KINGDOM RACING PIGEON ASSOCIATION
by Stuart Bowman
First let me wish readers a very happy new year! I hope everyone had a great festive season and at the same time I would like to wish readers every success for season 2011.
Hasn’t it been a long winter so far with plenty of snow and ice. I think the ice was the most annoying, breaking it every day out of the drinkers for weeks on end. Then problems getting to the shops and when you got there you couldn’t get the essentials you needed, not to mention the problems on the roads!
It was unbelievable the amount of ice I had to break through on the steps at my back door which by the way faces north. The spade wouldn’t look at it and it had to be broken with a pick and a mash, that’s how thick and solid it was. It was a relief when I didn’t have to do that no more. When the spring comes I won’t be looking back saying I miss those days!
Received a letter from Young Mary Thomson over in Hamilton before the new year asking if I would include the South Lanarshire 2010 trophy winners in my next article, which I am only too happy to do so. Mary wished me all the best for 2011 and added that she had been devastated lately as her Grand Mother had recently passed away. Then Jim Hamiltons (marys racing partner) little Jack Russell had also passed away, so it certainly wasn’t a good Christmas for them. Sorry to hear the sad news Mary, but in time things will get better of that I am sure.
South Lanarkshire Prize List
Mary goes on to say that the South Lanarkshire Federation held their Annual Trophy Presentation at Bertrams Lesmahagow. The night began with a warm welcome to all by President John McFall, followed by a lovely meal which was enjoyed by all. The President then introduced the guests for the evening, John Hood from Milton of Campsie and Ian Lowe from Gartcosh both good fanciers. Each were then asked to step up and present the awards. First trophy of the night was the Peter Scott memorial for first nom bird from SNRPC Arras and was won by Mrs Margaret Gilbert. Unfortunately Margret was unable to attend, however she filled the trophy full of sweets to be shared around the group. Well done Margaret, I think that was a good idea, chewing on sweets would stop them all talking while the Presentation was on!!! The Young bird ave was won by John McFall the President. Runner up was John and Isabel Alston. The W. O’neil trophy for best ave from Reims and Arras was won by John Callan, who gave a fantastic performance at Arras winning 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th Sect E. John also won the E R Hislop memorial for 1st Arras. The M. Hadden trophy also for Arras was won by John Callan. The Reims trophy was won by J. & A Stokes. This partnership also won 1st Sect E, in the SNRPC Reims race. The Inns trophy for 1st Peterbourough 2 was won by Mr Mrs Dave Elliot. Wetherby YB was won by J & A Alston. The Victor Gold trophy was won by Wullie Scott for first bird in fed from Wanstead Flats. This is a really special performance as this man is 87 years of age and is still showing us all how it is done! He also won 9th fed Ridsdale (1) and 1st club 8th fed Arras, so well done Wullie. The YB National trophy was won by K. Donoghue, who also won 1st Sect E, SNRPC. J.Bairner & Sons trophy was won by John McFall for 1st Peterbourough (1). G. Hadden trophy for 1st Wanstead Flats was won by Billy Davidson & Son who also won 1st Sect E, SNRPC.
Some of South Lanarkshire Fed's 2010 Trophy winners.
The A.Scott memorial was won by Davie Donaldson. Davie is no stranger on the National results, and his pigeons have been performing like this for years! Season 2010 was exceptional both in short races and long ones, achieving 2nd Sect Reims SNFC, and 1st Sect Clermont SNFC. On to the Yearling Derby for first Nom bird from Newark and a prize of £50 was won by J & I Alston. The Presidents trophy for OB ave was won by Hamilton & Thomson. Appearing in the Fed results 17 times in the first 10 throughout the old bird races. Runner up was John Callan. The Inland ave went to Hamilton & Thomson with runner up being John McFall. Combined Ave was won by Hamilton & Thomson, Runner up was John Callan. Hamilton & Thomson won the J.Syme memorial for best ave first 5 OB races. Runners up were J. & A Alston. The best ave 3 longest Inland races and the Ian Harrison memorial went to Hamilton & Thomson, with the Runner up John Callan. The Milton Garage trophy for best ave Wanstead Flats OB & Wetherby YB was won by Hamilton & Thomson.
After the Presentation was carried out the Quiz began, and turned out to be very entertaining. The night ended with John McFall thanking the Guests and Fanciers who came along to support South Lanarkshire Federation and making the night very worth while!
My thanks for the letter and Christmas card Mary. May I wish you and all the South Lanarakshire members all the very best for 2011! Hoping that you will go from strength to strength!
Walter McGaffney collects Margaret Gilbert's trophy.
John Hood jnr & John McFall.
Ian Lowe with Hamilton & Thomson.
J.Hood & John Stokes.
I.Lowe & Wullie Scott, with Kerr Stainthorpe in background.
J.Hood & Billy Davidson & Son.
J. Hood & John Callan.
J.Hood & Davie Donaldson.
Wullie Scott flanked by two up and coming young fanciers M.Thomson & E.Steele - 1st Fed Bishop Auckland.
Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association
Grace and I attended the Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association Dinner & Dance to applaud the winning fanciers in 2010! After an excellent meal very well set out by the Gilvenbank Hotel staff, President George Wilson Opened the Proceedings. George thanked the staff for a first class dinner and introduced the main guests for the evening, David and Helen Powers from South Shields. Also with them was their young son also David. George praised them for the amount of work they get through in a year, being totally dedicated to the sport. David of course is the NEHU Secretary and you can appreciate the power of work he goes through. He is also involved in the Successful NEHU show and the NEHU prize giving. George pointed out that David and Helen leave very early morning picking up pigeons around the north East and arriving in time for the Kingdoms yb sales that we have. Some very good pigeons have been brought up to our sales from these kind fanciers and have made some good money. We appreciate this a lot David many thanks. David reminded us on how keen he is on the pigeons himself and made a sincere thank you to his lovely wife Helen for her continued support over many years. David also reminded all present why the Kingdom had been a success from the start. Saying the reason being the Officials we have and the hard work behind the scenes from the Committee and the members sticking at it! David then wished us all the best for the future!
At that the President asked David to present the awards to the winning fanciers, ably assisted by Peter Penman jnr vice Pres. After the presentation the President gave me the prize list for inclusion in this report which is as follows.
Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association 2010 Trophy winners
First trophy up for grabs was the Cal strat trophy for 1st Open Wanstead Flats. This was won by the well known John Ellis 42yds in front of next bird. John also won the J & J Keir & Son trophy for first yearling, and the Association Nom trophy for good measure. This was also duplicated as it was a National race for 2010 and won John 2nd Open. Matt Shields won the A & J Galloway trophy for 2 bird ave this bird was 2nd Kingdom 26th Open SNRPC.
From Arras Chic Dinsdale won 1st Open with a good pigeon winning 4th Open SNRPC after being duplicated. This pigeon won the Cory Mara trophy. George Anderson was 2nd & 3rd winning the A & J Galloway trophy for 2 bird ave also J &J Keir & Son trophy for first yearling. These were duplicated in SNRPC to win 6th & 9th Open. Garry Hall had the first nom bird winning 10th Open Kingdom & 23rd Open SNRPC.
From Wakefield yb Open the winner was the ever popular Dunc Walker winning the Future trophy. Am I right in saying that this is the second year in a row? J.D.Armour won 2nd& 3rd Open wining the Jock Armour memorial for 2 bird ave. Jim Anderson won the A&S Crawford trophy for first nom bird. George Anderson won the OB Ave, YB Ave & Combined Ave.
The Challenge Trophy for best ave all Association Open races and SNRPC races was won by John Mackenzie with the following very steady performances. 1st bird only. – 84th Open SNRPC Wanstead Flats, 12th Open SNRPC Reims, 2nd Open SNRPC Tours, 16th Open SNRPC Arras, and 68th Open SNRPC YB National Peterborough.
1st bird in Association SNRPC races. As follows.
1st bird Wanstead Flats, John Ellis 2nd Open SNRPC. 1ST bird Reims, Tam Currie Winning 1st Open SNRPC and the Gold Medal. This was an outstanding performance into Dairsie near Cupar into a North East wind al the way. Tam is a hard worker for his club and being the quiet man that he is he just takes it all in his stride. As the president said it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! Once again Tam very well done on this fine achievement from the members. You have to relive it all again Tam when you go and collect your solid Gold Medal at the SNRPC Dinner. Should be fun! 1ST bird from Tours John Mackenzie, 2nd Open SNRPC.
1st bird from Arras, Chic Dinsdale, 4th Open SNRPC. 1st bird Peterborough JD Armour 7th&8th Open, SNRPC.
Best Ave all SNRPC races was won by John Mackenzie. The J. Keir Memorial trophy most points winner was George Anderson. The Extreme Distance – My Little Lady trophy, best ave Tours & Reims was won by John Mackenzie. Earn Your Corn Award Best ave Arras & Reims was won by Chic Dinsdale who also won The Scribes Award Best Ave Wanstead Flats & Arras. George Anderson won Association Fancier Of The Year.
Two new Awards were Presented one in the shape of a pigeon for Best Ave Arras & Tours known as the Masters Award and the winner was John Mackenzie. The other Award is Known as the Channel King Award (Silver Plate) for best Ave three channel races Reims, Tours and Arras and the winner once again was John Mackenzie.
Another new trophy was also presented in the shape of a Silver Jug with a lid. The Lord Provost of Anstruther or East Neuk (I stand corrected) gifted this to the Pittenweem club many years ago. Many years have past and somehow it became lost until recently it was found in John Andersons place, probably down the cellar. When John Anderson and John Mackenzie got this Jug cleaned up they couldn’t believe how good it looked. They wondered next what they would do with it. Then it was suggested that it be gifted to the Kingdom in memory of John Andersons late wife Helen who was a real worker for the club and the Fed and could be seen busy at marking stations at fed Opens and Nationals. She was a credit to the sport, a very genuine person and still sadly missed. We could do with more of her sort in this sport! This magnificent silver Jug will have the names of the Kingdom fanciers who are lucky enough to win a National inscribed upon it. Believe me this will not look out of place on any ones sideboard!
Hearty Congratulations to all 2010 winners you deserve it!!! After the prizes were completed bouquets of flowers were handed out to the ladies at the top table and then the raffle was drawn. After which it was dancing time and believe me in no time the dance was over for another year. I had a few good conversations with some of the fanciers present and look forward to hopefully seeing them again next year and maybe a few new faces.
Things were very quiet up to Christmas and I have heard of many cancelled shows across the country. This is not surprising with the amount of snow and ice on the roads, just too dangerous a risk for the sake of going to a show. I feel sorry for the organizers for the only let down for them was the weather. Many were bitterly disappointed but they know not to argue with the weather. At least you are all still safe and there’s always next year. Just makes the winter longer but things will improve, don’t know which month but they will improve. Just need to be patient.
I myself am a bit disappointed at some who say they will send some snippets or pictures but never get round to it. I held this article up, and not for the first time hoping that occasionally some info would arrive but to no avail. I shouldn’t be disappointed as this has happened plenty of times before. However if people can’t be bothered then neither can I, because I’m not a mind reader. I don’t know everything that’s going on, just means iv’e less to type out. I have no problem typing material out but it has to come from those fanciers concerned. The door is open to whoever can be bothered.
By the time this is in print Blackpool will be upon us. I hope the show is a big success. I now many will meet up with their old pals once more, but I also hope that many new friends are made as I think that is what the Show is all about. Many will be buying new pigeons trying to find that elusive champion, some will try the many new things on the market and a few will benefit. Some will just make the trip and learn a lot and that is what counts! Enjoy one and all!!
I look forward to meeting some old friends and some new ones at the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club presentation on Sat 29th January. The Usual venue is the Cairn Hotel under new management, it promises to be another memorable night as it always is. My better half Grace is going along with me to keep an eye on me, I’m sure it’s only for the slow ones though Lol ! At the same time can I remind SNRPC members that the AGM is on Saturday 12th February at Newbridge Bowling club. Til next time my Address is 118 Sinclair Drive Cowdenbeath Fife ky4-9rg, tel 01383- 518471.or email to
