 2
2024 Sep 13 225 5 2
2024 Sep 14 225 5 2
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 joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland
© Compiled by Joe Murphy
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