Solway Federation West Section Fancier of the Year 2025

[sapper756]

Copied from Facebook 11th Dec 2025

Billy has penned a wee note about Solway Federation West Section Fancier of the year Jim Russell. 

Winner of the West Section Fancier of the Year Trophy in 2025 was Jim Russell from the Nith Valley Club, Dumfries.    The Federation trophies were presented several weeks ago at the Fed. AGM, but Jim was unfortunately unable to attend.   Michael Currie the Federation President informed the members that he would deliver the trophy to Jim’s home address by hand and would get a photo, which would be posted on the Federation Facebook page.    In recent days Michael visited Jim’s home; having been told that he had not been in best of health but pleasingly on arrival was a bit better and in grand fettle for the visit and together they had a great chat reminiscing on by-gone years.  Michael was much impressed also when he learned that Jim had won the trophy racing ten pigeons only.    In recent years he worked with examples of the Van den Bulck family, which he obtained from friend and fellow Club member Mervyn Halliday who in turn purchased his stock from P and D Racing Stud and Ludo Claessens, which he obtained from Louella. As the 2025 season drew to a conclusion it was generally known that due to advancing years and indifferent health the final race in the 2025 Federation race programme was to be Jim’s last ever race as he had decided to retire from the Fancy.   For him, however, to conclude the season, being named West Section Fancier of the Year Federation was extra, extra special.

[buster151]

Congratulations