Gwent Greater Distance Club 2012 Presentation

GWENT GREATER DISTANCE CLUB

Reports by Gareth Watkins

ANNUAL PRESENTATION 2012

This club must rank alongside the most competitive in the UK as amongst its membership of over 40 fanciers there are household names who have amassed between them more than 80 x 1sts in National races both in Wales and with the BICC. Since its formation in 2007 the club has aligned itself firmly with the superbly organised BICC and members such as Adrian Ware, Spencer Jones and Dennis Ford have all tasted success with the BICC in cross channel competition.

Once again guests, members and friends were warmly welcomed at the Green Meadow Golf and Country Club for the Gwent Greater Distance Club Annual Presentation, a venue which has always made an exceptional effort in making our evening very special.

The GGDC 2102 race programme was as per the BICC race programme with the exclusion of Marseille and the inclusion of Bordeaux with the WSRNFC.

With such a difficult year behind us, it was a pleasure to hear that so many of the members had such good racing with the BICC and from Bordeaux with the WSRNFC.

Following on from the very well prepared and presented traditional dinner, Chairman Ray Strawbridge opened the presentation by welcoming the guests for the evening, John and David Staddon from Evercreech in Somerset. John and son Dave have, over the years, excelled in National racing and in 2012 won 1st Open BICC and followed this up with a 2nd Open BICC into the bargain along with numerous other top positions in National racing. It was good to have them as guests for the evening. Both were full of praise for the excellent food, hospitality and organisation of the night as well as having the opportunity to chat to some of the best fanciers in Wales With so many prize winners in attendance Dave and John was kept busy.  The major prize winners were:-

Old Birds

Carentan - Dennis Ford

Falaise - Spencer Jones

Alencon - Adrian Ware

Tours - Wilf Reed

Pau - Gordon and June Mears

Bordeaux/Agen - Mark Sparey

Barcelona - Padfield family

Bordeaux (WSRNFC) - Dennis Ford

Perpignan - Wilf Reed

St Vincent - Terry and Carol Gardner

Le Mans - Mark Sparey

Young Birds

Guernsey 1 - Dai Smith

Guernsey 2 - Preece Bros & Son

This year there was over £2850 paid out in prize monies, excluding the pools and nominations. Thanks must go to our main sponsor LCR Capacitors EU Ltd., Beechwood Builders & Construction Tool Hire and R. G. Davies, Animal Feeds of Crumlin. Robert has sponsored the club since its inception with 2 bags of corn given for each race winner. Thanks must also go to Ray and Marie Strawbridge who made an excellent job in preparing the trophies and the tables with special thanks to Marie for producing an excellent year book again.  Unfortunately our hard working President Gordon Mears was hospitalised the day before the presentation and both Gordon and June were sadly missed.

With the excellent financial position the GGDC found itself in this year, each member received a free ticket to the presentation evening, ensuring an excellent turn out of members and friends who experienced excellent dining and entertainment of the highest order from the two artists.

With a number of friends in attendance experiencing the many advantages of racing pigeons with the GGDC a number of new members are expected for the 2013 season. If you are interested please contact:- Tony Coombs on 07547490910 or email on tony.coombs@sky .com

Dennis Ford with John and Dave Staddon