THE FIFER Posted February 28, 2019 Report Posted February 28, 2019 The Joe Murphy Column I have had my first round of youngsters hatch this week 18th February onwards, Kevin came down and took some pair eggs away and put them under his racers. So these stock pairs have been on the drive and should be down on their 2nd round quite soon. It’s a nice feeling having the babies hatch as you know that the season is well underway. One thing I have been happy with is the atmosphere within the loft as the birds have settled down and it is nice and quiet as they attend to their duties. I have also slowed down since my stoke and take more time when doing my loft chores which seem to have made a difference with the birds. There are some birds no matter what you do they do their own thing and fly into the aviary which is fine as I normally put them out there when I’m scrapping out the loft. So by the time this is in print I will have rung my babies with their 2019 rings. End of an Era I was saddened to hear the news that John Duthie of Dundee had passed away due to health issues. John was part of an exclusive group of 4 fanciers who within the history of the Scottish National Flying Club won the Blue Riband, the King’s Cup and the Gold Cup on 2 occasions. This being Jack Wylie (of Shillinglaw & Wylie) of Newcastleton they won Rennes in 1964 and 1982.Eddie Newcombe of Macmerry won Rennes in 1979 and 1984. Eddie’s son Dale Newcombe also of Macmerry won Rennes in 1981 and 1993 and John Duthie who won Reims in 2010 with ‘Better Still’ and Alencon in 2013 with ‘Burnside Christina’.Sadly none of these 4 fanciers are with us but they will live in the history of the SNFC for years to come. John Duthie is also a SNFC Gold Award Winner (bird has to win 5 times from the Channel) with his outstanding blue w/f cock, ‘As Good As It Gets’ and 2 Meritorious Bronze Award Winner (bird has to win 5 times from inland national races) John won this in 2010 and 2015. Our sincere condolences to his wife Christina and the family at this very difficult time; John’s entire clearance sale will be held on Sunday 10th March at Newbridge Bowling Club, Old Liston Road, Newbridge, Midlothian, EH28 8SS with birds on view from 13.00 sale commences 14.00. For more information on John’s performances see the advert inthe BHW or contact Brian Donnelly: telephone 01382-884742 or mobile:07707 006647 or Email: brian_donnelly_1@hotmail.com John Duthie of Dundee see text. Good SNFC Birds I start this week in the Ayrshire loft of Cree & Cuthbert of Ayr who also have a mealy cock SU14A 3663 that has won 4 times in SNFC inland races; in 2016 he won 11th section F from Littlehampton flying 364 miles competing against 4482 birds entered by 510 members. The following year he was entered into the Bedhampton race which had an entry of 6065 birds sent by 634 members and he was flying a distance of 352 miles and he again won 11th section F. In 2018 he was entered into the Maidstone race a distance of 364 miles and he won 11th in the new section H from an entry of 3001 birds sent by 444 members, he then continued his race programme by going to Buckingham with an entry of 2941 birds sent by 441 members he was flying a distance of 281 miles and won 23rd section H so therefore requires one more section prize from an inland national to win his Meritorious Inland Bronze Award and we wish the partnership well in their quest of achieving this goal.Staying in the west section we move to section E to another partnership this time to the Blantyre loft of J Tallis & T McDonagh who have a blue pied cock GB14N 43083 who has also won 4 national diplomas. In 2017 he won 19th section E 50th open from Buckingham with an entry of 4170 birds sent by 495 members flying a distance of 290 miles. He was then sent to Ypres a distance of 446 miles and he won 6th section E 71st open competing against 2320 birds entered by 409 members. In 2018 he was again sent to Buckingham from an entry of 2941 birds entered by 441 members and won 19th section E 294th open and was then set up for the Liege race a distance of 533 miles and he won 16th section E 64th open against 1072 birds entered by 327 members. The pied cock requires one more section diploma from across thechannel to gain his SNFC Silver Award and we wish the partnership every success in this quest in 2019. Moving to the South section we come to the loft of J Ferguson of Eastriggs who also has a bird that has won 4 times in the national, his chequer pied cock SU14S 4217. In 2016 he was sent to Littlehampton a distance of 309 miles and he won 42nd section A 258th open against 4482 birds entered by 510 members. In 2018 he was entered into 3 national races and he won 88th open but no section prize from Buckingham flying 224 miles from an entry of 2941 birds sent by 441 members. He was then sent to Maidstone with 3001 birds competing sent by 444 members and was flying a distance of 304 miles and he won 36th section A but no open prize card. He was then set up for Reims and was to the fore winning 5th section A 30th open froman entry of 382 birds entered by 129 fanciers. Staying in the south section we come to the world famous loft of E Hodgson & sons of Annan, who have a chequer pied hen SU14S6640 who also has won 4 times in the national in 2016 she was entered into the Littlehampton race against 4482 bird sentered by 510 members and won 18th section A 121st open flying 311 miles this set her up for the Ancenis race a distance of 535 miles and she was to the front of the convoy winning 9th section A 9th open from an entry of 294 birds entered by 100 members. In 2018 she was entered into the Buckingham race a distance of 226 miles from an entry of 2941 birds entered by 441 members and won 87th open but no section prizes as they had all be won in the previous open positions. She was then sent to Maidstone a distance of 305 miles and she won 15th section A 100th open against 3001 birds entered by 444 members. Joe’s Joke The Vets solution The only cow in a small town in Midlothian stopped giving milk. Then the town folk found they could buy a cow in Aberdeen quite cheaply. So, they brought one.It was absolutely wonderful, it produced lots of milk every day and everyone was happy. They bought a bull to mate with the cow to get more cows, so they'd never have to worry about their milk supply again. They put the bull in the pasture with the cow but whenever the bull tried to mount the cow, the cow would move away. No matter what approach the bull tried, the cow would move away from the bull, and he was never able to do the deed. The people were very upset and decided to goto the Vet, who was very wise, to tell him what was happening and ask his advice. "Whenever the bull tries to mount our cow, she moves away. If he approaches from the back, she moves forward. When he approaches her from the front, she backs off. If he attempts it from the one side, she walks away to the other side." The Vet rubbed his chin thoughtfully and pondered this before asking, "Did you by chance, buy this cow in Aberdeen?" The people were dumbfounded, since no one had ever mentioned that they had brought the cow over from Aberdeen... "You are truly a wise Vet," they said. "How did you know we got the cow from Aberdeen?" The Vet replied with a distant look in his eye: "My wife is from Aberdeen" Pleasecontinue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email tojoejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or you can also view onlineeditions on: www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.ukwww.pigeon-chat.co.uk - www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com or https://sites.google...alracingpigeon/ Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeontopics from Scotland ©Compiled by Joe Murphy
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