SCOTTISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB
2007 PRIZE PRESENTATION
Report by Joe Murphy
Margaret and I attended the annual dinner dance and presentation of prizes of this great club in the Glynhill Hotel & Leisure Club in Renfrew on Saturday 20th October 2007. As is usual at these events you meet the top fanciers from Scotland and it was indeed a great pleasure to meet the SNFC winners again after filming them for the club's DVD on the 2007 winners. It was also good to speak to the ‘Film Director’ Arthur Evans who was there to film the proceedings for the next DVD.
After a lovely meal president Tom Davidson introduced the top table who consisted of Mr & Mrs Garven - Andy is our club secretary and in his second year in office (by the way it was Ann and Andy’s Ruby wedding the following week). We then had Tom’s wife Kath who is such a help to him as he works shifts and Kath is always there to keep things ticking over. Our main guests of honour were Agnes and John Houston of Greengairs. John is a past president of the SNFC and you will read in his comments later on in this report that he is very passionate towards the SNFC. Then we came to our senior vice president Malcolm Lawson and his good lady. They also had their children with them who sat at the table opposite them and they seemed to enjoy the evening. Next to Malcolm was Junior vice president Scott Gibson who needs no introduction to the members of the SNFC as he is so well known. Then we had Margaret and Joe Murphy, the club's press officer and Tom highlighted the amount of work Margaret does in helping me throughout the year.
The Top Table
With the formalities over it was then my task to act as MC for the presentation of prizes my opening remarks were:
Again it gives me great pleasure to highlight the performances of the members of this great club of ours. Unfortunately due to the ban on channel racing on the very day we were basketing our birds for the Tours race left emptiness inside us as we only had one 500 mile race in 2007. This was a major tragedy to the members as we ‘live and breathe’ racing our pigeons from these long distance events from France. Therefore the season consisted of 3 inland nationals and our Gold Cup race from Alencon plus the young bird national race. I would like to thank everyone who contacted me after each race with details of their winners.
Alencon Gold Cup race
This is the race everyone in Scotland wants to win the SNFC Gold Cup race has that something special and we all dream of winning it one day. Over these past few years the race has been flown from Alencon which has turned out to be good race point. The transporter arrived at the Alencon liberation site at 18.00hours, this gave the birds plenty of time to eat, drink and rest prior to liberation. One thing that’s certain is that by basketing a day later this has proved beneficial to both the pigeons and the membership and is without doubt it was the correct decision by the officials and management committee. The convoy of 1466 birds flying for a total of Pools and Prizes money of £36,305.31p liberated on Friday 29th June at 10.30am into a fresh south west wind it was hoped to hear of day birds. Unfortunately this did not transpire however the winner was not far from home as it was clocked before the race opened at 04.30am.
1st section B 1st east region 1st open is Steven Aitchison of Eyemouth who over the years has proved to be one of the top distance men in Scotland. He won the SNFC Appledore race with his late father Will in 1985, then he won 1st open SNFC Nantes in 2002 with Will's Ambition flying 596 miles from an entry of 386 birds recording a velocity of 838. In 1998 he won 1st east section 2nd open Rennes to Bob Harkness & son of Newcastleton. He has also been 5th & 6th open in the SNFC I could go on and on about this mans results but the cream of them all has to be winning the greatest race of all; The SNFC Gold Cup race. Steve timed in a blue hen Eye Valley Queen who has previously won 52nd Falaise and was bred by John Mair from Portsoy in Banffshire. Funny story about Steve who likes his bed but for this race slept on the couch, he looked out of the window at 04.20 and saw the blue hen sitting on the sputnik, and you can imagine the excitement on getting the bird into the loft. He took off the rubber rings and then realised he had no thimbles and grabbing the clock ran back into the house to time her in. He never lost much time as Andrew Lees who lives a few bungalows away saw Queen arrive from the west not long before Steve timed her. 1st Open receives £1,000:00 also winning the The King George Cup, The Gold Cup, H.A.French “Jubilee” Challenge Trophy, The E.T.R.D. Newcombe (Flying Festival) Trophy and 1st section B trophy.
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1st & 3rd section C 2nd & 11th open is Len Downie of Errol who is a past winner of the SNFC Nantes race in 1988 and has achieved other outstanding performance over the years being 1st open Nantes, 2nd open Alencon and 3rd open Falaise. Len timed in a 5 year old pencil blue bar widowhood cock who has now won 2nd open Alencon, 3rd open Falaise and 21st; 90th & 134th open Newbury he is without doubt a very good pigeon and is also a good looking and handling pigeon into the bargain he has just won the SHU Dewar Trophy for the Bird of the Year 2007. Len Downie wins The Percy Cameron Memorial Trophy 1st section C trophy.
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1st section & 2nd section D 3rd & 4th open is Scott Gibson Avonbridge who had 2 pigeons arrive together the first bird timed is a daughter of the Gutty Hen and the second bird is a yearling bred by Dale Newcombe and is from the late Jock Traill Spark lines. Scott Gibson wins The Kardale Trophy for 1st yearling over 500 miles & 1st section D trophy.
2nd section c 8th open is Brian Kinnear of Pitlessie who wins The Mrs H.A. French Challenge Rosebowl for the lady member or wife of a competing member (this is a 2 bird nomination selection).
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1st section E 1st west region 5th open is SNFC committee member and race controller Jim Hannah of Blantyre who timed a 4 year old red pied hen she won 166th open Newbury and then won 100th open SNFC Falaise. Her sire was bred by D Bakker & son of Holland being a son of De Perpignan winner of 1st open National Perpignan while the dam was bred by Gerald McPherson from his Jos Thone family. As a matter of interest Jim has now won the West Region 6 times with 3 of these at the Gold Cup race point. Jim Hannah wins The A.R.Bowes Memorial Trophy for 1st west region and 1st section E trophy.
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1st section A 1st south region 12th open is Craig Halbert of Eastriggs who timed in a 4 year old chequer hen named his hen Morning Glory she has won 33rd, 97th & 159th open Falaise and 53rd open Newbury so in fact this hen is now a 5 times SNFC winner for Craig, she still has to go a little further to win her gold award. Sire was bought at Blackpool show and was direct from Tumley Lofts being a Jan Aarden crossed Janssen. Dam was purchased from Louella Pigeon World being Jan Aarden and was one of a batch of 6 for £99.
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1st section F 135th open is won by McDonald & Smith of West Kilbride who timed in a 2 year old blue hen. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section G 1st north section 85th open is the partnership of John Grant and Mike Massie of Aberdeen who timed in a 3 year old chequer cock named ‘John’s Boy’ after the late John Grant. Mike’s partner John Grant tragically passed away a month in September and he was so looking forward to this presentation and I know he will be with Mike in spirit as he comes forward to receive his section trophy. Sire purchased at the late Jock Traill’s entire clearance sale and the dam was bred by Mike’s uncle the late Doddie Ross from his old family.
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Sponsors
Erskine Hospital prizes sponsored by Mr & Mrs Garven
Carr’s UK Ltd sponsored 1st section winners
Newbury
There was a very good entry for the first national of the 2007 with over 4.400 birds flying for a Total Pools and Prizes amounted to £24.407.06.
With nearly 500 birds extra from federations who convoyed with the club and the thrill everyone received from this increased birdage was immense as it was a ‘blast from the past’ so to speak. One fancier who phoned me from Ayrshire (this area sent 188 birds from the new race marking station in Kilmarnock) said it was like being back in the ‘Charlie Graham Days’ when we sent over 7.000 birds to the national. The officials and management committee deserve a ‘pat on the back’ for this forward thinking transaction of inviting federations to convoy with the club for the old bird inland nationals. It was good to see this increase in birdage and long may it continue and the introduction of fanciers being able to join the SNFC for these individual races at £7.00 per race is also a progressive move.
Winner of 1st section A, 1st south region and 1st open are Roy & Marion Seaton of Annan who timed in a 3 year old dark chequer widowhood cock named Jimmy Mac sire from George MacAloney & son William of Coatbridge Dam of ‘Jimmy - Mac’ is from Roy’s brother Jim Seaton.
Both the MacAloney’s and the Seton partnerships are past SNFC winners with George & William winning Sartilly 2 in 1987 and Roy & Marion winning Sartilly 2 in 1989. R & M Seaton, Annan, win The Five Times a Lady Trophy, 1st National Cock and 1st section A trophy.
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B Pirie, Eastriggs wins 1st National Hen goes to Bill Pirie of Eastriggs who wins 3rd south region and 3rd open Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
THE KILLYGLEN UNDER 18 TROPHY- was won by young year old David Frew, Kirkcaldy.
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1st Section B winner and 1st east region 6th open are Elaine & Rab Ainslie of Gladsmuir Club and only race a small 12 bird race team Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st Section C winner 28th open is Ron Stevenson of Leven; who is a close pal of Ian Gilmour’s last years SNFC Falaise winner. These 2 fanciers are the backbone of this old established club as Ron Stevenson is secretary and Ian Gilmour president for past 40 years. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st Section D winners 31st open are Peter McGowan & son Jamie who timed a yearling chequer pied hen flying on the roundabout system and was a gift from Tam Blair a fellow North West fancier. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section E winner and 1st west section 23rd open is Alex Blyth of Carluke who timed in a blue chequer 4 year old pied cock. His sire was bred by George MacAloney and Son William while the dam was bred by Alex G MacAloney and Son hen crossed the late Jack Bunch of Netherburn.
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1st Section F winner 189th open is Graham Liddle of Giffnock who flies in the Barrhead & District flying club he timed in a 4 year old blue cock Last year this cock won twice being 5th federation Leicester and 6th federation Falaise, he was purchased from Louella Pigeon World and is from their Delbar family and was one of a batch of 6 for £99.
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1st section G 1st North region 161st open is John Hunter of Aberdeen timed in a 2 year old NW rung blue bar hen was gifted to John as a baby by top flyers Stewart Brothers of Stirling. As a matter of interest John came back into pigeons 4 years ago after a break of 25 years since coming back he has won 3 x 1st North Sections and a 2nd North Section from Falaise.
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Sponsors
Carr’s UK Sponsorship of 1st Section Winners
Maidstone Race
After a one day hold over the convoy of 5,500 birds were liberated at 06.00 am on Sunday 24th June into a south west wind. There was an estimated 1200 federation birds convoyed by the club and we also had 2 new sponsors within the club in Carr’s UK Ltd: Who has agreed to sponsor each of the 7 section winners with one bottle of their Adherb Aqua product. UNIKON: Supplied a base station and ring marker for each of the race making stations and we thank these companies for their support. Total Pools and Prizes money came to £21,802.43p.
1st section A 1st south section 1st open Maidstone was the form loft in 2007 Roy and Marion Seaton of Annan the partnership timed in a full sister to their Newbury winner Jimmy Mac this time a 4 year old chequer hen is now named Mari- Mac named after Marion and the MacAloney partnership Mari –Mac has already won 3 x 1st prizes for the partnership. I said in my report that winning 2 national in one season is a ‘Dream Season’ and one the partnership will never forget.
Our congratulations to Roy and Marion on their 2007 success they win the Maidstone Trophy and 1st section A trophy.
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1st National Cock is won by father and son partnership of Robbie Rome and son Robert the partners timed in the same blue cock 2nd section A 2nd south region 2nd open this pigeon has previously won 1st section A 13th open in the young bird national so he has won a 1st and 2nd section a very good pigeon wouldn’t you say. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section B 1st east section 4th open are Willie Pryde and son John from Gorebridge in Midlothian they timed a 4 year old chequer cock flying widowhood. He was bred by Ramsay McDonald of Arniston sire Colt 45 containing all the best of Fountainhead lines (Eddie Wright) and the dam from the late great Bobby Carruthers of Bonnyrigg bred from Jimmy Jackson of Haddington Houden Gold 1st open SNFC Rennes lines. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section C 44th open is Mick McMurchie of Glenrothes who timed in a 6 year old Van Loon widowhood cock that has previously topped the Fife Federation 3 times. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section D 10th open is Stewart Robertson Clackmannan who timed in a yearling chequer cock Sire is a Houben from Woodlands Stud crossed Busschaert from Ian Miller of Grangemouth Dam is a Vandenabele from Woodlands Stud. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section E 1st west region 154th open is Hugh Menzies of Slamannan who timed in a yearling chequer hen. Sire was purchased at a sale in Danderhall held by Herman Beverdam from his Lowik Brothers Night Fliers. Dam was a Ko Nipius Jan Aarden who was bought 10 years ago when Hugh started up the pigeons.
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1st section F 412th open is Thompson Haggarty of Darvel who timed in a blue 3 year old cock bred by Reid Brothers of Hamilton. He was bought at their dispersal sale for £12 and is from Silvere Toye bloodlines. Thompson used to keep pigeon with his father 28 years ago but gave them up when his dad wanted the garden back to its original condition. He restarted in 2005 with some late breds and this is his first full season with old and young birds, well done. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section G 1st north region / open is Sandy Robertson of Aberdeen with a 2 year old light chequer cock named ‘Davie Boy’ and is bred from Sandy’s old family of Super Cracks, which he bought direct from Robert Venus back in the early 80s crossed with a Southwell pigeon. Sandy’s son came forward to receive the trophy.
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Sponsors
Carr’s UK Sponsorship of 1st Section Winners
Toast to SNFC
At this point in the proceedings it was our guest of honour John Houston’s privilege to toast the SNFC. John stated: ‘Mr President, officials of the SNFC, ladies and gentlemen. I had the privilege of serving this great club of ours in a variety of roles from 1993 as committee member, junior Vice President, PRO, senior Vice President and race controller, accumulating in being elected President in the new Millennium. To be invited to propose the toast to the SNFC is the ultimate honour and I thank our current President Tom Davidson for his kind invitation, which needless to say, I readily accepted. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, you are looking at the proudest man in the hall to be associated with the Scottish National Flying Club.
'The first landmark in the SNFC’s long and illustrious history was in November 1893 when the club's earliest pioneers met in Glasgow with the shared vision of organising a National race for Scotland. As a result of this gathering came the first Scottish Grand National race from Dublin (Approx. 200 miles) on June 3rd 1894 involving 92 birds from 41 competitors. G & H Hamilton of Govan won the first race and the barrier of the Irish Sea had been conquered. So the beginnings were modest and humble. In the Pigeon World In 1951, D.L.Campbell wrote; ‘Great races run from little sources and this humble start marked one of the greatest events to come in the Scottish sport. Thurles was the chosen race point for 1895 and with Cork in 1896 and then Skibbereen between 1897 and 1902; the distance was now increased to well over 300 miles. It is interesting and important to point out that between 1894 and 1897 NO prize money was available. The honour, glory and prestige associated with winning such an event far outshone any financial aspect of racing. In 1898 the 82 birds entered for Skibbereen, competed for the pricely sum of £2 and 16 shillings in prize money. In November 1899, the turning point and second landmark in the history of Scottish pigeon racing was reached when the Scottish National Flying Club was formed with Mr J B Clarke of Bothwell as first president. Membership now totalled 24 but entries were accepted from non members and 135 birds were entered for 1900 Skibbereen National which was won by J.H.Johnstone of Uddingston .Prize money amounted to £7 and 10 shillings. With the maximum distance reached on the Irish route came the switch to the South road in 1903 with Bath as the chosen race point this proved somewhat of a disaster with only 2 birds out of 144 being recorded on the day of liberation. Not dismayed with the Bath smash, Weymouth was the choice for 1904 when Wyper & Tait from Quarter near Hamilton won the first Guernsey race (438 miles) in 1905 Scottish birds for the first time had tackled and conquered the formidable water obstacle of the English Channel. It was Guernsey again in 1906 and 1907 and then Granville in 1908 and 1909, the latter date is particularly significant in Scottish distance racing, as it marked the first National winner from over 500 miles. This honour went to the red hen belonging to Smart Bros of Shieldhill flying 501 miles. From the very beginning the SNFC declared its objective to be the promotion of National long distance racing. In its quest for even greater distance, the SNFC chose Rennes in 1910 as its race point –a flight of approx 550 miles into Central Scotland was surely a daunting task, for every SNFC member the GOLD CUP RENNES RACE conjured up the realisation of the ultimate dream laced with thrill, excitement, honour and prestige, all rightly accorded to that annual event which was destined to become undeniably the BLUE RIBAND race in Scottish pigeon racing. From the very start ,to have a bird home in race time from Rennes was an achievement; to have one win a diploma was an even greater achievement , but to actually win the God Cup National was and still is, every distance fanciers dream. D L Campbell wrote; Prior to 1940 when war conditions intervened, it proved the fascinating magnet which drew the cream of the racing stock from all over Scotland. Over a course roughly 500 to 600 miles long involving 3 countries a water jump and an uphill finish which for Scottish fanciers has no equal in the British Isles; our Irish national friends might disagree with that statement and I acknowledge that they have 2 water jumps in their race programme. The first Rennes winner was the blue cock NO SURRENDER, bred by Mr Alex Baird of Polmont and owned and raced by Mr W Mclean of Dennyloanhead. WHAT A PIGEON when you consider that it was 4 times in the first 12 in 4 consecutive SNFC Nationals –2nd Open Granville in 1908;8th Open Granville in 1909 flying 504 miles; 1st Open Rennes 1910 and 12th Open Rennes in 1911 (553 Miles). Yes he was sent back to Rennes again in 1911 after winning it in 1910. As I stated earlier, a pigeon should be recognised and remembered for its achievements and not for the amount of money it won during its racing career. To fly over 500 miles from Rennes on the day of liberation still remained a dream but one which quickly became reality two years later in 1912 when Tom Paton of Galston in Ayrshire won Rennes with SHOT WATTLE an 8 year old chequer pied cock.
'Due to World War 1 hostilities, Rennes wasn’t flown again until 1920 when Dr Anderson claimed the coveted honour with his blue chequer hen Guinea Gold. Dr Anderson from Armadale served as SNFC president from 1914 to 1948, leading the club for 35 years and was ably assisted by Tom Dickson of Edinburgh who served as secretary for 40 years until 1950 with the exception pf periods of service in both world wars, under the guidance and leadership of those two administrative faints, the SNFC flourished and expanded in membership, birdage, performance and prestige. Over the years we have witnessed great performance from Rennes by great pigeons raced by great fanciers. Time permits me to mention only a few, one of the earliest outstanding pigeons apart from NO SURRENDER already mentioned was the blue hen belonging to Mr J McMeek of Glasgow after winning 1st open Rennes in 1911 she was sent back like No Surrender to record 8th open in 1912 and 11th open in 1913. Scotch King the grizzle cock of White and Dickson of Paisley won 1st open Rennes in 1923 after having recorded 3rd open Rennes in 1921 and 9th open Rennes in 1922. In 1964 Shillinglaw and Wyllie of Newcastleton timed their blue chequer hen BLUE BLITZ to win 1st open Rennes. The following year this hen was 2nd open Rennes beaten only by a decimal. In 1982 this partnership won Rennes again with their red pied cock LIDDLE SUPREME and became the first loft to win the Blue Riband Rennes race twice. This feat has since been repeated by both Eddie Newcombe and his son Dale (shocked and deeply saddened to hear how seriously ill Dale is our thoughts and prayers are with him and his wife Karen.) at this point the company gave an ovation to Dale a true SNFC Man and one whom everyone respects.
''To date Johnny & Paul Dora of Arbroath’s pigeon THE FIFER still remains the longest flying (583 miles) Rennes winner since 1961 and will hold that record forever for I cannot see Rennes ever being suitable race point again for a national liberation. In my opinion it was appropriate that one of the most consistent national lofts in Scotland should win Rennes in the SNFC’s Centenary Year of 1994 and Matt McLaughlin & son of Crosshill in Fife won with their chequer hen CENTENARY ASTERISK. Of course over the years many other great distance pigeons although not outright National winners have nevertheless distinguished themselves by winning a section diplomas in 5 or more SNFC channel races, a feat which saw their performances recognised and rewarded with a GOLD AWARD diplomas and who will ever forget Mr & Mrs Jimmy Smith of Elphinstone DOUBLE GOLD AWRD winning FORTUNE LADY. Despite the introduction of Nantes in 1932 and then 2 additional channel races in 1960’s Rennes remained the clubs flagship race or market leader. All winners of SNFC channel races, inland races now and young bird nationals are worthy of recognition and praise and their individual achievements are forever etched in the annuals of the SNFC, but the fascination, magic, magnetism and romance of our Gold cup race remained undiminished and for me unsurpassed. O K Rennes as a race point no longer exists, in recent years it has been replaced by Messac, Liege, Reims La Ferte Bernard and Alencon but our Gold cup race wherever it is flown from is unique. I don’t think too many fanciers fully appreciate the prestige attached to our Gold cup race until they actually win the Blue Riband event. I believe Steven Aitchison, this years winner will testify to this, Steven previously won Appledore in 1985 and Nantes in 2000, or ask John Hodgson winner of 4 Sartilly nationals and of course Rennes in 1990 or Jim Ferguson Messac win in 2000 or Robbie Rome & sons Reims win in 2003. Once the Gold cup win is officially confirmed your life is never quite the same again at least for some months, the telephone rings incessantly with messages of congratulations. Congratulatory cards and e-mails pour in. You are unprepared for the spotlight which is about to dazzle you, every scribe wants details of your winning pigeon and your secret management strategies. People arrive unannounced to shake your hand and view the winner; you are the hottest property around in pigeon Dom and in great demand. You instantly become a household name, you are inundated with requests for youngsters to support sales, to attend quiz panels, to guest at presentation evenings and to judge at various shows and so it goes on. Somewhere along the line it eventually sinks in that you have actually achieved every distance fanciers dream, you are centre stage this evening like Steven, at this the SNFC annual dinner and presentation and will receive the coveted Gold cup and King George V cup .Your name will live forever in the SNFC list or hall of fame of Gold cup winners. Unashamedly, I have had this same dream but so too has every member of the SNFC and rightly so, YES the magic, the romance and prestige of our Gold cup race will never disappear. The present generation of SNFC members owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to those great trail blazing visionary founding fathers that with characteristic courage and determination lack the foundations of the sport of pigeon racing in Scotland. Their main aim was not one of self interest but one of leadership allied to a deep conviction to see the sport progress and to develop this great club of ours in the best interests of all its members. What a legacy and at the same time what a responsibility, that responsibility doesn’t just lie with the clubs officials who carry out the democratic wishes of the membership. We are not just members of this great club, we all share in that responsibility and this must be reflected at all times in our inherited great tradition of sportsmanship and camaraderie. (I echo these sentiments - Joe Murphy.)
In the SNFC Centenary book of 1994 entitled ‘100 years of racing pigeons into Scotland the then president, the Rev. Sam Ovens quoted from Major Hutton’s book ‘PIGEON LORE’ he said that the Scottish National Flying Club most valued asset is its prestige. We are, ladies and gentlemen, each and every member, trustees or custodians of the Scottish National Flying Club charged with the duty of maintaining its great history, tradition and prestige. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN please be upstanding the toast is: the prestige of the Scottish National Flying Club.'
Needless to say that John received a very heartfelt ovation from the company who appreciated a very passionate speech from such a distinguished guest, and I thank John for forwarding his comments so that I could use them in this tribute to the SNFC.
Eastbourne
For the last race of the old bird season the national had to change their race programme due to the HN51 ban on channel racing. The management committee decided to go to Eastbourne as this would give the members the ultimate inland distance from the English south coast. The total birdage was 2125 and the birds where held over on the Saturday due to prevailing weather conditions and with the amount of rain we have all experienced this year. Sunday dawned with a large improvement and Colin Gray cut the strings at 08.00am into a south west wind. Total Pools and Prizes amounted to £19,626.06p.
1st section B 1st east region 1st open is Andrew Lees of Eyemouth who is a past SNFC winner he timed in a yearling chequer cock. Sire is a Stichelbaut crossed Janssen stock pair that Andrew received from his good friend and near neighbour Steve Aitchison from a sister to Steve’s 2nd open Rennes winner of a few years ago. Dam of the SNFC winner is a Bricoux bred from a gift cock direct from Francis Butler of Sheffield while the dam was purchased from an advert in the fancy press from John Owen of Wales. Andrew was also 43rd & 181st open and he wins the Eastbourne Trophy also 1st National Cock & 1st section B trophy.
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1st National Hen and winner of 3rd section B 3rd east section 3rd open is Brian Kelly of Chirnside who timed in a 2 year old red chequer hen bred from Brian’s old established family of pigeons that have been tested over and over again at the distance. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section A 1st south region 4th & 17th open is Jimmy Dalgliesh of Ecclefechan who timed in a 2 year old blue bar cock. Sire is a son of a full brother to Tranquillity Boy when he was mated to a daughter of the Mardon Cock. This is the same mother to Jimmy’s 3rd open SNFC Maidstone this year. Dam of the 2 year old blue cock was also bred by Tony Mardon and her sire is a son of Rockcliffe while her dam is a daughter of Extra Special. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section C 4th east region 6th open is John Duthie of Dundee who timed in a 3 year old blue bar widowhood cock who this year won 1st club 4th federation Retford, 46th section C 252nd open SNFC Newbury, the following week 1st club 1st federation 1st Grampian Combine Stowe, 57th section C 310th open; 1st club 1st federation Witton Castle; before his Eastbourne win. He was bred by Ralston Graham of Langholm and is bred in the purple. Dam is an 03 hen who won 1st club 1st federation Cheltenham and 10th open SNFC Alencon in 2006 this year she won 1st club 1st federation Worcester and 42nd open Alencon, Sire is from Eskvalley Mark winner of 11th open Rennes and Eskvalley Niall winner of 2nd open SNFC Messac. John timed his 4 birds in to win 16th, 73rd, 137th & 163rd open which was outstanding racing and congratulations to John on his great result.
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1st section D 22nd open is Rab Hamilton of Cambus who was also 90th open his winner is a 2 year old red hen. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section E 1st west region 28th open is Tom Peden of Plains in Lanarkshire who timed in a 3 year old red chequer cock. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section F is D Kane of Galston who is a member of the Ballochmyle federation in Ayrshire this 66 year old fancier timed in a 4 year old dark chequer cock. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st section G 1st north region 88th open was John Williamson who flies in the Aberdeen & District R P C his 3 year old blue chequer hen was bred by Sandy Robertson from his Robert Venus stock. Winning 127th open young bird national 4th federation Leicester; 2nd federation Huntingdon;12th federation Maidstone;16th federation Hastings; 4th North Section she then won 20th federation Hastings before going to Eastbourne and you will see that John tested her by the race basket and you must all agree she has responded very well. Her Grandmother andsire all flewSartilly as a matter of interest John won the section last year in the final old bird national. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
Sponsors
Carr’s UK Sponsorship of 1st Section Winners
&
Kingston Stationers
Leicester Young Bird
For the last race of the 2007 season from 354 members sending a total of 2,499 birds were entered into the Leicester Young Bird National Total Pools and Prizes amounted to £13.935.37p.
1st & 7th Section B 1st & 7th east region and 1st & 8th open is Ronnie & Anne Miller of Ayton who timed in a blue hen flying to the perch.
The winner now named Ayton Surprise was a gift from Ashley Fiddies of Wooler and is from Busschaert bloodlines down from Blue Boy one of Ashley’s top birds whose pedigree goes back to Busschaerts originally obtained by someone in the west from Dale Newcombe. Winning the A McEwen Memorial Trophy; The Usher Tankard Carr’s & UK Sponsorship of 1st Section Winners.
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1st Section A 32nd open is 5 times SNFC winner John Hodgson of Kirkpatrick Fleming who timed a chequer hen who already been in the prize list in 2 occasions in club racing she was bred by Father Eddie McGhie down from a son of the Maestro 1st section 1st Yearling 4th open Le Ferte Bernard with the bloodlines being mainly Muller Janssen through Louella Pigeon World stud.
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1st Section C 19th open is Mike Leggett of Forfar with a blue chequer darkness hen. The sire and dam are from Mike’s own family of Janssen based bloodlines. It is good to see Mike winning the section as he took a heart attack earlier in the year and has just been given the all clear to return to work in the near future which is great news. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st and 2nd Section D 21st & 29th open places go to John McNeil of Broxburn who has an exceptional record in classic races. John’s first bird is a blue darkness hen Sire is a 99 bred Hartog from Alistair Kerr while the dam is a Janssen stock hen from Tom Mullen of Ireland.
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1st section E 1st west region 108th open is Tom Wilson of Denny who timed in a blue bar darkness cock. Unfortunately no one present to collect trophy.
1st Section F is John O’Donnell of Paisley who timed in a blue bar hen she was purchased from Billy Holland of Muirhead and is a pure Ad Achaerlaeckens from Holland.
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1st section G 1st north region 101st open is John Hunter of Durris by Aberdeen this is the 4th time John has won the north section in 4 years so not bad going when you consider he was also 2nd north section Falaise. John timed in a blue chequer pied hen she is bred from WimVan Lewen i.e. Jan Arden based. Her sire was 1st north section SNFC Newbury 2005.
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Sponsors
Carr’s UK Sponsorship of 1st Section Winners
GOLD AWARD WINNERS
Miss Pringle raced by Alistair Henderson of Langholm
18th. Section 60th Open La Ferte Bernard -2004
5th Section 20th Open Falaise -2004
6th Section 23rd Open Alencon 2005
5th Section 20th Open Falaise 2005
7th Section 22nd Open Falaise- 2006
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Tyzack-Gift of Goldraced by Mick Donnachie of Kingseat
7th Section 10th OpenReims - 2003
43rd Section 111th Open La Ferte Barnard 2004
40th Section 153rd Open Alencon-2005
23rd. Section 112th Open Falaise -2006
18th Section47th Open Alencon – 2007
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AVERAGE TROPHIES
THE R.TELFER AWARD; THE CLIVE NEWCOMBE MEMORIAL TROPHY; The East Section Average & Section B average to:
Richard Combe of Elphinstone whose performances this year are as follows;
Newbury 27th Section B - 222nd Open
Maidstone 77th Section B - 131st Open
Alencon 6th Section B -12th Open
Eastbourne 38th Section B - 140th Open
Leicester 56th Section B - 104th Open
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NORTH REGION & SECTION G AVERAGE WINNER
Jim Donaldson of Peterhead
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SOUTH REGION & SECTION A AVERAGE WINNER
Dennis Anderson of Annan. Unfortunately Dennis was not present to collect trophy.
WEST REGION & SECTION E AVERAGE WINNER
Derek & Linda Hay of Kirkintilloch. Unfortunately Derek was not present to collect trophy.
SECTION D AVERAGE WINNER
John McNeill of Broxburn
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SECTION C AVERAGE WINNER
John Duthie of Dundee
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SECTION F AVERAGES WAS NOT WON.
With this all the awards to the winner’s president Tom Davidson thanked me for my efforts as MC and in the way the proceedings had gone, a lot of this is team work with Andy Garven who had all the trophies placed so that everything went like clockwork. Tom then made a special presentation to Mr & Mrs Thomson of Airdrie who have been our main ‘clock man’ for quite a number of years, John is retiring from this position and as a token of appreciation for his sterling work these wonderful couple received a gift from the membership.
Mr & Mrs Thomson
The remainder of the evening was taken up with fanciers discussing their pigeons and at times they even took their wives or partners up for a dance. We had to leave early as we had a ‘big occasion’ the next day, as did Kath and Tom Davidson whose daughter was expecting a baby. Speaking to people after the event they said it was a good night and everyone mixed well and had an enjoyable time.
Conclusion
To all the members of the SNFC who have assisted me in compiling my reports throughout the season can I again thank them and the staff of the pigeon papers who have given us first class coverage?
The SNFC is also thankful to the sponsorship we receive from the following companies and individuals.
British Homing World; for publication of club results;
Bamfords Feeding Company; who supply the feeding for our pigeons.
Carr’s UK; sponsorship of Adherb product for every section winner in ALL the SNFC Races
Unikon Electronic timing company; who supplied all the base stations and ringers for each of the marking stations
Kingston Stationers for Eastbourne race
Mr & Mrs Andrew Garven; sponsorship of Erskine Hospital prizes
To ALL the fanciers who won diplomas within the club in this one of our most testing seasons for many a year. Please ENJOY looking at your winners during the winter months as they are the most important aspect of all and THIS is why we keep racing pigeons as a sport and GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE IN 2008.
Joe Murphy SNFC Press Officer
28/10/07
