Derbys Lad

I don't want this to turn into a heated debate when I was only asking for some advice. I think some may have mis-read the scales/zeros. 1:50,000 scale OS Landranger Maps and a 1:25,000 OS Explorer Maps are both cheap. However, according to the surveyor who used to do our loft positions, both of these are not accurate enough. (Which is a shame because I own both of these maps). If my reckoning is right using a 1:25,000 map gives 4cm to 1km. If the pin hole is 1mm in diameter then this represents 25m. (Not too good at converting to old money, but I get this to be around 22 yards). He recommended either a 1:2,500 or a 1:1,250. You can get these on line from the OS website. You get a sheet of A4, with the required post code at the centre, for about £30. I daren't even imagine the cost of a full size map! Any how I am off to the library tomorrow to get a photo copy of their map. Never knew that a secretary got to find out such interesting things.

Thanks for all of the advise. The local council apparently does not have 1:2500 scale maps, perhaps this explains some of their planning decisions over the years. However, the local library has one from 1989, which includes the members' house, so should be ok. Unfortunately, their photocopier is bust, so I will have to wait for a couple of days. Such is life. RE GPS. I vagely remember reading an article in either the BHW or the RP a couple of years ago which said that GPS should not be used as it has a built in random error. (Something to do with US military security.) All sounded a bit conspiracy theory to me. Does anybody else remember this article?

I recently took over as secretary of my club and a member needs a loft location. I have never done this sort of thing before. I contacted the RPRA and the surveyor who used to do this and they said that I need a 1:2500 map to mark the location on. I have looked on the Ordance Survey and other websites and they are quite expensive. Does anybody know where I can get a copy of one of these maps from? How do other clubs do loft locations?

Quote from Me "If a club is set up to preserve traditional "clock and thimble" pigeon racing end of story no problem what is big deal. NONE. A seriously disabled person would not be able to look after his birds properly anyway so we then enter the realms of thwe"Animal Welfare" brigade. If it comes in fine the disabled person can join a local club using ETS.Traditional flyers can be members of club promoting traditional pigeon racing what is the problem????????????" I'm sorry but I have to disagree. The sport of pigeon racing has a proud history built on the foundations of prinicple, democracy and openness. We are all equal in the eyes of the pigeon! We do not, and should not, discriminate against members on the basis of colour, gender, ability or geopgraphical position. To segregate, divide and exlclude from our clubs those who want or need to use ETS from those who do not or do not need to is inexcusable. I for one do not want to change my loft set up for ETS as I race open door. But I would rather do this than join a club of "Traditional Racers" as this does not live up to the inclusive ideals that I beleive pigeon racing still has, albeit much diminised. Moreover, 'disabled' people are not an 'excuse'. The law is the law and we live in a democracy. I suggest you set up a camapign to repeal this law if you have a problem with it. I shall say no more on this thread.

Lot 36 was a blue cock, went for £1,050

Having read this thread over the last day or so I can see that it raises passionate arguments about 'fairness' on both sides of the debate. Many of the points against ETS have been made regarding the speed with which a second bird can be clocked with ETS (i.e. in the same second) and that this is unfair on those without ETS. My point is what about being fair to the second pigeon. Many of us will have been in the situation where two birds have come together. However, when we get to the club, our birds have been split by someone else. The other persons bird was not as fast as ours becauses we have one in front. The difference was how long it took between timing the two pigeons in. How fair is that on the second bird? All that effort and robbed of the prize. It is like saying that if a horse racing owner/trainer enters two horses into a race they must be seperated by 10 seconds to allow someone else a chance.

Hi, I'm new to the site. I fly with my Dad and Brother in the Burton & South Derbys Fed and the Derby, Burton & District Fed. I have been around racing pigeons for most of my 34 years. Pleased to meet you all.