SOLWAY NEWS
By Jimmy Graham
70/1856 Stainmore was the race point this week, a distance of fifty-five miles to most lofts. Not very far for our third Young Bird race, in fact we’ll be back again next week before heading for Ripon. This week they were liberated at 8.45am into a light North-East wind and boy didn’t we get a doing! Losses were heavy and most lofts at clock opening had around twenty-percent returns. In fact as I write these notes four days later I myself am still eight down from the twenty-five I sent. Luckily I don’t put all my eggs in one basket and still had ten at home………Getting back to the race I note that the West Section once again have topped the Federation and again it’s Nith Valley. Congratulations to A Skachill who has three birds in the top ten, being 1st, 4th and 10th Open, 1st, 3rd and 5th Club doing 1187, 1161, 1157. G McGauchie of Dumfries S C takes 2nd Open, 1st Club on 1165. A Crosbie who’s flying well at the moment in Nith Valley takes 2nd Club, 3rd Open doing 1165.4. J Riddick of Castle Douglas takes 1st Club, 7th Open with 1159.2, then in comes young S J Irving of Brydekirk with 1st Club, 8th Open doing 1159.1. We finish off with Dumfries F C where Mr & Mrs Karl Guenther takes 1st, 2nd, 3rd Club, 6th, 9th Open Federation on 1159.5 and 1157.
Clubs;Springfield H.C. 10/295
It’s three on the trot for Mr & Mrs Gus Power & Allen, their winner this week being a young Blue Van Hee Cock recording a velocity of 1094.12. Nipping into the second spot by second decimal is Billy Van Nuil with his Chec Hen. The ‘Sire’ of Billy’s timer is a full brother to his S.N.F.C. winner, the ‘Dam’ is a Jan Arden doing 1087.82.Gordon Grant & Son (Loft 2) takes 3rd and 4th on 1087.81 and 1081. His bird being from the stock of Ian Parsons of Penrith, their other from Dougie Macintosh of Carlisle.
Annan H.C. 8/250
Only being in the Club for two years, new starter Danny Muir clocked up his second win, timing his young Grizzle Cock to record a velocity of 1115. Well done Danny!The loft of J F McCarton is on top form at the moment and this week he takes 2nd, 3rd and 4th with velocities of 1108, 1102, 1093.
Hoddam F.C. 6/137
Winning their ninth race of the season is Mr & Mrs J Graham, they timed a ‘darkness’ young Chec Hen doing 1122.A & S Little done well and this week his good lady Cindy was in charge of things and timed the next three using their T3 clock. The birds were doing 1120, 1114 and 1077. Jimmy Dalgliesh came next on 1065.
Lockerbie H.C. 5/116
Davy Robinson takes 1st and 3rd here doing 1124 and 1093. G A & L Firth takes the 2nd spot on 1098. Evans & Campbell are 4th doing 1085 and Kenny Thomson is 5th on 1083.
Eastriggs H.C. 8/248
L Mitchell takes the Red here doing 1090. 2nd and 3rd go to R Nelson & D Holliday with velocities of 1086 and 1077. 4th and 5th goes to Mr & Mrs Chris Little on 1072, 1071.
Brydekirk H.C. 6/220
Another 1st, 2nd and 3rd for S J Irving ‘Junr’ and they look like being the leading three in the East Section. The velocities were 1159, 1138 and 1137. H Dobie is 4th doing 1126 and R J B Renwick is 5th doing 1109.
Annan Homing ClubNot many fanciers will know George Hope, a member of Annan Homing Club. George joined the Club this season and only has a small loft and races only nine youngsters.I see he’s managed to get his name on the Race Sheet over the last fortnight. This has been good for George and he’s very pleased with himself as he should be. George isn’t a young man but he learned his trade through ‘Kiltie’ and many other good fanciers give him their time and perhaps we’ll see his name further up the list in the years to come. Stick in George and all the best, good luck to you………
As always any news call on 01576300615 or e-mail address
