Abbeyton lofts - Mr & Mrs J Savage Racing Pigeons


It appears the sport had caught on like a raging fire by 1913 as there were now 28 clubs affiliated to the Federation with a spread from Dalmellington to Greenock. The President was Mr Neil McKinnon of Barrhead with Mr Wm. Baird, 114 Townhead St. Old Cumnock, Secretary. When World War One began racing was suspended after three Old Bird races. A cutting from the local newspaper shows the result of the last race Maryport prior to the outbreak. The cutting reads:- After a two day detention conveyors Bolland and Weeks released 2,924 birds at 10.30am in a S.W. Wind. The highest velocities were returned in the East Section headed by Hugh Kennedy & Son of Crosshouse Club on 1083 y.p.m. while G McIntyre of Kilmarnock United took the principal honours in the West Section, 1058 velocity. When the conflict was over a modest start was made with a seven Old Bird programme for 1920 opening with Dumfries on 8th May and concluding at Bournemouth on 3rd July. There were five Young Bird races starting at Dumfries on 10th July and ending at Lancaster on 7th August. Could a lesson be learned here, Note:- We are racing Young Birds four weeks longer and into September when our forefathers had called a halt by the second week in August. This let their young team moult more freely without the rigours of racing. Season 1923 saw a second Stafford race added but the Old Birds still stopped at Bournemouth. It was not until 1924 that the Federation ventured a channel race as a unit of their own, this race was flown from Granville on 7th July when the birds were released at 6.00am. by conveyor Deans. There were no day birds and the race was won by J Ferguson of Dalry H.S. 761 velocity, second was A McDonald of Kilmarnock and J Roddie of Dalry 3rd on 731 velocity. Season1925 was the first mention of the South-West Combine their first race was from Guernsey where conveyor J Digby had 307 birds released at 5.30am. in a S.W. Wind.
L to R, Sons Tom, Robert, their father Hugh Kennedy, Jocky Gilliespie and younger son Sam Kennedy at the Annick Lodge Loft.		Leading the field was that fine fancier J Ferguson of Dalry who returned a 1291 velocity winning a £10 prize and £4 in pools, next came J.H. Young of Stevenson on 1220 velocity, Joker Young as he was affectionately known was later to become our Secretary, third prize went to Kilbarchan fancier J Scott 1203 velocity. Almost a third of the convoy made home on the day and many fanciers reporting full returns by noon next day. Possibly this was why that Guernsey proved the popular choice right through the thirties. The next Guernsey race result I came across was for 1931 season, conveyor J Digby liberated 800 birds at 6.25am. there were 37 pigeons home on the day. Pride of place went to Clapperton & Walker of New Cumnock with a 923 velocity, 2nd were Hugh Kennedy & Sons who had then joined the Fergushill Club returned a 919 velocity, third were Harkness Brothers of Dalry.

Two late arrivals to Annick Lodge village that evening were a second pigeon to the Kennedy's which missed the loft in semi-darkness and was caught with a trout landing net and one to Robert Hamilton who's garden loft was a mere three doors away. Campbell Bros. of Dalry had an amazing race that evening they were 5th Fed. with their first bird and then clocked a further seven, ie, two lots of three in the same thimble, the last one on 861 velocity, to take 20th Federation prize. Guernsey it was again in 1932 and it turned out to be a real corker with only three pigeons breaking the 800 yard barrier. The convoy of 523 birds were held over from Sat.9th July until the Tuesday when Jock Digby cut the strings at 6.00am. in a West Wind. Heading the list were Campbell Bros. of Dalry who had that super result the year previous, they won the R.P. special £7 with a 865 velocity, one yard behind was Tom Fulton of Kilwinning who scooped the Co-operative 1cwt of No.1 racing mixture and £3 with Kilmarnock fancier J.M. Burton third on 826 velocity and £7. The last two Ten Shilling prizes were won by Jas. McIlwraith who was B.H.W. scribe "Glencairn" and H. Kennedy & Sons on 475 and 474 velocity respectively.