SCOTTISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB
by Norman Dixon
Scottish National Flying Club
Prize Presentation Dinner Dance 2016 Report
My interim report on the SNFC 2016 Prize Presentation Dinner Dance showed all the prize list achievements, the guests, a few of the prominent winners and all the National winning Pigeons. This report will follow up with a more detailed look at the National and Section winning fanciers and pictures of those SNFC Trophy and Award winners who received their prizes at the SNFC Presentation Dinner Dance.
The Buckingham Inland National was flown on Monday 6th June after a two day holdover. 4,328 birds took part and the winning pigeon was timed by Lindsay Cowan and Mark Findlay from Ardrossan in Ayrshire. In winning the race the partnership also took home the Five Times a Lady Trophy, and the 1st National Hen Trophy. The Section Winners were. A. Jimmy Dalgleish, Eccelfechan. B. JP Jackson Dunbar. C. T R Stevenson , Leven who also won the 1st National Cock Trophy. D. Peter Keogh, Broxburn. E. Davie Allison, Burnbank. F. Cowan and Findlay, Ardrossan. G. S Maskame, Peterhead.
The second Inland National was flown from Littlehampton on Saturday 16th June 2016 when 4,482 birds were released together and the winning pigeon was timed by Mrs Alison Mitchell from Edinburgh. Not only did Alison become the first lady fancier to win a SNFC race outright on her own she also timed the winner at the SNRPC race from Billericay on the same afternoon. Alison also took home The Maidstone Trophy and the 1st National Cock Trophy. The Section winners were. A. Craig Halbert, Eastriggs. B. Alison Mitchell, Edinburgh with fellow lady fancier Karen Newcombe winning 2nd Section B, 5th Open and First National Hen Trophy. C. David Baldie, St Andrews. D. David Jamieson, East Calder. E. Callum Walker, Law. F. Robert Reid, Beith. G. E & N Yule, Kintore.
As I said in my first report it was really special to see Alison walk forward to receive her Trophies in front of her parents and husband and receive such a resounding welcome from the assembled crowd.
The third SNFC race was the ‘Blue Riband’ race of the season, the ‘ Gold Cup’ from Reims. 1,323 birds were liberated on Friday 24th June 2016 and the winner timed after a flight of just under 545 miles by George Veitch of Pencaintland in East Lothian. As well as picking up the Club Gold Cup, George also won the George V Cup for 1st Open and The British Homing World Trophy for being the first confirmed BHW reader to time in, George also won the E.T.R.D. Newcombe Trophy for winning the East Section. Section A was won by John Little, Eccelfechan. B. George Veitch, Pentcaitland. C. Mike McPherson, Letham, who also won The Percy Cameron Memorial Trophy for winning 2nd Open in the race. D. Colin Bain, Ratho. E. Billy Graham, Uddingston who also received The A R Bowes Memorial Trophy for 1st West Section. F. Liam Byrne, Glasgow. G. D &C McDougal, Peterhead. The H.A. French ‘Jubilee’ Challenge Trophy and The Mrs H.A. French ‘Challenge’ Rose bowl both nomination trophies, one for one bird the other for two, were won by to W H Dorward, St Vigeans. The Kardale Trophy for the first Yearling flying over 500 miles was not won.
The SNFC Trophies on display at the start on the night
SNFC Top Table and Guests
George Veitch won the most prestigious race of the 2016 season in Scotland with an outstanding Racing Pigeon that he tuned to perfection for that race. At the presentation night he along with his lovely wife showed some other exceptional skills as they gave us all a master class in proper old school dancing as they glided round the room in a manner that would not have been out of place on a certain Saturday Night Celebrity Dance show.
The longest race of the season was flown on Saturday 2nd July, 2016 when 294 birds were liberated with the Midlands National Flying Club from Ancenis. Craig Halbert from Eastriggs won 1st, 2nd and 7th National for the 533 miles home and recorded his second Ancenis National win since 2014, Added to these great achievements is the fact that Craig was 3rd Open Ancenis in 2015. Craig was awarded The Perpetual Challenge Gold Globe and The Gleniffer Challenge Trophy for being first Open. Craig also won The Vaux Tankard for being second Open. The Section winners were A. Craig Halbert, Eastriggs. B. Richard and Jamie Combe, Elphistone. C. Frank Mitchell, Comrie also winning the Mr and Mrs J Murphy Trophy for the best velocity in the race out of Sections C and G. D. David Jamieson, East Calder. E. Davie Allison, Hamilton who also won the George Rankin Memorial Trophy for the first bird in the West Region. The E R Williamson Trophy for best combined average with two nominated pigeons was won by D Anderson, Annan
The Ypres race was flown on Sunday 3rd July, 2016, and 2,324 birds were released to compete in the race. First Open and recording his 6th National win was Billy Bilsland, Ayton. Billy also picked up The Ypres (Burgomeister) Trophy; The Dale Newcombe Trophy and the 1st Yearling Trophy. J R Bird from Prestonpans won The Cher Ami Trophy for 2nd Open. The Section A winner was Colin Beattie, Annan. B. Billy Bilsland, Ayton, C. Jock Scott, Kennoway. D. A McCaulley & Son, Avonbridge. E. John Lawrie & Son , Newmains. F. Morris Brothers Robert and David, Johnstone. G. George Taylor, Peterhead.
The last Old Bird race was from Roye on Thursday 14th July, 2016, the race was brought forward due to bad weather forecasts. The change did not affect the winner timed by Jocky Scott from Kennoway in Fife after a flight of 510 miles. In winning the race Jocky received The T Dickson Memorial Trophy for winning the race and The Elinor Main Memorial Trophy for being the first bird timed in the East Region. Unfortunately Jocky Scott could not be at the event and his Trophies were collected by Dylan Hay. The Owen McIvor Memorial Trophy for 2nd Open was won by A S Thomson and Son Port Seton. Section A was won by Billy Van Nuil, Gretna. B. A S Thomson and Son, Port Seton. C. Jocky Scott, Kennoway. D. John McNeill, Broxburn. E. John Stokes, Carstairs, F. Morris Brothers , Johnstone. G. Fulton & Ritchie, Baniff.
The Young Bird National from Buckingham was flown on Sunday 11th September 2016 and Billy Bilsland timed the winner out of 2,084 birds to record his second SNFC win of the season and his 7th overall SNFC national winner since 2012. In winning the race Billy was also presented with The Archibald McEwen Memorial Trophy and The Usher Tankard. The Section winners were: A. George Firth, Locherbie. B. Billy Bilsland, Ayton. C. Willie Hay, Methil. D. John McNeill, Broxburn. E. Willie Smart, Allanton. F. Morris Brothers, Johnstone. G. Alex Rae, Aberdeen. Unfortunately the Under 18 Trophy was not won this year.
Morris Brothers had a tremendous SNFC season and went forward for prizes numerous times. The young bird that won Section F for the partnership was named ‘Ladeside Granty Boy’ after their nephew Grant Dock who suddenly died aged 25 years old for no apparent reason. This was obviously devastating for the family. When the Brothers went forward at the Young Bird presentation stage of the evening they were joined by David’s daughter Victoria who wanted to collect the Trophy won by the pigeon named after Grant.
The SNFC has a recognition system for Pigeons that achieve numerous Section diploma positions in three categories of awards. Bronze Awards are for pigeons that achieve this in five Inland Old Bird National races. Silver Awards for pigeons that achieve this in three channel races and Gold Awards are the crème de la crème when a pigeon has achieved this in five or more channel races or a pigeon that has been recorded as having flown a minimum of 2,500 prize winning miles. In 2016 the winning pigeons in these categories were timed by the following fanciers.
David Glen SNFC Bronze Award winner 2016 - Paddy Docherty SNFC Bronze Award winner 2016
BRONZE AWARD WINNERS
D Glen, Forfar; P Doherty, Linwood
SILVER AWARD WINNERS
C D M Bain, Ratho; F J Mitchell, Comrie; J Baillie, Tranent; J F Bosworth, Elphinstone; W F Van Nuill, Gretna; S Reap, Eyemouth; R & J Combe, Elphinstone; H Gormley, High Valleyfield; W J Smith, Maxwelltown; A Watson, Laurieston; J Hadfield, Blackburn; Turpie & McCord, Pitlessie; R Wilson, Strathmiglo; C Crees, Ladykirk; B W Kelly, Chirnside
Silver Award winners Stan Reap, Frank Mitchell and Colin Bain - Billy Van Nuil 1st Section A SNFC Roye 2016 and Silver Award winner with John Bosworth winner of a Silver Award winner and the T Buck Trophy along with John Baillie winner of the Clive Newcombe Memorial Trophy, the R Telfer Trophy, The East Region Average Trophy, the Section B Average Trophy and a Silver Award
Richard Combe 1st Section B SNFC Ancenis and Silver Award winner, John Hatfield, Terry Turpie and Billy Smith all Silver Award winners
GOLD AWARD WINNERS
W Kinnear & Son, Edinburgh; J Hannah, Blantyre; C Crees, Ladykirk
Barry Kinnear SNFC Gold Award winner 2016 with Dr Phil Lynch - Jim Hannah SNFC Gold Award winner 2016 with Dr Phil Lynch
The Average Trophies in the SNFC are amongst the hardest to win in any sport. This year the North, South & West Region Average Trophies were not won and in the A, E, F & G Sections the Average Trophies were not won either. However the following average trophies were won by some top class fanciers delivering outstanding results.
J Doig, Cardenden won the Section C Average Trophy. D Jamieson, East Calder won The Dr Wm Anderson Memorial Trophy for the best combined average from Reims, Ancenis and Roye as well as the Section D Average Trophy. The News of the World Trophy and the Ellsworth Challenge Trophies were won by D & R Osborne, Locharbriggs, for the best combined average Reims and Ancenis. The T Buck Trophy for the best average in the Reims and Roye race was won by J F Bosworth, Elphinstone. John Baillie, Tranent, had a great SNFC season winning The Clive Newcombe Memorial Trophy and The R Telfer Award for the best average in all old bird races, the East Region Average Trophy and the Section B Average Trophy.
This round up of the 2016 SNFC National race champions and prominent Trophy winners brings it home to you how hard it is to achieve the results required to get your name engraved forever onto a SNFC trophy or written onto an award or even to have a diploma drop through your letter box.
With just over 6 months to go before the National season starts all over again, Mary Pryde will be at the SHU Show at Lanark on the 10th December where you will be able to renew your SNFC membership or join for the first time for 2017. Good luck to all fanciers especially the SNFC members with their planning and preparation over the Winter and Spring months for next season and hopefully you will have opportunities to create your own place in the record books and make Racing Pigeon history with the Scottish National Flying Club.
Norman Dixon MBE
SNFC PRO
