MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB
RACING UPDATE

It had been my intention to give a racing update after next RPRA/DEFRA meeting and their latest information regarding racing but in the light of many members asking the question, what is the Clubs strategy for racing this season.  It is the Clubs intention to race from the south and both the secretary and myself have been looking at the alternatives should race from France not be possible. If the worst scenario comes about and racing from France is impossible in the future then that is a different story and the Club would need to explore all options.

Tony Whitehurst - President

MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

UPDATE

With the government now giving details of the route out of the Covid lockdown there is a light at the end of the tunnel and every expectation that pigeon racing will able to start in readiness for the Clubs race programme to start as planned. We shall be servicing our vehicles and sorting out the M.O.T’s in readiness for the off.

There is still the business of holding the postponed AGM and fixing the date for this is not that simple and my thoughts are hopefully we can hold the meeting in early June but no date has been set yet.

The handbook is at the printers and in the final stages of amendments and is almost ready for printing, the plan is to post out the handbooks in early April to all paid up members. Subscriptions are coming in steadily and on the plus side at present we have sold 63,000 rings and also 1315 gold rings raising over £7000 to race for in the Chale and Kingsdown YB races. More good news for the Club is we have had 118 new members joined for the 2021 season which gives me a lot of optimism for the wellbeing of the Club.

The 2021 Annual Dinner & Presentation is now booked for Saturday 13^th November at the Doncaster racecourse and with the increase costs at the venue the tickets costs will be £40; the Club as also secured discounted accommodation at the Hilton Garden Inn, at Doncaster Racecourse , full details will be in the Club’s 2021 handbook. I know many  2020 prize winner will be disappointed not to receive their deserved plaudits due to the cancellation of last years dinner but any 2020 winners wishing to attend  this years dinner we will arrange to present and photograph them with their awards.

I wish all fanciers the best of luck during the breeding period and good fortune in the 2021 racing season.

Tony Whitehurst-President

 AGM UPDATE & RESULT OF POSTAL VOTE

Today I have received the result of the postal vote of AGM propositions and I understand we are in very difficult times and the response to the postal vote was very disappointing but nevertheless a result was made. Proposition no1 carried votes for 45 against 3 abstain 2 ; proposition no2 carried  votes for 38 against 11 abstain 1; proposition no3 carried  votes for 40 against 10. With the acceptance of proposition no1 will mean there will be two ‘Gold Ring’ races and  the income from the sales of gold rings sales will now  divided equally between the two races, if for any reason there is only one YB race then all income from gold rings sales will be paid out in this race. At present there is almost 1000 gold rings sold, so why not join the gold rush, the rings are £6 each with a limit of 10 per loft, which should guarantee  very competitive YB races.  The acceptance on proposition no2 will mean the committee have the freedom to pick the old bird race programme without the constrictions of rule 22.3  which states that a race must be flown with a   minimum flying distance  of 451 miles. Proposition no 3 will mean the subscriptions will rise to £33 in 2022 this will be the first increase in subs since 2014 and one the committee thought necessary.

Another big concern for the committee is the cost of race marking the pigeons averaging £2500 per race, it has been suggested we could close down some of the marking stations but thinking back 40years when there was only one marking station, the committee took the view that the only way for the Club to grow was to open more marking stations which proved correct. So rather close any marking stations and after a lot of debate the committee made the decision to increase the marking fee to £4, which will certainly help towards marking station costs and one the committee hopes the members will understand.

Good luck with the breeding season and stay safe everyone.

Tony Whitehurst - President

AGM POSTPONED

Tony Whitehurst-President