The bird that finally brought victory for John
JOHN DOLBY is pictured proudly displaying the bird that brought him his greatest success in 61 years of pigeon racing. The one-year-old was first of 2,958 pigeons to complete the prestigious annual North Road Championship Club Race, which started in Frase
JOHN DOLBY is pictured proudly displaying the bird that brought him his greatest success in 61 years of pigeon racing.
The one-year-old was first of 2,958 pigeons to complete the prestigious annual North Road Championship Club Race, which started in Fraserburgh, north east Scotland and was held on Sunday.
The victory will be seen by many to be the biggest success in the history of Chatteris District Homing Society, of which Mr Dolby is a member.
The bird flew into Mr Dolby's shed, on Bridge Street, Chatteris in 8hrs 10mins, winning the race by about three minutes.
Mr Dolby, 71, said: "I've been into pigeon racing since I was 10-years-old and won several competitions but this is the biggest victory I've had by a long way.
"This is a very big competition and I've been trying to win it for some 40 years now so I'm over the moon to have finally done it.
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"The bird has been doing very well so I'm not that surprised that it won. The win was very comfortable in the end as well.
"Conditions were pretty tough with the heat and humidity and it was a difficult race with many pigeons not making it home until the following day.
"I'll give the bird a well-earned rest now and he won't race again this year."
The victory earned Mr Dolby £500 prize money.
He said: "The members of the Chatteris club have all been brilliant since the win, but it's cost me about £50 buying them all drinks.
