The Joe Murphy Column

[Ian McKay]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

This week end 8th / 9th September will be the last young bird race for most federations with only the young bird national to go next weekend. Many fanciers have stopped racing long before now and from talking to fanciers the losses within club level is horrendous. Many people will be glad to see the end of this season and we can only hope that next year is better. The Edwin Newcombe Memorial race will be held from Buckingham on Saturday 16th September 2017 in conjunction with the Scottish National Flying Club. There will be a FREE 3 bird nomination marked with (Astrix *) on race sheet and returning clock label. The winner to receive a trophy held for one year and memento regional prizes of 1st x £50.00: 2nd x £30.00; 3rd x £20.00 & 4th x £10.00. One prize per loft with special prizes of £30.00 for the longest flying bird in both the West and North sections; Many thanks to all the fanciers who donated pigeons and to the purchasers (I was one of these and won John Bosworth of Elphinstone birds) Also thanks to Newbigging Lofts and Coxydene Farm Feeds.

 

Results

 

Angus Federation

 

From the Tow Law race on the 26th August the convoy of 513 birds were liberated at 07-30 hours with no wind at the race point. Topping the federation and also wining 4th & 16th open is Davie Glen of Forfar with club mates Macaulay Ferguson & Curran in 2nd & 17th open with David Liddle is 3rd 8th 11th 12th & 14th places. A S Whyte of Montrose is 5th with K Droog & son in 6th & 20th places with W MacKnight in 9th spot. D & D Hay of Gourdon are 10th & 15th with Ian Scott of Forfar in 13th place G Campbell of Montrose is 18th & 19th.

East Section winners are as follows; A S Whyte of Montrose is 1st 6th & 7th with D & D Hay of Gourdon in 2nd & 3rd places. G Campbell of Montrose wins the remainder of the positions in 5th 6th 8th 9th & 10th.

Club Winners; Forfar 319 birds’ winner D Glen; Gourdon 31 bird’s winners D & D Hay; Inchcape 85 bird’s winners C & A Carrie; Montrose 78 bird’s winner A S Whyte.

Ayrshire Federation

 

The federation were at Alnwick for their 4th young bird race of the season held on the 19th August with a convoy of 840 birds, a drop of 501 birds on the previous week race and a staggering 803 of a drop around 50% over the last two races. Jim O’Hare had the birds up and away at 06:45 into a light west wind for a race of between 104 miles up to 127 miles to the top end of the federation. Report’s from the liberation was that the birds headed off numerous times but kept returning to the liberation site for some unknown reason. A small batch did break off and headed in a westerly homeward direction with the remainder of the convoy remaining at the liberation site for some time before eventually heading south. The erratic behaviour of the birds at the liberation compiled with some heavy showers pushing through from the west certainly had a big impact on returns with some fanciers not timing in and most fanciers reporting less than 25% of their bird’s home. Leading the way in the federation this week to record their second 1st fed win in 4 young bird races is the partnership of John Grant & Stevie McGovern from the Ardeer HS. This partnership certainly had a great race recording, 1st, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th from a convoy of 804 birds with the leading pigeon doing 900.2 ypm, not an easy race at all. In John own words, he describes his winning hen as a “Wee Cracker†and only said to his partner Stevie a few weeks prior to this race “She would win a raceâ€, not only has this hen won the race but goes on to top the fed as well. The partnership’s team are mostly darkness young birds and the partnership has been playing a type of roundabout with their team of young birds. The breeding of the “Wee Cracker†as John describes her is mostly of Robert Reid of Beith bloodlines. Robert needs no introduction as this man has been Ayrshire federation champion for many years and is a winner of many top positions in the SNFC. John would also like to thank Robert for the late bred they received a few years back and for the helpful tips Robert passed on. 2nd & 3rd fed from 804 birds, 1st & 2nd central section 195 birds on 896.1 and 895.8 this week is the partnership of Andy McKenna & Henry Diamond of Irvine Newtown HS. The winner of 2nd fed for Andy & Henry is a chequer pied hen bred by Tom & Scott McEwen from Elphinstone. There 3rd fed bird also contains Tom & Scott’s bloodlines, but this time the partnership bred this bird down from stock birds purchased from Tom & Scott. The partnership young birds are mostly darkness youngsters flying just to the perch.

In and around Ayrshire clubs this week starting with the North Section: 458 Birds

Dalry HS 139 birds: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Jim Shepherd 853.6, 849.9 and 806.4.

Ardeer HS 234 birds: 1st & 3rd Grant & McGovern 900.2 and 881.1, 2nd J Simpson 893.3

Kilwinning HS 59 birds: 1st, 2nd & 3rd J McNeil 648.0, 630.4 and 567.4.

Central Section: 195 Birds

Kilmarnock Inv 48 birds: 1st C & K & K McKerrow 835.4.

Crosshouse HS 36 birds: 1st W Julyan 694.4, 2nd D McTaggart 649.2.

Darvel HS 68 birds: 1st H Wallace 828.4, 2nd &3rd Cowan & Findlay 818.4 - 809.1.

Irvine HS 69 birds: 1st & 2nd McKenna & Diamond 896 & 895; 3rd E Diamond 875.8.

South Section: 187 Birds

Mauchline 37 birds: 1st E Stewart 699.3, 2nd & 3rd J Watters 677.2 and 595.5.

Cumnock & Dist No bird’s race marked.

Dalmellington. Birds: 1st and 2nd M McLarty 468.5 and 463.5, 3rd J Stark 447.6.

Carrick & Dist.? Birds: 1st, 2nd and 3rd H Gray 466.0, 465.7 and 405.2.

Whitletts? Birds; 1st & 3rd Boyle Bros 809.0 and 734.2, 2nd S Boyd 800.4

Annbank 20 birds: 1st, 2nd & 3rd J Mathieson 642.5, 540.8 and 470.7.

 

Grant & McGovern 1st Fed Alnwick

 

McKenna & Diamond 2nd Fed Alnwick

 

McKenna & Diamond 3rd Fed Alnwick

 

Almond Valley Federation

 

News of the federation result from Lynne Stewart who informs us that they were racing from Catterick on 26th August with the convoy of 1038 birds liberated at 08:00 hours. Taking the first 2 places is Jimmy Young of East Calder club with S Fleming of Armadale taking the next 2 places. The remainder of the top 10 places is won by J Burnside of Armadale club my thanks to Lynne for the news.

Club winners are as follows;

Armadale 347 birds; S Fleming 1st & 2nd J Burnside 3rd & 4th

Balerno 1171 birds; Jamieson 1st & 4th D Bald 2nd & 3rd

Carnwath 103 birds; Thomson Bros 1st to 4th

East Calder 135 birds; J Young 1st & 2nd F Jamieson & son 3rd Mr Mrs Fleming 4th

Forth & Clyde 189 birds; G Harris 1st & 2nd Law & Brady 3rd V Couper 4th

West Calder 147 birds; J Bird 1st to 4th

Balerno news from Colin Bain who writes ‘We were at Catterick on Saturday 25th August with 6 members sending 117 birds these were liberated into south west wind at 08-00 hours with Ian Jamieson taking the red card with a blue hen on the darkness system doing a velocity of 1197. Ian is also 4th with a Staff Van Reet x Van Loon blue chequer hen on darkness she was doing 1146. In 2nd & 3rd places is Dougie Bald with a David Reed blue hen on 1168 and a blue chequer hen on 1151 this was a David Reed x with a stray that came into Dougie and the gentleman told Dougie to keep it. That’s it for another week Joe all the best yours Colin’.

 

East of Scotland Federation

 

News from John Baillie who writes ‘Hi Joe we are convoyed by Pentland Federation had the first of their 2 Friday races for the young birds. This week we moved on to Ripon and the birds were liberated at 10-00 am into light south west wind. Topping the federation for the 3rd week running is Tom & Scott McEwen of Elphinstone; they also take 4th open position. (I cannot think of any member ever winning 3 x 1st federations on consecutive weeks; so well done Tom & Scott. If I’m wrong then please let me know Joe Murphy). In 2nd open we have Rab Waddell of Prestonpans who is also runner up for the 2nd week running. In 3rd place is John Baillie of Tranent with Tam Hunnam of Port Seton in 5th open position. Taking 6th, 9th & 10th open places is Jim McNeil of Tranent with Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton filling the 7th & 8th open places.

 

Prestonpans HC, winning for the 3rd successive week in a row is Tom & Scott McEwen with this young hen a full sister to last week’s federation topper. Both parents bred by Paul Stobbs with the sire direct from the Golden Pair and the dam from Beauty which is bred from The Gypsy crossed Dream Girl. In 2nd spot is Rab Waddell with a Herman Ceusters bred from his Chris Vasey stock and in 3rd position is John Baillie with Van Lint from stock purchased from Dean Pallatt. Overall returns were good and we only have 2 more federation races to go then the SNFC National. Will be glad when this season is all over Joe! From your column last week’s which highlighted a few good points. I am now beginning to believe that lofts that have young bird sickness in its varying degrees / stages do tend to have larger losses with the yearlings and older birds the following year. It would be worth the question to see if any consistency of losses is due to this illness later on in life. This excludes the races where they have been close to disasters as we have had this year, cheers once again yours John B’

 

Fife Federation

 

The federation were racing from Sedgefield 2 on 26th August with 1027 birds liberated at 08-30 hours into a light west wind. The east section had Leven with 112 birds; Kennoway with 93 birds; Methilhaven 79 birds, St Andrews 86 birds and Tayport with 41 birds. Winning the first 10 in the section and open is Dave Baldie of St Andrews with all the birds on the same minute only separated by seconds, outstanding flying well done Dave. The Centre section had Glenrothes with 67 birds; and Novar with 134 birds. Winning 1st & 4th section are Turpie & McCord with Brian Kinnear in 2nd 3rd 6th to 10th positions. R Cunningham of Tayport is 5th. From the Sedgefield 1 race the centre section 9th position should read R Cunningham of Tayport. The west section had Perth sending 111 birds; Crossgates 76 birds; Dunfermline 145 birds and Lochgelly 83 birds. Bob Wilson of Glenrothes club is 1st & 2nd with S Donaldson of the Perth club taking the remaining 8 places.

St Andrews RPC news from the Sedgefield (1 race) were 111 birds were entered with Dave Baldie having 15 pigeons drop together and he wins the 1st x 10 positions with his team of Frans Zwols pigeons. They also win 2nd to 9th federation from an entry of 1438 birds, the winner is a direct son of ‘Fran-Tastic’ winner of 2 x 1st section C with the SNFC (see photo of Dave holding the winner). I have also enclosed a photo of Dave Jack of Newport who won 1st Fife federation from Sedgefield with a young Frans Zwols hen that was gifted as an egg to him from Dave Baldie out of his racing loft. The sire is a winner of 1st federation Alnwick 2259 birds this season, so well done to both Dave’s on their federation winners. From Sedgefield (2) the St Andrews club sent 86 birds and Dave Baldie once again takes the first ten positions when 12 pigeons dropped together, as you will see above they also won the 1x 10 positions in the federation the winner being a blue hen and a granddaughter of ‘Fran-Tastic’.

 

Dave Baldie with his fed winner

 

Dave Baldie's Fed Winner

 

Davie Jack

 

 

Glenrothes & Leslie PC News from Rosie Armit who writes ‘Hi Joe we had 5 members sending 102 birds to Sedgefield the winner was to M McMurchie on a velocity of 1129 with a chequer cock flying to the perch (not darkness),from direct Hardy Kruger (Champions of Germany) lines. His sire is direct from Hardy’s No 1 pair ‘Black Power" x "Letizia" His dam direct from "Highlander" x "Letizia" the No 1 hen. 2nd & 3rd is Brian Kinnear on 1126 & 1106 these are nest mate chequer cocks. Their sire has won 4 times from inland Nationals but unfortunately was lost at Bedhampton this year. The dam a yearling hen and both are line-bred to ‘Stitchy’. I can’t believe that’s half way through the young bird season already; how time flies; yours Rosie’.

Dunfermline LRPS Sedgefield (2) news from David Kennedy who writes ‘Hi Joe we had 11 members sending 145 birds to the above race with this week’s winners my dad and yours truly. From Loft No2 with a velocity of 1033 ypm we timed a darkness hen bred by John Smith of (Duzwork Products) and the breeding is Van Hoecke. 2nd & 3rd places go to Frank Mitchell with his first bird doing a velocity of 1027ypm. Frank timed a darkness hen which is a half -sister to his SNFC Silver Award hen, who won 1st section C from the longest race from Ancenis in 2016. Frank’s 2nd bird on a velocity of 1011 ypm is a darkness cock and was bred by Andrew Lawley of Elson from his M & D Evans bloodlines, this bird has already won 1st club Alnwick this year. This week’s club nomination is won by Frank Mitchell and Walker & David Kennedy Loft No1 wins the 2 bird. This week saw the club race for the Golden Ring and it was won by Frank Mitchell and the 2nd share was won by Walker & David Loft No1; regards David’.

 

Lanarkshire Federation

 

Cambusnethan & Morningside club news from Andrew Eadie who writes ‘Hi Joe with the old bird season over (thank God) we move on to the youngsters. Racing from Longtown on Monday 24th July (due to adverse weather conditions over the weekend) the convoy of 3287 were liberated into a north wind at 10-45 am. The club had 19 members sending 632 birds and taking the ‘First 7 Positions’ and their 6th win of the season was the Eadie & Kelly partnership. In the federation they also take the "First 7 Positions in the section and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11th open with 3287 birds competing. The pigeons are all ‘Vandenabeele’s’ raced on the roundabout to their 12 x 6 foot loft. Sadly the shine was taken away with the poor returns which in my opinion were down to the race point and liberating the birds too late. The heat factor certainly played its part in these youngsters were sitting at the race point at around 06-30 am and the losses could have been avoided. With the 2018 AGM race programme not too far away circumstances have to dictate new polices and the members and officials need to show a willingness to bury hatchets and look at race points and not East verses West routes. Lastly I would like to congratulate D Wood of Uddingston on topping the federation and well done to the other section winners and members who were fortunate enough to take positions in their respective clubs yours Andy Eadie.’

 

For our 2nd young bird race we are back at Longtown on 29th July with the convoy of 2073 birds liberated into south west at 09-30 am we had 16 members sending 356 birds and taking the 1st x 2 positions and his 1st win of the season is John Dougal who in the federation won 1st & 2nd section and 7th &10th open. In 3rd club 3rd section 13th open is Jimmy Curley. With 4th club 4th section 14th open going to A & J Cook with Cookaburrow flying for its perch. 5th & 6th club 6th & 8th section is the man from Shotts Zeek Fairley and finally Tam Richardson wins 7th club 9th section. I would like to congratulate McCormack & Hughes from the Uddingston club on topping the federation and ‘Big’ Tam McDonagh of the Tallis & McDonagh partnership from Greenfield club winning the west section and well done to all the other fanciers who were fortunate enough to take positions in their respective clubs and sections. Next week we move out of this ‘Hell Hole’ of a place Joe (Gretna, Carlisle area) and move to Appleby. Lots of differing views surround this area which need left to the politicians but the gulling thing is we were at this race point the week prior and got slaughtered. From our 3rd race of the season from Appleby on 5th August we had 19 members sending 495 birds these were liberated at 08-00 hours into a North West wind. Taking 1st place is I Fairley with 2nd 3rd & 7th places going to J K Millar.4th & 6th go to Tam Richardson and 5th position goes to Eadie & Kelly .Congratulations to Zeek Fairley on winning 1st section 5th open and to G W & P Macaloney on topping the federation and all other fanciers taking positions in their respective clubs. 4th race and we are back at Appleby with 15 members sending 286 birds these were liberated 12-15 into a North West wind the youngsters took a hammering with velocities ranging from 1055 down to 750. The returns were shocking to say the least with 1st & 5th going to J K .Miller with 3rd place going to T McGinn. Congratulations to J Short from the Clarkston club on topping the federation and to Kevin and Jackie Miller on winning 1st section and all other fanciers fortunate enough to take positions in their respective clubs and sections. See photograph of a delighted Kevin and Jackie Miller holding Wee Nimble winner of 1st club 1st section Appleby. Our 5th race was from Charnock Richards with 9 members sending 128 birds these were liberated at 07-00 am into a 25/30 mile per hour west wind. This has to be the worst inland race in history with velocities ranging from 934 to 357 and only 72 members entered 813 birds in the federation sums up the 2017 young bird season. Taking 1st ,3rd ,4th ,5th & 7th is Tam Richardson. In 2nd place and winning the K.O is W Smart and taking 6th position is I Fairley. Congratulations to J Wilkinson on topping the federation also to Tam Richardson (see photo) on winning 1st section 3rd open and all the other fanciers lucky enough to get their pigeons home and take positions in their respective clubs and sections. For those participating in the last 2 races good luck For the 6th race we are back at Appleby and the federation is down to around 560 birds which is absolutely heart breaking. In the club 7 members sent 78 birds liberated at 08-00 am into a south west wind. Taking 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 6th is Tam Richardson with Tony McGinn in 3rd spot. Taking 7th position the Man from Shotts Zeek Fairley Congratulations to this week’s federation winner and all who took positions in their respective clubs and sections. Unfortunately to many young pigeons are down when you think that Lanarkshire for example had over 16,000 rings and we can only send 560 birds to a comeback race has serious implications for all .It is certainly a sport for the ‘Hard Hearted’ and it is very important that we look back at decision’s that have been made. That these, are rectified to allow motivation for the oncoming seasons if not our wonderful sport is finished Andy Eddie’.

 

J & K Miller

 

Tam Richardson

 

Pentland Hills Federation and New Lothian RPC news from Andy Miller who writes ‘Hi Joe we held our first Fridays race from Ripon with an excellent races. We had 13 clubs sending 3100 birds and Willie Pryde and son John (aka Bubba) won the federation and New Lothian on 1518 velocity. They timed in a Macaloney bred darkness hen flying separated she was one of a kit of 10 purchased from this well-known Scottish family. The Pryde’s took the first 3 places in the fed with J Moyes of Easthouses won 4th spot. Brown & Black of Woodburn keep up their good work by winning 5th & 6th with D & J Allen also of Woodburn in 7th spot. H Russell of Bonnyrigg is 8th with S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier in 9th spot. Making up the top 10 is A W Robertson of Danderhall club.

Club Winners;

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

Woodburn 205 birds; 1st & 2nd Brown & Black 3rd Allen

Bonnyrigg 219 birds; 1st & 3rd Russell 2nd Smith

Edinburgh Premier 154 birds; 1st Gilchrist 2nd Hutton Son & McCaig 3rd Dick

Danderhall 786 birds; 1st A W Roberson 2nd Aitken 3rd Young

Castlebrae 139 birds; 1st & 2nd McCormack & Fraser 3rd A Mitchell

Sighthill 223 birds; 1st & 3rd Keenan 2nd Miller

Edinburgh West 122 birds; 1st Ramage 2nd Lamb 3rd Bennett

Loanhead 110 birds; 1st Lawrie 2nd & 3rd Anderson

Rosewell 41 birds; 1st W Tytler 2nd & 3rd G Tytler

Peebles 64 birds;

New Lothian 80 birds;

Traprain 475 birds; 1st & 3rd Thomson 2nd Mark

Others 62 birds;

The winners of Breeder/Buyer Ripon race are as follows; Breeder & Buyer was McCormack & Fraser - Winning a total of £300 with ring number SU17P1956 doing a velocity 1488

 

The New Lothian RPC had 62 members sending 1897 birds; winning £123 with their first bird is Willie Pryde & son John of Easthouses they are also 2nd 3rd & 10th. J Moyes of the same club is 4th with Brown & Black of Woodburn in 5th & 6th spots. D & J Allen of Woodburn are 7th & 10th with S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier club in 8th place he is followed by Danderhall’s A W Robertson.

40.00 D. & J. Allen Woodburn 2.41.14

 

North of Scotland Federation

News from George Duthie to say; ‘The federation were going to basket on the Saturday for a Sunday race but their convoyer Davie took ill at Keith so the race was cancelled. It is hoped to go this weekend 2nd September from Consett this is our breeder buyer and Gold ring race with the first prize being £500.00 and many members are looking forward to the race’. We wish George luck and hope Davie is feeling a lot better. Many fanciers never think about the convoyer becoming ill. I remember many years ago the Fife federation convoyer died while away with the birds at France. He had liberated the birds and was waiting to join the ferry back to the UK and he sat out on a bench at the side of the port and he was found there. We held an auction sale of birds with the proceeds going to his family who had to cover the costs of having his body returned to Scotland. It makes you think and we should all appreciate our conveyers and not take them for granted as they are an important cog in the wheel (so to speak).

 

Joe’s Joke

 

A lone sniper was just about to assassinate Donald Trump; just at the last moment, one of the President's bodyguards spotted him. He immediately shouted "Mickey Mouse! Mickey Mouse!": A shot rang out and Trump fell dead. As his aides gathered round the body, one of them asked the bodyguard why he had shouted "Mickey Mouse". 'I'm sorry" he said "I meant to shout "Donald, duck!"

 

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