Ian McKay

I have replied :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Thanks but you should read the info :emoticon-0136-giggle: Ps got it

From Charlotte's mum Amanda on being told how much you have raised That's fantastic Ian 😀 Thank you to you and everyone involved. An amazing amount of money to raise. Thank you again. Amanda xxXxx

Have a nice day folks :drinking-coffee-200:

Total Raised approx £2255 Payment to PBCF "Kingslea" Kingswells Aberdeen AB15 8SL Paypal to: marlene.mckay@btinternet.com Please choose send money then send money to friends and family to avoid incurring a fee

Thanks think that's me caught up please PM me if there are any errors

:drinking-coffee-200: Just under 2 hrs to go

Welcome to Pigeon Basics hope you enjoy :emoticon-0136-giggle:

PM sent

Just checked again nothing here Ian Ps resend it

Sent you a PM at 10.17 this morning !!

Correct :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Good post Walter straight and honest :emoticon-0136-giggle: :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Welcome to the site Beware Peter is the Farmer :emoticon-0136-giggle:

Hi Alan Out of interest have you any idea how this bird is over there ie lost racing in UK Lost in Derby Arona Would be interesting to hear the story Ian

The Joe Murphy Column I have struggled to find the time to do this week’s article as I paired the birds up today and this mission seamed to last all day. For all the time I have spent studying pedigrees and writing down my preferred pairings over the winter months. As I have said before I have introduced them to each other 2 to 3 times but when it came to the actual day of mating them together some would just not look at each other, with the hens causing most of the bother. Two hens in particular had always been paired to chequers since yearlings and they would not look at the blue cocks that I had picked out for them. In the end I had to change some pairings about to accommodate these 2 hens and they sat down to them when introduced into the nest box, talk about being stubborn. Superstar Fancier Most of us who are pigeon fanciers and in many instances this our foremost passion in life, but as we all know there is more to life than pigeons, like our family and friends, politics, music, rugby or football. One of my dearest friends is Guy Reed whom I have known for the past few years as he was the main person to help me with my quest in purchasing the DeWeerdt family of pigeons. However Guy is also a country singer-songwriter under the name of "Luke Guy Reed" and has appeared at many country music venues throughout the UK. He has just released his latest album on Gotham Records called ‘Strait Home’ which I think relates to his parting words to his pigeons when he puts them in the race basket. He also has another song named ‘Flying High’ so it is virtually impossible for this man to completely forget about his racing pigeons, even when singing. Guy has just forwarded me a ‘signed copy’ of his new album and this is now available on ITUNES ,uTube ,Amazon, also a web site will be on the Internet in a couple of weeks, however if you wish to purchase a CD direct you can contact him direct on email; lgr00844@hotmail.co.uk Fife Federation News News from Gordon Turnbull B.E.M who is the Secretary/Treasurer of Fife Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies, Gordon informs me there will be a young bird sale held in Hill of Beath Club on Saturday 16th of April 2016 with viewing from 13.00 pm and the sale starting at 14.00 hours. This sale will have pigeons from the top fanciers in Fife and there will also be a raffle for a top quality pigeon. Bar facilities with food and refreshments available and Gordon has asked me to remind all club secretaries to remind their club members (and anyone else) who may be interested in the above. Hopefully this will generate as much support for the sale as possible. Further details will be circulated and published in the fancy press when all the details are confirmed. Many thanks Joe yours Gordon’. Good SNFC Birds The first 2 pigeons this week are from Angus Federation with Ypres SNFC winner Dave Glen and his blue cock SU12AF 746. As a yearling he won 4th section C 25th open Maidstone flying 401 miles against 4855 birds, he was then sent to Ypres a distance of 465 miles and won 114th open from an entry of 2356 birds unfortunately he did not win a section prize. He was entered into the same 2 race points in 2014 and won 5th section C 25th open Maidstone from an entry of 4484 birds (not bad going being twice 25th open in 2 races with excess of 4000 birds) Then from the Ypres race against 2404 birds he won 3rd section C 14th open. In 2015 he won 17th section C 83rd open from an entry of 4767 birds then a few weeks later won 14th section C 47th open from Eastbourne with 2494 birds competing. You must agree he is an exceptional pigeon and requires ONE more diploma from an inland race to achieve his Meritorious Inland Bronze Award and we wish Dave all the very best in the new season. We now come to Dave’s club mate Ian Scott of Forfar with his blue bar cock SU12A 2071. As a 2 year old he won 17th section C 106th open Buckingham flying 330 miles, he was then entered into the last old bird race from Clermont a distance of 550 miles and he won 34th section C but no open position. In 2015 he was times from Portsmouth a distance of 408 miles but did not win a section or open prize. He was then entered into the Clermont race point and won 2nd section C 8th open against 1547 birds. We wish Ian good luck and hope his pigeon achieves his 3rd section prize from over the channel in 2016 to achieve his Silver Award. We now come to Jock Brockie of Lochgelly in Fife with his blue bar hen SU12F 2677 who as a yearling won 97th section C 286th open Maidstone flying 378 miles in 2013. Then in 2014 she was entered into the longest old bird race from Ancenis a distance of 615 miles and she won 3rd section C 27th open then in 2015 she was again entered into Ancenis and won 3rd section C 46th open. Again a quality hen who has 2 x 3rd section C positions from over 600 miles and we wish Jock all the best for a Silver Award in 2016. This week’s Photographs Billy Bilsland daughter Greer wrote to me saying, ‘Hi Joe please find attached a photo of my dad William Bilsland and his grandson, Roman. Billy named his Dewar Trophy Winner (Scotland Pigeon of the Year 2015) after his grandson and as a matter of interest he named his 1st open SNFC Portsmouth winner 2015 ‘Welltower Greer’ after his daughter. What a lovely gesture and glad to see that Billy is keeping it in the family. I have also attached 3 photographs from Billy Holland who wrote to me saying ‘Hi Joe, hope things are well with you Margaret and the family. I read in your notes that you had a few people enquiring about the ‘Lemon’s’ that assisted me. I have found the lemons much more palatable done in a Nutra Blaster with a bit of water added. I also include some photographs of some of the meals I make up, one is with bananas, lemon and milk thistle powder the other is with blue berries and breakfast cereal (corn flakes) definitely no sugar added. Hope some of your readers find this of interest yours Billy’. Joe’s Joke Received an email from Malcolm Todd of Solution Partner Manager (UK) who contacted me a few weeks ago to ask about a joke that I wanted to use at a big business conference my company (Siemens) was holding in Coventry. Malcolm was talking to an audience of 150 plus business people about great collaborations and given them some successful examples then went on to tell them the joke and it went down a treat. He said ‘Thanks for your help and keep the jokes coming and good luck for the new season, yours in sport Malcolm Todd’. No problem Malcolm I’m glad your conference went well. Also received a letter from Rosemary Smith from Sheffield Yorkshire, who retells my jokes to the MS Exercise class members she said ‘The news of the death of Terry Wogan had my memory in overdrive. Whilst a Magistrate in Sheffield, I would listen to Terry on the radio in my car as I was going to court. Whilst waiting in the retiring rooms for solicitors, witnesses etc. I would regale my 2 colleagues with the latest ‘Terry Joke’ (sorry not Joe’s Joke) I thought you might like to hear one of the best that I can remember. Three friends were sitting on the loch fishing, An Englishman, Irishman and a Scotsman. One of the men caught a bottle on his hook and when they opened it – out popped a Genie. The Genie said that he would reward for rescuing it, if the y jumped into the loch, shouting the name of their favourite drink, the loch would become that drink. The Englishman went first, shouting COFFEE as he jumped into the water. The loch became coffee which was enjoyed by them all. The Scotsman jumped in next, shouting ‘WHISKEY’ and all 3 had a wonderful few hours. When it was time for the IRISHMAN to jump in, he was so excited (and no doubt worse the wear for drink) that as he jumped in he screamed ‘WHEEEE’. ‘I hope you enjoyed this Joe if you have not heard it before and I repeat it in found memory of Terry’s Jokes which often relieved the boredom of some Court sittings. Keep the jokes coming, my friends are always waiting for one on a Friday morning after the class, and best wishes Rosemary’. 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

This is an article from 2012 but I am absolutely incensed how they betrayed this man's trust. I also have read some of the comments (there are over 400) and so many people disappointed. I can't say on here what I would like to say apart from GREED! Please click HERE Marlene

Wullie Millen in his very short time back in the sport, has made a significant impact. He lives in Rutherglen near Glasgow,that once was a centre of heavy industry, having a long coal mining tradition which died out by 1950. In 1975, it lost its own local council and administratively became a component of the City of Glasgow District Council. In 1996 Rutherglen was reallocated to the South Lanarkshire council area. 6 x 1st Clubs,6 x 1st West Sections including 1,2,3 section in one race ,27 section and Open positions in the Lanarkshire Federation 2013 , equates to an outstanding years racing. Cambuslang is one of the biggest clubs in the federation and send hundreds of pigeons each week. The west section is the biggest and probably the most competitive section of the Federation. Westerly loft location isn't easy to succeed in federation flying in the Lanarkshire. When the west wind blows in Scotland the birds tend to follow the wind and the federation winners will be dominated in that area. Well not in this loft, these little warriors have been battling their way down the west into mostly head winds ,racing their heads off in the biggest federation in the land. This is impressive in all aspects, look at the trees and this will show you were the wind comes from (Bent over from the west) in Scotland. Probably like most fanciers who concentrate on federation flying, he is not a household name outwith his own federations. Take it from me he is a real serious flyer. Winning 6 first sections in the one season in remarkably flying with often thousands of birds competing,, up there with the best. So what about the man himself , the midis touch isn't easy to come by , most of us are looking for that level of consistency that Wullie has achieved with multiple section prize winners. This has been his first full season competing within the federation after being back in the pigeons three years. He obtained his stock from the late Tuck Hilley of Plains nr Airdrie who had purchased the best of GWP Macaloney ,Coatbridge ,stock being Camphuis and Gaby Vandenabeele lines. Wullie has built a great friendship with Tucks son Martin Hilley over the seasons. Another addition was a dark Jan Aarden cock from friend Jim Wood of Uddingston that when crossed into the Camphus, has clicked with some handy pigeons including his club YB of the year winner. Wullie also purchase the lofts of Tuck that were renovated with aviaries attached for his needs. These birds have been winning right fro the start with more GWP Macaloney pigeons being added to these potent lines. Wullie is a Blacksmith to trade and presently works as a manager of an engineers company. a short trip down the road at Govan. He has undertaken all renovations, including nest boxes and aviaries with a special innovation of wire deterrent on hens floor to prevent hens pairing. Wullie has one ambition, to better the previous years performances , he is aware of the possible changes he requires to make .He is very aware of the need for a settled loft environment to prevent any stress on the birds. He uses floor dressing( Versele Laga granules) that have been down for three years , Wullie feels this keeps the humidity right and with the condition I seen on the birds it is a winner. The great thing is Wullie is seldom in the sections and from the aviaries can observe the birds without actually being in the loft , this keeping his own health without risk, His nest boxes and perches have tray built to catch most of the droppings and so stop build up on floor.What is on floor dissolves into the granules. The young birds are fed on the granules building up a natural resistance to the environment Old birds are also fed on open hoppers on the floor , only having dishes in box when feeding young birds. He gives the birds Grape seed extract(concentrate) 3 or 4 drop in the drinker 4 or 5 days per week, he feels this is a great natural product and keeps the birds right throughout the season. The lofts have been redesigned to meet the systems flown , with the garage on the left side of the loft being converted to keep 12 pairs of stock and a small section that initially a small team of darkness youngsters raced extremely well in 2013 but this year houses six pair on total widowhood for 6 Widowhood cocks Both stock and the six pair have access to the aviary when available. This year the darkness loft for the youngsters has a small extension has been built to accommodate all the young bird team. Wullie is the first to admit that his success has been built on the full family helping in the strict management of the birds , his lovely wife Linda , his daughter and grandson all help Wullie , which includes timing the birds on a Saturday if he has to work. The pigeons are only out regularly three weeks before the first race and once exercising well around the loft they are given 3 or 4 tosses up to Calderglen country park around 6 miles west of his loft. No further training is given . The system being very much roundabout , hens out first , cocks moved through and hens re-enter box section fed and then moved back into perch section. On Friday cocks are fed in aviary and hens in nest box section early morning. Feeding On return from race on Saturday they are fed Breeding mix , then Vanrobaeys Number 29 mixture up to including Thursday morning , then the last two feeds Vanrobaeys Energy mix. As the distance increases, he increases the Energy mix earlier into the diet. The amount is 1 oz and a quarter with birds having their full at the end of the week, Wullie saying they don't really eat much on the Friday . He is very consistent with his feeding stating food can be poison if used wrongly. Once per day they get a very small amount of Hormoform (Very small amount) about a tablespoon between all cocks feed and hens. Young birds are kept on the Breed and Wean mix up until three weeks before the first race and then onto same as old bird race regime. They are trained out to twenty miles ,usually from the south west and have a toss liberated along beside the federation transporter (Not in the transporter) form around thirty miles) Treatment Never cankered his pigeons in three years. Youngsters are vaccinated straight from nest. Horse wormer is given to eliminate lice , mixed into drinker.before and after racing season Tobacco sticks and nest felts for nesting. Cider Vinegar infrequently Bath every Sunday. Birds are timed by ETS Plenty of rest ,even up till Tuesday(If weather poor) before returning to loft exercise twice daily. Radio is on within loft during racing season, Matrix and Kilpatrick black minerals , don't feed too much Matrix ,this is fed with mixture. Layer pellets are used when pairing. Walter Boswells(Burnbank club) Disinfectant/Herbal tonic was used on the youngsters last year after suffering YB syndrome , Wullie stated the birds very very sick at the time , after two days the birds were back looking brighter with their droppings consistency back to normal.Thanks to Walter for his help. Wullie stated he has suffered every year from the YBSyndrome and feels the majority of lofts suffer this and some don't realise they have it till its to late Wullie has tried many products but feels these are the ones that works for him. Old Birds 2013 Otterburn 5th club 13th west section 1793 birds Sedgefield 1st club 1st west sec 3294 birds 3rd open 7217 birds Thirsk 1st, 2nd, 5th club 1st, 2nd west sec 2304 birds 4th, 6th open 4905 birds Wetherby 2nd club 3rd west sec 2233 birds 9th open 4768 birds Newbury 1club 1st west sec 2nd open Lanarkshire Fed SNFC ,9th Sect E ,68th Open Maidstone 5th club 14th west sec Young bird 2013 Otterburn 5th club 9th west sec 2912 birds 27open 6360 birds Appleby 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th club 1st, 3rd, 4th, 12th west sec 2559 birds 1st, 3rd, 5th 22nd open 5490 birds Appleby 3rd club. 4th west sec 1755 birds 27open 4191 birds Ingleton 3rd, 4th, 5th, club 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 13th, west sec 1448birds 12th, 13th, 14th, 24th open 3284birds Charnock Richards 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th club 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 13th west sec 723 birds 5th, 7th, 12th, 20th open 1996birds Otterburn 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, club 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 9th, west sec 600 birds 1st, 2nd, 4th, 15th open 1654 birds Lines of winning pigeons Jester 320 xPure Gold Jester x Lady of the Rings Roman x Sissi 264 National Fidel xBelle Wittenbuik 360 x Going for Gold Westkaapelle x Fieneke 804 Rambo2 x Flora. I have a few of G.W.P.Macaloney original Camphus I find cross very well. Ambition -To improve on his present performances in the Fed and make an impact in National flying. Most Admired -Loft of GWP Macaloney ,rates the best in the land if not Europe . Wulie is a very successful fancier in the short time back in pigeons and with his present team of pigeons I see him continuing to succeed way down in the far west with his team of warriors of the skye. Thanks to Wullie for the insight into top federation flying I could have been there for many more hours but the wife phoned to remind me that we were attending the Coalburn presentation night, time fly's when you are enjoying yourself. Special mention to the home made soup and lunch that Wullie and Linda provided, it hit the mark - Brilliant, just like my visit!!! As Arnold Schwarzenegger says - " I'll be back" photo1 Loft set up 2 Yb section perches two section with identical perches 3 Inside racing section 4 Birds enjoying time in avairy 5 self built droppings tray under avairy 6 Typical racing cock 7 Winning check hen of tame hen

408 paid members in SHU balance 2015 sheet but that will consist of partnerships

Listening to the managers comments we wiz robbed he dived there was no contact so no penalty :emoticon-0136-giggle: I have always wondered why the Ref runs about the park like a spare P**ck and see's nothing when he could stand beside the managers and see EVERYTHING :emoticon-0179-headbang: :emoticon-0179-headbang: Should re-name them the Bandy Dons :drinking-coffee-200: Well done Calley

Nothing new there then :emoticon-0179-headbang: :emoticon-0179-headbang:

Well done ALF hope it pays off for you in 2016

(Yeboah) Mick Currie's loft Photos provided by (Delboy) Derek Hay New stock loft labour of love since XMAS was a struggle with weather Birds now in yesterday

Hi Arona-TENERIFE O.L.R. friends, New Movies Derby Arona: Sea Race-1: Sea Race-2: Sea Race-4: Car Race-1: Results & listings: www.derbyarona.com