The Joe Murphy Column

[Ian McKay]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

Received an email from Gavin Russell of Buckie Racing Pigeon Club asking if I would put his club’s weekly result into my column; He writes ‘We fly in the North of Scotland Fed which is roughly 150 square miles with 2 sections with Buckie in the west section and find it very difficult to get open federation positions because of our location. I myself have just come back into the sport and how things have changed since the 1980’s. I thought most fanciers were paranoid about Bops, now it’s a reality I can see where they are coming from. I’m now 66 and retired I thought I’ll get the ‘Doo’s’ again to keep me busy I enjoy the birds at the back door, but I don’t enjoy race days. I use to get excited as soon as the birds were liberated but not anymore as you know your birds are running the gauntlet.The Buckie club is an 11 man club we average around 100 to 250 birds per race. If you can add our results to your column I will email the results each week a week behind so I can put in any Federation position won by our members. As requested I will send you the first three positions in each race, regarding the information you require: Owner/ colour /sex/strain/ fed positions won if any. I enjoy reading your writings and keep the good work Joe up yours Gavin Russell’. This service is open to all clubs and federations within Scotland it is up to you but remember I require all information by Wednesday of each week.

 

Dundee Club Sale

 

Received an email from Brian Donnelly of Dundee informing me of his club’s BREEDER / BUYER sale to be held on Sunday 24th April 2016 at 13-30 in the Taxi Club, Rosebank Street, Dundee Birds will be penned at 13.00 hours. There are approximately 20 birds promised from friends of the club along with birds from club members, and if anyone wishes to donate a youngster they would be most welcome. Due to recent circumstances, our trophies for the 2015 season have not been presented, so this task will take place during the afternoon. In addition to the above, a stand –up comedian is going to do a 30 minute turn. All in all something a wee bit different so come along and have a great afternoon out!! As this is a sale not to be missed, wishing you and Kevin all the best for the coming season many thanks in advance, Joe yours Brian Donnelly’.

 

Good SNFC Birds

 

Continuing on celebrity pigeons that have won 3 times in the Scottish National I discovered 3 birds from the east section with the first up Gold Cup winner John Duthie of Dundee with his chequer pied cock SU13S 97. This cock won 10th section C 48th open from Maidstone in 2014 flying 393 miles. Then in 2015 he won 91st section C 364th open from Portsmouth a distance of 398 miles, he was then set up for the last old bird national of the season and won 19th section C 51st open from Clermont a distance of 542 miles a good pigeon and well done to John. We now come to one of John’s close friends Brian Chalmers of Kennoway in Fife whose blue chequer cock SU14F 2781 has also won 3 times from the national. In 2014 he won 27th section C 143rd open from Buckingham a distance of 303 miles then in 2015 he won 15th section C 64th open from Billericay a distance of 349 miles and then into the last old bird national from Clermont a distance of 526 miles and he won 32nd section C 75th open a very good pigeon to be 3 times in the top 32 in section C is outstanding. We now come to Tom McLeod of Elphinstone with his blue bar cock SU13P 3003 also a 3 times open national winner. In 2014 he won 130th section B 199th open from Maidstone a distance of 357 miles. He was then entered into the Ypres race and won 228th open (no section prize) flying a distance of 426 miles. Then in 2015 he was 50th section B 84th open from Billericay a distance of 329 miles once again another good pigeon and I look forward to seeing if the above birds do well in the 2016 season.

 

This Week’s Pictures

 

The first is of Margaret and I with our great granddaughters Dylahn and Daisy Bella, they are just back from Euro Disney in Paris as it was Dylahn’s 3rd birthday. They had a wonderful time and the staff dressed as Disney characters made such a fuss of them that they made the trip. I remember taking our family to Florida and it was a holiday that they will never forget so let’s hope the 2 girls remember their time in Paris. My 2nd picture is of our grandson Conner who is always in the loft with me and has now started to put the feeding into the bottom 2 rows of nest boxes. Hopefully a budding pigeon man for the future only time will tell.

 

 

 

Joe’s Joke

 

A fancier settles down to watch TV when in walks his dog carrying a dead pigeon covered in mud. He almost chokes on his digestive biscuit when he recognises the bird as being fellow fancier and next door neighbour Bill’s good old blue hen (a 5 times prize winner from France) Panic sets in as he grabs the pigeon off the dog, hurrying into the kitchen to wash it under the tap and drying it with the wife’s hair dryer. After midnight he sneaks out and sets the bird on Bill’s loft landing board. The following morning he breaks out in a sweat as he sees Bill approaching the fence dividing their gardens with the dead pigeon in his hand. ‘You’ll never guess what’s happened’ says Bill. ‘The old champion hen died yesterday and I buried her in the garden, and this morning she is back on the landing board. How’s that for Homing Ability’.

 

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 and www.pigeon-chat.co.uk also www.pigeonbasics.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.

 

© Compiled by Joe Murphy