The article that appeared a few weeks ago from Frank Howard was a good one because
having spoken to many fanciers that is the way they want to go with National races. I know
that there may be the exception to the rule but that is always the case and will never be
any different. Frank does know many fanciers in Belgium and is well up on how they operate
so is an ideal person to make his own judgement. I know that the National have taken a
democratic vote and are to look at the possibility of racing from Barcelona and I also
know that the President Bill Harris is going down that route. But having read the article
and knowing how the majority feel is it not worth putting a package together that could be
voted on and implemented over the next couple of years or so. These things take time and
there is a need to move forward and this is a good option that will give the competing
members an improved advantage in the recognition stakes which is what fanciers want for
their pigeons at the end of the day. To achieve this goal there would need to be the
correct propositions put in place and therefore a lot of thought up front, too many
propositions are put forward without any background work done to make sure that the are in
the best interest of the competing members.I
am not going to go into the content of Frank’s article at any length because I feel
that he has covered all angles, the only thing for me to do as P/O for the club is to
cover from all members point of view where possible. I say where possible because such
changes would not be freely accepted by all members and if they were, then it would be a
miracle. Having said that it is a fact that the vast majority of members with the National
and Classic clubs do not vote but some do like to put their views forward. The ballot
papers tell you the voting year after year and as long as the club is being run
efficiently then they are happy. There is also the point that if everyone took an active
interest and put propositions forward it would be a nightmare for the officials as well as
the voting members.
There are some good options available with International racing and because the
estimated high birdage figures from a possible race organised through the NFC the Belge
Entende have provisionally offered £250 for first position, £150 for second and £100
for third. The only way that this could be achieved is through big birdage figures that
can be offered by the NFC participating in such races. This also applies to a possible
rebate that should be enough to pay for the ferry crossing from France to Belgium which is
another benefit to the members and club in general. There are some good race dates in July
and August for the International races and this would also extend the racing for the
specialist competitors whose season is over far too quickly. From the information that I
have received the Belge Entende are very interested in getting the National FC on board
because they have the facilities in the UK to accommodate all fanciers. If we are to move
forward on the International scene and not be left behind then we have to do something.
However as always the case is who is going to give way in an attempt to put the UK
fanciers in a premier position with the International scene. Are we going to find the
sport in a battle for the premier spot in pigeon racing. The sport in the UK has
everything to offer the fanciers but who is going to be the fly in the ointment, who is
going to be putting the brake on before the wheels start rolling. Is this going to be
another case of the Electronic Timing system, we don’t want to move forward or are
the members going to stand up and be counted for the advancement of the National FC.
These are views through talking to members of the NFC and not necessarily the views of
the committee, after all these are National Bulletins for the members and not just for the
committee, you all have the opportunity to have your say. I started off passing the remark
that the article from Frank Howard was a good one and it was because that is the way
forward, the next step in the quest for recognition of fanciers in the UK, think about it
before you pass judgement.
One thing is for sure no matter which way the National go there is always going to be
opposition from other organisations who may feel that they are having their toes stepped
on. That is not the case because those who want to go down this road are looking to offer
the National FC members a bigger and better opportunity. The National are also in a far
better position to offer facilities to the members who would like to race at International
level and therefore increase the chances of a GB fancier taking 1st
International, what greater honour could you wish for. What you must remember is that this
has not come from the committee but the members, the committee are only following a
mandate and not taking this project on from their own meetings. Do we move forward or do
we stay in the same position for evermore, I don’t think so we have to make progress
or the National will be left behind because there are others who have the facilities who
may also want to go down the same road. However from what I can gather Barcelona is
probably not the best race to compete in because of the geographical position. I have
spoken to many members on this issue and the general opinion is that Dax, Perpignan or
somewhere in that area would be the best option for the GB fanciers.
