The Joe Murphy Column - 23-09-24

The Joe Murphy Column

Continuing with my short stories from the past this one was written by Major Neilson Hutton in 1967 with the title; ‘A few things worth thinking about’ which I thought as we are nearing the end of the season might be of interest to readers of my column. The major states; Once young bird racing is over, in the majority of lofts, the sexer are separated and we have entered into what some regard as the quiet season. This may appear to be so in so far as the physical activities of the birds themselves are concerned. However, there are visible signs of great activity in this period in which nature provides the means to refurbish by the casting of the old feathers and regrowing of replacements. The decreasing hours of daylight increases the period of quiet rest. This compensates for any additional strain which otherwise might arise in the growing of the new feathers and by mid-December healthy pigeons are sleek and shining in their new coat of feathers. Thus, equipped and having put on weight they can stand up to the cold weather we experience in January and February braced and ready for the breeding and racing season which follows. The habits of their owners have also changed. They spend less time in their lofts and have more time to do a bit of serious thinking and planning free from the stress, strain and disappointments in the hurly-burly of racing. Now is the time to try honestly to find reasons for the disappointments suffered. Do not mislead your-self with excuses which no doubt seem plausible enough to you, but readily recognised for what they are by others. Pigeon racing is no different from any other competitive sport in that it is the man who makes the fewest mistakes who wins. Let your successes take care of themselves. Seek out the mistakes you have made. Write them down and take care they do not happen again. It is all up to you. Every fancier has the kind of pigeons he deserves as it is he who does the planning and choosing. He thus sets his own standard and by it he either succeeds or falls. Money can buy apparently good pigeons, but it is the man and his management which brings success. I may be howled down when I say that successful fanciers may have at times no better pigeons than some of their less successful rivals. The difference lies in the management or ‘Know How’. I have known so many fancier friends and acquaintances past and present, who were nice fellows and keen in their way, but a flaw- or shall I call it an attitude of mind- prevented them time and time on reaching the top. The devil of it is that your friends are afraid to tell you from fear of giving offence. If a friend has the moral courage to mention quietly what he thinks is the trouble, it is rare it is taken to heart. I’m sure no one will disagree with me how important the performances of pigeons he has sold to others is to a fancier’s reputation. Fairly recently this fact was brought home to me in a rather startling fashion. While listening to a general conversation at a show, the name of an old established and successful fancier cropped up. Immediately one of those present declared he would not take one of this fancier’s pigeons in a gift. He then proceeded to tell of a fancier who had bought quite a number of birds old and young from the fancier whose name had been mentioned, but they were just a lot of rubbish. It so happened that I knew this individual who had bought these pigeons and a more haphazard and careless fancier I have yet to meet. It was rarely that his birds had any training before the first race. He has been known to forget it was marking night, or to feed his birds and to fall asleep in the deck chair while waiting for his birds on race days. Believe it or not on one occasion he let his birds out for their exercise one evening, threw some food on the floor, and went into the house for his evening meal. Next morning he discover that he had omitted to open the traps and that his birds had been locked out all night; result spoiled eggs and dead youngsters.

To be continued.

Nice Visit

I received an email from Gary McCormack of Tranent who won the SNFC Gold Cup in 2023 with his dad Willie. They were wondering if I could help them out as they had purchased a red cock at Kevin’s entire clearance sale after he had passed away. They were wondering if I had any more information the cock i.e. more national positions plus a little bit more about his breeding as they had paired him to their SNFC Gold Cup winner ‘Margaret’s Delight’. I duly obliged and gave Willie & Gary some more information on the red cocks achievements and his breeding. As a matter of fact, his dam was my No 1 stock hen; whom I purchased at the entire clearance sale of Bob Whyte of Fraserburgh. Whom older fanciers will remember the famous name of Ritchie & Whyte, who achieved some outstanding result from the SNFC races flying away up in the north of Scotland.  This hen turned out to be an outstanding breeding hen for me; especially when mated to a son of ‘Robbie’s Boy’ winner of 1^st open SNFC Falaise for Gilmour Brothers of Leven when he was paired to a sister to Jock King’s famous ‘Mary’. I also obtained some old results the red cock had achieved and Gary and Willie were grateful, so much so that Willie phoned me and asked if he could come and visit me along with his good friend Wilf Flockhart of Tranent; which I was happy to agree with. Wilf and I have been friends for a long time; I remember meeting him at a young bird auction away back in 1990. Wilf asked me if I had raced the good chequer hen that had won 1^st club 8^th open Fife Federation Sartilly as a yearling back in 1989. I told him I had sent her to Rennes in 1990 and although she had made it home, she never made the national result. Wilf told me to keep her at Sartilly were she had won. So, the next year 91-  I sent her to Sartilly (1) with the national and she won 1^st club 1^st federation 1^st region C 20^th east section 83^rd open SNFC 3180 birds. Then I sent her back to Sartilly (2) and she won 144^th east section 236^th open from an entry of 3673 birds. The following year she was set up for Sartilly (1) and she won 1^st club 1^st federation 1^st region C 1^st open SNFC competing against 3293 birds. I never sent her for a Gold Award as I kept her for stock and she repaid me a hundred-fold. Wilf’s advise was well worth listen too. We had a great day talking about pigeons and achievements obtained in the past. I was taken aback when Willie had 2 babies in a basket and he told me to take my pick out of them, which I did. These were direct from the Murphy red cock and Margaret’s Delight and were 2 beauties. I was over the moon at this wonderful gesture and cannot thank Willie & Gary enough. I have added a photo of the Murphy Cock and Margaret’s Delight to go with this column.

Nightmare Two Weeks

Our daughter Beth was taken into St John’s Hospital in Livingstone to have an operation to remove a cancerous growth in her right foot. They took a piece of muscle out of her left arm and put this into her right ankle. I have photographs of these pieces but they are too horrendous to show. Then while visiting her, I took unwell and ended up in casualty for 5 hours with the outcome I had caught a urine infection and was placed on antibiotics for 5 days. Thankfully I did not have to stay in hospital overnight as our son Mark came and collected Margaret and I and brought us home. However, I have to say I was not very comfortable and it took a lot out of me and the doctor told me to take it easy as I’m not getting any younger. Thankfully Beth is now back home and they have had to make some alterations to her home, a banister on her staircase, stools for the shower, raised toilet seat etc. It looks like this will be a long recovery.

Now back to Pigeons.

Results

Arbroath news from Charlie Cameron with the Blaydon 5^th young birds race flown on 24^th August; the club had 5 sending 107 birds and the federation convoy was liberated at 07.00am into a south-to-south west wind.

Charlie & his son Glen took the first 3 places with Graham McKenzie winning 4^th 5th & 9^th positions. Paul Cameron wins 6^th & 11^th places with Les McKay winning 7^th 8^th & 10^th places.  

North of Scotland Federation

News from George Duthie with the result of the Auchendinny race which had 36 members sending 774 birds these were liberated into a light south wind on 24^th August. The East Section had 17 members sending 442 birds; taking the top spot is S Glue of Peterhead & District club with a bird doing 1630 velocity. C McRae of Fraserburgh & District is 2^nd 6^th & 7^th section and open with Maskame & Cordiner of Peterhead & District club winning 3^rd 4^th & 5^th positions. A W Buchan of Fraserburgh & District club wins 8^th & 9^th section and open with R Bain of the same club wins 10^th positions. The west section had 19 members sending 332 birds with A Cruickshank of Keith club winning 1^st 2^nd & 3^rd section 16^th 17^th & 18^th open. A Hay of Devern Valley club wins 4^th 5^th & 6^th section 22^nd 23^rd & 26^th open. A Wilson from the same club wins 7^th & 9^th section 29^th & 33^rd open with A Fulton again from Deven Valley wins 8^th section and 31^st open with club mate M Evans winning 10^th section 35^th open.

Clubs First Bird

S Glue wins Peterhead & District velocity 1630.259; C McRae wins Fraserburgh & District velocity 1619.121; A Higgins wins Fraserburgh West End velocity 1577.276; A Cruickshank of Keith club wins with a velocity of 1540.968; A Hay wins Devern Valley velocity 1505.579

R McKenzie wins Inverurie velocity 1499.170 and W Ritchie wins Elgin & District velocity 1284.400. Well done to S Glue on topping the federation and to A Cruickshank on winning the west section.

Kingdom Federation

News from Pete Penman who writes, ‘Hi Joe hope you and Margaret are both well. The federation were at Harrogate this week; and taking the top honours is Coaltown’s Gary Hall with the same Herman Cusiter that won 1^st club 3^rd Kingdom fed from Alnwick 2.  This time it was sitting a 5-day youngster. Winning 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th & 5^th places was Sandy Proctor of St Serfs. His first bird was a chequer w/f hen bought from Gary Gorton, then he timed a blue cock that was 2^nd Kingdom last week, his next bird was a barless mealy cock, both bred from Gary Gorton stock. His 5^th placed bird was a Louella blue pied hen. 6^th place goes to Coaltown’s Chic Dinsdale with a grizzle hen that was 2^nd club, 4^th Kingdom last week.  She is a granddaughter of his good blue pied hen that scored on numerous occasions from the channel.  The next 3 places went to Rosyth’s Lou Mitchell and nephew Darren Stonehouse. These were the only 9 Birds clocked. Regards Pete.

Fife Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies, news from Geordie Todd who writes; The federation were at Harrowgate with the 216 birds liberated at 08:00am into a light south wind. The birdage was as follows: Methilhaven club had 44 birds; Lochgelly had 23 birds; St Andrews had 23 birds Dunfermline had 32 with Kennoway sending 69 and Crossgates with an entry of 25 birds. The East section and open positions are as follows; J Harcus of St Andrews wins both with a velocity of 1212; plus, he is also 10^th open. D Armour of Methilhaven club is 2^nd & 9^th with club mates J & G Peggie winning 3^rd & 4^th places. B Chalmers of Kennoway is 5^th & 6^th with B Kinnear of the same club in 7^th & 8^th. The West section is won by D Hunter of Lochgelly club with club mate J Hynd & son winning 2^nd 3^rd 4^th 6^th 8^th & 9^th positions. D McNeely of Dunfermline club wins 7^th section.

Central Federation

News from Peter Keogh with the result of the Harrowgate race flown on the 24^th August with the 535 birds liberated into a very light west wind at 07-30am C McReight wins 1^st & 2^nd open with G MacKenzie winning 3^rd 6^th 7^th 9^th & 12^th open.  T & G Weir are 4^th & 5^th with Joe Smith winning 10^th position. Peter Keogh wins 11^th & 14^th places with M Brown in 13^th spot. Mr & Mrs Forrest win 15^th to 19^th positions with M Doran making up the top 20.

Winchburgh club sent 159 birds with the Central federation; taking 1^st & 2^nd club, 4^th & 5^th fed are T & G Weir with a couple of Herman Ceuster darkies flying to the perch. Peter Keogh takes 3^rd & 4^th club 11^th & 14^th Fed.  Congratulations to Colin McReight the Central Federation Race Controller who takes the first two federation positions in what turned out to be a tough test for the young birds; regards Peter

Almond Valley Federation

News from Lynne regarding the Catterick 1 young bird race flown on the 24^th August with the 444 birds liberated at 07-15am. Geordie Harris of Bonnybridge club wins the top spot plus 3^rd 5^th & 14^th open. S Russell of the same club winning 2^nd 9^th & 18^th open. Vic Couper of the same club is 4^th & 6^th with Armadale’s D McBeath winning 7^th 10^th & 17^th positions.

James Burnside of Armadale wins 8^th place with club mate John Hadfield winning 11^th 12^th & 13^th open. Wells & Scott of Bonnybridge club are 15^th open with John Bird of West Calder in 16^th position. T Gavin of Fauldhouse club wins 19^th 20^th & 21^st open.

Club Winners;

Armadale sent 138 birds; 1^st D McBeath 1075.230, 2^nd J Burnside 1074.140, 3^rd D McBeath 1071.854, 4^th J Hadfield 1060.734

Bonnybridge sent 153 birds; 1^st G Harris 1110.137, 2^nd S Russell 1105.838, 3^rd G Harris 1100.734, 4^th V Couper 1094.652

Carnwath members sent 32 birds; 1^st Thomson Bros & I Thomson 832.001, 669.283, 2^nd Dr J Salmond 654.122, 3^rd Thomson Bros & I Thomson 632.824

East Calder No Entries;

Fauldhouse 84 birds; 1^st 2^nd & 3^rd T Gavin 1052.511, 1050.372, 1050.214, 4^th Colligan & Hope 1036.364

West Calder 37 birds; First 4 places to J Bird 1056.060, 1014.162, 1014.012, 1014.012

Angus Federation

News from David Liddle with the result of the Blaydon young bird race flown on 24^th August with 19 members sending 414 birds; these were liberated at 07.00 a.m. into a south-to-south west wind. Taking top honours are Forfar’s K Droog & son with club mate D J Liddle winning 3^rd 11^th 15^th 16^th 17^th & 19^th open. Ian Scott of the same club wins 4^th 5^th 12^th 13^th 14^th 18^th & 20^th open. David himself wins 11^th 15^th 16^th 17^th & 19^th open.

The first 2 places in the East Section are won by D & D Hay of Gourdon club with C & G Cameron of Arbroath club winning 3^rd & 4^th section and the remaining 7 places are won by W Dorward of Gourdon club. 

Club winners are as follows; Arbroath had 5 members sending 107 birds; 1^st C & G Cameron velocity 1468; Forfar had 10 members sending 236 birds’ winner is K Droog & son velocity 1627. Gourdon had 2 members sending 51 birds winners D & D Hay velocity 1470.80. Montrose club had 2 members sending 20 birds winners A & S Whyte velocity 1270.15

Forfar HS

Results attached for Forfar RPC and Angus Federation for our latest race from Blaydon on 24th August. With showers forecast in the afternoon, Davie and Danny the race controllers had the birds away at 7.00 a.m. and we had our best race of the young bird season with the majority of the convoy home within an hour of the leaders. Leading the way for the second week in a row was Ken Droog & Son who also topped the Angus & Dundee combined result. Ken had two birds arrive three minutes clear of a batch into Forfar which filled the next eight places on the result. The Forfar club took all twenty positions in the federation result with Ken Droog, David Liddle, Ian Scott and Davie Glen all featuring, kindest regards David. 

Pentlandhills Federation

News from Andy Miller who writes; For the fifth young bird race of the 2024 was from Thirsk held on Saturday 24^th August. The 923 birds entered from 40 lofts were liberated at 06:30am in a west to south west wind. A little early was many of the fancier’s views, for this time of year. However, there’s always a winner and this was to the form loft of the Winters Family winning their club for the second week running and now the with a federation 1 & 2 open. Chris tells me his winner is a hen (Welsh rung) bred by Tavener & Sons from their ‘Dark King 463’ (Hereman Ceuster) when paired to Mighty Mysterio hen. All their birds are flown on the darkness system. Returns were not too good Joe, with many still missing again! Regards Andy

Freddie & Willie Robertson of Danderhall club are 3^rd & 5^th with K Wright of the same club wins 4^th 14^th & 15^th open. Club mates Black & Robertson are 6^th 12^th & 13^th open with D Brown of the same Danderhall club winning 8^th & 9^th open. Edinburgh Premier club’s K Dick is 10^th with S McVey of Danderhall club wins 11^th & 16^th open. Black & Robertson of Danderhall club are 12^th & 13^th with club mate S McVey winning 16^th open. Easthouses G Cameron is 17^th open with the Winter Family of Danderhall club winning 18^th open. A W Robertson also from the same club wins 19^th 20^th & 21^st open.

27 Day Space Weather Outlook Table. Issued 2^nd September 2024

   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest

  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index

2024 Sep 02     230           8          3

2024 Sep 03     240           5          2

2024 Sep 04     245           5          2

2024 Sep 05     250           5          2

2024 Sep 06     240           5          2

2024 Sep 07     240           5          2

2024 Sep 08     245          10          3

2024 Sep 09     245           5          2

2024 Sep 10     240           5          2

2024 Sep 11     240           5          2

2024 Sep 12     240           5          2

2024 Sep 13     240           5          2

2024 Sep 14     250           5          2

2024 Sep 15     255           5          2

2024 Sep 16     245           5          2

2024 Sep 17     240           8          3

2024 Sep 18     235           8          3

2024 Sep 19     240           5          2

2024 Sep 20     245           5          2

2024 Sep 21     240           5          2

2024 Sep 22     240           5          2

2024 Sep 23     245           5          2

2024 Sep 24     245           5          2

2024 Sep 25     240           5          2

2024 Sep 26     235          25          5

2024 Sep 27     230          25          5

2024 Sep 28     225          15          4

Think this will be the last of the Space Weather as the season is about over for this year, Joe M

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