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St Finnan Loft

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Posts posted by St Finnan Loft

  1. The Auld Alliance

    in Notice Board

    Posted

    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.

  2. The Auld Alliance

    in Notice Board

    Posted

    The letter below has been sent to both Scottish national distance clubs.What do the members think of the proposal?

     

     

    I would be obliged if you would place this suggestion before the committee at your earliest convenience.

     

    As you will be aware that in 2020 an attempt was made to go to the longest race along with the SNRPC. As it did not materialise I have a suggestion that may meet with approval.

     

    I am prepared to organise a six hundred mile race from France (600 Miles to the central belt).

     

    How will it work so far:

     

    1) I will pay birdage.

     

    2) I will pay transport.

     

    3) I will arrange basketing.

     

    4) Both clubs will have their own race and duplicate into my race.

     

    5) I am hoping to have in the region of £5000.00 prize money.

     

    6) Open to any suggestions.

     

     

    Regards

     

    Vince Hendry 5168

     

    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.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  3. New Kim

    in Notice Board

    Posted

    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.

  4. New Thinking Required

    in Health & Feeding

    Posted

    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

  5. The Forming Of The Moray Firth Flying Club,

    in Notice Board

    Posted

    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.

  20. Jim And Ann Donaldson

    in Notice Board

    Posted

    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

  21. Your Favourite Pigeon You've Ever Handled

    in Notice Board

    Posted

    post-3576-15739947881933_thumb.jpg

    Jim Donaldson’s Niort Lady for me, a truly amazing pigeon, and that was in a loft full of section winners and a national winner. I will visualise that doo as long as I live ������

     

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

  24. Long Distance Racing Into Scotland

    in Notice Board

    Posted · Edited by St Finnan Loft

    I agree with you, long distance racing is struggling into Scotland, and middle distance racing has took over, the easy options to national racing

    In my opinion,

    fanciers now don’t want 500/ 550/600 mile to hard for most, but all the greatest names of the past would be turning in there graves seeing what the national has become,

    Too many races not enough Doo.s

    I like to win at all national races, but 500 mile + racing is different class, for me, the knocks are harder when you don’t get one, but when you get one at the distance nothing compares to that feeling,

    For me it would be sartilly ,Rennes, Nantes, and one coast race for yearlings only,

    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.

  25. Is It Really A Race

    in Introductions & Member Messages

    Posted

    The folly of pigeon racing. ( My opinion )

     

    Race distance is measured from race point to each individuals loft this is a fact.

    It is a well known that birds do not fly in a straight line from liberation to any loft. You only need to be in the fancy a short time to realize this, and we all know that race results do not tell the whole story ie who had the best pigeon in a particular race. The recent article by Joe Murphy only highlights this, Fife pigeons mostly enter the Kingdom via the east side of the country, in our first race Berwick on Tweed. A pigeon entering Fife may be alongside one heading for Valleyfield both measured on the same mileage from the race point but the Valleyfield bird having a dog leg of approximtely 20 miles plus, this is normal in most races. A loft in Bo'ness will fly the same mileage from Reims as one in Lumphinnans even if Lumphinnans is 15 miles further north the measurment to both is correct and yes we all know that pigeon racing is unfair.However we all love the sport and its as good as we can have it.

     

    The strongest or best pigeons in a race will not always appear at the top of the result a race that covers a large area will usually be heavily influenced by external factors, weather, location, wind, and flight lines. In other words, a national winner or a fed winner is not necessarily the best pigeon of the day. It is always possible but it will not definitely be the case. To what extent is a pigeon from one side of the country influenced by these external factors compared to its opponents from the other side of the country What makes it so difficult to compare two pigeons is the fact that every pigeon covers a different route or distance, except pigeons from the same loft, every race has a number of pigeons with virtually no chance of winning a prize simply because the racing conditions (location of the loft, wind, weather) are not to their advantage. They face an unfair competition with no chance of winning. This is especially the case for the national races, and it basically means that quite a few of the better pigeons will not get the recognition they deserve.

     

    Pigeons that have to cover a shorter distance to their loft will likely have an advantage as those flying a greater distance have to endure growing fatigue, approaching nightfall etc. Also, if the wind blows from the west, we know the eastern part of Scotland will have a big advantage over fanciers from the western part of the country. Very occasionally the opposite applies when the wind blows from the east. The only time you hear fanciers complain is when they perceive that their distance from the race point is unjust, however this cannot be the case as all lofts are meassured in a straight line from the race point to each individual loft. No one has a perfect loft location all the time although, some have most of the time.

    Lets just enjoy the sport as it is, envisage our favourite wings-folded posture approaching the loft from a channel race.

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