Rushden Research Group: Homing Society 1898

Rushden & District Homing Society

The Argus 20th May 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins
A race was flown from Doncaster on Saturday, when F. White, of Higham, won the first and the special given by Graham Bros., of Peterborough.

Result:—

1	F. White	velocity 1,168
2	B. Ablett	1,162
3	C. Clark	1,156
4	C. Clark	1,156
5	A. Abbott	1,126
7	M. Perkins	1,062
8	F. Houghton	1,058
9	F. Atkins	1,039
10	G. Waller	1,035
11	G. King	1,002
12	A. Chettle	970

The birds were liberated by the stationmaster at 11.3, and the first bird timed in at 1.15 by F. White, of Higham.

The Rushden Echo, 17th June 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Flying Club

Four prizes were offered for an old birds' race, and forty members competed. The birds were sent to Newcastle-on-Tyne, where they were liberated. Arrivals at Rushden:-

1	M.Perkins, velocity per minute	750 yards
2	M. Perkins	750 yards
3	A. Chettle	748 yards
4	A. Chettle	748 yards
5	M. Perkins	724 yards
6	F. White	712 yards
7	G. Waller	682 yards
8	B. Ablett	651 yards
9	C. Neal	648 yards
10	W. Copperwheat	648 yards
11	A. Abbott	606 yards

The Rushden Echo, 24th June 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Flying Club

THE RUSHDEN FLYING CLUB held the last of the old birds' races on Saturday, when nineteen birds (belonging to five members) competed. The birds were sent to Berwick-on-Tweed, where they were liberated. The weather was dull and there was a south-east wind, so that the birds did not fly under favourable conditions.

Prizes were given by Mr. F. White, of Higham Ferrers, and Mr. C. Clark, the former offering 10s. to the winner and the latter one guinea to be divided between the owners of the first three birds, four birds were wired in, their velocity being:-

1	M.Perkins, yards per minute	754 yards
2	M. Perkins	701 yards
3	M. Perkins	701 yards
4	C. Clark	699 yards


Rushden & District Homing Society Medal 1924	Wellingborough & District medal presented to Charles Clark in 1901

The late Pte Chas. Clark, was well known throughout the county as a pigeon flyer; he and his brother, Mr Frank Clark, going under the name of Messrs. Clark Bros., winning considerable fame in that branch of sport. They won the Rushden Cup outright in 1906 and 1907.
[extract from memorial page]

Rushden Echo, 29th June 1900, transcribed by Kay Collins

The Rushden Flying Club flew their last old bird race for the season on Thursday, from Banff (Scotland), a distance of 379 miles. Eleven birds were sent by five members, and the results were:-1st and special, Mr C Clark, velocity 681; 2nd and special, Mr F White, 561; 3rd and special, Mr M Perkins, 412. Mr M Perkins was the winner of the first prize for best average for all the old bird races with a velocity of 760. Mr F Houghton was the winner of the second prize with a velocity of 659. The wind was S.W.

Rushden Echo, 30th June 1905, transcribed by Kay Collins

Pigeon Flying—For the Rushden Homing Society’s race from Arbroath on Saturday, nine members sent 30 birds, the results being:-

O Martin, velocity 861; Blackwell and White, 848; Smith and Brice, 829; O Martin, 795; W Dunkley, 779; Smith and Brice, 774; C Clark, 744. Mr Mackness was ninth in the Berwick race with a velocity of 1,255.

George Sail and his pigeon loft.

George lived in Crabb Street,
and this picture is around 1930.

click here for more about the Sail family

Rushden Echo and Argus, May 3rd 1946, transcribed by Kay Collins

Young Bird Race from Doncaster
Rushden Homing Society began another season on Saturday, when 100 young birds, sent by 13 members, were liberated from Doncaster at 11.55.
Results: Glidle and Goodman 1728 A.B.C., 1724 A.B., 1724, Marsden 1708, 1698, Mackness 1668, Darnell 1666, Dunkley 1640, Cockings 1632, Parker 1632, Wright 1600, Beeby 1594, West 1557, Harbour 1554, Ward 1541, Bates 1313.