THE FIFER Posted November 8, 2019 Report Posted November 8, 2019 fThe Joe Murphy Column When I wrote about Andy Miller receiving the Gold Cup recently I forgot to mention the trophies Andy won at the SNFC presentation so please find the following; The Gold Cup is presented to the winner of the race from Burdinne in 2019 were 358 members sent 1251 birds with Andy’s hen ‘Festival Legacy’ recording a velocity of 1525 for the 505 miles. He also won the King George V Cup presented by his late Majesty King George and awarded to the winner of the race. The British Homing World trophy presented by F W Marriot and competed for annually and confined to readers of the BHW. The E T R D Newcombe trophy (The Flying Festival Trophy) presented by Eddie Newcombe to the winner of the East region. The H A French ‘Jubilee’ Challenge trophy presented by Mr French to the winner of the Gold Cup race; The Mrs H A French ‘Challenge’ Rosebowl presented by Mrs French to the wives or lady friends of a competing male member (2 birds can be nominated for this trophy). 1st section B trophy to the winner of this section from the Burdinne race: The T Buck Trophy presented in memory of Dr & Mrs William Anderson for the best average from Burdinne and Roye (Andy was 1st open Burdinne and 2nd open Roye) and The Owen McIvor Memorial Trophy for 1st section B from the Roye race. I have attached a photograph of Andy’s wife Liz with their good friend Tam McLeod of Elphinstone holding the Gold Cup. I have also included a photograph of Pentlandhill member Freddie Robertson of Edinburgh and the national press officer Mary; Freddie won the Archibald McEwen Memorial Trophy; The Usher Tankard and the 1st section B trophy. I have also added a couple of photographs of the lovely display of trophies on display at the national presentation. Robert Reid of Beith in Ayrshire I had noticed that Robert had a very good pigeon in his loft a chequer cock rung SU17R4 however I did not wish to write about this pigeon until after the SNFC presentation as he had a number of trophies to collect. These were the Dr William Anderson Memorial trophy for the best average in Burdinne, Reims & Roye. The News of the World trophy; for the best average from the Burdinne & Reims races. The west region average trophy for best average all races within the region. The section F trophy as Robert won 1st section from Maidstone 1st section from Reims; 1st section from Roye and 1st section from Buckingham young bird national. Robert has a chequer cock known as ‘Renfrewshire 4’ perhaps is fortunate he had a short ring number or he might not have a name at all as Robert does not normally name his pigeons. He was bred in 2017 when Robert raced in this federation as for the pigeon he had no other form except being consistently in the middle of the field regarding returns from racing to the loft. ‘Renfrewshire 4’ had a fantastic season in 2019 were he won 13th section F from Buckingham flying 298 miles; he then won 17th section F from Maidstone a distance of 380 miles, then sent to the Ypres race a distance of 460 miles and won 8th section F. Following the Reims national race were Robert won 1st section F 5th open he knew he was in a good situation to have a go at winning the section averages. He had 2 candidates prepared for the last national race from Roye however; on reflection he felt they were just not good enough. So he identified 4 pigeons which had either been to Maidstone or Ypres, gave them a 40 mile trainer and sent them to the Roye national with the 2 original candidates. His 4 reserves returned in race time, one of his originals returned 2 weeks later and he is still waiting on the other. Robert won 1st section 20th open from the Roye race flying 520 miles with ‘Renfrewshire 4’. Thus the chequer cock has won 4 section prizes from the national in the 2019 season. Both sire and dam are predominantly McEwen of Elphinstone bloodlines going all the way back to birds Robert purchased from Tom and Scott in 1998. ‘Renfrewshire 4’sire is a 2007 bred cock which is a full brother to Roberts best stock cock, he was a wonderful racer although he was denied the opportunity of racing in the SNFC as Robert did not race with the club for 10 years when this cock was in his prime. The dam of ‘Renfrewshire 4’is SU11A5448 she has won SNFC diplomas from Newbury, Eastbourne and Ypres and has bred several useful pigeons for Robert. In concluding a wonderful season that Robert will never forget he also won 1st section F in the young bird national from Buckingham and bird was bred for him by Myra Wilson. Myra’s father was the late Alex Spier of Dalry who was a legend in Ayrshire circles, and Myra is carer to her 92 year old mother May. This year, because of Robert’s performances May has taken a renewed interest in distance racing. However this interest paled to insignificance when he informed them that Myra had bred a 1st section winner from 298 miles into the SNFC. You would think at in this season of highs that Robert has achieved with his birds it gave him as much personal satisfaction as any of his National performance to inform this lady (especially at her age) and her family this wonderful news. Myra still maintains a family of her late father’s pigeons which is great. While checking Roberts results I also noticed that he has a blue bar cock SU16R1429 that also has some good performances to his pedigree for example in 2018 he won 18th section H from Ypres, then this year he won 2nd section F from Buckingham and then from Ypres he won 2nd section F 170th open so fingers crossed he can score again next year from over the channel and win a Silver Award we wish him good luck. Let me say that Robert tends to avoid publicity as much as he can and when I wrote and asked Robert if he had photograph of ‘Renfrewshire 4’ he replied he does not have any pictures of his present race team but could maybe furnish a picture of him in a couple of weeks when he cleans up after the moult. Robert like me also knows especially now as the years wear on that he may never have a year like 2019 again. So is toying with the idea of having his 2019 race team photographed into a montage but that will be a couple of months down the line and he will have to wait until all the birds look their best. He still has all his premier birds from the 2019 racing season in his loft despite the best efforts of the peregrine population trying to change this. I would like to thank Robert for replying to my request for information on his pigeons and I look forward to putting a picture of his winners in my column once I receive it. Robert would like to say a few words about Archie McIntyre who sends me in the weekly Ayrshire results to publish in my column. ‘Joe, firstly let me say that Archie does a wonderful job publicising the performances of Ayrshire fanciers, running the web site, results secretary, general communications officer and Unikon expert updating data for both club members and friends as required. Gourdon & District RPC Annual Open Show 2019 News from Margaret Hay who writes; ‘Hi Joe it is that time of year once again and I’m asking if you could enter the shows details into your weekly column. The details are as follows: the show will be held on Sunday the 24th November in the Masonic Hall, King Street, Inverbervie; penning is from 09-00am to 10-30 with judging at 11-00am prompt with entry being 75 pence per bird. Refreshments; on offer are Teas; Coffee; Bacon Rolls; Sausage Rolls and Dumpling. Raffles and a sale of 2020 young birds will be on offer. The classes are as follows: Class 1 AACTW; Class 2 AAHTW; Class 3 LOC; Class 4 LOH; Class 5 LYC; Class 6 LYH; Class7 Eyesign (this can be duplicated). Entries to David Hay junior on 01561-361588 or David Hay senior on 01561-361526 with entries closing on Friday 22nd November at 10pm. There MAY be late entries if there are pens available. Thank you once again Joe yours in sport Margaret. Lovely Email Received this lovely email from Ellis Burton who wrote ‘Hi Joe, my granddad David Strafford is 83 years old and is an avid pigeon man and has been since he was young. Apparently he is a bit of a legend in the local Wakefield area with the local kids knowing him as 'Farmer', probably because he's had his allotment and pigeon loft in the same place for well over 50 years!. We have very fond memories of spending every weekend together whilst I was growing up, at his allotment named 'The Peace' - I've always presumed it was called this as it's the only place he could get some peace and quiet... He'd let me shake the corn tin or hold the fantail to bring the birds down into the loft after their training flights or on race days. We'd spend hours on end at ‘The Peace’, in all weathers having the best of times, most of the time wearing matching wellies and flat caps as I wanted to be just like him. One time I remember one of the pigeons had become particularly tame, and had taken a liking to my granddad. 'Peanut' the pigeon was aptly named, would sit on my granddad's shoulder like a parrot, and be hand feed it dried peas. Anyway before I digress too much... We we're chatting a few weeks ago and he was telling me about how much he enjoys the 'Joe's Joke' section of the pigeon magazine he reads, and looks forward to each new edition for this reason. So much so that he has started to collect cut outs of your jokes from the magazine, and now he likes to share them with me (when they don't contain anything too 'rude' - in his opinion...). This got me thinking of how I could do something nice for him - so this is potentially where you could help! I'm wondering; if you could put a photograph of my granddad David Strafford into your weekly column as a surprise for him, I have attached a picture of both of us if that is ok. Thanking you once again and best wishes yours Ellis Burton’. Hope he enjoys this week’s joke Ellis!!!! Ellis Burton and her Granddad Dave Strafford see text Liz Miller and Tam McLeod Young Bird naitonal winner SNFC Trophies 1 SNFC Trophies 2 Joe’s Joke A husband and wife were driving through Auchtermuchty. As they approached the village centre, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town. They argued back and forth, and then they stopped for lunch. At the counter, the husband asked the blonde waitress, "Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are very slowly?" She leaned over the counter and said, "Burrr-gerrr Kiiing." 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 you can also view online editions on: www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.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 pigeon topics from Scotland © Compiled by Joe Murphy
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