Pigeon racing ace, John Hardy, started the young bird season in the position he had occupied so often when racing old birds - at the top of the list in Boston Central RPC’s race from Bubwith. He took the first two positions and was also fifth and sixth.

Over in Boston and District FC Mr and Mrs Ted Attwater completed a hat-trick of wins. Having won the last two old bird races, they won the first young bird race, and also took third and fourth places. There was a 1-2 for Darren Peters when Boston Area South Road RPC raced from Newbury.

Results from Bubwith:

Boston Central (16-298): Hardy and Troops 1785 and 1779, D Henry 1728, A Kirkman 1707, Hardy and Troops 1702 and 1693, Skinner and Mercer 1680, A Kirkman 1679, J Burt and Son 1677.776, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1677.369 and 1676, Upsall and Frost 1667.

Boston and District FC (9-188): Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1748, D Brackenbury 1732, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1659 and 1652, H Bell 1561, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1510, C and C Maddison 1503, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1482, C Collins and Son 1479, B Parker 1455, Gough and Reed 1439 and 1409.

Alford (6-135): Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1874 and 1873, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1782, Mr and Mrs Clare 1758, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1623, Mr and Mrs D Thomas 1612, B Sears 1441, 1438 and 1433, Mr and Mrs Thomas 1210 and 1193, Mr and Mrs Evans 1137.

Skegness and District (5-201): Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1910 and 1900, K and B Smith 1887, 1885, 1885 and 1884.

Skegness and Wainfleet (1-18): A and J Pinner 1534, 1290 and 1233.

Candlesby (9-118): M Sharpe 1874 and 1840, P Whiting 1832, M Sharpe 1832, D Page 1770, T Spence 1693, K Scholz 1670, J Childs 1628, G Clemence 1587, A Barlow 1476.

Result from Newbury:

Boston Area South Road RPC (5-112): D Peters and Son 1290 and 1288, Lannan and Louth 1117 and 1977, T Upex 1047, Mrs H Bullock 1028, Will, Pratt and Jobson 915 and 893, R Lancaster 844.

Week ending July 22

Testing time as old bird programme ends

The final old bird race of a difficult season for local racing pigeon fanciers was from Thurso in the guise of the North Road Championship Club. Bad weather in Scotland delayed the liberation until Sunday when, en route, some of the birds encountered heavy rain and returns were erratic.

Winners of the Boston Central Club race, held in conjunction with the NRCC, were the Carl Upsall and Trevor Frost partnership, while Richard Manning won Boston District FC. The Upsall and Frost partnership, as ever, has had another consistent season, with many positions in the first 12, but had to wait until the last race to enjoy their second win. All through the programme they have been engaged in a fascinating battle with John Hardy, who has again gained most victories, and surprise package George Watts.

Results from Thurso:

Boston Central (19 members sent 176 birds): Upsall and Frost 1188, D Henry 1172.811, Hardy and Troops 1172.779, Upsall and Frost 1157, G Watts 1124, Upsall and Frost 1111, G Watts 1102, K Ward 1094, W Coupland 1090, S Snowden 1087, J Burt and Son 1085, Hardy and Troops 1084.

Boston and District FC (6-64): LR Manning 1087, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1080 and 1059, D Brackenbury 1022, Mr and Mrs Garnham 990, Mr and Mrs Attwater 909 and 892, C Collins and Son 853.

Alford (9-51): Mr and Mrs D Thomas 1035, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1005, Mr and Mrs D Evans 996, 938 and 882, Mr and Mrs Clare 650, 647 and 638.

Skegness and District (5-35): Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1166, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1121, Mr and Mrs N Balderston 1081, Mr and Mrs Boswell 994, Mr and Mrs Balderston 950 and 940.

Skegness and Wainfleet (2-19): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1059, A and J Pinner 886.

Candlesby (5-24): T Spence 1098, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1059, K Scholz 912, D Page 613 and 554, T Spence 487.

Spalding Homing Society (11-75): A Parkinson 1188, MJ Lewis 1185, G Spiller 1172, R Holmes 1159, D Biggadike 1150, A Parkinson 1113, D Croft 1059, L Batterham 995, A Skillington 991.9491 and 991.1351, G Spiller 986, J Bellerby 985.

Results from Bishop Auckland:

Boston Central (17-191): G Watts 1710, Upsall and Frost 1709, A Kirkman 1701, Hardy and Troops 1684, Upsall and Frost 1669, A Kirkman 1663, G and C Edwards 1659, G Watts 1656, Upsall and Frost 1648, S Snowden 1641, Hardy and Troops 1641.

Candlesby (9-69): P Whiting 1769 and 1745, Jessica Newbold 1722, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1708, D Page 1708, Jessica Newbold 1701, W Simpson 1646, T Spence 1639, K Scholz 1617, Mr and Mrs Akid 1557.

Skegness and Wainfleet (2-58): F and A Tasker 1810, 1807 and 1805, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1745, 1703 and 1690.

Result of Spalding HS race from Berwick (10-118): RJ Rout 1265, MJ Lewis 1264, J Bellerby 1263, RJ Rout 1255, J Bellerby 1254.5404, T Enderby 1254.0256, A Skillington 1240, MJ Lewis 1231 and 1230, R Holmes 1218, A Skillington 1217, P Llewellyn 1216.

Old bird averages in Skegness and District RPC have resulted as follows:

Scottish average, Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1112, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1041; old bird average, Mr and Mrs Boswell 1222, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1176; sprint average, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1442, Mr and Mrs Boswell 1436, K and B Smith 1418, Harrison, Johnson and Webster 1410, G Balderston and Son 1376.

Boston Area South Road RPC held their first young bird race of the season from Bovingdon, but it was poorly supported when only four members sent 84 birds. The weather forecast had been poor, and the training schedule badly hit by this summer's heavy rain. Result: R Lancaster 1053 and 1039, D Peters 919.391, 919.209 and 919.027, Lannan and Louth 891, Mrs H Bullock 804.

Ten members of Dorrington and Digby RPC sent 169 birds to Wanstead Flats. They were liberated at 1300 in a west south west wind. Result: M and D Williams 1367,1356, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1348, M and D Williams 1335, H Gostlow and Son 1333,1327, M and D Williams 1315,1314,1290,1285, Cawdron and Costello 1279, H Gostlow and Son 1278, M and D Williams 1247,J Andrews 1224, J Pearson 1773, A Waby 1159, P Collishaw 1128, Collishaw and Johnson 1040,1026.

Week ending July 15

Upsall and Frost take race honours

The last old bird race of a difficult season for racing pigeon fanciers was from Thurso with the North Road Championship Club.

Bad weather in Scotland delayed the liberation until Sunday when, en route, some of the birds encountered heavy rain and returns were erratic.

Winners of the Boston Central Club race, held in conjunction with the NRCC, were the Carl Upsall and Trevor Frost partnership, while Richard Manning won Boston District FC.

Results from Thurso:

Boston Central (19 members sent 176 birds): Upsall and Frost 1188, D Henry 1172.811, Hardy and Troops 1172.779, Upsall and Frost 1157, G Watts 1124, Upsall and Frost 1111, G Watts 1102, K Ward 1094, W Coupland 1090, S Snowden 1087, J Burt and Son 1085, Hardy and Troops 1084.

Boston and District FC (6-64): LR Manning 1087, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1080 and 1059, D Brackenbury 1022, Mr and Mrs Garnham 990, Mr and Mrs Attwater 909 and 892, C Collins and Son 853.

Alford (9-51): Mr and Mrs D Thomas 1035, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1005, Mr and Mrs D Evans 996, 938 and 882, Mr and Mrs Clare 650, 647 and 638.

Skegness and District (5-35): Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1166, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1121, Mr and Mrs N Balderston 1081, Mr and Mrs Boswell 994, Mr and Mrs Balderston 950 and 940.

Skegness and Wainfleet (2-19): Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1059, A and J Pinner 886.

Candlesby (5-24): T Spence 1098, Mr and Mrs Newbold 1059, K Scholz 912, D Page 613 and 554, T Spence 487.

Spalding Homing Society (11-75): A Parkinson 1188, MJ Lewis 1185, G Spiller 1172, R Holmes 1159, D Biggadike 1150, A Parkinson 1113, D Croft 1059, L Batterham 995, A Skillington 991.9491 and 991.1351, G Spiller 986, J Bellerby 985.

Results from Bishop Auckland:

Boston Central (17-191): G Watts 1710, Upsall and Frost 1709, A Kirkman 1701, Hardy and Troops 1684, Upsall and Frost 1669, A Kirkman 1663, G and C Edwards 1659, G Watts 1656, Upsall and Frost 1648, S Snowden 1641, Hardy and Troops 1641.

Candlesby (9-69): P Whiting 1769 and 1745, Jessica Newbold 1722, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1708, D Page 1708, Jessica Newbold 1701, W Simpson 1646, T Spence 1639, K Scholz 1617, Mr and Mrs Akin 1557.

Skegness and Wainfleet (2-58): F and A Tasker 1810, 1807 and 1805, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1745, 1703 and 1690.

Result of Spalding HS's race from Berwick (10-118): RJ Rout 1265, MJ Lewis 1264, J Bellerby 1263, RJ Rout 1255, J Bellerby 1254.5404, T Enderby 1254.0256, A Skillington 1240, MJ Lewis 1231 and 1230, R Holmes 1218, A Skillington 1217, P Llewellyn 1216.

Old bird averages in Skegness and District RPC have resulted as follows: Scottish average - Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1112, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1041; old bird average - Mr and Mrs Boswell 1222, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1176; sprint average - Mr and Mrs Boulton 1442, Mr and Mrs Boswell 1436, K and B Smith 1418, Harrison, Johnson and Webster 1410, G Balderston and Son 1376.

Week ending July 8

It’s another race success for ‘Comeback Kid’

He’s done it again. George Watts has shown no sign of rustiness in his comeback to the sport of pigeon racing after a break of 10 years, and won his third race of the season in Boston Central RPC on Saturday. He was top of the list from Bishop Auckland, beating into second place one of his benefactors who helped him re-start racing, the Carl Upsall and Trevor Frost partnership who must be wondering how they can have competed so well this season yet won only one race.

Both they, and another ace loft, that of Hardy and Troops, also must be wondering whether it was a good idea to have helped the “Comeback Kid” back into the sport but John Hardy, with six wins to his credit this season after being top prizewinner so often in the past, will dismiss the claim that he was only able to win the longest race of the season, from Lerwick, only because Mr Watts was not competing. That claim, of course, came from George Watts!

While the banter continues in the Central club, two veterans have been quietly getting on with winning in Boston and District Flying Club. Ted and Val Attwater have won the last two races in style, from Lerwick and Bishop Auckland.

Results from Bishop Auckland:

Boston and District FC (10 members sent 168 birds): Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1715 and 1703, D Judd 1693, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1682, D Brackenbury 1667, H Bell 1655, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1651, D Judd 1647 and 1640.270, A Bell 1640.270 and 1632, Gough and Reed 1619.

Swineshead RPC (5-111): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1553 and 1545, G Wheatman 1529 and 1487, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1485, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1470, D Iles 1445, Mr and Mrs Welby 1439, D Iles 1427, 1393, 1390 and 1376.

Alford (10-93): F and A Tasker 1803 and 1788, B Sears 1781, Mr and Mrs Kellett 1826, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1722, B Sears 1719, Mr and Mrs Dennis 1697, 1688 and 1677, Mr and Mrs Evans 1662.

Skegness and District (6-47): Bartle and French 1809, Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1804, K and B Smith 1802, 1800 and 1793, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1779.

Spalding Services FC (8-65): Holmes 1679 and 1646, Woolsey 1564, Rout 1534, Skillington 1528 and 1522, Walker 1504, Woolsey 1503, Moore 1484, Walker 1479, Skillington 1464, Woolsey 1438.

Results from Lerwick:

Boston Central (9-50): Hardy and Troops 1214, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1188 and 1186, J Burt and Son 1185, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1166, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1142, Hardy and Troops 1126, J Burt and Son 1097, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1088 and 1080, Upsall and Frost 1049, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1045.

Boston and District (5-46): Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1191, D Brackenbury 1185 and 1169, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1166, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1145, LR Manning 1103, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1088 and 1080, D Brackenbury 983.

Skegness and District (3-12): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1252, Bartle and French 1094, Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1002, Mr and Mrs Boulton 783.

Candlesby RPC (3-13): K Scholz 1283, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1213, 699 and 646, D Page 488.

Skegness and Wainfleet: Mr and Mrs Newbold 1213, 699 and 646.

Alford (5-14): Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1248 and 1184, D Thomas 1140, B Sears 1096 and 793, Mr and Mrs D Evans 784, 693.92 and 693.71, Mr and Mrs Kellett 547, D Thomas 457.

Spalding Homing Society competed from Alnwick when 15 members sent 140 birds: D Croft 1487, MJ Lewis 1483, A Compton 1469, J Bellerby 1467, A Skillington 1462, T Upex 1460, P Llewellyn 1455, T Enderby 1449, P Llewellyn 1445, J Bellerby 1443, RJ Rout 1440, MJ Lewis 1438.

Result of Boston Area South Road RPC race from Bodmin (9-112): LR Manning 1511, Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1457, G Pugsley 1441, Will and Jobson 1418, Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1415, J Gore and Son 1411 and 1400, G Pugsley 1366, R Lancaster 1354 and 1349.

Ten members of Dorrington and Digby FC sent 269 birds to Eastbourne: H Gostlow and Son 1399 and 1394, Cawdron and Costello 1384, H Gostlow and Son 1373, Cawdron and Costello 1363, H Gostlow and Son 1360 and 1354, M and D Williams 1354, 1353 and 1350 J Andrews 1346, Cawdron and Costello 1346 and 1341, M and D Williams 1339, A Waby 1337, Cawdron and Costello 1335, J Pearson 1328, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw 1305, Collishaw and Johnson 1264, Mr and Mrs Kennedy 1239.

Week ending July 1

Special feat on big race day for Ray

Lincolnshire racing pigeon fanciers were competing in the Blue Riband race from Lerwick, in the Shetland Isles, with the North Road Championship Club on Saturday. And it proved a special day for Ray Johnson, of Grimoldby.

Last year he won the NRCC’s shortest race from Dunbar; this year his haul of trophies will include the famous King's Cup from the longest race, 472 miles to his loft. The winning pigeon for 70-year-old gravedigger Ray, who flies in partnership with his wife, was a four-year-old Jan Arden cock bird, racing home to eggs at a speed of 1333 yards per minute.

The birds were liberated at 6am and the winner was timed in at 4-23pm after 10 hours 23 minutes on the wing. It was felt by many that the race would have to be delayed because of bad weather but conditions were good for the release at Lerwick, although rain was encountered later in the race.

Other Lincolnshire fanciers also figure prominently in the provisional result, with Karl Scholz, of Wainfleet, taking fifth position, Mr and Mrs John Dixon, of Spalding, seventh, Mamwell Brothers, of Louth, ninth, Mr and Mrs Bob Boulton, of Addlethorpe, 11th, and Mr and Mrs Geoff Clare, of Sloothby, 12th.

Results from Lerwick were:

Boston Central RPC (9 members sent 50 birds): Hardy and Troops 1214, Mr and Mrs R Skinner 1188 and 1186, J Burt and Son 1185, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1166, Mr and Mrs Skinner 1142, Hardy and Troops 1126, J Burt and Son 1097, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1088 and 1080, Upsall and Frost 1049, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1045.

Boston and District FC (5-46): Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1191, D Brackenbury 1185 and 1169, Mr and Mrs B Garnham 1166, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1145, LR Manning 1103, Mr and Mrs Garnham 1088 and 1080, D Brackenbury 983.

Skegness and District (3-12): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1252, Bartle and French 1094, Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1002, Mr and Mrs Boulton 783.

Candlesby RPC (3-13): K Scholz 1283, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1213, 699 and 646, D Page 488.

Skegness and Wainfleet: Mr and Mrs Newbold 1213, 699 and 646.

Alford (5-14): Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1248 and 1184, D Thomas 1140, B Sears 1096 and 793, Mr and Mrs D Evans 784, 693.92 and 693.71, Mr and Mrs Kellett 547, D Thomas 457.

Swineshead and District (3-16): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1184, G Wheatman 1122, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1063.

Spalding Homing Society (11-46): J Bellerby 1216, T Enderby 1192, G Spiller 1186 and 1176, A Parkinson 1158, MJ Lewis 1151, D Croft 1143, G Spiller 1140, A Parkinson 1087.9589, G Burton 1087.9588, G Spiller 1072 and 1071.

Results from Whitley Bay were:

Boston Central (15 members sent 156 birds): G Watts 1288 yards per min, D Henry 1264, Hardy and Troops 1259, G Watts 1249.797, Upsall and Frost 1249.573, 1242 and 1231.799, Hardy and Troops 1231.373 and 1229, Appleby and Daughter 1227, K Ward 1211, W Hall and Son 1210.

Boston and District FC (11-100): Mr and Mrs E Attwater 1237, A Bell 1218, D Brackenbury 1212, Mr and Mrs Attwater 1185, LR Manning 1172, Gough and Reed 1171, H Bell 1167, C Collins and Son 1159, A Bell 1148, D Judd 1134, Gough and Reed 1118, H Bell 1110.

Swineshead and District RPC (5-92): Mr and Mrs S Poulter 1194, D Iles 1193, 1189 and 1172, M Huddlestone 1169, D Iles 1161, Mr and Mrs Poulter 1154, Mr and Mrs T Welby 1138, M Huddlestone 1119, 1082, 1064 and 1021.

Alford: Mr and Mrs M Dennis 1198, Mr and Mrs D Evans 1188 and 1179, B Sears 1175, Mr and Mrs Evans 1161.77, Mr and Mrs Dennis 1161.65, B Sears 1157, Mr and Mrs Evans 1154, A Willerton 1145, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 1142.

Skegness and District (7-72): Mr and Mrs R Boulton 1295, Bartle and French 1288, Mr and Mrs Boulton 1282, Mr and Mrs J Boswell 1245, Bartle and French 1208 and 1200.

Skegness and Wainfleet (3-46): F and A Tasker 1283, Mr and Mrs P Newbold 1269 and 1267, F and A Tasker 1265 and 1263, A and J Pinner 1234.

Candlesby (7-62): T Spence 1272, Jessica Newbold 1267, D Page 1255, Jessica Newbold 1246(2), Mr and Mrs Newbold 1224, K Scholz 1207, Mr and Mrs Akid 1183, W Simpson 1111.

Spalding Homing Society (13-147): J Bellerby 1252, MJ Lewis 1215, RJ Rout 1209, T Enderby 1207 and 1205, RJ Rout 1203, T Upex 1193.7941, A Burton 1193.3543, D Croft 1193.0245, A Burton 1191, A Compton 1190.7050, J Bellerby 1190.3591.

Results from Fraserburgh:

Spalding Services FC (10-72): Skillington 1084, LLewellyn 1065.72 and 1065.68, Holmes 1056, Moore 1055, Llewellyn 1043, Moore 1035, Skillington 970, Rout 963, Woolsey 664.471 and 664.411, Duffy 633.

Alford: Barber and Kingswood 1017, 995 and 978, Mr and Mrs D Evans 970, A Willerton 957, Barker and Kingswood 928, Mr and Mrs Evans 925, Mr and Mrs PG Clare 914, Barker and Kingston 909, F and A Tasker 902.

Bishop Auckland result:

Boston Central (15-156): Hardy and Troops 1360, Upsall and Frost 1355, G Watts 1353, Hardy and Troops 1350, Upsall and Frost 1287, G and C Edwards 1281, D Henry 1273, Appleby and Dtr 1266, J Burt and Son 1263, Upsall and Frost 1261 and 1253, K Milne and Son 1253.

Boston Area South Road RPC result from St Nazairre (11-132): LR Manning 1337, JL Batterham 1228, LR Manning 1200, JL Batterham 1197, T Upex 1160, JL Batterham 1139, T Upex 1049, G Pugsley 1038, LR Manning 1921.

Boston Area South Road RPC race from Newbury II (11-132): Mr and Mrs J Dixon 1408 and 1402, A Neison 1341 and 1340, Mr and Mrs T Homewood 1326 and 1322, R Lancaster 1311, G Pugsley 1308, Mr and Mrs T Homewood 1295, T Upex 1287.

Pigeons competing in Boston Area South Road Club’s race from Blandford Camp stormed home at more than 75 miles per hour for the fastest race of the season.

Seven members sent 130 birds and results were: G Pugsley 2196, LR Manning 2195, T Upex 2170, A Neison 2123, 2110 and 2106, Mrs H Bullock 2103, G Pugsley 2049, Mr and Mrs T Homewood 1933, R Lancaster 1816.

Spalding HS result from Wetherby (10-134): R Modd 1234, A Compton 1209, P Llewellyn 1208, MJ Lewis 1205.2941, P Llewellyn 1205.2290, A Compton 1202, R Modd 1188, J Bellerby 1187, R Modd 1182, T Upex 1175, D Croft 1163 and 1157.