www.bostonbuzz.co.uk

The prime platform for Boston and District sports news

PIGEON RACING

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

July 2006

News for week ending Sunday July 30

George Watts has a new nickname in local pigeon racing spheres. He is now known as the Comeback Kid. George, well-known for the sterling work he does running the North Road Championship Club clock station in Boston and as convoyer for open races organised by Boston Central RPC, had not competed in the sport for ten years. That was until Saturday.

Then, in the first young bird race of the season, he did just what he had threatened to do - he timed in the winning pigeon at his Clifton Road, Boston, loft. Before taking a break from racing all those years ago, George was a successful fancier, but it is doubtful if those past victories gave him more joy than Saturday's win with a blue chequer cock bird racing home to a small youngster which had been hatched while he was away awaiting release at Bubwith.

The bird was one of 14 bred for him on his re-start by Ken Ward, and George wants to say a big thank you to Ken, and fellow fanciers John Hardy and Bill Hall, for helping him back into the sport.

Another fancier making his return to the sport, Troy Darrigan, was runner-up, as well as sixth and eighth, in the Boston Central Club result. Fastest bird into the two Boston club, however, was to the East Heckington loft of Darren Peters who took the first five places in Boston and District Flying Club.

Results in the race from Bubwith were:

Boston Central RPC (20 members sent 345 birds): G Watts 1217, T Darrigan 1213, Upsall and Frost 1212, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1201, J Burt and Son 1196.440, T Darrigan 1196.084, A Kirkman 1194, T Darrigan 1193, G and C Edwards 1192, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1186, A Kirkman 1184.671, Hardy and Troops 1184.641, J Burt and Son 1183, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1181, D Henry 1179, Hardy and Troops 1177, J Burt and Son 1176, Hardy and Troops 1170, K Milne and Son 1165, T Darrigan 1157.

Boston and District FC (10-188): D Peters and Son 1232, 1231, 1224.834, 1224.392 and 1221, B Parker 1212, C Collins and Son 1199, D Peters and Son 1171, D Brackenbury 1161, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1153.719, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1153.516, LR Manning 1145, B Parker 1143 and 1141, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1137, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1102, C Collins and Son 1093, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1092, Mr and Mrs Clare 1047 and 1046.

Swineshead and District: M Huddlestone 1133, D Iles 1028, 1002 and 968, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 947 and 943, D Iles 937, M Huddlestone 922.

Skegness and District: Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1190, 1171, 1150 and 1100, G Balderstone and Son 1041.

Skegness and Wainfleet (4-169): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1195 and 1193, Bartle and French 1173, 1168 and 1166, B Nuttall 1151, A and J Pinner 1067.

Candlesby FC (11-174): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1191 and 1188, Jessica Newbold 1181, T Spence 1176, Jessica Newbold 1163, M Sharpe 1162 and 1157, W Simpson 1134, A Sanderson 1126, D Page 1108, K Scholz 1045, J Childs 1006.

Result of the last old bird race of the season from Lerwick for Candlesby (4-12): D Page 796; for Skegness and Wainfleet (3-14): A and J Pinner 586, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 403.

Sleaford Invitation FC opened their young bird programme from Goole (7-168) when Swineshead-based Norman Sibley took the first five places: N Sibley and Son 1259, 1256, 1253, 1246 and 1242, F Bristow 1226, N Sibley and Son 1217.709, F Bristow 1217.378, J Ramm 1216, F Bristow 1213, Mr and Mrs D Dixon 1177, F Bristow 1153, N Franklin 1145, J Ramm 1103, M Caccavone 1098, J Ramm 1093, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1082, J Ramm 1073, M Caccavone 1071, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1069, D and J Swift 1032, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1017, J Ramm 997, Mr and Mrs Dixon 982, F Bristow 644.

News for week ending Sunday July 23

The final two results of Swineshead and District Racing Pigeon Club’s old bird season were:

From Lerwick: Mr and Mrs A Neison 643, Mr and Mrs T Welby 617, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 603 and 524.

From Berwick: Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1280, G Wheatman 1265, D Iles 1255 and 1246, G Wheatman 1243, D Iles 1212, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1204, D Iles 1194.

News for week ending Sunday July 16

The Local pigeon fancier with the biggest smile on his face after the tough weekend Lerwick race, which left many close to tears, was Boston’s Dick Brocklesby. Acknowledged as an expert at preparing his birds for the long races, Dick proved his ability once again to get the first bird from the 500-miles race point in the Shetland Isles into Boston, and so win the Boston Central club and Peterborough and District Federation. Moreover, he was fourth open, from nearly 2,000 pigeons, in the prestigious North Road Championship Club.

No birds were timed into Lincolnshire on the day of liberation, but Dick was up early on Sunday to clock in at five minutes to six. Faced with a head wind at the start of the race, and then hindered by a strong east wind and sweltering conditions, the cream of the long distance birds found the going tough. There were only three birds home on the day of liberation and all these were in Nottinghamshire.

Taking first and second places was 58-year-old retired miner, Roger Hallsworth, of Selston, and in third place was Kevin Lawson, of Ollerton. And then came the Dick Brocklesby bird turning in a fine performance as the east wind make it difficult for Boston fanciers to make a big impression. The three-year-old cock bird was completing its second race from Lerwick, and moreover his father was also well placed after arriving home at 8-45am, having now succeeded at the 500 miles for a fifth time.

Boston Central RPC (14 members sent 97 birds): R Brocklesby 842, Hardy and Troops 830, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 769, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 737, R Brocklesby 730, Upsall and Frost 729, Mr and Mrs Garnham 719, Milne and Son 711, Upsall and Frost 708, Mr and Mrs Garnham 705, A Kirkman 688, Skinner and Mercer 644, Mr and Mrs Garnham 629, Upsall and Frost 565 and 519.

Boston and District FC (6-69): Mr and Mrs Garnham 769, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 755, Mr and Mrs Garnham 719 and 705, Mr and Mrs Clare 662, Mr and Mrs Garnham 629, D Brackenbury 533.

Over at the Skegness club, Mr and Mrs Bob Boulton were the only fanciers to record a bird in race time. Their pigeon returned a velocity of 619 yards per minute to win the club race from Lerwick for the third time.

Boston Area South Road RPC members were competing from across the English Channel, the race being 300-plus miles from Jouy Le Chatel. Results (11-96): JL Batterham 1052, LR Manning 1039, G Pugsley 1038, LR Manning 995, J Gore and Son 966, Will and Jobson 964, G Pugsley 951, J Gore and Son 940, P Pratt 933, T Upex 927.

Dorrington and Digby RPC (14-150) were also competing from Jouy Le Chatel in a south-east wind: Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1197, M Pearson 1181, P Clawson 1180, Cawdron and Costello 1175, J Pearson 1132, H Gostlow and Son 1122, Cawdron and Costello 1118, Collishaw and Johnson 1099, Gostlow and Son 1085, A Waby 1083, S Benge 1075, M and D Williams 1043, Cawdron and Costello 1039 and 1032, P Clawson 1032, M and D Williams 1027, Aaby 1022, Mr and Mrs Kenndy 1016, Gostlow and Son 1014, M and D Williams 1011, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 988.

*****

Drama and the North Road Championship Club’s prestigious Blue Riband race from Lerwick seem to go hand in hand. And Saturday’s race, won by 58-year-old retired miner, Roger Hallsworth, of Selston, was no exception. It proved a tough test in scorching heat and, for many miles, a notorious east wind. That is when the wind was not on the nose.

There were only three birds home on the day and Roger capped his magnificent performance in winning the race by also clocking the second bird. What a day to remember! In third place was, guess who? Yes, the man who has dominated NRCC racing in recent years, Kevin Lawson, of Ollerton. He timed in at three minutes to 10, as the light was fading fast.

Dick Brocklesby, of Boston, was up early next morning to time the fourth pigeon at five minutes to six. All these are experienced and outstanding pigeons, which show that quality will tell when the going is tough. And tough it was. Secretary Steve Spinks summed it up as "a very hard race", with about a third of the competitors verifying and about 25 per cent of the near-2,000 birds sent being home at the end of two days.

Entry was the lowest since 1979, reflecting, no doubt, the hard races the NRCC had already had from Fraserburgh and Thurso. Roger Hallsworth’s winner, two-year-old widowhood cock timed at 7.52pm, is of Galaxy Jupiter lines, the sire having been bred from a daughter of Galaxy Jupiter and loaned to him by a friend.

A couple of weeks earlier this cock bird had finished 76th open from the NRCC race from Thurso, and this had also been a hard race but appears to have tuned up the recently named Jake for the 490-mile marathon to the Selston loft. The name Jake? That is after the Hallsworths’ three-year-old grandson. Roger says this pigeon has always been consistent and never too far away from the prizes, and he decided to send it because it looked so well after the Thurso race.

If you think this is a remarkable pigeon — and any bird that wins NRCC Lerwick is just that — then take a look at Roger’s second timer. This is a two-year-old dark hen bred by Ireland’s Alan Darragh, and bought as a young bird. Saturday saw it being released from Lerwick for the second time this year for she had already taken second place in the Midlands Two Bird Championship Club from the Shetland Isles two weeks earlier. Lerwick prizes are taken by the bravehearts, not only pigeons but also fanciers.

Roger timed another the same way bred as his second-placed bird, at 6am on the second day and, as Sunday neared its end, had safely home five out of the eight birds he sent. Roger has been a fancier for nearly 40 years and has had his fair share of success over the years, but feels that he has become more consistent in recent times. He describes himself as being a hard taskmaster, usually employing his own system of roundabout, and keeping all sorts of breeds based on performance. He has been a member of the NRCC for a long time, and loves competing at this high level.

As well as the racing success he also enjoys the social side to being a member of the Selston club, and he planned to celebrate Saturday's great win with a night with his clubmates at the dog racing this weekend. Reflecting on his success 24 hours after timing in, he said: “I think it is only just beginning to sink in.” He says that he normally keeps about 16 pairs of racers, plus stock birds.

By Monday afternoon Kevin Lawson had safely in his loft five of the ten birds he entered, but pride of place went to the four-year-old chequer Soontjenx Van Loon hen bird that was timed in at three minutes to ten on Saturday night. She had previously won 54th open Thurso and second open Lerwick, when she had 15 and a half hours on the wing, and now she has third open Lerwick to her credit after, this time, a 16 hour flight. No more races for her, Kevin has decided. Her new home is now the stock loft.

Fourth-placed Dick Brocklesby, from Boston, is a man well respected for his ability to prepare pigeons to fly from Lerwick. The three-year-old cock bird has various ingredients in its breeding, but prominent lines are those of Unique Lady who was the only bird home from the NRCC’s Saxa Vord race in 1998 for another Boston Central Club member, and Dick’s relative, Keith Kirkman. Second bird Dick timed on Sunday morning was the father of this pigeon which was completing its fifth Lerwick race. What was that we were saying about quality coming up trumps when the going is tough.

News for week ending Sunday July 9

There’s a new star freshly emerged on the local summer sporting scene — a racing pigeon! A one-year-old hen bird belonging to Bridget and Geoff Clare, of Old Leake, won its fourth race of the season on Saturday and posed a question to the sport’s memory men: Has this been done before in Boston and District Flying Club?

This blue Simon Bros Jansenne has helped the Clares to a record-breaking series of eight club wins, which was also boosted by an open race victory, this season. She has won from Whitley Bay, twice, Dunbar and Bishop Auckland, and her winning margins have been 13, 22, 20 and 19 yards per minute. On three occasions she beat a loft-mate into second place.

Her one failure has been the Fraserburgh race, but she was nursed back to fitness to reward the husband and wife partnership with Saturday’s win. Now she will have a few weeks’ rest until the end of September when she will be aimed at the North Road Championship Club’s old hens national from Dunbar.

Other top fanciers were in winning form in Saturday’s race from Whitley Bay. Russ and Denise Skinner, fresh from their national success from Thurso the previous week, won in the Boston Central club; Martin Sharpe took the first two places at Candlesby, where Paul and Jayne Newbold were third and showing encouraging consistency; Bob Boulton was back in front at Skegness; and maestro Frank Tasker won the Skegness and Wainfleet club with a bird that will be a strong contender for the top pigeon in Peterborough and District Federation.

Results from Whitley Bay:

Boston and District FC (9 members sent 166 birds): Mr and Mrs P G Clare 1340 yards per minute and 1321, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1303, D Brackenbury 1302, Mr and Mrs Clare 1300 and 1293, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1287, D Brackenbury 1267, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1262, D Judd 1246, B Parker 1236, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1223.

Boston Central (14-134): Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1331, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1326, A Kirkham 1324, Upsall and Frost 1322 and 1311, Hardy and Troops 1308, J Burt and Son 1301, Upsall and Frost 1282 and 1280, G and C Edwards 1251, Hardy and Troops 1245, A Kirkman 1243.

Skegness and District (4-35): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1389, Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1387, Harrison and Webster 1378, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1365 and 1349, Mr and Mrs Boswell 1348.

Candlesby FC (8-78): M Sharpe 1395 and 1379, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1360, M Sharpe 1356 and 1347, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1344, D Page 1324, K Scholz 1323, A Sanderson 1290 and 1278, T Spence 1234, W Simpson 1228, Mr and Mrs Akid 1157.

Skegness and Wainfleet (3-58): F and A Tasker 1418, 1414 and 1402, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1379, 1378 and 1338.

Swineshead and District (7-81): Mr and Mrs A Neison 1243 and 1230, Mr and Mrs TF Welby 1144, D Iles 1130, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1121, D Iles 1119, 1114 and 1106, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1100, G Wheatman 1082.

This weekend it is the big race of the season for the north route flyers when they compete from Lerwick, in the Shetland Isles, with the North Road Championship Club.

Elsewhere, Boston Area South Road Club competed from Maidstone (12-123): P Pratt 1470 and 1460; Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1458, Will and Jobson 1453, R Lancaster 1421, JL Batterham 1406, P Pratt 1405, Mr and Mrs Dixon 1393, R Lancaster 1365 and 1361.

On Sunday, 15 members of Dorrington and Digby Racing Pigeon Club sent 177 birds to Clermont. Liberation was into a light north-east wind. Results: J Pearson 1281, H Gostlow and Son 1265, M and D Williams 1242,1237, P Clawson 1224, H Gostlow and Son 1208, M and D Williams 1185, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1182, J Andrews 1178, H Gostlow and Son 1170, 1169, 1157, S Benge 1139, Cawdron and Costello 1139, 1127, Collishaw and Johnson 1072, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1062, P Scott 1023, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 875, P Scott 875, A Waby 862, Cawdron and Costello 772.

The previous week, 12 Dorrington and Digby members sent 161 birds to Maidstone. Pigeons were liberated into a south west wind. Results: P Clawson 1457, M and D Williams 1441, 1439, 1435, P Clawson 1434, M and D Williams 1417, 1402, Cawdron and Costello 1397, A Waby 1387, J Pearson 1380, P Clawson 1379, J Andrews 1377, 1377, Cawron and Costello 1375, H Gostlow and Son 1373, M and D Williams 1368, M Pearson 1363, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1338, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1333,

G Theaker 1296, Collishaw and Jonhson 1273.

Fifteen members of Spalding Homing Society sent 163 birds in a race from Alnwick. Results: J Bellereby 1271.99 ypm, P Llewellyn 1362.82, J Bellerby 1351.45, D Lewis 1348.70, P Llewellyn 1343.37, M J Lewis 1329.29, A Compton 1324.77, R J Rout 1322.33, R Holmes 1322.33, M J Lewis 1312.67, D Lewis 1307.79, D Lewis 1305.17.

Result of the Spalding Series Flying Club’s Whitley Bay race (seven sent 50): Llewellyn 1245.06 ypm, Holmes 1240.29, Llewellyn 1194.58, Woolsey 1174.45, Llewellyn 1166.80, Llewellyn 1166.18, Redden 1160.02, Holmes 1151.36, Rout 1147.22, Duffy 1137.27, J Brutnell 1135.35, J Brutnell 1127.88.

News for week ending Sunday July 2

There was an emphatic win in the North Road Championship Club race from Thurso.The handsome blue widowhood cock bird belonging to Russ and Denise Skinner, of Boston, finished 58 yards per minute in front of the second pigeon. It was a tough race in sweltering conditions, with the birds being liberated by convoyer Phil Ringe into a light south-west wind at 5.45am.

At the home end — certainly in Boston — there was an easterly dominance to the wind which would have had the betting men among competitors laying long odds against the winner coming from this Lincolnshire town. Certainly the conditions seem to favour the shorter flyers, and all eyes were on the NRCC’s most successful fancier of recent times, Kevin Lawson, at Boughton, near Newark.

But Kevin — and all the other hopefuls — had to take a back seat this time. It may have been against the odds that, on the day, the winner came from Boston, but the winners are no outsiders. They have won a national race in the NRCC before when their chequer pied yearling widowhood hen raced clear of the pack to win the 2004 race from Perth on a velocity of 1,417ypm. And they have plenty of other Federation and club successes to their credit.

This time it was a different type of race. The winning velocity was down to 129ypm, and only 115 of the 320 members who sent 2,523 birds verified on the day of liberation. No others could touch the Skinners’ five-year-old widower that turned in a truly outstanding performance. No question here of any other birds sharing the pace-making. He must have spent most of the 400-plus miles on his own to emphasise his supremacy on the day.

He had always been a consistent performer, probably, says Russ, the partnership's most reliable pigeon. With the previous race from Fraserburgh having been won by a six-year-old, and this one by a five-year-old it is obvious that fitness, allied to experience, can be a winning formula.There is also evidence here that breeding will tell.

The winner was bred by Carl Upsall — a former NRCC Perth winner now flying successfully into Boston in partnership with Trevor Frost — and way back in 1977 Carl’s dad, Bill, won the NRCC race from Thurso. That pigeon was the grandfather to Carl’s Perth winner, and is also the great-grandfather of the Skinners’ latest winner on Saturday.

Russ was quick to point out the source of his second NRCC win and highlight the fact that there is a group of top-class fanciers in Boston who are the keenest of rivals on race days but also have a friendship that enables them to gift first-rate pigeons to each other and, thereby, if they don’t win themselves, derive pleasure from producing a winner for another loft. Hence Carl’s pleasure at the win by Russ and Denise.

He also pointed out that the first pigeon he timed on Saturday was bred by another of the friends’ syndicate, Brian Garnham, another former national winner and the man who is such a big help to Phil Ringe on race days. Also in the breeding of the Thurso winner is a smattering of bloodlines from the Silvere Toye pigeons that Russ’ dad, Albert, used to race so successfully.

The winner was bred in Carl’s loft from a mealy cock bird which was a gift bird from his friends N and J Hales, of Kettering. It was a Jansenne and won a race as a baby but was subsequently lost after breeding just two youngsters, including the one that turned in such a magnificent performance at the weekend.

The mealy was paired to a hen bred by Russ and given to Carl! In the bloodlines here were Carl’s Perth winner, his dad's Thurso winner and Russ's Faith which was first Peterborough and District Federation and fourth open NRCC from Lerwick, plus some of Albert Skinner’s old pigeons. Who says blood does not tell?

The Thurso winner was third club from Lerwick two years ago after 17 hours on the wing, and has lots of other useful placings to his credit, often being the runner-up to other loft winners. It is pretty certain to be retired from racing now and paired to Charity, the 2004 Perth winner. The Skinners have not been so prominent in the results this season. In fact, Russ, describes performances as “poor” and he was particularly disappointed to be an hour behind in the previous NRCC race from Fraserburgh. This prompted him to get out the microscope and take a close look at droppings when he discovered his birds had coccidiosis.

He said: “I never thought of this because I had been treating for it. But it was a bit stupid of me to buy a microscope and then not to have used it.”Anyway, the birds were treated, with the help of — yes, you’ve guessed it — the Upsall and Frost partnership, and it obviously worked wonders. Russ timed in at 4.26pm, earlier than he had expected. He had been keeping an eye out while also watching the England-Portugal World Cup match on a portable television.

His second pigeon was much later but even that did not trigger the thought he may have clocked the winner. He just did not think it possible to win in Boston in the prevailing conditions. He sent six birds, timed two on the day, and three more were there early next morning.

Thirty-six-year-old Russ and wife Denise, who plays an active part in the partnership by looking after the young birds, keep only 12 pairs of race birds and, although the winner will not race again, other of the Thurso returnees are possible candidates for the longest race of the season from Lerwick.

When NRCC Lerwick appeared in the programme before Thurso, local wags used to say that Russ’ dad used Lerwick as a training toss for Thurso! Obviously Albert's son has inherited his fearlessness in sending his birds to more than one distance race a season.

In preparation for Thurso their winner had raced the full programme this season before being given a week’s rest after the Fraserburgh race. Convoyer Phil Ringe says he has been trying to fathom out why the birds took so long as it was a perfect liberation in excellent conditions at Thurso. He says the birds left the site without a moment's hesitation and, while conceding that the heat would have a big bearing on performances, he wonders if anything else caused the slower times.

There were, he says, reports of east being in the wind en route, and he feels that east is a dry wind whereas there is often moisture in a west wind. He also wonders if the convoy could have been broken up when they encountered the 20 huge wind tubines early in their journey, followed by 14 or 15 more a short distance further on.He was again delighted by the help he received from his driver and asistant Mervyn, and by the ever-helpful fanciers at Ecclefechan.

There is now just one more NRCC old bird race left to complete the season, and entries have to be in for that by Sunday.

Results of the club races from Thurso, held in conjunction with the North Road Championship Club:

Boston Central RPC (eight members sent 77 birds): Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1131, Hardy and Troops 1004, Upsall and Frost 979, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 974.4230, 974.0744 and 969, Upsall and Frost 941 and 933, A Kirkman 925, Hardy and Troops 923, Mr and Mrs Skinner 916, Mr and Mrs Garnham 914, Upsall and Frost 891, Hardy and Troops 843, Upsall and Frost 827.

Boston and District RPC (6-76): Mr and Mrs B Garnham 974.416, 974.068 and 969, D Brackenbury 937, Mr and Mrs Garnham 914, D Brackenbury 907, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 876 and 871, LR Manning 836, C Collins and Son 611, Mr and Mrs Clare 601.

Skegness and District (3-20): Mr and Mrs J Boswell 840, 828 and 816.

Wainfleet and Skegness (4-41): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1034, F and A Tasker 988 and 894, Mr and Mrs Newbold 820, F and A Tasker 761, A and J Pinner 754.

Candlesby RPC (5-32): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1034, A Sanderson 961 and 900, Mr and Mrs Newbold 820, D Page 812, Mr and Mrs Newbold 613, D Page 597.

Swineshead and District RPC (3-23): Mr and Mrs Poulter 946, Mr and Mrs A Neison 907.

Other recent Swineshead results: Perth: Mr and Mrs Neison 1193 and 1136.8, D Iles 1136.4, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1131, D Iles 1125 and 1124, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1102.8, Mr and Mrs Neison 1102.7 and 1097; Whitley Bay (4-39): D Iles 1281, 1270, 1267 and 1261, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1217, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1166.

Sleaford Invitation FC were also competing from Whitley Bay(7-136): Colin Stafford 1305, Norman Sibley and Son 1283 and 1280, Frank Bristow 1279, Sibley and Son 1265, F Bristow 1254 and 1249, Sibley and Son 1244.94 and 1244.19, F Bristow 1241, Mickey Caccavone 1227.95, F Bristow 1227.70, D and J Swift 1226, C Stafford 1206, M Caccavone 1198, Mr and Mrs D Dixon 1157, D and J Swift 1129, C Stafford 1092.

News for week ending Sunday June 18

Regional-based pigeon fanciers were competing in their third national race of the season on Saturday. Members of the North Road Championship Club fought for honours from Fraserburgh along with some of the best fanciers in the country.

The race, a real test of bird and the preparation skills of fanciers, was won by Kevin Lawson, of Boughton, near Newark, who clinched his fourth NRCC title in the process.

The winning velocity was 1268 yards per minute and leading fanciers from local area included R Mamwell, Louth (1207 yards per minute), Wright and Sweeney, Louth (1205), M Cowley, Horncastle (1198), Mr and Mrs Geoff Clare, Old Leake (1196) — and they probably set a new record by winning their sixth successive race in Boston and District Flying Club — Karl Scholz, Wainfleet (1195), Hardy and Troops, Boston (1187), Mr and Mrs Brian Garnham, Butterwick (1186), Darren Peters, East Heckington (1186) and Frank Tasker, Wainfleet (1166).

Horncastle Invitation FC (six members sent 43 birds): M Cowley 1198, R Quibell 1149, M Cowley 1147, Mr and Mrs Duckering 1140, M Cowley 1128.

Boston Central (11-115): Hardy and Troops 1187, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1186, R Brocklesby 1182, Hardy and Troops 1181, Upsall and Frost 1171 and 1144, R Brocklesby 1142, Upsall and Frost 1135 and 1125, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1118, Upsall and Frost 1117 and 1115.

Boston and District (Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1195, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1186, Mr and Mrs Clare 1139, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1118 and 1114, D Brackenbury 1111, Mr and Mrs Clare 1110, D Brackenbury 1109, LR Manning 1105 and 1102, D Brackenbury 1101, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1095.

Swineshead and District (4-42): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1136 and 1113, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1098, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1074.

Skegness and District (5-44): Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1109, K and B Smith 1095, Mr and Mrs Boswell 1089 and 1066, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1065, K and B Smith 1059.

Candlesby (6-49): K Scholz 1194, A Sanderson 1166, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1154, A Sanderson 1151, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1141, 1137 and 1129, T Spence 1105, M Sharpe 1102, D Page 1060.

Skegness and Wainfleet (4-92): F and A Tasker 1166, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1154, 1141 and 1137, F and A Tasker 1132 and 1128, A and J Pinner 1092.

The Swineshead-based loft of Norman Sibley and Son had a fine race from Northallerton with Sleaford Invitation FC, when 10 members sent 145 birds: N Sibley and Son, 1403, 1385 and 1381, F Bristow 1372 and 1363, N Sibley and Son 1345, M Caccavone 1316, F Bristow 1315, R Peat 1303, D and J Swift 1301, R Peat 1300 and 1297.

Swineshead and District RPC also competed in the same race (4-85): D Iles 1365, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1355, D Iles 1337 and 1326, Mr and Mrs Welby 1321, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1279.

Boston Central RPC raced from Bubwith on Sunday when 22 members sent 307 birds. Results: Mr and Mrs Boswell 1506, F and A Tasker 1480, 1476, 1473, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1470, F and A Tasker 1466, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1465, F and A Tasker 1463, Mr and Mrs P G Clare 1453, 1449, F and A Tasker 1445, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1443.

Fourteen members of Dorrington and Digby RPC sent 285 birds to Maidstone. Results: P Clawson 1368, M and D Williams 1349, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1344, H Gostlow and Son 1343, J Andrews 1338,S Benge 1336, A Waby 1334, J Pearson 1333, Cawdron and Costello 1330,A Waby 1318, M Pearson 1317,J Pearson 1316, H Gostlow and Son 1316, M and D Williams 1313, J Pearson 1305, 1303, 1301, Cadron and Costello 1298, J Pearson 1298, M and D Williams 1296, H Gostlow and Son 1293,Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1288, A Waby 1287, Cawdron and Costello 1286, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1280, P Collishaw 1277, Collishaw and Johnson 1271, P Clawson 1236, Cawdeon and Costello 1231, G Theaker 1228.

News for week ending Sunday June 11

Following a recent double bill of national racing, district area pigeon fanciers have a third go at the big time this weekend (June 17) when members of the North Road Championship Club compete from Fraserburgh.

Looking back to last Saturday (June 10), it was back to club racing for those north road organisations affiliated to Peterborough and District Federation. Racing from Bishop Auckland the fastest bird back to the local area was owned by Maurice Cowley, of Horncastle Invitation Flying Club, followed by Stan Snowden, of Boston Central, and Frank Tasker, of Wainfleet.

Horncastle Invitation FC (8 members sent 105 birds): M Cowley 1388, Melson and Hayes 1375, 1356.5954, 1356.1468 and 1355.

Boston Central (14-219): S Snowden 1385, Upsall and Frost 1365, Skinner and Mercer 1364, Hardy and Troops 1360 and 1350.359, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1350.359 and 1348, Upsall and Frost 1345, A Kirkman 1338, Hardy and Troops 1334, Upsall and Frost 1331 and 1318.

Boston and District (12-281): Mr and Mrs P G Clare 1371, D Brackenbury 1351, L R Manning 1350, Mr and Mrs Clare 1341, Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1325, Mr and Mrs Clare 1307 and 1306, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1302, A Bell 1301.572, D Judd 1301.206, B Parker 1299, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1298.

Swineshead and District (7-112): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1341 and 1323, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1310, Mr and Mrs A Neison 1284, D Iles 1282, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1275, Mr and Mrs Neison 1266, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1264, D Iles 1258 and 1256, G Wheatman 1255, Mr and Mrs Neison 1245, D Iles 1220, Mr and Mrs AG Fisher 1074.

Skegness and District (5-70): Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1325, 1322 and 1317, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1312, Mr and Mrs Boswell 1309, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1305.

Skegness and Wainfleet (4-69): F and A Tasker 1382, 1380 and 1357, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1347, 1340 and 1327, Bartle and French 1298, A and J Pinner 1214.

Candlesby FC (12-124): K Scholz 1355, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1340, A Sanderson 1325, P Whiting 1321, D Page 1300 and 1299, M Sharpe 1274, T Spence 1261, Mr and Mrs Akid 1171, Bill Simpson 1164.

Result of Swineshead and District RPC race from Perth last week (3-31): Mr and Mrs A Neison 1748, Mr and Mrs T F Welby 1674, Mr and Mrs Neison 1585, 1538 and 1527, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1507.

Dorrington and Digby Racing Pigeon Club (14-223) raced from Exeter. Results: M and D Williams 1104, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1091, P Clawson 1076, H Gostlow and Son 1076,1075, M and D Williams 1069, J Pearson 1068, H Gostlow and Son 1066, Cawdron and Costello 1065, A Waby 1060, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1038, H Gostlow and Son 1036, A Waby 1030, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1026,1020, J Andrews 979, P Scott 949, M Pearson 933, P Clawson 925, P Collishaw 875, M and D Williams 841, H Gostlow and Son 812, Collishaw and Johnson 670.

News for week ending Sunday June 4

Regional pigeon fanciers contested their second North Road Championship Club national race of the season on Saturday June 3. The race from Perth attracted an entry of 4,200 birds and the fastest into the local area was owned by former national winners Kevin and Barbara Smith, of Chapel St Leonard’s, with a velocity of 1909 yards per minute.

This was good enough to place them at the top of section two in the provisional results, followed by Mamwell Brothers, of Louth, and Frank and Ann Tasker, who timed in 30 pigeons, on 1894.

Fastest into the Boston clock station, for the second successive NRCC race, was the in-form loft of Bridget and Geoff Clare who dominated the Boston and District Flying Club result with only Angie and Brian Garnham, in second and fourth places, preventing a clean sweep by the Clares and their team of Simon Brothers Jansennes. The Garnhams, also in good form in recent weeks, won the Boston Central club for the second successive week.

The overall race winners were Mr and Mrs Reg Piggin, of Norwich (see special report below), on 1968 yards per minute, with other Norwich fanciers in second and third places.

Club results from Perth:

Boston and District (7 members sent 133 birds): Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1846, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1831, Mr and Mrs Clare 1820, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1816, Mr and Mrs Clare 1808, 1804.502, 1804.275, 1802, 1795, 1788, A Bell 1786, D Brackenbury 1778.

Boston Central (12-147): Mr and Mrs Garnham 1831, Upsall and Frost 1829, A Kirkman 1817, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1816, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1814, Hardy and Troops 1804 and 1800, Upsall and Frost 1791 and 1789, A Kirkman 1786.573, Hardy and Troops 1786.298 and 1782.

Horncastle Invitation FC (4-38): R Quibell 1753, M Cowley 1745, T and F Kennedy 1742, R Quibell 1736, Melson and Hayes 1734.

Skegness (5-50): K and B Smith 1905, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1857, Mr and Mrs J Bosworth 1853, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1851, Mr and Mrs Bosworth 1845 and 1844.

Skegness and Wainfleet (5-131): F and A Tasker 1894, 1884, 1878, Bartle and French 1869, Mr and Mrs P J Newbold 1835, 1827 and 1822, A and J Pinner 1812, Candlesby (7-65): D Page 1871, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1835, K Scholz 1828, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1827, D Page 1820, K Scholz 1818, M Sharpe 1794, A Sanderson 1786, Mr and Mrs Akid 1714, T Spence 1686.

Swineshead and District RPC raced with the Peterborough Central Federation from Alnwick (5-69) D Iles 1776, Mr and Mrs T F Welby 1731, D Iles 1730, 1712 and 1695, Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1662, G Wheatman 1605, Mr and Mrs A G Fisher 1522.

Boston Central open race from Bubwith (28-320): Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1859 and 1831, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1793, F and A Tasker 1785 and 1768, A Kirkman 1764, F and A Tasker 1763, Upsall and Frost 1761, F and A Tasker 1757, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1756, D J Brackenbury 1755, Harrison and Webster 1750.

Elsewhere, South Road clubs were competing from Newbury.

Dorrington and Digby (15-358): M and D Williams 1303, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1298, M and D Williams 1288, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1288, Cawdron and Costello 1287, M and D Williams 1286, Cawdron and Costello 1277, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1271, P Clawson 1267, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1266, H Gostlow and Son 1261, M and D Williams 1260, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1256, A Waby 1255, J Pearson 1253, J Andrews 1232, Collishaw and Johnson 1211, P Scott 1201, S Benge 1181, M Pearson 1178, G Theaker 1167.

Wheatsheaf FC, Eastville: Joe McFadyen 1337, 1331 and 1330, Ralph Brown 1234, Ray Hermitage 1226, 1225 and 1223, J Downes and Grandson 1207.

Congratulations go to Joe McFadyen for topping the Federation result from Frome the previous week.

*******

The husband and wife partnership of Reg and Doreen Piggin of New Costessy, Norwich, joined the elite of fanciers who have won two North Road Championship Club races when they triumphed from Perth on Saturday June 3 from an entry of 4,200 birds. Their previous win had been from Dunbar in 2004.

With the whole countryside bathed in sunshine, convoyer Phil Ringe had the easiest of tasks in deciding to liberate at 6.45am in a light west wind, although the high velocities suggest that the birds found more than a little north in the wind to give them every assistance. Phil said he had spotted some high-flying clouds appearing to be travelling north at the racepoint although, at ground level, it was a light west wind.

The winning bird is a six-year-old blue widowhood Willy van Houte cock bird bought in a batch of 12 from the Louella stud. Reg said he bought the dozen in 2000 “to have some fun with” - his main strain is Van Den Bosch - and, after the young bird programme he had eight of them left. Two were cocks and he gave away the six hens. Both cock birds were steady racers but he lost one along the way and was left with just the Perth winner that he describes as “quite a reliable pigeon which has flown Lerwick for the past two years.”

He timed in at 11.33am, much earlier than expected. He thought noon to 12.15pm would be a good timing.

The Piggins fly a distance of 322 miles from Perth. They entered 10 birds and had them all home within 40 minutes of the winner. So now what is the future for the pigeon that helped make the partnership part of double-winning history? Reg says he will be sent to Lerwick this year.

But then he said Bachelor Boy, winner of NRCC Dunbar two years ago, would continue racing. But Doreen put her foot down and said no! So he has been in their stock loft for a couple of years, although the generous Reg has none of his progeny because he has given them all away.

Reg and Doreen, normally top prizewinners in the Costessy Flying Club, have not been in the winner’s enclosure so frequently this season, probably because they made a slow start, missing the first two races because Reg has been suffering from a mystery illness that has necessitated two stays in hospital. The experts never found out what was wrong, but he says he is feeling better now, and June 3’s win will, no doubt, give a boost to the recovery programme. The partnership usually keep about 22 cock birds and 32 hens, and Reg is noted for flying his yearling cock birds as bachelors, being willing to put up with their sometimes reluctance to trap as he likes them to develop before being paired.

Reg is a retired builder, now aged 73, and spends a lot of time on his pigeons, usually giving them three training tosses a week.

It was a great day for Norwich fanciers. The winning velocity was 1968 yards per minute, and the Norwich lofts took second and third were Mr and Mrs D Culling on 1964 and M Waller on 1957. “The race was close here in Norwich, and you always feel a little bit sorry for whoever is second,” said Reg.

The race was described as “excellent” by secretary Stephen Spinks, although the west in the wind again gave an advantage to fanciers on the east side of the club’s territory. A group of pioneers has established a blueprint that could enhance the future of long distance pigeon racing from London.

The new Greater London Distance Club for members of Section 7 of the North Road Championship Club will compete from all of the NRCC old bird races, and fanciers will also be able to fit in the distance races organised by the London North Road Combine, giving them a programme of eight races that will test fancier and bird to the limit.

Secretary is Steve Chalkley, who flies in the successful partnership with his father George, and already there are 24 members, with others sitting on the fence waiting to see how successful the new venture is. There is little doubt that it will succeed with the experience behind it, and the enthusiasm for long distance racing of the members who were fed up of sprint races dominating their programme.

Members of the new club will compete with the NRCC from Dunbar (321-328 miles), Perth (360-368), Fraserburgh (430-438), Thurso (500-510) and Lerwick (590-602). And they will also be able to compete with the London North Road Combine longer races from Berwick, Stonehaven and Thurso, giving a programme of eight races to test fancier and pigeon to the limit.

This is probably one of the most testing distance programmes in the country and, as teams develop, London can become the home of some of the best distance pigeons around. They have secured sponsorship, entry fee is £10 and subscription £50. All the subscription money goes in prizes, and prizemoney of £230 will be paid out per race.

Dunbar was the first test, and that is just what it proved to be. As bad weather engulfed the country for most of that weekend, convoyer Phil Ringe took the window of opportunity to release the birds on the Sunday, and it proved to be a good race. Unfortunately for the London birds they had to finish a lot of it in steady rain, but most timed in and few failed to make it home. The velocities show that they had more difficulties than most.

There were 106 entries for this Dunbar race and the new club was won by J Connolly and Son on 1110 yards per minute. Next NRCC race is from Fraserburgh on Saturday June 17, marking Thursday June 15. Last date for entries is Sunday June 11 and the secretary appeals for members not to leave it until the weekend until they send in their entries as their is little time to carry out all the work entailed.