NEWS FROM SCOTLAND
Reports by Joe Murphy
My kids are always getting on to me because of my poor memory. If you, like me, are worried about 'walking from the kitchen to the bedroom and can't remember why!'... or perhaps 'forgot an old friend's birthday' well, just scroll down and read the following article by Sarah Knapton, correspondent of the Daily Telegraph who wrote, ‘Older people do not decline mentally with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have more information in their brains, scientists believe. Much like a computer struggles as the hard drive gets full up, so too do humans take longer to access information, it has been suggested.
Researchers say this slowing down it is not the same as cognitive decline. “The human brain works slower in old age,” said Dr Michael Ramscar, “but only because we have stored more information over time. “The brains of older people do not get weak. On the contrary, they simply know more.”
SO THERE!! We are all just fine!!!
Who would be a race controller?
This past week, like everyone else, I watched the weather forecasts on the television and it did not look good for pigeon racing. Kevin sent me a text telling me his pigeons were going on Friday and he would only send ONE to keep in the averages. He, like me, did not think for one minute the race would be on: in the end he sent 6 birds, all hens. He phoned me on Saturday morning to say that the birds were liberated at 11.00 at Consett into a south west wind. The weather beside me was full cloud cover and quite dark with no sun whatsoever. I heard about other federations liberating and the weather down into the north east of England was sunshine and quite a good wind and they anticipated a good race. I phoned Kevin about 13.30 and told him the sun was out here in Fife and we had blue sky and it was getting better as the day progressed. He phoned me just after 14.00 hours and told me that he had timed at 14.02 and then had another 2 at 14.05 so half his entry home in 3 minutes. He took the first 3 places in the club, with his first 2 birds bred by Lumsden and Corrigan from Stoneyburn in West Lothian. I don’t know all the ins and outs of their breeding but they originate from Catherine & Geoff Cooper Deweerdt bloodlines. Kevin’s 3rd pigeon beaten on decimals was ‘Lucky’, the good hen who has won 5 times for him this year alone. She has won 1st (by 6 minutes), 4th and now a 3rd club. She has also won 31st open SNFC Maidstone 392 miles against 4855 birds in 2013. Lucky’s sire is ‘Anthony’ bred by Johnstone and Lilleby of Barrow in Furness from their famous ‘40 Cock’ winner of 3 x 1st Combines, 4 x 1st section NWGNFC plus many more prizes. The dam of Lucky is ‘Jenny’ bred by Adrian Duggins from his Leo Van Jijn. Her sire is a son of 1st/14.055bs, 1st/7.467bs. Jenny’s dam Queen 712 is the dam of 1st/17.537bs, 9th/5296bs, 19th/5.249bs, 13th/5.173bs, 13th/2.413bs and 28th/4.502 birds etc. When Kevin phoned me after clock checking he informed me that he had all 6 home. So well done to the race control team on a very good race when everyone thought the birds would be spending a weekend in the race baskets.
Results
Angus Federation held their race from Consett on 10th May with 34 members sending 594 birds liberated at 11.00 into a south west wind. Taking the first 2 places also with 8th & 9th west section and open is David J Liddle of Forfar with his winner doing 1426. Macaulay & Ferguson and Curren of Forfar are 3rd 6th & 10th west section and open. Last year’s SNFC Ypres winner Dave Glen of the same Forfar club is 4th 5th & 7th section and open. The east section of the federation is won by D & D Hay of Gourdon who took 1st & 2nd places. Les McKay of Inchcape club is 3rd & 7th with W MacKnight of Montrose in 4th & 6th places. W Hamilton of Inchcape is 5th with G Campbell of Montrose in 8th with club mate G Scott is 9th place and making up the top ten is Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath. Club winners are as follows; Arbroath K J Murphy: Forfar D & D J Liddle; Gourdon D & D Hay; Letham J Anderson & son: Montrose W MacKnight and Inchcape L McKay. Points: 1st is D J Liddle on 37 points; Macaulay & Ferguson & Curren 32 points.
Arbroath RPC news from Kevin who informs me that he took the first 3 places in the club; the first 2 birds were bred by Lumsden & Corrigan from Stoneyburn and contain Geoff Cooper Deweerdt bloodlines. The 3rd pigeon was ‘Lucky’ who as previously won a 1st & 4th already this season see above for more details on Lucky.
Forfar R.P.C.
News from Gavin Ferguson who wrote ‘Hi Joe, sorry for being so late getting results to you but have been so busy at work and had computer problems, (which I understand Joe M) From Ridsdale race flown on the 3rd May 12 members sent 353 birds 1st place going to Davie Glen on 1458.2 with a widow-hood cock bred by J Gardiner formerly of Letham now residing in Aberdare in Wales. 2nd are Macaulay, Ferguson & Curran on 1456.8 with a widow-hood cock bred from Andre Clemens stock. 3rd place is Bob Baldie 1447.9 with a roundabout hen from Stan Biss crossed J Curran bloodlines. From the Consett race flown on the 10th May 11 members sent 286 birds with 1st & 2nd places going to David J Liddle on 1426.7 with a late bred cock in only his 2nd race, he is bred from the old Liddle lines crossed Starview Busschaert crossed G McKenzie lines. The 2nd placed bird on 1425.3 was a widow-hood cock bred from David’s young bird National section winner. The bloodlines being Ian Gilmour of Leven crossed with the Old Liddle lines. 3rd are Macaulay, Ferguson & Curran on 1420.4 with a widow-hood cock, he is bred from Joop Koch crossed Wildermeersch lines from Peter Flowers. A special mention to the race controller team who waited on a "window of opportunity" thus ensuring good race, a big well done to Eric and John We are not long in criticising when we have a bad race so it is only proper that we give credit where it is due. All the best for now and thanks again Joe yours Gavin’.
Ayrshire
No result from Ayrshire so anticipating they did not race this week I know that the Ayr North Road did not go as I was helping them with a liberation at Thornton but they cancelled off due to the bad weather forecast.
Almond Valley Federation
Balerno HS news from Colin Bain who wrote ‘Hi Joe we were at Catterick this week with 5 members sending 102 birds they were liberated in to a south east wind at 11-45. Taking 1st 3rd & 4th places is yours truly Colin Bain with my winner a blue chequer yearling hen sitting overdue eggs and I put a 2 day chic under her on Thursday lunch time she was doing a velocity of 1285 she is Ellis crossed Combe. The 3rd placed bird was a blue pied cock on 1280 he is a Staff Van Reet. The 4th club winner is a blue chequer yearling hen sitting 12 days on eggs she also is a Staff Van Reet and was doing a velocity of 1274. 2nd club is G J Fairley with a 2 year old Staff Van Reet blue pied cock on the drive he is a Colin Bain crossed his brothers Brockelhurst Staff Van Reet: take care Joe yours Colin’.
Central Federation
Broxburn & Uphall Pigeon Club result from Bernie Britton who writes ‘Hi Joe, hope you and the Murphy clan are well, here is the result from Ripon flown on the 10th May. With the federation having a good race and a big thank you to the conveyer and the race controller for Saturday’s performance. We had 7 members sending 304 birds liberated into a south east wind with first three prizes going to John McNeill with a yearling flown on the roundabout breeding is a blue Gaby hen bred by good friends D & J Hawkins & Evans she was doing a velocity 1304.819. Second bird was a yearling flown on the roundabout this blue chequer pied hen was a gift from his friend Mr Gary Gibson from Northern Ireland she was doing 1304.710. Third placed bird was also a yearling flown again on roundabout a blue bar hen she is a Gaby crossed Van Loon and she won 3rd region D in the young bird national and has scored 3 times this year she was doing 1304.056 yours Bernie’.
East of Scotland
News from Tom McEwen who tells me that they were at Ripon on Saturday 10th May and the convoy were liberated 10-45 am into a West wind. Topping the federation and taking 5th & 9th spots having an outstanding race is John Bird of Prestonpans. Brian Lavery of the same club also had a great race being 2nd 7th 8th & 10th federation. Tam Waddell is there again in 3rd place with Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton in 4th spot. Robert Waddell finishes making up the top ten in 6th place.
Prestonpans club is won by John Bird with a yearling chequer cock on 1421 his breeding is as follows his sire is a give bird from James Mark of Tranent and his dam is a Dale Newcombe crossed Van Reet. 2nd is Brian Lavery with a yearling chequer cock on 1414 this cock was bred by ‘Spider’ Rowley. In 3rd place is Tom Waddell with a yearling blue cock on 1389 he was bred by John Brown and purchased at Traprain sale. That’s it for another week Joe the nationals will soon be with us, good luck to you and Kevin for these classic races yours Tom’.
Fife Federation
No race this week-end due to the poor weather forecast; I have heard there were a lot of disgruntled fancier’s once they heard that other federations were racing and their birds were not away. However the controller like a lot of people followed the weather forecast and it did not look good for a race at the week end. The other thing people forget is that the race controller does not just think of his own birds in the transporter but he is responsible for ALL the birds including novices as well as established fanciers, so give him and the officials a break.
Pentland Hills Federation
News from Andy Millar who informs me that the federation were at Ripon flown on Saturday 10th May 2014 with 16 clubs sending 2947 birds, liberated 10-45 hours into a West wind. The winners are Willie Pryde and son of Woodburn, known as ‘Billy the Kid’& son John. They also won 1st New Lothian RPC as well. Their winning pigeon is a 2 year old hen raced on widowhood her sire is a winner of many prizes out to Ypres with the SNFC and she is from Van Reet origin and bred by Andy Miller of Sighthill in Edinburgh. The dam was bred by Colin Fleming from Southport from his Combine winning pigeons. Returns were excellent on what was a difficult weekend decision wise for all race controllers. 3rd are J & T Young of Danderhall with W Hume (Junior) of Gilmerton in 4th & 5th positions. Andy Miller of Sighthill is 6th & 7th with Steve Lapinski of Woodburn in 8th spot. Ronnie S Bremner of Sighthill is 9th followed by club mate Mr & Mrs Higgins.
Club Winners
Woodburn 237 birds; 1st & 2nd W Pryde & Son 1413/1413 3rd S Lapinski 1389
Danderhall 382 birds; 1st J & T Young 1401 2nd Kinnear 1384 3rd Nolan & Farwell 1377
Gilmerton 258 birds; Hume (Jnr) 1400.9 Hume (Jnr) 1400.7 AW Robertson 1354
Sighthill 273 birds; 1st Miller 1390.7 Miller 1390.2 Bremner 1386
Newtongrange 93 birds; 1st Watson & Daughter 1385 Watson & Daughter 1344 Power 1325
Castlebrae 142 birds; 1st L. Mitchell 1384 L. Mitchell 1361 L. Mitchell 1356
Whitecraigs 114 birds; 1st Aitken 1379 Simpson 1340 Simpson 1327
Bonnyrigg 197 birds; 1st A. Dewar 1378 J. Dewar 1345 J. Dewar 1344
Edinburgh Premier 257 birds; 1st Gilchrist 1374 Gilchrist 1369 Gilchrist 1367
Loanhead 185 birds; 1st Murray 1359 Cochrane 1322 Simpson 1319
Edinburgh West 170 birds; 1st Lamb 1328 I. Bennett 1316 Lamb 1297
Penicuik 108 birds; 1st Stark 1281 Lawrie 1273 Lawrie 1264
Peebles 28 birds; 1st Hannah 1186 Blake 1148 Blake 1098
Edinburgh Central 38
New Lothian 81
Traprain 384
Traprain Club
Result from Tom McLeod who writes; ‘Hi Joe, I hope you and Margaret are both well. I will be forwarding our club results for now as Karen’s mother is not keeping to well and her time is at a premium and we all wish her well. (You are in my thoughts and prayers Karen you have been through a lot over the years and we are all with you at this hard time)
The club's first race from Ridsdale was won by new sprint champion John Bosworth (LOL) taking all pools and a great start to his season. Second was Karen Newcombe followed by James Mark, good returns was reported by all.
The Tow Law 1 race was cancelled due to bad weather forecast over the week-end. A good entry was expected for Tow Law 2 with weather being a bit more favourable with 10 members sending 475 birds. The red ticket went to Wilf Flockhart with a cock on 1540 velocity he is from the late Brian O'Neill bloodlines and he was flying to a big youngster and looking at his hen. Well done Wilf in breaking your ‘duck’ since joining the club last season. 2nd is our Karen Newcombe with Lou McGee (French) blood lines doing 1513 velocity. 3rd was James Mark with a Leadbetter cock on roundabout with the velocity of 1499. All members reporting 100 % returns.
The Ripon race point was our next destination with another good entry of 384 birds from 10 members competing. First was Karen Newcombe after coming close the last couple of weeks. Nice to hear the winning bird was from her late husband’s Dale’s top bloodlines of Style and Regatta crossed Jose Thone the winner was sitting 2 weeks on eggs he was doing 1391.7. Well done Karen keeping up the Newcombe name in the sport. 2nd & 3rd are last year’s SNFC Clermont winner A Thomson & son with their first bird a Van-loon and their next bird is an Aelbrecht as you know Joe these lads are never far away from any distance. Sorry for the delay in sending in our report I will try and send our club result now on a weekly basis and keep you up to date. Wishing you and Kevin all the best for the rest of the season yours Tam McLeod’.
New Lothian RPC had their third race on May 10th from Ripon a distance of 133-145 miles, the convoy were liberated 10.45 into a West wind with 67 members sending 1907 birds. 1st & 2nd places go to W Pryde & son of Woodburn with the winner lifting £170.90 and the runner up £12.00. Third are J & T Young of Danderhall winning £341.00 for their efforts? 4th & 5th is Willie Hume Junior of Gilmerton with Andy Miller of Sighthill in 6th & 7th spots. Ronnie Bremner is 8th followed by J Watson & Daughter of N/Grange in 9th place and making up the top ten is John Robertson of New Lothian.
West Lothian
Fauldhouse news from Daniel who writes ‘Hi Joe, for our 3rd race we were back at Appleby where 26 members sent 624 birds liberated at 10-45 into a south wind. Leading the pack this week was the Miller & Marshall partnership with a velocity of 1300.9 this yearling Camphius Janssen was racing on roundabout and was bred from Charlie Coulter and John McLaughlin pigeons. 2nd club was race secretary Jim Burt with a 2 year old Staff Van Reet cock flying natural on eggs. The sire of this pigeon is an 8 year old who took 13th position and pools. In 3rd & 4th on identical velocities of 1298.12 are L & N Redmond with a yearling Van Loon out of Mark Chids of Cleethorpes breeding both birds cock /hen flown roundabout. At clock checking a few birds were missing with the majority still missing I myself have 6 short with 3 of these flown Appleby on several occasions, makes you wonder where they go or what happens to them.
Dalzell FC
News from Joe Boyle who informs me 19 members sent 457 birds to? With the winners O & J McFadden on 1121 velocity he is a Ray Lander Busschaert crossed Jim Cassidy. 2nd is C Murphy on 1095 with a Staff Van Reet bred from birds purchased from Louella in 3rd place is Quinn Brothers Congratulations to the winners and to all fanciers taking part yours Joe Boyle’.
This week’s photographs
Margaret was going through some old pictures for an album that she is making up and came across these. The first is of my old friend John Ellis of Elphinstone holding one of his ‘superstars’. John, who no longer keeps the pigeons, was an outstanding fancier who created a fantastic family of long distance pigeons that are still winning up to the present time. The second is of young Wattie Forman with the trophies he won in Novar Homing Society a few years back. Wattie is still a member of the club and is also the SNFC clock setter for the Fife region. He has been doing this job for more years than I can remember and we wish him well for the forthcoming national season.
John Ellis of Elphinstone
Wattie Forman
Joe’s Joke
A young girl from Donegal leaves home to find work in the bright lights of London. She comes home 6 months later and steps out of a taxi wearing a full-length mink coat. "Begorrah, Colleen," says her mother, "Tis a lovely soft coat yer wearin' an' it looks so expensive. Where did ye get that?" Colleen replies, "Sure now, I won it at the bingo. Don't they have wonderful prizes in London." When the weekend's over, Colleen returns to the bright lights, but she's back to visit her mum a few months later. This time, when she steps out of the taxi, she's wearing a beautiful gold wristwatch and a large diamond ring. With the usual exchange with mum... "Won it at bingo!" Then Colleen returns to the bright lights again. A few months later, she's back again. And this time she's sporting a beautiful emerald diamond necklace with matching bracelet and earrings. She hands her mother £1,000 and explains that she won it all in bingo. Then she asks mum to run her a bath as she need to freshen up. Her mum draws the bath while Colleen gets undressed in her bedroom, but when she gets to the washroom, there's only a quarter inch of hot water in the bathtub. Colleen, a wee bit peeved at her mum being so cheap with the hot water after being handed £1,000, calls downstairs, "Mum! Sure now didn't I ask you to run me a bath? There's only a quarter inch of water in the tub!" "Indade there is, me darlin" replies her mum. "But we don't want ye gettin' yer bingo card wet now, do we?"
And here's another joke...
Shortly after a British Airways flight had reached its cruising altitude, the captain announced: 'Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain. Welcome to Flight 293, non-stop from London Heathrow to Toronto. The weather ahead is good, so we should have a smooth uneventful flight. So sit back, relax and..... OH, MY GOD!’ Silence followed! Some moments later the captain came back on the intercom. 'Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry if I scared you. While I was talking to you, a flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!' One Irish passenger yelled.... 'For God's sake... you should see the back of mine!!!'
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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