NEWS FROM SCOTLAND. September 10 th By Joe Murphy. excellent food and service throughout the evening.

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September 10 th 2015 By Joe Murphy Saturday 31st August was our last race of the season with Kevin sending 14 birds to Ripon as trainers as none of the other members were competing as they had all

Kevin has had a good year considering moving house and settling the birds to a new loft and environment and he has held his own in club racing and did very well in the Scottish national particularly

1 September 10 th 2015 By Joe Murphy Saturday 31st August was our last race of the season with Kevin sending 14 birds to Ripon as trainers as none of the other members were competing as they had all stopped racing. He got all 14 home from this 170 mile race point plus a bird that was dropped 2 weeks ago so have finished the season with hopefully a good team of yearlings for next year. Kevin has had a good year considering moving house and settling the birds to a new loft and environment and he has held his own in club racing and did very well in the Scottish national particularly racing broken birds. Hopefully next year the birds will be more settled to their new loft and will not return to the old abode but as we all know as pigeon fanciers you never know what is round the corner. This week s Picture Received a photograph and details from my good friend Guy Reed showing fanciers gathered for dinner, was an event organised by twice National Flying club winner Fred Hall. Who invited several fanciers to have some social time together after the Tarbes national marking date which gave fanciers an opportunity to involve the wife's too? Fred picked a delightful place very close to the marking station which provided excellent food and service throughout the evening. Post-marking gathering Unfortunately a turn of events meant that a few other fanciers were unable to attend, but hopefully next year a larger gathering will occur. Carol Ann and I stopped over at a nearby cottage Bed & Breakfast which was stunning and ended a very pleasant weekend spent with Fred Hall and his wife Jan, Clive and Sonia Turner, Gordon and Delia Marsh all the mentioned names having Classic and National wins to their credit. This was an excellent evening and it was good to have quality time with like-minded fanciers who kept the subject matter light and entertaining, a relief in the light of the sport's difficulties that fanciers throughout the country are enduring. I refer to the

2 unusual weather, Hawk and Falcon predation which for many is quite relentless. The heavy losses sustained by almost every one which for the most part no one can explain with certainty, and of course at this time of year Young Bird sickness etc. I hasten to add fortunately my loft has never experienced it, "touching wood" speak to you soon, Guy. Results Angus Federation liberated 471 birds at 08-15am into a south west wind topping the federation are the Forfar partnership of Macaulay Ferguson & Curran who are also 2nd 10th 11th & 17th federation with Ian Scott winning 3rd 4th 5th & 8th with Eric Galloway in 6th 14th & 18th places. Dave Glen is 7th 9th & 16th with Mike Leggett in 12th 13th & 20th spots David J Liddle is 15th with R Pace in 19th spot. East section winners are as follows 1st place is B Main of Inchcape with D & D Hay of Gourdon in 2nd 3rd & 5th spots. A S Whyte of Montrose are 4th with L McKay of Inchcape in 6th & 10th places. Chick and Ann Carrie of the same club are 7th 8th & 9th. Club Winners: Forfar 283 bird s winner Macaulay Ferguson & Curran: Montrose 22 bird s winner A & S Whyte; Letham 88 birds winner J Anderson; Inchcape 58 birds winner B Main; Gourdon 16 birds winner D & D Hay: Arbroath 14 birds trainers. Almond Valley Federation news from Secretary Lynne Stewart who sent in the federation result of the Catterick race flown on the 31st August with 1652 birds were liberated at 08-00am. Balerno member Dougie Bald had a good race taking the first 4 places then 9th to 13th then 15th 16th & 20th so 12 places in the top 20 good flying well done Dougie. Freddie Jamieson & son of East Calder are 5th 6th 7th & 8th with Ian Jamieson of Balerno in 14th spot A McCalley & son of Armadale are 17th 18th & 19th my thanks to Lynne for the result. Ayrshire Federation Dalry HS news from P McCall of Dalry Homing Society with news from club president Tom Smith regarding the club s 2 Bird Average Challenge for A few weeks back, I wrote to you about our 2 Bird Average Y.B. Challenge, flown with Ayrshire Federation from Otterburn. The prize fund consisted of 1000, bags of S.S. Seeds of Sedgefield s Super-widowhood race mixture, a 50 prize from A-J McAlpine Construction Ltd, to the bird recording the highest individual velocity and our Vice- President, David Craddock s special for 4th place, being a bag of Frazer s Best All- Round mixture. President, Tom Smith, presents 1st Prize winners, J & R Bryson of Darvel HS. The race proved to be a really stiff test on the day, as the result proved, with only 4 lofts recording average velocities. In first place and winning 500 and a bag of Superwidowhood race mixture was the partnership of J & R Bryson of Darvel H.S. there was some consolation, as the sires of both birds, were bred by me, crossed with hens from the bloodlines of Tam McGuire and Alan Richardson. All young birds have

3 been trained out to about miles this season, but importantly given every race. Indeed on the day of basketting the partnership s second timer, although appearing in good condition, still had a few grains in his crop, but the decision was to send, which was proved correct as the cock was timed just 21 minutes behind their first bird. Tam Blakely of Irvine, took 2nd place, winning 250, plus bags of Superwidowhood race mix, he also lifted the highest individual velocity prize of 50, sponsored by A-J McAlpine Construction Ltd. Tam had taken the gamble to only send his 2 entry birds to Otterburn that weekend, with his first bird taking 2nd position in Irvine club. 3rd place and winning 150, also picking up a bag of super-widowhood race mix, was none other than Ayrshire Fed s convoyer, big Gavin Urquhart of Dalry H.S. like Tam, Gavin decided to send just his entry birds, but again this paid off well for him. In 4th place and winning David Craddock s Special, of a bag of Frazer s Best All Round mixture, was the Dalry H.S partnership of McGarvey Bros. Finally, all 38 entries were in the draw for a prize of 100, plus a bag of Superwidowhood mix, this took place at the presentation night drawn by SHU President Ian Noble and won by Andy Barbour sponsored by our result secretary s wife Fran, so better come forth with a bribe to keep me quiet Archie. I would like to congratulate the winning lofts, as well as thanking all our entrants, with special thanks to our aforementioned sponsors, S.S. Seeds of Sedgefield, A-J McAlpine Construction Ltd and David Craddock, for their kind generosity, in this, our inaugural year. Hopefully many more will take part next season yours Tom Smith, President, Dalry H.S. Fife Federation Dunfermline RPC news from David Kennedy with the Ripon young bird result were 5 members sent 63 birds 1st & 2nd places going once again to Frank Mitchell who is having a fantastic season. Frank timed a darkness young cock bred down from Jocky King national bloodlines with his 2nd birds another darkness young cock the bloodlines this time being Jocky King crossed Jock Traill. Taking 3rd this week is Eddie McWilliams with a natural young bird flying to the perch with the bloodlines being Eddies own old stock-lines. This week was the clubs Gold Ring race which was won by Frank Mitchell with Eric Reid taking 2nd prize Eric also wins this week s club nomination and 2 bird prize well that s it for this week Joe only a few weeks left and the season is over yours David. East of Scotland Federation: Tom McEwen reports that the federation convoy were liberated at am at Wakefield into a south west wind. Back with a bank this week is John Bird from Prestonpans topping the federation on 1519 and also taking 2nd fed. Rab Waddell is in 3rd place with Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston there again in 4th federation. Brian Lavery of Prestonpans will be happy with his 5th position and Dougie Grieve from Longniddry is well to the fore in 6th federation place. John Baillie of Tranent is there once again in 7th place with Tom & Scott McEwen coming in at 8th place followed by Ronnie MacIntyre of Gladsmuir and completing the top ten is Jim McNeil of Tranent. Prestonpans HS winner of 1st & 2nd place is John Bird with a blue pied cock on 1519 his sire is a Vandenabeele from D & J Hawkins while his dam is a Herman Ceuster from Premier Lofts. John s 2nd pigeon is a blue pied cock on 1482 and he is the nest mate to the winner not bad going having a pair of

4 nest mates winning 1st & 2nd federation. Third spot goes to Rab Waddell with a blue cock on 1466 he is a Herman Ceusters from Chris Vasey. Well Joe that s my last race report for the season and I m looking forward to the youngsters getting a good moult ready for next year cheers for now Tom. Pentland Hills Federation and New Lothian RPC news from Andy Miller who writes; The above organisations held their 6th young bird race of the season, from Wakefield a distance of miles for the members with 14 clubs sending 2617 birds. This race being flown on a Friday for the 2nd season running with again acceptable returns as usual some had all home and some waiting on a few. This can happen when you get the sky all to yourself; however you also get the predators to yourself too! Winning 1st Federation and New Lothian is Davie & Jamie Allen (brothers) from Woodburn who timed their Grondelaers pigeons, bred from stock obtained from Gerald Delaney s stud in Ireland. They were also 2nd and the 2 pigeons are nest mates with the winner being 3rd federation the previous week from Ripon. 3rd is L Mitchell of Castlebrae club with M Bennett of Gilmerton in 4th spot. Willie Pryde & son of Easthouses are 5th & 7th with A Lawson of the same club splitting them in 6th spot. A Mitchell of Castlebrae is 8th with W Smith of Danderhall in 9th place and S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier in 10th spot. Club Winners Woodburn 167 birds; 1st & 2nd Allan 3rd Brown & Black Castlebrae 78 birds; 1st & 3rd L Mitchell 2nd A Mitchell Gilmerton 163 birds; 1st Bennett 2nd & 3rd McCue Easthouses 292 birds; 1st & 3rd W Pryde & son 2nd Lawson Danderhall 567 birds; 1st Smith 2nd & 3rd Aitken Edinburgh Premier 154 birds; 1st & 2nd Gilchrist 3rd Dick Sighthill 204 birds; 1st & 2nd Miller 3rd Girdwood Inveresk 35 birds; 1st Taylor 2nd & 3rd Brenchley Loanhead 129 birds; 1st & 2nd Stark 3rd Smith Bonnyrigg 122 birds; 1st Russell 2nd & 3rd A Dewar Edinburgh West 99 birds; 1st C Bennett 2nd & 3rd Lamb Rosewell 77 birds; 1st Tytler 2nd Winter 3rd Cunningham & Ness New Lothian 82 birds; Peebles 0 birds; Edinburgh Central 0 birds; Traprain 371 birds; 1st Newcombe 2nd & 3rd Thomson Others 77 birds: New Lothian RPC had 64 lofts sending 1723 birds with D & J Allan taking the first 2 places the winner winning over 117 for his efforts. 3rd is L Mitchell of Castlebrae with M Bennett of Gilmerton in 4th spot. Willie Pryde & son of Easthouses are 5th & 7th with A Lawson of Easthouses in 6th spot. A Mitchell of Castlebrae is 8th with W Smith of Danderhall in 9th place and S Gilchrist of Edinburgh Premier in 10th spot. Young Bird Special Race Pentland Hills Federation from the Peterborough young bird race flown on

5 Wednesday 2nd September 38 lofts prepaid for 139 birds with 34 actual lofts sending 104 birds, liberated at hours into light west wind becoming north west. The prize money was paid out in 18 prizes as follows; 1000: 500: 300: 200: 120: 100: 80: 40: and 10 prizes of 20. First prize winning 1,255 are W Pryde & Son of Easthouses with A S Thomson & son of Traprain in 2nd 4th & 7th winning 1600 for their efforts. Brown & Black of Woodburn are 3rd winning 845 with Andy Miller of Sighthill in 5th 9th & 11th winning 1456, Stevie Blackhurst of Easthouses is 6th winning 620 and A W Robertson of Gilmerton is 8th winning 105 and T Nolan of Danderhall wins 10th place and 43. A great finish to the season and in many instances the money won has paid for the pigeons this year. Well done to the officials of this forward thinking federation they think Out of the Box by having Friday racing for young birds, yearling and young bird special races on a Wednesday and of course their Christmas race well done one and all. Obituary Gregor Macaulay of Angus Federation who flew in partnership with Gavin Ferguson and Curran into the Forfar club wrote It is with a very heavy heart I record the passing of my pigeon partner Gregor Macaulay, early on Saturday morning 26th August. He was one of life s characters and I was very privileged to have him as a pigeon partner. His performances, particularly from the YB National are there for all to see. Due to suffering from Pigeon Lung he has been unable to even visit the birds for a few years now, but always checked the results in The Courier, resulting in a well done phone call or what went wrong discussion. I don t know who s loft manager of the big loft in the sky: but they are in for a battle to run the show. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and gone but never forgotten. God bless my old friend. To finish on a happy note, I m sure he was watching over the birds on Saturday as we were 1 st and 2 nd club and probably well up in the Federation as well. Thanks, Joe, AW THE BEST Alex McAndrew of Crossgates in Fife I was sorry to hear of the passing of Alex who flew in partnership with George Dow as McAndrew and Dow and they won 1st open SNFC Falaise in 2004 with their blue cock Crossgates Special. I visited the partnership at this time and did a report on their win for the press and Special was indeed a wonderful cock and bred some very good pigeons for other fanciers over the years. Our condolences on the passing of Alex to his friends and the pigeon sport will miss fanciers of his calibre. Joe Joke A young law student, having failed his Law exam, goes up to his crusty old professor, who is renowned for his razor-sharp legal mind. Student:"Sir, do you really understand everything about this subject?" Professor:"Actually, I probably do. Otherwise I wouldn't be a professor, would I?" Student: "OK. So I d like to ask you a question. If you can give me the correct answer, I will accept my mark as it is. If you can't give me the correct answer, however, you'll have to give me an "A". Professor: "Hmmmm, alright. So what s the question?" Student: "What is legal but not logical, logical but not legal, and neither logical nor legal? The professor wracks his famous brain, but just can't crack the answer. Finally he gives up and changes the student's failing mark into an "A" as agreed, and the student goes away, very pleased. The professor continues to wrack his brain over

6 the question all afternoon, but still can t get the answer. So finally he calls in a group of his brightest students and tells them he has a really, really tough question to answer: "What is legal but not logical, logical but not legal, and neither logical nor legal? To the professor's surprise (and embarrassment), all the students immediately raise their hands. "All right" says the professor and asks his favourite student to answer "It's quite easy, sir" says the student "You see, you are 75 years old and married to a 30 year old woman, which is legal, but not logical. Your wife has a 22 year old lover, which is logical, but not legal. And your wife's lover failed his exam but you've just given him an "A" which is neither legal, nor logical." Please continue to keep the news flowing; to Joe Murphy Mystical Rose Cottage 2 Flutorum Avenue Thornton by Kirkcaldy KY1 4BD or phone or to joejmurphy1@gmail.com REMEMBER THE J IN THE MIDDLE or log on who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland. Compiled by Joe Murphy

NEWS FROM SCOTLAND. By Joe Murphy. Birds Come First

NEWS FROM SCOTLAND. By Joe Murphy. Birds Come First By Joe Murphy Birds Come First Birthday Boy Tom McEwen Belated best wishes to Tom McEwen of Elphinstone who reached 3 score years and 10 last week. I forgot all about it, as I had intended to have a photo