Ian McKay

Might help if you tell us where he comes from Colin Is he on site if so what is his site name

Our sport is 70% old age pensioners with kids and grandkids what happened to all of them we have lost two generations of offspring to our sport

Yes Yes Yes Tony make it nation wide :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle: And horses on public road and parks :emoticon-0140-rofl:

Ban kids from playing computers and games machines Learn them some animal husbandry Learn them that they can go out in the rain Learn them football is not just a TV sport they can go out and play it themselves :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Scotland rule You will need to apply for a licence after the legislation is passed and before the end of a lead-in period designed to allow everyone to be aware of the legislation. It had been the intention that the lead-in period would be as long as possible to make people aware of the new regulations. However, the lead-in period may not be that long. It could end on the 1st April 2016.

All dogs to be micro-chipped The Scottish government has announced that it will make microchipping compulsory for dogs, both Scotland and Wales are working towards introducing compulsory microchipping by April 2016, though the exact dates are not confirmed yet. 

Well done :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Welcome to PB hope you enjoy :emoticon-0136-giggle:

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Subject: Gareth Rankin Champion loft against 67,000 pigeons in the Lanarkshire Federation Race Programme 2014 Gareth Rankin,Larkhall & Dist,West section of the Lanarkshire Federation,Scotland.wins the biggest federation in the British Isles. Larkhall sits on high ground between the River Clyde to the East and the Avon Water to the West. It sits in scenic Clyde Valley and is a commuter town to Glasgow.Traditionally a mining, textile and weaving area, most of Larkhalls traditional industries have now shut including the heavy industrial industry of iron and steel works. Federation Trophies 2014 J Cowan trophy for the best old bird average 42,384 birds.Flying from 78miles to 440miles , The Reid trophy for best combine average Warwick, Upper Heyford,Bedhampton and Ypres. The H McClymont trophy for best combined average 67,035 birds competing!! The J Torrance Mem & the Arrapine trophy for best average Bedhampton & Ypres. The S Anderson trophy for 1st yearling Bedhampton. The Border trophy for first yearling open race Warwick 31st May, The Carriage trophy for the best average Upper Heyford ,Bedhampton & Ypres. The west section Combine Average with 23.150 birds competing. This is an outstanding achievement, in one of the most difficult seasons ever experienced by the federation. Big Gareth is one of the most hard working members of the federation. All this work and he still finds the time to be the best racing loft in Lanarkshire federation.This is what I call racing ,every week having his birds racing the twenty race programme..Not just turning up for a couple of races,these are the real masters of the pigeon game that can manage this level of ability. He has at present a loft of" All rounders" that can cope with a very difficult race programme. Not to forget that the federation didn't race with the SNFC as part of our races programme 2014" Inland programme" . Gareth is very much dedicated to the distance club up their with his dedication to the Lanarkshire federation. Sending to all their race programme which again takes some doing with outstanding results this including his brilliant National hen, Silver Award winner Marcia a magical hen that handles and looks pure class,her youngsters are her double, always a good sign for the breeding. Gareth is still contemplating sending this 6yr old back to attempt to win her Gold Award. You may think this a professional set up with a loft manager, two or three others involved in the loft, no not one he is very much on his own, the only time anyone helps out is when he goes on holiday his son will feed the birds. You may say he must fly hundreds of birds, not so he races around 30 pairs of old birds and 40-50 youngsters. His lovely cottage is very much set up for keeping pigeons with very large garden space to the rear but with the very large trees that surround the lofts it makes trapping for the birds almost impossible. This is possible the worst I have ever seen for trapping the birds must have to drop like a stone to hit the lofts. But like most you just have to adapt and get on with what you have. Lanarkshire Federation Section & Open Positions 19th April Otterburn 4,770 birds 26th April Otterburn 5,792 3rd May Appleby 7,662 ,8th ,9th,14th section 3048 birds in section 97miles 265 yds 11th May Otterburn 5,636 17th May Middleton 7,187 , 4th & 9th section 2954 birds 26th May Uttoxeter 3,642 2nd ,6th 11th Section ,1288 birds 31st May Warwick 3,018 ,1st section -977 birds ,1st Open Yearling derby ,1154 birds 257 miles 1417yds 8th June Upper Heyford 1,215 ,3rd sect 347 birds 284 miles 1653yds 14th June Ingleton 2148 21st June Bedhampton 702 , 1st sect ,5th Sect ,12th Sect , 104 birds ,2nd Open ,702 birds 359 miles 751 yds 28th June Otterburn 1,696 ,7th sect 562 birds 7th July Ypres 612 ,3rd sect 267 birds ,5th Open 612 birds 441 miles 796 yds 20th July Otterburn 3,845 ,1st sect ,968 birds 26th July Otterburn 5,776 4th August Stainmore 5,330 9th August Stainmore 3,775 ,9th sect ,976 birds 16th August Ingleton 2,387 8th sect ,639 birds 23rd August Ingleton 1,908 ,4 ,5,6,7, section 514 birds 30th August Ch/ Richard 1,263 ,1st ,5th ,6th sect ,306 birds 7TH Sept Uttoxeter 367 ,5,7,10,11,14th sect ,59 birds , 27th Open 367 birds 213 miles 1357 yds SNFC Positions 2014 3rd Section E 21st Open Ancenis 591 miles 2014 14th Section E 92nd Open Clermont 516 miles 2014 7th Section E 138th Open Ypres 441 miles 2014 15th Sect Maidstone ,364miles 1214 yds Otterburn 78 miles 982 yards Appleby 97 miles 265 yards North Stainmore 108 miles 946 yards Ingleton 124 miles 663 yards Middleton 165 miles 1315 yards Charnock Richard 153 miles 1634 yards Uttoxeter 213 miles 1357 yards Warwick 257 miles 1417 yards Upper Heyford 284 miles 1653 yards Bedhampton 359 miles 751 yards Ypres 441 miles 796 yards Q. Please introduce yourself and tell us how you got started in the sport? A. With my father being George Rankin then any interest I had in pigeons became more than just an interest in 1983, at 12 years of age Dad use to let me assist when possible in looking after the pigeons and on a Friday pool a pigeon, this was an added bonus which for a young lad which was all very exciting. At this time the pigeon lofts were 3 miles from our house which made it very hard for me to attend without dads transport. In 1984 Dad included me into a partnership that was to be called G Rankin & Son (a very proud moment for me). In January 1984 the pigeon lofts were moved to Blantyre to an allotment which was now only 800 yards from our house which made it more accessible to myself. I still remember dad telling other fanciers that year that I eat and sleep pigeons and amazingly after 30 years this passion is still as strong today. From 1984 to 2002 we flew firstly within Livingstone Memorial club and then latterly in Cambuslang & District. In 2001 and with a young family of 3 boys, I took the decision to try and get a house suitable to have our lofts moved to my rear garden. After a long search the house that I purchased was some 6 miles south, to the town of Larkhall were I still reside as a happy and proud member of the competitive Larkhall & District. Dad in 2002 who had just retired the year before and was suppose to take it easy, but with his passionate and committed approach still took the daily 18 miles round trip to Larkhall to help with the pigeons, sometimes twice per day. Sadly Dad passed away in October 2011, as well as losing a father I had lost a friend, partner and a mentor, those 27 years in partnership together were great, as being in a partnership you can enjoy the good times and during the hard times help each other come through it. Q. Among your results what are the real highlights? A. Over the 30 years there have been many highlights, though the most memorable was our first section win in 1990 with “Westbound†1st west section 4th open SNFC Niort 673 miles, birds were liberated at 09.00 in a strong west to north west wind, no pigeons were expected until teatime on the second day but just before 1 o’clock Westbound arrived which still to this day gave me the most excitement of any pigeon arriving from a race, the late Andrew Deans said that that was the toughest wind conditions that he had ever remembered flying into the west of the country. The Blues cocks performance that day was even more special as he beat all the pigeons to the south of the country and was only beaten by 3 pigeons in the east section of the SNFC. Fortunate to have won seven SNFC 1st west sections + one region win in the SNFC young bird national. Won a record six SNFC west section averages. Won a equal five Lanarkshire Social Circle Gold cups with the other fancier being the late Willie Wilson of Larkhall, the LSC gold cup in my opinion has to one of the hardest awards to win in Scotland with traditionally five channel races flown with only 4 birds allowed to be nominated by each of the clubs members. 2014 Competing in Larkhall & District and the club sending an average of 234 birds to each of the 20 races, the loft won a record 12 x 1st , 8 x 2nd, 13 x 3rd, this sending an average of 27 birds to compete each week. Within the Lanarkshire federation the loft won 4 first sections plus 27 other diplomas with a maximum 15 prizes allocated per race, this competing in one of the strongest sections within Scotland flying against up to 3000 pigeons. Question and Answer Q. Do you hold any official position and if so do you take an active part, if no what are your reasons? A. He laughed then saying transport manager of Lanarkshire Federation, President of the Larkhall & District club, Scotttish Homing Union delegate, Lanarkshire Social Circle & SNFC Committee member, Also run the Lanarkshire West Club, a one bird nomination club. Q. Do you compete for averages? A. Very much so, I see it as a challenge against fellow members. Q. How do you race your pigeons and how many? Weekly numbers A 30 pairs of old birds Ybs 70 reared but not all sent weekly. Q. What are your lofts made of and how big are they?How many sections,Size etc A.Wooden structure, joiner built. Main racing loft 40 x 8ft with 60 nest boxes ,5 sections. Stock loft 16x8, Young Bird loft 24 x 8 ft, three sections. Q. How many stock birds do you keep and do you breed off your race team also how many pigeons do you think that you need to breed off any individual stock pair each year to see if they are quality producers? A. 16 pairs, 2-3 rounds from each pair to race, years ago you could get away with no stock pigeons, nowadays there are too many obstacles in the sport for the pigeons, so depth is required. Q. When do you pair your pigeons? A. This year, Stock pigeons 10th December race team 20th January. Q. Do you move the hens with the young birds? A. No, sometimes cocks finish of the young birds, I feel the cocks settle down when the hens are removed at 16-17 days and make a better job of the Ybs when the hen isn't there, stock stay together. Q. What criteria do you set down for the pigeons you winter with your thoughts on the following seasons racing and breeding? A. Nothing special will hope to get four or five races into my experienced channel candidates the others will be raced week to week,sprint cocks to 260 miles, sprint hens further. Q. Do you have any grills fitted in the floor or in the boxes, are there any advantages to using them? A. Basically it saves time and stops birds coming into contact with contaminated food, Stock and YB loft have grills on the floors, contemplating putting them into the main racing loft, he puts cat litter or Vesele laga granules under grills which are cleaned out every eight weeks. Also uses burner on occasions plus Jeyes fluid and VirkonS Q. What do you think about the vaccination programme for the pigeons and do you think it affects the pigeons long term? A. Vaccinate for paramyxo old birds month before first race and young birds when leaving nest Birds at this present time do not get vaccinated against Paratyphoid. Q. Do you attach any importance to grits and minerals or can the pigeons get what they want they are out of the loft? A. DHP multimix and mixed grit is available to the birds in small stainless steel grit containers. Kilpatrick black minerals is essential when breeding. . Q. Do you use any floor dressing or do you clean the pigeons out daily? A. Yes - Old birds race team are cleaned twice per day during racing, Q. Do you like to have plenty of room for the pigeons? A. Yes, Old birds loft with 60 nest boxes and only 30 pairs, young bird loft 24 foot for 70 young birds. Q. How do you feed, and what do you feed them on? A. Race season week. Saturday - day of race they are fed Matador Turbo Energy or Vanrobaeys Top energy, as much as they want. Sunday – If a hardrace has taken place then as above, if not hen Energy in morning then sports mix evening. Monday - Natural finesse Condition, a sports mix, fed twice per day until 10% stop eating. Tuesday - as above Wednesday - as above Thursday- as above morning but evening feed a Energy mix. Friday - 10.00am Matador Turbo Energy or Vanrobaeys Top energy In water on return from race and day of race Vet-Schroeder /Tollisan product Med.Tollyamin Forte. In water Sunday Vet-Schroeder /Tollisan product Med.Tollyamin Forte. Once or twice per week throughout the year the pigeons will get Dosto Ropa organo in water. Preventive products -After moult Paratyphoid product. When on eggs canker product, during season they may be treated a further once or twice if required. Respiratory preventative before racing and if required again once pigeons get to 250 miles, birds have to be 100%. Stock birds when breeding are fed on Natural finesse start. Q. Do you measure the amount that you give to each race pigeon, or are they fed according to the individual pigeon? A. Birds are hand fed in hopper and when approx 10% stop eating then no more is put in front of them, generally there will be a trickle of Barley left, fed twice per day after each loft exercise. Q Are Your pigeons allowed any free time outwith training/racing A. Bath on a Sunday or day after race, vermin Bath Salts Vet-Schroeder/Tollisan product in water once per month Q. Do you consider there to be any advantage having a racing partnership? A. Not in partnership but when I was in partnership you motivated each other when you weren't flying well Q. To term a phrase are you a full time pigeon fancier? A. LOL, I work, but during the racing season it feels that I am a full time fancier, Q. Whenever I have visited a loft fanciers always look at the pigeons eye. Do you consider that the eye has any importance A. Good distance winners always have a nice rich eye with a bit of depth to it, a good talking point just like many other fads that fanciers have about their pigeons. Q. How many weeks do you think a pigeon can maintain it's form on the widowhood system for both cocks and hens? A. Cocks 7-8 weeks Hens 10 weeks Birds are raced on celibate system with cocks and hens racing each week to nest box on return. Hens on perches throughout week, cocks in nest boxes. Q If you Fly Roundabout/Celibate how do you stop your hens pairing to each other A. Seldom get problems with this, with them getting raced and then exercised twice per day then this tends to help them from pairing, as the season goes out longer distance races then the cocks and hens will spend a greater time together sometimes 24 hours. If it happened I would remove the hen. Q. Do you think a pigeon has the capabilities of racing both short and long distance races. A. No, with the odd exception sprint pigeons cant fly 500+ miles into the west of Scotland, 500-600 mile winning pigeons are steeped with long distance lines and fly at a different pace to sprint pigeons and that is why distance pigeons shouldn't win in the sprint races. Q. Which is the more difficult, establishing a team of sprinters or distance pigeons and why? A. Distance ,especially into the west of Scotland due to the raptor problem, sprint pigeons you can generally establish a team within months where as the distance you require patience and may take 3 years to test them correctly. Q. What happens when you are racing either widowhood or the roundabout when you have a bad race and lose a few from one sex, how do you continue with those pigeons who have lost their mate? A. Sometimes it can be a blessing when a racing pigeon gets a new partner when it loses its mate, some fanciers wouldn't mind themselves coming home to a new woman..lol,seriously though, I would have a partner at home throughout the season, but I am not willing to have pigeons that are not tested by the basket. Q. Sprinter or distance? A. The long distance races from the continent brings memories that last forever, nothing can beat the thrill of a pigeon coming 500-600 miles and landing on the shift. That said I like to be competitive from the very first race of the season and really enjoy the sprint races. Q. What families of pigeons do you keep?. A Sprint & middle - Geerincks pigeons from Brian Johnstone, of Norton, Leo Hermans come from Brian Johnstone, John May of Worcester park and Andres Stremmer Germany. Three cocks from GWP Macaloney have recently introduced, all these bloodlines above have proven fruitful within the first couple of years. Long distance - family is a mixture of our own family that have been winning for 30 years, always look to bring in stock from proven pigeons, this primarily will be local but i have no hesitation in going to the continent. Q. Some fanciers go out and purchase good quality winning pigeons but never appear to make the grade, A Not fully committed, you always have to test your birds Q What product do you feels makes a difference to your birds A. Vet-Schroeder /Tollisan product Med.Tollyamin Forte. Top product and he rates this company's products very highly. Q. Which of the two sexes do you consider is the most important when it comes to breeding? A. Both Q. Some fanciers like big hens for breeding does the size of the hen make any difference to the quality of youngsters that she breeds in your past experience? A. No Q. Is there anything that you have not won in the sport that you would like to achieve? A. Win a Scottish National Flying Club race from the continent. Q. Who do you consider to be the best fanciers in the Country and for what reasons? A. GWP Macaloney, no one has came close to them, both in results and the consistency that they have shown over the last 3 decades. Distance racing there are seven or eight lofts in the west that have produced consistent top results year after year, not in a position to judge other fanciers that don’t compete in this area. Q. What do you think can be done to take the sport forward? A. Professional structure to promote the sport to approximately 80% of the general public that aren't aware of the benefits of the sport. Q. When it comes to breeding do you line-breed or use a first cross or just pair winners to winners? A. First cross is very good. Though line breeding is a must. Q. Do you breed off the top racing pigeons that season after the racing has finished, do you breed late bred youngsters and what do you think of those later bred youngsters? A. Sometime but not as much as in the past. Had some really great racing pigeons that were latebreds, including Westbound" 1st section 4th open SNFC Niort and "Westbound Lady" 1st section 9th open SNFC Nantes, patience is required with latebreds. Q. If your race team went off form during the season what action would you take to restore their condition? A. Birds come into format different times of the season Q. Is a favourable loft location the single biggest factor in sprint racing? A. Yes, Drag is 49% and the wind is 51% off were the winners will be in short races, as the distance goes out a pigeon in an unfavourable location may be able to put up an extraordinary performance to combat it's unfavourable location. Q. Do you use the darkness system for the young birds A. Yes but not all youngsters Q. Are there any feeding methods for the young birds i.e. do you break them down, do you keep them hungry for control purposes, do you give them a trapping seed mix? A. No once the darkness young birds have there new coat then will be fed the same as old birds. Q. What percentage do you consider it takes to win with racing pigeons for Management and pigeons and why? A. Both are required 50/50 Q. What is the farthest distance that you would train your old birds or young birds? A. Old bird cocks last season got one day at 2 .5 miles x 7 tosses and thereafter exercised around loft twice per day, hens had 2 tosses before the season started with the fed transporter from 24 miles, none thereafter. Cocks out 7 to 8 am then 4 to 5 pm . Hens 8-9 am then 5 to 6 pm. Youngsters will be trained before racing up to 24 miles then exercised around loft twice per day for 1-1 1/2 hours. The candidates going to the later channel races may get private training this due to the yearlings being repaired. Q. Do you think illegal drugs are used to enhance racing performance? A. I’m not sure how big a issue it is in Scotland, but where the financial rewards are high like it is in the continent then it becomes a serious problem. Would personally like to see drug testing implemented in Lanarkshire federation, more for the benefit of the successful fanciers than anything else. Q. Do you attach any real importance to the pigeons wing i.e. back wing, end four flights and do you look at the wing to see if they have cast before a race. Any other comments on the wing? A. hard to describe but prefer channel pigeons to have space within the last 4-5 flights, helps when they have been on the wing after 12 hours. Like to see pigeons throwing a flight whilst in the basket. Q. What about the throat theory? A. No but worth a look..lol Q. Do you use any form of heating system in any of your lofts. Do you think it would be advantages for the birds? A. No but it is installed but never used, have extractor fan and ducting that runs the full length of old bird loft connected to sensors, not used. Q. With your pigeon work do you have a silent partner i.e. wife, partner or friend, if so what part do they play? A. No no others have a real interest. Q. Do you compete in the National events, if not why not. Or are you happy to race in the club? A. Between Lanarkshire federation and the SNFC national races i can only ever remember missing four races in total since 1984. Q. Do you use ETS? A. Yes, Tauris excellent system I have it set up to send message to my mobile when not available at loft, never miss early birds arriving, but sister got married this year it was fantastic, received a text message minutes before I had to make a speech, finished 2nd federation Bedhampton, guests at the wedding must have wondered why I had a grin from cheek to cheek. Q. Can you explain your type (Dont say winning)of pigeon, size, shape, balance, colour, eye, hen, cock A. Sprinter - Power at front with plenty of muscle, though they come in all shapes. Distance - more streamline, fantastic feathering with perfect balance, not fussed on size providing they are built in proportion. Q. How do you pick your weekly pool pigeon? A. Watch your birds in and around loft and know the history of the pigeons previous performances. Q. Are you only as good as your last race? A. Yes you get plenty of banter at club and fed level Q. How old is your oldest racer? A. 6 yrs Q. Do you send your youngsters the full programme,or do you stop after say 100 miles? A. Depending on fed program most will have 5 out of 7 races, a few will go to Yb National. Q. Do your yearling go to the coast or are they stopped at say 260miles? A.Generally 250 miles sprint family with others going to the coast around 350 miles coast, occasionally if i notice a development change in a yearling at the beginning of July then it may be sent over the channel to 440-517 miles. Q. Do you show your birds? A. 2012 & 2013 was the first for 20 years, they done well, its good time to meet your fellow fanciers during the winter months, no showing this year. Q. Loft ventilation, what, why, where and do you change with the season? A. All ventilation is at roof space, stock lofts have extra ventilation at ground level. Q. During Off season do pigeons get out loft? A. No, access to bath in aviary during off season Q. Raptors: are they a problem to you? A. Yes as we stood outside the sparrowhawk made a visit. With 30,000 fanciers in the UK then it shouldn’t be a problem!! Q. East or West, what race route do you prefer? A. Traditional route of M74 -M6 which is called the west due to being west of the Pennines. Q. When is your favorite time of season? A. Like going to club on marking nights, great banter and also enjoy the social events throughout the season. I would like to thank Gareth for the lovely lunch and an introduction to one of the all time great names ever to compete in the West. He is very much an asset to the federation and we thank him for his dedication. All the best for season 2015. Tom Corrie jnr Lanarkshire Federation Press Officer corrietom@aol.com Photo 1 Gareth with his Lanarkshire trophies Photo 2 Main racing loft Photo 3 Young bird loft Photo 4 View of lofts with stock loft in centre Photo 5 Trapping system into young bird loft Photo 6 Floor of young bird loft with racing hens Photo 7 Perches in each Ybird sections Photo 8 Nest boxes in stock section Photo 9 of inside stock section Photo 10 Hens celibate section with new Guard dog Photo 11 Racing section boxes

Has anyone got any pics sound like you had a good night

Will you ever learn to leave it alone :emoticon-0179-headbang: If it's no broke dina try an fix it :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Are you sure it's the box that needs re-programmed :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Check first page marked paid thanks :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Marlene

Yes Kevin and here are the photos of the bird coming home and Joe Benzie delighted Marlene

Here is his SNFC result from Leicester in 2008 G9 136 Coutts & McKay 7018 Aberdeen 9 317,891 Bl/B/C GB08ER45 07:00:00 ABD - CDE G - E 1241.8 £123.50 :scotland:

Ian's heart is in the right place Walter and he has raised a lot of money for charity and for local schools here in Aberdeen as well as the what he does on Pigeon Basics ........ with a little help from myself

I read the article on here about the Queen's pigeon being lost and also heard it on Radio Scotland this morning. So I went and looked out Ian's article on the pigeon from the Queen. The article was in the Daily Mail in April 1999. Ian got this from Carlo Napolitano who was the Queen's loft manager. This was to raise funds for charity at Ian's Rotary Club. We went on to become great friends with Carlo and Judy and spent holidays with them in South Africa for the "Million Dollar Pigeon Race" Great fun indeed! Ian then got another bird from the Royal Lofts for the "Kingslea One Loft Race" and again for charity. He still has the bird who is now 8 years old. Privileged or what Marlene

The Joe Murphy Column As I said last week a couple of hens would not pair up but with having some spare cock’s I just gave them another mate and they have been fine ever since. It is just as well I’m at home now or they could have been seriously hurt as we all know what cock’s are like once locked in a box. One of the hens did get a bit of a scalping this was due to going to collect the grandson at the nursery and by the time I went back to the loft the cock had done this damage. I bathed the hen and put some TCP on her injury and after a few days she took up to a new cock. It is all about being observant while in the loft and I when I let her out of the next box (I had all the other pairs locked up) I had the new cock on his own on the loft floor and she came down and started showing off to him and within minutes he had treaded her and followed her into the next box. It looks so easy but believe me it is quite a stressful time until all the pairs are settled into their boxes and down on eggs. Margaret and I went out for a drive in the car and I collected some heather for my nesting material. I had already tied a nest felt to the bowl with a cable tie and the pans were put in the boxes. The following day I cut up a bag of heather into small pieces and sprinkled it all over the floor and the cocks were up and down to their boxes building nests. So everything was going fine and I was more than happy to have my 1st egg on 7 days and should get more within the coming days, this proves the birds are in good order even considering how cold it is at this time of the year. The one good thing is the mornings are getting brighter (I hate the dark mornings as I’m always up early and can’t wait to get out to do my tasks with the birds) It is also funny how when a pair stand together on the front of their box you just admire their beauty and think to yourself ‘What a pair of pigeons’. I loft to try and imagine what their offspring will be like and if they have bred you something extra special. However I have to say that I’m more than happy with the way the birds have settled and Kevin informs me that he is the same and expects eggs within the next few days. Wish is good as we will put the stock pairs under his racers to rear and I’ll put the stock birds down for their 2nd round. I have received my rings from the SHU and they are bright blue so will easily distinguish the 2016 youngsters within the loft. A short article this week, as I have been spending more and more time with the birds and the grandchildren so everything else has to take second place I’m afraid. Good SNFC Birds This week’s 3 birds are from the East Coast with the first to Stan Reap of Eyemouth with his blue bar cock NEHW2009BOR 2723. He won his first SNFC diploma in 2013 when he won 73rd section B 195th open from Maidstone a distance of 340 miles he was then entered into the last old bird race from Clermont and won 8th section B 38th open flying 487 miles. In 2014 he was entered into the Ypres national and won 1st section B 2nd open flying 403 miles beaten by the wonderful pigeon Poppy of Maskame and Mackie of Peterhead who won the national that day. In 2015 he won 40th section B 56th open from Eastbourne flying 367 miles. We wish Stan all the best with his blue cock for the 2016 season. Next we come to the 1985 Rennes national winner Jimmy P Jackson of Dunbar with his blue chequer hen GB10S 52781. This hen won 6th section B 42nd open Ancenis flying 598 miles in 2014, the following year she was competing from the Gold Cup race from Alencon a distance of 532 miles and she won 25th section B 82nd open and now requires one more section diploma to win a Silver Award and we wish Jimmy all the best with this hen. As a matter of interest he also has another blue chequer hen GB10S 52777 who has won 4 times in the national. In 2012 she won 126th open from Clermont a distance of 501 miles. Then last year 2015 she won 3 times from the national being 253rd open Billericay flying 325 miles she was then 478th open from Portsmouth flying 359 miles she was then entered from the last old bird race from Clermont a distance of 501 miles and she won 16th section B 47th open. A very good consistent pigeon and well done to Jimmy owning 2 quality pigeons and we wish him all the best for the 2016 season. This week’s Photographs This week’s pictures are from my dear friend Sheldon Leonard of Arklow who along with some other fanciers visited Belgium after being to Blackpool Show of the Year in January. The group of them had a good time and visited a few lofts (and bars) and everyone had a great trip. I have enough pictures to cover a few weeks so start off with Ken Wilkinson holding ‘I Had A Dream’ winner of 1st international Hen’s 5th open International Barcelona for Daniel Aerens who is in the picture with Ken. The next pic is of Ron Fewing and Yannick de Ridder enjoying each other’s company. Joe’s Joke A circus owner runs an advert for a ‘Lion Tamer Wanted’ and two people showed up...... One is a retired golfer in his late-sixties and the other is a drop-dead, gorgeous brunette with a killer body in her mid-twenties. The circus owner tells them, I'm not going to sugar coat it. This is one ferocious lion. He ate my last tamer so you two had better be good or you're history. "Here's your equipment -- a chair, a whip and a gun ......Who wants to try out first?" The gorgeous brunette says, "I'll go first." She walks past the chair, the whip and the gun and steps right into the cage. The lion starts to snarl and pant and begins to charge her. As he gets close, the gorgeous brunette throws open her coat revealing her beautiful, perfect naked body. The lion stops dead in his tracks, sheepishly crawls up to her and starts licking her feet and ankles. He continues to lick and kiss every inch of her body for several minutes, then lays down and rests his head at her feet. The circus owner's jaw is on the floor! He says "That's amazing! I've never seen anything like that in my life!" He then turns to the retired golfer and asks, "Can you top that?" The old golfer replies, "Possibly... but you've got to get that ‘bloody’ lion out of there first." 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

4/. club/Fed sales. £30 to site (to be paid before sales ) and 5% of takings to the charity fund, (Ian McKay) dates to be notified in advance, clubs/Feds responsible for conduct of sales etc, and for money and dealing with sponsors and buyers, the site is not responsible for these sales, auction will last for 10 days, 5/. All outside sales advertised on site showing venue and lists of birds a fee of £30 will be charged, after being approved, by admin, 5-B/ .New outside sale rule as from 12 11 2014. Sales can be Advertised Free if only Name,Date, Time and Place are given, (no birds lists or ring numbers or links to other sites.)

5/. All outside sales advertised on site showing venue and lists of birds a fee of £30 will be charged, after being approved, by admin, 5-B/ .New outside sale rule as from 12 11 2014. Sales can be Advertised Free if only Name,Date, Time and Place are given, (no birds lists or ring numbers or links to other sites.)

It's been unapproved Outside sale rules 5-B/ .New outside sale rule as from 12 11 2014. Sales can be Advertised Free if only Name,Date, Time and Place are given, (no birds lists or ring numbers or links to other sites.)

Tom Corrie Jnr reports on DAVIE DONALDSON of Glassford, Lanarkshire, Scotland I struck gold recently in the hills of South Lanarkshire. You may say Tom is rich, well I was in knowledge! The gold I discovered was the small village loft of Davie Donaldson, a truly outstanding long distance fancier who quietly goes about his hobby, winning top prizes. Glassford (locally known as Glessart) sits between Hamilton and the bigger village of Strathaven, with a population of 500. Davie has stayed their all his life, being married to Mima for over fifty years. I asked Davie how he met his wife and he laughed, stating she kept chasing him around at school. Mima was born in Strathaven. Davie Davie started racing around the early 1960s and eventually after a period of little success, obtained birds from the outstanding lofts of Gibson Brothers from Netherburn, Lanarkshire. These birds originated from Johnny Burrell of Douglas Water, South Lanarkshire. The Burrell foundation came from a fancier called Bone from a mining village called Glespin about 7 miles from Douglas Water. Johnny Burrell also introduced other birds from a very sucessful English fancier, J.O. Allan. Burrell Bros won the West Section 4 times - 1939, 1947 & 1955 from Rennes and 1959 from Nantes. Johnny died I think in 1962 and the pigeons were sold in Wolverhampton where I believe the Gibsons from Netherburn bought a few. Some other birds came back to Scotland from the sale. One notable one was bought by Gordon McCaw from Erroll which left many birds to score in the Nationals. John Burrell was the most meticulous and dedicated of fanciers and he has been described as the the best National fancier ever in Scotland by some of the all time greats. He won 4 x 1st sect SNFC from Rennes. The small loft Davie has spent a lifetime maintaining these lines of pigeons with the introduction of a blue cock from clubmate John Smith, inbred lines from the Larkhall legend Wullie Wilson who himself was a brilliant racer and breeder of long distance pigeons into Scotland. This cock had been won at the local show’s raffle (what a lucky ticket). He had one race as a youngster winning it by over twenty minutes and was then unfortunately injured in the local field losing the sight in one eye. He was paired to the best in the loft, the great racing hen Mima's Pride, a double winner from the channel. The crossing of two inbred families proved to be the catalyst for one of the most potent families of pigeons ever to fly and win in the West section of the Scottish National. All three YBs bred that year won from France in due course and one of these was Davida, a SNFC Gold Award winner (5 times a channel winner) for Davie including 12th Sect Rennes and 21st Sect Sartilly. The Gold Award is the National’s way of rewarding its champion pigeons, the ultimate athletes of the sky. Another was blue hen (sister to Davida), three times a Channel winner including 4th Sect & 21st Open Nantes, and the third was their brother a blue w/f cock which won from Rennes. A son of the latter as a 2yr old in 1981 flew the Lanarkshire Fed Sartilly smash homing on the third day, then three weeks later won from Rennes (540 miles) and then flew Sartilly 495 miles in mid July. Originally it was D & M Donaldson which included his wife Mima who looked after the routine of the birds when Davie was working. Now 75 years of age, Davie continues to show us how to fly the distance. He is a very unassuming man who doesn't offer you his wins but reflects on his champions with great pride. Side view of ventilation to YB section The old bird team has been consistently around the 18 pair mark, with around 20-24 pigeons expected to race from the National programme. His yearlings are usually stopped at 250 miles and any late breds are trained as 2 year olds with the young birds and race the programme. His young bird team of around 24 usually race the programme but Davie stated they often are stopped after a few races. It makes no difference, they win when being lightly raced or completing the programme. In 2012 the loft sent 4 to the YB National winning 9th, 14th & 23rd Section, absolutely brilliant flying into this side of the country. Just ask anyone in the west how hard it is to get youngsters out of this race. The 14ft x 8ft loft hasn't changed in structure in all the years since being built, remaining small in size but big in results. Tin sheeting covers the sides and back of the loft to protect from the constant rain and wind we experience in this side of the country. It has two sections, the left side for the old birds with 20 nest boxes, and YBS have old conventional box perches. I asked Davie what the insert in the middle of the perch was for and he stated it was the scraper that had eroded the wood over the years. Here's me thinking it was some special type of perch – haha! The young bird section has a board that sits above the perches, around 18 inches off the floor stopping the droppings from hitting the floor. He adopts the good old fashioned natural nest cycle for the old birds and races to the perch for the YBs. Davie likes to send his hens to the distance on chipping eggs but states you have to watch their performance on the nest cycle to get the best from them. He spends very little time in the loft, but when entering it has his scraper in hand. He spends most of his time observing the birds from the back window, stating you get more from watching them than you will ever get in the hand. He stated a very well respected National flyer once said that a hen he had entered into a local show had no attributes to win at the distance yet the hen had 3 channel diplomas. Davie takes no interest in type, size or colour, he just races them and breeds from those that perform. Old bird section The yearlings race to around 250 miles, racing most weeks in the club programme. This will give them enough education to race from the coast the following seasons. He likes pigeons to be individuals and enjoys seeing them homing after many hours on the wing; this builds character and success for the future. He doesn't tolerate persistent late attenders saying the birds that are being built up for the longer racers shouldn't be too off the pace if racing in the shorter races. Davie stated there is only a small percentage of winners in all lofts that keep you up with the winners every year, adding with a close knit family of birds you can help gauge their needs but the basket is always the true test. His candidates for the Channel receive around 3 or 4 races up to 260 miles, looking for 8 hours’ flying time in the last race, then 6-8 training tosses from Dunbar on the east coast around the 60 mile mark before the race they have been selected for. He trains his birds because open loft exercise is impossible due to the ever present raptors and he has liked Dunbar for training as the returns are usually good and he gets around 1 1/2 hours on the wing, usually into a head wind. The birds are usually liberated at 9.30 am. He stated he learned very quickly you can’t burn the candle at both ends, birds have to be relatively fresh for the job ahead when racing from the distance. This will "harden" them up for the task ahead. He made reference not to use comeback races for conditioning birds that have possibly already raced double that distance saying pigeons are not silly creatures. He said he learned the hard way, losing many good pigeons in these races. He also doesn't send them on short tosses of up to 20 miles, when conditioning them for the distance, better 50, 60, 70 miles. Ventilation at front and side of old bird section Davie is very keen in keeping the birds naturally healthy and doesn't tolerate any antibiotics, using natural products to help maintain good health and wellbeing. He treats for worms with Ivomec (the type they use for cattle) and provides the birds with Kilpatrick white grit and a handful each morning of the red stone grit, not too much. They also receive the pickstone, the type you crumble up, on a regular basis. Lofts are kept clean daily and sprayed at the end of season with Virkon-S disinfectant. He has tried a new menthol type product (white powder) on the floor which in his opinion is only good for drying up rain on the floor. The lofts are open at the front and sides with large louvers with mesh to protect from vermin. He was once told he would win nothing until he closed the louvers but he never listened to that advice. The rest is down to good pigeons that are raced and trained at the right time. Regarding young bird health, Davie has never had the presence of the YB Sickness syndrome but if he felt they had something not right he would treat with Bicarbonate of Soda in the water and provide them later with honey. In his opinion, anything that contains antibiotics will only destroy their defence system. Common sense. Feeding: They receive beans, peas and tares as their main diet. From January, beans and barley are fed until the birds are hatching and then they go back onto the beans, peas and tares. They are never hungry and are fed what he feels is enough twice daily. He never leaves food in the loft. When the birds get to the 250 mile mark they get Irish mixture that includes maize added to the beans, peas and tares. Young birds get breed and wean in the nest box the week before shifting and until settled, and get the Irish mix just before racing starts. He never gives his pigeons maize when rearing youngsters. Racing hens Clubs: He is presently a member of Larkhall South club and in the South Lanarkshire Federation where he enjoys the friendship. He is also a member of the Scottish National Flying Club. He used to like the channel race that took place in the second week of June and found this an excellent race. He sees no place for Inland National racing and feels that most can’t compete for averages due to the increased number of races in the programme. This should be part of the Federation programme. In his opinion National racing is from across the water. He would like to see all the west coast federations race together from the coast. Changes: He always likes to bring in new families of birds to try against his own. These are usually provided by Billy or Wullie and often are crosses of his own family of birds. More recently the Dennis Dall of Ladybank, Fife (red cheq pigeons) are being tested. These were gifted by Wullie Semple Others Thoughts: He will never stop trying to win the Blue Riband race. He said if it is not broken, don't try and fix it. Pigeons are like us, if they are working they expect to be fed. We change because we read about all these so called wonderful products that you think someone else is using. Good birds and routine are essential, not changing things every other week. The same line of birds are still winning major prizes at the distance. Blue cock, winner of 2 National diploma. This cock lost an eye due to hawk attack (Like the W Wilson cock all those decades ago, will history repeat itself?) Some of his results Scottish National Flying Club Gold Award Winner - 5 times winner from the channel single pigeon 5 West Section wins from the channel 1984 1st sect 10th Open Sartilly, Blue cock, SU 81 L 13270 Results from 1997 1st sect 2nd Open Rennes, Blue hen SU 95 SL 4603 - Davie rates this his best performance 1st sect 11th Open Sartilly, Cheq cock SU 95 SL 4591 1998 1st sect 23rd Open Sartilly, Blue pied hen SU 96 SL 3935 7th sect 134th Open Sartilly, Blue cock SU96 SL 3924 20th sect Sartilly, Blue Cock SU 95 SL 4568 2005 results flying with the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club 2nd sect 16th Open Falaise, Blue cock SU 02 L 485 16th sect 86th Open Falaise, Blue hen SU03 L 289 18th sect Alencon, SU00 L 2282 2006 9th sect 26th Open Lessay, Blue hen SU 03 L 289 26th sect 100th Open, Blue cock SU 01 L 1262 2007 22nd sect 157th Open, Blue hen SU 04 L24096 9th sect 142nd Open Wanstead Flats, Blue hen GB 05 S57582 10th sect 149th Open Wanstead Flats, Blue hen GB 05 S 57586 2008 Scottish National Flying Club 6th Sect 90th Open Alencon, Cheq hen GB 05 S 57582 25th Sect Alencon, Blue cock SU04 L 24095 16th Sect 63rd Open, Cheq hen GB 05 S 57582 2009 3rd Sect 62nd Open, Blue cock GB 07 S87831 2010 2nd Sect 17th Open Reims, Cheq hen GB 05 S 57582 9th Sect 53rd Open Reims, Blue hen GB 08 S 84196 2011 10th Sect 160th Open Clermont, Blue cock SU 09 L 10153 2012 27th Sect Maidstone, Cheq hen GB 10 S 66704 32nd Sect Maidstone, Blue hen SU 09 L 10143 29th Sect 109th Open Alencon, Blue hen GB 08 S 84196 17th Sect 99th Open Ypres, Cheq W/F cock GB 10 S 6685 22nd Sect 107 Open Ypres, Blue hen SU 09 3196 1st Sect 38th Open Clermont, Cheq hen GB 10 S 66704 17th Sect Clermont, Blue hen SU 09 L 10143 2013 1st Sect 6th Open Alencon, Blue hen SU 09 L 10143 38th Sect Ypres, Blue hen SU 09 3196 Davie Donaldson is truly a remarkable presence in the West Section of National flying, what you would call a legend. Pigeons are very much a way of life for him. He has always had them and with help from his very good friends Billy Graham and Wullie Semple he will continue to compete at the very top. Davie would like to thank Billy and Wullie for their friendship over many years. Many thanks to Davie and Mima for their time and education in the sport of racing distance pigeons. Also to John McFall and John Alston for their help. Tom Corrie Lanarkshire Press Officer corrietom@aol.com

Very nice Ken :emoticon-0136-giggle: