The Joe Murphy Column

[Ian McKay]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

Quite a few fanciers have called an end to the season as they have only a few youngsters left. We have also decided to call it a day as Kevin is now back at work after and is finding it hard to put the time into the birds now as the nights are starting to ‘close in’. Plus the fact that we have not had good weather for the month of August in fact we have had more rain than sunshine.

 

SNFC Meeting Report

 

I have been forwarded a couple of copies of the management committee meeting held to discuss the reason or explanations for the poor races the club has experienced in 2017. My own personal opinion is this is a White Wash as they start with a report on the Ancenis race whereas it had been on the SNFC web site that the president was going to hold a meeting regarding the Gold Cup race from Alencon. All there is in this report on this race is the weather update nothing else. These are fanciers best birds sent to this race and only a handful made it home what the membership wish to know is WHY!. Then we have a quote that the transportation and baskets numbers were discussed and it was agreed that the current arrangements are more than adequate and have produced excellent races and returns previously – indeed fanciers have commended that the birds are returning from the races in good condition. Then tell me WHY did they drop the birdage in each basket for Ypres after the Alencon and Ancenis races? Plus they also put fewer birds in each basket for the Falaise race. But current arrangements are more than adequate nonsense.

 

Regarding the reminder that the SNFC Committed to wicker baskets on the advice of the avian vet is something new to me as I and many other members have never been heard of this before. Maybe it is because the 2 transporters that are mostly used have wicker baskets, i.e. the Fife Federation and a person one owned by a fancier who hires it out to the national.

 

I like many fanciers expected a more robust investigation into the losses, no mention of temperature in the baskets/ transporter, no mention of improvements to the watering or feeding of birds, no ideas (such as live video links showing birds being fed and watered and liberation etc.) for future racing. Very disappointing

 

Results

 

Angus Federation

The federation had 602 birds at Ridsdale on 19th August these were liberated at 07-30 am into a brisk south west wind. Topping the federation are Macaulay Ferguson & Curran of Forfar with a velocity of 1179. David Liddle of the same club is 2nd 8th & 10th with Mike Leggett in 3rd spot. Ian Scott is 5th 6th 9th & 13th with Glen Cameron of Arbroath breaking the Forfar stranglehold on the result by winning 7th open W MacKnight of Forfar is 11th 15th & 17th and club mate Davie Glen is 12th 14th 16th 19th & 20th with the G Campbell of Montrose bird breaking into the top 20 federation winning 18th open.

East Section is won by Glen Cameron of Arbroath with G Campbell of Montrose in 2nd 6th & 7th positions. Less McKay of Inchcape club is 3rd & 8th with Eddie Mann of Gourdon in 4th & 5th places. A & S Whyte of Montrose is 9th & 10th. Club Winners; Forfar 355 bird’s winner Macaulay Ferguson & Curran; Arbroath 61 bird’s winner Glen Cameron; Montrose 91 bird’s winner G Campbell; Gourdon 40 bird’s winner Eddie Mann; Inchcape 55 bird’s winner Less McKay.

Arbroath RPS from the 4th young bird race from Ridsdale on 19th August 4 members sent 61 birds these were liberated at 07-30 am into a brisk south west wind. 1st & 3rd places are won by Glen Cameron the winner was a natural hen, nest mate to the club winner the previous week. Bred from a grandson of Leon Messiaen's Castres 5 times a prize winner at Barcelona paired to a direct daughter of the Castres. The 3rd club is also a natural cock just starting to pair up to the hen mentioned above who won the race. Sire is Prada: winner of 1st and 2nd north section when Glen lived in Aberdeen, Prada bred 24th open Bedhampton SNFC 2017. Prada is a grandson of Castres of Leon Messiaen and also contain the Tutsi line of Martin Ravelingien. The Dam is direct daughter of the St Vincent of Leon Messiaen one of the best long distance birds in Belgium in recent years. She was 8th best Belgian bird over 3 International races in 2013 and 9th best bird in 2014. The St Vincent was paired to a daughter of Castres. Kevin J Murphy was 2nd & 4th with his first bird the same pigeon that won 1st club 6th east section from Arniston being from a Billy Bilsland cock and a hen from Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone. Kevin’s 2nd pigeon is direct from a brother to his 4th open SNFC Alencon winner when mated to an inbred Euro Diamond hen.

Ayrshire Federation

The federation were at Berwick for their 3rd young bird race of the season on the 12th August with a convoy of 1,341 a drop 302 birds on the previous week race. After waiting for the line of flight to improve, Jim had the birds up and away at 13:00 into a light north west wind for a journey between 91 miles to the bottom end of the fed up to 112 miles to the top end of the federation. The Ayrshire young birds have certainly not had it easy so far this season as they have had to face this westerly or north westerly wind on their nose coming across from the east side of the country to the west every race so far this year. Velocity’s across the federation this week look like the young birds are now starting to find their own line of flight as the early arrivals in the south section are not that far behind the north section birds this week compared to the first two week’s races. Leading the way in the federation this week to record 1st federation 1,341 birds, 1st centre section 328 birds on 1208.4 is Eddie Diamond from the Irvine Newtown club. This terrific win for Eddie comes as no surprise as his birds have been flying out their skins over the last few weeks. In last week’s race from Dunbar, Eddie took 1st, 2nd and 3rd club, 1st, 2nd and 3rd centre section 518 birds and just missed out on a top 20 position in the fed. I don’t have many details for Eddie’s fed topper but what I do have is, it’s off a direct son of Tyson and is a Jos Soontjens blood lines. 2nd fed 1,341 birds, 1st north section 731 birds and 1st club 308 birds on a velocity of 1203.4 this week is the partnership of G Hutchinson & J Tudhope of Ardeer HS. These lads have invested some of their hard earned cash on bringing in a new family of birds direct from Belgium over the last couple of seasons and are now starting to see some rewards from their investments. In the photo attached, George is holding the sire of their winning pigeon which they are expecting more from this pigeons offspring for the remainder of the 2017 season and from the seasons to follow. The partnership’s winning pigeon this week also lifted the primary share of the club pools and was clocked in the previous week’s race from Dunbar to also lift the second share of the money, well done George & Jim and thanks to Colin Nicol for the report. 3rd fed on 1199.2 this week is the partnership of Grant & McGovern of Ardeer HS. This partnership is certainly keeping their birds on top form recording another very good top federation position. John & Stevie’s winning pigeon is from their Koopman family of pigeons the partnership have been building up over the last few years. The grand sire is a Koopman pigeon the partnership purchased at the clearance sale of John Campbell of West Kilbride. This cock was the sire to John Campbell’s top racing hen that lifted 3 National positions and was also sire to numerous club and fed winners for John. The Dam is bred down from Koopman pigeons the partnership purchased from Galaxy Lofts.

In and around Ayrshire clubs this week starting with the North Section: 731 Birds Dalry HS 306 birds: 1st Mr & Mrs Ramsay & Son 1193, 2nd and 3rd T Smith 1176 and 1175.

Ardeer HS 308 birds: 1st Hutchinson & Tudhope 1203, 2nd Grant & McGovern 1199, 3rd J & J & C Nicol 1198.

Kilwinning HS 79 birds: 1st J McNeil 1059, 2nd J & T Davidson 1057, 3rd J Pollock 1053.

Central Section: 328 Birds

Kilmarnock Invitation 79 birds: 1st C & K & K McKerrow 973, 2nd J & A Bunce 952, 3rd W Thomson 950.

Crosshouse HS 31 birds: 1st, 2nd and 3rd A Wilson 1066, 1020 and 962.

Darvel HS 108 birds: 1st Cowan & Findlay 1197, 2nd and 3rd H Wallace 1171 and 1169.

Irvine HS 148 birds: 1st and 3rd E Diamond 1208 and 1112, 2nd T Blakely 1144.

South Section: 282 Birds

Mauchline 52 birds: 1st and 2nd J Watters 1047 and 1038, 3rd E Stewart 1013.

Cumnock & District No bird’s race marked.

Dalmellington 33 birds: 1st and 2nd M McLarty 1105 and 1103, 3rd J Stark 1024.

Carrick & District 8 birds: 1st H Gray 1034.

Whitletts & District 109 birds: 1st Boyle Bros 1122, 2nd Boyd Bros 1109, 3rd Cuthbert & Cree 1092.

Annbank & District 80 birds: 1st D Graham 1062, 2nd and 3rd K Harris 1057 and 1053; my thanks to Archie for the above information.

 

E Diamond 1st Fed Berwick

 

G Hutchinson & J Tudhope 2nd Fed Berwick

 

Grant & McGovern 3rd Fed

 

Almond Valley Federation

Received the federation result from Lynne Stewart the federation secretary who is going to supply it on a weekly basis so many thanks Lynne; From Otterburn on 19th August the convoy of 1171 birds were liberated at 08:30 hours. S Fleming of Armadale had a great race taking the 1st x 4 birds in the race plus 7th 9th 10th 11th 14th then 18th to 22nd so 14 pigeons in the top 22 great flying. J Burnside of the same club is 5th 6th & 8th open.

Club Winners as follows;

Armadale 382 birds; S Fleming 1266.283, 1266.081, 1264.872, 1264.872

Balerno 137 birds; D Bald 1244.799, 1242.582, I Jamieson 1239.797, 1239.160

Carnwath 168 birds; Thomson Bros 965.988, B Campbell 949.266, J Stokes 943.994, W Watson 929.838

East Calder 145 birds; J M Young 1228.869, 1226.806, 1225.982, 1225.159

Forth & Clyde 156 birds; G Harris 1251.831, 1250.996, 1250.162, V Couper 1211.497

West Calder 183 birds; J Bird 1236.385, 1235.988, 1235.988, 1235.394

Balerno news from Colin Bain who writes ‘Hi Joe we were at Otterburn on Saturday with the convoy liberated into a North West wind at 08:30 hours. We had 7 members sending 137 birds and the first 2 places are won by Dougie Bald with the winner a blue hen on 1244 she contains David Reed blood lines. The 2nd club winner is a chequer pied cock on 1242 he was a gift from Billy Bilsland Taking the next 2 positions is Ian Jamieson with a blue chequer hen and a blue cock both on 1239 they are Cooreman flying on darkness system that is it for this week Joe best wishes Colin’.

Fife Federation

News from Geordie Todd with the result of the Sedgefield race flown on the 19th August was 1438 birds were liberated at 07-30 hours into a west wind. Winning the federation and east section Kennoway 157 birds; Methilhaven 107 birds; Leven 144 birds; St Andrews 111 birds; Tayport 93 birds with the winner Davie Jack of Tayport on 1221.6. Dave Baldie takes the next 9 positions timing them all in within 6 seconds. Centre Section had Glenrothes with 102 birds; Novar with 125 birds the winner of the section is Mick McMurchie on 1129 with club mate Brian Kinnear in 2nd to 6th plus 9th & 10th he is split by club mate W Young in 7th position and R Cunningham of Tayport in 8th place. The West section had Perth with 170 birds; Dunfermline 139 birds; Lochgelly with 106 birds; and Crossgates with 154 birds. Topping the section and also winning 2nd 4th & 7th places is S Donaldson of Perth with C Wright of Lochgelly club in 3rd spot G Anderson of Perth is 5th 6th & 9th with Alastair McCudden of Crossgates club in 9th & 10th spots.

Dunfermline Club with 3 results from David Kennedy who has been away on holiday. From Berwick young birds 8 members sent 121 birds and taking the red card is John Robertson with a natural young bird the breeding being off Black crossed Newcombe. John also takes 2nd place with another Black crossed Newcombe natural young bird flying to the perch. Dan McNeely takes third with a home bred Kilpatrick. Eric Reid wins this week’s nom and John Robertson wins the two bird. From Alnwick 9 members sent 223 birds and taking a clean sweep this week is Frank Mitchell with is 1st bird with a velocity of 1133 ypm, is a darkness cock bred by Andrew Lawley of Elson in Shropshire from his M & D Evans family of pigeons. Frank’s 2nd bird with a velocity of 1124 ypm is the nest mate to his winner (not a bad pair) and his 3rd bird is a darkness hen with a velocity of 1118ypm, she is bred by Wattie Sharp of Oakley from his Frank Tasker bloodlines. John Robertson takes this week’s nom and the two birds are won by Dan McNeely. From Sedgefield race 7 members sent 139 birds and first this week is Dan McNeely with a 959 ypm velocity, the bloodlines being a pure homebred Kilpatrick darkness hen feeding a 15 day old yb. Second this week is Walker and David Kennedy Loft No2 with a velocity of 908ypm. We timed a gift bird from John Smith (Duzwork Products) from his Jan Arden family of birds. Frank Mitchell takes 3rd with a velocity of 907 ypm he timed a darkness cock, a grandson of 1st section Ancenis SNFC 2016 containing Jock Traill bloodlines. Dan McNeely takes this week’s nom and Gordon Turnbull wins the two bird; we had a special Nom this year as our club were issued with the first rings in the federation. The nom was your first ring number issued to each member. Five members still had their first ringed young bird to race this week and the nom was won by our secretary Eric Reid. Kindest regards Joe and sorry for the delay yours David’.

St Andrews RPC news from the first young bird race from Berwick the club sent 148 birds bird’s taking 1st place is Dave Baldie on 833 velocity with a young Frans Zwols hen a granddaughter of the ‘Tip Top Pair’ 2nd club is John Harcus with Dillon Hay winning 3rd, 6th, 9th & 10th positions. From the Alnwick race the members sent 151 birds; taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th & 8th places is Dave Baldie with the winner doing 1239.16 this was a grandson of the Frans Zwols ‘Tip Top Pair’.

 

East of Scotland Federation

 

News from John Baillie who writes ‘Hi Joe, results for federation race from Tow Law were the birds were away at 07.25 into a west wind. Topping the federation for the 2nd week running we have Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone; they also take 4th & 8th open positions. In 2nd & 10th positions we have Rab Waddell of Prestonpans and 3rd open goes to Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston, The 5th open place goes to Dougie Grieve of Longniddry with Jim McNeil Tranent taking the 6th open position, then we have John Bird of Prestonpans in 7th spot and finishing of the top 10 we have Graham Wardhaugh in 9th place.

Prestonpans HC - Taking 1st & 3rd places we have Tom & Scott McEwen with the winning bird a 100% Paul Stobbs. The sire bred from Paul Stobbs ‘Golden Pair’ and the dam from ‘Beauty’ which is from the Gypsy and Dream Girl. The hen in 3rd position is from Mark Gilbert's Deweerdt the sire being a double grandson of Emiel and the dam is bred from Tom and Scott's 5th open SNFC Gold Cup winner who also won a silver award. When paired to his full sister who is bred from the Ted and Magnus lines. In 2nd place we have Rab Waddell with a Herman Clusters’ and returns overall were very good once again; many thanks Joe yours John B’.

 

John Bird of Blackburn

 

North of Scotland Federation

From Arniston 2 young bird race flown on 19th August we had 34 members sending 563 birds these were liberated into a light west to northwest wind. In the east section 17 members sent 343 birds and taking the first 3 in both the section and open is Jim & Ann Donaldson of Peterhead club with Stuart Maskame of the same club in the next 3 places. H McAllister of the same club is 7th with C & M Williams again of Peterhead club are 8th & 9th with J (Ian) Gibb of Fraserburgh and District club in 10th & 11th section and open.

West Section had 17 members sending 220 birds and winning the section and 24th open is A Wilson of Devern Valley club with club mates Fulton & Ritchie in 2nd & 4th section 29th & 32nd open. A Wilson of the same club is 3rd & 7th section 31st & 35th open with G Wilson of Devern Valley is 5th & 8th section 33rd & 36th open. G R Duncan of Keith in 6th section and 34th open. With J Abel of Devern Valley is 9th & 10th section 37th & 38th open.

Clubs First Bird

J & A Donaldson win Peterhead & District; J (Ian) Gibb wins Fraserburgh & District; A Wilson wins Devern Valley; R McKenzie wins Inverurie; G R Duncan wins Keith; J Cumming wins Buckie & District; Jack & Reid win Elgin & District. Well done once again to Jim & Ann on topping the federation and to Andy Wilson on winning the west section.

 

Pentland Hills Federation & New Lothian news from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe we had their 4th young bird race from Tow Law on Saturday a distance of 90 to 100 miles across the federation. Race controller Bobby Graham gave the go ahead to lib at 07:25 hours and the crown for this week goes to Helen Aitken & Sons from Whitecraigs who fly in the Danderhall club. Their winner is a darkness pigeon the sire being a son of Kardale Style, the dam is a retired racer who won 3 x 1st club and 2 x 1st federations it was doing a velocity of 1313.

Club Winners;

Danderhall 854 birds; 1st & 2nd Aitken 3rd Sammels

Castlebrae 146 birds; 1st Mitchell 2nd & 3rd Willis

Woodburn 216 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Allen

Edinburgh Premier 185 birds; 1st & 2nd Gilchrist 3rd Black

Bonnyrigg 218 birds; 1st Neill 2nd Stark 3rd Russell

Easthouses 461 birds; 1st Allen 2nd J Pryde 3rd W Pryde & Son

Edinburgh West 170 birds; 1st C Bennett 2nd McLaughlin 3rd Morrison

Sighthill 238 birds; 1st & 3rd Miller 2nd Abbott

Loanhead 119 birds; 1st & 3rd Lawrie 2nd Murray

Rosewell 73 birds; 1st & 2nd Tytler 3rd Cunningham & Ness

Peebles 0 birds;

New Lothian 98 birds;

Traprain 514 birds; 1st & 2nd Mark 3rd McLeod

Others 64 birds;

New Lothian had 65 lofts sending 2012 birds; taking the 1st x 2 places is Helen Aitken & sons of Danderhall with the winner winning nearly £140 the partnership are also 6th open. R Sammels of the same club is 3rd with and another club mate J McIvor in 4th spot. Sticking with Danderhall we have A Young in 5th place with L Mitchell of Castlebrae in 7th position. D& J Allen of Woodburn take the next 4 places.

Pentland Hills Federation had 13 clubs sending 2985 birds to Ridsdale; winning 1st & 10th position is F Robertson of Danderhall club with S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier in 2nd & 3rd places. A Young of Danderhall is 4th with Willie Kinnear & sons of the same club in 5th & 7th positions. Halley & Kelly of Woodburn club are 6th with J Douglas of New Lothian in 8th position. Edinburgh Premier members Hutton Son & McCaig are 9th.

Club Winners;

Danderhall 778 birds; 1st Robertson 2nd Young 3rd Kinnear

Edinburgh Premier 151 birds; 1st & 2nd Gilchrist 3rd Hutton

Woodburn 190 birds; 1st & 2nd Halley & Kelly 3rd Brown & Black

Castlebrae 180 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd L Mitchell

Easthouses 420 birds; 1st J Pryde 2nd & 3rd W Pryde & Son

Sighthill 163 birds; 1st & 2nd Miller 3rd Girdwood

Bonnyrigg 233 birds; 1st Lannan 2nd & 3rd Russell

Edinburgh West 98 birds; 1st & 3rd Verth 2nd Lamb

Loanhead 85 birds; 1st Lawrie 2nd Murray 3rd Simpson

Rosewell 39 birds; 1st Tytler 2nd & 3rd Cunningham & Ness

Peebles 80 birds;

New Lothian 107 birds;

Traprain 406 birds; 1st Whitson 2nd & 3rd Bosworth

Others 55 birds;

 

Joe’s Joke

 

I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered –Heaven’s door, not by the beauty of it all, nor the lights and décor. But it was the people in Heaven – who made me, sputter and gasp. The thieves; the liars; the sinners; the alcoholics and the trash: There stood the kid from my school grade who stole my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbour who never said a nice thing to anyone in his life. There was Bob, who I always thought was rotting away in Hell; he was sitting pretty on a cloud nine, looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal? I would love to hear your take on it. How did all these sinners get up here? Surely God must have made a mistake. ‘And why is everyone so quiet, so gloomy please give me a clue’ Hush child he said ‘They are all in shock; no one thought they would be seeing you.

 

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 Pigeon Racing the Basics who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.

 

© Compiled by Joe Murphy