The Joe Murphy Column - 04-06-24

The Joe Murphy Column

Talk about dedication to our sport. This week Tom McEwan of Elphinstone took ill and was rushed into Edinburgh Royal Hospital. He phoned me on the Sunday to give me the club and federation results for the previous day, which his son Scott had phoned to tell him about, plus of course how their own birds had done. Can you imagine this; he was more concerned that the winning members and birds’ results appeared in my column; as he did not want to let them down by missing out. Talk about commitment to our sport. John Baillie also emailed me the result as he did not know that Tom had already contacted me. I know that Tom’s friends will wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he is soon back home with Marlene, Scott & Donna.

Results

East of Scotland; news from Tom McEwan with the result of the Newark race conveyed with the Pentland Hills Federation flown on 18^th May. The convoy was liberated at 11-40am into a North East wind. Taking top position is John Baillie of Tranent with a yearling cock, which is a son off his 1^st section 8^th open SNFC Buckingham winner, John had another 3 birds in the top 10 winning 4^th 6^th & 7^th positions. George Veitch of East Saltoun wins 2^nd 3^rd 5^th & 8^th places with Tom & Scott McEwan of Elphinstone winning 9^th place. With Mary & Peter March taking 10th open.

Prestonpans Homing Society; Taking the top 3 awards is John Baillie of Tranent; it was seemingly a testing race with the mist rolling in early doors with many empty perches on the day with a few coming early on Sunday. John Baillie has kindly sent a picture off his 1^st open winner and a couple of some crates being loaded onto the Pentlandhills Geraldy transporter.

Arbroath Racing Pigeon Club; news from Charlie Cameron with the result of the 5^th old bird race from Wakefield flown on 18^th May with 6 members sending 126 birds. The convoy was liberated at 09-45am into a north east wind. Taking the first 3 places in the club are Charlie & son Glen with Chic & Anne Carrie in 4^th place followed by A & A Shepherd in 5^th place. Les McKay is 6^th & 8^th with Paul Cameron in 7^th & 9^th with G McKenzie in 10^th place.

Angus Federation

News from David Liddle telling us that 25 members sent 585 birds to Wakefield on 18^th May with the liberated taking place at 09-45 am into a light north east wind. Once again Forfar RPC members filled the top twenty federation places. Leading the way with his 2^nd win of the season was the evergreen octogenarian Ian Scott with a 3-year-old widowhood cock which was 4^th club 4^th federation 2 weeks ago from Blaydon. Ian says the breeding is from birds from the late Bob Baldie being Van Bruaene crossed with Busschaerts. Second and 3^rd club and fed was Ken Droog & Son. Ken`s first pigeon was his good cock 427 which scored several times last season including a 1^st club 1^st fed Wooler, 4^th club 4^th fed Wakefield and 1^st club 4^th fed Ramsgate. Kenny also wins 7^th 8^th 16^th & 17^th federation. With the man himself David Liddle winning 4^th 5^th 9^th 10^th & 11^th club and federation. Davy Glen is 6^th 12^th & 19^th open; with Eric Galloway winning 13^th 14^th & 15^th open. S Donaldson makes up the top 20^th open place.

Arbroath had 6 members sending 126 birds’ winner is P Cameron; with C & G Cameron 2^nd & 3^rd winning velocity 1127.33

Forfar had 15 members sending 585 birds’ winner is Ian Scott winning velocity 1163.56

Gourdon had 2 members sending 37 birds’ winner is W Dorward winning velocity 1056.33

Montrose had 2 members sending 20 birds winner M Wallace & son winning velocity 966.92

North of Scotland Federation; new from George Duthie regarding the Blaydon race point with 52 members sending 1403 birds; the convoy was liberated at 14-03pm into a light north east wind. The East Section had 24 members sending 884 birds with the West section having 24 members sending 573 birds. Taking the first 3 places in the east section and open is S Witherspoon of Inverurie with the 3 birds all on the same yardage 1155 velocity. He also won 5^th 6^th 7^th 8^th & 9^th east section 7^th 8^th 10^th 11^th & 12^th open. A Flett of Keith had an outstanding bird winning 1^st west section 4^th open flying 196 miles and recording a velocity of 1154. Eric & Nicky Yule of Inverurie are 4^th east section 5^th open with W Ritchie of Elgin & District are 2^nd & 3^rd west section 6^th & 9^th open flying 197 miles recording a velocities of 1152 & 1150. R Wilson of Keith also has 3 birds together to win 4^th 5^th & 6^th west section 13^th 14^th & 15^th open. A J Reid of Keith club is 7^th west section 16^th open with P Thomson of Elgin & District club in 8^th west section 17^th open. Colin McRae of Fraserburgh & District club is 10^th east section 18^th open with club mate A W Buchan one place behind in 19^th open. R Wilson of Keith club wins 9^th west section 20^th open with Elgin & District’s P Thomson winning 10^th west section 21^st open.

Clubs First Bird

Inverurie winner is S Witherspoon doing a velocity of 1155.531. Keith club winner is A Flett doing a velocity of 1154.991. Elgin & District winner is W Ritchie velocity 1152.018. Fraserburgh & District winner is C McRae velocity 1099.619. Fraserburgh West End winner R Barclay velocity 1088.975. Devern Valley winner was A Hay velocity 1069.548 with Peterhead & District winners Maskame & Cordiner doing a velocity of 1059.346.  Well, done to S Witherspoon on Topping the Federation, also well done to A Flett on winning the West Section.

Fife Federation of Homing Pigeons Societies:

News from George Todd with the result of the Federation result of the Ackworth Moor race held on the 18^th May with 1083 birds liberated at 11:00 into a light north wind. The federation top 10 places are won by the following; Lochgelly club’s Dave Hunter takes top place with a yearling doing a velocity of 1266. Club mates J Hynd & son are 2^nd 6^th 7^th 8^th & 9^th open. Kennoway’s Brian Kinnear wins 3^rd place with Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club in 4^th place. George Bell of Crossgates wins 5^th place, with Jim & Gary Peggie of Methilhill club taking 10^th positions.

East Section has Brian Kinnear of Kennoway club winning 1^st & 9^th positions. Jim & Gary Peggie are 2^nd with Brian Chalmers wins 3^rd & 4^th places with father-in-law Tam Laing winning 5^th spot. Davie Armour of Methilhaven club is 6^th & 10^th with Jim Mackie of the same club is 7^th with other club mates Clark & son in 8^th spot.

West Section has Dave Hunter winning 1^st place with J Hynd & son of the same Lochgelly club wins 5^th 6^th 7^th 8^th & 9^th section. Frank Mitchell of Dunfermline club is 3^rd with Crossgates C Buchannan winning 10^th spot.

Centre Section; has Turpie & McCord of Novar & Leslie are first with J Harcus of St Andrews wins 2^nd place.

Birdage; Methilhaven 169 birds; St Andrews 95 birds; Lochgelly 160 birds; Dunfermline 135 birds; Crossgates 202 birds; Kennoway 259 birds; Novar & Leslie 63 birds.

Kingdom RPA

News from Pete Penman who writes; ‘Hi Joe, the Kingdom RPA were at Ackworth Moor for our 5^th race of the season; with the convoy liberated at 11-00 am into a light north west wind. Taking the first two places was the loft of Hugh Gormley of Rosyth, firstly with a yearling chequer hen sitting 6-day eggs who just edged out her 2-year-old full brother who was driving his hen to the nest. Their dam won 55^th open SNFC Falaise last year and the sire had previously won two races. Their granddam is a Dickson & son 5-year-old pigeon who won 2^nd section 5^th open SNFC Alencon last year. She also scored twice from Maidstone with the SNFC (a good pigeon Joe M) Winning 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th was the inform loft of Gary Hall of Coaltown of Balgonie club. His winner is a home bred yearling cheque cock who won 1^st club 2^nd Kingdom Federation 2 weeks ago. The next two birds were both Herman Cuester cocks (all birds are on roundabout). Sixth place goes to St. Serfs Dave Whyte with a 2-year-old chequer pied cock sitting 12-day eggs. This cock won 1^st section as a youngster from the SNRPC national and also scored out of the Kingdom open race from Ramsgate last year. E & L Young took the red card at Leuchars.

Ayrshire Federation 

News from Baz Nicol; who wrote, ‘Good morning, Joe I hope this finds you well. I was asked by a few members of the Ayrshire federation if I could send you some details on the federation results this season - thank you for putting them into your column.’ The Ayrshire Fed was at Appleby on the 11^th May after a spell of a blank week, the birdage was better this week with members sending 2131 birds. The convoy was liberated at 07-00am into a light south wind. Winning 1^st centre section and topping the open was Davie McTaggart of Kilmarnock, with a smashing 2-year-old blue bar on a superb velocity of 1485. This bird has already won 2nd place in the club the previous race from Wooler. She is from Davie’s old family on the sire’s side and the dam was bred by clubmate Wullie Julyan through national winner Ricky Young bloodlines. Next on the fed result is the Ardeer HS winner and 1^st north section former President John Simpson winning 2^nd open; he is followed by Ardeer’s Stirrat & McKenna in 3^rd place. Well, done once again goes to Dave Howie and Kirsty Higgins who won 4^th 5^th & 7^th federation. Making up the top 10 are the Dalry members Andy Barbour who wins 6^th & 10^th with big Ian Cameron in 8^th place with J & C Nicol of Ardeer rounding out the top 10 winning 9^th federation.

D McTaggart is 1^st centre section and 1^st open Ayrshire federation Appleby old birds with secretary Harvey Pollock of Irvine in 2^nd place ahead of B Nicol of Irvine who wins 3^rd section. Eddie Diamond also Irvine NTHS 4^th & 5^th. North Section sees J Simpson taking 1^st place with Stirrat & McKenna runners up. Dave Howie is 3^rd & 4^th with Andy Barbour in 5^th place. South section winner this week is Geordie Slaven of Mauchline. John Watters of the same club takes 2^nd & 4^th positions with J & A McDougall winning 5^th section. Well, done one an all. 

Other Club Winners; A Barbour tops the Dalry result. Kilmarnock Invitation was won by the fed winner D McTaggart; Irvine NTHS winner was H Pollock; Carrick & District winners Jamieson & Son. Willie Lawrence wins Whittlets and J Simpson Ardeer. Kilwinning is won by Benson & Cairney, Annbank is won by D Graham, Cumnock is won by J & S Galloway and G Slaven taking the win in Mauchline. 

A tougher race this week Joe, with many empty perches at the end of the day; plus, their where reports of birds being hawked seemingly close to the liberation sight. The winners were doing some very good velocities due to the helping wind direction and the mild weather again. Looking forward now to Appleton as we now swing onto the federation open races and nationals now just a couple weeks away; Kindest regards Joe, yours Baz Nicol’.  

Club Winners not listed on the Open Result

1st Bensons & D Cairney win Kilwinning HS velocity 1407.591

1st J Auld wins Cumnock & District velocity 1389.357

1st W Lawrence wins Whitletts & District velocity 1324.774

1st D Graham wins Annbank & District velocity 1259.826

1st Jamieson & Son wins Carrick & District velocity 1188.536

1st S Mitchell wins Dalmellington velocity 644.300

British Heart Foundation Trophy for 1^st federation is D McTaggart of Kilmarnock Invitation HS

Position Club Points

1^st Arder HS 7 points; 2^nd Darvel HS 3 points; 3^rd Kilmarnock Invitation HS 3 points; 4^th Kilwinning HS 2 points; 5^th Dalry HS 2 points; 6^th Irvine NTHS 1 point.

Pentlandhills Federation

News from Andy Miller who wrote; ‘Hi Joe, I’m on holiday from work this week so do not have a laptop to do a proper report. Keith Wright wins the federation with a 2 y-old widowhood cock. His sire is a son of the late J & T Young from Danderhall ‘Big Slim; a FVW who was a champion pigeon in the Pentland federation. His dam is a SVR bred by the late Willie Smith from Newton Village near Danderhall; regards Andy. Hope you had a relaxing week off mate, and have your team set up for the nationals Joe M.

Keith Wright's Pentlandhills Fed Winner

The federation were at Newark on Saturday 18^th May with the 896 birds entered by 59 lofts liberated at 11-40am into a north east wind. As stated above Keith Wright wins the top spot with the Winters family in 2^nd & 15^th places. Freddie & Willie Robertson keep up their consistent form winning 3^rd & 13^th open. S & S Tierney are 4^th with a pooler winning £513. J Dowling is 5^th 17^th & 18^th with Andy winning 6^th 7^th & 8^th positions. Mr & Mrs Girdwood are 9^th 19^th & 20^th open; with J Quinn winning 10^th open. Helen Aitken & sons are 11^th & 16^th with A R Pringle in 12^th spot. Willie Pryde and son John are 14^th with the Winter Family in 15^th position.

Loading Pentlandhills Transporter

Almond Valley Federation

News from Lynn Stewart who informs us that the federation were at Wetherby on 18^th of May with the convoy of 1428 birds liberated at 10-45 hours. Taking top spot is John Hadfield of Armadale club with a yearling doing a velocity of 1332.5. John Bird of West Calder is 2^nd & 3^rd open with the 2 birds on 1232.4 and point 1.

So, a very close finish indeed. John Hadfield also won 4^th 8^th 9^th 10^th & 11^th open with John Bird winning 2^nd 3^rd 5^th 6^th 13^th & 14^th positions. D McBeath of Armadale wins 7^th open with Fauldhouse’s Colligan & Hope winning 12^th & 15^th open. Geordie Harris of Bonnybridge wins 16^th open with club mate I McLelland in 17^th place. He is followed by other club mates B & D Halliday in 18^th & 20^th place. Davie Jamieson of West Calder is 19^th.

Club Winners

Armadale 187 birds; J Hadfield 1332.571, 1326.157, D McBeath 1301.363, J Hadfield 1295.092

Balerno 92 birds; C Ross 1220.568, 1217.446, 1212.106, 1209.368

Bonnybridge 438 birds; G Harris 1286.040. I McLelland 1283.848, B & D Halliday 1279.354, 1278.820

Carnwath 92 birds; Thomson Bros & I Thomson 1270. 430 S McArdle 1192.607, McArdle & Thomson 1151.807, Thomson Bros; I Thomson 1146.741

East Calder 152 birds; F Jamieson & Son 1268.940, 1263.124, 1262.555, 1255.952

Fauldhouse 281 birds; Colligan & Hope 1293.486, 1288.273, T Gavin 1268.495, 1268.217

West Calder 186 birds; J Bird 1332.400, 1332.192, 1309.596, 1302.996

This week’s Photos

I have attached some photos of the late Jock Duthie of Methilhill. Jock was a great friend of my old workmate and pal Davy Davidson also from Methilhill. Jock won 1^st East Section 1^st open SNFC Niort with his blue hen whom he named ‘Fifer Lass’, she was flying a distance of 691 miles. recording a velocity of 920 from an entry of 881 birds. Davy phoned me to tell me that Jock had timed in and I visited him and took a photo of his blue hen sitting on the front of her nest box. I remember asking Jock if he had seen the bird arrive when he replied, ‘You would never believe it Joe, I had just gone into the toilet when my wife Cath shouted; ‘There’s a bird’. I was down the stairs; 3 at a time to get out to the loft. Great memories!!! I have also attached a picture of Jock receiving the SNFC Gold Globe from Willie Homes at the SNFC presentation. My final picture is of Jock and his wife Cath with trophies won in 1989.  Jock also kicked off a traffic time for Fife fanciers from this the SNFC Longest race point. As the following year Dennis Dall of Ladybank won 1^st open flying 697 miles (which is still a record to this day) and then in 1996 we had Jock Traill of Thornton winning 1^st open flying 690 miles. Without doubt 3 great fanciers and 3 great pigeons.

Fifer Lass                                                                     Jock Duthie receiving the Gold Globe see text                                         John & Cath Duthie see text

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log onto www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland

© Compiled by Joe Murphy