BIGPETE

Fantastic result Walter and much deserved.

This pair are now gone.

I started keeping birds recently. I have found it very dififcult to find a club to race in even after 2 months of trying. I have spoken with some 5-6 people including the RPRA, Fed secretaries, press officers and pretty much everyone. I have found it very hard (impossible) to get into a club to race with. A lot of the secretaries couldn't even tell me where their boundaries lay. Some said I was outside the radius, but then when they confirmed the exact radius distances and I proved I am inside, they said the club still wouldn't let me in. Another club said they would let me in, but I would be the most westerly flyer by some 25-30 miles so wouldn't have much chance flying against the drag. For me all of this is pretty frustrating. You would have thought in this day and age (technology wise) there would be a website or similar where you pop your postcode into and it lists for you the Clubs/Feds you would be able to fly in. Also contact numbers, emails for the people you need to speak to. I have found a lot of people don't pick up calls or return messages. Some return emails after a week or so and another I spoke to on a Saturday said she hasn't got her computer on and wouldn't be turning it on for a few days so would reply to me at a later point. If we want the sport to grow it needs to be accessible and not so hard for people (even those who are really keen) to get involved. I wanted to order some rings and had to pay by postal order or cheque. Stuff like this just isn't up to date and in todays world people want things to be easy and straight forward. Seems to be like the people in charge aren't doing a good job to me. :emoticon-0179-headbang: I can order an item to be shipped from China to my house without leaving my armchair in minutes. It would reach me in a few days, this is the modern day world. Yet I am bang in the middle of the country and can't get into a club to race with. If the sport is dying it's not cos of all the good men flying the birds, it's because of the lack of organisation by the people who pull the strings. Jeez this sounds like a political rant now haha. Sorry guys but for me I am finding it a real ballache to get into the sport, so to read about the sport dying because of lack of new younger member beggars belief.

Ye don't like anyone ya mean *expletive removed*

Ah August, not far away mate! Enjoy it while u can

Hi, I haven't got any white one's but could breed you 7-8 late breds if that would help you out. Darker colours but less appealing to those bloody birds of prey. Free to you just gotta collect or pay the carriage.

I remember seeing before something called a supertrap. It was basically a sputink but also included a stall trap. So could be used as a sputnik day to day but as a stall trap on race day and rubbers removed etc without a lot of fuss. Are these still about, if yes who sells em? Even better if anybody has one for sale drop me a message. Cheers, Pete

I know someone trying to get rid of white fantailed doves in Northampton. If you want their number drop me a PM and I will send you there contact number. Not sure of price but will be cheap.

Northampton we are cloudy but not cold. A little sunshine trying to break through. No rain and a mild wind.

Agreed. Good luck to all of you who are racing today and hope returns are good.

hahah hello mate hope you are well

haha joe i dont doubt that for a second ya mad *expletive removed*

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-zSU1ia467Q

One for you big man haha: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ScabBZgOSME

I used wire mesh in my build a few months back. I found (as Moscow Master said) that they climbed it and made a right mess of their tail flights. One even snapped and I was gutted. Another forum member Chad warned me so I was looking out for it, but after just one day of the birds being in there I had to remove the wire as couldnt stand them damaging their flights. One thing I did think of doing (but didnt in the end) was to get the fine green fabric mesh you see used a lot in gardening/allotments and staple that over the wire mesh. That way you still get the air flow etc but the birds wouldnt be able to cling to it. This is the green mesh I mean: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scaffold-Debris-Netting-Garden-Netting-2-Metres-x-50-Metres-Green-/301155396838

No Karen i dont think you are. As long as its bone dry and good air flow but never a draft should be ok. Lots of light but depending on your system look for ways to let light in but perhaps keep it as frosted glass/perspex to minimilize visibility. If you are using an existing shed which is drafty (like i did for stock birds) you might be better just boardin it out internally to stop any drafts (as long as no dampness can get in depending how old your shed you plan to modify is).

Most of the lofts I see that you can buy pre made are tongue & groove/shiplap boards covering a wooden frame (usually 3x2) and not usually boarded out internally. My question is, why do they all come tongue & grooved? Is this to look good? Or to be cost effective? If building your own would it not be preferable to use full length ply sheets 6x4 and run em across left to right etc? I know ventilation and light is key, so don't worry that part is factored in. But for the part of boaring it out with T&G VS. sheets of thick ply, for me ply would far outlive and be a safer bet. Is there any reason not to do this? Or am I missing something? Less cut's to be made and much longer lasting seems a no brainer?

Welcome to the madhouse

Cheers Lads. Stuck at work all bloody day! Roll on 5pm.

Cheers lads. Wow Alec 101 & Kirky 107 that is some going! Let's hope we can all last to that sort of ripe old age. I asked her the secret and she said a sip of Whiskey everyday haha Fifer I will certainly pass on your well wishes.

I was a fan of Moyes during his time at Everton and had a lot of respect for him as a no nonsense sort of guy. I'm not a fan of Man United but think he need be given more time. Everton have done really well but only on the basis of the quality of players they have been able to loan in. Without the loanee's they wouldn't have reached the dizzy heights where they are. People will say Everton are better without Moyes, but not really a fair comparison given the players loaned in. Even Fergie knew his first 11 weren't up for the job, hence bringing Scholesy out of retirment. I would stick with Moyesy and give him another season to proove himself. What's the alternative sack him and pay him off for a load of dosh (that could be better spent on rebuilding)? I would say Man United are only a few players off of being a top team again. Sure Martinez is doing well, but let's not forget so did Laudrup for a season and then fell by the wayside. Anyone can have a good year, people forget Martinez saw his team relegated not so long ago! Grass is always greener etc etc.

Bad news, but like you say will still be an assett to your breeding team Walter.

I wouldn't worry about it. On facebook (and the Internet generally) people feel safe sitting at home behind their screens and mouth off and give out crap (keyboard warriors). I have found in the past the best solution is to take it away from the internet and knock on their doors and deal with it person to person. Anyone can be brave over the internet and often it gets out of hand and petty. Also one stupid comment is added to by another person and it snowballs. If they are on your friends list it cant be hard to know where they live, i'd go and see em stu and nip this in the bud mate.

Had lunch today with the family. One relative is 99 years old (100 later this year). I was teasing her saying her letter from the Queen is in the post. Her response, "What good will that do me? I would rather she sent me a cheque for a few quid". Made my day! She is Irish to the bone and not a fan of the Royals. Gotta love it 99 and still on the ball haha. Was also good to see the wee baby (Matthias) with someone 99 years his senior! God bless the Queen

Anyone got a contact number or email for Mick 'stocky' Stockton (Staffordshire) ? Cheers - Pete