Something to think about.

Since 1998 when we introduced the Old Hens into our race programme up to 2003 we sent a total 152,759 birds in 31 races averaging 4,927 birds per race. From 2004 to 2009 we sent a total of 178,188 birds in 39 races averaging 4,568 birds per race. In 2004 - 23,300 birds were sent (6 races) 2005 – 23,767 birds sent (6 races) 2006 - 24,451 birds sent (6 races) 2007 – 29,743 birds sent (6 races) 2008 – 38,175 birds sent (7 races) 2009 – 38752 birds sent (7 races). When most clubs and Federations are going down in number over the last six seasons The National Flying clubs birdage has gone up every year from 2004 to 2009.

The 2010 Tarbes National

Would you the members of The N.F.C. like this race to be an International race Mark Gilbert has been speaking to The Entente Belge regarding flying with them in the Tarbes International race, it would work as follows:

1) N.F.C. will basket as usual, birds would remain in baskets on the N.F.C. transporter until liberated by our conveyors.

2) The Entente Belge will discuss with the N.F.C. Race Controllers before liberation is agreed.

3) All birds will be liberated as early as possible as weather permits.

4) Rubber ring numbers/wing stamps to be given on verification.

5) Just 50p per bird extra to enter your birds into the International

6) Fanciers using E.T.S. will have to clock a rubber into a conventional clock within 10 minutes.

7) Fanciers using conventional clocks will clock both rubbers in from their first arrival.

Well that’s how it would work, if you the fancy flying against the French; Germans: Netherlands; Belgium’s and Luxemburg as well as the British flyers then this could be the race for you.

Just look at Mark Gilbert – 1st Dax International; Brian Shepherd 1st and 2nd Dax International; Dave Posey 1st Dax Old Hens International with only 546 British birds entered. These British birds probably did not have any pull towards the Great Britain with the amount of International birds entered.

The N.F.C. had 3,800 birds entered in the Tarbes N.F.C. race in 2009 now that could be a very nice pull towards G.B. weather permitting, we could see even more International winners in the U.K. in the coming years.

Stan Dangerfield gave me a real blast from the past, it’s a copy of the N.F.C. Chief Convoyers report on the Bordeaux race in 1946, and it makes very interesting reading – just look at the Lib time.

If there is anybody out there who raced in this race we would love to hear from you.