The Joe Murphy Column

[Ian McKay]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

Last weekend was the Scottish national presentation and is a very special occasion especially to the fanciers who win trophies. I was going through my collection of birds to add to my Good SNFC Birds when I thought as it is the quite time of the season while not give each of the Scottish national winners some publicity for their wonderful achievements. I will do this over the next few months but start with the race every fancier within this great club wishes to win the Gold Cup race which this year was from Reims and was won by 'Karamojo' raced by George Veitch of Pencaitland. This history maker was sent to Alencon Blue Riband race a distance of 545 miles in 2015 and was timed at 04-45 next morning to win 37th open from an entry of 1416 birds. This year 2016 he flew every 2nd club race out to the 260 mile mark and was exercised 20 minutes morning and night for 4 weeks round the loft. He was then given one 20 mile and one 40 mile trainer flight before going to the greatest race in the history of the Scottish National the ‘Gold Cup’ race from Reims. He was basketed for the main event of the year sitting 5 days on eggs with the convoy of 1323 birds entered by 354 members liberated at 08-45am into a North West wind. ‘Karamojo’ was timed next morning at 05-17-03 to record a velocity of 1062.92 for the 544 miles to win 1st open SNFC Reims and win the following trophies the ‘King George Cup: The Gold Cup: E.T.R.D. Newcombe Trophy (The Flying Festival Trophy) for the winner of the East Region, also the section trophy for 1st bird into section B. The sire of 'Karamojo' is known as 1320 and in 2013 he won 210th open from the Maidstone inland national with the SNFC from a distance of 355miles. The following year he flew the SNFC Alencon Blue Riband race a distance of 545 miles just missing the result. Then in 2015 he won 288th open from the Portsmouth inland SNFC national race flying 360 miles he then went on to win 27th open from the SNFC Ancenis race flying a distance of 600 miles. This year 2016 he again went to Ancenis and won 49th open Ancenis and is now stopped and put in the stock loft. This cock 1320 naturally paired up to his own mother and bred ‘Karamojo’ George’s 1st open Blue Riband SNFC Reims winner. A wonderful achievement and George and his lovely chequer cock are now in the annuals of the history of the greatest distance club in Scotland the SNFC well done George. While on about the Gold Cup race I hope Mike MacPherson of Letham in Angus who wins the Percy Cameron Memorial Trophy for 2nd open and also the 1st section C trophy and Kevin’s club mate Bill Dorward of St Vegans in Arbroath make it to the presentation as Bill also won a couple of trophies these being the H.A. French ‘Jubilee’ Challenge Trophy and the Mrs H.A. French ‘Challenge’ Rosebowl. Angus federation results have improved over the past few years and when you consider that Davie Glen of Forfar won the Ypres race The A R Bowes Memorial Trophy for 1st section E is won by Billy Graham of Uddingston. Other section winners in the Reims race are as follows; 1st section A is John Little of Ecclefechan. 1st section D won by Colin Bain of Ratho, 1st section F won by Liam Byrne of Glasgow and 1st section G won by Dave & Callum McDougall of Peterhead our congratulations go to all the above and to everyone who make the national result. I will cover another national race next week highlighting the winners.

 

George Veitch

1st SNFC Reims KARAMOJO

 

Gold Cup

Bill Dorward

 

Good SNFC Birds

 

This week I’m concentrating on the 3 birds from the Kingdom of Fife who won a SNFC Silver Award in 2016 starting with Frank Mitchell of Comrie with his blue bar hen SU11F 3132 named ‘BMS Special’ named after his 3 children Billy, Mary & Scott. This hen won 2nd section C 19th open from Alencon flying 552 miles in 2014 she was sent back to the Gold Cup race the following year and won 12th section C 92nd open and this year she was entered into the longest old bird race from Ancenis a distance of 612 miles and she won 1st section C 39th open and will win The Mr & Mrs J Murphy Trophy for the best velocity in Section C & G.

 

The second pigeon goes to past SNFC winner Hugh Gormley of High Valleyfield who wins SNFC Silver Award with his chequer hen SU12F 3320 named ‘SUSIE’ This 4 year old hen won twice in 2015 being 220th open (no section prize) from Eastbourne a distance of 400 miles. She then went to the last old bird race of the season from Clermont a distance of 527 miles and won 47th section C 142nd open. This year she again won twice in the national being 9th section C 34th open from the Gold Cup race from Reims a distance of 571 miles she was then sent to the lost old bird race from Roye and won 24th section C 76th open flying 513 miles.

 

Our 3rd pigeon is a blue bar hen SU12F 1735 named ‘Mel’s Girl’ raced by Turpie & McCord of Pitlessie as a yearling she won 375th open (no section prize) from Maidstone a distance of 381 miles. The following year she was entered into the last old bird race from Clermont and won 22nd section C 90th open flying 530 miles. This year she scored twice winning 22nd section C 58th open from Ypres a distance of 448 miles and the sent to the last old bird race of the season from Roye and she won 4th section C 16th open flying 514 miles to win her SNFC Silver Award.

 

Gourdon & District

 

News from Margaret Hay informing me that Gourdon & District racing pigeon club will be holding their annual show on 27th November in the Masonic Hall in King Street Inverbervie. Penning is from 9-00 till 10-30am with judging starting at 11.00 prompt. Teas and coffee’s etc. available as well as a raffle: there will also be a sale of members young birds with 2 from the famous Eddie Mann!!

 

Classes are as follows; Class1 AACTW; Class 2 AAHTW; Class 3 LOC; Class 4 LOH; Class 5 LYC; Class 6 LYH; Class 7 Eyesign (this can be duplicated). All entries are 50 pence per bird with all entries to David Hay on 01561-361588 or Mobile 07961846919.

 

Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone

 

Watch out for their advert in this week’s BHW as they are having a reduction sale with Scottish National and federation prize winners as well as top quality stock pigeons up for sale. These will be for sale at their home from Friday 4th November (onwards) this weekend from 9am. Strains housed are Deweerdt from International winner Mark Gilbert: The West Durham Amalgamation and Up North Combine award winning Stonehaven Lofts of Paul Stobbs: 1st SNFC Newbury winner Brian Cunningham of Prestonpans as they obtained all Brian’s top stock pigeons when he had to give up the sport. Plus their own Scottish National winning family Tom has won 3 x 1st open Scottish nationals PLUS several birds in the top 10 open positions. If you are looking for something good then don’t miss out!!!!!

 

Obituary

 

Marcia Alexandria Rankin, nee Robinson passed away in Wishaw hospital on the 21st of October 2016. Marcia was the dear wife of my dearest friend George Rankin whom I hold as one of the ‘greatest’ fancier’s I have had the pleasure to meet. Marcia was born in the Royal Victoria maternity hospital in Belfast on the 11th November 1942. She passed after a yearlong illness which never dented her spirt and above all her sense of humour and despite her other debilitating illness which she suffered for 25 years, this being Rheumatoid arthritis. She had nothing but praise for the NHS and also the carers who also assisted in the final few months before her passing. After leaving school Marcia worked in various offices before sharing reception duties in the Russell Court Hotel, which her Uncle Harry opened in 1961. Marcia met her husband to be "George Rankin" at a dance in Caproni’s in Bangor early in 1965, only ice cream and cola on the menu. They got engaged on Marcia’s birthday later that year and were married on 16th August 1966. George was a marvellous dancer and he and Marcia enjoyed this hobby very much together. George wasn’t renowned for his timekeeping and Marcia accepted this with very good grace. Her nickname was Saint Marcia because of this!! Marcia had 3 children who loved her dearly, with Richard first then Sharon and finally Gareth. Marcia, George and family moved over to Scotland from Bangor in 1972 with her parents – Nellie and Maurice- and Uncle Harry. They all lived in the same area and she assisted in the family business. Then as her parents and uncle grew older, Marcia was a great support to them and acted as their carer. In the early 90's the first of their 6 grandchildren came along, Owen, followed by Holly, Adam, Lauren, David and finally Madison. She deeply loved them all and this was reciprocated by them. Marcia had a great sense of humour, always teasing her close family and friends with her quick wit and intellect for example her numerous limericks that all would receive by email, courtesy of her IPad. The funeral took place at South Lanarkshire crematorium in High Blantyre on the 28th of October. The family would like thank everyone for their kind condolences and best wishes.

 

Marcia Rankin

 

Joe’s Joke

How Old Is Grandpa? Stay with this -- the answer is at the end and it may blow you away.

 

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general. The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: television; penicillin; polio shots; frozen foods; Xerox; contact lenses; Frisbees and the Pill. There were no: credit cards; laser beams or ball-point pens. Man had not invented: pantyhose; air conditioners; dishwashers; clothes dryers; and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and space travel was only in Flash Gordon books. You’re Grandmother and I got married first... and then lived together. Every family had a father and a mother. Until I was 25, I called every woman older than me, "mam". And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a title, "Sir." We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy. Our lives were governed by the Bible, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege... We thought fast food was eating half a biscuit while running to catch the school bus. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins. Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums. We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the Queen’s speech on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey. If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk. The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam....Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of. Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a penny. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your penny on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards. You could buy a new Ford Car for £600 …. But who could afford one? Too bad because petrol was only 10 pence a gallon:

 

In my day: "grass" was mowed, "coke" was a cold drink, "pot" was something your mother cooked in and "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, "chip" meant a piece of wood, "hardware" was found in a hardware shop and "software" wasn't even a word. And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap. How old do you think I am?

 

I bet you have this old man in mind....you are in for a shock! Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at the same time. Are you ready??

This man would be only 70 years old today.

THE YOUNG ONES WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

 

 

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