St Finnan Loft

The race has been offered for this year and that is what we should be aiming for, however, it should not be left to the committee to decide if this goes ahead. The decision should be made by the members of both nationals, the committees can decide how to communicate with their respective members, but it should be all be carried out with complete transparency. There are great fanciers in both nationals who would relish the competition and their wishes should be treated with respect. The decisions with regards to distances is surely not insurmountable and the committees can have this dealt with in a timely fashion. Nothing is too great a hurdle that reasonable men cannot overcome.

The sun rising comment and narcissism comment are pure waffle "the meaning of ‘waffle’ is to talk or write at great length without actually saying very much. The negative comments made have stopped members discussing this offer, if it is felt by some that there is an ulterior motive why is that not being discussed. I feel a forum is a platform to put your views forward in a grown up fashion without being put down by people who do not agree, everyone is entitled to their opinion without being ridiculed. I personally think it is a brilliant opportunity and serious distance pigeon men should jump at the chance of a free race, it is an opportunity to entice more fanciers to try distance racing for the first time.

It seems to me that most times I see pigeons featured in the national media, whether it is Television, Radio or in the Newspapers, it’s detrimental to our sport however not so, in this case, quite the opposite in fact.

BARRY TREWIN, AUSTRALIA, AUTHOR OF 'A HANDICAP SYSTEM' PUBLISHED 2004 Barry has kindly consented to my republishing some of the article. Once again this is just a concept to provoke forward-thinking in a stagnated sport. For anything to move forward the first step must be taken, then another and so on! Most of the problems in our sport can be overcome, problems only need solutions, but many will not even attempt to try and develop a new idea or concept, I have now travelled and conducted many talks and discussions regarding new concepts for pigeon racing, I have listened to many people telling me their problems in their own areas, but I must say, the same problems are happening everywhere! Now let us look at a couple of things, people will always make excuses as to why things need to stay the same, usually because they will not have or maintain the advantage if something new is introduced, they do not want the racing to be competitive. • Why do people who live in the eastern areas always have the best racing results? • Why do people seek to move to these areas to race their pigeons? • What and where is the drop zone? • Why is it that the people who take the control of clubs usually live in these areas? • Which direction do the prevailing winds come from? • Can terrain play any part in the results? I will now explain my thoughts on the line of flight of birds when racing. I will look at the scenario everyone wishes to have and then explain the actual flight paths of birds with wind interference, I hope it will help to explain my handicap system better. It is hard for people that have been stuck in their ways to understand many of my new concepts, but that is why nothing has changed in the past because these people are not creative enough to be able to come up with new ideas that can benefit the sport. It is only because I have been travelling around talking to many people about new concepts over the past 7 years, those different people are now starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it may seem small at this stage. For so long many people have left the sport disillusioned at the poor management of organisations and lack of improvements, Yes the sport will die if no one sets about to change the way things are done. Let us assume that two lofts have exactly the same of the following: • Quality of birds. • Feeding • Training • Management • Both lofts are equal distance from the release point in a straight line, this is the calculation that determines the placings in a pigeon race. A straight line to each loft. Pigeons from each loft fly directly to their home loft without any interference from outside elements. In this scenario, birds should arrive at their home lofts at exactly the same time. Now let’s throw in the prevailing westerly winds, this already has changed the playing field dramatically in favour of the Easterly Loft. The birds will be pushed to the east and then the westerly lofts birds will actually fly a much further path than the East loft as they are pushed further into the east at the release point, thus the East loft will have birds landing at their loft well before the West loft. Now sometimes birds can break and head for their loft not far from the release point, but the east loft birds are pushed towards their loft and do not have to turn into a headwind which will also slow the birds heading towards the West Loft. In effect, the East loft birds have not flown as far or as hard as the West Loft birds, but the results at the end of the day mean that the East loft guy is patting himself on the back for a good win, when in fact his bird had an easy run home, are they really the better birds? Now let’s throw some more variables into the equation! We can start by putting in ranges and hills; these could also be lakes or rivers, pigeons will naturally take a line of flight which is dictated by the terrain, fly around mountains, ranges or hills rather than flying over the top! They will look for gaps that they can get through, rather than try and expose themselves to open country where they can be spotted by falcons. Exceptions to this will be on days with clear skies, the birds can fly over obstacles such as I have mentioned, but this is rare. During discussions, my words fell on deaf ears as east fanciers kept patting themselves on the back. It is great to win races, but when there is no one left to race against, then it is easy to win! This scenario does not deter the east fanciers as they seem to wish for this! In many of my travels, I hear people talking about the same problems in the sport, but this is the problem, many people talking about the problem, but no one trying to come up with a solution! Some people deny there is a problem, these are the fanciers the sport does not need, and mostly they are old school and do not embrace change or progress, unfortunately. Now on a visit to the Wagga Wagga some years ago, I was interested in an idea that, I think the Albury Wodonga club were using. Now, this is where at least people are searching for solutions to problems and not just saying “that is the way it has always beenâ€, “we can’t change anythingâ€. Now, this got me into great discussions with John Clay, about what the Wagga Wagga Club were using and I could see merit in their thinking. I then started to look at the scenario at my area and started developing the idea to assist the guys that were disadvantaged by terrain and position. Now upon studying clocking times and talking with the guys that were continually behind each week a trend was appearing in the times, now what I did was worked on a drop zone, basically where the birds were entering and then work out a formula to take time off the guys in the West, which meant they would have their times very close to the drop zone guys, well as expected they would never allow this. This is why the sport cannot go forward! Now another example: The Stawell Gift - Australia’s richest foot sprint race. The guys are racing off handicaps to keep the racing as exciting as possible, not to just give away money to the fastest person, if this was the case, they would all run off scratch! This race has thought outside the box and has reaped the rewards, whereas pigeon fanciers are exactly the opposite, and only see people leave the sport disillusioned! Now basically, what can happen is that when the birds reach the drop zone, they turn and then head towards the west lofts, now if the birds sit on a steady speed, maybe 40 -45 mile per hour, then the guys in the west have their birds cover a certain distance at that speed, so , therefore, using a formula a time can be deducted from the West flyers. The same system can also have time added to fanciers that have overfly, working on how much overfly (direct line with drop zone) and once again the speed of 40– 45 miles per hour. You need to experiment with these things but it is interesting how racing can be made more exciting and keep people interested in the sport. Some people may call this a breakpoint, but a breakpoint is different uses a different formula to adjust racing, many times I have seen the breakpoint used totally incorrectly, therefore disadvantaging fanciers and also chasing people away from the sport again. To try new things are very hard for the pigeon sport with people who are too scared to even open their minds to simple improvements to the sport, computers, GPS and release conditions monitoring, the internet and computers are wonderful tools if used correctly. (Location can well account for 80%of a well-located lofts success.) Yours in the Sport, Barry Trewin

Fair play to you guys for trying to resolve a problem that has prevailed in this sport since its inception. Fanciers both now and in the past have talked about the unfairness in races hence we talk of The Golden Mile, Tram Lines, etc. I acknowledge that the dogleg for your birds is a big handicap, so well done to you guys for trying to resolve the problem. However at A.G.M.s fanciers in 'Golden Mile' areas still `close ranks or shout down any changes which would be beneficial to a larger percentage within their Federation. We all acknowledge there is no perfect route, however, when the majority of the early birds are timed into the side of the Federation putting the least entries into the race, it makes one wonder if this is a fair race route for all members. This is only my opinion.

Sorry to hear you have been unwell, rest, and look to the future.

As expected with the west wind determining the leading birds would all be on the east side of Fife. So well done to Davie Baldie and Mark Malloy who had a great race. However, plaudits must go to Ian Hynd who had an outstanding race as well as a great season in the West section of Fife.

e-mail sent.

INJURED PIGEON. REPORTED TO SHU awaiting reply.

PM SENT

Thanks for that another local fancier is on his way.

Any fanciers able to help a member of the public who has a pigeon contained in ALNWICK Yorkshire Trading Company Bondgate Lane ALNWICK NE66 01383513655

I have had a member of the public report to me IHUS125385, this pigeon is walking the street in Grange Road Saltwood England and is easily picked up. Have put this on Basics as a long shot a fancier may be close by.

Lochgelly 07535 108150

Glenrothes 07908 842188 If you reported bird on SHU Website both you and owner would know in a matter of minutes.

Happy birthday young fellow.

http://pigeoncraic.com/auctions/ Some 22 years ago now, Jim and I made some pigeon racing history by exchanging top birds of our respective strains and with racing success. Trusting in the integrity of each other we had the pick of each other’s breeding e.g. Circus Boy/Rennes Lass /Barcelona Dream and Dark Enchantment-blood proven up to 879 miles. Love Jim Emerton.

http://pigeoncraic.com/auctions/ up to date now click on the image and scroll down.

JIM DONALDSON – PETERHEAD Just mention the name Jim Donaldson to any of the long-distance enthusiasts and their ears perk up. Without a doubt, the race records and performances of this fancier are world-class at long-distance racing. Flying into the far north of Scotland, in a hard testing race, you need as the locals say “ Super Doo’sâ€. Jim’s record in National Racing is nothing short of “ World Class†. The following is a list of some of his top performances and you can judge for yourself : Champion “ Donnann†- Blue Cheq Hen, 1st SNFC Sartilly Vel - 1029y/m, 605 miles, 1,864 birds - 28 times 1st Section in the Scottish National Flying Club . All of these birds were exceptional racers – SNFC Gold Award for 5 times scoring in the National, across the channel, between 6-700 miles. No doubt Champion “ Riems Lass†was his top bird - Jim has won the Scottish National, North Section & Region average 9 times, each bird was exceptional. This is an achievement no other fancier has managed even once – Champion “ Niort Lady†, a personal favorite, liberated at 8 am...clocked at 1500 next day, flying 775 miles c.27hours – SNFC Silver Award won twice, two birds, 3 times over the channel - Joe Murphy Trophy ( for the first bird over the Firth of Forth) , flying 120 miles further than the first drop Jim has also had repeated success with his youngsters, racing in National events up to 380 miles winning sections etc – Jim’s Club and Federation results are too numerous to mention. –: Unfortunately, Jim's health has not been the best and with much reluctance, he has decided that he must give up his beloved sport. A Big Loss To Long Distance Racing In Scotland – Jim has decided to have his entire clearance sale in Northern. Ireland All birds will be offered over two sales around early/mid-March – Approx 35 lots in each sale

Niort Lady; winner of 2nd north section 14th open Sartilly; 1st north section 34th open Niort a distance of 775 miles;

https://www.insider.com/photos-pigeon-poppies-red-nest-war-memorial-australia-2019-11?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=referral&

Well done Tam Laing on winning the Open which was once again dominated by the East section, however, I feel plaudits must go to Rory Cook 1st, 2nd, and 3rd West section.

We all love the feeling of elation in our own back yard when timing from the long races.A phone call from a friend to inform you no birds in our district and none expected tonight. The feeling of despair as you turn from the loft then the sudden realization the sound from the movement of a bird as it alights on the lander,the rush of adrinolin as you watch in awe an old favourite enter the loft aches and pains vanish as a once old man rushes to greet his warrior. Who can beat that excitment a feeling that will never be forgotten than will sustain you after the season is gone during long winter nights. This of course is a big attraction to the sport nothing is simple if it was we would loose interest,top distance racers are superior to most other pigeons,the genetic package that these birds have is thanks to generation upon generation of pigeons raced from 500 to 775 miles. The Scottish National Flying Club has been a great platform to enable the creation of wonderfull true distance birds evolved over the years and we must not consider any trend that would endanger this.