PIGEON TOPICS
Stuart Bowman
We start off this week with the Witton Castle result from Rosyth and the winner was Gerry Gibson with a Yearling d chq cock that also won the Otterburn race. This one also tops the Kingdom and was full pooled and nomed in the club also winning acc, so well done Gerry Boy! Gerry was also 2nd with a yearling blue SVR cock on the drive. Sire was bought from a fancier in Methil, and the dam was a hen from Bert Smith from Burntisland. 3rd club was John Skelton with yearling D, chq cock sitting on dummy eggs. This one was bred from Johns De Baere birds that he has been flying steady with at the moment. 4th was Rab (pigeon bob) Pearson with a yearling blue cock sitting 4 day eggs. Sire was from Ken Buchannan of Hamilton' 3rd Open SNRPC Tours over 600mls! Dam was a hen from B & D Jones & Son from Blanaevon South Wales.
Well this was a bit of a tester with the North East wind which was pretty fresh and a bit clod to be honest and the birds that are not fit enough yet would’nt like it one bit! Just prior to this as everyone knows we have had a few North Easters during the week which sometimes puts people off training. Who can blame them if they think their birds aren’t ready, so everyone to their own as they say!
I knew the weather and the wind would change on some of these days prior to the next few races. So took advantage when I could with one or two tosses remembering I had yb’s still in the nest from most of the old birds. I just kept my fingers crossed that we would get a few breaks in between the next couple of races and also mid week to get the cobwebs off them and a bit more fitter.
When the 4th ob race came along I entered 14 most of which were old birds going for their first race. Although they were late I was quite pleased as none of them looked tired. I had 11 from 14 when leaving for the clocks and was quite pleased when on return the other 3 old hens were there in very good condition and none looked out of place. Back to the 4th race which was Ripon, Gerry Gibson came out on top again with a yearling blue cock flying spare after loosing his mate the week before. This is one of Gerry’s Staff Van Reets!2nd was Rab Pearson with a 2yo slatey cock on the drive. Sire was bought at the SNRPC yb sale and his sire won 4th Sect, 15th Open SNRPC Tours and the dam won 3rd Open SNRPC Tours for Ken Buchannan of Hamilton. Dam of the Slatey was an unrung hen sent up to Rab from B & D Jones & Son from Blaenavon. 3rd was John Skelton with a yearling Chq cock sitting on 8 day eggs and is of Emiel Deweert bloodlines these coming from Andy Greggson. In 4th spot was that man again mr consistent, Gerry Gibson. This one was a home bred yearling chq cock sent on eggs. This seemed to be a good race for most with good returns and has settled the pigeons down for the coming weeks.
Received a letter from Peter Penman with Whitton Castle result. Pete writes, Hi Stuart, me again with the Coaltown of Balgonie result. First again sitting on his “ tuffet” is Rab Moffat with the same bird as last week on 1121.5, a red Louella Staf Van Reet hen sitting a newly hatched baby. Also in 2nd is that man again Rab Moffat on 1119 with a yearling Janseen chq cock sitting 8 day eggs. 3rd “Auld” Pete Penman on 1114.3 with a 2yo chq cock sitting 14 days. This cock was bred by Bev Curtis of Bonymaen in South Wales. As you can see his birds have performed well in previous results. 4th moving up a place after being 5th club the previous week two weeks is Garry Hall on 1111.1 with a 2yo blue cock feeding a big yb and sitting 5 day eggs. This bird was bred from stock from his uncle Ron Strong from Hexham. Pete goes on to write, after being 1st & 2nd the first week I think we have peeked too soon. Cheers for now Pete, who I thank for the result. Never mind Pete I’m sure you’ll bounce back as usual.
The night of the Ripon race Grace and I went up to the Coaltown of Balgonie to their Race night which turned out to be a good laugh with everyone in good spirit. Grace had a good laugh at me for not getting a single winner out of eight races, while she managed three. Then i snapped back did you win anything out the raffle, she said no. Well I said that’s ok cause neither did I. The club also held their presentation in the middle of the race night and President Chic Dinsdale asked Yours truly to come up and present their awards for season 2009 which I gladly did! After the presentation it was back to the race night until everything was all done and dusted. In all after everything was worked out the club raised £685 which is ok for just a club and those that turned up there. All in all a decent effort and a good night was had by all. My left ear was a bit soar going back down the road with Gracie bragging about her winners, I told her she was like a Jack Russel, HA Ha !!! Revenge is sweet though and I’ll have my day I said. Til next time hears hoping and thanks again to the Coaltown members for a good night!
The next week a letter popped through the post with Pete Penman sending the Ripon result .Pete writes Hi me again with the Ripon result. It was a one man show with Dyke Armour taking the first 5 positions. His first bird was a 4yo chq hen on round about from C Howes crossed Staddon bros.2nd is a 2yo blue hen also on roundabout bred from Frank & Anne Tasker stock birds. This hen previously won 1st Open YB Wakfield.3rd also on roundabout is another bird bred from Frank & Anne Tasker stock birds.4th also on roundabout and also bred by Frank & Anne Tasker stock is a 4yo chq cock . Pete continues to say on behalf of the club members thanks for coming to our race night and presenting the prizes. All in all we had a great night raising £685, thanks again Pete. Whom I thank for his letter.
After the last article said I would give some details of some photos that I had just got done. Well I got a few done and as I said they came out ok and with the pigeon's name on it and some positions. I have included one with this article. This is Blue Hen “Miss Keekaboo” that was named by Gracie after she was found later in the loft from the 2009 Andrezel race where she won 6th Open SNRPC 580mls on the day and one of only 10 on the day! The pictures were taken by Andrew Beveridge of Leven. For anyone who doesn’t know, Andy has a Fully equipped studio and does all types of photography, ie Stock books, Canvas Prints, Montages of your pigeons or other pets you might have, even family photos, which I have seen. So if you fancy getting something done you might like to give him a call on 01333- 428778 or email
Miss Keekaboo
