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SNFC Gold awards are a coveted accolade to say the least, WP Wortley with some info on Solway winners. Many thanks to Billy. 1 / 5 Innes Brothers from Gilmerton raced a number of good pigeons over the years including a Red Hen named ‘Kingston Again’ that commenced her National career in 1971 when she was 63rd East Sect. 130th Open Avranches. The following season she was 61st Sect. 106th Open Rennes and 34th Sect. 58th Open Avranches. She went to the channel on two occasions again in 1973 when she was 17th Sect. 31st Open Rennes and 15th Sect. 22nd Open Avranches and won in excess of £1,670 over a three week period, which was a record at the time. John and Hugh Innes had a visit from Alex Mitchell from Falkirk who was a member of the S.N.F.C. Management Committee and having handled the hen he said “this pigeon should have some sort of award”. At the next National Committee Meeting, following his visit he raised the matter with colleagues on the Committee and having planted the seed, Gold Awards were ‘born’. These Awards were first presented in 1975 with the first two recipients being George Bain and Son from Danderhall and the one and only Davie Rose from Aberdeen. I should add that as the Awards were not retrospective ‘Kingston Again’ did not actually receive one but when ten years old she bred Dark Chequer hen ‘Kingston Success’ that did indeed gain a Gold Award in 1985. The following is brief recognition of winning birds and fanciers in the Solway area. Ralston Graham from Langholm received the first Gold Award in the Solway area in 1975, the winning pigeon a Blue Chequer hen named ‘Esk Valley Goldie’. Ralston gained a second award in 2005 the pigeon on this occasion being year 2000 Blue Chequer Pied Hen ‘Esk Valley Jacky’. She was 16th Section 34th Open S.N.F.C. Hastings as a yearling. In 2003 she competed from Clermont and was 7th Section 139th Open. In 2004 went to the Blue Riband event from Le Ferte Bernard and was right at the front to be 2nd Section 12th Open. She was then sent to Falaise and was 3rd Section 10th Open. At the close of the 2004 season she was judged to be Runner-up to the winner of the S.H.U. Dewar Trophy. Having previously won the famous Gold Cup in 2002, Ralston came close to winning it for a second time in 2005 with the Pied Hen, which was 1st Section, 2nd Open Alencon. Ralston then chose to double her back into Falaise and she responded by homing on the night to be 10th Section, 26th Open. This super pigeon gained an S.N.F.C. Gold Award and for the second year in succession, she was also judged to be Runner up to the winner of the S.H.U. Dewar Trophy. Sire contained the bloodlines of Ralston’s great friends, Jack Wylie and Dickie Harkness from Newcastleton whilst the Dam was a Herbot from Keith and Pat Lynn from Dumfries. Ralston shared a close friendship with Jack Wylie and in tribute he named the Hen ‘Esk Valley Jacky’. Jock Ellwood from Langholm entered his name in annals of Scottish pigeon racing in 1971 when he won the Rennes Classic with Cattrysse hen ‘Jenny’s Pride’. In 1978 he was presented with a Gold Award for the achievements of his super White hen, which was bred by Jim Lucas from Whitletts in Ayrshire. Jock had been promised a youngster from Jim and when it arrived he wasn’t too enamoured with the colour, which caused him race it hard and it proved to be a real topper gaining a Gold Award. Donald Scott and Son from Brydekirk won the Section from Rennes in 1960 and in 1967 were 1st Section 3rd Open Avranches. Following the death of Donald Scott the loft title was changed to Mr. and Mrs. Ben Scott, who won three Gold Awards in 1978 and 1982 with Blue Pied hen ‘Sheila’, Red Cock ‘Sheila’s Boy’ and Mealy Cock ‘Scott’s Jubilee’. Ben and Jean were in fact the first fanciers in Scotland to win three Gold Awards. 2 / 5 In 1981 David and Rosemary Osborne from Locharbriggs, Dumfries, gained a Gold Award with their super Pied hen, which had previously been 30th Sect. 256th Open Avranches, 13th Sect. 50th Open Nantes, 3rd Sect. 5th Open Nantes and 17th Sect. 126th Open Nantes. To gain her fifth National position and secure the Gold Award the Pied hen was 1st Section 52nd Open from Sartilly. On this occasion the birds were racing into a strong West wind, which pushed the convoy up the East of the Country and indeed all of the pigeons that beat her were flying into the East Section of the National. Considering that David and Rosemary compete into the West Section of the Solway Fed., the achievement of the pigeon on the day was extra special. In 1995 the partners won the Niort National with 5 y.o. Blue W.F. Hen ‘Doonhamer Lynne’. The Scottish entry was liberated with a convoy from the North of England at 5.45am into a N.E. wind and David and Rosemary timed their winner at 10.03pm to record a velocity of 1119ypm from 622 miles. She was the only arrival into Scotland on the day of liberation and headed the result by 140ypm. In 1981 also Norman and William McCulloch from Dalbeattie gained a Gold Award with their super hen ‘Galloway Lass’. To gain the award the hen was 31st Section 115th Open Rennes 1978, 43rd Section Rennes 1979, 40th Section 247th Open Rennes and 18th Section Avranches (2) 1980 and 15th Section 68th Open Rennes 1981 when she was the first pigeon into the Solway area in the morning. Dam was bred by fellow Club members, Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Muirhead and Son being a full sister of ‘Glenshalloch Queen' that was 1st Open S.N.F.C. Nantes 1974. Sire was loaned to Norman and William by Jock Lister from Kirkcaldy. In 1995 Norman and William McCulloch won the Scottish National Blue Riband event from Rennes with Van Hee hen ‘Urr View Star’. Dalbeattie is situated in the extreme West of the Solway Federation area, deep in Galloway and with the Solway Firth to the South and the Cumbrian Hills beyond the birds habitually dog leg into the town from the East, which makes it extremely difficult to successfully race pigeon into town. The problem is further compounded with peregrines all around them and on the Solway coast, which have increased in number in recent years. James Dalgliesh from Annan had a tremendous record, which included being 1st Open Y.B. National 1973, with Blue hen ‘Annandale Princess’, 1st Open S.N.F.C. Falaise 1977, from an entry of 5,524 pigeons and 41st International competing against 26,500 pigeons and 1st Open S.N.F.C. Alencon 2012 with ‘Solway Star’. There were few fanciers who had a better eye for a pigeon than James and on a number of occasions when he attended Sales he purchased pigeons for very modest sums and the new introductions went on to make a considerable impression. Whilst attending a football match at Coldstream in Berwickshire, he visited the loft of Mr.Hope and took a fancy to a Red Kirkpatrick Squeaker that was running about on the floor. This cock was subsequently named ‘The Postie’ as it proved to be a magical stock pigeon, always leaving the goods. He was told that a Mr.Little from the village of Canonbie, Near Langholm was parting with his pigeons and decided to go and have a look at them. He learned that they were Kirkpatrick Grizzles, purchased from Louella and decided to buy two cocks and a hen. The hen was subsequently timed at 4.40 in the morning from Nantes in 1978 to be 4th Open. Through the same line emerged an outstanding Grizzle cock ‘Annandale Gold’ that was awarded his first S.N.F.C. Gold Award in 1983. He subsequently gained a second Gold Award in 1990 with Red hen ‘Annandale Red Rose’ that scored seven times with the National with her best positions being 13th Open Nantes and 16th Open Niort. In 2004 he gained a third Gold Award with Blue Chequer hen ‘Dylis, named after his wife. She was a superb pigeon and secured her Award from five different race points. She was 6th Section 8th Open Messac 2000, 10th Section 107th Open Reims 2002, 6th Section 12th Open Chenoise 2003, 12th Section 106th 3 / 5 Open Falaise 2004 and again in 2004 was 7th Section 36th Open Tours. Her Sire was a Red Pied cock that was 23rd Open Sartilly 1999, bred from a Kirkpatrick hen introduced from Alistair Little from Ecclefechan when paired to a cock from the loft’s original Kirkpatrick family. Dam was inbred to ‘The Postie’. When Derrick Nordon from Langholm entered the fancy he obtained several youngsters from friend, Ralston Graham. One of these proved to be the founding Dam of the loft and became known as ‘Becksburn Producer’. She was bred from a son of Ralston’s noted Mealy Cock ‘Esk Valley Traveller’ that gained a number of positions including 1st Section 13th Open S.N.F.C. Nantes. ‘Becksburn Producer’ was coupled to a grandson of ‘Solway King’ and this pairing produced Chequer hen ‘Becksburn Nica Nora’. Derrick went to Carlisle and purchased Mealy cock ‘Becksburn Gilbo’ from Frank and Tommy Gilbertson. Dam was bred from Frank and Tommy’s noted ‘Show Hen’, whilst the Sire contained the bloodlines of the partners’ noted ‘Quietman’. ‘Becksburn Gilbo’ was coupled to ‘Becksburn Nica Nora’ and this pairing produced two S.N.F.C. Gold Award winners, ‘Becksburn Courage’ in 1983 and ‘Becksburn Cathella’ in 1989. Amongst the positions gained by ‘Becksburn Courage’ were 7th Section 30th Open, 33rd Section 208th Open and 6th Section 18th Open all from Rennes. In time, ‘Becksburn Courage’ was loaned to Bobby Carruthers at Bonnyrigg, where he was coupled to progeny of ‘Moneymaker’ and hens closely related to S.N.F.C. Gold Award winners, with the arrangement being that pigeons would come back to Langholm from the pairings. Amongst the pigeons received were a pair of Red Chequers, the hen being bred down from Tom Anderson’s Gold Award winner ‘99’ whilst the cock was out of a grand-daughter of ‘Moneymaker’. This pair of pigeons became known as the No. 4 Pair and left a host of winners. The outcome was that the pigeons described contributed to founding a dynasty. Over a period of years Donaldson and Graham from Annan raced one of the most consistent teams of pigeons in Scotland. Their successes included winning the Y.B. National in 1969 and heading the Section result with the National from Avranches in 1981 and Sartilly in 1985. The partnership comprised Adam Donaldson and Alex Graham, Alex being the son of Willie Graham who assisted John Kirkpatrick to manage his pigeons during his final illness. Alex’s good lady, Margaret, took an active interest in the pigeons and also had an influential pigeon connection being the daughter of Alan McCulloch from Waterloo who was 2nd Open Rennes and was an accomplished breeder of a good pigeon. As they developed their team, Adam and Alex used Willie Graham’s Kirkpatrick bloodlines through introductions from Jimmy Irving from Annan, pigeons received from friends in West Cumbria and stock received from Alan McCulloch with the Delbar lines of Alec King from Wishaw being particularly influential. In 1984 the partners gained an S.N.F.C. Gold Award, the winning pigeon being a 1977 Blue Chequer hen, which actually scored with the National on eight occasions. In 1980 she was 14th Section 244th Open Avranches. She competed twice from the channel the following year and was 1st Section 17th Open Avranches and 15th Section Sartilly. In 1982 she was 4th Section 46th Open Sartilly. She competed twice from Inland National from the coast in 1983 (due to restrictions imposed by the PMV outbreak) being 90th Section 378th Open from Dorchester (1) and 43rd Section 82nd Open from Dorchester (3). In 1984 she was 49th Section 169th Open Sartilly and 24th Section 48th Open Nantes. John Hodgson is instantly recognised, having won 7 x 1st Open National with his team of ‘Starview Busschaerts’. Pigeons such as ‘Starview Pegasus’ ‘Starview Leo’ and ‘Starview John James’ became household names in the fancy. ‘Starview Pegasus’ particularly proved to be an exceptional breeder. 4 / 5 He won a National; he bred a National winner, bred a cock to win the Dewar Trophy and at stock in the Louella complex bred pigeons to win right through to Classic level. It should be noted, however, that when John initially moved to live at Annan and formed his original team, prior to him acquiring the Busschaerts, he worked with stock from several different sources including a noted Dark Chequer Cock, which he received as a gift from the late Tom Little from Creca. This pigeon won right out to Nantes and left a number of winners in subsequent generations. He obtained pigeons from Ian Parsons who then resided at Kendal and also acquired Marc Roossen bloodlines from Louella. One of the early pigeons to emerge in his loft at Annan was a fabulous Blue Cock named ‘Starview Hercules’ that gained an S.N.F.C. Gold Award in 1986. To gain the Award the Blue Cock was five times in the first 90 in the Open from three different cross channel race points. In 1994 Albert Tedham from Langholm gained a Gold Award with ‘The Fiddler’, which was a 1987 Blue Chequer cock. This super pigeon went to the channel in 1989 and was 46th Section 138th Open Sartilly. When 3 y.o. he competed from Sartilly and was 18th Section 27th Open and the following season went back to Sartilly and was 4th Section 5th Open. He was sent to Rennes in 1992 and was 41st Section 140th Open. He went to two Sartilly Nationals in 1983 and on each occasion was up with the leaders to be 23rd Section 84th Open and 19th Section 102nd Open. In 1994 he competed from the difficult Beauvais National and was 11th Section 162nd Open and was doubled back into Sartilly (2) when he was 27th Section 74th Open. When 8 y.o. he raced from the Blue Riband event from Rennes and was 9th Section 12th Open and was doubled back into Sartilly (2) when he was right up with the leaders to be 4th Section 14th Open. Whilst each of the performances quoted was with the S.N.F.C., he further gained numerous Club and Federation positions. Having gained a Gold Award in 1994, Albert worked towards gaining a Double Gold Award with this truly exceptional pigeon. Whilst he had scored from the channel on ten occasions, two of the positions did not qualify as he didn’t collect Section prize money. He did not receive Section prize money from Sartilly in 1989 and whilst he received prize money from Rennes in 1992 it was an added prize and consequently didn’t qualify towards a Gold Award. In 1996 Albert kept the pigeon going in an endeavour to secure two further Section positions. He competed from Sartilly (1), Rennes and Sartilly (2) and was timed just off the list on each occasion. Albert was alarmed, however, as the pigeon returned from Sartilly (2) having been hit by a hawk. With knowledge that at 10 y.o. the ring would have to be re-registered to enable the pigeon to continue to race, Albert decided to retire him from the road at the close of the 1996 season. Sire was the first bird that Albert bred when he entered the fancy and indeed scored on two occasions from Rennes. The Paternal grand sire and grand dam were amongst birds received from Owen Brothers from Southport, when Albert entered the fancy. Albert’s brother was married to Jack Owen’s daughter and it was through this connection that he received stock from Southport. Dam was home bred from a pair of pigeons received from Dennis Evans from Pudsey, who was a frequent visitor into our area in the company of the late John Ambler. Maternal grand dam was a super pigeon with the most fantastic eye, which had won a local Classic race. The pigeon was named ‘The Fiddler’ as Albert’s father, who was named ‘Albie’ Tedham, was a gifted Fiddler and played with many of the top Scottish Dance Bands. Alistair Henderson from Langholm gained a Gold Award in 2007 with ‘Miss Pringle’, which was a 1999 Chequer Pied hen. In her early years she gained numerous Club positions and flew the channel in the year 2000, 2001, and 2002. In 2003 she competed from Clermont and returned badly injured. In 2004 she was raced on the Roundabout method and competing on the system was 25th 5 / 5 Section 90th Open from the Inland National. She was then re-paired and sent to the Gold Cup race from La Ferte Bernard and was up on the night to be 18th Section 60th Open. She was thereafter doubled back into Falaise and was up with the leaders to be 5th Section 25th Open. She was initially raced on the Roundabout method once more in 2005 and on the system was 3rd Section 30th Open from the Inland National from Newbury. She was re-paired and sent to the Gold Cup race from Alencon and was once again at the front to be 6th Section 23rd Open. She then went to Falaise covering five day eggs and was up with the leaders to be 5th Section 20th Open. In 2006 she was sent to the Inland National from Newbury on Roundabout and was once more right at the front to be 6th Section 9th Open. The plan had been to send her to the Gold Cup race from Alencon but over the days leading up to basketing, Alistair wasn’t confident she was right and chose instead to send her to Falaise, covering two four day old youngsters and she responded by being up with the leaders once more to be 8th Section 22nd Open. The following photographs complement this article. ‘(a) ‘Esk Valley Goldie’, (b) ‘Sheila’, (c) Ben and Jean Scott, (d) ‘Annandale Gold’, (e ) ‘Becksburn Courage, ( f) ‘The Fiddler’ and (g) Alistair Henderson. Billy Wortley

Copied from Facebook By Stuart Wilcox A small piece of history ends this evening, Champion Mary winner of 1st Section 1st Open NFC MESSAC 4563 birds. Bidding ands at 7pm tonight! Not very often you get to buy a National NFC winner at suchh a young age!! Will be a proper foundation breeding hen.

Copied from Facebook 1st December 2025 North of Scotland Fed AGM Sunday 7th Dec

Brian Chalmers aka Thunderbigbaws Been a no bad season 😊 21 trophies, Fife Fancier of the Year, Fife Average Winner all Open Races, Fife Average Winner all Federation Races, 1st Amalgamation Grantham. Fingers crossed for the same next year.

Hi Sandy, I've passed your comment and contact number onto Dale

Author: Liam O Comain. Title: The Cattrysse Brothers and Their Tension Oscar and Gerard CattrysseThe late Oscar and Gerard Catrysse founded a variety of racing pigeons that, in the minds of experts, can be compared to any other of the great racing pigeon dynasties. Numerous authorities at the time referred to the brothers as the "undisputed world champions". This included the world-renowned pigeon authority, the legendary Piet de Weerd.. And there's no doubt that the results achieved by this wonderful strain would confirm the last opinion. The Cattrysse brothers were from Moere in Belgium and had entered the sport before World War I. However, the wise things of the pigeons did not flourish until they bought in 1922 a pair of squeakers from the attic of Jules Vander Espt that were sired by the latter's 'Blauwe' who won approximately eight races when he was young. After this purchase, the brothers, based on a journalistic report, visited Pierre Deknop's attic and for a large sum bought a pair of squeaks from the latter. They also bought a chicken from Ernest Casteleyn's loft from near Moere and, through a cross process, eventually, based on the cross of Casteleyn and Vander Espt, produced their 'Grote Blauwe', which was the basis of a life of great life. pigeon running towards moere. According to his example, if anything was the search for a good stock for which they paid generously in the context of a sense of patience. For a "sport" you can win a race, but unless there is pedigree and consistency, the odds against it are high. As for the virtue of patience, the brothers apparently had it in abundance, a virtue that many others lack, but is necessary in sport; on the contrary, the years are slender with the appearance of the strange 'sport'. Out of the great 'Grote Blauwe' emerged a series of outstanding runners and breeders, especially when paired with another of their purchases from Deknop lofts. One of these winners was 'Louis' with many successes, including Tours and Angouleme's firsts. The latter was a brother to 'The Langen', 'Kleine' and 'Napoleon' Always looking for good crosses to improve their stock, the Cattrysses made a very important purchase in 1930. Of course Albert Deforce bought two hens that matched with 'The Kleine' and 'Louis'. The resulting offspring of these pairings was outstanding in saying that the lease included 'The Kleine Blauwe', 'Cendre' and 'Langen Jr.' While the 'Kleine' mating produced the great 'Gebroken Poot'. Nevertheless, successes with breeding and racing never stopped the brothers' search for good crosses, as they again bought Leopold Lamote a very small hen with a white spot on the head. Another stroke of genius because it was combined with 'Gebroken Poot' There is no doubt when one examines his offspring's record that the Cattrysse brothers were masters of their craft. During the 1930-1940 period, the successes of the brothers’ careers became known worldwide and were celebrated at home because they brought fame to their local area. Unfortunately, the event of the German occupation of Belgium in 1940 saw the brothers being denied access to their lofts, but after the arrival of the Canadians in 1944, they entered empty lofts because meanwhile their stocks had been withdrawn to the aviaries in Brussels. Following the reception of this news, approximately 40 birds were returned to their lofts at Moere, which included four children of one of its many champions and some grandchildren of 'Louis'. Then, as if the horrors of the recent past had never happened, the breeding began again, in which in due time it came through a mating of an ugly blue that would prove a gold mine in terms of pigeon racing. He was named 'Pette' and was the father of the immortal 'De 45', as well as many other fantastic racers and breeders. From Arrass to Mountauban 'De 45' won all distances and in 1949 won 255,000 francs. The following year he won 47,000 francs, since he established himself as a real dove as he won, for example, from Bordeaux for a clear hour. Her mother was the great 'Mette'. Also in that year (1950) the first sale of Cattrysse was held in the capital of Belgium and the prices were exceptional. Many were the successes of the strain during the fifties and sixties, especially when the weather was so bad that other bird species were notable for their absence. But the brothers' thoroughbreds flew and earned many rewards despite the imminent figure of the Old Reaper to cause Oscar's health to worsen and on March 21, 1964 he died. When he was buried, many representatives from all over the world followed his remains, as he, like his brother, was greatly appreciated not only as great pigeons but as good human beings. For some years, Gerard ran alongside Maurice Beuselinck-Cattrysse, but decided to do it alone in 1967, but the time was short for February 1969, the second person of the great association also answered the call. Again, as his brother's funeral, they came from all over to pay their respects. Many of whom flew and won with the Thoroughbreds who originated at Moere under the genius of two seemingly humble men. Belgium and the global pigeon community should remember them proudly!

Copied from Facebook Photos of @coutts.c & i’s winners from the show season so far. Had a great start and hopefully that can continue. Looking forward to the BSRF show tomorrow in Thirsk, 1am alarm set ⏰ all the best to everyone competing 🐦

Sparrowhawk Brother of Mitcham. The SMT Combine sent 2,441 birds to Melle (360 miles) in June 1980 and once again with a lot of west in the wind the winners were on the Surrey side of the Combine. Dennis Burton of Feltham won the West Middlesex Federation, doing 1110ypm, and he was usually successful on the long, hard races with his Kirkpatrick pigeons. Sparrowhawk Bothers of Mitcham won the Surrey Federation and SMT Combine, doing 1137 ypm, with a two year old Sion blue hen named, ‘Miss Ann’, and she was sent sitting overdue eggs. Charlie Sparrowhawk told me at that time that she had been a very consistent racer and her build up to the Melle Combine win was two races from, Le Mans and Angers. Charlie had been in pigeons all his life, joining the Mitcham Common FC in 1935 and raced pigeons obtained from the late Harry Hoad of Horsham. The Gits pigeons from A. H. Turner of Blackpool and Barkers from Joe Brooks of Bromsgrove were obtained in the early days and these were the base of the Sparrowhawk Brothers family in 1980. Their first loft was a converted chicken shed and they won their first race from Dorchester in 1936, with Gits / Barker red chequer cock. The partners loft in 1980 was 33ft long, with three sections and open door trapping, and was self-built in 1947. Charlie told me, in his time in the sport, the brothers had won the Federation from the shortest race through to the longest, but preferred channel racing. They also preferred old bird racing, rather than young bird, maintaining there is more skill needed to win with old birds. Charlie’s wife, Flo and son John also raced pigeons in partnership, with outstanding success in the club and Federation. Sparrowhawk Brothers paired their 84 pairs of old birds on 14th February and bred about 80 babies each season to race. The old birds got very few training tosses and in fact only had five tosses in the 1980 season. They flew on the natural system because it took up less time and the brothers liked birds sitting over ten days for the longer races. The youngsters were weren’t trained too heavy, but raced through the full programme. The birds were fed on a good mixture of Tic beans, Maple peas, maize and tares, with condition seed. The brothers were not in to eye sign, but liked to see a nice rich eye on their breeders. Charlie rated Terry Goodsell of Mitcham the top local sprint racer and said he had got the widowhood system off to a fine art. They liked one or two late bred youngsters bred from their best, which were always put to stock. The loft was cleaned out every day and the nest bowls were changed only when the youngsters were weaned. Charlie told me he hadn’t shown a pigeon since1938, but he was famous and very successful at showing his fine team of horses. In the 1980 horse showing season they had shown in four shows, recording three firsts and a second, including 1st at the Royal Windsor in the presence of HM the Queen. The late, great Charlie Sparrowhawk! Text & Photos by Keith Mott (November 2025)

The late Eric Hartshorn of Mitcham. When I walked into the postage stamp sized back yard of the late Eric Hartshorn's home and saw the loft which houses the 1978 SMT Combine Bergerac winner, I had the shock of my life! The tiny racing loft was only 9ft long, 3ft wide and 4ft high, being 3ft off the ground and housed only 12 racing birds and 2 pairs of stock birds. The few young birds which were bred each year were weaned in the young bird loft which was an extension to the outside toilet, being 3ft 6ins long, 2ft wide and 2ft 6ins high and after old bird racing has finished the young birds were transferred over to the main racing loft. Eric was a hard worker around the loft with birds looking fantastically well and the lofts looking spotless. The birds were trapped through Open Doors and a lime-sawdust litter was used on the loft floor in the winter but was removed for the summer. Eric said dryness with plenty of air was the most impor¬tant factor in loft design and over-crowding caused `fly aways.' Eric first became involved with pigeons in 1968 when he trained Billy Sheppard's birds. Then he became a full partner with Bill in 1969 and started on his own in 1971. The partnership of Sheppard & Hartshorn won lst Combine Wadebridge, with young birds, during its short forma¬tion. Eric was a scaffolding supervisor and a scaffolder named A. Warwick bred him his first birds which were Ameels from Marsh & Bailey. Eric's first loft was a baby's cot which his daugh¬ter had out grown and his brother gave him a lot of help in the early days. Eric joined the Mitcham Common which was one of the clubs he flew in at that time. He had a good Shepherd hen off Tommy Woodcock in the early days. He said in his novice days he used to over race young birds and yearlings which is something he was very much against. He looked up to the late Eric Cannon of Wormley and Mr. & Mrs. Venner of Street, as the 'greats' and said Joe Bradford of Sutton was one of the local fanciers he rates very highly. Eric's family were bred down from the Epsom fancier, Len Graham’s Champion red chequer cock, ‘Early to Rise’ which was sold to Louella Pigeon World. He had introduced some stock birds from Mr. & Mrs. Venner of Street, Somerset, and said these birds had potential at long and short distances. Eric raced on the Natural System because, if for the distance, you have the good fortune to own a good hen she is most reliable. He thought this country was getting ‘widowhood’ minded and in the right hands he thought it was lethal. Eric fed the Venner mixture which he believed was given to Mr. Venner by Mons. Slabbink. A titbit of flaxseed was given in moderation for the long races and Eric used to be very keen on Eye-Sign and used to judge lots of Eye-Sign shows, but he liked showing, taking more than his fair share of the cards. Eric's pride and joy was his six year old blue chequer hen ‘Janet’ and, of course, she was the Bergerac Combine winner. She was a real nice handful, medium appled-bodied and she was a double granddaughter of champion ‘Early to Rise’. Eric sent her to Bergerac with 3,098 birds competing in the SMT Combine sitting six day old eggs, but she was no stranger to winning as she previously won 9th club Avranches, 2nd club Niort, 1st club Bergerac in 1975. Eric said his most disappointing experience was in 1975 when next morning at 05.50hrs from Bergerac he found ‘Janet’ and her sister in the yard with several fresh droppings. He didn't know which bird he got first! He put the two rubbers in one bucket and recorded 1st and 2nd club Bergerac. Eric said he would like to see every club own its own clocks and members use a different clock each week. He also thinks that every fancier should only pay one R.P.R.A. fee each year, as we do today. He told novices that much dedication is needed to succeed and, above all, they must be good losers and modest winners. He also thought there is no substitute for cleanliness and condi-tion. When selecting producers he liked to see a good Eye-Sign and a round, short keel bone. Eric bred a few late breds each year but said he has yet to find a good one. Eric Hartshorn, 1st open S.M.T. Combine Bergerac. It couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke! Text & Photos by Keith Mott (November 2025)

Results of Sunday's show Well done to all winners, and thanks again for all the help provided. I arrived at five past eight and there must have been fifteen to twenty people waiting for me what a result! Show went really well and i enjoyed the day, some things to correct for the next show! All the best and thanks again for the assistance. Sandy Milne PS Any problems please message me.

What a lovely gesture

Enjoy when it comes around Dougie

Copied from Facebook 22nd November 2026 The Jim Donaldson Story – A Historical Rewrite of a Scottish Long-Distance Legend The remarkable story of Jim Donaldson of Peterhead begins not with Jim himself, but with his son — a young lad who kept a small group of pigeons in the back garden. When his interest faded as he entered steady employment, the pigeons remained, cared for by Jim’s wife, Ann, who had grown deeply fond of them. Her enthusiasm persuaded Jim to build a proper loft, unknowingly setting in motion what would become one of Scotland’s greatest long-distance racing histories. While reading through pigeon journals, the Donaldsons noticed an advert for a charity sale held in memory of a fancier who had died tragically in a car crash. Jim attended, and two pigeons — both bred by local fancier Dave Scott — immediately caught his eye. He purchased one, while Scott bought the other. A conversation between the two men sparked a friendship that would ultimately shape Jim’s entire racing future. Jim visited the Scott lofts and was captivated by their quality. Dave Scott gifted him a pair of youngsters, and these became the foundation of the Donaldson family of long-distance pigeons. Scott’s birds were based on the renowned lines of Norman N. Dall of Ladybank and the Atwell Brothers of Newport, both famous for producing National winners. An additional influence came from a grizzle hen from Mr Geddes of Greengairs — her daughter would go on to win 4th Section, 7th Open SNFC Nantes and become a goldmine in the stock loft, producing generations of National performers. Further introductions came via six birds from Sid Beard of Hemel Hempstead, carrying the blood of “Lancashire Rose” and the famed “Blue Anglia.” From this came the pigeon that would become the cornerstone of the modern Donaldson loft: Circus Boy. He flew out to 480 miles before being lost in a short race, but not before producing youngsters that proved themselves as the only pigeons home on the day in an incredibly tough event. Astonishingly, Circus Boy was later recovered in the south-east of England near death, returned home, and nursed back to health — going on to breed winners at every distance. ⸻ Management, Methods & Philosophy Jim races around 35 pairs of old birds on the natural system, with some cocks and hens held as mates specifically for National candidates. The loft houses both old birds and a large young bird team, and is built with Scotland’s harsh climate in mind — enclosed yet exceptionally ventilated. Old birds are mated mid-February. Due to weather, training before the first club race is minimal, sometimes only a couple of 30-mile tosses. Jim relies heavily on home exercise twice daily for an hour. Long-distance candidates receive minimal training. Instead, Jim uses the club inland programme as preparation, often “lifting” pigeons into races between 150 and 200 miles, plus one critical 300-mile race. After this, the birds are given open loft before being sent to 600–700 miles in their preferred condition — a system reminiscent of that used by long-distance master John Wills. The young birds face a severe testing regime, racing weekly up to 220 miles, with around 10 selected for the 360-mile young bird National. Only birds with iron constitution survive to become part of the Donaldson long-distance team. Feeding is tailored to stage and condition. Old birds have constant access to food, with mixtures altered during breeding, early racing, and the final push toward the long Classics. Peanuts and small seeds are added when pigeons begin to tighten up in condition. Importantly, Jim avoids preventative medication entirely — relying on natural health and selection through the race basket. ⸻ The Champions of the Donaldson Loft From this system came one of Scotland’s greatest long-distance teams. Among the standouts: Donnann 1st SNFC Sartilly, from a Dall cock × “Rennes Lass.” Little Jenny 1st North Section Sartilly 2nd North Section Rennes 1st North Section 6th Open Nantes Little Lara Multiple top North Section positions in Sartilly, Messac, Liege, Chenoise. Chequer Cock 2682 5th North Section Frome 52nd Open Clermont 1st North Section Tours 707 miles Bluetoon Lass A consistent hen scoring across 339–631 miles. Niort Lady 1st North Section 34th Open Niort at 775 miles. Reims Girl – One of the greatest ever 1st North Section Reims 1st North Section Tours Multiple 2nd North Section finishes beaten only by loftmates Winner of the SNFC Gold Award, the furthest flying Gold Award winner in SNFC history. ⸻ Unmatched National Performances Across 1995–2006, the Donaldson loft achieved: • Multiple 1st North Section wins across Sartilly, Rennes, Nantes, Falaise, Messac, Tours • 1st Open SNFC Sartilly • Major prize lists at 600–775 miles • Repeatedly winning the SNFC North Section Averages Jim Donaldson’s loft became a fortress of long-distance class, built not on gimmicks but on sound pigeons, commonsense management, and proven bloodlines. This article is a historical rewrite of the original long-form material documenting Jim Donaldson’s extraordinary achievements.

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Federation Agenda Annual General Meeting and prize giving will take place Sunday the 7th December 2025 at 11am At Whitehills Public Hall, 2 Reidhaven Street, Whitehills, Banff AB45 2NJ (Please note venue change) AGENDA Adoption of the minute for the 56th Annual General Meeting held on the 8th December 2024 Matters arising. Balance sheet for the year to th November 2025. Presidents address Election of office bearers PresidentPaul Thomson (E) Proposed – Deveron Valley, Inverurie Senior Vice PresidentStuart Maskame (PD) Proposed – Deveron Valley, Inverurie Junior Vice PresidentAlex Fulton (DV) Proposed – Deveron Valley, Inverurie Secretary/TreasurerRuth Cordiner (PD) Proposed – Deveron Valley, Inverurie Race Controller Vacant Transport ManagerAbby Milne (DV) Proposed - Deveron Valley, Inverurie Driver John Harvey (DV) Proposed – Deveron Valley Results Co-OrdinatorGeorge Duthie Proposed – Deveron Valley SHU Delegate Sandy Milne (INV) Proposed – Deveron Valley PROSandy Milne (INV) Proposed – Deveron Valley, Inverurie Fed Show Convenor PROPOSALS The Federation reduces the annual federation fee to £50 (INV) Federation should have a savings account. Balance sheet to show where funds are housed and the savings interest rate. (FDFC) Federation to have a draft 2/3 year plan. Where we are aiming to be. (FDFC) One member from each club to have admin access to existing Fed Facebook page. (FDFC) Inverness club to have their birds picked up in Inverness from their club. (INS) If the above proposal is rejected the Inverness club members be given a membership fee concession (discount) to cover the cost of the additional expenses their club incurs having to cover a 3 hour trip which includes fuel costs every time we take part in a race. (INS) The Federation find an alternative for the Brechin lib site due to the over presence of B.O.P. (INV) 2 weeks break between the last old bird race and first young bird race. (E) 3 week break between end of old bird racing and start of young bird racing, reason being incase Old birds increase by a week due to adverse weather (DV) 2026 race season to commence the second week in May (9/5/26) (INV) Old bird racing to start 2nd May (E) Old bird racing to start 18th April (DV) Old bird racing to start 25th April (FDFC,PHD) Young bird racing to start 18th July (FDFC, DV, PHD Old bird programmes.

By: Liam O'Comain This particular strain of distance-racing pigeons flourished on the Jan Aarden dynasty tree and is undoubtedly one of the sport's greatest families. A truth confirmed by the countless successes of the founder, Janus van der Wegen, and his children (Jac and Anton) and the numerous fans around the world who have succeeded with it. In fact, it may be possible to be the beginning of a new dynasty of sport in the present century. The strain had its origins in the Dutch city of Steenbergen, which is the source of many outstanding varieties and families such as Jan Aarden, Ligtenburg and van Agatmaal, among others. Obviously there must be something in the air of that Dutch atmosphere that has produced such giants and greats of the sport. Janus van der Wegen, who laid the foundations of the strain was old school and by all accounts he was a born pigeon. The strain has been developed from pigeons that have flown the tough Dutch program of Bergerac, Dax, St.Vincent and Barcelona, including Tinus de Meer, who won in 1971 1 or St. Vincent Nacional with a Jan Aarden. Piet de Weerd once wrote that one of the first pigeons to start Van der Wegen out was Tinus. In fact, some commentators think that the strain was the best in the Netherlands during the last 50 years of the 20th century and the first 5 years of the new millennium, for reports around the world keep throwing the name over and over. Starting in the 1950s, van der Wegen obtained birds from Jan Aarden, although one of his most famous was the one from Ligtenburg. This was a black rooster known as the 'Oude Doffertje' (H. 58.314573) and besides being the foundation of the strain is one of the most famous names in sports history. Part Aarden and part Delbar blood, he was the brother of Toontje Ligtenburg's famous '10'. As a producer, the 'Oude Doffertje' was the second of all, being the father of, among others, the famous 'Lamme' that scored 7th, 10th and 11th of Dax in the Netherlands National and 6th of St. Vincent.The 'Lamme" was born the 1st Barcelona National and the 14th St.Vincent National; this same bird also scored 5th Barcelona National and 2nd Dax National. A son of the 'Oude Doffertje' known as '152' won 14 national awards and two grandchildren won 1st San Vicente National and 1st Bergerac National. Other strain producers included Dax's hen, 1r's hen, Barcelona's hen, Crickets' hen, 83' and Oude Knollekop to name but a few. The Van der Wegens are a great family to cross with. For example, Willegers in 1983 was the 1st to Barcelona International with a cross and Simons won 1 or Barcelona Nacional with a cross. So did Thei Crommentuy who won the first Nationals St Vincent and Pau in the hot bed of Dutch Pigeons. There are many other examples. Therefore, it was a lucky day in 1958 when a son of Janus van der Wegen, Anton bought two eggs from Toontje Ligtenburg, who in his own words recorded the occasion: In '58 Anton van der Wegen came to me and bought two eggs from the third round. Two roosters were born out of them. She showed them to me when she was six weeks old. They just radiated quality. A young man I believe lost near the attic. The other became the famous 'Oude Doffertje'. He was a full brother to my '10'. A champion for sure... " Little did Toontje or Anton realize that fate or what he had put in the birth of a great tension, a strain that remains a leader in the entire world of pigeondom. Van der Wegen's lofts have achieved Barcelona's first Nationals, Dax, Pau, Marseille (and Dax with ZLU). Regarding your contribution to the successes of others, the following list shows the percentage of blood in national and international winners: H.Brinkman, Tuk 1e Nat.St.Vincent 100% of the road H.Hazelaar, Zutphen 1st Wet Ruffec 100% of the way W.Coenen, Nuth 1st Nat.Barcelona 100% of the way J.Buurma, Peize 1st Wet.Dax 100% of the way Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Barcelona 100% van der Wegen Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Dax 100% van der Wegen Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Pau 100% van der Wegen Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Marseille 100% van der Wegen Van der Wegen, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Dax ZLU 100% van der Wegen L.Hoogervorst, Women's Corner 1st Nat.Perpignan 100% of the Way Ron.van de Werff, Westzaan 1e Nat.St.Vincent 100% van der Wegen A.Simons, Roosteren 1e Nat.Perpignan 75% van der Wegen Th.Crommentuyn, Velden 1e Nat.St.Vincent 75% of the roads Th.Crommentuyn, Velden 1e Nat.Pau 75% of the roads Bakker & Zn, Portugal 1st Nat.Perpignan 75% of the Road L.Smid, Goes 1e Nat.Perpignan 75% of the way C.Blokdijk, Hoorn 1e Nat.St.Vincent (S2) 75% of the Roads D. Barberio, Weert 1e Internat.Marseille (H) 75% van der Wegen C.Vanoppen, Alt-Hoeselt 1st boarding school. Barcelona 50% of the way G.Frazer, Ulft 1e Nat. St.Vincent 50% of the road A.Simons, Roosteren 1st Nat.Barcelona 50% of the way A.Simons, Roosteren 1e Nat.Marseille 50% of the road P.Paulussen, Roosteren 1st Nat.Dax 50% of the road Jacob Keun, Donderen 1e Nat.St.Vincent (S4) 50% van der Wegen D.Rotman, Mussel Canal 1e Nat.Ruffec (S4) 50% of the road P.van Bergen, DeLier 1st Nat.Dax ZLU 50% of the road C.Vertelman Zn, Hoogkarspel 1e Nat.Bergerac 50% of the road M.Schuurman, Doorn 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S3) 50% of the road J.Torreman, Rockanje 1e Internat.Barcelona 50% van der Wegen J.Vercauteren, Schimmert 1e Nat. Soustons 50% van der Wegen J.Bruine de Bruin, Aalsmeer 1st Wet Berger Race 50% of the Roads. G.de Jong & Zn, De Heen 1e Wet.Perpignan 50% of the road. Cor.van Dijk, Hagestein 1e Nat.St.Vincent (S3) 50% van der Wegen W.en B Terhoeven, Zeist 1a Nat.Tarbes (S2) 50% of the roads Roger Florizoone, Nieuwpoort 1st Nat.Barcelona 50% of the Road Flip Steketee, Yerseke 1e Nat.Dax ZLU 50% of the Wegen truck Van Gils de Nijs, Oosterhout 1st Nat.Soustons 50% of the road Jelle Outhuyse, Harlingen 1st Nat.St.Vincent (S4) 50% of the road Jo. Lardenoy, Maastricht 1st Nat.Barcelona 50% of the way G.Keesmaat, Krimpen y / o Lek 1e Nat.Dax 50% van der Wegen Cor.Hermans, Geulle 1e Nat.Bordeaux (JL) 50% of the way P.Boers, Goesbeek 1st Wet Mountain Race 50% of the Roads C.Willigers, Steenbergen 1st boarding school. Barcelona 50% of the way Hendrix-Meijberg, Heerlerheide 1st Nat.Mountain Race 50% of the Roads Frans Molenaar, Ulft 1st Nat.Bergerac 50% of the roads Biemans, Teteringen 1st boarding school. Barcelona 50% of the way JLvan Roy, Ronse 1st boarding school.Barcelona 50% of the way P.Schlangen, Kerkrade 1st Nat.Barcelona 25% of the way P.Schlangen, Kerkrade 1e Nat.St.Vincent 25% of the roads Van Zelderen, Aalsmeer 1e Nat.St.Vincent 25% of the roads Van Zelderen, Aalsmeer 1e Wet.Bergerac 25% of the Roads Vogten-Lardinoye, Maastricht 1st Nat.Marseille 25% of the roads Wijnands & Zn, Maastricht 1st Nat.Perpignan 25% of the roads B.Walpot, Steenbergen 1st Nat.Barcelona 25% of the road Cor.Hermans, Geulle 1e Nat.Marseille 25% of the roads Jos Thone, Como 1e Nat.Barcelona (H) 25% of the way F.Bleylevens & Zn, Simpelveld 1e Nat.Marseille 25% of the road Willems-Thone, Eijsden 1e Internat.Barcelona 25% van der Wegen Hein.Brasse, Nuth 1e Nat.Pau 25% of the road H.de Jonge, Weiteveen 1e Nat.Bergerac (S4) 25% of the Roads H.de Jonge, Weiteveen 1st Nat.Ruffec (S4) 25% of the Roads Harry Faassen, Illikhoven 1st Nat.Marseille 25% of the road H.en A Kivit, Vinkel 1e Nat.Dax 25% of the road Gebr. Shaschkow, Wiesvillers (Fr) 1e boarding school Barcelona 25% of the road From Ouwerkerk-Dekkers, Brasschaat 1e Nat.St.Vincent (JL) 25% of the roads H.van Helmond, Predictor 1 Wet. Pau 25% of the road B.Homma, Beam 1e Nat.St.Vincent (S4) 25% of the road The above list records what some of the best European lofts owned by masters of the sport such as Thone, Schaschkow, Florizoone, Hermans, Keesmaat, Wijnands, Biemans, Schlangen and Brinkman owe to the van der Wegen variety. And needless to say, the experience is not over yet! Yes, I think we are witnessing the birth of a new dynasty.

Millom social flying clubs first show of the year was held today. Heres the winner of the kids class where a total of 14 kids showed there favourite bird. Big well done to all the kids that showed brilliant turn out. 1st Riley 2nd savannah 3rd Mason 4th ivy With a big thanks to the Judge richard martindale Future is looking bright up in Cumbria 👏