The National Flying Club presentation evening was held at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay on the 27^th November when around 230 guests attended to support the winners of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. This made for an epic celebration due to the Covid lockdown and one that most were ready for after such a long period of restrictions, but the virus was still affecting us as the main guests of the evening, Ian Evans the Chief Executive of the RPRA could not attend due to testing positive and sent his apologies. Gladly the great concern for his wellbeing was rewarded with the news that he was coping very well with just a slight cough and very frustrated he had missed his opportunity to address the room. Stephen Beardmore gave a short summery of his speech on his behalf by way of updating us on the brighter prospects of the resumption of channel racing in 2022. The RPRA and DEFRA have formulated an agreement with the EU that the UK would be able to join the other member countries for racing with only the proof of vaccination issues still to be resolved.

Loft Manager to HM the Queen Peter Farrow and his wife Sherryl continued their long standing support of the NFC by attending the top table and our President Mr Ray Scrivens read out a letter from HM the Queen which said “Please convey my warm thanks to the members of the National Flying Club for their loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of their Gala Dinner and Prize Presentation evening which is being held in Torquay tonight. Your kind message and thoughtfulness in writing are much appreciated. As your Patron, I send my best wishes to all those who are assembled at the Imperial Hotel for a most memorable and enjoyable gathering. Elizabeth R” This was followed by Mr Scrivens asking the whole room to be upstanding and he proposed a Loyal Toast to Her Majesty the Queen. He then said grace and a very enjoyable three course meal began to be served.

Peter & Sheryl Farrow

Following a short interval after the meal Stewart Wilcox, committee member for section G gave a very amusing speech on behalf of the winners which concluded by his introduction of Mark Gilbert, winner of the 2020 Grand National who took the floor as is tradition and recounted his lifelong dream of being amongst the greats in our sport by winning the Kings Cup. He has built a world class team and he acknowledged the assistance of Nigel Langstaff and Troy Birch and most would agree he has surpassed those achievements he found so motivating when he was a young fancier. The standing ovation he received is well deserved.

Our club Secretary then asked Mrs Barbra Kirkland to assist him and he began his impressive display of announcing skills by calling out the first trophy presentation of the evening which went to A Parsons of Salisbury, who received The Moonraker Cup for the first bird in Wiltshire from Pau in 2020.

Andy Parsons with The Moonraker Cup for the first bird in Wiltshire Pau

Bob brown of Plymouth came up next for 1^st Sect D Sennen Cove

Bob Brown Plymouth 1st Sect D Sennen Cove

followed by Andrew Cousins, Bishops Stortford for his 1st Sect P Sennen Cove 2 trophy 2021.

 Andy Cousins 1st Sect P, Sennen Cove 2

Chris Gibson, Rotherham collected his 1st Sect K Fougeres Trophy 2020

Chris Gibson 1st Sect K Fougeres 2020

and D & B Rayner, Bridgwater collected his Team Aurel Award for the Winner of the South Ace Pigeon + £500 cash prize.

D B Rayner Team Aurel Award for NFC Ace Pigeon Southern

D B Rayner Ace Pigeon

F J Quinn in Devizes won The Barry Sherman Memorial Trophy for the best average all Old Bird races in Section F 2020

F Quinn with  The Barry Sherman Memorial Trophy

and G M Smart from Wolverhampton received his 1st Section J Guernsey OH trophy 2021.

G M Smart 1st Sect J Guernsey OH trophy

Gosling & Jarvis, Mount Nessing won The Brian Freeman Memorial Trophy for 9^th National Pau 2020 and J Fitzsimmons & Son travelled all the way down from Cleator Moor in Cumbria to collect their 1st Section O Messac Trophy 2020.

Young Joshua Goodier, from Exeter had a great result with his young birds being 4^th Open and collected his 1st Section D Guernsey YB trophy 2021.

Joshua Goodier 1st Sect D Guernsey YB

Kevin Heeley on behalf of K Heeley, D Allen & M Lambert of Chesterfield came to collect The Arthur & Winifred Rawson Trophy for the first bird in Derbyshire from Coutances YB 2020

K Heeley D Allen M Lambert with The Arthur Winifred Rawson Trophy

followed by Leigh Sheppard, Bath who received his 1st Section G Guernsey YB trophy 2021.

L Sheppard 1st Sect G Guernsey YB

Lee is the grandson of the late Brian Sheppard who won in 2003 1^st National Flying Club and 1^st International Dax against 19400b with “The Legend” and it is great to see him continuing the family tradition by competing and winning with the NFC.

M & M Wiffen from Dorchester won their 1st Section C Guernsey YB trophy 2021

M & M Wiffen 1st Sect C Guernsey YB

and Marcus Blackmore, Exeter was presented with his 1st Section D Guernsey R3 trophy 2021.

Marcus Blackmore 1st Sect D Guernsey

Mr & Mrs Nigel Shaw, from Crewe were presented with The S P Griffiths Memorial Trophy for the first bird in Cheshire Pau 2020

Mr Mrs N Shaw Crewe The S P Griffiths Memorial Trophy for the first bird in Cheshire

Nigel & Wendy Shaw 

followed by club Chairman Paul Naum and his wife from Watchet who won the  The Nobby Henley Memorial Trophy for the best average all Old Bird races in Section D 2021.

Mr Mrs P Naum Watchet The Nobby Henley Memorial Trophy for the best average all Old Bird races in Section D

Mr & Mrs Webber & Son, Abingdon won The Antingham Memorial Trophy for the first bird in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Sennen Cove 2 2021,

Mr & Mrs Webber & Son, Abingdon winning the Antingham Memorial Trophy for the first bird in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Sennen Cove 2 2021

 followed by Neville & Diana Spracklen in Dorchester who collected their 1st Section C Guernsey R3 trophy 2021.

Neville Diana Spracklen 1st Sect C Guernsey

Neville Dianne Spracklen

R English, Clevedon received his 1st Section G Guernsey R4 trophy 2021

R English, Clevedon receives 1st Section G Guernsey R4 trophy 2021

 followed by a very smart Roger Lowe from Reading who collected his 1st Section E Fougeres Trophy 2020 in front of several of his friends all wearing face masks of himself which came as quite a surprise to Roger who just said “You can’t take them anywhere can you”

R J Lowe 1st Sect E Fougeres

Roger Lowe Fans

Will the real Roger Lowe please stand up

S & B Cooke, Wrexham was next up to collect the 1st Section W Guernsey R3 trophy 2021

S B Cooke 1st Sect W Guernsey

and Sebastian Szul from Telford came up with his young son to receive The E.A. Braithwaite Cup for 2^nd National Guernsey YB 2021.

Sebastian Szul wins The E.A. Braithwaite Cup for 2nd National Guernsey YB

Simon Cordery in Sidmouth won 1st Section D Coutances OH trophy 2020

Simon Cordery 1st Sect D Coutances OH

followed by Steven Light from Doncaster 1st Section K Coutances OH trophy 2020.

Steven Light 1st Sect K Coutances OH

Team Aurel in Telford came to the table to collect their 1st Section J Sennen Cove 2 trophy 2021

Team Aurel 1st Sect J Sennen Cove 2

with the The Rostrons from Thatcham receiving 1st Section F Guernsey R3 trophy

The Rostrons 1st Sect F Guernsey

and Barbra Kirkland completed by presenting W Whitehouse, Dudley with his 1st Section J Messac Trophy 2020.

W Whitehouse 1st Sect J Messac

Alan Hallsworth collected the The Atrill Trophy for the first bird in Derbyshire Pau

Alan Hallsworth with The Atrill Trophy for the first bird in Derbyshire Pau

Sid then asked Mrs Scriven to present the following trophies beginning with Mr & Mrs L Cowley, Dorchester who won a 1st Section D from Sennen Cove 1 trophy 2021.

Mr & Mrs L Cowley, Dorchester winning 1st Section D from Sennen Cove 1

 A E Shepherd, Emsworth collected his Certificate of Merit 2020 and his 1st Section A Guernsey OH trophy 2021.

A E Shepherd Certificate of Merit 2020 and 1st Sect A Guernsey OH

J J Schoeman won 1st Sect F Sennen Cove 2  and The Barry Sherman Memorial Trophy for the best average all Old Bird races in Sect F

J J Schoeman 1st Sect F Sennen Cove 2 The Barry Sherman Memorial Trophy for the best average all Old Bird races in Sect F

Cowley Bros, Cirencester won a 1st Section F Guernsey R4 trophy 2021 and 1st Section F Guernsey OH trophy 2021

Cowley Bros 1st Sect F Guernsey R4 trophy 2021 1st Sect F Guernsey OH

followed by  the first National winner of the evening Daniel Hocking of Bridgwater who won The Joe Dixon Trophy for 1^st National Sennen Cove 2 and 1st Section G Sennen Cove 2 trophy 2021.

Daniel Hocking with the Joe Dixon Trophy for 1st National Sennen Cove 2 2021 1st Sect G Sennen Cove 2

He was followed by Gary Jacobs in Penzance who won

• The Chris Catterall Trophy for 1^st National Guernsey R4 and 1st Section Q Guernsey R4 trophy 2021.
• J J Schoeman, Andover won a 1st Section F Sennen Cove 2 trophy and The Barry Sherman Memorial Trophy for the best average all Old Bird races in Section F 2021.

Gary Jacobs wins the Chris Catterall Trophy for 1st National Guernsey R4 2021 1st Sect Q Guernsey R4

M Anderson & Sons traveled all the way down from Washington to collect their 1st Section N Messac Trophy and 2020 and 1st Section N Guernsey R4 trophy 2021,

M Anderson Sons 1st Sect N Messac Trophy 2020 1st Sect N Guernsey

followed by Mr & Mrs M S Gower, Nr Fordingbridge who won The Tony Pouralli & Son Memorial Trophy for the best bird in Hampshire Guernsey YB and 1st Section B Guernsey YB trophy 2021.

Mr Mrs M S Gower win the Tony Pouralli Son Memorial Trophy for the best bird in Hampshire Guernsey YB 2021 1st Sect B Guernsey YB

Mr & Mrs P Kenny & Family from Wantage won a 1st Section F Fougeres Trophy and 1st Section F Messac Trophy 2020.

Mr Mrs P Kenny Family 1st Sect F Fougeres 2020 1st Sect F Messac

Mr M J Skidmore from Havant won 1st Section A Sennen Cove 2 trophy 2021 and The National Flying Club Trophy for 2^nd National Guernsey R3 2021

Mr M J Skidmore 1st Sect A Sennen Cove 2 2021 The NFC Trophy for 2nd National Guernsey

followed by the next National winner in attendance Mr Steve Moseley from Bristol who won The National Flying Club Trophy for 1^st Sennen Cove 1 National and 1st Section G Sennen Cove 1 trophy 2021.

Mr Mrs Steve Moseley

S Moseley wins the NFC Trophy for 1st Sennen Cove 1 National 2021 1st Sect G Sennen Cove 1

He was followed by the 2021 Champion of Champions Stuart Wilcox, Bristol who also won The Mrs B. Grainger Memorial Trophy for 3^rd National Sennen Cove 2.

Stuart Wilcox wins the Mrs B. Grainger Memorial Trophy for 3rd National Sennen Cove 2 2021 Winner of the Champion of Champions

National winner Fred Hall & Daughters of Worthing won The Sid Moon Memorial Cup for the first bird in Sussex, The Brian Long Memorial Trophy for 1^st National Guernsey R3 and 1st Section A Guernsey R3 trophy 2021

F Hall Daughters wins the Sid Moon Memorial Cup for the first bird in Sussex The Brian Long Memorial Trophy for 1st National Guernsey

followed by Graham Kirkham in Boston who collected The Beacon Trophy for the first bird in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire or Lincolnshire Pau. 2020, The Alan Pearce Memorial Trophy for 1^st Section H and 1st Section H Pau trophy 2020.

Graham Kirkham wins the Beacon Trophy for the first bird in Leicestershire Nottinghamshire or Lincolnshire Pau 2020 The Alan Pearce Memorial Trophy for 1st Sect H 2020 1st Sect H Pau

Still in section H, Hubert Walker of Newark had a great season and collected 1st Section H Sennen Cove 1 trophy, 1st Section H Sennen Cove 2 trophy and 1st Section H Guernsey R4 trophy. Brilliant flying Hubert, well done.

H Walker 1st Sect H Sennen Cove 1 2021 1st Sect H Sennen Cove 2 2021 1st Sect H Guernsey

Campbell Bros Son collected the st Sect L Fougeres 2020, The Bill Wills Memorial Trophy for 1st Sect L Sennen Cove 2021 1st Sect L Sennen Cove 2021 and The W. A. Gough Son Sect L Bird of the Year

Campbell Bros Son 1st Sect L Fougeres 2020 The Bill Wills Memorial Trophy for 1st Sect L Sennen Cove 2021 1st Sect L Sennen Cove 2021 The W. A. Gough Son Sect L Bird of the Year

Another fancier who made the long trip all the way down from the North East was John Best & Son, from Stockton On Tees who also collected three section trophies for 1st Section N Fougeres Trophy 2020, 1st Section N Coutances OH trophy 2020 and 1st Section N Guernsey R3 trophy 2021. Sadly, John Best senior passed away in March of this year so his trophies were collected by his son John and grandson Steve.

John Best Son 1st Sect N Fougeres 2020 1st Sect N Coutances OH 2020 1st Sect N Guernsey

John’s favorite karaoke song was Sweet Caroline and amazingly the Disk Jockey had chosen it to begin the evenings dancing just after they had been to the trophy table. The whole family raised their hands to sing along and the fanciers who were on the same table from Plymouth, joined in to create a very moving moment for them all.

Martin Williams in Hereford won a 1st Section J Fougeres Trophy 2020, 1st Section J Sennen Cove 1 trophy 2021 and the Team Aurel Award for the Winner of the North Ace Pigeon + £500 cash prize.

M Williams NFC Ace Pigeon Northern

Team Aurel NFC Ace Pigeon Sponsor

He was followed by another National winner Michael Lovelock in Shrewsbury who won The National Flying Club Cup for 1^st National Guernsey YB, 1st Section J Guernsey YB trophy and The Fright & Johnson Trophy for the winner of Messac, Pau or Guernsey YB race with the lowest winning velocity 2021.

Michael Lovelock wins the NFC Cup for 1st National Guernsey YB 2021 1st Sect J Guernsey YB

Mr & Mrs Walker from Stockton on Tees collected The G. A. Lowe Memorial Cup for the bird flying the longest distance in race time (778 miles, 1440 yards.) Pau 2020, 1st Section N Pau trophy 2020 and 1st Section N Guernsey OH trophy 2021.

Mr Mrs Walker win the G. A. Lowe Memorial Cup for the bird flying the longest distance in race time 778 miles 1440 yards Pau 202 1st Sect N Pau trophy 2020 1st Sect N Guernsey OH

He was followed by Wayne Wright, Exeter who received The E.C.C. International Trophy for the highest velocity into Devon Sennen Cove 2 2021, The Peggy Reeves Memorial Trophy for first Section D Sennen Cove 2 and 1st Section D Sennen Cove 2 trophy. 

Wayne Wright wins the E.C.C. International Trophy for the highest velocity into Devon Sennen Cove 2 2021 The Peggy Reeves Memorial Trophy for 1st Sect D Sennen Cove 2 2021 1st Sect D Sennen Cove 2

Campbell Bros & Son from Liverpool won 1st Section L Fougeres Trophy 2020, The Bill Wills Memorial Trophy for first Section L Sennen Cove 2 2021, 1st Section L Sennen Cove 2 trophy and The W. A. Gough & Son, Section L Bird of the Year Trophy 2021.

Darren Ede & Family, Southampton won The Mrs B. Grainger Memorial Trophy for 3^rd Messac National 2020, 1st Section B Messac Trophy, The Tony Pouralli & Son Memorial Trophy for the best bird in Hampshire Coutances YB and 1st Section B Coutances YB trophy 2020.

Darren Ede Twice 1st Sect B 2020

Committee member Roger Sutton from Congleton won 1st Section L Sennen Cove 1 trophy 2021, The J.L. Roberts Trophy for 1^st Section L Guernsey YB 2021, The Bill Whisker, “Get the call” Trophy for 1^st Section L Guernsey YB, 1st Section L Guernsey YB trophy and The Lancashire Rose Trophy for the best average in all the races by a member in Section L.

J R Sutton 1st Sect L Sennen Cove 2021 The J.L. Roberts Trophy 1st Sect L Guernsey YB 2021 The Bill Whisker Trophy for 1st Sect L Guernsey YB 2021 1st Sect L Guernsey YB 2021 The Lancashire Rose Trophy for best average all races Sect

Putting in a fantastic young bird performance  John Cowlin, Hullbridge won the first 8 open positions and The National Flying Club Cup for 1^st National Coutances YB 2020, The E.A. Braithwaite Cup for 2^nd National Coutances YB, The Reg Phillips Memorial Trophy for 8^th Open Coutances YB, 1st Section P Coutances YB trophy and 1st Section P Guernsey R4 trophy 2021.

John Cowlin The NFC Trophy 1st National Coutances YB 2020 The E.A. Braithwaite Cup The Reg Phillips Memorial Trophy 1st Sect P Coutances YB 2020 1st Sect P Guernsey

Underhill & Prettejohn from Plymouth collected The National Flying Club Perpetual Trophy for 2^nd Open Guernsey R4 2021, The National Flying Club Perpetual Trophy for 4^th Open Guernsey R4 2021, The Fred Radford Memorial Trophy for 1^st Section D Guernsey R4, The “Down Yer” Trophy for the best two bird performance Guernsey R4 and 1st Section D Guernsey R4 trophy 2021.

Underhill Prettejohn NFC Perpetual Trophy for 2nd Open Guernsey 2021 The NFC Perpetual Trophy The Fred Radford Memorial Trophy Trophy 1st Sect D Guernsey

With great support John F Haynes from Maidenhead won The Antingham Memorial Trophy for the first bird in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Messac 2020, The Patrick Trophy for 3^rd National, The Fred Seaman Memorial Trophy for 3^rd National, The Coronation Queen Trophy for the best two bird average, The Orchardson Challenge Trophy for the best three bird average, was delighted to win The Veterans Challenge Trophy for the first bird entered by a senior citizen or partnership of two or more senior Citizens aged 65 or over and he also won the Champion of Champions competition 2020.

J F Haynes Winner of the Champion of Champions 2020 The Antingham Memorial Trophy The Patrick Trophy The Fred Seaman Memorial Trophy The Coronation Queen Trophy The Orchardson Challenge Trophy The Veterans Challenge Trophy

Finally we came to the top loft in the UK based on his fantastic results over the two seasons, M Gilbert of  Winkfield won The King George V Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The National Flying Club Coronation Gold Cup for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The Continental Challenge Cup for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The F.W. Marriott Memorial Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The W.F.C. George Memorial Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The South Australian Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The Colombovac Golden Feather Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The G. Stovin Memorial Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National 2020, The Jack Adams Memorial Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National, The Peter Titmuss M.B.E. Memorial Trophy for 1^st Pau Grand National, The Tommy & Rita Fairclough Trophy for the first bird in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Suffolk. Pau, The E.G.L. Cox Memorial Trophy for the first bird in Berkshire Pau, The D. E. Taylor Memorial Trophy for 1^st Section E Pau, The Slade Shield for the first bird in the B. B. & O. SR Federation Pau,  1st Section E Pau trophy, 1st Section E Coutances OH trophy, The Oliver Dix Memorial Trophy for the best average from Messac and Tarbes, The Jim Biss Trophy for the best average in the races Messac, Tarbes and Sigogne, Mr. & Mrs. K. Hine Trophy for the best average in the races Messac, Tarbes and Sigogne in Section E, The Langstone Gold Cup for the best average from Messac, Tarbes and Coutances YB, The Eric Cannon Memorial Cup Awarded to winner of the Langstone Gold Cup, The National Flying Club Trophy for the best average, all races 2020, The Sun City Million Dollar Race Trophy & Free Entry Prize for the best average, all races, The Fright & Johnson Trophy for the winner of Messac, Pau or Coutances YB race with the lowest winning velocity, 1st Section E Sennen Cove 1 trophy, The D.E. Cox Memorial Trophy for the winner of Section E Sennen Cove 2, 1st Section Sennen Cove 2 trophy, 1st Section E Guernsey R3 trophy, The Jack Clayton Memorial Trophy for 1^st Section E Guernsey R4, 1st Section E Guernsey R4 trophy, 1st Section E Guernsey OH trophy, The National Flying Club Trophy for the best average, all races 2021 and The Sun City Million Dollar Race Trophy for the best average, all races 2021.

M Gilbert wins the King George V Trophy for 1st Pau Grand National plus many other NFC Trophies won

News and views to me Chris Sutton on 01530 242548 or 07792 356330 email