Racing Post 31st July
I have spoken to DEFRA today (Monday 24th July) concerning the licence conditions after the 31st July. I am told that the current licence conditions will be revoked on 31st July and replaced with the previous licence conditions that permitted us to race from within the UK only. I have nevertheless asked DEFRA to consider adding the Channel Islands to the ‘within the UK’ list which would at least give the young birds an opportunity to race across some water this season. I shall know more about this later in the week and so will post further info on the RPRA website as and when I hear. The DEFRA website with the licence conditions ‘should alter on 31st July’ I am told.

Wingstamping
As we get into the YB season please do not forget to wingstamp your birds or fit them with a name and address ring in accordance with RPRA rules. Clubs must check they all birds entered for racing carry one or the other.

Foreign Ring Registration
It is also an RPRA rule that any member wishing to race or show a pigeon carrying a foreign ring must have registered the ring with headquarters. The ring card must be sent with a cheque for 50p per ring plus SAE.

RPRA on the Road
The RPRA MDU will be out and about over the next couple of weeks at various shows. First up is the CLA Game Fair being held at Broadlands near Romsey, Hants 28th to the 30th July. This is followed by the Bakewell Show on 2nd and 3rd August and the Doncaster Country Fair on Sunday 13th August. Come along and support the teams from the Regions that are giving up their time to promote pigeon racing. On board the MDU this year is a mini loft, kindly donated by R V Woodcraft of Kent. There has been a lot of interest shown for this mini loft at the Malvern and Great Yorkshire Shows and this is a smashing asset for us to have so many, many thanks to Daphne and Ray Vidler for their generosity in providing the RPRA with the loft.

Liberation Site Invoices
Club/Organisation secretaries should note that all invoices for Old Bird race programme liberation site fees have now been posted out and payment would be appreciated promptly please. If you are expecting an invoice but have not received one by the first week in August then please contact Donna in Racing Support.

Direct Dial Telephones
You will have seen that we have some telephone numbers into the Reddings which will enable you to phone through to a named member of staff. This obviates the need of having to go through the switchboard and pressing 1, 2 or 3 etc. Two of the DDI lines are dedicated for stray reporting. However, we only have 4 lines into the Reddings in total and these 2 lines will often be busy at this time of year. Please do not phone other departments to report strays.

Peter Bryant
General Manager
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association