Walter swanston

Yes I understand all that and I read your article some time ago it is absolutely spot on but only as an illustration of what is happening let me tell you that I held an AGM last week and got less than half of the club members to attend,after e mails, phone calls and letters.I tell you Fifer the level of apathy is very discouraging.By the way I do not need to be lectured on democracy I am all for it.

You are 100% correct Fifer I continually try to persuade younger guys to take up the posts without much success.I have been entrusted with responsibilities but I keep trying to force change through but believe me I would love to lay down the baton and devote my remaining years to my racing pigeons.

I wonder how members of this site see the furure of Pigeon Racing in Scotland.I feel there may be too many small and perhaps ineffectual pigeon clubs some within a short distance of each other.Every fancier in Scotland will know that the fancy is in trouble and wether we like it or not change is ii inevitable.There are an unidentified number of small pigeon clubs all with long and honourable histories which are shedding members each year.Why are these clubs not persuaded to amagamate.As I say change is coming why do we as fanciers not embrace the chance to make the changes ouselves.If anyone is interested in this thread please do not waste time telling me of the difficulties.I was told at an SHU council meeting that there are two many old men in positions of power in the pigeon world.All with fixed ideas and against change well I am certainly not young and here are some new ideas for you all.

Definitly a stoat.Remeber a weasel is weasily recognised while a stoat is stoataly different.

Try Amazon for "The Magna Illustrated guide to Pigeons of the world" byAndrew McNeillie. ISNB 1 85422 441 7 printed in 1993 by Magna Books , Leicester

You want more, I`ll give you more let us all hope that in 2011 we can stop being feart and become a nation again

The rose of all the world is not for me I wamt for my part only the little white rose of Scotland That smells sharp and sweet and beaks the heart Hugh MacDiarmid

Members of this site might be aware of the ongoing controversy over the planning application for a peregrine falcon breeding centre near Langholm on the Scottish border and my objections to this proposal on behalf of the Solway Federation and the pigeon fancy in southern Scotland and Cumbria.So far as I can learn this application will be decided early in the new year.Somewhat surprisingly we have been joined by most welcome objectors in the shape of the Buccleuch Estates,they have access to excellent legal advice and even more surprisingly the RSPB.So the Pigeon Fancy now finds itself on the same side as the RSPB.I never thought I would see the day.

Anybody that can let doos out in the winter is seriously lucky.Down here in Dumfriesshire where there is an infestation of sparrow hawks and peregrines if you let them out all you are doing is feeding predators.

A Kindle

That`s a dreadful and frightening experience Michael.I am really glad you and Lainie and Stephen are none the worse for it.I think I will try and stay at home intil the thaw.All the best for Christmas, hope to see you at the new year.

God loves tryers

Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year from The Solway Federation

I am not trying to be twisted here, but does that mean that because a club has been given a lottery grant they are compelled to accept any applicant even one of proven bad character.

I have always been highly dubious about this one .If you buy ETS systems through a lottery grant and later refuse admission to an aspiring member does the lottery come knocking at your door demanding their money back.

Lofts built September 2010

HI The website to view this application is http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/ then click on simple search then enter the codes ppa-170-2016 and ppa-170-2017.As far as the SHU are concerned I think they are relying on me>I hope they are not disappointed.

I thought it might be permissable to give the members of this site an update on the progress of the planning application for a Per egrine Falcon Breeding centre at Westwater near Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway.The original application which was denied permission in August is now the subject of an appeal to the Scottish Government and is being considered by their officials who are based near Falkirk.At the same time the applicant made a further application for a slightly reduced site.This was heard before the Annandale and Eskdale planning committee yesterday (15th. December )when it was deferred until the result of the previous appeal is known.I have objected to all possible authorities on behalf of The Solway Federation,and also I have taken the liberty of speaking for fanciers in Southern and Central Scotland and the North of England and I am in correspondence with all the legislating authorities.I hope members of this site will agree that the prospect of Peregrine Falcons hacking out from a large breeding centre on the Scottish Border does not bear contemplating. I am encouraged by the late entry into the field of The Buccleugh Estates as they have access to expensive legal advice.I do not expect a result on this until perhaps February 2011 but I will keep members updated.

It might be an idea to foster and promote small clubs more.They are the lifeblood of the sport and help to encourage companionship and an excgange of ideas and practises amongst fanciers.These clubs should be placed on a sound financial footing and it has to be remembered that where club fees and birdage have not changed for many years the club will not prosper.Furthermore it might be an idea that small clubs could amalgamate and achieve strength through numbers.In the Pigeon Fancy change is inevitable and we will need to re-organise to meet modern challenges.Nothing ever remains the same!

Who knows how long we have got I do not care in the slightest.I will keep racing pigeons as long as my health, old age and infirmity allows.I have got to say I would rather do this than play golf or bowls.The last two pursuits ain`t cheap.

From one who has been there and done it tremendous poem

In the early summer of 1977 I was travelling to Glasgow for the early shift in Orkney Street, Govan when I came on a man liberating pigeons in a field just south of Barrhead.It was about 5 a.m..Iwas so impressed with this guy I never got his name but I know he was a Doctor and I never forgot him and I thought what a marvellous thing to be involved in.Twenty years later I finally realised my ambition when I was in a position to keep racing pigeons and with the great assistance of someone who became a close friend (you know who you are) I built a loft and obtained some doos.I was then struck down with cancer and required an operation after which I was given 3 months to live (that was 13 years ago)I underwent a very traumatic six months of chemotherapy during the time of my first racing season but I persevered and raced throughout the programme.The pigeons had to be looked after and trained and the loft scraped and kept clean and while it would be foolish to say that the pigeons saved my life they gave me a reason to keep going as they do to this day.I do not think I will ever be a great pigeon fancier but I will race them as long as I am able.I am now secretary of my club and president of my Federation and these are duties I undertake to put something back into the wonderful pigeon fancy.

Probably the main reaction in Scotland is "schadenfreude"

Once the SNFC decide on their race programme any Solway Fed member can put in a race programme to be considered by the membership at a meeting probably in Mid February 2011.This was unanimouslydecided by the AGM today.