jbee

Now going to liberate Wednesday. High probability of mist and low cloud on Tuesday, similar to last couple of days. Can’t afford to wait till weather clears at midday flying 220 miles. John b

Yes Andy still have a couple left. 220 mls to the OLR loft. Now a bit worried with the previous post. John b

Pride of Potteries will be liberating their OLR birds from Thornton on Tuesday this week. Hopefully to be on site 2 am for an early lib.

Central Federation and Traprain 11.00 from Thirsk

We’ve had the exact same, disaster with majority of members losing approx 50 percent of their birds from Darlington 115 mls.Hearing the same story up and down the country). Up until going over the hills hardly a young bird lost. On top of 2 day races from the coast with the old birds(which the older guys will say you had to be in on the night from even 500 mls to hopefully win a section prize)with big losses. Its definitely time to consider something different and spend my time up at my static caravan. It will take ALL to try and save the sport, not only the few that are trying!

i heard talk of the old east of Scotland fed racing from Darlington. i didnt know the date tho. they are affiliated to the RPRA with GB rings not the Scottish union . Think they are racing either Thursday or Friday this week from Wetherby

Scot, try phoning Stevie the guy who runs the unc stray centre at Hartlepool. I’m sure he would know of a local fancier. Stevie num 07526204288

RIP Bobby, one of the best organisers and race controllers over the years along with his father Charlie. John B

Channel Update 04/08/21 The BICC brought to our attention that a single loft has been able to successfully comply with current regulations and send their pigeons to the Perpignan International this coming weekend. This has been achieved at significant cost to the individual member concerned; reported to be in the region of £750. It is assumed these costs relate to the required health certificate. Whilst it seems that it is possible for an individual to race across the channel, it has come at a significant cost to that individual member which would clearly be prohibitive to the majority of the RPRA members. Putting aside the cost and taking into consideration the existing UK infrastructure of relevant authorities (approved veterinarians etc),it would be impossible to facilitate racing for organisations given the large numbers of pigeons and competitors. The RPRA is committed to finding a sustainable, long term solution for all of their members and we will continue to work together to achieve a return to channel racing for all. Our previous communication outlined that there are steps being taken within the EU to amend the current regulations, although these amendments are currently not approved. Based on this we are more than hopeful that a solution will be achieved in advance of the 2022 season. Ian Evans

Liberated in Edinburgh sat 24 July

Bird in Leeds with my mate. Phone Mick 07867627628. He will get it further up the road for owner. John b

If you ask 1 of the guys from Eyemouth to bring it to the Tranent marking station on Tuesday, I will collect it. My son is going up to my caravan on Saturday in Blairgowrie and will release it from there if you wish.

Looking for help to collect a bird from a non fancier. Post code HR2 8NG Thanks

Many birds in Manchester and Birmingham area

Section B Marking/Checking Race marking for all races 3:30pm to 6pm Clock Checking will be held at Elphinstone Miners Welfare & Social Club, Main Street, Elphinstone EH33 2NA - clocks will be checked 12noon to 2pm on the day after liberation.

15 June 2021 There has been no change in the situation with France so we will no longer pursue continental racing for this season. The committee held a meeting on Sunday and have agreed the following revised race programme due to unavailability of some liberation sites. We apologise for the delay in posting this information but were awaiting confirmation from RPRA that sites were available -racepoint for 2nd July will be updated as soon as information is available.Saturday 19th June - Maidstone - Marking Thursday 17th June ,Friday 25th June - Eastbourne - Marking Wednesday 23rd June ,Friday 2nd July - TO BE CONFIRMED - Marking Wednesday 30th June,Friday 9th July - Guernsey - Marking Tuesday 6th July

Bobby,totally agree with you

No federation birds should be convoyed for this race

I’m sure the RPRA advised Harrogate in the email which was read out to me

I was told yesterday that the have RPRA have withdrawn Ripon as a race point

Following a number of enquiries we wish to clarify the position in relation to Channel Racing and the statements issued earlier today. The statements relate to two different issues, as follows; 1. Animal Health Law and entry through customs into France 2. Avian Influenza Restrictions relating to racing from the Continent Each statement addresses each issue separately. They highlight that: 1. That the customs requirements/processes in terms of transporting pigeons into France are not yet clarified. 2. The Avian Influenza restrictions have been lifted. Ian Evans CEO

Within our previous update we outlined the importance that the EU position was communicated to the relevant members states and the relevant custom authorities. The current position is that there is still not an agreed process to allow the smooth entry into France. We are working with DEFRA and a contact in France, who in turn is working with the French Customs in an attempt to reach a position where all sides are aware of the required paperwork and process to facilitate entry. In the interest of the pigeons welfare; Until this process has been agreed we would advise against any organisation trying to enter France with pigeons, for the purpose of racing. There remains a real possibility that entry would be refused. We will provide an update as soon as the position is c

The decision has been taken, we are going to Guernsey for one race only, it should have been two, but it got voted down, talking about BOP's now is irrelevent, lets hope we get a good weather day, I think that will be more of a factor for a good race.<br style="caret-color: rgb(28, 40, 55); color: rgb(28, 40, 55); font-family: arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The other key thing that hopefuly may happen yet is that DEFRA get off their rear ends, and give the all clear, for Avian Flu, if that happens, I think there is a 50/50 chance Europe allow entry again, and we will go back to our original programme.<br style="caret-color: rgb(28, 40, 55); color: rgb(28, 40, 55); font-family: arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It is more important than ever, that we get back to being the BEST NATIONAL FLYING CLUB IN PIGEON RACING, that we once were, and concentrate in cross channel racing, that was, and still should be our main objective, leave the inland racing to the federations for us to prepare the birds for the channel races, I know there are those that say, these are the races that generate the cash,and subsidise the channel races, well its time these members realise, we are not a bank set up to acrue large sums of money, that is not giving any benifit to the members, as I said previously we are the SCOTTISH NATIONAL FLYING CLUB.<br style="caret-color: rgb(28, 40, 55); color: rgb(28, 40, 55); font-family: arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I hope, I am not taking the liberty here of talking about things that were discussed at the MCM of which I'm a member of, and also attended the meeting, another issue was the £1500.00 that was allocated from the Breeder/Buyer sale to subsidise the birdage in the 2021 GOLD CUP RACE, has been taken away and is now allocated to sudsidise the ferry cost for the Guernsey race, I think this was wrong, as the entire ferry cost should have been picked up by the SNFC, as they already made savings from zero ferry costs for the other nationals. <br style="caret-color: rgb(28, 40, 55); color: rgb(28, 40, 55); font-family: arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Final point of my rant, is that I still hope the President will reconsider his letter and at least see the year through, as nothing is ever resolved by walking away, and if I get chucked out for this post, then QUE SERA SERA. Totally agree national should have paid ferry,subsidised with £1500 and charging £7 a bird to guersey is money in bank again for the national

Robert have been told the same