sapper756 Posted September 15, 2024 Report Posted September 15, 2024 The Joe Murphy Column Quite a number of fanciers said how much they had enjoyed Major A Neilson Hutton’s ‘A few things worth thinking about’. I’m glad fanciers are enjoying these short write ups as it gives us a ‘Blast from the Past’ which was a different world to the one we now live in. However, it is also mind-blowing to see how our sport has progress over these years. The one thing that never changes; is our ambition to breed winning pigeons. Away back in 1967 D Carse junior (The son of Hunter Carse) wrote an article on ‘Bred To Win’ which came about as they had won 1st Scottish Central Combine Avranches from an entry of 2589 birds. He wrote, ‘I have called this article ‘Bred to Win’ as this is something I firmly believe in. The pedigree of ‘Alpine Queen’ which I will state later proves this. If you are going to win at 500 miles you must have the birds that are bred for the job. We have been very lucky in this respect, as the basic family of pigeon in our lofts came from Wiliam MacAlpine of Armadale. It is our belief and also the belief of a great majority of other fanciers that this is one of the best family of long-distance racers in the country. The association of the late John McAlpine and his son William with the late Dr Anderson was a partnership that brought them recognition all over the world by the performances they set up at all distances. It has been to my advantage that I was fortunate enough to become a pupil of W McAlpine and although our birds have had many good performances at both inland racing and distance racing. I am still a pupil and realise there is a great deal still to learn. However, I am a good listener, and in my opinion, I have one of the best teachers in the country. We have two lofts; One is 11 ft x 10ft; which has the fly in system and the other is 9 ft x 6 ft, which has the ordinary trapping method by bob-wires. In these lofts about 35 to 40 pairs of pigeons are kept. About 10 pairs of these pairs are stock. Our management is made a lot easier by the fact that my uncle is a retired Foundry worker and he is there all day attending to the birds. The lofts are cleaned twice a day and clean water given three times a day. Our birds are fed on mixtures all the year round, mainly beans, peas, maize & wheat but after the youngsters are reared and the racing is started a bigger percentage of beans are added to it. Our training method is very simple. We don’t believe in flogging them round the lofts. We have a van and this is where my father comes in. He is the man who drives, and attends to all the training tosses required. At no time is it any trouble to him. If the weather is suitable, we give them at least a twenty-mile toss about three times a week. When the longer races come on, we try to give our distance birds a 50-mile toss at the weekend. As you will have noticed in our partnership, each person has their own job to do. I would like to say a few words about the class of pigeon fanciers in Armadale, and if you want to win you have some of the best fanciers in Scotland to beat. Our club sends an average of between 400 to 800 pigeons to every race. In a convoy such as this, if you are in the first 10 in the race you are doing very well. There are quite a few good fanciers who are capable of taking good positions in club racing and classics, but I would like to pick out some friends; the Portland Brothers whose loft is in the next garden to ours. Already in 1967 old bird season they have four first prizes in the club out of eight races. Their national and open race performances prove how hard it is to beat them. Then there is our club mate A H Whitlaw who always seems to be knocking at the door. These fanciers’ lofts are situated in Blackridge and they have to give a good bit overfly away but still they put up some fine performances both in inland and National Racing. Then there are the Lindsays; Jimmy Lindsay Senior is the oldest member of the club and he has won the West Lothian Federation Averages 3 years in a row; 1961;62 & 63. Joe Kerr is another who has had many fine performances over 500s. So, you see, you have really got to have good pigeons to win against the fanciers mentioned above. Now if I may, I would like to say something about our good black chequer hen ‘Alpine Queen’ rung SURPP60W-2558. One thing we have always noticed about this hen, she always does her best whether the race is fast or slow. At the start of the season, we try to map out our teams for the distance races. In my teaching I have been told that the man who plans out his programme well in advance is the one who is the most successful in the long run. Another thing is to make the best use of your older pigeons as safety valves. For example; ‘Alpine Queen’ a seven-year-old with plenty of experience was earmarked for Avranches along with a five-year-old and a two-year-old. ‘Alpine Queen’ flew Penrith, and was then sent to Whitchurch where she was 3rd bird to the loft and then to Worchester which was a very hard race. ‘Alpine Queen’ was again our 3rd pigeon to the loft and was in the clock. After Worcester she was separated for roughly two weeks before she was remated so that she would be going to Avranches with a newly hatched youngster, a condition she is very fond of. It was the biggest thrill of our lives when she was clocked at 4-23pm on the day of the race, recording a velocity of 1507 to win the Combine. The Pedigree of ‘Alpine Queen’ is as follows; Her sire is a blue cock 2344; he is from a red chequer cock 2340 red bred by Willie McAlpine mated to blue white flight 11761 bred by Willie McAlpine. 2330 is from red chequer 379 x red chequer 434. 3799 flown Nantes 608 miles 6 times and is the sire of black chequer hen 32599 x 6 times Rennes winning 21st open 7th section SNFC. 434 FROM red chequer 1767 x red chequer 1091 his ‘Nantes Hen’. 1767 a son of his ‘Ghent Hen’ the grandam of ‘Barcelona Blue’; 11761 a daughter of his black chequer hen 480 a winner of 26th section 92nd open SNFC Nantes 608 miles; 21st open Rocheford 699 miles and flown 7 times over 500 miles. Dam; Red 2337. A winner of 12th section 128th open SNFC Rennes 1963. 2337 is from red 11735 bred by W McAlpine x red chequer1584 bred by W McAlpine Armadale. 11735 is a grandson of his blue chequer Nantes Cock; A winner of 1st federation 153 miles and 42nd open SNFC Nantes; flown 6 times over 500 miles. 1548; from red chequer 17767 x red chequer 1091 his ‘Nantes Hen’. 1767 a son of the ‘Ghent Hen’ and grand dam of ‘Barcelona Hen’. As you will see by this pedigree, I think it proves my point about being bred for the job. 1961 Darlington; 1962 Retford; 1963 Lewes, all in the East Coast Route. 1964 1st club Retford and Dol 515 miles. 1965 Rennes 545 miles; 1966 Bournemouth 365 miles; 1967 Penrith, Whitchurch, Worcester and then Avranches. In 1966 we thought we had a good season by winning the outland and combined averages in the club and also the West Lothian Federation Average Cup for the whole of the old bird and young bird programme plus Avranches in which race we were 37th, but 1967 has surpassed all expectations. We have already won in the club the G Whitlaw Trophy for the best average Worchester and Bournemouth; the Avranches Cup, the Outland Average, the A Smillie Trophy in the federation for the best average for Bournemouth and Avranches; also, the Continental Trophy for the 1st bird in Avranches. At the time of writing this article with two young bird’s races to go, we still have a chance to win some more before the season is finished. So, you will see 1967 has been a year we will remember for a long time. Before I close, I would like to thank W McAlpine for all his help and I hope he will always be able to put up with me asking for advice; D Carse Junior. SNFC Grevillers Race After a two-day holdover the SNFC race from Grevillers was flown on 14th July with the convoy of 391 birds liberated at 07-00am into a light south wind. Only 3 birds gallant pigeons made it home on the day with the top position going to past SNFC 2016 Roye winner Jocky Scott of Kennoway in Fife. Jocky pulled off an outstanding performance from this national race timing in his yearling chequer cock at 20-51pm for the 486 miles recording a velocity of 1029; being the only pigeon in the race to record a velocity over 1000 ypm. However, I’m happy for Jocky as he won the Dewar Trophy in 2019 with his chequer cock ‘Whisky’ (which you can read about in my book ‘The Dewar Trophy the First 50 Year) The winner of 1st & 3rd south section 2nd & 9th open is John Hodgson of Annan as many of you will know John was the winner of the Dewar Trophy in 2022. John needs no introduction to the pigeon sport as he has a very impressive history in the SNFC national having won 7 x 1st open National winners. Starting away back in 1986 winning Sartilly (2) the following year he won Sartilly (1) and in 1990 he won a double winning Rennes Gold Cup and Sartilly (2) the following year he won Sartilly (1). Then in the 2000’s he moved house to Kirpatrick Fleming and won Falaise in 2008 and Clermont 2 years later; John is now back in Annan living. The other pigeon timed on the day was to J Ferguson of Eastriggs who timed at 21-02pm to win 2nd region A 3rd open with these being the only 3 gallant birds timed on the day. John Hodgson also won 3rd region A 9th open. Brian Kelly of Chirnside timed at 05-33am to win 1st region B 4th open flying 445 miles; J Bosworth is 2nd region 15th open with J Mark of Tranent winning 3rd region B 18th open. Charlie & Glen Cameron of Arbroath won 2nd & 3rd region C 5th & 7th open. 1st region E 1st west section 6th open is D Gillespie of Blantyre flying 486 miles; with J Woods of Uddingston winning 2nd region E 22nd open. My old mate Derick Hay of Kirkintilloch wins 3rd & 4th region E but no open positions. Andrew McKenna of Irvine who is having a very good season as you will read in my Ayrshire notes wins 1st region F 8th open. Tom and Mary Paterson of Plean continue their excellent season by winning 1st region D 13th open with Angus Orr & Son of Brighton’s winning 2nd region D 17th open. J Smith of Polmont is 3rd region D 24th open. Michael Main of Portlethen wins 1st region G 1st North section; with J Cowie of Aberdeen winning 2nd region G and North section. This turned out to be an excellent race and the fanciers I have spoken too are over the moon with this race and their returns; Well Done to one and all. Results Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club From the Billericay race which was the 12th old bird race flown this year on 19th July; 4 members entered 31 birds into the SNFC & Federation race with the convoy liberated at 06-45am into a south wind. Taking the first 2 places plus 4th & 5th are Charlie & Glen Cameron, with Chic & Ann Carrie winning 3rd spot. Les McKay is 6th & 7th with Graham McKenzie winning 8th position. Fife Federation Also flying from the Billericay race with 237 birds competing in the federation Open Race; these were liberated at 06:45 in a south wind on 19th July. Taking top spot is John Harcus of St Andrews with a 2-year-old GB rung bird doing a velocity of 1499 winning 1st east section 1st open. John is also 8th east section 12th open. Tam Laing of Kennoway is 2nd section & open on 1432 velocity. His son in law B Chalmers of the same club is 3rd 4th 6th 9th & 10th section and 3rd 4th 9th 13th & 14th open. Brian Kinnear also of Kennoway club is 5th section and open. 1st west section 6th open is C Buchannan of Crossgates club with his club mate R Cook winning 2nd & 3rd west section 7th & 8th open positions. G Williams of Novar & Leslie are 4th west section 10th open with Jim Doig of Lochgelly club winning 5th west section 22nd open. The A. Keanie Sponsorship is won by the following; John Harcus £100 velocity 1400; B Chalmers is 2nd & 3rd winning £75 & £25. The federation Old Bird Average is won by John Harcus velocity 1415.54 with runner up B Chalmers 1383.50. North of Scotland Federation News from George Duthie with the result of the First young bird race of the 2024 season from Brechin; with 36 members sending 877 birds these were liberated into a light west wind. The East section had 16 members sending 462 birds. Taking the first 3 places in the east section and open is S Glue of Peterhead & District club with his 3 birds all on the same yardage 1677 and split by decimals. Neil Holt of the same club takes the next 3 places with club mates Maskame & Cordiner not to be outdone timing in 3 birds to win 7th 8th & 9th section and open. A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District club wins 10th section and open. The West section had 20 members sending 415 birds; Devern Valley club take all the section places with G Wilson winning 1st section 31st open. J Abel is 2nd section 33rd open; N Raymond wins 3rd 4th & 8th section 34th 35th & 39th open. A Wilson wins 5th 6h & 7th section 36th 37th & 38th open with A Milne winning 9th section 40th open and A Hay wins 10th section 41st open. Clubs First Bird S Glue wins Peterhead & District velocity 1677.900; Fraserburgh & District is won by A W Buchan velocity 1631.140; A Higgins wins Fraserburgh West End velocity 1566.119; Devern Valley is won by G Wilson velocity 1364.539; Inverurie is won by C B Forsyth velocity 1350.361; Keith club is won by A Cormack velocity 1120.822; with Elgin & District club won by W Ritchie velocity 1075.125. Well Done to S Glue on topping the federation and same sentiments to G Wilson on winning the West Section. …………………………………………………….. SNFC Billericay inland nation was flown on the 19th July with 192 members sending 1315 birds; these were liberated at 06-45am into a south wind and a very fast race was confirmed with Neil Holt of Peterhead in the North section winning 1st Open SNFC with a velocity of 1514.28 flying 414 miles timed at 14-46-40. Neil was also 2nd section 9th open with George Weatherly of Aberdeen winning 3rd section D 13th open. My good friend Stewart Maskame of Peterhead forwarded me some details and pictures of Niel holding his national winner now named ‘One For Lewis’ after his late son. This cock has flown 3 times over 400 miles in 4 weeks and he is the furthest flying inland SNFC winner. His previously national wins are; 3rd region G 67th open SNFC Maidstone a distance of 442 miles with a convoy of 2004 birds. The breeding of ‘One For Lewis’ is a Gaby Vandenabeele purchased from Louella Pigeon World as a kit of 10 in 2022. My thanks go to my old pal Stewart Maskame for the above information and photographs supplied as I cover his north of Scotland federation on a weekly basis (You’re a true gentleman mate). Gordon Turnbull of Chirnside had an outstanding race (and must have thought he was the winner until the result came out) Gordon won 1st & 2nd region B 2nd & 3rd open with his first bird doing a velocity of 1514.17 just beaten for the top spot by decimals. 3rd region B 5th open is Brain Kelly of Chirnside. Kenny Droog & son of Forfar had a great race winning 1st 2nd 3rd & 4th region C 4th 6th 7th & 21st open great flying Kenny well done. The ever-consistent John Hodgson & son of Annan wins 1st 2nd & 4th region A 45th 48th & 53rd open. 3rd region A 52nd open is S Allan of Gretna. Another consistent top flier is Peter Keogh of Broxburn who wins 1st 2nd & 3rd region D 112th 113th & 125th open. Winner of 1st region E/ 1st west section is won by A Nelson of Hamilton with the Lesmahagow partnership of Hamilton & Thomson winning 2nd & 3rd region E and section. Region F is won by Robert Reid of Beith with the inform loft of Andrew McKenna from Ayrshire winning 2nd & 3rd region. Obituary Downie Len; It was a shock to be told that Len had passed away on this week; Len won the SNFC Nantes race in 1988 flying in partnership with Stewart Donaldson. He was a very quiet man; however, he was a dedicated fancier who knew a pigeon and knew how to set it them up to win. Mel Jarvis and I visited Len when he won the national as we verified his winner; and you could have eaten your dinner off the loft floor it was that clean. Even watching him catch and handle a pigeon was indeed a treat, a gentle giant of a man. To his wife and family, we send out heartfelt condolences. I have added a photo of Len and the then SNFC president Tom Davidson at the SNFC presentation and I have also added a photo of Len’s good ‘Pencil Cock’ that did a lot of winning for him including 2nd open SNFC. 27 Day Space Weather Outlook Table. Issued on 22nd July 2024 at 05-07 UTC UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2024 Jul 22 195 5 2 2024 Jul 23 190 5 2 2024 Jul 24 190 5 2 2024 Jul 25 190 5 2 2024 Jul 26 180 5 2 2024 Jul 27 180 5 2 2024 Jul 28 175 5 2 2024 Jul 29 170 5 2 2024 Jul 30 170 5 2 2024 Jul 31 170 5 2 2024 Aug 01 165 5 2 2024 Aug 02 165 5 2 2024 Aug 03 165 5 2 2024 Aug 04 170 5 2 2024 Aug 05 175 5 2 2024 Aug 06 180 5 2 2024 Aug 07 185 5 2 2024 Aug 08 185 5 2 2024 Aug 09 190 5 2 2024 Aug 10 190 5 2 2024 Aug 11 190 5 2 2024 Aug 12 195 5 2 2024 Aug 13 195 5 2 2024 Aug 14 190 5 2 2024 Aug 15 190 5 2 2024 Aug 16 190 5 2 2024 Aug 17 190 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 © Compiled by Joe Murphy 7
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