Ian McKay

Happy Birthday have a nice one :drinking-coffee-200: :drinking-coffee-200:

Looks like a Sunny Bank bird contact Willie Davidson Stuart

I was instructed to issue 5 cards

He wina ken far that is John :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Biggest THANKS must go to Scott without his help I was screwed could not get them delivered Thanks Ian

Well done Pete and Ryan :drinking-coffee-200:

Well done Barry :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

5 members 50 birds To Rotherham approx 260mls 1st M Main 1259.651 2nd M Main 1258.293 3rd M Mooney 1246.353 4th M Main 1207.298 5th Coutts & Mckay 1204.347 6th M Mooney 1193.927 7th Coutts & Mckay 1185.822 8th J Benzie 1033.526 9th A Baxter 1003.926

Happy Birthday Hannah have a nice one :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

The Joe Murphy Column The season is well underway now and Kevin’s birds were at Ripon a distance of 174 miles to his loft in Arbroath. Saturday 14th May was a cold North West wind and I was very surprised to hear of federations liberating their birds early into this type of wind. I know that they ALL cannot hold on till it gets a bit warmer as this would result in clashing, however if the pigeons do not leave the liberation point and some birds start to come through then there is going to be clashing anyway and going from the few people I spoke to at the weekend this is exactly what happened. Kevin had a good race and took the 1st 3rd & 4th places in the club and the same positions in the east section of the federation so he was well pleased. The winner is a 2 year old chequer cock whose both parents were bred by my good friend Bernard Deweerdt from Kortemark in Belgium. The sire of the winner is a son of ‘Gilbert’ one of Bernard’s top racing cock’s he won 2422 international Barcelona from an entry of 23.708 birds, he was also 150th international Perpignan 17.624 birds and he won 11th club from Perpignan at 8 years old and he also turned out to be a top stock cock. His brother Germain won 38th international Perpignan so a good long distance line of pigeons. The dam of the winner is from a direct son of ‘Ted’ when mated to a hen from a brother to ‘Iban’ when he was paired to a daughter of ‘Kedir’, again 2 of the top pigeons in the Deweerdt racing loft. Kevin’s 2nd bird is a pure Leo Van Rijn from a direct cock named ‘Leo’ when mated to the mother of ‘Lucky’ a winner of 7 x 1st prizes and a 4 times SNFC prize winner. ‘Lucky’s mother (also a Leo Van Rijn) was known as ‘Jenny’ after Adrian Duggins late wife who bred the mother of Lucky. The 3rd pigeon is again another pure Deweerdt sire is a son of ‘Clovis’ one of Bernard’s best racing pigeon to the loft 2011 to 2014 he won 125 national 6248 birds, 231st international Perpignan 17.971 birds and was 1183rd international St Vincent 11.388 birds. He was also recorded in the top 13 on PIPA list of birds who had won from 3 Perpignan international races. ‘Clovis’ was a son of ‘Kedirtje’ another top long distance champion. The dam of the 3rd pigeon was bred by Mark Gower from a direct son of ‘Kedirtje’ so you will see that it is very much inbred. As a matter of interest this pair is the parents of our pigeon given to the BHW Charity Sale at Blackpool in January 2016. Like life is --- when you at on a high you are brought back down to earth with a ‘bump’ as we dropped our pied hen who won 120th open SNFC Gold Cup race from Alencon 573 miles last year at this race. Still that’s pigeon racing!!!! Help Required Received a request from Fife Federation secretary Gordon Turnbull regarding the old Volvo homing pigeon transporter that the federation used many years ago, he is wondering if any of the older club members can remember it. If they know any details which may help this gentleman in his quest to find out about the vehicle when we owned it please let Gordon know and he will try and supply him with as much details as possible. ‘Dear Gordon, This is the message I sent to your organisation about this old vehicle of yours. The registration mark of the Volvo is VLK 978S. It would be great if someone could help with details of when you had it / what it did / who perhaps drove it / where you went with it / when did you sell it / and to who?. I’m after putting some life into the vehicle which is now restored to pull an old steam engine round the rallies of Aberdeen. I don’t think many trucks will have spent time carrying pigeons in this form – it will be a great part of the story I think. I work from home at 01642-780344 so can be contacted here at most reasonable times. Thanks again for your time yours Bob Tuck’. Friday Racing I have heard that Pentland and East of Scotland federations are race making today THURSDAY 19th May for a race tomorrow Friday as the weekend is forecast for poor weather up here in Scotland. It is good to see forward thinking officials who put the welfare of the BIRDS and members first and it will be surprising to see how many federations send and hold over or cancel their race altogether this weekend. I said only a few weeks ago that the weather forecasters are getting better all the time and can nearly pin point the time of day when the rain comes on or off. Which is good for us fanciers who depend on this valuable information as we race our pigeons on a weekly basis; not everyone will agree with the above move as some fanciers could be afternoon shift on a Friday and have no chance of seeing their pigeons return. However with the use of ETS this could help fanciers working but I personally take my hat off to these officials. Results Angus Federation The members sent 586 birds to Ripon liberated at 08-00 hours into a North West wind. Davie Glen of Forfar is 1st 6th 9th & 13th with Ian Scott in 2nd 8th 15th & 16th Mike Leggett of the same club is 3rd with Bob Baldie in 5th & 10th positions. David J Liddle is 7th 14th 17th & 18th with Macaulay Ferguson & Curran in 4th 11th 12th 19th & 20th positions. East section winners (339 birds) are as follows: 1st 3rd & 4th is Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath with his club mate Charlie Cameron in 2nd & 10th places. G Campbell of Montrose is 5th with Les McKay of Inchcape club in 6th & 7th places. Gourdon’s D & D Hay are 8th & 9th. Club Winners are as follows: Forfar 339 birds Davie Glen; Gourdon 36 birds D & D Hay; Arbroath 90 birds Kevin J Murphy; Montrose 31 birds G Campbell; Inchcape 90 birds L McKay. Arbroath RPS news from Charlie Cameron who informs us that 5 members sent 90 birds to Ripon liberated at 08-00 hours into a North West wind. Taking 1st 3rd & 4th places in the club and the same positions in the east section of the federation (339 birds) is Kevin J Murphy (see above). 2nd place is Charlie Cameron with a blue cock bred from ‘Serendipity’ who has been 3 times in the top twenty in SNFC races when she was mated to a Leon Messiaen stock cock. Ayrshire South Road Federation News from Mark Findlay who writes; ‘Hi Joe, on Saturday 30th April the federation were at Otterburn for our 2nd race of the season with 1622 birds liberated at 10-30 into a light but very cold north west wind. Taking 1st fed with a velocity of 1138 is top Ayrshire fancier Walter Dunlop of Tarbolton, he is known as ‘Wattie’ to his friends and fellow members of Mauchline and District homing society. He timed his good yearling blue hen of Vandenabeele bloodlines this hen was bred by good friend and top stock man Geordie Slaven also of Tarbolton. Geordie in recent years has bred top winning birds not only for Walter but fanciers all over the UK, so well done to both Wattie and George on another fantastic performance. Sedgefield was the race point for the 3rd race of our season flown on Saturday 8th May with the convoy of 1658 birds liberated at 11-45 into a very brisk East to South - East wind. Taking the top 3 positions is Andy Barbour of Dalry HS. Andy’s lofts are situated on the outskirts of West Kilbride and he has one of the furthest flying lofts in the federation. First over the pad doing just short of 60 mph on velocity 1754 was a 3 year old blue Koopman crossed Janssen hen bred down from Andy’s ‘Galaxy Stock’ from their ‘Boxtail Janssens’. These lines have bred many fed toppers for Andy in the last few years. His 2nd federation on the same velocity is a 2 year old dark chequer hen this cracking hen was bred by Andy’s good friend Archie McIntyre from his stock of the late John Jack of Dundonald. This hen was 8th fed from 1623 birds the previous week from Otterburn. In 3rd federation place on 1753 is a blue chequer hen a ‘Van Loon’ crossed ‘Rietvink’ again from Andy’s ‘Galaxy’ loft stock. All 3 hens are raced celibate so well done once again to Andy and Archie on another record breaking performance, great flying guys. I have included a picture of Andy Barbour’s 3rd fed Sedgefield winner, thanks once again Joe, all the best yours Mark Findlay’. East of Scotland Federation News from press officer John Baillie of Tranent; who informs us that the federation convoy were race marked on Friday for a Saturday race from the Wakefield race point and the birds were liberated at 08-50 into a Light North Wind. Taking pole position this week is Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton with a yearling cock. Graham had a terrible start to the breeding season with all pairs lifting due to the sparrow hawk entering the loft and killing a bird within the loft and it is good to see the birds are now settling down again. Taking 2nd place is Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone. 3rd & 4th open is taken by Brian Lavery of Prestonpans. Staying in the Pans we have John Bird who takes 5th, 9th & 10th positions. Keeping the name of Tranent in the picture is Jim McNeil who wins 6th position then we are back to Prestonpans for 7th position with Tam Waddell. With the final position of 8th place filled by ‘Mr Pigeon-basics’ Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston: Prestonpans Homing Society: taking 1st position again this week is the father and son partnership of Tom & Scot McEwen with a 2 year old cock that has 3 x 1st prizes from 5 races for the loft. This cock is bred from his good friends Paul Stobbs and Mark Gilbert’s bloodlines. The sire of the winning bird is from a 1/2 brother to ‘Bob’s Choice’ and the dam is bred is from the ‘Deweerdts’ of Mark Gilbert from the ‘Ted’ and ‘Magnus’ lines. This cock has now had a 1st Fed Tow Law, 6th Fed Ridsdale and 2nd Fed from Wakefield this season. In 2nd and 3rd positions is the ever consistent Brian Lavery with his first bird bred by the Jimmy Mark, (Markie Stud of Tranent). The 3rd position is another import to the loft being bred by ‘Spider' (Ian) Rowley of Prestonpans. Fife Federation Dunfermline LRPC news from David Kennedy who writes ‘Hi Joe, from the Ripon old bird race 11 members sent 173 birds. Taking the red card this week is my dad Walker & David Kennedy Loft number 1. We timed a 2 year old widowhood cock with a velocity of 1144ypm. This cock won as a young bird and is home bred from birds received from George Atkinson of Market Weighton in Yorkshire. The dam of the bird topped the Yorkshire Middle Route for George and the bloodlines being a cross of his old Bostyn birds with his direct Van Hove family. In 2nd place this week is John Robertson with a velocity of 1116 ypm he timed a 2 year old homebred roundabout cock of Venner of Street bloodlines. In 3rd spot with a velocity of 1114 ypm is Andy Ritchie who clocked a yearling natural cock sitting 7 day eggs. This bird was bred by fellow club mate Frank Mitchell from his Jock Traill bloodlines. This week’s nomination is won by John Skelton and the 2 bird is won by Andy Ritchie speak soon yours in sport David’. Glenrothes & Leslie PC news from Rosie Armit who tells us that the members sent 125 birds to Ripon with the 1st place going to Ian Chalmers on a velocity of 1150 he timed a 2 year old blue chequer cock one of 2 cocks paired to one hen. The parents are Van Lint’s bred by Dean Pallet as a matter of interest this cock was 3rd club Sedgefield last week. 2nd place are Turpie & McCord on 1139.7 with a yearling blue cock sitting 5 day eggs and feeding a big young birds. He won club’s young bird of the year in 2015 being 5th club 5th section Ripon young birds; 2nd club 1st section Sedgefield yb, 7th club 7th section Sedgefield yb. His sire is a Braspenning and the dam a Lerman from D Barnes of Crossgates. In 3rd place is Brian Kinnear on 1139.5 with a 2 year old blue hen on roundabout. She won 1st club, 6th federation Ripon in 2014. Her sire is a double grandson to ‘Stitchy’ while the dam a full sister to G & B Hunters ‘Kingdom Spirit’ bought at SNFC sale. It was good to see a "new" old name at the top of the sheet this week, thanks once again for putting our result in your column yours Rosie’. North of Scotland Federation Buckie RPC news from Gavin Russell who sends news of his club result from Alnwick flown on 14th May were 3 members sent 43 birds to this 164 miles race point. 1st & 2nd club is yours truly Gavin Russell with the winner a 2 year old blue bar cock flying natural he was doing a velocity of 884 he is bred from a pair of Gyselbrechts. Gavin’s 2nd club winner on 868 is also a 2 year old blue bar cock again flying natural. His sire is a Gyselbrechts while his dam is a Janssen bred by Mark Doran from Broxburn in East Lothian. 3rd club is John Cumming on 818 with a 2 year old blue chequer cock on the roundabout system. His sire is a Jan Aarden from G Mears of Wales, while the dam is from Calum Miller of Wick. This was a very hard race with the birds flying into a gusty North-West wind and returns were poor on the day about 50% home but this has improved to 80% at the time of sending in this report. Pentland Hill’s Federation News from Andy Miller who informs us that the above organisations held their 5th race of the season from Wakefield were 15 clubs sent 3170 birds liberated at 08-50 am into a light north wind the winners of 1st federation & 1st New Lothian is the partnership of Owenson Bros who reside in Gorebridge and race in the strong Danderhall club. Their winner is a 3 year old Gert Heylen blue cock that was bred by T & K Garman from the Midlands. This cock was 9th club the previous week from Ripon from an entry of 494 birds, he was reported as a youngster from an owl sanctuary believe it or not then he got lost again and the brothers collected him again. As a yearling he was injured and he did not race at all however there is just something about him that they like so he was back on the road again in 2015 and flew very steady. The faith that they have kept in this cock has now been repaid well done lads. 2nd & 4th is Helen Aitken & sons from Danderhall with S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier in 3rd spot. L Mitchell of Castlebrae is 5th with Ronnie Bremner of Sighthill in 6th & 7th positions. G Verth of Danderhall is 8th with J Pryde of Easthouses in next and making up the top 10 is J Rogers of Danderhall. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 422 birds; 1st Owenson 2nd & 3rd Aitken Edinburgh Premier 298 birds; 1st Gilchrist 2nd Hutton 3rd Affleck Castlebrae 122 birds; 1st L Mitchell 2nd Willis 3rd A Mitchell Sighthill 198 birds; 1st & 2nd Bremner 3rd Girdwood Easthouses 441 birds; 1st J Pryde 2nd & 3rd W Pryde & Son Arniston 57 birds; 1st & 2nd Ray 3rd Mercer Bonnyrigg 204 birds; 1st & 3rd Smith 2nd A Dewar Woodburn 182 birds; 1st Lapinski 2nd & 3rd Allan Gilmerton 153 birds; 1st Robertson 2nd & 3rd Bennett Edinburgh West 130 birds; 1st I Bennett 2nd Lamb 3rd Ramage Loanhead 150 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Simpson Rosewell 69 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Cunningham & Ness Peebles 47 birds; 1st Bissett, 2nd & 3rd Blake New Lothian 71 birds; Traprain 555 birds; 1st & 2nd Thomson 3rd Whitson Others 51 birds New Lothian RPC from the Wakefield old bird race 66 members sent 1689 birds, liberated at 08-50 am into a light north wind. Taking the top spot winning £144 is the partnership of Owenson Brothers of Danderhall with club mates Helen Aitken & sons in 2nd & 4th places. Edinburgh Premier S Gilchrist is in 3rd spot with Castlebrae L Mitchell in 5th position and Sighthill’s Ronnie Bremner takes the next 6th & 7th positions. G Verth of Danderhall is 8th with Easthouses J Pryde in 9th place and taking the last 10th positions is J Rogers of Danderhall. Good SNFC Birds This week’s 3 pigeons are from different sections with Karen Newcombe of Macmerry up first with her blue cock SU12P4841 who has won 3 times his first diploma was won in 2014 from the Buckingham race were he won 45th section B 153rd open flying 283 miles. Last year 2015 he was up to the front in the Billericay national winning 16th section B 21st open flying 330 miles he was then sent to the Gold Cup race a distance of 534 miles to Alencon and won 21st section B 65th open. We will watch this lady fancier’s result with interest as she knows how to get the best out of her team of pigeons so good luck for the national season Karen. Next we come to the Alencon national winning loft of Mr & Mrs Gus & Pam Power of Gretna with their chequer cock SU12S 4584 this cock won 441st open from Maidstone in 2014 flying 302 miles, he was then sent to Ypres a distance of 380 miles and won 6th section A 188th open. The following year 2015 he was then entered into the last old bird race of the season from Clermont a distance of 453 miles and he won 4th section A 25th open. He now requires one more section prize from over the channel to achieve this goal and we wish Gus and Pam every success in the 2016 season. Our next bird flies to the loft of J Hadfield of Blackburn in West Lothian this blue bar cock SU12W 1159 won twice in 2014 and once last year. As a 2 year old he was entered into the Maidstone race a distance of 366 miles and won 19th section D 166th open he was then sent to Ypres and won 1st section D 56th open flying 440 miles. Last year he was entered into the Eastbourne race (should have been Ypres but the race was cancelled due to not getting over the channel) and he won 7th section D 115th open flying 389 miles. We wish Mr Hadfield all the best for the new season. Obituary Jacky Robertson (73) of Kirkcaldy: I was very saddened to hear the news that Jacky had passed away after a long illness at Victoria Hospital, on Sunday the 15th May 2016. We were old workmates when we worked down Seafield coal mine and he was also a fellow pigeon club member in Novar. Jacky was also keen on greyhounds and used to walk them for certain owners. I remember one time he told me to go to Thornton dog track on Friday as the dog he was training had a good chance of doing well. Margaret and I took our daughter Beth who was very young at the time and she was ‘smitten’ by the dogs racing. So much so that she picked out nearly every winner on the card. Jacky’s dog was called by a pet name (we will say Bob) and ran under its racing name (say Spirt Boy) so when it came to the race Beth said ‘Bob’s the dog’. This man standing next to us said ‘There is no Bob in this race’ and we explained that it was my pals dog that was running. To cut a long story short Bob won the race and we made a few pounds so were very happy. As we waited on Jacky to come for us as we were leaving the man said ‘You cannot go just now, there is still one race to go and the wee girl has not picked her choice’. We all burst out laughing and Beth picked a dog as it was being paraded. Low and behold it won the race and we all left Thornton having had a good night out with Jacky. To his wife Elizabeth, daughters Karen and Mary-Ann, and granddaughter of Nia we send our heartfelt condolences at their sad loss. The funeral service will be held at Kirkcaldy Crematorium, on Thursday, 26th May, at 9.30 am. Joe’s Joke Fact not Fiction! A history teacher told her class these facts; See if you can explain this (if you can). Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846. John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946. Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860. John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960. Both were particularly concerned with civil rights. Both wives lost a child while living in the White House. Both Presidents were shot on a Friday. Both Presidents were shot in the head. Now it gets really weird. Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy. Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln. Both were assassinated by Southerners. Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson. Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808. Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908. John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839. Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939. Both assassins were known by their three names. Both names are composed of fifteen letters. Now hang on to your seat. Lincoln was shot at the theatre named "Ford." Kennedy was shot in a car called "Lincoln" made by "Ford." Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials. And here's the "kicker": A week before Lincoln was shot; he was in Monroe, Maryland. A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe. AND...................: Lincoln was shot in a theatre and the assassin ran to a warehouse... Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and the assassin ran to a theatre. 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 who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland. © Compiled by Joe Murphy

My pal fatty Norris first time I have seen this was at the NRCC dance for the presentation Brilliant :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Brilliant keep them coming :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Silver City RPC Aberdeen 5 members have 50 birds away tonight to Rotherham approx 260mls Good luck to all

It's an age thing he will be Ok in the morning :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle: 1139 for me

Hi Boukili I have replied to your PM Ian

Owner has been contacted he lives in Kendal and the bird was at the MNFC race from Coustance (France)liberated on Monday 23/05/2016 :emoticon-0179-headbang: He thanks you for reporting it and is surprised :emoticon-0136-giggle: He obviously cannot repatriate it and wishes you well with it

RPRA 01452 713 529

Happy Birthday Ian and Auld Baldie have a nice one :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Not a problem at least they are still there :emoticon-0136-giggle:

7 members sent 108 birds E & K Elliott 1253.497 M Main 1238,900 M Main 1216.308 E & K Elliott 1212,693 E & K Elliott 1211,709 A Baxter 1186,834 Coutts&McKay 1172.711 Coutts&McKay 1156.939 M Main 1155.000 M Main 1137.246 M Main 1136.769 M Main 1134.211 I Ellis 1131.936 M Main 1130.543 M Mooney 1113.824 J Benzie 1111.009 M Mooney 1094.173

No Fred only North & Dundee / Angus went Saturday everyone else Sunday have a good race :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Silver City Aberdeen 7 members sent 108 birds to Ripon approx 200+

You were lucky I only had one orange box and one bird :emoticon-0136-giggle:

This is easy NO :emoticon-0136-giggle: ask me another :emoticon-0136-giggle: Think they forgot to pit them in envelopes :emoticon-0179-headbang:

NO :emoticon-0136-giggle: