Joe Murphy Article 17th June 2023

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Received the following information from Barry Kinnear of Edinburgh who wrote; ‘Hi Joe, I’m hoping you
can include in your weekly a column a piece on the NEW ANNUAL mid-week races organised by
Danderhall RPC. You will be aware midweek races had been organised by the Pentland Federation but due
to declining interest in recent years the venture was abandoned this year. The members of Danderhall agreed
to try and resurrect with a few tweaks to the original format to hopefully regenerate an interest. The main 3
changes to the previous format are (1). The Yearling & Young Bird midweek races; are now open to ANY
SHU fancier in Scotland flying + 250 miles from Peterborough (2) The member no longer has to submit ring
numbers of specific pigeons ahead of the races with a replication of the Xmas race procedure that has
worked well for 30 years that entries be booked by a specific date and this ensures a better chance of more
birds being entered in the races. (3) Each member limited to 10 entries. This year for our first Yearling Race
35 lofts prepaid 135 birds that generated a total prize money fund of £2,100 paid in 15 prizes with the
winning pigeon receiving a £750 first prize and a new annual trophy presented in memory of ‘Jockey
Brown’. This year’s race was also sponsored by JSL Security Services who provided the transport for the
race; for which the officials and members are very grateful. The actual race was flown on Wednesday
24 th  May from Peterborough where 34 of the 35 prepaid members entered 115 birds into the race. These
were liberated at 08-00 hours into a light north west wind. The winning pigeon was clocked by one of the
finest racing lofts in the country AS Thomson & Son of Port Seton who clocked after 6 hours 47 minutes to
record a winning velocity of 1112ypm. The partnership clocked a second bird from their 5 entries to also win
10 th  prize. The two pigeons win a total of £1237 in prize & pool money. The winning hen’s sire is a Herman
Ceuster being a son of ‘Johnstons Bolt’, when paired to a Brother / Sister mating from a Soontjen pair that
have now been responsible for 4 x Midweek Race winners. The second timer is from direct Taylor Brothers
of Newbiggin stock. Both birds flew in all races as youngsters and so far, this year have had all races as
yearlings. In 2 nd  & 3 rd  place flying 276 miles up into Fife and winning £800 is another successful fancier
Brian Chalmers, both Brian’s birds were flown on roundabout and both competed in the young bird SNFC
race as youngsters. The 2 birds arrived together with 286 hitting the trap first; this cock was bred by Stuart
Gilchrest of the Edinburgh premier club. Brian’s 2 nd  bird sire was bred by Gilmour Brothers of Leven and the
dam is a Gilmour Brothers crossed Scammell, Peploe & Bromley from South Wales from their ‘Nearly
Cock’ a 3 times 2 nd National winner. In 4 th  place, also clocking a further 2 of 5 entries winning 15 th  &
17 th  open and a total of £1577 was the 2 Times SNFC Gold Cup winners Willie Kinnear & Son Barry. The
sire of the 4 th  placed widowhood cock also won 4 th  in the federation yearling race in 2022. In 5 th  place and
£307 is the North Middleton loft of Rod Pringle clocking the first Nominated bird in the race a hen raced on
the ‘Chaos’ system. She is bred down through ‘Foxy Lady’ lines from Syndicate Lofts. Kevin Whitham of
Dunbar clocked 2 birds after 7 hours 10 minutes & 8 hours 26 minutes to win £125 for 6 th  & 12 th  prizes.
Traprain members J Mark; J Baillie & Wilf Flockhart take 7 th 8 th & 9 th  prizes, with fellow club members
Newcombe & Black of Tranent winning 14 th open. Jim Watson from Midlothian Federation wins 11 th  prize.
In 13 th  open place is another SNFC Gold Cup winner Andy Miller clocking after 8 hours 51 minutes to win
£115. In total the prize & pool money paid out was in excess of £5,400. The general feedback from members
was one of ENJOYMENT of the race and the club looks to have a bigger entry for the Young Bird event.
Where all entries require to be booked before the 1 st of August If any business or individual would like to
sponsor a trophy for the young bird winner and also the best average over the yearling & young bird race,
please make contact with one of the club officials.
 Results
Arbroath RPC
News from Charlie Cameron who informs me that 2 members sent 71 birds to Kettering; these were
liberated into a light north east wind. Taking the first 3 in the club are Charlie & his son Glen with their
winner doing a velocity of 1311. Les McKay is 4 th with a yearling.
Almond Valley Federation
News from Lynne Stewart of the Newark race flown on the 3 rd June with the convoy of 659 birds liberated at
08:00 am. West Calder’s John Hadfield takes top spot with another 2 birds winning 5 th & 6 th open. John Bird
of West Calder is 2 nd & 8 th open. T Gavin of Fauldhouse is 3 rd with A Robb of West Calder is 4 th open. S

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McArdle of Carnwath wins 7 th open with C Smillie of Fauldhouse taking 9 th place and Law & Brady of
Bonnybridge club take the number 10 position.
Club Results;
Balerno 41 birds; C Ross 1274.234, 1274.166, 1273.824, 1264.120
Bonnybridge 149 birds; Law & Brady 1326.122, I McLelland 1317.664, V Couper 1312.207, G Harris
1298.810
Carnwath 69 birds; S McArdle 1364.769, Thomson Bros & I Thomson 1323.349, S McArdle 1319.404,
Thomson Bros & I Thomson 1288.742
East Calder 114 birds; Burnside & Drysdale 1315.361, F Jamieson & Son 1294.026, 1276.110, Burnside &
Drysdale 1273.840
Fauldhouse 155 birds; T Gavin 1411.185, C Smillie 1340.847, T Gavin 1302.994, R Smillie 1299.724
West Calder 131 birds; J Hadfield 1424.123, J Bird 1421.893, A Robb 1409.995, J Hadfield 1406.509
Central & East of Scotland Amalgamation
News from Andy Miller who informs us that the above Amalgamation had an entry of 1991 birds into their
Kettering Old Bird race; these were liberated at 09-30 into a light north east wind. Pentlandhills Federation
had an entry of 638 birds; East of Scotland 51 birds; Midlothian 62 birds; Scottish Borders 212 birds; Eye
Valley 53 birds; Dundee 170 birds; Fife & Kingdom 483 birds; Central 9 birds Almond Valley 5 birds; North
29 birds. The top 10 places are the same as Pentland Hills Federation; with John Bird of East of Scotland
federation winning 13 th open. Fife’s J Hynd & son of Crossgates winning 15 th 20 th & 25 th open. C Barnett of
Scottish Borders federation wins 48 th open and R Walker of Eye Valley federation winning 54 th open.
Pentland Hills Federation:
News from Andy Miller of the 7 th Federation Old bird race along with the Amalgamation of the 2023 season
was flown from Kettering race flown on Saturday 3 rd June with the convoy liberated at 09-30am into a light
north east wind; with 52 lofts sending 638 birds. The distance being 256-267 miles for the members. The
1991 birds were liberated at 09:30 in a light north east wind. The winners were doing 1400s velocities and
surprised a few as they were being timed around the same time as the SNFC pigeons from Upper Heyford
into the area, who were released 90 minutes prior to the Amalgamation birds, although the National birds
were 20 miles further. The Federation & Amalgamation winner is Danderhall members Stubzy & Sean
Tierney and loft laddie Jimmy Neri, who timed their yearling widowhood cock, bred by Lamb Bros from
Spennymoor in County Durham. The sire of the cock was from Elliott & Watson and is a full brother to ‘DD
Lady’ (NEHU Open winner) when paired to Paschendale Poppy also an NEHU open winner. The Dam is a
S.V.R x Karl Boeckx x Franz Zwols, which is turning into a top breeder as she’s already bred a youngster
which won a Breeder/Buyer and £2600. Returns from the race seem to be really good with only 2 or 3
missing at the end of the day. Gilchrist & Murray of Edinburgh Premier taking 2 nd place. The Danderhall
club W Kinnear & Son are 3 rd with Freddie & Willie Robertson of the same Danderhall club winning 4 th &
5 th places winning over £646 with the 2 birds. B Thomas & Son of Easthouses are 6 th with Edinburgh
Premier partnership of Gilchrist & Murray winning 7 th spot. Press Officer Andy Miller of Sighthill takes the
next 3 places with all birds on the same velocity and split by decimals. 1 st East of Scotland Federation bird
winning 13 th open is John Bird; 1 st & 2 nd Fife birds 20 th & 25 th open are J Hynd & Son; Scottish Border 1 st
birds winning 48 th open is C Barnett; Eye Valley federation R Walker 54 th open.
Cheers Joe, regards Andy.
East of Scotland Federation
News from Tom McEwen of the Kettering old bird race flown on Saturday 3 rd June with the convoy
liberated at 09-30 into a light north east wind. Topping the federation and also taking 5 positions in the top
10 in the race is John Bird of Prestonpans. The federation winner won 2 nd club 2 nd federation from Bubwith.
Great result well done John!!! Winning 2 nd & 6 th federation is Keith Howie of the Pans with Graham
Wardhaugh of Dirleton in with a nice double for 3 rd & 4 th federation places. Brian Lavery completes the
result winning 10 th open spot.

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Prestonpans HS
The red card goes to John Bird with a yearling blue hen; this year she has been flying spare and is from
Frans Zwols stock pair. John used the same routine when she was 2 nd federation Bubwith 2 weeks ago; she
was boxed up with a cock for 2 minutes prior to basketing for the race. 2 nd club is Keith Howie with a 2-
year-old blue cock from Vandenabeele bloodlines; he has already topped the federation twice and also won
2 nd open. Sire is ‘Banjo’ and his dam is Graham Stewart of Whitecraigs bloodlines. 3 rd club is John Bird with
a yearling chequer cock flying roundabout. On his sire side is Vandenabeele bloodlines and his dam is from
Freddie Jamieson of East Calder. She was timed just a few minutes before her son from the SNFC Upper
Hayford race on the same day.
Dundee & District Flying Club
News from Brian Donnelly with the result of the 7 th race of the season from Kettering, around 300 miles to
most club members. Ten members sent 116 birds; these were liberated at 09-30 am into a very light north
east wind. Winning the first three in the club and also the federation, is John Wiseman who is having an
outstanding season, this is the third time in the last four races that John has won first federation.
John’s winner this week on a velocity of 1335.6 ypm is a yearling mealy hen flown on the roundabout
system. Both the sire and dam of this hen are bred from Billy Bilsland cock birds [direct from national
winners for Billy and gifted to John by the late John Duthie], these cocks were paired to two daughters of
Martin de Pooter’s ‘New Rainman’ to produce the parents of John’s winner. His 2 nd club winner on 1335.2
ypm is a yearling blue chequer hen also flown on the roundabout system, she is bred from a Jack Alexander
cock bird.
Third club on 1333 ypm is another yearling hen flown on the roundabout system, this hen also scored
2 nd  club, 2 nd  Federation from Wakefield a couple of weeks ago. She is bred from a son of Graeme
MacKenzie’s double combine winner from Leicester. Congratulations to John on an outstanding team
performance. Joe, I have also attached a photograph of John in front of his loft holding this week’s winner,
your Brian’.
North of Scotland Federation
News from George Duthie who informs us that the federation had 51 members sending 842 birds to
Darlington these were liberated into a very light north east wind. Topping the east section who had 25
members sending 503 birds with S Witherspoon of Inverurie club winning with a velocity of 1469. Colin
McRae of Fraserburgh & District club takes the next 5 positions with A Higgins of Fraserburgh West End
club winning 7 th & 8 th with his club mate A W Buchan winning 9 th to 12 th positions. The West section had 26
members sending 339 birds; with Buckie & District’s J Cumming topping the section winning 16 th open.
Keith’s R Wilson wins 2 nd 7 th 9 th & 10 th section 17 th 24 th 28 th & 29 th open. Elgin & District J Jack wins 3 rd
section 19 th open. A Hay of Devern Valley wins 5 th & 6 th section 21 st & 22 nd open. Buckie & District F
Carstairs wins 8 th west section 27 th open.
Clubs First Bird
S Witherspoon wins Inverurie 1469.714; C McRae wins Fraserburgh & District 1429.211; A Higgins wins
Fraserburgh West End 1421.273; G Findlay wins Peterhead & District 1410.421; J Cumming wins Buckie &
District 1388.010; R Wilson wins Keith 1374.555; J Jack wins Elgin & District 1368.345 & Fulton &
Ritchie Loft 2 wins Devern Valley. Well Done To S Witherspoon For Topping The Federation and also well
done to J Cumming On Winning The West Section.
Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association
News from Pete Penman who writes; ‘Hi Joe, hope you and Margret are well. The Kingdom RPA were at
Kettering this week 3 rd June with 124 birds liberated into a light north east wind. Leading the way is Alan
Keanie of the Leuchars club with a 6-year-old blue hen flying separated. She contains the blood of Dennis
Dall's gold award winner, along with the best of John Ellis and John Trails bloodlines. Second place goes to
Coaltown of Balgonie's Penman & Grubb with a yearling chequer hen flying spare. The sire is a grandson of
our gay pied cock that scored 5 times from the channel, his best position being 4 th  open Troyes. The dam was
bred by Gary Hall. 3 rd place goes to the inform loft of Gary Hall with a 2-year-old Vandenabeele hen on
roundabout. Lou Mitchell of Rosyth takes 4 th place, just in front of club mate Rab Pearson. St. Serfs club

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saw Davey Whyte continue his winning ways taking the first three positions with these birds dropping
together. Cheers once again Joe your Pete.
Fife Federation
News from Geordie Todd who forwarded the Kettering federation result flown on the 3 rd June with 363 birds
liberated at 09-30 into a light north east wind. J Hynd & son of Crossgates tops the federation with a
velocity of 1379, he also wins 2 nd 3 rd & 8 th open. Dougie Barnes of the same club wins 4 th & 5 th with Eddie
McWilliams of Dunfermline club wins 6 th open. J D Armour of Methilhaven club wins 7 th & 10 th spots with
club mates Jim & Gary Peggie winning 9 th open.
East Section clubs Methilhaven had an entry of 66 birds, St Andrews sent 34 birds; J D Armour wins 1 st 3 rd
4 th & 5 th section with Jim & Gary Peggie winning 2 nd section and R Anderson of St Andrews winning 6 th
place.
Centre Section clubs Kennoway sent 100 birds and Glenrothes & Leslie sent 18 birds; Kennoway club took
all the section positions with 1 st & 2 nd going to B Chalmers; Stevie Ritchie is 3 rd & 4 th with Tam Laing 5 th &
6 th .
West Section clubs; Crossgates sent 30 birds; Lochgelly sent 48 birds; Dunfermline 59 and Novar 7 birds.
J Hynd & son took the first 3 places, with Dougie Barnes winning 4 th & 5 th section and Eddie McWilliams
winning 6 th section.
Scottish Central Federation 
News from Bernie Britton who writes; ‘Hi Joe, at long last, I hope you and Margaret are well. The Scottish
Central Federation race from Otterburn was flown on the 1 st May with an entry of 1074 birds liberated at 08-
30 into a west wind.
Winchburgh & District Pigeon Club; had 5 members sending 168 birds. Taking 1 st club 4 th federation & 16 th
fed is Mark Doran with his winner a blue 5-year-old hen flown on roundabout she is a Hermans Ceuster.
Sire from Tommy Blair and her dam from Jock Duthie. 2 nd 3 rd & 4 th club 12 th 13 th & 14 th federation is Peter
Keogh with his first bird a blue chequer cock who was only flown 130 miles as a young bird, his next bird is
a 2-year-old blue cock bred by John Bosworth he had 3 races as a yearling before hitting wires. Peter’s 4 th
club 14 th fed winner is a yearling chequer cock who flew 130 miles as a youngster, he contains the
bloodlines of Richard Combe and P Virtue. From the Hexham race 6 members sent 194 birds liberated at
12.00 noon into a light south west wind. Winning 1 st 2 nd & 4 th club 7 th 8 th & 16 th federation is Mark Doran
with this winner a blue hen flown on roundabout she is a Tommy Blair x Joe Davis cross. Mark 2 nd bird is a
blue pied hen also on roundabout and his 16 th federation winner is a blue cock also on roundabout the same
breeding as the winner. 3 rd club 10 th federation is Henry Borthwick with his good blue bar widowhood cock.
Thanks once again Joe for putting our results into your column, I’m sorry for taking so long to get them to
you, Bernie B.
SNFC Upper Hayford
I had a fancier call me to ask if I have noticed the outstanding performances of the Macaloney loft from the
first national race of the season; which I had not. The convoy of 2476 birds were liberated at 08-30 into a
moderate north east wind on Saturday, this turned out to be a good race with the pigeons doing over 1300
velocities. Billy Van Nuil of Gretna is probable 1 st region A and 1 st open doing a velocity of 1380 with the
late George; son Willie & grandson Paul Macaloney of Airdrie flying 295 miles recording a velocity of 1379
to win 1 st region E and 2 nd open place. The partnership had an outstanding race as they also won 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th
& 7 th region; 11 th 12 th 13 th 20 th & 33 rd open; to have 5 birds in the top 20 in any national is quite exceptional. I
also noticed that my dear friend Walter Boswell of Hamilton wins 6 th region E 28 th open well-done pal.
Another outstanding pigeon is the winner of 1 st region F who also won 14 th open to the loft of A A Wilson &
son of Stranraer away out on the very west of Scotland. My dear friends Sinclair Thomson & son of Port
Seton are having a fantastic year so far and they win 1 st region B 22 nd open in this Upper Hayford race;
congratulations to you both. Jim Smith of Polmont wins 1 st region D 29 th open with Tam Laing of Kennoway
winning 1 st region C 83 rd open and Alex Rae of Aberdeen wins 1 st region G flying 364 miles. Well done to
the above section winners and to all who made the result; also, congratulations to the conveyers and race

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controllers; with a special mention to the club’s new secretary Donna Thomson on having the result out by
the following Tuesday.

Space News

The 27-day Space Weather outlook table issued on the 05 th June 2023
UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2023 Jun 05 160 12 3
2023 Jun 06 160 8 3
2023 Jun 07 160 5 2
2023 Jun 08 155 5 2
2023 Jun 09 150 5 2
2023 Jun 10 145 5 2
2023 Jun 11 140 10 3
2023 Jun 12 135 12 4
2023 Jun 13 140 8 3
2023 Jun 14 143 5 2
2023 Jun 15 145 5 2
2023 Jun 16 150 5 2
2023 Jun 17 155 5 2
2023 Jun 18 155 22 5
2023 Jun 19 155 15 4
2023 Jun 20 155 12 4
2023 Jun 21 160 10 3
2023 Jun 22 165 5 2
2023 Jun 23 170 5 2
2023 Jun 24 170 5 2
2023 Jun 25 170 5 2
2023 Jun 26 168 5 2
2023 Jun 27 165 10 3
2023 Jun 28 162 12 4
2023 Jun 29 160 5 2
2023 Jun 30 160 5 2
2023 Jul 01 160 8 3
You will see there is a high reading for ‘Father’s Day on the 18 th of June.

Photos

I have included a photograph of our granddaughter who won an award for First Chance (a course she has
been on for 6 years) this started off with 150 people taking part and at the end only 15 people finished. The
award ceremony took place at St Andrews University last week; we are so proud of Niamh who looked so
delighted going to her school prom. People enquiring after Joe’s Joke; I’m sorry but the paper has stopped
putting them in.

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
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