Weather again interfered with the pigeon racing programme on Saturday when the scheduled Newton Aycliffe race was replaced by the shorter distance of Driffield. Even then, the liberation was delayed until 3-45pm in a bid to avoid the storms. Best pigeon into the area was to the loft of retired motor dealer, David Page, of the Candlesby club, with prolific winner John Hardy close behind when he took the first two places in Boston Central RPC.

Results from Driffield.

Boston and District RPC (9 members sent 160 birds): Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1179, D Henry 1177.390 and 1177.208, D Judd 1169, D Henry 1166.735, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1166.143 and 1152, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1151, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1145, D Brackenbury 1144, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1137 and 1136.

Boston Central (12-139): Hardy and Troops 1219 and 1217, D Henry 1207, J Burt and Son 1206 and 1183, A Kirkman 1171 and 1153, D Henry 1150, B Parker 1146, D Henry 1141 and 1140, Mr and Mrs P Warsap 1138.

Skegness (5-50): K and B Smith 1216 and 1214, PW Smith 1189, R Lancaster 1185 and 1176, PW Smith 1173.

Alford (8-98): F and A Tasker 1214, 1204.4902 and 1204.0769, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1191.6122, 1191.1722 and 1190, F and A Tasker 1164, Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1117, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1112, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1084 and 1083, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1073.

Skegness and Wainfleet (5-82): F and A Tasker 1217, 1216 and 1200, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1199, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1193, A and J Pinner 1167, A Tasker 1163.

Candlesby (7-74): D Page 1220, Jessica Newbold 1208.4 and 1208.0, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1207.8 and 1207.6, P Whiting 1195, M Sharpe 1184, T Spence 1141, B and P Sears 1138.

Swineshead (2-33): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1109, 1060, 1025 and 1009.

Results from Lerwick.

Skegness (6-27): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1028 and 668, P Smith 647, N Balderston 620.

Spalding HS (11-51): J Bellerby 1076, D Croft 1013, G Spiller 961 and 932, A Parkinson 820, D Croft 804, D Biggadike 744, L Batterham 732, A Parkinson 717, D Croft 716, D Biggadike 678, MJ Lewis 653.

Swineshead (3-36): Mr and Mrs T Welby 763.324, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 763.291, Mr and Mrs Welby 647.

Candlesby (3-14) and Skegness and Wainfleet(4-29): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 757 and 670.

From Newton Aycliffe.

Spalding HS (14-211): RJ Rout 1430 and 1427, P Llewellyn 1408, A Skillington 1394, RJ Rout 1393, R Modd 1392, R Holmes 1384, A Parkinson 1382, R Modd 1380, J Bellerby 1377.8036, A Parkinson 1377.7247, J Bellerby 1377.0087.

From Kingsdown.

Boston Area South Road RPC (7-103): Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1826, 1815 and 1802, J Gore and Son 1715, J McFadyen 1714, LR Manning 1713, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1699, J Gore and Son 1685, LR Manning 1682.

Week ending June 29

Frank lands coveted race glory

The biggest prize in pigeon racing for fanciers who compete on the northern route has been landed by a Lincolnshire fancier. Frank Bristow (60), of Horbling and a member of Sleaford and Bourne clubs, on Saturday won the North Road Championship Club’s Blue Riband race from Lerwick, in the Shetland Isles - pigeon racing's equivalent to horse racing's Grand National. Frank, who runs a painting and decorating business, has been a pigeon fancier since schooldays and describes his win as “a dream come true.” He has had many successes in the past but nothing, he says, to compare with this. Distance from Lerwick to his home is 502 miles and, with the birds facing a head wind for much of the race, only 39 of the 1, 699 entry sent by 300 fanciers were recorded on the day. Runner-up, beaten by a hairsbreadth, was Maurice (Tim) Dales, of Louth, and other good Lincolnshire performances in the provisional results are: John Bellerby, Spalding (5), Mr and Mrs L Gilbert, Grantham (10), Mamwell Bros, Louth (12), Richard Manning, Boston (14), Davison and Ellis, Lincoln (15), Mr and Mrs Bob Boulton, Addlethorpe (16), Toms and Croft, Louth (18), Hardy and Troops, Boston (19), D Croft, Spalding (20), Hales and Brewster, Bourne (23), Mr and Mrs AW Chapman, Bourne (25), Mr and Mrs PG Clare, Sloothby (26), A Wright, Louth (27).

Club results from Lerwick:

Boston Central RPC (11 members sent 87 birds): Hardy and Troops 1015, R Brocklesby 954, G Watts 797, R Brocklesby 779, Hardy and Troops 724, Appleby and Dtr 717 and 712, R Brocklesby 684, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 675, G Watts 655, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 651 and 638.

Boston and District RPC(6-46): LR Manning 1037, C Collins and Son 819, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 807, LR Manning 792, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 675, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 651 and 638, Mr and Mrs Garnham 622.

Alford(7-54): Mr and Mrs PG Clare 991, E Lee 757, Mr and Mrs R Kellett 687, Barker and Kingston 637, E Lee 634, Barker and Kingston 594, Mr and Mrs Clare 584, E Lee 572 and 564.

Results from Driffield:

Boston Central RPC (16-251): A Kirkman 1427, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1411, B Parker 1409.523, Upsall and Frost 1409.434, J Burt and Son 1398, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1396 and 1387, Hardy and Troops 1383, B Parker 1382 and 1360, DJ Brackenbury 1350, B Parker 1340.

Results from Dunbar:

Boston Central RPC (15-186): D Henry 1403, Hardy and Troops 1401, Upsall and Frost 1393 and 1388, Hardy and Troops 1382, D Henry 1378, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1377, Hardy and Troops 1372, S Snowden 1369, D Henry 1367, J Burt and Son 1362 and 1345.

From Newbury:

Boston Area South Road RPC (9-125): Mr and Mrs J Dixon 2118 and 2083, J Gore and Son 2032, Mr and Mrs A Neison 2025, 2019 and 2016.215, J McFadyen 2016.023 and 2013, JL Batterham 2003, MW and MB Scrupps 1985.

From Northallerton:

Spalding HS (13-163): J Bellerby 1247, RJ Rout 1238, J Bellerby 1178, R Putterill 1167.6877, MJ Lewis 1167.4417 and 1158.9674, RJ Rout 1158.6567, P Llewellyn 1145, MJ Lewis 1137.1955, R Modd 1137.0735, P Llewellyn 1136, D Croft 1134.

Week ending June 22

Husband-and-wife duo is top race-day team

Husband and wife team Mr and Mrs Dave Evans were the in-form pigeon fanciers when Saturday’s race was from Dunbar. They won both the Alford and Skegness and Wainfleet clubs, and the Alford winner was the fastest bird in the area and possible winner of the Peterborough and District Federation. This summer’s topsy-turvy weather produced another bad racing day and, while the leading pigeons made light work of the rain, others succumbed and were absent at nightfall.

Results from Dunbar.

Candlesby (8 members sent 71 birds): Jessica Newbold 1371, B and P Sears 1356, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1338, M Sharpe 1336, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1333.3 and 1333.2, Jessica Newbold 1332, D Page 1312, K Scholz 1301, P Whiting 1287.

Skegness and Wainfleet (6-110): Mr and Mrs D Evans 1413, F and A Tasker 1410.5 and 1410.4, A Tasker 1407, F and A Tasker 1401, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1384, Bartle, Harrison and French 1365, A and J Pinner 897.

Alford (12-119): Mr and Mrs Evans 1421, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1406, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1393, B Sears 1383, F and A Tasker 1381, B Sears 1369, FA Adcock 1363.32, F and A Tasker 1363.20, A and J Pinner 1357, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1349.34 and 1349.26, F and A Tasker 1341.

Skegness and District (6-69): P Smith 1403, Bob Lancaster 1394, P Smith 1379, 1377 and 1367, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1365.

Swineshead and District (3-51): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1262, 1227 and 1167, G Wheatman 1000.

Boston and District RPC (10-160): Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1399 and 1382, D Henry 1380, D Brackenbury 1366, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1362, LR Manning 1346, Gough and Read 1336, D Brackenbury 1329, H Bell 1322, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1309.323, D Judd 1309.130, D Henry 1284.

Result from Whitley Bay.

Spalding FC: P Llewellyn 1538, Mr and Mrs T Woolsey 1512, P Llewellyn 1494, Mr and Mrs R Rout 1490, Mr and Mrs T Woolsey 1489 and 1488.7716, P Llewellyn 1488.2644, Mr and Mrs Rout 1480, Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1471, K Burton 1453, J Wells 1449, R Holmes 1439.

Result from Berwick.

Spalding HS (14-166): T Upex 1593, RJ Rout 1577, J Bellerby 1570 and 1566, R Putterill 1562, P Llewellyn 1560, MJ Lewis 1553.7249, A Compton 1553.7148, RJ Rout 1549, R Putterill 1548, R Modd 1547, J Bellerby 1546.

Result from Blandford Camp.

Boston Area South Road RPC (9-105): Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1423 and 1420, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1409 and 1408, J McFadyen 1383, D Peters and Son 1379, JL Batterham 1365, D Peters and Son 1360, LR Manning 1325, D Peters and Son 1321.

Week ending June 15

Veteran Bob still packs a fast pigeon

Bob Boulton of Addlethorpe has been around the pigeon racing scene longer than he would probably care to recall, but he proved he can still pull an ace out of the pack when he had the fastest local pigeon in Saturday's race from Whitley Bay, in conditions that suited east coast fanciers. But no-one can have been happier than Carl Upsall who had the best pigeon into Boston, by a massive six minutes. Moreover his partnership of Upsall and Frost also took third, fourth and sixth positions in what Carl reckons is one of his best-ever performances. There have been many good ones in the past, including a national win.

Results from Whitley Bay.

Skegness and District (6 members sent 76 birds): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1635, K and B Smith 1616 and 1610, PW Smith 1597, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1593, G Balderstone 1593.

Candlesby (9-78): P Whiting 1623, M Sharpe 1602, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1591.8, 1591.5 and 1586, P Whiting 1577, D Page 1557, Jessica Newbold 1550, B and P Sears 1546, T Spence 1535, K Scholz 1459, Mr and Mrs Akid and Hall 1430.

Skegness and Wainfleet (7-106): A Tasker 1627.5, F and A Tasker 1627.3 and 1627.02, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1622 and 1620, A Tasker 1616, Bartle, Harrison and French 1595, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1593, A and J PInner 1560, P Makepeace 1559.

Swineshead and District (3-52): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1479, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1452, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1408, Mr and Mrs Welby 1398, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1384, G Wheatman 1235.

Alford (12-127): Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1608, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1607, F and A Tasker 1599, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1594.88 and 1594.71, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1587 and 1586, F and A Tasker 1583, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1576, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1566, F and A Tasker 1565.54, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1565.09.

Boston and District FC (10-177): D Henry 1555, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1541 and 1535, Gough and Read 1532, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1525, D Judd 1504, 1503 and 1501, Gough and Read 1498 and 1496, LR Manning 1495, D Henry 1493.

Boston Central (17-246): Upsall and Frost 1610, Hardy and Troops 1557, Upsall and Frost 1555.564 and 1555.123, D Henry 1549, Upsall and Frost 1542, G Watts 1534, A Kirkman 1527, J Burt and Son 1520, R Brocklesby 1507, S Snowden 1500 and 1499.

Results from Fraserburgh.

Boston and District (8-113): D Brackenbury 1287, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1247, LR Manning 1244, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1237, D Brackenbury 1321, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1226, LR Manning 1223, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1221 and 1214, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1212, D Brackenbury 1207.601, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1207.124.

Boston Central RPC (13-123): Upsall and Frost 1272, Hardy and Troops 1271, A Kirkman 1270, J Burt and Son 1264.648, Upsall and Frost 1264.105 and 1254, G Hoyles and Dtr 1251, Hardy and Troops 1248, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1247, Hardy and Troops 1245, G Watts 1240, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1237.

Spalding HS (11-80): G Spiller 1263, J Bellerby 1252, A Parkinson 1236, MJ Lewis 1226, A Parkinson 1224, G Spiller 1190, R Holmes 1180, G Spiller 1169, A Parkinson 1163.6393, MJ Lewis 1163.0603, R Holmes 1161, J Bellerby 1159.

Swineshead and District (2-14): M Huddlestone 1278 and 1234, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1208 and 1128, M Huddlestone 1099.

Skegness and Wainfleet (6-99): Bartle, Harrison and French 1318 and 1304, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1286 and 1275, Bartle, Harrison and French 1270, F and A Tasker 1269, A Tasker 1239, A and J Pinner 1186, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1154.

Candlesby (4-36): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1286 and 1275, K Scholz 1183, B and P Sears 1167 and 1091, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1088, D Page 990.

Alford (11-148): F and A Tasker 1269.36, 1269.31 and 1259.88, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1259.42, 1221 and 1202, A and J PInner 1180, A Willerton 1173, B and P Sears 1167, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1154, M Dennis 1152, A Willerton 1130.

Skegness and District (6-31): PW Smith 1286, 1272 and 1213, Nigel Balderstone 1192 and 1187, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1151.

From Northallerton.

Spalding HS (16-213): R Modd 1618 and 1614.5939, P Llewellyn 1614.1121 and 1610, G Spiller 1573, A Skillington 1563, D Croft 1541, RJ Rout 1502 and 1498, T Upex 1483, R Holmes 1474, J Bellerby 1471.

From Fougeres.

Boston Area South Road RPC (10-81): J McFadyen 1152, LR Manning 1122, R Brown 1073, LR Manning 1072, Mrs H Bullock 1071, JL Batterham 1042, Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1038, JL Batterham 1018 and 1015, P Stanfield 1008.

From Basingstoke.

Boston Area South Road RPC (9-134): Mr and Mrs A Neison 1110, J Gore and Son 1103, Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1091, Mr and Mrs Neison 1025, J McFadyen 1022, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1000, LR Manning 998 and 956, A Holland 933, Mr and Mrs Neison 908.

Week ending June 8

Fine performances in season’s second ‘national’

Local pigeon racing enthusiasts had their second taste of national competition on Sunday. They were competing with the North Road Championship Club from Fraserburgh in a race that was delayed a day, until Sunday, because of bad weather. There was an entry of 2,958 birds entered by 348 members. The race was staged in good conditions. Winners were J Dolby and Son, of Chatteris, on a velocity of 1331 yards per minute. But there were excellent performances by local fanciers, none better than that of the Skegness loft of Frank Bartle and his partners Messrs Harrison and French, who were second on 1317ypm, and winners of Section Two. They are previous winners of the NRCC young bird national in 2004. Dave Brackenbury, of Boston, winner of this race in 2001, is sixth in the provisional result on 1288ypm, Pete Smith, of Skegness (1287), seventh, and the in-form partnership of Paul and Jane Newbold, Friskney, eighth on 1286ypm. There was a particularly outstanding performance by relative newcomer to the sport, Mark Huddlestone, of Donington, who appears in 11th position (1278) in the open result, and second in Section Three.

Results in Section Two, in which most Lincolnshire fanciers compete, were: Bartle, Harrison and French, Skegness, 1317, D J Brackenbury, Boston, 1288, PW Smith, Skegness, 1287, Mr and Mrs P Newbold, Friskney, 1286, Upsall and Frost, Boston, 1275, Hardy and Troops, Boston, 1272, A Kirkman, Boston, 1271, F and A Tasker, Wainfleet, 1270, Mamwell Bros, Louth, 1267, Burton and Collins, Louth 1266, J Burt and Son, Boston, 1264, Mr and Mrs PG Clare, Sloothby, 1261.

Week ending June 1

Day’s best return achieved by Quibell bird

Weather conditions on Saturday were the best of the season for pigeon racing and this led to mile-a-minute returns, the best of which was by a bird belonging to Richard Quibell, of Horncastle. The race was from Newton Aycliffe.

Results from Perth:

Skegness and Wainfleet (seven members sent 152 birds): A and J Pinner 1449, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1443 and 1434, F and A Tasker 1429, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1424, Bartle. Harrison and French 1398, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1333, Jessica Newbold 1308.

Candlesby (7-80): D Page 1400, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1394 and 1391.98, M Sharpe 1391, B and P Sears 1377, K Scholz 1329, Jessica Newbold 1308.

Swineshead (3-40): M Huddlestone 1406 and 1378, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1363 and 1353, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1330, M Huddlestone 1320.

Spalding HS (9-78): A Parkinson 1469, MJ Lewis 1454, A Parkinson 1444, J Bellerby 1440, P Llewellyn 1430, J Bellerby 1419, P Llewellyn 1407, A Parkinson 1390 and 1377, R Holmes 1366.9725, T Enderby 1366.4775, MJ Lewis 1360.

Results from Newton Aycliffe:

Skegness and District (6-68) PW Smith 1730 and 1687, G Balderstone 1667, K and B Smith 1651, 1632 and 1628.

Candlesby (9-108): Jessica Newbold 1711, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1707, P Whiting 1706, Jessica Newbold 1705, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1704, D Page 1694, K Scholz 1667, M Sharpe 1617, T Spence 1607, B and P Sears 1595, A and R McLirick 1531.

Skegness and Wainfleet (7-117): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1761, 1712 and 1709, Ann Tasker 1700.9, F and A Tasker 1700.7, P Makepeace 1662, Bartle, Harrison and French 1631, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1609, A and J Pinner 1569.

Alford (11-161): Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1719, F and A Tasker 1708 and 1691, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1690, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1672, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1629, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1626, F and A Tasker 1616, Barker and Kingswood 1612, B Sears 1611.

Horncastle Invitation FC (8-92): R Quibell 1774, P Hallett 1680, R Hayes 1666 and 1665, G Cunningham 1658.

Boston and District RPC (11-234): D Brackenbury 1764 and 1763, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1743, 1719 and 1713, H Bell 1707, D Henry 1706, D Brackenbury 1701, Gough and Reed 1650, C Collins and Son 1642, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1640, D Judd 1623.

Boston Central (17-225): Hardy and Troops 1767, J Burt and Son 1752, Upsall and Frost 1711, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1736, Hardy and Troops 1727, Upsall and Frost 1719, G Watts 1718.981, Hardy and Troops 1718.165, G Hoyles and Dtr 1707, Upsall and Frost 1706, W Hall and Son 1704, B Parker 1701.

Swineshead (4-80): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1697 and 1476, Mr and Mrs TF Welby 1457, M Huddlestone 1432, Mr and Mrs Welby 1416, M Huddlestone 1306 and 1304, G Wheatman 1252.

Results from Alnwick.

Spalding HS (14-181): MJ Lewis 1360 and 1339, R Modd 1319, A Compton 1308, R Putterill 1305, P Llewellyn 1304 and 1303, D Croft 1302, T Enderby 1281, R Putterill 1280, T Upex 1278, R Compton 1276.

Results from Wetherby.

Spalding HS (14-198): J Bellerby 1580, R Putterill 1578, MJ Lewis 1569, RJ Rout 1554, J Bellerby 1553, RJ Rout 1544, P Llewellyn 1542, 1540 amd 1538, T Upex 1532, P Llewellyn 1525, A Parkinson 1519.

Results from Newbury:

Boston Area South Road RPC (12-162): Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1147, J McFadyen 1115, J Gore and Son 1095, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1092.749, G Hoyules 1092.009, J Gore and Son 1090, D Peters and Son 1086.814, 1086.532 and 1085, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1076.

Results from Exeter:

Boston Area South Road RPC (7-68): Mr and Mrs J Dixon 967 and 958, J McFadyen 946 and 933, R Stainfield 926, LR Manning 911, R Brown 856, MW and MB Scrupps 791.

Week ending May 25

Garnham team unmatched in club racing spheres

The weather ruled out any chance of Lincolnshire fanciers winning the first of the big pigeon races of the season. A strong north-east wind was an advantage to fanciers in the Nottingham area as 338 fanciers sent 3,374 birds to the North Road Championship Club’s race from Perth, and the winners were H Taylor and Sons, of Eastwood, on a velocity of 1,527 yards per minute. They also took second place. Best county finishers were Davison and Ellis, Lincoln, fifth in the provisional open result, and Barton and Sons, Lincoln, who were 13th. In club racing no-one could match husband and wife team, Brian and Angie Garnham, of Butterwick.

Competing from Perth, they took the first two places, plus six and 10th, in Boston Central RPC; in Boston and District RPC they took the first three positions; and in a Boston Central race from Driffield they were again first, second and third. They are also third section in the provisional North Road Championship Club result from Perth.

Results from Perth:

Boston Central (13 members sent 150 birds): Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1459 and 1438, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1437.595, Hardy and Troops 1437.437, G Watts 1436, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1432, Upsall and Frost 1419, 1416.535 and 1416.328, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1409, J Burt and Son 1408.917, Upsall and Frost 1408.587.

Boston and District (8-128): Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1459, 1440 and 1438, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1437, LR Manning 1410, C Collins and Son 1389, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1378, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1372 and 1370, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1360 and 1344, D Brackenbury 1326.

Skegness and District: Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1414, 1372, 1361, 1323, 1322, and 1281.

Horncastle IFC (5-47): R True 1460, R Hayes 1419, 1396 and 1359.

Alford (11-79): A and J Pinner 1449, F and A Tasker 1429, A Willerton 1404, Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1384, B Sears 1377.78, F and A Tasker 1377.66, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1377.20, Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1377.07, Barker and Kingswood 1370, Mr and Mrs Clare 1369, F and A Tasker 1366, Mr and Mrs Clare 1359.

Results from Driffield:

Boston Central (17-233): Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1679, 1660 and 1656, S Snowden 1646 and 1643, K Ward 1641 and 1637, Upsall and Frost 1634, K Ward 1633, S Snowden 1631 and 1630, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1628.

Results from Basingstoke:

Boston Area South Road RPC (10-127): J McFadyen 1212 and 1201, LR Manning 1193 and 1170, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1158, G Hoyles 1154 and 1139, R Brown 1126, Mr and Mrs Neison 1123, R Brown 1110.

Week ending May 18

Partnership keeps up excellent form

A partnership that has shown excellent form in the early days of this pigeon racing season is that of Paul and Jayne Newbold of P and J Lofts, Friskney. For the second successive week they took the first two places in Skegness and Wainfleet club, this time competing from Dunbar on what proved to be a difficult day. Release was delayed until 1pm because of adverse weather and obviously the birds did not like the conditions they were asked to fly in because several were missing at nightfall - a blow for those fanciers wanting to send a full team to the first national race of the season, the North Road Championship Club’s opener from Perth on Saturday.

Results from Dunbar

Horncastle Invitation FC (5 members sent 65 birds): R Hayes 1299, 1154, 1144 and 1124, R Quibell 1119.

Swineshead and District (3-47): M Huddlestone 1277 and 1271, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1267, 1257 and 1109.

Skegness and Wainfleet (6-135): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1368.84 and 1368.69, Bartle, Harrison and French 1295, Ann Tasker 1253, F and A Tasker 1248 and 1243, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1114, A and J Pinner 1078.

Boston Central RPC (14-208): S Snowden 1347, D Henry 1344, Hardy and Troops 1318, Upsall and Frost 1314, Appleby and Dtr 1312, M Fisher 1310, Upsall and Frost 1296, Hardy and Troops 1291, G Watts 1282, D Henry 1277, Hardy and Troops 1268, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1260.

Boston and District FC (11-188): D Brackenbury 1360, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1351.4639, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1351.032, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1327, L R Manning 1317, C Collins and Son 1315, Gough and Read 1286, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1284, Gough and Read 1281, C Collins and Son 1279, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1274 and 1271.

Skegness and District (5-74): K and B Smith 1219, R Lancaster 1210, K and B Smith 1200, R Lancaster 1184, K and B Smith 1165, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1159. K and B Smith won the club’s sprint average, and Mr and Mrs R Boulton won the nomination.

Alford (12-214): Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1368.20, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1327, 1318 and 1293, Mr and Mrs Dennis 1280, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1268, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1260 and 1259, F and A Tasker 1205, 1192 and 1151, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1147.

Candlesby (8-80): D Page 1238, B and P Sears 1233, K Scholz 1222, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1217, K Scholz 1207, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1205, T Spence 1163, Jessica Newbold 1161, P Whiting 1041.

Results from Whitley Bay

Skegness and Wainfleet (7-205): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1444 and 1443, F and A Tasker 1440 and 1434, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1433.88, F and A Tasker 1433.78, Ann Tasker 1424, Bartle, Harrison and French 1417, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1401, A and J Pinner 1351, P Makepeace 1330.

Candlesby RPC (9-109): P Whiting 1452, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1444, Jessica Newbold 1443, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1441, M Sharpe 1413 and 1404, K Scholz 1388, D Page 1369, B and P Sears 1364, Mr and Mrs Akid 1157, G Clements 1113.

Spalding Services FC: R Holmes 1398, Mr and Mrs R Rout 1389, P Llewellyn 1382, 1374.6786 and 1374.5710, Mr and Mrs T Woolsey 1370, Mr and Mrs R Rout 1361, D Duffy 1359, Mr and Mrs R Rout 1357, Mr and Mrs T Woolsey 1357, B Walker 1337, D Duffy 1335.

From Newton Aycliffe

Spalding HS (16-258): P Llewellyn 1453, R Putterill 1445, T Enderby 1443, MJ Lewis 1438, R Modd 1436, D Croft 1434, MJ Lewis 1427, R Holmes 1414, A Skillington 1367, A Compton 1373, T Peach 1370, P Llewellyn 1369.

From West Bay

Boston Area South Road RPC (10-160): D Peters and Son 1353, 1351 and 1345, Mrs H Bullock 1288, AB Went 1278, A Neison 1276, J Gore and Son 1266, LR Manning 1255, J Gore and Son 1241.

Week ending May 11

Paul sets pace in Whitley Bay race stakes

Likely winner of Peterborough and District Federation of Homing Societies’ race from Whitley Bay on Saturday is Paul Whiting, winner of the Candlesby club, where Mr and Mrs Paul Newbold were second and Jessica Newbold third. John Hardy continued his amazing form by winning Boston Central RPC yet again, and another loft making a good start to the season is that of Brian and Angie Garnham, of Butterwick, winners of Boston and District FC. Ted Attwater, of the Mr and Mrs Attwater partnership, celebrated his 80th birthday by taking three positions in the first 12 in Boston and District, and receiving birthday greetings from his club-mates.

Result from Newton Aycliffe, Spalding Services FC: J Wells 1125, B Walker 1114, P Llewellyn 1110.9595, R Holmes 1110.7785 and 1105; Mr and Mrs R Rout 1102, R Holmes 1102, K Burton 1101, Mr and Mrs T Woolsey 1077, B Walker 1071, K Burton 1070, Mr and Mrs R Rout 1063.

Result from Northallerton, Spalding HS: P Llewellyn 1255, D Croft 1252, J Bellerby 1250 and 1246, MJ Lewis 1245 and 1243, A Skillington 11239, A Parkinson 1215, D Croft 1209 and 1205.1419, R Holmes 1205.0633. A Parkinson 1204.

Results from Whitley Bay:

Skegness and Wainfleet (seven members sent 205 birds): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1444 and 1443, F and A Tasker 1440 and 1434, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1433, F and A Tasker 1433, Ann Tasker 1424, 1422 and 1420, Bartle, Harrison and French 1417, 1416 and 1408.

Swineshead and District RPC (2-74): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1310 and 1304, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1296, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1293, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1288.

Horncastle Invitation FC (8-116): R Hayes 1411 and 1385, R True 1384, R Hayes 1382, R True 1367.

Boston and District FC (12-209): Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1416, LR Manning 1407, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1393, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1389 and 1385, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1378 and 1368.474, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1368.104, D Judd 1366, D Henry 1408, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1363, H Bell 1360.

Boston Central RPC (18-272): Hardy and Troops 1427, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1425, Hardy and Troops 1421 and 1417, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1402, Hardy and Troops 1397, Upsall and Frost 1393, G Watts 1384, Upsall and Frost 1382, G and C Edwards 1379, S Snowden 1377, Upsall and Frost 1374.

Skegness and District (6-86): PW Smith 1421, K and B Smith 1414, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1411, GW Balderston 1406, K and B Smith 1401, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1396.

Alford (12-239): F and A Tasker 1424 and 1423, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1411.55 and 1411.16, F and A Tasker 1410, A and J Pinner 1398, Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1396, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1394, Mr and Mrs Clare 1393, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1392, Mr and Mrs Evans 1383 and 1380.

Clubs belonging to the Peterborough and District Federation are reminded that marking for the Dunbar race is tomorrow (Thursday) evening.

Week ending May 4

John keeps up his racing domination

The man who has dominated pigeon racing in the Peterborough and District Federation of Homing Societies in recent seasons is not letting up.

John Hardy - competing as the Hardy and Troops partnership - was second in the first race of the season with Boston Central Flying Club, and this week in the race from Newton Aycliffe he took the first three places.

With the wind on their noses the birds had to work hard and there were gaps between returns. A pigeon flown by Ann Tasker, of Wainfleet, is the best in the local area.

Horncastle Invitation FC (8-94): R True 1201, R Hayes 1170, R True 1144 and 1122, R Hayes 1119.

Swineshead and District RPC (3-85): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1163, M Huddlestone 1117 and 1105, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1104, M Huddlestone 1093, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1071.

Skegness (5-94): PW Smith 1159.892, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1159.867, K and B Smith 1148, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1144.63, PW Smith 1144.067 and 1138. Single bird nomination was won by GW Balderston.

Boston and District FC (14-282): Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1158, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1152, H Bell 1132, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1130, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1120, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1118 and 1113, J McFadyen 1112, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1103, H Bell 1102, D Brackenbury 1100, J McFadyen 1099.

Boston Central RPC (18-274): Hardy and Troops 1192, 1182 and 1155, W Hall and Son 1150, D Henry 1147, Upsall and Frost 1146, G Watts 1144, D Henry 1142, Upsall and Frost 1134 and 1133, J Burt and Son 1132, D Henry 1130.

Alford (12-254): F and A Tasker 1217 and 1196, Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1192, F and A Tasker 1186, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1176 and 1170, A and J Pinner 1157.41, Mr and Mrs Dennis 1157.27, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1154, F and A Tasker 1139, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1121, Mr and Mrs Clare 1119.

Candlesby (11-143): D Page 1193, M Sharpe 1167, P Whiting 1164, D Page 1146, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1127, A and R McLirick 1127, K Scholz 1121, Jessica Newbold 1090, B and P Sears 1063, T Spence 1027, Mr and Mrs Akid and Hall 930.

Skegness and Wainfleet (7-216): Ann Tasker 1219, F and A Tasker 1213, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1198, F and A Tasker 1195, Ann Tasker 1194 and 1193, Bartle and Harrison 1177, A and J Pinner 1144, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1105, P Makepeace 947.

Week ending April 27

Jessica is quick off the mark

The pigeon racing season started a week later than planned because of bad weather. But schoolgirl Jessica Newbold was quick off the mark to win the first race of the season. She was top of the list in Candlesby Racing Pigeon Club and could well finish as winner of the Peterborough and District Federation.

The race for these north road fanciers was from Driffield and results were:

Candlesby (9 members sent 125 birds): J Newbold 1291 and 1232, M Sharpe 1226 and 1225, D Page 1221, K Scholz 1208, J Newbold 1181, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1136, B and P Sears 1059, P Whiting 948, A and R McLirick 839, Mr and Mrs Akid 812.

Skegness and Wainfleet (7-200): A Tasker 1284, F and A Tasker 1281, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1269, F and A Tasker 1266, Bartle, Harrison and French 1250 (2), A Pinner 1177, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1121, P Makepeace 1070.

Skegness and District (5-87): K and B Smith 1277, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1246, K and B Smith 1182, 1179 and 1164, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1159.

Alford North Road RPC (12-208): Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1276, F and A Tasker 1264, Mr and Mrs R Kellett 1232, Mr and Mrs Dennis 1218, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1210 and 1208, F and A Tasker 1194 and 1186, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1161, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1154.

Horncastle (9-128): G Cunningham 1079, R Hayes 1069, 1067, 1054 and 1009.

Swineshead and District (2-59): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1001, M Huddlestone 981 and 977, Mr and Mrs Poulter 963 and 956, M Huddlestone 952.

Boston Central RPC (15-232): A Kirkman 1276, Hardy and Troops 1242, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1229, Hardy and Troops 1214, 1209 and 1208, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1200, Upsall and Frost 1192.766, G and C Edwards 1192.521, Upsall and Frost 1186, J Burt and Son 1185, A Kirkman 1174.

Boston and District (13-241): Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1215, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1196, D Henry 1186, H Bell 1184.481, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1184.462, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1175 and 1172, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1169, D Judd 1157 and 1154, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1129.

The birds were liberated at 10am on Saturday in a fresh south-west wind.

Boston and District Flying Club held a club race on Tuesday, also from Driffield, when eight members sent 151 birds. Results were: Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1312, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1256, D Brackenbury 1254, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1238, D Brackenbury 1234, Gough and Read 1163, H Bell 1115, Gough and Read 1113 and 1111, D Brackenbury 969, J Downes and Grandson 953, C Collins and Son 936.