Rooster J. Cogburn

Enjoy the presentation tomorrow night Stevie I once saw a sore inbred youngster at ringing age at the loft of a top national flier local to me.The bird had two back toes on each foot

Seen some beautiful pictures of the Carmichael doos,got a youngster reported by Bobby Carruthers back in 2002.Was a nice wee visit but he didnae have too many of the old reds and mealies left at that time. That Bill Wortley thing would be interesting to read. Like they say-to know where your going it helps to know where you've been.Slightly less interesting than Emil McCartons doos is my actual family lines full ae travelling tinkers and cattle hoarders

He had them in some form,but through John Carmichael and Jimmy Callan not direct from Galabank lofts.

Theres an article by Joe Murphy online you should have a look at.It includes photos of Galabank King,Galabank Queen,Galabank Prince,Galabank Supreme and Coronation Express.They are all reds/red chequers with the exception of Coronation Express.

On another note do you know of anyone who has paid for their services in a 'loft consultation'?

10th open Reims I'm sure as well around 2002??Think he beat Sir Robert Cormack to the 1st 'Region' as it was called then.Robert was 13th open I'm sure. Thats irrelevant though,hes been the man to beat in the fed as long as I've kept pigeons .When my dad first started with them I believe it was Rab Hamilton that was top dog.Lots of great fanciers past and present(too many to list).Just got take your turn if/when it comes Well done Tommy on another great season look forward to the write up

Yes theres not really anybody around that can touch him at the minute.Even when the likes of the Conroy Bros,the Stewart Bros,Big Duncan Ferguson and Joseph and Hugh McGlynn were on the stoat(back when I was a boy ) he was beating them way more often than they were beating him. Heard some say he is the best to ever fly in the fed,although its difficult to compare him to fanciers of old.

Alastair McNaughton and Jim Jack are in the process of compiling a write up on him.Should be out and about in the next few weeks I'd think.

Nice to hear some PB members stories and those of their friends relatives.Agree with Gareth that this is part of the appeal in racing with this history steeped club.

I liked the photos as well. I have a copy of a photo for almost every Kings Cup winner of the last 40 years.In only one or two of them does the pigeon's tail touch the floor.When you look at these birds winning in the 20s,30s,40s almost every bird's tail touches the floor in the photo.Change in the way birds are photgraphed now?or change in the type of birds around and winning today? Also interesting to read that the 1927 Rennes winner was a cock raced on Widowhood

http://www.homingpigeons.co.uk/pigeonyears13.htm This may be of interest to some members.

I was pleased wi how that photo turned out Made a bit of a balls up wi her this year,she picked up a wee injury and didn't get to the race I wanted.She was 127th Open from Ypres,her son was 18th in the Alencon race.Hopefully make a better job of her next season

should work now I think

Thats the picture we got taken at Jim's last season.I can't remember how much it was now mind you Was maybe going to get a couple taken this season again,but will see later in the year.One of the ones I want to get a picture of really wouldnae like the experience at all(shes bloody mental )so I may not bother. Tried to attach photo but it doesn't appear to have worked.Never mind lol

Maybe worth having a drive up Martin. He told me his dad helped with the doos,they had a wee holding with hens,dogs etc. so maybe his dads kept a hold of them for now.

Northwest Federation Trophy winners 2012 Old bird Inland average-T.Blair Old bird average-T.Blair Combined average-T.Blair Young Bird average-T.Blair Alencon/Clermont-A.McCalley & son Maidstone/Ripon-T.Blair Maidstone/Clermont/Ripon-T. Blair fed opens/Clermont-T. Blair best average 5th and 14th races-T.Blair Federation open Average-T.Blair Federation Points Winner-T.Blair Old Birds Coldstream-J & G grant Coldstream-D Henderson Otterburn-T. Blair Witton Castle-T.Blair Opp section-S.Morrison Ripon-T.Blair Opp Section-W.Alves Wakefield-P.McGowan & son Newark and first yearling-D.Henderson opp section D&M Laird Witton Castle-R.Stewart opp section-W.Alves Peterborough and first yearling J&W Strang & Son Opp section-T.Blair Maidstone-T.Blair Opp section-S.Morrison SNFC Inland National-S.Robertson Alencon-A.McCalley & son Clermont-T&M Paterson Young bird national-J.Smith SCC Clermont-T&M Paterson Yearling Derby-J&W Strang & son Young bird-J&W Strang & son Young Birds Kelso-D.Cowan Coldstream-T.Blair Otterburn-B.Sharp Consett-T.Blair Opp Section-J.Smith Ripon-J&W Strang & son opp section-R.Stewart Wakefield-J&W Strang & son League Champions-Stirling Old bird of the year-T.Blair Young Bird of the year-S.Morrison Tommy Blair showing once again hes the main man

Breeding mixture,barley.A little Hormoform and red band everyday

the joys of AGM and meeting season

Usually once they are lost

What distance was Marseille to yous Lee?

Well done Frank Ye better watch these lads leading you astray though,maybe a bit jealous of yer physique?

you should have told me you were in Avonbrig Brian,I'd have put the kettle on

Its a popular mixture I think. Dari 6.5%, Dun Peas 4.5%, Yellow Peas 6.5%, Maple Peas 44%, Extra Plate Maize 24%, Milo 4.5% Theres the breakdown of the the Versele Laga one.I'm sure your Gem,Bucktons etc will be pretty similar

They've started to sell it at Coxydene George.Think its still around £3 a bag dearer than your Versele Best All Round. I've not used it but was asked by a friend to get feeding when I was up.He asked for two bags of Irish mix.I forgot to ask him what brand he wanted so I got him a bag of Gem and bag of Versele Laga.I asked him the following week which was better and he reckons the maize and peas in the Versele are far superior to the Gem. Down to opinion I suppose and there is only 50p between them

Congratulations