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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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Time to start thinking about getting your accommodation booked

RIP Dougie

Copied from Facebook Evening all, with the unfortunate weather we’ve had today unfortunately Ayrshire Fed had to cancel/delay their well organised moot for this evening resulting in them being out of pocket. I called Alan Jones Valeview Lofts earlier and thought we could do something to cover the lose of earrings for the fed. So we’re going to have a bonus ball for the fed with the prizes being X2 2025 young birds from Scot Russell X2 2025 young birds from S&S Jones X6 2025 young birds from Johnny Mcwhirter Jonesy will get this up and running on his page.

Congratulations to Scotlads Litte D on his much deserved award

Barry Kinnear: ENTRIES BY 1ST DECEMBER

In the night from Thursday 21/11 to Friday 22/11, thieves made off with 5 top breeders at Tom and Marnick Van Gaver. Friday 22/11, thieves made off with 5 top breeders at Tom and Marnick Van Gaver. The theft took place between 3am and 4am Thursday night. Despite an alarm system, thieves managed to gain access to Tom & Marnick's breeding loft. They made their way through the neighbours' gardens. To do this, they cut through the fences of three different neighbours and also removed some hedge plants. To provide access to the grow house through the roof. Among others, the following toppers were stolen: Finn - BE15-4211540 Rick #Pipa Tom Van Gaver PIPA #pigeons #thefts

Copied from Facebook Newcastleton final part Harkness & Ferguson, meanwhile, were 1st Open Y.B. National 1975 with Blue Chequer hen ‘Copshaw Lass’, the name being appropriate as the local name for Newcastleton is Copshaw Holm. The Y.B. National winner was bred from a Red Hen and a Chequer cock. The Red Hen contained the loft’s established bloodlines and the Chequer cock was bred from a Blue cock when coupled to a Black Hen. The Blue cock was bred by Tom Pooley from Cockermouth whilst the Black Hen was bred from ‘Blue Blitz’ when coupled to her own Sire. In 1975 also, Harkness & Ferguson were 9th Open SNFC Nantes with a hen bred from the same Black hen and were 9th Section 15th Open Rennes with another hen from the same line. I was told that the family housed by Harkness and Ferguson had evolved from such well-known lines as Logan, Sharrock, Leishman Brothers, Cram of Dunblane, Bob Locke of Longtown, Charlie Ironside of Aberdeen and Tom Pooley from Cockermouth. George Ferguson unfortunately died in 1984 and the loft title was changed to R.Harkness and Son. Whilst Dickie’s son, Easton took an interest in the pigeons he resided in England and had no practical involvement. In 1988 a convoy of 3,490 pigeons competed from Rennes with the convoy being liberated at 6.15am into a light N.E.wind. The event proved difficult with nine pigeons only making home on the day of liberation. ‘Lofty’ and Gordon Grant timed into Gretna at 8.28pm to win the National, closely followed by Dickie Harkness who timed into Newcastleton at 9.01pm to be 2nd Open on 975ypm. The 2nd Open pigeon was a 1983 Blue hen that was bred from a Dark cock obtained from Tom Pooley when coupled to a Red hen, which was a grand-daughter of ‘Blue Blitz’. I must add that the 2nd Open Rennes pigeon was 2nd Fed. as a youngster, was 3rd Section 9th Open Sartilly 1985, 21st Section 185th Open Sartilly 1986 and of course 2nd Open Rennes 1988. We now move forward to 1998…. Dickie Harkness served in the Commandoes during the War and was unfortunately very badly injured when parachuting into Europe, suffering ankle fractures. In the middle of a battlefield there was nothing for it but to get up and go on and as the years advanced he suffered dreadfully from his wartime injuries, walking with great difficulty. The extent of his disability coupled with failing health was such that he was not at the loft from November 1997 through to the pigeons going to the 1998 Rennes Classic and in his absence, over all these months, the birds were cared for by Jack Wylie. A convoy of 3,019 birds competed from Rennes, being liberated by Convoyer Tom McEwan at 5.45am following a two day holdover. The race proved to be very successful, indeed Doug Went suggested in his column in The RP that it was the most successful Classic race of the season. Once more the village of Newcastleton was on everyone’s lips with the race being won by Dickie Harkness on 1,261ypm from 491miles. Dickie Harkness ‘Jack’s Boy’ 1st Open Rennes National 1998 The National winner was a 3 y.o. Mealy cock that was across the channel for the first time. He was unraced as a youngster, indeed he was lost off the loft roof when only a baby and returned the following March having been away for 9 months. He was immediately put on the road and was in fact the first bird to the loft from his first race. He thereafter raced through the programme to Worcester and to Cheltenham as a 2 y.o. Prior to competing from Rennes in 1998 he had five Inland races from Leyland, Appleton, Stafford, Cheltenham and Frome. He was thereafter set down for the Rennes National being basket trained from Little Corby on the Saturday and Sunday before basketing for the Classic. He went to the National covering eight day eggs with his second flight one quarter grown. Having explained the original composition of the loft, it should be noted that further lines had been introduced into the shed including the Kirkpatrick’s of John McGillivray and John Carmichael, these being obtained from Jimmy Millar from Earlston. The Mealy cock contained the loft’s established bloodlines including an influence of the Kirkpatrick’s. It should be further noted that the Mealy cock went to the race paired to his own g.g. Dam, which was the 2nd Open Rennes Hen. The 1998 winner could therefore be traced right back to the immortal ‘Blue Blitz’ to continue the Magical line. In appreciation of Jack Wylie’s assistance with the management of the pigeon it was named ‘Jack’s Boy’. Having previously said that due to his injuries and failing health, Dickie had not been at the loft from November through to the pigeons going to the Rennes Classic, pleasingly he felt well enough to go to the back door of the family home and see the Mealy cock arrive home from Rennes. He was subsequently in good enough health to attend the S.N.F.C. Prize Presentation and with immense pride saw his son, Easton, collect the famous Gold Cup and King George V Cup. In time both Jack Wylie and Dickie Harkness parted with their pigeons due to predators in the hills around them and the community of Newcastleton became but a memory in our hobby. On the night of the 1998 presentation I made comment to Jack Wylie that it was really kind of him to care for Dickie’s pigeons when he was unable to care for them himself. Jack replied “that’s what friends are for” and these words encapsulate the friendship that abounded in the village of Copshaw Holm at that time. Photos Dickie Harkness' Jack's Boy Dickie and Son Easton

Copied from Facebook Every pigeon fancier is always learning. Ayrshire Fed has a moot on Saturday 23th Nov at Hurlford Community Centre. Panel is Mark Gilbert, Dave Staddon, Mark Williamson. If you can't learn from these guys get some budgies. Once in a lifetime opportunity to listen to the very best Big thankyou to Johnny Mcwhirter for making this happen

The Solway Federation AGM and prize giving is tomorrow, 1pm Eastriggs Social Club. Here is the list of prize winners and a short article from our very own WP Wortley who, once again, we are thankful to. 1 / 2 The following are the Federation Trophy Winners for season 2024. Highest Prize Winner was Jackie Gilmour from Hoddom and penning this part of the report is poignant as Jackie regrettably passed away two weeks before the presentation. He was a super fancier with a lifetime of experience in our hobby and would have been ever so proud to have stepped forward to accept his trophies. More importantly he was one of nature’s gentlemen and will be sadly missed. Jackie won the Festival of Britain Challenge Trophy for Highest Overall from the O.B. Open Race, the Sir John W.Buchanan Jardine Trophy for Highest East Section from the O.B. Open Race and the W.J. Gass Challenge Cup for Best Average from the O.B. and Y.B. Open races. The plan was that the O.B. Open race would be flown from Guernsey, being convoyed by Lanarkshire Federation, but due to conditions at the race point the convoy was brought back to England and liberated at Cheltenham. Mervyn Halliday, who resides at Penpont in the extreme North West of the Federation area and is a member of the NIth Valley Club, was 1st West Section Federation 3rd Open with a strongly fancied 2 y.o. Blue Cock. which was a super pigeon on the day. Mervyn receives the Ryan Nith Challenge Trophy for Highest West Section from the O.B. Open Race. Ewan Hind from Lockerbie receives the Richard Rennison Trophy for 1st Yearling from the O.B. Open Race, which was 7th East Section 9th Open Federation. Johnny and Brenda Morgan from Lockerbie receive the Sir John W. Buchanan Jardine Trophy for Highest East Section from the Y.B. Open Race and the S. and T. Allen Gold Ring Challenge Shield. The partners were actually 1st and 2nd Open Fed. from the Open Race with a Blue and Blue W.F. Cocks. Stanley Boyd from Dumfries Flying Club receives the W. Kirk Challenge Cup for Highest West Section from the Y.B. Open Race and the Albert Hay Trophy for Best Average in the West Section from the O.B. and Y.B. Open Races. It should be noted that Stanley took the first five positions in the West Section of the Fed. from the Y.B. Open Race with these five pigeons being 9th, 12, 13th, 14th and 15th Open. It should be further noted that from the O.B. Open Race from Cheltenham he was 8th Section 19th Open with his first arrival. Dennis Anderson from Annan receives the George Grant Challenge Trophy for Highest Overall from the Longest Inland Race and the J. Wallace Rose Bowl for 1st Yearling from the Longest Inland Race. The longest race was flown from Maidstone with birds being duplicated out of the S.N.F.C. into the Federation. The winning pigeon is a home bred yearling Blue Chequer Cock that did not just win the Federation but was also 1st Open National. Having raced as a youngster, it was paired late February 2024 and having reared a pair of youngsters was then put on Widowhood. He was given one training toss at the gateway to the season and was then lifted into the third race in the Federation programme. Having been introduced to the basket he thereafter went through the programme and was 1st Club 4th Federation from Cheltenham the week previous to the National. The National winner has been named ‘El Sid’. Sean and Linda Trodden from Springfield receive the Percy Cameron Memorial Trophy as East Section Fancier(s) of the Year. Having formerly resided at Egremont in West Cumbria they now reside at Springfield, near to the Blacksmith’s Shop at Gretna Green and are members of Springfield 2 / 2 Club. The family of pigeons, which the partners primarily work with, is that of Theo and Raymond Rutten, who were five times Dutch National winners and Champions of their Club on more than forty occasions racing from 60 miles to 650 miles. From the outset when they first competed in Springfield in 2016, they made their presence felt, scoring consistently and at the close of the season received the trophy as East Section Fanciers of the Year. They won it again in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023 and here we are in 2024 and they are once again winners of the trophy. Karl Guenther and his grandson, Lewis, receive the Cochran Cup as West Section Fancier(s) of the Year. Karl previously competed in partnership with his good lady, Liz, and now competes in partnership with Lewis. They reside in Dumfries and are members of Brydekirk (West) Club. In 2004 the partners were presented with the trophy as Runners-up to the Solway Fed. Fancier of the Year and the following season they were presented with the trophy as Federation Fanciers of the Year. In 2011 they were awarded the trophy as Runners-up to the Federation Fancier of the Year and in 2012 were once again presented with the Trophy as Federation Fanciers of the Year. In former years an independent adjudicator was invited to view the weekly Federation results after which he selected the fancier of the year and runner-up to the fancier of the year. It was decided eight years ago, however, that fancier of the year trophies would be presented to the top fanciers in the East and West Sections of the Federation with the winners being decided on a points system. With the new format in 2013, the partners were awarded the Cochran Cup as West Section Fanciers of the Year; they won it again in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The loft title was subsequently changed to Karl Guenther and grandson with the new partnership winning the trophy in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and here we are one year down the road and they have won it again.

Newcastleton part 2 The partnership of Harkness & Ferguson comprised Dickie Harkness and George Ferguson. George Ferguson George had kept pigeons since 1929 and he and Dickie entered partnership in 1946 when Dickie was demobbed from the Forces. The partners won from the outset and as the years rolled by, made a considerable impression in the Solway Federation. With friendship abounding in the village, the pigeons that they gifted to the new partnership were bred from the best in the loft and the Chequer hen, which was incidentally rung ‘6500’, immediately showed character to identify her as ‘something different’. In those days Jack Wylie worked on the railway and was a member of the Railway Fur and Feather Club, which enabled him to work the birds regularly from Shap or Appleby on the railway. Willie John Little, to whom I previously referred, attended at the loft to watch the birds home and was so impressed with the hen as he observed her return that he confidently predicted she would score prominently with the National. In 1964 she had four club races from Leyland, Newton le Willows, Cannock and Cheltenham before being entered from the channel. The partners decided to send her to the S.N.F.C. Blue Riband event, which was flown from Rennes with a convoy of 5,537 birds being liberated at 5.35am into a N.E. wind, with the hen being timed at 7.24pm to win the National. She recorded a velocity of 1,044ypm and was a clear winner of the race, in actual fact several North of England organisations competed from Rennes the same day and she was the only pigeon competing from the race point that day that recorded a velocity in excess of 1,000ypm. The National winner was named ‘Blue Blitz’. On the day following the race Jack Wylie had a visit from Jim Halliday from Brydekirk who congratulated him on his achievement, being the probable winner of the race. More importantly Jim expressed concern that reports suggested that the clock had not arrived at the National clock station for checking. The clock had been sent to Glasgow by rail and Jack went to the local Station Master, who phoned Waverly Station Edinburgh to confirm that the clock had been received and had been re-routed to Glasgow. The Station Master then checked with Glasgow, the clock was located and passed to the S.N.F.C. Officials for checking. When Jim Halliday told me the story of his visit that day he said he was allowed to handle ‘Blue Blitz’, she was a lovely pigeon with a serrated eye and considering her performance only hours before, was in superb condition. Importantly he also viewed the team of Harkness & Ferguson during the same visit and was greatly impressed indeed he said that the Sire of ‘Blue Blitz’ was the best pigeon he had ever seen. In 1965 ‘Blue Blitz’ had three inland races and scored twice in the Fed. She then competed again from Rennes with the convoy on this occasion being liberated at 6.15am and she was timed at 7.14pm. In a close knit community there was much excitement in the village with a number of neighbours standing in the street to see her come. This super pigeon came so very, very close to winning the event for a second time but after some deliberation was placed 2nd Open. ‘Blue Blitz’ recorded velocity of 1073.94ypm and was beaten by ‘Sky Queen’ owned, by Billy Gardiner from Lockerbie, by 0.12 of a yard. Following the 1965 National this marvellous pigeon was recognised as one of the all-time great pigeons and Mrs.Shillinglaw and Jack Wylie received several offers to sell her. At the Solway Federation Show in 1965, Jack was approached by a representative of Louis Massarella, who offered the partners a ‘blank cheque’ to part with her. They were not tempted, however and said that the pigeon would remain at Newcastleton for the rest of her life. There is no doubting the wisdom of their decision because ‘Blue Blitz’ proved to be a truly magical stock pigeon and left countless winners. Consider, for example, ‘Blue Booster’ that scored several times from the channel including being 1st Section, 1st Open Solway Federation and 1st South of Scotland Channel Club Avranches, 1972. This cock was sired by a cock direct from ‘Blue Blitz’ and looked the part. Dickie Graham was an acknowledged Eye Sign expert and said it had the best eye he had ever seen. The success went on year after year with a procession of good performances from the line into the original loft. In 1978 the partners recorded their second National win when they were 1st Open S.N.F.C. Falaise with Blue Chequer cock ‘Blue Boy’ that was bred by Joe Bainbridge from Carlisle. Regrettably, however, Mrs. Shillinglaw died in 1979, which caused jack Wylie to move the loft into a fenced paddock immediately next to the loft of Harkness & Ferguson. In 1982, Jack made history by becoming the first loft to win the Rennes National twice. A convoy of 5,983 pigeons were liberated at 5.45am following a two day holdover. The wind was light S.W., which grew stronger as the day progressed. Jack Wylie timed at 5.06pm but was once more involved in a very close result as a pigeon had been timed into Selkirk that was calculated to be on the same yard as the Newcastleton pigeon and it was decided that the two lofts would be re-measured before a result was published. It was eventually announced that Jack Wylie had won the National on 1269.38ypm beating a Mealy hen timed by R. Pringle, which recorded a velocity of 1269.35ypm. Jack Wylie’s 1982 winner was 1980 Red Pied Cock ‘Liddle Supreme’. ‘Liddle Supreme’ Whilst the Sire was introduced from T.Blackburn and J.Thomas from Dearham, near Maryport, the Dam was from the loft’s established family and was an outstanding competitor. She was a Blue Chequer hen that was 10th South of Scotland Channel Club Lymington, 22nd Section 129th Open Rennes, 3rd Section 12th Open Rennes and 1st Section 8th Open Rennes. The Chequer hen was sired by a direct son of ‘Blue Blitz’ with the consequence that the 1982 winner was indeed a great grandson of the 1964 winner. On build up to the race the Red Pied cock was the fifth bird to the loft from Bamber Bridge, first pigeon to the loft from Appleton, second pigeon to the loft from Stafford and first pigeon to the loft from Cheltenham gaining 1st Club 1st Federation. His eggs hatched on the day of basketing for the Classic and he went to the race with his second flight fully grown. There is a further story to tell because on the day of the race Jack sat with George Ferguson awaiting arrivals and around 5pm he and George decided to go for a walk down to the river. As they walked George enquired if Jack had the Red cock away as he had just seen a Red pigeon drop at the loft. Jack hurried back to the paddock and timed the pigeon and the rest is history. At the ensuing Prize Presentation he was presented with the famous trophies associated with the race including the Gold Cup and King George V Cup. In former years the Constitution of the S.N.F.C. was so worded that any fancier winning the Gold Cup twice would be allowed to keep it. At that time, several fanciers had come ever so close to winning the Cup twice including Shllinglaw and Wylie who were 1st and 2nd Open, beaten on the second occasion by a decimal point. The Constitution was subsequently modified, however, whereby the Cup would become a perpetual trophy and would for all time remain the property of the Club. When Jack Wylie won the Rennes Classic for second time, the S.N.F.C. Committee agreed that Jack should receive a special prize in recognition of his achievement and further agreed that he would be consulted to establish what prize he preferred. On April 24th 1983, a Young Bird Sale was held in Brydekirk Village Hall to raise money for the S.N.F.C. Medical Research Fund with the objective of purchasing a Morgan Data Tec Computer. S.N.F.C. President, Percy Cameron, auctioned the pigeons following which he called Jack Wylie forward and presented to him an inscribed Gold Wrist Watch in recognition of him being the first fancier to win the S.N.F.C. Gold Cup race twice. Jack Wylie (left) and Keith Mott Some weeks after ‘Liddle Supreme’ won the National I took a phone call from a fancier in England enquiring if I would ask Jack Wylie’s if he would sell him a pair of youngsters. I said that I’d pass the message on but cautioned the fancier that Jack didn’t sell pigeons. Nonetheless I spoke to Jack and some weeks later he called me to say that the fancier from South of the Border had visited his home that day. Jack said that he’d taken the pair of youngsters from below the National winner and handed them to the visitor. The man responded “wait a minute, how much are you wanting for them”. Jack replied, “I’m gifting them to you, I’ve never sold a pigeon in my life and I’ve no intention of starting now, take them and I hope they do you some good”. I never reported the story at the time because if I had, he would have been the softest touch in the country but to those who knew him, it was typical of him, as he was a real gentleman. Over the ensuing years the success story continued unabated … consider 1982 Blue Cock ‘4320’ that was 5th Section 35th Open Rennes 1985, 5th Section 6th Open Nantes 1986, 12th Section 23rd Open Nantes 1987 and 5th Section 12th Open Nantes 1988. He was again entered from Rennes in 1989 but arrived home very badly injured having been hit by a hawk and was thereafter retired to stock. The Sire of ‘4320’ was a g.g.s. on ‘Blue Booster’, whilst the Dam was a grand-daughter of the good Chequer hen the Dam of the 1982 Rennes winner. Another example was a 2 y.o. Blue Chequer hen that was 2nd Open Sartilly National 1990, she was bred from another Chequer hen that was 4th Section 13th Open Sartilly, the Sire of which was a grandson of ‘Blue Booster’ and a grandson also of the good Chequer hen, that bred ‘Liddle Supreme’ the 1982 Rennes winner. The Sire of the 2nd Open Sartilly was in turn sired by 1982 Blue cock ‘4320’, to which I referred. Photos George Ferguson Jack Wylie and Keith Mott Shillinglaw and Wylie BlueBlitz and Jack Wylies Red Pied Liddle Supreme-Sounds Moffat

According to Facebook The Sales list won't be ready until Thursday

Copied from Facebook From Ecclefechan we head east to Newcastleton on another fact laden tour with WP John Wortley Newcastleton is picturesque village set amongst the Border Hills. At one time there were as many as twenty pigeon lofts in the village and whilst a pigeon club existed in the community, it was not a member club of an organised Federation. In those days the Edinburgh Waverley Rail link wound its way down through the Borders to Longtown and onward to Carlisle. The line actually passed through Newcastleton and the fanciers who resided in the village used the facility to convoy their entry to the various races. As we reflect on the past, our readers should understand that there was only one clock in the village and a point of further interest is that a certain white pigeon that belonged to the local Postmaster, won the Warrington race on no fewer than five occasions. The full title of our local Federation is the Solway Federation of Racing Pigeon Societies of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire. With this knowledge it should be noted that in 1950, the members of Langholm H.S. made application at the Federation A.G.M. that they be granted permission to accept members from Newcastleton. Langholm Secretary, David Latimer, explained that Newcastleton is located in Roxburghshire and he appealed for the approval of the Meeting. The Federation Secretary explained that he had written to the East of Scotland Federation, within whose captive area the Club was located and they had no objection. It was agreed, therefore, that Langholm H.C. accept Newcastleton fanciers as members. From amongst their midst emerged several very talented fanciers who won out of turn in the Federation and the National. One such fancier was Willie John Little with the Star Performer in the loft being Chequer W.F. cock ‘Border Hero’. This fine pigeon was bred in 1951 and in 1953 raced from S.N.F.C. Rennes for the first time and was 7th Section 15th Open. Back to Rennes in 1954 when he was 1st Section 2nd Open from an entry of 5,070 birds. He went back to his favourite race point in 1955, ’56 and ’57 and was 2nd Section 14th Open, 23rd Section 222nd Open and 23rd Section 122nd Open over successive seasons. Not only was ‘Border Hero’ a fine racer but was also a superb breeder and fanciers such as John Robertson from Jedburgh and Tommy Woodhouse from Annan successfully raced the bloodlines. ‘Border Hero 📷 Willie John Little was obviously an accomplished fancier, as also were T. Robson and Harkness & Ferguson, who each competed in the village. During the 1950’s and early 1960’s Mrs. Jean Shillinglaw used to visit the loft of T.Robson to view the pigeons and watch them return on a Saturday from the races and at the same time Jack Wylie used to visit the loft of Harkness & Ferguson for the same purpose. Mr. Shillinglaw, incidentally, had been a noted breeder of Border terrier dogs, of National repute. In 1962, her husband approached Jack Wylie to enquire if he was interested in forming a loft of pigeons and going into partnership with his good lady. They were actually near neighbours in the village and as explained above resided in North Liddle Street that takes its name from the River Liddle, which runs close-by. It should be noted that there were only ten houses in the street with the residents being neighbours and close friends. Jack Wylie agreed to enter partnership with his neighbour and as he only had a small garden at the rear of his home, the loft was erected at Mrs.Shillinglaw’s address. The new partners were gifted six pigeon from fanciers in the village to start them away. They received two from Harkness & Ferguson, one being a Blue Chequer hen and the other a Red Chequer cock; they received three from T. Robson and one from J. Wallace. They also purchased several Logan’s at a Sale at Balerno in the Lothian’s. Whilst Jack was the dominant member of the partnership it should be understood that Jean Shillinglaw was a natural stockwoman through her many years-experience, breeding Border Terriers and was not a partner in name only. As the story unfolds, it should be understood that of the original six pigeons gifted by fanciers in Newcastleton, five of them went on to score from the channel. Let us concentrate, however, on the Blue Chequer hen that was received from Harkness & Ferguson.

Good luck. Keep us posted