Article by Steven Dalgliesh

[sapper756]

Copied from Facebook 

From Ecclefechan we head east to Newcastleton on another fact laden tour with WP John Wortley

Newcastleton is picturesque village set amongst the Border Hills. At one time there were as many as twenty pigeon lofts in the village and whilst a pigeon club existed in the community, it was not a member club of an organised Federation. In those days the Edinburgh Waverley Rail link wound its way down through the Borders to Longtown and onward to Carlisle. The line actually passed through Newcastleton and the fanciers who resided in the village used the facility to convoy their entry to the various races. As we reflect on the past, our readers should understand that there was only one clock in the village and a point of further interest is that a certain white pigeon that belonged to the local Postmaster, won the Warrington race on no fewer than five occasions. The full title of our local Federation is the Solway Federation of Racing Pigeon Societies of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire. With this knowledge it should be noted that in 1950, the members of Langholm H.S. made application at the Federation A.G.M. that they be granted permission to accept members from Newcastleton. Langholm Secretary, David Latimer, explained that Newcastleton is located in Roxburghshire and he appealed for the approval of the Meeting. The Federation Secretary explained that he had written to the East of Scotland Federation, within whose captive area the Club was located and they had no objection. It was agreed, therefore, that Langholm H.C. accept Newcastleton fanciers as members. From amongst their midst emerged several very talented fanciers who won out of turn in the Federation and the National. One such fancier was Willie John Little with the Star Performer in the loft being Chequer W.F. cock ‘Border Hero’. This fine pigeon was bred in 1951 and in 1953 raced from S.N.F.C. Rennes for the first time and was 7th Section 15th Open. Back to Rennes in 1954 when he was 1st Section 2nd Open from an entry of 5,070 birds. He went back to his favourite race point in 1955, ’56 and ’57 and was 2nd Section 14th Open, 23rd Section 222nd Open and 23rd Section 122nd Open over successive seasons. Not only was ‘Border Hero’ a fine racer but was also a superb breeder and fanciers such as John Robertson from Jedburgh and Tommy Woodhouse from Annan successfully raced the bloodlines.
‘Border Hero
📷
Willie John Little was obviously an accomplished fancier, as also were T. Robson and Harkness & Ferguson, who each competed in the village. During the 1950’s and early 1960’s Mrs. Jean Shillinglaw used to visit the loft of T.Robson to view the pigeons and watch them return on a Saturday from the races and at the same time Jack Wylie used to visit the loft of Harkness & Ferguson for the same purpose. Mr. Shillinglaw, incidentally, had been a noted breeder of Border
terrier dogs, of National repute. In 1962, her husband approached Jack Wylie to enquire if he was interested in forming a loft of pigeons and going into partnership with his good lady. They were actually near neighbours in the village and as explained above resided in North Liddle Street that takes its name from the River Liddle, which runs close-by. It should be noted that there were only ten houses in the street with the residents being neighbours and close friends. Jack Wylie agreed to enter partnership with his neighbour and as he only had a small garden at the rear of his home, the loft was erected at Mrs.Shillinglaw’s address. The new partners were gifted six pigeon from fanciers in the village to start them away. They received two from Harkness & Ferguson, one being a Blue Chequer hen and the other a Red Chequer cock; they received three from T. Robson and one from J. Wallace. They also purchased several Logan’s at a Sale at Balerno in the Lothian’s. Whilst Jack was the dominant member of the partnership it should be understood that Jean Shillinglaw was a natural stockwoman through her many years-experience, breeding Border Terriers and was not a partner in name only. As the story unfolds, it should be understood that of the original six pigeons gifted by fanciers in Newcastleton, five of them went on to score from the channel. Let us concentrate, however, on the Blue Chequer hen that was received from Harkness & Ferguson.