A response from DEFRA at last!
That’s the good news anyway. The bad news and as anticipated is that DEFRA has not changed their stance on the status of racing pigeons and the likely restrictions that we will have to continue to undertake with regards to gatherings and racing. Copies of the letter have been sent to all Council members and they will discuss this at a forthcoming meeting before Christmas on what action to take. The gist of the DEFRA response is that they say that they have acted in a proportionate and appropriate manner and that their ‘risk based approach’ will continue in the future. I sincerely believe that some of these issues can be actively challenged. They acknowledge the scientific evidence we have produced but counter this by stating that more recent research suggests the contrary. I hasten to add that this new research has never been addressed to us so I will be scrutinising this to see what counter arguments can be made.
Business Rates on Pigeon Clubs
Last week was one of the busiest I have encountered at the RPRA with media enquiries. We were still receiving enquiries from national and regional media on Friday so to say that news is short lived proves that this is not always the case. Congratulations to everyone that did their bit and I know that we had to call on fanciers far and wide to talk to the media. One thing that came out of my interview with our local paper was that the principal criteria against which the Sports Councils assess activities is whether or not the activity meets the definition of sport contained in the Council of Europe’s European Sports Charter 1993. This defines sport as: “Sport means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels”. This clearly requires a bit more research and I have passed the information onto Gerry Francis as he is willing to take this up with the CCPR when he next meets with them. One issue that needs clarifying that has been mis-reported is that pigeon racing has not been classed as a sport, neither is greyhound racing.
BHW Show of the Year
Plans are progressing for the 2008 Show of the Year and if you require tickets then these can now only be obtained from the Reddings. The Wintergardens will only sell them to personal visitors now, not by post or telephone. I am aware that with several pigeon shows cancelled during the gatherings ban the Supreme Champion class may well be affected with its entries. If you are re-scheduling a show that had been cancelled then do please contact Racing Support for an entry form for the Supreme Champion class. Please be aware that the show must be for 500 racing pigeons or show racers shown on the day not including fancy breeds. There is just a chance that the Supreme Champion class may be held over until 2009 if we do not get enough entries. Clearly to only have 3 or 4 entries does not hold the class with the status it should. (I am reminded of the women who was the only entry in the Victoria Sandwich cake competition but still came third!). We had to hold over this class in 2006 so we will see how many entries we get in after Christmas before a decision is taken.
Reddings House – Christmas Closing and Last Orders
The Reddings will close for business on Friday 21st December and not reopen again until Wednesday 2nd January 2008. Therefore if you require rings guaranteed for posting out on the 2nd January, we must have your order, with current membership card, by 14th December so we can process the order in time. Similarly if you would like polo shirts, ties or baseball caps for presents we will need your orders in by post or by telephone if you want to pay by credit card, by 14th December if we are able to get the post back to you.
Peter Bryant
General Manager
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association
