News Letter Issued to Members

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01/02/2007 10:00:00

As you are all aware 2006 has been a very difficult year with the bird flu and DEFRA, which created a lot of uncertainties and of course major disruption of pigeon racing in general. So starting with that premise, we would like, as a committee, to make clear to all the members what the National Flying Club have done this year and why; to put a stop to all the rumours and false statements and make sure that our membership know the true facts.

The committee arranged with J.P. Haulage to contract the use of two transporters for 7 years. These transporters to be designed in conjunction with the NFC to take account of all the current and future animal transportation legislation (New legislation comes into force January 2007 details enclosed with this letter) and maintain the highest standard possible for our members

The original contract was based on the contract being manufactured with a body builder which was subsequently regarded as not satisfactory to produce the type and quality of transporter required, so the contract was re-quoted from another manufacturer. Taking into account all the forthcoming rules on ventilation and air-flow plus heat control and many other factors, the overall increased cost to J. P. Haulage was £75,000.

The National Flying Club lent £30,000 to J.P. Haulage as part of its commitment to them in signing the contract to build two trailers. The amount of £30,000, which is interest bearing at 5.18% pa on a sliding balance over a 7 year period, which will be repaid by 42 discount payments of £875.29 making a total repayment of £36762.27 over the period.

The National Flying Club guaranteed the Finance Company on the second transporter up to £75,000 on a sliding scale over 5 years.

The National Flying Club have cross guarantees for both the £30,000 loan to J.P. Haulage and its guarantee to the Finance Company for 100% of the monies, so there is no exposure to the National Flying Club or the members.

The National Flying Club have entered into a 7 year contract with J.P. Haulage which is based on 42 races at a fixed cost over the 7 year period.

The details are as follows.

£8741.74 per race plus VAT. This price includes £875 discount for loan, so the actual cost equates to

8741.74 + VAT

Loan discount repayment 875.00

9616 per race

Fixed for the next 6 years.

We would like to be able to put some comparable costs but today there are no comparables.

Where can you go and contract two very modern transporters to be available when you want them and suit your race programme.

We could look at historic costs but that would not be correct or realistic as we are all aware how diesel costs have risen at least 20% - 25 in the last two years. Plus ferry charges are always increasing, so we think it would be creating a false picture to use historic figures. What we want to give the membership are the facts as they are today.

At Sennen Cove race there were a few teething problems.

The Transporter watering system works on high pressure pumps and when first put

on they flooded the drinkers, also there was a technical problem of levelling the

transporter.

These problems were resolved immediately after the race. The transporter was strengthened to stop any bending and all the levelling systems where rechecked and this problem was fully resolved. Also training on how to use the automatic water system was undertaken plus a backup hose system was taken, just in case.

St Nazaire No problem

Bordeaux " "

St Malo " "

A very difficult one for the Committee. We were forced by DEFRA to move from St Malo, our original choice and whatever race point was chosen would have to be a compromise and there would be many unhappy members. The easiest would have been to have no race but whatever you did you were dammed if you did and dammed if you didn’t and maybe we were wrong and maybe we were right – its history – we all wanted St Malo.

THE CHALE RACE

There were problems at Chale and lessons have been learnt. As a result of Chale the committee have made it 24 birds maximum per crate and we can say changes have been made.

A financial review was undertaken of the National Flying Club finances by the Treasurer and an appointed committee member to look at all cost and see where possible savings could be made, to highlight areas of expenditure and look at ways of reorganising and reducing.

The areas highlighted were:

Marking expenditure £14,000 – we need more unpaid volunteers to help marking and reduce costs.

Advertising Results £8300

Advertising General £4200

_______

£12500

This is a lot of your money being spent. We are looking at ways to reduce this but proposition 17 to modify rule 23 was passed which makes this more difficult now.

Dinner guests – another high cost highlighted

Accountancy and audit costs.

All these and other areas are being looked at to see how we can save your money, but we will need your support in the future with an increase in the subscriptions you voted against this time.

In conclusion we would like to say we the committee are not perfect nor do we pretend to be, we try very hard to make the very best for the membership. One thing that has become very clear; the need as a committee to communicate better with our members and to ensure complete transparency. I hope this letter clears the position for now and we can depend on your support, help and understanding for the future.

We will send you another news letter at the end of 2007 racing season.

Wishing you all the very best of good fortune for 2007 season.

The Committee