KINGDOM RACING PIGEON ASSOCIATION
by Stuart Bowman
Hello again there folks. Just returned at the end of October after a couple of weeks in Turkey and, believe me, it was a shame to come home! Managed to see that big orangey thing in the sky known as the sun. Yes, good stuff getting some sunshine and no rain for a fortnight. Out on one of the boat trips, I managed to lose my wedding ring diving off the boat. Must have been the suntan lotion and the salt water. I searched for it everywhere and, although the water was clean and clear, it was all to no avail. One of the local lads in charge of the boat which was quite big, went down into the water with breathing apparatus, goggles etc. He eventually came back up empty handed. Before he went down, I had been down there before, but I couldn’t find the bottom. There I I was way down there bubbles everywhere, I was like the Man from Atlantis. I thought the guy said 15- 20 feet in places, he said no, I tell you 15 – 20 meters in places. Well no wonder I couldn’t get near it, and needless to say I was none too popular for the next couple of days! Ah well, alls well that ends well. Now I’m a free man!!!
Everything seems a bit quiet at the moment with some clubs and feds getting their books in order and preparing balance sheets, proposals and so on ready for the new coming season.
While I was away Joe Musleh of Glasgow sent me three pictures of the first 3 in Section F, in the SNRPC YB National from Leicester with some details of the winning fanciers. Winners of 1st & 2nd Sect, F, and 1st & 2nd Western area plus 76th & 111th Open were Barclay McCrindle & Son of Glasgow. The Chryston loft was flying 259mls and the winning bird a Blue chq cock flew the full YB Program out to the Combine race. The sire Zedan, son of Rambo and a full brother to Cannibal. The dam is a daughter of Glyndwr, 1st Ace pigeon of A & S Harchies, 24,855 birds, and from Koopman lines.
1st Section F.
The McCrindles second pigeon was a chq hen which won 1st West Sect, Glasgow fed Wetherby, 11th Fed Catterick and flew the full y.b program. Her sire is a son of Figo. The dam is a daughter of Pessendale. Very good flying by this loft considering where they fly into, I’m sure you agree.
2nd Section F.
Young Patrick McDonald of Glasgow won 3rd Sect F, 3rd Western Area and 120th Open. Patrick racing with the Duntocher & Clyebank club was flying 265mls. His timer was a young Blue Pied cock that raced the full y.b programme and was timed in all races. The sire of the youngster was bred by Frankie Hillan from Coalburn from his Smyth bros stock. While the dam comes from an equally well known loft in C & L Woodside of Ballyclare from their reliable King's cup winning distance family. This well bred yb could be a really good bird in the making the way it’s bred. A full brother to the 3rd Sect F won 1st Section Glasgow fed Leicester for Patrick this year, so well done Patrick and I hope to hear again of the Section F, fanciers who are striving for glory in the National races with the SNRPC. Thanks again Joe for the details and pictures of these two winning lofts.
3rd Section F.
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE FEDERATION PRESENTATION
On 31st October Peter Penman from Thornton and I were invited to go down to South Lanarkshire to present their prizes for the season and to go on the Quiz. We readily accepted their kind invitation and traveled down to Lesmahagow with Jim Benvie, Alec Brunton, Jim Anderson and John Proctor.
On arriving there a little early we had a few drinks to steady the nerves. Before the President opened the proceedings we could clearly see we were in very good company with some top distance fanciers and house hold names present, in this hot bed of distance fanciers with past and present Section and Open race winners in attendance. I enjoyed a conversation with the President John McFall, who formerly was a scribe for the Monthly Gazette. I still have some old Gazettes in which John highlighted some top distance fanciers of the time and I treasure these. John has been asked by many including I, if he would start again scribing, but he simply hasn’t the time. This is a pity because I always like to read about good distance fanciers.
After an excellent meal served up by the staff in Betrams lounge John Opened the proceedings and introduced both Peter and I, plus our other four travelling companions, who some had met some time previous. John Thanked the staff for the excellent meal. He then went on to thank this years new Secretary Joanne Mathieson, and Malcom Mathieson who is the Jnr Vice Pres of S Lanarshire. Joanne and Malc have proved to be a good team in there very first year, working tirelessly for the members, making sure things run smoothly. They also get some assistance from Snr Vice President Dougie Donnachie throughout the year. Dougie was busy selling raffle tickets when I was there. The officials are also helped by fanciers such as Wullie Johnston transport, where there are none better. Also the Convoyer Mathew Boyle, who is tops with the birds, and then there are fanciers like Kerr Stainthorpe, the Stoke’s, Bob Wilson, Dave Jack, Jock Alston, Benny Martin and quite a few others with all their help and experience. These guys are one of the countrys most willing bunch of guys to help their Federation out and that’s why they are a success. They do what it takes to make sure they have an excellent transporter on the road.
After everything was said and done it was time for the Presentation of the S Lanarshire Fed 2008 winners. Starting with Kerr Stainthorpe who won the Presidents trophy for OB Ave vel 1008. Ru up, Wilson & Jack, 991. Inland Ave winner was John Cosgrove & Son vel- 1081. Ru Up, Albert Murry, 1065. Y.B Ave Winner was Hamilton & Thomson on 1070. This received thunderous applause as, Mary Thomson the Jnr partner has only just turned 16.Young Mary won the RPRA Award for Associate Young Fancier over 15, in group four judged in September. She along with Jim Hamilton, also won the Federations Longest Y.B Open race from Wetherby. As I said in my short speech on the night, I think it is great to see how this young Lady is progressing in our fascinating sport, and I am very pleased at the encouragement she receives not only from Jim Hamilton but her fellow fed members. They all tell me she is a very willing helper throughout the whole season and is an asset to her club Larkhall South. Her Mum Margaret must be very proud. There are too many teenagers up to no good, but Mary is not one of them! Well done South Lanarshire. John Creechan has had a decent season and won’t mind being over shadowed on this occasion I’m sure, winning the Ru Y B Ave on 1060.
Combined Ave went to Kerr Stainthorpe on 992. Runners Up were Donald & Malcom Mathieson, 948. Billy Davidson & Son David won the J. Syme Mem trophy for best Ave first 5 races, vel 1279.82, closely followed by Ru up John Creechan on 1279.18. The Ian Harrison Mem trophy for best Ave 3 longest inland races was won by Neil Peacock on 1032. Ru up Walter Mc Gaffney 994.Milton Garage trophy & John Cosgrove Mem trophy for best Ave Maidstone OB & Wakefield YB was won by the J & A Stokes partnership, vel 1020. The Wullie O’Neil trophy for Best Ave SNRPC Reims & Arras was won by Kerr Stainthorpe winning 2nd Sect, 5th West Area, 48th Open Reims & 2nd Sect, 2nd Area, 15th Open Arras, very good flying. The Rennes trophy was won this year from SNRPC Reims by William Mitchell & Son also William, with 1st Sect, E, 3rd West Area, 38th Open and a SNRPC Bronze Medal, in what was a testing race. Very pleasing to see young Wullie coming forward to collect this award for he and his dad. Well done guys, you can hold your head up with this performance. The Nantes trophy was won this year from Messac with the SNRPC, and the winners were not only the fed winners or Section winners but the outright National winners in the shape of Robert Wilson and Dave Jack of Wilson & Jack, of Lanark flying in the Kirkfieldbank club. Well I remember this race and I remember the only 4 birds timed on the day and only wish I had one of them. I also remember the rapturous applause they received and how proud they were when they came up to collect their award. They still have to collect their Silver Medal which is for keeps at the SNRPC Presentation, wonder what they will be like then. Robert Wilson has already won the Rennes National many years ago with their great hen “Linville Supreme” while flying in partnership with his father. Incredibly this years National winner is raced from the same loft. How about that eh! The Messac National winner”Peanuts” is already well thought of by not only Bob and Dave but also their good ladies! This 7 yo chq hen is a winner 3 times previous from the channel and believe you me she is a very worthy winner. That makes 2 channel wins in 3 races for the West Section which can only be good news! I’m sure fanciers everywhere will sit up and take notice, especially the Fanciers in the West. Very well done!
The R Heslop Mem trophy was won by Kerr Stainthorpe for 1st Fed Arras, and also the M. Hadden trophy for same race. What a season he’s had twice 2nd Sect, from the Channel and a 3rd Sect from the YB National. Neil Peacock won the Inns trophy for Wanstaed Flats, winning 1st Sect E, 1ST West Area, 51st Open and a SNRPC Bronze Medal. Neil also won the Gordon Hadden trophy for 1st Fed Wanstead Flats. The Leland trophy for 1st Fed Open Wetherby Y.B was won by Jim Hamilton and Mary Thomson and a great finish to the season. Let's hope you have more days like this in the years to come! The Victor Gold Trophy for 1st Bird Maidstone went to Wullie Johnston. Mr & Mrs Elliot won the YB National trophy from Leicester and 1st Sect, E, 4th Area, 152 nd Open. Seem to make a habit of winning the Section and from all distances. The well known J & I Alston win the J Bairner trophy for 1st Leicester OB. The A Scott Mem Trophy for 1 yearling Wanstead Flats 9th Sect, 12th Area, 166th Open was won by Walter McGaffney. Finally the Peter Scott Mem trophy for 1st Nom bird in the Arras race was won by Wilson & Jack which won 3rd Sect, 3rd Area, 20th Open.
I have already mentioned the fed and section winners in the SNRPC races, but I would like to give the runner up places up to the first 6 only in each race. Starting with Wanstead Flats - D.Mathieson & son, 2nd, sect, 2nd, area, 72nd Open. W.Davidson &Son 3rd sect, 3rd area, 104th Open. J.Cosgrove & Son, 4th sect, 5th area, 111th Open. J.Creechan, 5th sect, 8th area, 144th Open, and Walter McGaffney, 9th sect, 12th area 166th Open.
Reims- A.K Stainthorpe, 2nd sect, 5th area, 48th Open. Plus 4th sect, 7th area, 53rd Open. J Callan, 5th sect, 8th area, 54th Open. J.Creechan, 6th sect, 10th area, 58th Open. D.Mathieson & Son, 7th, sect, 11th area, 59th Open.
Messac – J & A Stokes, 2nd sect, 2nd area, 4th Open. B.Todd, 3rd sect, 3rd area, 7thOpen. W. Davidson & Son, 4th sect, 4th area, 10th Open. Top flying.
Arras – Wilson & Jack, 3rd sect, 3rd area, 20th Open. D. Mathieson & Son, 4th & 5th sect, 4th & 5th area, 28th, & 33rd Open. A.Young, 8th sect, 8th area, 51st Open. A.K. Stainthorpe, 9th sect, 10th area, 61st Open.
Leicester – Hamilton & Thomson, 2nd sect, 6th area, 142nd Open. Plus 7th sect, 16th area, 168th Open. A.K. Stainthorpe, 3rd & 5th sect, 8th & 12th area, 152nd & 160th Open. With Mr & Mrs Elliots second bird winning 6th sect, 15th area, 165th Open.
With a few more words said by John McFall and myself it was time for the Quiz. Peter explained how he came into the sport as a young boy, and was helped along with his father and some local fanciers. While I did likewise, telling the audience how I got interested and what I used to get up to. Plus of course the long road before I even started racing and my several house moves iv’e had, Problems encountered and a spell out of the sport. In between the questions the raffle was drawn and our company managed a few prizes, thanks again! Back on the quiz a few questions were asked and answered by Peter and my self. The one which sticks out to me the most was when asked about the last few years performances in the SNRPC races. In the S Lanarshire, west Sect, and indeed all over, you can see that there are leaders in the races. I put this down to the fact that the SNRPC is not the largest National club in the UK, so there is a little less drag, and the Caliber of Distance fancier and their pigeons in the SNRPC are second to none. The top pigeons are able to strike for home early I feel, and this is when you get a top performance in an area where you might not normally expect it. These birds have it all to do at the start of the race like every other bird, but make no mistake they do show their mettle!
Wilson & Jacks Messac National Winner and Stuart Mullens Reims Gold Medal winner were first to spring to mind.
All too soon the Quiz drew to a close and John McFall thanked everyone for making it a very good night and for their support.
Peter Penman, Alec Brunton, Jim Benvie, John Proctor, Jim Anderson and I would sincerely like to thank the S Lanarkshire members for looking after us on a very good night! At the end of the night we spoke to a number of fanciers and some more interesting topics were discussed. After which we bid farewell to our friends and our chauffer Peter Penman drove us all home safely. Many thanks to Margaret Thomson and Kerr Stainthorpe for supplying the photos and prize list included in this article and many thanks again to everyone involved.
Stuart Bowman with David Davidson (W. Davidson & Son) best Ave first 5 races.
Stuart Bowman presentrs Kerr Stainthorpe with the Presidents trophy, OB Ave.
Peter Penman with Wullie Johnston, 1st Open Fed Maidstone.
Mary Thomson & Jim Hamilton winners of 1st Open Wetherby Y.B Open & Fed Y.B Ave.
S. Bowman with a delighted Neil Peacock winner of 3 longest inland races, 1st Fed W/Flats, SNRPC.
P. Penman with Wilson & Jack, 1st Fed 1st Open SNRPC Messac 2008.
P. Penman with John Stokes of J & A Stokes best Ave Maidstone OB & Wakefield YB.
Stuart Bowman presents young 16 yo, Mary Thomson with the South Lanarkshire Fed Y.B Ave.
Peter Penman with Jock Alston (J & I Alston) winner of 1st Fed Leicester OB.
P.Penman with young William Mitchell (W.Mitchell & Son) - 1st Fed, 1st Sect E, SNRPC Reims.
Unfortunately, just before and after I went on holiday over the last few weeks a few fanciers in and out of the sport passed away along with some wives of fanciers who also have passed away recently. I don’t want to name them all for fear of missing someone out. On behalf of the Association members I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your families on your very sad loss.
Other news now and a reminder that the late Davie Stewart of Lochore’s bereavement sale of his birds will be up for auction on Sunday 30th November at Bowhill War Memorial club. As said previously there will be approx 75 birds mainly distance pigeons. Viewing is at 11.30pm with the kick off at 1pm, with the very experienced Ian Hopkins the Auctioneer. Ian has sold many many pigeons at Bowhill over many years. This should be a good sale with some honest pigeons on offer. Davie was fairly consistent in the Association this year also scoring in a few of the Nationals, the best I think being 35th Open SNRPC Arras on a testing day with several others on the result. Birds are mainly, Jan Aardens from Highway lofts, John Smale from Abergavenny South Wales, Jim Donaldson Peterhead, the renowned Fear Bros of Clandown, George Rankin & Son Gareths birds, some John Ellis, and a few Janseens plus a few others. Also one T-3 clock. One STB Quartz clock. Two benzing Quartz clocks. Plus drinkers, baskets, nest bowls, nest boxes and loft accessories etc. At the time of going to print, as far as I know the loft will stand so that fanciers will have plenty of chance to break pigeons to their new home. Should be an interesting sale, all welcome, see you there!
Think that’s enough for this week, my address as always is 118 Sinclair Drive Cowdenbeath Fife ky4-9rg. Tel – 01383- 518471, or email to
