The Joe Murphy Column 6/7/18

[THE FIFER]

The Joe Murphy Column

 

The Billericay race seemed to be a good enough race with fanciers reporting to me that they had ½ to ¾ of their team home on the day. The only complaint I race from Maidstone the same day and both organisations rep the SNFC holding their Gold Cup race from Liege. The last time the race with a velocity of 1248 from an entry of 1564 birds. I noticed that 327 members have sent 1072 birds which is lowest entry since 1924 in a SNFC Gold Cup race. My remarks about the losses we experienced last year having a knock on effect are gazing us right in the face. If this trend continues we will NOT have long distance racing into Scotland; Many people said this when the national introduced inland nationals (as this was a way of making money for the club) well let me tell you sending a transporter to Liege with just over 107 pigeons in it will make a loss. Plus the prize money for this race is £5000 with the winner getting £1000; and it does not take the brain of Britain to tell you this. This Liege race will be a hard one as the heat over the UK hasto be in the high 20’s plus it has also to be a north east wind. I’ve heard that the transporter missed a row of baskets to help the air flow through the transporter. I’m informed the SNRPC have 1800 birds at their race from Reims and they reduced the birdage in each basket to 15 birds due to the forecast of very high temperatures. As far as I’m aware some of the SNFC marking stations put 20 birds in a basket while others put in 17 birds. Surely with a drop in birdage then it would makes more sense to have fewer birds ineach basket? Ok it would mean more work for the convoyer who is with the birds but that shouldn’t come into the equation as they are getting paid for attending to the birds. Many people have often remarked to me that when the national were convoyed by Catteralls transporters and we had Tom McEwen as our chief convoyer with the birds. We had better racing then than what we experience today and yes they may have a point as Tom stood out as ‘one in a million a true pigeon man’ who dedicated himself in his task of looking after the SNFC birds. I just hope whoever goes with the birds nowadays puts in the same commitment as Tom did. This weekend will be the longest old bird race of the SNFC season from Reims and may I wish everyone who enters birds all the very best.

 

Results

 

Angus Federation

 

Kenny Droog has forwarded the Ridsdale result with the members sending 820 birds the convoy were liberated at 08-00 hours into a light west wind. Topping the federation is Ian Scott of Forfar club with another 2 birds in 13^th & 18^th open. David J Liddle of the same club (Forfar took the 20 open positions) is 2^nd 14^th 15^th 16^th & 17^th open with the Macaulay Ferguson & Curran partnership winning 3^rd 4^th5^th 6^th 7^th & 10^th open. Bob Baldie is 9^th 12^th & 20^th with Kenny Droog & son in 11^th spot (congratulations to Kenny on his 1^st section C in the Buckingham national)

 

East Section has Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath club in 1^st2^nd 5^th & 7^th section Charlie & GlenCameron are 3^rd 6^th 8^th 9^th &10^th with Les McKay of the same club in 4^th spot.

 

Club Winners are as follows Forfar 195bird’s winner Ian Scott; Gourdon 7 bird’s winner D & D Hay; Arbroath 46 bird’swinner Kevin J Murphy.

 

 

Arbroath RPC

 

From the Ridsdale race flown on 23^rd June the birds were liberated at 08-00hours into a light west wind. Kevin J Murphy won 1^st 2^nd5^th & 7^th club with the winner a Deweerdt crossed Daniel Aerens. The 2^nd bird was inbred to Euro Diamond and the next 2 were Daniel Aerens bloodlines. Charlie & Glen Cameron was 3^rd club with Les McKay in 4^th spot.

 

 

AyrshireFederation

 

News from Archie McIntyre the federation race secretary who writes ‘Hi Joe please find attached race report from our Maidstone race. I have also attached 3 photos of the 1^st,2^nd & 3^rd federation winning pigeons. Once again many hanks for your support. From our next race in the calendar we once again had another joint convoying venture with the SNFC from Maidstone. After a 1 day holdover the convoy of 158 Ayrshire pigeons, part of the SNFC convoy of 3,001 pigeons were eventually liberated at 09:15am into a light south west wind. The forecast for the west side of the country was to be very poor weather wise and this turned out to be very much correct. As the visibility throughout the day and into the evening was down to a few yards at times, coupled with the constant drizzle/rain you were just wondering how any birds were going to make it into Ayrshire. But, 5 gallant birds did show great courage and determination to make it home before night fall and we must take our hats off to these pigeons as the weather was so bad you would not go out for a walk in it never mind ask pigeon to try and race/fly in it. Leading the way into Ayrshire this week fromMaidstone is a man who knows all about setting up and conditioning pigeons for these distance race’s he is no other than Robert Reid of Beith. Robert timedhis 3 year old natural hen “2663” at 19:56 from a distance of 380 miles on 1043.5 to take 1^st Ayrshire Federation, 4^th section H in the SNFC. “2663” was bred down from 2 x2014 late-breds both of which were lost racing in 2015. The sire of one of these late breds was bred down from 2 pigeons each of which had 2 national diplomas,the best being 2^nd section SNRPC Alencon. The d being retired to stock and the breeding on this side originates back to the McEwan pigeons Robert first introduced in 1998. The breeding of the dam contains the blood of the old Ko Nipius pigeons from late Bob McDonald of Fraserburgh. 2^nd federation and 6^th section H, SNFC is the family partnership of John Snr, John and Colin Nicol from Stevenston,flying in Ardeer HS. The partnership timed their 2 year old hen “8368” at 20:01 from a distance of 377 miles to record a velocity of 1026.7. “8368” was bredfor the partnership by their “wee pal” Jimmy McMillan from Blantyre and is bred down from pigeons Jimmy obtained from Michael Currie of Moffat. couple of weeks during racing and ended up eventually bein after about 5 hours from being released. After a period rest she of the season. This year she was started off at Consett a distance went to Retford 222 miles were she won 1^st club, 1^st 2 bird club; 2^nd section and 2^nd open federation in a very tough race. Colin on behalf of his family would like to congratulate Robe Reid on his 1^st federation win and all the other fanciers in Sect H who timed. 3^rd federation, 7th section H in the SNFC is Andy Barbour of West Kilbride. Andy timed his good roundabout hen “6623” at 20:14 from a distance of 382 miles on 1023.7. “6623” is no stranger to the winner’sen closure. Just 2 weeks prior to this gruelling 11 hour flight, “6623” recorded 6^th fed, 325^th open SNFC, 7^th section H, being10 hours on the wing. In total “6623” has won 2^nd fed Sedgefield, 5^th fed Wetherby, 6th fed Kelso (Beaten on the trap by 5 loft mates) 16^th fed Consett, 3^rd fed Ripon and 6^th fed Buckingham? Thesire of “6623” is a Van Loon full of the best of the Planet Brother’s bloodbred by Galaxy Lofts. The dam is a direct daughter of one Hardy Kruger top racers “Black Soul” a son of Hardy’s champion producer “Black Power”. I mentioned above 5 gallant pigeons that made it into Ayrshire on the night and Ithink all 5 are worth a mention. 4^th federation pigeon goes to David Paterson of the Annbank & District club; David timed a yearling at 20:27 for a distance of 363mls to win the ‘Chris Catteralls Trophy;’ for the firstyearling timed from of Maidstone. 5^th federation and the last of thegallant pigeon to make it is the ever present partnership of Cree & Cuthbert of the Whitletts & District club who recorded the final pigeon ofthe night at 20:39 for a distance of 364 mils. This was obviously a wellfancied pigeon for the partnership as they scooped a tidy sum of £245 of pools.

 

North Section 87 birds; 1^st Robert Reid (Dalry H S) 1043.5 2^nd J & J & C Nicol (ArdeerHS) 1026.7 3^rd Andy Barbour (Dalry HS) 1023.7

 

Central Section 45 birds; 1^st HarveyPollock (Irvine HS) 712.9 2^nd Tam Blakely (Irvine HS) 695.7 3^rd Willie Julyan (Crosshouse HS) 664.7

 

South Section 26 birds 1^stDavie Paterson (Annbank & District) 951.4 2^nd & 3^rd Cree & Cuthbert (Whitletts & District) 936.3, 654.7.

 

Robert Reid 1st Fed Maidstone.

 

 

 

J & J & C Nicol 2nd Fed Maidstone

 

 

 

Andy Barbour 3rd Fed Maidstone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almond ValleyFederation

 

 

Balerno HS news from Colin Bain who has had some problems with his computer of late; From the Catterick race point on the 17^th June 7 members sent 205 birds. Taking the first 4 positions is Dougie Bald with his winner a blue cock that topped the federation from Weatherly and was also 7^thf ed from Wakefield. His 2^nd pigeon was a dark chequer cock who als has won several federation positions. The 3^rd pigeon was a blue hen who has previously won 21^st federation from Weatherly. The 4^thprize winner is a blue cock that has won 2^nd & 4^th federation Wakefield plus 10^th fed Weatherby. My thanks to Colin for the newsand hope he has his fixed the problems with the computer. Same old story Colin they are fine as long as they are going well it is when they break down the complications start.

 

 

East of ScotlandFederation

 

For the Result for the last old race of the season with the federation from Maidstone the convoy were transported in the Almond Valleys transporter. This was the federations 2^nd open race and winning this week is John Bird of Prestonpans. John timed a yearling that he bred from a pair of Herman Ceusters from Premier Lofts. He also takes 10^th place. In 2^nd open is Jim McNeil of Tranent with Brian Laverty of Prestonpans taking 3^rd, 5th & 7^th positions. Richard & Jamie Combe of Elphinstone are 4^th open, with Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton taking 6^th & 8^th open positions with George Veitch of East Saltoun filling in at 9^th open.

Prestonpans HC.: winning this week is John Bird with ayearling Herman Ceusters from Premier Lofts this bird was previously 4^thopen Newark. Brian Laverty takes the number 2^nd spot with Richard& Jamie Combe in 3^rd place. Thank you once again forhighlighting our federation and club results in your column Joe many thanksJohn Ballie’.

 

Pentland Hills Federation and the New Lothian RPC

 

News from Andy Miller who informs us that the 79 members had their 10^th and final old bird race for the 2018 season from the Maidstone Open with 882 birds competing from a distance of 353-365 miles for the members.Liberated at 06-50 am with no wind at the race point the winner of another £605. Ronnie Bremner of Sighthill club is 1nd with F Robertson ofDanderhall in 3^rd & 11^th open places with S Lapinski of Woodburn club is 5^thwith M Bennett of Danderhall in 6^th spot Andy Miller of Sighthill club is 8^th 9^th & 10^th open

 

North of Scotland Federation

 

George Duthie telling us the 50 members sent 354 birds to Peterbourgh these were liberated with no wind at the race point with a members sending 122 birds. Topping the east section and open is Robbie Higgins of Fraserburgh West End club who had a great race winning the following positions 4^th 5^th 6^th 7^th 8^th 11^th 15^th 16^th section and open Great flyingRobbie well done. Eric & Nicky Yule of Inverurie club are 2^nd 3^rd& 9^th east section and open. Stuart Maskame of Peterhead club is 10^th east section and open with A Wilson of Devern Valley club in 1^st7^th & 10^th west section 12^th 32^nd& 35^th open. Jim & Ann Donaldson of Peterhead club are 12^theast section 13^th open with club mate G Findlay in 13^th section 14^th open Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District is 16^th& 17^th east section 17^th & 19^thopen with P Sherman of Devern Valleyclub winning 2^nd west section 18^th open. A J Reid of Keith club is 3^rd west section 20^th open with Elgin &District member A MacGillivray in 4^th west section 21^s open R Wilson of Keith club is 5^th & 6^th west section22^nd & 31^st open with N Raymond of Devern Valley clubis 9^th west section 34^th open.

 

Clubs First Birds; Fraserburgh West End winner Robbie Higgins;Inverurie winner Eric & Nicky Yule; Peterhead & District winner Stuart Maskame; Devern Valley winner A Wilson; Fraserburgh & District winner Colin McRae; Keith winner A J Reid; Elgin & District winner A MacGillivray;Buckie & District winner D Stevens.

 

Well done to RHiggins of topping the federation and to A Wilson on winning the west section George Duthie.

 

Buckie HS

 

News from Gavin Russell birds were liberated at 06-00 hours into a light southwest wind. This race is approximately 310 miles to most lofts in the club.Taking 1^st club 12^th federation is Dougie Stevens with a 2year old blue bar cock doing a velocity of 1335 he is a Jan Aarden crossed Paul Woolliss and was flying roundabout. 2^nd club is Dougie Stevens witha 2 year old red cock on a velocity of Cumming with a yearling blue chequer cock doing a velocity of 1220 he is a Stuart Maskame from Peterhead crossed Ronnie Wilson from Keith club and was also flying roundabout. A good steady race and returns were good. From the Peterbourgh raceflown on the 24^th June this was approximately 370 miles for the birds to fly, liberated at 05-30 am the winner of

1^st club is Dougie Stevens with a 2 year old red chequer cock doinga velocity of 1184 he is a Jan Aarden crossed Brain Sheppard and was flyingroundabout. 2^nd club is John Cumming with a 2 year old blue chequer cockdoing 1004 he is a Stuart Maskame crossed Ronnie Wilson. This bird has won afew times in the club flying on roundabout. This turned out to be a hardrace with only these

2 birds in race time many thanks once again Joe yours Gavin Russell’.

 

Good SNFC Birds

 

This week Istart with R Donegan of Newmilns in Ayrshire with his blue bar cock SU15A 8543in 2016 he won 3^rd section F 434^th open fromLittlehampton flying a distance of 367 miles. Then in 2017 he won twice frominland nationals being 20^th section F no open prize from Buckinghamflying 283 miles he then went to the Bedhampton race a distance of 356 milesand he won 6^th section F 499^th open.

 

We now come to Andrew Agnew & son of Kelso who have a grizzle hen SU15SB 1172 who has also won 3 times in the national in 2016 she was 154^th section B 389^th open from Little hampton flying a distance of 337 miles. Then in 2017 she also went to Buckingham a distance of 252 miles but did not win a section prize however she won 266^th open then into the Bedhampton race and she was 71^st section B 254^th open flying 330 miles. Our next pigeon is raced by the J & C Smith partnership of Polmont with their chequer cock SU16CA 497 who won 3 times during the 2017 season from Buckingham he won 2^nd section D 4^th open flying 297 miles, he was then entered into the Bedhampton race and won 13^th section D 138^th open flying 372 miles he then went to Ypres a distance of 447 miles andwon 1^st section D 21^st open showing his out standing ability.

 

 

Joe’s Joke

 

 

Family sat down for their evening meal when the wee boy started talking about ‘bugs’. Hi mother told him to be quiet and eat up. When they were clearing the table the mother then asked the wee boy ‘What was your question about bugs’. ‘Oh its ok there was one in your soup but it’s not there now’.

 

 

Please continue to keep the news flowing;to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY14BD or phone 01592 770331 or Email to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLEor log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.ukand www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! Whowish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland

 

© Compiled by Joe Murphy