GWENT GREATER DISTANCE CLUB
Reports by Gareth Watkins
The club held a meeting on the 5th April and this was well attended by 20 members. Some discussion took place regarding the acceptance of members and this was referred back as an AGM item. Chairman Ray Strawbridge informed the members present of the new club marking facilities and the great effort that had been put in by various members to ensure the room was ready and available for the start of the season.
New secretary Tony Coombs, informed the meeting that a number of enquiries had been made for membership and application forms sent out to the interested parties.
Adrian Ware, as treasurer, then presented the accounts for scrutiny and suggested that any out of pocket expenses incurred by members should be reimbursed in full. This was agreed to by all present.
The chairman queried the Club’s status as an International marking station and asked the secretary to look into this with the BICC and also clarify the position regarding the proposed Limoges race. It was also decided that the Falaise OH / YB race organised by the BICC be open to young birds only within the GGDC.
Gordon Mears then gave a report on the status of crates, informing the meeting that we are covered for the first race which will be Falaise marking on the 30th April.
Spencer Jones raised the matter of obtaining a new training trailer with greater carrying capacity and it was decided to seek guidance on possible Lottery funding to cover the cost. Tony Coombs then raised the matter of the use of ETS within the GGDC and informed the meeting that Mark Palmer and Bricon had supplied, free of charge, a club master system for use by club members. At the time of the meeting there had been no reply from a similar request to Unikon. Tony stated that it would be possible for Bricon clocks to be read out on club master systems other than that of the GGDC, thus saving fanciers the time and expense of travelling down to Newport on race days but it was essential that clock read outs be sent to the GGDC and the BICC on the day of the race. However, Unikon clocks will have to be taken to the GGDC H.Q. for read out on race day.
Moving on to any other business and a number of important points were raised.
First up was the allocation of prize money for the 2009 races. It was proposed, seconded and passed unanimously, that we allocate £200 per race for each of the International races with £150 allocated for all other Nationals.
President Ted Smith then informed the meeting that we were no longer invited to a joint presentation evening with the Welsh South Road National as had been the case for the past two seasons. Members were amazed by this decision of the National, as both the 2007 and 2008 presentations had been resounding successes held in a friendly atmosphere and mutually beneficial to both the GGDC and the WSRNFC. Nevertheless it was decided to go ahead and organise a presentation evening, hopefully at the same excellent venue, the Green Meadow Golf Club in Cwmbran. Initial enquiries indicate that the price of tickets will be in the region of £19 for an excellent four course meal plus entertainment.
Finally, Ray Strawbridge informed the meeting that training facilities had been arranged with the Shaw brothers for those interested. The price being 30pence per bird and the birds will be picked up at the Ebbw Bridge club at 10 am on Wednesdays and also possibly Mondays if needed.
Attached is the club’s race programme for 2009. Good luck to you all, and, most importantly enjoy your pigeons.
GWENT GREATER DISTANCE CLUB RACE PROGRAMME 2009. |
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RACE POINT |
BASKETING |
LIBERATION |
WITH |
FALAISE |
30.04.09 |
02.05.09 |
BICC NATIONAL |
ALECON |
14.05.09 |
16.05.09 |
BICC NATIONAL |
SARAN |
28.05.09 |
30.05.09 |
BICC NATIONAL |
LIMOGES |
11.06.09 |
13.06.09 |
BICC NATIONAL |
PAU |
16.06.09 |
19.06.09 |
BICC INTERNATIONAL |
SAINTS |
24.06.09 |
27.06.09 |
WSRNFC |
BARCELONA |
28.06.09 |
03.07.09 |
BICC INTERNATIONAL |
BERGERAC |
07.07.09 |
10.07.09 |
WSRNFC |
TARBES |
07.07.09 |
11.07.09 |
BICC INTERNATIONAL |
MARSEILLE |
14.07.09 |
18.07.09 |
BICC INTERNATIONAL |
PERPIGNAN |
28.07.09 |
01.08.09 |
BICC INTERNATIONAL |
FALAISE |
20.08.09 |
22.08.09 |
BICC NATIONAL YB/OH |
Wilf Reed's 2009 Barcelona winner
Spanish Queen - a great long distance racer for Wilf Reed.
