The Joe Murphy Column

[Ian McKay]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

We have managed to get 2 more birds return from the Littlehampton national but going by all accounts not many birds seem to have worked their way home since the day of the race. This race has resulted in some horrendous losses with many fanciers reporting the loss of their yearlings from this inland race point. John Baillie of Tranent sent in his thoughts with his result this week which I found of interest with John saying. ‘Some of us have noticed over the years that when any major political or sporting events are taking place we have some shocking racing and poor returns, is it something to do with all the satellites being used with the military and the broadcasting stations or was it that the Littlehampton race point is too close to the flight path of Heathrow? If so did the birds turn when they turned on the radar system at the airport! Something is far wrong and we cannot sustain losses like this every few years. My thanks to John on his comments I have also spoken to a lot of fanciers this past few days as we have had another atrocious race from our Gold Cup event from Reims with the result closing on the 3rd day at lunch time. However there are many good pigeons missing and many fanciers have not seen a feather for example there was NOT ONE pigeon recorded into Dundee from the Gold Cup event. Yet Arbroath club 3 members who sent to the race all timed and made the result but more about these later. A lot of people believe that the change to a new race point has something to do with these heavy losses as Littlehampton and Reims are new to the 2016 race programme. So is Roye which we go to the weekend this is printed as all are new liberations points to the SNFC this year. The first 2 have been nightmares so let us hope Roye turns out better this weekend. As many fanciers know we have 2 nationals racing into Scotland and both were at the Reims race point together in separate transporters. With the SNFC basketting on the Tuesday and the SNRPC basketting 24 hours later plus the latter has been going to Reims for a number of years so their birds know the route to take over the channel. The SNFC have raced from Alencon for the past 6 years and the last time they were at Reims was in 2010 therefore many of the member’s birds will no longer be in their race team. A day LESS in the basket could make all the difference to the SNFC pigeons, plus having less pigeons going to these channel events we should be working out a system regarding the transportation of the birds.

 

We have basketed 2 days before the Ypres national race since 2009 and without doubt this is the most successful race we have in the national calendar. With winning velocities being 1368; 1127; 1330; 1427; 1378 and 1339 and the distances fluctuate from 382 in the south section to 499 into the North section. (We did not race from Ypres in 2015) If the above proves the less time in the basket the better then why not try to do this in the other races in the future. Even to the extent of ONE central marking station for the Gold Cup race. Another point brought up is the amount of birds in each basket. For example if we use a 2000 bird transporter with 100 baskets to go to a race the national entry for Reims was 1323 birds if we divide the amount of birds per basket which equals 13/14 birds per basket. The less in each basket the better it is for the birds and the greatest pigeon race in the WORLD the BARCELONA International race has proved this over and over again. These Barcelona birds were basketed this weekend with 15 birds per basket and the birds will not be liberated until Friday at the earliest weather permitting. Spaced out within the baskets the birds can eat, drink and sleep in comfort and the most important item is the WELFARE of our pigeons. The SNRPC liberated their 252 birds at 07-45 am while the SNFC went one hour later. The forecast was for it to be good on the east side of the UK however there was to be torrential rain and some flooding in the Essex area. As evening came in this would cover the Midlands right over to the Newcastle area and travel northwards. One pigeon from the first liberation made it home on the day. While the Scottish National winner was in section B timed at 05-17 the next morning to George Veitch of Pencaitland in the old East Lothian federation to win 1st section B 1st open. This dark chequer cock won 37th open Alencon last year, well done George. John Baillie has sent me some pictures of George and his pigeon so please read the East of Scotland report further on in this article.

Margaret and I travelled up to Kevin’s at Arbroath arriving prior to 9am and he informed us that Mike MacPherson of Letham which is near Forfar in Angus federation had timed at 06-32 (he wins 1st section C 2nd open but more about Mike later as I visited him before we came home) As we watched the sky the rain came on and off all morning however Kevin’s club mates Bill Dorward timed to win 2nd section C 7th open and Charlie Cameron won 3rd section 8th open. This was great news especially for Bill as he has not been 100% this year due to illness and fanciers who read this column will know how consistent Charlie birds are, so well done lads the first 2 rounds of drinks are on you. We kept checking the SNFC lib line to see how the race was going but the birds were very scarce and well scattered out. Margaret and I left about 16-00 to return home without seeing a pigeon return from the race however Kevin phoned at 19.00 hours to say that he had timed in a blue Deweerdt hen and he was over the moon. This hen managed to make the national result winning 23rd section C 84th open and we are very appreciative of making the National result. This hen was purchased as a baby from the Lumsden & Colligan partnership of Stoneyburn in West Lothian. I’m also happy to say that we had another 2 birds return on Tuesday so now have 3 out of our 5 entries home. This proves our birds are good enough to fly the 578 miles back to Arbroath and our breeding system is working and it has been the circumstance on the day that has stopped them from returning home quicker. The contrast between the 2 races is unbelievable with some of the SNRPC members timing in 10 pigeons from their race while many SNFC pigeons are missing and some top fanciers have failed to record a bird home. For example; there was NOT one pigeon home in Dundee when Kevin went with his clock and none made the probable result, which continued until just after midday on the Sunday. There are only 2 birds into section F and 3 bird into section G (the north section) Could it be that the small convoy stuck together and crossed the English Channel together or does it prove that staying at the same race point for year’s makes all the difference or as some people are saying was the earlier liberation was the contributory factor? Regardless of any of the above we are now in a situation that needs to be address as it is ABSOLUTELY CRAZY to have 2 transporters from Scotland sitting at the same race point in France and liberating birds an hour behind each other, especially when they are all going the same route home. The reason is POLITICS (and by God we have had our fill of them this week with the EU referendum, and the ill fighting going on with the political parties) We as pigeon fanciers are not any better than these so call MP’s because Whoever had the highest winning velocity would then stick out their chest and say ‘I beat the other national’. The sad thing is QUITE a number of fanciers are in both organisations and pick and choose which club they wish to fly their birds with. For example do they send their yearlings to Billericay (SNRPC) or Littlehampton (SNFC)? It is no wonder our sport is ‘DYING’ on its feet with fanciers leaving every year. It is time this was sorted out once and for all but I know that this will not happen as there are fanciers in both establishments who would rather give up the birds than come back into ONE NATIONAL.

 

Mike MacPherson of Letham

 

I visited Mike on the day he timed in his 4 year old pied hen to win 1st section C 2nd open SNFC Reims flying 585 miles. Mike is a builder to trade and has only recently moved back into his old house in the village of Letham (a couple of miles outside of Forfar). He informed me that he cannot let his birds out of the loft until the month of May due to constant hawk attacks. This year he lifted his birds into the Ripon race a distance of 188 miles for their 1st race. He then took a week’s holiday as he had worked hard all winter and was due a rest. On his return the birds were entered into the Leicester race a distance of 288 miles and then some of the yearlings went to the national race from Littlehampton. However as described above this turned out to be a very hard race and a few of Mike’s failed to return with one of these being the mate to the 4 year old pied hen. With race marking for the Gold Cup race just 3 days away he gave the hen a 7 day old youngster and she never left it she was that keen. Mike felt she was a little light on lifting her for basketting but thought this could be due to feeding biggish youngster. She was definitely motivated by having this baby to make it home as quickly as possible. I have described how the weather was terrible with heavy rain falling all night. In fact Mike got up at 05-00 am and on looking out the window the rain was coming down so hard he said ‘There is no way pigeons can fly in that’ and went back to bed. However his hen did come home and was clocked on the ETS system at 06-32. She is bred from direct Louella Pigeon World descendants as Mike purchased 5 birds direct from ‘Champion De Barcelona’ 1st Dutch National, 4th International Barcelona, 25,502 birds, flying over 600 miles when mated to ‘De St Vincent’ from Luc Van Roy bloodlines. These being 4 cocks and 1 hen which he cultivated over the years and 2nd open hen being 75% De Barcelona 25 % Van Roy. Our congratulations go to Mike on this wonderful performance. In 2nd section B 3rd open is the consistent John Bosworth of Elphinstone with past runner up in the Gold Cup Reims race Andy Miller of Edinburgh again at the top of the tree winning 3rd section B 4th open. Andy does a wonderful job as Press Officer for the Pentland Hills Federation and I’m indeed grateful for all his effort throughout the year and this result is richly deserved by a very dedicated fancier so well done mate. (See Pentland Hills Federation notes below for details on Andy’s 2 pigeons) 1st section E 1st west region and 5th open is Billy Graham of Uddingston with 2nd section E 9th open for Davie Davidson of Glassford this black hen won 11th section E 57th open Alencon last year. Wining 2nd section A 10th open is Jimmy M Dalgleish of Annan with his chequer hen who has previously won 32nd section A 419th open from Portsmouth in 2015. Winning 1st section G 1st north region 11th open is Dave & Callum McDougall of Peterhead the partnership won 3rd north section in last year’s Gold Cup race not bad going for 622 miles well done to you both. Senior Vice President Bill J Smith of Maxwelltown had a good race to win 3rd & 4th section A 12th and 13th open with his first pigeon a chequer pied cock who has formerly won 14th section A from Ypres in 2013 and then 16th section A 32nd open from Alencon in 2015 so should now win a SNFC Silver Award well done Bill. Colin Bain of Ratho timed in his wonderful blue pied hen to win 1st section D (for the 2nd consecutive year) 18th open Reims this hen won 1st section D 7th open Alencon last year and the previous year won 6th section D 109th open from Ypres she now wins a coveted SNFC Silver Award well done Colin it is totally deserved. George Anderson of Scone in Perthshire had a very good race when others did not see a feather George wins 19th 20th 22nd open with the 3 birds being timed within 13 minutes he must have thought it was an easy race. He even timed in 2 more pigeons to win 42nd & 49th open so well done. Jim Doig of Cardenden in Fife timed in his 4 year old chequer cock to win 8th section C 24th open this cock has earlier won 55th section C 168th open from Billericay and also won 80th section C 245th open from Maidstone. Jock Alston of Ravenstruther in the west section timed in a 2 year old blue hen to win 4th section E 29th open she has previously won 3rd section E 95th open from Clermont in 2015. John Baillie of Tranent (East of Scotland press officer) timed in his good 5 year old chequer cock ‘Parksyde Ambition’ to win 9th section B 32nd open this cock has previously won 32nd section B 102nd open in 2015, 16th section B 44th open and was also 134th open ALL from Alencon and therefore he now wins a SNFC Silver Award well done John. 1st section F 33rd open is Liam Byrne of Glasgow who also won 4th section F in last year’s Gold Cup event so well done Liam. Hugh Gormley of Valleyfield won 9th section C 34th open with a 4 year old chequer hen that has previously won 47th section C 142nd open Clermont and also won 220th open from the Eastbourne inland national. Keith Cochrane of Crossgates timed in 2 pigeons to win 17th & 20th section C being 47th & 54th open with the second bird a former winner of 46th section C 137th open Clermont in 2015 and he also won 75th section C 308th open from Maidstone in 14. I close this part of my column highlighting Dave Baldie of St Andrews whose 3 year old blue bar cock wins 21st section C 57th open Reims last year he won 4th section C 64th open from Alencon and has earlier won 61st section C 192nd open from the Billericay inland national and believe it or not won 4th section C 38th open in the young bird national from Buckingham a true star as there are not many pigeon who win national prizes from a youngster through to a 3 year old congratulations Dave on a fantastic pigeon.

As much as I would love to cover every pigeon on the result this is virtually impossible however I have tried to cover pigeons that have formerly achieved wonderful results over the years. If I have missed out your pigeon then please send me an email with the bird’s details and I will rectify this in my next column.

Results

 

Ayrshire North Road Federation

News from Andy Kyle of the above federation who were racing from Arbroath on the 18th of June with 31 members sending 361 pigeons liberated at 08 -15 into a light North to North West wind.

Valley North Club winner and 1st federation is D McCullen on a velocity of 1357 his pigeon is a yearling blue cock from his Rex Doe ‘Noppen’ lines who have bred many winners. This cock has been in the clock every race and now takes top spot. Cumnock Club winner and 8th federation on 1269 velocity is J Auld with a 2 year old chequer hen bred by R Logan of New Cumnock from his Van Loon lines. This pigeon has previously won 2nd Cumnock club, 2nd federation from Arbroath earlier this year, on that occasion she was beaten by a loft mate.

Carrick Club winner and in 15th federation place on a velocity of 1218 are Jamieson & Cameron. They timed a 2 year old blue hen her sire is a direct son of Chris Gordon's ‘Snydale Express’ while her dam is a red hen from ‘Louella Stud’ direct from Champion ‘Maarten’ when mated to ‘La Suena Blanco’. This red Louella hen is a full sister to 1st International Narbonne 660 miles, 1st International Arona Classic and also 55th International Narbonne 660 miles on the day. As a matter of interest to your readers she was un-raced as a young bird and had one comeback race last year in 2015.

Mauchline Club winner and 19th federation on 1207 is Kory Galloway with his yearling dark chequer hen. Both parents are direct Lambrecht’s and this hen won 1st club Montrose in 2015, 1st club Perth in 2016 and now 1st club Arbroath. She is also a sister of a 2nd federation winner.

East of Scotland Federation

 

News from press officer John Baillie of Tranent who reveals; Hi Joe here is an update on some of the performances achieved by Prestonpans HC and East of Scotland members from Littlehampton with the SNFC. John Bird takes 41st open with his good hen "Peg" whom we wrote about last week. Yours truly John Baillie follows with 42nd, 185th & 290th open with yearlings. Tom & Scot McEwen take another 4 open positions winning 66th, 396th, 412th & 432nd. Richard & Jamie Combe come next with 5 open positions being 80th, 333rd, 345th, 380th & 442nd open. Mr &Mrs March are next in the club winning 87th open, Peter said after the Pentland Midweek race that his birds were not firing, so he went home and removed all the eggs and put the birds on roundabout and he has taken prizes every week since. The consistent loft of Tam Waddell takes 105th open with other members to collect open prizes are Jim McNeil who topped the federation winning 33rd open, followed by 172nd , 289th & 370th positions. Graeme Wardhaugh takes 141st & 450th open. The only other member to make the result is Mr & Mrs Burgess in 331st position. Not many birds seem to have worked in since the day of the race and there were some staggering losses.

 

Now we come to the SNFC Gold Cup race from Reims with the winner a member of the East of Scotland federation namely George Veitch of East Saltoun near Pencaitland who wins 1st section B 1st open SNFC with a 4 year old dark chequer cock, timed at 05.17 on the 2nd morning of race. This cock won 9th section B 37th open from the Gold Cup Alencon race in 2015 being timed at 05.47 on the 2nd morning so he is an early riser. He has now been named ‘Karamojo’ after George’s boyhood hero; Karamojo was a Scotsman who left his native land on a steamer to go to South Africa and became a game hunter as well as a soldier and was a World War 1 hero as a pilot. He also became a multi-millionaire (just like George Veitch ha ha). George started the pigeons 8 years ago when he attended the SNFC late bred sale and purchased some babies from the top national winners at that time. These were mated together and are the base of his family. He also obtained a direct daughter of his good friend Wilf Flockhart of Tranent Gold Award winner (5 times a winner from France) this cock was mated to a hen bred by Tom & Mary Paterson of Plean. George mated this hen to a cock from a Mr Walker of Dundee area bred a chequer cock SU10E 1320 who won 82nd section B 210th open SNFC Maidstone in 2013, last year he was timed from Portsmouth but did not make the open result he was then sent to the longest old bird national in 2015 from Ancenis 594 miles to East Saltoun and he won 6th section B 27th open. This cock 1320 was mated to his own dam (mentioned above) in 2012 and produced this year’s Gold Cup winner ‘Karamojo’. This year ‘Karamojo’ had every race to Weatherby on roundabout and was intended to go to the Newark race point but the federation cancelled this race. George repaired him and also flagged the team for 20 minutes morning and night round the loft. (Which George dislike as he hates standing waving a flag to keep the birds going) His 7 entries then had one training toss from Berwick on Tweed the weekend prior to basketting for the Gold Cup race and he was entered into the race sitting 4 day eggs. As we now know the rest is history and he is now in the annuals of the SNFC history books as the winner of the King George Cup and the SNFC Gold Cup. We send our congratulations to George on a great performance and he has achieved every Scottish fanciers DREAM.

Continuing with the East of Scotland Federation fanciers we have the partnership of Richard & Jamie Combe of Elphinstone in 14th & 88th open. With yours truly John Baillie of Tranent with my chequer cock ‘Parksyde Ambition’. He was named ‘Ambition’ after we moved house and loft location from Loanhead to Tranent and it was my ambition to try and get a SNFC diploma with my broken birds. (See introduction above on his performances Joe M) The ever present Tom & Scot McEwen of Elphinstone are 39th & 79th open with John Bird winning 95th open. As a matter of interest John found his hen in beside his young bird team when closing them up for the night and finally Jim McNeil of Tranent takes 110th open. This was another horrendous race for returns and some very good birds are missing again, but well done to all who timed their brave pigeons from the race. As a friend in Leeds said to me ‘They will need gills!! To get through parts of the country’

 

Pentland Hills Federation

 

News from Andy Miller the press officer of the above federation who writes: ‘Hi Joe the SNFC Reims race has turned out again to be another disaster! However I timed in my blue Janssen based hen to win 1st club, 1st federation, 3rd section B and 4th open. She was raced widowhood all season with her first race being from Ripon a distance of 145 miles. She then went to every race including Buckingham with the SNFC, (6 in total). On the day of basketting she was given her cock in the morning to play around for the day. Unfortunately he failed to return from this race. As a youngster she flew every race including the Pentland Midweek race from Peterborough, in a 13 day period her total flying distance was 900 miles and she was timed well in all of these races. Last year as a yearling again she flew every race to Bedhampton, winning a few club positions along the way. She is also dam of my 20th open SNFC Littlehampton winner this year. Her sire was bred by Colin Asher of Lindash Lofts in Ramsgate, formerly of Edinburgh.

Her dam was purchased at Blackpool from Ernie Goodyear’s stand from his Willie Jacobs pigeons. When I returned from Blackpool, I put Ernie’s hen into the loft and it flew off every wall in the section. I just couldn’t tame her so after the first round of youngsters I tried to break her and her cock and they were let out. She didn’t even circle and just headed east never to be seen again, so a bit of a story here Joe. I’ve attached a photo taken her an hour or so after her return from Reims along with my 2nd bird who won 31st open, yours Andy’.

North of Scotland Federation

 

Buckie RPC news from Gavin Russell who informs us 3 members sent 9 birds on 18th of June to Peterbourgh approximately 369 miles back to Buckie. 1st club is Ian Coull with a velocity of 473 he timed a yearling blue hen flying natural she is bred from a John Proctor of Fife cock while the dam is from Davy Burns also of Fife. This was the only bird in race time in the club so a big well done to Ian. The race turned out to be a disaster not just for the Buckie members but the whole federation with many birds’ losses. It has now been confirmed that our last race from Billericay has been cancelled by the federation with no explanation given so that is our old bird season finished with only the national racing left.

 

Andy Miller 4th open SNFC Reims winner

Andy Miller 31st open SNFC Reims winner

George Veitch at his loft

 

Mike MacPherson 2nd open SNFC Reims winner

 

Mike MacPherson outside his loft

 

SNFC Gold Cup winner

 

 

Obituary

 

I received a phone call from my good friend Guy Reed of the Isle of Wight informing me that his mother had passed I asked Guy for some details on his mum and this is his memories of this lovely lady.

Margaret Fay Reed: known only as ‘Fay’ she was born in Surrey, a gamekeeper’s daughter on the Coleman estate. She was once approached by Monty Donn who included her on a TV programme and spoke of her life on the Coleman Estate ( and yes, that's the Coleman’s mustard family) Mum was possibly the only one remaining who had knowledge of that time regarding the old house and gardens.

She reached 88 years but unfortunately the woman that was enthusiastic about her garden and active for many years with "Inner Wheel" started a decline in mobility. Overall health after a stroke about 3 years ago which included macular degenerative eye sight that finally she became all but blind. Arthritis was also experienced and finally she became immobile.

A country girl she loved to cook for all who came to the house, her husband Jack 92 survives her. She had one son Guy and two daughters Jennianne and Marian. She had 7 grandchildren Tarnia, Daniel, Adrian, Zoe, Mark, Rachael, Merrick,

7 Great grandchildren Chloe, Willow, Skye, Lola and Max They all have partners and Merrick’s step daughter Renee. Mark’s daughter Christie;

Fay’s contributions to Inner Wheel will be missed as will her joy of entertaining at dinner parties to show her cooking skills. After getting married to Jack on the Isle of Wight 68 years ago in Bonchurch they were the managers of the "Hole in the Wall" pub in Ventnor. This popular watering hole was in the family for nearly 200 years being occupied by two previous generations of the Reed family. A new business was taken on after pub life as Jack a printer by trade and had his own business in the Clarendon Press: Fay of course became the secretary as well as chief cook and bottle washer.

As a mum she gave the kids great freedom to live their own lives and only insisted on coming home at meal times, of course back then there was so much more freedom less cars and people and the Isle of Wight provided a safe and beautiful place to grow up in. One thing was sure mum was always there for us and we never went hungry. A comfortable home with a welcome to all and good food, work hard, playing well was the way of things for us kids with mum and dad. I would say though life in the pub in those days was hard and by today's standards pretty basic with mostly stone floors and no fancy gizmos, but Fay made the most of it all. Mum was a trained book keeper and was involved also in the running of the local Butchers. Her hospitality was renowned and she will be missed by many who knew her. All 3 children were fond of animals and Guy having pigeons from a very early age and mum was used to all the pigeon men who would visit giving her opportunity to chat and make welcome with food and drink. I have lost count of how many times I had my lunch in the loft on race days which was all part of ‘the service’ from mum. May she rest in peace Love from us ALL.

 

Joe’s Joke

 

With all the politics that are going on at this time this joke is very appropriate

 

So I told my son "I want you to marry a girl of my choice!" He said "HELL NO!", but when I told him its Bill Gates daughter, he said "OKAY!’ I got in contact with Bill Gates & told him "I want your daughter to marry my son!" He said "NO WAY!" but when I told him my son was the CEO of the World Bank, he said "OKAY!†I went to the President of the World Bank and told him to make my son CEO of the Bank! He said "NO!", but when I told him my son was Bill Gates -Son in Law! He said "OKAY!â€

And that, my friends, is exactly how Politics works.

 

 

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