1967

Hey plod what shop sells Buckie

Yes a mealy 50th 60th Open Rennes and 6th 42nd Open Avranches

In 1972,myself my wife Marcia and our family of three,Richard,Sharron and Gareth who was then 15 months old moved to Scotland in the month of June.Lofts were soon erected end of August and 12 of my own birds were installed for the 1973 breeding season.I then became a member of the Cambuslang & District Club,Lanarkshire Fed.Lanarkshire Social Circle and the Scottish National Flying Club in 1974 the BBC3 bird club was formed ie Burnbank,Blantyre and Cambuslang and i duly joined and later i added yet another club to my list in Lanarkshire West 5 bird club. FAMILIES KEPT Our family of pigeons are based on a combination of W&M Wilson of Larkhall,Andrew Deans Bothwell,Owen McIvor,Carnwarth Andrew S Hamilton of Netherburn,and Eddie Newcombe,Macmerry all crossed together with introductions from Hugh Brown of Stonehouse and Jim Hannah of Blantyre,plus the odd pigeon purchased at charity sales. PRIZE-TICKETS In 1984 we moved from Cambuslang to Blantyre because my youngest son Gareth became intrested in the sport and between the above clubs to date the number of prize cards won to date is approx since 1973,66 1sts 41 2nds 54 3rds,in Lanarkshire Fed 1st Open 10,874 birds,three times second Open.In West section 8 1sts,5 2nds 6 3rds plus 69 other fed tickets in the first 15 in section I won 29 SNFC certificates in the Nationals.We prefer the National races from France as it is a great thrill to time in pigeons after flying up to 16 hours on the day of race,or clocking early next morning from Sartilly 500 miles Noirt 673 miles.We have won lots of club averages in clubs,championship clubs etc etc but nowadays we prefer the distance racing stopping our best old birds around Stafford,Worcester to grt them set down proper for the channel races.We like our channel candidates to have approx 700/800 miles of racing in the club each year before going to their chosen channel race with the SNFC. MATING We pair up our yearlings and stock birds around the middle of February and our channel birds around the 10th to 17th march.Seldom do we pair two channel birds together as we like to a stock pigeon or a late-bred from our top channel birds of the year previous as it can be very dissapointing if you do pair distance birds together and loose one three to four weeks before the event. RACING We breed 50/55 youngsters each year and something like 12 to 15 are destined for charity and club sales leaving us with about 35 to race by the time the first young bird race comes up.All young birds are raced the full fed programme,which takes it up to 160 miles.Six youngsters are sent to the young birb National a distance of 260mls worcester or Cheltenham 284 mls always sending our very best.All yearlings also get the full fed programme to Dorchester 364 mls, this test out their ability and staying power so they are well qualified for the channel when 2 years old,this is the method used even with all incomers from other lofts or sales as we do not believe pigeons need to become acclimatised to the loft,good pigeons will always win from the start for you if they are going to be any use,making excuses for them will never win you anything. FEEDING We have used all types of feeding and mixtures over the years and have done well on them all but this last three years we have cut down on the amount of beans we feed.Feeding more no bean mixtures for racing.Pigeon racing has changed quite a bit as you now find that out of 500mls plus leading pigeons can do about 40mph even in a light head wind,so they must be bouyant in the hand,not heavy and ready to move from the start when the panniers are opened. OUR LOFTS Our lofts are (1)16'x7,(1)10'x7,(1)8'x6,and one small stock end at end of sitting hut 6'x5, in the big loft there are 32 nestboxes 24''square but only 20 pairs are kept in here in the 8x6 there are 12 widowhood boxes but only 8 pairs are kept in this one,most of them are yearlings,I DO NOT RACE WIDOWHOOD The 10x7 loft is for our youngbirds the small stock end houses 4 pair.We keep a total of 32 pairs usually. TRAINING Training takes place about 3 or 4 times a week from Coalburn and they do this in about 23 to 25 mins As we get in to June we train our channel birds from Peebles,Walkerburn,which is to the East of us and also from the Forth Bridge were it takes them 50 mins to the hour according to the wind plus we flag them at night for 30 mins our pigeons are quite good at flying themselves for long periods about the loft. ADVICE TO NOVICES 1.Purchase late breds if possible from about three top National pigeons in your area and cross them,race them hard to find the best ones 2.Your loft must be dry 3.Dont tolerate unhealthy pigeons 4.Be good to your birds at all times 5.Dont purchase old tired out pigeons at sales 6.Dont keep prisoners as pigeons like flying out 7.Go to sales,quiz nights,visit lofts,be a good listener at all times then make up your own mind. 8.Loft and drinkers must be kept clean at all times. 9.This is the most important one.Dont over crowd your loft this seems to be the biggest fault with pigeon fanciers,give them plenty of room and they will repay you,by better health and happiness in the loft and winning more cards.10.Be prepared to accept disappointments at all times. GOOD LUCK TO ALL FANCIERS George Rankin Aug 1990.

I first kept pigeons of all sorts when i was eleven years old on my fathers farm at Drumawhey,Newtonards,which is between Newtonards and Donaghadee in CO,DOWN,NORTHERN IRELAND.These were kept in an old hen house and there were about 25 to 30 of them and were fed a mixed grain of kibbled maize,wheat and whole oats,they were always in a good state of health.Attending school in Newtonards 5 miles away i was able to see racing pigeons returning from training to the lofts in the area from the school window and the teachers used to shout ''Rankin stop looking out the window'' We finished school at 3pm but the bus did'nt leave until 3,30 so i was able to visit some of the lofts and ask plenty of questions. In 1952 i sold all my tipplers,tumblers and homers for 2/6 to 5/-each and purchased my first racing pigeons from Bobby Smith of Newtonards for £3 £5 and a beauty of a black hen for £10 whose sire had won Penzanse to three different lofts in Newtonards,i became a member in 1953 of the Donaghadee R.P.C.flying in the Co Down Fed and had to ride the bycicle 2miles 600 yards to time in to Fergus Moore & Sons clock this i did for three seasons until purchasing a 12 bird Toulet for £12 in 1956. In 1953 i raced 13 young birds loosing 2 and winning 6th club from Bray.In 1954 with the 11 yearlings i won the old bird average also winning the last O.B. race from Penzance,only 3 birds timed in on the day in club,my winner was 14 hours on the wing,it was a black yearling cock of the black hen i paid £10 for in 1952. In 1955 i won the coveted MILLER GOLD CUP and MEDAL from Landereau in France having the only bird on the day of liberation timed at 21,04 hrs for a 031 velocity in the Co Down and Ulster Fed race.No other bird was timed till 9,57 hrs next day and only 17 birds were clocked in three days,15 County Down Fed birds and 2 Ulster Fed birds.My winner was black cheq wf cpcl OHV53 8138.His sire a gift from a top National loft in the area Sloan & White,Newtonards it was a 1944 bred Hansenne x Vendevelde.The dam of 8138 was a gift from top club and fed loft of Fergus Moore & son of Donaghadee and was Putman x Osman. My GOLD CUP winner flew 330 miles as a young bird from Gormanstown,Bray and Wexford winning 6th club Bray.The next year it flew Gormanstown Arklow,Hollyhead,Milford Haven and Bude a total of 765 miles winning 3rd club Milford Haven vel 738 and 3rd club Bude the following week vel 1280.In1955 it was mated 17 March,flew Arklow then won 10th club Skibbereen 260 miles only 10 birds on the day clocked after 13hrs 20 mins on the wing,following this it went to Penzance 310 miles,11 1/2 hrs on the wing,then next week it was racing from Landereau,France to win the Miller Gold Cup and Medal for me. In 1966 i won 7th Open Irish National Flying Club Young bird National from penzance vel 1265.4 also winning 1ST OPEN EAST DOWN COMBINE in that race.The following year i won 11th Open I.N.F.C.old bird national from Nantes vel 786 when 1,000 members sent 2,289 birds.The small number of 99 were clocked in three days also winning 1st Open East Down Combine in a national race for the second time. In the old bird racing before Nantes race my birds were excellent form all season winning 5 old bird races out of 10 flying with Comber Social Flying Club in the N.I.P.A. and winning the old bird average.

its no big deal lads i was willing to pay a lot more for my birds the under bidder was always going to be offered 2 youngbirds i just wanted the option of having 2 in the b/b if i race ybs . If i bought anyone elses and dont race them not fair on seller . My fault i should have just put a donation in.Its only doos.

John i bought my birds back because imlooking after my oldmans birds until he goes mine will just be sent as trainers for nat as it was for a good cause 40% arson fund i put 2 in was going to buy 2 but that wouldnt be fair on the seller if i bought his birds and not be able to race them buying my own gave me the option of being involved if i get the chance to race youngbirds(hope not it'll meen hes dead) i kept an eye on sale as soon as it was over i contacted the boy that was bidding on my birds and offered him 2 youngbirds i am more than happy to let my birds go to the under bidder and i will make up the dif not a problem i get more fun when someone dose well with my birds than i do winning myself

weldone on sale . iv tried to send u 2 pms from 9 it wont let me send them send me 2 rings some due to hatch monday

lots 28&32 £35 each please Done Thanks

R.I.P.

g/dam= 150 griz 20th Open Ypres SNFC 74th Open Falaise SNFC 187th Open Falaise SNFC 52nd Open Reims SNFC. g/sire=99665 cheq pied 1st club Newark 18th fed Maidstone 25th sec Falaise SNFC. Sire= 1st club ybn snfc 2nd club Alencon SNFC. Dam=4054 cheq 1st fed 7th sec 20th 0pen Ypres. g/Dam= as above=150 griz. Best yearling & old bird in 08 fed in SNFC Races g/sire.4002 chec 3x1st 2x2nd club Above birds have got more prizes in top 5 (up to 427 birds)in club. and fed ?up to 2000 + will look out results for buyer but buyer can also come and pick their own if wants to

32 £28 please Done Thanks

my oldman had the hen he clocked in at christmas killed by sparrowhawk on friday its now a 1/1 draw

R.I.P.

WRIGHT & BLACKHURST EASTHOUSES

The only thing thats moved forward in the last 5 years is price 50% same pocket clocks same pads same leads same batterys same rings to help the old age and dissabled my *expletive removed* im not knocking the system its the lies that the price could only come down iv got a choice the old age and dissabled havn't .When at tescos every time you hear the beep when theyre putting messages through its the exact same technoligy tin of coke 30p in tin ets ring in plastic £1,50

back to S.T.B. for me

Andy do you know how much battery replacement is? our clubs needing 14 soon (unicon)we were told in 2007 price everything could only go down more people used them cheaper it would get. Rings then £1 now £1,50 battery then £60 now ? 18in pad then £80 now ?

£30 to get it started please Thank you

lot 28 £28 please Done Thanks

The Lanarkshire Social Circle racing pigeon club was formed in 1930 by some of the leading fanciers of that area at that time.The first president was James.l.Muir of Newarthill and the committee was J.Cameron,Wm.Allanson,Dr.W.Anderson.C.McCann.Bob.McKendrick,A.Hendry(sec),Eddie McLean,Wm.Loudon,and George.Chambers. The main intrests of the club have always been long distance racing and sociability.J.L.Muir was the main driving force behind the purchasing the Gold Cup,which is the most sought after trophy in the club.This cup creates great intrest,not only in the club but also to many non membersof the club,who often ask me who is leading,or who do you think will win it this year?One never realy knows until the last Gold Cup race is flown who the winner is going to be. The rules of this trophy are,the best average from Sartilly(500miles),Rennes(540miles)Sartilly fed(500miles)and Sartilly2(500miles).Four bird nomenation in each race,at least one nominated entry must be timed in in each race to win the Gold Cup.It may look easy to send,say to send four to each social circle race and time one in each event to win the trophy.I can assure you it isn't easy,as one may send more than four to a race and time in one of the non nominated entries before the S.C.Entries.Thus losing some time in the competition.

28 & 32 £25 each please Done Thanks

The year 1984 saw Andre Van Bruaene,Belgium,triumph at Barcelona with Barcelona 11 taking 1st prize Barcelona International,13,033 birds.Barcelona 11 is a grandson of ''Barcelona'' 1st prize international 1966.Barcelona 11 is also a grandson of first prize Barcelona international winner,flown by Van Grimbergen in 1964,this pigeon also won 2nd prize Barcelona international in 1962.Four direct children from this Van Bruaene cock,Barcelona 11 are now at Hillside.Also children from his sister and from Andre Van Bruaene's best racers and breeders.Van Bruaene has been at the top for a very long time,and again like Julien Matthys,Andre has produced his very own family.In fact many years of keeping them pure with just the occasional introduction of new blood with the emphasis on proven long distance racing.So there you are have a short resume of the Biss family from the beginning to the present day. Continuing the policy of rigerous testing the future offspring of these latest introductions will be raced against the existing proven family.Only thoses that can do as well or better will be retained.In the past i have tested many Belgium strains against my own family but found them wanting and consequently these have been disgarded.One must be on the search all the time if one wants to stay at the top.The aim must be quality not quantity.The offspring of all my stock birds are put on the road and thoroughly progeny tested.They realy do face stiff opposition from their own loft mates.The birds that were 5th Open Rennes Midland National in 1976 would have been 1st National Rennes if it wasn't for his loftmates.A similar performance was achieved at Hillside this year.It occurred in the keenly contested Nantes Midland National the bird that was 6th Open Midland National would actually have been 1st if it wasn't for his loftmates.In the past one could probably win the long distance race with a slow racer not so now . Today i believe only long distance National and classic events wherein adverse weather conditions prevail,can be won by the slow plodding type pigeon .We are today seing the amergance of a new type of racing pigeon , one that can sprint 650 miles .This is a challaege that i personally find very exciting.Therefore,the Biss family must be ready to meet the challange.It is with this in mind that i have been working planing and spending heavily these past several years .Make no mistake the challange is strong,and you will have to be ready to meet the challange.Furthermore in view of my knowledge,experiance and success over the years coupled with the hight quality of limited stock kept at Hillside i feel quietly confident that the Biss strain will keep Hillside at the forefront .At the same time help those fanciers that have ambitions to become famouse at middle and distance racing by providing the quality of proven ancestry so important if one's ambitious plans are to be realised.

The 1979 season was undoubtedly the famous Fear Bros of Clandown pinnacle year.They won all three of the long distance races into England a feat that probablymay not ever be equalled.For Fear Bros 1979 was truly remarkable,toto win their first ever National and the coveted Kings Cup and follow this performance with two more outstanding National performances within as many weeks.After negotiation the Fear Bros three great champions arrived at Hillside.These were Prima,1st prize Barcelona National;Hermana first prize Palamos National and Hermano first prize Barcelona National Hermana and Hermano are a nest pair, and are probably the best nest pair of long distance champions of all time. The Fear Bros 1st prize Pau winner,a two year old,was a half brother to Hermana and Hermano,all three being from the same sire,as it was his only performance i did not purchase the Pau National N.F.C. winner.Black Velvet,the Perpingnan National winner and his son the international were also purchased during the 1970s.Then was added the best racing cock and hen in Belgium at that time i.e The Adamo and the Barcelona Hen from the Belgium champions G&M Vanhee.Since that time i have become a personal friend of the Vanhee family.Other pigeons obtained included children of the Vanhee's champions including Vale Prins,asgrauwen Debou,Napoleon,Greyspeerdt,Lourdes,St Vincent.Domino Geschelpte Prins,Bambino,dam of the Vale Prins and the Motta Hen.Recently,and soon after the death of Julien Matthys ,wo was 97 and the undisputed long distance champion of Belgium,his feats from Barcelona alone are legendary,judiciouse purchases were made.The Matthys purchases included his two great racing cocks Napoleon and the Bear.Additional purchases included a son of each of the above two ace racing cocks.Added to the above were Julien Matthys five best breeding hens Vale Jamin,Vale Mulder,Sister Bear,Vale Cesar,Blue Pursang also Blue Matthys and Mealy Matthys.Julien Matthys was the undisputed champion of Belgium and recognised a by the cracks of Belgium.Julien produced his family over many years and kept them almost pure with just an occasional introductions of new blood.There is no doubt that Julien became a legend in his own lifetime. To illustrate my own opinion af a cross,at around the early seventies the name of De Croix&Son of Belgium,was emerging as one of the top middle to long distance racing loft.Having won 1st Lourdes international.1st Cahors National,and in 1984 1st Perpignan international,and never far away from the top.The De Coix family were based on sprint and middle distance performers.During the 1960s and 70s the De Coix Brothers,(as major racing in Belgium was then)were the short and middle distance ace flyers of Belgium.However,during the past seven to eight years,short distance racing in Belgium hes lost much of its attraction.The emphasis in Belgium today is on long distance racing with Barcelona international as the pinnacle of their ambitions.for example during the last eight years for this prestigious event has doubled.The De Croix Bros were among the first to become aware of the ''wind of change''Consequently they decided to introduce reputable long distance blood into their sprint family. subsequently results proved the wisdom of this policy.Today all their present middle and long distance winners come down from just two birds,the Geschelpt Wittibje,and Merckx who was first provincial champion 1971,7th provincial champion 1073 and olimpiade Budapest 1975 champion and won over £11,000.Today at Hillside i havein my loft the Grote Merckx winner of 40 prizes and four firsts he is a son of Merckx Also housed at Hillside is a Daughter of Merckx,and children from Hanne,1st Lourdes international.Geschelpte Chico,1st Cahors National and Goliath,1st international Perpignan.Also a sister of Goliath,grandson of The Merckx.

£20 for each for 28 and 32 please Done Thanks