Pigeon Network

Anderson James - I must inform the fancy of the very sad news that the Cullybackey Flying Club legend Jimmy Anderson has passed away at the advanced age of 94 years. The former railway worker had many friends in the sport and locally was a long established ace racer. For what I remember he was long distance through and through flying in an area that has had a host of top performances over many years bringing the Grand Nat Kings Cup home twice and also winning the Grand National in young birds from Penzance. Jimmy was famous for his Frank Cheetham Pontefract family of birds that flew well and even up to the present time are very much involved in the family of Gerry O’Reilly in Malahide, one of the best long distance racers in Dublin. Jimmy Anderson won the INFC Vaux Friendship Nat from Beauvais recording velocity 950 at 518 miles, his 5 year old Dark Cheq hen “Beechmount Fantastic” was timed at 10.57pm in total darkness to be the only bird in Ireland on the day. He won the NIPA Old Bird Derby in 1956 from St Malo 460 miles velocity 992 with “Valiant Lady” and at that time he had timed from every NIPA Derby flown from France with the exception of two races which were disasters. He won the NIPA Skibbereen YB Derby in 1973 in a race when the bird was not entered in the Section and was aptly named “Beechmount Surprise”. This race from 260 miles had an entry of 7,154 birds competing. When racing he had numerous top positions, the area at the time was a hot-bed of racing, thought to France his favourite point. On behalf of the local fancy, sincere condolences to wife Jean and the family circle at this very sad time. J W Reynolds HOMER.


Anderson James - We were very sad to hear the news our long time family friend Jimmy had passed away on 18th of May. He was 94 years old, a great friend and a true true gentleman of the sport. Jim will sadly missed by wife Jean and son John and all his family and friends. Niall O'Reilly, Malahide.