National Flying Club

2005 NATIONAL FLYING CLUB DINNER & PRIZE PRESENTAION

Chris Gordon Receives A Standing Ovation

The 2005 National Flying Club Dinner and Prize Presentation was held last Saturday, December 10 th at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport.

A full house was welcomed by stand-in toastmaster Mick McGrevy and, after a toast to Her Majesty The Queen from the President Fred Sharman, Mick read out a best wishes message from the club's patron. Trevor Harris proposed a toast to the ladies and members and introduced the guests - Carlo and Julie Napolitano and Brian and Cornelia Long. Carlo spoke briefly followed by Brian, who said it was a great honour to have been invited. Brian referred to the magnificent array of trophies on display, acknowledged the part played by the ladies of the sport, and asked that everyone spare a moment to think about all those who finish 2 nd and so just miss out on the plaudits accorded the winners. Brian said he was now part of the NFC team having been elected onto the committee earlier in the day and, having witnessed the progress being made with regard to the new transporters and other things, he felt the club had a very bright future. He concluded by toasting the National Flying Club. Fred Sharman thanked Brian and reiterated his sentiments with regard to the new transporters, which Fred felt would be envied by all. He thanked all those involved, in particular Brian Stansfield for dedicating many hours of his time to the project and Roy Stretton who had assisted with the legal and financial arrangements. Fred further thanked Roy for his steadfast support over the preceding 12 months, particularly with regard to the problematic Saintes race. He paid tribute to Karen and Sid Barkel for producing the club results in record time, and thanked, in turn, Rod Harding, Treasurer, for helping to turn a recent club loss into a £10,000 profit; Nobby Henley for liasing with the jewellers and organising the auction of birds; Mick McGrevy for standing in as toastmaster (this looks like becoming a permanent position!); Julie Froggatt for once again organising the raffle, and all those who had helped to run the marking and clock stations. He said it was because of the efforts of people such as these that the NFC would remain the premier club in the UK.

The section Jacket winners with the National Flying Club

Without further ado, Mick McGrevy turned to the prize giving. He gave a brief summary of the season, quoting statistics showing how many of the section winners had taken top open positions in each race, thus emphasising that good positions are rewarded in national racing irrespective of loft location. Mick said that he had been a member of the NFC since 1969 and that this year's Grand National from Tarbes was the best he could recall, both in terms of returns and performances. From a personal point of view, with there having been 94 first-day birds recorded he knew that he would have to clock very early the next morning to be thereabouts, so he and his son Robert were duly up at first light. After a while Robert went to check the NFC website for an update, when the phone rang - it was Sid asking Mick if he would go and verify the likely race winner belonging to fellow Section K member, Chris Gordon. Being a dedicated committeeman, Mick left Robert in charge at the home end (thus risking missing his own arrivals) and set off on the 30-minute journey to Old Snydale - and by the time he arrived Chris had timed another bird (which was to finish 8 th Open). He said that, at 725 miles, this was a performance one could only dream of. Mick then called Chris forward to speak on behalf of the prizewinners. Chris paid tribute to all the trophy winners, saying that to win any trophy at national level is no mean feat. He said he hoped everyone present had enjoyed racing their own pigeons as much as he had in 2005, and that his performance had proved that you can win a national no matter where you live. He hoped it would encourage more fanciers to have a go. Chris concluded by thanking sponsor for 'smartening' him up a bit by providing him with a blazer for winning the race, but said the only problem was, he'd had a to buy a shirt to go with it!

Sid Barkel then took centre stage to call forward all the other trophy winners present, with the trophies being presented by Cornelia Long, Doreen Kneller and Judy Napolitano. As Chris Gordon walked forward to receive the King George V Trophy, everyone present rose to their feet to acknowledge the magnitude of his wonderful achievement.

Officials and guests at the top table for the National Flying Club presentation

Meetings

Before going onto this meeting I am only in a position to print information at hand, the full minutes will be made available in due course. The day started with the first of the meetings of the day, this being a 168 as per RPRA rules. The first on the agenda was from Mr Ray Barrington who was unfortunately unable to attend due to ill health; the members of the committee wished him a speedy recovery. Mr Barrington objected to the information of a previous meeting being published in the fancy press prior to him being notified of the result. The committee wish to apologies to Mr Barrington for this incident and will put in process a system to see that this does not happen again. The second issue on the 168 agenda was from Mr Fred Bloor regarding the committee not correctly quoting the rules and again publishing the result of the committee meeting before officially notifying him of the outcome. Again the committee apologies to Mr Bloor for this lack of communication and as with the previous case will endeavour to make sure that it does not happen again. The remaining issue was concerning Mr John Tyerman regarding accepting birds at the marking station, as with the two previous cases Mr Bloor represented. It was pointed out to the committee that the secretaries of the NFC do get late arrivals at the offices but they are post dated as per club rules and therefore accepted. However at a previous meeting Mr Tyerman lost his case regarding taking extra birds to the marking station. Again Mr Tyerman was not officially notified of the outcome therefore again the committee offer their apologies for this lack of communication.

Committee Meeting .

As always the committee hold an ordinary meeting prior to the AGM, so after a short recess they went onto the next meeting. This meeting is held for the committee to look at the senior officials positions and forward their recommendations to the members at the AGM. Mr Brian Stansfield also spoke at length about the transporter and presented two samples of panniers to the committee for their approval. Both panniers had their benefit with the committee making their choice that went on display at the AGM. All other business from this meeting is presented and reported on with the AGM.

AGM

Fred Sharman, Roy Stretton and Rod Harding were re-elected to the posts of President, Chairman and Treasurer respectively and Eric Watkins of Section J was newly elected as a Vice President. The convoying team of Messrs Bates, Allen and King (reserve) was also re-appointed and Elimar Pigeon Services was confirmed as the club's Press Officer. The section representatives for 2006 are: Section A - John Tyerman; B - none; C - none; D - Paul Naum & Rod Harding; E - John Wills & John Edwards; F - none; G - Richard King & Geoff Cooper; H - Brian Long and Trevor Harris; I - Roy Stretton; J - Ray Scriven & Eric Watkins, K - Mick McGrevy; L - Brian Stansfield & Roger Sutton. All of these members served on the committee in 2005 with the exception of Geoff Cooper who has returned after a short absence, and Brian Long who becomes a member of the committee for the first time.

Propositions: 10 of the 32 propositions were carried (numbers 6, 11, 12, 13, 22, 26, 27, 29, 30 & 31) and proposition 8 is the subject of a recount. All propositions for an increase in subs were therefore defeated. A total of 618 members voted. The chairman indicated in the meeting that the subscriptions to the club are not sufficient for the basic general running account of the club. The chairman feels that the subscription needs increasing at some point so that their can be additional money made available to be paid out in prizes and not used to subsidise the general account. A few questions were asked on the balance sheet with the treasurer answering to the satisfactory of those present. From what I can gather there are a lot of members who feel that with the forward thinking of the committee the club are only going to go forward.

Additional photos of the prize presentation can be found on the National Flying Club's official website and at www.elimarpigeons.com

If you would like to become a member of the National Flying Club, please contact Sid Barkel on 0191 5210203 or at

The National Flying Club's new state-of-the-art transporters will be ready for the coming season so your birds will travel in the best possible comfort and they will be looked after by the club's outstanding convoying team. In general this was another good weekend for the members of the National Flying Club who attended the meetings and presentation. There is always something that comes out of these events

Report compiled by Elimar Pigeon Services www.elimarpigeons.com

2005 TROPHY WINNERS

THE ST. NAZAIRE NATIONAL RACE

Derek Reid and Cornelia Long

D. Reid, Weybridge

The Joe Dixon Trophy

The D.E. Cox Memorial Trophy

Mr. Jack Fisher, Waterlooville

The Bowman Trophy

Wearn Bros 1, Ramsdean

The Mrs B. Grainger Memorial Trophy

A. F. Smith & Son, Wotton-under-Edge

The Preston Jones Trophy

N. Mounce, Cambourne

The L. C. Shannon & Son Trophy

C. Gordon, Pontefract

The L. Bamforth Memorial Trophy

Spracklen & Thomas, Dorchester

The R.H. Christopher Memorial Trophy

Mark Gilbert

M. Gilbert, Winkfield

The Antingham Memorial Trophy

B. & S. Parkhouse, Cullompton

The E.C.C. International Trophy

THE ST. NAZAIRE NATIONAL

SECTION WINNERS

A Mr. & Mrs. B. Wall, Havant

B Mr. Jack Fisher, Waterlooville

C Spracklen & Thomas, Dorchester

D B. & S. Parkhouse, Cullompton

E D. Reid, Weybridge

F M. A. Kidby & Dtr., Nr Newbury

G D. J. Knowles, Trowbridge

H B. Wallman, Cambridge

Mr & Mrs Ray Grimsdell

I R. Grimsdell & Son, Burton-on-Trent

J Williams & Hassall, Dudley

K Mr. & Mrs. G. S. Bartle, Retford

L A. Tweats, Congleton

Mrs Wills and Arnold Tweates

COLOMBOVAC TARBES GRAND NATIONAL RACE

Chris Gordon & Cornelia Long

C. Gordon, Pontefract

The King George V Trophy

The National Flying Club Coronation Gold Cup

The Continental Challenge Cup

The F.W. Marriott Memorial Trophy

The W.F.C. George Memorial Trophy

The South Australian Trophy

The Colombovac Golden Feather Trophy

The G. Stovin Memorial Trophy

The Jack Adams Memorial Trophy

The Ada Burton Memorial Trophy

The Buckley Memorial Trophy

The E.A Braithwaite Trophy

The Coronation Queen Trophy

A.E.Shepherd and Doreen Kneller

A. E. Shepherd, Emsworth

The Jarvis Trophy

The E.A. Braithwaite Trophy (4 th Prize)

The F. Toomer Trophy

The Orchardson Challenge Trophy

The George Stubbs Memorial Trophy

The Veterans Challenge Trophy

Burgin & Marshall with doreen Kneller

Burgin & Marshall, Hemel Hempstead

The Patrick Trophy

The Fred Seaman Memorial Trophy

The Tommy & Rita Fairclough Trophy

The Henry Trigg Trophy

Mr. & Mrs. E. Corkett & Sons, Leighton Buzzard

The R. Mitchieson Trophy (5 th Prize)

Biss & Waite, Whitchurch

The T. Clarke Memorial Trophy (6th Prize)

The H. Mattey Memorial Trophy

Mr. P. Hughes, Bosham

The Brian Freeman Memorial Trophy (9 th Prize)

The Sid Moon Memorial Cup

The French Trophy

J. F. Haynes, Maidenhead

The H.B. Davis Memorial Trophy

Doreen Kneller & Harold Hamplett

H. P. Hamplett, Stafford

The N.J. Rhead Trophy

The Barlow Trophy

The J.R. Dunn Memorial Trophy

Jimmy Wearn & Doreen Kneller

Wearn Bros 1, Ramsdean

The Vic Robinson Trophy

M & M. Wiffen with Doreen Kneller

M. & M. Wiffen, Dorchester

The Major H.W. Cole Trophy

H. Ledbury, Trowbridge

The Moonraker Cup

Mr. & Mrs. K. P. Hitchcock & Sons, Windsor

The Slade Shield

The E.G.L. Cox Memorial Trophy

The R.W. Beard Memorial Trophy

The A.W. Murray Memorial Trophy

A.Avis & Son with Doreen Kneller

A. Avis & Sons, Bath

The Fred Hannis Trophy

Scott & Stan Dangerfeild with Doreen Kneller

S. L. Dangerfield, Stonehouse

The F. Roberts Trophy

The T. Clarke Memorial Trophy (Average Trophy)

J. H. Goddard, East Leake

The Louis Massarella Trophy

The Beacon Trophy

The Lol Farmer Trophy

R. Harding, Tarporley

The S. P. Griffiths Memorial Trophy

Dave Impett with Cornelia Long

D. Impett, Blackpool

The H.J. Langdon Trophy

The T.H. Burton Cup

The Roy Mundy Memorial Trophy

The Allwood Baird Trophy

The J.O. Shone Award

Doreen Kneller with the Redfern family

S. Redfern & Family, Derby

The Atrill Trophy

-- Not won --

The Pollard & Son Trophy

R. & M. Grayston, Lancaster

The G.A. Lowe Memorial Cup

M. W. Stevens, Gravesend

The W.A. Bliss Trophy

The Mickey Moore Memorial Trophy

S.Woodfeild & Son with Doreen Kneller

S. Woodfield & Son, Ludlow

The C. Ball Memorial Trophy

Brian Littlewood and Doreen Kneller

B. Littlewood, Stockport

The Clifford Norton Ashton Memorial Trophy

Mr & Mrs Mabin with Doreen Kneller

Mr. & Mrs. A. Mabin, Buckfastleigh

The L. Cox & Son Trophy

M. Westrop, Sandy

The Alan Pearce Memorial Trophy

J. Shepherd, Chichester

The Bernie Miles Memorial Trophy

Mr. & Mrs. G. E. Fry, Didcot

The Gordon Coleman Memorial Trophy

COLOMBOVAC TARBES GRAND NATIONAL

SECTION WINNERS

A A. E. Shepherd, Emsworth

B Wearn Bros 1, Ramsdean

C M & M Wiffen, Dorchester

D Mr. & Mrs. A. Mabin, Buckfastleigh

E Burgin & Marshall, Hemel Hempstead

F Biss & Waite, Whitchurch

G A. Avis & Sons, Bath

H M. Westrop, Sandy

I J. H. Goddard, East Leake

J H. P. Hamplett, Stafford

K C. Gordon, Pontefract

L D. Impett, Blackpool

THE DAX NATIONAL RACE

D.Bullen with Judy Napolitano

D. Bullen & Son, Croydon

The Mark Gilbert Perpetual Trophy

Geoff & Catherine Cooper with Judy Napolitano

G. G. & C. J. Cooper, Bath

The Patrick Bros / Joe Raeburn Trophy

THE DAX NATIONAL RACE SECTION WINNERS

A J. W. Puddephatt, Ferring

B Wearn Bros 1,Ramsdean

C M. R. Staddon, Crewkerne

D R. G. Barrington, Wellington

E D. Bullen & Son,Croydon

F F. J. Quinn, Devizes

G B. S. Sheppard, Trowbridge

H D. A. Barrett, Norwich

I Mr. & Mrs. D. Glover, Hinckley

J Mr. & Mrs. R. Brown, Kiddeminster

K G. Ridgway, Barnsley

L Bowler & Toms, Cheadle

BAMFORDS TOP FLIGHT SAINTES / MESSAC

NATIONAL RACE

Raymond Murray, Southampton

The Chris Catteral Trophy

The Malcolm Squibb Memorial Trophy

Mr. & Mrs. Bunney, Portsmouth

N.F.C. Informaton Line Perpetual Trophy (2 nd )

Mr & Mrs B. Yates with Judy Napolitano

Mr. & Mrs. B Yates, Petersfield

N.F.C. Information Line Perpetual Trophy (3 rd )

Mark Kidby and Judy Napolitano

M. A. Kidby & Dtr., Nr. Newbury

N.F.C. Information Line Perpetual Trophy (4 th )

Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Noakes, Reading

N.F.C. Information Line Perpetual Trophy (5 th )

The Jack Clayton Memorial Trophy

Mr. & Mrs. M. S. Gower, Nr. Fordingbridge

N.F.C. Information Line Perpetual Trophy (6 th )

Mr. D. Mitchell & Son, Newton Abbott

The Fred Radford Memorial Trophy

BAMFORDS TOP FLIGHT MESSAC NATIONAL

SECTION WINNERS

A Mr. & Mrs. B. Yates, Petersfield

B Raymond Murray, Southampton

C Steven Williams, Weymouth

D Mr. D. Mitchell & Son, Newton Abbott

E Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Noakes, Reading

F M. A. Kidby & Dtr., Nr Newbury

G D. J. Knowles, Trowbridge

H J. Searle, Cambridge

I C. Leadbeater & Sons, Rugeley

J A. Hofton & Son, Gloucester

K J. T. & K. Hanby, Mexborough

L J. Holgate, Clitheroe

THE GEORGE BUCKTON FOUGERES

YOUNG BIRD NATIONAL

W. F. Selway, Wedmore

The National Flying Club Trophy (1 st Prize)

The Somerset Cup

Spracklen & Thomas, Dorchester

The E.A. Braithwaite Trophy (2 nd Prize)

-- Not Won --

The P.J. Thomas Trophy

Mr. & Mrs. R. Pashley, Nr. Doncaster

The Guy Barrett Perpetual Trophy

O'Hare & Woodward, Middlewich

The J.L. Roberts Trophy

Dorrington & Brooks, Bristol

The Reg Phillips Memorial Trophy

Brian & Sue Stone, Belper

The Arthur & Winifred Rawson Trophy

A. Cowan, Southampton

The Tony Pouralli & Son Memorial Trophy

THE GEORGE BUCKTON FOUGERES

YOUNG BIRD NATIONAL SECTION WINNERS

A Mr. & Mrs. B. Wall, Havant

B A. Cowan, Southampton

C Spracklen & Thomas, Dorchester

D B. & S. Parkhouse, Cullompton

E R. J. Lowe, Reading

F M. Deller, Malmesbury

G W. F. Selway, Wedmore

H C. Crick & Son, Hitchen

I Mr. & Mrs. R. Stretton & Dtr., Rugeley

J R. Walton, Warley

K Mr. & Mrs. R. Pashley, Nr. Doncaster

L O'Hare & Woodward, Middlewich

THE FOUGERES OLD HENS NATIONAL

Mr. & Mrs. A. Foster, Frome

The Centenary Cup

THE FOUGERES OLD HENS NATIONAL

SECTION WINNERS

A Mr Glen Sutton, Bordon

B M. Lupo & Daughter, Eastleigh

C M. R. Staddon, Crewkerne

D J. R. Fox, Exeter

E Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Noakes, Reading

F D. S. House, Faringdon

G Mr. & Mrs. A. Foster, Frome

H Wisken & Gardner, Northampton

I Mr. & Mrs. J. Wright, Lutterworth

J M. Williams, Hereford

K S. & R. Lynch, Pontefract

L J. R. Sutton, Congleton

AVERAGE TROPHIES

C. C. & C. J. Cooper, Bath

The L.A. Baker Trophy

C. Gordon, Pontefract

The Oliver Dix Memorial Trophy

The Langstone Gold Cup

The Eric Cannon Memorial Cup (Awarded to winner of the Langstone Gold Cup)

The Fright & Johnson Trophy

D. Impett, Blackpool

The Lancashire Rose Trophy

Biss & Waite, Whitchurch

The F.G. Wilson Challenge Trophy

John Haynes and Cornelia Long

J. F. Haynes, Maidenhead

The Davenport Silver Vase

Mr & Mrs K. Hine Trophy

The National Flying Club Trophy

The Jim Biss Trophy

Barber & Wilkinson, Great Yarmouth

The Bernie & Elsie Wallman Memorial Trophy

Cornelia Long & Jimmy Wearn

Wearn Bros 1, Ramsdean

The A. & T. Deacon Trophy

National Flying Club

Results Database

“5000 Mile Club”

J Nicholson & Son's Cornelius

Richard King

King Bros' Blackie

I recently had the great pleasure of researching, creating, and presenting special diplomas to J Nicholsons & Sons of Rochester and King Bros of Lower Failand. These two partnerships each have a pigeon which have flown and been clocked in NFC races aggregating 5000+ miles between them! When I discovered that two pigeons had flown such an extreme distance, all with one club, and been timed to prove the fact I thought it would be highly appropriate to create a 5000 Mile Club! For me there is way too much emphasis placed on 1st Open and Section Winners … and not nearly enough on the pigeons who score from race-to-race over many years at all distances. With these two pigeons winning their members’ badges I wonder how many will follow in subsequent years. May I say that I greatly benefited from the co-operation and assistance of John Nicholson and Richard King … talking to them about these two wonderful pigeons gave me 100% vindication that these awards are worth winning. Thanks also to Peter Bennett for kindly allowing the pictures of Cornelius and Blackie to be used on the diplomas.

Let’s now look at their performances … firstly Cornelius a 10yo red Cock flown by J Nicholson & Sons. This pigeon has already come to prominence by winning a coveted Certificate of Merit award for taking a top 100 open position in the longest old bird race on three occasions. So let’s be under no illusions about the quality of this pigeon … absolutely top drawer! And look and the time-span of this pigeon … it’s won its first top 100 position in 1998 from Pau then again from Pau in 2000 and then FIVE years later from Tarbes! This is the kind of performance pigeon we all seek … distance no problem and all the determination and guts you could wish for. This pigeon has been in more Grand Nationals (6) than Red Rum and the race will miss him in future years.

Race	Miles	Yards	Sect E	Open	YPM
1998 Pau *	555	1411	7	16	986.7
1998 Saintes	392	1058	330	1496	1015.0
1999 Nantes	300	291	520	1851	1341.4
2000 Pau *	555	1411	13	56	875.4
2001 San Sebastian	568	658	154	567	780.2
2002 Pau	555	1411	152	526	309.1
2003 Saintes	392	1044	187	530	1103.8
2004 Pau	555	1393	121	364	718.0
2004 Dax	511	494	35	107	668.7
2005 St Nazaire	309	174	396	2321	1081.1
2005 Tarbes *	562	1634	24	92	1063.5
* Qualification for NFC Certificate of Merit … 3 positions in top 100 longest OB race

Now onto Blackie flown by King Bros … a 10yo Dark Cock. Well it really is tough to compare ANY pigeon to Cornelius in terms of his performances … but what Blackie shares equally with Cornelius is bucket-loads of quality and stamina … you simply can’t fly 5000+ miles and be clocked TWELVE times (including three times to Pau plus San Sebastian) without being a pigeon of iron constitution!

Race	Miles	Yards	Sect G	Open	YPM
1999 Saintes	405	1669	116	513	1059.1
2000 Nantes	295	675	40	96	1042.2
2000 Pau	570	724	53	336	812.9
2000 Saintes	405	1669	98	504	622.6
2000 San Sebastian	562	1202	111	923	643.1
2002 Nantes	295	675	296	1358	1087.7
2002 Pau	570	724	61	510	407.6
2002 Saintes	405	1669	114	674	472.4
2003 Nantes	294	1654	448	2465	1041.4
2003 Saintes	405	1653	43	604	1069.8
2004 Nantes	295	663	308	1724	884.1
2004 Pau	570	704	76	649	588.7

Remember that these pigeons won’t have been raced EXCLUSIVELY with the NFC so will have flown many thousands of extra miles including with clubs such as the BBC, BICC, LSECC, and CSCFC. Unfortunately this data is off my radar for the time being but I would call upon the Secretaries of all such clubs to share their race data with me and we can start tracking pigeons across all the premier clubs giving us the ability to create new awards for exceptional merit e.g.

For pigeons finishing in the Top 2% of a result in 500+ mile races twice in the same season (any and all participating clubs)?
For pigeons finishing in the Top 2% of a result in 500+ mile races three or more times in their lifetime?
Create a 10000 mile achievement club across all clubs?

It seems very strange to me that we continue to run this great sport and handle race results in a tribal fashion … by that I mean that the NFC has its own race programme plus its Certificate of Merit … the BBC its Spanish Diploma … etc … never the twain meeting up! A great many fanciers now belong to multiple specialist clubs and will pick out a race programme for a pigeon taking in more than one club each season and throughout its racing life. Yet to receive special recognition it pretty much has to race exclusively with that one club. Totally bizarre! In horse racing, for example, a thoroughbred like Nijinsky raced at a good many race tracks and to win a ‘Triple Crown’ it raced at three different venues to achieve it (Newmarket, Epsom, Doncaster). Yet these individual form lines from various race tracks, sometimes even from different countries, are gathered up and merged onto a single race summary without second thought? Surely to goodness we could do the same in pigeon racing … this is 2006 after all?

My database currently holds 45000 race records from the NFC but has unlimited capacity and could easily handle one million race records! Let’s start bringing UK racing together … ask your clubs to provide me with their race data going back as far as they can … there’ll be NO CHARGE to the individual clubs for the work I do with their data so there is no reason whatsoever why they shouldn’t take an active part in what would amount to one of the biggest step forwards ever taken in the Sport!

Paul O’Leary
PBO Solutions Limited

NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

by Drew Callan, Press Officer

May 6th 2013

Good evening folks, as I write this some of my team have had 2 races in anticipation of the first national race and the rest of the team were started yesterday. My fed were at Taunton which is 115 miles to me and given the wind it was no surprise at the speed they were doing. Most of the team pulled out where they should and were home by the 2 hour mark with just a few yearlings who went high, wide and whipping past and then had to work in to that wind to get home but at least they are fitter now.

The first race on the national programme is less than 2 weeks away with a lib scheduled for the 18th but as always Paul Clements will have done his homework and will only have them up when conditions are at their best. In a perfect world they would be up in ideal conditions but that is not something that happens often, and to be honest we would be a long time waiting for a liberation if we waited for perfect conditions all along the line of flight. Rest assured that the birds are in very good hands with our race controller Paul and he is in constant contact along the line of flight from the convoyer in France right through to the top end of the northern sections.

Just a polite reminder to members that all the hard work you are putting in now with your prospective candidates might be in vain if you do not do your bit. Make sure entries are in on time please as they have been refused before so make sure that it’s not your birds that get excluded from the race. Also, please ensure that you indicate the correct marking station and clock station on your form and that this is the one you present your birds and clock at. It helps with the administration side of things and it helps to tie up your various race sheets and clock station sheets and all this helps Sid to get the result out on time. Can I also ask fanciers to get to the marking stations in plenty of time and if possible to lend a hand for 15 minutes as this helps speed up marking but more importantly it gives the team of markers a chance to have a quick break. I know that there are quite a few who do this any way but when I have been at Steventon I have seen members complaining about being in a hurry and not able to help and have seen the same folks 30 minutes later in the car park working on their tans and propping up cars. Don’t be shy gentlemen, just ask at any station and some one will find you a job remember each marking station is working towards a deadline and wants to be ready to load when the transporter arrives so if we all do our bit it will all come together.

One thing about being at the marking station that has always surprised me is the number of pigeons who eat when the troughs are put on to the sealed panniers. I was talking to a double national winner about this last weekend and he was of the opinion that if you had done your job right the birds would not be hungry, but I suppose some of these birds have had an early start and were grateful for the opportunity to top up. egardless of your views on whether they should be wanting to eat or not, this year when they stick their heads into the troughs at any time before liberation they will be eating a different brand of corn. The National Flying Club have up until recently had the corn for the races sponsored and supplied by Bucktons, but with the company having changed hands we were informed recently that they would no longer be supplying us with immediate effect. Now it doesn’t take me to tell you that 4 weeks before the first race is not ideal timing, but we are fortunate in that we have on the committee one of the main UK agents for Vanrobaeys and he moved quickly to secure sponsorship for the club from Vanrobaeys that will cover the corn for all the National Flying Club races this season. They have provided 100 bags of corn for use over the races with more if it proves to be needed.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Vanrobaeys on behalf of the committee and members of The National for this gesture of support and for supplying top quality corn that befits the top quality entrants in our races. I know that it is common for fanciers to feed the same brand of corn at home as that which is fed to their birds in the baskets and so I am letting you know now in case you are one of these fanciers.

Right then folks, that’s all from me now... I really only wanted to remind you about getting your paper work in order for the races. It’s only round the corner now and personally speaking I can’t wait. Nothing else in this sport compares to the feeling you get when you know the cords have been cut and flaps dropped on a national day win or lose.

As always, I am on or 01926817796.

Drew Callan

PO The National Flying Club

National Flying Club

2007 RACE PROGRAMME

19th May - Fougeres

2nd June - Cholet

16th June - Alencon

29th June - Tarbes

21st July - Saintes

1st September - Guernsey

NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

by Drew Callan, Press Officer

NFC Presentation Night - December 2013

The Tarbes winners B & P Winter

Saturday 7th December saw the good, the bad and unfortunately some of the ugly gather in Torquay on the English Riviera for the annual National Flying Club presentation night. The venue on this occasion was The Palace Hotel, a big and beautiful chunk of elegance overlooking the sea. I have to say that from the moment I stepped over the threshold I was very well looked after by a team of courteous and hard working staff and it certainly adds to the experience.

The evening for me kicked off with a quick drink with other committee members in the President’s suite and then we were all gathered together for the annual committee photo taken by Chris Sutton, who I learned during the course of the night, is a racing pigeon photographer (thanks for that info Sid!!). All I can say after being privy to a sneak preview is thank God for Photoshop and I would like to know what had caught my attention when the photo was taken? Chris also did the honours during the evening of photographing each of the prizewinners.

All the guests were then summoned to the magnificent ballroom to be seated before getting involved with an excellent 5-course meal, with the centrepiece being a very good piece of beef. Those unlucky enough to be vegetarian had I think chicken! The focal point in the ballroom was the incredible array of silverware that was on display which is competed for by members each season. A lot of these trophies go back a long way and a glimpse at some of the names engraved on them makes you realise how connected the winner is with pigeon racing history. When you stop and consider the effort that equates to collecting even one of these trophies then you really do have to take your hat off to the lucky few who stepped forward on the night.

With the guests now suitably replete it was time to sit back and enjoy the main event of the evening, and the presentation proceedings were started with a few speeches reflecting on the racing that members had experienced during the 2013 season and of course the all important reflection by the winners of the Tarbes Grand National race B & P Winters. It fell to son Barry to do the honours and he gave an impassioned insight in to how they prepared the bird and their philosophy and ideals behind their approach to national racing. It was also interesting and refreshing to hear him praising the team who deliver the races for the National Flying Club members, and he illustrated the excellent job they do by showing photos of the winning bird shortly after his arrival and then one taken 50 minutes later. In the course of doing each race write up I get regular comments praising the condition of the birds but it is still nice to see it being offered on the public stage. What also came across was the little bit of luck that is needed but which falls out of our control, as Little Gem was put on the sidelines following a hawk attack in one of the first training tosses of the season and as we all know from experience, it could have ended differently for this widowhood cock.

The Guests of Honour for the evening, who were seated amongst the fine array of trophies on the top table, were Mr and Mrs Farrow, loft manager to The Queen and Mr and Mrs Kevin Godfrey, Managing Director of Hartwell Motors. They were joined on the top table by Mr Paul Naum, our hard working Treasurer, Mr John Edwards, our charismatic Chairman and Mr Mark Gilbert, NFC Pinup and champion racer. Each of these gentlemen were being chaperoned by their beautiful wives. The honour of presenting the prizes was ably undertaken by the ladies on the top table and Mrs McGrevy the long suffering wife on the club Chairman Mick McGrevy. The evening is designed to celebrate and showcase the talent of the fanciers within the membership and as such it is only fitting that each section winner for each race gets an opportunity to step up and grab the limelight, and each in turn was amply applauded by a room full of people who are only too aware of the effort needed to top any of the sections within the club. As well as the various section and open winners who stepped forward, the club also awards for consistency throughout the season in the form of a range of trophies for averages and performances into a certain geographical area or at a certain distance. It can often happen that a fancier can win these trophies without actually claiming top spot in their section, the perfect example of this for 2013 being Mark Gilbert who stamped his class and authority all over the results during 2013 and this was reflected in the array of trophies that he secured. The highlight of the event was obviously the video of Eamon Kelly, Darren McFadden, Mark Gilbert and Nigel Langstaff doing a Christmas routine dressed up as Santa’s little helpers which I believe has now gone viral and it is only fitting that it gets the credit it deserves; but coming a close second was having 3 generations of a pigeon racing family stepping forward to receive the highest accolade available in pigeon racing within The British Isles - The King George v Trophy for winning the Grand National Race out of Tarbes with one of the best distance performances of the past 10 years. I can only guess at how the Winter family felt as the room rose to its feet and they found themselves being applauded by many top fanciers who strive for success in this race each and every season, but I know the hairs on my neck were on end and I hadn’t even sent to the race. I am sure the experience will give them the focus and drive to do it all over again in 2014!

During the evening Kevin Godfrey gave a short speech as Guest of Honour and spoke about the incredible sponsorship that Hartwells provided to the National Flying Club during 2013 including, of course, the motor car that was won by Daniel Seedwell. He also confirmed that Hartwells would be continuing their sponsorship in 2014 only this time they would be offering two motor cars for the membership to compete for in two different races within the NFC programme. The committee remain very grateful to all the sponsors and are very privileged to offer the members two bites of the cherry during 2014.

On a personal note, this was my first experience of a National Flying Club presentation and it by far surpassed any expectations I had before the evening itself. It was a slightly surreal experience for me as I tried to match up the faces of the winners to the multitude of photos I have received during the course of the racing season, and I am pleased to report that, in general, they were better looking in the flesh. I had said in previous notes that the presentation night was for all members to enjoy and that you shouldn’t just wait until you win a trophy to attend. I would like to add to that by saying that the evening is certainly something that all members should try to attend at least once as it is a wonderful experience. In closing I would like to thank Rob Rome for putting up with me on the journey there and back as we talked about love and loss and the benefits of a light feed, and Ray and Eric and their wives and Mr Christopher and his wife who we had the pleasure of having on our table for the meal. Finally, I had an enjoyable 5 hours on a very comfy old sofa talking to a range of fanciers whilst trying to avoid a wardrobe malfunction. I hope to see you all again next year when we descend on Harrogate.