| Author: Ian M Brown - PRO SNRPC | Title: SNRPC - Review of 2005 |
| Date: 2006-02-18 15:28:08 | Uploaded by: webmaster |
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The Scottish National racing pigeon Clubs
Review of the year 2005
January
The month of AGMs and the Blackpool Show, the beginnings of a new year needing resolute decisions for the future in the midst of uncertainty for the racing of pigeons in Scotland, after the trials and tribulations of 2004.
Many fanciers unsure of what the future held for their hobby in Scotland struggled to understand the whys and where for of the establishment’s decisions but from all of this misery, some hope emerged, when a group of independent persons met to discuss the problems that had be fallen our recreation.
From the outset, the aims were to try and look to the future of a hobby that prior to the emergence of its ailments was already losing members. Efforts to reconcile differences did not materialise and sadly our already ailing hobby was to be further diminished by losing more members.
The decision to call a meeting to form a new National racing pigeon club in Scotland was not taken lightly, but the events set in motion during the first month of 2005 have proved so far to be a catalyst of hope for the future of some Scottish fanciers.
February
An inaugural meeting was arranged for Sunday the 27th of February 2005 the venue, the Loanhead miners welfare club Loanhead Midlothian. Over 100 fanciers were present and the Interim Chairman Frank Baillie opened the meeting thanking all for their support confirming that over 300 applications for membership had been received. The Following officials were elected President George Wilson of Newburgh Fife. Senior Vice President Frank Baillie of B’oness central Scotland.
Junior Vice President Alex Howe of Denny again Central Scotland and the secretary John Baillie of Loanhead Midlothian. A committee of 20 persons was voted on, these were. West of Scotland Jim Ohara of Allanton Shotts, Willie Johnston of Kirkfieldbank, Jock Alston of Ravensturther Lanark, Ken Buchannan of Hamilton, Benny Martin of Hamilton, Gordon Geddes Muirhead Glasgow, Stuart Mullan Port Glasgow. East of Scotland, Peter Virtue Cockburnspath, Norman Renton Foulden, Wilf Flockart Tranent, W McCormack Tranent, Barney Kenny Loanhead, Jim Benvie Methill Fife, Ian Gilmour of Leven Fife, John Duthie of Dundee Tayside, Andy Thomson of Dundee Tayside. Central Scotland Davy Gullane Uphall west Lothian, John McNeil Broxburn West Lothian, John Gray Carron Falkirk, Ian M Brown Powmill Clackmannanshire. Also elected were an appeals committee. John Ellis Dundee Tayside, Stuart Young Bonnyrigg Mid Lothian, George Anderson Scone Perthshire, Vince Hendry Hamilton. John Gray who was on Holiday declined the position on his return to the UK due to pressure of work.
These were the people elected to help create the new Scottish long distance club now named the “Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club” the SNRPC. With an already proposed race programme the Officials and committee began the process to co-ordinate the new organisations functions so that all fanciers in Scotland could race their pigeons in open competition in National racing.
March
This was the month that began a long series of hard working committee meetings to create this new long distance racing club of Scotland. A club that would accept members of whatever persuasion, who had lofts situated in Scotland. Committee and members a like, freely offered their full support and co-operation in many ways, ensuring that the SNRPC was off to the very best of starts. It was an exercise in what can occur when people work together in harmony.
During this month the race programme and all the logistics that this requires were basically agreed. The new secretary hard at work on the computer programme, the heart of his world, equipment that has changed the world of communication. A young bird sale was arranged for May, the first year- book, the creation of medals and awards that are won outright each year, a membership now of nearly 400 fanciers. Slowly the organisation was coming together and light was beginning to emerge from the tunnel but it was just the first tunnel.
April
On the 12th of April the committee meeting saw our race programme being finalised with marking stations, timings, transportation and race dates now agreed. Our first ever sale of young birds arranged for Sunday the 1st of May was well underway and some 50 of the best long distance blood from many of Scotland’s good National flyers promised to make this a very memorable sale. Our rulebook was agreed and an affiliation to the RPRA confirmed through the Cumbria region. Through the hard work of Willie Johnstone we would be race marking on Wednesday instead of Tuesday for our Gold Medal race from Alencon, giving the birds one day less in the baskets. For our young bird race from Leicester we would basket on Friday this again meant one day less for the birds in the baskets, timings were such that driving times to each of these race points would still give our birds ample rest time before liberation and this was proved correct.
May
Sunday the first of May saw 48 well bred Scottish long distance young birds for sale in the Newbridge bowling club and even though most Federations in Scotland were flying a Sunday holdover a great turnout was achieved and along with our telephone bid lines we grossed a superb £5000.00. With Club and federation racing now well under way and our first race from Newbury imminent, activity within the SNRPC grew with the anticipation of this first ever race.
The Committee meeting of the 23rd of May confirmed that all was in place for the 4th of June the liberation day of our inland National. John Baillie the secretary confirmed that every thing was ready and each and every one of the committee were geared to cope with allotted tasks, his computer waiting for the word go and just a few fine tuning operations to complete. We were now in to the second tunnel.
June
Thursday the 2nd of June saw the marking of 1541 birds for the SNRPCs first National race, the inland National from Newbury. Liberated at 7.30am in a south west wind, by convoyer Peter Calder and on the instruction of our controller John Alston. Birds were being timed in the borders at 1.30pm but the first ever winner in this new Scottish National club was timed at 14.16.57 to Walker&Wilson of StAbbs. Their Blue Pied hen named “Shore New Era” flying 313miles in five and three quarter hours. Second open was to that well known long distance flyer from Cockburnspath Peter Virtue. Peter timing his Dark Chequer pied hen at 14.29.18 flying 316 miles.
Third open was Brian Kelly of Chirnside who timed his chequer hen at 14.18.15 here was another regular winning distance fancier. Dennis Anderson Annan won section A. Timing at 13.32.08 wining 23rd open. Andy Thomson of Dundee timed at 15.56.13 to win section C and 30th open. John McNeil of Broxburn timed at 14.58.36 winning section D and 18th open. John Carrberry& Son won section E and 64th open and the leading pigeon in section F went to Geddes&Hillas Glasgow on a velocity of 1168 and 100th open. For these winning members it was a great day, for the SNRPC it was a great success because of the support of some 300 Plus members sending the entries. With this first race past our attentions were now drawn to our Premier Gold Medal Race from Alencon .
Wednesday the 22nd of June saw 186 members enter 762 birds, the marking on the Wednesday was a venture away from the norm. By basketing on the Wednesday instead of the Tuesday as had been the practice we were giving our birds a day less in the baskets. Willie Johnstone had worked out a system which proved to work in practice. After a three day holdover the convoy of 762 birds were liberated at 13.35 by our convoyer Matthew Boyle on the final instructions of our capable race controller John Alston. The birds would have no rain enroute but a brisk northerly wind on crossing the channel and the early part of England when the wind would change to a more westerly mode. A hard race ensued and at 10.37 on the morning of the second day, Norman Renton Of Foulden timed his first bird now known as Sonny G to take 2nd open only losing the 1st open position by decimal points to non other than Walker&Wilson of StAbbs who were also 3rd open in this race. This partnership had now three 1st opens to their credit in the past 10 months, amazing flying.
Roy Seaton of Annan timed at 10.47 to take first section A and 12th open a very creditable performance and another special long distance diploma for Roy. First section D went to John Mack of Alloa with his 3 year old Blue Hen and 20th open this his first attempt at a National race. Second section went to Watt Ure of Grangmouth and 21st open with his Blue chequer pied Jan Arden Cock, both these fanciers are members of the Forth Bridges Club. Third section went to John McNeil of Broxburn John taking 22nd open. Only decimal points separating these three gallant birds. In section E well known Jim O’Hara took the premier position and 24th Open, Ian Ross of Glasgow secured 1st section F and 17th Open, these two fanciers birds taking really good open positions for the west. John Ellis of Dundee was 1st section C and 4th open with his Dark Chequer pied Hen this was her fourth time across and the fourth time in the first 100 positions this is a marvellous hen. Second section C, was Gary Hall of Thornton Fife his Blue chequer cock taking a very creditable 5th open. These were two superb open positions for section C. This race continued on all day with many known names making the result in good time. Now flown successfully, our second race and our first premier Gold Medal channel race had been a hard race but fanciers who enter birds for these longer races have them well prepared for the harsh conditions they can often meet. With three races still to go and heading for our longest race from Cholet in a few days time plus our final channel race on the 16th of July from Falaise, John Baillie our secretary was deep in concentration with race results and the usual corrections. Hard on the Heels of the Alencon race came the mid week Marking of our Cholet Birds, 66 members sending 197 entries along with the Cumbria combine and the North west area of England.
July
The entry for the longest race is always very selective and a much smaller entry is usually the result. For the SNRPC Just short of 200 birds entered by 66 fanciers was a very encouraging entry and when the convoy was liberated at 6.15am on Saturday morning the 2nd of July along with the Cumbria combine and North West birds, great anticipation was felt for an exciting race.
At 18.42 on Saturday evening a little blue hen belonging to Chris Little of East Riggs Annan was to be the only bird into Scotland timed on the Day, flying 556 miles in 12and a half hours with a velocity of 1334 this pigeon was probably the best performance for the whole of the Cumbria combine and North West convoy, since the race Chris Littles Blue hens performance has been recognised with an award from the RPRA region. The next pigeon was timed at 6.27 in the morning to Pete Patrick of Thornton Fife, flying 636 miles Pete’s bird was first section C and 2nd open Pete also timed at 9.37 to take 5th open. 3rd open and 2nd section C was to J&J keir & Son also of Thornton Fife timed at 8.27 and another well known Fife fancier Ricky Pierce of Oakley timed at 8.45 to be third section C and 4th open. Angus Simpson of Lauder timed at 8.39 to be 1st section B and 7th Open with Mr&Mrs Davy Elliot timing at 9.14 for first in section E and 11th open. First section D and 9th open was John Mc Neil of Broxburn timing at 9.34 John was now on his second 1st section D Ian Ross was to chalk up his second first section F by timing at 9.32 also taking 8th open. With 43 birds on the open Sheet by 17 28 on the second day timed by a host of well known long distance Scottish fanciers the third race of this new National racing pigeon club had been a resounding success.
The fourth and final channel race of the SNRPC for 2005, was from Falaise and again we were transported by the Cumbria Combine. This time our entry was 908 birds from 162 members, this was very nearly 6 entries per member flying this race. With the Cumbria and the North west some 1400 birds were in the convoy.
On Saturday morning at 6.15am the convoy were liberated into a North West wind with good conditions. En route the wind would vary to the West but it was not forecast for any rain, with these conditions it was expected that the early winning pigeons could achieve 40 miles per hour. Birds were reported in Barrow and Furness at 4.10 further on at 5.35 doing in the region of 38 miles per hour and other organisations that liberated earlier that day in France were timing birds on a similar time.
The only words that I could use when I was informed that the partnership of Walker&Wilson had timed their dark Chequer hen at 18.26 nearly 1 hour ahead of the next bird was incredible. These gentlemen had now achieved three first opens with the SNRPC out of the first four national races. First Open Newbury “ Shore New Era” First open Alencon and the Gold Medal was “ Shore 61” and now first open Falaise “Shore Gem”. Steven Aitchison of W&S Aitchison & son from Eyemouth had a great race taking 2nd Open timing at 19.28 then 4th open at 20.07 and 7th open at 20.45 and had another 5 birds on the open result as well. Tim Hall timed at 20.00 to take 3rd Open Tim of Chirnside is a regular visitor to the Awards sheet. Twenty-One birds were timed on the day with the following fanciers being part of this select group. 5th Open went to Mr&Mrs Davy Elliot of Newbiggin this bird also took 1st Section E and was timed at 20.12. Walker&Wilson also take 6th open. Jocky King Kirkcaldy Fife timed at 21.42 to take 1st section C and 8th Open, Jocky had a few on the open list. John Ellis of Wellbank Dundee was 2nd section C and 9th Open, timing in the darkness at 22.48 he also had a few more on the result. Third section C and 10th open was J&J kier&Son of Thornton Fife Jessie and Jim have had a super season. J&G Caird of Dundee also timed a good one in the dark at 22.30 taking 11th open and 4th section C and John McNeil of Broxburn timing at 21.36 to take 1st section D and 12th open, this is his third first section D out of our four races only missing 1st section D in Alencon by decimals.
The other fanciers timing on the night were S Reap Eyemouth 21.08 peter Virtue with 2 at 21.22&21.24 both yearlings. David Donaldson of Glassford 21.31 for the West James Alexander of Musselburgh timed at 22.25 and Steven Aitchison had another one at 22.28.
Douglas Spittal of Glasgow timed in the morning at 10.07 to take 1st section F and 86th open and Dennis Anderson Howgill Annan took first section A timed at 7.53am this was his 2nd 1st section A this season.
A total of 170 birds were timed by 18.00 on the second day from an entry of 908
After the hectic and stressful period just past, a break for 2 or 3 weeks to let us relax and gather our senses was a very welcome thought for the secretary and all who were connected with the organisation of the SNRPC.
August
The month of young bird racing and training, a month of reflection on our recent race programme, it was generally felt that what had been achieved in 6 months was an example of success over adversity. With some 400 members and a healthy bank balance the committee needed to meet and review the past and the future. The meeting of 2nd of August did just that with a late bred young bird sale arranged for Sunday the 4th of September, our new awards of medals, Glass Plaques, Chrystal decanter and silver quaichs well advanced under Jim O’Hara’s guidance and the presentation function now arranged for the 18th of February 2006 also discussions now underway for our 2006 race programme. Minds were then turned to the final race the young bird race from Leicester on Saturday the 10th of September. Finally it was with sadness that the Death of John Fairbairn of Cockburnspath and the subsequent sale of his birds from which the proceeds, a substantial sum, were generously donated to the SNRPC by his family. Their gift was warmly accepted and the committee would create some form of memorial for John’s memory.
September
On Sunday the 4th September at 2pm in the Newbridge Bowling club Edinburgh 47 late bred young birds, from some of Scotlands very best current winning Scottish long distance lofts were offered for sale. Many of these young birds, bred direct out of the fancier’s best and not often easy to come by. This, our second sale was every bit as good as the first, generating some £5000.00 for our club funds with some birds reaching over £300.00. Our thanks go to the people who purchased birds to the Fanciers who donated birds and to the secretary, President both Vice presidents and the committee members who all worked hard for the sales success.
Friday the 9th of September was another first for the SNRPC, as marking for this race would normally take place on a Thursday. 114 members entered 873 young birds for the final national race of the SNRPCs’ first years racing. How much the one day less in the baskets helped our birds we may never know, but in view of the resulting holdover for 2 days, it may have proved beneficial to our results.
On Monday morning at 10 am John Alston liberated, into clearing skies and a light North East wind. With the sun rapidly clearing the fog and sunshine with high broken cloud over the rest of the route home things were set for a reasonable race.
Having kept and raced pigeons for longer than I really care to remember I would doubt, if I will ever again see the results that the partnership of Walker & Wilson have achieved in National longer racing in Scotland with the new SNRPC in 2005 because, low and behold they timed their young bird at 14.38 some four and a half hours on the wing for 231 miles to take the first open position in our first young bird National and their fourth 1st Open position this season in the SNRPCs inaugural year, add to that their 1st open in the young bird National of 2004 and it may be something of an unbeatable record. Whatever, it is a yard -stick for future fanciers to try and emulate. I doubt may never ever be surpassed. With a velocity of 1463 the winning pigeons were not hanging about. Second Open went to Adam Luke of the partnership Luke &Peters timed at 14.56 flying 241 miles on a velocity of 1432. 3rd Open went to Mel Bell Jnr timed at 14.49 flying 230 miles on a velocity of 1406. 4th open was Stewart Roberts of Ayton timed at 14.45 flying 228 miles on a velocity of 1405.
5th Open and first in section C, goes to Gregor MacCauly of Forfar timed at 16.09 flying 294 miles on a velocity of 1402 this is an interesting winner and I believe was the nest mate to another pigeon raced by Gregor that was raced in the SNFC young bird national from Cheltenham on the same day and achieved 2nd open in that race. Gregor was also 46th open with a second bird in our Leicester race. John McNeil was, first, second and third section D, flying 249 miles John timed his first bird at 15.58 velocity 1224 but this bird does not make the open result. First and second section E is John Alston of Ravensturther flying 238 miles. First and third section F was Barry McCrindle & son who timed his first bird at 17.52 with a velocity of 964 and 1st section A Mr&Mrs Graham Ecclfechan timed at 15.01.43 on velocity of 1119 The Disparity in section times is so obvious it asks the question why? Could it be that the drags of young birds flying so quickly were up the east side and some had to work back, young birds being notorious for flying follow my leader. This is born out by the drops in velocities from the south and the central area to the Glasgow area none of these birds made the open result. Birds as far north as Aberdeen and further were making higher velocities than these other areas. Anyway it is just a personal thought. Most fanciers experienced reasonable returns.
October
The first committee meeting after racing, took place on the 23rd of October this proved because of the many items on the agenda to be a very lengthy affair, ending in the meeting being re-convened. However various important items were finalised, our race programme dates for 2006 for the members meeting in November John Fairbairns Memorial scroll and the introduction of the John Trail Trophy kindly donated by Mrs Trail for best performance over the Forth. The presentation function for the 18th of February 2006 venue had to be changed due to the Hillcroft hotel not having sufficient rooms. The new venue was the Cairn Hotel in Bathgate very close to the original Hotel. It was confirmed that the following fanciers had won our Averages awards.
Mr & Mrs Chris Little of East Riggs Annan win the silver-plated quaich for the extreme average award from Alencon & Cholet on a velocity of 1004 as well as the Sculpted Glass award for best average in section A on a velocity of 878 and his first Open Cholet wins the solid silver medal.
J&J Kier & son from Thornton Fife won the overall average Crystal Claret Jug for the 4 old bird races and the section C average Sculpted Glass Award. Both awards with the same velocity of 965.
In Section D John McNeil of Broxburn who has had an exceptional season wins 4 Bronze medals and the section Average sculpted average award.
Section B John Bell of Tranenet wins the section average sculpted award with Walker& Wilson St Abbs winning the premier Gold medal for Alencon the silver Medal for Newbury the silver medal for Falaise and the silver medal for Leicester Young bird open.
Mr&Mrs Davy Elliot of Newbiggin wins the section E Average sculpted award and 2 Bronze medals for Cholet and Falaise the latter race achieving a very good 5th open into the west. With Jim O’Hara of Allanton winning a bronze medal for 1st section E from Alencon John Carrberry & Son from Croy winning first section E from Newbury and the Bronze Medal.
Section F did not have a average winner but the following fanciers win bronze medals Geddas& Hillas for Newbury, Ian Ross two Bronze medals for Alencon and Cholet, Douglas Spittal for Falaise and Barry McCrindle & Son for Leciester young bird.
Pete Patrick of Thornton Fife who won 2nd open from Cholet wins the John Trail Trophy for best performance north of the Forth and a Bronze medal for 1st section C From cholet. John Ellis of Wellbank Dundee wins a Bronze Medal for being first section C from Alencon this good pied hen was 4th open and Jocky King of Kirkcaldy wins first section C and the bronze medal from Falaise taking 8th open.
November
The reconvened meeting of the 23rd October was held on the 7th November and with only a short agenda was past very quickly. The 27th of November was the date agreed for our members meeting to discuss and decide on the race programme for 2006, our presentation awards now virtually completed and looking superb, the date and venue for our inaugural presentation function confirmed and some 150 persons booked to attend. The first AGM of the SNRPC would take place on the 4th of March 2006 at the Loanhead miners now in our 11th month since the SNRPCs inception it was hard to believe the first year of Scotlands new National racing pigeon club was nearly 1year old.
The meeting of the 27th was well attended, lively constructive and good-humoured, the most important point was the introduction of an extreme distance race to Scotland and the enthusiasm it has engendered, if we have racing from the continent then you can be assured that the SNRPC will be looking to be at the forefront of longer distance racing into Scotland, and will invite any fancier in Scotland to participate in this venture.
Decmeber
Month for reflection the final month of the old year, how 2005 managed to achieve some sense of normality for the racing of pigeons in Scotland’s clubs federations combine and National competitions.
But the traumas of the past have taken there toll who knows what 2006 may hold for the pigeon fancy in Scotland or for that matter in the UK the continent or the world The world is plagued by so many malaises most of them created by ourselves and the pigeon world is no exception. The SNRPC was born from a sense of injustice and will grow because of the need to correct that injustice and protect the future. The sad thing is most fanciers are of an age that they become disillusioned with the continual struggle to see fair play and many walk away for good. I thought that I would close this review of 2005 with the last verse of the Bards ”A Mans A Man for A That” reminding all of their responsibility to life exemplified through the written word of “Scotland’s Man of destiny” Robert Burns.
Then let us pray that come it may,
As come it will for a’ that
That Sense and Worth o’er a’ the earth,
May bear the gree and a’ that.
For a’ that, and a’ that,
It’s coming’ yet for a’ that,
That Man to Man, the world o’er,
Shall brothers be for a’ that!
Ian M Brown
PRO the SNRPC January 2005
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