Tom Berry, the race controller, had the 275 birds sent by 17 members up and away at 8.45am in a light South West wind. The six-year-old hen arrived at Carr Head, Pecket Well one hour and fifty nine minutes later having covered a distance of 127 miles and 668 yards.

Mr and Mrs Shepherd of Trimmingham were a very close second with a yearling cock and the Brearley brothers contested third and fourth places with Kevin, the society’s president, beating secretary Derek by a short head.

Steve and Mark Smith won £57.47 pool and nomination money in fifth place with Eileen Longbottom of Widdop Road, Heptonstall in sixth.

Race day got off to a bad start with the sad death of Ben Burn, the society’s oldest member, aged 94.

A fancier for a great number of years Ben in recent times flew in partnership with daughter Judith, wife of Wally Lawson, and together they had a fine Federation win.

Officials and members of the Society send their condolences to Judith, Wally and their family.

l The squeaker sale for the Terry Divers Appeal is to be held on Sunday, May 11 at the Belgrave Social Club, Claremount Road, Halifax with penning from noon and the sale starting at 1pm.

Terry, a member of the society, is paralysed from the waist down following an horrendous motor cycle accident in 1984 and had a kidney removed in 1995.

He needs a swivel car seat and special wheels for his wheelchair, costing in excess of £4,000, to make a real improvement to the quality of his life.

Offers of birds or donations of money can be made through D Brearley 01422 365067 or Tommy Boland 01422 258478.