Roland

Fahrenheit to Centigrade 65 Fahrenheit is 18.3 centigrade! 68 Fahrenheit is 20 Centigrade! 30 Centigrade is 86.8 Fahrenheit! Now if one is saying that out beloved birds don't need our assistance, Especially when we are able to help, then that is incomprehensible. Indeed should make one to think just what A. Just what is it we want and B. what about our pigeons! We flew Rome in 89 I believe. Arranged via Bilco. Yes many gallant birds did well. Bilco, after discerning the effort vowed never to be involved in the likes again. wasn't the mileage, it was / is the heat. I would like a sensible answer from any fancier to explain just why we should bother, or care! Never mind what others brag about, or spout 'I would, it's the others crap. Speak for your selves.

Muir won the 800m title at the British Championships at the weekend and aims to run both distances (1500) at the European Championships in the German capital. that's great of course. Well, if lady Luck is with her could be two medals. Hopefully both Gold. You know, she would also have a good chance at the longer distances too, but ... Here's hoping lass!

Nice read Belge. But A. regards the B.O.P. problem they are still mating in same months … also as I repeat it may help B.O.P. problem. But the main aim is that climate changes in having hotter weather! Take nature. the oak tree etc. still moults... but often different time of the year... mostly later. (Obviously oter trees and nature. Rabbits now breed all the year round... where as ferreting was when the was an R in the month. Climate change means that is not the case most years. We had a so called beast from the East etc. this year. Why, because the fact is they count the hours in the day and act accordingly. Plus you hit the nail on the head when you say and I quote' … I try to have as little time as possible before the first race to try to get my birds loft fit but that in itself causes problems with unfit birds not properly tuned in to responding to commands sitting about roofs as easy targets'. Well putting back the nest circle would mean,( I used to put mine together 1st or 2nd weak in April any way. Still flew the y/b season easily). that the warmer weather would solve that, plus healthy and better reared youngsters. Youngsters hatched June flew some club races, knowing that wouldn't be a problem. In 1989 We had a Thurso Race for youngsters in the September. (it finished the Midland North R.C. as they let them up in atrocious weather. It rained for days on end. Mine flew 479 miles. Well ahead on many in vast circle … a bird in Pontefract beat mine as a few others there about) Was the time when it was called an 'Indian' summer... not now, it is part and tertial. 2 years ago wer wers sun bathing on the sea side of Bournemouth for instance. As for '... I think our real problem is how do we get people in authority to look at this type of evidence and act on it for the betterment of the sport...'. I agree. But then again the simple fact is, it is up to them. It is for the member to discuss, think and put forward... which again is simple, THEN get the fancier off the back side and vote. Another reason why a 'Secret vote may be needed' Again simply done. It was in 1984 and a Thurso race when I was asked by an old experience fancier … 'What time you hoping for a bird today Roly'? I replied was hoping between 5 -6' He said 'You must be dreaming... It's 65 degrees! That was in old temperatures. Day when if it went to seventy of near, IT was news on the Television. Indeed the Paper made articles on articles regards the sweltering heat! Gosh nigh that now in February! Time to adjust our sails as nature is doing

Yep Spotted lol. Mind if it is a Saturday then I would still; be right lol Mind I was wrong once … Well I thought I was, but that turn out to be wrong as I wasn't... so I was wrong that once lol :emoticon-0136-giggle:

I feel, hopefully a few heavy down pours may hit tonight. Hopefully down the line.Clears the heat a bit etc. Also up first thing means many will be at home in the loft at night. Good Luck all who have sent.

How True. I believe we should be excising the 'secret Vote'. in many aspects and reasons. Many follow when having their ear tickled true. But a lot more go along as a 'Follow' for fear of ridicule, or loosing face. the 'Secret' vote takes that away. Also one can, if so wishes, play up to the ear tickler / or forceful voice whilst actually voting what he actually believe makes sense and IS for the betterment of the sport AND their pigeons!

Andy, with all due respect, the RSPB didn't points of views to the Pigeon Fraternity… Mishap as it was. Bilco seized on that very quickly. Tried so very hard to get the fancy to acknowledge and have a say. But their response then, as now was 'Well they will do what they want'. sad lol here. It was true... But if the fancy had balls and forgot the crap coming out of our leader mouth, and followed the likes of Bilco, they our voice would not only been heard, but still echoing. Often what persuaded our so call 'Leaders' to dilly dally to the RSPB? My thoughts are / were 'Had they personally had some thing to gain … for it certainly wasn't regards the Fancy. Remember with a RSPB man on Friday Night with Chris Evens taking the pee and laughing at a couple of fanciers. well contrived that!

True Paddymac… Like Bilco tried... Beaten by the Pigeon Fanciers (Racing brigade). True Paddymac. Had a syndicate on here, with some fancier birds support (Tumblers / tipplers). Had a great quorum set up of well known names at that. Had tremendous means of cash raising set up. -- Wouldn't cost any one on here a penny if not interested. O.K. sure they would reap any benefits that may have come by it. Had a professional 'P.R. Firm with a think tank lined up. Infact 3. One a MP's. Remember when we asked all to send a leter to their M.P. I had a few answers from such. Because a M.P. has to by law reply to you! Much that the RSPB does is illegal according to DAFRA! I know of only 3 of us that wrote them. they answers of truth coming back was crystal clear in that regards. So why didn't it even get of the Road?! Pigeon fanciers - yes the racing fraternity caused a stink. Wrote to the RPRA, wrote letters BHW- which they had the good sense not to publish … That made them caused another stink! Yes informed the RSPB! Scared that they would take Offence and make things worse … EEK! Couldn't get it pass their' heads How and why a quorum is formed to set up in motion. Squeals of they should be voted in! Ok but didn't realise that that came AFTER a year or two running and set up. Wanted the NAMES, not to be kept secret but made known to all and sundry and THEN have a vote!!! geess you couldn't make it up. AND much more. Most know of the dirty tricks that the RSPB get up to. Planting in bins which are remarkably seen by the appropiate sauces. Yes make the names known first of all and out right, and pay for locks etc on lofts sheds and dustbins lol. Of the general consesus is 'The wealthy Buisness fanciers should foot the bill. Be our spokes person etc. and they should form a 'Think tank' for us all lol.

How true, and to take on a sheer money making machinery would take some doing. In this regards we can't control the wind … just alter our sails. But for better racing / youngsters and being costs effective we have at the moment the power to do. This we ought to too for the sheer love of our birds.

Simple reality here Doohead, one thing for certain the rapture / B.O.P. may not be better- maybe will. But a certainty is - sadly with the RSPB backing ALL prey will be preyed upon and get worse. But then whereas I welcome thoughts too in this regards The Race programme should be changed for entirely different reasons as stated. IF the B.O.P etc gets better that would be a most welcomed bonus surely.

True Doohead … But if not better, then certainly not no worse. The Jury could be out on that in as much 'Would we gain better?

Not true. Old birds season would finish same time as Y/b's. Young Birds starting July … when Old birds distance races should start. Further Costs: Training no difference than what you are doing now. (mind many don't train y/b birds today, but do as past proved , just race is as good as without) Also - can train O/b's and y/b's then together. OK obviously the young birds will leave the old birds behind … Another advantage would be the widowhood hens would be coming into their own for the all important distance races. Talking of old birds http://www.sahpa.asn.au/archives/flyers/pryor.htm 1321 kms, is 820 miles

warms the cockles every time she runs for me as you will know. O.K. we realise that she hasn't peaked thus far this open season. Due to her Vet Exams. But I don't doubt she will do. Same as our pigeons, they gain and stay at a fitness below prime for a while till the fancier peaks that 100% fitness etc. and super form. Am a bit miff with the European calendar when it realistically makes the doubling up of the 800 metres and 1500 nigh impossible … Like wise the 5000 metres. Just what they hope to achieve make me blink … except for the chance of a double being achieved

Well, its says it all with a deafening silence eh! I'll wager there will be the moans and groans etc. etc. galore about this and that again before long. Indeed would say that's a fact!

Well outside of Kyleakin Lofts, whom I feel is a thinker, and Paddymac it looks like every one is happy with the sports set up and regime. Also happy with the race programme. I know folks don't like change. Also they become comfortable with habits. Also, most like to settle in behind those that tickle the ears and let it go on as it is. often said sadly the sport is in the state of 'Deep Apathy'. I wonder why. Many times I seee the fickleness of our members. Puff and spout about this and that. Like 'Who's doing what about the B.O.P. problem ... Yet when some try to... they are shot down and beraggled ... yet amazingly they still moan on.... The Race controlles and smashes with the countless reasons why P.s. Never their fault, and then spout just what should have been and why! And so very much more. When asked to put their hand up. To attend meetings etc. etc. the most flimsy, and often the most stupid excuses are put up why the didn't couldn't ... Oh yes and that goldern cobles of 'Well what's the use, THEY (dO YOU KNOW WHO 'THEY' ARE?) P.s. YOU! Yes you are others to them others. So what's the use... the sports dying... I'll soon be gone etc. etc. Yes reminds me of Apathy! By the way just where are those voices who sent last week and moaned about the heat and that THEY shouldn't be let up etc. That we should appease the lesser birds and members and to hell with the genuine fanciers and the birds that would be robbed … Seems all is forgotten, and 'Well next year (different excuseS) for it will be BETTER! LOL.

I'll ask another. Well a few related if I may. If we / the fanciers today -- on the thesis of Hind sight and us learned and a mite cleverer etc. because of, would we still implicate the same set ups? More importantly the same race programmes! Indeed the same Breeding dates as of today ... knowing full well we could improve it dramatically FOR the better. That racing appropiate races in appropiate time? Would our lofts and system being more flexible regards the Race program... Rotation etc. Able to choose the races with the benefit of longer races in mind. Whilst still having the shorter and middle distance races where they belong being better for us ,,, and far, far better for the pigeons we love! Personally I can't believe we start racing in April … I never did, and I often had a good swallow come the distance. Mid - end May can, and should be the start. No races lost in that regards. July to MID - END of September even would also cut the cost of the races, as young birds would be racing many time with the old birds.

True. then also it must be put to the grass routes who have the actual last say. Again I thing such sites as this can, and could and maybe should discuss and dictate their views. Also I believe that a secret 'Hidden vote' should be allowed for ALL members! further that all votes counted by A. independent sauces or 4 overseers - 2 for those for and 2 for those against. the simple truth is our race programs are as old as the year of DOT. Seasons have changed. Transport and holidays have changed. day of when the 150.000 or more fanciers were dictated by such are well and truly are gone. Time now surely, is to take the step of a 1000 miles to do justice for our birds. To stop forcing unnatural and marginal cruel aspects of our 25.000 so call sport men's pigeons. JMO

change our views of these Distance and hard day racing? The posts before the last two Scottish nationals was in regards A. the heat! and B. it should be in two parts! Today does any one believe, think it would be fair to have taken from these fanciers and the gallantry of their' bird's merit!? Does one really believe that noon liberations … allowing the sprint bird the prestige of winning via two sprint to middle distance combined races? Now as I posted before, and no one replied … maybe wrong time to as such. I believe that April to August should be the time of these races. June up to say 250 - 300 miles tops. This would have many other good credits as I posted. But I believe whole heartedly that these races should continue, but not in Flaming June. The silly scenario of Holidays is a thing of the past... But to send in June for an extra 15 -20 minutes is in my opinion ludicrous to the utmost. Moult easily controlled. - Many have stock lofts now a days any way. If not, then an little alteration at to the breeding season etc. would, could be simple to give our birds a far better - and deservingly so - racing. Of course the same applies to North and south and East routes flown. the weather would be te same.

Well done Alf.

Fantastic results lads. Still a few more day birds to be counted I hope. I think there will be. Personally, I believe, That this is the real reason a Noon lib makes a mockery out of these great and well deserved performances. True distance birds that get the merit that they have battled and flew for. I say it's wonderful that they won't and haven't been rob as such of their gallant efforts by cheats wanting 'sprint' or at best middle distance birds robbing them. I'm also in topsy turvy mind as I have posted my beliefs regards the Timing of these distance races etc. But I certainly would never ever distract from these courageous birds and their performances. well done each and every one. Also I'd never distract for the ones following on later Well Done!

Good to see early lib. Most should / could be home tonight. As they deserve to be.

Well over cast and cool here. A nip in the air. Trying to drizzle. If same and remined so, be a good flying day for the birds. So good to see sense prevail and up at 5.15. Gives them all the chance to be Home at the lost this evening. Like it blumming well should be.

To appease those shorter flyers who gain all the credit... Undeserved as it is, and also robs mant great genuine pigeons the merit that they deserve!

Of course Realism and sensible. Sun it at it's highest from Noon on wards. that's a Fact that!

Exactly. Ok the weather is beyond our means... There again the date isn't. Mid June and Summer to gain a few minutes of light. Preposterous and ridiculous! As for a two shift race, that defeats the object. Same as Noon Libs. Just a way for 'Names' who contrived this so that Middle, even sprint birds can claim a 'Distance Race'! Great for advertisements and selling of course. What about the birds? Away at first break for me and headway made in the best climate! Why should a two part race as such take away the merit and great flying of far better and good Distance / hard day birds? Simple! IT shouldn't!!! What's wrong for that matter of losing 10 minutes of light and racing in July with a better climate. Answer NOTHNG! Too much tickling of the ears by some higher ackey with self interests and be dammed the Grass roots of the fancy and so - called sport. Like I say at the bottom Pigeons interests before ….