The Joe Murphy Column
Received a phone call from Alastair McCudden who used to be a club mate of Kevin’s when they flew in the Howe of Fife club in Fife Federation. Alastair now flies in Rosyth club in the same federation. He was telling me that he went for his Flu injection and a few days later he felt pain in his arm, this progressed to numbness in his hands and feet. He then started to get sore legs and was taken to Kirkcaldy Victoria where he underwent many tests. Unlike the common cold, which is usually pretty harmless, they discovered he had a spinal infection which can create serious havoc on your spine. As spinal discs become inflamed from this disease, and they may start to break down or even decay. Unfortunately, this means that the weight of the torso may cause a person’s entire spine to pitch forward. Alastair was in the hospital for 23 days and is now out and trying to rebuild his life again. The reason for his call was asking me to publicly thank Dougie Barns of Crossgates who looked after his birds for him while he was in the hospital, needless to say Alastair cannot thank Dougie enough. He also remarked that as we all know what the NHS has meant to each and every one of us during the Covid 19 pandemic. However Alastair would just like to highlight the care and attention the nurses and doctors provided while he was in the hospital and like many others stressed they are WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD. Alastair also informed me that he has a blue cock SU17F5111 named ‘Ali’s Blue’ (see photo) who as a yearling won the position 81st section C 220th open from SNFC Maidstone doing a velocity of 1222 flying after flying 372 miles from an entry of 3001 birds entered by 444 members.
Ali's Blue
That same year he won 46th section C 98th open from Ypres recording a velocity of 1192 for the 444 miles with 433 members sending 2541 birds. As a 2 year old he was Alastair’s fancied pigeon for the Gold Cup race however he returned the next day about lunch time, obviously having injured his leg. He held this leg up for about 2½ weeks then Alastair noticed he was starting to come into good form. So he selected him for the SNFC Roye race where he won 7th section C 16th open doing a velocity of 1135 for the 508 miles, which had an entry of 935 birds competing entered by 215 members. This year 2020 as we all know the racing programme was a bit chaotic and with the national only having one channel race this being the Gold Cup race from Reims he was Alastair 2nd pigeon to the loft winning 30th section C 108th open flying 566 miles recording a velocity of 723 from an entry of 1490 birds competing from 313 lofts. Thus he has now won his SNFC Silver Award. Alastair has given me some brief details of his breeding: - his sire is bred from an inbred grandson of Len Downie's famous ‘Pencil Cock’. His dam is a blue hen bred by John Redfern of Doncaster. She is one of 6 young birds Alastair got from John in 2016, the strain is basically ‘Marshall’ pigeons John had from Nigel Laycock. I also noticed that Alastair has a chequer cock SU16F545 who has done well. In 2018 he won 270th open but no section prize card from Maidstone and this year he was 23rd section C 73rd open from Reims, another good pigeon in his loft. Alastair finished off our conversation by wishing Kevin better health in the future, he has good memories of their time in the Howe of Fife club and Alastair also expressed that Kevin has done very well since moving to Arbroath. He also thank me for highlighting my pigeon ‘Ali’s Blue’ in your weekly column, saying ‘keep up the good work’ yours Alastair McCudden’.
DEWAR TROPHY RUNNERS UP
HELP REQUIRED
I have said previously that I would like to write a book about the Dewar Trophy winners and Runners Up. I have been gathering information from some old Scotland’s Own and Stud Books on these birds. However I’m having problems obtaining the details of the Runners Up and wonder if any of these fanciers or anyone who knew them could supply me with details of their birds. I will highlight the fanciers I’m looking for below; but if you know anything about them or the pigeon can you please contact me either by phone (I will phone you back) or by email. I must say that I’m in debt to the fanciers who have contacted me so far. I spoke to my dear old friend Billy & Jaqueline Wortley of Annan at the weekend. Billy has not been well of late having a spell in hospital but I’m glad to say he is now feeling a bit better and is starting to have a walk round the town to build his fitness back up. Billy has a fantastic knowledge of the South Section pigeon’s and I could not wish for a better person to assist me in my quest for information on the south section pigeons and fanciers who have won or been runners up for the Dewar Trophy. I’m looking for information on the following RUNNER’S UP. 1979 J Logan of Kelso; 1982 Stuart Young of Bonnyrigg; 1983 Sandy Bain of Wick; 1985 W Gibson of Auchinleck; 1992 Spacey & Logan of Dunfermline; 1994 J Telfer of Allenton; 1996 Walker & Wilson of St Abbs; 2002 S Kelly of Glasgow; 2008 John McNeill of Broxburn I know that John is not well just now however maybe someone could help me out as I don’t want to bother Marion. Please do get in touch if you can help me out with details of any of the above birds; the more information the better. As I said above give me a call or leave your number and I will get back to you as soon as I can. THANK YOU in anticipation.
Bird Flu: Latest situation in relation to Scottish Pigeon Fanciers
Received the following from Linda Brook secretary of the SHU with the following information; received a response in respect of my query sent to the Disease Control Branch of Animal Health and Welfare Division of the Scottish Government; which asked for specific clarification regarding Racing Pigeons in Scotland. Currently, all bird gatherings are prohibited and the terms of the General License have been revoked so no racing or showing can take place. New housing measures will come into force on 14 December 2020 which will make it a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread and eradicate the disease. However there is a little good news regarding allowing birds from the same loft to be released for short periods at the loft area. I have quoted the advice below:-
"Additional information for bird of prey and pigeon keepers;
The use of one bird (falcon/hawk etc.) or multiple birds that already live together will still be permitted in order to carry our pest control/hunting services in GB. However, birds that are not already housed together/on the same premises should not be flown together as this constitutes a gathering.
This advice does not apply in any of the Protection or Surveillance Zones (PZ/SZ) (at the moment these are only in England, but future AI outbreaks could be in Scotland) Bird movements are not restricted (unless in a Protection or Surveillance Zone). However, bird gatherings in Scotland are banned and birds should be housed from December 14th. Therefore, a single bird (or birds already housed together) could be transported and used at a wedding venue. As long as measures within the AI protection Zones are adhered to, this is acceptable. With regard to pigeon lofts, the birds must be housed. However they can be let out briefly each day for exercise, provided pigeon keepers act responsibly (for example this could be a brief period before feeding, say half an hour, with the birds called back in when the food is put out). Lofts must not be left open where birds are allowed to come and go as they please. Where pigeon owners are not acting responsibly, a firmer line may need to be taken, which will result in the birds being kept in full time" More information on increased biosecurity measures etc., can be found on the gov.scot website under AIPZ declaration and biosecurity guidance
I am grateful to Elizabeth Tidy from the Scottish Disease Control Branch for this specific advice for fanciers which I hope you find useful; yours sincerely Linda Brooks.
Obituary
While talking to Andy Miller of Edinburgh the other day he informed me that Etta Elliot the wife of Davie of Newbiggin has passed away. The loss of a wife is a very bitter pill to swallow as every couple spends the most of their days together. Words cannot express our deepest sympathies to Davie at his sad loss.
Joe’s Joke
A Swedish bishop was getting ready to visit America. Some of his close associates advised him to be careful when responding to reporters on his arrival in New York. The bishop however was overconfident and paid little heed to the advice. During a press conference, held on his arrival at JFK Airport, one reporter asked the bishop if he was planning on visiting any nightclubs in New York. The bishop replied, ‘Are there any nightclubs in New York?’ Suggesting that he was ignorant of anything like night clubs in New York. To his surprise, the next morning’s newspapers had the following banner headlines; ‘While still on the tarmac at JFK, Swedish bishop asks, ‘Are there any nightclubs in New York?’.
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 you can also view online editions on: www.elimarpigeons.com www.fancierchat.co.uk www.pigeon-chat.co.uk - www.Pigeonbasics.com - Pigeon Racing the Basics! - thecanadianpigeoninternational.com www.internationalracingpigeon.com or
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© Compiled by Joe Murphy
