NEWS FROM SCOTLAND. August 13 th By Joe Murphy

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1 August 13 th 2015 By Joe Murphy As most readers of the column know, I have some birds in the Barcelona Challenge loft in France run by Lou and John McGee were they compete in the long distance international races. It is no use sending average pigeons to this loft. They have to be crème de la crème and therefore I select birds from my Scottish national family and my blue cock 361 is proof of this as he is bred in the purple. His sire is a son of Petite Rose, winner of 1st open SNFC Tours flying 611 miles for Tom McEwen of Elphinstone in East Lothian. While his dam is a direct daughter of Watchhill Princess the winner of 1st open SNFC Tours, being the only pigeon home on the day in Scotland for Stevie Ferguson of Annan. As a matter of interest Watchhill Princess also won 8th open Rennes and 83rd open Messac both SNFC Gold Cup races. My blue cock 361 was 13th home from Barcelona international 625 miles then he was 9th home from Perpignan international 539 miles so I m well pleased with his efforts. While going on about Tom McEwen Petite Rose I received a very nice letter from Mr E Philpott of Great Yarmouth who wrote Hello Joe, I m an avid reader of your writings in the BHW so thought you would like to pass on this information to one of your press officers, Tom McEwen of Elphinstone in East Lothian. I have today 1st August provisionally taken 1st North East section 2nd open from BICC Perpignan flying 691 miles with a pigeon bred from a son of Petite Rose (Tom McEwen 1st open SNFC Niort winner) see SU91E0102 Dam Petite Rose SU02E The rest you already know. I had SU given to me by a good friend who was bred by Tom McEwen. I would be grateful if you could pass the information on to Tom as I think he would like to know the above. Yours in sport, E Philpott. I phoned Tom to tell him the above news and gave him Mr Philpott s phone number and believe me I made Tom s day giving him this information. Thank you to Mr Philpott for enlightening us on the above as it is always good to hear when people do well with your pigeons. Our congratulations to Robert Harris of Ramsgate on winning 1st open BICC from Perpignan well done. Irish National Perth winner On the 27th of June 2015 the Munster Federation and Irish North Road National Flying Club were racing from Perth for the 2nd channel race of the season with both Munster Fed and National birds liberated

2 together at 06-00am and the winning pigeon was clocked by the partnership of McCormack & O Donoghue (see photo) to win 1st club 1st Munster Federation 228 birds and 1st Irish North Road National 436 birds. His sire is a late bred being a double grandson of Geoff and Catherine Coopers Farm Boy and 50% Van Der Wegen via J O Donoghue he was than paired on to his aunt who is a granddaughter of Farm Boy. Dam of Dee is a dark checker hen bred by Sheldon Leonard of Arklow and is known as 65 she is from Sheldon s long distance family of birds from Belgium and is 100% Daniel Aerens. She is a granddaughter of Daniel s super breeder 203 Zware Fond and a granddaughter of Den 497 winner of 1st Providence from Limoges, so you will see Dee is bred for the job congratulations to the partnership on their wonderful win. McCormack & O Donoghue. The winning bird was clocked just after 10 hours on the wing and she was sent to the race on chipping eggs. Prior to winning the national she flew the yearling national and an inland race the week before Perth plus she also won Cavan as a young bird from a distance of 106 miles. As a matter of interest her sister was best young bird. The breeding of the national winner now named Dee (see photo) after Mike Mc Cormack's daughter; her sire is known as 04 flew the channel twice into Limerick being placed in both races. 'Dee', winner of 1 st National Perth. Results Angus Federation The partnership's loft. For the first young bird race of the season the members sent 685 birds to Arniston with an 8-30 liberation into a north wind. Topping the federation is Bob Baldie of the Forfar club who takes the first NINE places plus 11th & 19th federation spot great flying well done. Davie Glen of the same club is 10th 12th 13th & 14th places with Ian Scott of the same club in 15th 16th 18th & 20th positions. W Peet & son of the same club are 17th. East section winners are dominated by Gourdon club with D & D Hay in 1st 3rd 7th

3 & 9th positions. B Craig of the same club is 2nd & 4th with B Leven of Montrose in 8th place. Chick and Anne Carrie of Inchcape are 5th with W Hamilton of the same club in 6th place with Kevin J Murphy of Arbroath makes up the top tenth place. Club Winners: Forfar 328 Bird s winner R Baldie: Montrose 23 birds winner B Leven; Letham 128 birds winner J Fraser; Inchcape 107 birds winner C & A Carrie; Gourdon 25 birds winner D & D Hay. Arbroath 74 birds winner Kevin J Murphy. Arbroath RP Society for the 2nd young bird race of the season from Arniston 3 members sent 74 birds with Kevin J Murphy winning 1st 2nd & 4th places. All 3 birds bred in my dad s stock loft with the winner s sire bred by Crammond & Langstaff of Fontwell (NFC winners in 2015) from their Brockamp Euro Diamond line crossed with a Deweerdt hen bred from a brother of Iban when mated to a daughter from a brother to Zinka. The second placed pigeon is from a direct Andy Gregson cock a ½ brother to Iban when he was mated to a daughter of Iban s sister. The dam of 2nd club is bred from a son of Clovis brother when mated to a daughter of Inita (5 times winner from Barcelona) The 3rd bird is from Bert a son of Clovis when mated to the sister of the Crammond & Langstaff mentioned above from their Brockamp Euro Diamond line, so this brother and sister have bred prize winners in their first season breeding Thank you Ian and Nigel. The 3rd club place is won by club secretary Andy who flies as A & A Shepherd well done young man. Central Federation news from Bernie Britton who writes: Morning Joe here is our club and federation result from Otterburn flown on 1st August with 5 members sending 280 birds. They were liberated at am into a south east wind with Gordon MacKenzie taking the first 4 places in the club result and the first 5 in the federation. His winner is a Gabby blue chequer hen with the sire being a grandson of Mr & Mrs A Forrest 2nd open SNRPC bird the dam is one of Gordon s 1st open combine young bird winner into the Scottish Central Combine and she to is a Gabby. His second birds is a dark chequer cock from a Spavin crossed Gabby the sire was a gift from Mr & Mrs A Forrest of Ratho while the dam is Gordon s top stock hen. The 3rd placed bird is a blue bar cock his sire is Gordon s 2nd open young bird national winner again a Gabby while the dam is a daughter of his top gabby stock hen. Other club member s to take a federation position are Sid Steven and Davie Gullan who win 7th 9th & 13th federation well done lads and thanks once again Joe for adding us into your column all the best yours Bernie East of Scotland Federation: before giving you Tom McEwen s race report I received an from John Baillie who did not have the information at hand on his winning pigeons last week to give Tom and asked if I could add this into this week s column. John wrote Hi Joe, hope you are keeping good, I m not sure if Tom McEwan has sent last week s result into you for the East of Scotland Ridsdale race. At the time I could not remember who held a sale at Easthouses and after coming home was informed by Wilf Flockhart that it was Alan Pollards from Uddingston. I purchased birds at this sale and they were the best of the Vandenabeele s and they have bred birds to win from the 1st race right out to the SNFC Clermont race point for me. Many good birds have been bred from these sales,

4 including a bird to be 1st & 2nd section with the SNFC crossed with the Michael Van Lint family. We all read on the pigeon forums about huge losses of young birds from races. I personally believe that many fanciers do not allow sufficient time to basket train their young birds, allowing them to get over the fear of coming out the basket. If they have a fear of coming out the basket and are then attacked by birds of prey what chance do they or the convoy have. How many times do we hear of conveyers having to physically chase young birds out of the baskets in the transporter from the initial early races. Another problem I think we have is if birds are basketed on a Thursday for hopefully a Saturday race I think water should be available on 3 sides of the basket/crate. Years ago most birds went to these races on natural, now with roundabout and widowhood it only takes a couple of cocks or hens to stop the majority of birds accessing a drink. I also believe Kevin is right that young birds do need 2-3 races in their careers as the yearling cock I scored twice with from the channel in 2014 only had this education as a baby. But as you know Joe they have to be bred right from the best of distance bloodlines wishing you all the best yours in sport John Baillie. EOS Federation result, Tom McEwen reports that the Ridsdale race flown on the 1st August had the convoy liberated at 9-45am into a south west wind. This turned out to be a great race for Tom Hunnan from Prestonpans with a slatey cock topping the federation on Second place is won by Dougie Grieve of Longniddry with Mr & Mrs Burgess of Ormiston completing a good hattrick with 3rd 5th & 6th federation. Graham Wardhaugh of Dirleton is well to the fore in 4th federation place with a great result once again from John Baillie of Tranent with a nice threesome in 7th 8th & 9th federation with Ian Spider Rowley of Gladsmuir completing the top ten in 10th place. Prestonpans HS has Tom Hunnam winning the club with the federation winner a slatey cock. John Baillie is 2nd & 3rd with is first a blue chequer cock on 1345 he is a Michael Van Lint bloodlines from Dean Pallet. His 2nd bird is a blue chequer hen on 1344 breeding is Lakeside Lofts from Northern Ireland, that s it again for this week Joe and thanks once again for contacting me regarding Mr Philpott cheers Tom. Fife Federation Dunfermline HS news from David Kennedy who writes; Hi Joe we had 4 members sending 72 birds to the first race from Berwick with Frank Mitchell taking the 1 x 3 places. His winner of the red card is a darkness cock with the bloodlines being from the late Jock Traill of Thornton. His 2nd pigeon is another darkness young cock which is a grandson of Bruce McKenzie s 1st open SNRPC young bird open winner and his 3rd is another darkness young cock home bred down through his Jock Traill bloodlines. Frank also wins this week nomination and the 2 bird competition was not won this week, best regards David. Pentland Hills Federation and New Lothian RPC news from Andy Miller who writes; The above organisations held their held their 2nd young bird race of the season, from Ridsdale a distance of miles for the members with 15 clubs sending 3314 birds. Winning 1st & 2nd federation is the partnership of Mr & Mrs Black who fly their birds in the Edinburgh Premier club. The winner is a darkness youngster of Busschaert crossed Koopman breeding the sire bred by Owenson Bros of Gorebridge

5 when paired to a hen from Ron Dennit. Woodburn s Halley & Kelly are 3rd 9th & 10th federation with J Robertson of New Lothian in 4th spot. D & J Allan of Woodburn are 5th with W & B Dunsmore of Danderhall is in 6th place. Club mates A Young is 7th with S McVey in 8th spot. Returns were excellent with the majority reporting full returns even before clock checking. Club Winners Edinburgh Premier 207 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Mr & Mrs Black Woodburn 207 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Halley & Kelly Danderhall 724 birds; 1st Dunsmore 2nd Young 3rd McVey Easthouses 382 birds; 1st Milne 2nd & 3rd Pryde Gilmerton 204 birds; 1st Bennett 2nd & 3rd Linton Rosewell 80 birds; 1st & 2nd Hush 3rd Cunningham & Ness Castlebrae 135 birds; 1st Mitchell 2nd McCormack 3rd Willis Edinburgh West 167 birds; 1st & 2nd C Bennett 3rd Lamb Bonnyrigg 167 birds; 1st Russell 2nd & 3rd Benson Sighthill 193 birds; 1st Keenan 2nd Bremner 3rd Girdwood Loanhead 166 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Smith New Lothian 32 birds; Peebles 32 birds; Inveresk 52 birds; Edinburgh Central 0 birds; Traprain 492 birds; 1st 2nd & 3rd Newcombe Others 77 birds: New Lothian RPC had 58 lofts sending 2119 birds with the New Lothian winner the partnership of Halley & Kerr from Woodburn Club who are new members to the club & federation. Their winner, again flown on the darkness system was bred from stock via Brian May and is of Van Reet crossed Cattrysse. They are also 6th & 7th. Second is J Robertson of New Lothian with D & J Allan of Woodburn in 3rd place. W & B Dunsmore of Danderhall are 4th with A Young of the same club one place behind. 8th sport is won by Willie Kinnear & son Barry of Danderhall with 9th place going to J Rogers of Danderhall with G Stewart of the same club is 10th. Joe s Jokes There are perks of being OLD. 1) Kidnappers are not very interested in you. 2) In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first. 3) No one expects you to run -- anywhere. 4) People call at 9 PM and ask, "Did I wake you?" 5) People no longer view you as a hypochondriac. 6) There is nothing left to learn the hard way. 7) Things you buy now won't wear out. 8) You can eat dinner at 4 P.M. 9) You can live without sex but not without your glasses. 10) You enjoy hearing about other people's operations. 11) You get into heated arguments about pension plans. 12) You no longer think of speed limits as a

6 challenge. 13) You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room. 14) You sing along with elevator music. 15) Your eyes won't get much worse. 16) Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off. 17) Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service. 18) Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either. 19) Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size. 20) You can't remember where you saw this list --- An atheist was seated next to a little girl on an airplane and he turned to her and said, "Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger." The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, "What would you want to talk about?". "Oh, I don't know," said the atheist. "How about why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or no life after death?" as he smiled smugly. "Okay," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?" The atheist, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea." To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss God, Heaven and Hell, or life after death, when you don't know shit?" and then she went back to reading her book. 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 who wish my weekly contribution portfolio on pigeon topics from Scotland. Compiled by Joe Murphy

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