Last updated 17:35, Thursday, 21 August 2008

PIGEONS from the four local homing clubs went to Thoresby Hall, a distance of 128 miles.

Liberated at 10am with a light south east wind on their backs the birds made excellent time.

In the Tyne Valley Homing Society race members sent 273 birds.

The brisk wind resulted in a fast race, which brought a win for Jim Kennedy.

Results: 1 and 7, J. Kennedy 1871.82, 1846.53; 2, 3 and 4, Hindmarsh and Telfer 1864.86, 1864.34, 1863.82; 5, P. Walton 1860.0; 6, B. Leech 1858.87; 8, J. Gray 1833.61.

In the Tynedale Homing Society seven members sent 142 birds.

The winning pigeon was a chequer pied cock, raced by Acomb’s Tom Leadbitter, which flew the 129 miles at an average speed of 64 mph.

Results: 1, 4 and 5, T. Leadbitter 1871, 1833, 1821; 2, G. and M. Dodd and J. Charlton 1857; 3, Dodds and Middleton 1838; 6, 7 and 8, P. Jackson 1782, 1779, 1775.

In the Hexham Homing Society race Billy and Eileen Armstrong took the red card with good returns for the majority.

Result: 1, 4, 5 and 7, W.A. and E. Armstrong 1727, 1708, 1692, 1686; 2, 3, 6 and 8, Strong and Son 1717, 1715, 1688, 1651.

For the Haltwhistle Flying Clubs three members sent 15 birds to Thoresby Hall a distance of 133 miles.

It was a very fast race with excellent returns. A young blue bar cock homed in two hours and 19 minutes to claim the red card for Colin Creighton.

The club also held a race from Leyland when three members sent 31 birds.

From this 90 mile race, 10 birds arrived together in one hour and 35 minutes to give one of the best young bird race for many years.

Colin Creighton also has a young bird entered into the RPRA one loft race and the final race from 199 miles is flown this bank holiday Sunday, so fingers crossed.

Thoresby Hall: 1, 2 and 3, C. Creighton 1680, 1633, 1621; 4, Dodd and Smith 1612.

Leyland: 1, 2 and 3, C. Creighton 1613, 1607, 1605; 4, 5 and 6, Dodd and Smith 1549, 1546, 1531.