Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club

Fontenay National

Saturday morning the 7th of July 2012 saw 133 birds entered by 39 members of the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club liberated in

Fontenay France at 05.35. Weather conditions that week-end were typical of the last 3 months not very suitable for the racing of pigeons and anyone sending pigeons would have been aware of this. UK racing

associations who decided to hold races that week-end had major dilemmas on whether to liberate or hold over. Whatever decision officials reached it would only have been taken after considering all the pertinent factors, unfortunately because of factors unknown the SNRPC and other associations who were racing that weekend suffered the same fate with

very few pigeons making it in race time. I would on behalf of the committee and officials of the SNRPC congratulate Joesph Bowman Cowdenbeath on winning the Silver Medal Robert Wilson and Davy

Jack Lanark for being a close second and Davy Whyte of Cardenden Fife on third open, three gallant pigeons that did it despite the adverse prevailing conditions that weekend also to Jim Anderson also of

Cardenden Fife who timed on the third day just out of race time (400 yards) on 388, it was also confirmed that a number of birds were reported

in England and Wales during the race and after.Ian M Brown President of the Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club

The weather at Fontenay at the time of liberation was good and further information from the Dover Coastguard station reported that conditions on the English Channel were favourable and although there were reports of rain in parts of southern England, the race officials estimated that the

rain would have cleared by the time our pigeons reached the affected areas. At the home end we were experiencing poor conditions and heavy

rain which was also expected to clear later in the day.

What transpired was an extremely difficult and arduous race; we have experienced some very hard races over the last few years but none that

could compare with the severity of this one. No pigeons made it home on the day of liberation and as the next morning unfolded there was still nothing reported by mid day. After an early rise and some anxious

waiting for everyone at last the break through came just after mid day when Wilson & Jack of Lanark phoned the arrivals line to report that they had timed at 12.21. Flying some 548 miles to their Lanarkshire loft. This

gave us all some hope that the birds were starting to make their way through, around 30 minutes later a second bird was reported to the loft of

Joseph Bowman of Cowdenbeath in Fife, Joseph’s pigeon flying 568 miles and timed at 12.51 meant that the Fife pigeon flying 20 miles

further would take the 1st Open position. Hopes were soon dashed as the day progressed when there were no further pigeons recorded until Davy Whyte of Cardenden timed at 16.51 to take the third open spot. A brave fourth pigeon belonging to Jim Anderson for Cardenden made it also but

unfortunately just out of race time.

1st Section C, 1st Open Joseph Bowman of Cowdenbeath

Pat and Joseph Bowman Cowdenbeath 1st Open Fontenay & winner of the SNRPC Silver Medal

Joseph Bowman is a member of St Serfs club and has kept racing pigeons for over 40 years he has been married to his wife Pat for 47 years they

have one daughter two sons six grandchildren and two great

grandchildren, Joseph has named his national winner Cody’s Blue after their 3 year old grandson. The grand children are showing some interest

in the pigeons and each have their special birds in the loft. Joseph suffered a stroke a few years ago which left him with impaired sight since

then Pat has been a great help to him around the loft which has enabled him to continue racing his pigeons.

The National and Silver Medal winner is a typical long distance pigeon handling a little over medium size he is bred from a Raymond Moleveld Jan Aarden based cock he purchased at a sale in Musselburgh the dam is also a Jan Aarden a hen that was bought from Roy Harding of Cheshire Joseph has other bloodlines in his loft but he is concentrating mainly on

the Jan Aardens.As a young bird he was raced to 115 miles at the yearling stage he went

as far a Leicester 258 miles this year he was raced again to 258 miles then he was re-paired for Fontenay and sent on 15day eggs prior to the

national he had three tosses at 35 miles and a single up toss at 40 miles the day before basketing.What a tremendous season Joseph has had After a successful Reims race where he timed two good pigeons to finish 42 &

58th Open he continued his good season after this National win from Fontenay by timing two from SNRPC Arras to take 13th and 71st open.

There are a number of well kept lofts in his back garden and his nice conservatory allows him a constant view of his pigeons I can envisage the

satisfaction Joe would have sitting there watching his birds having now won the SNRPC Fontenay National. Many congratulations Joseph from

the officials and committee of the SNRPC.

President Ian M Brown Congratulating Joseph Bowman on his National win

1st Section E, 2nd Open Wilson & Jack Lanark.

Robert Wilson and Davy Jack have been winning from over the channel for many years they are very experienced fanciers who know how to prepare a pigeon to complete in the long distance events. A couple of

years ago our president Ian Brown and I had the great pleasure in visiting the partnerships lofts when compiling our reports on the SNRPC

Champion Awards, Robert and Davy are real gentlemen and it was treat to see their loft and birds and to handle their pride and Joy the Messac

National winner and Silver Champion Peanuts and what a great champion she was, unfortunately she took ill last year and died prematurely which

was a great blow to the lads. This latest gem from this great loft is a 5 year old Dark Chec hen she was sent sitting on 9 day eggs with her 1st and 2nd flights thrown on one wing

and her 2nd thrown on the other. Although a little down in the body as one would expect after such a strenuous task she was in great condition on her return. Later it was noticed that she had a small dent on her keel a further inspection showed signs of bruising where she must have hit something

on her way home, who knows the main thing was that she made it.She has had her fair share of knocks in her time the latest being at the start of the year when she flew into tree to escape a dreaded peregrine

attack resulting in a nasty gash to her breast.

In 2010 she was 2nd section 158th open Wanstead Flats national, she has also taken several positions in club and fed and for those who are

interested in how she was handled she had 4 races as a youngster up to Catterick at the yearling stage 5 races to Wakefield as a two year old

again injuries seen her stopped for the season after Newark, 3 years old 6 races to Wanstead Flats then SNRPC Arras where she homed 12.15 next

day. 4 year old again injured in training later that season she had two comeback races from Aycliffe. This season she had 4 races to Newark (over 7 1/2 hours on the wing) then 8x40/50 mile tosses with Willie

Johnstone the partners whish to note their thanks to Willie for this. Her breeding is a bit of a mixture on the sires side she is a G/Daughter of their Dark Pied hen 5th sect 21st open SNFC Tours 2004 while on the dams side

she is a G/Daughter of the partnerships 3rd sect 20th open SNRPC Arras 2008. This hen is a real survivor having had so many knocks and injuries in her racing career Robert and Davy are full of admiration for this game

little hen.

Dark Hen 1st Section 2nd Open Fontenay Wilson & Jack Lanark

2nd Section 3rd Open Davy Whyte Cardenden

Davy is another Fife fancier who has done very well over the last two or three seasons but last year was wee a bit special with the highlight being

1st section 2nd open Reims and 2nd section Wanstead.

His 3rd open 2nd section winner this year is a five year old white cock bred down from birds from another Kingdom member Stevie Ritchie also of

Cardenden.This pigeon is an uncle to Davy’s 2nd open Reims winner, he had every

race this season including both Billericay’s one with the SNRPC and the other the Kingdom open race.

They are raced natural this and cock was sitting on overdue eggs, it was only after basketing that Davy noticed a newly hatched youngster in the

nest. Conditions were so bad that Davy was watching for birds from his

bedroom window when the white cock dropped onto the loft at 16.51.After clocking him he was amazed at how good a condition this pigeon

was in after braving the elements during his long journey home this speaks volumes for the care and attention these birds had during their

time in the transporter.

Davy Whyte Cardenden 2nd section 3rd Open

The fourth pigeon recorded was that belonging to Jim Anderson of Cardenden. Jim’s bird is a three year old blue hen her breeding is Steve

Wright Jan Aarden X Jocky King lines.She has been a steady racer for James and had only three or four races

this season before going to Fontenay, this is another natural raced pigeon and she was sitting 12-14 days when sent.

Although she was clocked just out of race time it’s very fitting that she gets get the recognition deserved for her efforts.

Congratulations to our prize winners from all our nationals and good luck to all for the Young Bird National on the 15th September.

Remember our Annual Late bred sale on Sunday 2nd September again at Newbridge Bowling club for a chance to pick up a youngster off some of

the seasons big winners.

Duncan KnoxPress Officer