Joe Murphy Article 19th Feb 2024

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We have had a good response to the Dewar Trophy Book; with purchasers contacting us via email; for the
account details and once they have paid the amount for the book (including postage) into the account. Once
this has been cleared by the bank we can then go ahead and post the book out to them. This is better than
fanciers sending a cheque which has to be taken to the bank then cleared (sometimes up to 3 to 4 days)
whereas doing the bank transfer it is done right away. Which suits most people as the majority do on line
banking; which saves a lot of time and running about for both the fancier and ourselves. I would also like to
thank the people who have commented on the volume of details on these Dewar Trophy winning birds.
Every one of them was the Top Pigeon in Scotland each particular year as were their owner fanciers.
Margaret and I had a drive through to Wishaw to the SHU Offices to meet up with the secretary Andy
Frame. Andy and Ann have kindly agreed to sell the Dewar Trophy Book from the office; which is great as
quite a number of fanciers visit the office; either paying their fees; purchasing rings or even transfer a bird.
This should help fanciers out as they can purchase the book with no added cost of postage. My thanks to
Andy and Ann.

‘The Thrill of Winning’

Continuing with the theme of stories from the past, I came across a story by J Wilson & son of Lanark who
won 1 st open and King’s Cup in the Scottish National F.C. Rennes race of 1960; which was written for the
1961 BHW Stud Book; which goes as follows. It is the accepted interest of every competitive pigeon fancier
in Scotland, to take part in the Scottish National Race from Rennes, in fact, and quite naturally too, it is the
ultimate aim of every fancier to win this event, the Blue Riband of Scottish Pigeon Racing. (It is the same at
the present time 2024 Joe Murphy). Since this prize has eluded so many of our prominent fanciers during a
lifetime of endeavour, then surely you can image how my son Robert and I just couldn’t believe it, and as
the excitement arose within us, I can assure you we did give thought to the many fanciers who were again
out of luck, the pattern of their endeavours had again become distorted. That Saturday morning at 9-02am on
the second day of the race, when our blue chequer hen. ‘Linville Supreme, broke through a thick white
blanket of mist that had risen from and had enveloped the whole of the valley of the River Clyde; this Clyde
valley practically fronts our loft. Such a sight stirred Robert and I to a feeling of pride and contentment in
having what we considered at that time a very acceptable and most favourable timer, after all she was one of
our two main hopes from six birds competing in the race. Remember we knew there were no birds timed in
on the first day of the race. I just can’t find words to express our feelings, when on the Sunday two officials
of the SNFC arrived at our loft to verify the winner. The thrill of it was such – well you can guess. Robert
and I were being warmly and sincerely congratulated by many, there was for example a Mr Forbes, one of
our local publicans, who presented himself at the loft loaded with ‘Screw Tops and a bottle of five-year-old
Champagne. He considered that such a feat was deserving of such celebrations.
Since starting the Fancy, we have aimed at establishing a family of pigeons and we have had the good
fortune in selecting the proper material to justify the same. Anything that we selected and bought, we have
never flown, these birds were kept solely for breeding.
It has taken us the nine years to establish this family, which has credited us with six Rennes certificates in
five years racing in this event. The sire of 5210 ‘Linville Supreme’ is a red chequer cock 8447 himself a
winner in 1957 having been 124 th open Rennes with £79; then there is our Red Cock 8452, he has proved
himself a first-class bird on the road. In 1957 he was 89 th section 205 th open Rennes with £116. In 1958, 39 th
section 73 rd open Rennes and £163. In 1959, he homed two days late with a broken wing.
There is also our Mealy Hen 8889, for a full sister of 8452, she has flown Guernsey ‘1957’ Rennes ‘58’ Dol
‘59’ and Dol ‘60’ winning 27 th open Lanarkshire Federation. The nest mate of ‘Linville Supreme’ was also
home from Rennes this year. Our comparatively short experience has been assembled on the basis of a
respect of good Pigeon Literature completed by the many noted theorists who have devoted themselves to
the study of every aspect of the racing pigeon. In fact, one can’t ignore the viewpoints and controversies of

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the many articles which appear in the weekly issue, the British Homing World e.g. and we are adept
observers and intent listeners to the experiences of our fellow fanciers.
Our loft is not of the orthodox type, it consists of a wooden four-sectioned structure within a lean-to brick
building, it is well lit and well ventilated, and we aim at all times to acquire the highest standards of
cleanliness. During the close season, nest boxes are removed from the loft, and are thoroughly cleaned and
disinfected before being replaced for the following breeding season.
We always start our pairing the first Sunday in March and we only take produce from not more than half a
dozen carefully selected pairs; the remainder justify our racing programme and act as feeders. We try where
possible to single rear our youngsters.
Great care it taken to assure genuine mating’s, because of our spacious nest and the fact that, at intervals
throughout the day, only one pair at a time are given access to the open loft of our main No 1 breeding
season, this routine continues daily until the first egg is laid.
On feeding we believe in varying our feed according to the physical requirements, stepping up the quality as
greater physical effort is needed. A mixture of peas, beans and maize meets our requirements, wheat is
introduced during the winter months, and of course, a supplement is given during the racing season only.
Training; - for old birds we average one or two 20-mile tosses weekly from the first race to the last, we also
flag daily throughout the racing season. With the young birds, training forms a similar pattern, but our team
is considerably reduced in numbers by the end of the programme, we stop any youngsters showing signs of
heavy moult.
All cocks and hens are separated after the young bird programme has been completed. We know full well the
hazards that surround pigeon racing, and having had the good fortune, in collecting top honours, the road
that lies ahead in maintaining such, will not be an easy one, but I assure you, we will be trier’s all the way.
To have been given the opportunity to grace the pages of this worthy Annual is indeed our pleasure and we
thank the ‘British Homing World’ for publicising our article in the 1961 Stud Book.

Happy Birthday

Received an email from my dear old friend Guy Reed from the Isle of Wight who wrote; ‘Hi Joe, I thought
you may like to know that Mrs DeWeerdt has just recently celebrated her 100 th birthday. I have attached
some recent pictures taken, and I have spoken to Bernard recently and was told they had a gathering of some
30+ relatives in her honour. The DeWeerdt’s are a very family orientated both amongst themselves and with
the racing pigeon fraternity. Mrs DeWeerdt has taken a strong interest in the pigeons all her life and still
looks remarkable for her age. Like most of us, age has given her a modicum of discomfort but she overcame
all; obviously, the family DeWeerdt genes are strong and survive well, the same can be said for their pigeon
family. Best wishes Joe yours Guy’.
I thanked Guy for the photos and the above information; I remember our visit to the DeWeerdt family home
and loft a few years back. It was a great experience for me; just to be in the loft and back garden of one of
the all-time ‘greats’ of our pigeon sport was indeed an honour. In saying this I have also experienced visiting
other all-time greats over the years. Jim Bill, Louella Lofts, Les Davenport; Mark Gilbert, Crammond &
Langstaff, Robert O Jones, Davis Son & Cockcroft; not to mention the many top Scottish Fanciers; which
believe me would fill 2 full pages of this magazine. Yes, great memories and to have visited some of the
greatest fanciers to grace our shores, has indeed been a great pleasure to me as a scribe and fancier; and the
most important item of ALL Every One of them was as nice a person you could ever wish to meet. Great
Recollections.
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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