DJL

The SHU have today forwarded an email received from the Scottish Government dated today. This is a new declaration which runs from 28th February until 30th April. The full declaration is available on the Scottish government website. Basically it says birds can be let out provided enhanced biosecurity measures are in place. I assume all federation secretaries have received the same email.

OLD BIRDS 22nd April - Lauder 29th April - Ridsdale 6th May - Tow Law 13th May - Ripon 20th May - Wakefield 27th May - Newark 3rd June - Leicester 10th June - Tow Law 17th June - Bedhampton 24th June - Ridsdale 8th July - Ridsdale 21st July - Falaise YOUNG BIRDS 29th July - Arniston 5th August - Arniston 12th August - Lauder 19th August - Ridsdale 26th August - Tow Law 2nd September - Ripon 9th September - Wakefield

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It was my grandad. The distance was 654 miles from Nantes in 1962 timed at 9.49 pm on the day from a 7.00 am liberation. I have the diploma.

Great article. Enjoyed reading it. Well done Ryan

I think the first show at Blackpool was the 1977 Olympiad.

Yes by a large majority

I am not saying it's a bad idea. I am looking at it from the point of view of federations who set their programme to tie in with the SNFC. Not sure about it helping the entry for the gold cup from this area. 400+ miles ten days before race marking with the risk of holdovers is not ideal preparation.

Dates may be similar but Portsmouth is 2 weeks before Gold Cup race. The second inland race has been the week before gold cup for years now

It is the Chairmans decision whether or not to accept an amendment to a proposal

Yes hopefully common sense will prevail. The status quo was Ypres as one of the duplication races. A simple amendment to the proposal will do. I am more concerned with why they want to move the two inland races forward a week. If that passes it will cause problems for the federations who duplicate in one or both.

Was there extra postage on your diplomas Gavin lol

A few random thoughts on the proposals Portsmouth was changed to Littlehampton last year on the recommendation of the convoyers because of fog problems. What's changed? Reims was the majority decision of members last year. Why do the committee go against the members wishes? Falaise. Why? Roye was the committee recommendation last year and was a good race. No reason to change. On all the above I have no problem with any of the race points I just don't see the need to chop and change every year for no reason. Hours of darkness - never read so much rubbish in my life. 23 hour rule. Again why? I would assume it is to do with the longer races and the time from the first birds being timed to the close of race. Could they not modify the times for the longer races. 36 hours seems a bit ridiculous for inland races.

Like I said central marking for gold cup,wouldn't bother me. I remember going to Gorgie Cattle market and then Dalkeith. 160 mile round trip. And back with your clock if you timed in!

I,m sure you could bring a few pehs

There are very few from Dundee & Angus go to the gold cup now. And if there was central marking it would be even less. I wouldn't have a problem with it but there are many who would. There is a simple solution to getting a Wednesday marking for the gold cup but it won't happen. Move the marking time forward 4 hours and they could leave Gretna by 7.00 pm. Like I say it won't happen

The centre of the country would be about Perth. I'll vote for your proposal at the AGM

Richard & Jamie Combe were flying with BICC. Not sure about NFC. The NFC regularly get birds at 700+ miles from Tarbes in good time. Brian Denney etc

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Federation secretaries are instructed not to issue rings before 1st January

I have a 1964 BHW stud book and there is a report on the 1963 Barcelona international. James Moffat of Gorebridge reported the arrival of a pigeon flying 1040 miles on July 13th. This was a new British 1000 mile record at the time. The birds were liberated on 5th July

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Great performance John. How far had your youngsters been before the race. Did you fly the federation programme or did you send with another fed to get more distance. Did they have private training?

Are you serious. If you draw a line from Buckingham to Annan it's no that far East of Stafford. And the Peterhead lads are jumping 200 miles. We are only jumping 116 miles

11 members, 191 birds 1. K Droog & Son 1451.32 2. R Baldie 1450.99 3. R Baldie 1450.99 4. W Macknight 1440.10 5. W Macknight 1439.48 6. R Baldie 1425.37 7. K Droog & Son 1411.73 8. Macaulay, Ferguson & Curran 1399.75 9. I Scott 1383.19 10.I Scott 1382.09 11.M Leggett 1375.24 12.Macaulay, Ferguson & Curran 1362.03 Other first birds D Liddle 1327.40; D Glen 1284.98; C E Bell 1230.13; R Greig 941.53; W Nicol 631.70 Claims for Breeder-Buyer to me as soon as possible Well done Kenny