DJL

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

Angus & Dundee federations liberated at Wakefield at 6.50 a.m. No wind

Forfar RPC, 11 members sent 191 birds to Wakefield

Maybe mollycoddle was the wrong word. I was trying to give my opinion on tysons post. He was saying we should race young birds to 120 miles and scrap the young bird nationals. If fanciers have the birds and want to race further then why deprive them of that opportunity. From what I can see there are loads of young birds lost from less than 100 miles. It is up to each fancier how he/she races his birds.

To answer the original question. I don't think we should mollycoddle young birds. My federation has what I think is a good programme starting at 55 miles with seven races to Wakefield 214 miles the week before the Snfc race which is 330 miles. If members don't want to go the full distance then they can stop whenever they want. I am lucky to be in a strong competitive club with several members who race the full programme and the national. The season is short enough as it is without cutting out races or going no further than 100 miles. If your young birds are healthy and get the breaks with the weather they will do 200 - 300 miles plus no problem.

11 members 237 birds 1. R Baldie 1455.80 2. R Baldie 1455.58 3. R Baldie 1455.36 4. R Baldie 1455.36 5. R Baldie 1455.25 6. R Baldie 1454.48 7. M Leggett 1449.30 8. I Scott 1446.76 9. I Scott 1446.65 10.I Scott 1446.44 11.Macaulay, Ferguson & Curran 1444.06 12. D Liddle 1440.47 Other first birds K Droog & Son 1434.55; W Macknight 1401.67; D Glen 1389.11; R Pace 1327.97; W Nicol 1198.71 Well done Bob. Another great result

Angus & Dundee liberated at Ripon at 7.30. No wind

Forfar RPC 11 members sent 237 birds to Ripon

13 members, 305 birds 1. R Baldie 1155.38 2. D Glen 1146.30 3. R Baldie 1135.08 4. R Baldie 1134.99 5. I Scott 1125.26 6. R Baldie 1124.93 7. R Baldie 1124.93 8. R Baldie 1124.76 9. Macaulay, Ferguson & Curran 1124.35 10.I Scott 1124.21 11.Macaulay, Ferguson, & Curran 1118.71 12.Macaulay, Ferguson, Curran 1117.76 Other first birds W Macknight 1117.39; K Droog & Son 1076.68; D Liddle 1073.40; M Leggett 1032.80; W Nicol 958.73; J McKay 957.02; R Pace 886.83; C E Bell 886.67 Well done Bob. Another great performance

Angus & Dundee liberated at Tow Law at 7.30. North west wind

Angus & Dundee federations. The race marking for Tow Law has been postponed for 24 hours