NEWS FROM SCOTLAND
Reports by Joe Murphy
Kevin never raced this past Saturday as we decided to just train the birds for the SNFC Maidstone race this coming weekend the 21st June. So it has been up early and off to north of Fife to meet up with him and bring the birds down here to fly home. Saturday was not so nice first thing in the morning so Kevin brought them down later on and I liberated them about lunch time. They either were attacked by a hawk or clashed with race birds as they took all day to get home and in fact some were missing at the end of the day, which starts to get you worried as it is only about 40 miles to Arbroath. They all but one (yearling hen) arrived the next day and were none the worse for their time on the wing in fact it may do them some good as they will have had to think and get the ‘cobwebs’ out of their brains. These late arrivals have not had any more training and will be lifted right into the Maidstone national this weekend. Kevin has gained enough experience to know when a pigeon is right or not and he will pick a strong team to represent the Murphys in this 2nd national of the year. We are looking forward to going up to wait on the birds returning home as helping train them gives me an added interest in how they compete and we both love sitting with him watching the sky for a bird and believe me we still get the ‘buzz’ when one drops on the board. The day that I don’t get this ‘thrill’ is when I will give the sport up altogether. By the time this is in print it will be the big one this weekend the SNFC Gold Cup race from Alencon and I wish everyone all the very best for this the ‘Greatest race in Scotland’.
Fougeres to Scotland
Received a phone call from Mr Cotton of Liverpool who was racing from Fougeres at the weekend 14th June. He entered 4 birds into the race which turned out to be a very tough affair with quite a lot of pigeons missing. Mr Cotton did not have any return and you can imagine his surprise when he received a phone call from Marshal Finlay of Law Village near Carluke in Lanarkshire reporting one of his pigeons that was at the race. Fougeres to Liverpool is 365 miles and you can add another couple of hundred miles onto this and here was his Staf Van Reet in Scotland (and they tell you this family are sprinters). Marshal is one of Lanarkshire Federation’s drivers and this weekend they are racing from Bedhampton and he is going to let the pigeon go at a service station on the M6 as near as possible to Liverpool. Let us hope the pigeon makes it back home and Mr Cotton is going to let me know if it does. He is also very grateful to Marshal for his assistance and it is good to report the true meaning of sportsmanship. I hope the other missing birds form the Channel races have turned up as I have heard of a lad who sent 8 birds and 5 of these cocks had already won 11 x 1st prizes and the poor man did not have a pigeon home.
INFC
My good friend Sheldon Leonard from Arklow in Count Wicklow had a good race with the above national from Sennen Cove Yearling race where 886 members entered 5243 pigeons. The North section had 549 members entering 3384 pigeons with the South section having 336 members entering 1809 pigeons. The convoy were liberated on Wednesday 11th June at 08-15 into a light south west wind with a total pools and prize money of £37.692.52p. The race was won by R Fewing of Rathnew who took 1st & 2nd place his winner being his nominated pigeon and wins nearly £2300. A name that caught my eye when looking at the result was Murphy Brothers of Newton-Killpeddar who are 3 & 5th open and Paul Byrne & son of Ballybrack RPC are 4th open. Sheldon timed 13 pigeons in an hour and had 17 home from his entry of 20 on the day winning 52nd 112th 113th & 251st open so well done. This was a good race and fanciers are happy to have their birds home to race again so well done to the officials.
Despicable Crime
In my capacity as a scribe I have had the pleasure of speaking to many fanciers from all over the world even though I do not know them personally. One of these is Mel Lusher from Wigan who often phones me for a good old fashioned ‘Blether’. Last Friday 20th June Mel and his wife went away for the weekend and Mel’s brother was going to look after the birds. He had to go out for shopping, which took about an hour and a half, and when he came home he noticed the loft door open on their 18 foot loft and the garage door was also open. Right away he said ‘Somebody’s been in here’ so he went down to the loft and lo and behold the loft had been cleaned out. I don’t just mean someone taking the 24 pigeons but they took the brand new nest-boxes (cost £485), the perches, hoppers, nest bowls, drinkers and even the pigeon feeding. Everything was gone!!!! All that was left was the empty loft. Poor Mel when he came home on Sunday night and phoned his brother to see how he was and was then told the above he just cannot believe it. In fact he is heartbroken and this despicable act has ripped the spirit out of him. Mel had a lump in his throat when he was telling me about this less than 15 minutes after arriving home from a lovely weekend spent with his wife. Mel said ‘Joe if they had asked me for a couple of birds then I would willingly breed them some but to do this is just unbelievable, I’m absolutely gutted’. It is obvious that there was more than one person involved as they could not carry out the sets of nest boxes on their own, plus they must have had a van to take the goods and birds away. If anyone is offered any of the above items then please give Mel a phone on 01642 716021 or contact Wigan Police station on 0161 856 7225. Needless to say Mel does not know if he will continue in the sport but if he does then I have offered him a pair of my stock birds to restart.
Results
Angus Federation
The federation were at Consett on Saturday the 14th June 2014 liberated at 12.00 hours in a light north east wind 32 members sent 366 birds. Davie Glen of Forfar is 1st 3rd 5th 6th & 8th west section and federation. With Ian Scott of Forfar is 2nd 7th & 9th west section and federation with another Forfar member David Liddle taking the 4th spot in both section and federation with Bob Baldie of the same club in 10th west section and federation with another in 11th federation place. B Main of Inchcape 1st east section and G Campbell of Montrose is 2nd with club mate Willie MacKnight in 3rd 4th & 6th east section, D & D Hay of Gourdon is 5th east section with G Scott of Montrose in 7th & 9th places. He is followed by club mates J & J Leven in 8th spot and Les McKay of Inchcape is 10th east section.
Club winners
Charlie Cameron wins Arbroath: D Glen wins Forfar: D & D Hay wins Gourdon:
M MacPherson wins Letham: G Campbell wins Montrose and L McKay wins Inchcape.
Points League: D J Liddle 147 points and D Glen 123points.
Arbroath RPC
News from Kevin who informs me 3 members sent 23 birds to Consett with Charlie Cameron in 1st place Bill Dorward was 2nd and A & A Shepherd was third due to work commitments he has not had time to get the information on the winning birds.
Ayrshire
News from Mark Finlay who forwarded the following ‘Hi Joe, the result of the Dumfries race flown on Sunday 8th June had 499 birds competing they were liberated at 08-30 am into a light south wind. Topping the federation with a 1st & 2nd is Robert Trotter of Beith HS. Robert flies roundabout and timed 2 of his entries on velocities of 1474 his winner being a 2 year old late bred from his Ko-Nipius stock crossed with his good friend Alistair Henderson of Langholm. This was this chequer hens 1st ever race. His second bird is another 2 year old blue hen from old pal and partner Jock Barr’s bloodlines congratulations to Robert great flying well done. In 3rd federation place on 1461 is another Beith HS member Andy Gardener so well done to Andy? Ayrshire Fed entries to the SNFC race from Buckingham on 8th June had 285 Ayrshire birds entered. Liberated at 06-15 am with no wind at the liberation site and on hearing the time of liberation and the weather on route my first thought was can or will somebody in Ayrshire repeat Ricky Young’s achievement of last year where he was 1st open SNFC? We may not have won it this year but hey we sure weren't far away as topping the federation for the 2nd week in a row on 1755 is Robert Reid of Beith HS who timed a yearling cock that never raced as a young bird but has had every race this season. The motivation for this dark chequer cock was driving his hen and her laying on the day of the race. His sire topped the federation from Woolaston in 2013 and also won 15th Region F 2013 from Ypres. This cock is bred from Roberts own pigeons crossed Ken Buchannan blood lines, on behalf of all the members of Ayrshire Federation I would like to congratulate Robert Reid on this fantastic result of 1st Region F 12th open SNFC. In 2nd place is Whitletts & District partnership of Cuthbert and Cree on 1681 Ian and Billy timing their good yearling blue hen to be 3rd Region F 77th open well done lads. In 3rd place on 1663 is Eben Stewart of Mauchline & District who timed his 4 year old dark chequer cock making him 5th Region F 114th open, also well done to the other 6 or 7 Ayrshire fanciers who made the open positions. Also on behalf of the Ayrshire Federation fanciers congratulations to overall winner Billy Bilsland on winning 1st & 2nd open SNFC Buckingham. That's it for now Joe all the best Mark’.
Almond Valley Federation
Balerno HS news from Colin Bain who ‘Hi Joe from our Catterick race on Saturday 14th of June the birds were liberated into a north east wind at 12-30 hours winning 1st club and 4th federation is yours truly with a yearling blue chequered pied cock sent on chipping eggs. He is an Ellis crossed Jim Biss out of Chris McCann’s stock loft and he was doing a velocity of 1227. In 2nd & 3rd places is Dougie Bald with the first a yearling cock doing 1214 he second bird is a 2 year old hen on 1205 sorry Joe no information. That’s it for now as it is all open results with the old birds so until the young bird racing results many thanks for putting in our results into your column and best wishes to you and Kevin in the SNFC race from all at Balerno yours Colin’.
Central Federation
Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club result from Bernie Britton who writes, ‘Hi Joe hope the Murphy ‘Clan’ are all well, please find the result of the Ripon 3. Taking 1st place is G MacKenzie with a mealy hen flown on roundabout she is a Gabby from M & D Evans crossed with a son of Davie Blane’s Combine winner. G MacKenzie is 2nd with another Gabby inbred son of Benetton crossed Mr & Mrs Britton from the stock loft this hen won the club race from Wakefield again flown on roundabout. 3rd is J McNeil with a blue bar hen flown on roundabout this hen won the club race from Peterborough last week she to is a Gabby from D & J Hawkins & Evans she has won 5th section D 60th open young bird SNFC. 2013 6th club Otterburn; 1st club 2nd federation Ripon; 8th club Ripon; 1st club Peterborough 4th federation 3rd Section D 8th open SCC yearling derby, 3rd club Ripon, that’s it for this week good luck in the nationals yours Bernie’.
East of Scotland
News from Tom McEwen who tells us that the federation were at Newark on Saturday 14th June liberated at 13.10 hours into an east wind topping the federation and keeping up their good form are Davidson Partners from Gladsmuir. Coming in at 2nd position with a good bird is ‘Spider’ Rowley. The next 4 places and 10th federation are won by Brian Lavery of Prestonpans club. Tom Waddell is in 7th spot with Andrew Bishop of East Linton a good bird in 8th place and Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton completes the top ten places in 9th federation.
Prestonpans club first 3 places are won by Brain Lavery his winner is from club mate Bobby Dickson bloodlines, his 2nd bird was bred by Spider Rowley and the 3rd was from Brian’s own breeding. Well Joe the nationals are now with us to good luck to you and Kevin and I’ll be looking out for your name on the results good luck yours Tom’.
Fife Federation
Dunfermline club news from Walker Kennedy who writes ‘this was the federation’s comeback race from Ripon that is almost 155 miles to most lofts in the club Leading the field this week is Frank Mitchell with a velocity of 1203 I’m sorry but I don’t have any details on the winner anyway well done Frank. In 2nd place is the ‘Flying Sparky’ with a velocity of 1195 this was a yearling Pou Janssen cock who won Sedgefield earlier this year. In third place are W & D Kennedy with a velocity of 1184 this was a 4 year old widowhood cock and his breeding is from our George Atkinson from Market Weighton in Yorkshire. Alistair McInnes win the nomination and the 2 bird club so well done, good luck in the nationals yours Walker’.
Pentland Hills Federation
From the Newark race flown on Saturday 14th June 15 clubs sent 1546 birds liberated at 13-10 hours into a light north east wind with Mrs Ann Mitchell of Castlebrae taking the top 2 honours. Steven Girdwood of Sighthill is 3rd & 4th with Bill Gray of Bonnyrigg in 4th place Sammels & Lunn from Castlebrae are next followed by Andy Miller of Sighthill is 6th. Nolan & Farwell of Danderhall is 7th a few yards ahead of J & T Young of Danderhall. Mr & Mrs Keenan of Sighthill are 10th.
Club Winners
Castlebrae 72 birds; A. Mitchell 1232.8 A. Mitchell 1232.1 Sammels & Lunn 1227
Sighthill 141 birds; Girdwood 1230.4 Girdwood 1230.2 Miller 1227.1
Bonnyrigg 108 birds; Gray 1227 Gray 1183 Smith 1176
Danderhall 255 birds; Nolan & Farwell 1226 J. & T. Young 1224 A. Young 1222
Gilmerton 140 birds; W. Hume (Senior) 1218 M. Bennett Linton
Woodburn 139 birds; W. Pryde & Son 1218.2 Lapinski 1183
Newtongrange 46 birds; Power 1215 Lawson 1187 Lawson 1166
Edinburgh West 66 birds; C. Bennett 1210 I. Bennett 1186 Lamb 1184
Edinburgh Premier 80 birds; Cunningham & Cains 1217 Gilchrist 1176 Gilchrist 1155
Penicuik 90 birds; Watt 1206 Stark 1195 Lawrie 1148
Loanhead 91 birds; Simpson 1195 Simpson 1182 McGregor 1171
Whitecraigs 43 birds; Aitken 1174 Aitken 1166 Aitken 1149
Peebles 24 birds; Raeburn 1036 Raeburn 1024 Raeburn 1014
New Lothian 27
Traprain 224 birds; Thomson 1230 Newcombe 1219 Newcombe 1219
Edinburgh Central NIL
New Lothian RPC
News from Andy Miller who forwarded the result of the New Lothian RPC 8th race on Saturday 14th June from Newark a distance of 212-224 miles liberated 13-10 hours into a light north east wind with 54 lofts sending 1052 birds. Winning 1st & 2nd New Lothian and 1st & 2nd Pentland federation is Mrs Ann Mitchell from Castlebrae Pigeon Club. The winning pigeon is a yearling cock flown on the roundabout system and bred from stock obtained from George Willie & Paul Macaloney from Lanarkshire the winner was doing a velocity of 1232.8 & 1232.1. Steven Girdwood of Sighthill is 3rd & 4th with Bill Gray of Bonnyrigg in 4th place Sammels & Lunn from Castlebrae are next followed by Andy Miller of Sighthill is 6th. Nolan & Farwell of Danderhall is 7th a few yards ahead of J & T Young of Danderhall. Mr & Mrs Keenan of Sighthill are 10th.
West Lothian
Fauldhouse news with results for our clubs 7th and 8th races the first race was flown from Worcester on Saturday 31st May with 22 members sending 383 birds for this 257/ 261 miles back to West Lothian race. Leading the pack was the Harthill loft of Sam Steele and at 70 plus years he breaks his novice status by winning his 1st race with a yearling cock flying spare. The winner was bred via J Hercus of Allanton and John Shallow of Shotts and he was doing a velocity1209. 2nd & 3rd club is the Bathgate loft of Alex Watson with a velocity of 1204 and 1189 both birds are on the roundabout system and their breeding is Van Winkle bred by J Barron’s of Seafield. From our next race was Buckingham we had 10 members sending 102 birds and they were liberated with the SNFC convoy. Taking 1st club is the Stoneyburn loft Lumsden & Colligan with a 2 year old Flor Engles flying roundabout and was gifted to them by good friend John Hadfield. Although the partnership have had a quite season so far they certainly know when to come good especially when the nationals come around and deserve all the credit they get and I think it’s only a matter of time before they join the elite band of national winners. In 2nd club on 1749 is R McConnell with a 2 year old bred from his original bloodlines: sire won 76th open Alencon SNFC race. In 3rd place is W Francis on 1717 with a yearling flying natural and bred down from his Dordin bloodlines, cheers Neil’.
Lost and Found
Lou Mitchell of Inverkeithing has in his passion a Belge 2013 4279128 he has allowed it to leave but it keeps coming back to him so if this is your pigeon give Lou a phone on 07993040003.
Obituary
Martin Bell of Kirkcaldy passed away on 9th June after a long illness bravely borne. Martin was a plumber by trade. He was a quiet man who would never pass you by and was a great pal of the late Dave Mitchell the president of the club during our time as members. Martin was also a great Raith Rovers supporter and lived life to the full. To his wife Nancy, sons Gordon & Colin and their wives, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, his brother and brother in law we send our heartfelt condolences at the passing of a ‘Gentle Giant’.
Joe’s Joke
A husband went to the police station to file a "missing person" report for his missing wife:
Husband:-I lost my wife, she went shopping & hasn't come back yet.
Inspector:-What is her height ? Husband:-I never checked.
Inspector:-Slim or healthy ?. Husband:-Not slim can be healthy.
Inspector:-Colour of eyes? Husband:-Never noticed.
Inspector:-Colour of hair? Husband:-Changes according to season.
Inspector:-What was she wearing? Husband: Not sure whether it was a dress or a suit.
Inspector:-Was she driving? Husband: - Yes.
Inspector:-tell me the number, name & colour of the car?
Husband:-black Audi A8 with supercharged 3.0 litre V6 engine generating 333 horse power teamed with an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission with manual mode. And it has full LED headlights, which use light emitting diodes for all light functions and has a very thin scratch on the front left door. .and then the husband started crying...
Inspector:-Don't worry sir,... We will find your car.
Photos
John Lambie and Dave Pirie
Richard and Jamie Combe of Elphinstone
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;
© Compiled by Joe Murphy
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