Ian McKay

Good ideas and the truth always does they cannot see further than there nose :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Sent you a PM Andy

Sorry I am late with the reply No Peter it will not save it if you move off without saving it If you move off it to another site it will stay If you move off to the same site it will disappear cause you have not saved it

The Joe Murphy Column What a difference I have found time wise with all the birds being down on eggs, it makes life so much easier. No more standing in the loft for hours making sure the birds go back to their own next box. Then letting out another pair and so on but now it is just a matter of leaving them nice and quiet to let them get on with incubating the eggs. Kevin came down to see us at the weekend and as he just has the racers he had taken the time to let the cock’s get used to their own boxes. Then on the 11th February he introduced the hens and just left them to pick their own mates. When he came home from work they were all in the next boxes ‘cooing’ in the corner and he says he will do this from now on as it is less trouble. By the time these notes are being read we will have been up to Arbroath with the stock bird’s eggs and the race team will rear the first round of babies. Our other son Mark came with his 3 Rottweiler dogs and asked if I would watch them. He then took a picture of me holding them while he spoke to them, thank God he did not walk away or I would have been dragged round the streets. He informs me that the 3 of them weigh 22 stone and believe me it is muscle there is not 1 ounce of fat on them. One thing for sure is they make great ‘watch dogs’ as with every move or noise they barked or were at the door. The birds were locked in as did not want to upset them. Racing from Thornton Received information from Andy Kyle the secretary of Ayrshire North Road Federation who uses Thornton Recreation Park as their liberation site during the racing season: Andy has given me the dates for the new season which are as follows; 7th May and 30th July with the possibility of 16th of July. They are shortly discussing whether to fill their blank week with an Any Age Race and Andy will get back to me on this after their Delegates Meeting on the 8th March. He has promised that nearer the time he will give me the contact details of their driver Dave. Andy has an SHU Rules Committee meeting on 29th February and if the new Bye Laws are passed, then the federation first 3 races will be liberated at or after 07.00am. The federation have a new controller, Derek McCullen and as John is now working full time they will have a new conveyer for the 2016 season but as yet have nobody allocated to the job again Andy will keep me informed. At this point I must remind federation who wish to use Thornton Park during the season to send me the details and dates of each race. As I have to notify Fife Council regarding the liberating of Racing Pigeons from this site. If this information is not forward and passed by the Council then it may result in federations not being allowed to liberate their convoy. So please send me in the information ASAP as you all know by now what your race programme is for the new season. This week’s photographs Two are from Sheldon Leonard of Arklow taken on his trip to Belgium the first is his Flanders Collection this consists of the Sangers family, Stefan Lambrecht’s with his wife and baby with Sheldon on the extreme right of the picture. The second pic is of Michael Reilly who is making a comeback to racing pigeons and he was over the moon at getting to handle ‘I Had A Dream’ winner of 1st international hens, 5th open international Barcelona for Daniel Aerens. My next picture hopefully will help other fanciers; Margaret read in a magazine that if you place plastic ball water then the water will not freeze. She bought me some plastic golf balls and I placed one in each of my drinkers that are kept in the aviary. Now everyone knows how hard a frost we have had at night this last week in February well low and behold the drinkers did not freeze over. On severe nights it had a light coating of ice but the birds could have pecked it and it would have broken. Maybe this will be a help to other fanciers and for all it costs it is next to nothing so is worth a try. Good SNFC Birds Remaining with my quest to highlight as many good SNFC birds as possible I have 3 birds from different areas of Scotland starting with Richard & Jamie Combe of Elphinstone with chequer pied hen SU13E 651 who has won in 4 national races her positions won are as follows; in 2014 she won 93rd section B 130th open from Maidstone a distance of 357 miles she was then sent to Ypres a distance of 426 miles and won 26th section B 38th open. Then in 2015 she was sent to Billericay and won 197th open but NO section prize flying 330 miles, she was then set up for the Gold Cup race from Alencon and won 34th section B 106th open flying 533 miles and now requires one more section prize from over the channel to win a Silver Award and we wish Richard and Jamie all the best in 2016. Our next pigeon is a chequer hen SU12AB 70 raced by Alex R Rae of Aberdeen in 2014 she competed from Maidstone a distance of 427 miles and won 13th section G she was then sent to Ypres a distance of 482 miles and won 3rd section G 19th open. In 2015 she was entered from the south coast of England from the Portsmouth race point a distance of 439 miles and she won 4th section G 375th open she was then set down for the last channel old bird race from Clermont a distance of 571 miles and she won 3rd section G 113th open. You will have noticed that she has been 3 times in the first 4 in section G which is an outstanding achievement so well done to Alex and let us hope she can gain her Silver Award in 2016. We now come to a pigeon flying into the very west of Scotland into Ayrshire to the loft of W Julyan of Crosshouse with his blue white flight hen rung SU12A 6735. This hen won 2nd section F from Clermont in 2014 flying a distance of 522 miles. Then in 2015 she excelled in the fact that she raced from 3 national races winning 26th section F from Billericay a distance of 345 miles. She was then sent to the Gold Cup race from Alencon and won 8th section F flying 525 miles she was then sent to the Clermont race but failed to make a section prize list, hopefully she will achieve this in 2016 and win her Silver Award so good luck to Mr Julyan. Joe’s Joke Barack Obama and David Cameron are shown a time machine which can see 100 years into the future. They both decide to test it by asking a question each. Barack goes first. “What will the USA be like in 100 years’ time?†The machine whirs and beeps and goes into action and gives him a printout, he reads it out “The country is in good hands under the new president, crime is non-existent, There is no conflict, the economy is healthy. There are no worriesâ€. David thinks “It’s not bad this time machine, I’ll have a bit of that†so he asks: “What will England be like in 100 years’ time?†The machine whirs and beeps and goes into action, and he gets a printout. But he just stares at it. Come on David says Barack, “What does it say†David replies, “Buggered if I know! It’s not in English!†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

You It's an open forum

Ask the SHU :emoticon-0179-headbang:

MR & MRS ELLIOT of NEWBIGGING 1st Open Scottish National Flying Club Messac 2011 by Tom Corrie Nestled in the picturesque countryside of South Lanarkshire, just south of Carnwath, is the home to in my opinion the best distance fancier ever to fly a pigeon into this side of the country. With two SNFC National wins and twelve sections within the two SNFC and SNRPC to date and more diplomas than a University, Mr & Mrs Elliot are simply magic at the distance. When you are privileged enough to enter this stunning location you think what a place to fly pigeons; with the open countryside and breathtaking views it just oozes class. The lifestyle seems more relaxed and you have a sense of wellbeing, something obviously recognised by the Elliots in the early 1970s when they set up home here. Mr & Mrs Elliot with their national winner I would like to provide a background of one of the most potent 500-600 mile lofts in Scotland. The pigeons present are the same birds David started with all those years ago, those so called old fashioned pigeons of many a decade ago that most have changed for the new super fast Belgian-type birds that the fancy papers bamboozle us all with - fancy pictures and worthless pedigrees and on a whole they don’t meet our expectations. David can tell you in great detail the foundation of his birds and ring numbers off the top of his head and he is not talking about another person's Champions but his own that have decade after decade won at the highest level, and when distance races are mentioned the name of Mr & Mrs Elliot are always timing in with regular consistency. Only people with superior pigeon knowledge are always there and thereabouts. The base of the birds were from J Lumsden from Blackburn, West Lothian with other introductions from Bower Mackie of Edinburgh and Syd Newcombe. These birds had the best of Leishman Brothers x Wilf Flockhart x Kilpatrick bloodlines that at that time were household names. Other introductions from Alan Emsley of Harrogate and Dale Newcombe, and Ellis of Elphington lines all helped to create a dynasty of potent distance birds and more recently birds from J & I Alston and Stuart Young have come in. Tardis loft In 1981 his Champion racer, and I mean a Champion not one of these kiddy on over inflated sales hype pigeons, a red chequer hen he called Wendy, became a history maker being first pigeon ever to win the coveted Golden Award, five times a winner of a diploma in the Blue Riband Rennes race in the SNFC with birdage at this time 7,000 birds - a golden era for the National. The half-sister of Wendy won the National for them in 1984 from Hastings. This was a mealy hen called Tinkerbell. That race saw the partnership put eight pigeons on the result with their second bird being 12th Open and that year they also won 12th Open Nantes. The old bird loft Within their dynasty, winners include a 1st Open Lille Lanarkshire Federation. His most recent star and winner of 1st Open Messac Gold Cup race SNFC on 25th June 2011 against 1155 birds is a 08 Red Chequer hen, Newbigging Lass, timed at 18.58 on the day to record a velocity of 1195. This is the first time the Gold Cup has been won into the west section in 31 years. The breeding of this hen can be traced back to Tinkerbell - Red Chequer cock from a Mealy cock direct son of Tinkerbell, dam a Red hen from Ellis of Elphinstone and Mealy hen direct of Edwin's Choice - 1st section 5th Open Nantes. They had a brilliant performance in this race winning 1st, 15th & 23rd Open. This was a great day for myself to handle the winner of a SNFC Gold Cup winner a couple of weeks after winning such a prestigious race. She handled like a dream pigeon, small in build with excellent balance, tail straight out with one tail definition, the feathering silky and eyes the colour of her red plumage. She was from the generation of all these brilliant pigeons and looking at the stock birds represented them in every way with the red chequer being very prominent. A sample of Dave's pigeons I sat in their conservatory overlooking the lofts and feeling privileged to sit and ask someone of Dave’s calibre questions he may feel routine and without substance, but being relatively new to the job I asked my list of questions anyway. What is a regular day - 5am till 10 30 pigeons. Lofts - 30x14 two storey (top for racers bottom for stock facing south), 18x10 stock, 15x8 young bird (south west facing), 8x8 old bird and young bird (called the Tardis) - the birds race to this all their racing career (faces north-east). Pair up time - February. Racing system - Celibate till after first Inland National then allowed to pair and go to nest. Exercise - Flagged around loft, possibly three tosses before the first race then flagged until paired and then trained line of flight up to fifty miles for intended race and race most races up to around 250 miles. Medication - Treats for canker throughout the pigeon season using different products to stop birds getting resistant; feels this is very important. Vaccination - Once per year for Paramyxo. Best Product and Advice - Likes to give plenty variety of mineral blocks and grit (Versele Laga block). Very important to provide different variety of grit for calcium intake. And stopping pigeons getting bored. Feeding - This year its Gavro - Sprint up to first National then Marathon (very impressed with this feed) Over the years Dave has changed with the availability of scientifically composed feeds. Floor covering - Mostly grills and natural droppings to maintain the immunity of his birds. Dave is not a prisoner to the scraper and advocates birds being happy in their environment not the fancier. System - Birds are initially fed once per day and as the season progresses twice per day, flagged twice per day and fed thereafter; birds should never be over fed. What motivates you - Habbit What de-motivates you - Politics in pigeons. Biggest influence in sport - Eddie Newcombe. Best achievement - Winning Gold Award with Wendy - 5 times Rennes diploma winner. Favourite pigeon - No favourites, they are all there for a purpose. Favourite distance - 600miles. How many pigeons - started 2011 season with 80 racers, 40 stock and 60 youngsters. What distance for racers - Yearlings including late breds go over channel if fit, youngsters go full race programme and a number going to SNFC Leicester race. ETS or Conventional clock - ETS introduction 2011. This is the best invention in pigeon racing in the recent past. His most recent National winner was clocked to the Unikon system, unknown to David who was on the phone talking to a fancier in the South about possible arrival time. Future Ambition - Win Tours. In your opinion who is the best fancier in you area - J & I Alston and A Alison. Do you show your birds - No What is the future of racing in Scotland - Central marking for federations, deteriorating number of fanciers, loss of clubs. Any advice for new starters - Look at what you see and listen to what you hear. The 1984 national winner Tinkerbell Well how can you top this loft report, a true living legend, a partnership made in heaven that has stood the test of time and will continue to flourish into the distant future because they know what it takes to win at the highest level. Brilliant bloodlines and a willingness from them to continue to sprinkle their superior knowledge to evolve with time. This article was produced in 2011 with Dave continuing to win sections and top performances from the distance. Tom Corrie jnr Lanarkshire press officer

But the original post was about membership :emoticon-0127-lipssealed:

Not for membership in a club in Scotland

Chair still has casting vote :emoticon-0179-headbang:

Chair always has casting vote

He is NOT accepted to the club

Your not delude M8 but I think One Loft Races would be the start If we could get a bookmaker interested Biggest problem in one loft races is disease as we do not have enough vets conversant with pigeons Why does a food manufacturer / supplier not get involved have a really good loft manager and vet, with proper transport if that could happen then we might get a bookmaker involved, with ETS timing and results available immediately it's possible Great idea but how can we enforce it and get it started We need to start thinking outside the box for ideas Have we a well heeled pigeon fancier willing to take it further it does not need a huge loft Paul Mac would be a good place to start good fancier within a big Fed with good results using his own birds so as to eliminate disease Can this go further only if we think bigger than Club and Fed If this is possible the last race y/b National could be televised for the bookies I know it's pie in the sky but so was the idea of Aberdeen Fed getting a brand new transporter from lottery funding but hey ho with a big bit of work and commitment we got our New Geraldy in 2007 the first time the Fed and only time the Fed will have a new vehicle Thanks to some friends I started a simple one loft race with 40 birds ended up having 5 syndicates each with £2400 prize money and over subscribed every time So come on lads let's have some ideas to save our sports As you say if the bookie can make money he will be interested So doo I have a well heeled backer for my stupid ideas :emoticon-0179-headbang: There have been some good ideas in One Loft Races but have fallen by the wayside because of bad management and not enough thought and honesty I am open to helping out if someone is willing to try I see Ian French trying hard with the help of the Midlands National I wish him well why can it not be done in Scotland

Problem is Pigeon Racing is not played on an even field or table where your performance is the main criteria Overfly,loft position , weather and wind all play there part,how much you can afford to pay for birds non of this in golf or snooker There are thousands of kids paying £40 to £100 for a computer game and no prize money we still cannot attract them even to look at Pigeons and when they do we do not grasp the offer

Unfortunately Tony a lot of doors are shut to us Papers up here not interested in printing our results Your ideas are good and in the right direction

Paul the kids nowadays play computer games 24 /7 they don't get prize money Or wet, exercise,dirty hands,and do not know how to look after animals

I stood to be corrected by Geordie but glad he is in the fold Yes he will win his fair share no matter where he is :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Aye after 8yrs :emoticon-0179-headbang:

Hope you all enjoy your trip and don't drink too much :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

What difference does it make if it's eating your bird it's a loaded and stupid question :emoticon-0179-headbang:

That's the evidence they will use to prove we do not know one BOP from tother and say it's not Percy :emoticon-0179-headbang: :emoticon-0179-headbang: We are falling into there trap :emoticon-0127-lipssealed: :emoticon-0127-lipssealed:

Great news Geordie :emoticon-0137-clapping: :emoticon-0137-clapping: :scotland: :scotland:

Don't need to go to England it's happening on our door step ask D Hay ?

I love these innocent kid's jokes, especially the third one MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.' STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.' BRITTANY (age 4) had an ear ache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?' SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said, 'It makes my teeth cough.' DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: 'How much do I cost?' CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in it?' MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: 'Why is he whispering in her mouth?' TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?' JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked: 'What happened to the flea?' The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... This particular Sunday sermon... 'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust....' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?' Marlene

It's the old story every time what excuse can I find to do nothing ? Get sponsorship Increase prize money Club officials should do more Unions should do more Reduce fees pigeon racing is to dear? Everybody should do more while you all sit at home and do nothing at the club The answer to our problems is in our own hands we are just too lazy to do anything but complain My Club / Fed / Union Fees + rings are approx £200 reasonable I think All I need is some doos and food and I am off Pigeon loft you don't need a spacious palace my first loft!! was an orange box and it kept me happy for years There is no shortage of money to buy birds Think about the above and ask yourself what have you done to promote the sport or help out at Club or Fed How many times have you given a new start the help they need I see Peters reason for not letting a youngster into his garden or loft but you could have made arrangements for the lad to return with one of his parents or went and visited them asking for there advice,but it's not good enough kids and new starts need our help cause they will not get it anywhere else We need to take a long look at our sport and help it or we are doomed Falling members Falling birdage Transporters 60% empty but we will still not help each other Unions trying to stop other unions Stupid unnecessary suspension only to prove how powerful they are Times are hard and getting harder we need to pull together Sorry lad's it will never happen we are destroying ourselves