It hardly seems like one year ago when the SNRPC was gearing up for its first national race. From the problems of 2004 and the creation of this new club, an interesting piece of history in Scottish National pigeon racing was set in motion and when Walker & Wilson of St Abbs won our first open race with “Shore New Era” this partnership continued this trend within the new Scottish National racing pigeon clubs 2005 national racing programme, outstandingly setting a record of four 1st open wins, this in our inaugural year of 2005, a yard stick for all future SNRPC members to try and emulate, a performance that may never ever be beaten. Also Mr & Mrs Chris Littles 1st open winner from Cholet being the only bird timed on the day from our longest race, both partnerships being honoured for their performances by the RPRA. This completed a successful inaugural year of national racing for the SNRPC in 2005. Major thanks must go to all the fanciers who supported the new club, also congratulations to the members who won positions in our national races’, their goodwill was the main reason for the SNRPCs success. In February we held a presentation function, which again highlighted the goodwill and harmony prevalent within the club and our AGM in March confirmed that the SNRPC was firmly established. The committee are committed to promoting a continued atmosphere of goodwill by having the members’ interest at heart. One wonders what 2006 holds’ in store for our membership, which is now, some 400 strong. With the major problem of the bird flu restrictions and some difficult club and federation racing, the committee are praying for a good entry in this first inland National of 2006 and are also eagerly awaiting DEFRA’s decision on racing from France, lets hope that good sense prevails and racing from over the channel is restored.

Today Thursday the 1st of June 2006, the weather forecast for Saturday the 3rd looks set to be good, with plenty of sunshine no rain and a medium West to North-West wind. Section D, at 7.30 on closing the marking station some 25 members had sent173 birds, an increase of 35 birds on 2005. It is interesting to note that 14 of these members are members of the Forth Bridges Independent racing pigeon club.

The Following is the break down of the entry to the SNRPCs Newbury inland national:
Section A 13 members, sent 99 birds.
Section B 57 members, sent 511 birds.
Section C 39 members, sent 282 birds.
Section D 25 members sent, 173 birds.
Section E 51 members, sent 314 birds.
Section F 40 members sent 152 birds.
The total entry for this first inland National of 2006 is 1531. Sadly the only section that was down on last year was section C, a possible reflection on the effect of the avian bird flu restrictions imposed on that area at the beginning of the racing season. Section A had a good increase despite some hard races and some new members to the section. Section F also had a substantial increase from the 2 new marking stations, this section has also gathered a few new members all in all a good effort in spite of the problems encountered earlier in the season.

Saturday morning the 3rd of June 2006 saw the convoyer John Frood on the instructions of our race controller John Alston who along with Roy Seaton of Annan and Kenny Barney of Loanhead the decision makers’, release the SNRPC entry of 1531 birds at 05.40 into clear skies and a light North West wind. The route home will be mainly clear and sunny with higher temperatures than of late, the wind will be mainly North West until nearer the Borders, when it will be from a more Westerly direction and slightly stronger. Certain areas in the east may cloud over but the conditions for a good race appear to be set fair. Kerr Stainthorpe of Lesmahagow will be giving some information on section Es early times as will Chris Little of Annan section A. Stuart Bowman of Cowdenbeath section C. Duncan Knox of Dunbar on section B. Super doo from Ayrshire section F and Norman Dixon of Balerno on section D. I will also have many other fanciers and the committee to update me on the earliest pigeon into their area and our secretary and his family will keep the Lib line up to date. Looking at last year’s velocities, it is probable that 2006 may be very similar. I will update our site on Pigeonbasics.com and also our Web site SNRPC.co.uk as soon as is possible. Photographs were taken in the Broxburn club at the section D marking and from Chris Little of Annan.

Kenny Bald of Easthouses Midlothian is the probable winner of the SNRPCs Newbury Inland National. Timed at 13.18 some 7 and a half hours on the wing for 318 miles this pigeon has well earned its position. In second place is Roy Seaton of Annan timed at 12.03 this is a great result for Roy and in third is Brian Kinnear of Pitlessie in Fife timed at 14.15 at 345 miles also a great effort congratulations to these fanciers and their winning pigeons.

The following is the preliminary Section results with their open positions of the SNRPC Newbury Inland National 2006:

Section A: 1st section and 2nd Open R&M Seaton of Annan timed at 12.03 flying 261 miles vel 1200. 2nd section and 4th Open Mr&Mrs Graham Ecclefechan timed 12.22 flying 266 miles vel 1165. 3rd section and 5th Open R White of Springfield timed at 12.13 flying 259 miles vel 1162.

Section B: 1st section and 1st Open Kenny Bald of Easthouses timed at 13.18 flying 318 miles vel 1221. 2nd section and 7th Open Walker&Wilson StAbbs timed at 13.37 flying 313 miles vel 1153.11. 3rd section and 8th Open Peter Virtue Cockburnspath timed at 13.43 flying 316 miles vel 1153.43.

Section C: 1st section and 3rd Open Brian Kinnear of Pitlessie Fife timed at 4.15 flying 345 miles vel 1178. 2nd section and 6th Open John Kinnes of Leslie Fife timed at 14.20 vel 1154. 3rd section and 10th Open Jocky King of Kirkcaldy Fife flying 336 miles vel 1148.

Section D: 1st section and 12th Open John McNeil of Broxburn timed at 14.01 flying 326 miles vel 1144. 2nd section and 14th Open James Smith of Polmont Falkirk timed at 14.16 flying 332 miles vel 1134. 3rd section and 15th Open Lafferty&Simpson of South Queensferry Edinburgh timed at 14.11 flying 328 miles vel 1130.

Section E: 1st section and 72nd Open W McGaffney Lesmahagow timed at 14.50.11 flying 312 miles.887yds vel 999.68. 2nd section and 73rd Open W Mitchell &Son of Lesmahagow. flying 312 miles.822yds timed at 14.50.13 vel 999.50. 3rd section and 84th Open Mr&Mr Elliot of NewBigging Lanark timed at 14.59 flying 311 miles vel 979.

Section F: 1st section and 79th Open I Lowe of Glasgow Timed at 15.28 flying 330 miles vel 988. 2nd section and 81st Open Graham Brothers timed at 15.32 flying 331 miles vel 985. 3rd section and 88th Open Willy Gass Glasgow timed at 15.47 Flying 335 miles.vel 972

At this precise moment I am awaiting Photos and information from my section supporters, all have been out and about visiting the section and open winners, if I cannot make the dead line to include them with this article, a further in depth report will follow next week. Returns have been mixed, some have all their entries back, others have none. Many have only one. Whatever the cause, we shall never know. With the weather appearing to be very good and other races from 80 miles above having good returns. But it is for sure that the national flyers that regularly win and appear on the longer results, are there again. This was a good stiff race and we congratulate all who have made the result and the committee thank the members who sent birds but did not make results for their support. I am sure that most if not all will live to fight for another day.

Ian M Brown PRO for the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club phone number 01577 840358 Email ian@ianmbrown.wanadoo.co.uk