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As we start off a New Year, may I wish ALL readers of my column, all the very best in Health & Happiness for 2024. These are the most important items within each and every one of our lives. I always look forward to the New Year as one never knows what is in front of us; however, there is nothing we can do about it; except take each day as it comes. It is the same with our racing pigeons; how many winners are in our loft at this time of the year, Only God Knows; and by this time next year you may have a champion in your loft. (I HOPE YOU DO) Away back in 1966 it was the same story for a partnership competing in the Scottish National Flying Club; successful races come and go, however only one pigeon leads the way to bring honour and glory to its owners, by winning the Blue Riband race of pigeon racing sport in Scotland; thus, gaining the GOLD CUP. However, like lightning one never knows where this honour is going to strike next. The 1953 winner Montgomery Brothers, in their speech at the presentation of the club’s trophies, related that prior to their winning, in discussing their chances of winning the National, his brother expressed the opinion that; ‘They had as much chance of winning the national as being struck by Lightning’. Lightning, however does strike in likely place and in the year 1966 the honour of winning the Rennes race and the Gold Cup was won by M Nash & sons of Croy. By their performances in races from 60 to 60 miles that are well known far beyond the boundaries of Club, Federation and Combine of which they are members, and their winning the Scottish National and all that goes with it came as no surprise. The present partners are the third generation of the Nash Family who have raced pigeons in this district. Inscribed on the old bird average cup of the Kilsyth Club is the fact that it was won by James Nash in the years 1906 & 1907. About five years ago Matt Nash (son of James) and his two sons moved to the Condorrat end of Croy and while retaining their membership of the Kilsyth Club they joined the Condorrat Club. They were not long in making their presence felt thereby increasing, if that is possible, the keenness of the competition in this old established club. During my conversations with Jim Nash, I questioned him about his prospects in the national from Rennes. I was impressed with his quiet confidence of doing well, which is not surprising when we take into consideration how his team of pigeon had been performing, they certainly looked the part. I am well aware that bloom and past form are fickle jades, but I also knew that Jim and John Nash were exceptionally keen and observant fanciers. Nothing was too much trouble to them as far as their pigeons were concerned, nothing was left to chance. Jim spends two evenings a week as physical instructor and sees to it that his pigeons are put through the same rigorous performance of up at day break and down the road for exercise before the majority of us are out of bed. On this occasion my parting words to Jim were that, ‘I would look forward to coming out to Croy to see the Rennes National winner n 1966’. When the great day arrived, it brought the news that the pigeons had been held over. The information on Saturday 25 th of June 1966, was that the 5,730 pigeons entered from 3,030 lofts had been liberated at 06-15 hours in a west wind; later in the day reports from several cricket matches suggested that a belt of rain was passing over the midlands of England and we were left wondering if it would spoil the race. So, we waited wondering where the lightning and the honour and glory would strike this time. Those of us in Mid-Scotland normally hear the rumbling of the thunder away in the south in the form of birds having been timed and wondered if the lightning has also struck in that area. This then was the situation on the evening of Saturday 25 th June. About eight o’ clock news filtered through that a pigeon had been timed in Annan, 480 miles, a few minutes after seven o’clock, and another about a quarter to eight. Out came the pencils and paper and from rough calculations t appeared that pigeons flying around the 540-mile mark would be required to be timed on or before 20-45 hours. Now let us go over to the loft of Matt Nash and sons at Croy. Experienced are well aware of the tension which builds up as the time approaches when they feel winning pigeons might be expected to arrive. There 2 is always hope while you know of no birds being timed, but when you know birds have been timed and the ticking clock seems to gather speed with every passing minute. Jim and John together with a few friends had, of course, been busy with calculation and reckoned the absolute deal line would be 21-10 hours. Jim looked at his watch; it was now 21-00 hours, the fatal minutes had arrived, every second counted now; five agonising minutes passe-six-seven. Jim turning to a friend rose saying, ‘Watch that blue hen drops out of the sky now to win’. He was about to open the door to enter the house when John shouted, ‘Here is the blue hen’. The timing was all over in a matter of a few seconds, it is easy to imagine the excitement and relief at having timed a pigeon. There were more hurried calculations; had the blue hen done the trick? The phone was kept busy as there was always the nagging thought that somewhere in Scotland another pigeon had done better still. Having got a pigeon, thoughts turned to the other good pigeons still to come and a watch was kept until night closed in on the scene. The final count of birds on the day was 11 in the south, 10 in the west and 3 in the east. The Nash pigeon was not only the winner but had flown further than any other pigeon on the day, further I cannot recall, that the first three pigeons consisted of one from each of the three sections. When I had the information confirmed that M Nash & Sons were the winners, I phoned to arrange a convenient time to call and photograph the winner. Jim’s first words to me were, ‘Well you have had your parting wish granted’. The winner ‘Daphnie’s Delight’ SURP63 48652 is as lovely a blue hen as anyone could wish for. There she was tight of feather in lovely condition, sent sitting eight days on eggs and growing her first primary flights. You will know how keen she was when I tell you that she had taken to her eggs on return, which to me is an indication of the skill of management displayed by her owners. She is the kind of pigeon we all desire to possess, showing her quality right from the start. As a young bird she won 1 st club 3 rd federation Lancaster 140 miles. Then as a yearling she won 1 st club Dumfries 62 miles; 2 nd Penrith 103 miles; and 3 rd club Whitchurch, then 4 th club Bournemouth 372 miles. In 1965 as a 2-year-old she won 1 st club 6 th open and 8 th Scottish Midland Federation velocity 1207; winning £38-12 shillings. She was sent to Avranches and was timed but not placed. This year she got four races before going to Rennes and her great triumph, winning 1 st Scottish National Rennes from the cream of Scottish pigeons, velocity 1086 over the 551 miles 300 yards. Trophies won include; ‘The King George V Cup; the club Gold Cup, the H A French ‘Jubilee’ Challenge Trophy, the Mrs H A French ‘Challenge Rose Bowl (two nominated birds) these being ‘Daphnie’s Delight’ and ‘Baron Barbeg’. The BHW Trophy, West Section Cup and Co-operative Special. She was bred by John Reid of Stenhousemuir; for me to reiterate here the successes obtained by other fanciers by birds bred by John Reid would savour an attempt o ‘Paint the Lily’. Her sire is a blue cock 9828, nestmate to his well-known ‘Tryst Girl’. Their parents are a pair of Delbars, a blue cock Belge 58 3058832 and a blue hen Belge 56 3056786 presented to John by Mr S Bishop. The cock ‘832’ is from ‘Coppi’ and ‘Montesi’ and the hen ‘786’ is from ‘803’ and ‘812’. ‘803’ is an own brother to ‘Favori’ and ‘812’ is from ‘Old Delbar of 43’ Note; ‘Daphnie’s Delight sire 9828 is inbred to the champion stud pair ‘75’ and ‘Lelyke’; ‘803’ being a son and ‘Montesi’ a granddaughter. Dam of ‘Daphnie’s Delight’ is a blue hen NU62L6821 bred by J W Langstone of Worchester, bought at Langstone’s sale by Lance Severn of Bulwell and presented to Jock Reid. Her sire is a blue chequer white flight cock NU58N-15 Lot 11 at the sale; he was bed from a blue white flight cock ‘Delbar’ a grandson of ‘Le Bon Bleu’. Dam of 6821 was Langstone’s well known Sister to Cinderella’ the winner of the 1956 NFC Pau race. The sister herself won 3 rd 110 th & 8 th open in 3 consecutive English nationals from Pau. This pedigree could be considerably extended but Scottish National winners require no pedigree, it will be found that very soon they will be featuring in the pedigree of others. I have seen and handled very many 3 Scottish National winners; one of my earliest being D McInroy’s of Dundee ‘Lady Betty’ and my first attempt of taking a photograph was of McGinn Brothers winner of 1927. Many of the successful came as bolts out of the blue; unknown except within their own locality; however, I usually found that they had be trying for years with varying success as the SNFC certificates they produced to me proved. To the best of my knowledge there is only one fancier who, sending a single pigeon, won the national at the first time of trying, and that was my old friend John Robertson of Slamannan in 1930 and who came near to winning the Nantes race in 1955. The cycle of success waxes and wanes in the very best of lofts. A prepotent pigeon or pair of pigeons appear and produce a generation or two of successful racers at the long distances; but when they are gone so also is their success. As an enquiring looker on there appears to be a common failing in not realising that you cannot sell pigeons and still have them. Winning lofts are healthy lofts, it is a gamble whether a grand new loft will be a healthy one or not. As each SNFC Rennes race comes round and the result published my thoughts turn to the between three and four thousand bitterly disappointed fanciers, it is a common experience and nothing that they need be ashamed about because they have at least tried. I will continue with part 2 of this story next week; as I have to have 3 articles away to the pigeon papers before the Christmas holiday period. I hope fanciers have had a good Christmas and I wish EVERYONE WHO READS MY COLUMN; ALL THE VERY BEST FOR THE 2024 SEASON. Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland

Brilliant

Who's planning on attending the Show thus year?

Good luck with your venture

I have been given permission to share this with Basics members

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Basics Members a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2024

At long last I have finished my book on the 50 Years of The Dewar Trophy Winners; which is awarded to Scotland’s ‘Pigeon of Year’. I have also tried to highlight the runners up as well but failed to obtain information on some of them. I was hoping to get the book out for Christmas, but unfortunately the printers were too busy and they will start printing after the festive season. All going well I hope to have it on sale at Blackpool Show in January. I have attached a photo of front cover of my book. TV Star While watching TV prior to having our evening meal, a lady named Sharon (from Harlow; in the west of Essex) was on ‘The Chase’ with Bradley Walsh. He asked her what she would do if she won the money, and her reply was; ‘I would buy my husband Mark a NEW STATE OF THE ART PIGEON LOFT’. Bradley could not believe her answer and they started talking about pigeons’. Sharon did well and managed to get to the final, and they competed against the ‘Chaser’ and low and behold they won the money. When asked what she would do with her share of the money, she replied. ‘A NEW PIGEON LOFT’. Margaret & I laughed and we wish Sharon & Mark all the best with their new purchase. Maybe when it is up and finished, they may send me a photo of it to go into my column. Short Story From the Past Once again, I continue with my short articles on some of the great named fanciers and pigeons from the past. I came across an old article written by Mr & Mrs Tom Birkley and their famous hen ‘Rashiehill Supreme’. (I have attached a photograph of her to go with this short story) Tom wrote; ‘I was born into pigeons, as my late father was a keen fancier also my uncles and cousins. The first fancier who came to mind is the late Andrew Smillie, he was more respected by fanciers of all ages, and he was so efficient and understanding in his work and could find time, along with his sons, to race a good pigeon from all channel races. Next on my list is the famous Jock McGillivary of Forth, I reckon ‘Jock’ taught me more about pigeons than anyone; he always raced his birds hard, this way bad ones didn’t last long. His famous ‘Dream Girl’ was one of the finest birds I have ever handled. Then one must always count it a pleasure to meet and talk with fanciers of Annan, along with my very good friend Fred Jubb from Kirkfieldbank; we have enjoyed the company of G Lapton who has won the National from Rennes in1950, also G Hinds and his partner who were second from Rennes in 1966, with their champion blue hen. I have seen the birds of that great racer John Jamieson & Son, also his brother Matt, and no fancier should leave Annan without paying a visit to the loft of Bob Thomson, his family of Kirpatrick’s are one of the finest in the country. The say these Annan lads have a lucky position for channel racing. I have been to Annan before 07-00am on a Sunday morning and most of these Annan fanciers have their birds fed and cleaned out before this time, no wonder they win. I reckon they could win if they were living anywhere. I journeyed to Cornwall in 1964 and met the world famous A R Hill of St Just. I handled the champion ‘Galabank Prince’ also the Grizzle hen ‘6498’. I have learned since she has died. Many a happy visit I have had to Ballymena, Northern Ireland, to my dear friend Bobby McAdorey, who introduced me to the Smyth Brothers; who have one of the finest inbred families in Ireland. Then there was Billy Irwin who seems to always score on a hard day, and Tommy Harper who has made a name for his channel performances, and Bob Keilty, one of the oldest fanciers in Ballymena. To come home again to my own area, Wilkinson Brothers, my club mates, have one of the finest records in West Lothian Federation for channel racing, with their champion mealy hen, seven times the channel and The Joe Murphy Column 2 seven diplomas, is a champion in every sense. I must never forget the famous Davy Angus, a most interesting fancier, also Leishman Brothers of Douglas Water. When one thinks of national racing, you always bring up the one and only Charlie Graham, the SNFC Secretary, the greatest secretary in the country. Charlie, one said to my wife, was I the ‘springer’ in the family, after my father had won £300 from Rennes in 1957. I would like to hear his remarks now. Before I draw near to the end of this article, a word of comfort to the novice-never join the ranks of the ‘Gossips and Grumbles’ that you find in most clubs, always learn to admire a good pigeon when it beats you, this way you will learn to be a good fancier, then you will enjoy the greatest sport in the world. Now, I must say thanks to the fanciers who helped me to get my gallant pigeon, ‘Rashiehill Supreme’, he is Colin McKinnon, for presenting me with his dam, a blue chequer hen Kirkpatrick blood, which was mated to a red cock, from McGillivary stock. I consider that ‘Rashiehill Supreme’ has brought me my greatest thrill in pigeon racing, and he has won since he was a youngster. I would also like to say, to all my many fancier friends, Jock Anderson of Anstruther, Bob Gebbie of Forth, Big Jim Clarkson of West Calder, and my club mates, and the names I haven’t mentioned, best of luck for 1967; Yours Mr & Mrs Tom Birkley. I was only 20 years old at this time and Margaret and I got married in October of that year. However, I had heard of some of these names from my father who tried hard to make it onto the SNFC race results. When I look back on it, his birds were never fit enough as he only every trained them from Kirkcaldy; (which was 8 to 10 miles) as he worked in the coal mines, Plus the fact he cycled to work and the pigeon was in a paper bag. As he could not hold onto a small basket while peddling his bike. This never stopped his enthusiasm and his will to win; which obviously he passed on to me. It was good to read about the ‘famous’ great names within our sport up here in Scotland, that will live in the history of Scottish Pigeon Fraternity. Joe’s Joke A Jewish grandmother is giving directions to her grown up grandson who is coming to visit with his wife. ‘You come to the front door of the apartments. I am in apartment 301. There is a big panel at the front door. With your elbow, push button 301. I will buzz you in. Come inside and the elevator is on the right. Get in, and with your elbow, push 3 rd Floor. When you get out, I’m on the left. With your elbow, hit my doorbell, OK’. ‘Grandma, that sounds easy, but why am I hitting all these buttons with my elbow? ‘What? You’re coming empty handed?’. Merry Christmas May I wish ALL READERS OF MY COLUMN a very Merry Christmas, and I hope YOU ALL have a happy time, with your families. Joe & Margaret 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.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland

received_374641005103166.mp4

Up here in Fife it's a very windy, cold and wet day. Some storm damage around Fife. Have any Basics members had any storm damage?

This Geraldy Trailer is for sale Holds 150-190 birds Looking for £2,000 Located in Fife If interested contact 07711307282,

Merry Christmas to you and your family Cemetary, and hope 2024 is a good one for you.

Continuing with my articles on fanciers from the past; I came across and article done by Dale Newcombe of Mackmerry, which he called ‘A Royal Occasion’. He wrote; After appearing five times in the first five SNFC race results, I have finally made it, ‘Lady Diana’, with her wing flight perfect, homed to her chipping eggs t win Scotland’s Blue Riband Race, Rennes 1981. The race as it turned out was a complete test of courage and stamina with 22 out of a liberation of 6412 birds clocking on the day. Everything seemed to be against birds making it on the day, North East headwind, moderated too strong. 05-45am liberation, overcast and cold at times, but as was mentioned in this article earlier, 22 gallant birds made it home on the day, in my case 543 miles. I offer credit and congratulation to the fanciers involved. ‘Lady Diana’ rewards were 1 st overall, Car Nom, £1500,00 pools and prize money plus a grand collection of trophies. I can’t explain the excitement I felt as ‘Lady Diana’ flew past me into the loft, and after clocking I felt that she would be well in judging by the aforementioned factors. One can only guess how I stove to keep calm as later that evening and early next morning the ultimate prize in the SNFC Race Programme was slowly becoming a reality as other times filtered through. Living in the shadow of my father ‘Eddie Newcombe’ either makes or breaks a fancier. I was determined to be one of those that made it. I set about building my team in the year 1969 with the acquisition of my father’s blood. I shopped around and it was obvious that quality blood lay on my doorstep. I have tried various other strains but I met with little success. My SNFC results in the early years were up and down but encouraging, meanwhile my father’s loft was turning out supreme performances, 2 nd open Rennes 76; 1 st open Rennes 79; 1 st 2 nd 3 rd Avranches (2) 1980, Those results acted as a spur and challenge to me because undeterred I soldiered on until I had achieved consistency. With a few near misses for the No 1 position, this along gave me a tremendous boost, as this was the reward for the hard work and endeavour I had applied to my team. Then along came ‘Lady Diana’, flown out to the young bird national, all the way to Dorchester as a yearling, over to Rennes as a two-year-old. 121 st open, then on a similar race programme as a three-year-old to record the success of my career. I could fill a book on feeding and methods I have tried, but at the end of the day tested bloodlines, sound corn coupled with hygiene and training, are enough to prove to a fancier if his methods are ideal. A constant study on the threads of breeding with the aid of his loft log book should obviate any necessary corrections. Although I must admit that finding a good breeder is far from simple, but the search can be simplified if a fancier acquires the best blood available, his chances of finding a top producer are greatly enhanced. I have always believed that to compete with the best you have to fly the best. I am a stickler for quality, and ‘Lady Diana’s’ pedigree strengthens my view with such factors as forty years of trying and testing with a host of top performers contained within. Either as breeders or racers, or both. My father’s 1979 Rennes winner ‘Festival Live Circuit’ another hard day winner, also contains similar bloodlines of stamina, endurance, also speed on the fast days, three factors which I believe Scots pigeons have and must have in abundance to combat the ever changing weather and geographical condition which they encounter during their 500/700-mile ordeals. My type of pigeon is simply a family that handles well, looks well and performs well, being of medium size. The birds must show durability to a high degree also the vital factor, intelligence. With those traits in hand and blended throughout the colony, one can stand at the loft on liberation day s with an above average degree of confidence, letting nature and the weather take over, good birds will adjust. As the National Results prove when you see the regular appearance of the back garden or allotment fancier pushing and beating the established men with the aid of their own personal champion. I consider myself to be a grateful contender with regard to the fierce competition that surrounds me and I offer sincere congratulations to keep the pressure on. I hope you have enjoyed this short story on Dale, and I agree with what he says regarding racing pigeons, they must be bred from proven winners which have been tested at 500 miles and their offspring will either breed good racing pigeons or breeders of good pigeons. Joe M Special ‘Doo’ & ‘Good Friendship’ Received an email Angus Orr & son of Brighton’s which is near Falkirk which goes like this; Hi Joe, I wonder if you would like this short story for your weekly column. It’s about a very special ‘Doo’ and the The Joe Murphy Column 2 making of a good friendship’. The year in question is 2013 and on receiving our weekly edition of the BHW we were drawn to an advert selling young birds of the Soontjen Strain. We duly contacted the purchaser, who was an elderly chap, residing in a small English village. My partner and I decided to drive South and collect the birds in person, so after several hours of driving we arrived at our destination. Our welcome, I will never forget: ‘Nice car, I should have charged you more’ and ‘Alex Salmond, I would shoot him’. Not exactly the welcome I expected! However, we started to make our way through the rear exit to the garden and on walking through the porch, I noticed a basket containing a few young birds, which did not look in the best of health. So, I asked why they were there, he answered saying that they had been poorly, but he was treating them to give to a new start. At this point, I thought what the hell have I done! Moving on, we made our way to the loft, basket in hand, he entered the loft and after a bit of clattering around and grunting, he came out with these youngsters that looked old enough to go to the first race. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement, all the time spent driving and here I was with youngsters far too strong and unlikely to settle. So, I headed homeward, back up north and put the young birds into the loft with a wire cage open to allow them to get their bearings. After a few days, I decided it was time to try them out and within five minutes they were in the heavens and gone. At least that is what I thought, until my neighbour alerted me that a pigeon was sitting on bedroom windowsill at 6pm. When I went to have a look, I was shocked to find it was one of the blue young birds that had gone out at 8am. I called to him, and he instantly flew over to the trap and entered immediately as though he knew exactly what he had to do. From that day he never looked back, he flew all young bird races, scoring on his way to the SNFC young bird national, from Leicester (256 miles), where he timed in winning 2 nd second region D, 42 nd open and beaten by 3 yards for winning the section. He was awarded the Scottish Homing Union, Unikon Trophy for exceptional performance Young Bird. He also won Young Bird of the Year in the federation; it was only fitting that he be named ‘Unikon Lad’. 2014 started well for ‘Unikon Lad’ scoring again on his way to recording 260 th open SNFC Maidstone national (a distance of 374 miles). The following season, 2015; ‘Unikon Lad’ scored again on his way to recording 313 th open SNFC Portsmouth (372 miles). Moving onto 2016, when unfortunately, ‘Unikon Lad’ returned from a hard federation race, dragging his wing which was a huge disappointment to say the very least, as I am sure he would have gone on to win an SNFC award. He did appear to recover and started exercising and training with the cocks, so we decided to try him again, unfortunately he failed to return from his next federation race, which resulted in sleepless nights thinking we had made a mistake and was he not 100%. Weeks passed by and hope had now faded of ever seeing the blue cock again, his closed box just a reminder of the wonderful pigeon that once occupied it. Then the unthinkable happened, a letter arrived in the post to say he had been reported in the northeast of England, by the well-known and successful partnership of Hall and Foster from Prudhoe. Syd recalls; ‘When he first handled the blue cock, he knew instantly he was a good one and someone would be looking for him’. I could not get the phone quick enough to phone Syd and just to hear that he was safe and ready to be returned was one of the most special days to date. A good friendship was formed, and we talk pigeons on a weekly basis. The blue cock now has pride of place in the stock loft, where he has produced birds to win at club, federation, open and one loft races. He has also responsible for the following SNFC prize winners: 2 nd section D, 34 th open Upper Heyford; 2 nd section D, 42 nd open Leicester; 2 nd section D, 39 th open Buckingham; 3 rd section D, 14 th open, Huntington (‘Pitstop’ gifted to Syd Foster) 4 th section D, 32 nd open Alencon Gold Cup (a distance of 546 miles) longest flying pigeon on the day of liberation being 15 hours 45 minutes on the wing. The moral of this story Joe; is that pigeon racing can bring people together and create friendships to last a lifetime; Angus Orr & Son of Brighton’s; whom I thank for his information. Feedback on Column Received an email from Brian Donnelly which goes as follows; ‘Hi Joe, hope you and Margaret are keeping well. I have been enjoying your articles on good Scottish fanciers. Reading your article in the BHW issue of 1 st December, 2023 you make reference to a friend of mine, the late Fred Leggatt of Dundee. This has The Joe Murphy Column 3 prompted me to forward you the following; You mention that Fred scored in the first SNFC channel race of 1981 from Avranches with his single entry, this being the first of several good performances by this bird. This 1979 bred blue chequer hen was named ‘The Wee Hen’, and turned out to be a very reliable pigeon from channel races. When she scored 76 th open from Avranches, she was actually found wandering about in the garden at around 05.30 am on the second morning. She was then doubled back into SNFC Sartilly race [again, a single entry] and she was clocked on the day to win 48 th open. The following season, she was timed on the day from SNFC Sartilly [1] race to win 153 rd open, again she was doubled back into Sartilly [2], despite being clocked on the day, she missed the result. The 1983 season, with no channel races, she was timed from SNFC Dorchester race but missed the result. In 1984 she was entered in the SNFC Nantes race, birds were liberated at 05.45 am and at 11pm, and no sign of ‘The Wee Hen’ Fred retired to bed ready for an early rise next morning. Whilst lying in bed at the back of 11pm that night, Fred thought he heard a bird landing on the house roof? He went outside to check, and sure enough it was his hen from the Nantes race, he managed to coax her in and timed her at 11-25 pm in total darkness. She made the tail end of the SNFC result, winning 47 th east section, but never the less a very commendable performance from a game little hen. She was bred from birds that were purchased locally - Willie Peet x Alec Mitchell of Falkirk bloodlines, [via Bill Handy]. Although she didn't produce any direct offspring to score, she was the grand dam to a very good blue hen that was timed on the day, to score prominently from 1991 & 1992 SNFC Rennes races. Incidentally, the blue hen had a cross of Edmund Johnston [ an-other fanciers mentioned in your article] bloodlines in her pedigree. Perhaps the above would be of interest to your readers? Kind regards Brian Donnelly. Request For Help I received an email from Alan Johnson who wrote; ‘My brother read one of your write ups in a previous issue of the Homing World, it was around April/May/June 23 and it was a write up about a guy in Scotland that has done well with the Hassell Donk family of pigeons. If possible, could you give me any contact details to get in touch with him as we are interested in buying off him. I look forward to your reply, kind regards Alan Johnson’. I wrote back to Alan asking for the date of the Article as I have gone over a couple of them, but with the time I’m spending on my book I did not have too long to look, So if anyone can help Alen out can they please get back in touch with me via email or phone, cheers. Joe’s Joke A husband is at home watching the football match when his wife interrupts, ‘Honey, could you fix the light in the hallway? It’s been flickering for weeks now’. He looks at her and says angrily, ‘Fix the light now, does it look like I have ‘Powergen’ writing on my forehead? I don’t think so! ‘Fine says the wife who then asks, ‘Well could you fix the fridge door, it will not close right’. To this he replied ‘Fix the fridge door, does it look like I have ‘Frigidaire’ written on my forehead’. I don’t think so’. ‘Fine’ she says, ‘then you could at least fix the steps to the front door as they are about to break’. I’m not a carpenter and I don’t want to fix the steps. Does it look like I have ‘Taylor Woodrow’ written on my forehead? I don’t think so! I’ve had enough of this. I’m going to the pub! So, he goes to the pub and drinks for a couple of hours; then he starts to feel guilty about how he treated his wife and decides to go home. As he walks into the house, he notices that the steps are already fixed and the hall light is working; as he goes to get a beer from the fridge, he notices the door closes properly. ‘Honey’ he asks, ‘How did all this get fixed?’. She said, ‘Well when you left, I sat outside and cried. Just then a nice young man asked me what was wrong and I told him. He offered to do all the repairs and all I had to do was either go to bed with him or bake a cake’. He said ‘So what kind of cake did you bake?’ She replied; ‘Helloooo, do you see ‘Mr Kipling’ written on my forehead? I Don’t Think So! Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.