sapper756

While talking to a fancier the other day; the conversation came up about good pigeons and we spoke about Sinclair Thomson & son winner of 1st & 2nd national in 2 races. We then discussed the 4-year-old blue cock who is a Busschaert/Janssen crossed named ‘Jacko’ raced by (Super) Ally W Robertson of Edinburgh who has now won his SNFC Silver Award. I contacted my good mate Andy Miller of Edinburgh who flies in the same Pentland federation as Ally (Andy is their press officer so knows most members) so he contacted Ally to get in touch with me and Ally supplied me with some great information and he also informed me that Jim Hannah the Scottish photographer had taken his winners photos and had put them on a montage. Ally had been to collect this from Jim, so I contacted Jim and he kindly emailed them to me to go with this column, for which I’m truly grateful. Ally contacted me; and supplied the following information to go with the montages. His main pigeon was named ‘Pedro’ who turned out to be the main stock cock; he is the sire of ‘Jacko’ & ‘Teenie’. The family of pigeons are based on the Busschaert x Janssen’s; crossed with a Jocky Robertson 4th open SNFC Roye winner. ‘Pedro’ won 12th region B 29th open SNFC Bedhampton in 2017; he then won 270th open from SNFC Maidstone and then won 27th region B 92nd open SNFC Buckingham. Then in 2018 he was sent to the SNFC Gold Cup race from Liege and he returned 3 months later covered in lice. Once he was back on his feet and returning to his best condition. Ally entered him into the Pentlandhills Federation Christmas race and he won 1st prize. What a pigeon!!!! How many of us would have done this, not me anyway. So good on you Ally. ‘Jacko’ a blue cock bred in 2019 won 3rd region B 18th open SNFC Eastbourne flying 383 miles. Then in 2020 he also won 1st Pentlandhills federation mid-week race from Peterborough 259 miles winning £1700. In 2022 he won 2nd region B 8th open SNFC Gold Cup Alencon race flying a distance of 534 miles; and he recorded a velocity of 1234 ypm from an entry of 713 birds. In 2023 he was once again to the fore when he won 3rd region B 3rd open SNFC Gold Cup race again from Alencon which had an entry of 801 birds recording a velocity of 1030. A few weeks later he was sent to the SNFC Falaise race with an entry of 558 birds and he was once again to the fore winning 1st region B 6th open flying 505 miles and recorded a velocity of 1195. A daughter of ‘Pedro’ was named ‘Teenie’ she won 1st club 1st Pentlandhills federation race from Ripon with a velocity of 1504; flying a distance of 139 miles from an entry of 1897 birds. She then won 1st club 1st open Pentlandhills federation, 1st region B; 3rd open SNFC Buckingham young bird national; flying a distance of 284 miles and she recorded a velocity of 1057; when competing against 1833 birds. A grandson of ‘Pedro’ when he was paired to ‘Teenie’ was named ‘Jocky’ a chequer cock; who in 2021 won 4th region B 49th open from the SNFC Guernsey national flying 444 miles and he recording a velocity of 724. In 2022 he was to the fore once again when he won 7th region B 30th open SNFC Carentan a distance of 463 miles, recording a velocity of 687. In 2023 he was set up for the SNFC Gold Cup race from Alencon a distance of 534 miles and he won 11th region B 52nd open recording a velocity of 711 ypm. In this same year he was entered into the SNFC Falaise race which had an entry of 558 birds and once again he was to the forefront winning 8th region B 41st open doing a velocity of 832. I think you will agree the above performances and pigeons are very impressive and we take our hats off to Ally. Who must have had these 2 widowhood cocks spot on; as with the rest of his team in outstanding condition this year to win 2 SNFC Silver Awards; Well done, Ally. I would also like to THANK Jim Hannah who has kindly forwarded the 2 montages of Ally’s pigeons to go with this short report, so thank you once again Jim!!!! Almond Valley Federation News from secretary Lynn Stewart with the result of the Catterick race flown on the 25th of August; with the 787 club birds liberated at 07:00 am. Taking top spot is I Jamieson of Balerno club with a velocity of 1251.9. West Calder G Young wins 2nd place on a velocity of 1251-5. Freddie Jamieson & Son East Calder are 3rd with club mates Mr & Mrs Fleming in 4th & 10th positions. Bonnybridge club members R & L MacDuff are 5th with 6th place going to S Russell. East Calder Freddie Jamieson & son are 7th & 9th open federation; Vic Couper of Bonnybridge club is 8th with Balerno 33 birds; 1st & 2nd is I Jamieson 1251.902, 1051.822 Bonnybridge 245 birds; 1st R & L MacDuff 1223.417, 2nd S Russell 1218.536, 3rd V Couper 1214.746, & 4th B & D Halliday 1207.370 Carnwath 76 birds; 1st & 2nd Thomson Bros & I Thomson 960.056, 958.538, 3rd Dr J Salmond 935.577 & 4th S McArdle 924.268 East Calder 98 birds; 1st F Jamieson & Son1241.124, 2nd Mr Mrs Fleming 1231.031. 3rd & 4th F Jamieson & Son 1215.650, 1214.437 Fauldhouse 139 birds; 1st & 2nd Colligan & Hope 1209.630, 1178.423, 3rd T Gavin 1168.830, 4th Drummond & Hilditch 1145.666 West Calder 196 birds; 1st G Young 1251.526, 2nd 3rd & 4th is J Bird 1211.550, 1211.443, 1205.145 North of Scotland Federation News from George Duthie with the result of the Strathkinness (3) young bird race flown on 26th of August; with 32 members sending 721 birds these were liberated into a light north wind. The West section had 21 members sending 444 birds, and taking the first 3 places in the west section and open are the loft of Fulton & Ritchie Loft 2 from Devern Valley with the 3 birds all on the same yard. A Milne of the same club wins 4th & 5th west section and open, while N Holt of Peterhead & district club winning 1st 4th & 5th east section 7th 17th & 18th open; Maskame & Cordiner of Peterhead & district club are 2nd 3rd & 6th east section 8th 15th & 20th open; with J Abel of Devern Valley club winning 7th 8th & 9th west section 9th 10th & 11th open positions. N Raymond of Devern Valley club wind 6th & 10th west section & 7th & 12th open. The East Section had 11 members send 277 birds; the following fanciers won the remainder of the section and open positions. S Witherspoon of Inverurie club won 7th 8th & 9th east section 21st 22nd & 23rd open. R McKenzie of the same club won 10th east section 26th open. The remainder of the west section positions were won by the following A Milne of Devern Valley won 4th & 5th section 4th & 5th open. N Raymond of the same club won 6th & 10th section 6th & 12th open. J Abel again from Devern Valley club won 7th 8th & 9th west section 9th 10th & 11th open. Clubs First Bird Devern Valley winners were Fulton & Ritchie Loft 2 velocity 1185.300 Peterhead & District winner was N Holt velocity 1162.626 Inverurie winner was S Witherspoon velocity 1128.890 Keith winner was A J Reid Keith velocity 1031.899 Elgin & District winner was J Jack Elgin velocity 908.650 Well done to Fulton & Ritchie loft 2 on topping the federation; and also, well done to N Holt on winning the west section. My thanks once again to George for his result. Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club News from Charlie Cameron regarding the 6th young bird race from Darlington flown on 26th August with 4 members sending 78 birds, these were liberated into a light north -west wind. Charlie & Glen are 1st 4th & 5th with Les McKay winning 2nd place and Graeme McKenzie winning 3rd spot. East of Scotland Federation News from Tom McEwen regarding the Catterick race flown on the 27th August with the convoy liberated at 10-35am into a west to north west wind. Topping the federation and taking 5 to 10 positions is Keith Howie of Prestonpans, winning 1st 2nd 4th 5th & 8th positions. These were excellent results in what turned out to be a very testing race. Keith’s federation winner is a Vandenabeele blue cock; his sire is a full brother to ‘Blue Arrow’ Keith’s champion pigeon. The dam of the fed winner is also a Vandenabeele from Spider Rowley; she has bred 4 federation winners for him. John Bird from Prestonpans keeps up his great form taking 4 positions in the top 10, winning 3rd 6th 7th & 9th federation. Completing the top 10 is Grant French & son from Haddington. Cheers once again Joe; wishing you and Margaret all the best yours Tom. Prestonpans HS First 2 places are won by Keith Howie with his winner a son of a brother to his champion ‘Blue Arrow’ and the dam is from Spider Rowley; this hen has bred 4 federation winners. Keith is 2nd club with the sire a full brother to ‘Blue Arrow’ while the dam is a Vandenabeele from Spider Rowley. Keith is 2nd club again with a full brother to ‘Blue Arrow’ while the dam is also from Vandenabeele bloodlines. John Bird is 3rd club with a blue cock from Woodside Lofts Vandenabeele lines. That’s it for another week Joe, wishing you and Margaret all the best; yours Tom’. Pentland Hills Federation News from Andy Miller with the result of the Harrogate race flown on Sunday 27th August with the 2127 birds liberated at 10-35am into a west to north west wind. Taking top spot is Freddie and brother Willie Robertson of Danderhall club with their bird doing a velocity of 1045.47. 2nd place goes to A Winter of Danderhall club with club mate A Baillie in 3rd spot. Sighthill’s Andy Miller is 4th with Mr & Mrs Lindsay of Danderhall club in 5th place. Helen Aitken & sons of Woodburn club take the next 4 places with T Nolan & son of Danderhall making up the top 10. Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association Hi Joe, the KRPA were at Harrogate for our 5th young bird race of the season and once again, the weather forecast was a bit hit or miss. With the possibility of a race on Saturday we basketed on Friday night, but on the Saturday, it turned out with heavy showers failing to clear and with a better forecast for Sunday the decision was made to holdover. Sunday was slightly better, but not as good as predicted by the met office. With the line of flight up the east coast all clear with sunny intervals at the time of liberation, and after some deliberation the strings were cut for a 10-00 am. This turned out to be a very difficult race with many Kingdom members finding it hard going. With many members reporting at least half their team missing on the day of the race; with only a few returning the following day. What is the cause of this? Was it the extra night in the baskets? adverse weather conditions enroute? or maybe clashing with north roaders, especially when the race controllers were informed what time the Scottish pigeons were to be liberated. Taking the first 2 positions was St. Serfs Sandy Proctor; his 1st was a chequer hen, then a blue pied hen both being gift birds by Dyke Armour. Gary Hall was 3rd 5th & 6th with his first two being home bred Herman Ceuster blue hens. Chic Dinsdale is in fourth place with a chequer cock that was 2nd to its full brother who topped the Kingdom from Berwick. They are out of his good blue pied hen that scored multiple times from the channel. At Leuchars Eric and Liz Young led the way with a gay pied gift bird from Penman & Grubb out their gay pied cock a winner from the channel five times. Unfortunately, Joe; at the time of press there was no information from Rosyth club. Fife Federation News from Geordie Todd regarding the Harrowgate young bird race flown on the 27th August with the 836 birds liberated at 10-00 into a light west wind. The federation top 10 are as follows; B Chalmers of Kennoway wins 1st 3rd 4th 5th 6th & 8th Centre section (243 birds) and federation. His father-in-law Tam Laing is 2nd with Davie Jack of St Andrews winning 7th spot and Kennoway’s Brian Kinnear winning 10th position. East Section had Methilhaven club sending 109 birds and St Andrews sending 76 birds. St Andrews D Jack wins 1st & 6th section with Dave Baldie winning 2nd place. John Harcus is 3rd with Geordie Baxter of Methilhaven club in 4th spot followed by club mates Clark & son in 5th position. West Section had Crossgates sending 208 birds, Lochgelly 133 birds and Dunfermline sending 67 birds. J Hynd & son from Crossgates wins 1st & 3rd places; with D Huner of Lochgelly in 2nd spot. J Coltart senior of Lochgelly is 4th with A McCudden of Crossgates club in 5th spot and A Simpson of Dunfermline makes up the top six positions. Scottish Central Federation News from Bernie Britton who writes ‘Hi Joe, from our race from Thirsk the convoy of 949 birds were liberated at 07-30am with No wind at the race point. Club positions are as follows; Winchburgh & District PC Had 7 members sending 204 birds, with Mark Doran winning 1st 2nd & 3rd club; 14th 15th & 16th federation. His 3 winners were all darkness blue hens, containing the bloodlines of the following fanciers Tam Blair x John Duthie x Joe Davis. Tom & Georgina Weir are 17th federation. Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club; Gordon Mackenzie takes the first 11 federation positions; he it then 13th 18th & 19th federation, I don’t this this has ever been done before Joe Scottish Central Federation From the race from Otterburn flown on the 27th August the convoy of 648 birds were liberated at 13.05pm into a west wind. Winchburgh& District P.C. Had 5 members sending 154 birds; Peter Keogh wins 1st club and 1st open federation with a blue hen on Darkness; her breeding is Page Brothers x Frans Zwols bloodlines. 2nd club and federation go to Tam Manger with a darkness blue hen, she is from Hermans x Ceuster breeding. 3rd club 9th federation is Tom & Georgina Weir with a Herman Ceuster darkness blue chequer cock; His sire is a son of the super breeder ‘Spiderman’ while the dam is the breeding of the best of Brother Bolt and Amy Bolt. Peter was also 14th 17th & 18th federation; Tam was 12th 13th & 15th federation; Tom & Georgina were 9th 19th & 20th federation; Mark Doran was 16th federation. Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club. Gordon Mackenzie won 4th 5th 6th 7th & 8th federation; thanks once again Joe and you take care. As you know Joe our daughter Darcy was doing her nursing at Dundee University; well, she passed her exams and is ‘Coming Home’ as they say. She starts a new Staff Nurse post on the 11th of September in the Western General in Edinburgh and we are so proud of her. (And So, You Should Be) We now have 2 nurses in the house now Joe; you take care Bernie’. Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

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I had a couple of phone calls after I reported about Fat Eye being found in some federations; with fanciers wishing to know more about this. I have personally not seen this so I looked it up on the internet and these are the following observations. {In the 'Fat Eye' the eye is almost always dry whereas in the eye infected with ornithosis the eye is wet also the fat eye has a tinge of yellow. Young pigeons with the fat eye tend to avoid sunlight. It has also been reported that chloramphenicol eye drops have successfully cleared the problem. It is important to keep some disinfecting agent in the drinking water as the 'fat eye' can spread via the drinking water. In 2017 there was a number of cases reporting youngsters with ‘Fat Eye’ in Germany. The eye lids are inflamed and the lower eye lid often hangs down a bit. It almost looks as though the pigeon is squinting. The typical Fat Eye/Herpes Eyes are almost always ‘DRY’, in contrast to the ‘Wet’ ornithosis eyes. Sometimes the eyes have a slightly yellow tinge and some bristling. Young pigeons with Fat Eye avoid the sunlight and blink when exposed to direct sunlight. Some close their eyes completely. It is inappropriate to expose the youngsters to additional light at this time. If the youngsters show these symptoms there will be losses in training and racing. Mortality does not occur in youngsters with Fat Eye, unlike in youngsters with yellow herpes deposits in the beak. Incidentally, the Paramyxo- Herpes vaccine is not effective against Fat Eye at the clinical stage, rather special eye drops and an injection with ‘Orni 1’. Alternatively, you can choose not to treat the youngsters but this can take weeks for the outbreak to run its course. Over the last few years, Fat Eye has been seen more frequently in Belgium, Netherlands Germany and the UK. I have just received a phone call from Nigel Llewelln regarding the above subject and Nigel informs me that fanciers MUST look out for a small MARK on the eyelid of their birds. This mark is at the bottom of the eye and this is the start of Fat Eye. Nigel informs me that if fanciers use Karidox 100mg/ml oral solution this will definitely work. If you use this treatment for 5 days the Fat Eye will be gone. He also told me that it would not do fanciers any harm to use this for a 31-day treatment over the winter months, this longer period of treatment will help clear birds who are ‘carriers’ and all your birds will be ‘sound as a pound’ after this time of treatment; as this definitely works. My thanks to Nigel and it was lovely to talk to him once again as it is a while since we did so. I hope this of some interest and support to help readers of the column. Results East of Scotland Federation news from Tom McEwen who writes; ‘The federation were at Consett on the 20th of August with the convoy liberated at 9-15am into a light south west wind. Taking the first 3 places plus 6 th open is John Bird of Prestonpans HS keeping up his fantastic run in the federation. His federation winner is a blue cock a grandson of the ‘Mosaic Cock’ out of Brian Shipley of Woodside Loft. Gus Jackson of Macmerry wins 4 th 7 th 8 th 9 th & 10th places well done to Gus as well. Keith Howie of the ‘Pan’s’ has a nice one in 5th federation. Prestonpans HS. Taking the first 3 places in the club is John Bird with his winner a blue cock and the runner up was a blue hen both are grandchildren of the ‘Mosaic Cock’ of Woodside Lofts fame. They are from different rounds John’s 3 rd club winner who won 2 nd club last week when she was beaten by a loft mate. Her parents are Jan Aarden stock pair; purchased from House of Aarden. They are a granddaughter of Padfield Blue Badge on the sire’s side and Padfield ‘De-Cas’ on the dam’s side. Pentland Hills Federation: News from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe, from the 3 rd race again from Otterburn on Sunday 13th August liberated at 09:00 in a SW wind. This week’s winner is Brown & Black and loft laddie Peter from Whitecraig who fly with the Woodburn RPC. They timed their Lambrecht youngster, flown on the darkness. Their youngsters have access to an aviary through the whole of the darkening procedure and are only given their freedom at the end of the old bird inland programme which leaves about 5 weeks to get them moving and prepared for the start of the young bird programme. Food for thought! Again, returns were excellent this week. Our 4 th race was once again from Consett on Sunday 20th August (the third week in a row due to poor weather) a distance of 85- 98 miles for the members the birds were liberated at 09:15 in a south west wind. This week’s winner is our federation secretary Helen Aitken & her son Graham of the Woodburn club who timed their darkness youngster bred from stock obtained from Peter Fox of Syndicate Lofts from ‘Propere Rik’ lines winning £125 with the winner doing a velocity of 1563 they are also 6 th & 8 th open. 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th & 9 th is Freddie & Willie Robertson of Danderhall club. A Winter of Danderhall club is 7 th with club mates J Dowling winning 10th place. Returns again were excellent Joe with only the odd bird missing; regards Andy. Footnote; Can members please ensure that you have transferred the ring numbers to your ownership of any young birds which you may have purchased, before you enter them onto a race sheet, as random checks will be made on a weekly basis; Andy Miller (President) & Helen Aitken – Secretary. Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association News from Pete Penman regarding the Alnwick young bird race flown on 20th August with the 237 birds liberated at 09-30 into a south west wind. Lou Mitchell of Rosyth took the first two positions with two of his Welsh birds bred by Gary Thaviner and sons. A very good performance considering the westerly wind. He was also 7 th with another Welsh youngster. Third and 4 th positions went to the Leuchars partnership of Eric & Liz Young, their first bird is a red cock whose sire was a gift bird from Dyke Armour and the dam scored out of Ramsgate this season. Next was a Frans Zwols out of stock birds from Mike Samuels. Fifth place went to St. Serfs club member Bob Blyth with a Dave Burns x Brian Chalmers bred from two yearlings. In 6 th place was Coaltown's Pete Penman with the same mealy that was 2 nd club Wooler1. The sire and dam were gift birds from Dyke Armour. St. Serfs if you win the race you have to buy the sweets the following week, so this week the club members have scored because as well as Bob, his loft manager Alec Brunton and his first team coach Matt Shields; they too have also to supply sweets! Coaltown club; Pete Penman took the top spot with Chic Dinsdale in 2 nd place with Gary Hall in third place. Most fanciers reported excellent returns with some guys with the odd one missing and others with full returns within an hour of their first bird, Thanks again Pete North of Scotland Federation News from George Duthie who informs us that 30 members sent 727 birds to Brechin 3 race with the convoy liberated into a very light south wind; the East section had 11 members sending 250 birds. Taking the top spot was R H Whyte of Peterhead & District club with his winner doing 1804 velocity. He is also 3 rd & 7th section 4th & 8th open. Clubmate N Holt wins 2nd 4th & 5th east section 2nd 5th & 6th open. Maskame & Cordiner of the same Peterhead club are 6th 8th & 9th east section 7th 29th & 30th open. S Witherspoon of Inverurie club wins 10th east section 31st open. The West Section had 19 members sending 477 birds. With Devern Valley’s members taking the 10 section prizes; G McLeod wins 1st 6th & 7th west section 3rd 13th & 14th open. A Hay is 2nd section 9th open; N Raymond wins 3rd 4th & 5th section 10th 11 th & 12th open with N Pirie winning 8th & 9th west section 15th & 16th open and A Wilson wins 10th west section 17th open. Clubs First Bird Peterhead & District winner is R H Whyte velocity 1804.248 Devern Valley winner is G McLeod velocity 1676.583 Inverurie winner is S Witherspoon velocity 1260.407 Elgin & District winner is P Thomson velocity 1066.061 Well done to R Whyte on topping the federation and also well done to G McLeod on winning the west section Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club News from Charlie Cameron with the Swalwell 5th young bird result flown on 20th August with the convoy liberated at 10-30 into a south west wind, with 5 members sending 118 birds. The first 4 places were won by C & G Cameron with P Cameron in 5th & 6th . Almond Valley Federation News from Lynn Stewart with the Otterburn race result flown on 19th August with the 1043 birds limbered at 08:30 hours. Topping the federation is Bonnybridge club S Russell with the only bird doing a velocity in the 1700’s, he is also 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th & 8th all these birds were timed on the same minute; (being separated by 38 seconds, well done Mr Russell Joe M). Geordie Harris of the same club is 2nd with Cairns & Hardie in 9th place and Mr & Mrs Conlin in 10th place. All the above are flying into the same Bonnybridge club. Club Winners; Balerno had no birds at the race. Bonnybridge 340 birds; 1st to 4th S Russell 1741.813, 1677.278, 1675.764, 1674.252 Carnwath 75 birds; 1st McArdle & Thomson 1209. 2nd Thomson Bros & I Thomson 1198.083, 1181.926, 1180.260 East Calder 162 birds; 1st & 4th Burnside & Drysdale 1642.482, 2nd & 3rd F Jamieson & Son 1617.432, 1617.074, Burnside & Drysdale 1566.338 Fauldhouse 165 birds; 1st to 4th T Gavin 1654.701, 1653.678, 1653.678, 1648.244 West Calder 301 birds; 1st to 3rd J Bird 1645.083, 1644.381, 1643.680, 4th J Hadfield 1643.031 Fife Federation News from Geordie Todd with the Alnwick young bird race flown on the 20th August with the 969 birds liberated at 09-30 into a south west wind. Topping the East Section (Methilhaven club sending 169 birds; St Andrews sent 90 birds) Are the father and son partnership of Jim & Gary Peggie of Methilhaven club they are also 3 rd & 5 th section and open. Davie Baldie of St Andrews club is 2 nd 6 th & 7 th open with near neighbour John Harcus winning 4th 8th 9th& 10th open. Centre Section; had Kennoway club sending 255 birds and Glenrothes & Leslie sending 34 birds. Kennoway members take the top 6 places with B Chalmers winning the first 4 spots, Mook Honeyman is 5 th with Stevie Ritchie in 6th spot. West Section; had Dunfermline club sending 96 birds; Crossgates 190 birds & Lochgelly 135 birds. J Hynd & son Ian take the top 6 positions in the section. Photos I never receive photos of fanciers or their winning birds now, so I have had to dig into my archives to find some photographs to go with my column; this week I have found some nice photographs of TOP SCOTTISH fanciers from the ‘past’ these being Davie Rose of Aberdeen and Jock Grieve of Auchtermuchty, I have also added a photograph of my very dear friends George Ranking and his son Gareth; plus I also have another picture of the top father and son partnership of Robert Rome and his son Robert from Annan. Young Robert is now flying his pigeons in England and I often see his name on the national results. All the above are quality men who have left their name in the annuals of Scottish pigeon racing. Space Weather I would think this should be the last Space Weather Chart for 2023 as the racing will now be coming to an end. I thank all who have contacted me regarding this chart; as many fanciers follow it rigorously. The 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table issued on the 21st September 2023 UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2023 Aug 21 153 10 3 2023 Aug 22 153 10 3 2023 Aug 23 155 10 3 2023 Aug 24 158 10 3 2023 Aug 25 158 10 3 2023 Aug 26 158 5 2 2023 Aug 27 158 5 2 2023 Aug 28 162 5 2 2023 Aug 29 162 5 2 2023 Aug 30 165 5 2 2023 Aug 31 165 5 2 2023 Sep 01 165 5 2 2023 Sep 02 163 5 2 2023 Sep 03 160 5 2 2023 Sep 04 162 5 2 2023 Sep 05 162 5 2 2023 Sep 06 158 10 3 2023 Sep 07 158 8 3 2023 Sep 08 160 8 3 2023 Sep 09 162 5 2 2023 Sep 10 158 5 2 2023 Sep 11 158 5 2 2023 Sep 12 155 5 2 2023 Sep 13 152 5 2 2023 Sep 14 152 12 4 2023 Sep 15 152 10 3 2023 Sep 16 153 10 3 Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

Well done Walter

Seems according to Facebook some 2nd day youngsters turning up

Any update on this race?

Please post liberation time on this topic Good luck folks

Good luck to all Basics members racing today

Well done folks

Good luck to all Basics members who have sent young birds to this SNFC Open race

where are Basics members racing from this weekend?

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Ok folks, I think everyone has had an opportunity to have their views and opinions shared. Please feel free to continue this discussion on another platform. Thank you, this topic is now closed.

The Joe Murphy Column Firstly, I would like to THANK all the fanciers who have phoned me or sent emails regarding my recent articles and also for the nice words and feedback they have said about my researching the information to report on the winners in this year’s national racing; for which I am eternally grateful; Yes, it is hard work, but first and foremost I’m a ‘Pigeon Man’ and I like to give credit where it is due. What I have found over the past 47 years of being a scribe is that fanciers are not the greatest people in the world in supplying information on their winning pigeons. Nine time out of Ten; I will have to phone them to obtain these details and even at that this it is like ‘drawing teeth’ to get the information I require. The thing that annoys me is I’m not getting the publicity ‘IT IS THEM’! To be honest I sometimes wonder if it is worth all the effort; as well as my own person time; which is as precious to me as it is to everyone else. However, when I do obtain information, I try to make this as readable and enjoyable as possible as we are ALL pigeon men & woman, and want to read about the winners and good fanciers. For example, I received a phone call from Malcolm Taylor of Taylor Brothers of Newbigging by the Sea. Regarding my article which contained the photograph of ‘Seton Queen’ who is the dam of ‘Seton Prince’ bred and raced by Sinclair Thompson and son Sinclair. Whom I have the highest respect for as they are ‘top quality pigeon men’. This year their yearling cock on the 1 st July; won 2 nd section B 2 nd open SNRPC Eastbourne race flying a distance of 385 miles recording a velocity of 1176. Then on the 17 th of July he was again entered into the SNRPC race; this time from Brighton a distance of 375 miles and he won 1 st section B 1 st open doing a velocity of 1269. What a pigeon to win a 1 st & 2 nd national in the space of 17 days is exceptional and we congratulate both Sinclair’s on this outstanding achievement. This father and son partnership are very friendly with Malcolm and have purchased birds from him over the years and have done very well with them. Malcolm informs me that ‘Seton Queen’ was mated to NEHU21WAN1486 to breed ‘Seton Prince’. ‘Wan 1486’ sire was a son of ‘Johnstone’s Bolt’ bred by Brian Johnstone, who turned out to be an exceptional breeder. Actually, he is the sire of ‘Double Vision’ who in turn is Willie & Paul Macaloney number one stock cock. The mother of ‘Wan1486’ is a daughter of the pencil pied ‘Sylvester Geerinckx’ who in turn is the dam of ‘Alfie’ who won 1 st open SNFC Maidstone for the Thompson partnership. ‘Seton Queen’ contains the ‘Albrecht’ blood who were the old Van Loons. Another one of the Thomson’s top pigeons ‘Mr Consistent’ also contains the ‘Albrecht’ lines crossed with the ‘Red Rising Son Hen’. Malcolm is giving up the pigeons and I believe all his stock birds are going for sale after the racing season is over. It was nice to talk to Malcolm and thank him for the above and wish him well with his sale. Email Received an email from Dawn Abbot, who wrote; ‘Dear Joe; I hope that you and the family are well and that you don’t mind me getting in touch totally out of the blue! Some of your readers will remember my Dad, Hugh Higgins, a lifelong fancier, originally from Armadale, West Lothian and later Edinburgh. Having enjoyed the administrative side of racing as President of the SNFC, Secretary of the Edinburgh International Charity Pigeon Show and Horney Vice-President of the Lancashire Social Circle, my Dad left an archive of pigeon press back to the 1960s which I have recently been going through. I wanted to see if I could find any information on Joe Newcombe, the grandfather of my dear friend, Samantha. Joe’s SNFC Avranches 1969 winner was named after her nickname ‘Tabby’. I have many fond memories of my three Newcombe ‘Uncles’; Ed, Joe and Sid, visiting Macmerry and staying at Honey Cottage Caravan site in Ettrick Valley, which was run by Joe and Margaret and where both he and Sid had their lofts. Although the Newcombe name is well known via Eddie and his legacy, the success of Joe and Sid may be less so. As such I was wondering if you might be interested in these articles, I would like to highlight the success of these two fanciers for your column? I would be happy to put these in the post to you. With kind regards Dawn Abbott’. I wrote back to Dawn and expressed this would be lovely and help keep my column going once the young bird racing season was over. She replied; ‘Great - Will get everything off to you next week. I was also thinking I have various pictures etc from the Edinburgh Charity Show as well if that is something you would 2 be interested in? I have lots of memories of that too! Getting to sell raffle tickets over the weekend and everyone phoning in their entries over the couple of weeks before. Happy days! Thanks Dawn’. It was quite funny that in the 4 th August BHW on page 57 there as a photograph of Dawn and her late dad Hugh in Brian Dearn Lanarkshire Social Circle article. A small world indeed; I also look forward to obtaining this information from Dawn. It is hard to keep my weekly column going after the racing season is over as not everyone is willing to supply me information on their pigeons’ efforts or performances. For example, I also received an email from Mike Massie of Aberdeen who wrote; ‘Hello Joe how are you and Margaret and your family doing, I hope they are in good health. Regarding your article about Charlie and Glen Cameron they are great fanciers and exceptional flyers; I wish I knew their secret. They must have the right birds bred for the job and they must have them super fit and their motivation must be spot on. I take my hat off to them and I agree with you; 100 percent Joe and it was a great article; yours in sport Mike Massie’. I wrote back thanking Mike for his kind words and also saying ‘Yes, the Cameron’s have had another great year, as have other fanciers. Mike replied; ‘Yes Joe, other fanciers have had a great season but the Chic and Glen are flying a lot further and that is what makes them standout - Mike’. The other thing fanciers and especially readers of my column forget is; The research I undertake to gain all the results and then compile them into my articles, can take up a lot of my spare time, and I don’t think fanciers or readers of my column appreciate this. Margaret will sometimes say; ‘Oh you’re not back on that computer again are you’. It is the same with writing a weekly article, I have been doing this since 1976, every week even when we have been away on holiday to Spain, I have taken my laptop and caught up at night with results and compiled an article and emailed it to the BHW & RP. Just now I’m in the process of accumulating information on the Dewar Trophy winners which is awarded to Scotland’s Pigeon of the Year & Runner Up as this will be the 50 th anniversary of this award. However, I still do not have information on some of the runners up; and no matter how much I ask, there is NO RESPONSE. I have looked through old SNFC results that Robert Cormack gave me which go back to the 1950’s. So, I will just have to add the fanciers name and no matter how much research I have done; I cannot find these birds performances. Now for the present race results, sent in by the press officers’, whom I once again wish to thank for their contribution. Results I had a lad on the phone asking why some clubs and federations have now stopped sending me their results and news, as they enjoyed reading about them for example; Ayrshire; Angus; Dundee; Traprain; the sad thing is he doesn’t see some of these organisations obtaining any publicity in the weekly pigeon press. I explained this has nothing to do with me. I add the weekly report of federations & clubs who continue to send in their results into my column. I have added a couple of photographs of 2 top pigeons that I found in my Dewar Trophy folder while checking out some details and these pictures caught my eye. As nowadays fanciers don’t even send pictures of their club or federation winners, and believe me it is easier now than years ago. As we can take a photo on our mobile phone and send it to someone within seconds after taking the picture East of Scotland Federation News from Tom McEwen with the result of the Otterburn race flown on 6 th August with the convoy liberated at 08-30am into a west to north west wind. Taking the top 2 places is Keith Howie of Prestonpans club; his winner is a blue hen, she is a ½ sister to his great cock ‘Blue Arrow’. The sire of the winner has also previously bred federation winners for Keith. John Bird of Prestonpans had a fantastic race taking 5 top positions in the federation; winning 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th & 10 th federation. Mr & Mrs Peter March have a good double winning 7 th & 8 th position in the federation. Last weeks fed winners Gus Jackson of Macmerry completes the top ten winning 9 th federation. Tom was in the hospital for a day as he was not feeling well and has to go in once the season is over for more tests. Prestonpans HS First two places go to Keith Howie see above regarding the winner; Keith’s 2 nd bird is another blue, dam has bred a federation winner and the sire is a full brother to ‘Blue Arrow’. 3 rd club is John Bird with a blue cock 3 a Vandenabeele bloodline from Bryan Shipley of Woodside Lofts. Once again, many thanks for adding our club into your weekly column Joe, wishing you and Margaret all the best; Tom’. Scottish Central Federation News from Bernie who writes; ‘Hi Joe, I hope you and Margaret are both well, please find our Scottish Central federation result from the Otterburn race flown on 29 th July; with the 903 birds liberated at 09-30am into a south west wind. Winchburgh & District Pigeon Club; Had 6 members sending 308 birds, taking the first 3 places is Tam Manger; his winner of 1 st club 1 st Federation is a blue chequer cock from Dave Stone stock; 2 nd club & federation is a blue white flight hen a Henry Borthwick x Herman Ceuster; his 3 rd bird is a blue white flight cock a Dave Stone x Hermans Cuester. Other members in the federation result are; Henry Borthwick who was 4 th & 20 th ; Marc Doran 6 th 15 th 16 th & 17 th . Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club; Gordon Mackenzie wins 8 th & 19 th federation with Hugh Rafferty winning 9 th 10 th 13 th & 14 th federation. Cheers Joe yours Bernie’. Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association News from Pete Penman who writes; ‘Hi Joe the KRPA were at Wooler for their 2 nd young bird race along with the Fife federation. Leading the way this week is Lou Mitchell of the Rosyth club with a chequer cock. This bird was bought in a kit of six from Gary Thaviner of Wales by Lou nephew. It is a Mysterio x Better Van Bolt. From this race the six birds were all home before Lou got one of his own homebred birds. They would like to say thank you to Gary for the birds. In 2 nd 3 rd & 5 th places is Sandy Proctor of St. Serfs. Sandy was on a family holiday to Seaton Sands, but decided to come home to put the birds away (as any good pigeon man would do). Nice to see you back in the sport Sandy Pete’. Fourth place goes to Coaltown's Gary Hall with a chequer Herman Cusiter cock. In 6 th place is Coaltown's Pete Penman with a second round mealy whose parents were gift birds from Dyke Armour in 2020. At Rosyth Lou Mitchell took the first three, His second bird was a Cooreman x Mysterio, followed by the nest mate to his fed topper. At Leuchars Eric and Liz Young took the honours. Return wise, a few members reported full returns and others had two or three missing with some turning up the next day; yours Pete. Almond Valley Federation News from the secretary Lynne Stewart, with the result of the Wooler race flown on the 6 th of August with the convoy of 856 birds liberated at 08:30 hours. The result is quite unique as John Bird of West Calder takes the first 11 open places plus 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th & 19 th open with John Hadfield of the same club winning 12 th 17 th 18 th 20 th 21 st & 22 nd open. (Truly outstanding results so well-done lads; Joe Murphy), as there are some top-quality fanciers who race in this federation; which makes the above results all the more spectacular. Balerno 30 birds; Bald & Johnstone 1226.664, 1224.930, 1223.448, 1143.438 Bonnybridge 273 birds; G Harris 1279.627, P Aitken 1278.787, 1273.564, Wells & Scott 1270.175 Carnwath 88 birds; S McArdle 1199.270, 1087.263, 1064.578, J Dornan 1060.268 East Calder 85 birds; Burnside & Drysdale 1318.260, 1314.524, 1314.027, Mr Mrs Fleming 1312.876 Fauldhouse 191 birds; T Gavin 1331.337, 1329.915, 1328.968, Colligan & Hope 1325.968 West Calder 189 birds; J Bird 1345.363, 1345.363, 1344.856, 1344.856 Fife Federation News from Geordie Todd with the Wooler 1 young bird race flown on the 6 th August with the 1114 birds liberated at 09-30am into a light north west wind. Topping the federation is Crossgates member Alaistair McCudden who also wins 1 st 2 nd 9 th & 10 th open. Frank Mitchell from Dunfermline club is 3 rd & 5 th with his club mates Walker Kennedy winning 4 th place and John Robertson winning 7 th spot. G Bell (1) of Crossgates club is 6 th & 8 th open. West Section had Dunfermline sending 227 birds; Crossgates sending 251 birds & Lochgelly sending 159 birds. Alaistair McCudden wins 1 st & 2 nd positions. Frank Mitchell is 3 rd & 5 th with Walker Kennedy wining 4 th spot and G Bell 1 of Crossgates club is 6 th section. Centre Section had 300 birds from Kennoway club; B Chalmers takes the first 4 places with Sean Diamond winning 5 th spot and past SNFC Sartilly winner Jocky 4 Scott winning 6 th place. The East Section; had Methilhaven club sending 131 birds with St Andrews sending 46 birds. J D Armour wins 1 st 3 rd 4 th 5 th & 6 th places with G Baxter of the same club winning 2 nd spot. North of Scotland Federation Before I start with this federations results, readers will hopefully see from my past notes, that the members of the federation only time in 3 BIRDS. This way the result is spaced out and more fanciers have a chance of making the section and open results. Whereas in some clubs & federations elsewhere in the BHW/RP you see some fanciers taking the first 10 or 12 places; therefore, the North of Scotland Federation have to be complimented on their forward thinking; thus, giving their members at least a chance to make the top 40 open positions, well done to the federation officials. News from George Duthie with the result of the Strathkinness 2 young bird race; flown on the 6 th August with the 24 members sending 726 birds these were liberated into a light west wind. The first 12 open places were filled with East Section members (who had 20 members sending 635 birds) who are as follows; N Holt of Peterhead & District club takes the top spot with another 2 birds in 5 th & 10 th section and open. My old pal, Stewart Maskame & his partner Cordiner take the next 3 place; with R Bain of Fraserburgh & District club taking 6 th 7 th & 8 th positions. Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District wins 9 th 11 th & 12 th section and open positions. The West Section had 4 members sending 91 birds. Taking the first 2 west section places and winning 31 st & 32 nd open is A Cormack of Buckie & District club. Gordon Geddes of Elgin & District wins 3 rd 8 th & 9 th west section 33 rd 38 th & 39 th open. Clubmate P Thomson wins 4 th 5 th & 6 th section 34 th 35 th & 36 th open. Clubs First Bird N Holt wins Peterhead & District velocity 1351.482 R Bain wins Fraserburgh & District velocity 1308.005 A Higgins wins Fraserburgh West End velocity 1223.877 S Witherspoon wins Inverurie velocity 1223.733 A Cormack wins Buckie & District velocity 941.125 G Geddes wins Elgin & District velocity 893.994 Well Done to N Holt on topping the federation and also well done to A Cormack on winning the west section. Pentland Hills Federation News from Andy Miller with the first federation young bird race of the 2023 season which was flown from Otterburn on Saturday 29 th July. The distance being 55-67 miles for the members. The birds were liberated at 09:00 in a south west wind and the federation winner is Danderhall members Freddie & Willie Robertson, still awaiting details! Returns from the race seem to be really good with only 1 or 2 missing. The second race again from Otterburn on Sunday 6 th August liberated at 08:30 in a west to north west wind; we had 58 lofts sending 2,226 birds. Taking the red card is the Mr & Mrs Lindsay of Danderhall club recording a velocity of 1340. Helen Aitken & sons of Woodburn club are 2 nd & 4 th open. R Sammels of Castlebrae club is 3 rd position with Freddie & Willie Robertson of Danderhall club winning 5 th open. Walker & Brown of the same club take the next 4 places from 6 th 7 th 8 th & 9 th open with club mate J Dowling winning 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th & 14 th places. This week’s winner is Mr & Mrs John Lindsay and loft laddie (Big Gaz) who timed their darkness youngster. Breeding is Lambrecht through the lines of ‘Lincia’ cocks and hens are flown separated with this hen paired to (Big Gaz) who obviously fancied her with club & fed winnings of around £700. John was on holiday in Amsterdam and watched the race from his laptop to witness the hen trapping at speed. He told Gaz he thought that would be an early one! Again, returns were really good as the previous week. Andy informs us that the next race will be from Consett. There is also a footnote on the federation result. In the interest of ALL MEMBERS, it would be helpful that if you have noticed symptoms of “FAT EYE” within your loft that you may consider holding back your team until all is well. We ask that you be extremely vigilant. Andy Miller – President & Helen Aitken - Secretary Obituary 5 I was very sorry to hear the passing of fellow scribe John Harwood of Kirkintilloch by Jim Barrons, who has been a friend of John’s for many years. John passed away peacefully on Saturday, 5 th August at 3:30pm surrounded by his family. John had been a feature writer for both the BHW and the RP and his articles were keenly awaited by his many followers. As well as being a great pigeon fancier, he was a great angler and also wrote articles for fishing magazines. On a personal level, John was a very good friend to Jim and taught him many things about pigeons and the countryside. I remember John coming with the father and son partnership of J & J Hood attending my yearly Sporting Challenge presentation. The 3 of them loved this night and also caught up with old friends and made new ones; depending on which table they sat at. I have also spoken to John over the phone many times and he was always a proper gentleman. To his wife Isla and his family, we send my deepest sympathy; May he rest in peace. Space Weather 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table Issued 07-08-2023 UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2023 Aug 07 168 12 4 2023 Aug 08 166 20 5 2023 Aug 09 164 12 4 2023 Aug 10 162 5 2 2023 Aug 11 162 5 2 2023 Aug 12 164 5 2 2023 Aug 13 164 5 2 2023 Aug 14 162 5 2 2023 Aug 15 162 5 2 2023 Aug 16 160 5 2 2023 Aug 17 162 5 2 2023 Aug 18 162 5 2 2023 Aug 19 164 5 2 2023 Aug 20 164 5 2 2023 Aug 21 168 5 2 2023 Aug 22 168 5 2 2023 Aug 23 168 5 2 2023 Aug 24 172 5 2 2023 Aug 25 172 5 2 2023 Aug 26 170 12 4 2023 Aug 27 172 5 2 2023 Aug 28 172 5 2 2023 Aug 29 174 5 2 2023 Aug 30 172 5 2 2023 Aug 31 172 5 2 2023 Sep 01 170 5 2 2023 Sep 02 168 5 2 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