RHONDDA VALLEY FED
Report by Martin Dunn
This week I will try to catch up with some news from the Federation A.G.M and some information of local Breeder Buyer and Ring schemes. First off I have some disappointing news regarding Graham Warren of Treherbert, Graham informs me that he will be probably taking a year off in 2008, and this is caused by wife Kitty needing a major operation and a long time scale to recuperate from this operation. Graham is putting family commitments first and will probably spend most of the summer down West Wales. Added to this, the Treherbert boys have been served notice to remove their lofts from the land they are kept on so the uncertainty here also plays its part.
Graham has decided to let the young birds from his Stock Birds and racers go, these will be ready around the 3rd week of March onwards if anyone is interested in obtaining these wonderfully bred pigeons. Graham has been top prize winner in the Fed 6 out of the last 7 seasons and after carrying out a loft Visit in the Winter, I can certainly say the quality of the Birds on offer are second to none. If anyone is interested, then give Graham a Ring on 01443 771105, you certainly won’t be disappointed with these Brasspenning x Van Reets, I will also add, Graham is only asking Working Men’s prices for these pigeons.
Next up was the federation A.G.M., held at Gilfach Goch on Saturday 16th February. There was a reasonable turn out with 15 of the 22 clubs represented. The balance sheet was presented by Auditor Mike Stanton and everything was in order, with all outstanding loans for the new transporters paid off, the fed is in an healthy position for 2008.
There were no resignations from the fed for 2008 with one new club joining, this being Tredegar, welcome to the Rhondda Valley Fed for 2008, this takes the membership to a strong 250 members, unlike most feds we seem to be holding our members at the moment.
As for the election of officers, it was the same as 2007, no changes, although the management committee gained three new members from Pontypidd, Ynyshir and Maerdy clubs.
There were 3 notice of motions for 2008, the first proposed by Tylorstown to alter the make up of the management committee, this was defeated, although their proposal to change head quarters from Gilfach, To the Cosmo club at Tylorstown was well supported by the fed members.So Please remember any meetings will now be held at Tylorstown in the future.
Final Proposal came from the Treherbert club and this was to put a rule in place in the fed that covers the members that duplicate back from the National and have been disqualified for not adhering to the national rule, where you have to phone in your first arrival within 2 hours of clocking. The members were asked to vote specifically if they wanted to allow the birds to stand in club and fed results or if the birds would be disqualified from fed and club honours as well. The members decided by 3 to 1 that the birds should be allowed fed and club honours, this should now clarify the point for 2008.
After the A.G.M was closed a General meeting was opened to discuss the Race programme for 2008, after a brief discussion on the Newbury Comeback races that were proposed for Friday Liberations, It was agreed to put them back to Saturday’s, the race programme was passed to start on Saturday 19th April at Swindon, with Young Birds starting on 12th July at Hullavington, this is the week in between Bonn and Giesen old birds.
Newtown H.S. and Cynon Valley 2-Bird Presentation Night
Saturday 23 rd February and Myself and my Wife were invited over the Cynon Valley as Guests for the Joint presentation evening for the Newton H.S and the Cynon Valley 2-Bird Club. I must say we really enjoyed the evening, nice to put faces to names that we see regularly in the Fed results.
Lee Bevan collecting his prizes
I didn’t manage to get a list of each and every winner although I have been promised these by both secretaries, as soon as I have them I will give them out, but just to say that in the very strong 2-bird club Highest Prize winner was Haydn Minett, needing no introduction this Multi national winner won just over the £350 mark and a number of trophies, Haydn was Closely followed by another outstanding loft in Whyndam Rees, again picking up over £300.
Alan Winder top prize winner Newtown H.S.
In the very competitive Newtown H.S, top prize winner was M/M Alan Winder, this very good loft managed 9 x 1st in 2007, to secure the top loft, this after a slow start, with the old birds coming into form at the back end of the season, Alan also had a nice run with the young birds, winning a few on the bounce.
Shotton Bros – Runner up at Newtown
Runners – up were the Shotton bros, these boys won 5 x 1st with the old birds and the old bird points, they put some goods club fed and national performances in the Middle distance races in 2007. Third highest were F&J Welch Bros, these were really consistent throughout the season and from memory I believe they won the Channel points.
F&J Welch Bros – 3rd highest at Newtown
As I said as soon as I get the full details I will put the results in and thanks for the invitation we enjoyed the night.
Breeder Buyers
First up is the Abercwmboi breeder buyer to be held on Sunday 23rd March at The Abercwmboi social club starting at 12:30, if you enter 2 birds you can have the first one back for £15, second one goes up for auction. The race will be Ramsgate young birds and the ring numbers must be with Secreatary Clive Harris on the Thursday before Basketting for the race. For more details give Clive Harris a ring on 01685 879159.
Second scheme is the Maerdy Single bird Nom, again after the success and support in 2007, there should be a good number of entries for this race, with at least 6 prizes, you have a good chance of a nice pick up with this one . If you are interested in having a go then give Charlie Silver a ring, 01443-732654 for more details. Remember first prize was £2000 in 2007.
26/2/08
