E. J. Sains

ESSEX & KENT AMALGAMATION

E. J. SAINS

The Essex & Suffolk Border Federation put proposals in place to bring it into the 21st Century

The members of the Essex & Suffolk Border Federation have taken a look at the way it intends to proceed in order for its members to enjoy quality pigeon racing into the future. It was decided that like many federations up and down the country the points that needed to be addressed are: 1) Loss of revenue due to falling numbers in young birds entered for racing; 2) Quality of racing due to young bird health issues; 3) Cost of running the transport that could be dealt with by perhaps investing in a new transporter with the acquired liberation capacity balanced with a modern diesel  engine that would help combat today’s rising fuel costs. It was also recognised that in order to go forward, what was also needed was the type of racing that would create enthusiasm and a solid membership.

Young Bird Health Issues

Like almost all federations and pigeon organisations, the Essex & Suffolk Border Federation has experienced falling numbers of young birds being basketed for the young bird programme. This fact was high on the agenda of the end of the year 2013 meeting in which all Essex & Suffolk Border Federation members were invited to attend, with the intention of looking at the way forward for year 2014. The meeting held at the end of October saw a very good turnout from all the clubs. A motion was put forward thanking the convoyer and race advisor for a very good season which had proved positive for returns right through the season, but I was felt there was still an issue to be addressed concerning the young bird programme. The discussion was based around the fact, once the young bird season had started, a fancier experiencing young bird sickness in normal circumstances would need to keep their birds home for at least three weeks, in order to return them to racing in top condition, which then leaves the fancier four weeks into the season, not only spoiling much of the young bird season for the fancier but also depriving the federation of the birdage fees. This young bird problem in many cases left fanciers patching up their young birds, sending them back to soon, which in turn led to big losses and also distressed other young birds at the race points in which young birds that were not in good condition were reluctant to leave and holding other young birds back. After a lot of discussion and input from all of the clubs it was decided that the way forward was to allow the young birds to get into racing much earlier, giving the fancier lots of start options. This would be done by having five any age races before the 2014 young bird season would normally start. It was also felt that the old birds would help the young birds clear more quickly reducing stress in the young bird contingent.

New pick up point at The Maldon & District Pigeon Club

It was thought that to encourage growth in the Federation a new pick up point based at the Maldon & District Pigeon Club’s headquarters at the Swifts Football Club Heybridge, plus the removal of the long standing federation transporter joining fee for new members would help do just that. The federation looks forward to any new members wishing to join already existing clubs, or new clubs wishing to join a forward thinking Federation.

The Essex & Suffolk Border Federation AGM held January 12th 2014

All proposals concerning the pre-October 2013 meeting were passed and the following race programme was put into place for 2014.