Michael J Burden

The report for those unable to find it:- First of all let me say sorry for the delay in this report but I have had to think long and hard before I put pen to paper. Now in consultation with my family, partners, and local club I have our new direction set in my mind, but before we talk of the future let me recap on 2008. As you all know we had a great series of hot spot races and were bang on target with over 50% of the birds making it to the final race. All who attended the marking were in agreement that the birds were in great condition with over a thousand birds in perfect feather and just a hundred or so that were a bit loose in the body feather but none at all in a bad moult. Two of the birds were found to have small cuts from hawk strikes and I put a couple of stitches in these as they were not to bad and I know that Jim was not to keen on the idea of these birds going to the race but I spoke to the owners and as usual they wanted them sent! After the security marking attended by this years security observer who was Jim Dyer a lay preacher and pillar of his local community as well as a life long pigeon flyer and local reporter, the birds were then placed back in the loft and fed and watered Jim then sealed the loft up at 7pm and handed over to the night watchman and convoyer, who slept at the lofts.7am Saturday Jim arrived and broke the seal to the loft and the birds were then again fed and watered and at 11am the birds were loaded onto the transporter and then sealed into the crates by Jim. The journey north was totally uneventful and they arrived in Edinburgh at 8pm and the birds were watered next morning the birds were given more water and made ready to liberate. At the home end our race advisers were surfing all the weather web sites and consulting widely, the consensus was that the country was split by weather down the middle from Scotland to the south coast of England and the forecast was that from the middle of the country out to the west it would be dry good visibility with the odd rain shower however from the middle of the country over to the east coast there would low cloud mist and some heavy rain showers, winds in all areas of the north would generally easterly or north east and west or south west in the south. With this in mind our thoughts were that if we liberate in an east wind this should send them down the west side of the country into the decent weather and get home without to much trouble this decision was taken on a unanimous vote by the 6 people involved, and Jim was asked to cut the seals at 0720 ready for a 0730 liberation. All 20 of the guys that were attending Hopetoun house to watch the liberation were more than impressed with the condition of the birds and the liberation in which all 1176 birds cleared south in very short time, even though a batch of about 100 did come back over the site 10 minutes later. the whole thing was video taped as usual by the convoyer, and while Jim and the assistant convoyer/driver went home in the transporter the convoyer himself caught a plane from Edinburgh to Cardiff airport and the film of the liberation was being shown on the big screens to the assembled crowd of 450 waiting in the marquee just after noon and it was plain to see that it was a good liberation in good conditions. This obviously prompted the crowds to think this was going to be a very easy race as the guess the time competition was flooded by tickets guessing 5, 6 and 7 hours very few thinking it would be more than that, in fact less than ten people put down more than 10 hours, the eventual winning guess being 14 hours odd that was from a woman non fancier from the west country then one from Lee Jones a non fancier of 13 hours and Poor old Louise Draper from Cardiff who in fact wanted to guess 15 hours but her fancier husband told her not to be so daft and made her change it to less than ten hours, the reason I mention this is because of the hundreds of experienced flyers who were at the race had all seen the weather forecasts and just about every one of them was expecting conditions to be plenty good enough to provide a good race and were betting their money to say so with predictions of an easy race and even though 6 people made the decision to liberate this was endorsed by at least another 20 in Edinburgh and another 450 in Cardiff. However as we all now know what followed was a very bad race with no birds on the day it soon became clear to me that the birds for some crazy reason had gone down the eastern side of the country into the worst of the weather which by the way was a lot worse than what was forecast including flash floods in Northumberland from late morning just about the time the birds would have got there if they took the eastern route. Anyway we are all pigeon flyers and sometimes you just get a very bad one when you just never saw it coming, who will ever forget the RPRA Centenary race! And this was one of those days. The poor boys in Galway did not get a single bird in race time up at the same time as us. As I said at the dinner on the night this means that everyone is still a potential winner and the birds with true grit will come second day to win this race. The loft was attended by 20 people overnight including our own security I arrived at first light by the time we had got the bacon rolls tea and coffee sorted out we had got nearly a hundred people waiting for the birds, then just before a quarter to eleven a lone blue pigeon dropped from the dead north and trapped to make itself a true hero in a very hard race and nice to say the owners Bill and Beryl Lewis were there to see it and take the many congratulations from the gathered crowd as well as the famous winners jacket, crystal glassware and trophy. This lovely couple are well known one loft flyers that have been around the world at the best one loft races, The winning bird that is truly bred for the job both parents are big winners in previous Europa classics! Second bird arrived 24 minutes later this was one for our Kuwait friends namely Nabeel Albaker who is an officer in the Kuwait army this was bred for him by Elimar, and has a pedigree full of long distance national winners this runner up is also the car winner Ace bird for best average all races 2008.these were followed throughout the day by another 27 valiant birds that had obviously seen a great deal of rain, eventually we had just 48 birds in race time, and the clock will be left on for at least a week, While others drift home. Obviously the RPRA rules say we can not pay prizes to the birds outside race time however we will give a credit in next years race to all the birds up to the one hundredth home to the same value of the prize allocated for that position. As per the rules all prizes will be reduced by one third as the published prizes are based on the loft being full at 1000 paid birds and 2000 reserves and as we all know the loft only had 660 paid birds plus reserves this is a simple calculation, as the race was less than two thirds full, we pay two thirds of the projected prize money that is exactly what has happened in previous one loft races flown by the RPRA itself as well as this years Emerald Classic and South west one loft races. Apart from the winners £30,000.00 which will be paid in full twenty thousand from the race and ten thousand from our sponsors Europa Auctions like the rest of the prizes this was not guaranteed but I personally have always said the winner of this race will get thirty grand no matter what and I will make sure that happens. That is 2008 out the way now for the future, It has always been our intention for this race to be a true test of a pigeon to sometimes push them to the limit in an effort to find true champions this is why we have chosen a very difficult race point at 312 miles to be the final test of the birds we are sent by our loyal customers each year, and even though the race has never been full we have paid the prizes in full thinking if we do that the race will be full next year but this has never happened and it may never happen so perhaps it is now time to make some changes and these are my proposals. As from 2009 the Europa classic will not be considered the final test of the birds you send us but just a stepping stone to the Europa 500 which will be. Europa Classic will still have the same race rules and entry fees and prize money as previous years, but it will be flown from Carlisle 240 miles and it will be flown on August bank holiday weekend and will be preceded by 5 hot spot races from Brough 200 miles Leyland 160 miles twice Whitchurch 100 miles and Ludlow 60 miles. We anticipate getting a big percentage of the bird's home from Carlisle which is a much easier race. These young birds can then be entered by their owners into the Europa 500 to be flown as old birds from 500 miles and this will be our new ultimate challenge for the birds we are sent to race, giving our long distance men a chance to shine. Obviously flown as old birds fully motivated into widowhood boxes it will be much easier to get a classic long distance performance from the birds. Also giving our customers year long entertainment from short middle and long distance races. Finally I would like to thank the many people who have phoned and e mailed with messages of support, of course hundreds of people had a great day out eating and drinking all day with a super atmosphere at the loft even with no birds on the day. Bill Lewis thinks it was a great race of course Beryl was reduced to tears of joy and all the other big money winners are pleased, those that did not get a bird are disappointed this we understand, and most of the guys who are down at the moment are already saying or well better luck next year because we will be having another go then. Nobody is more disappointed than me and the team. I was 100% sure we were going to get 600 birds home however that's racing, and perhaps we are pushing them to hard that's why we are making the changes we have outlined, please be aware this is very serious for us it is full time jobs on the line here for people who work hard and try their best for you. Indeed we have had very few complaints from our loyal customers who have seen many good races here at the Europa Classic, however you get knockers who have never been to the race and these numptys who hide in a chat room where any Tom, Dick or Darren can say any old rubbish that is no where near the truth need to be treated like the scum they are. Why the hell would I want to throw away all the birds when the auction money alone could be up to a hundred thousand pounds!!!!!! Any way roll on next year for the dawn of a new era. Best of luck to you all Derek Nicholls and all the Europa Classic/Europa 500 Team Very well written. I be first in the queue next year as I have already stated earlier in this thread where rumour and misiformation was rife.

I have just read the rules. It does not mention anything, as far as I could see as to a closing of the race. It says prize money paid to the first 100 home. there site has now removed that the race is closed so what is happening is the "race" still on?

Albear Many reasons which I am not going into. My lips are sealed and will remain so. It is not a witch hunt which I wanted addressing it is answers and learning. If that learning means new appointments then that is the price to pay for failure if failure or bad decision making has happened. I have seen responses now on the NFC chat site from some of the officialdom. Something very has indeed. It may be that heads are coming out of the sand and the organisation can move forward and grow to something like it used to be. I will not hold my breath though. The power we fanciers hold is all down to the knowledge that we all have at our finger tips. Those that have not got a computor have the local library. With the internet we have access to all the information they have before the decisions are made and can see if it is bad or good based on what we see at the time. Not like to old days where we used to wait for the pigeon paper once a week and a month would go by with very little information being known and then forgotten about. I have put a response on their site in reply to the race advisor (weather consultant) for want of a better name and paste it here for anyone who cares to read it. Thanks Roy for you reply. At least it gives some answer in the interim. I shall not be putting my name forward as race controller or advisor. One I do not have the time and two I am sure there are some out there who are cleaverer and more inteligent than me. Alan Sugars once said one of the reasons to his success is reconising that fact and emplying them. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but when the discusion and decision making is questioned before hand then it surely is bad judgement by the decision makers when they get it wrong. I too know how difficult yb national racing is too. I have lost pigeons on good days like everyone else. I choose to send mine last Thursday, I did consider forfeiting my entry money but expected the birds would be well looked after and if the weather was not so good that experience and that employed judgement would count for a great deal. Well done the winners and timers and condolances to those who failed. There is always next year. PS Very well done Ray Grimsdell of Burton for timing the only yb on the day in section I. Terrific performance.

Some good comments on here but it has gone off on one. The NFC had had this on their notice board all day and not one official has responded so here is what is printed there for them, nothing added and nothing taken away. Hindsight had no part to play in anything from what I can see. The appointed race controller says do not liberate and some over rules him and lets go any way, breach of trust between member and organiser simple as that.

Some good comments on here but it has gone off on one. The NFC had had this on their notice board all day and not one official has responded so here is what is printed there for them, nothing added and nothing taken away. Hindsight had no part to play in anything from what I can see. The appointed race controller says do not liberate and some over rules him and lets go any way, breach of trust between member and organiser simple as that.

So having a race controller and over riding his "expert" advice is the norm? Why have such a position if they are not needed. Yes Tom we all know the risks when sending to these ybs races. I was cautious and still have about 30 at home and only sent those that I could afford to loose, I have been sending to these events for many years now and know the score. But to overirde the race controller is a little odd.

Cloudview from what I have gathered around here many had one or 2 back. None of those fanciers are mugs either and sent probably good birds to. Me i got 1 out of 10 sent to the NFC. All bred for the job well trained, got to get my fuel bill yet, and bred for the job. Well done for getting one on the night I hope it goes onto do you some more good in the future.

Some silly stuff has been written on here by many anons. I have just read one or 2 who have sensible heads on. PJ I have highligthed yours not because it is better than some of the others but because I can not fault what you have said. A very good thought out piece.

If you are a member of the NFC can I ask that you take a look at the topic which I have put on the discussion page? It is about the events leading upto the liberation of the yb and OH's.

Roundo thanks for the pictures. You can clearly see definition in those clouds with brights spots too. I liberate my birds when I train in such conditions.

Well I was told many times, and ignored it at my peril. To pick your team for the distance race, then only send half. This is good practice because when they are in the crates what happens to them is out of your control and disaster can strike. In 20 years of racing though this disaster has only happened 3 times, Pau NFC 1992. Centenary 1997 and the latest for me Falaise 2 BICC. The latter saw me send my whole team of 30 birds which on the build up was hot and sunny ect. On the day it was nigh on gale force north east cold wettish day. It stopped me in my tracks. Got to know which are super birds and lost some and spolit some good birds too. With all the internet weather etc available today it appears in 20 years only 3 disasters is not that bad unless you have sent your whole team to one of them.

helley i read it and understand and have done so at their request many times.

Once they have done the 600 plus races they probably will not do well at the shorter ones espeially if they are competing against specialist sprinters. Before they have been that fat I see no reason why not, my 1st section 663miles Pau NFC won an inland race as a yearling then flew 500 on the day a week later being beaten to 2nd by a loft mate. That was dutch belgium origin but the old ENGLISH/SCOTISH type birds are probably not likely to win short races. Just my view.

http://www.rainbowsalesshop.co.uk/catalogue/1293

That is outragious. Paying 30 quid and collecting it. Where is the good will?

For the Uttoxeter lib the skies were great but the 'gale' force NE wind which had my tree tops bent over was the problem. It is not much different now looking outside except colder and wetter now.

Got one doing 931 ypm at Uttoxeter just inside the north section. 4.31pm.

I was once told to get an old radio and tune it to radio 4 which talks 24/7. Put it in the loft no so loud as to annoy the neighbours but loud enough to let the foxes hear. They are supposed to be suspicious of human voices and should keep them away.Failing that certain types of snares are still legal and often effective but can be cruel looking.

if you are going to loose them you will, it does not matter if they are yearlings or 2 year old. The duffers will get lost no matter how long you modycoddle them. Just get them in the basket and loose the duffers. It is what I do. ?how many ybs are lost for everyone that makes the team as yearlings? I would guess the percentage of good birds is lowish in either yb or latebred. This is my experience take it or leave.

My yearling late breds are yet to see the inside of a basket. Them off they will go inland then 400 miles NFC 560 miles MNFC and some may go 670 miles NFC all this year. Just expect losses. About 30 to go this year. PS they are long distance late breds.

minr were out all day in the snow too. Clapped and batted away all day til dusk, they loved it.

He looks like he is over the worst of it but still looks under weight. Once the muscles have been eaten away by the bird when he was not eating, happens often with extreme racing it is never replaced. Do not expect him to return to his former glory but he looks fine and needs a companion in the form of a bird.

David you are obviously up for a fight or something. I recall now he has been knocking around your garden for 2 years and he is 4 years old. Knocking about in your garden sometimes there sometimes not is this not feral or did he keep going back to Irelend. I can not see into the future but experience gives one an idea just like a mechanic can tell you what is wrong with your car without sometimes looking at it, good ones that is. Have you got some pics of him now? I do really hope I am wrong.

David I am glad your pigeon seems to be doing well but I know what the likely outcome will be, sorry. 4 years for a feral bird is very old. Research states that 18 months is the average age of feral homing type birds. If he has been so down then I suspect he will walk around his run and never really fly again. Lets see some more pics if you got them?

Yes I agree it is a none fancier and previously I have given good remarks. But if his needs are above the birds and the bird is suffering then action needs to be taken. Death and taxes are the only sure thing we all have to expect out of life.