Ian McKay

Hi Martin I will speak to Bob our driver I think that will be OK Ian

The Joe Murphy Column Last Saturday the 29th April I went along and opened the gates to the park for Davie Barrie, the North of Scotland federation driver convoyer at 07-00 hours. It was a bit overcast with the sunshine coming up in the east coast. I then returned prior to the liberation of 1877 birds at 10-00 and have attached a photograph of the liberation. The pigeons went into 6 batches and seemed to take ages to get their bearings and yet they seemed to have experienced a good race as their result shows (see results below) with their federation winner doing 1700 yards a minute. I also collected an ETS system for Gordon Turnbull the Fife federation secretary and also some young birds for 2 Kennoway members who purchased them at Dougie Bald charity auction. I was also informed that the Fife federation young bird sale was a disaster with only 7 youngsters in the pens and about the same number of fanciers present. This is such a pity as this would have been an ideal opportunity for the federation to make some money as a few of their members did well last year in the national races. For example from Buckingham Ronnie Stevenson of Leven won 1st section C 4th open. Brian Chalmers from Kennoway won 2nd section C 7th open. Dave Baldie of St Andrews won 3rd & 5th section C 10th & 17th open. From Littlehampton Dave Baldie won 1st section C 2nd open with Clark Clark & Page winning 3rd section C 6th open. From the Gold Cup race from Reims George Anderson of Scone won 4th 5th & 7th section C 19th 20th & 22nd open. From Ancenis Frank Mitchell of Oakley won 1st section C 39th open with Jim Doig of Cardenden being 3rd section C 44th open. From the Ypres race Jocky Scott won 1st & 9th section C 5th & 19th open; Dave Baldie won 7th section C 16th open and Jim & Gary Peggie of Methil won 8th section C 18th open. From the Roye national Jocky Scott won 1st section C 1sto OPEN with Frank Mitchell winning 2nd section C 8th open and John Skelton of Dunfermline won 3rd section C 13th open. Then from the young bird national we had Willie Hay wining 1st section C 3rd open and Dave Baldie was 3rd section C 18th open. Plus Frank Mitchell won a SNFC Silver Award with the national. Even if the officials had obtained ONE young bird from all the above mentioned winners they would have made a ‘FORTUNE’ at this sale as you would have to go a long way to find such quality and results achieved by the Fife federation members. Well done to all the above mentioned and I hope their success continues in 2017. Results For the 2nd old bird race from Ridsdale a distance of 101 miles 4 members of Arbroath club sent 76 birds these were liberated at 08-15am with No wind at the race point. A clear winner this week is Gen Cameron with a velocity of 1236 his yearling is bred from ‘Prada’ winner of 1st & 2nd North Section (beaten by loft mate) for Glen when racing in Aberdeen. Prada is a grandson of the Castres of Leon Messiaen and he also contains Leon's other base pigeon the Perpignan while his sire contains the lines of the Tutsi of Martin Ravelingien. The dam is ‘Little Dorrie’ winner of 3rd open SNFC Reims and last year her granddaughter won 7th open SNFC Reims for Bill Dorward. 2nd & 3rd places go to Glen’s dad Charlie with his 1st bird bred from a black hen who has won 3 times in the top 20 in SNFC races when mated to a son of Snowcap winner of 4th open SNFC Reims. Charlie’s 2nd bird is from his Jos Claes family. Angus Federation sent 802 birds to Ridsdale with No wind recorded at the liberation time of 08-15am the leading pigeon was doing a velocity of 1375 for the Forfar partnership of Macaulay Ferguson & Curran who are also 2nd 12th & 13th open with club mate Ian Scott in 3rd 5th 6th 7th 14th & 18th open places. David J Liddle of the same club is 4th 11th 19th & 20th with Bob Baldie winning 8th 9th 10th & 17th positions. D Smith is 15th with Davie Glen in 16th open making up the top 20 places. East section winners are as follows; Glen Cameron of Arbroath is 1st with his second bird winning 6th place in Inchcape club. The Montrose partnership of J & J Leven is 2nd & 8th with Charlie Cameron of Arbroath club in 3rd & 4th places. Arty S Whyte of Montrose is 5th with D & D Hay of Gourdon club won 7th & 10th positions. Making the top ten in 9th spot is G Campbell of Montrose club. Club winners are as follows: Forfar 545 bird’s winner Macaulay Ferguson & Curran: Arbroath 76 bird’s winner Glen Cameron: Inchcape 69 birds winner Glen Cameron; Gourdon 43 birds winner D & D Hay; Montrose 69 birds winner J J Leven. Ayrshire Federation News from Archie McIntyre the federation race secretary who writes; ‘Hi Joe, would it be possible for you to include the attached Ayrshire Federation Arniston race report and photos in your weekly report? I hoping I can continue to send weekly reports of the federation throughout the season to you if that is ok. We kicked off the 2017 season on Saturday 22nd April from Arniston with a new federation man in the hot seat as race controller Jim O’Hare. This being Jim’s first time ever controlling and he was not hanging about either as he had the convoy of 1,386 birds off and running at 08-15 hours with no wind at the race point. We could not have possible asked for a better 1st race with the birds tumbling in with many members reporting large drops of birds. Long may this continue? Leading the pack to take 1st federation on 1388.4 flying 66 miles 148 yards is Willie Lawrence of the Whitletts & District club. Willie yearling cock was flying on the roundabout system and was bred down from stock purchased from Gerry Clements from his famous ‘91 lines’. Taking 2nd federation on 1378.6 is John Donald from the Ardeer club flying 69 miles 916 yards; John’s bird is a yearling chequer cock purchased as a squeaker at Ardeer Breeder/Buyer sale last season and was bred by Russell MaCalary from Northern Ireland. John being a very prominent and experienced fancier noticed that his young birds had gone slightly off colour so the cock didn't race as a youngster. This nice yearling cock was sent to his first ever race flying natural feeding his first ever youngsters with his hen back down on eggs and this came up trumps to win 1st Ardeer HS (245 birds). 1st north section 643 birds and 2nd open federation 1386 birds. Just a point of note that Russell MaCalary has supported the Ardeer Breeder Buyer sale for a few seasons through friends and his birds have now won for several different fanciers, so well done to Russell and many thanks for your support. Close on John Donald’s heels taking 3rd federation on 1370.7 is club mate John (Abdoola) Simpson flying 67 miles 996 yards. He also wins 2nd club 245 birds, 2nd section 643 birds. John’s yearling mealy cock for is flown on the roundabout system and is a bird with a lot of credentials already. As a youngster he won twice in the Ardeer midweek (Barcelona) club and also won 1st club 10th federation from Berwick 106 miles and 6th club from Sedgefield flying 147 miles. His breeding is a fancier that has a great record in one loft racing, a Mr Ken Ambler a good friend of John and I'm sure there will be a lot more to come from this pigeon. In and around Ayrshire clubs starting with the North Section: Dalry HS 12 members 298 birds; A Barbour takes the top 3 doing 1326, 1324, & 1313. Ardeer HS 14 members 245 birds; = J Donald 1378, J Simpson takes the next 2 on 1370, 1337. Kilwinning HS 6 members 100 birds; 1st & 3rd J McNeil 1278 & 1269; In 3rd place is I Crossan on 1269. Central Section: Kilmarnock Invitation HS 80 birds; 1st is N Sinclair 1345, T Logan 1281, J Bunce 1281. Crosshouse HS 84 birds; 1st is A McCullen 1284, N Sinclair 1276, 1255. Darvel HS 4 members 93 birds; J & R Bryson takes the top 3 doing 1361, 1344, and 1333. Irvine NHS 7 members 141 birds; 1st is A Connelly 1321, E Diamond 1351, H Pollock 1313. South Section: Mauchline & District 5 members 58 birds; 1st is Mr & Mrs Galloway 1285, E Stewart 1261, J Watters 1248 Cumnock & District 2 members 25 birds; 1st is J Caldwell takes the top 3 doing 1029, 761, 643 Carrick & District 4 members 75 birds; 1st is H I Gray 1273, 1197 Whitletts & District 77 birds; 1st is W Lawrence 1388, 1319, N Young 1271 Annbank & District 3 members 43 birds; 1st is J Mathieson 1327, D Paterson 1305, 1273 I would just like to say thanks to Colin Nicol, the hard working Ardeer secretary for the reports and photos for John Donald & John Simpson pigeons. I hope the above is ok for you Joe and it is good to join the ‘Joe Murphy Column’ yours Archie’. Almond Valley Federation Balerno club news from Colin Bain who has been doing a very good job in this task these past few years, he writes. ‘Hi Joe another season begins and we were at Stobs Camp on Saturday the 22nd of April with 11 members sending 170 birds. Liberated into a North West wind at 09-30 am 1st, 2nd & 4th is Colin Ross with 3 Staff Van Reets his winner was a chequer hen sitting on eggs she was doing a velocity of 1083 and is bred from stock he obtained from Colin Bain. The 2nd club winner is a blue hen doing a velocity of 1066 she was a late bred and is still carrying 3 nest flights her sire has 5 federation cards. The 4th club winner is a blue pied hen on a velocity of 1058 as a matter of interest Joe these 3 hens are all yearlings and were not raced as young birds. 3rd club was yours truly with a Staff Van Reet cock doing 1065 he was sitting 10 days on eggs and his nest mate has topped the Almond Valley federation. Balerno were at Otterburn on Saturday 29th April with 11 members sending 289 birds, these were liberated into a south east wind at 07-30 am. With the red card going to G & J Fairley with a 4 year old Staff Van Reet on a velocity of 1330 he was sent feeding a 7 day old young bird. 2nd place goes to Colin Ross with the same hen that won 2nd club last week and 3rd this week is Colin Bain with a Staff Van Reet cock flying spare he was doing 1246. Sorry about the delay on our 1st result Joe but I’ve just got my computer back on Friday best wishes to you and Kevin yours Colin’. East Calder RPC news from Jimmy Young who writes ‘Hi Joe please find the enclosed last week’s federation result from Stobs Camp. I have attached this week’s result from Otterburn for East Calder with 5 members sending 208 birds. The winners are Freddie Jamieson & son partnership with a Herman Ceuster which Freddie purchased last year and they seem as though they are going to do the business. John Jamieson is 2nd & 3rd club with 2 birds bred in 2013. Almond Valley Federation were at Stobs Camp on Saturday 22nd April with the convoy being liberated at 09-30 hours. Taking the top spot are Mr & Mrs Fleming of East Calder with a black hen for the. She will not pair up and the partnerships have tried her with numerous cocks in the loft but she just will not pair up and is flying spare. They got the parents from John Jamieson and the cock is out of a big winner from Bourges in Up North Combine and that is as much as they know. The next 6 federation open places are won by S Fleming of Armadale club; with T Gavin of the same club in 8th & 9th open places making up the top 10 is J Clark of Armadale. Club winners; Armadale 544 birds; 1st to 4th S 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 My thanks to Jimmy Young for the results East of Scotland Federation news from John Baillie with the federation race from Tow Law 2 with the birds being liberated at 08-45 hours into a south wind and a fast race was anticipated. The winning birds were as usual bang on time, but at the clocks a few birds were missing. Taking 1st, 2nd & 7th federation is yours truly John Baillie of Tranent. In 3rd & 5th positions we have Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston, the sire of the 3rd open was purchased at the Prestonpans late bred sale in 2015 and was bred by the above named John Baillie. We have John Bird of Prestonpans in the 4th and 8th positions with Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton in 6th open place. Davie Gillan of Tranent is in 9th spot and completing the top 10 is Keith Howie of Prestonpans. Prestonpans Homing Club result has the 1st & 2nd places going to John Baillie the winner is a blue 2 year old cock who has previously won 3rd club 8th open federation from our 2nd race and now he tops the federation this week. As I have informed you already Joe he also won 50th open SNFC Ypres and was bred by Freddy Jamieson & son of East Calder. The yearling blue cock taking 2nd place is a Vandenabeele crossed Van Lint; this young cock flew the young bird national last year. John Bird takes the 3rd position with a yearling bred hen bred from a bird John bought at the Prestonpans young bird sale and was donated by J & A Alston. When John went to collect the young bird Jock said he would breed a mate for it and this is the parents of the yearling hen, the best of the west flying into the east. Thanks once again for all you help Joe yours John B’. Fife Federation News from Gordon Turnbull who forwarded the opening race from Berwick with 1795 birds being liberated at 09-00 am into a light north west wind. Topping the federation with a velocity of 1161 is Tam Cook of Kennoway who is also 4th 6th and 7th open. Club mate Jock Scott is 2nd & 5th with another Kennoway member Sean Diamond in 3rd place and Brian Chalmers of the same club taking 8th 9th & 10th open. The East Section St Andrews sending 118 birds; Kennoway 175 birds; Methilhaven 95 birds; Tayport 48 birds and Leven 154 birds. The top 10 are the same as the above open winners. Centre Section top 10; Glenrothes 154 birds; Novar 98 birds. 1st & 10th Mick McMurchie; 2nd 3rd 4th 5th & 9th Turpie & McCord with Brian Kinnear in 6th 7th & 8th positions. West Section top 10; Lochgelly 188 birds; Crossgates 334 birds; Dunfermline 216 birds. Topping the section is R Cook of Crossgates with George Anderson of Perth in 2nd & 3rd places. Willie Pratt of the Crossgates club is 3rd with Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club taking the next 3 places 5th 6th & 7th section Andy Ritchie of Dunfermline is 8th with Alistair McCudden of Crossgates club wins 9th spot and Jim Doig of Lochgelly club makes up the top 10. My thanks to Gordon for the above result he thought I had been receiving this these past few years but he has obviously not read my column as I have not covered the federation for quite a while, so it is good to have it back. Unfortunately there is no federation result for Alnwick race as this has had to be invalid due to 7 baskets from the Crossgates club not being opened at the liberation. I’m assuming that once this was discovered the bulk of the convoy would already be in the air. Gordon has informed me that they will just be doing club results for this race. Dunfermline LRPS news from David Kennedy who writes ‘We had 9 members sending 252 birds to our Alnwick race with Frank Mitchell continuing his good form by taking another clean sweep this week. The 1st bird with a velocity 1371.66 ypm was last week’s 1st club winner this being a 3 year old cock on roundabout, he is a grandson of the late Jock Trails 1st open Nantes when paired to 1st open Niort. The 2nd bird with a velocity 1371.46 ypm is a 2 year old late bred cock on roundabout bred from Jocky Kings national winning family of pigeons. The 3rd bird with the same velocity of 1371.46 ypm is a 3 year old roundabout late bred cock, again from Jocky Kings national winning family. Well done Frank great flying from all the members! This week’s nomination and 2 bird competition is won by Walker & David Kennedy Loft No1 cheers Joe and keep up the good work yours David’. Glenrothes & Leslie RPC news from Rosie Armit who writes ‘Hi Joe, I hope you and Margaret are both well. Another season underway with the first race of the season from Berwick on Tweed which saw M McMurchie with the winner on a velocity of 1108 this was a 4 year old red cock on widowhood and was bred by Bruce McKenzie old Dundee Mealy lines. 2nd & 3rd are Turpie & McCord with velocities of 1097 and 1095 their first bird is a 3 year old blue cock sent feeding 16 day old young birds and looking at his hen his breeding is J Ellis crossed A Muir. The partners 2nd pigeon is a 2 year old blue also sent feeding 16 day old young birds and looking at hen. His sire won 2nd open SNFC Clermont in 2012 while his dam won 16th open in the same SNFC Clermont race; my thanks to Rosie for the above information. Pentland Hills Federation News from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe the Federation had 13 clubs sending 3530 birds to Tow Law (2) for our 3rd race of the season liberated at 08-45 hours into a south west wind. The winner is again, Willie Smith with the same 2 year old widowhood cock who won the previous week. He is bred from stock from the late Tam Young from Danderhall from his original Walters & Broadhurst Wildermeersch family. This bird is a brother to last year’s midweek yearling race winner from Peterborough. Willie is also 2nd federation with P Hutton & son of Edinburgh Premier in 3rd & 4th positions. Their club mate S Gilchrist is 5th with J Simpson of Loanhead club in 6th spot. J Neill of Bonnyrigg is 7th with D & J Allen of Woodburn taking the next two places and making up the top 10 is J Milne of Easthouses. New Lothian RPC had 66 lofts sending 2014 birds to Tow Law (2) liberated into a south west wind Willie Smith pf Danderhall takes the first 2 places with last week’s winner lifting £460 for his efforts. Third place is won by S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier with J Neill of Bonnyrigg in 4th spot. The D & J Allen partnership of Woodburn are 5th & 6th with J Milne of Easthouses in 7th spot. The next 2 place are won by Jimmy Pryde of Easthouses with A McLaughlin of Edinburgh Premier makes up the top 10. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 658 birds; 1st & 2nd Smith 1751 & 1750 3rd Kinnear 1705 Edinburgh Premier 297 birds; 1st & 2nd Hutton 1740 & 1738 3rd Gilchrist 1737 Loanhead 256 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Simpson 1737 1626 & 1599 Bonnyrigg 254 birds; 1st Neill 1730 2nd J Dewar 1700 3rd A Dewar 1690 Woodburn 186 birds; 1st & 2nd Allen 1722 & 1721 3rd Lapinski 1682 Easthouses 504 birds; 1st Milne 1714.9 2nd & 3rd J Pryde 1714.4 & 1713 Castlebrae 123 birds; 1st McCormack & Fraser 1699 2nd & 3rd L Mitchell 1671 &1661 Sighthill 208 birds; 1st Bremner 1671 2nd Miller 1665 3rd Summers 1664 Edinburgh West 214 birds; 1st & 2nd Bennett 1653 & 1630 3rd Lamb 1620 Rosewell 135 birds; Peebles 42 birds; New Lothian 114 birds; Traprain 486 birds; Others 53 birds; Lanarkshire Federation News from Andrew Eadie who writes ‘Hi Joe just received the Lanarkshire federation result from our 3rd race of the season from Appleby. The 5835 convoy of birds were liberated at 10-45am into a south wind. Cambusnethan & Morningside club had 26 members sending 767 birds winning 1st club 2nd section from an entry of 1365 birds and winning 12th open 5835 birds is T McSorley with a 3 year old pied hen doing a velocity of 1833. 2nd club 3rd section 13th open are John Lawrie & son of Clare Street with a 2 year old chequer hen doing 1832 raced on the roundabout and is a Beverdam Vandenabeele crossed Krugar. She came as ‘Flash’ past him onto the loft so he has now named her Flash. 3rd 4th & 5th club 4th 5th & 7th section 16th 17th & 29th open are the Eadie & Kelly partnership with their first bird a 4 old chequer cock doing 1825 he is named ‘Blackpool Donkey’ (see photo) This grand cock has now won over 11 federation positions and is breeding winners for fun. He is called the Blackpool Donkey as one week he is up with the winners and the following week he can be last. That concludes our 3rd race and ‘Well done’ to all the winners, next week we are at Ingleton Joe which is about the 150 mile mark to most lofts in the club, yours Andrew’. North of Scotland Federation George Duthie has forwarded the federation result to me. From Thornton on 29th April with 72 members sending 1877 birds liberated at 10-00 hours into a light south east wind in overcast conditions. Topping the federation and east section is J (Ian) Gibb of Fraserburgh & District with a 4 year old doing 1712 velocity? Club mate C McRae is 2nd 3rd & 4th open with G Findlay of Peterhead & District in 5th place A Wilson of Devern Valley is 1st west section 6th open with club mate G Wilson in 2nd section 7th open position. 6th east section 8th open is A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & district with club mate A Higgins in 7th section 9th open and G Findlay of Peterhead & District is 8th section 10th open. East Section 31 members sent 990 birds; 1st J (Ian) Gibb of Fraserburgh & District; 2nd 3rd 4th C McRae of Fraserburgh & District. 5th G Findlay of Peterhead & District; 6th A W Buchan Fraserburgh & District; 7th A Higgins Fraserburgh & District; 8th G Findlay Peterhead & District 9th D Ward Fraserburgh West End 10th S Maskame Peterhead & District. West Section 41 members sent 887 birds 1st section 6th open is A Wilson of Devern Valley with namesake G Wilson in 2nd section 7th open he flies in the same Devern Valley club. 3rd & 4th section 31st & 32nd open is A Milne also from Devern Valley club. 33rd & 39th open 5th & 10th section P Sherman of Devern Valley with 34th open and 6th section going to J Abel of the same club. 35th & 36th open 7th & 8th section is Fulton & Ritchie again of Devern Valley club with 37th open 9th section won by R Wilson of Keith. . Club Winners; Fraserburgh & District; winner is J (Ian) Gibb; Peterhead & District; winner is G Findlay; Devern Valley winner is A Wilson; Fraserburgh West End winner is D Ward; Keith winner is R Wilson; Inverurie; winner is E & N Yule; Elgin & District winner is G Geddes; Buckie & District winner is G Russel; Forres, Nairn & Inverness winner is S Taylor. Good SNFC Birds Last week I said this would be my last week highlighting these very good birds however I received an email from Billy Graham of Uddingston who wrote; ‘Hi Joe Thanks for the mention of my blue cock SU11L 8101, he certainly has covered the miles, as you say as 2 year old (2013) he won 70th section E from the inland national Newbury race then went to Ypres just missing the result. As a 3 year old (2014) he again had another inland national just missing the result and was then sent to the national Ancenis races flying 598 miles and again just missing the result. Then as you mention in 2015 and 2016 he won from the Ancenis race point, however he had also been to an inland national as his final preparation race before Ancenis. As you say hopefully he will be going for his SNFC Silver Award this year, the hardest bit is considering all the obstacles and hazards that the birds have to go through and negotiate before they get to the starting line. As a piece of interest Joe a loft mate to the blue cock is a blue hen SU12 4177 and like the blue cock 8101 she was at an inland national race then entered into the Ancenis race in (2014) missing the result on both occasions. In (2015) she again had an inland national as a preparation race before going to Ancenis and she achieved 14th section E 45th open, then in (2016) again another inland national as groundwork for the Ancenis race and she achieved 2nd section E 46th open. So Joe with some luck both birds will make the starting point and hopefully both will achieve their well-deserved Silver Awards. Thanking you for your kind words and all the best to you and Kevin for the 2017 season Yours Billy’. As you will have read above Billy’s pigeons had the inland national prior to going to the longest race in the SNFC calendar (which I knew nothing about). Hence the reason I ask for fanciers to inform me of these very good pigeon as ALL I’m trying to do is give them some publicity for their efforts. I search the SNFC results for birds who have previously won and I’m grateful to the club secretary Mary Pryde who kindly sends me a copy of the club’s year book to assist me in this pursuit. It is also surprising how many fanciers from outside of Scotland inform me that they enjoy this feature within my column. To Billy mentioned above my sincere thanks and I hope his birds do well in 2017. Andrew Eadie Loft Managers Blackpool Donkey John Donald 2nd Fed J Simpson 3rd Fed Joe’s Joke I suspect like most of us many of you will be fed up hearing about the General Election and I thought this little story was quite amusing regardless of which party you belong to. You can turn it around to suit yourself. Recently, while I was working in the flower beds in the front garden, my neighbours stopped to chat as they returned home from walking their dog. During our friendly conversation, I asked their little girl what she wanted to be when she grew up. She said she wanted to be Prime Minster someday. Both of her parents, Conservative Party members, were standing there so I asked her, "If you were Prime Minster what would be the first thing you would do?" She replied... "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people." Her parents beamed with pride! "Wow...what a worthy goal!" I said..."But you don't have to wait until you are Prime Minister to do that!" "What do you mean?" she replied. So I told her, "You can come over to my house and cut the grass, pull weeds, and trim my hedge, and I'll pay you £50. Then you can go over to the grocery store where the homeless man hangs out, and you can give him the £50 to use toward food and a new house." She thought that over for a few seconds, then she looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the £50?" I said, "Welcome to the Labour Party." Her parents aren't speaking to me anymore. 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

Done :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Hi Paul This company do a decking paint Non-slip I have just painted my loft floor with it I used grey not sure about other colours Ian https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=spencer+coatings+aberdeen&rlz=1C1AOHY_enGB709GB711&oq=spencer+coatings+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.10056j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Well done all Especially Chris good bird to have to go on it's own 100% returns from a 500yd velocity Brilliant :emoticon-0140-rofl:

Contact Kevin Elliott on site BL SU 16 1147 flown out

Silver City R P C 7 members sent 145 birds to Alnwick approx 120ml 1st M Main 962.575 2nd M Main 948.222 3rd M Main 947.640 4th M Mooney 926.701 5th M Main 920.627 6th M Mooney 919.578 7th M Mooney 912.628 8th Elliott Bros 910.616 winning the food Nom Well done all who timed A stiff race and a few missing tonight

Silver City R P C Aberdeen 7 members sent 145 birds to Alnwick Good luck to you all

1130 for me :drinking-coffee-200:

The Joe Murphy Column Received a letter from Jim from Larne in Northern Ireland who wrote ‘Mr Murphy, your weather chart in BHW 21st April 2017 was SPOT ON; the N.I.P.A were racing from Gowran Park in Eire a distance of 160 miles. On release into light wind and the birds were slow to clear, with a ‘dead’ sky and dull. After 4 hours we timed our first bird with large gaps between all the birds with some fanciers reporting awful returns for example; 20 home from 50 and in one instance 1 from 100. I wish the powers in charge would read your Space Weather report. Best wishes and keep up the good work yours Jim’. First race of the Season For the first old bird race of the season from Lauder a distance of nearly 60 miles, 4 members sent 71 birds with the convoy being liberated at 08-45am with no wind at the race point. Taking the 1st and 3rd positions is Kevin J Murphy with his winner a yearling chequer cock who won this same race as a youngster last year. He was bred by Joe Murphy and is inbred to Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone’s good SNFC Silver winner ‘TMAC’ who won 4 times in the SNFC and unfortunately was lost going for his Gold Award last year. Second place is a new member to the club Glen Cameron the son of Charlie (another club member) Glen flew his pigeons in Aberdeen these past few years (and did very well winning the North section TWICE in the SNFC) He timed a dark chequer yearling cock bred by his dad Charlie from a son of Jos winner of 1st & 2nd section C SNFC and Serendipity 3 times in the first 15 open positions of SNFC including 11th open Reims when paired to a daughter of the ‘Kanon’ of Danny Van Dyck . Kevin was 3rd with a 2 year old cock inbred to his good cock ‘Rocket’ a 7 times SNFC winner for him. Sire of the 2 year old was a brother to Rocket when mated to Little Rachel winner of 4th open SNFC Alencon flying 573 miles. The dam of the 2 year old is a daughter of Rocket when he was mated to a direct daughter of Petite Rose winner of 1st open SNFC Tours 611 miles for Tom & Scott McEwen mentioned above. While on about the McEwen family our best wishes go to Marlene who assists Tom & Scott with the pigeons. Last week while the birds were out they were attacked by a goshawk and a sparrow hawk in the back garden. Marlene saw this happen and ran down the garden to chase the attackers away but tripped and fell and cracked her ribs. Needless to say this is very sore and she has difficulty breathing and is going to have to take it easy for a while. Regarding the birds, 2 were badly damaged with another 2 injured and may not make it back into the race team. To the McEwen family we send our very best wishes and hope Marlene’s health recovers and the season improves for them as they are one of the nicest families you could wish to meet. Tom McEwen Results Angus Federation sent 749 birds to Lauder with No Wind at the race point the birds were released at 08-45am with David J Liddle of Forfar topping the federation with the only pigeon doing a velocity over 1204. David is also 5th 10th 12th 16th & 19th federation. Club mate Ian Scott is 2nd 6th 7th 8th & 9th with Bob Baldie of the same club in 3rd 4th 13th 14th 15th 17th & 19th federation Macaulay Ferguson & Curran also from the Forfar club are 11th & 20th. The East Section winners are as follows; the top spot goes to Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath with his 2nd pigeon in 9th section place. Arbroath’s Charlie Cameron is in 2nd place with his son Glen who has moved back down to the Angus Federation from Aberdeen in 3rd place. D & D Hay of Gourdon club are 4th & 5th with G Campbell of Montrose club in 6th spot. Eddie Main of Gourdon is in 7th place with Chick and Ann Carrie of Inchcape club in 8th & 10th east section. Kevin informs me that Ann Carrie has not been well of late and will have to take it a little easier so we ALL wish you a speedy recovery Ann and please take it easy. Kevin also informs me that his club mate Bill Dorward is not keeping great at this time and I know he is in everyone’s thoughts and prayers and we are thinking of you Bill. Club winners are as follows: Forfar 518 bird’s winner David J Liddle: Arbroath 71 bird’s winner Kevin J Murphy: Inchcape 56 birds winner Glen Cameron; Gourdon 91 birds winner D & D Hay; Montrose 69 birds winner G Campbell. Almond Valley Federation East Calder RPC news from Jimmy Young who writes ‘Hi Joe please find the result of our Stobs Camp race on Saturday 22nd April with 4 members sending 101 birds. Mr & Mrs Fleming had a good race being 1st 4th 5th & 6th with their winner a 2 year old black hen doing 1178 velocity. 2nd place is won by R Anderson with a dark chequer yearling hen and Freddy Jamieson & son are 3rd with a blue GB rung yearling cock. From what I can make out it has been a good race which is pleasing. I am going to send you the Almond Valley Federation result each week when I receive it, I will try and get some more on the winning pigeons but I depend on the fanciers to let me know (good luck Jimmy as sometimes this is like trying to get blood from a stone). East of Scotland Federation news from John Baillie with the Tow Law race where the birds are liberated at 08-10am into light North West wind; Taking the top spot this week is Spider Rowley of Prestonpans with a 2 year old hen, who the previous week won 4th open she is from Cooreman breeding. In 2nd, 3rd and 10th open is John Bird also of Prestonpans. With Jim McNeil of Tranent taking 4th position and Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton is 5th open with the same hen that was 2nd open last week. The 6th, 7th & 8th positions go to yours truly John Baillie of Tranent. The cock that wins 6th open was 3rd open in the previous week’s race and the cock that was 8th open won 5th open last week. Filling the 9th open position is the husband and wife team of Mr & Mrs Burgess from Ormiston. Prestonpans Homing Club result has the 1st & 2nd places going to John Bird with 2 yearling cock’s the winner is bred from the last son from Bits & Pieces a previous winner of the BHW/Joe Murphy Sporting Challenge when paired to a Dutch rung hen on loan from Jimmy Mark of Tranent. This is the same family that Jimmy bred his 3rd open SNFC Roye winner from. The 2nd position winner was another blue cock bred from a Belgium rung Frans Laerman when paired to a hen bred from Premier Lofts being a Herman Ceusters crossed Laerman. These Laermans were obtained from A Fagg & Son. The 3rd position goes to John Baillie with the same cock who won 3rd federation last week. He is a grandson of Village Lad bred by Fred Jamieson. Piece of news Joe the club is having a young bird sale on Sunday 7th May for funds with ALL club members donating a bird, also the usual gifts from top fanciers out with the club. SNFC prize winners are amongst those fanciers whose birds will be in the sale which starts at 7pm sharp and viewing is from 6pm in the Castlepark Bowling Club. The usual good refreshments, will be available from the bar yours in sport John Baillie’. Fife Dunfermline LRPS news from David Kennedy who writes ‘We had 8 members sending 217 birds and taking the first 3 positions this week is Frank Mitchell; His 1st bird with a velocity of 1089.83 is a 3 year old cock on roundabout he is a grandson of the late Jock Traill’s 1st open SNFC Nantes winner when paired to his 1st open SNFC Niort winner. The 2nd & 3rd birds have the same velocity of 1089.48 with the 2nd bird a yearling hen on roundabout again bred from his Jock Traill family of pigeons. The 3rd bird is a 2 year old late bred hen on roundabout from a grandson of Jock Trails 1st open Nantes when mated to his 1st open Niort winner and a sister to Frank’s 1st section C winner from Ancenis in 2016 with the SNFC. This week’s nomination is won by Andy Ritchie with John Robertson taking the 2 bird prize. That’s it for this week yours David’. I’ve included a picture of this week’s winner Frank Mitchell taken on a loft visit a few weeks ago with my friend Bob Farmer who is restarting up in the sport. Frank Mitchell Pentland Hills Federation News from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe the Federation had 13 clubs sending 2806 birds to Tow Law, liberated at 08-10 hours into a light north-west wind. The federation winner is Willie Smith from Danderhall who timed his 2 year old widowhood cock with a velocity of 1264. He is bred from stock from the late Tam Young from Danderhall from his original Walters & Broadhurst Wildermeersch family. This bird is a brother to last year’s midweek yearling race winner from Peterborough. 2nd & 3rd positons go to L Mitchell of Castlebrae club with A Young of Danderhall in 4th place. The Brown & Black partnership from Woodburn club are 5th with Willie Pryde and son John of Easthouses taking the next 4 places and Andy Miller of Sighthill makes up the top 10 position. The 1st to 10th in the federation are the same as the New Lothian. New Lothian RPC had 64 lofts sending 1703 birds to Tow Law with the convoy liberated at 08-10 hours into a light north-west wind. Taking top spot and winning £153 for his efforts is W Smith of Danderhall with a velocity of 1264. 2nd & 3rd positons go to L Mitchell of Castlebrae club with A Young of Danderhall in 4th place. The Brown & Black partnership from Woodburn club are 5th with Willie Pryde and son John of Easthouses taking the next 4 places and Andy Miller of Sighthill makes up the top 10 position. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 630 birds; 1st Smith 1264 2nd Young 1254 3rd Anderson 1237 Castlebrae 90 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd L Mitchell 1257.4 -1257.1 & 1171 Woodburn 173 birds; 1st & 2nd Brown & Black 1251 & 1218 3rd Allen 1208 Easthouses 337 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd W. Pryde & Son 1250 -1249.9 &1249.5 Sighthill 154 birds; 1st Miller 1244 2nd & 3rd Girdwood 1238 - 1237 Bonnyrigg 177 birds; 1st Brown 1223 2nd Neill 1216 3rd Watson 1215 Edinburgh Premier 297 birds; 1st McFarlane 1195.6 2nd Dick 1195.4 3rd Gilchrist 1193 Edinburgh West 159 birds; 1st Bennett 1186 2nd Ramage 1145 3rd McLaughlin 1143 Loanhead 146 birds; 1st Simpson 1128 2nd & 3rd Murray 1120 -1119 Rosewell 77 birds; Peebles 33 birds; New Lothian 75 birds; Traprain 400 birds; Others 58 birds; Lanarkshire Federation Cambusnethan & Morningside club news from Andrew Eadie who writes ‘Hi Joe hope all is well and you are living life to the full; with racing underway for the 2017 season here is a rundown of the winners over the last 2 weeks. On Saturday the 15th of April racing with the Lanarkshire Fed from Longtown the 3430 birds were liberated at 11-00 hours into a North West wind. For our first race we had 25 members sending 550 birds. Winning 1st club and 1st section & 7th open are Eadie & Kelly with blue chequer Vandenabeele raced on roundabout. 2nd & 3rd club 11th & 13th open is Tam Richardson with the Eadie & Kelly partnership being 4th club and section and 18th open. On Saturday the 22nd April again from Longtown the convoy of 4995 birds was liberated at 10-00 hours into a North West wind with 25 members sending 563 birds. Taking 1st & 3rd club 1st & 5th section & 15th & 35th open is the partnership of Eadie & Kelly with the winner ‘Krugar’ raced on the roundabout. 2nd club 3rd section 33rd open is Tam McGinn with 4th club 6th section & 36th open being won by Tam Richardson. Hope this is sufficient for you Joe and good to join your well-read column on our Scottish pigeons, yours Andrew’. Andrew Eadie with his club winner First 2 birds home North of Scotland Federation News from George Duthie who forwarded the federation result which informs us that 67 members sent 1795 birds to Brechin and the convoy were liberated into a light west to south west wind. The first 2 places in the East section and open are won by W & A Ross of Inverurie with the winner doing 1628.4 and the runner up on 1612.7 the partnership are also 6th section and open. The 3rd 4th & 5th east section and open are the husband and wife partnership of Jim & Ann Donaldson of Peterhead with Chris Donaldson of the same club in 7th & 8th section and open. Another Peterhead member G Findlay is 9th & 10th section and open. The West Section had 36 members sending 778 birds with P Sherman of Devern Valley in 1st 2nd & 3rd section and 32nd 33rd & 34th open positions. W Smith of the same club is 4th west section 35th open with J Abel of the same Devern Valley club is 5th 6th & 8th west section 36th 37th & 39th open with A Milne also from Devern Valley winning 7th 9th & 10th west section and 38th 40th & 41st open. Club Winners; W & A Ross of Inverurie; Peterhead & District; J & A Donaldson; Fraserburgh & District A W Buchan; Fraserburgh West End R Barclay; Devern Valley P Sherman; Keith R Wilson; Buckie & District J Reid; Forres, Nairn & Inverness C Reid. Well done to all the club winners with special praise to W & A Ross on topping the federation and P Sherman on winning the west section. Hope this is to your satisfaction Joe all the best to you and Kevin for a good season George Duthie’. Good SNFC Birds This will be my last week of highlighting these good Scottish National pigeons as I’m now finding it harder to find the time to do my article with all the results that are now coming in. Therefore I will cover 4 pigeons who compete in the Fife federation these being 2 from Jim Doig of Cardenden the first is a chequer cock SU12F 2765 who as a yearling won 80th section C 245th open from Maidstone a distance of 376 miles. The following year he won 55th section C 168th open from Billericay a distance of 349 miles then last year 2016 he won 8th section C 24th open from Reims a distance of 568 miles. His second pigeon is a dark chequer cock SU14F 4126 who as a yearling won 10th section C 24th open Clermont a distance of 526 miles then last year he won 21st section C 69th open from the Roye national flying 511 miles, he therefore now requires one more section prize to win a SNFC Silver Award with the national and we wish Jim and his pigeon all the best. Our next Fife fancier is Brian Kinnear of Pitlessie whose blue bar cock SU12F 1257 has won 3 times from inland national races. As a yearling he won 89th section C 269th open from Maidstone a distance of 381 miles, then in 2014 he won 47th section C 200th open from Buckingham flying 307 miles then in 2016 he won 89th section C 331st open from Buckingham so requires 2 more inland section prizes to win a Bronze Award. The 4th pigeon I’m going to highlight is raced by Stewart Donaldson of Blairgowrie (who won 1st open SNFC Nantes in 1988 when he flew in partnership with Len Downie) His black chequer cock SU14F 2023 won twice as a yearling from inland nationals these being Portsmouth a distance of 408 miles where he won 2nd section C 24th open then he went to Eastbourne flying 430 miles and won 5th section C 13th open. In 2016 he was sent to the Buckingham race and won 99th section C 371st open flying 331 miles so, like Brian above, requires 2 more inland national section wins to a Bronze Award so wish Stewart all the best. Joe’s Joke A mother was making pancakes for her sons Kevin 5 and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson and said, ‘If Jesus was sitting here he would say ‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I CAN WAIT’. Kevin turned to his younger brother and said ‘Ryan, you be Jesus’. 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

Mornin all :drinking-coffee-200:

Fully agree with you Robbie but tech-knowledge is too complicated for our officials or do they have something to hide. The ONLY way it will ever be done is through the UNIONS who will NEVER pass it. Reasons are usually cost but it is no more then the increase most secretary's get every year and the amount of work involved ?????????????? It was introduced in Aberdeen when we got the New transporter but is now been abandoned ??????? If it was a new breed of Belgium bird or product that is claimed to win or help we would be flocking to get it but something to help with our own birds welfare comes way down the list in fact it is non existent in our Officials and Unions eyes, I mean Nationally Pigeon racing is still trying to recover from the shock of ETS 10yr + on Defra rule on transporter have been in place for about 12yrs and are still being ignored but someday it will catch up with us then you will hear the powers that be spouting out there reason why they are in trouble and it will not be their fault Time ALL OFFICIALS looked in a mirror and got a grip of the situation but a lot of members need to do the same as it is difficult to get help at clubs too many just want to race my doos Well done West Of Scotland Championship Club keep up the good work in leading the way forward The challenge now is for others to follow and bring the sport forward I for one won't be holding my breath

Well done and all the best for the future to you both :drinking-coffee-200: :drinking-coffee-200:

Well done Higgy Boy :drinking-coffee-200: :drinking-coffee-200:

That's what the Unions should make EVERY Fed do Well done

Mornin all :drinking-coffee-200:

Well done Davie keep taking the tablets they are certainly working for you :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Mornin all :drinking-coffee-200:

Silver City R P C 7 members sent 157 birds approx 98ml 1st Elliott Bros 1292.587 2nd Elliott Bros 1221.788 3rd Elliott Bros 1221.350 4th Elliott Bros 1221.350 5th Elliott Bros 1221.205 6th E & K Elliott 1220.562 7th E & K Elliott 1219.731 8th Elliott Bros 1203.123 9th A Baxter 1196.820 10th W & A Ross 1189.874 11th M Main 1187.473 12th M Main 1187.587 13th M Mooney 1183.931 14th W & A Ross 1183.270 15th M Main 1181.688 16th J Ellis 1101 617 Coutts & McKay wins the food nominator with Elliott Bros 3rd bird

Billy I sent you a PM with details requested Ian

Silver City R P C Aberdeen 7 Members sent 157 birds to Arniston Good luck to all members who put on the food nomination which is for club funds

As you drive into Thornton from (Kirkcaldy)the motorway it's on your right across from the old railway station which is being demolished Phone Joe Murphy he lives there 01592 770331

1446 for me Andy :drinking-coffee-200:

Hoops for me Brian :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Mornin all :drinking-coffee-200: