National Flying Club

The 2007 Annual Presentation & AGM weekend

Report by Les J. Parkinson

There are not many better places than Torquay to hold the big events of the year for the country’s Premier club, the National Flying Club. What is actually happening is more and more are spending a few extra days at the event when it is by the seaside thus making it a short holiday break. There was a real good atmosphere all weekend and I put the best part of this down to the venue where fanciers can genuinely relax and enjoy the weekend. We travelled down on the Friday and stayed until Monday so a good break. A pity the weather did not stay fine but even so we did enjoy the well-earned break.

Derek Human, the Grand National winner, with Doreen Kneller.

When it comes to the National weekend you can always be sure that you are going to meet many very good pigeon fanciers from across the board. The social side of pigeon racing has always been good with the National FC and many years ago I remember the late Denis Gleave going away for the weekends and saying how good they were. At first when you go to them they are overpowering with so many top names in attendance but as the years go by they grow on you and everyone becomes another pigeon fancier to talk to over the weekend.

On the Saturday morning the committee had their usual get together that brings about recommendations for the AGM later in the day. There are always items to discuss but the main aim is the preparation for the AMG later in the day. I didn’t go to the AGM last year for personal reasons but I felt at ease to attend this one and I was glad I did. This was the best National FC AGM that I have ever been to and one that should set the standard for years to come. The atmosphere was so relaxing and there were limited, and I mean limited, questions because the members are so happy that the club is back on track. Yes back on track to being the country’s Premier club where the committee are working together to ensure that the members get the best of everything. This has been well helped along the way by Brian & Cornelia Long with the transporters that were the area of the club that Brian Stansfield put so much work into.

The AGM that started with a minute’s silence before we heard the minutes of the AGM. Paul Naum then went on to tell us about the financial side of the club and how well we were doing and what a sound financial position the club is now in, again mainly thanks to Brian Long and his family. Even though the club are in a sound position it did not help that the club received around 100 resignations, however our secretary Sid Barkel told the meeting that he had already received quite a bit of interest from prospective new members. I must admit that the decision to fall in line with some of the other major clubs by letting members have their clocks set at their own clubs will help a great deal. This move during the 2007 season will no doubt be built on in the 2008 season with more members and birds going to the races. I bet Christmas came early for Paul was well impressed with so few questions about the accounts of the club. Convoyer Geoff Allen then gave a brief report on the seasons racing and the race points used by the club with the feeling coming over that the race points are good for the club. We than went on to the officials for the 2007 season starting with the President’s position that remains with Fred Sharman. Roy Stretton, who has done an excellent job as chairman, retains that position even though he did try to sell it to others in the room - no takers. The treasurer’s position was never in doubt so Paul Naum was never going to be voted out and with financial expert John Grundy overseeing the accounts they are in good hands. Barclays will remain as the Banking company for the club. Brian Stansfield has been made a Life Vice President for all the hard work he did in working with the designers of the new transporters that are without doubt the best in the country or probably the world. The work that Brian has put into the handbook with sponsorship and advertisers was also recognized at the AGM. Other Life Vice-Presidents are S. Davies, S. Dangerfield, E. W. Froggatt, K. Hanby, K. Hine, L Henley, J.R.Sutton and Brian Long. Vice-Presidents are Mick McGrevy, Eric Watkins with John Edwards being added after his contribution to the change in the crates on the new transporters. A new position was also introduced with the Life Membership for Brian & Cornelia Long. The committee positions where filled are as follows, Section (A) J. Tyerman. (B) P. Bennett. (C) none so if you want to come on board please attend the meetings and who knows what the future holds. (D) P. Naum and P. Pymm. (E) J. Edwards & J. Wills. (F) E. Kelly & P. Gilbert. (G) R. King & B. Morris. (H) T.Harris. (I) B. Leadbeater & R. Stretton. (J) E. Watkins & R Scriven. (K) M.McGrevy. (L) P Clements.  The press officers position is to remain with www.elimarpigeons.com.

The propositions: (1) 410/52/6. (2) 202/183/83. (3) 174/214/84. (4) 201/203/64. (5) 82/362/24. (6) 28/411/29. (7) 255/162/51. (8) 224/189/52. (9) 167/249/52. (10) 372/70/26. (11) was withdrawn due to a confliction with another proposition. (12) 215/166/87. (13) 319/81/68. (14) is to be reviewed by the committee who have the authority to change sections should that be in the best interest of the club and members concerned. The committee will discuss this referendum at a future meeting when everything can be taken into account.

A vote of thanks was given to the committee on an excellent job that they have done with the club over the last 12months and if the next year goes as well we are in for a real cracker of a season.

After the meeting I was talking to the treasurer who was telling me that it would make a very big difference to prize money with the club if they did not pay the markers. Paul went on to say that he agrees that the main i/c should be paid because they are tied to the job for a considerable amount of time and not just on the actual marking day. The increase in subscription will make a difference to the club but when you consider the amount paid out to the marking stations that could make a significant difference to the finances of the club. He did point out that fanciers are going to the stations anyway and if the majority took a turn then there would be no need to pay for the service. The marking will obviously be streamlined slightly with the wing stamp now gone.

As I say, the meetings went very well as did the whole weekend which started with entertainment being laid on for the Friday evening, fair enough there were not a great deal of people dancing but there were some and they appreciated the addition to the weekend. There are so many places where fanciers can sit and talk there was never going to be a full dance floor but those who did enjoyed it thanks to Doreen. The Saturday evening festivities started at 5.45pm when I took a group photo of the committee. Unfortunately the time of 5.45pm was not met by all and with time tight I suppose a miss was always on the cards. However, the show must go on and the photo was taken for the yearbook. There was then a gathering in the reception area followed by a good evening meal from which I heard no complaints. Toastmaster Mick McGrevy then had a few words to say before we heard from Eric Watkins and a reply from Carlo Napolitano on behalf of The Ladies and Guests. Carlo then had a few words to say on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen with a reply from our President Fred Sharman. John Tyerman was next on the lift on reviewing the winners with a reply from the Tarbes winner Derek Human and what a nice man he is. The meal was followed by the presentation, which is what the event is all about.

The Human family.

Ces Allwright & son with Cornelia Long.

George & Maureen Bates.

David Beech.

Roger Lowe.

Paul Kenny.

Clayton Oxborough.

Les & Andrew Stuckey.

Roger Sutton.

Jeremy Wright.

Mr Beaumont with Doreen Kneller.

Mr & Mrs Corkett.

Brian Denney.

Stan Dangerfield and family.

Brian Sheppard.

G & G Dudley.

Mark Gilbert.

Mr & Mrs Steve Redfern.

Brian Scott.

Joe Dorning with Judy Napolitano.

Mr Smith of Smith & Baker.

Brian Leadbeater.

Mr & Mrs Kirkland.

G. R. Seeney.

Eamon Kelly.

Fred Hall.

Petherbridge & Pollitt.

Trevor Harris.

John & David Staddon.

Julie Froggatt with George Hilson.

I would like to thank the committee and especially Doreen Kneller who worked so hard to make the weekend a success, for which she received a bouquet. There were other presentations to ladies starting with Julie Froggatt for her long service to the Crewe Marking station and also Judy Napolitano. Brian & Cornelia Long were presented with a Rose Bowl made up of 12 Red Roses for the sections in the club plus a Thistle to represent the Scottish fancier and not forgetting the Welsh contingent who saw the daffodil. There are so many people to thank we can only thank everyone who has helped to make the club a success in 2007 and with their continued support an even better year in 2008.

Les J.Parkinson. Elimar, 11 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 ONJ. Tel/Fax; 01606 836036. Mobile 07871 701585 les.Parkinson@btinternet.com  Elimar.pigeons@btinternet.com  web-site www.elimarpigeons.com

10/12/07