NEWS FROM SCOTLAND
Reports by Joe Murphy
The Joe Murphy Column
I had a very nice phone call from a lad who obtained some stock pigeons from me and he called to say that he was very impressed with the quality and condition of the pigeons. He said it felt like Christmas had come early and he thanked me for the high standard of pigeons sent. It is good to have feedback like this as it also lets me know that my birds are in good condition and it is also my name that is going with the birds and one of the most important things is you want whoever gets birds from you to do well with these introductions.
Ayrshire North Road Federation
I received an email from Andy Kyle the secretary of the above federation with details of some interesting events that are about to take place he wrote ‘Hi Joe, by way of thanks for your donated young bird from Kevin this year we would like to offer you a complimentary ticket to our Quiz Night on Friday 27th of November. I appreciate it is a bit of a distance to travel, and if you are able to attend, could you let me know to allow us to keep within number restrictions and for purvey with fish suppers are on the menu. (I’m afraid I cannot attend but thank you for the offer). The federation are also holding a young bird show and this is taking place on 14th of November within Cumnock club hut at 12-00 midday with judging at 13.00 hours there will be 8 classes as follows; young cock raced through the wires, Young hen raced through the wires, Young cock raced handling. Young hen raced handling, Young cock show racer through the wires, and young hen show racer through the wires. Young show racer cock handling and young show hen handling. Entries are limited to 200 pigeons and pre-entry is advised if interested contact Mrs J McDougall on 07838 620696. Entries cost £1.00 per pigeon and pre-entries close on 12th November, but entries MAY be taken on the day of show IF SPACE ALLOWS. Prize money will be paid as at £40.00 to best in show, £20.00 to Best opposite Sex and £5 to Class Winners. The Federation is also holding a Quiz night and this is scheduled to take place on Friday 27th November within Drongan Community Centre. Tickets will cost £10-00 each with the format similar to previous years, fish supper for the purvey; The Quiz Panel will be Mark Bulled, a top International fancier, Nigel Laycock, a well-known supporter of the Federation and Morris Brothers of Johnstone. The compere will be Steve McGarry better known as ‘New Kid on the Block’. A blockbuster of an evening looks certain with some snippets of knowledge sure to be gleaned and of course an opportunity for fanciers present to purchase a young bird donated by the panellist and others top fanciers to help raise Federation funds this is definitely a night NOT to be missed and for tickets to this event contact 07944 528938. The Federation old bird show will take place on 5th December within Cumnock club hut at 12.00 noon with judging at 13.00 hours. Again there will be 8 classes as follows; old cock raced through the wires, old hen raced through the wires, old cock raced handling. Old hen raced handling, old cock show racer through the wires, and old hen show racer through the wires. Old show racer cock handling and old show hen handling. Again entries are limited to 200 pigeons and pre-entry is advised if interested contact Mrs J McDougall on 07838 620696. Entries cost £1.00 per pigeon and pre-entries close on 5th December, but entries MAY be taken on the day of show IF SPACE ALLOWS. Prize money will be paid as at £40.00 to Best in Show, £20.00 to Best opposite Sex and £5 to Class Winners. Andy Kyle
SNFC Good Birds
5 x 1st Scottish National winner Billy Bilsland:- See Text
While checking out one or two birds for his feature I came across a good blue hen bred and raced by Billy Bilsland of Ayton who won the first SIX places in this year’s SNFC Portsmouth race with an entry of 4.767 birds sent by 588 members. This was a commendable performance and it proved without doubt that Billy is an exceptional fancier, I cannot recollect any other fancier achieving such a deed in all the years I have highlighted the national results. The great Eddie Newcombe took the first 4 in an Avranches race many years ago and I would think this would be the closest to Billy’s triumph. It was also interesting to note that Billy has a very good team of pigeons about him at the present time and it is little wonder this man has attained 5 x 1st Scottish National wins in the space of 3 years. I have discovered at least 6 quality pigeons that deserve a little publicity for their efforts. So this week’s good birds ALL belong to Billy Bilsland of Ayton starting with the blue hen who has won 5 times in the SNFC NEHU13BOR 1752. As a youngster she won 16th section B 17th open from Leicester 228 miles then as a yearling she won 13th section B 14th open Maidstone 339 miles, she was then sent to Ypres and won 36th section B 61st open flying 403 miles. This year she won 5th section B 5th open Portsmouth 348 miles and then from the Eastbourne race she won 5th section B 7th open from a distance of 366 miles. Not bad going to win 2 positions in the top 10 in both nationals from a combined entry of 7161birds as a matter of interest this hen is a direct daughter of ‘ISLA’ winner of 1st SNFC Leicester in 2013. The second pigeon that I highlight is a full brother to 1st open SNFC Portsmouth winner in 2015 he is a blue chequer cock NEHU13BOR 1754. As a youngster he won 131st open Leicester 228 miles then as a yearling he won 244th open Maidstone a distance of 339 miles he was then sent across the channel to Ypres a distance of 403 miles and won 31st section B 49th open. This year he was sent to Portsmouth and won 49th section B 66th open flying 348 miles. We now come to a chequer cock SU12L 11434 who was bred by Billy’s good friend Billy Holland of Kirkintilloch his sire is a full brother to Farmer George winner of 1st International Bordeaux (Agen) 10.622 birds and fastest from 22.029 birds flying 826 kilometres for Catherine and Geoff Cooper of St Just. The dam of 11434 is a direct daughter of Roger Barcelona winner of 1st national 11.802 birds, 2nd Intentional 22.887birds when he was mated to a daughter of Pedro and Beauty 85 for M & D Desbuquois. Billy’s cock won 63rd section B 152nd open Maidstone in 2013 flying 339 miles. He was then entered of the SNFC Gold Cup race from Alencon in 2014 a distance of 520 miles and won 130th open. Then this year he was again sent back to Alencon and won 3rd section B 12th open from an entry of 1416 birds and he was then sent to the last old bird national from Clermont a distance of 487 miles and he won 32nd section B 87th open from an entry of 1547 birds so one more section prize from the channel and he will achieve a Silver Award. Another pigeon who has won 4 times in the national for Billy is blue white flight hen NEHU14BOR 331 she was entered in the young bird national from Buckingham a distance of 270 miles and she won 25th section B 33rd open then this year as a yearling she had 3 national races and won an open place in the 3 of them. From Portsmouth she was 357th open from an entry of 4767 birds, then she was sent to Eastbourne a distance of 366 miles and won 20th section B 26th open she was then set up for the last channel race from Clermont and she won 10th section B 23rd open. We now come to 2 hens who have won 3 times from 3 inland national races starting with a chequer pied hen NEHU14BOR 297 she won 53rd section B 63rd open from the young bird national from Buckingham race a distance of 270 miles, then this year she won 28th section B 40th open from Billericay a distance of 311 miles and then into the Portsmouth race and she won 6th section B 6th open from 348 miles. The last pigeon that I’m highlighting in this issue is a grizzle hen NEHU14BOR 354 who also won from the young bird national from Buckingham being 41st section B 51st open then this year she won 56th section B 77th open from Portsmouth and then from the Eastbourne race she won 47th section B 69th open from an entry of 2494 birds. I think you will agree that the above 6 pigeons have achieved some excellent results but the most important announcement item for me is the strength of team Billy has for the future. I know that Kevin and I would be over the moon to have as strong a team of national candidates as Billy has and we wish him well for the future.
"ISLA" winner of 1st Scottish National Leicester for Billy Bilsland
Joe’s Joke
These are classified ads, which were actually placed in U.K. Newspapers:
FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER: 8 years old, Hateful little basket, Bites!
FREE PUPPIES: ½ Cocker Spaniel, ½ sneaky neighbour’s dog FREE PUPPIES:
Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd
Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound.
COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED: Also 1 Gay Bull for sale.
JOINING NUDIST COLONY: Must sell washer and dryer £100
WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE: Worn once by mistake call Stephanie
**** And the WINNER is... ****
FOR SALE BY OWNER: Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition -£200 or best offer:
No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything.
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 and www.pigeoncraic.com who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland.
© Compiled by Joe Murphy
