The Joe Murphy Column
The last day of August 2020 was a very sad day for me as my old 16 year old dark chequer cock ‘Top Gun’ passed away. I purchased him from Guy Reed as a 5 year old and when he came into the loft he claimed the corner space on top of my nest boxes. All the other birds had been fighting for this area but when he came in it was his domain, I said ‘Oh so you want to be the Top Gun’ hence his name. I was also lucky enough to purchase his sister later on she was bred in 2007 and is still in my loft to this day. They were both bred by Mark Gilbert from Bernard DeWeerdt pigeons purchased direct on a visit to Belgium. Sire of ‘Top Gun’ & ‘296’ was 01- 541 a son of ‘Emiel’ when paired to ½ sister to Starflam; ‘Emiel’ won 1st international Bordeaux for the DeWeerdt family. 01-541 was a top stock cock for Mark and was sire of his 1st BICC Barcelona winner (I think in 2012) Dam of ‘Top Gun’ & ‘296’ was ‘419’ she was a half- sister to 01-541 and was also direct from ‘Emiel’ when he was mated to a daughter of Atilla. ‘Top Gun’ stopped filling his eggs a while back but his sister ‘296’ stopped filling her eggs in 2018. I still have her in the loft and like ‘Top Gun’ she will have to slip away as I do not have the heart to dispose of these old favourites. In 2017; I mated ‘296’to 2 direct cocks from Bernard DeWeerdt one was a direct son of ‘Inita’ a winner of 5 times from Barcelona Her positions are as follows; 22 club Perpignan; 1249 national Barcelona 12.642birds; 69th national Barcelona 11.484 birds 207th international 23.708 birds; 206th national 13.503 birds 424th international Barcelona 27.669 birds; 777th national 12.641 birds 1624th international Barcelona 25.750 birds; She was 4 best Belgium national Barcelona racer between 2008 and 2010. In 2011 she won 289th national 12.170 birds Barcelona. ‘Inita’ was mated to ‘Triple’ to breed the cock I had; ‘Triple’ was a winner 3 times from International races in ONE SEASON. In 2010 he won 462nd national 1801st International Pau; 436th national 911th International Tarbes 12805 birds; 145th national, 207th International Perpignan 15.857 birds. The other cock ‘296’ was mated too was a direct son of ‘Clovis’ he was one of Bernard’s most Consistent racer in the loft between 2011-2012-2013-2014 seasons. He won 125th national 6248 birds 231th International 17.971 birds Perpignan; 1183rd International St Vincent 11.388 birds 2014. He was recorded with PIPA in the top 13 position with 3 Perpignan results. My son of ‘Clovis’ was the sire of 2 club Tow Law 128 miles; beaten by loft mate. He is also the sire of 61st open 4482 birds SNFC Littlehampton 407 miles in 2016. Sire of 88th section C 273rd open SNFC Buckingham 2017. By sheer coincidence this same weekend as ‘Top Gun’ died Kevin’s first bird from this week’s Ripon race winning 3rd club 7th east section is a ½ DeWeerdt. It’s mother is a direct daughter from the above pair ‘Son of Clovis’ and ‘296’ is the dam while it’s sire is from a son of Colin Crees famous cock ‘The Banker’ winner of SNFC Gold Award when he was mated to a daughter of ‘Angel’ Gerald McPherson SHU Dewar Trophy winner and a 4 times SNFC winner. Unfortunately ‘Angel’ was lost going for her Gold Award. I use these inbred DeWeerdt pigeons as a cross into families as I have always believed that ‘Blood Will Tell’ and it will come out someday. I still look for ‘Top Gun’ every time I enter the loft which is so sad.
Top Gun
Early Liberations
Some people will not like what I’m about to highlight but as being a past race controller I feel that something needs to be said. For Saturday / Sunday 29th /30th August we up here in Scotland had one of the coldest nights we have experienced this year. With the temperature dropping to 6 degrees, and lots of people had to put their central heating on in their houses (myself included). Most federations did not race on Saturday as the weather forecast was terrible however basketed in the evening for a Sunday race. The forecast stated that Sunday would be a better day with the temperature rising as the day progressed. I could not believe it when I heard that federations started liberating their YOUNG BIRD from 7am onward when there was no warmth or heat in the air. Surely they could have waited till after 10am or nearer dinner time if required. What’s the hurry to get the birds up as early as this as they had all day!!!! You can guess what happened? A number of young birds did not make it home on the day and quite a lot dropped into lofts in UNC area and were reported. When you take into consideration that these youngsters are starting to fall apart in the moult and needed every help they can get it beggars belief that they are liberated so early. With all the losses reported this is only making it easier for people to call it a day and give up the sport, when a wee bit common sense should have prevailed.
Results
Angus Federation Young Bird
From the Ripon race point the convoy of 299 birds where liberated at 7-30am into a light north west wind. Topping the federation with a velocity of 1039 for the 183 miles are the partnership of Macaulay Ferguson & Curran of Forfar club they are also 2nd 4th & 12th open. Eric Galloway of the same club is 3rd with Kenny Droog & son winning 5th place just ahead of club mates Leggett & Greig with Ian Scott winning 7th 13th to 16th with club mate David Liddle winning 9th to 11th plus 18th open. Graham McKenzie of Arbroath is 17th with W Dorward of Gourdon club 19th place and Davie Glen makes up the top 20th place.
East Section is won by Graham McKenzie of Arbroath with W Dorward of Gourdon in 2nd 8th & 9th places. D & D Hay of the same Gourdon club are 3rd & 6th with K J Murphy of Arbroath in 7th spot and club mates Charlie & Glen Cameron are 10th.
Club Winners;
Forfar 191 birds; Macaulay Ferguson & Curran; Arbroath 63 birds; G McKenzie; Gourdon 30 birds W Dorward;
Arbroath RPC
From Ripon race 6 members sent 63 birds liberated into a light North West wind. The winner was Graham McKenzie with a Staff Van Reet Butchers cross from Lamb and Brother from Spennymoor. 2nd club are Chic and Anne Carrie with a chequer cock a Carrie x Canon whose parents both flew from Reims this year. 3rd club is Kevin Murphy with a chequer cock see above introduction for his breeding.
Almond Valley Federation
News from Lynne Stewart of the above Swallwell race point flown on 30th August with the convoy of 495 birds liberated at 09:30 hours. East Calder Freddie Jamieson & son take the 1st x first 3 places with all 3 birds on the same velocity of 1196 ypm. They are also 11th 19th & 20th open. J Burnside of West Calder club is 4th 7th 8th 9th & 30th positions. J M Young of East Calder is 5th 6th 15th to 18th plus 21st & 34th to 36th & 38th places. George Harris of Bonnybridge club is 10th & 37th with John Bird of West Calder winning 12th to 14th 25th to 29th placing; Burnside & Drysdale of East Calder are 22nd to 24th and 40th with Vic Couper of Bonnybridge club winning 32nd & 39th and Law & Brady of the same club make up the result with a bird winning 33rd open place,.
Club Winners;
Balerno 66 birds; I Jamieson velocity 941: W Fairley 940. J & R Fairley 931. 931.738
Bonnybridge 123 birds; G Harris 1184; V Couper 1130; Law & Brady 1128 & G Harris 1122:.
Carnwath; 87 birds; J & I Alston 1000; Thomson Bros 994; McArdle & Thomson 963 & 961.
East Calder 81 birds; F Jamieson & Son 1196.278, 1196.135, 1196.135, J M Young 1186:
West Calder 139 birds; J Burnside1186.688, 1186.024, 1186.024, 1186.024
Ayrshire Federation
News from Archie McIntyre who writes; ‘Hi Joe, Please find attached race report from Ayrshire federations 4th race of the young bird season from Ridsdale flown on the 29th August. The federation eventually got to Ridsdale, we were due there the previous two weeks but due poor weather, the birds were brought home on one occasion and moved to Lauder on another. Given the race this has turned out to be, many fancier would be wishing we had missed it this week as well. At clock checking, 5 hours after liberation there was on average around 16% returns in our club and this was similar in other clubs. Going from reports I’m hearing, the birds have once again headed North West into the Cumbria and Dumfries & Galloway region before trying to face the North wind head on up into Ayrshire. Once in this area, it is a grave yard for the Ayrshire pigeons as they try to head north through the heavily populated falcon valleys. Jim had the convoy of 1,109 birds away at 07:30 into a north wind for a race of between 85 miles up to 116 miles to the top end of the federation. Leading the way in the federation this week and putting up a terrific performance in a very hard and trying race, is the partnership of Boyd Brothers & Son from the Whitletts & District club. The partnership took 1st 2nd 3rd & 5th federation with their leading bird doing 1002.0, and timing their first 3 birds in 3 seconds. Stewart from the Boyd partnership was telling me their 1st fed winner is a blue chequer hen, bred down from Derek Hay’s bloodlines. Their 2nd fed pigeon is a blue bar hen, contains the bloodlines from the local partnership of Cowan & Findlay and finally the 3rd fed winner is a blue bar cock down off their own Soontjen stock birds and all their young birds are flown natural. Well done lads and thank you Stewart for the info and the pictures of yourself holding the 1st federation winning pigeon and your dad Robert beside you, and second picture of your dad Robert holding the 2nd fed and yourself holding the 3rd fed winners.
1st Fed Ridsdale Boyd Bros and Son 2nd and 3rd Fed Ridsdale Boyd Bros and Son
Winners from in and around the Clubs
North Section sent 473 birds; 1st Darvel HS are Cowan & Findlay 961.173, 1st Ardeer HS is J & S O’Hare 961.144: 1st Kilwinning HS is J McNeil 950.635, 1st Dalry HS are Mr & Mrs J R Ramsay & Son 901.093.
Central Section 216 birds: 1st Irvine HS won by McKenna & Diamond 967.561; 1st Kilmarnock Invitation is W Thomson 889.550, 1st Crosshouse is Ian Noble 866.015.
South Section 420 birds: 1st Whitletts & District are Boyd Bros & Son 1002.089, 1st Dalmellington PC is M McLarty 990.400, 1st Cumnock & District are J & A McDougall 959.752, 1st Annbank & District is K Harris 936.903 & 1st Mauchline & District are Dunlop & Aitken 870.164.
Joe I have also attached 2 photos. One of Stewart Boyd holding his 1st fed winner with his dad Robert standing beside him. The second photo is with his dad Robert holding the 2nd fed winners and Stewart holding the 3rd fed winner, many thanks’ once again Joe, yours Archie’.
Central Federation
Broxburn & Uphall PC news from Bernie Britton with the result of Wakefield race flown on 30th August with the convoy liberated at 07-20 hours into a light south wind. 1st club 1st federation is Gordon MacKenzie with a gay pied hen from Bobby Logan of New Cumnock. Gordon is also 2nd club 4th fed with a chequer hen also from Bobby Logan. 3rd club 5th fed is John McNeill with a darkness blue hen. John was also 6th 7th 8th 10th & 19th open federation. Pat Rafferty & sons were 11th & 12th federation. That’s it again for this week Joe you take care yours Bernie’.
East of Scotland Federation
News from Tom McEwen with the result of the Wakefield race a distance of 170 miles to their home lofts with the convoy liberated at 07-10 am. Topping the federation is Keith Howie of Prestonpans who keeps up his good run of results with his youngsters. Next is Tam Hunnam from Prestonpans club with a nice double for 2nd & 3rd open. Tom & Scott McEwen from Elphinstone also have a double to take 4th & 5th places. John Bird is there again with a bird winning 6th federation. Rab Waddle of the same Prestonpans club is 7th with Franny Collins from Tranent with a good top award of 8th open. Dougie Grieve of Longniddry also had a double to win 9th & 10th open.
Prestonpans HS
First place is won by Keith Howie with a young blue cock; his sire is a Vandenabeele bred by Spider Rowley and the dam of the winner is from a full sister to Keith’s famous ‘Blue Arrow’. Tam Hunnan takes the next 2 places with both birds being bred down from his Braspenning bloodlines.
Fife Federation
News from Geordie Todd who writes the federation was at Ripon with the 658 birds liberated at 08-00 hours into a light north wind. The federation top 10 area as follows; Brian Chalmers of Kennoway wins the race on 1059 with club mate Tam Cook on 1055 Dave Baldie of St Andrews is 3rd on 1046 with Brian taking the remaining 7 positions with all birds timed within one yard from 1046 to 1045.
East Section top 10; had Methilhaven club sending 148 birds, Kennoway 100 birds, St Andrews 41 birds, Leven 33 birds & Tayport 7 birds. The result was the same as the open result above. Centre Section top 10 had Glenrothes club sending 32 birds Brian Kinnear took the 1st 7 places with Kennoway’s Sean Diamond taking the remaining 3 places. The West Section club Crossgates entered 51 birds, Perth 22 birds, Lochgelly 65 birds, Dunfermline 59 birds. J Hynd & son of Crossgates wins 1st 2nd 6th to 8th and 10th with A McCudden from the same Crossgates club is 3rd 4th & 5th with Glenrothes member Bob Wilson winning 9th section.
Pentland Hills Federation
News from Andy Miller who writes; Hi Joe, the Pentland Hills Federation held their 5th young bird race of the season on Sunday 29th August from Wakefield a distance of 162 to 174 miles for the members liberated at 07-10am. With 11 clubs sending 1714 birds, this turned out to be a difficult day for all. The conditions were good but returns were the worst I’ve experienced in 40 odd years of racing pigeon’s right across the federation. Liberated in a north to north west wind this week’s winner is to the loft of Mr & Mrs Keenan from Sighthill who timed a darkness youngster. Sire was a winner of 15th open YB national in 2018 and is bred down from the late great Eddie Newcombe ‘Eclipse’ when paired to pigeons gifted by club mate Steven Girdwood. Result as follows; Mr -Mrs Keenan Sighthill doing a velocity of 1127. T Nolan & son of Danderhall club are 2nd with club mate J Haig in 3rd spot. Helen Aitken & sons of the same club are 4th to 7th with another youngster in 9th place. A W Robertson also of Danderhall is 8th with club mate Freddie Robertson in 10th place.
Club Winners;
Sighthill 177 birds; 1st Keenan 1127, 2nd Miller 1086, 3rd Girdwood 1080
Danderhall 709 birds; 1st Nolan 1126.8; 2nd Haig 1126.5; 3rd Aitken 1107
Edinburgh Premier 88 birds; 1st & 3rd Dick 1098 & 1036; 2nd Gilchrist 1056;
Woodburn 134 birds; 1st & 2nd Allen 1080 & 1028
Edinburgh West 70 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Bennet 1078; 1066 & 1039
Arniston 156 birds; 1st J Pryde 1071; 2nd & 3rd Milne
Castlebrae 48 birds; 1st L Mitchell 1069; 2nd & 3rd Willis 1017 & 960
Bonnyrigg 181 birds; 1st & 2nd MacGregor & Lawrie 1039 & 1017 3rd Massey 1010
Easthouses 80 birds; 1st Mercer 952 2nd & 3rd Sanderson 908
Loanhead 30 birds; 1st Murray 924
New Lothian 17 birds;
Others 24 birds;
New Lothian RPC
News from Andy Miller who informs us from the Wakefield race flown on the Sunday 30th August 42 members sent 1321 birds; with Danderhall’s T Nolan & son Allan winning and lifting £97-20 for their efforts. The top 10 are all won by Danderhall members; J Haig is 2nd with Helen Aitken & Son’s the next 4 places plus 8th & 10th with a total winnings of £213 well done. A W Robertson is 7th with F Robertson winning 9th place.
North of Scotland Federation
News from George Duthie who informs us that 28 members sent 437 birds to Sedgefield with these being liberated into a light north-west wind; with the east section 13 members sending 247 birds and the 15 west section members sending 190 birds; Please note that last week the federation sent 1459 birds so a drop of 1000 birds.
Devern Valley member G Wilson takes the first 5 in the west section and open. Club mates Fulton & Ritchie loft 2 are 6th 9th 22nd 24th & 25th open & 6th 7th 13th 15th & 16th west section. R McKenzie of Inverurie wins 1st east section 7th open with W & A Ross of the same club winning 2nd east section 8th open J Able of Devern Valley is 8th & 9th west section 10th & 11th open. G R Duncan of Keith wins 10th & 14th west section 12th & 23rd open. C & m Williams of Peterhead & District club are 3rd & 9th east section 13th & 19th open. L Lindsay & J Paterson of Fraserburgh & District are 4th 5th 10th 11th & 12th east section 14th 15th 26th 27th & 28th open. Their club mated Colin McRae wins 6th & 13th east section 16th 30th open with A Foster of Inverurie winning 7th east section 17th open. R H Whyte of Peterhead & District wins 8th east section 18th open with J Thomson of Elgin & District club winning 11th & 12th west section 20th & 21st open A Wilson from Devern Valley club wins 17th west section 29th open.
Clubs First Bird
Devern Valley winner G Wilson velocity 1107.457
Inverurie winner R McKenzie velocity 1099.113
Keith winner G R Duncan velocity 972.728
Peterhead & District winners are C & M Williams velocity 967.366
Fraserburgh & District winners are L Lindsay & J Paterson velocity 959.126
Elgin & District winner J Thomson velocity 942.024
Buckie & District winner R Bain velocity 811.936
Well done to G Wilson on topping the federation and also well done to R McKenzie on winning the east section.
Joe’s Joke
My girlfriend and I went window shopping in the town, While walking around she said, ‘Oh I love that dress in that shop window’ So I picked up a ‘Brick’ and got the dress. She put it on and looked beautiful. As we continued walking round the shops as we came round the corner it was now starting to rain. ‘I need a coat’ she said’, My new dress will get wet, and I like the look of that coat in that shop window’. So I got a ‘brick’ smashed the window and got the coat and it fitted great. Walking on we past a jewellery shop, she saw a lovely engagement ring on display in the shop window; ‘Oh I would love that engagement ring’ I said to her ‘Do you think I’m made of ‘Bricks’ .My thanks to Stewart from Riverside HS.
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
https://sites.google.com/site/internationalracingpigeon/
Who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland
© Compiled by Joe Murphy
