mickmcgrevy

Have a look on the NFC discussion page Mick

Put me down for a pair of young bird's. Mick

Hi all, Just read the relevent part of the article and the unions have asked for a list of the suspended members and also the reason for suspension. I think you may find that the issue will go a little deeper than first seeme apparent. Let Scotland do there own sorting, thats what I say, What cuased the split in the SHU? Mick

If its the BHW Pictorial you were after I have a lot, also RP Gazette, without counting them I must have 100 if not more

ACE LOFTS, if you arent interested in channel racing, why go over to your uncles to watch them come ? Mick

Hi all, I think I have said something similar to this on another site, but I will repeat it here. First let me say that I don't care if it comes in or not, it will never be compusary, and the vast majority of members will still use the conventional clock, so no fears re cost of ETS. However, it is inevitable that it will come in and sooner rather than later I would say, then we will have to wait and see what effect it has on the fancy, I understand that it split the scottish lads. There will no doubt be members in clubs for it and some against, will it result ib clubs dissbanding and reforming? we will have to wait and see. Mick

I can tell you that anything you may hear about the NFC race programme for 2007 will all be rumour and speculation, all that has been decided is the dates, and if memory serves, the first race is on 19th May. Nothing else has been decided and will not be untill the meeting later this month. Then of course we have to learn from DEFRA what restrictions they are going to impose, if any? next year. Don,t listen to rumours Mick

Hi all, in 1998 there was a particularly bad race out of picauville, we were racing in three clubs that day all from the same race point. Northern Classic, Midland National and the federation, there were some birds which made it home more or less on time, ( isn't that allways the case ). Well we had two nest mates go missing at that race, both red hens, they returned to the loft the following year, about March. Both of them had been out all winter and not in someone else's loft. Anyway there was nestbox space for them, so we kept them, one had every race except a drop back in the club, she won the race out of Picauville, and she was second out of Saintes in the club on the day 538 mile only 2 home. The other one went on to perform rrasonably well she later won the Northern Classic out of Fourgers, and she flew Palamos with the BBC. So I supose it depends on circumstances, its allways the same some are good and some are not, wether they are lost as yopung birds or not. Mick

Dave, some of them make very good birds, I will explain in more detail when I have a little more time. Mick

doncaster 0930 weather is bloody crap

doncaster 09 30 ...... weather is bloody crap

I hesitated before I decided to type this, the reason being the majority on here seems to be in favour, and nothing being said against, and I don't want to get into a long arguement. First of all let me say this, I don't give a toss wether it comes in or not, and at this moment in time I have no intention of getting one.There a lot of reasons being given which are advantageous, and I can't argue against, I am only interested in distance racing and I can see where this system would be great. This is the only thing I can see which could go against it, Club racing, not many birds competing there are some good fanciers around now who are regularly getting 3, 6 10 birds together. Now imagine this two fanciers side by side, one with ets the other coventional clocking, both fanciers get five birds each drop together, all trap, how many do you think the coventional clocker will clock before all are clocked on the ets system. I would hazard a guess and say none, the first five positions being taken by the man with the ets. Now my next question is, how long would it be before the club was broken up and reformed keeping the ets man out? I would sugest not long, clubs are quick to be reformed for one reason or another now because someone thinks someone else has an advantage, and is winning to much. Like I say I don't give a toss, you don't get them dropping in five at a time from 500 mile, so I don't have a problem with it. Mick

Barnsley fed held over at Little Hampton

Doncaster 12 noon full low grey cloud, but the sun is trying to push through, not managed it yet Mick

Roland, I never said it would be easy, if as you say the members on the committee have lost their integrity, then maybe its time for people like yourself to put for the committee and try to change things, I could do with a little backing. So maybe the answer is change the committee. Mick

stewart, the old saying ,you can't please all the people all the time comes to mind. Im sure you will agree, it has been a very difficult year for everyone this year, and your perception that it is only the NFC that has been upseting it's members is shown to be wrong by the last post on this topic. I also think that the BICC members were upset by not having a young bird race, so you see it is not just the NFC. You are right when you say that the NFC appears to be on a downward slope, but membership is dropping in all clubs. This is not helped by a very small percentage a members who are quick to send off letters to the papers, complaining about this or that. Here I am speaking about all nationals and federations. Recently there has been letters complaining of all manor of things ( birds left in crates etc ) which would have been far better kept in house for the officials / committees to sort out, not published for anyone to read, DEFRA? I am not saying that things are anywhere near perfect in the NFC, I am just sugesting that there is better way to get things sorted out, instead of submitting letters, which inevitably stirs up more trouble. I do not agree with everything that has gone on in the NFC over the last few years, but I believe the only way to try to improve things is from the inside, thats why I am still on the committee. Just as a point of interest, sect A one com rep, sec B none, sec C none, each section is allowed 2, which section are you in ?. All the best Mick

Tammy_1 I think this may the site you are after, www.sidc.oma.be Mick

Hi all, I have only just seen this topic, I seem to have upset most of you. I will try to answer your points. swilcox, if you think the reply was in bad taste, then ok, you are entitled to your opinion, as I agree, is John Staddon, but you seem to be saying that I am not. I wasn't saying it was nothing to do with him, I was saying he should accept the unusal circumstances this year, and get on with it. Something I did say in the reply to the BHW, which, by mistake, was not printed, I did not see any letter from him complaining when the NFC went to Sennon Cove, effecting section D. You say that he is only saying what a lot of members in the Europa classic had been wanting to say, well, I am only saying what a lot of fanciers up here are wanting to say, they think he is a professional moaner, only an opinion. Last but by no means least, the reply to the letter in the BHW was sent as an individual, not as an NFC committee member. If I have something to say, then I will say it, and put my name to it, i will not hide behind a nickname as some do. As for being arrogant, I certainly am not, I was merely expressing my opinion. Criticism is good but it must be constructive and not distructive, preferably offering a solution and not just saying something is wrong. NANCY Airing dirty washing in public is not the way forward, but that is exactly what the letter was doing. There have been other instances, ( birds left in basket,)sort it out in house, not the papers for all to see. Rose, anytime I see something on this, or any other site, asking a question, then if at all possible I answer it . Jimmy Bulger, Thanks for your comments, I hope you are right about next year, personnaly i am glad this year is over. All the best Mick

Hi Anyone know what the Sennon Cove race with the BBC was like this weekend, Was it a good race, and what were the returns like Mick

Doncaster South Yorks, full cloud grey and misserable

Doncaster South Yorks, full cloud grey and misserable

Dries, birdage down, yes but still having a race and still enough to make a profit. With the returns that have been talked about on here, its a wonder that members have any birds left to send. So to end on a good note good luck to all that have suported the race. All the best Mick

Hi Roland, to reply, isn't whats best for the members best for the NFC and vice versa, I would have thought that it was, anyway, never mind. To all those competing in the NFC race from Chale this weekend, I hope you have a good one, and that hopefully will include me. 3817 young birds 637 old hens total 4464 Best of luck to you all. Mick

Roland, you entitled to your opinion, but let me just put you right on one or two points. First let me inform you, if you do not allready know, I am on the committee of the NFC, and I live near to Doncaster, so I represent sec K. I don't know which section you are in. Now as for feathering my own nest, as you put it, let me assure you that when I attend meetings and vote on any matter, my first interest is what is best for the NFC, secondry to that is consideration for my section, NEVER do I consider what is best for Mick. Now, as for race points, personally I do not care where we race from. north south east or west, but if we were going south, if I had my own way, I would draw a line from say Bradford, roughly middle of the country, to say just to the east of the Southampton, and continue it into France. I would then pick race points from along that line. However I am only one vote, and frequently do not agree with how things turn out, but I have to live with it. If you want to change things, you need to be there and have your say, I suspect that your section is not represented on the committee, so come on, Have your say. Mick

Hi all, 12 out of 14 yesterday, 1 this morning, out of Woking into Barnsley area returns were patchy, it would seem that a lot of the birds did not clear the race point for a while but appeared to be breaking in batches and coming in bits. Weather here was full cloud untill about 1pm then sunshine and blue sky 50/50, but filled in again about 4 30. Im east of Doncaster about 6 miles. Mick