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GOOD LUCK FOLKS

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our members on pigeonbasics.com a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Rab Henderson Bo'ness homing society funeral arrangements 28th December 10am cuthills parlour 10 45 Carriden cemetery

Copied from Facebook IMPORTANT NOTICE Unfortunately, we at Performance Pigeons UK are calling it a day. John sold his main business recently after 29 years and the new owner will require all the rooms we use for breeding the pigeons. In the last five years since starting the breeding stud, our birds have excelled for many, many people in club, fed and national racing, as well as one loft races. Every season our birds have topped feds throughout the UK up to a birdage of around 6,000. It has been a great experience with many new friendships made. Thank you to one and all. We are now in the process of selling all birds - none kept back. Updates to follow.

Copied from Facebook Pigeon lofts at West Mills Dairy, Kirkcaldy, early 20th century. The pigeons are released at various distances and trained to return to their home loft. The competing birds are banded to identify them, they can fly for several thousand miles and can reach speeds of ninety miles per hour! Pigeon racing started as a sport in Belgium in 1818, when a hundred mile race was held. The late 1800s saw the sport grow in popularity in the United States, France and Britain. Today, pigeon racing is particularly popular in former mining communities in Scotland. Also looks like my grandad in the photo.

The Joe Murphy Column As there is not much happening within the sport up here in Scotland just now; except some of the household names within this area have decided to call it a day. With Tom McLeod of Tranent and Jim Hannah of Blantyre just 2 of the very best fanciers we have produced over the years calling it a day. As far as obtaining information to keep my article going it is like drawing blood from a stone. Fanciers don’t even speak to each other nowadays and as far as shows go, they are no defunct. I used to enjoy going to the shows in the winter months as it was a good indicator if your birds were having a good moult or not. If you won in the shows, you could then see how the birds did in the race basket and nine times out of ten you would be on the race result with them in the summer. It was all about looking after your birds 365 days of the year. I was having a good look at the youngsters I bred this year and now that they are out of the moult, I have been taken their pictures and also photographing their eye sign. I will add a couple of photos (chequer pied and blue bar)to go with this column. As there is not much feedback from fanciers nowadays; so therefore, I have been going through old articles to keep the column going. Tayside Highlights It was rather a barren year for Tayside fanciers in the National races in (1967) and this was highlighted by their absence. However, amidst the gloom one star shone brightly and that star was the Mealy Hen named ‘Wellbank Pride’ owned and raced by Jock Ellis. This hen earned the admiration of the fancy for her courageous performance in the Rennes race. While 6000 other birds faltered, this game hen plodded her lonely but resolute way northwards through the dusk, to be clocked in at 10-32pm on the night into a north-west wind. This performance was worthy of winning any National but ‘Pride’ had to be content with being 8th open and 1st East section, and the thought from Jock was ‘Well, there’s always next year’. Jock had 4 other morning stars who came trickling in to give him a full house while most of us were still waiting for their first bird. Another performance worthy, of note was that of David Ree, of Broughty Ferry, in the tough Nantes race where velocities were once again very low. Dave’s Blue Chequer hen 60T4603, was clocked at 06-16 to take 31st open 9th east section with a velocity of 657. A really excellent performance from a distance of 645 miles with only 121 birds on the result sheet out of 2000 sent. I believed Dave’s birds come down from the old Ed Harrow strain, ‘Nuff said!!’ North of the Forth An article written by ‘Taysider’ whom I’m assuming was the late Jim George (Round O) from Arbroath; who wrote. ‘After what has been regarded as the most arduous racing season for some years, the title of ‘Fancier of the Year’ in this part of the country must inevitably go to Robert Strachan, the Invergowrie ACE. Robert’s birds flew consistently well all season and finished with a great flourish by taking 1st and 3rd positions from the Federations 550 miles Dol race (under very trying conditions). This grand-slam finish gave him the bulk of silverware, including the R J Blair and Whitbread Trophies, for 1st bird Dol, The Melrose Drover for best average Christchurch 400 miles and Dol. Plus the much sought after Fyfe-Jamieson Trophy for the best average in the three longest federation races. However, his proudest moment ever, came when he won his own father’s memorial trophy- ‘The Strachan Memorial Cup’ for best average in ALL Federation races. Since Bob started racing in the Dundee Club in 1947 (the year I was born Joe M) he has been to the fore on more than one occasion, winning club and federation averages frequently. The fact that he is confined to a wheel-chair makes his triumphs all the more remarkable. Although he is a very successful club flyer it is his national performances that made the name of ‘Strachan of Invergowrie’ a household statement throughout the country. His finest hour was recorded by the great-hearted Blue Pied Hen ‘Tayside Princess’, who was 4th open Rennes flying 580 miles in 1955 and went one better the following year winning 3rd open, surely one of the greatest ever double triumphs at the distance in this part of the country. ‘Tayside Princesses’ lived to a good old age and left some excellent stock to carry on her line. Then one day she just disappeared and Robert never knew the fate of his fabulous hen. (It would have more probably been a hawk attack Joe M). Another of the birds which helped make the name of ‘Strachan’ famous was the courageous Red Cock ‘Starlight Special’, who was clocked at the unbelievable time of nine minutes to midnight on the day from Rennes to win 72nd open, two great efforts in this neck of the woods where day birds are very rare indeed. Robert owes a lot of his success to his great friend and ex-partner Willie Wilson of Larkhall, (another great name in the fancy Joe M), they exchanged birds from time to time, and this no doubt keeps each other in the forefront of the racing fraternity. A recent introduction is a son of J & P Dora’s 1st open Rennes national winner ‘The Fifer’ which was a surprise birthday present from his wife. This year’s Dol winner was a long cast racy-looking red hen SU59T4866, who was timed in at 11-06am on the second morning, recording a velocity of 769 ypm and collected a nice cheque for £62. Known as ‘Leading Lady’, this grand hen is a grand-daughter of the legendary ‘Tayside Princess’. Next bird home was his more fancied contender blue chequer 62T5715, one which can be considered to be a channel veteran with several 500-mile jaunts behind her. She was timed at 11-26am and registered a velocity of 741 ypm and took the lion’s share of the pools with a fine total of £92. So much for the joys of pigeon racing on to the hard knocks one has to take in his stride. Bob lost the bulk of his young bird team at the Riccarton smash, however, those that were left pressed on to the bitter end, in the true tradition of the Strachan pigeons, and no doubt next season they’ll be doing their best to make their master once again the Tayside Fancier of the Year. I hope readers have enjoyed this short story on 2 of Scotland’s Great Fanciers. Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com - cogeco.ca -forum@pigeonbasics.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland Cheq Pied Eye-1.BMP

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The Joe Murphy Column The Fife and Tayside fanciers have done very well in the national races this season; which is not unusual for fanciers north of Forth as they have obtained excellent records from long distance races for many a year. However as hard as I have tried to obtain information on the present-day winning pigeons it is like drawing blood from a stone. I don’t know if they have been warned off not to give me information; So, to be honest it is their loss. My article will still appear in the BHW and I will always find something interesting to add to it. Recently my column has not appeared every week, however after speaking to the editor; he explained to me that the paper has to match a capacity of 56 pages on a weekly basis; which will include adverts. When you see an advert that takes up 8 pages of the magazine, (remember these people are paying for the privilege of advertising in the paper). Any business cannot afford to turn these down so therefore scribes’ articles can only take up so much more of the paper. Richard has informed not just me but others that we may have to go on a two-weekly issue, so that everyone article will be included. To all the fanciers who have contacted me regarding why I’m not in the BHW every week, I hope this clarifies this situation; and I thank Richard for his explanation. Robert Strachan So much so that I came across an article on one of the most famous fanciers from this area; the late and great Robert Strachan of Invergowrie who won the Tayside Fancier of the Year in 1965 written by ‘Taysider’ whom I’m assuming was the late Jim George (Round O) from Arbroath; who wrote. ‘After what has been regarded as the most arduous racing season for some years, the title of Fancier of the Year in this part of the country must inevitably go to Robert Strachan, the Invergowrie ACE. Robert’s birds flew consistently well all season and finished with a great flourish by taking 1st and 3rd positions from the Federations 550 miles Dol race under very trying conditions. This grand-slam finish gave him the bulk of silverware, including the R J Blair and Whitbread Trophies, for 1st bird Dol, The Melrose Drover for best average Christchurch 400 miles, and Dol and the much sought after Fyfe-Jamieson Trophy for the best average in the three longest federation races. However, his proudest moment ever, came when he won his own father’s Memorial Trophy-The Strachan Memorial for best average in ALL Federation races. Since Bob started racing in the Dundee Club in 1947 (the year I was born Joe M) he has been to the fore on more than one occasion, winning club and federation averages frequently, the fact that his confined to a wheel-chair makes his triumphs all the more remarkable. Although he is a very successful club flyer it is his national performances that made the name of Strachan of Invergowrie a household word throughout the country. His finest hour was recorded by the great-hearted Blue Pied Hen ‘Tayside Princess’, who was 4th open Rennes 580 miles in 1955 and went one better the following year taking 3rd open, surely one of the greatest ever double triumphs at the distance in this part of the country. ‘Princesses lived to a good old age and left some excellent stock to carry on her line, then one day she just disappeared and Robert never knew the fate of his fabulous hen. (It would have more probably been a hawk attack Joe M). Another of the birds which helped make the name of Strachan famous was the courageous Red Cock ‘Starlight Special’, which was clocked at the unbelievable time of nine minutes to midnight on the day from Rennes to take 72nd open, two great efforts in this neck of the woods where day birds are rare indeed. He owes a lot of his success to his great friend and ex-partner Willie Wilson of Larkhall, another great name in the Fancy, they exchanged birds from time to time, and this no doubt keeps each other in the forefront of the racing fraternity. A recent introduction is a son of J & P Dora’s National winner ‘The Fifer’ which was a surprise birthday present from his wife. This year’s Dol winner was a long cast racy-looking red hen SU59T4866, who was timed in at 11-06am on the second morning, recording a velocity of 769 ypm and collected a nice cheque for £62. Known as ‘Leading Lady’, this grand hen is a grand-daughter of the legendary ‘Tayside Princess’. Next bird home was his more fancied contender Blue Chequer 62T5715, one which can be considered to be a Channel veteran with several 500 -mile jaunts behind her. She was timed at 11-26am and registered a velocity of 741 ypm and took the lion’s share of the pools with a fine total of £92. So much for the joys of pigeon racing on to the hard knocks one h as to take in his stride. Bob lost the bulk of his young bird team at the Riccarton smash, however, those that were left pressed on to the bitter end, in the true tradition of the Strachan pigeons, and no doubt next season they’ll be doing their best to make their master once again the Tayside Fancier of the Year. Tayside Highlights It was rather a barren year for Tayside fanciers in the National races and highlights were conspicuous by their absence. However, amidst the gloom one star shone brightly. That star was the Mealy Hen ‘Wellbank Pride’ owned by Jock Ellis, who earned the admiration of the fancy for her courageous performance in the Rennes race. While 6000 other birds faltered, this game hen plodded her lonely but resolute way northwards through the dusk, to be clocked in at 10-32pm on the first night into a north-west wind. This performance worthy of winning a National but ‘Pride’ had to be content with 8th open and 1st East section, and the thought, ‘Well, there’s always next year’. Jock had 4 other morning starts who came trickling in to give him a full house while most of us were still waiting for the first bird. Another performance worthy, of note was that of David Ree, of Broughty Ferry, in the tough Nantes race where velocities were once again very low. Dave’s Blue Chequer hen 60T4603, was clocked at 06-16 to take 31st open 9th east section with a velocity of 657. A really excellent performance from a distance of 645 miles with only 121 birds on the result sheet out of 2000 sent. I believed Dave’s birds come down from the old Ed Harrow strain, ‘Nuff said!!’ Scottish Central Fed trophy winners 2024 My thanks to Bernie Britton and Peter Keogh who have forwarded the list of successful trophy winners within the federation this year; these are as follows. Old Birds; Race Point; Otterburn winner H Borthwick Winchburgh Trophy (1); Hexham G MacKenzie Broxburn; Trophy (2) Thirsk M Noble Newbridge Trophy (3) Ackworth C W Job Winchburgh Trophy (4) Newark C Heeps Bo’ness Trophy (5) Kettering P Keogh Winchburgh Trophy {6) Thirsk G MacKenzie Broxburn Trophy (7) Maidstone J Ferguson Broxburn Trophy (8) Thirsk G MacKenzie Broxburn Trophy (9) Young Birds Otterburn M Brown Bo’ness Trophy (10) Otterburn J Boyd Bo’ness Trophy (11) Hexham P Keogh Winchburgh Trophy (12) Thirsk J Boyd Bo’ness Trophy (13) Harrogate C McReight Newbridge Trophy (14) Ackworth T&G Weir Winchburgh Trophy (15) Trophy Winners; Victory Cup Newark O/B C Heeps Bo’ness Stanley Cup Ackworth T & G Weir Winchburgh P Barrett Trophy Maidstone J Ferguson Broxburn G Duff Trophy Kettering P Keogh Winchburgh Scottish Central Fed Billericay Nat P Keogh Winchburgh Owen Sweeney Kettering P Keogh Winchburgh T Muirhead Cup Y/B open No winner T Manger Trophy Y/B National Kettering Mr Mrs Forrest Newbridge Nantes Cup Alencon G/Cup J Strang Bo’ness J Ferguson Trophy B/A open races No winner Mr & Mrs McKinnon Norte-sur-erde No winner T Muirhead Trophy 3 Longest o/braces Mr &Mrs Forrest Newbridge Avranches Trophy Brighton National P Keogh Winchburgh Ypres Trophy Billericay P Keogh Winchburgh Haliburton Trophy Lowest winning velocity G MacKenzie Broxburn Victory Trophy Highest winning velocity M Noble Newbridge Most points Trophy won by Broxburn Fancier of The year most points trophy G MacKenzie Broxburn Dickie Graham Trophy most points channel races P Keogh Winchburgh Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

Dumbarton Open Show - Winners Again a great day of doos and craic enjoyed by all members and guests.. massive thanks to everyone involved… all the organisers, sponsors, donators and supporters.!! Thanks to judges Andy Miller Lewis McCalley Barclay McCrindle.. a great standard on display.. Winners - Best In Show - Law & Brady £130 Best Opposite Sex - Law & Brady £100 Best Young Bird - Law & Brady £70 Old Cock Handling - 1st - Law & Brady £40 2nd -Andrew Suckle £30 3rd - Law & Brady £20 4th - Baz Nicol £10 Old Hen Handling - 1st - Winter Family £40 2nd - J Mackie & Son £30 3rd - Baz Nicol £20 4th - J Mackie & Son £10 Young Cock Handling - 1st - Winter Family £40 2nd - Law & Brady £30 3rd - J Mackie & Son £20 4th - Winter Family £10 Young Hen Handling - 1st - Law & Brady £40 2nd - Law & Brady £30 3rd - Baz Nicol £20 4th - Team Anderson £10 Massive congratulations to all the winners.. but especially to Law & Brady on an outstanding performance.. On behalf of all Dumbarton Pigeon Club we wish you all the very best thru the Festivities and health, happiness and good luck for 2025 and the coming season. ⁸

Dumfries Part2 Another superb fancier who competed into Dumfries was Alex Maxwell. Alex was reared in Dalbeattie and joined the local Club in 1937 as a schoolboy. In 1940, he enlisted for National Service and was for a time stationed at R.A.F. Kinloss where he worked as an Air Frame Mechanic on operational aircraft. Whilst in North East Scotland he met his good lady and married in 1942. He was demobbed in 1945 and residing at Forres immediately re-started in the Fancy, competing in Elgin Club. One prominent Elgin fancier of the time was Sandy Mutch and he and Alex became close friends. Although several experienced local fanciers kept fancy pigeons, there was no Club in Forres; nevertheless, younger fanciers were emerging in the community who kept racing pigeons and in time a Club was formed with Alex being appointed Secretary. Whilst he participated with the Club, he chose to send his primary pigeons with Elgin as the new Club comprised inexperienced fanciers and he didn’t want to discourage them. Whilst resident at Forres, he worked as a joiner but being from a farming background, moved to Huntly in 1949 to manage a farm. He took pigeons with him to his new address but after several months, decided to part with them due to time constraints. He subsequently moved once more to Bucksburn where he took up a position with the North of Scotland College of Agriculture and at the new address raced in the local Club for several years, winning more than his share. When he resided at Bucksburn, he was one of the instigators in the formation of the Bucksburn Northern Fed. along with Bert McKenzie and George Gillan. He then relocated to Fife to manage a smallholding near Dunfermline and on moving residence, took three pairs of pigeons with him, which were initially housed in the farm steading. In time up went a loft and he joined Rosyth Club. Again he was one of the top fanciers, in one season timing the only bird of the day from Selby, the longest YB race and winning the YB Average. The Club disbanded with the former members joining Dunfermline Club and once again Alex was one of the leading prize winners. Dunfermline Club competed with West Fife Fed., in one season he was runner-up for the Fed. Average and the following season won the Averages. West Fife Fed. then disbanded with Dunfermline Club arranging to be convoyed by Charlie Graham’s Fed. across the Forth. My understanding is that the Club was not part of the Fed. and when Charlie prepared his Fed. result he listed Fife pigeons separately. On two occasions Alex had birds record velocities to head the entire result. In 1964 he and Mrs. Maxwell were on the move once more returning to the South of Scotland to manage a farm at Beeswing, midway between Dalbeattie and Dumfries. He took several pigeons with him to his new address but was initially unable to race them as he was outwith the radius of a Club. In 1967, however, the members of Dumfries Flying Club opened their radius to enable him to join and whilst he was flying to a disadvantageous loft location, he soon made his mark. During his first season in the Club he twice timed the first arrival into Dumfries but was beaten on overfly. During his first season also he was 2nd West Section 8th Open Solway Federation from the Fed. Open race from Avranches. He subsequently moved into Dumfries and the success story continued, year after year. I must say also that whilst resident in Dumfries he chose on several occasions to part with his pigeons and move to Australia, to be near a family member but the call of home always brought him back to Dumfries. Each time he returned he would literally ‘gather up’ a handful of pigeons and within months was back again winning out of turn. He was without question a truly superb pigeon fancier. Alex Maxwell and loft

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The tour of the Solway Fed continues westward to Dumfries, thanks Bill. Several of the Dumfries fanciers who have coloured the annals of the local pigeon fancy. By Billy Wortley There has been a pigeon presence in Dumfries from the early part of the last century with a good number of talented fanciers and administrators from the town having participated in our hobby and within the following paragraphs I mention several examples of fanciers from the town who have coloured the annals of the local pigeon fancy. At the outset it should be noted that The Solway Federation was born out of a Meeting that was held in Dumfries in 1928, that was organised by James R. Jardine, who was Honorary Secretary of Dumfries and Maxwelltown Club. It was James Jardine who took the Chair at the Meeting, he was appointed Federation Secretary and was additionally selected as the Federation representative to sit on the S.H.U. Council. Some months ago friend David Osborne informed me about a good pigeon that was timed into Dumfries in 1931 from Rennes and I believe that it was the first real good National performance into the town. The 1931 Rennes race was flown on 10th July with a convoy of 4,749 birds being liberated at 5.50am with the race being won by R. Duncanson from Leven if Fife who timed on the day at 7.55pm. W. Wilson and Son timed at 6.49pm from 488 miles to gain 7th Open National recording a velocity of 1,103ypm. W. Wilson and Son resided at Gasstown, which is located at the entry to Dumfries from the East. At the time the majority of the residents of Gasstown and the conjoined community of Gateside of Trench were employed on the Railway, with Dumfries Station being a busy junction. An even better pigeon was timed into the town from Nantes, in 1934. The convoy comprised 1,383 birds and with a following wind, there were a number of pigeons home on the day of liberation. Matthew Thorburn from Lockerbie won the race on 1239ypm, followed by J. Maxwell from Dumfries, who was 2nd Open. Having explained that the original Club in the town was titled Dumfries and Maxwelltown, in time Dumfries Social Circle was formed, which became one of the three largest Clubs in Scotland. As the years moved forward, Dumfries Social Circle fragmented and amongst other Clubs that were formed were Dumfries Flying Club and the Nith Valley Club, which are currently, the two active Clubs in the community. Amongst the fanciers who emerged in the town, Post War, were Cairns Brothers and Sloan, Ally Aitken, Sandy Ross, Dinky Watson, Johnny Richardson, Tommy & Keith Lynn etc. A fancier who made a real impact was Andy Wilson and one cannot write about Dumfries and not mention Andy. Andy resided in a beautiful bungalow in Locharbriggs, which had the most marvellous tiered garden. He was a joiner by profession and housed his pigeons in an impressive self-built loft set at the head of the garden. Having previously competed in the Social Circle, he then joined Dumfries Flying Club and was indeed a founder member. In 1953, Andy was 6th Open S.N.F.C. Rennes and this was to remain the best position into Dumfries from the Rennes National for thirty years. The winning pigeon was a Blue Cheque hen, the Dam of which was purchased from John Kirkpatrick whilst the Sire was bred from two pigeons introduced directly from John Kirkpatrick. Andy became one of the most consistent competitors from the National in the Solway area and amongst positions gained were 2nd Section 8th Open Avranches 1972, 4th Section 6th Open Nantes 1978 and 2nd Section 5th Open Nantes 1981. As he moulded his team of pigeons he introduced stock from several of the best fanciers in the U.K. including F. Cheetham, J. Warren and Son, Billy Gardiner and John Jamieson. Amongst the quality pigeons raced by Andy was ‘Quarry Boy’ that was clocked on nine occasions from ten channel races. He was 15th, 61st and 98th Open Nantes, 140th & 212th Open Rennes. Another top pigeon raced by Andy at the time was ‘Roscoe’s Pied Hen’ that contained Kenyon x Marien bloodlines. She was 2nd Sect. 8th Open, 23rd Sect. 62nd Open & 17th Sect. 94th Open Avranches and 6th Sect. 16th Open Rennes. He also bred a number of superb pigeons for others including the parents of ‘Jubilee Victor’, Ralph Whyte’s 1977 Nantes National winner and the great ‘Andy's Boy’ that was raced by Alasdair Muir to be 1st, 9th & 34th Open LSECC Pau, also 14th & 23rd Open LSECC Bordeaux; 240th Open NFC Saintes, 36th LSECC Poitiers etc. all in NE winds. Andy stopped racing in 1980 as not being a driver, he found it difficult to get his birds trained and raced. He never lost his interest in his hobby, however and continued to breed pigeons for friends. Amongst the birds introduced into the loft in later years were top quality examples of the Van der Espt and Van Bruane families. Having explained that Andy’s birds were housed in a very impressive self-built loft set at the head of his garden, the entire set-up was ever so impressive and was a tremendous advert for the pigeon hobby. Andy Wilson

The North of Scotland Racing Pigeon Federation Meeting Notes The notes following are a synopsis of my notes from the AGM held on the 8th December 2024 these are not to be confused by the official minutes which will be issued by Ruth the Federation Secretary. Any errors etc please drop me a note and i will correct. My notes from the 56th Annual General Meeting and prize giving, held on Sunday the 8th December 2024 at 11am in the Deveron Community & Sports Centre (Room 6), Bellevue Road, Banff AB45 1BY Paul Thomson welcomed all to the meeting. Meeting Update 1. Adoption of the minute for the 55thAnnual General Meeting held on the 17th December 2023. Mintes agreed 2. Matters arising. None outstanding 3. Balance sheet for the year to 9th November 2024. Balance sheet agreed 4. Presidents address Various people were thanked for their participation in making this a very successful season for the Federation. 5. 2025 office bearers President Paul Thomson Senior Vice President Stuart Maskame Junior Vice President Alex Fulton Secretary/Treasurer Ruth Cordiner Race Controller George Duncan Transport Manager Abby Milne Driver John Harvey Results Co-Ordinator George Duthie SHU Delegate George Duncan PRO Sandy Milne Fed Show Convenor 6. Correspondence- Letter of application for membership from Inverness club received 10thSeptember 2024 This was discussed and agreed however Paul to discuss terms with the club 7. Proposals 1. Pick up for Scottish races to be increased by half an hour to allow members that work time to get their birds to club room. (DV) Rejected 2. Pick up times to be put back one hour. (PHD) Rejected (pick up times status Quo) 3. Race programme to be decided by clubs putting in a YB & OB race programme and members present at the AGM to decide on the best race programme. (DV) Agreed 4. Competitions should only be run if agreed by the federation. (DV) Agreed 5. Federation to consider convoying other federations birds going to the same race point for the longer OB & YB races to help with costs of running transporter. (DV) Agreed 6. This Federation should be offering other feds convoying to longer races. (FDFC) Agreed 7. Federation to be flexible on start date of OB & YB race programmes if convoying birds for other federations is passed. (DV) Defeated 8. No one loft race birds to be conveyed on the federation transporter for all races as these races are a private enterprise. (DV) Agreed 9. Incorporate an old hens race with longest young bird race. (PHD) Defeated 10. Birds to go to racepoint on stated day (as per race card) (PHD) Defeated 11. Basketing/liberation info to be put on pigeon basics Defeated 12. OB & YB racing to have a one week extension available in the event of a race being missed. 2 weeks max. to completion of original schedule. (FDFC) Agreed 13. The Race Committee to have the authority to amend the race programme dates to accommodate possible shared convoying. (FDFC) Defeated 14. North of Scotland Federation to join and compete with the Central and East of Scotland Amal. (FDFC) Defeated 15. All aspects and decision making of race controlling to be carried out by a 3 person team. (FDFC) Defeated 16. Race controlling goes back to a team of 3 fed members (excluding any top table members) (INV) Defeated 17. Crate allocation to be revised. (K) Agreed 18. If possible, birds not to be liberated before 09:00 for Scottish races. (K) & (INV) Agreed 19. Race programme must be followed. (INV) Agreed in conjunction with item 12 20. Racing to start 1st Saturday in May (3rd May) (INV) & (E) Defeated 21. Old bird racing to start 19th April (PHD) Defeated 22. Old bird racing to start 26th April (FDFC) Agreed 23. Young bird racing to start 12th July (PHD) Defeated 24. Young bird racing to start 19th July (FDFC) Carried 25. 2025 Race Programme AOB A question was asked with regard to the situation with Alan Foster, the reply given by the Federation being that he has been suspended however he has the statutory seven days to appeal. A lively discussion then ensued with Stuart Maskame standing up and giving a speech worthy of the great JFK himself where JFK said the following: - “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” If you substitute country with Federation, you got it! The basis being that we should stop listening to people who are only interested in stirring up trouble and we should all work together for the benefit of the Federation. When he finished, he was given a resounding ovation from the attendees, how can you better that. Gogs has requested agreement that, he will during the next few months be moving the transporter into a large garage/shed provided by Abby Milne whereby he is going to paint the back of the transporter with the colours Blue and White after first rubbing down the back of the lorry. Well done to Gogs and Abby as this will be a great improvement to the transporter! Meeting then Closed.

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J&G PEGGIE CONGRATULATIONS!!

Copied from Facebook With the 2025 race programme meeting coming up on Saturday 7th Dec here’s a reminder that on the south rd we’ll be racing through the most densely populated areas with peregrines in the UK which in my opinion are responsible for 95% of the bad races that we in Lanarkshire experience. Forget about the wind turbines and mobile phones it’s the peregrines that gives us these erratic races that we are all familiar with for example on race day getting good steady returns in the first 20 to 30 minutes then nothing for hours after apart from dribs and drabs then we get a flurry of pigeons just before darkness we have all seen it. Unfortunately us pigeon men in Lanarkshire and Ayrshire have the most Difficult route to contend with from the south road it just can’t be avoided. Guys I’ve been a pigeon fancier for 56 years now from a boy at 10 years old and I can remember pigeon racing back in the 70s when on a Saturday you could see lines and lines of pigeons racing home especially YB racing but these days that doesn’t happen the reason being they’re getting scattered by the peregrines on the road home,simple as that. Over the past few years I’ve been watching the racing results and returns for the Guys that race with the North of Scotland federation which covers areas like Aberdeen Peterhead Fraserburgh etc etc these guys race a south east route in scotland and I can honestly say there returns on a Saturday are excellent compared to Lanarkshires and the only time they get really bad races is when they go over the Border into Bandit country. This year myself and clubmate Kevin Docherty decided to draw up a North Rd race programme in the hope that we in lanarkshire can get some sort of decent racing.

The Joe Murphy Column Received a lovely letter and request from Jim ‘Echo’ Dyer of North Gwent of South Wales remembering the Padfield Family of Bryn Terrace of Cwmtilliery in South Wales. ‘They say ‘Boyo Bach’ in the valleys of South Wales as only the brave make it home to their loft after flying over 700 miles into the proud valleys of home. Down the years there have been some ‘Ace’ pigeon fanciers and these 2 lads are just a few. Yes, indeed my best 4 long distance Welsh Fanciers on the South road into the ‘Land of my Fathers’ are as follows; ‘The Padfield Family of Cwmtilliery. Mr Mog Edmunds of Plant wit-Vardee; Mr Stan Curtis of Penrhiwceiber & Mr Wilf Reed of Monmouth, they were all gentlemen and pigeon scholars - that really says it all. GOD BLESS THEM ALL. Albert S Padfield; The Padfield family partnership came into being in 1988 when their father Albert and son Dave joined forces with Dave’s brother Vince. Albert had kept racing pigeons in the late 1940 & 50’s up at Cwmtilliery. Albert was an ex-miner and so was Vince, Dave travelled all around the world with his work. Albert was known as ‘Mr Woodbine’ (to the younger generation this was the name of a cigarette (which he always had in his mouth) His favourite bird was called ‘Midas’ he was a blue chequer cock rung GB81J59221; his positions won where as follows; 1st club 2nd Bird club, 9th federation 10th open NNRF 12th section 26th open from an entry of 4425 birds WGNFC Lerwick. Then he won 27th Welsh Combine 10,855 birds Thurso 473 miles in 1983; yes, indeed what a great narrative. Sadly, Albert passed away in 2005 aged 80; The foundations of their Loft The Padfield’s family base were the Willy Clerebaut family crossed with the fabulous Morgan x Cooke of Llanhilleth i.e.; the ‘Iron Man’ bloodlines the best of long distance 600-mile family; ‘Yes indeed Boyo’, he won 7 times from Lerwick; they were very good pigeons hard as IRON with HEARTS of GOLD. The Padfield’s family won 2nd open Lerwick WGN in 1991. Then the family had a meeting about bringing in some fresh distance blood to give them that edge on long distance racing into the Principality. So, Dave made some investigations, (Yes indeed Boyo), they wanted birds that would take the Cwmtillery Loft to the extreme distance i.e. On the South road to Pau; St Vincent; Perpignan; Palamos 741 miles and 757 miles to Barcelona the journeys end. Dave Padfield did a lot of reading all about continental pigeons; it was very clear that the Jan Aarden’s family were part of the answer, and the best were to be found in Holland. Dave also noticed the outstanding performances of Wim Muller especially from the Barcelona race point; and he formed a partnership with Hans Eijer-Kamp. After bringing in the Wim Muller’s in late 1991; the Padfield’s performances just exploded with a lot of very good profile over distance, yes, and they were winning too. It wasn’t until the year 2000 when Dave went over to Wim Muller’s loft for the first time. When asked what was it like; he replied ‘Buckingham Palace Only Better’. What an experience Dave had with the birds similar in type to ‘The Don’ who won 2nd open BBC Palamos for him and his brother. Dave had the ‘Gold Sovereign’ and Wim Muller had ‘The Birds’. It was no good having the brick layer without the brick’s ha ha. At the same time Frank W Perry of Pontypridd won the BICC Palamos race in 2001 with ‘LLANOVER LADY’, believe me Frank was a ‘Class Act’ Now Vince and Dave were now changing their methods and switching to roundabout, they used to fly natural. Feeding was left to Vince (who literally lived in the loft and was a very good chef to the birds) the birds had lots of beans in the winter, and in the summer, months were fed peas and tares, with 2 widowhood mixtures together and a fat mixture. All year round they can eat what they want. Vince & Dave Padfield were both remarkable marathon pigeon fanciers, plus the fact they were flying into Wales competing again the very best distance fliers in the UK. They also had one of the most disadvantaged loft’s locations in the valley of Wales. They competed in GGDC for Wales; NFC, BICC, BBC, CSCFC; and Single Bird National; with the Welsh SRN. They both realised that in 75% of the races they had entered against fellow UK fanciers they were at a disadvantage created by the strong westerly winds. In 1995 they won the WSR National from Pau flying a distance of 597 miles. 2010 they won Tarbes 1st & 2nd with Welsh NFC flying 607 miles. 2013 was an outstanding season for the partnership as they won 3 x 1st nationals, 2 x 2nd nationals; 2 x 3rd nationals. Yes, indeed Boyo truly outstanding. Proving that if you have the time, money and the quality in your loft they will fly to any system; provided you have played your part and always been kind to them. Too many fanciers say ‘If we only had time’ BUT -you must find time to be successful as nobody owns tomorrow.’ From the St Vincent International with the BICC a distance of 566 miles; they won 1st Gwent Greatest Distance Club; Preece Brothers and son were 2nd & 3rd. 2015 they won 1st Welsh National from Pau and were 21st 41st & 55th BICC open, also winning 1st 2nd & 3rd Gwent GDC. BICC International Barcelona they were 2nd 6th & 9th open, 1st 2nd & 3rd west section, their first bird was Padfield’s ‘Blue Badge’ this cock was also 1st Gwent Greater Distance Club. 330th open International out of 20,000 birds, which was a distance of 757 miles to journeys end. Their top 3 birds out of Barcelona were; ‘Padfield Blue Badge’; ‘Padfield Jean’ & ‘Padfield Baroness’. I must not forget that they were also 2nd BICC Barcelona with ‘Padfield Invincible’. From the 2016 season Barcelona race they were 2nd & 7th west section 1st Gwent GDC with a velocity of 367.172 with a blue hen GB10N70420. From the BICC Agen International they were 10th open & 25th open from an entry of 771 birds, 1st & 8th west section; 1st & 2nd Gwent DC 550 miles. From the NFC Tarbes race a distance of 607 miles winning 301st open; Messac 277 miles won 283 open from 6440 birds; Gwent GDC 1st Agen 550 miles; Barcelona 757 miles; 1st & 7th open and 2nd WS. These are just a few results. The good news and bad news in 2017 this was their Barcelona dream to win the ‘BIG ONE’ their lifetimes ambition was achieved by winning the BICC Barcelona Open flying 757 miles to Bryn Terrace. Make no mistake Boyo they all worked hard Albert, Dave and loft manager Vince, who make up the Padfield Family. After finishing 2nd open on 2 occasions; now on the 7th of the 7th in 2017 for them it was like beating the All Blacks’. Yes, they had that Welsh Passion for the long-distance racing. Padfield’s Keysle was 1st open Barcelona International and 1st WS with a velocity 560.479 plus 1st Gwent GDC flying 757 miles winning the ‘Brian Corten Cup’, The Terry Ash Cup, they were also 3rd open 2nd West Section velocity 553. It was named after Vince’s son who had NO INTEREST IN PIGEONS, They had 4 out of 5 birds’ home from Mont-de-Maran international race on 24th June 2017; winning 43rd open 2nd WS from St Vincent International then on 15th July 2017; they won 7th open 2nd WS from 564 miles. In 2017 Dave Padfield sadly lost his brave fight against Cancer aged 66; all the Padfield family were devastated especially his wife Pat. After an outstanding year it all fell apart. At this Vince did not know what to do; nobody can ever say that they were ‘lucky’ they had worked hard at everything they did with their pigeons. Roll of Honour Their last season but what a season they have in 2017; From Barcelona on the 7th -7th -2017; they won the Geoff Hunt & Son Cup; Frans Van Den Heuvel Cup, 2nd bird average BEWER Trophy; The best average Pau & Barcelona- Jim Emerton Trophy, The longest flying over 750 miles with the highest velocity. The Jim Emerton Mensa Trophy for the 2-bird average Barcelona International. The individual Europa Winner for 2017 for Barcelona. Gwent Greater Distance Club; 1st BICC Barcelona, Brian Corten Cup, The Terry Ash Perpetual Cup, 1st St Vincent BICC, Strawbridge Family Cup, D Watkins & D Cockcroft Perpetual Cup for highest position in the BICC Races. They won the Barcelona race 8th times out of the 10 since 2007 to 2017. Since Vince found it very hard on his own, he was lost without Dave as they had been the Padfield Partnership since 1988, as we all know no one can turn the clock back as time goes so fast when you get older. Vince was a very clever man, it was he who came up with the concept of back-to-back next box design to assist with the move to the roundabout system, and this is now being used by many pigeon fanciers. Vince Padfield would have made a good engineer. All the pigeons were sold to Mr Steve Wright of the House of Aarden; and in 2018 Vince knocked down the loft. Vince was now 73, he loved walking the Coity Mountain overlooking Cwmtillery, sometimes with his son Gareth. Twice a year Vince and his wife Jean would go down to Bournemouth that is where he would relax by the sea. After coming back from holiday in the September 2023 Vince fell ill, and it was with deep regret and sadness that Vince passed away at home on the 23rd of November 2023, just a few days before his 79th birthday. (Hopefully this article will appear on the weekend of Vince’s anniversary; RIP Joe Murphy) They were a genuine pigeon family and they were 2 remarkable brothers who dedicated themselves to long distance racing, they were Champion fanciers with Champion birds, and without doubt they were the ‘Best of the Best’. Remembering the Padfield Family of Cwmtillery near Abertillery in South Wales; till we meet again Jim Dyer. Thy Way Yes, life is a song when you have your health. For Vince asked from No Riches Nor Gold. For he was a coal miner. The things that he valued Money can’t buy. So, help him to walk alright more by faith and less by sight. So, teach him thy way O’Lord. When them storms O’er spread in the skies. Teach him thy way. Shine through the clouds and rain. T Through sorrow, toil and pain. Please O’Lord make his pathway plain. Teach him the way. Yes, indeed they say Butty Bach Out of Sight and out of Mind. Until that race is run, Until the journeys Done. Until the Barcelona Crown is Won. Teach him thy way. For Vince, was a good man. So, Lord show him the way. In memory of Vince Padfield 23/11/2023. By Jim Dyer Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com - cogeco.ca -forum@pigeonbasics.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

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Continuing with my blast from the past; this week I’m going to cover an article on the 1967 SNFC Rennes winner ‘Eastriggs Supreme’ a wonderful mealy cock (see photograph) raced by R W Hope of Eastriggs; who wrote. After a wearisome wait the 5,701 pigeons were liberated at a quarter to six on Monday the 28th of June 1967 and the race was on. When news filtered through pigeons had been timed in the south the back of two o’clock, a rough calculation disclosed that this would be the fastest Scottish National ever. Well-known names in the running, Tom Little, Willie Gardiner and Hind & Crombie among them. Then news came that the actual winner was R W Hope of Eastriggs, Dumfriesshire. As is usual on the big open race days the phone kept ringing and there was the normal exchange of information. The repeated question was; who is this man Hope, do you know him? I had the notion that I had seen this name in Solway Federation results and hopefully searched them. This disclosed that R.W. Hope had won several positions in the Federation’s cross channel races and had scored from Avranches in the Scottish National 1966 with a two-year-old mealy cock SURP-64-107883; which turns out to be EASTRIGGS SUPREME the winner of the Scottish National Rennes race of 1967; from his photo he appears to be a handsome pigeon and I would think he is actually a strawberry mealy. His preparation for the national was four races up to 227 miles, four 20-mile tosses and sent sitting 14 days growing his 2nd primary flight at basketing. As a youngster he won 2nd Lancaster and was stopped at 90-mile race. As a yearling he flew very steadily but did not score. Last year he got four races and was sent to Rennes SNFC and homed second day. A month later he was sent to Avranches being 23rd section 58th open. Eastriggs Supreme is bred from a red pied cock, SURP-63-117445 winner of 47th section 118th open Scottish National Rennes in 1965. His dam is a mealy hen purchased from Dobie Brothers of Cummertrees, an offshoot of the Kirkpatrick family. Mr Hope started keeping pigeons in 1961 with a good few youngsters from well-known lofts, starting racing in 1962 and has enjoyed a fair measure of success, outstanding wins are 1st Fed Leyland; 2nd Fed Redditch; 6th Fed Avranches 1965; 2nd Fed Avranches 1966 and 18th federation Fed Dol and from Nantes with the SNFC he won 32nd section 96th open in 1964 and then 6th section 29th open in 1967. Another article that caught my eye was regarding John Roach and Son winner of 1st open SNFC Nantes in 1967. John wrote; ‘We never knew any success until we purchased two pairs of ‘Logans’. These we kept together, breeding granddaughter back to Sire until we thought it was time to introduce a cross. This was an ‘Osman Fell’ hen, bred by the late John Hendry of Broxburn, and was presented to my wife by a friend leaving the fancy. We coupled this hen with a little Logan cock, in our opinion one of the gamest little birds we ever had. He is now twelve years old and retired but he certainly belies his age. Unfortunately, the hen died but they have left us quite a few likely birds. She herself was First Club Dol 82nd open; whilst he had a place in every race, we ever sent him to. The Nantes winner this year was bred from them as was his brother 90689; winner of 76th section 122nd open. Whilst another late bred SURP62-9386 won 9th club Leachworth, 4th club 11th federation Lewes in 1964. The following year he won 11th Leachworth 12 Lewes then the following year won 15th Leachworth, then 1st club 14th federation Lewes; 1967 he won 6th club Lewes. Looking back through some records I find that we have had eighty-six places in 62 races, not a bad show in a strong club as ours. Our method of pigeon husbandry us I suppose the same as hundreds more; the birds, twelve pair, are housed in a fourteen by eight-foot loft with an open front and a large louvre vent in each gable, thus the air in the loft is constantly in motion. It is cleaned out twice a day. After each cleaning a little dehydrated lime is brushed into all cracks and crevices. This we find is the best pest deterrent we know. Birds young and old are hopper fed on good hard beans only. This again we find keeps the birds on the light, lean and hard side that we think is best for racing. A little seed is used for trapping purposes only. The drinking water is changed twice daily (by the way this is where a good wife comes in handy). As for green stuff, I am fortunate to have a large vegetable garden and here all the birds roam and choose their own salad. Training is voluntary, half an hour each morning and evening. There are no gimmicks or short cuts. We like to have the birds sitting ten days for each race. The moult; there is not much a man can do so it the circumstances it is best to leave it to mother nature. Young birds if fit are raced out to the last race (200 miles) the basket being the best gauge of what not to keep. John Roach Uphall. SHU Trophy Winners 2024 I along with Billy Bilsland and David Elliot we selected the applications for the Scottish Homing Union Trophies for the 2024 season. The successful fanciers were as follows; The Dewar Trophy Winner (for the best 2 channel performances by an old bird) was won by E Hodgson & son of Annan. Their pigeon won 1st section 2nd open SNFC Nort-Sur-Erdre (528 miles) & also won 10th section 14th open SNFC Alencon (475 miles). Runner Up for the Dewar Trophy was Angus Orr & son of Brighton’s their pigeon won 83rd open SNFC Alencon flying 546 miles & also won 17th open from SNFC Grevillers flying 488 miles. The Ogilvie Trophy for the Individual Performance by an old bird was won by Jock Scott of Kennoway who won 1st section 1st east section 1st open Grevillers 391 birds. (As a matter of interest this cock also won 3rd region C 24th open Maidstone in the same season) SHU Yearling Trophy - Friendship Cup – For Outstanding Performance. Winner is Jock Scott of Kennoway; who won 1st section (only bird on the day) 1st east section (only bird on the day) 1st open Grevillers flying a distance of 486 miles 1039 yards from an entry of 391 birds. (Only 3 birds made it home on the day with 2 in the south section and 1 in the East section) The Celtic Trophy presented by Taffy Bowen of Wales (for the performances old birds up to 300 miles) was won by D H Ogilvie of Stirling. The winning birds’ performances were as follows; 20th April; 1st club 243 birds; 1st North Section 614 birds; 1st Federation 1184 birds; 18th May; Harrowgate 172 miles 1168 yards; velocity 1373. 1st club 151 birds; 1st North Section 437 birds; 1st North West Federation 867 birds. 25th May; Ackworthmoore; 198 miles 227 yards; velocity 1637. 2nd club 126 birds; 2nd NS 298 birds; 3rd North West Federation 556 birds. 1st June; Billericay 287 miles 741 yards; velocity 1160; 1st federation 4th section D 462 birds; 19th open SNFC 3175 birds. 15th June Coldstream 71 miles 1679 yards; velocity 1494; 9th club 40 birds; 9th north section 133 birds; 9th North West Federation 332 birds. The British Homing World Trophy; Old Birds Lowest Winning Velocity in Channel Races; Winners Ryan Hay & Family Banff; whose pigeon won 1st North Section 56th open SNFC Nort-Sur-Erdre; flying a distance 708 miles 742 yards recording a velocity of 477.08. McCrae’s Battalion Trust Trophy (For the best combine averages performances for One old bird & One Young bird from the SAME LOFT. Winner Angus Orr & son of Brighton’s. Winning 83rd open SNFC Alencon flying 546 miles; Young Bird 42nd open SNFC Kettering flying 277 miles; The Annie Ross Bowes Memorial Trophy; Won by Ian Noble; nominated by Anne McAleavey; who wrote; ‘I would like to nominate Ian Noble for the above trophy. He has been involved in the sport for a lot of years and served on various committees in that time and puts himself out to help in any way he can. He has been a strong supporter of the office and the staff over his years as President. He has been Junior & Senior Vice President and President of the Scottish Homing Union for the past 16 years. During the Covid crisis when Gordon Turnbull had to step down as President of the Scottish Homing Union, Ian stepped in as Acting President until such time as they could hold a meeting at which time he was unanimously re-elected. Ian was Secretary of Ayrshire Federation for a number of years and Secretary of Crosshouse club and has now been voted on as the Ayrshire federation secretary again. He is always willing to help fanciers in any way he can and most recently has been heavily involved at the Scottish Homing Union Show held annually. He is also on the British Medial Fanciers Committee. I feel Ian would be a deserving recipient of this award in recognition of his work over the years. Yours sincerely Anne McAleavey. The Scottish Homing Union Trophy selection committee would like to congratulate ALL the above winners. Entire Clearance Sales; The first of these will be for the late George Briggs of Dundee. This will be held on Sunday 10th November 2024 in the Black Watch Club, 20 Arthurstone Terrace, Dundee DD4 6RS starting at 1pm. George was a good worker for the sport and was always willing to help anyone who required assistance with ANYTHING. He was also on the SNFC marking committee and covered the Dundee marking station. To his wife and family, we send our heartfelt condolences. The 2nd Entire Clearance Sale will be held the following week 17th of November; this will be for Tom McLeod of Elphinstone (Constellation Lofts) with the sale being held in Newmains Club rooms; viewing from 12 noon with the sale starting at 1pm. Tom has been in the sport for over 60 years and he has won 2 SNFC Gold Awards + a Sliver Award; plus, he has bred 2 Gold Awards and a Dewar Trophy Winner for other fanciers. Watch out for Tom’s advert in the BHW. Enjoy your retirement Tom, you have been a credit to the sport up here in Scotland. Show Pens for Sale Ian Anderson of Wick has just phoned to say that he has 200 show pens for sale (in sets of 4); these are in excellent condition (see photos)and if anyone is interested then give me a call 01592 7703331and I will give you Ian’s phone number. © Compiled by Joe Murphy Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or you can also view online editions on: www.elimarpigeons.com - www.Pigeonbasics.com - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com www.pigeon-chat-co.uk Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland? © Compiled by Joe Murphy

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