THE FIFER

50% moulting 50% Irish

half time score

RIP condolences to Family and friends

Tottenham Hotspur 3 v Crvena Zvezda 0

Tottenham Hotspur 2 v Crvena Zvezda 0

Tottenham Hotspur 1 v Crvena Zvezda 0

well done all

could be 2 good games

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

Tribute to Derrick Nordon of Langholm Derrick Nordon of Langholm; I received a phone call from Ralston Graham of the same village who informed me that Derrick had passed away this morning Sunday13th October. Derrick has not had good health these past few years and has never been right since having his gallbladder removed. Recently he has been very breathless and the doctors in the hospital told Anne that he had taken a silent heart attack (which no one know about) lately he caught pneumonia and this took its toll on him. Needless to say I was totally shocked at this news as Derrick his wife Anne and son Brian go back a long way. When I was a long distance lorry driver I used to stop over at Langholm on a Monday night and spend the evening with both Anne & Derrick and sometimes Albert Tedham and we had some good laughs. They gave me a bed for the night instead of sleeping in the lorry this kindness is the mark of both Anne & Derrick and I have held them in high esteem ever since. A nicer couple you could not wish to meet and it breaks my heart to write this obituary of someone I have always held in high esteem. To Anne, sons Derrick, Brian, daughter Louise and their children and grandchildren I send my heartfelt condolences at their sad loss. ****************************************************************** Derrick was an outstanding pigeon man and his records prove this as during his racing career he won 2 SNFC Gold Awards in 1983 and 1989 and also won a SNFC Silver Award in 2018. He won the Dewar Trophy for Scotland Bird of the Year in 1984 with a blue bar Dordin cock bred by Tom Wall and gifted to Derrick and raced on natural system. This 1982 rung bird won 6th south section 9th open SNFC Sartilly (1) from an entry of 4011 birds; he then competed from the Gold Cup race from Rennes a distance of 490 miles and won 2nd south section 27th open from an entry of 5639 birds. He was then sent to Hastings due to the Sartilly (2) national being cancelled and won 34th south section 228th open from a convoy of 4036 birds. Derrick also won the SNFC twice with his first winner from Sartilly in 1996 being ‘Anne’s Delight’ and his 2nd national win was in 1999 with his blue hen ‘Anniversary Girl’ who won 7th open SNFC Frome and then won 1st open SNFC Rennes in the same season. Derrick won the SHU Dewar trophy for Bird of the Year for the 2nd time in 1996. This was a blue pied hen a Van Hee with her sire being bred by Bobby Carruthers of Bonnyrigg in Midlothian while her dam was bred by Gus Power of Gretna and also contained the Van Hee bloodlines. The pied hen won 10th south section 16th open from SNFC Rennes and in the same season won 13th south section 22nd open SNFC Sartilly. Derrick & Anne Nordon were without doubt one of the premier lofts in Scotland at this time, with brilliant performances in the SNFC. The main families kept were Bricoux / Kirkpatrick’s from Tommy Gilbertson of Carlisle and the late Bobby Carruthers of Bonnyrigg, the Van Hee’s obtained from Bernard Miles from the south of England. Derek won countless SNFC Averages and trophies during this time and was fellow scribe Jim Renwick’s ‘Scotland's Own Fancier of the Year’ in season’s 1993 and 1999. ‘Hightower Darren’s Boy’ in 1989 won 150th open Rennes, 1990 won 10th open Rennes, 91 won 97th open Rennes, 92 won 186th open Rennes and 93 won 36th open Rennes flying 490 miles and was clocked ON THE DAY from these 5 races. ‘Hightower Jamie’ won 51st open in 91; 57th open in 92 and 2nd open in 1993; ‘Hightower 1330’ won 34th & 38th from Frome, 44th open Rennes, 4th & 11th open Sartilly. In the 1999 season the Nordon loft won 1st & 2nd open SNFC Rennes race and at that time he was the first fancier in over 100 years to win 1st & 2nd ‘Kings Cup’ race in the SNFC. Derrick then won the Rennes National flying 490 miles with his good blue hen, ‘Anniversary Girl’, and ‘Danny Boy’ was clocked a few minutes later to win 2nd open. Derrick always said that the blue cock, ‘Danny Boy’, was one of his best racing pigeons he ever had and indeed he was a ‘Champion’ in the truest sense of the word. As many of his offspring also won well in distance national races, Dale Newcombe did exceptionally well crossing children from ‘Danny Boy’ into his own family of pigeons. ‘Danny Boy’s winning performances were as follows: In 1999 he won 2nd open Rennes SNFC from an entry of 2,865 birds; He was also 65th open Frome SNFC against 4,005 birds. In 1998 he won 5th open Rennes SNFC 3,019 birds; in 1997 he won 38th open Frome SNFC against 3,272 birds; he then won 9th open Rennes SNFC 3,269 birds and won over £7,000. ‘Danny Boy’ was a brilliant national racing cock and was bred from a Van Hee blue cock, bred by Gus Power of Gretna, which won 19th open in the SNFC Young Bird National. Derrick purchased the young blue cock pigeon at a sale for £13. His dam was big blue hen bred by Allister Ray of Bonnyrigg and Derrick raced her and she won 1st federation Cheltenham. In 2018 Derrick’s blue bar hen named ‘Hightower Wee Lizzie’ SU13S 191 won a Silver Award in 2018. Her performances are as follows; in 2016 she won 17th section A with no open prize from Roye flying 448 miles, in 2017 she won 7th section A 12th open from Ancenis flying 544 miles and in 2018 she won 7th section A 40th open Reims flying 507 miles. I think you will agree after reading the above that Derrick Nordon was an extraordinary pigeon fancier; however to me he was a very dear friend whose company I always enjoyed. To Anne and the remainder of the family we send our heartfelt condolences at this sad time. Derrick may no longer be with us but he will NEVER be forgotten Derrick’s funeral will take place on Monday 21st October at 1 o’clock at Langholm Cemetery Joe Murphy Scottish Scribe

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well ,

many happy returns, have a nice day

well done

come on all lets get it going,good to see those events taking place

many happy returns hope you are having a nice day

two nice looking girls, you will be proud of them

hi all hope you have had a good day and all going well

m The Joe Murphy Column Received an email from Billy Holland who wrote ‘Hi Joe I hope you and your family are keeping good, it’s nice to see you are keeping up the good work with the lemon’s again in last week’s article. I took some photos of my breakfast for you, it’s important to note that the lemons have got to be (Un-waxed) as the waxed ones will upset your tummy. I find it much easier to put lemons in a Nutr-Bullet with a little water as frozen lemons are difficult to grate. Depending on size of lemon sometimes a half is enough and a little natural sweetener always helps (stay away from sugar at all costs as this feeds cancer) And in the beginning I found a half a lemon plenty then after 4 weeks you can increase to a full one per day. Although I took them 7 days a week I now take the lemons 5 days a week with my breakfast. The milk thistle powder is good if you’re want to flush your liver out as I did, you should find a difference in your weight with this. In the afternoon a tea spoon if sodium bicarbonate (baking powder) in water will do you no harm and you should search how this can help the cancer. As you no Joe I’m NOT a doctor or even have a medical background I can only give you my experience with all of the above and none will do you any harm. This is will be 8 years I’ve been on lemons and baking powder with no side effects. Please feel free to use any of the above if you wish to assist your readers, I have also enclose some photos for you to highlight if you so wish. Yours in sport and I’m always in your dept. yours Billy Holland. Billy you are not in my dept. I’m only glad to hear of your wonderful progress since you started the lemons (can’t believe it is 8 years) keep healthy Joe M. Scottish Birds to China On return from holiday I contacted my dear friend Billy Bilsland to congratulate him on his outstanding achievement in the SNFC young bird national. I also contacted the outright winner Freddie Robertson to congratulate him as well. Billy then contacted me and informed me that he had received a visit from a fancier from China named Zhongjie (says his Scottish name is Kevin) who had birds from him last year and was interested in obtaining another 2 this year. They picked out 2 youngsters who had competed in the young bird national 1423 who was Billy’s first pigeon home from the national winning 9th open and 1188 winner of 34th open. (You cannot get any better than this Joe M) Zhongjie is going to race their off springs in China next year. He has named 1188 as 'Shanghai Billy' and 1423 as 'Star of Ayton'. They will enter his uncle and his partner's loft in Shanghai (picture attached) when the pigeons arrive in China. ) Zhongjie will make sure as many as their off springs are raced in China next year! His uncle and partner entered 30 birds into 5 one loft races in China this year and they are happy to send off springs from 1188 and 1423 to the one loft races in China in March/April next year. Hopefully we will hear of some results from Zhongjie next year. His uncle is very keen to develop a new line around Billy’s bloodlines, he had a bird (Gaby x Soontjens) last year who won 11th in the 400 km race (hot spot 2) competing against 5439 birds in the one loft race but didn’t do so good in the 500 km final race (winning 372nd). He says ‘Let’s give it 2-3 years and see how your pigeons will do in China! He posted a short video of Billy’s loft on the Chinese social media and within a week this video has had over 41 thousand views and 400 plus likes. In fact 2 fanciers queried the possibility of purchasing a pair of racers and one asked the possibility of introducing a breeder from Billy! Billy has sent me a few photos of 'Shanghai Billy' and 'Star of Ayton' and Zhongjie son a happy Woody! Walkers collected the pigeons and they were delivered to Belgium to catch the upcoming shipment to China. Zhongjie is going to keep Billy informed of the progress of 'Shanghai Billy' and 'Star of Ayton'. A great little story and we wish Zhongjie all the best for the future Joe M. Jackie Herd Received an email and photo from John Hood from Kirkintilloch: who along with his late father and fellow scribe John Harwood used to attend my Sporting Challenge presentation evening; John wrote ‘Hi Joe, I have been going through piles of my old doo stuff (a mountain full) and have sent you a photo of my old pal Jackie Herd who was an excellent fancier be it club federation or national races. The photo is circa 1990 and that year Jackie topped the Lanarkshire federation back to back from Worcester and Cheltenham respectively. Jackie was a great pal who was always up to something and I have great memories of training our birds from Peebles before going to work and my mini-van that had a top speed of 50 miles per hour!! Jackie worked his socks off for the club alas he no longer keeps the birds but is still on the go enjoying a wee flutter at the bookies. Cheers Joe and hope you are well, and keep up the good work in promoting Scottish fanciers John H. While talking to Billy Bilsland I happened to mention about John’s letter above and Billy informed me that Jackie helped him when he flew in the Chryston club with the Lanarkshire federation and had some good results. Billy was working full time running two cycle shops so with Jackie’s help during the 2007 – 2008 seasons. SU 05 L 1533 won 7th section E 27th open SNFC Falaise and SU 07 L678 won 157th open Falaise SNFC in 2008. SU 06 L 2389 won 22nd open SNFC Tours in 2008 then won 2nd Lanarkshire Social Circle Gold Cup and 127th open SNFC Alencon 2009. In 2009 Billy also won 36th open SNFC Andrezel with SU07 13944; then SU 08 L 119 won 1st yearling Lanarkshire Social Circle from Falaise winning the Hugh Brown trophy in 2009. SU 08 L 81 won 3rd open SNFC Ypres 1st section E 1st Lanarkshire federation and SU 08 S 533 won 13th section 43rd open SNFC Ypres in 2009 plus a pile of 1st club and federation positions. Jackie Herd was there every morning cleaning out and his general management first class and he was also a great ‘Stock Man’ who gave me a great hand Joe happy memories and my best wishes to Jackie yours Billy Bilsland’. A Happy Woody. Jackie Herd see text Shanghai Billy Star of Ayto Eye of Shanghai Billy Eye of Star of Ayton Billy Bilsland loft Billy Holland Joe’s Joke It's the semi-final at Wimbledon and a man makes his way to his seat at centre court. He sits down and notices that the seat next to him is empty. He leans over and asks his neighbour if someone is sitting there. He responds, "No, the seat's empty." "The first man exclaims, "What?!? Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the semi-final and not use it?" The neighbour responds, "Well the seat is mine, but my wife passed away and this is the first semi-finals we haven't been together." The first man responds," I'm sorry to hear that. Wasn't there anyone else, a friend or relative that could've taken that seat?" The neighbour responds, "No, they're all at the funeral." 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.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk - www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com or https://sites.google...alracingpigeon/ Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy

many happy returns have a nice day click on cake

morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

many happy returns, have a nice day

alexander Joined on Yesterday, 11:14 AMwelcome to basics

good morning all hope you have a nice day and all goes well

some pics and a close up of one of the rigs, and the gulls and ducks were getting something click to enlarge