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Some updates from Blackpool show Photo one - Coutts Bros entering their birds Photo two - Nick with the loft manager Photo three - Show hall Photo four - The loft managers All the best for the morn Who would not be rather sitting in a pub which is full of pigeon guys looking forward to the show opening on Saturday.

£46,000 for a daughter of Murphy's Law in the Duif sale!!!!! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1781BbFPcG/

Fife Federation Breeder Buyer Sale Monday 23rd March - Saturday 29th March Organiser; Brian Chalmers aka Thunderbigbaws ----------------------------- -----------------------------

The Joe Murphy Column While in the process of trying to do articles to cover the Christmas & New Year holiday period, I came across an article written by our late son Kevin, which he sent into the year books in 1993. Which he called ‘A Family Affair’. Needless to say, at this time of the year we are ALL involved with our families and we will never get over the loss of Kevin. We still have a close contact with his 3 children and their families; and as a accolade to Kevin, I would like to add his contribution to this week’s column. ‘Firstly, I would like to thank the editor for inviting me to write an article, it is indeed a very great honour. Secondly, I would like to dedicate this article to my partner - my dad Joe. Never have I met anyone who is so dedicated to our sport and to whom I have learned everything from. Thanks Dad. My dad always says that; ‘If you put enough work into anything it will eventually pay off’. That was our secret - Hard Work! Owing to the fact that both of us were off work due to ill health; we were both 2 fulltime ‘Doo Men’ alas both with different views. I have been interested in the birds since I can remember. My granddad kept them and my dad started in 1970 when he caught a stray and it was put into the garden shed. My mum was caught in the shed feeding and speaking to it. Needless to say, the shed was soon converted into a pigeon loft. Our most important aspect of pigeon management is hygiene. Our lofts are scrubbed out every Sunday morning one week with Virkon S from Vetrepharm, the next with bleach. We have good ventilation in the loft; therefore, the loft dries very quickly. We hate to see pigeons in dirty conditions. The most important thing I think about national racing is the birds. It doesn’t matter how well bred it is, or how much it cost, if it isn’t fully conditioned - it will never win. Many people send birds 500 to 600 miles and very few can condition them. Having made alterations to the loft, a new apex roof, and renewing the outside but trying to keep the inside as unchanged as possible. Improving the ventilation with the help of my friend and dad’s mates during the winter, it was now down to us. Although my dad wasn’t working the birds were still cleaned out at 5am every morning. Every weekend the floor and nest boxes were scrubbed. A pigeon won’t be healthy if it is picking dirt and disease from inside the loft itself. In previous years I would look after the young birds and dad doing the old birds. This year we decided we would work together as a team. When dad started back to work, the groundwork was all laid. Dad was up at 5am cleaning the old birds before going off to work. I was up at 6-30am flagging the racing team as dad left. At dinner time the hens were given the open bowl as the loft was cleaned out and the water topped up. At 4pm the race team were flagged as the hut was cleaned out again and the water refreshed using Vetrepharm products (from past two years). The race team were kept going until dad came home from work. (When he left for work, I was standing flagging them and when he came home, he found I was still flagging them ha ha). Our winner is a four-year-old chequer hen named ‘Mystical Rose’ she was named by my mum. She was bred from a Victor Lough of Dunbar cock and a John Bosworth hen. Previously she’d won 1st club (only bird on the day) as a yearling winning 8th open Fife federation Sartilly, being 16 ¾ hours on the wing. As a two-year-old she flew Rennes; as a 3-year-old she won 1st club (again only bird on the day being 15 hours on the wing) 1st federation 1st region C 20th east section 83rd open SNFC Sartilly (1) 3180 birds (I have added the birdage JM). Five weeks late she won 144th east section 236th open SNFC Sartilly (2) 3673 birds. Then finally this year she won 1st club 1st federation 1st east section 1st open SNFC Sartilly (1) 3293 birds, also winning the Ogilvie Trophy for best individual performance in the SHU. ‘Mystical Rose’ tells you herself, when she is right. You just have to look at her. She goes a lot darker in colour, the same thing happened at the last SNFC Sartilly (2) race. About 3 weeks prior to winning the national we noticed that Mystical Rose’s cock wasn’t looking too well, so dad took him out of the loft. (He died during the night; we think he had been poisoned.) Mystical Rose was paired to this cock for 2 years and wouldn’t look at another cock. After trying 4 different cocks with her (she attacked all of them) Then one morning a young cock was showing off to her, so at night he was put into her box. She laid right on time sitting her favourite condition, 15 days eggs. We sent 7 birds to Sartilly (1) race with 3 on the result; winning 1st open, 141st open, 127th east section, and had 6 out of our 7 by the next morning. Next came the Rennes race 4501 birds we sent 6 birds timed in 2 on the day. Our first bird (Rising Star) won 39th east section 53rd open being 15 hours on the wing. Our 2nd bird was ‘Matt’s Mealy’ winning 55th east section 75th open being 15 ¼ hours on the wing. We failed to time out of Nantes. The final SNFC race was from Sartilly (2) 2915 birds and we sent 6 birds with 5 returning home. Our first timed was ‘Lady Janet’ who won 1st club 1st federation 1st region C 4th east section 5th open. Our 2nd bird was ‘Nick Faldo’ a young late bred cock who was looking outstanding. This late bred was sent with 2 nest flights to only his 4th race of his life, and was timed after 12 ½ hours on the wing, from 515 miles to win 18th east section 36th open 2915 birds. I must admit to being totally over the moon on winning the SNFC Sartilly race, and anybody who saw me that night will surely agree. It was more satisfying than winning 100 x 1st in your local club. The hard work had paid off. Before I end, I would like to thank the editor for asking me to write this article and also to everyone who congratulated us on our win. It was a lot easier getting up at 6-30am to flag the birds now. But I would personally like to say a special thank you to my mum, Margaret, who puts up with a lot, especially from dad and I on our ‘Different Views’. Also, to dad to him I am deeply indebted, for without his help, dedication and constant nagging I would never have been so proud to be his partner in winning 1st open Scottish National Sartilly. Finaly wishing all our friends and everyone else in the sport every success for 1993. Kevin J 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 log onto www.elimarpigeons.com; www.pigeonbasics.com www.thecanadianpigeoninternational.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

Safe journey to all Basics members travelling to Blackpool today and tomorrow. Have a great weekend folks

Just to let everyone know we will have some cracking deals on the stand at Blackpool. Due to family issues since October we have not sold many of our 2024 pigeons this year. We have had to miss some of the shows and missed sorting out 2 auctions. We would normally do. So all these will be on the stand. Come along and grab a deal. We are offering all pigeons at reduced prices compared to normal and then if you buy more than 1 pigeon there will be 20% off the marked price of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc pigeons. Most expensive pigeon will be at the full price. 20% discounts will apply to any others. Including if you buy 2 at the same price. Example buy 3 pigeons priced at £100, £100 and £60. Instead of paying £260 you would pay £228. On the stand will be direct children of our national winners and there parents where possible. Children of combine winners Children of our up and coming top breeders that are producing multiple top racers and breeders. Children of top racers and some retirees racers which would normally go to stock but as we have cut down on stock numbers this year we are also letting them go. Plus of course Grandchildren of the likes of D’artagain, Amor, Prince of Rekkem. Dreamy. Sky runner Dream girl 200, Tip Top goldmine and much more.

Copied from Facebook Federation Show For clarification, this show is open to any fancier with racing pigeons I.e. Aberdeen Fed, Highland Fed etc. Second part of the show will be open to fancy doos any member any organisation. The object is to fill the club with pigeons and all to have a great day. I was contacted by Henry to ascertain if the North Fed was interested in a joint show I.e. the show fraternity and the North Fed, they have a hall booked. Sent a request to the Fed officials and the request was agreed. I talked with Eric Yule who suggested we both run the show which we agreed in, during the discussion we suggested the possibility of the Fed holding a show and sale as well as the “joint” show and that we should look at the possibility of a Fed sale/show at the Deveronside football club in Banff. When we have both had a chance to discuss we will let the Fed officials know the possible dates and if agreed put the full details on the FB page. I hope that the show in Banff (if it gets off the ground) can also involve a sale of pigeons and the usual raffle and perhaps a cup of tea etc. Any suggestions for additional items to be included will be welcome. PS I know it’s only Jan but if we get a date etc then it will happen 😃

Enjoy the weekend

Things underway

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Copied from Facebook L.R.P..F. Proudly present an evening of entertainment on 21/02/2025 in Cambusnethan Miners Welfare Club. The evening will provide members with a 2 course meal followed by the presentation of prizes to the 2024 federation winners then on to an evening of entertainment and fun. The committee worked tirelessly holding a sale of 2025 ybs to subsidise the cost of the evening for members. Their hard work has reduced the cost of the evening to a MERE £10 !!!!! It is hoped members will turn the clock back and take this opportunity to come along with their friends or family members to create an evening your guests will want to come back to in the years ahead. So guys everything is in place to make this a successful enjoyable night out with family or friends. All that is needed now is for members to support the evening and resurrect our annual dance to the nights of magic we all enjoyed so much in bygone years. To secure your tickets, which are slightly limited, please contact Jimmy McMilllan on 07527 757691. This is a great chance to celebrate the biggest Federation in the country and show others we are still the best so please everyone get your tickets booked A.S.A.P. and lets have a blast.

Copied from Facebook CONFIRMATION OF PENTLAND HILL FED SALE! 🤝🐦 PENTLAND HILL FED SALE. START: 7TH FEB 08:00am END: 15TH FEB LOTS 1-20 20:00 LOTS 21-40 20:15 LOTS 41-54 20:30 STARTING PRICES: 1x2025 £30 2x 2025 £50 1. Keenan&Blyth (2)S.Hill 2. Alfie Hawthorn (1) Newcastle 3. George Slaven (2) Ayrshire 4. Blackett&Renwick (1) Newcastle 5. W.Pryde&Son (1) D.Hall 6. Stewart Wilcox (1) Bristol 7. Johnny Quinn (2) S.Hill 8. Benson&Moran (1) Midlothian 9.Michael Middlemiss(1) Northumberland 10. Davie Blair (2) E.O.S 11. Mike Samuel’s (1) Durham 12. Ian Summers (2) S.Hill 13. George Cochrane (1) E.Premier 14. Kev&Gracie Paraons (1) Newcastle 15. Bobby Dickson (1) E.O.S 16. A.W. Robertson (2) D.Hall 17. Jimmy Mark (1) Trapain 18. Scot Russell (2) Falkirk 19. Kenny Dick (1) E.Premier 20. Ian Stafford (1) Durham 21. Paul Morrison (2) Linlithgow 22. Alex Fulton (2) 23. WITHDRAWN 24. Derek Colligan (1) Almondvalley 25. Valeview Lofts (2) Dumbarton 26. Joe Ward (1) 27. P&J Hutton (1) E.Premier 28. Les Affleck (1) E.Premier 29. John Bosworth (1) Trapain 30. Mr&Mrs Girdwood (1) S.Hill 31. Ste Forster (1) Carlise 32. Les Carter (1) Walsall 33. Brown&Black (2) Woodburn 34. Mark Gilbert (1) London 35. Andy Miller (1) S.Hill 36. Sean Hunt (1) Ireland 37. Eddie Barry (1) Ireland 38. Rod Pringle (1) D.Hall 39. Mr&Mrs P March (1) E.O.S 40. Neal Holt (2) Peterhead 41. Fraser Perring (1) Easthouses 42. Helen Aitken &Son (1) Woodburn 43. Stevie Farragher (1) Liverpool 44. Robert Walker (2) Eyemouth 45. Ali Brother (1) South Shields 46. Gary Green (1) Lanarkshire 47. Paul Fisher (1) 2024 latebred 48. David Brown (1) D.Hall 49. Mark Evans (1) 50. Micky Betts (1) Doncaster 51. Macgregor&Lawrie (1) D.Hall 52. Sinclair Thomson&Son (1) Trapain 53. Robert Sammels (2) Castlebrae 54. John Baillie (1) Tranent 55. D Hawkins (1) 56. W.Pryde&Son (1) D.Hall 57. Rod Pringle (1) D.Hall

One of my best ever pigeons and a legendary long distance pigeon in Scotland, Little Owl ,died this morning aged 15 years. She is the only pigeon ever in the West Region of Scotland to win the coveted Silver Award for 3 times over 600 miles. 2 nd 5 th and 10 west region 11th, 23 rd and 46 th open, Ancenis 606 @miles. In one of those performances she timed at 23.13 hours. Little Owl got her name from this performance as when my wife Linda thought it was an owl she saw in the dark . Little Owl won an Ace pigeon Award. Her grandmother , Peggy, won an Ace Pigeon Award for winning 1 st west Region 5 th open Gold cup Liege 542 miles. Peggy was responsible for over 150 Snfc diplomas herself. Little Owls last year breeding was 2020 and in 2023 her daughter , Kendall, won 1st West Region , 10 th Open Gold cup Alencon and another Ace pigeon Award. What a pleasure it was having such a wonderful pigeon in my loft and I can’t deny that I had a tear in my eye this morning when I found her.

Copied from Facebook Blackpool weekend is the highlight for the showing fraternity.......and a great meeting point for many fanciers. Here's an article from Billy to set the scene. 1 / 4 Dickie Graham As I pen this article we look forward to the Blackpool Show and trust that there is a good Scottish representation amongst the winners. In the days before ‘Blackpool’ the show that everyone wanted to win was The People Show in London and over a good number of years Scottish pigeons were very much to the fore, due primarily to the ability of two exceptional fanciers. The first of these was John Thornton who was arguably the most able show competitor ever in the U.K. On two occasions he won Best in Show at the People Show two years running with the same pigeon and on the second occasion he came ever so close to winning it for a third time. His first champion was ‘Bluebell’, which was a truly exceptional pigeon. The second champion was named ‘Peter Pan’ and having won Best in Show two years running the cock was entered in the Show for a third time. The judge in his class on the day was Tom Millar, who was a close friend of John Thornton and obviously knew the pigeon. On the death of John Thornton, Tom Millar wrote that he experienced real anguish on the day pf the show. As he walked around the pens to have a preliminary look at the pigeons before he handled them, he realised that ‘Peter Pan’ was in the class. Whilst he so admired the pigeon, he was conscious of what might be said, were it to win and when he judged his Class he chose to place the pigeon second to a younger cock. Following selection of the All Winners Prizes the Specials Judge said that if the old cock had advanced to the prize winners table he would most probably have once more gained Best in Show. The Scottish National Flying Club was formally established in 1899 with the Jubilee Dinner being held in The Codora Restaurant, Glasgow on 28th January 1950 and amongst the guests present was Harry Ainsworth, Editor of ‘The People’. During the Evening trophies were presented to the winning fanciers with the famous Gold Cup being presented to George Mitchell from Gartcosh. Also on display was the Gordon Richards Trophy, which was presented to the winner of B.I.S. at The People Show. This trophy had been won three years in succession by John Thornton from Johnstone and in recognition, the proprietors of The People presented him with a beautiful time piece and a sum of money, the actual presentation being made by Harry Ainsworth. The second successful Scottish fancier was George Greenshields from Salsburgh. When I was a boy I remember him coming to Annan to judge a Show that was held in the local Drill Hall and he brought several pigeons with him that were put on exhibition. They were truly magnificent!!! I was fortunate to share a friendship with Jim Kilgour from Salsburgh and when I once asked him about George Greenshields he said “George Greenshields was the owner of the local bus service. He was a top class football player and played professional with Motherwell Football Club and Albion Rovers. He was also owner of a top class kennel of greyhounds with such open track winners as ‘Chesterfield Gertie’, ‘La Kazarre’, ‘Brilliant Pebble’ and ‘Misty Lan 11’. The latter two dogs were winners of the Scottish Consolation Derby. As can be seen from the foregoing, George was born to be a winner. His world wide acclaim, however came from his beloved Show Homers, founded at the start by birds that he introduced bred from ‘Policeman’, Forlorn Hope’ and ‘The Weinberg Hen’ these being Osman’s bred by Colonel Osman, with Putman added. He later visited Fred Shaw at Manchester and thus he added the Gurnay’s for their lovely heads, black coloration and strongly coloured eyes. Characteristics for which the Greenshield’s pigeons were famed were medium size, shallow keels, short legs and an abundance of rich, silky feather. All these characteristics were welded into a line-bred family of pigeons which reigned supreme at all the major shows, such as The 2 / 4 People, Altrincham, Leeds Amalgamation, Old Comrades, Larkhall Pioneer and Blackburn with such outstanding birds as ‘Scotland for Ever’, ‘Saddleback’ and ‘The Budgie Cock’, so named because of its budgie markings on the shoulders and wings, along with the black coloration, which became a feature of many of this family. ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Perfection’ were the Sire and Dam of Annie Bowes ’People’ Show winner ‘Princess Alexandra’. George was at his peak when, in the early 1950’s, disaster struck – a fire which was assumed to be dead was fanned during the night by a strong east wind and burst into flames, the strong wind blowing the flames against the end of the loft, which was newly creosoted. Only the courage of a girl, Jean Fairlie, who worked in his bus garage, saved the birds from total extinction. She crawled through the flames and smoke to burst open a window and about 20 birds escaped. The remainder, about 80 birds, baskets and lofts were reduced to ashes. These 20 birds were eventually coaxed into an 8’ x 6’ loft erected for the purpose. It says much for George Greenshields that after this disaster there was no lull in his winnings; he carried on as before churning out winners”. On concluding his letter to me Jim said that he could not be precise as to when George Greenshields died but he believed it was in 1962 at the age of 65 years. In those days Show organisers named the judges in the adverts for the Shows and further advised which Classes the officials were judging. I was told often that if the really good show fanciers gained a ticket under a particular judge they then knew exactly what he was looking for and was thereafter able to put one down to win under him in a future show. Several fanciers from the Solway area participated successfully in larger Shows including Jim Scott from Dumfries and Ted Henderson from Annan who both gained BIS in large Open Shows. Over the Border also we had for example Heb and Alf Walton from Dalston, Harold Dalzell from Keswick who was without question a Master Showman and in more recent years Alan Spedding from Egremont. A further fancier from our area who was an absolute Ace at showing out and out racers was Dickie Graham from Ecclefechan. He won at all the major shows including Larkhall Pioneer Show, South of Scotland Championship Show, N.E.H.U. Show at Peterlee, Ayr Dam Park Show, Edinburgh Charity Show etc. When I say won at the major Shows I mean gaining Best in Show, Best Opposite Sex, Most Points etc. I recollect also that in 1987 he gained 6 x 1st at Blackpool including 500 Mls.Hens, 450 Mls. Cocks and Hens and the Breeders Class. He owned a number of superb individual pigeons including ‘Castle Queen’, which was BIS Larkhall 1981, BOS Peterlee 1981, BIS at the South of Scotland Show in 1982, BIS Peterlee 1983. This fabulous pigeon scored thirteen times on the road in Inland competition and scored twice in the Federation Open Race from the channel. In his youth Dickie was an Ace cyclist, he raced on the grass track and was six times second in the Scottish Championship and was third in the quarter mile National Grass Track Championship. No motor cars in those days, he cycled to the event with the racing wheels strapped to the bike, on occasion travelling more than 100 miles, changed the wheels when he arrived at the venue, competed on the track and then cycled back to Ecclefechan. When his cycling days were over he took an interest in pigeons and quickly learned from such fanciers as James Dalgliesh, George Hind and Lew Horsburgh. In 1970 he was asked to officiate at a Show at Kelso, being accompanied by James Dalgliesh and Ewart Warwick. Dickie judged three Classes at the Show with John Carmichael gaining 2 x 1st and 1 x 2nd. Dickie was much impressed and on investigating learned that the three birds had scored prominently on the road. He was anxious to meet John Carmichael and was actually introduced by Jack Wylie from Newcastleton. The following week he visited Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael’s home at 3 / 4 Lauder with James and Ewart and on the morning of their visit, John’s stock loft was broken into but nonetheless, the three fanciers from the South of Scotland were made very welcome. Dickie formed a friendship with John Carmichael and ordered youngsters for the following season. The friendship was such that in 1971 John brought his National candidates to Hawick each afternoon, to where Dickie was working who brought them on to Ecclefechan and tossed them. Eventually in 1972 John and Mrs. Carmichael moved home to Ecclefechan. Residing at Ecclefechan, John Carmichael gained a number of National successes including 1st Section from the Inland National from Dorchester, 1st Section from the Y.B. National and 1st Section from the Blue Riband event from Rennes. Whilst residing at Ecclefechan John Carmichael was elected Scotland’s Fancier of the Year. It should be understood that John Carmichael’s original family of pigeons was based on Logan x Bricioux lines. He, for example, owned a particular Red Logan Cock that was named ‘The Bourges Cock’, which had a number of wins inland. He flew 630 miles on four occasions and once flew 600 miles. He was 3rd Club, 9th Fed. Bourges 1963, 1st Club, 9th Fed. Bourges 1965 and 3rd Club, 9th Fed. Bourges 1966. He had a further Red cock, which was twenty five times in the first three in the Club, he raced to 630 miles South and 350 miles North. On one occasion the pigeon flew the channel and was in such good order when he returned he was immediately turned round and was 2nd Section 8th Open Lerwick C.C. John then formed a friendship with John Petrie from Carstairs and introduced twelve latebreds from him. Now it should be understood that John Petrie had a superb team of Kirkpatrick pigeons and I know of several fanciers from Lanarkshire and the East of Scotland who obtained stock from that source. Away back in 1990, when I penned a profile report for the BHW on Billy and Jackie Gardiner, I was allowed access to their records, amongst which was correspondence from John Petrie and I subsequently learned that the Gardiner brothers obtained examples of the Kirkpatrick family from that source. In the meantime, through friend John Petrie, John Carmichael was introduced to John McGillivray from Forth, who won the Nantes National in 1956 with ‘Dream Girl’, which recorded a velocity of 690ypm and two years later he won the event for a second time with ‘Glory Girl’, with a velocity of 1478ypm. Whilst John McGillivray had Kirkpatrick bloodlines from John Petrie the most influential Kirkpatrick in his shed was Red cock ‘1276’, which was bred direct from ‘Galabank Duke’. In the hands of John McGillivray ‘1276’ left a host of winners including ‘Dream Girl’ and the noted ‘Twins’. In 1964 John Carmichael obtained two outstanding pigeons from John McGillivray, the first being a Grizzle hen that was bred from ‘Glory Girl’ and the second a Blue Pied hen that was bred from ‘1276’. Dickie Graham initially raced the Carmichael lines with great success. I recollect being shown a photograph of Dickie at a Club Social at which he was presented with ten trophies including O.B. Average, Rennes Cup, Nantes Cup and Best Average from the two Open Federation races. Over the years he additionally enjoyed going to and participating in local Shows, enjoying consistent success. The quality of his pigeons was such, however, that he was encouraged to participate further afield and on the wider stage enjoyed spectacular success. It should not be doubted, however, he was a very, very able fancier. John Wheatcroft told me that when Dickie was participating in the National Shows, he always endeavoured to room with him, just to watch him prepare his entry for the pen. He told me “there was none better in the entire country”. John Carmichael told me that on one occasion, when he was in Dickie’s loft he took a fancy to a pigeon with a ‘keeker’ of an eye. Dickie apparently said to him “do you want one like that” to which John Carmichael said “have you got another”. Dickie replied “no, but I’ll breed you one” and several months later he was gifted a youngster, which matured into having the exact same eye. John said to me “he is so good he can 4 / 4 breed you any eye you want”. Dickie shared a close friendship with James Dalgliesh and indeed he and James and their good ladies went out socially each Saturday night. James was invited to judge at the Ayr Dam Park Show and asked me to accompany him to mark for him. Dickie was affectionately known by his friends as ‘Badger’ and as James and I travelled to Ayr he said “I’ll have to watch what I‘m doing today because ‘Badger’ will be showing and can you imagine what people will say if he wins under me”. James had two Classes to judge with over a hundred birds in each Class. Dickie’s pigeons were fabulous looking Reds, Red Pieds and Mealies and as James went through his Classes he passed by three such coloured pigeons that he believed were entered by his friend. Eventually, in the primary Class he gave first to a Blue Chequer hen. We went for our tea with the other judges and lo and behold when we arrived back in the Hall we learned that the Chequer hen belonged to Dickie and had gone on to gain Best Opposite Sex in the Show. We then learned that the three pigeons that James had passed by did indeed belong to Dickie and had been entered to distract James. Dickie obviously knew what James was looking for and put one in the Class to beat him. Dickie was also a highly skilled angler and spent hours upon hours fishing on the River Annan at Hoddom. Following his death his family erected a memorial seat beside the river close to his favourite fishing beat. I include with this article five photographs: (a) John Thornton with the Gordon Richards Trophy, (b) a group photo that was taken at the 1956 S.N.F.C. Presentation which shows John McGillivray from Forth with the famous Gold Globe, also included are Bill McIntyre from Kilbarchan, John, George and Andrew Smillie from Fauldhouse and importantly on the right George Greenshields from Salsburgh, (c) John Carmichael, (d) John McGillivray’s great Kirkpatrick stock cock ‘1276’ and (e) Dickie Graham in familiar pose with trophies won.

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Copied from Facebook Welcome to 2025 folks....here's more of WP Wortleys jottings on Dumfries.... Its a bit of a long yin.....but a good yin. Alec Anderson Within a recent composition I made reference to Alec Anderson who was a very able fancier and at different times competed in Dumfries Social Circle, Dumfries Flying Club and the Nith Valley Clubs. The following is an extract from an article that I compiled on Alex some forty years ago following an interview with him after he and his good lady were 2nd Section 4th Open from the Inland National from Hastings. Alec Anderson kept pigeons from schoolboy years and joined Dumfries Social Circle in 1937. At that time the ‘Social Circle was in its infancy, having just been formed. Dumfries and Maxwelltown H.S. was in existence at the time but was in decline and was actually disbanded in 1938. Alec’s pre-war memories of the pigeon fancy were more about the characters and personalities who coloured the pigeon scene rather than his personal pigeon experiences. He joined the Forces in 1941 and during his time away from home his younger brother, Andy, cared for the pigeons. Andy was at school but nevertheless built up an impressive loft of pigeons. During various leaves from the Forces Alec had seen the pigeons and eagerly anticipated demob in 1948 to enable him to work the team. Disappointment was to result, however, as the brothers experienced the first of three break-ins. The loft was decimated as all but three of the birds were stolen. They were traced by the police to a local poulterer and the culprit who stole them was fined £5. During the War, Andy had moved the loft onto an allotment and it had only been there a year when the birds were stolen. Alec told me, however, that the allotment was a grand place to house pigeons and although vulnerable to cats, the birds enjoyed relative contentment and space. At that time Dumfries Social Circle was not a permanent member of the Solway Federation, having previously been a member and then withdrawn. When they were not competing with the Solway Federation they had their birds convoyed by Ballochmyle Federation. Alec told me that he could recollect batches of birds crossing Dumfries to make their way up the Nith Valley into Ayrshire and as they made their way over the town, birds dropped out to local fanciers. He felt that racing with Ballochmyle Fed. encouraged the Dumfries birds to overfly. I learned that Dumfries Social Circle was a member Club of the Solway Federation on several occasions and around 1951 joined once more and thereafter remained a member. Reminiscing, Alec told me that in those days the Dumfries fanciers trained by bicycle, from Glencaple and Caerlaverock. They then trained to Southerness on the bus and thereafter to Carlisle and Silloth by train. Even in those days he and his brother had their sights set on channel racing but in retrospect he believed they lacked knowledge and experience on setting them up, giving them every inland race. The Federation Open race was flown from Guernsey and he could recollect bringing his clock to Annan to have it read and John Kirkpatrick striking it off with a chronometer. As we talked he made reference to the fact that only a few Dumfries fanciers competed from the Nationals. He said that “no more than six Dumfries fanciers competed from any National event and when a local fancier scored, however remote, it was a great occasion and everyone knew about it”. He spoke admiringly about several of the fanciers who at that time, competed from the Classics into Dumfries including Moff Kirkpatrick, Geordie Kerr and Cairns Brothers & Sloan. During the 1940’s and early 1950’s the Social Circle was the only Club in Dumfries, attracting members from a wide catchment area. In the early 1950’s there were rumblings of discontent in the Club due to some of the members believing they were flying to a disadvantage because of their loft location in such a big Club. Alec Anderson and Sandy Walker believed, therefore, that the time was opportune to create a second Club in the town. They discussed the matter with other like-minded fanciers and as a result, Dumfries Flying Club was formed, the members utilising a room below the Waverley Hotel as their Head Quarters. The original Club had eleven members with Alec Anderson becoming President, a position he held for several years. When Sandy Walker, the Club Secretary emigrated to Australia, Alec then assumed the responsibility of Secretary for some twelve years. It should be noted also that he was additionally Clock Convenor for twelve years for the West Section of the Federation. In the initial set of Rules published when the Federation was formed it was stated that it be divided into East and West Sections by a boundary line drawn between Kirkconnel and Southerness. In the early 1950’s Dumfries fanciers fought to have the line, dividing the East and West Sections moved or modified. In 1954 the line was moved, whereby the Dumfries Clubs and all Clubs West of Dumfries were included in the West Section of the Federation. In the 1950’s the National pigeons were race marked at Glasgow and Edinburgh and Alec told me how inconvenient it was at the time, transporting the birds to Central Scotland. He told me that he could recollect getting a car himself in 1953 and “what a difference it made to his personal situation”. In 1953 also, Alec’s brother, Andy, emigrated to New Zealand and whilst Alex continued to compete under the loft title ‘Anderson Brothers, the name was changed to Mr. & Mrs. Anderson when he moved residence to Broomlands Drive in Dumfries. Mrs. Anderson patiently accepted the pigeons at the new address and in time assisted at the loft. Unfortunately in the late 1970’s, Mrs. Anderson suffered a heart attack in the loft, which restricted her participation but given time she was back amongst the birds carrying out simple tasks, for example assisting to exercise the team. When I spoke to Alex he said “there’s nothing like a woman to quieten and control a loft of pigeons and the birds appeared always to respond”. Broomlands Drive is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith and as a consequence, Mr. & Mrs. Anderson became the shortest measured and most Westerly loft in Dumfries Flying Club. The highly successful Nith Valley Club was then formed in Dumfries attracting members from the West side of the River Nith and Alec and Mrs. Anderson joined the new Club, importantly retaining their membership of Dumfries F.C. I explained that in 1947, Anderson Brothers team was decimated because of a loft break-in. The partners re-stocked with birds from two lofts; they procured stock from Mr. Jackson from Bridgewater, a retired civil servant and Mr. Reid from York. The bloodlines were Hansenne x Barker and the two families blended well together. They performed with distinction Inland and also scored prominently in the Fed. from Guernsey and Dol but Alec felt they could be improved to achieve greater success from the Nationals. He therefore contemplated a further introduction and in 1959 bought three pigeons from George Jackson from Annan. Alec actually bought a direct son of George’s noted ‘Wee Geordie’ and on purchasing him, Alex was cautioned not to take it as while ‘Wee Geordie’ was a fabulous racer, George Jackson felt that he was not ‘producing the goods’ at stock. Alec felt, however, that the line would produce winners in subsequent generations. The other two pigeons introduced from George Jackson were sisters of a hen that was subsequently 2nd Open S.N.F.C. Nantes. At the time, also, Alec introduced stock from S.B. Cooper from Snaith, for which, he never received any breeding details. The Jackson and Cooper pigeons ‘clicked’ immediately, however and won right out to the Nationals. Alec also visited Percy Moore, brother in law of John Kirkpatrick and bought Red Cock SURP 64 103214, g.g.son of ‘Galabank Supreme’ and half-brother of ‘Golden Girl’ 4th Section 22nd Open Nantes, having been bred by Percy Moore and raced by Dick Lupton. ‘103214’ proved to be an absolute Goldmine, it was Sire of ‘7092’ 2nd Section 6th Open Nantes, ‘5053’ 73rd Open Avranches, ‘7000’ 3rd Section 4th Open Fed. Avranches, ‘4439’ 77th Open Avranches, ‘6306’ 29th Open Avranches and ‘57658’ 4th Section 6th Open Fed. Avranches. ‘103214’ was the grandsire of ‘7108’ 18th Open Avranches, ‘4789’ 261st Open Rennes and 23rd Open Rennes. ‘7108’, grand-daughter of ‘103214’ was Dam of ‘5161’ 36th Section Avranches and 1st West Section, 1st Open Solway Fed. and 1st West Section 1st Open South of Scotland Channel Club Avranches. ‘7108’ was also the Dam of ‘986’, which was 21st Section Avranches and 29th Open Falaise all these positions gained with the S.N.F.C. To ensure the vigour of the family, Alex continued to introduce proven 500 mile bloodlines. In 1970, for example, he introduced a hen from Matt Jamieson from Annan, direct from ‘Border Star’ the 1969 S.N.F.C. Nantes winner. This hen left a number of winning pigeons including a hen, which in 1982 was 1st West Section 2nd Open Solway Fed., 1st South of Scotland Channel Club Sartilly. In 1978 Mr. & Mrs. Anderson also introduced two birds from Thomson Brothers from Annan closely related to their great Kirkpatrick cock ‘Cloggie’s Choice’. When I spoke to Alec, all those year ago, he told me that one of the best pigeons that he ever owned was a 1947 Janssen x Barker Pied Hen, which apparently had a real ‘keeker’ of an eye. She won the Club from Guernsey by 2 hours. On that occasion the birds were convoyed with Ballochmyle, being released at 7am and Alec timed the hen at 6.20pm. Only one further pigeon was along with it, which was timed into Cumnock at 7.30pm. On the same day the Solway Fed. competed from the same race-point, being liberated at 9.30am and there were no arrivals on the day. Several years later a direct daughter of the Pied hen won the Fed. from Dol by 45 minutes and her son was the only bird into Dumfries from Dol and was 4th Open Fed. A further son won Dumfries F.C. from Dol in 1957. On entering into the piece concerning Alec Anderson, I explained that he and Mrs. Andeson were 2nd Section 4th Open from the Inland National from Hastings in 1984. The winning pigeon on that occasion was a 3 y.o. Chequer Pied cock that was 1st West Section Fed. from Appleton by 15 minutes as a youngster. In 1983 he gained six positions in two Clubs including being 2nd Cheltenham three weeks after he broke his leg. The Dam was home bred and was a good pigeon in its own right, being 3rd Section Fed. Avranches in 1980 and homing on the day from Nantes in 1984. It was a Kirkpatrick containing Alec’s original bloodlines x Thomson Brothers. Sire of the Pied cock was bred by Thomson Brothers and contained the lines of ‘Cloggie’s Choice’. Having emigrated to New Zealand in 1953, Alec’s brother, Andy, came back to Scotland for a short time, before emigrating again. When he was back in Dumfries he re-entered the fancy and working with pigeons obtained from Alec, didn’t half make them ‘go’. He truly won out of turn in local and National competition and in 1971 scored from every National with his best position being 4th Open S.N.F.C. Nantes. Inspired by fanciers such as Andy Wilson, Roy Seaton, ‘Piddy’ Hume and Alec Anderson, Dumfries fanciers in time developed an appetite for National competition with a number of very talented fanciers and quality pigeons having emerged, winning at the highest level. Two photographs are included to complement the composition. The black and white photograph was gifted to me by the late Joe Jackson who told me it was taken at a Dumfries Social Circle Presentation; Alec Anderson is second from the left in the front row and is photographed with silverware won. The coloured photograph was taken at a Dumfries Flying Club Presentation and Alex and Mrs Anderson are included in the photo with trophies won.

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