Joe Murphy Article 29th June 2024

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The Joe Murphy Column

Now that we are into the classic races it takes a little longer for me to obtain the open results and details on the winning pigeons, so while going through some old Scotland Own Year Books I came across an article written in 1966 about Charlie Graham & Sons written by Strathbrock which goes as follows.

‘The best thing since sliced bread’, ‘Mr Pigeon’, ‘The Human Dynamo’. Of course, to put another face on it, there have been other quotes that are unprintable, but no matter what line you may succeed in, there is always that danger that you have stiff opposition, resulting in enemies. Charlie has the lot, friends, enemies, great knowledge of administration, and probably the most important gift of all. He can race.

Mentioning Charlie, one is apt to think only about him in a secretarial capacity, as member of committees, speaking his mind, and of the co-operation he receives from his entire family. But in this article, I think it would only be fair to class him amongst the consistent Channel fliers. Before I go into detail, I must introduce his back-room boys, his sons Bobby and Jim, who do most of the training and racing. Their red cock SU62ML138 was 1^st in the club in the first race of the young bird season, then lost for nine months, homing one week before the first race of the 1963 season. From that very first race he was sent the entire race programme nine races to Christchurch, always in race time. The following year he was sent to Lille 450 miles, winning 61^st open with 1131 birds competing. A fortnight later he was back across the water to Beauvais, taking another position in the open, being 64^th, times at 9-39pm on the day of toss, with 2710 birds competing. This is one of the few birds timed on the day of toss across the Channel twice in one year within 14 days.

In 1965 he was again sent to Beauvais, winning 13^th open 1171 birds competing. In that time, he has won over £300. Does this not answer those fanciers who recommend dispensing with young birds that return home late?

Another bird that has done the Grahams proud is their Mealy Hen 60ML721, flown Channel six times, only failing once to be timed in. That was her first journey as a two-year-old when returns were very scarce from Rennes. In 63’ she was timed 1^st in club Rennes, conditions were hopeless in the East of Scotland, a thick blanket of mist made timing in almost impossible. Back again to Beauvais to win 34^th open SNFC 3546 birds competing, a hard task master is Charlie. In 1964 she had another couple of trips across the ‘Dub’ to win 54^th open Lille 1131 birds and just out of the money from Rennes. The following year she only had one race to Selby, 168 miles, then on Rennes, 23^rd east section 99^th open SNFC. Then there is the Grizzle cock 61ML9112 the favourite in the loft, having been timed from first race to the last so often, although quite tame he will not trap. He has now flown the channel 5 times, in the prize list 1964, 57^th open Beauvais, East of Scotland Championship Club 1172 birds. 59ML4090, a red cock, flew Christchurch (363 miles) as a young bird, and 10 times over the water by the age of 6. He was in the famous Paris smash, only 37 birds timed in and was sent back to Beauvais, coming in when thousands failed. In 1964 he competed a treble over the Channel, Lille, Rennes, Nantes approximately 1,600 miles in a month. For the first time he made the prize list in 1965 Nantes race taking 34^th east section and 81^st open. His sire was timed in race time from Dol 512 miles, Rennes 543 miles and Nantes 607 miles inside five weeks. These first three birds are all a combination of Dall of Ladybank (son of Tarser and a brother of his 2^nd Nantes) and a blue hen, sister of his Rennes winner 1958, a red hen bred by T W Hogarth (nine times Channel) winner from Rennes, Nantes and Dol, and Willie Moffatt and son, Wallyford, Mealy Cock. The number of racing birds in the loft at the start of the 1965 season was 23 including yearlings; by the end of the season 12 had crossed the Channel, some twice.

At a recent SNFC meeting it was decided to have a full-time secretary, Charlie was duly appointed the job, (1963 till 1977) and I am confident the Scottish National Flying Club will grow even greater and greater as the years go by, with Charlie at the wheel, we are on the right road. STRATHBROCK.

 

Results

The SNFC held their inland race from Maidstone on 15^th June with the 2004 birds entered by 292 members liberated at 05:15am into a south west wind. Probable 1^st open & 1^st region A is Dennis Anderson of Annan, (whom I wrote about in my Dewar Trophy Book) Dennis timed in a yearling cock that he fancied as he was his nominated pigeon and was doing a velocity of 1366. 1^st region E 4^th open is D Forster & son of Bigger also timed a yearling which was also his nominated pigeon. 1^st & 2^nd region C 6^th & 8^th open is Brian Kinnear of Pitlessie in Fife, I have known Brian from a long time and remember him when he stayed in Cupar not far from the loft of Geordie Robertson who won the SNFC from Beauvais in 1963 which had an entry of 3536 birds. Brian has been very consistent over the years even though he has move house a few times. Brian’s yearling bloodlines go back to his ‘Outstanding Blue Cock ‘Stichy’ who won 3 times in the first 8 open places in 3 national races. His positions are as follows; From the SNRPC Newbury race he won 1^st section 3^rd open doing a velocity of 1178 competing against 1531 birds; in 2006 he won 2^nd section 8^th open SNFC Falaise doing a velocity of 1136 flying 528 miles competing against 2039 birds. Then in 2007 he won 2^nd section 6^th open SNFC Alencon flying 558 miles recording a velocity 1025 from an entry of 1470 birds. I have attached a photograph of ‘Stichy’ to go with this column. 1^st region B 12^th open is Gordon Turnbull of Chirnside with Robert Reid of Beith winning 13^th open and 1^st region F. J Coutts & son of Kintore are 1^st region G 36^th open flying 433 miles again timing a yearling which was also their nominated pigeon. First region D winning 44^th open is J Ferguson of Broxburn. From the fanciers I have spoken to regarding the race quite a few have birds missing; let’s hope they return during the week.

Almond Valley's Federation

Yearling race from Melton Mowbray flown on 9^th June with the 161 birds being liberated at 11:30 hours.

Winning 1^st east section and Open are Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder with the winner doing a velocity of 1129. 1^st 3^rd 5^th 7^th west section 2^nd 4^th 6^th & 8^th open is John Bird of West Calder. John Hadfield of Armadale

wins 2^nd 4^th 6^th 9^th & 9^th west section 3^rd 5^th 7^th 12^th & 14^th open. C Smillie wins 1^st Fauldhouse & 9^th open. with Law & Brady of Bonnybridge winning 1^st & 10^th open; with Vic Couper of the same club wins 2^nd and 11^th open.  2^nd & 3^rd Fauldhouse & 13^th & 17^th open is R Smilie, with George Harris of Bonnybridge club wins 3^rd & 4^th 15^th & 16^th open. Colligan & Hope win 4^th FH & 18^th open with S Russell winning 5^th & 19^th open. McArdle & Thomson win 10^th WE & 20^th open. The summary list of money winners; Freddie Jamieson & Son of East Calder wins £ 89.50. John Bird of West Calder wins £ 43.50 & John Hadfield of Armadale wins £0.90 with the total payout being £133.90p. On the 15^th June the federation were at Alnwick with the 507 birds liberated at 09-00 hours with John Hadfield of Armadale taking top spot with a bird doing a velocity of 1402. He is also 4^th 6^th & 15^th open. S Russell of Bonnybridge club is 2^nd open with Vic Couper of the same club winning 3^rd 5^th & 19^th open. John Bird of West Calder wins 7^th to 11^th positions with George Harris of Bonnybridge club wining 12^th spot. T Gavin of Fauldhouse club wins 13^th 14^th 16^th & 17^th open with J Burt of West Calder winning 18^th position. With the Henderson & Connolly partnership of Bonnybridge club taking the 20^th open spot.  

Club Winners;

Armadale 39 birds; J Hadfield 1402.010, 1395.301, 1394.634, 1356.783

Balerno 72 birds; C Ross 1319.269, 1312.093, 1312.093, 1305.197

Bonnybridge 104 birds; S Russell 1400.299, V Couper 1395.857, 1394.899, G Harris 1369.819

Carnwath 19 birds;

East Calder 92 birds; F Jamieson 1329.162, 1306.544, 1305.915, 1299.036

Fauldhouse 91 birds; T Gavin 1369.207, 1367.761, 1354.680, 1352.054

West Calder 90 birds; J Bird 1391.374, 1390.488, 1386.511, 1383.434

Fife Federation

News from Geordie Todd with the result of the Grantham 2 open race with 248 birds were liberated at 05:45 in a south west wind on 15^th June. Taking the top 2 spots is Davie Armour of Methilhaven club with 2 x 2-year-old GB rung pigeons. He also wins 4 & 9^th section and open places. B Chalmers of Kennoway is 3^rd 5^th 6^th & 7^th section and open with his father-in-law Tam Laing winning 8^th 10^th & 11^th section and open. J Hynd & son of Lochgelly club win the 1^st x 8 west section positions also winning 15^th 17^th 23^rd to 27^th open plus 45^th open. C Buchannan of Crossgates club wins 9^th west section 49^th open with Lochgelly’s Willie Stark winning 10^th west section 52^nd open. The Alan Keenie sponsorship for the 3-bird average is won by Davie Armour winning £100 velocity 1246-96; B Chalmers velocity 1227.08 winning £75.00 and Tam Laing velocity 1217.51 winning £25.00.  

CESA Federation Championships

New from Jim Coltart the secretary of the above organisation who wrote, ‘Hi Joe. please find attached the final CESA Federation Championships OB league table after Saturday’s race from Grantham (2). Well done to Fife in first place, with Angus runners-up and Dundee in third place. I hope this wee competition has given some enjoyment to some of our fanciers. Many thanks to you all for your efforts in making these races happen. Kind regards, Jim Coltart, Sec., Fife Fed of HPS. Central & East of Scotland Amalgamation. Federation Championship 2024. From the Grantham (2) old bird race flown on the 15^th June 2024; David Armour of Fife wins with a velocity of 1265; he is also 4^th & 7^th open. Kenny Droog & son of Angus federation are 2^nd with Billy McEwan of Dundee winning 3^rd 13^th & 14^th open. B Chalmers of Fife is 5^th with Davie Glen of Angus in 6^th spot, and fellow club mate David J Liddle is 9^th. Ian Scott of the same federation wins 10^th & 12^th with Danny Henderson of Dundee winning 11^th & 16^th open. Garry Hall of Kingdom PRA is 15^th 17^th 18^th & 19^th with J Proctor 19^th and 24^th open is C McRae of Elite North.

Kingdom RPA news from Pete Penman who informs us the federation were at Grantham on Saturday 16^th of June. The race was originally planned for Ramsgate, but with the weather forecast somewhat erratic, the race controllers decided the best option was to go to Grantham with the hope of an early liberation. This turned out to be a favourable decision liberated at 05-45am in a south west wind. The winning birds made light work of it; taking the first three places was the inform loft of Gary Hall. His first was a 2-year-old blue cock on 5-day eggs. Next was a yearling mealy cock also on 2-day eggs followed by a 3-year-old blue hen sitting 3 days. Fourth place went to John Proctor with a 2-year-old blue white flight hen sitting 4-day eggs. 5^th & 6^th positions were again won by Gary Hall with his first bird a yearling chequer cock on 8-day eggs. Then a 2-year-old chequer cock on 10-day eggs. 7^th position goes to Mitchell & Stonehouse with the same2-year-old chequer cock that topped the Kingdom recently from Kettering. The sire was bred by Peter Cuthbert and the dam bred by John Skelton. Kindest regards Joe yours Pete P.

Pentlandhills Federation

News from Andy Miller who wrote; ‘Hi Joe, please find photograph of Pentlandhills federation open winner race by Keith Wright of Danderhall club. He is off the late Tam Young’s ‘Big Slim’ lines crossed with the late Wullie Smith’s Van Reet’s. The checker cock has already topped the federation out of Newark and strikes again sitting on about 8 to 10 dummy eggs and wins 2^nd section B 19^th open in the national. The cock won 2^nd B 19^th open from the Maidstone national.

Angus Federation of Racing Pigeon Societies

News from David Liddle who writes, ‘Hi Joe, please find attached our race results from Grantham as part of the Central and East Scotland Amalgamation flown on Saturday 15^th June. We were scheduled to be at Ramsgate but after a difficult few days for the race controllers due to the weather forecast for the weekend the team of Davie Glen, Danny Henderson and Ian Hynd made the wise decision to switch the race to Grantham. Leading the way in the Forfar club, Angus Fed and the Angus/Dundee combined result along with 2^nd in the CESA was Kenny Droog & Son with his good 2-year-old cock which last year won 1^st club 2^nd federation from Ramsgate and this season has been 2^nd club & fed from Wakefield plus 5^th club 6^th fed from Grantham (1). Second club and fed was Davie Glen with a 2-year-old Vandenabeele widowhood cock which has already won the club and federation from Wooler this season. Yours truly David Liddle win 3^rd club and Fed with a yearling widowhood cock which was bought at a local breeder buyer sale last year. He was bred by Stewart Donaldson and his breeding is Taverne Rigole family crossed with birds from David Jamieson. 

The Federation Grantham old bird race flown on 20^th August had 12 members sending 176 birds these were liberated at 05.45 a.m. into a south west wind. Ken Droog & son are 1^st with Davie Glen winning 2^nd 6^th 12^th places. David Liddle is 3^rd 7^th & 11^th with Ian Scott winning 4^th & 5^th positions. Eric Galloway wins 8^th 9^th & 10^th the remainder of the places are won by Charlie & Glen Cameron of Arbroath. They also won 9 of the 10 East Section places with W Dorward of Gourdon winning 8^th position. 

Club Winners; Arbroath had 2 members sending 45 birds-velocity 1167-79. Forfar 9 members sent 113 birds winning velocity 1264-51l; Gourdon 2 members sending 18 birds winning velocity 1121-98. Montrose No Entry.

 

 27 Day Space Weather Outlook Table.

        Issued 24^th June 2024

    UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

   Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2024 Jun 24     190           8          3

2024 Jun 25     190           5          2

2024 Jun 26     190           5          2

2024 Jun 27     190           5          2

2024 Jun 28     190           5          2

2024 Jun 29     190           5          2

2024 Jun 30     190           5          2

2024 Jul 01     190           5          2

2024 Jul 02     195           5          2

2024 Jul 03     190           5          2

2024 Jul 04     185           5          2

2024 Jul 05     190           5          2

2024 Jul 06     180           5          2

2024 Jul 07     180           5          2

2024 Jul 08     165           5          2

2024 Jul 09     165           5          2

2024 Jul 10     180           5          2

2024 Jul 11     170           5          2

2024 Jul 12     170           5          2

2024 Jul 13     170           5          2

2024 Jul 14     180          10          3

2024 Jul 15     190          10          3

2024 Jul 16     195           8          3

2024 Jul 17     200           5          2

2024 Jul 18     200           5          2

2024 Jul 19     195           5          2

2024 Jul 20     195           8          3

 

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

© Compiled by Joe Murphy