Ayrshire Federation Homing Pigeon Society

Racing Pigeons - Ayrshire Federation Homing Pigeon Society

William Anderson

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

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.

Read the 100 years of pigeon racing in Ayrshire 1899 to 1999 by Robert Kennedy:- 100 Pigeon Years

Winner of the Anderson Memorial Shield for the best average performance over the last three old bird and the last two young bird races in Ayrshire for the season 2008 was Tom Blakely of Irvine Newtown H. S.

Tom has been racing pigeons for over 50 years and has won the Shield twice. Tom's winning distance pigeons are featured in:- Around the lofts

The Toll Queen

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