PIGEON RACING

All the up-to-date news from Boston and District pigeon racing scene

August 2006

News for week ending Sunday August 27

There were erratic returns when local pigeon racing organisations competed from Whitley Bay on Saturday. Some birds raced home at highly respectable speeds, while others took much longer and more had the night out. Top bird in the locality raced to the Eastwood Road, Boston, loft of the Carl Upsall-Trevor Frost partnership, so often in the frame this summer but winning their first Boston Central RPC race of the season.

Alf Bell was the winner of Boston and District RPC, and also took third place, but no-one would be happier than 11-year-old Jessica Newbold, of Friskney, who not only beat her mum and dad but also the rest of the competitors in Candlesby RPC to take first and second places. Moreover she won first and third prizes in the club's gold ring competition. Paul and Jane Newbold gained consolation by taking the first two places in the Skegness and Wainfleet club, and second place in the Candlesby gold ring scheme.

Karl Scholtz prevented Jessica from celebrating a hat-trick of successes when he beat her in the Candlesby knock-out competition. Mr and Mrs Bob Boulton had a good race in Skegness and District RPC by taking the first three places, and also winning £60 in the gold ring competition. What pleased them most of all was the fact that this successful bird was bred out of their North Road Championship Club Dunbar winner of 2002.

Most emphatic winner in the weekend races was Norman Sibley, of Swineshead, who was 152 yards per minute clear of second placed Dave and Jonathan Swift when winning Sleaford Invitation club's race, also from Whitley Bay.

Whitley Bay results were:

Boston Central RPC (17 members sent 290 birds): Upsall and Frost 1336, D Henry 1335, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1329, D Henry 1328, J Burt and Son 1316, G and C Edwards 1294, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1282, T Darrigan 1273, A Kirkman 1272, T Darrigan 1268.

Boston and District FC (11-304): A Bell 1313, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1307, A Bell 1282, B Parker 1269, D Peters and Son 1266, B Parker 1247 and 1241, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1236 and 1227, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1212.

Swineshead and District RPC (4-85): M Huddlestone 1238 and 1237, D Iles 1190, M Huddlestone 1179, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1175, M Huddlestone 1174, D Iles 1170, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1165, M Huddlestone 1161, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1157, M Huddlestone 1156.

Skegness and District RPC (6-95): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1172, 1144 and 1118, Mrs B Johnson 1072, G Balderston and Son 1067 and 1041.

Skegness and Wainfleet FC (6-208): Mr and Mrs PJ Newbold 1263 and 1260, Bartle and French 1237, F and A Tasker 1218, 1217 and 1208, Bartle and French 1189, B Nuttall 1185, A and J Pinner 1175.

Candlesby RPC (9-136): Jessica Newbold 1276 and 1260, A Sanderson 1238, D Page 1229, T Spence 1185, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1181, M Sharpe 1159, P Whiting 1107, K Scholtz 1042, W Simpson 1032.

Sleaford Invitation FC (8-194): Norman Sibley and Son 1460, D and J Swift 1308, Mr and Mrs D Dixon 1307, Frank Bristow 1297, N Sibley and Son 1296, Jack Ramm 1284.347, Philip Ringe 1284.235, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1282, Colin Stafford 1278.809, Jack Ramm 1278.376, F Bristow 1276, J Ramm 1274, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1251 and 1244, J Ramm 1228 and 1220, C Stafford 1214, D and J Swift 1104.

Boston Area South Road RPC (10-131) were competing from Wanstead Flats: G Pugsley 1008 and 984, P Pratt 944, J Gore and Son 911, P Pratt 880, MW and MB Scrupps 876, Will and Jobson 867, P Pratt 861, B J Blackamore 847, Will and Jobson 779.

News for week ending Sunday August 20

The partnership of Frank Bartle and Bernard French look set to take the first four places in the Peterborough and District Federation after Saturday’s pigeon race from Bishop Auckland. Frank keeps the birds in Skegness and Bernard, the builder and one of the top local billiards players, breeds the birds and offers advice from Boston.

The partnership competes with the Skegness and Wainfleet Club where any fancier can only take three positions. They took the first three places on Saturday, and had another that is expected to take fourth place in the Federation.

John Hardy confirmed his position as the top fancier in young bird racing with Boston Central Racing Pigeon Club when he won Saturday's race from Bishop Auckland in the toughest test of the season for the young birds. But the fastest timer into the two Boston clubs was an entry from Geoff and Bridget Clare who took the first two places in Boston and District FC, recapturing their old bird form to clinch their first young bird win of the summer.

Boston Central (15 members sent 217 birds): Hardy and Troops 1110, A Kirkman 1079, G Watts 1071.891, Hardy and Troops 1071.824, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1060, D Henry 1029, Hardy and Troops 1024, D Henry 1000 and 998.9687, J Burt and Son 998.3255, R Price and Son 998.3146, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 994, G and C Edwards 991, Hardy and Troops 985, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 984 and 983.8718, Mr and Mrs Maddison and Son 983.2636, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 982 and 981, Mr and Mrs Maddison and Son 979.

Boston and District FC (9-184): Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1112 and 1108, D Peters and Son 1090, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1028, 1026 and 1025, B Parker 994, 991 and 967, Mr and Mrs Garnham 962 and 956, B Parker 952, D Peters and Son 942 and 939, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 924, H Bell 906, A Bell 873 and 854, C Collins and Son 715, H Bell 680.

Swineshead and District RPC: D Iles 951 and 920, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 896, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 861 and 848, M Huddlestone 815 and 795.

Skegness and Wainfleet (4-129): Bartle and French 1147, 1134 and 1131, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1020, B Nuttall 1016, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1010, A and J Pinner 1000.

Skegness (5-102): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1083, Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1082, Harrison and Webster 1074, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1058, Mr and Mrs Boswell 1019.

Candlesby (10-114): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1067, A Sanderson 1059 and 1050, T Spence 1045, M Sharpe 1041, Jessica Newbold 1027, M Sharpe 1021, Jessica Newbold 1011, K Scholtz 986, D Page 928.

Boston Area South Road RPC raced from Wanstead Flats (7-112): J Gore and Son 1322, J Gore and Son 1320, Mrs H Bullock 1276, Lannan and Louth 1267, G Pugsley 1203, T Upex 1141, Mrs H Bullock 1108.

Result of Sleaford Invitation FC race from Wetherby(10-293): Jack Ramm 2036 and 2023, Mr and Mrs D Dixon 1979, Colin Stafford 1940, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1889 and 1850, J Ramm 1845, C Stafford 1809 and 1752, J Ramm 1692, Mickey Caccavone 1659, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1638, Norman Franklin 1636, Norman Sibley and Son 1520, N Franklin 1515, N Sibley and Son 1427 and 1423, Frank Bristow 1413, D and J Swift 1322, Russell Peat 1169, F Bristow 1108, 1046, 948 and 699.

Sleaford Invitation FC Northallerton race (10-235): Norman Sibley and Son 1102, Russell Peat 1095, Jack Ramm 1062, N Sibley and Son 1044 and 1032, Frank Bristow 1019, Mickey Caccavone 999, F Bristow 996, Colin Stafford 984, F Bristow 956 and 936, D and J Swift 870 and 869, Mr and Mrs D Dixon 803, F Bristow 761, Mr and Mrs Dixon 718.

Members of the Dorrington and Digby Racing Pigeon Club tackled two races in successive weekends from the same race point in Biggleswade. Results for August 12 (13 members sent 328 birds): M and D Williams 948,948, H Gostlow and Son 943, M and D Williams 940, H Gostlow and Son 937,934, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 924, 915, Cawdron and Costello 910, M and D Williams 882, Cawdron and Costello 881, Collishaw and Johnson 876, M and D Williams 867,852, P Clawson 852, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 804, Cawdron and Costello 792, M Pearson 760, A Waby 753, J Elliott 741, J Pearson 660, H Gostlow and Son 599.

Results for August 19 (11-274): M and D Williams 1825, 1822, Cawdron and Costello 1818, 1813, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1798, Cawdron and Costello 1796, H Gostlow and Son 1783, Cawdron and Costello 1783, H Gostlow and Son 1782, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1771, 1771, 1765, 1760, Cawdron and Costello 1759, M and D Williams 1751, A Waby 1730, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1726, 1715, A Waby 1712, Collishaw and Johnson 1702, M and D Williams 1696, H Gostlow and Son 1694, J Pearson 1667, P Clawson 1658, M Pearson 1390.

News for week ending Sunday August 13

With a strong north wind to help them on their way, pigeons competing in the race from Northallerton on Saturday came home at a tremendous pace — except for those that were slightly off course and were many miles past their own lofts before they realised they had to turn round and battle for home against the wind.

This made for erratic returns. Indeed, because of the adverse weather forecast for the weekend, some fanciers did not compete; others have empty perches in their young sections. Fastest returns among locally-based clubs were in Swineshead and District Racing Pigeon Club, so often the “cinderellas” because conditions are not right for their location. But this time newcomer Mark Huddlestone, of Donington, set a storming pace with his winner recording a velocity of 2036 yards per minute, and his second placed pigeon on 2030 ypm.

Mr and Mrs Steve Poulter, also of Donington, took the next two positions on 1892 and 1877, all, for a rare occasion, faster than the winners of the strong Boston clubs. Boston and District FC saw veterans of the sport, Mr and Mrs Ted Attwater, taking the first two places, while Boston Central RPC had different winners for the third successive week.

This time first, second and fifth places went to the Woad Farm loft of John Burt and son, John making a successful return to the sport at the enticement of his son.

Results: Swineshead and District RPC: M Huddlestone 2036 and 2030, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1892 and 1877, D Iles 1800, M Huddlestone 1588, 1576, 1568 and 1544, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1536.

Boston Central RPC (18 members sent 317 birds): J Burt and Son 1869 and 1862, Hardy and Troops 1857, G Hoyles and Dtr 1846, J Burt and Son 1845, D Henry 1840, Upsall and Frost 1826, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1824.689, Hardy and Troops 1824.400, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1820 and 1812, G and C Edwards 1803, D Henry 1796 and 1792, F Roper 1780, C Warsap Sons and Dtr 1774, Appleby and Dtr 1773, T Darrigan 1762, A Kirkman 1735, Hardy and Troops 1666.

Boston and District FC (9-181): Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1870 and 1863, A Bell 1844, H Bell 1407, C Collins and Son 1393, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1377, C Collins and Son 1356, B Parker 1350.709, Mr and Mrs Clare 1350.452, D Peters and Son 1325, H Bell 1301, Gough and Read 1264 and 1261, B Parker 1254 and 1253, Gough and Read 1242, B Parker 1162, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1091 and 1090.

Skegness and Wainfleet (4-99): B Nuttall 1500 and 1447, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1418, A and J Pinner 1412, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1369, Bartle and French 1329.

Candlesby RPC (11-174): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1649, W Simpson 1522, D Page 1483, K Scholz 1470, D Page 1411, G Clements 1367, M Sharpe 1365, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1313, Jessica Newbold 1307 and 1284, A Sanderson 1228, T Spence 1168.

News for week ending Sunday August 6

The unquestionable top performer in local pigeon racing circles at the weekend was John Hardy, of the Hardy and Troops partnership. He not only took first, third and fourth positions from Bubwith with Boston Central RPC, but also bred the second-placed bird. The “Comeback Kid”, George Watts, who marked his return to racing with a win last week after a 10-year break from the sport, owns this. John Hardy is consistently one of the best fanciers in the area, and Saturday's result emphasised the quality of his pigeons and the quality of the fancier. Another hat-trick was completed by the partnership of Frank Bartle and Bernard French in the Skegness and Wainfleet club, while one-twos were scored by Martin Sharpe (Candlesby) and Kevin and Barbara Smith (Skegness).

Boston Central RPC (21 members sent 398 birds): Hardy and Troops 1426 ypm, G Watts 1419, Hardy and Troops 1411, Hardy and Troops 1406, Upsall and Frost 1404, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1395, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1393, Upsall and Frost 1390, A Kirkman 1387, J Burt and Son 1386.8, Hardy and Troops 1386.2, G Watts 1384, D Henry 1382, D Henry 1380, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1378, D Henry 1378, G Hoyles and daughter 1376, J Burt and son 1374, D Henry 1373, D Henry 1369.

Boston and District FC (12-327): A Bell 1421, D Brackenbury 1404, B Parker 1398, H Bell 1395 and 1392, C Collins and Son 1384.950, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1384.435, H Bell 1381, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1376, C Collins and Son 1370, H Bell 1369, 1364 and 1361, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1352, A Bell 1349, Mr and Mrs Clare 1338.842, B Parker 1338.758, D Peters and Son 1325, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1312.

Skegness and Wainfleet (5-212): Bartle and French 1397, 1393 and 1389, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1360, F and A Tasker 1331, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1314 and 1309, B Nuttall 1307 and 1305, A and J Pinner 1199 and 1185.

Candlesby (11-175): M Sharpe 1428 and 1416, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1355, D Page 1340, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1318.8, Jessica Newbold 1318.1, D Page 1313, Jessica Newbold 1312, A Sanderson 1301, K Scholz 1266, W Simpson 1168, J Childs 1078, T Spence 1065.

Skegness and District (6-143): K and B Smith 1430 and 1419, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1410, Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1409, Mrs D Johnson 1408, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1406.

Swineshead and District: Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1295, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1292 and 1282, M Huddlestone 1228, 1222, 1215.7 and 1215.3, D Iles 1208 and 1151.

Sleaford Invitation FC were competing from Goole and newcomer Jack Ramm was top of the list when nine members sent 242 birds: J Ramm 1427, Frank Bristow 1426, 1412, 1408, 1402 and 1397, Norman Sibley and Son 1395 and 1389, J Ramm 1383, Mr and Mrs Derek Dixon 1369, N Sibley and Son 1361, Russell Peat 1357, D and J Swift 1348, N Sibley and Son 1332, R Peat 1324, J Ramm 1315, N Sibley and Son 1305, Mickey Caccavone 1256, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1245, J Ramm 1097, Norman Franklin 1088.

Boston Area South Road FC flew from Biggleswade. Result (12-181): D Brown and Son 1383, P Pratt 1374, 1364, 1359, L R Manning 1358, 1353, Mr and Mrs T and J Homewood 1330, 1318, R Lancaster 1310, T Upex 1209.

Dorrington and Digby Racing Pigeon Club’s first race of the young birds season was sponsored by Cawdron and Costello. Thirteen members sent 206 birds to Huntingdon. results: M and D Williams 1593, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1592, 1514, Cawron and Costello 1504, 1469, M Pearson 1467, A Waby 1450, Cawdron and Costello 1444, 1427, A Waby 1423, M and D Williams 1407, H Gostlow and Son 1380, 1374, 1367, P Clawson 1360, 1356, A Waby 1353, J Andrews 1288, J Elliott 1228, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1113, J Pearson 1068, P Collishaw 848.

In the club’s second race — again from Huntingdon — 13 members also sent 288 birds. Results: M and D Williams 1487, 1486, 1483, 1476, 1472, 1471, 1468, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1466,1453, Cawdron and Costello 1449, H Gostlow and Son 1441,1434, Collishaw and Johnson 1418, Cawdron and Costello 1415, J Andrews 1363, A Waby 1351, P Clawson 1326, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1305, J Pearson 1300, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1297, M Pearson 1287, J Elliott 1278, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1277, Cawdron and Costello 1255, P Collishaw 1008.

The Wheatsheaf Flying Club of Eastville raced from Huntingdon: Andy Barlow took the first and second positions, his winning pigeon being a blue chequer hen bred from a pair of Ponderosa Black Label birds he bought at the end of last year. His second pigeon was a Staf Van Reet hen bred off Louella pigeon world stock. Third position went to John Downes and Grandson with a Hartog cock. The first five positions were as follows: Andy Barlow 1103, Andy Barlow 1029, J Downes and Grandson 1014, 4 J Downes and Grandson 879, J Downes and Grandson 779. This week sees the racepoint being Biggleswade.