Joe Murphy Article 21st August 2023

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The Joe Murphy Column

Firstly, I would like to THANK all the fanciers who have phoned me or sent emails regarding my recent
articles and also for the nice words and feedback they have said about my researching the information to
report on the winners in this year’s national racing; for which I am eternally grateful; Yes, it is hard work,
but first and foremost I’m a ‘Pigeon Man’ and I like to give credit where it is due. What I have found over
the past 47 years of being a scribe is that fanciers are not the greatest people in the world in supplying
information on their winning pigeons. Nine time out of Ten; I will have to phone them to obtain these details
and even at that this it is like ‘drawing teeth’ to get the information I require. The thing that annoys me is
I’m not getting the publicity ‘IT IS THEM’! To be honest I sometimes wonder if it is worth all the effort; as
well as my own person time; which is as precious to me as it is to everyone else. However, when I do obtain
information, I try to make this as readable and enjoyable as possible as we are ALL pigeon men & woman,
and want to read about the winners and good fanciers. For example, I received a phone call from Malcolm
Taylor of Taylor Brothers of Newbigging by the Sea. Regarding my article which contained the photograph
of ‘Seton Queen’ who is the dam of ‘Seton Prince’ bred and raced by Sinclair Thompson and son Sinclair.
Whom I have the highest respect for as they are ‘top quality pigeon men’. This year their yearling cock on
the 1 st July; won 2 nd section B 2 nd open SNRPC Eastbourne race flying a distance of 385 miles recording a
velocity of 1176. Then on the 17 th of July he was again entered into the SNRPC race; this time from
Brighton a distance of 375 miles and he won 1 st section B 1 st open doing a velocity of 1269. What a pigeon
to win a 1 st & 2 nd national in the space of 17 days is exceptional and we congratulate both Sinclair’s on this
outstanding achievement. This father and son partnership are very friendly with Malcolm and have
purchased birds from him over the years and have done very well with them. Malcolm informs me that
‘Seton Queen’ was mated to NEHU21WAN1486 to breed ‘Seton Prince’. ‘Wan 1486’ sire was a son of
‘Johnstone’s Bolt’ bred by Brian Johnstone, who turned out to be an exceptional breeder. Actually, he is the
sire of ‘Double Vision’ who in turn is Willie & Paul Macaloney number one stock cock. The mother of
‘Wan1486’ is a daughter of the pencil pied ‘Sylvester Geerinckx’ who in turn is the dam of ‘Alfie’ who won
1 st open SNFC Maidstone for the Thompson partnership. ‘Seton Queen’ contains the ‘Albrecht’ blood who
were the old Van Loons. Another one of the Thomson’s top pigeons ‘Mr Consistent’ also contains the
‘Albrecht’ lines crossed with the ‘Red Rising Son Hen’. Malcolm is giving up the pigeons and I believe all
his stock birds are going for sale after the racing season is over. It was nice to talk to Malcolm and thank him
for the above and wish him well with his sale.

Email

Received an email from Dawn Abbot, who wrote; ‘Dear Joe; I hope that you and the family are well and that
you don’t mind me getting in touch totally out of the blue! Some of your readers will remember my Dad,
Hugh Higgins, a lifelong fancier, originally from Armadale, West Lothian and later Edinburgh. Having
enjoyed the administrative side of racing as President of the SNFC, Secretary of the Edinburgh International
Charity Pigeon Show and Horney Vice-President of the Lancashire Social Circle, my Dad left an archive of
pigeon press back to the 1960s which I have recently been going through. I wanted to see if I could find any
information on Joe Newcombe, the grandfather of my dear friend, Samantha. Joe’s SNFC Avranches 1969
winner was named after her nickname ‘Tabby’. I have many fond memories of my three Newcombe
‘Uncles’; Ed, Joe and Sid, visiting Macmerry and staying at Honey Cottage Caravan site in Ettrick Valley,
which was run by Joe and Margaret and where both he and Sid had their lofts. Although the Newcombe
name is well known via Eddie and his legacy, the success of Joe and Sid may be less so. As such I was
wondering if you might be interested in these articles, I would like to highlight the success of these two
fanciers for your column? I would be happy to put these in the post to you. With kind regards Dawn Abbott’.
I wrote back to Dawn and expressed this would be lovely and help keep my column going once the young
bird racing season was over. She replied; ‘Great - Will get everything off to you next week. I was also
thinking I have various pictures etc from the Edinburgh Charity Show as well if that is something you would

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be interested in? I have lots of memories of that too! Getting to sell raffle tickets over the weekend and
everyone phoning in their entries over the couple of weeks before. Happy days! Thanks Dawn’. It was quite
funny that in the 4 th August BHW on page 57 there as a photograph of Dawn and her late dad Hugh in Brian
Dearn Lanarkshire Social Circle article. A small world indeed; I also look forward to obtaining this
information from Dawn. It is hard to keep my weekly column going after the racing season is over as not
everyone is willing to supply me information on their pigeons’ efforts or performances. For example, I also
received an email from Mike Massie of Aberdeen who wrote; ‘Hello Joe how are you and Margaret and
your family doing, I hope they are in good health. Regarding your article about Charlie and Glen Cameron
they are great fanciers and exceptional flyers; I wish I knew their secret. They must have the right birds bred
for the job and they must have them super fit and their motivation must be spot on. I take my hat off to them
and I agree with you; 100 percent Joe and it was a great article; yours in sport Mike Massie’. I wrote back
thanking Mike for his kind words and also saying ‘Yes, the Cameron’s have had another great year, as have
other fanciers. Mike replied; ‘Yes Joe, other fanciers have had a great season but the Chic and Glen are
flying a lot further and that is what makes them standout - Mike’. The other thing fanciers and especially
readers of my column forget is; The research I undertake to gain all the results and then compile them into
my articles, can take up a lot of my spare time, and I don’t think fanciers or readers of my column appreciate
this. Margaret will sometimes say; ‘Oh you’re not back on that computer again are you’. It is the same with
writing a weekly article, I have been doing this since 1976, every week even when we have been away on
holiday to Spain, I have taken my laptop and caught up at night with results and compiled an article and
emailed it to the BHW & RP. Just now I’m in the process of accumulating information on the Dewar Trophy
winners which is awarded to Scotland’s Pigeon of the Year & Runner Up as this will be the 50 th anniversary
of this award. However, I still do not have information on some of the runners up; and no matter how much I
ask, there is NO RESPONSE. I have looked through old SNFC results that Robert Cormack gave me which
go back to the 1950’s. So, I will just have to add the fanciers name and no matter how much research I have
done; I cannot find these birds performances. Now for the present race results, sent in by the press officers’,
whom I once again wish to thank for their contribution.
Results
I had a lad on the phone asking why some clubs and federations have now stopped sending me their results
and news, as they enjoyed reading about them for example; Ayrshire; Angus; Dundee; Traprain; the sad
thing is he doesn’t see some of these organisations obtaining any publicity in the weekly pigeon press. I
explained this has nothing to do with me. I add the weekly report of federations & clubs who continue to
send in their results into my column. I have added a couple of photographs of 2 top pigeons that I found in
my Dewar Trophy folder while checking out some details and these pictures caught my eye. As nowadays
fanciers don’t even send pictures of their club or federation winners, and believe me it is easier now than
years ago. As we can take a photo on our mobile phone and send it to someone within seconds after taking
the picture
East of Scotland Federation
News from Tom McEwen with the result of the Otterburn race flown on 6 th August with the convoy liberated
at 08-30am into a west to north west wind. Taking the top 2 places is Keith Howie of Prestonpans club; his
winner is a blue hen, she is a ½ sister to his great cock ‘Blue Arrow’. The sire of the winner has also
previously bred federation winners for Keith. John Bird of Prestonpans had a fantastic race taking 5 top
positions in the federation; winning 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th & 10 th federation. Mr & Mrs Peter March have a good double
winning 7 th & 8 th position in the federation. Last weeks fed winners Gus Jackson of Macmerry completes the
top ten winning 9 th federation. Tom was in the hospital for a day as he was not feeling well and has to go in
once the season is over for more tests.
Prestonpans HS
First two places go to Keith Howie see above regarding the winner; Keith’s 2 nd bird is another blue, dam has
bred a federation winner and the sire is a full brother to ‘Blue Arrow’. 3 rd club is John Bird with a blue cock

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a Vandenabeele bloodline from Bryan Shipley of Woodside Lofts. Once again, many thanks for adding our
club into your weekly column Joe, wishing you and Margaret all the best; Tom’.
Scottish Central Federation
News from Bernie who writes; ‘Hi Joe, I hope you and Margaret are both well, please find our Scottish
Central federation result from the Otterburn race flown on 29 th July; with the 903 birds liberated at 09-30am
into a south west wind.
Winchburgh & District Pigeon Club;
Had 6 members sending 308 birds, taking the first 3 places is Tam Manger; his winner of 1 st club 1 st
Federation is a blue chequer cock from Dave Stone stock; 2 nd club & federation is a blue white flight hen a
Henry Borthwick x Herman Ceuster; his 3 rd bird is a blue white flight cock a Dave Stone x Hermans Cuester.
Other members in the federation result are; Henry Borthwick who was 4 th & 20 th ; Marc Doran 6 th 15 th 16 th &
17 th .
Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club; Gordon Mackenzie wins 8 th & 19 th federation with Hugh Rafferty
winning 9 th 10 th 13 th & 14 th federation. Cheers Joe yours Bernie’.  
Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association
News from Pete Penman who writes; ‘Hi Joe the KRPA were at Wooler for their 2 nd young bird race along
with the Fife federation. Leading the way this week is Lou Mitchell of the Rosyth club with a chequer cock.
This bird was bought in a kit of six from Gary Thaviner of Wales by Lou nephew. It is a Mysterio x Better
Van Bolt. From this race the six birds were all home before Lou got one of his own homebred birds. They
would like to say thank you to Gary for the birds. In 2 nd 3 rd & 5 th places is Sandy Proctor of St. Serfs. Sandy
was on a family holiday to Seaton Sands, but decided to come home to put the birds away (as any good
pigeon man would do). Nice to see you back in the sport Sandy Pete’. Fourth place goes to Coaltown's Gary
Hall with a chequer Herman Cusiter cock. In 6 th place is Coaltown's Pete Penman with a second round mealy
whose parents were gift birds from Dyke Armour in 2020. At Rosyth Lou Mitchell took the first three, His
second bird was a Cooreman x Mysterio, followed by the nest mate to his fed topper. At Leuchars Eric and
Liz Young took the honours. Return wise, a few members reported full returns and others had two or three
missing with some turning up the next day; yours Pete.
Almond Valley Federation
News from the secretary Lynne Stewart, with the result of the Wooler race flown on the 6 th of August with
the convoy of 856 birds liberated at 08:30 hours. The result is quite unique as John Bird of West Calder
takes the first 11 open places plus 13 th 14 th 15 th 16 th & 19 th open with John Hadfield of the same club winning
12 th 17 th 18 th 20 th 21 st & 22 nd open. (Truly outstanding results so well-done lads; Joe Murphy), as there are
some top-quality fanciers who race in this federation; which makes the above results all the more
spectacular.
Balerno 30 birds; Bald & Johnstone 1226.664, 1224.930, 1223.448, 1143.438
Bonnybridge 273 birds; G Harris 1279.627, P Aitken 1278.787, 1273.564, Wells & Scott 1270.175
Carnwath 88 birds; S McArdle 1199.270, 1087.263, 1064.578, J Dornan 1060.268
East Calder 85 birds; Burnside & Drysdale 1318.260, 1314.524, 1314.027, Mr Mrs Fleming 1312.876
Fauldhouse 191 birds; T Gavin 1331.337, 1329.915, 1328.968, Colligan & Hope 1325.968
West Calder 189 birds; J Bird 1345.363, 1345.363, 1344.856, 1344.856
Fife Federation
News from Geordie Todd with the Wooler 1 young bird race flown on the 6 th August with the 1114 birds
liberated at 09-30am into a light north west wind.
Topping the federation is Crossgates member Alaistair McCudden who also wins 1 st 2 nd 9 th & 10 th open.
Frank Mitchell from Dunfermline club is 3 rd & 5 th with his club mates Walker Kennedy winning 4 th place and
John Robertson winning 7 th spot. G Bell (1) of Crossgates club is 6 th & 8 th open.
West Section had Dunfermline sending 227 birds; Crossgates sending 251 birds & Lochgelly sending 159
birds. Alaistair McCudden wins 1 st & 2 nd positions. Frank Mitchell is 3 rd & 5 th with Walker Kennedy wining
4 th spot and G Bell 1 of Crossgates club is 6 th section. Centre Section had 300 birds from Kennoway club; B
Chalmers takes the first 4 places with Sean Diamond winning 5 th spot and past SNFC Sartilly winner Jocky

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Scott winning 6 th place. The East Section; had Methilhaven club sending 131 birds with St Andrews sending
46 birds. J D Armour wins 1 st 3 rd 4 th 5 th & 6 th places with G Baxter of the same club winning 2 nd spot.
North of Scotland Federation
Before I start with this federations results, readers will hopefully see from my past notes, that the
members of the federation only time in 3 BIRDS. This way the result is spaced out and more fanciers
have a chance of making the section and open results. Whereas in some clubs & federations elsewhere in
the BHW/RP you see some fanciers taking the first 10 or 12 places; therefore, the North of Scotland
Federation have to be complimented on their forward thinking; thus, giving their members at least a
chance to make the top 40 open positions, well done to the federation officials.
News from George Duthie with the result of the Strathkinness 2 young bird race; flown on the 6 th August
with the 24 members sending 726 birds these were liberated into a light west wind. The first 12 open places
were filled with East Section members (who had 20 members sending 635 birds) who are as follows; N Holt
of Peterhead & District club takes the top spot with another 2 birds in 5 th & 10 th section and open. My old
pal, Stewart Maskame & his partner Cordiner take the next 3 place; with R Bain of Fraserburgh & District
club taking 6 th 7 th & 8 th positions. Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District wins 9 th 11 th & 12 th section and open
positions.
The West Section had 4 members sending 91 birds. Taking the first 2 west section places and winning 31 st
& 32 nd open is A Cormack of Buckie & District club. Gordon Geddes of Elgin & District wins 3 rd 8 th & 9 th
west section 33 rd 38 th & 39 th open. Clubmate P Thomson wins 4 th 5 th & 6 th section 34 th 35 th & 36 th open.
Clubs First Bird
N Holt wins Peterhead & District velocity 1351.482
R Bain wins Fraserburgh & District velocity 1308.005
A Higgins wins Fraserburgh West End velocity 1223.877
S Witherspoon wins Inverurie velocity 1223.733
A Cormack wins Buckie & District velocity 941.125
G Geddes wins Elgin & District velocity 893.994
Well Done to N Holt on topping the federation and also well done to A Cormack on winning the west
section.
Pentland Hills Federation
News from Andy Miller with the first federation young bird race of the 2023 season which was flown from
Otterburn on Saturday 29 th July. The distance being 55-67 miles for the members. The birds were liberated at
09:00 in a south west wind and the federation winner is Danderhall members Freddie & Willie Robertson,
still awaiting details! Returns from the race seem to be really good with only 1 or 2 missing. The second
race again from Otterburn on Sunday 6 th August liberated at 08:30 in a west to north west wind; we had 58
lofts sending 2,226 birds. Taking the red card is the Mr & Mrs Lindsay of Danderhall club recording a
velocity of 1340. Helen Aitken & sons of Woodburn club are 2 nd & 4 th open. R Sammels of Castlebrae club is
3 rd position with Freddie & Willie Robertson of Danderhall club winning 5 th open. Walker & Brown of the
same club take the next 4 places from 6 th 7 th 8 th & 9 th open with club mate J Dowling winning 10 th 11 th 12 th 13 th
& 14 th places. This week’s winner is Mr & Mrs John Lindsay and loft laddie (Big Gaz) who timed their
darkness youngster. Breeding is Lambrecht through the lines of ‘Lincia’ cocks and hens are flown separated
with this hen paired to (Big Gaz) who obviously fancied her with club & fed winnings of around £700. John
was on holiday in Amsterdam and watched the race from his laptop to witness the hen trapping at speed. He
told Gaz he thought that would be an early one! Again, returns were really good as the previous week. Andy
informs us that the next race will be from Consett. There is also a footnote on the federation result.
In the interest of ALL MEMBERS, it would be helpful that if you have noticed symptoms of “FAT EYE”
within your loft that you may consider holding back your team until all is well. We ask that you be
extremely vigilant. Andy Miller – President & Helen Aitken - Secretary

Obituary

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I was very sorry to hear the passing of fellow scribe John Harwood of Kirkintilloch by Jim Barrons, who has
been a friend of John’s for many years. John passed away peacefully on Saturday, 5 th August at 3:30pm
surrounded by his family. John had been a feature writer for both the BHW and the RP and his articles were
keenly awaited by his many followers. As well as being a great pigeon fancier, he was a great angler and
also wrote articles for fishing magazines. On a personal level, John was a very good friend to Jim and taught
him many things about pigeons and the countryside. I remember John coming with the father and son
partnership of J & J Hood attending my yearly Sporting Challenge presentation. The 3 of them loved this
night and also caught up with old friends and made new ones; depending on which table they sat at. I have
also spoken to John over the phone many times and he was always a proper gentleman. To his wife Isla and
his family, we send my deepest sympathy; May he rest in peace.
Space Weather
27-day Space Weather Outlook Table Issued 07-08-2023
UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2023 Aug 07 168 12 4
2023 Aug 08 166 20 5
2023 Aug 09 164 12 4
2023 Aug 10 162 5 2
2023 Aug 11 162 5 2
2023 Aug 12 164 5 2
2023 Aug 13 164 5 2
2023 Aug 14 162 5 2
2023 Aug 15 162 5 2
2023 Aug 16 160 5 2
2023 Aug 17 162 5 2
2023 Aug 18 162 5 2
2023 Aug 19 164 5 2
2023 Aug 20 164 5 2
2023 Aug 21 168 5 2
2023 Aug 22 168 5 2
2023 Aug 23 168 5 2
2023 Aug 24 172 5 2
2023 Aug 25 172 5 2
2023 Aug 26 170 12 4
2023 Aug 27 172 5 2
2023 Aug 28 172 5 2
2023 Aug 29 174 5 2
2023 Aug 30 172 5 2
2023 Aug 31 172 5 2
2023 Sep 01 170 5 2
2023 Sep 02 168 5 2

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
www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland