NEWS FROM SCOTLAND
Reports by Joe Murphy
Joe Murphy showing Steve Bruce a pigeon
Firstly I would like to thank all the people who have sent in their club or federation results throughout the year. I know more than anyone how hard it is to get information from people on their birds and by the way it is ‘They’ who get the publicity not the press officers. However I do appreciate all the hard work, time and effort that each of these people has put in and they are indeed a credit to each of their organisation they represent. In 2 years it will be 50 years since I first started writing for the BHW and at that time everything was hand written and you had to post it off in plenty of time to get to Welshpool. When I covered the Scottish National races I would work ALL weekend gathering information on the winners and the lovely Linda Richards would come back into the office on a Monday night, phone me and I dictated all the information gathered to her and she typed this out so that it would make the following weekend’s paper. It is changed now as I type my weekly column and can send it away by email and it is in the main office within seconds. Don’t get me wrong, at times it is hard trying to keep a weekly article going, however as long as I’m able then I will continue as we have lost over the years some GREAT scribes for example: ‘Observer from Greenock’, ‘Jim Renwick from Central Scotland’, ‘CSO Howie from Perth and Fife’, ‘Jim Paterson from Ayrshire’, ‘John Swinburne from Lanarkshire’, ‘Bob Hunter from the North West federation’ and last but not least ‘Round O’ who did a wonderful job in publicising the Scottish pigeon sport. So you will see we were well covered in gone by days however ‘Round O’ and I both felt that Scotland did not get the publicity it deserves and this was down to fanciers’ ‘cannot be bothered’ attitude. I would also like to THANK the ‘Girls’ of the BHW staff who work hard throughout the year making sure we get our paper out on time I have included a photo of the well done ‘girls’ and Steve and Colin our editors. I have also added a photograph of yours truly showing Hull City football manager Steve Bruce a Deweerdt pigeon that I bought home from Blackpool. Steve told me that his father or grandfather was a great pigeon enthusiast.
BICC Moot
Received an email from my good friend Russell Bradford from Wellingborough who wrote ‘Hi Joe, knowing that you and Kevin are coming down to the BICC Moot and the Epsom show at the end of October, I thought I’d let you know the good news that Dr Henk De Weerd the world renowned Vet has now confirmed his attendance. Obviously really good news as it will add a further dimension to an already stunning line-up of guests on the panel. As of today (5th of September) 124 tickets have been sold and with still some 7 to 8 weeks to the event and I have no doubt the remaining 75 or so will go within the next few weeks. Already the audience alone is looking like a “Who’s Who” of the pigeon world, and although I thought it would be well attended, I am still surprised as to how far afield requests for tickets have come from. I thought perhaps you might be the furthest travelling from Scotland, but tickets have gone out to Dublin; North and South Wales; Yorkshire, Lancashire and Devon & Cornwall. It certainly has the promise of an excellent weekend as apart from the Moot on the Friday evening, I am told by Tom Firmager one of the show organisers that this year’s show is bigger and better than ever with some 57 stands now booked. Look forward to meeting up with you and Kevin yours Russell’.
Results
Angus Federation for the last race of the season from Wakefield 25 members sent 289 birds liberated at 09-15am into a light north west wind taking first and 2nd federation is Davie Glen of Forfar club on 1069 he also wins 1st 2nd & 9th west section and is the federation points champion with 273 points. Willie MacKnight of Montrose is 3rd 4th & 7th federation and is 1st 2nd 4th 5th 6th & 7th east section with Macaulay: Ferguson & Curran in 5th federation place and they are 3rd & 8th west section winners. D & D Hay of Gourdon are 6th fed and 3rd east section with Ian Scott of Forfar in 8th federation and 4th west section he is followed by club mate Mike Leggett in 9th federation 5th west section and David Liddle in 10th federation and 6th west section the remaining west section positions are won by Eric Galloway in 7th west section D Smith also of Forfar in 10th west section. East section winners are R Pace of Montrose in 8th & 9th positions with Les McKay in 10th spot. Club Winners are as follows; Arbroath C Cameron; Forfar D Glen; Gourdon D & D Hay; Letham no entries; Montrose W MacKnight; Inchcape L McKay in finishing of the Angus federation report I must thank Ann Carrie for supplying the results on a weekly basis.
Fife Federation
Dunfermline news from Walker Kennedy who writes ‘Here is the Ripon race with 1st & 2nd spots going to Frank Mitchell on a velocity of 966 it was bred by club mate Wattie Sharp this same young bird won Sedgefield 2 and it’s breeding is Peter Van de Merwe the 2nd placed bird is of the same breeding and Frank would like to thank Wattie for breeding these youngster for him. In 3rd place is Dan McNeely on 911from his distant family of pigeons. Well that’s it for another year Joe and thank you for putting in our club results on a weekly basis. It is good to see our members getting some publicity for their efforts yours Walker’ whom I thank for his contribution.
East of Scotland Federation news from Tom McEwen who writes ‘Hi Joe the birds were liberated at 07-40 am at Newark on Sunday 7th September for our open race with the federation being won by John Bird of Prestonpans he has had a great season winning all 3 open races. Jim McNeil of Tranent is there again with a great double in 2nd & 3rd open. Mr & Mrs Peter March of Prestonpans had an outstanding race with a top ten foursome in 4th 5th 7th & 9th open positions. Tucker Watt of Macmerry has a nice one in 6th open with Davie Gillan of Tranent flying well in 8th open and completing the top ten is Rab Waddell of Prestonpans in 10th place.
Prestonpans HS is won by John Bird with a blue hen on 1124 bred by Frans Laeman of Belgium. Mr & Mrs Peter March are 2nd & 3rd with their first bird a chequer cock a gift from good friends the Whitson Family from Pencaitland. Their second bird is also a chequer cock sire is a pure Kirkpatrick from Peter’s own family while the dam is from John Brown bloodlines. Well Joe that’s the season over for the federation Thanks for all your help and hopefully I will be back again next season with the results all the very best to you Margaret & Kevin yours Tom’. I hope Tom is back next year as he has done a wonderful job publicising the TRUE East of Scotland federation (not the imposters) and the Prestonpans club.
New Lothian RPC news from Andy Miller who informs us, The New Lothian 36 lofts sending 602 birds, the convoy were held for their 7th young bird race of the season on Sunday 7th September after a holdover the previous day from Newark, a distance of 210 to 222 miles for the members. Liberated into a North West wind the birds had to work to get home. Winning 1st New Lothian and 1st Pentland Hills Federation for the second week running is the form loft of Helen Aitken & sons from Whitecraigs. They timed in a darkness youngster whose details are as follows: sire is an Andre Clemens bred by Derek Parr and the dam is Jos Soontjens bred by Fenwick & Howard. This race was also our New Lothian Gold Ring race with separate pools & 3 x prizes of £500, £200, £100. 1st was Nolan & Farwell, with Helen Aitken & sons 2nd & J & T Young in 3rd place all winning pools too, (the dregs won by yours truly) returns were good for most lofts.
New Lothian RPC result; 1st & 10th are H Aitken & Sons of Whitecraigs; 2nd L Mitchell of Castlebrae. 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 11th & 12th are Nolan & Farwell of Danderhall; Steve Girdwood of Sighthill is 8th & 9th
Pentland Hills Federation result had 13 clubs sending 862 birds to Newark the result is the same as the New Lothian.
Club winners
Whitecraigs 17 birds: Aitken 1154 1125 & 1104
Castlebrae 50 birds: L Mitchell 1144 Sammels & Lunn 1107 Willis 1043
Danderhall 264 birds: Nolan & Farwell 1138.1 1138.0 & 1136
Sighthill 66 birds: Girdwood 1127 1126 & 1101
Woodburn 63 birds: Brown & Black 1111 1099 & 1088
Gilmerton 74 birds: Linton A.W. Robertson
Edinburgh West 18 birds: C. Bennett 1009 988 & 966
Bonnyrigg 69 birds: Russell 1005 & 997 Gray 996
Edinburgh Premier 60 birds: Gilchrist 1093 1084 Cunningham & Cains 1069
Loanhead 35 birds: Baillie 1005 1004 & 1001
New Lothian 4
Newtongrange 10
Traprain 80 birds: Thomson 1183 Whitson 1109 Mark 1091
Others 52
Dalzell FC news from Joe Boyle who tells us that 13 members sent 165 club birds to Ingleton on 23rd August with the winner Robert Clark on 1070 with a J Cochrane crossed J Frame bred pigeon. 2nd is Stevie Selfridge on 1066 with a Van De Pol and 3rd is yours truly Joe Boyle on 1054 with a Jan Aarden bred from G & J Palmer of Bellshill stock birds. From the Charnock Richard race flown on the 30th August 12 members sent 120 club birds with 1st prize going to King & Selfridge on 841 this was a J Crosgrove bloodlines. 2nd are Quinn Bros on 826 sorry no details on breeding. 3rd place is Robert Clark on 810 with a Joe Higgins Grondelaers crossed Willie Jacobs. From Uttoexter on the 7th September we had 6 members sending 37 birds the winner is Stevie Selfridge on 958 with a Jan Aarden in 2nd place is Robert Clark on 927 with a Sam Brown crossed J Frame and 3rd are King & Selfridge on 919 again with a Jock Crosgrove. The club members would like to thank you Joe for all your help this season it is much appreciated and we look forward to being part of the Joe Murphy Column next season yours Joe Boyle’.
Joe’s Jokes
Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal: he'd have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave. The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise Rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the Rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate. On the chosen day the Pope and the Rabbi sat opposite each other.
The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers. The Rabbi looked back and raised one finger. Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head. The Rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat. The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine. The Rabbi pulled out an apple. With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the Rabbi was too clever. The Jews could stay in Italy. Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened. The Pope said, 'First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our beliefs. Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. The Rabbi responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us. I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all our sins, and the Rabbi pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin. He defeated me at every move and I could not continue.'
Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the Rabbi how he'd won. 'I haven't a clue,' said the rabbi. 'First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger. Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I told him that we were staying right here. 'And then what?' asked a woman. 'Who knows?' said the Rabbi. 'He took out his lunch so I took out mine.
The Baptist Church Dinner!
A group of couples from the Butthole Southern Baptist Church used to get together on a regular basis, socialize, and play games and the lady of the house was expected to prepare the meal. When it came time for Al and Janet to be the hosts, Janet wanted to outdo all the others. She decided to have mushroom-smothered steak. But mushrooms are expensive. She then told her husband, "No mushrooms. They cost too much." He said, "Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty in the creek bed." She said, "No, some wild mushrooms are poison." He said, "Well, I see varmints eating them and they're OK." So Janet decided to give it a try. She picked a bunch, washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak. Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ol' Spot (the yard dog) a double handful. Ol' Spot ate every bite. All morning long, Janet watched Ol' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them. The meal was a great success, and Janet even hired a helper lady from town to help her serve. After everyone had finished, they relaxed, and socialized, about then, the helper lady came in and whispered in Janet's ear said, "Mrs. Williams, Ol' Spot is dead." Janet went into hysterics. After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened. The doctor said, "That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quickly as possible. We'll give everyone enemas and we will pump out everyone's stomach. Everything will be fine. Just keep them calm." Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMTs and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump. One by one, they took each person into the bathroom, gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach. After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now," and he left. They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room and about this time the helper lady came in and whispered to Janet, -- "You know, that fellow what run over Ol' Spot never even stopped his car."
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 to my NEW EMAIL ADDRESS at;
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