Rushden Fanciers secured several prizes at the Northamptonshire Good Intent Society’s show at Northampton on Saturday. Mr. Walker secured 2nd and 3rd prizes for any variety pullet. Messrs. S. Robinson and J. Bateman v.h.c. and h.c. respectively for any variety of hens and Mr. H. Checksfield secured 1st, 2nd, 3rd and v.h.c. for British cage birds.

Rushden Fanciers - Cups Presented at Annual Dinner
The annual dinner and cup presentation in connection with the Rushden Athletic Fanciers’ Society took place in the Athletic Club on Saturday evening. About eighty members and friends were present, and the good spread provided was thoroughly enjoyed. Mr C Mawby presided over the gathering.

“Success to the Society” was proposed by Mr R Walker, and responded to by Mr Travill. Mr W Dunkley submitted “The donors of the special prizes,” to which Mr E Adams replied. Mr R Dunmore replied to “The judges,” which was offered by Mr A Rice.

The visitors were honoured by Mr G Coleburn, and Mr H White responded.

The management was thanked by Messrs H H Bates and H Lumbers, and Messrs George Bateman and J Shatford heartily thanked Mr Chas. Clark for attending to present the prizes.

A very enjoyable concert followed the dinner and those contributing to an admirable social programme were Miss Ivy Betts, Mr Sam Wheatley, Mr Jack Shatford, Master Shatford, Mrs W H Bates and Mrs J Shatford, who acted as accompanist.

During the evening Mr Charles Clark presented trophies to the following: Walker Cup for poultry, Mr A Rice; Subscribers’ Cup for rabbits, Mr W Ablett; Wiggins Cup for borders, Mr M Young; Members’ Cup for pigeons, Mr Sarjeant; Secretary’s Cup for cage birds, Mr Johnson.

The catering was in the hands of the secretary, Mr W H Bates.

Pigeon's last race won £100
SEVEN-YEAR-OLD pigeon, flying its last race, finished its flying career in a blaze of glory and brought to its Rushden owners £100 in prize money and a brand new silver challenge cup.

The bird, a hen, which has now been retired from racing was taking part in this year’s all-England race from Lerwick and was 16th in the all-England event, second bird home in the West Midlands Region, and first in the Northampton and District Federation.

As a result, at a Federation dinner at Wellingborough on Saturday the owners of the bird, Ron and Stanley West, of Rushden, were presented with a new silver cup, presented for the first time, and a £5 cheque, in addition to the £95 11s. of prize money already received.

In 1952 this bird won about £17 in the Lerwick race, and last year it brought the West Brothers £45.

Others
This year it covered the 544 miles in 13 hours and six minutes, which in pigeon circles is a speed of 1,217 (yards per minute).

It has now finished racing. But its owners have other birds, some of which have done well in local events, and one of which took part in this year's Lerwick race, though without success.