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Copied from Facebook **Dumbarton Open - Dunbar** Prize Money - 1st - £500 2nd - £225 3rd - £125 4th - £100 5th - £50 Pools - £5 pool open to every pigeon entered.. split - 60% , 30% , 10% £10 Single Bird Nom - winner takes all Marking - Friday 5.30pm onwards at - Dumbarton Pigeon Club 8A Millburn Crescent Dumbarton G82 2LZ Please make sure all lofts submit accurate SHU distance for Dunbar. Dumbarton Club would like to Thank the Scottish Distance Doo Club for their sponsorship. Look forward to seeing you all. Dumbarton Team 🙌🏻

Copied from Facebook A TRIBUTE TO DOUG McCLARY (FORMALLY OF EXETER). I was very saddened to hear of Doug McClary’s recent passing. He was a lovely man, a true gentleman and a pioneer in the world of ‘Show Racer’ pigeons. Doug McClary was a fancier I have admired for many years for his showing, racing and wonderful writing in his regular page in the fancy press, and several books he had published. He was famous in the Show Racer world for holding the record for many years, for wins at a BHW Blackpool Show, with five first, which is now held by Petty & Crawford, with six firsts in 2018. In 2004 Doug and his wife, Ann, up sticks and moved, pigeons and all, to Australia, to start a new life down under with family that were already living there. I must say, he was greatly missed on the English showing scene, but in regular email that we exchange, it seems he was really working hard to get the Show Racer code going in Australia. Back in the mid-1990’s I went to Exeter, in Devon and had the good fortune to meet this great fancier for the first time and look at his 'Ace' team of pigeons and lofts. Doug was famous in our sport for being one of the top show men in the world, but in his last few years living in the UK had raced a small team of birds on the Widowhood system with outstanding success. He was a great worker in the Show Racer world and was a founder member and long serving secretary of the Devon and Cornwall Show Racer Society, as well as former president and founder of British Show Racers Federation. In showing he has won most of the top shows including three years running ‘Best in Show’ at the Great Yorkshire Amalgamation, ‘Best in Show’ at the B.H.W. Blackpool ‘Show of the Year’ and many other top awards. Through the years, pigeons had taken him to many parts of the world including several times to the USA, where he judges many of the top shows on the eastern seaboard. His most thrilling experiences in the sport have been winning the GYA three years on the trot, winning his Section D in the National Flying Club, and being invited to judge so often in the USA. He first judged there at the National YB Show at Louisville, Kentucky in 1981, and after judging a huge entry of over 600 birds, he awarded ‘Best in Show’ to a cracking blue cock owned by Jim Isslehardt. That pleased Doug, greatly! Racing his pigeons, Doug had won every race point North Road to Thurso and on the south road he had won Section D of NFC twice, been 3rd Section and taken several other good positions, always with a small entry of two or four birds. Top racing pigeon at the Exeter lofts was: 'Brian' blue chequer cock: winner of nine times 1st racing, all Devon County Championship Club Nantes races, a fantastic pigeon! The list of champion Show Racer to grace the Exeter loft would be far to many to list, but one was: the "Medallion Cock”: winner of Welsh Region RPRA showing award; Devon & Cornwall Region RPRA showing award, Supreme Champion Devon & Cornwall SRS, 1st Old Comrades Show, 1st and Best Opposite Sex at the B.H.W. Blackpool ‘Show of the Year’, four times ‘Best In Show’. Doug McClary was a great pigeon man! He wrote his articles in the fancy press brilliantly, he exhibits his Show Racers brilliantly and at one time, when he lived in Exeter, he raced his pigeons brilliantly. I always described Doug as the ‘Master Craftsman’! Our sincere condolences to the McClary family at this very sad time. Doug McClary RIP. KEITH MOTT (APRIL 2025)

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Where are folks racing from this weekend? So far we are aware; Glasgow Federation are at Dunbar Pentland Fed are at Otterburn Fife Federation are at Wooler now changed to Berwick due to weather South West Glamorgan are at Swindon Three Borders Federation are at Wincanton Warwick Federation are at Wakefield Tamworth Federation are at Bath

Copied from Facebook By Kyle Douglass A lot of birds are being reported in Fife from the weekend . Gary Shields is going to meet the transporter and will bring them to his place I will be picking the ones up on way home which dont belong at top If anyone else in fife has any nehus or gbs in please let me know NEHU 24 WAN 103 One for Gary shields NEHU 24 MAD 2741 NEHU 24 HET 438 These have been reported in Other parts in Scotland. The Edinburgh ones will be collected a week on Saturday and the Aberdeen will be when we are racing from Fraserborough NEHU 24 BV 802 - EDINBURGH NEHU 23 CD 602 - ABERDEEN NEHU 21 TN 820 - ABERDEEN

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Two new wee crackers from great friends.. Noah holding a wee stoater sent up from Alfie Hawthorn and Lyla holding one specially bred for her by SNFC President Michael Currie.. Friendship and Doos ❤️

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All donations received will contribute towards the ongoing running costs of Pigeon Basics. April: £100 gratefully received from daleren for the running of a sale on site July: £60 gratefully received from Fife Federation, for the use of the Pigeon Basics Platform to run their successful Young Bird Breeder Buyer Sale.

The Joe Murphy Column I came across a photograph of one of Scotland’s outstanding pigeons away back in 1967; at this time one of the most consistent Channel fanciers was Jock Ellis of Wellbank in Dundee. Although a fancier of comparatively short standing Jock has notched up better 500 miles and over performances in his meteoric career than most fanciers gain in a lifetime. Naturally enough when Jock started to purchasing his foundation stock, he turned to that other Tayside leading-light, Robert Strachan of Invergowrie, last year’s ‘Fancier of the Year’. The Stachan birds, blended with Ed Fell’s Gaffers, some good birds from Frank Hall of Forfar, and a selection from the late great Harry Duncan of Dundee, have been fashioned into one of the most powerful racing teams in the country today. Jock’s main edict is ‘Hard Work’. All young birds go through the programme, some of them go twice to the longest points. Some of the yearling go down to the coast, with 2-year-olds and older going over the water, some of them twice in the same season. Jock never lets them rest on their laurels. This is the system which has produced so many long-distance triumphs, but is a system which brings its share of disappointment as well. Jock has lost many birds, the like of which the average fancier is never privileged to own, like the famed red chequer hen timed in practically in darkness on the day; later lost at Nantes. The legendary ‘Wellbank Pride’ winner of 1st east section 8th open from Rennes in 1965. (Posted missing from Avranches this year 1967) However, Jock seems to have the elusive knack of producing another good one when the occasion arises. This season he again worked the oracle from Rennes only three positions behind his great friend Robert Strachan. Then from Nantes he produced a real cracker to take 11th open in a hard race with his good red chequer cock who had already proved himself from the Paris smash in 1963. Jock’s success is not confined solely to National racing as he wins more than his share all along the line. This season Jock suffered with the rest of us at the Worcester smash while he had been going strongly, but he recovered to collect several trophies in his local club. Jock’s training methods are extremely rigorous and National candidates get numerous morning tosses at the 60 miles mark. Most of the birds are big and deep so they need plenty of muscle on them to keep going at the distance. Jock is a bean feeder and also believes in mating his birds according to eye-sign. Last season Jock suffered a bit of a setback when his birds picked up some fertiliser in the surrounding fields and several good squeakers were lost in the nest as a result. This season Jock increased his already substantial premises at Wellbank with the addition of a fine young bird loft. The main loft was also shifted a considerable distance without dismantling. Quite a feat of manipulation as it’s quite a substantial shed. The youngsters as usual have put up some sterling performances finishing with a bang at the Federations longest young bird race with 5 leading positions. So, it looks as if there’s another batch of potential champions up at Wellbank. As well as being a top-notcher in the pigeon world Jock is also a leader of a successful Scottish Country Dance band which has broadcast on numerous occasions and set the feet tapping at the Federation Annual Dance. Sharp Brothers of Arbroath: Away back in the 1930’s a young Norrie Sharp and his brother Bob started racing pigeons with stock imported from the legendary Albert Buick. Since then, the name of Sharp Brothers has never been far from the forefront in long distance racing. Norrie is now the one who races the birds and he was one of the pioneers of channel racing in this neck of the woods. The first of the great Sharp Brothers birds was the old red cock which won 40th open and 160th open Rennes. The time he was 40th open he flew the 586 miles in 16 ½ hours, being timed in at 10-50pm in darkness by the aid of lamps from the nearby signal-box. At the time this was reckoned a near record performance. His daughter was the mealy hen which scored from Nantes 89th open and her son was the almost legendary Rennes cock which flew Rennes on the day four times and took the following positions. 11th open Rennes and 15th open Rennes. For his 15th open place, he won the then record sum of £566 and altogether he lifted over £700. (a fortune in those days Joe M) His fastest performance when he was clocked around 7pm he wasn’t in the hunt. Such is the irony of pigeon racing. Then came the game little hen ‘Baldy’ which won 131st open from Rennes and the pied hen 4779 which scored in the 700-mile club race from Rochefort, taking 39th open Position. Recent successes include 1st Dol and 55th open in the Continental Club’s Beauvais race in 1965. Long serving president of the Arbroath club, Norrie took over the helm when the club was in a bad way and along with the go-ahead secretary, Andy Shepherd, he has made the club one of the best-equipped and successful clubs in the country. Young bird racing has always been Norrie’s bugbear and many a promising youngster has been lost over the years. But this several new crosses from Ireland have been introduced and the young birds have turned in some cracking performances and lifted the young bird average in Arbroath club. This augurs well for the future of this famous loft, and Nor will no doubt to hearing that there’s another ‘Rennes Cock’ in the young bird loft that will gain the coveted 1st National that has been his ambition. Duncan McInroy of Miramar- Dundee. One of the great fanciers of the past was Duncan McInroy of Dundee, who holds the distinction of being the first Taysider to in a National Race. Duncan’s triumph occurred in the 1926 Derby from Rennes, 581 miles, with 1408 birds contesting the issue. Duncan’s game blue chequer pied hen, ‘Lady Betty’ returned the great velocity of 1017 to take top honours and beat the second bird by 135 yards per minute. In those days the Dundee Club was composed of well-to-do business men who flew their birds for the fun of it and Duncan was president of the club for many years. Another sporting field in which he was successful was angling and he won many trophies. Duncan’s memory has been perpetuated in the McInroy Trophy which is awarded, most appropriately to the first Tayside bird timed from Rennes each year, a truly worthy memorial to a great fancier. Blast from the Past Received an email from Andy Anderson who wrote; ‘Hi Joe, it was really lovely to see your articles again in BHW. I’m not keen on the broad sheet issue but that’s for another day. We’ve met a few times over many years but one particular time I was with a friend Alex Hamlyn from Roslin who lost some youngsters and you reported them to him. Anyway, thought if you were looking for article material you might be interested in our club closing down after more than a hundred years. With only having three members it was a very sad decision to make. There were more than forty members at one time the likes of P and J Thompson; W Cherry; G Hodge; C Jones; Kerr and Davidson to name a just a few. I enclose a photo of just some of the beautiful trophies such as the ‘Challenge Cup’ which was first won by Eyers Bros in 1924 and the ‘Rose Bowl’ first won by Campbell and Johnstone in 1925. And more recently a beautiful trophy presented by the family of the late Wullie Cherry a top fancier and expert clock setter. These last three years we have flown with Easthouses club and been made very welcome. I hope this is of some interest to you Joe and may I wish you and Margaret the very best of good health and keep up the good work. Kindest regards Andy Anderson. Obituary I was very sorry to hear about the passing of Willie Strang of Falkirk from his brother Jock. Willie would have been 82 in July and he and Jock have been very close all these years. He never married and lived with his sister Agnes in California in Falkirk and worked in the coal mines. Once the Pit’s closed he helped Jock out by driving his orders (shed’s & pigeon lofts) all over Scotland. On one trip to Ayrshire, he was stopped by the police and asked where he was going and he said ‘Moscow’. The police then asked him where he had come from and he said ‘California’ they thought he was trying to make a fool of them; and they were going to arrest him. He was Jock’s ‘right hand’ and would train the pigeons and take them to the club and go with the clock. One year they had topped the federation 5 weeks on the trot. Needless to say, some people thought they were cheating. So, the next week they went to the federation president and swapped Toulet clocks with him prior to the race. At the club they took off the clock and noticed there was a crack in the outer glass. Once the clocks were read and they had won again. Someone contacted the federation president to complain about the partnership; as they were using a clock with cracked glass. So, this is how they are winning!!!! When he told them the Strang’s had used HIS CLOCK THIS WEEK, and he had theirs. Needless to say, nothing more was said about the clock. As Jock and Willie often said, ‘Good birds, well trained and sent to the race to try and win. Margaret and I have met up with Betty and Jock over the years and they informed us that they were married on the same date as us 21st October but they were married the year before us in 1966. To Jock, and ALL his family we are so sorry at the passing of Willie; he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. I will always remember his helpfulness and the laughs we had at his stories. He may no longer be with us but he will always be part of our lives. R.I.P Willie. I was also sorry to see in this week’s BHW the news that fellow scribe Gareth Watkins had passed away. I always enjoyed Gareth’s articles, plus we have met up a few times over the years. He was a very good pigeon man and a true gentleman; to his family and friends we send out heartfelt condolences at the passing of such a wonderful man. RIP my old friend. 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

Copied from Facebook Danderhall Trial Race. Otterburn. 311 Birds. Well done Jocky Robertson winning a very fast race. Thanks to Brian Black for taking the doos down, Barry Kinnear for putting the race on. Macaloney Pigeons for sponsoring it.

Copied from Facebook Solway federation Yb sale Sunday 13th April Sale starts 2pm Gretna social club Dominion Road Gretna DG16 5AP Update of youngsters in sale Billy van nuil D Ritchie Varty son & G/son Flimby S Glencross Carlisle G & P Power R White x2 J Langdon Stranraer J Gilmour Skachill & McCormack A Suckle Lesmahagow J Brown x 2 A Jones & Son Dumbarton A Little G Firth A Hawthorn Newcastle M & J Currie D Robinson K Guenther & Gson S Bell Brampton J Muir D & A Muir J Ferguson S Allan S Boyd W Glendinning L & A Mitchell Team Anderson George Firth has kindly donated a second pigeon to be raffled at £2 per ticket Raffle also on the day for prizes Look forward to seeing everyone Michael

Copied from Facebook Well I've been told I'm not allowed to race these 🤦‍♂️ lucky there bred well 😂👊 keep them for future flying out stock. Lovely when your family takes an interest in the sport also ❤️👌

Copied from Facebook By Alan Jones Makes my wee heart so happy when the weans are out at the doos 💚

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Copied from Facebook Robert Van Eycken, he is recognized as one of Belgium's top long-distance pigeon enthusiasts. His pigeons have achieved remarkable success in international competitions, including a 1st place win at the International Marseille race in 2003. 2x Emperor “Brabantse Unie” 6x General Champion “Brabantse Unie” 1st National Bourges 1995 1st National Marseille 2003 (and 4° International) 1st International Marseille 2004

Please use this post to share with others your Federation/ Club or Organisation race schedule for Old Birds 2025 Or simply share where, when and which club's first race is Good luck to all Basics members racing this season

Copied from Facebook 4 more babies picked up today from Sherburn lofts big thank you to Shane and Ian 8 gifted 1picked up Kingston sale

Updated Sale is NOW LIVE. The sale will run for 7 days from 6/4/25 A massive thanks to all the fanciers who have donated! 1. PETER KEOGH WINCHBURGH £30 2. BRIAN CHALMERS KENNOYWAY £30 3. T&G WEIR LINLITHGOW £30 4. JOHN HADFIELD BLACKBURN £30 5. F&W ROBERTSON DANDERHALL £50 6. JIMMY MARK TRANENT £30 7. MARTYN BROON BONESS 8. ROBERT WALKER EYEMOUTH £30 9. A ORR & SON BRIGHTONS £30 10. TAM MANGER BONESS £50 11.DANNY HENDERSON DUNDEE £50 12. C&C CAMERON ARBROATH £150 13. SCOT RUSSELL DENNY 14. KEN BUCHANNAN HAMILTON X2 £50 15. D H OGILVIE STIRLING £30 16. AS THOMSON & SON PORT SETON £40 17. DUNCAN KNOX DUNBAR £30 18. DAVID MCBEATH AVONBRIDGE £30 19. WITHDRAWN 20. P. W VIRTUE COCKBURNSPATH £50 21. A&E LUKE DUNBAR £40 22. MASKAME & CORDINER PETERHEAD £40 23. CAMMY HEEPS BONESS £40 24. MIKE PARKER SOUTH WALES 25. GEORDIE HARRIS DUNIPACE £30 26. RYAN HAY & FAMILY BANFF 27. LAWRENCE & CURRAN DUNDEE 28. GEACH BROS, MCKENNA & CHAPMAN HARTLEPOOL X2 £50 29. BOB MCKIE BLACKHALL MILL £40 30. HENRY BORTHWICK WINCHBURGH 31. WITHDRAWN 32. BRIAN KELLY CHIRNSIDE 33. SCOTT MORRISON GRANGEMOUTH £30 34. GORDON MACKENZIE BROXBURN £30 35. KEVIN WHITHAM DUNBAR £30 36. IAN ROSS KIRKINTILLOCH 37. VIC COUPAR DENNYLOANHEAD £40 38. HBW DUMBARTON £50 39. RAB HAMILTON CAMPUS £30 40. JOHN GLADWIN LEIGH-ON-SEA £40 41. BLACK & COUPE DANDERHALL £30 The sale will be shared on all different pigeon groups but bids will only be accepted under each lot on the official SNRPC page Phone bids will be accepted also to the SNRPC secretary David McArthur or you can private message the SNRPC Facebook page if you wish to remain anonymous. Many thanks! 🙏🏼

Copied from Facebook Evie wearing her new Pipa hoodie and cap, with Geoff. Evie is holding our pigeon Evie in the photo with Geoff and holding a baby inside the loft. 🐦🥰🐦

Copied from Facebook by Liam Riley My step daughter has decided to join me racing pigeons for the last few weeks she's been making diary plans sitting with them ect ect now she's made a cane to guide them around she says but what she's put on it makes me day 😆 avahs racing pigeon baby's but there is a grizzle with love hearts on it i think that's her says the grizzle her fav one she's getting right into it witch I'm glad she peddles there and back on a evening to check her baby's the grizzle bred by Paul Hellens cheers mate made her day