THE FIFER Posted September 4, 2019 Report Posted September 4, 2019 The Joe Murphy Column I have never been so low regarding racing pigeons as this past week.Kevin’s has been training his youngsters and they are out twice a day flyingfor an hour at a time. They are heavens high and to be honest look like yearlingsas they were bred quite early in the season. He has missed the first couple ofraces as everyone knows once they have been in the transporter then you cancatch the dreaded ‘Young Bird Sickness’. He sent 59 youngsters to the 4thrace from Otterburn a distance of 97 miles which was held on a Tuesday 15thAugust liberated with the 363 birds from the federation with the convoyliberated at 08-00 hours into a west wind. Kevin had to go to work but the ETSwas on and he would check on them at lunch time. When he did he only had ONEbird home and another came while he was in the loft. He texted me and then wentback to work and at night he had 5 home from his entry. He was on the point ofgiving up the pigeons for good and I could understand why as I was feeling thesame (as I had bred the majority of them). He has had another 5 come back and 4reported from the Durham area for which John Rayner of Trindon Village hascollected for him along with the youngster John got in. To whom we both thankfor his sportsmanship and we have arranged a courier to go in for them. As badas we are both feeling I have heard of more horrendous episodes of fanciersbeing cleaned out this early in the season. One lad lost 35 birds, another lost21 and I could go on and on about the losses fanciers are experiencing just now.It is more than obvious that the birds are being hit as soon as they areliberated. As we all know the parent hawks are now training their babies how tohunt and once 5 hawks attack a convoy of 363 they scatter in every directionunder the sun. To everyone who is suffering the same as we both are you haveour condolences as all the work and effort means nothing when you look into anempty young bird loft. I have had fanciers on the phone discussing their thoughtson the reason for these losses as we never had those losses years ago. Awayback in the 70/80’s Fife federation used to take the young birds training inthe transporter before the young bird racing season started. Their firsttraining flight was from Inverkeithing which is in Fife and just before you goover the Forth Bridge. I remember speaking to Matt McLaughlin who lived inBallingry which is a 10 to 15 minutes, drive to Inverkeithing and asked him whyhe would have his youngsters spend a night in the transporter when he couldtake them down and liberate them in the morning with the convoy. But they wouldnot gain any experience by doing that, a night in the transporter will do themthe world of good and getting let out with a few hundred youngsters would alsobe good experience. Nowadays we never do this with our youngsters because wedon’t have time for racing our old birds at the national races. I also rememberTam Chalmers (Brian’s dad) and I took our youngsters in 1976 to the first racepoint which was Hawick a distance of 50 miles back to Kennoway. We were goingto let the birds go in 2’s one of Tam’s and one of mine. Tam changed his mindand let all his babies go together and the batch of them headed eastwards andthen north. I said ‘We have come this distance to try this experiment out andI’m going to let mine go in 2’s. I did so with the last 3 going together as Ionly had 21 youngsters. When we got back home a good few hours later Tam didnot have a feather home (and he never did as he lost them all) When we arrivedat my house I heard Margaret shaking the pea can and said to Tam well I’ve gotsomething home. I ended out with 19 out of my 21 home and they went on to winas I won from Leyland, Stafford and had the only 3 bird’s home from the youngbird national in the club. Not boasting but to continue with this story in thewinter time Dave Smith of Dunning was the eyesign judge at our interclub show.After the show he came to our house and later on had a look at the pigeons andhe picked out a young chequer hen on eyesign and said to me ‘This bird willscore for you at 600 miles’. The next day I went out and had a good look atthis bird’s eye and remembered what Dave had said. We called her Murphy’s Joy’as she had flew Leyland 175 miles as a baby, then in 1977 she won 7thclub Lancaster, as a 2 year old she won 8th federation 118theast section 211th open from SNFC Falaise 519 miles 5967 birds. In1979 she won 25th open Fife Federation Cheltenham and also flew fromSNFC Rennes 563 miles. In 1980 she won 4th east section 9thopen Stafford and then won 1st club 3rd federation 9theast section 10th open SNFC Nantes 623 miles. So Dave Smith’s predationcame true. Did it make home? Received a phone call from Mr Richard Allen of Barrow in Furness, whoinformed me that he had an injured young Scottish pigeon enter his loft, thiswas a blue pied SU19S3148 and had only half a tail, and also had a hole in itsside. Richard put the bird into a spare nest box and gave it food and water fora couple of days. When he went out today Tuesday 20th August thebird was desperate to get out so he let the bird out and it cleared the areaheading northwards. Richard hopes this baby made it home and if this was yourbird and it make it home please give Richard a phone call as he would like tohear from you his phone number is 01229 822868. Entire Clearance Sales Tam McQuire of Larkhall has forward me information regarding his latedear friend Andrew Lockhart entire clearance sales to be held in Newmains FlyingClub hut Manse Road Newmains. Viewing is between 12 noon and 1pm, sale 1 willbe held on Sunday 22nd September with sale 2 held on Sunday 29thSeptember. Bloodlines are Wilf Reed of Wales, John Barnett of Telford, Willie& Margaret Wilson of Larkhall, Mr. & Mrs Andy Gregson of Preston, John Gilmour of Ecclefechan, Richard& Jamie Combe of Elphinstone, so some quality fanciers mentioned above.Anyone attending is requested to bring their own basket to take their purchasesaway. I hope the sale goes well for the sake of Andrews’s family as he waswithout doubt a fantastic fancier and a more genuine man you could not wish tomeet. Young Bird Sickness Received an email from a non-fancier who wrote ‘How are you Joe, I'm anon-fancier but read your article and others as often as I can, I am writingthis as I am surprised and bewildered by the amount of reply’s and differentoptions people get given when they are struck with young bird sickness. Wouldit not be in everyone's interest if a correct and medically investigated remedywas given by someone who is qualified and has studied this disease and then atreatment was advised correctly and proven help; it cannot be good forthe sport when someone loses birds through not giving the correct treatment. Thankingyou for your time; Philip Cooper’ RaceResults Angus Federation Kenny Droog wrote ‘Hereare some details for you, as you know last week was a disaster of a race (peregrineattacks at liberation site) and over 50% of the birds (552) were lost at Lauder.With birds spread all over the central belt right through to Helensburgh, infact the returning birds came from the Perth direction and it looks as thoughthe birds travelled into the west then came back up through Stirling and Perthas the winning times would indicate. This week we had 237 birds but we letoff a rocket at the liberation and although some fanciers did not have greatreturns a strong North West wind at home might not have helped. Certainly severalfanciers had good returns and by all accounts the leading batch of approximately15 birds hit Forfar on mass and a trapping frenzy ensued with Davie Glen comingout on top with Macaulay Ferguson and Curren just behind in 2nd 4thand 7th position, Eric Galloway had 2 off the batch but waited till both wentin before running down the garden to take their rubbers off and clock inending 11th and 12th. Ian Scott also had 2 together for 8th& 9th club secretary DavidLiddle also had 2 for 12th and 15th position back to our federationtopper Davie Glen who wins 1st , 3rd , 5th 6thand 10th . Total birdage for the fed dropped with last week’s badrace to 363 good birds. Davie first bird recoded a velocity of 1073.48.allDavie`s birds have been darkened and the winning hen is down through his old Busschaertstock cock which as you may know gave Davie his national winner a few yearsback, she was sitting eggs and more to come from this top hen over thenext week, 3rd was a cock who was just starting to make eyes at ayoung hen, his sire is a grandson to Davie`s great blue cock 746 which was oneof the best racers ever ,winning many club and federation 1st placeshe also won 15th open Ypres in 2016 and then won 2nd openin 2017 on both occasions taking all the big pools. His next pigeon is one hebought in and the next bird is a grandson of Bruce McKenzie of Dundee`s nationalwinner, top blood winning top positions. Winning the east section this week andlast week`s disaster which actually was a very good bird it won 1st club1st east section 10th fed from 684 birds and flying awayup on the coast 7 miles further than the winners. this week he wins again theeast section and remembering only a small team was sent, and over 6 miles northinto the facing wind last week’s winner was bred from birds he bred himselfcontaining Macaulay, Ferguson and Curran Busschaert lines crossed with De RaulSablon blood and Ian Scott and De Raul Sablon blood. This week’s section winnerhas 11 flights on both wings, and is again De Raul Sablon with blood from DavieGlen`s Busschaerts. Club winnersare as follows;Forfar 237 birds winner D Glen; Gourdon 27 birds winner D & D Hay; Arbroath80 birds winner Charlie & Glen Cameron, Montrose 19 birds winner G Campbell. Arbroath RacingPigeon Club Had 5 members sending 80 birds to the Otterburn race on Tuesday 15thAugust liberated with the 363 birds from the federation at 08-00 hours into awest wind. 1st 2nd & 4th club is Charlie& Glen Cameron with A & A Shepherd winning 3rd place and RNowosad is 5th with Chic & Ann Carrie in 6thplace. Almond ValleysFederation Firstly I must apologiseas I have put down Blackburn in my articles in the past and I was obviously notthinking so I’s sorry to the winners of the Bonnybridge club. News from Lynne Stewartwho wrote ‘Hi Joe Almond Valley Federation was at Stobs Camp on August 15 withthe convoy of 1125 birds liberated at 11-15 hours’. Taking top spot is the loftof Freddie Jamieson & Son of East Calder on a velocity of 1124 they arealso 10th 11th & 12th federation. DougieBald of Balerno is 2nd 3rd 5th 6th7th 8th & 9th with West Calder’s John Birdin 13th open. Mr & Mrs Fleming of East Calder are 14th15th 16th & 17th with Colin Bain &Willie Fairley of Balerno club in 18th & 20th open,Jimmy Young of East Calder is 19th open. Club Winnersare as follows; Balerno 149 birds; D Bald1122.524, 1122.239, 1115.724, 1115.161 Bonnybridge 483 birds; R&L MacDuff1051.130, J Loney 1049.837, J Leadbetter 1035.347, 1035.347 Carnwath 89 birds; McArdle & Thomson899.30, I Thomson 896.49, Thomson Bros 891.70, McArdle & Thomson 890.53 East Calder 190 birds; F Jamieson& Son 1124.070, J M Young 1117.007, F Jamieson & Son 1099.674, 1098.897 West Calder 117 birds; J Bird1069.248, 1044.616, 1044.397, 985.389 Almond Valley was at Otterburn on 17thAugust with 872 birds liberated at 11-30 hours. Dougie Bald of Balerno had agreat race taking the 1st x 3 places plus 12th to 15thopen. Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder is 4th to 8thwith Geordie Harris of Bonnybridge club in 9th 10th 11th18th and 20th to 23rd open. Mr & MrsFleming of East Calder are 16th 17th & 19thopen. Balerno 139 birds; D Bald1322.422, 1321.420, 1289.191, 1258.496 Bonnybridge 274 birds; G Harris1264.856, 1264.344, 1262.642, 1250.185 Carnwath 106 birds; Thomson Bros 962.10, I Thomson870.48, Thomson Bros 861.68, McArdle & Thomson 837.06 East Calder 157 birds; F Jamieson &Son 1274.392, 1273.280, 1273.058, 1273.283 West Calder 107 birds; J Bird1214.185, 1212.466, 1211.323, 1209.612 Balerno Club news from Colin Bain who writes; ‘Hi Joe the clubwhere at Stobs Camp 2 for our race on Tuesday 13th August with 5 memberssending 149 birds, these were liberated at 11-45 hours. Douglas Bald has thefirst 4 pigeons his winner is a black hen on 1122 and his next bird is a bluecock also on the same velocity. His 3rd bird is a chequer cock on 1115and his 4th is a dark chequer cock also on the same yardage; SorryJoe no information on the birds but this is the best I can do for you Joe. Thefederation were at Otterburn on Saturday 17th August with 5 club memberssending 139 birds these were liberated at 11-30 hours into a very strong southwest wind. Douglas Bald takes the first 4 this week again with his darknessyoung birds 1st is a chequer pied hen doing a velocity of 1322. His 2ndbird is a dark chequer cock on 1321, the 3rd is a dark chequer cockand the 4th is a blue chequer cock on 1258, that’s all my news thisweek Joe best wishes yours Colin B’. Central Federation Broxburn &Uphall RPC News from Bernie Britton who writes ‘Hi Joe, Broxburn & Uphallpigeon club result of the Appleby race flown on the 15thAugust, were 4member’s sent 294 bird’s. They were liberated at 11-40 hours into a NorthWest wind. 1st 2nd & 3rd club 1st3rd & 4th federation is Gordon Mackenzie hiswinners are all Hermans Ceuster on the darkness system. The winner is a bluebar hen, the 2nd bird is a blue pied cock and the 3rd isalso a blue bar cock. Gordon was also 5th 16th 17thfederation with other member’s in fed being Pat Rafferty & sons 15thfed with John McNeill 20th and a special well done to Mark Doran whohad 9 bird in the result wining 7th 8th 9th 10th11th 12th 13th 14th & 18thmany thanks Joe yours Bernie. Fife Federation The Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies sent 1457 birds to Alnwick young bird race flown on 15th August with the convoy liberated at 09-00 hours. The east section birdage is as follows; Kennoway 155 birds, Leven 68 birds, St Andrews 156 birds, Tayport 29 birds and Methilhaven 237 birds. The federation top 10 and east section top 10 are as follows; Brian Chalmers of Kennoway is 1st 2nd 3rd 9th & 10th club mate Mook Honeyman in 4th spot another Kennoway fancier Tam Laing is 5th & 6th with Jim & Gary Peggie of Methilhaven in 7th spot followed by Page & son of Leven. Centre section club birds are as follows; Glenrothes & Leslie 81 birds, Novar 92 birds, the top 10 are as follows; Jock Grubb of Novar is 1st with Brian Kinnear of Glenrothes & Leslie winning 2nd 3rd 4th 7th & 8th Sean Diamond of Kennoway is 5th & 10th with Turpie & McCord of Glenrothes & Leslie club wining 6th section and Jocky King of Novar is 9th section. West section club birds are as follows; Crossgates 273 birds, Dunfermline 199 birds and Lochgelly 167 birds. Crossgates Alastair McCudden is 1st & 6th section with Willie Pratt of the same club in 2nd place. Wattie Forman of Novar is 3rd with Lochgelly member Harry Ireland in 4th place. Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club is 5th & 7th with J Hynd & son Ian of Crossgates club wining 8th 9th & 10th section. East of Scotland Federation News from Tom McEwen who writes ‘Hi Joe the federation were at Sedgefield on the 17th August with the convoy liberated at 09-30am into a west to south west wind. Topping the federation and taking 3rd & 10th open are Tom, Scott and Marlene McEwen of Elphinstone. The federation winner was 4th open fed last week and is from pure Paul Stobbs bloodlines. There again with a nice double taking the following positions of 2nd & 9th places is John Bird of Prestonpans. Always to the fore we have Jim McNeil of Tranent at 4th open. Tam Hunnam of Port Seton who has had a great start to the young bird season wins 5th & 6th open. Then once again we have Keith Howie of Prestonpans completing a great double winning 7th & 8th open. Prestonpans HS is won by the McEwen partnership of father Tom, wife Marlene and son Scott. Their winner being a grandson of Paul Stobbs champion ‘The Gypsy’ their 3rd club is also a pure Paul Stobbs bloodlines being a granddaughter of ‘The Gypsy’. 2nd club is John Bird with a pure Vandenabeele purchased from Woodside Lofts. That’s it for another week Joe all the best to you and Kevin yours Tom.’Tom McEwen tops the East of Scotland federation Sinclair Thomson and son take the first 3 birds in Traprain see text John Bird Preston Pans see text Traprain Homing Society Result from John Baillie who writes ‘Hi Joe, we had 2 races flown thisweek, the first from Ridsdale. The birds were basketed (557 birds from 12members) on Monday night for a race on Tuesday. The birds were liberated at 10-30into a light west wind. Taking the first 3 positions are Sinclair Thomson and sonSinclair. Taking the 1st placed position is a grandson of their SNFCClermont winner. In 2nd position is a son from their SHU DewarTrophy winner and in 3rd place is a Marcel Aelbrecht from Taylor Bros stock.Returns were acceptable. We then basketed again on Friday for a Saturday racefrom Sedgefield. With 12 members sending 537 birds and John Parry cut thestrings at 09-30 into a west to south west wind. The first of the birds rompedhome and winning this week we have Newcombe & Black. This bird is same waybred as his 13th open SNRPC Billericay, bred from Phil Bonds ‘GribblesChoice’ when paired to the best of the late Dale Newcombe stock and Geoff &Catherine Cooper ‘Farmer George’ lines. In 2nd spot is the fatherand son Sinclair Thomson partnership with a son of their SNFCMaidstone winner when paired to one of their Silver Award winners. In 3rdplace is Gus Kenny with his small team of youngsters. Returns were very mixedwith not many birds working in after early afternoon. Thanks Joe, hopefullyweather will settle down for the rest of the season yours John B’. Pentland Hills Federation Joe, The third youngbird race of the season was flown from Sedgefield 105 to 115 miles to themembers on Sat 17th August. Race controller Tony Young liberated at09:30 in a W/S/W wind. Winning both organisations is Danderhall member &now ex novice Ant Walker, as this is the second time in 3 races he has won theFederation. His winner is a hen of Herman Ceuster origin. Sire & Dam areboth G/Children of “Better than Bolt†but from 2 different sources. The sire is from Tam Blair Stirling and theDam from Andrew Popley from Blueridge Lofts. From the Sedgefield young birdrace flown on Saturday 17th August 14 clubs sent 3393 birdsliberated at 09-30 hours into a west to south west win. Topping the federationis A Walker of Danderhall club with a velocity of 1447, club mate F Robertsontakes the next 5 places with only 3 yard separating the birds. Brown &Black of Woodburn are 7th with Mr & Mrs Lindsay of Danderhall in8th spot. D & J Allen of Woodburn club are 9th &10th. Club Winners are as follows; Danderhall 965 birds; Walker 1447 F. Robertson1446.7 F. Robertson 1446.2 Woodburn 148 birds; Brown & Black 1443 Allen1422.8 Allen 1422.2 Castlebrae 132 birds; L. Mitchell 1409 A. Mitchell1356 A. Mitchell 1347.4 Sighthill 240 birds; Summers 1390 Summers 1389Keenan 1386 Edinburgh Premier 301 birds; Black 1354 McFarlane1347 Dick 1344 Arniston 338 birds; Lawson 1331 Lothian J. Pryde Easthouses 181 birds; Reilly 1326 Reilly 1307 Thomas1272 Bonnyrigg 181 birds; Stark & Benson 1306 Watson1282 Stark & Benson 1255 Edinburgh West 51 birds; Lamb 1299 Lamb 1274 Lamb1261 Loanhead 66 birds; Murray 1270 Murray 1250 Murray1216 Rosewell 79 birds; Cunningham & Ness 1185 W.Tytler 1175 Cunningham & Ness 1119 New Lothian 36 birds; Peebles 34 birds; Traprain 537 birds; Newcombe & Black 1428Thomson 1419 Kenny 1415 Others 104 The federation breeder/buyer Sedgefield winner is A Young with a velocityof 1416 with 19P 8288 and he will receive the sum of £220.00. New Lothian RPC The second young bird race of the season was flown from Ridsdale on Tue13th August, due to poor weather over the weekend. Race controllerTony Young liberated the 2286 birds entered by 59 lofts at 10:30 into a westwind. Winning both organisations is Edinburgh Premier champion Stuart Gilchristwho had a fantastic race at the back of the Fed, timing his Tappendale pigeons.His winner is flown on the darkness arriving with another eight birds to take avery commendable 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10. The winner was bred from a cock obtainedfrom a mate of his in the Liverpool area of Van Loon origin, and the dam wasanother Tappendale from Andy Miller. K Dick of the same club is 7thwith J McIvor of Danderhall taking 11th to 17th plus 19thopen positions S Lapinski of Woodburn club is 19th place and PHutton of Edinburgh Premier is 20th open. The federationbreeder/buyer is won by S Gilchrist with 19P5844 doing a velocity of 1226 andwins the sum of £220.00. Well done Stuart on a very commendable performance. Fromthe Sedgefield race 56 lofts sent 2281 birds. A Walker of Danderhall club isfirst winning £134 with club mate F Robertson taking the next 5 places winning£56. Brown & Black of Woodburn are 7th 17th 18th& 20th with Mr & Mrs Lindsay of Danderhall in 8thspot. D & J Allen of Woodburn club are 9th & 10th.A Young of Danderhall is 11th 12th 13th &19th with J McIvor of Danderhall in 14th 15th& 16th open. North of Scotland Federation News from George Duthiewho informs us that 54 members sent 1496 birds to Brechin (2) young bird’s raceflown on 17th August with the convoy liberated into a light south westwind. The Peterhead & District dominate the result with the partnership ofC & M Williams topping the east section who had 27 members sending 814birds and they are 1st open, they are also 3rd 4thsection and open. 2nd 5th & 6th section 2nd5th & 6th open is R H Whyte also of Peterhead &District. Club mates Jim & Anne Donaldson ae 8th 9th& 10th section and open. George P Taylor is 11thsection and open with Stuart Maskame winning 12th & 13thwith A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District winning 14th 15th& 16th with Peterhead’s H McAllister wining the next 3 places upto 19th open and taking the top 20th & 21st places is G Findlay of the same Peterheadclub. The west section had 27 memberssending 682 birds 1st 3rd 4th section 37th39th 40th open are Fulton & Ritchie loft 2 fromDevern Valley club. A Wilson from the same club is 2nd 5th& 6th section winning 38th 41st & 42ndopen. G Wilson of the same club is 7thwest section 43rd open with Fulton & Ritchie Loft 1 winning 8th& 9th section 44th & 45th open. ACruickshank of Keith is 10th west section 46th open. Clubs FirstBird as followsPeterhead & District winners C & M Williams; Fraserburgh & Districtwinner A W Buchan; Fraserburgh West End winner R Higgins; Inverurie winner RMcKenzie; Devern Valley winners Fulton & Ritchie Loft 2. Keith winner is ACruickshank; Buckie & District winner G Russell; Elgin & Districtwinner J Thomson. Well done to C & M Williams on topping the federation andalso congratulations to Fulton & Ritchie loft 2 on winning the west section. Joe’s Joke A man is sitting next to a woman who is trying tobreast feed her baby on a bus. The baby refuses to suck the breast and thewoman warns ‘If you don’t suck, I will give it to the man sitting next to me’.The baby still refuses. After 20 minutes the mother repeats the ‘Threat’. Theman clears his throat and says ‘Look hear woman, you had better make up yourmind. I was supposed to get off this bus 6 stops ago’. 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 theBasics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.comwww.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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