Ian McKay

The Joe Murphy Column This past week I have been meeting up with Kevin early in the morning and collecting the birds and bringing them down to Thornton for a training toss. It is about 40 miles as the crow flies and touching wood we have had some very good training tosses so far. As I write this article today 14th June Kevin has picked out 23 birds to go to this week’s Scottish national race from Portsmouth (Bedhampton) a distance of 400 miles to the loft in Arbroath. The majority of these birds had the Leicester race 2 weeks ago a distance of 280 miles so the extra 120 miles (weather permitting) should not be a problem to the team. Margaret and I enjoy going up to Arbroath and sitting with Kevin watching for the birds as it gives us a chance to catch up on family matters or other topics of conversation. It is just nice to sit and relax and enjoy each other’s company. I also get great pleasure from seeing the bird arrive home and then finding out their breeding as I may have bred them in my loft. When the time comes for the babies to go up to Kevin that is the last I see of them until they come home from a race. As you can imagine they change over the months and once they get to this stage in their lives unless Kevin tells me that the bird is bred from pair X Y or Z then I would not know as they have changed in appearance so much. I do the breeding side while Kevin does all the hard work so it is very fitting that he receives the praise for any success that the birds achieve. At the moment he is up at 05-00am (sometimes before this) as I meet him at 06-00 for training. Then he goes home does his chores about the loft (I text him when the trainers are liberated) and he can then go and have breakfast, get showered and ready for work then attend to the trainers when they come home. Whereas I can attend to my own birds at my leisure as I have all day to do my chores. Like everyone else this is the busiest time of the year for our sport especially with the old birds as the main races are now approaching. Before too long it will be all over for another year and if you do not do the work now then it is too late and it is no good saying ‘Oh I should have done this or that’ there is always next year but to me the time is NOW you do not know what is in front of you so strike while the iron is hot so to speak. As we all know it comes down to the race day and for that few seconds when you catch a glimpse of a bird heading towards the loft wings back and within 10/20 seconds it is all over as the bird enters the loft. But believe me to see this happen is what it is all about. These few precious moments are worth getting up early in the morning and driving all those miles just for the sight of that bird shutting its wings as it arrives home. I can still see ‘Mystical Rose’ dropping onto the trap 25 years ago this week to win 1st Scottish National Sartilly and that sight will live with me forever. The day that I lose that feeling of enjoyment in my pigeons is when I know it will be time to give the birds up but until that happens I will enjoy my participation with my son Kevin and hope he continues to achieve more success with our team of birds. SNFC 2017 Year Book I wonder if anyone has a spare copy of the above book as I have tried to obtain one without success. As many of you know after the racing season I like to highlight Good SNFC Birds in my column. However I have to double check each bird’s results before going to print and even at that I still sometimes make mistakes. But the most important issue is I’m trying to give these wonderful pigeons some publicity for their achievements. So if anyone has a spare copy I can have I would be very grateful either that or I just delete this feature in my column. Gran Canaria One Loft Race 2016/17 Rosie Armit has forwarded some information regarding blue white flight SU16 9335 only entry of club mates Turpie & McCord of Pitlessie. He has been 10 times in the first 100 and in the final race and he won 16th open from an entry of 1497 birds in the competition and was the only Scottish bird on the open result flying over 400km over the sea. He flew 1500km in the total races and his sire is from a Vandenabeele x Eagleson Busschaert (has 3 x 1st club wins) crossed with Jock King of Kirkcaldy famous Mary lines. His dam was a gift bird from an Irish fancier that came into Terry Turpie loft as a stray and she has 3 SNFC certificates flying for the partnership. Loss of Pigeons David Armour of Leven showed me a picture he was sent by a lad from Frome in Somerset who was on a boat 6 miles from Brighton. When he seen a group of racing pigeons trying to land on his mates boat, some of these birds landed into the sea. I hope the staff at the paper can use this photograph to go with this little topic. Results For the week between the 2 inland Scottish national races Angus federation were racing from Tow Law with 360 birds liberated along with Dundee federation at 07-00 hours into a brisk south wind. Angus federation is once again filled with Forfar members taking the top 20 positions with Macaulay Fergusson and Curran topping the federation and also winning 3rd 9th 10th 11th 12th & 20th open. 2nd 4th 15th & 17th open is Bob Baldie with Davie Glen winning 5th 6th 18th & 19th open. David J Liddle is 7th & 13th open with Ian Scott winning 8th 14th & 16th open. The East Section winners are Glen Cameron of Arbroath who wins the section plus 6th 7th & 10th positions with bird flying in the Inchcape club. D & D Hay of Gourdon are 2nd & 8th section with Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath wining 3rd & 5th section. Charlie Cameron of Arbroath club is 4th with Les McKay of Inchcape club is 9th. Club Winners are as follows; Forfar 205 bird’s winners Macaulay Fergusson and Curran: Arbroath 56 birds winner Glen Cameron: Inchcape; 44 bird’s winner Glen Cameron: Gourdon club 14 birds winners D & D Hay: Montrose 41 birds winners G Campbell. Arbroath RPC for the 8th old bird race of the season had 3 members sent 56 birds; with top spot going to Glen Cameron flying 129 miles with a yearling doing a velocity of 1620. 2nd club is Kevin J Murphy also with a yearling doing 1596 this bird is bred from Kevin’s ‘Alencon Pair’ the sire won 11th section C 86th open SNFC Alencon 573 miles and the dam won 20th section C 120th open SNFC Alencon. 3rd club goes to Charlie Cameron with a 5 year old black cock 6 yards behind Kevin’s timer. He is from a black hen that was 13th open Reims and 6th open Ypres when she was mated to a son of Snowcap winner of 4th open Reims. Ayrshire Federation News from Archie McIntyre the federation race secretary who writes; ‘Hi Joe for our 6th race of the season this was due to be flown from Melton Mowbray on the 27th May. However the top table took the decision early in the week ‘based on the race controller recommendation’ to change the race point to Retford. This would allow us to sit alongside Glasgow and South Lanarkshire federations once again and with the possibility of a joint liberation the same as what happened in the previous week’s race from Wetherby. Unfortunately the joint liberation was not able to take place as one of the other organisations did not want a joint liberation with the Ayrshire birds, so, it was left for Ayrshire to go on their own. Jim O’Hare our race controller had the convoy of 396 Ayrshire birds away at 08-35 hours into a light west wind for a journey of between 197 to 233 miles fly for the Ayrshire birds. This race turned out to be a very hard race with some fanciers who have been very consistent this year in the federation not getting a timer and many others with less than 25% of their team home at clock checking. Leading the pack this week taking 1st federation on 1041 is Terry Logan of Kilmarnock Invitation club with a yearling chequer ‘Leo Van Rijn’ hen flown on the roundabout system. Terry has his birds flying exceptional well this year in the federation previously winning 4th & 5th federation Berwick 1,353 birds: 5th federation Sedgefield 1,104 birds and 20th federation Wetherby 661 birds. As a young bird his winner won 1st club Kilmarnock Invitation her sire is ‘Beauty King 599’and comes from the lofts of Mr & Mrs Duggins and on the dam side, I unfortunately do not have any details of her. 2nd fed this week doing a velocity of 1015 is a good friend of mine, Eben Stewart of Mauchline. I must mention the good work Eben has done for years now; he has gone out his way sometimes every week and travels down to Dumfries & Galloway to collect Ayrshire, Lanarkshire as well as Glasgow strays and brings them back up the road with him and then contacts the owners. He evens takes the Lanarkshire birds through to Lanarkshire if they are fit and liberates them. Eben has done this all at his own expense and never asks for anything in return, so I just though a wee mention to recognise the work he does for his fellow fanciers in the West of Scotland. I should also like to mention, this would not be possible without the help of the fanciers in the Solway Federation who collects these birds up from around the Dumfries & Galloway area as well as the Cumbria region to allow this to happen. Eben’s 2nd federation winner is a yearling Delbar crossed Van Loon cock flow natural and was sitting 7 days on eggs going into this race. This cock flew the young bird programme and has had every old bird race this season so far. This was a gift bird Eben received from a very good friend and true gentleman, namely Bobby Colvin of Newcastle. 3rd federation this week on 1005, is Harvey Pollock of Irvine, who looks to be coming back to his old self again as the birds just rattled in as if they were returning from a 50 mile training toss and not the 220 mile race that turned out to be a very hard indeed. This yearling cock of Harvey’s is flown on the widowhood his sire previously won 1st club, 1st centre section from the Sedgefield race in 2016. The Great grandsire scored in the SNFC Ypres 2009 race taking 1st section F, 34th open. In and around the Clubs starting with the North Section (172 birds) Dalry (57 birds) 1st John Shepherd 995, 2nd A Barbour 934 3rd Jim Shepherd 926 Ardeer (68 birds) 1st A Howie 956, 2nd J Donald 930, 3rd W Hughes 927 Kilwinning (30 birds) 1st & 3rd J McNeil 960 & 931, 2nd J & T Davidson 934 Central Section (124 birds) Irvine (68 birds) 1st & 3rd H Pollock 1005 & 1000, 2nd T Blakely 1001 Crosshouse (19 birds) 1st & 3rd A Wilson 949, 826, 2nd I Noble 937 Kilmarnock (16 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd T Logan 1041, 906, 893 Darvel (38 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cowan & Findlay 1000, 948, 902 South Section (100 birds) Mauchline (21 birds) 1st E Stewart 1015, 2nd J Watters 666 3rd A Plenderleith 613 Cumnock (0) No Birds Sent Dalmellington (17 birds) 1st H Bell 809 Carrick (0) No birds sent Annbank (32 birds) 1st J Mathieson 2nd & 3rd D Harris 832 & 823 Whitletts (30 birds) 1st & 2nd Cree & Cuthbert 941 & 932 3rd M Brown 863 For the 7th race of the season the federation duplicated in with SNFC race from Buckingham with 282 birds being liberated as part of 4,170 SNFC convoy at 08-15 into a moderate west wind and the thinking around the federation was the east side of the country would clean up once again. How wrong we were: as leading the way into the Ayrshire federation this week and putting up an outstanding performance to record 1st federation, 1st section F, 56th open SNFC Buckingham on a velocity of 1358.5 is Alex Howie of the Ardeer Homing Society. Alex's winning pigeon is a 2 year old cock raced on widowhood; he has flown consistently for Alex this season always in the first 2 or 3 birds back to loft having had every federation race this season. He was bred by his nephew David who Alex was in partnership with the season of the bird’s birth 2015 and he was taken to Alex new lofts and broken and raced in 2016 but homed hawked from his 4th race that year. His breeding is from David and Alex good friend and SNFC winning loft of Andy Miller of Edinburgh. The sire is from Kevin Lawson being Van Loon (7097) bloodlines crossed P40 winner of 28th open Ypres as well as 1st & 10th federation Wetherby. The Dam is from P23 (Kuwaiti Pair) which is responsible for winners out to SNFC Ypres. Andy feels they are better inland pigeons as brothers and sisters have won in the region of £5000 for him x 5991 a very promising pigeon with 5 x top 10 federation positions till homing injured from Maidstone. Alex said his section winner (3118) was normally a quiet cock sometimes unable to hold his box, but that changed a few weeks ago when Alex and his wife Liz were sitting in the garden and (3118) started fighting another cock on the landing board and knocked the other cock off and started showing a lot more aggression about himself. The following week’s race was from Retford, Alex was sitting in the garden waiting when (3118) must have arrived from the back of the loft as Alex just heard the thump as he hit the landing board that hard. He went on to win 1st club, 1st 2 BCC Ardeer club and 10th federation flying 223 miles doing a velocity of 956 ypm into a west wind. This cock has won in the region of £500 in the last 2 weeks for Alex and as it is everyone's prerogative, Alex had started the season and asked his birds to get to the inland Buckingham race and they would be stopped for the season and I'm sure they have earned their rest; once again many congratulations Mr Howie. Many thanks also to Colin Nicol the ever hard working secretary for Ardeer HS for sending in Alex Howie’s report. 2nd federation this week on 1317 and also taking 4th section F, 143rd open SNFC 4,170 birds is Willie Lawrence of the Whitletts Club in Ayr. Willie is no stranger to putting in top performance when it counts and has already topped the federation earlier in the season. Flying as far west as Willie does into the coastal town of Ayr makes Willes’s performance all the more evident. Willie’s fine looking 2 year old dark chequer has previously won, 1st South section 569 birds, 6th federation 1,658 birds Sedgefield in 2016. Willie pigeon was the only south section bird to make the top 20 in the federation that week where the remaining 19 positions were taken up with the north section pigeons. Willie had his 2 year cock sitting 12 days on eggs prior to going to Buckingham. The breeding is Gerry Clements crossed David Coward Talbot and is the best lines of Krommen, C Hebberecht x Danny Boy who was 1st, 5th and 7th N.W.C.C. x The Cerafin winner of 1st National Limoges. 3rd federation this week on 1298 and also taking 5th Section F, 212th open SNFC is Derek McCullen of Kilmaurs, flying in the Irvine club. Another great performance put up by an Ayrshire member. Derek was telling me he was vaccinating his birds with his friend Mick Hilland and only realised he had timed in when he had a look at his ETS clock when they had finished vaccinating his young birds. This 3 year old blue bar cock was flying on the roundabout system and was un-flown as a young bird, as a yearling the pigeon was flown through the Lanarkshire federation out to about 200 miles then as a 2 year old was sent with the Ayrshire North Road Federation. This year he has had 2 races, Sedgefield and Wetherby with Ayrshire federation prior to going to Buckingham. The parents on both sides are both pigeons from Derek’s good friend Rex Doe of Cornwall. This family of pigeons has served Derek well over the years as well as other fanciers up and down the country. In and around the Clubs starting with the North Section (126 birds) Dalry - 1st T Smith 1201, 2nd Jim Shepherd 1181, 3rd A Barbour 1075 Ardeer - 1st A Howie 1358, 2nd J & S O’Hare 1158, 3rd J Stirrat 1155 Kilwinning - 1st & 2nd J McNeil 1277, 991, 3rd J & T Davidson 95 Central Section (74 birds) Irvine - 1st D McCullen 1298, 2nd H Pollock 1217, 1000, 3rd A Connelly 1202 Crosshouse - 1st A Wilson 961, 2nd A McCullen Kilmarnock – No Birds timed. Darvel - 1st J & R Bryson 1273, 2nd R Donegan 1158, 3rd Cowan & Findlay 1150 South Section (82 birds) Mauchline - 1st A Plenderleith 780, 2nd E Stewart 613 Cumnock - No Birds timed. Dalmellington - 1st & 2nd G Mitchell 782, 607 Carrick – 1st & 2nd A Lothian 779, 771 Annbank – 1st B Lenachan 915, 2nd D Paterson 901, 3rd G Morrison 874 Whitletts – 1st W Lawrence 1317, 2nd & 3rd Cree & Cuthbert 895, 883 Joe I have attached 3 photographs to go with this report these are of Alex Howie’s 1st federation, 1st section F, 56th open. Willie Lawrence winner of 2nd federation, 4th section F and 143rd open. Derek McCullen winner of 3rd federation, 5th Section F and 212th open. Thanks again Joe it is good to see our federation members receiving some good publicity for their birds efforts cheers Archie’. East of Scotland Federation news from John Baillie of Tranent who writes ‘Hi Joe, our race controller Bobby Graham decided on Wednesday morning to basket the birds for Newark on the Thursday with hopefully a mid-morning liberation on the Friday due to the poor forecast for Saturday. I thought was a good decision as this gave any birds going to Bedhampton an extra couple of days in the loft. Race Controller John Parry had the birds away at 10-10 into south west wind. Now onto the result for the East Of Scotland federation and taking the 1st open for the 4th time this year is Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton. Graham also took 3rd and 6th open positions. The federation winning bird this week was also 1st open the previous week from Wetherby and the other 2 birds have also taken many top 10 positions this year including his 3rd bird topping the Federation from Ridsdale. Davidson Partners of Prestonpans take the 2nd spot with Tam Hunnam of Port Seton filling the 4th, 7th & 10th positions. Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston are 5th open, with George Veitch of East Saltoun winning 8th place. Brian Laverty of Prestonpans is in 9th open spot. Prestonpans HC taking 1st and 2nd positions we have Tam Hunnam and the loft manager Corker Thomson phoned with the birds details this week. The winner is a yearling chequer cock and is a Braspenning crossed Van Reet this bird topped the federation as a youngster and was 3rd federation from Newark this year. The bird taking 2nd spot is a pure Braspenning. Taking the 3rd place is Brian Laverty sorry no details. Thanks once again Joe for the coverage and All The Best to you and Kevin for the up-coming national programme yours John B’. Fife Federation Received an email from Gordon Turnbull the secretary of the federation who wrote ‘Hi Joe, please find the race result that we had a problem at the liberation with after discussing it at the June Fife Federation Council Meeting we have decided to publish the result kindest regards Gordon’. From the Alnwick race flown on the 29th April 2259 birds were liberated at 08-45am into a north east wind. Taking the first 8 plus 10th open place is Dave Baldie of St Andrew he also took the top 10 places in the east section with his family of Willie Donachie Frans Zwols super-fast pigeons. Kennoway sending 221 birds; Methilhaven 144 birds; Leven 211 birds; St Andrews 166 birds and Tayport 60 birds. Going back to the first 10 in the open Erskine & son of Novar club won 9th open. Centre Section had Glenrothes club sending 172 birds with Novar sending 190 birds. Erskine & son of Novar take the 1st x 4 places plus 8th & 9th section. Mick McMurchie of Glenrothes is 5th with Brian Kinnear of the same club in 6th & 7th places. The 10th spot goes to Turpie & McCord of the same Glenrothes club. The west section had Perth sending 200 birds; Lochgelly with 218 birds; Dunfermline with 255 birds and Crossgates with 432 birds. The section was dominated by 2 lofts Stuart Donaldson of Perth who took the first 7 places and George Anderson taking the remaining 3 places. The Federation members sent 1126 birds to Alnwick 2 on the 11th June with the convoy being liberated at 07-25 hours into a south west wind. R Anderson of St Andrews takes the first 5 birds plus another 2 in 7th & 8th in the East section and open. John Harcus is 6th & 10th with Dave Baldie of the same club winning 9th open. Birdage for the East section was as follows; Tayport 19; Kennoway 164; St Andrews 102 birds; Methilhaven 101 birds and Leven 113th birds. The Centre section had Novar club sending 75 birds with Glenrothes sending 104 birds. Topping the section and also winning 7th 8th 9th & 10th section are the Glenrothes membership of Turpie & McCord. With club mate Brian Kinnear in 2nd place followed by Mick McMurchie who wins 3rd 4th 5th & 6tj places. The west section had Perth sending 7 birds Dunfermline 101 birds; Crossgates 219 birds and Lochgelly 121 birds. Taking the first 3 and 10th places are the McCord & Turpie partnership with Jock Brockie of Lochgelly in 4th 5th 7th 8th & 9th positions. C Wright of the same club is 6th section. Glenrothes & Leslie Pigeon Club sent 144 birds to the Leicester open race and taking 1st club was Ian Chalmers with a velocity of 1203 this was a yearling grizzle cock sent sitting 8 day on eggs. His dam is a granddaughter of ‘Bianchi’ from Ponderosa UK stud. His sire is a Van Loon from the Silver Bullet line also from Ponderosa UK stud. Ian said it was the best trap he'd seen, the bird just turned in the air and went straight through the open bowl, well done Ian. 2nd & 3rd places were won by Mick McMurchie but No info. From the Buckingham race the club members sent 58 birds with the winner going to Brian Kinnear on a velocity of 1315 this was a 2 year old chequer hen sitting on 5 day eggs. Her sire is a son of George & Brian Hunters hen ‘Kingdom Katie’ and her dam is a granddaughter of Stitchy. 2nd club are Turpie & McCord on 1313 with a 2 year old blue cock sent sitting 5 day eggs. His sire is a Dougie Hain ‘Dordin’ and his dams is a Lerman gift bird from Dougie Barnes of Crossgates. He has won various good positions - winning 5th section in the federation was well up including winning 3rd & 5th etc. He is half- brother to a 22nd section 9th open Clermont SNFC, 22nd section 58th open Ypres SNFC and 4th section 16th open Roye SNFC. (must be a SNFC Silver Award Winner Joe M) 3rd club are Turpie & McCord on 1288 with a 4 year old blue cock sent sitting 8 day eggs. His sire is a son of Austin Whittaker’s 1st open Ypres and his dam a daughter of Kevin and Lee Buddle of Dover pied hen "Buddy" winner of 4th open Pau that’s it for this week Joe yours Rosie’. Dunfermline LRPS news from David Kennedy with the Alnwick (comeback race) were 7 members sent 101 birds. Frank Mitchell wins this week with a velocity of 1256.98 ypm velocity: He timed his previous club winner who is a 3 year old cock chasing his hen to the nest, the bird was bred by Wattie Sharp from his Frank Tasker bloodlines. Taking 2nd club is Alistair McInnes with a velocity of 1256.46 yard per minute he timed a homebred yearling widowhood cock who contains the Pow Janssen bloodlines. Also taking 3rd is Alistair with a home bred 3 year old widowhood cock with the bloodlines being Cattrysse. The nomination and two bird this week were both won by Alistair McInnes. St Andrews RPC new from the Ripon race with an entry of 167 birds the form loft of Dave Baldie is 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th & 8th with his team of Frans Zwols pigeons with the first 2 winning 6th & 7th federation (2135 birds). John Harcus is 3rd, 5th, 9th & 10th. From the Wakefield race the members sent 157 birds winning 5 races on the bounce is the inform loft of Dave Baldie, with the fantastic team of Frans Zwols pigeons who win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 9th & 10th they also win 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th & 10th federation from an entry of 1929 birds (see pictures attached of the four Fife federation winners). From the Leicester race the winner is R Anderson with his 2nd pigeon winning 5th prize. Dave Baldie wins 2nd, 6th, 8th & 10th and John Harcus wins 3rd, 4th, 6th & 8th. A big well done to the St Andrews club as they win the first 3 positions in the Fife federation open race from 1690 entries. Lanarkshire Federation news from Andrew Eadie who writes ‘Hi Joe, last Saturday was our 8th race of the season from Buckingham and what a cracking race it turned out to be with our members duplicating back in from the Scottish national flying club. The Lanarkshire federation had 1010 birds liberated on 3rd June into a west wind with our club having 16 members sending 168 birds and taking 1st ,3rd ,5th & 7th club 1st ,4th ,7th & 9th section, 3rd ,7th ,15th & 31st open federation and the icing on the cake in the SNFC winning 4th ,7th ,16th ,77th 110th Reg E 7th,17th ,41st open is Tam Richardson timing in all 2 year olds flown on the roundabout system and bred down from his very successful ‘Auld Blue Craigneuk’ lines and their and his health is maintained with supplements from his ‘Mad Skull Bottle’ . (well done Tam Joe M) 2nd ,4th ,6th club, 3rd ,6th ,8th ,14th & 15th section 6th 14th ,17th ,41st & 43rd open federation and in the SNFC winning 6th ,14th ,18th ,44th ,45th ,95th region E, 16th ,35th ,50th open are the Eadie & Kelly partnership with their very successful Kruger and Vandenabeele’s lines raced on 6 days eggs and roundabout systems. Lastly I'd like to personally congratulate the ‘Macaloney’s’ on their Scottish National win and well done to all who had some cracking positions in their respective clubs; federations; sections and opens. Next week we should have been at Charnock but due to adverse weather reports it was cancelled and we now move up another gear to Bedhampton a distance of 365 miles to our loft with the SNFC. Good Luck to all who compete and for those whose expectations were disappointed in the last race Your Turn Will Come; Photograph to follow of Tam Richardson and myself who took the 1st x 7 positions in the club. Good Luck to you and Kevin in the national Joe all the best Andy’. North of Scotland Federation News from George Duthie of the Worksop old bird race flown on the 11th June with 54 members sending 655 birds these were liberated into a south west wind with the East Section having 28 members sending 391 birds. The won the first 11 open positions in the federation. 1st open and 1st east section is J ( Ian ) Gibb of Fraserburgh & District club he was doing a velocity of 1802 and was the only bird in the convoy to do so. 2nd 3rd 4th 5th & 6th section and open is Stewart Maskame of Peterhead & District club (I was speaking to Stewart via facetime prior to this race so well done mate Joe M) 7th section and open goes to A Higgins of Fraserburgh & District club with George P Taylor of Peterhead & District club taking 8th & 9th positions. Clint & M Williams of the same Peterhead club wins 10th & 11th section and open. The West Section had 26 members sending 264 birds with G Wilson of Devern Valley club winning 1st & 2nd section 16th & 24th federation. Club mate A Mair (John) is 3rd section 31st open with A J Reid of Keith club winning 4th 7th & 9th section 32nd 35th & 38th open. R Wilson of the same club is 5th & 8th west section 33rd & 36th open. R Wilson & Family of Devern Valley are 6th west section 34th open with G R Duncan of Keith club making up the top 10 in the west section and he also wins 39th open. Clubs first bird are as follows; Peterhead & District won by S Maskame Fraserburgh West End won by R Higgins Devern Valley won by G Wilson Keith won by A J Reid Inverurie won by A & A Milne Elgin & District won by W Ritchie Forres, Nairn & Inverurie won by S Taylor Buckie & District won by J Cumming Fraserburgh & District won by J (Ian) GIBB Well done to Ian Gibb on topping the federation and also congratulations to Gordon Wilson on winning the West Section Pentland Hills Federation News from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe, a good decision to basket the race birds on Thursday for a Friday race with 13 clubs sending 1261 birds. Liberated at 10-10 into a south west wind it turned out a good race with most pigeons home within the hour of the first birds clocked from a distance of 210 to 222 miles. Winning 1st New Lothian and Pentland Hills Federation is the form loft of Willie Pryde & Son John (aka Bubba) who timed their yearling Roland Janssen hen flying celibate, bred from Louella Pigeon World stock. Brothers and sisters to this hen have won many federation tickets in the last few years. The partnership were also 3rd federation with D & J Allen of Woodburn in 2nd place with A Lawson of Easthouses I 4th spot followed by Bonnyrigg member A Dewar L Mitchell of Castlebrae is 6th with A W Robertson of Danderhall in 7th spot he is followed by club mates Willie Kinnear & son in 8th place and M Bennett of the same club is 9th followed by another Danderhall loft of A Young who makes up the top ten. Club Winners; Easthouses 126 birds; 1st & 2nd W. Pryde & Son 3rd A Lawson Woodburn 86 birds; 1st D & J Allen 2nd Lapinski 3rd Brown & Black Bonnyrigg 102 birds; 1st A Dewar 2nd J Dewar 3rd Benson Castlebrae 32 birds; 1st & 3rd L Mitchell 2nd A Mitchell Danderhall 297 birds; 1st A.W. Robertson 2nd Kinnear 3rd Bennett Loanhead 80 birds; 1st & 3rd Simpson 2nd Murray Sighthill 79 birds; 1st Miller 2nd & 3rd Girdwood Edinburgh Premier 86 birds; 1st & 3rd Gilchrist 2nd McLaughlin Edinburgh West 58 birds; 1st & 3rd Bennett 2nd Lamb Rosewell 39 birds; 1st McCormack 2nd Cunningham & Ness 3rd G. Tytler & Son 1181 Peebles 17 birds; New Lothian 32 birds; Traprain 209 birds; 1st & 2nd Thomson 3rd Newcombe & Black Others 18 birds; New Lothian RPC Newark race flown on Friday 9th June liberated at 10-10 hours into a south west wind. Willie Pryde & son are 1st and 3rd winning nearly £200 for their efforts. 2nd places goes to D & J Allen of Woodburn with A Lawson of Easthouses in 4th place L Mitchell of Castlebrae has a good lift winning a couple of pounds short of £500. A W Robertson of Danderhall lifts the tidy sum of £213 for his efforts with Willie Kinnear & son of Danderhall 6th spot just ahead of M Bennett also from Danderhall with another club mate A Young in 9th place and J Pryde of Easthouses is 10th & 11th. Alex Howie 1st Fed Buckingham W Lawrence 2nd Fed Buckingham Derek McCullen 3rd Fed Buckingham Dave Baldie's 1st Fife Fed Wakefield Terry Logan 1st Fed Retford Eben Stewart 2nd Fed Retford Joe’s Joke Bringing back some memories? Someone asked the other day, 'What was your favourite 'fast food' when I was growing up?' 'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him. 'All the food was slow.' 'C'mon, seriously.. Where did you eat?' 'It was a place called 'home,'' I explained. ! 'Mum cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate, I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.' By this time, the lad was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table. But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I'd figured his system could have handled it: Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore jeans, set foot on a golf course, travelled out of the country or had a credit card. My parents never drove me to school... I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed (slow). We didn't have a television in our house until I was 10 years old. It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at 10 PM, after playing the national anthem and epilogue. It came back on the air at about 6 am and there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people... Pizzas were not delivered to our home... BUT milk and morning rolls were. All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers my brother delivered a newspaper, seven days a week. He had to get up at 6 every morning for 10 shillings a week (50 pence nowadays). Film stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the films. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or almost anything offensive. If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing. Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it? 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 and www.pigeon-chat.co.uk also www.pigeonbasics.com Pigeon Racing the Basics who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland. © Compiled by Joe Murphy

Happy Birthday guy's have a nice one :drinking-coffee-200:

State of the art transporters will NOT stop bad races but as long as we keep using old style transport we deserve the criticism we get It is not logical for the SNFC to have thousands tied up in transporters to be used 5 / 6 times a year if you had a business you would not allow your cash to be used for this purpose Modern transporters are / should be available but it is down to the usual reasons we cannot get them: Politics Greed and POWER The pigeons are not considered they only get lip service I do NOT believe the conveyors are to blame they have to work with the tools given to them The birds form the North section are in transport or baskets about 12 hrs before some It will never change as long as they make a nice profit and we keep sending birds time heals after all it has been done like this for a hundred years so why change it now :emoticon-0179-headbang:

Well done Glen on thinking about the birds but others are not on the same planet as you High / low thermometers are cheap Video cameras are cheap Tracking facility is cheap But will we use it no chance it might prove something !! I have said for years the Unions could help if they made above compulsory for all transporters But why should we have to wait on the Unions acting we should be shouting for it ourselves but we won't until something happens which we do not like then we start grumping How many Fed transporters have?: High / Low temperature units in use How many have three sided drinkers How many have any sort of air conditioning How many have trackers fitted How many have video cameras fitted So we don't want them on our Fed transporters but when something goes wrong we want the National to supply them (which they should) But lets get our house in order and start at home then they might listen at National level and Union level Oh and how many transporters in Scotland comply with DEFRA rules Time DEFRA flexed it's muscles and made us look at what we should be doing as per the law on the transport of livestock

The Joe Murphy Column Kevin’s federation were racing from Leicester on the 3rd June with 404 birds liberated at 08-15 hours into a west wind this was the same day as the Scottish national who were racing from Buckingham with 495 members sending 4169 birds. These were liberated at the same time of 08-15 into a light moderate west wind. So with both races on the same day Margaret and I looked forward to spending the afternoon in Kevin’s back garden watching for the race birds. When we arrived Kevin informed us that the Scottish national pigeons where being timed in the Solway and Scottish borders area between 1 and 2 o’clock so they would not be long till they would be up in his area. As we settled down to look for the birds just after 3pm Margaret said ‘There’s 2 birds’ as they dropped onto the loft, I shouted to Kevin here is another 2 and all 4 were in the ETS clock in less than a minute and as it happened Kevin won the 1st x 4 places in the club. The winner sire is a full brother to our 4th open SNFC Alencon Gold Cup winner at 573 miles. Dam is a Ritchie & Whyte hen who is the dam of our 18th open Ypres, 19th open Clermont, 86th & 134th open Alencon and has turned out to be one of our top stock hens. The 2nd club winner was bred by my good friend Rob Glover of Nuneaton and she won 159th open SNFC Billericay and has flown Ypres and Roye for us. The 3rd pigeon is from a Guy Reed cock a son of Champion ‘Wingdown’ when he was mated to our 4th open SNFC Alencon winner. The 4th placed bird is the same way bred as the winner being down from the Ritchie & White hen when she was mated to a direct son of ‘Robbie’s Boy’ winner of 1st open SNFC Falaise for Gilmour Brothers of Leven. Kevin had full returns with his 25 birds all home from Leicester with one badly injured having a cut across the chest which could have been done by hitting wires and she had to be stitched up. His Ancenis candidate for this year returned minus some tail feathers so may miss this longest race but might make the Falaise national which is the last old bird race; overall he was happy at his returns. Then 20 minutes later at 15-22 as Kevin was in the loft attending to the Leicester birds Margaret said loudly there is a blue hen on the way into the loft. This turned out to be his first national pigeon from Buckingham and 10 minutes later her sister drop onto the loft and 6 minutes later he timed a yearling hen; and he finished up with 17 home from his entry of 20 birds at the national, so was very pleased with his bird’s efforts on the day. Kevin ended up winning 2nd Angus federation 37th section C 112th open with his first bird she is a half-sister to ‘Lucky’ (same dam) who won 4 times for us in SNFC inland racing. Her mother is named ‘Jenny’ and was bred by fellow scribe Adrian Duggins from his Leo Van Rijn bloodlines and I named her after Adrian’s late wife. The sire of the blue hen was a direct Leo Van Rijn cock I purchased from Holland with the help of Adrian. Kevin’s 2nd pigeon is a full sister to his first bird and she won 70th section C 202nd open and this is her 2nd national certificate as she won 63rd open from Ypres last year. The yearling hen won 88th section C 273rd open and is a full sister to the bird I presented to Blackpool Show of the Year 2 years ago. Her sire is a direct Bernard Deweerdt bred pigeon being a son of ‘Clovis’ one of Bernard’s top racing cocks. The mother of the yearling is a red hen bred by my good friend Mark Gower and is from a son of Kedirtje a winner for Bernard Deweerdt. Mark’s hen is turning out to be a ‘Gold Mine’ at stock. Congratulations to ALL the fanciers who made the SNFC result however I would like to say how happy I was in seeing the west section fanciers having a good day by winning the race. This is long overdue and these lads have a hard race programme in the national as 9 times out of 10 their birds have to finish off their race heading into a WEST wind which makes it nearly impossible to win the national. So hats off to these lads when they do well and congratulations to each person who made the national result. The outright winners of the SNFC need no introduction to the pigeon sport as they are household names throughout the UK and beyond. Father George; son Willie & grandson Paul Macaloney of Airdrie win 1st & 6th open so well done lads. I have heard, don’t know if it is true or not, that George is in hospital at the moment if so this will be the perfect ‘pick me up’ he requires. P White of Hamilton is 2nd open with S Fleming of Bathgate winning 1st section D and 3rd open. SNFC secretary Mary Pryde partner Jimmy Smith and partner of Polmont are 4th open and my good friends Jock & Willie Strang & son Tyron of California winning 5th open well done to one and all. East of Scotland press officer John Baillie of Tranent is 1st section B 8th open John has kindly forwarded a photograph of his winning blue hen. Dave Baldie who is having a hard time just now with the passing of his dear wife wins 1st section C and is 11th open. First section A 25th open is W F Van Nuil of Gretna with A Howie of Saltcoats winning 1st section F 56th open; 1st section G 328th open flying 361 miles are E & K Elliott of Aberdeen; well done to all the above fanciers and to everyone else who make the open result this turned out to be a good race and many of these birds will go back to the 2nd inland national from Portsmouth on the 17th June (this weekend so good luck to one and all) Results Angus Federation Arbroath Racing Pigeon Society from the 6th old bird race of the season from Newark a distance of 250 miles 4 members sent 63 birds these were liberated at 06-00am with No wind at the race point. Kevin Murphy continued on his winning ways with a ‘flier’ as this chequer hen won the club by 24 minutes AND a velocity of 115 yards per minute on the 2nd bird. She also won 2 x 1st clubs as a youngster and was raced out to SNFC Roye 540 miles as a yearling. Her ring number is 792 and our national winner Mystical Rose number was 12792 so Kevin has named this hen ‘Rose’ in memory of our very special hen. Rose is bred from a Crammond & Langstaff of Fontwell cock who contains the very best of Euro Diamond bloodlines. While her dam was a direct Bernard Deweerdt hen I purchased when visiting Kortemark. She is from a brother to IBAN when mated back into the old Deweerdt lines. Unfortunately this hen passed away last year at the age of 5 years old in my stock loft. The winner has also topped the Angus federation which takes some doing believe me so well done Kevin. 2nd & 3rd club is Glen Cameron with 2 yearlings Angus federation liberated their convoy of birds at Newark at 06-00 am with no wind at the liberation site. This was a good decision as quite a number of organisations did not basket their birds for a Saturday race and flew on the Sunday instead. Topping the federation is Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath with David J Liddle of Forfar 2nd 5th 9th & 15th open Ian Scott of the same club is 3rd 4th 10th 12th 16th & 17th open with Bob Baldie again from Forfar is in 6th 11th 18th 19th & 20th open. Macaulay Ferguson and Curran of Forfar are 7th open. East Section winners are Kevin Murphy in 1st & 6th section with Les McKay of Inchcape in 2nd place M Wallace of Montrose is 3rd with Glen Cameron of Arbroath club in 4th 5th & 9th positions. D & D Hay of Gourdon are 7th with Charlie Cameron of Arbroath 8th section and the remaining position is won by G McKenzie of Inchcape club. Club winners are as follows: Forfar 354 bird’s winner D J Liddle: Arbroath 63 bird’s winner Kevin J Murphy: Inchcape 54 birds winner L McKay; Gourdon 20 birds winner D & D Hay; Montrose 31 birds winner G Campbell. The Grampian Combine held their race from Newark with 72 members sending 1189 birds these were liberated at 06-00 hours into a light south east wind. Taking the top spot and also 8th position is Bruce McKenzie of Dundee with John Duthie of the same City winning 2nd 4th & 7th places. Another Dundee member Kris Duncan is 3rd & 10th with Steward Davie again from Dundee in 5th spot he is followed by another city loft of Hansen Brothers with Kevin Murphy the only Angus federation member to make the top ten in 9th place. Bruce wins the Grampian Yearling Cup well done Bruce. From the Angus federation Leicester race the winner is past SNFC Ypres winner Davie Glen of Forfar he is also 16th open. The partnership of Macaulay Ferguson & Curran of the same club are 2nd & 4th with Bob Baldie in 3rd 5th & 9th open Ian Scott had a good race winning 6th 7th 8th 15th 19th & 20th federation with David J Liddle of the same club being 10th 11th 12th 13th 17th & 18th open thus making up the top 20 positions. East Section winners are as follows; 1st M Wallace & son of Montrose; 2nd 3rd 4th & 5th is Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath with Glen Cameron of Inchcape club in 6th 8th 9th & 10th section and his dad Charlie Cameron of Arbroath club splits him up by taking 7th section. Club winners are as follows: Forfar 238 bird’s winner Davie Glen: Arbroath 49 bird’s winner Kevin J Murphy: Inchcape 56 birds winner G Cameron; Gourdon 17 birds winner D & D Hay; Montrose 44 birds winner M Wallace & son. Almond Valley Federation Balerno were at Wakefield on Sunday 28th May with 7 members sending 125 birds these were liberated into a North West wind and 1st place goes to Colin Ross with a yearling chequer cock flying to his nest box. He is bred from Kit Carson’s 1st open combine winner crossed Bobby Caruthers’s blood lines and was doing a velocity of 1145. In 2nd place is yours truly Colin Bain with a blue chequer pied hen who is granddaughter of Robert Cormack’s famous ‘Barney’ crossed with a granddaughter of Richard Combes Gold Award winner and was sent sitting 14 days on egg and was doing a velocity of 1121. 3rd & 4th is Douglas Bald with a 2 year old chequer cock flying spare on 1118 was bought at the SHU sale. Douglas next bird is a blue yearling hen sitting on eggs she was doing 1110 well that’s it for another week Joe all the best wishes to you and Kevin for the inland national yours Colin B’ Ayrshire Federation News from Archie McIntyre the federation race secretary who informs us that for the 5th race of the season from Wetherby the race marking was delayed 24 hours due to the poor forecast up the east side of the country for Saturday. Glasgow and South Lanarkshire Federations were also at Wetherby this weekend and it had been agreed we would be having a joint liberation. This was a good decision as all the birds were heading over to the west side of the country. Word came through from our race controller Jim O’Hare informing us that the convoy of 661Ayrshire birds in conjunction with Glasgow and South Lanarkshire Federations had been liberated at 09-45 hours into a light south west wind for the journey of between 154 miles to 189 miles for the Ayrshire members. Leading the pack this week and taking 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 11th Federation is Andy Barbour of West Kilbride to record his 2nd x 1st federation win in 2 weeks. Andy’s close neighbour and club mate Tom Smith also had a great race taking, 2nd, 3rd, 10th and 12th to make it a clean sweep of the top 12 positions to these two Dalry HS members. The winner of 1st federation Wetherby doing a velocity of 1399 ypm for Andy is a 2 year old hen flying on the roundabout system. She certainly stepped up a notch from her previous week’s race from Sedgefield (153 miles) when she won 9th federation from an entry of 1,104 birds. Her sire is a grandson of Hardy Kruger’s top pigeons ‘Black Pearl’ who is in turn a direct son of Hardy ‘Black Power’. The dam is a pigeon that was down on loan from Andy’s good friend Archie McIntyre of Largs. This hen was bred down from a pair of pigeons that originated from the very successful national partnership of Mr & Mrs Little of Eastriggs and are children from their national winners, 1st open SNRPC Cholet 556 miles (only bird on the day) and 1st open SNFC Newbury and 1st open SNFC Falaise. Taking 2nd & 3rd federation is the ever consistent fancier this year namely Tom Smith his first bird on 1396 velocity is a dark chequer cock flying on the roundabout. His sire is a mealy Tom bred for stock from his good mealy cock that originated from the lofts of J Dalgleish of Ecclefechan and is bred down off ‘Howden Gold’. This prolific racer that won 1st open Falaise, 3rd open Falaise, 110th open Alencon and 37th open Reims to name a few of the outstanding performances this hen put up. The dam is a Corbett Busschaert originating from Louella Lofts and this was a stray pigeon Tom got in and reported. The owner asked Tom if he knew of any young kid in the sport who would like the pigeon, as Tom liked the pigeon so much himself he knew just the young kid who would take it, ‘himself’. The bird was later transferred to himself and what a goldmine this pigeon has turned out to be for Tom as her blood is in most of his top performing pigeons these days. Tom’s 3rd federation Wetherby winner on 1395 ypm is a mealy cock again flying on the roundabout. His sire is the same bird that bred the above winner for Tom and was mated to a hen bred down from Denis Dall of Ladybank national winning bloodlines. In and around the Clubs starting with the North Section (326 birds) Dalry (143 birds) 1st A Barbour 1399, 2nd & 3rd T Smith 1396, 1395 Ardeer (108 birds) 1st J & J & C Nicol 1358, 2nd J Donald 1343, 3rd A Howie 1161 Kilwinning (55 birds) 1st & 2nd J & T Davidson 1201, 1168, 3rd J McNeil 1142 Central Section (140 birds) Irvine (57 birds) 1st Black & Murray 1360, 2nd & 3rd H Pollock 1283, 1207 Crosshouse (32 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd I Noble 1166, 1163, 1151 Kilmarnock (19 birds) 1st & 2nd T Logan 1293, 1215, 3rd J Neil 1192 Darvel (52 birds) 1st & 3rd Cowan & Findlay 1320, 1289, 2nd J & R Bryson 1291 South Section (195 birds) Mauchline (24 birds) 1st E Stewart 915, 2nd & 3rd J Watters 832, 810 Cumnock (13 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd J Caldwell 1042.8, 1042.0, 894 Dalmellington (21 birds) 1st M McLarty 1109 Carrick (46 birds) 1ST J Cannon 1016, 2nd Jamieson & Cameron 936, 3rd H Gray 909 Annbank (52 birds) 1st D Graham 1147, 2nd D Harris 1115, 3rd B Lenachan 980 Whitletts (39 birds) 1st & 2nd M Brown 1337, 1182, 3rd Cuthbert & Cree 988 East of Scotland Federation news from John Baillie of Tranent who writes ‘Hi Joe please find our federation open result from Leicester. Convoyer John Parry had the birds away at 05-40 hours into a south east wind and this weeks open winner is yours truly John Baillie; I also take 2nd, 3rd, 8th and 10th positions. Jim McNeil also of Tranent comes in at 4th and 7th positions and as a matter of interest the 4th open pigeon was bred from a pair Jim was gifted from Jimmy Mark also from Tranent (the Marky Stud). Dougie Grieve our president of Longniddry is 5th and 6th open with Tam Davidson (Davidson Partners) filling the 9th position. When we were doing the clocks Joe the returns were not good, but going by what I have heard Sunday's racing have experienced the exact same losses. Taking to fanciers over the UK it has been the same all over the weekend. Prestonpans HC. This week winner is yours truly John Baillie who takes the first 3 positions in the club. My winner is a yearling hen who previously won 3rd open Newark as a youngster. She is bred from a son of my House of Aarden pair purchased down from Padfield Invincible. The dam is a daughter of my SNFC Silver Award winner ‘Parksyde Ambition’. The 2nd bird over the pad was the cock that won 22nd open SNFC Ancenis and he also has Padfield Invincible in his breeding. He was bred by I Cousin & Son of Wales. The 3rd bird timed is a 2 year old daughter of the 2nd pigeon when he was bred with another bird from I Cousin & son, (unfortunately she was lost when trying to settle the birds at Tranent).This hen flew SNFC Buckingham and Roye as a yearling for me. Well that's it for this week Joe, still waiting on birds from Saturday's race, but that's pigeon racing now, hard to accept but that's the way it is these days; all the best to you and Kevin for the nationals John B’. Fife Federation Glenrothes & Leslie PC had 5 members sent 161 birds to Wakefield with the 1st bird going to Brian Kinnear (he actually had the first five winners (Well done Brian Joe M) The winner is a 2 year old blue cock who was mated to a late bred hen at the start of the season and reared 2 young birds but she was lost from a training toss in April. She returned injured 3 weeks later however the blue cock now had another hen which won 3rd club Roye last year. Brian put the late bred hen in his box 2 hours before basketting to motivate his new hen but it was the blue cock that was the 1st bird home as a matter of interest he is bred from the last daughter of Stitchy. 2nd club winner is another 2 year old chequer cock bred from a Vandenabeele hen from John Anderson of Anstruther. The 3rd winner is a yearling blue cock, his dam was bred by Frank Mitchell of Comrie from his Silver Award winner and all 3 cocks are raced on roundabout; cheers Joe yours Rosie’. Dunfermline LRPS news from David Kennedy who writes ‘Hi Joe please find details of our winners from the Leicester old bird open race we had 7 members sending 145 birds. Taking 1st & 2nd places this week with velocities of 1193 & 1171 ypm is Frank Mitchell with his winner a yearling roundabout hen bred by Andrew Lawley of Elson from his M & D Evans family of pigeons. This hen has won 1st Berwick (2) and 3rd club Ripon this year, his 2nd bird is 2 year old roundabout hen from his Jock Trail family of birds. Taking 3rd spot is Andy Ritchie with a velocity of 1168 ypm he timed a homebred yearling hen sitting on 4 day eggs her bloodlines being down through Frank Mitchell Jocky King stock. This week’s nomination was won by Eddie McWilliams and Walker & David Kennedy Loft 1 wins the 2 bird. From the Buckingham race 7 members sent 102 birds. Taking the red card is Eddie McWilliams with a velocity of 1362 ypm he timed a homebred 2 year old cock sitting on 8 day eggs, with the bloodline being Davie Hunter of Plean this bird previously won 2nd club Ripon. Andy Ritchie takes 2nd place with a velocity of 1314 ypm this bird won 3rd club Leicester last week. This homebred yearling hen was sent sitting11 day eggs. 3rd spot goes to Frank Mitchell with a velocity of 1301 ypm he timed a yearling roundabout hen bred by Andrew Lawley of Elson from his M & D Evans family. This week’s nomination and 2 bird were won by Eddie McWilliams; regards David’. Fife Federation race from Leicester had 71 members sending 1690 birds these were liberated at 06-45 hours into a west wind. Taking top spot is R Anderson of St Andrews who also wins the east section as do the first 5 birds in the race. 2nd is Dave Baldie with near neighbour John Harcus in 3rd place Davie Jack of Tayport is 4th with Brian Chalmers of Kennoway. First & 2nd centre section 6th & 18th open is Erskine & son of Novar club. Jock Hynd & son Ian (who is the race controller and does a good job) are 1st & 2nd west section 7th & 8th open with Jock Brockie of Lochgelly club in 3rd west section 16th open. Alistair McCudden of Crossgates club is 4th west section 17th open with Jim Doig making up the 5th west section positon in 24th open place. From the Buckingham race flown on the same day in conjunction with the SNFC the convoy were liberated at 08-45 into a west wind. Topping the federation and east section is Dave Baldie of St Andrew with the only pigeon doing 1400 yards a minute well done Dave. Brian Chalmers is 2nd section and 2nd open with Stuart Donaldson of Perth winning 1st west section 3rd open. Young bird national winner Willie Hay is 3rd east section 4th open with Jock Hynd & son Ian of the west section being 2nd & 3rd section and 5th & 6th open. Eddie McWilliams of Oakley is 7th open and 4th west section with Jock Brockie of Lochgelly club in 8th open and he wins 5th west section. A Whittaker is 4th & 6th east section and 9th open and Sean Diamond of Kennoway makes up the top ten in the open and is also 5th east section. Dave Baldie is 7th east section followed by last year’s SNFC Roye winner Jocky Scott of Kennoway in 8th section place. John Harcus of St Andrews is 9th section with Tam Cook of Kennoway in 10th place. Continuing with the west section Allister McCudden is 5th with George Anderson of Perth club in 6th 8th & 10th positions. Stuart Donaldson is 7th with Andy Ritchie in 9th spot The Centre section is won by Brian Kinnear who is also 5th 8th & 10th with Turpie & McCord in 2nd 3rd 4th & 7th section and Bob Wilson is 7th with Mick McMurchie making up the top ten in 9th spot. Lanarkshire Federation news from Andrew Eadie who wrote ‘Hi Joe hope enjoyed your well-earned vacation as you deserve it with the amount of work you do for the sport up here in Scotland. For 7th race of the season the pigeons were at Leicester a distance of 250 miles on Sunday 28th May and the convoy of 2478 birds were liberated at 06-15 hours into a west wind and this turned out to be a tough race. The club had 20 members sending 306 birds and taking 1st ,4th ,5th & 6th club,1st ,4th ,6th ,8th ,12th &14th section; 2nd ,11th ,18th ,27th ,37th & 38th open and winning the yearling average and with their 4th win of the season are the partnership of Eadie & Kelly. The winner a yearling hen was bred by J K Millar and is down from Lindelauf crossed Van Lint raced on the roundabout system. Our next 5 pigeons are all Vandenabeele’s bred down from Icon; Golden Gaby; Bo Jangles; Legend; Queen of Diamonds; Calvin; Sissi; Golden Son; Shadow and his brother Amocachi; Shadows Missile and Cruise Missile which we believe there are NO Better Bloodlines! 2nd club 2nd section 3rd (equal) open J K Millar with a yearling blue chequer cock raced on the roundabout system and is the ‘uncle’ of our pigeon now named ‘Jack be Nimble’. 3rd club 3rd section 10th open is Willie Gilchrist with another yearling nest mate to our winner and again bred by J K Millar being a Lindelauf crossed Van Lint. Lastly Joe a big THANK YOU to Jackie and Kevin Millar for breeding the 1st x 3 pigeons on a very testing race and well done to J Wilkinson on topping the federation and the other two section winners Eadie & Kelly of the East and Robertson & Scott of Larkhall for the West section. Next week we are at Buckingham with the SNFC so good luck to everyone yours Andrew Eadie’. Update; I noticed in the SNFC Buckingham result that Tam Richardson won 4th & 7th section E 7th & 17th open with the Eadie & Kelly partnership winning 6th section E 16th open with their 1st bird so well done to Tam & Andrew. North of Scotland Federation Received an email and some photographs from Tommy Diddle who wrote ‘Hi Joe I watched Davie Barrie liberate the North of Scotland federation birds at Consett on the 27th May and the birds cleared the site immediately kindest regards Tommy’. News now from George Duthie with the Consett old bird federation result was 74 members sent 1483 birds these were liberated into a light south to south east wind. The west section member Ian Coull of Buckie & District won the section (41 members sent 661 birds) and open with a velocity of 1751. C McRae of Fraserburgh & District won 1st east section (33 members sent 822 birds) 2nd open with a velocity of 1741. 2nd & 3rd west section 3rd & 4th open is Ronnie Wilson of Keith club with C McRae of Fraserburgh & District in 2nd & 8th east section 5th & 11th open. J (Ian) Gibb of Fraserburgh & District is 3rd east section 6th open he is followed by the man himself George Duthie of Fraserburgh & District in 4th east section 7th open. Walter Masson of the same club is 5th & 7th east section 8th & 10th open with J S Robertson of Inverurie club making up the top 10 winning 9th open and 6th east section. W Henderson of Fraserburgh & District is 9th east section 12th open and A Higgins of the same club takes 10th & 11th section also being 13th & 14th open. 4th west section 21st open is A Milne of Devern Valley club. 5th & 6th west section 26th & 32nd open is I Coull of Buckie & District. J Abel of Devern Valley club is 7th west section 33rd open followed by club mate P Sherman who won 8th section 34th open he is followed by another 2 club mates in N Raymond who wins 9th section 35th open and A Wilson makes up the top 10 section places and is 36th open. Clubs first bird are as follows; Buckie & District won by I Coull Devern Valley won by A Milne Fraserburgh & District won by C McRae Keith won by R Wilson Inverurie won by W Henderson Peterhead & District won by S Maskame Elgin & District won by P W Thompson Forres, Nairn & Inverurie won by S Taylor Well done to Ian Coull on topping the federation and west section and to Colin McRae on Winning the East Section. 73 members sent 1025 birds to Ripon on 3rd June these were liberated in a No Wind at the race point but it was a light south east wind at the home end. The West section took the first 5 places in the open result they had 40 members sending 450 birds with R Wilson of Keith club winning both section and federation he is also 7th west section 10th open. A Milne of Devern Valley club is 2nd on both with club mate J Abel in 3rd & 8th west section places. A J Reid of Keith is 4th & 5th section and federation with C McRae of Fraserburgh & District 1st 2nd & 4th east section and 6th 7th & 11th open federation (east section had 33 members sending 575 birds) George Duthie of the same club in 3rd east section 8th open. G R Duncan of Keith club is 6th west section 9th open with A Wilson of Devern Valley club in 10th west section 15th open. A B Geddes of Fraserburgh & District is 5th east section 12th open followed by R Barclay of Fraserburgh West End club in 6th section 16th open. G Findlay of Peterhead & District is 7th & 9th east section 20th & 27th federation. A Foster of Inverurie club is 8th section 22nd open and W Henderson of Fraserburgh West End club makes up the top 10 section places and also wins 31st federation. Clubs first bird are as follows; Keith won by R Wilson Devern Valley won by A Milne Fraserburgh & District won by C McRae Fraserburgh West End won by R Barclay Peterhead & District won by G Findlay Inverurie won by A Foster Elgin & District won by P W Thompson Forres, Nairn & Inverurie won by S Taylor Buckie & District won by J Cumming Well done to R Wilson on topping the federation and west section and to Colin McRae on winning the East Section. That’s me of another week Joe all the best to you and Kevin for the national races yours George Duthie’. Pentland Hills Federation News from Andy Miller who wrote ‘Hi Joe, what a nightmare of a race we had on Saturday, I took the first 5 in the club by over half an hour and currently have 45 home from 63 sent. I had 5 returned with hawk attacks and probably finished for the season. My returns are excellent compared to most fancier with one reported in Wrexham, a previous winner of 2 x 1st and last season and was my fancied bird for the Buckingham national this weekend, so its ‘Plan B’ I’m afraid. Anyway the federation and New Lothian winner for the second time this season and well done to Jimmy Rogers from Gilmerton who won the race by a good bit. He timed a 2 year old hen, unfortunately I've not been able to contact Jimmy for the details of his winner, however the federation result will follow as soon as I receive it yours Andy’. The Leicester old bird race was flown on Saturday 27th of May with the convoy of 2365 birds liberated at 05-40 am into a south east wind with 13 clubs sending. 1st and 5th open is Jimmy Rodgers of Danderhall club with G Bennett & son of Edinburgh Premier in 2nd place. D & J Allen of Woodburn club are 3rd with L Mitchell of Castlebrae club in 4th spot. Willie Pryde & son John of Easthouses are 6th with McCormack & Fraser of Castlebrae in 7th spot. Martin Bennett of Danderhall is 8th followed by club mates Willie Kinnear & son in 9th spot. W Hume of the same club makes up the top ten. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 488 Rogers 1816 Rogers 1723 Bennett 1717 Edinburgh Premier 191 G. Bennett 1799 Hutton & Son & McCaig 1701 McLaughlin 1647 Woodburn 88 Allen 1730 Allen 1643 Allen 1579 Castlebrae 80 L Mitchell 1728 McCormack & Fraser 1720 L. Mitchell 1708 Easthouses 293 W. Pryde & Son 1723 Blackhurst 1697 Milne 1678 Sighthill 181 Miller 1713 Miller 1712 Miller 1646 Bonnyrigg 202 Russell 1702 A. Dewar 1677 Brown 1667 Loanhead 144 Anderson 1685 Simpson 1681 Anderson 1661 Edinburgh West 72 Lamb 1683 Lamb 1682 Lamb 1656 Rosewell 73 Cunningham & Ness 1524 Peebles 27 New Lothian 67 Traprain 417 Hunter 1664 Flockhart 1639 Thomson 1638 Others 42 Pentland Hills Federation raced from Wetherby on 3rd June with 13 clubs sending 1388 birds a distance of 150 to 160 miles for the members; the convoy were liberated at 07-30 hours into a west wind. Winning 1st federation and New Lothian are Owensen Bros from the Golden Mile of Gorebridge; they fly their birds in Danderhall club and won with a velocity of 1398.29. They timed a 2 year old widowhood cock called the Broken Leg Cock as he came back from Ridsdale in 2016 totally smashed up. He was put to aside for the whole season, but, like all birds we give them a chance as this boy has tremendous character about him. His sire is a direct Frans Timmermans from Holland and his dam is a direct Eric Devlaeminck from Belgium. She was given to Eric by Mick Betts of Doncaster. Returns were excellent with nearly all birds home within an hour of timing, yours Andy’. The 2nd federation pigeon belonging to Willie Kinnear & son of Danderhall was just pipped at the post as it had a winning velocity of 1398.22. Their club mates T Nolan & son is in 3rd place with A Dewar of Bonnyrigg in 4th spot followed by L Mitchell of Castlebrae. C Winter & son of Bonnyrigg are 6th with Danderhall’s A Young in 7th place. J Simpson of Loanhead is 8th followed by D & J Allen of Woodburn club just ahead of Helen Aitken & son in 10th place. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 319 birds; Owenson 1398.29 Kinnear 1398.22 Nolan 1397 Bonnyrigg 106 birds; A Dewar 1395 Winter 1390 Smith 1359 Castlebrae 40 birds; L Mitchell 1391 and 1291 A Mitchell 1269 Loanhead 83 birds; Simpson 1386 & 1297 Anderson 1267 Woodburn 105 birds; Allen 1384 Lapinski 1368 Halley & Kelly 1356 Sighthill 62 birds; Miller 1374 Girdwood 1346 & 1345 Easthouses 151 birds; J Pryde 1373 W Pryde & Son 1366 & 1348 Edinburgh Premier 95 birds; Gilchrist 1340 & 1323 Hutton & Son & McCaig 1327 Rosewell 45 birds; Power 1295 Cunningham & Ness 1204 G Tytler 1192 Edinburgh West 80 birds; Bennett 1287 & 1270 McLaughlin 1255 Peebles 31 birds; New Lothian 49 birds; Traprain 222 birds; Thomson 1320 Bosworth 1317 & 1316 Others 42 New Lothian RPC from the Leicester race the winner and 4th & 10th places go to Jimmy Rogers of Danderhall club. D & J Allen of Woodburn are 2nd with L Mitchell of Castlebrae club in 3rd place. Willie Pryde & son of Easthouses are 5th with McCormack & Fraser of Castlebrae club in 6th spot. M Bennett of Danderhall is 7th with Willie Kinnear & Son of Danderhall in 8th place followed by club mate W Hume in 9th place. Andy Barbour 1st Fed Wetherby OB 2017 John Baillie's 1st section B 8th open SNFC Buckingham North of scotland fed consett Consett lib Joe’s Joke For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies. 1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits. 2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits. 3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits. 4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits. 5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Brits. CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you. 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 and www.pigeon-chat.co.uk also www.pigeonbasics.com Pigeon Racing the Basics who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland. © Compiled by Joe Murphy

The person in the club that does it can check it for you

The person in the club that does it can check it for you

You should be able to scan the loft number in the ETS ring to see if it has been changed?????????????

Well done Marc your hard work is paying off Hope you enjoyed your free meal as part of the challenge :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

No No!! Little bro gave him a chance he only put 1 away that was previously injured :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Silver City R P C 7 Members sent 106 birds for our first come back race from Arniston approx distance of 97ml Liberated at 8.30 into a light South West wind 1st E & K Elliott 1761.856 2nd M Mooney 1757.211 3rd A Baxter 1733.868 4th W & A Ross 1731.350 5th E & K Elliott 1727.663 6th A Baxter 1703.746 7th M Mooney 1654.487 8th W & A Ross 1649.500 9th I Ellis 1618.525 10th M Main 1583,879 Well done to Arthur Baxter on winning the Food Nom

The Joe Murphy Column Margaret and I went away for a few weeks holiday to the Costa del Sol and the weather was excellent with sunshine all day with temperatures between 23 and 31 degrees. Needless to say we had time to relax and recharge our batteries as we look after our grandson after nursery every day, but by the second week end he had face timed us as he was missing us so much and his mum informed us they was counting the sleeps till we came home. Since we came back all he wants is ‘group’ hugs and kisses which is lovely. Regarding the pigeons my ‘apprentice’ (this will wind him up) Kevin has been doing very well and has his birds in tip top condition. From the 4th old bird race from Ripon 4 Arbroath club members sent 100 birds and these were liberated along with the federation at 12-00 noon into a south west wind. Kevin won the first 3 places with his winner bred from a full brother of My Little Rachel winner of 4th open SNFC Gold Cup race from Alencon 574 miles. Sire of the winner is a direct son of Robbie’s Boy winner of 1st open SNFC Falaise for Gilmour Brothers of Leven. Dam of the winner is a daughter of ‘Rocket’ a winner of SNFC Silver Award for Kevin and a 7 times SNFC prize winner who was lost going for his Gold Award. The 2nd placed winner was bred by my good friend Sheldon Leonard of Arklow and is from his top distance winning birds. Her sire is Real Jam a son of the famous ‘Space Jam’ of F & J Vandenheede while her dam is a direct daughter of Daniel Aerens 1st National Orange winner. The 3rd placed pigeon is a full sister to My Little Rachel being from a son of Gilmour Brothers Robbie’s Boy and the dam is a Ritchie & Whyte of Fraserburgh hen who is dam of our 18th open Ypres; 19th open Clermont; 86th & 134th open Alencon all with the SNFC. From the Wakefield race 4 members sent 74 birds liberated at 09-45 am into a south west wind once again Kevin J Murphy takes the first 3 places again for the 3rd week running. The winner sire is a Daniel Aerens being inbred to 1st international Hens 5th open international Barcelona as he is from a son of the above hen when mated to a granddaughter of her. The dam of the winner is Joanna who contains the best of the Deweerdt distance lines her sire is a direct son of 1st Berlin while her dam is a full sister to Elva winner of 1st Perpignan. The 2nd placed bird is from a George Willie & Paul Macaloney cock when mated to our good hen Lucky a 4 times SNFC prize winner. She is from a Ron Lilleby cock and an Adrian Duggins hen. The 3rd placed pigeon is a nest mate to the pigeon I donated to Blackpool Show of the Year 2016. Sire is a son of ‘Clovis’ top racing and breeding cock for Bernard Deweerdt while the dam was bred by my good friend Mark Gower from a son of Bernard Deweerdt famous Kedirtje when mated to a daughter of Mark Gilberts Night Flight winner of 1st NFC Saintes. So you can see Kevin has been flying well and deserves all the credit for all the hard work he is putting into his team of pigeons. Well Done!!!!! I now have a few weeks results to catch up on so I apologies to the press officers who supply me with the weekly information. Results Angus Federation sent 627 birds to Ripon liberated at 12-00 into a south west wind. Ian Scott of the Forfar club takes the top spot plus 2nd 11th 15th & 20th federation. With Bob Baldie winning 3rd 4th 5th 12th 13th & 14th open David Liddle is 6th 7th 9th & 16th with club mates Macaulay Ferguson & Curran winning 8th & 17th federation Kenny Droog is 10th with Les McKay of the Inchcape club (east section) winning 18th & 19th open. The East Section winner is Les McKay who wins 1st 2nd 3rd & 10th section his club mate K Gourley is 4th with Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath club in 5th 6th & 7th section. Glen Cameron of Inchcape is 8th with his 2nd pigeon winning 9th position his first bird in Arbroath club. Club winners are as follows: Forfar 366 bird’s winner I Scott: Arbroath 100 bird’s winner Kevin J Murphy: Inchcape 84 birds winner L McKay; Gourdon 35 birds winner D & D Hay; Montrose 42 birds winner G Campbell. From the Wakefield race flown on 19th May the 586 birds were liberated at 09-15am into a south west wind. Topping the federation and also winning 2nd & 14th open is David J Liddle of Forfar with Macaulay Ferguson & Curran winning 3rd 4th 15th 19th & 20th open with Ian Scott back in form with 5th 10th 11tg 13th 16th 17th & 18th open. Bob Baldie of the same club wins 6th 7th 8th & 9th open with D Glen of Forfar winning 12th open. The East Section winner is Les McKay with Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath club in 2nd 3rd & 4th section. G Campbell of Montrose is 5th & 10th with Glen Cameron of Arbroath club is 6th with D D Hay of Gourdon are 7th with Chick & Anne Carrie of Inchcape club winning 8th section and Charlie Cameron of the Arbroath club makes the top ten in 9th place. Club winners are as follows: Forfar 371 bird’s winner D J Liddle: Arbroath 74 bird’s winner Kevin J Murphy: Inchcape 65 birds winner L McKay; Gourdon 27 birds winner D & D Hay; Montrose 49 birds winner G Campbell. Ayrshire Federation News from Archie McIntyre the federation race secretary who writes; ‘Hi Joe, can I firstly take this opportunity to thank you for including the Ayrshire federation report into your weekly column. Feedback has been very positive from the Ayrshire fanciers so more power to your pen. Please find attached report on our 3rd race of the season from Berwick I have attached a few phots for inclusion with 2 of the pictures showing the winner of the federation who was injured prior to the racing season starting and one as he looks now, the other photo is of the 3rd federation winner. Jim O’Hare our race controller had the convoy of 1,353 birds up and off at 10-30 hours into a brisk north east wind for a journey of between 91 to 111 miles for the birds. This turned out to be a strange race for some fanciers throughout the federation. The leading birds were recording velocities into the high 1800 yards per minute but come checking time, quite a few fancier were still waiting for around 50% of their birds and others reporting near full returns with maybe 1 or 2 still to come. Leading the pack this week is the partnership of Charlie, Kenny and Kieran McKerrow of Kilmarnock Invitation club. They win the federation on a velocity of 1883ypm to record their 1st ever federation win so well done to these lads. As a young bird this cock spent a few weeks sitting out after a horrendous training toss and never got any racing under his belt. Now a yearling, his run of bad luck looked to be continuing when out exercising one day in mid-March something happened to him as he returned to the loft with his face smashed up (see picture) and was lucky to survive it. After a few days in solitary confinement and a bit of TLC he started to come back round to the pigeon he was. After his spell in isolation he started to show signs of aggression towards the cock in the box directly below his. Noting this aggression the partnership put these two cocks on a sort of jealously system with both eyeing the same hen and it certainly worked out for these lads with their 1st ever federation winner. Charlie has supplied some information and pictures of the winning cock he is bred down from his late father (Charlie McKerrow) old Stoddart line with a cross in from G W & P Macaloney old Busschaert line. Taking 2nd federation on 1869 this week is the inform partnership of J & R Bryson of Galston. This is another remarkable result for this on form loft to add to their previous 4th, 6th & 8th federation Arniston: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th federation Dunbar. The sire of their 2nd open winner is once again a gift bird they received from their good friend Tom Smith of West Kilbride and the dam coming from the lofts of A Richardson of Whitby. Taking 3rd federation on a velocity of 1864 is Mr Consistent this year John Simpson of Ardeer HS. John’s winning pigeon SU 15 A 3963, is a 2 year old dark chequer white flight cock flown on the roundabout system. His sire is a dark chequer cock 5306 which has won the following tickets; 1st club, 1st 3BCC, 4th fed, 6th Region F SNFC Maidstone flying 397 miles. The dam is from John's good friend Ian Cameron of Lincoln. One morning when John went to the lofts he noticed the sire had unfortunately caught his ring leg and found him hanging with his leg very badly swollen. John managed to cut the ring off but unfortunately the cock passed away a few days later maybe due to the stress , a very promising pigeon not able to go on and further it's career but his son may be able to carry on from his sire. 3963 is no stranger to winning having previously taken a few club positions he won 7th Stobs Camp as a youngster and as a yearling was 5th club Melton Mowbray winning the yearling cup and 1st club, 1st 3BCC, 17th federation Stobs Camp. John Snr has his ever present son John Simpson Junior to thank for this win as Simpson Snr had crossed 3963 off their basket list for the race from Berwick as he arrived late from the Ardeer H.S. midweek (Barcelona) race from Carnwath. John Junior said to his dad on the Friday to get him out as he had been chasing everything all over the sky and when the birds were called in, 3963 was roaring like he was fit to burst, so Junior made the call and told his dad to get him in the basket, in fact he was the last pigeon to be put in the crate before going to race marking so well done John junior your observation, it paid off... thanks to Colin Nicol for the report and picture. In and around the Clubs starting with the North Section (592 birds) Dalry (262 birds) T Smith 1st 1783, 2nd 1781, 3rd 1778 Ardeer (201 birds) 1st J Simpson 1864, 2nd J McIntosh 1852, 3rd Grant & McGovern 1843 Kilwinning (94 birds) 1st J & T Davidson 1721, 2nd I Crossan 1711.7, 3rd J McNeil 1711.4 Central Section (309 birds) Irvine (162 birds) 1st & 3rd E Diamond 1822, 1720, 2nd R Thornhill 1809 Crosshouse (35 birds) 1st & 3rd A Wilson 1797, 1538, 2nd A McCullen 1545 Kilmarnock (51 birds) 1st C & K & K McKerrow 1883, 2nd & 3rd T Logan 1860.7, 1860.4 Darvel (96 birds) 1st J & R Bryson 1869, 2ND Cowan & Findlay 1848, H Wallace 1846 South Section (452 birds) Mauchline (51 birds) 1st A Plenderleith 1621, 2nd Mr & Mrs Galloway 1480, 3rd E Stewart 1285 Cumnock (20 birds) J Caldwell 1st 1187, 2nd 968, 3rd 845 Dalmellington (65 birds) 1st & 2nd G Mitchell 1455, 1406, 3rd S Boyce 1360 Carrick (92 birds) 1ST & 3rd A Lothian 1849, 1711, 2nd J Cannon 1732 Annbank (98 birds) 1st G Morrison 1681, 2nd K Harris 1639, 3rd D Paterson 1600 Whitletts (126 birds) 1st M Brown 1785, 2nd W Lawrence 1780, 3rd Cuthbert & Cree 1651 For the 4th race of the season from Sedgefield race controller Jim O’Hare had the convoy of 1,104 birds up and off at 08-45 hours into a light south west wind a distance of between 125 to 153 miles to most lofts in the federation. This race turned out to be a real testing racing day for the Ayrshire birds with many lofts reporting less than 50% returns at the clock opening. As usual with these types of races there are many theories banding about from clashing to birds of prey and the liberation site. I was at the lofts of Andy Barbour with our good friend and retired pigeon fancier John Campbell watching for the arrivals and as usual, we were looking south east as given the wind this is normally the direction they arrive from. Not this race, every pigeon arrived from the North East indicating the birds had travelled further up the country than they should have with the south in the wind then had to turn back into the south west wind on their nose to get back across to the west of the country with the majority of birds coming into the federation from the north and this is reflective in the result with the north section leading the way in the federation. Leading the pack this week taking 1st and 2nd federation is Andy Barbour of West Kilbride his 2 pigeons dropped together with only seconds separating them in the clock. First through the trap to record 1st federation was a yearling chequer pied cock on 1149 ypm he was flying on the roundabout system. As a young bird this cock only had 2 races up to 93 miles and was then stopped. The sire is a Bart Geerinckx from Premier Stud and the dam is a Heremans Ceusters again from Premier Stud. Taking 2nd federation for Andy is a chequer white flight yearling hen on 1148 ypm also flying roundabout. This hen also only had 2 races as a young bird out to Dunbar a distance of 93 miles then she was stopped. Her sire is a Van Loon full of the Planet Bros blood bred by Galaxy Lofts while her dam is a direct daughter of one Hardy Kruger top racers ‘Black Soul’ a son of Hardy’s champion producer ‘Black Power’. 3rd federation this week is Tom Smith of West Kilbride with a yearling dark chequer hen doing 1147 ypm Tom has his birds flying on the roundabout system and they have certainly been flying well and have been scoring for him in the club and federation in previous weeks. The sire and dam is mixture of sons and daughters of 4 National winners Tom purchased from the lofts of Jimmy Dalgleish and R S Rome in the borders and Mel Mayo of Wales. In and around the clubs starting with the North Section (524 birds) Dalry (256 birds) 1st & 2nd A Barbour 1149, 1148, 3rd T Smith 1147 Ardeer (180 birds) 1st Grant & McGovern 1089, 2nd J & S O’Hare 1067, 3rd J Stirrat 1051 Kilwinning (57 birds) 1st J McNeil 1091, 2nd & 3rd J & T Davidson 1090, 1089 Central Section (262 birds) Irvine (112 birds) 1st & 2nd H Pollock 1084, 1043, 3rd D McCullen 1037 Crosshouse (49 birds) 1st & 2nd I Noble 1120, 1036, 3rd A Wilson 1013 Kilmarnock (58 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd T Logan 1129, 1041.8, 1041.7 Darvel (74 birds) 1st & 3rd Cowan & Findlay 1141, 1070, 2nd J & R Bryson 1083 South Section (318 birds) Mauchline (39 birds) 1st J Watters 890, 2nd A Plenderleith 858, 3rd Mr & Mrs Galloway 747 Cumnock (21 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd J Caldwell 875, 749, 615 Dalmellington (35 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd M McLarty 989, 849, 764 Carrick (15 birds) 1ST & 2nd A Lothian 753, 646 Annbank (89 birds) 1st J Mathieson 953, 2nd & 3rd B Lenachan 930, 904 Whitletts (119 birds) 1st, 2nd & 3rd Cuthbert & Cree 918, 883, 872 Almond Valley Federation were at Catterick last week has Sam Fleming from Armadale club taking the 1st x 3 places, when I spoke to Sam he informs me that the winner was an exchange bird he got from D McBeath his club mate. Apparently in Armadale Club they have an exchange of young birds each year, this hen won the Billericay race last year also topping the federation, so D. McBeath did not give him a dumpling. The 2nd bird is a cock he purchased from Premier Stud and the 3rd open winner is a blue hen he purchased from D. Flowers and she is a Herman Ceuster which was supposed to be a cock. Club winners; Armadale 544 birds; 1st to 4th Sam Fleming Balerno 170 birds; 1st & 2nd C Ross 3rd C Bain Carnwath 140 birds; 1st & 3rd S McArdle; 2nd J Stokes East Calder 101 birds; 1st Mr & Mrs Fleming; 2nd R Anderson; 3rd F Jamieson & son Forth & Clyde 272 birds; 1st & 3rd Vic Couper; 2nd G Harris West Calder 134 birds; 1st to 4th John Bird Cheers for now Joe and once again many thanks yours Jimmy Young’. Balerno club news from Colin Bain who writes ‘Hi Joe Balerno was at Thirsk this week and liberated on Sunday 14th May into a south west wind at 10-00 am we had 11 members sending 216 birds. Taking 1st club is yours truly Colin Bain with a 4 year old blue Staff Van Reet cock looking at his hen he was doing a velocity of 1421. In 2nd place is Dougie Bald with a David Reed Vandenabeele yearling cock sitting 6 days on eggs he was doing 1393 in 3rd place is Ian Jamieson with a 3 year old blue hen on roundabout she is from his father’s old distance family and was doing 1393. From the Weatherby race we had 7 members sending 145 birds liberated into a south west wind at 08-00 hours the first 2 places go to Dougie Bald with the winner a Staff Van Reet crossed Sandy Robertson Silver Hen sitting 10 days on eggs doing a velocity of 1572. Dougie’s 2nd pigeon was a 4 year old blue cock a David Reed Vandenabeele sitting on eggs doing 1560. 3rd place is yours truly with a red chequer cock feeding a 7 day young bird he was doing 1533 that is it for another week Joe best wishes Colin’. East Calder RPC news from Jimmy Young who writes ‘Hi Joe after a long weekend and holding the basketting of the race birds to Saturday we got a great race on Sunday from Thirsk with 6 members sending 185 birds, as far as I know everybody seemed quite pleased. Our convoyer John Jamieson won the East Calder race with a 3 year old hen he hopes to put to the Gold Cup race this year she was sent to the race with her eggs hatching on the Thursday which made her keen. She is bred down from pigeons John bought in as young birds, so he has got something right well done John. 2nd are Mr & Mrs Fleming with R Anderson in 3rd place. East of Scotland Federation news from John Baillie with the federation race from Wakefield with the bird’s race marked on the usual Friday night (think the majority of Federations delayed their marking for 24 hrs). John Parry had them away at 12-30 into a south west wind. As usual the winning birds done the times that were expected, but at the clocks some fanciers had a few birds to come with most working in during the evening and early Sunday. Taking 1st, 3rd and 7th open is Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton. In 2nd, 9th & 10th federation is John Bird of Prestonpans with club mate Keith Howie winning 4th open. Mr & Mrs March also of Prestonpans club are in 5th spot with Spider Rowley of Prestonpans coming next in 6th position. Filling the top 10 is Tam Hunnam of Port Seton who wins 8th open position. Prestonpans HC; winning for the 3rd time this year is John Bird with his winner a yearling cock Vandenabeele from Brian Shipley of Woodside Lofts, he won 2nd open from the same race point as a youngster. This week in 2nd place we have Keith Howie with another yearling his sire is a Wildermeech and the dam is a Soontjen bred through Frank Shedders ‘Docherty Cock’ with both birds bred by Graham Stewart of Whitecraigs; with the Wildermeech coming from the late Tam Young of Danderhall. In 3rd position are Mr & Mrs March with a 3 year old cock bred from Peter’s No One stock Kilpatrick cock crossed with a hen from J Brown & Son, which is bred from Foxwoods Lofts. We had another race where the majority of Federations delayed basketting on the Friday night but Bobby Graham had it spot on again - liberating at 08-35 from Newark into a south west wind. We knew at the home end the weather would not be good but the birds made short work of this rain and full cloud cover. The result for the East of Scotland Federation race and taking pole position this week are Tom & Scott McEwen from Elphinstone with another 2 birds in to win 4th & 5th open positions. Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston are 2nd with Tam Hunnam of Port Seton taking 3rd spot. Tom Davidson of Davidson partners of Prestonpans club is 6th open with club mage John Bird taking 7th and 10th positions. Dave Gillan of Tranent fills the 8th open position with Tam Waddell of Prestonpans in 9th place. Prestonpans HC. Taking 1st and 3rd positions we have Tom & Scott McEwen with winning bird a 3 year old hen bred from Paul Stobbs crossed with Mark Gilbert’s stock. Her sire is a full brother to ‘Bob’s Choice’ and the dam is a Deweerdt being a double granddaughter of Emiel. The bird in 3rd position is a yearling cock, both parents from Paul Stobbs, the sire again a full brother to Bobs Choice crossed with a daughter of the Gypsy. In 2nd position is Tam Hunnam with a yearling cock; no other info given and at the clocks there were a few birds missing. Fife Federation News from Gordon Turnbull who forwarded the Berwick Race flown on the 6th May with 2103 birds was liberated at 14-00 into a north east wind. Topping the federation is Mick McMurchie of Glenrothes with McCord & Turpie of Perth in 2nd place with Stuart Donaldson of Perth is 2rd with Mook Honeyman of Kennoway in 4th spot Jock Brockie of Lochgelly club is 5th with Bob Wilson of Glenrothes in 6th place J Honeyman of Kennoway is 7th followed by Jimmy Mackie of Leven in 8th spot with Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club in 9th place and making up the top ten is Davie Brown of Leven club. Centre Section; Glenrothes & Leslie 179 birds; Novar 177 birds; Top spot and 7th section goes to Mick McMurchie of Glenrothes club with Erskine & Son of Novar in 2nd 3rd 4th 5th & 6th places Willie Frew of the same club is 8th with Turpie & McCord of Glenrothes club are 9th followed by club mate Ian Chalmers in 10th place. West Section: Perth 207 birds; Dunfermline 203 birds; Lochgelly 215 birds; Crossgates 390 birds. Topping the section are Turpie & McCord of Perth club with S Donaldson in 2nd place Jock Brockie of Lochgelly is 3rd with Bob Wilson of Glenrothes in 4th place Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club is 5th & 9th with Jock Hynd & son Ian (who is doing a good job as race controller) of Crossgates club are in 6th place with club mate Alistair McCudden following them in 7th spot. George Anderson of Perth club is 8th with A Graham of Lochgelly club makes up the top ten. East Section: Kennoway 213 birds; Tayport 62 birds; St Andrews 127 birds; Leven 177 birds and Methilhaven 153 birds. Taking the top spot is Mook Honeyman of Kennoway with club mate J Honeyman is 2nd place Jimmy Mackie of Leven is 2rd with club mate Davie Brown in 4th spot Methilhaven club members Jim & Gary Peggie are 5th 8th & 10th with last year’s 1st SNFC Roye winner Jocky Scott of Kennoway in 6th & 7th positions with A Whittaker of Methilhaven is 9th position. From the Ripon race the members sent 2135 birds these were liberated at 10-15 hours into a south west wind and topping the federation this week is Mook Honeyman of Kennoway with a 2 year old doing 1409 velocity. The Leven partnership of Clark, Clark & Page are 2nd with A Whittaker of Methilhaven in 3rd spot followed by his club mate Willie Hay in 4th spot Turpie & McCord of Glenrothes are 5th with Dave Baldie of St Andrew having 2 birds in 6th & 7th spot he is followed by J Scott of Kennoway in 8th place and John Harcus of St Andrews is in 9th place with Tam Cook of Kennoway making up the top ten. East Section: St Andrews 167 birds; Leven 177 birds; Kennoway 211 birds; Methilhaven 138 birds and Tayport 48 birds. Mook Honeyman of Kennoway is 1st with a 2 year old with Leven’s partnership of Clark, Clark & Page are 2nd place followed by A Whittaker of Methilhaven his club mate Willie Hay is 4th and 10th with Dave Baldie of St Andrew in 5th & 6th positions. Jocky Scott of Kennoway is 7th with John Harcus of St Andrews in 8th place with Tam Cook of Kennoway making up the top ten in 9th position. Centre Section: Glenrothes 181 birds; Novar 179 birds; First & 7th places go to Turpie & McCord of Glenrothes with club mate Brian Kinnear having a good race winning the following positions 2nd 3rd 5th 9th & 10th Leonard Erskine & son of Novar are 4th with Mick McMurchie of Glenrothes is 6th & 8th section. West Section; Lochgelly 214 birds; Crossgates 409 birds; Dunfermline 226 birds and Perth 185 birds; taking the top spot is Jock Brockie of Lochgelly with S Donaldson of Perth club winning the following positions 2nd 3rd 5th 6th 8th & 10th section with G Anderson of the same club is 7th & 9th with Jim Doig of Lochgelly winning 4th section. From the Wakefield race the convoy of 1929 birds were liberated at 09-00 hours into a south west wind taking the first 4 places in both the section and open is Dave Baldie of St Andrew with another 3 birds in 6th 8th & 10th open positions. A Suttie of the same club is 5th with R Anderson also from St Andrews in 7th place and making up the top 10th place in 9th spot is Davie Jack of Tayport. East Section result same as above; Methilhaven 139 birds; Kennoway 199 birds; Leven 150 birds; St Andrews 156 birds; Tayport 63 birds. Centre Section; Novar 120 birds; Glenrothes 161 birds. Topping the section and taking the first 5 places is Brian Kinnear of Glenrothes club his club mate Mick McMurchie is 6th & 7th with Turpie & McCord taking the next 3 places making up the top ten. West Section; Perth 184 birds; Lochgelly 211 birds; Crossgates 391 birds Dunfermline 155 birds taking the 1st & 10th places is George Anderson of Perth club with club mate Stuart Donaldson taking the remaining 8 places (great flying) my thanks once again to Gordon Turnbull for supplying the federation results. Dunfermline LRPS news from David Kennedy who writes ‘We had 8 members sending 226 birds to Ripon and taking the red card this week is Ricky Pearce who timed a 3 year old hen sitting 10 days on eggs. The bloodlines being Jocky King of Kirkcaldy with the dam bred from Jocky 6th open SNFC Falaise winner. Frank Mitchell takes 2nd & 3rd places this week with his 1st bird a late bred cock sitting 4 day eggs bred from his Jocky King SNFC winning family of pigeons. Frank’s 2nd bird was a yearling hen on roundabout bred by Andrew Lawley of Elson from his M & D Evans family of pigeons. Eddie McWilliams wins this week’s nomination and Andy Ritchie wins the 2 bird nomination. From the Wakefield race 8 members sent 151 birds and first this week is Walker & David Kennedy Loft No1 with a velocity of 1421 ypm. We timed a 2 year old widowhood cock, he is home -bred from a Paul & Jelle Rozier cock purchased at a Les Green sale in Blackpool in 2011 and the sale was on behalf of Syndicate Lofts. This cock has sired a bird for us that topped the Fife federation from Kelso in 2013. The dam was a 2012 late bred blue pied bred by Ken Gray from Bridlington from his Premier Stud Reyneart bloodlines. Second this week is Eddie McWilliams with a velocity of 1397 ypm he timed a home bred 2 year old cock on the drive, the bloodlines being from David Hunter of Plean. Taking 3rd spot this week is Frank Mitchell with a velocity of 1379 ypm Frank timed a yearling roundabout hen bred by Andrew Lawley of Elson, from his M & D Evans pigeons. This week’s nom was won by Alistair McInnes and Frank Mitchell wins the two bird nomination. Glenrothes & Leslie RPC news from Rosie Armit who writes ‘Hi Joe, the 3rd race of the season the federation should have been from Aycliffe but due to adverse weather conditions the birds were brought back to Berwick. Glenrothes & Leslie sent 179 birds and 1st prize is won with M McMurchie on a velocity of 1404. He timed in a dark chequer widowhood yearling cock his sire is a Sablon direct from Marcel Aelbrecht while his dam is Broken Wing bred by Pete Patrick of Thornton who bred 2 good national prize winners for Pete and this is the 3rd x 1st prize winner from her. 2nd is R Wilson on 1368 with a 2 year old red chequer cock sent sitting 4 day eggs. His parents were bred by the late Martin Bell of Kirkcaldy and Bob is the first to admit that Martin’s birds fly well for him. 3rd is M McMurchie on 1276 with a 4 year old red widowhood cock bred by Bruce McKenzie of Dundee from the old Dundee mealy lines this cock also won the 1st race from Berwick. The members sent 181 birds to Ripon and taking the 1st position are Turpie & McCord with a velocity of 1403. They timed a 4 year old blue chequer white flight hen sent sitting 10 day on eggs. Her sire is a son of Austin Whittaker's 1st open Ypres, her dam a daughter of Kevin & Lee Buddle of Dover’s pied hen Buddy winner of 4th open Pau. She was 136th open Alencon SNFC in 2015, 135th Open Clermont SNFC and flew Reims in 2016 returning 2 weeks later hawked. 2nd and 3rd is B Kinnear on a velocity of 1365 with a 2 year old blue cock on roundabout he flew Roye as a yearling. Brian’s 2nd bird on 1337 is a 2 year old blue hen on roundabout, although she will pair to any hen that looks at her and was one of 3 hens sitting together on the floor. She is bred from the Ronnie Evans & Partners stock cock when he was mated to his granddaughter. St Andrews & District HS from the Berwick race with 6 members sent 118 birds; winning 1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th & 10th club is Dave Baldie with his team of Frans Zwols pigeons originating from William Donachie. John Harcus wins 2nd, 8th & 9th with R Anderson in 5th place. From Alnwick with an entry of 166 birds sent 7 members it is a clean sweep for Dave Baldie this week winning the 1st x 11 positions in the Club, with the Frans Zwols pigeons… and looking good for winning the Fife Federation, photo of winner is attached. From the Berwick race the members sent 167 birds with Dave Baldie winning a hat-trick of wins with the Frans Zwols pigeons, with a great team effort winning 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th & 10th. This week’s winner has been named ‘Christina’ who won in 2016 as a yearling 5th section C, 17th open SNFC Buckingham against 4328 birds, she also won 7th section C 16th open SNFC Ypres 2324 birds. R Anderson wins 5th, 8th & 9th positions. Pentland Hills Federation News from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe for our 5th race of the season from Wakefield flown on Saturday 13th May with poor weather forecast many federation delayed basketting for 24 hours. However race controller Bobby Graham saw a window for Saturday and the 3083 birds sent by 13 clubs were liberated at 12-30 into to a south west win. Between Bobby and convoyer John Parry a good race was had by most with the majority of bird’s home in jig time. Winning 1st in both organisations is Jimmy Rogers from Gilmerton who timed his 3 year old cock flown on roundabout. The sire and dam are of Janssen origin bred by former Kings Cup winner Davie Gunn of Gunn & Cherrie fame from his origin Allan Maul from Wales stock. 2nd & 5th open are Brown & Black of Woodburn club with D Anderson of Danderhall is 3rd with K Dick of Edinburgh Premier is 4th with T Nolan & Son taking the 6th & 7th places. J Robertson of New Lothian is 8th 9th & 10th. New Lothian RPC had 61 lofts sending 1687 birds to Wakefield with J Rogers from Gilmerton taking top honours. The 2nd & 5th places are won by the Woodburn partnership of Brown & Black with Danderhall D Anderson in 3rd spot. K Dick of Edinburgh Premier is 4th with T Nolan & Son taking the 6th & 7th places. J Robertson of New Lothian taking the next 3 places. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 609 birds; 1st Rogers 2nd Anderson 3rd Nolan Woodburn 146 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Brown & Black Edinburgh Premier 234 birds; 1st Dick 2nd & 3rd Gilchrist Easthouses 397 birds; 1st & 3rd W Pryde & Son 2nd Milne Castlebrae 97 birds; 1st L Mitchell; 2nd A Mitchell 3rd McCormack & Fraser Sighthill 181 birds; 1st & 2nd Bremner 3rd Girdwood Edinburgh West 166 birds; 1st & 3rd Lamb 2nd Bennett Bonnyrigg 251 birds; 1st Watson & Daughter 2nd Neill Loanhead 175 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Simpson Rosewell 116 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Power Peebles 42 birds; New Lothian 73 birds; Traprain 550 birds; Others 46 birds; For our 6th old bird race of the season from Newark flown on 20th May 13 clubs sent 2701 birds these were liberated at 08-35 am into a south west wind. The birds made short work of this race with excellent returns although they encountered heavy rain showers for the last 60-70 miles. Winning 1st New Lothian and Federation is the Gorebridge loft of Alistair Lawson who flies in Easthouses club. He timed his 2 year old hen flown on roundabout and bred from stock obtained from friends from the old Scottish families. He would also like to thank Curley White from Ormiston for looking after the birds while on holiday for a few days. 2nd open is Jimmy Pryde also of Easthouses with Willie Pryde & son of the same club is 3rd position the McCormack & Fraser partnership of Castlebrae are in 4th & 8th positions. A Mitchell of Castlebrae is 5th with A W Robertson of Danderhall in 6th place he is followed by D Anderson of the same club one place behind. The number 9 spot is won by J Milne of Easthouses with S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier making up the top ten. New Lothian RPC had 58 lofts entering 1407 birds with Alistair Lawson of Easthouses club taking the top spot Alistair Lawson of Easthouses with 2nd open going to Jimmy Pryde of Easthouses who wins £139 for his efforts. Willie Pryde & son of the same club are 3rd with the McCormack & Fraser partnership of Castlebrae in 4th & 8th positions. A Mitchell of Castlebrae is 5th with A W Robertson of Danderhall in 6th place followed by D Anderson of the same club one place behind. The number 9 spot is won by J Milne of Easthouses with S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier making up the top ten. Club Winners are as follows; Easthouses 386 birds; 1st Lawson 2nd J Pryde 3rd W Pryde & Son Castlebrae 83 birds; 1st & 3rd McCormack & Fraser 2nd A Mitchell Danderhall 536 birds; 1st A W Robertson 2nd Anderson 3rd Nolan Edinburgh Premier 188 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Gilchrist Bonnyrigg 176 birds; 1st Mercer 2nd J Dewar 3rd Russell Woodburn 121 birds; 1st & 2nd Allen 3rd Brown & Black Loanhead 175 birds; 1st Cherrie 2nd Simpson 3rd Murray Sighthill 172 birds; 1st Miller 2nd & 3rd Girdwood Edinburgh West 166 birds; 1st Bennett 2nd Lamb 3rd Verth Rosewell 86 birds; 1st Cunningham & Ness 2nd G Tytler 3rd McCormack Peebles 19 birds; New Lothian 69 birds; Traprain 475 birds; 1st Bosworth 2nd Mark 3rd Thomson Others 46 birds; Pentland Midweek Peterborough race which had 39 lofts prepaid 136 birds with 35 actual lofts sending 102 birds flying for a total prize and pool money of £6189. The birds were liberated at 06-30 am into a light west wind and winning the treble of 1st 2nd & 3rd open are the father and son partnership of Willie & John Pryde of Easthouses winning a total of £1578 not bad lift at this time of the year especially with the nationals coming up. L Mitchell of Castlebrae is 4th and 9th winning over £700. S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier is 5th winning £500 with A W Robertson of Danderhall is 6th lifting £350. Willie Kinnear & son of Danderhall are 7th winning over £900 for their efforts. Andy Miller of Sighthill is 8th winning £167 with the 10th place going to Newcombe and Black of Traprain who win £43. Lanarkshire Federation News from Andrew Eadie who writes ‘Hi Joe for our 5th race of the season from Charnock Richards 4504 birds were liberated on Sunday 14th of May at 09-00 hours into a south west wind. Cambusnethan & Morningside club had 26 members sending 657 birds winning 1st club 2nd section and just missing the top spot finishing 2nd open is the well-known face of Tam Richardson with his 2 year old Wildermeech chequer cock sent feeding 2 big youngsters and chasing his hen. 2nd & 4th club 3rd section 3rd open is Wullie Smart with his 3 year old (Secret Family) flown on the roundabout system. 3rd club 4th section and 5th open the inform loft of Tony McGinn with a 2 year old blue Vandenabeele cock raced on (Buckfast) widowhood system. 5th club 5th section 11th open the man from Shotts Isach Fairley with his 2 year blue hen. From the 6th race of the season from Stafford a distance of 218 miles flown on Saturday 20th May the convoy of 3669 birds were liberated at 06-15 am into a light south wind. The club had 22 members sending 535 birds and taking 1st & 4th club 3rd & 7th section 8th & 21st open and their 3rd win of the season are the Eadie & Kelly partnership from the small outlying village of Bellside. They timed a 4 year old chequer hen bred from their winning family of Vandenabeele’s flown on the roundabout she has already won 1st section 16th open from an entry of 5417 birds in 2016. 2nd & 3rd club 5th & 6th section, 14th &15th open is Tam Richardson with his first bird a 2 year old blue hen and his 2nd pigeon is bred from the Great Jock Duthie of Dundee both flown on the roundabout . 5th club 8th section 21st open is the A & J Cook partnership with a 2 year old he calls ‘Tennent’s’ and is flown on the Cookaburraw system. Lastly well done to Wullie Millen on topping the Lanarkshire federation also the other 2 section winners East section D K Burnside of Lanark and Centre section winner J Wilkson of Airdrie. Hope the weather is fair with the 1st inland national coming up from Buckingham good luck to you and Kevin yours Andy’. North of Scotland Federation George Duthie has forwarded the federation Arniston result were 76 members sent 1742 birds these were liberated into a moderate south west wind. Topping the federation and taking the first 3 open and East section (who had 34 members sending 1036 birds) places is Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District club. G Finlay of Peterhead & District is 4th 10th & 19th east section and open with A B Geddes of Fraserburgh & District club in 5th east section and open. Gordon Willox of Peterhead & District is 6th east section and open with R Barclay of Fraserburgh West End club in 7th section and open position. George Taylor of Peterhead & District is 8th 9th & 15th section and open with Stuart Maskame of the same Peterhead club is 11th 12th & 13th section and open and his club mates Jim & Ann Donaldson are 14th section and open. Craig Donaldson of the same club is 16th 17th & 18th open and section with Gordon Willox of the same club making up the top 20 place. The West Section had 42 members sending 706 birds with the Devern Valley club members lifting all the section prizes with the winner A Wilson who also won 32nd open. A Milne is 2nd 3rd & 4th section 33rd 34th & 35th open. Fulton & Ritchie are 5th 9th & 10th west section and 36th 40th and 41st open. J Abel is 6th & 7th section 37th & 38th open with P Sherman winning 8th section 39th open. Well done to Colin McRae on topping the federation and also well done to Andy Wilson on winning the west section. Club Winners; Fraserburgh & District; winner is C McRae; Peterhead & District; winner is G Findlay; Devern Valley winner is A Wilson; Fraserburgh West End winner is R Barclay; Keith winner is A J Reid; Inverurie; winner is A Foster; Elgin & District winner is R Birnie; Buckie & District winner is J Cumming; Forres, Nairn & Inverness winner is B Hirst. From the Alnwick old bird race flown on the 21st May 71 members sent 1342 birds these were liberated into a light south wind. Topping the east section (who had 31 members sending 703 birds) both is G Findlay of Peterhead & District who wins the first 3 places as well as 15th open. George Duthie of Fraserburgh & District is 4th 7th 8th & 13th section and open with Colin McRae of the same club in 5th 6th 9th 10th 11th & 12th positions. Eric & Nicky Yule of Inverurie are 14th in section and open with Gordon Willox of Peterhead & District in 16th open Stuart Maskame of the same club is 17th 19th & 20th and is split by club mage H Hailwood who wins 18th open. West Section had 40 members sending 639 birds: Fulton and Ritchie of Devern Valley are 1st section 32nd open with club mate A Milne runner up in the section and 33rd open. Keith club member G R Duncan timed the next 3 birds to win 34th 35th & 36th open. J Abel of Devern Valley is 6th & 7th section 37th & 38th open with R Wilson of Keith club winning the remaining section prizes and open places. Club Winners; Peterhead & District; winner is G Findlay; Fraserburgh & District; winner is G Duthie; Inverurie; winner is E & N Yule; Devern Valley winners are Fulton & Ritchie; Fraserburgh West End winner is R Higgins; Keith winner is G R Duncan; Elgin & District winner is Jack & Reid; Buckie & District winner is G Russell; Forres, Nairn & Inverness winner is S Taylor. Well done to Gordon Findlay on topping the federation and to Fulton & Ritchie on winning the west section George Duthie.’ 1st Ayrshire Fed Sedgefield 1st Fed Berwick Ist Fed Berwick(Injured) 3rd Fed Berwick 2nd Fed Sedgefield Dave Baldies Fed Winner see results Joe’s Joke A small boy has a school homework question to answer, so he asks his father "Dad, what's the difference between 'theoretically' and 'realistically'?" His dad thinks and then says "Right-oh son, go and ask your mother if she'd sleep with David Beckham for a million quid." The boy toddles off and comes back saying "Dad, dad, she said she would! She would sleep with David Beckham for a million pounds." "OK son," says his dad. "Now go and ask your sister the same question." The boy toddles off, and comes back saying "Dad, dad, she said she would too!" So then his dad says "Right, son, now go and ask your brother if he'd sleep with David Beckham for a million pounds." The son comes back excitedly saying "Dad! Dad! He said he would too!" “Well there you have it, son," said his dad: “Theoretically we could have three million quid. Realistically we're living with two tarts and a poof." 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 and www.pigeon-chat.co.uk also www.pigeonbasics.com Pigeon Racing the Basics who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland. © Compiled by Joe Murphy

Just think where the doos come from much more comfortable with my suggestion :drinking-coffee-200:

As advised before Archie Dandy Dons Red & White will doo the trick :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Sent you a PM Hope you have an hour to spare :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Well done John keep it up :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Just had a reply from: Verband Deutscher Brieftaubenzucher e.V Only info in English is my Name , Address and date all of which I know ???? Only hope the owner gets a copy and replies in English :emoticon-0136-giggle: This was to an E-mail sent reply was by post very efficient!!

It was a Fed race he is not in our Fed If someone basketed in Fife they will still not know tomorrow his result will go to SNFC Seems to me the Winners face does not fit

Well done E & K Elliott 1st Fed ,1st Club will you be 1st North section?? Why was result not done tonight???

Scottish Central Combine Leicester Yearling Derby 2017 Please click to enlarge

Happy Birthday Seona have a nice time :drinking-coffee-200: :drinking-coffee-200:

Would be pleased if you could arrange that The couple that found the bird she is Scottish he is Malaysian and are really interested in it history I said I would try and find out about it for them but might take some time PM me if you need any more info Ian

Tried that it changed from German to German if that what it is :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

The International had a race from Bourges Sent request to German union and been returned twice in German think it is trying to tell me it's a failure The phone number I think is German Sent a third request via a different E-mail but no answer yet will be interesting :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Don't think so fully race marked