Last updated 19:40, Thursday, 08 May 2008

DERWENT Valley Federation fanciers experienced the fastest race on record from Stafford with the winning pigeon clocking over 76mph.

It’s been a traumatic season so far with losses worryingly high and the quick race over 140 miles on Saturday added to the problems.

It is said there was a very quick race from Lancaster over 40 years ago when the birds covered the trip in 39 minutes but doubt was always expressed as to the liberation time.

Topping the Federation was John Pooley of the Harrington Central club who sent 18 to the race and got 13 back.

In a season of high losses, after only five races, he’s done better than most with 14 birds dropped so far. But with so many birds gone astray, and big team men down to single figures already, it poses question marks about the ability of many fanciers to complete the programme.

Pooley won the Fed with a two-year-old Janssen mealy cock which he bought as a young bird from Joe Fitzsimmons of Cleator Moor.

He scored as a young bird but didn’t figure last season. He was prominent for John earlier this season, being in the clock for him.

Pooley flies the roundabout system and this is his third Federation success since being left to fly on his own seven years ago.

His race partner Harry Telford died then and in 24 years together they had two Cumbria Combine winners and were regarded as one of the most consistent lofts in the area with several Federation successes.

Derwent Valley Federation (1562 birds): 1, Telford and Pooley (Harrington Central) 2248; 2, J and M Carter (Harrington Central) 2247; 3, Sleightholm and Broatch (Harrington Central) 2246; 4, Mr and Mrs Carter (Harrington Central) 2243; 5, J Devlin (Harrington Central) 2241; 6, Hucknall bros (Workington SL) 2237.

Maryport (5 sent 58): 1, 2, Todhunter and Ismay 2153, 2148.

Dearham Utd (6 sent 78): 1, S Sanderson and grandson 2157; 2, TL Charters 2153.

Workington Victoria (16 sent 220): 1, G Best 2246; 2, Williams, sons and grandson 2241.

Flimby West Coast (6 sent 124): 1, Harrison, Hodgson and Fearon 2183; 2, Kenney and Kennedy 2164.

Harrington Central (9 sent 133): 1, Telford and Pooley 2248; 2, J and M Carter 2247.

Netherton (11 sent 215): 1, R Fisher 2203; 2, A Dixon 2193. (Stafford 1, 11 sent 213): 1, 2, Graham and daughters 1756, 1752.

Seaton RBL (7 Sent 104, sponsored by Metropolitan Racing): 1, 2, A Parker and son 2235, 2223.

Flimby HS (10 sent 241): 1, Tinnion bros and Aitken 2202; 2, Nicholson and Crellin 2199.

Ellenborough (7 sent 113): 1, Barker, Charlton and Brown 2166; 2, D and J Reay 2152.

Workington Social Limit (8 sent 88): 1, 2, Hucknall bros 2237, 2235.