Walter swanston

Well Steven forward thinking and innovative fanciers are sorely needed in the management of our Federation

You are abswolutely right Sreven the only way forward that I can see is Central marking.Springfield and Dumfries but that would mean a major change in attitude, and as I have been saying throughout this discussion serious alterations in pigeon racing have got to come if we are gonna survive.

Excellent web site Congratulations

I`ll say again in Scotland we badly need some leadership from the SHU which we are not getting but change might be comeing ( I hope).The whole scene needs to be taken by the scruff of the neck and unpopular decisions faced up to.There are guys out there with lots and lots of experience in this game who refuse to become involved in pigeon politics but have no problem in sniping from the sidelines I am sorry if I sound a bit disillusioned but as a not too successful fancier I really really like keeping racing pigeons and I surely care about the future of the sport.

Sure what happened was that no one repeat no one from any club was prepared to give up baskets or transporter spaces to accomadate Carlisle, this at a time when our transporter goes down the road half empty and at a time when at leat one other Federation in Scotland is advertising in the Homing World for clubs or Feds to go with them.

Diesel is going through the roof, pigeon corn is more expensive,medication is dearer than ever,fanciers are getting older and the climate is changing.The pigeon fancy in Scotland has to be aware of these factors and thinking fanciers must know that change is going to be forced on us if we do not do it for ourselves. On a Friday night at the height of the season perhaps six or seven half empty transporters pass through Gretna heading for say the English Midlands.Would we not be better to co-operate with each other and send say three full transporters? There might be too many small Pigeon clubs all fiercely independent and seriously intolerant of any change.Insults and feuds of 30 years ago are remembered as if it was yesterday. Fanciers chop and change leaving one organisation and joining with another for the sake of some imagined advantage. Race programmes are considered to be inviolate and graven in stone despite the obvious problems with climate change and financial pressures.Flexibilty is a dirty word. There are may problems needing to be addressed but they are not insurmountable. Finally whu is the SHU not giving us alead on this

Its too bad that members should desert the Solway Fed because the race programme does not suit them and I must point out that many members do not have the luxury of joining other organisations...............heres a question should we reduce the basket allocation to clubs whose members do not fly with the Solway.? I aplogise for discussing these matters on an open forum but this business is both interesting and important the future of pigeon racing in South west Scotland is the issue here.

Tell you what Steven I have bent over backwards to keep this federation as democratic as I possibly can and also as open as possible with no secret meetings etc and the members have beeen kept completely informed throughout.There are about 160 members in the Fed. and about 130 lofts...so how come only around 60 turn up for argueably the most important meeting of the year.

I had to turn down my invite too much of a sair heid arranging the first Solway Fed races, I heard it was champagne only nae wee goldies so it widnae suit mem

Solway Fed has around 160 members and around 132 lofts sending just over 2000 pigeons on a good day.Usually runs fairly amicably but can have its moments

Michael, I heard today that there was some difficulty with Messac I do not know how true this is I got it from Dumfries

I am afraid that I have to inform site members that the planning hearing for the falcon breeding centre at Westwater,Collin Bridge, Langholm was heard today and the application was granted by a majority of 9 to 5.There were 12 objectors who spoke including myself and the President of the SHU and we both made a good case for the pigeon fancy but to no avail.The hearing lasted about three hours and it was noticable to me at least that during the summing up there was no mention of the concerns of pigeon men.So there it is a breeding centre for 250 to 300 falcons is to be established at this site.In conclusion I am advised that a young falcon can bring up to £4000 in the middle-east while a pied, black and white or even better pure white can command £40000

I wonder if I might take the liberty of complimenting the fanciers who run this website.I know you have had technical problems recently but although I do not have much knowledge of other sites I think you run the best site in the UK.The wealth of information that is available for fanciers with problems, fanciers in difficulties and fanciers who need guidance through the complex business of pigeon politics is phenominal.The site provides a really valuable service for pigeon men through the long winter months and is much more entertaining than watching the goggle box.Long may you continue.

Yeah I hope you are right but I can tell you it is creating enormous interest down here,so far this morning I have been contacted by the secretary of the SHU and the secretary of the SNFC I am advised that the vice president of the SNFC plans an appearance at the hearing.I have been struggling on my own since last autumn on this and any help will be gratefully accepted.

Thank you IB that`s helpful

I have got to explain to you guys that the RSPB are among the formal objectors to this planning application for a Falcon Breeding Centre.

The planning committe will meet on Wednesday 9th. February to consider the application for a Falcon Breeding Centre near Langholm.I have made representations against this application on behalf of The Solway Federation and the pigeon fancy generally in Southern and Central Scotland and Cumbria.I have now been invited to speak at the meeting, I am only given three minutes to make our case.While I do not class myself as a great public speaker I intend to do what I can for the pigeon fancy,if anyone on this site can help with any salient points that I should bring up during my three minutes I would be obliged.Please remember slagging off the RSPB is not an option here whatever we think privately.

Same with us.If you do not pay your dues you do not get your rings.

Lofts made by yeboah are the best made in Southern Scotland they are made by an experienced and dedicated pigeon fancier who is also a master craftsman

Going to Blackpool on Sunday to buy nest box fronts for my new loft,but I am pretty depressed our club is being expelled from the premises we have raced from for about 50 years (due to re-building and renovation) so we are homeless I do not know where I will be racing from or who with this year.At this time it looks as if the club might disintegrate.

Yeah good stuff from Cicero who in retaliation had his head cut of and according to Plutarch had his tongue repeatedly jabbed with a large hairpin because of his lies.I ca`nt see that happening to our modern day politicos

I have always thought our FED AGM`s were well attended and be assured there is always scope for individual points of view.I have never in about 15 years witnessed an attempt by a club to force a proposal through.In the Solway Fed. democracy rules.

I have never heard of anything like this in the Solway Federation each member of the federation who care to attend the AGM has a vote should he or she want to use it.