Ayrshire Federation's first secretary in their inaugural year 1899 and a member of Galston Homing Society.

Read our fantastic history and the stories of racing 

pigeons in the " 100 pigeon years in Ayrshire  1899 to 1999" by researcher and author Robert Kennedy "Culzean" of the Racing Pigeon. 100 Pigeon Years

Most of the present day fanciers in Ayrshire have heard of " The Anderson Shield " as it is affectionately known, however there will be few if any know in who's memory this award was put up in memory of our annual competition.  This fine gentleman William Anderson was Ayrshire Federation of Homing Pigeon Societies first secretary a post he held until his passing in 1938 except for four years from 1915 to 1918 when he was Wartime secretary of the Scottish National Flying Club and his home address was Mansefield Galston.

Wull as he was known to the fancy was one of the leading figures who organised the first six clubs in the county into the Federation.    The inaugural meeting was held in Kilmarnock in December 1898 the six founder clubs being Dalry H.S., Newmilns & Darvel H.S., Irvine H.S., Galston H.S., Kilmarnock United H.S., and lastly Glengarnock & Kilbirnie F.C. with William. Anderson appointed secretary.  The earliest President mentioned was Mr James Boyd of Emerald Bank House in 1904, it is not known if he was our first President.   The 1904 Old Bird programme was Dumfries on 13th May, Mayport, Bootle, Kirkham with Friday race marking, Stafford and Swindon the birds were dispatched Thursdays.    The Young Bird race stages were Dumfries 22nd July,  Maryport, Bootle and Kirkham, Mr Jacob Bolland of Kilmarnock was appointed race conveyor.

During these early years Wull Anderson put in a power of work and travel to ensure Ayrshire Federation had its rightful place in the Scottish sport.  It was his brainchild which brought the six aforementioned clubs together.  He also wrote a monthly column headed simply "Ayrshire" for the Racing Pigeon Weekly as early as 1905 under the pseudonym "Westward Ho".

Clocks will be set on the same night as race marking except at Lille when clocks will be set on Thursday 1st July 2004

Races up to and inc. Leicester - 30p per bird.  Huntingdon and Maidstone - 40p per bird.  Lille - £1.50

Members can obtain information regarding liberation times and Federation news by ringing the following number.

B.H.W. Lib Line  -  09063 656 781

Check the Home Page for Race Liberation Info.

Annual General Meeting

This will be held in the Dunlop Memorial Hall, Dreghorn on Wednesday 8th December, 2004 at 19.00 hrs prompt when the seasons business will be addressed.

This will be held in the Dunlop Memorial Hall, Dreghorn on Wednesday 2nd February, 2005 at 19.00 hrs prompt.

This function will be held in the Masonic Hall, Stevenston on Friday 15th October 2004.

Liz McGinley wife of the Ayrshire Federation secretary is flanked here by Ricky and Mark Findlay of the Reaper Club who won the Wm. Anderson Memorial Shield for the Best Average in the five Open Races 1999.  These lads were also 3rd Fed. Sartilly to win the J. K. Paterson Trophy.