The Joe Murphy Column

[Ian McKay]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

My request for a copy of the Robbie Stoddart story came to fulfilment when I received an email from Charlie McKerrow who wrote: ‘Hi Joe, I have 2 copies of the Robbie Stoddart story, I would be happy to give the guy a copy. My late old man was a Stoddart enthusiast and flew this family up until his death in 2011. I now have the remnants of my old man’s Stoddarts but the family is dying out now as I no longer have any full Stoddart hens from which to breed. (I asked Charlie to forward his story onto me so that everyone may have a chance to read about this wonderful man). I hope Joe this short story helps the guy, I also have the BHW copy in paper format if he wants them yours Charlie McKerrow’.

 

The Stoddart Strain of Scotland

 

This brief article is not only about a strain of racing pigeons it is also about the extraordinary courage of a working class Scottish lad, namely Robert 'Rabbie' Stoddart, who formed the strain and in doing so overcame a crippling skin disease which bound him to his bedroom wrapped in bandages from head to foot. Yes, Rabbie Stoddart formed his strain and raced his pigeons based upon his instructions from his bed in a darkened room because he was not allowed to enter into daylight arising from an incurable skin disease. Our story begins in West Carron in Scotland at the beginning of the 20th Century were Rabbie Stoddart, one of a family of seven brothers and one sister, entered the sport of pigeon racing. Initially he kept his birds in an old coal shed and in West Carron one had to have permission to keep pigeons and this was often refused but perhaps because of the would be fanciers disability the authorities granted permission. Eventually permission was given to build a loft in the corner of a neighbour’s garden and this was to be the environmental base from which members of the Stoddart family brought birds to Rabbies bedside so that he could make managerial decisions about his stock and other matters which we take for granted. However; a loving family ensured that its pigeon fancier would receive as much support and encouragement as possible. Even the neighbours played their part for, aside from one providing loft space, on racing days if a local soccer match was in progress, nearby, once pigeons arrived all the play stopped and silence reigned until the birds were clocked. I wonder if the late Walt Disney could have imagined such a script.

 

At the base of the Stoddart strain was a blue chequer Stanhope cock which came via a Mr Tom Scott of Camelon. Stoddart had in his mind what he considered to be the type of bird that he desired for breeding and racing and the Scott cock was of this type. Then upon handling a pied hen bred by a Mr Radcliffe of Stalybridge known as '307' (of Gits C bloodlines) Stoddart knew that he had the base pair. He was proven to be right for the pair in turn bred 'Alfonso' an important pigeon of the Stoddarts. During 1925 more blood was added to the loft, one being a blue Logan cock of the Stanton Bros of Plumstead and two hens from S. Vine of Rosyth. One of the hens when paired with the Stanton cock bred '1704' who became a very consistent racer.'1704' when paired to a daughter of 'Alfonso' bred one of the lofts best racers 'Dauntless'. At about 1929 Rabbie Stoddart knew that things had gone well for his channel ambitions but he was still determined to improve his stock and he purchased some noted birds of the Osman strain amongst others including the blood of J B Clarke of Bothwell- the latter blood giving birth to the base of another great Scottish strain the '1210' strain of Mason. Emanating from the latter purchases there were good offspring, in particular a blue hen 'Little Lady' who was to become a pivotal factor in the evolution of the family. The latter hen when mated to one of the direct Osman birds 'Old Squills' produced two outstanding stock birds and an excellent racer 'Leading Lady' who won a race from Nevers, France (almost 700 miles) held in conjunction with the English based Up North Combine in 1929, by 50 yards per minute. In 1930 'Leading Lady' was also 3rd Open Rennes S.N.F.C. In due course Rabbie Stoddard won 3rd, 4th, 16th and 19th Open in the Scottish Nationals as well as 2nd, 3rd, 6th,16th and 23rd in long distance races held under the auspices of the Scottish Midland Combine. Yes, 1st was elusive but what other pigeon racer could achieve what Rabbie Stoddard achieved under such terrifying disability? Surely he was one of the greatest.

 

It should be noted that the great English fancier, Vic Robinson, had obtained directly some of the Stoddard strain and the latter bloodlines are in the pedigree of some of Robinsons best birds including the great 'Mademoiselle' who was 1st and 2nd Open from Pau in the National Flying Club. Thus in a way Rabbie Stoddard achieved his 1st National four years after his death at the age of 49 in 1951. Many other national positions in the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and perhaps elsewhere were obtained by the bloodlines of the Stoddard’s. The fancy in Scotland must surely be proud of them. I will now continue with the pigeons that are making the headlines in the present day Scottish National Flying Club.

 

Good SNFC Birds

 

Continuing on the 3 times National winning pigeons this week I highlight 3 birds from Section C with the first a chequer white flight cock SU12F 3918 raced by R Cook from Rosyth. His bird won 3 times in the 2015 season being 330th open Billericay (no section prize) flying 345 miles. He was then sent to Portsmouth a distance of 372 miles and won 67th section C 247th open and then into the last old bird national from Clermont a distance of 522 miles and he won 31st section C 73rd open so well done to Mr Cook. We now come to Stuart Donaldson of Blairgowrie whose blue bar white flight cock SU13F 2453 also won 3 open prizes in the 2015 season. He was entered into the Billericay race a distance of 378 miles and won 54th section C 166th open, he then went to the Gold Cup race from Alencon and won 132nd open (no section prize) flying 582 miles. He was then sent to the last old bird race from Clermont a distance of 554 miles and he won 30th section C 70th open so 2 open wins from over the channel proving his is indeed a good pigeon. We now stay north of the Tay to the loft of J McBride of Dundee with his blue bar cock SU12DF 215 another 3 times open national winner in 2015. He won 26th section C 106th open from Portsmouth a distance of 402 miles he was then entered into the Ypres race which was cancelled and flew from Eastbourne a distance of 422 miles winning 194th open (no section prize won) he was then sent to Clermont a distance of 544 miles winning 22nd section C 54th open well done to Mr McBride on his pigeons performances and we look forward to watching the above 3 birds progress in national racing in 2016.

This week’s photographs

 

Received a short note and picture from my ‘Pal’ Jock Strang & son of California, he wrote; ‘I’ve enclosed a photograph of our new loft, and EVERY nail knocked in by myself which is not bad for a 76 year old and my 73 year old apprentice (brother Wull). May I wish you and Kevin all the best for the 2016 season especially in the Gold Cup race and I hope you are 2nd at Hampden, your PAL John’. My second picture is of 2 Legends of the pigeon sport Daniel Aerens and Andre Roodhooft.

 

 

Joe's Joke

 

After getting all of Pope Francis luggage loaded into the limo, (and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb. "Excuse me, Your Holiness," says the driver, "Would you please take your seat so we can leave?" "Well, to tell you the truth," says the Pope, "they never let me drive at the Vatican, and I'd really like to drive today." "I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen?" protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning. "Who's going to tell?" says the Pope with a smile. Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 km/h. (Remember, the Pope is German.) "Please slow down, Your Holiness" pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.

"Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job! Moans the driver’

The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches; but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.

"I need to talk to the Chief," he says to the dispatcher. The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 km/h. "So bust him," says the Chief. "I don't think we want to do that, he's really important," said the cop.

The Chief exclaimed, "All the more reason!" "No, I mean really important," said the cop with a bit of persistence. The Chief then asked, "Who do you have there, the mayor?" Cop: "Bigger." Chief: "A senator?" Cop: "Bigger." Chief: "The Prime Minister?" Cop: "Bigger." "Well," said the Chief, "who is it?" Cop: "I think it's God!" The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, "What makes you think it's God?" Cop: "His chauffeur is the Pope!"

 

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