MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

MIKE LAKIN

AGM

‘It’s As You Were For 2015’

Eric Millner (right) receiving his long service award from Roy Jones

The MNFC held its Annual General Meeting on Sunday the 4th January and after the previous year’s minutes were read out the balance sheet was discussed and it made really healthy reading. This is hardly any great surprise as the membership, ring sales and race entries were well up on the previous season’s already satisfying figures.

It was with these figures in mind that the Committee made the bold decision to purchase a second Geraldy articulated transporter and two small ‘pods’ to make us more cost effective over the coming seasons with many of the more sensible smaller organisations joining us and in turn allowing themselves to duplicate back and continue without the fear of falling into debt due to the high cost of Channel racing. It may cost their members slightly more but in return they benefit with the opportunity of racing for the biggest Prize money in the country.

Tim Mourne, the Club’s Accountant, told the people in attendance that the purchases have been made and paid in full without ‘denting’ the bank balance too much and will not run the risk of  compromising the Club in the future. So it’s wonderful to know that the MNFC is on a very solid footing without the need of constantly worrying about the finances. That said it is due entirely on wise decisions and good housekeeping that has led up to our current strong financial position. This in turn has meant that new members are being ‘signed up’ on an almost daily basis which hopefully will allow us to eclipse or even increase on the 2014 membership figure. It was also commented on how transparent the club’s Balance sheet is in comparison to most other classic clubs. So Tim deserves much credit for the MNFC’s present clear lay out. I suppose it could be said that it is easier when the figures are good! I say long may this continue.

The next item was to elect the present officials and committee which was done en bloc with the just the re-election of Jos Mee back on to the committee. Welcome back Jos. Obviously the MNFC is a ‘happy ship’ though it is hoped that one or two other new recruits could be added from the Southern, West, NNW and East sections.

Propositions

The Accountant read out the votes on each of the nine proposals which were all defeated by large percentages. The voting was as follows:

1. 34 for 142 against.   

2.  9 for 160 against. 

3. 35 for 138 against.  

4. 17 for 157 against.  

5.  9 for 163 against.  

6.  34 for 139 against.  

7. 53 for 123 against. 

8.  32 for 142 against.  

9.  43 for 131 against. 

This concluded the 2015 AGM

2015 Race Programme

The season will commence on Sat 23rd May and the programme will be the same as in 2014. There will be no price increase to enter only an extra £2,000 per race on offer to fly for paid out on a sectional basis. The only slight increase is the Marking Fee which will be £3 to cover the costs of the Club’s intention to carry out more drug testing in line with the ‘Zero’ tolerance policy that the Committee is determined to continue in 2015.

Latest News

The Committee is planning to hold the Ancenis race which will be open to all RPRA members whose lofts are within the MNFC radius. It is also hoped that a ‘Poppy Remembrance Day’ Nomination race will also be held in conjunction with a donation being given to the British Legion Poppy Appeal Fund. The Club will give trophies to all of these race winners. It is hoped that many fanciers who are not yet members of the Midlands National Flying Club will enter this race and sample the excitement of competing against the ‘cream’ of the MNFC’s members and their pigeons. This offers the chance for prospective new members to taste the rarefied atmosphere of Midlands National racing. Believe me there is no comparison between club and national racing.

2 Bird Nom Races

Comment was past that the 2Bird Nominated races were a big success and it was hoped that this year even more members would support the idea because the trophy is well worth winning the prize money is good and it is a very fair race for all members with just two birds against two birds.

Long Service Award

The President Roy Jones had the pleasure of presenting a clock to one of our longest serving Committee men Eric Millner who has been a member of the club since the late 1960s and has been an active Committee man for over 25 years. Eric who recently celebrated his 80th Birthday is a Life Vice President and also the Club’s Vice Chairman. I personally have grown to respect Eric’s calm no nonsense attitude and appreciated when he took me to one side shortly after I took up the responsibility as the MNFC’s Press Officer and said ‘’I’ve read your articles Mike and I like your style’’. I can’t tell you how much those words of encouragement meant to me. Anyway well done Eric from all of the Committee. We wish you many more years of service with us.

I hope to see many of our members on our stand on the Ballroom Balcony at Blackpool.

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