The SNRPC has to date, since the beginning of March 2006 had three committee meetings to try and arrange the logistics of the fast approaching racing season and of course the first AGM of the club on the 4th of March. The logistics needed to run a national club or for that matter any club are always important at any time but 2006 is for certain going to be unique.

The present Logistical Problems
With English South road Clubs turning North and the discovery of the dead Swan in Cellar Dyke, causing every thing to the east of the M90, right up to Stonehaven to be declared a no go area. Members situated in that area are now being restricted in training and racing for a month, losing distance and time in their programmes that try and match in with the longer races. All organisations have to follow the strict guidance rules laid down by DEFRA, which is now an additional burden on the hard working secretary and of course all Scottish, Irish, Welsh and the North of England clubs flying from the coast, placing an extra burden on racing from these area’s. Friday April the 21st. It has now been confirmed that all restrictions in Scotland for bird flu will be lifted as from the 1st of May 2006.

Race Programme
With the above problems to consider the race programme has had to be completely re-thought. With to-date, no Channel racing of any kind allowed and the prospects at some later stage that DEFRA may allow such channel racing, presents further major financial problems, as well as difficulties with the working mechanics on a host of many other problems. Added to this, the possibilities of further bird flu discoveries in the UK gives everyone a huge headache. The SNRPC committee for the present have decided on the following inland race programme and it is for certain that many fanciers may find the adjusted programmes, costs and other decisions difficult to absorb at face value but it is at times like these that strength of character, in understanding the reasons, highlight the goodwill and support of the member’s. This is an extremely difficult time for the racing pigeon fancy and especially for the national flyer. National flying is just about that, flying ones birds in a national programme and at the end of the day being on the open result, the achievement. We all are sure that the tenacity and courage that created the new SNRPC will endure strengthen and expand, with all pigeon fanciers, accepting and understanding the heavy restrictions and changes in the true spirit of support on already struggling recreation.

Newbury our first race, will be held on Saturday the 3rd of June race marking will take place on Thursday the 1st of June Entry will be £1.50 per bird Prize money will be £600.00

Hastings our Premier Gold race Medal, will be held on Friday the 23rd of June race marking will take place on Wednesday the 21st of June Fanciers will be competing for the Gold Medal and a 1st prize of £250.00, plus a total of £3000.00 prize money. The entry will be £5.00 per bird

Portsmouth 1 and the Caledonian Combine will be held on Saturday the 1st of July this race will include the Caledonian combines final old bird race and SNRPC members who are in the combines area may duplicate their birds in to the combines race. Race marking takes place on Thursday the 29th of June. Entry for the SNRPC race is £2.50 for members with £1100.00 prize money and £200.00 for the 1st prize.

Portsmouth 2 and Yearling Derby will be held on Saturday the 14th of July race marking will take place on Thursday the 12th of July. Entry for the race is £2.50 and a Silver Medal will be struck for the 1ST winning Yearling. Prize Money if £1100.00 with a 1st prize of £200.00.

Leicester Young Bird National will be held on Saturday the 9th of September with marking taking place on Friday the 8th September.

Marking and Clock Stations
Section A will be in Eastriggs Annan, marking from 8pm till 9.30 pm. Section B will be in the East of Scotland Labour Club Tranent marking from 3pm till 6pm.Section C will be in Coalton Of Balgonie Fife marking in the bowling club from 4pm till 6pm. Section D will be in Broxburn at the Broxburn Club marking will be from 5.30pm till 7.30pm. Section E will be in Lesmahagow Marking at the Brockets Brae Hall from 6pm till 8pm. Section F Glasgow Moodiesburn Slakiewood Muirhead marking from 5pm till 7.30pm and in Beith Ayrshire in the Homing society marking from 5pm till 6.30 pm..
At present we will be transporting by ourselves to all race points.

Spring Young Bird Sale
I would refer the reader to the SNRPCs Spring Young bird Sale advert in a recent copy of the BHW. Once again we will be offering for sale some 50 well bred young birds from some of the very best of Scotlands long distance racing lofts. The sale is to take place on Sunday the 7th of May 2006 in the Croft Suite of the Loanhead miners welfare in Loanhead Midlothian Viewing will be at 6pm and the sale will start at 7 pm. Jim O’Hara will be the Auctioneer and a telephone bid line will be in operation during the sale,the main number is 01698 282903. It is for sure that some very well bred long distance young birds will be up for sale. Fanciers such as John Ellis, Wellbank Dundee Jocky King Kirkcaldy, John McNeil Broxburn Peter Virtue Cockburnspath, Walker& Wilson St Abbs Steven Aitchison Eyemouth Norman Renton Foulden Mr&Mrs Chris Little Annan to name but just a few of the SNRPCs top fanciers who have kindly donated a young bird to the sale. I can recommend bidding if you are looking for something special on Sunday the 7th of May In Loanhead Midlothian Edinburgh.

It was confirmed by the secretary that we have at the present time around 350 fully paid up members of the SNRPC for 2006 with a number of firm enquiries from various areas in Scotland making a possible 400 by the commencement of the racing season. It was also very heartening to see some 20 plus members from the far west who will now have a marking station in Beith the committee are delighted to welcome these fanciers to the SNRPC.

I would like to thank both Stuart Bowman and Duncan Knox for the excellent articles they have produced recently I look forward to working very closely with them during the coming race season. I also look forward to working with Kerr Stainthorpe Lesmahagow , Chris Little Annan, Norman Dixon in the central area Stuart Malcom on our web site Glasgow and I hope to welcome an Ayrshire member into the group, giving the SNRPC a nice spread if section cover. I will be interested to hear from any fancier who wishes to contact me with information.

Ian M Brown PRO
The Scottish National Racing Pigeon Club. My phone number is 01577 840358 Email ian@ianmbrown.wanadoo.co.uk the SNRPC official Number 0131 440 0886