KINGDOM RACING PIGEON ASSOCIATION
by Stuart Bowman
PORTSMOUTH
Members of the SNRPC prepared themselves for the last race of the ob season for 2007, from Portsmouth due to restrictions from DEFRA and the debacle of bird flu on the continent, particularly in France. This was very unfortunate for us as we wanted to test the birds from ARRAS, and due to this happening I think some fanciers had had enough and decided not to send as it has been a hard enough season anyway. Members of the Kingdom Racing Pigeon Association were in the same boat, and although disappointed still sent an entry which were duplicated and transported to Portsmouth with the SNRPC
There have never been so many East winds in a season throughout the week and not just at weekends. The weather in April was the best I think, May was no good and June and July so far have been horrendous. The above is just Scotland, down south you only have to look at National TV where they have been flooded in June and only just recently on July 18th – 20th more misery was heaped on to these unsuspecting people who were quietly going about their own business, there homes are ruined. My heart goes out to these people, and I hope they can some how turn it around soon. We fanciers in Scotland hope that our comrade fanciers in these areas have managed to get their feathered friends to safety. What they are going through doesn’t bare thinking about. When will these poor guys be able to race again.
Talking of racing, I hope some lessons have been learnt this season. We need to stand up on both feet and tackle Defra, someone needs to educate them on our racing pigeons health, and the history behind them between two world wars. I don’t think it’s fair that we fanciers are rated second class, especially when you look at how some poultry farms and their inmates are kept. Leaves a lot to be desired doesn’t it, and to make matters worse they have the chance to get some of their money back where as we don’t. Which brings me to my next thought! How much do chickens and turkeys cost?
Seriously though, I can’t see any money coming from the Blackpool show, so why don’t we start a fund to raise money to tackle the problem. Could the RPRA fees be increased to raise more money ? I think we would need two QCs, two from the RPRA including Peter Bryant, who is doing his utmost and maybe a couple of top men from some of the UK’s top National clubs. That way we will not be as easily fobbed off with excuses, and they will surly have to listen to us. This is now a serious concern as we need to keep as many fanciers in the sport as possible, and if we keep getting the stop start situation fanciers may give up altogether. Some fanciers will not be happy just racing to the South coast, which to most fanciers in Scotland is 300- 400mls. We can’t afford to just sit here thinking it will all get sorted out for us by someone else, because it won’t happen. It will be up to us fanciers to do it, we need money and we need it NOW!
Back to the KRPA race from Portsmouth. The 268 entries from the KRPA were liberated with the SNRPC birds after a 2 day holdover at 6.35 am into a light N.West wind. Most fanciers expected a steady race and that’s what we got from this, 375mls-400ml race. It turned out to be a very close affair with the first 2 pigeons doing 1236.820 and 1236.570 respectively. The winner plus also 4th Open on 1210.453 was Jim Anderson of the ST.Serfs club, taking 9hrs, 2mins 29 secs to get in the clock. Jims Open Association winner was duplicated to win- 2nd Sect, C’ 8th Open National. Jim had a very good race and was in at 3.37, 3.49, 4.08 and 4.48 pm, the second bird also taking a very respectable 4th KRPA, 5th, Sect, 13th Open. Jims 2nd Sect C, Winner is a 2y.o L.Bred Blue Cock who was sent 1\ 4 up on 4th flight and sent on 10-12 day eggs. He is of Jan Aarden breeding and is from a direct pair bought from Louella. This pair is one of many Jim has bought in since 2003, with results now coming through to his liking. The blue cock was one of 11 late breds that Jim trained that year on the road. This year he had every race out to Leicester 260mls, then Wanstead Flats with the KRPA, 343mls. He then had one toss from Kelso 50mls, and one from ST. Boswells which was on Sunday before basketing. Jim is quite happy with his season especially his 2yo l. breds who have been in the clock most weeks, flying to his 16 foot loft. For the record Jim was also 2nd Open in our other Open race this year from Wanstead Flats, and has done ok too in the club racing. He must be doing something right! Jim is now looking forward to 2008 as he is left with a decent team and 6 from 7 in this race. Congratulations Jim from the Members! Jim wins the Cory Mara Trophy for 1st bird, and the J & J Keir & son 2-bird ave Trophy.
A delighted Jim Anderson, Cardenden in front of main loft holding his 2nd sect C 8th Open S.N.R.P.C. Portsmouth 2007.
Jim Anderson's 2y.o.late bred blue Jan Aarden cock, 2nd section C 8th Open.
Jim Anderson's other 2 y.o blue Jan Aarden cock, 5th section C 13th Open Portsmouth S.N.R.P.C.
2nd Open Association, then duplicated to win 3rd Sect C, 9th Open SNRPC, is Dennis Dall of Ladybank. Dennis also had a good race and is having a brilliant season not being out of the first 10 in in the Association and National races takes a bit of doing. For the record he was 3rd & 7th Open with the KRPA at Wanstead Flats 350mls. 2nd Sect, 4th Open SNRPC Reims 570 mls plus others on result. 5th Sect, 8th Open SNRPC Tours 630 plus miles. At the SNRPC Wanstead Flats race he was 2nd Sect, 7th Open plus others.This pigeon was 4th Open Reims. Now he is well up again for 3rd Sect, 9th Open SNRPC Portsmouth 388mls. This is consistant top flying in any ones book, and comparable with any in Scotland in 2007. Now back to the race. Dennis had 4 on the result timing at 3.46, 3.58, 4.38, and 17.07, the first 2 birds winning 3rd & 6th sect, 9th & 14th Open. Dennis’s first pigeon was meant to be going to the NFC Saints race about 735mls but due to the bird flue restrictions ended up at Portsmouth. Alls well that ends well! The 3rd Sect, is a 7yo Blue Hen who has previously scored from the south coast also scored in fed and National from Clermont and has a few prizes from the channel. Probably her best was last year when she was timed at 10.28 pm from the hard SNRPC Lessay race to win 4th sect, 10th Open when there were only 16 on the day of toss. This year she had ST.Boswells, Wakefield, Leicester, and Wanstead Flats 350mls with the KRPA. She then had 2 tosses from Crail 1 toss from Inverkeithing, and 1 from Drum Brae 25mls on Sunday before basket day. She was sent sitting 10 day eggs and 1/4 up on her 3rd flight. Bye the way Dennis;s 2nd bird was his 3rd bird on the SNRPC Wanstead Flats race winning 34th Open, and had the same preparation as his first. This yearling blue cock was bred from a son of “Trail's Spark” when paired to Dennis’s own Champion Mealy hen “Rebecca Two” 7 times a winner at over 500ml and a Gold Award Winner. The dam of the yearling blue cock was bred by the one and only Wilf Flockhart from his Champion chq cock and Gold Award winner “Coalneuk King”. This yearling cock wins the Yearling Trohpy for Dennis. Dennis had 11 from 13 when I visited him and like the other fanciers would sincerely like to thank the Convoyer and Controll team for looking after the pigeons really well throughout this hold over.
D. Dall's 7 y.o blue hen, 3rd Sect C, 9th Open Portsmouth.
Dennis holding his 2nd pigeon in the race, 6th sect C, 14th Open.
Splitting these two fanciers in 3rd Open Association was old stager John Anderson of Anstruther flying to his Copperbeach lofts. John wins the Leuchars club on 1214 with a 2yo Red Pied cock which was previously on roundabout, then repaired and sent sitting 9 day eggs. This one wins 4th Sect, C’ 12th Open SNRPC, and gives John another top National position to his credit. John has been winning in National races since the 1950s. He too has had a good enough season this year, and will have to be watched next year. John's timer was bred from his 8th Open SNRPC Reims cock of last year. While the dam won 60th Open SNRPC Reims in this years hard race. Ian McClaren of the same club wins the K & B Reid Trophy for 1st Nominated bird and a bit of lolly as this won was also duplicated and pooled in the National. Well done Ian!
6th Open was Pete Patrick on 1206 and wins the Coaltown club.
7th was Jock King on 1197. George Anderson of Scone was 8th Open on 1191, and wins the Marathorn club. Jim Benvie was 9th on 1182 with a fancied doo. Garry Hall won 10th Open on 1181, and like all fanciers before him he has been very consistent, especially at the longer races.
There seems to have been good enough returns from this holdover race at Portsmouth. Yours truly sent 5 and had 4 home with 2 in the clock taking positions, the first winning 100th Open National, so can’t complain. It also seems to have been very successful for the KRPA members who excelled in this race. Winning many top positions. Before closing on this race may we congratulate John Ellis of Wellbank who won the Bronze Medal, Sect C’ and 5th Open in this race. John also won a coveted SNRPC Gold Award with a pigeon I covered in an article some time back. This Black Pied hen now named “Wellbank Lass “ was only a yearling when I first set eyes on her and that year she won 58th Open from the Channel. I gives me great pleasure to now see her win her Gold Award for 5 prizes in National channel racing all from over 500mls. She came home injured in last years Newbury National with the SNRPC in her build up for the Gold Award. However she came good in this year's exceptionally difficult Reims race with the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club to win another prize! Hearty Congratulations John! That’s two Awards you have to collect at the SNRPC Presentation.
Talking of Gold Award Winners and Special pigeons, a few weeks ago I paid a visit to Jock King to see his team. While there I snapped a couple of photos of some of Jock's best birds. I must say I was quite impressed with them, a brilliant Family of pigeons! More of them at another time. I have enclosed a photo of Jock's Pride and Joy at the moment, namely “FairIsle Mary”. Jock won a SNRPC Covetd Gold Award with his chq hen in 2006. Her positions are as follows- 140th sect, 152nd Open SNFC Clermont 2003. 29th sect, 92nd Open SNFC Falaise 2004. 8th sect, 19th Open SNRPC Alencon 2005. 1st sect, 8th Open SNRPC Falaise 2005. 8th sect, 16th Open SNRPC Reims 2006. 5th sect 35th Open SNFC Falaise 2006. That makes her 6 times a channel winner, but wait she went out again this year to win 29th sect, 58th Open Alencon. That makes her a 7 times winner in National racing. Mary was bred by Pete Patrick of Thornton, another very good fancier. Jock King is without doubt one if the UKs top Distance fanciers. If there’s anyone outside of Scotland who doubts this check back a couple of Decades for his performances and you’ll soon see what I mean!
Jock King.
This is not the first Gold Award John has won. I seem to remember a great Blue cock “FairIsle Supreme” with the same honour, and his father was no slouch either winning 4 times himself I think. Jock has had a pretty steady year this year. Just of the top of my head racing with the SNRPC this year with his 1st bird in the race only he has won. 9th Open Reims 565mls. 14th Open Tours 627mls, and 19th Open Portsmouth 380mls, with only 2 away as he had also at Tours. That’s a pretty fair average! John is one of the first names you ask for in these races, and he will simply keep on winning and add to his many National prizes over the years. The one question is this though. How long will an outright National win continue to elude this fancier? Also included is a photo of Jock holding his Gold Award Certificate, the FIRST EVER, with “Mary”, presented by the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club!!! Many thanks for your time Jock, see you soon.
OTHER NEWS
From the Rosyth Otterburn cb race the members sent 67 to this 77 ml race. I decided not to send and am glad I never as I turned out to be a funny race this one with birds taking quite a while to get back to their lofts. The winner was our Secy Gordon Cree with a 2yo homebred chq cock sent on eggs. 2nd was John Skelton with a 2yo blue hen also on eggs. Breeding here is Newcombe. 3rd was Louie Mitchell with a yearling chq Widowhood cock. This one was bred down from Birds Louie bought at Jimmy Milnes clearance sale and they were originally Tam McCleod birds. 4th is one of the clubs elders Jimmy Duncan with a 2yo homebred Barless Mealy hen just paired.
From Portsmouth the club winner was Louie Mitchell with a yearling chq pied hen on 8day eggs. The sire was bred by Wullie Henderson Cardenden, and the dam came from Charlie Woofe from Ollerton. 2nd Stuart Bowman with a 4yo blue cock sent on a 5 day baby bird. The funny thing about this one is I never see him arrive from any of the Open races, missing him from Alencon in 2005 and Reims 2006 amoungst others. This time though I did manage to see him enter the loft, the first time he hasn’t eluded me. His sire is bred from a cock I had before I came out of the sport in 98-99. This cock was bred from Dennis Dalls blue cock 2203, who was sire of Rowena 1st Open Niort 697mls. His dam was Dennis’s Red Gold Award hen Barbara. The dam of my timer is a Blue hen sent up to me as a gift from that good distance fancier Tom Gilbertson of Carlisle, and was a G daughter of one of Tommys Combine winners! In again for 3rd was Louie Mitchell with a yearling chq hen on 8day eggs. Her sire came from Keith Cochrane & son of Crossgates. The dam came from Ian Hopkins of Cardenden. 4th was Rab Pearson with a 2yo chq hen on 15 day eggs, Breeding Van Hee.
From the Rosyth clubs first y.b race at ST.Boswells the members sent 103 birds. Some lofts never sent as they were still catching up in training as the weather has been very unpredictable this year. At this point I was one of these fanciers this year and to make matters worse I got a bad training toss on the Thursday the week previous. Only having 15 home on the day from a 20ml toss is just not on. However some arrived the next morning 1 on the Saturday 1 on Sunday and 1 on Tuesday. In all I lost 14 from their, the worst toss iv’e ever had. These things happen though and some fanciers get this more than I do. There are always a few fanciers every year who get it. I personally think that somewhere along the line it’s a Perigrine that has got in to them, at least in my case anyway. Back to the first race and I only sent 7 as an experiment an was surprised to get 6 home although I was absolutely nowhere. The winner from here was Alan Cuningham with a chq cock racing to the perch the old fashioned way. Bloodlines Busschaert crossed Chocolate Muliemaens Alan was also 3rd with a young Bussshaert cock. 2nd was Richard Brown with a homebred Black Pied cock flying to the perch.4th was Louie Mitchell with a Schalie cock flying to the perch bred by Stuart Davie of Dundee. This one contains Busshaert crossed Vanden Bossche lines.
Finally a result in for the KRPA ST.Boswells 2 race when the birds were brought back from Otterburn due to bad weather. The 1,012 birds were liberated at 1.45pm into a SW Wind. Rab Purdie took top spot plus 2nd and 5th on 1224,1222,and 1211, so a very good race for this ST.Serfs loft. Dave Baxter was 3rd on 1216 and wins the Coaltown club. Pete Patrick of Coaltown is 4th on 1213. John Methven ST.Serfs is 6th & 8th on 1209 and 1201. While How Prem members Harry Maidment and Dennis Dall are 7th and 10th on 1203 and 1200.62 respectivly. George Anderson took 9th place on 1200.85 and wins MaraThorn club. That’s all the results for the moment Remember the SNRPC late bred sale this Sunday 2nd September at Newbridge Bowling club where there are sure to be a few crackers. See the Advert in the BHW FOR DETAILS.
Any news to Stuart Bowman 118 Sinclair Drive Cowdenbeath Fife ky4- 9rg, tel 01383-518471, email to
