National Bulletin
29th April, 2002 Bulletin
I have recently spoken with National Flying Club President Bill
Harris regarding the latest information on the International scene and he has e-mailed me
with the following information:
"I have read much recently in the weekly magazines regarding the NFC and the
International scene, some true and some not so true. I have made numerous phone calls and
written many letters regarding the possibility of racing from Barcelona in 2003. I have
visited Barcelona where I met some Spanish fanciers who took me to the International
liberation site. This, I might add was funded by my family, to be exact by my son as a
gift. It hasn't cost the NFC a penny. I mention this because word has got back to me that
the NFC paid for the trip. As I mentioned in a previous press release the NFC have been
granted permission to race from Barcelona next year. It is now my intention because of
this permission to visit the Barcelona International race marking and report back to the
membership later in the year informing them exactly what is required to compete in this
race. This will adhere to the proposition submitted by King Brothers of Bristol. As
President I feel it is my duty to also inform the membership of a recent trip to Belgium
(to stop any rumours, this time funded by myself) where I visited the lofts of Philip
Norman. Out of the blue an offer was made by Philip for the National Flying Club to race
with The Belge Entende (of which Philip is President). The word had got around in Belgium
that the NFC were interested in International racing and because of the possible large
entries the NFC can offer, his organisation has shown an interest. The Belge Entende
organise International races from Dax and Perpignan. Since the Frank Howard report has
been published several NFC members have contacted me giving their opinion and the majority
are happier with the Belge Entende race programme. One of those I spoke to was Richard
King of King Brothers and after I explained what had been offered he is now happier for
the NFC to compete from Perpignan rather than their proposal from Barcelona. Because of
this interest it is now my intention to also visit the race marking of the Dax
International. This I shall also report on in a future article. The way forward for the
NFC certainly seems to be International racing. I must remind the membership if this is
the future, much thought must be given and many rules will have to be changed to
accommodate this fantastic challenge. The end result will of course be down to the
membership and the voting slips. The International scene has certainly attracted an
immense amount of conversation. Every where I go people want to talk about it and the way
the NFC should be leading the field. These certainly are interesting times."
Yes they are interesting times and with more and more fanciers looking at National
racing with renewed enthusiasm, based on the fact that they feel that the club are forward
thinking. There has been a slight slowdown on momentum with some clubs while others are
moving forward and that is exactly what is needed within the sport. However such movement
can only be achieved with the consent of the members which is why your votes are needed
when the AGM comes around. After the article published w/e 19th April I was
asked how far do I think the National can go with the International scene, well I am a
firm believer that the top spot is achievable. Yes if we get the right races and by that I
am referring to the likes of Dax or Perpignan then there are fanciers in the UK who can
win 1st International without doubt. If we set our sights high enough then the
“Golden Result” is there, the one that any National minded fancier would like to
register in the catalogue of wins, the ultimate result. We have all year to think about
this one and we can be prepared to get it right by the time the AGM comes around. Then in
2003 we can reach another milestone by the National Flying Club of Great Britain competing
against the best in Europe, I wonder who will be the first to go to the continental prize
presentation to collect their 1st International prize, wouldn’t it be
great.
Les.J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10
ONJ. Tel/Fax: 01606 836036. ljohnp@elimarpigeons.fsnet.co.uk
web-site www.elimarpigeons.fsnet.co.uk
