Upsndoons

Any takers ?

Ring no. SU21A1315

Found on kitchen window cill tonight. Seem there are few lost youngsters flying around with mine. One sitting on top of loft, No ring number yet. Who was racing this weekend with purple A rings .

How do we bid ?

I just watched this and thought it was a very professional approach to how we could organise racing safely. Perhaps instead of think negatively we can look for positive solutions to achieve our common goal, fair and honest racing with the safety of all members as top priority. I live in hope.

Don’t worry about the price paid by the buyer, just thank him for raising the sport in all the national papers, tv, radio and media. So when a no fancier asks you about pigeon racing be positive and encourage them by telling them the good things about our sport and it’s history. All PR can be good PR. Ps. Offered to sell two of my birds to a none fancier to get him started for the same price as Armando and said he could let them fly out in two days. Sale was subject to no refunds if they flew away......lol, and no Chinese required.......lol.

Prime example of poor reporting by the media. Be ready to explain to Joe Public exactly the above. Sepecalative headline to attemp to find a scandal where there isn’t one. Why are the media obsessed with the performance or otherwise of our NHS ? But the damage is done to our sport. Dig deep and be a better ambassador for the sport.

Morning Guys, Thanks for the responses which are all good value and I am thinking if we can get more of this feedback what is currently my personal speculation may move to a more realist option. I shall sit down and think through the info so far and come back on here with some more thoughts. I feel this may not be totally pie in the sky thinking and if handled correctly might just work. I am very impressed by Coey18 re offer to buy equipment to help. Let put that on hold just now as my aim was to get a smaller leg ring like the ETS rings that we use now. I know there are pet trackers of the size you describe but these are to restrictive to the birds performance in my mind. Also, Doohead 5, I am not suggesting this is a compulsory requirement for every fancier, what we do is ensure that there are some birds in each race that can be tracked to enable non-fanciers to enjoy the race and maybe have a flutter on the outcome. This would enable the sport to gain revenue to promote and keep the sport alive. You can quite happily sit at your loft and enjoy the birds return which is exactly why I race my birds too. Ok, any other thought/suggestions more than welcome. Cheers & Merry Xmas Dave

Sorry guys but I am not here to defend modern technology with regards to telephone masts, frequency used and speculation as to the 'effect' on racing bird. Also whether the sport is doomed because the increase fo raptors is affecting the probability of getting a bird back in race time. What I am offering here is a suggestion as to how we may be able to provide an income of revue to our sport which may turn its decline around. I will continue to explore what I believe is a possible positive route to continuation of racing pigeons in Europe and possibly further afield. As previously stated the technology needs to be improved slightly more but it would be within grasp if we do our bit as a sport and encourage the developers to invest in it. We also need to provide possible sponsors into committing resource and money to provide a sustainable system of media involvement. Ok, so let's flush out a viable scenario for how the money/investment could work. Now I need your help. How many racing lofts are in Uk ? How many in Europe ? (We will leave the rest of the world for now) If a ring existed which was a life ring and enabled individual race tracking under a race condition, how many would you buy and how many races would you enter. Most importantly, what would you consider a FAIR price/ ring ? I am assuming that all existing race arrangements regarding verification and control would be retained and this new tracking ability is just supplementary to our present procedures. This is all a very hyperthectical assessment at the moment but if people are prepared to bet on random things like snow at Xmas, bird migration, Royal baby names, etc then we are in with a chance (excuse then pun) I am going to continue to explore these possibilities just because it seem the right thing to do. It may all be 'pie in the sky' but hey life is an challenge. Anybody out there got any helpfully input ? Cheers Dave

Another thought regarding your concern regarding cost, we are all members of the various unions who if commercial betting and sponsorship could be achieved could apply a percentage fee which could be used to supplement/support the existing and new fanciers in the sport. Just do the maths, thousands of pigeons race every weeks, betting on weekly or prestigious races could raise substantial amounts. What fanciers would not turn down a chance to win good prise money every week which was paid by a betting company for the rights/franchise to promote the race. Member in every club used to do their 'pools' why wouldn't betting folk in existing shops or on line users, and, they get to watch 'their birds' progress. ???

On the contrary, if you track a bird and they are taken you have a record of how many and where. With commercial wealth at stake and Joe Public being intereted in the birds fate you now have a valid argument for control and raised awareness generally. Imagine if some large perditor was able to take down a race horse during a race lol. My money would be on it being eliminated within hours. But that is hyperthectical right now. What is not is the reality that our sport needs fresh thinking and some means of making non fanciers care at its demise. As I said this is my suggestion as to how we become a 21st century sport for the masses not a forgotten chapter of history. So I have written to the manufacturer regards some ideas of what may be possible and positives for them and us. I contacted a number of British software and electronic development companies but hit negativity which is not unusual. It is always easier to say no than rise to a challenge but far less rewarding. Onward for me anyway.

https://www.sky-leader.com So from my suggestion above it seems technology is gaining in its ability to provide individual tracking of birds in flight. We are still not there though as the size and cost of these rings is prohibitive to 99% of the fanciers around the world. History has shown that technology reduces cost, size and weight of all electronic devices once prototypes are developed and the market demand is established so these types of rings could be reduced in size and weight if the market dictated the demand. This is the way to get a mass audience back into pigeon racing if the commercial betting industry was brought on board and the media interest was propagated. Think of the number of one loft races that for starters would relish 'live' monitoring of the race birds progress. I believe this is a solution to turning the tide of decline of the sport and actually getting Joe public and sponsorship money to relight our dying hobby. So what can the fancy do to grasp this possible saving grace ?

I reason if it was silver award potential, survived being covered in 'something' and had a damaged wing as was still putting up an effort then I would drive to France and get it lol.😀

Can I PM you Cheers Dave

So the 'boss' was debating holidays next year and out of the blue suggested we could go to Belgium for a week, cos it looks interesting. She is very supportive of my hobby but not an ardent fancier. So, the question is I might be able to sneak in a 'day out' to a loft to learn a bit more about Belgium flyer, their birds and the clubs, but who would have us and would they be happy to see us for a visit ? The breeding station and commercial lofts are not what I am interested in, something smaller and local with maybe distance birds and method would be interesting. I am thinking someone who friendly and hopefully English speaking. Any thoughts or suggestions lol . (Or I will have to take her round all the good shops and historic towns and sites) Cheers Dave

Think your Friday release time is still to early. I work in Edinburgh till 17.00 and if I am lucky get home at 18.10. Last week Dunbar winners took just less than an hour so if they go up at 15.00 it's no race for folk like me. 😥. Also I can't get to the club the Thursday to get bird on transporter. Just a thought.

Of course Roland you now realise you he a load off Scottish fanciers backing you and wanting to know hat you will be doing next. So now it's getting pigeons for yourself but also putting up note on here on a regular basis so we can all share in your development and pleasure. Lots of guys on here are very very good pigeon men and the advice is gold dust, and most are just good nice guys too. Good luck and I await your next updat. Cheers

This use of technology may make the sport more interesting to the fancier but that will not stop the decline in my opinion. Here's a thought. If the technology could be used to create a small live tracking device which utilised the existing mobile telecom network. In relative terms this is a small advance from existing technology and could utilise the live ring system we presently use. Why do this to save the sport............simple.............money.........or should I say income. If we are able to do live tracking of birds in a race then via the Internet we can have constant updating as a race developed. I believe that commercial betting industry would then be interested in the potential income of regular racing which Joe Public could bet on and watch the racing. With the right publicity and management costs could be covered and, God forbid, some useful prise money could be put up. My experience is that once people can see a reward is possible for racing any thing then a sport gets sponsorship and thrives. For examples look at horse racing, F1 and may more. Anyway that's my 10 bobs worth. There needs to be a few breakthroughs and converting of minds maybe but the above may save our sport and secure its future. Get the public hooked and we survive.

Seems to me this is somebody trying to be positive and create a more united organisation of our hobby which is what is required. Without trying new ideas like this and sweeping away the old bias and thinking the sport will certainly continue its downward spiral. As with all change some will resist but if we still want to be racing in years to come this is a s good a way as any to kickstart a change. Are there any guys in the other Feds on here who can help draft a proposal for their fed meetings to put Pauls idea on their agenda ? Get the proposal for Lanarkshire fed drawn up with the back-up finance info and put it in as a proposal. Also send it to all the clubs to get their opinion/buy in so the doom moungers aren't the only voices heard. It's our sport and we need to act to save it. Paul, I am willing to help in any way ? Cheers

Didn't send myself but interested to know how it's turned out ? Anybody got the winner yet ? Cheers

Anything that is predicted with regards to the weather is called a forecast. The facts are that a forecast can change at any time upto the stated forecast time. The other type of weather information are Actual reports which logically enough is the actual weather at the time at a particular place. The above formats are the UK standard issued by the met office. It should be appreciated that fed officials have to make judgements based upon information before them. They do this for the good of the birds, not to satisfy any fanciers ego. As we all know there are plenty of armchair experts with loud voices or keyboards willing to critise any decision made by the appointed official. If you don't like the decision then turn up to the annual meeting, put your name forward and take the post. Then you can sit in the driving seat and be the one responsible. Oh by the way, when you take up the post, best learn about the UK weather patterns, frontal behaviour, cyclonic pressure behaviour, and forecasting, actual and cloud types and behaviour. I know the guys in post act in the best interest of the sport. I am not surprised officials get frustrated with posts on here which are always with hindsight. If you can do better step forward.

Lol. You can afford to buy one of those Dick van den Buick pigeons advertised on page 132 of this weeks BHW. But only if you have completely lost the plot expletive remove. Lol Good luck to you man. Made me smile on this Friday night. Dave

Hi guys, With regard to the speech acreditted to the Australia prime minister some years ago, this is actually an Internet myth and was never actual said by the lady at the time. That said it does express elements which most reasonable folk concur with. Unfortunately what we are dealing with here is a far to common trait in our world of individuals being radicalised by an extremist doctrine to commit atrocities in the name of their cause. Most of these causes are motivated by either historic religious or racial injustices or manipulation to increase power bases or influence. The solution is not a single change in policy or to raise the punishment against individuals as this in just a further justification of 'their righteous cause'. Smarter is better Success comes from infiltration and intelligence from within as well as robust security both at home and abroad. History shows that this will win against a terror organisation. What can we do ? Take responsibility for your own and your family and communities security. Keep you eyes and ears open and assist the security services whenever you can. Don't be a problem, help to solve it. Remember a terror organisation only has to get their plan righ once to cause suffering, the security forces have to get it right 100% to prevent suffering. Cheers.

Anything that is predicted with regards to the weather is called a forecast. The facts are that a forecast can change at any time upto the stated forecast time. The other type of weather information are Actual reports which logically enough is the actual weather at the time at a particular place. The above formats are the UK standard issued by the met office. It should be appreciated that fed officials have to make judgements based upon information before them. They do this for the good of the birds, not to satisfy any fanciers ego. As we all know there are plenty of armchair experts with loud voices or keyboards willing to critise any decision made by the appointed official. If you don't like the decision then turn up to the annual meeting, put your name forward and take the post. Then you can sit in the driving seat and be the one responsible. Oh by the way, when you take up the post, best learn about the UK weather patterns, frontal behaviour, cyclonic pressure behaviour, and forecasting, actual and cloud types and behaviour. I know the guys in post at present and they all act in the best interest of the sport. I am not surprised Paul or other officials get frustrated with off the cuff, ill informed post on here. If you can do better step forward.

Well Done to Davey Burnside for topping Lanarkshire Fed from Channock Richard on Saturday. Dave is a nice guy and I for one am over the moon that he nailed it. Cheers Davey CHARNOCK RICHARD 14 MAY 2017.pdf