The February committee meeting of the National FC had quite a lot on the Agenda and it was a long day that saw some positive movement.

Members Present: - Mr J Tyreman , Mr J R Sutton, Mr B Cunniff, Mr R Harding, Mr K Mott, Mr                                  A Hayward, Mr C Davies, Mr N Henley, Mr G G Cooper, Mr R Christopher,                                  Mr C Merrills, Mr P Kendal, Mr F Sharman, Mr G J W Titmuss MBE.,  Mr E                                  Watkins, Mr E Froggatt, Mr W G Harris, President. L Parkinson, Press                                  Officer.

The President introduced the new committee members to all those present.

The meeting started on a sad note with the President informing the meeting that Mr S Dangerfield wife Judy had died. Judy had always been a ray of light wherever she went and will be sadly missed at the functions and also by the many visitors that called at their home.

The President then opened the 168 meeting at 9.30am The President read out two letters that had been received from Mr K Hanby and handed out a list of events that has built up to the present 168 meeting. There were also letters regarding other members who were affected by the band changes, these were from Mr Painter on behalf of Mr Lupo plus a further letter from Mr A. Cowan. These issues were all dealt with and letters are to be sent out to those concerned with the intentions of the committee that they hope will resolve the problem.

The President then opened the ordinary meeting starting with apologies from Mr D Shipley, Mr J Roberts, Mr P Bennett, Mr S Dangerfield. The President then thanked the following for their involvement in getting Mr G J W Titmuss an MBE, Mr K Hine, Mr G Francis and Mr S Dangerfield and Mr Fred Sharman. This is a good move for pigeon racing and one that will raise the profile of our hobby and as a gesture of thanks for all the work that Peter has done for the club over the years he has been made a Life member.

Minutes of the last meeting.

This is a brief look at the minutes starting with the secretary informing the meeting that with the propositions 37 & 38 being passed, the club would loose approx. £400 on last years gold ring sales. The Secretary would like to point out that the ring sales have gone very well and there are only 150 left so a good race is expected. The remaining minutes that were reported on after the last meeting were accepted as a true record.

Correspondence

A letter was received from Mr & Mrs Boffey regarding the yearling race and a separate pools system, the secretary is going to write to the partnership and explain that there would have to be a proposition under rule 22 via the AGM to include this in the National races. The next letter was from Mr & Mrs Shepherd, the President informed the meeting that he had replied on the issues raised and that Mr & Mrs Shepherd were happy with the answers. Members who won the T3 clocks made enquiries regarding whether printers were included. Those concerned have been informed that the clock nom was exactly that and not the kit.

Sponsorship

The club have secured good sponsorship for the coming season and I am hoping to give those sponsors publicity for their continued support of the National FC plus other organisations that I am connected with. Sponsorship is something that we need to look after because the system that has been used for coverage in the past needs to be changed and those who financially support pigeon racing need full recognition.

Queens Jubilee Race.

There were several ideas put forward and the committee have settled on giving a gold medal for outright winner and each section winner to receive a silver medal with the exception of the outright race winner. The Golden Jubilee race will be the clubs prestige’s Pau race.

Prize Money

It was proposed that the Pau race on this special Golden Jubilee be subsidised, after considerable discussion this was accepted on a majority vote. The birdage charges for the season saw several combinations put forward with the accepted charges being £3.50 Nantes £6 Pau £5 Saintes £3 Guernsey YB & OH. In the present climate these prices look to be good for the club and those competing. The Z pool will be highlighted in the rule book and should the circumstances change as in 2001 then the committee may see fit to alter those conditions, this will then avoid the problems that arose for the 2001 season.

Prize Presentations.

Item 11 on the agenda saw the President inviting Doreen Kneller to speak on the venue for the 2002 prize presentation at Blackpool that has been booked and live music will be booked for this year with the tickets going on sale at £25. Doreen informed the meeting that the following venues will be looked at for the future, Brighton, Bournemouth and Nottingham is being looked into. Doreen asked about the venue for the dinner in 2003 and pointed out that Buxton has been provisionally booked, however there may be a problem because there would be a limit of approx 122 rooms (244 people). The price would be £45.00 bed & Breakfast. The weather was a concern especially the roads leading into Buxton that can be inaccessible at that time of the year. It was proposed to leave the venue to Fred & Doreen for the 2003 venue as well as live music, they have always done a good job for the club in the past therefore it will be left in their capable hands. Mr Peter Titmuss raised the point of guests and suggested that we should invite a foreign contingency for our prize presentation. It was proposed and seconded that as a start we invite Dream Breed Lofts who are a Belgium sponsor of the club. Further foreign guests will be approached for the event.

Race Bands.

The Bands for the Nantes race are as follows: - 1. up to 320 miles. 2. 320 to 400 miles. 3. 400 miles and over. The Pau race are as follows: - 1. up to 580 miles. 2. 580 to 660 miles. 3. 660 miles and over. For the Saintes race are as follows: - 1. Up to 400 miles. 2. 400 to 480 miles. 3. 480 miles and over. The Guernsey races are as follows: - 1. Up to 150 miles. 2. 150 to 250 miles. 3. 250 miles and over.

Clock Stations.

There has been a change of official at the Drybrook clock station that will now be run by Mr C Davies, a letter was accepted to move but rejected on the basis that numbers would be reduced and therefore not in the best interests of the club. Mr Davies and Mr Harris abstained on this occasion. Other new clock stations are to be at Launceston, Longford, Lewes, Baldock, Stanstead, Gt Yarmouth,

There were also several changes agreed to clock stations that will be advertised in the rule book, a letter was also received from Mr McCartney for the Carnforth clock station.

Marking Stations.

A letter was read out from Mr D Oyden who is requesting a marking station in the North East? At the present moment this is not a viable proposition but this is obviously an area where there is room for improvement with the National FC. However first of all the committee would need a commitment from the fanciers in this area as to whether they would want to enter the clubs races on a regular basis. This would need to be done via entries through the Sheffield marking station, then and only then if the support was there could the committee make a firm commitment to support the North East with a marking station of their own. I do know that there are fanciers in the North West who have the same problem with travelling to and from the Crewe marking station but there is insufficient support for a further marking station in the North. The present marking stations of Crewe 7.30 to 11am, the Barrell in the Midlands 8 to 11.30am, Frome, 8.30am to 12.30pm, Exeter 8 to 11am, are alright. Revised times at Sheffield are 7.30 to 10am. Great Shelford (7.30 to 11.30am) needs two more ringers. There are to be changes at the West Farnborough (7.30 to 12.30pm) marking station with joint i/c’s to be Mr J Tyreman, Mr K Mott and Mr A Hayward. The secretary is to send a letter to Mr J Deville who is not longer a committee member thanking him for his services as i/c at this marking station.

Reserve Convoyer..

Mr N Henley gave a speech regarding this vacant position and Mr Jeff Allen appointed as the reserve Convoyer.

2003 Race Dates.

Saturday 7^th June 2003. Friday 27^th June 2003. Saturday 19^th July 2003. Saturday 6^th September 2003

New Members

The President informed the meeting that the National Flying Club had received approx 190 new members that is in excess of last years resignations. It was proposed and seconded to accept the new members.

Mr F Sharman requested that it was minuted that he thanks those members:- Mr J R Sutton, Mr E Froggatt and the secretary & President who helped at Blackpool which was a great success with new members. At this point there was a brief discussion regarding the suspensions, the R.P.R.A. fees paid etc. With the bigger clubs this is always going to be a problem so would all members please make sure that they have paid their subscriptions on time to avoid the secretary having to list none payment to the RPRA.

Secretaries Salaries.

The President asked the secretaries to leave the room. Upon returning the president informed the secretaries that for the 2002 season they will receive a 5% increase and introduce an index linked increase in the future, so that the committee can fall in line with these payments in future years. The secretaries have done an excellent job with the modernisation in the running of the club which has made great savings.

Alliance meeting report.

Mr Fred Sharman gave a comprehensive report on the Alliance of Specialists Clubs who are making headway and the committee feel that at the present moment the National FC should be an integral part of this organisation. A vote of thanks was given to Mr Sharman for attending the Alliance meetings.

Rules – the way forward.

The committee discussed the rules and the committee should go about bringing them up to date. He suggested that a number of people sit down and discuss the rules and draw up a set to present to the committee. However after a good discussion it was agreed that all members go away and give their own views on the rules and report their findings to Mr Merrills who shall collate them and present them back to the committee. The club does need to be managed as a going concern and this could be the way to take the club forward and lead to more advantages to the members.

Any other business

The President gave a report on his visit to Barcelona and his meeting with his Spanish counterpart. There have been many comments on the proposition put forward at the AGM regarding whether the club should or should not go ahead with this venture. This has been passed therefor the committee are committed to follow this up and see what possibility’s are available. I have reported on this subject in the National Bulletins and I have had a good response in favour of International racing but as could be expected there are those against such a venture. The committee can only follow the requests of their members.

H.O.D. Factors.

This is an area that was always going to bring about a considerable discussion and the result is that the factors set for the hours of darkness are to be factors 7 for the race closure and 2 when the race opens in the morning. The Lat is 52 and the times will be Nantes closure 21.58pm, race opens at 4.40am. Pau closure 21.59 opens 4.47am for an early lib but for a mid day lib race closure is 21.40 and opens at 5.03am. Saintes closure 21.48pm opens 5.04am. Guernsey closure 20.08pm opens 6.24am.

Meetings.

The next meeting dates are: - 23^rd October 2002. 7^th December 2002. 5^th February 2003.

The president closed the meeting at 17.45 hrs.