MIDLANDS NATIONAL FLYING CLUB

MIKE LAKIN

Introducing the MNFC 2014 Handbook

Bigger and Better than Ever

The committee of the Midlands National Flying Club is sure that our members will be suitably impressed with our new 2014 Handbook which all paid up members will receive over the next few days. As can be seen from the front cover photograph, the theme for this year is a ‘two pronged’ effort. First of all we are highlighting our ‘Flying Back To Nature’ and ‘Secret Messages’ websites. Which in the case of FBTN is our effort to raise in the future more balanced children by bringing living creatures into the classrooms and by additionally making lessons more enjoyable for the pupils. The sincere hope is that a small percentage of children will wish to keep a few pigeons of their own and join our wonderful and natural hobby.

The ‘Secret Messages’ website is our way of commemorating the centenary of the First World War and the immense part that the racing pigeon played in aid of our troops and servicemen. I guarantee if you go to the website you will be very proud of ‘our’ birds. Our thanks go to the RPRA for their support in both of these efforts to make our sport more sympathetically perceived by the general public.

Our second theme is to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Midlands National Flying Club. There is a reprint of the first four pages of the fledgling club’s minute book where 32 ambitious fanciers met at the Corporation Hotel in Derby in September 1964 and formed what is today the most forward thinking organisation in the country. As they say ‘ Mighty Oak trees from tiny acorns grow’ and we are delighted to say that even in this age of declining numbers within our sport the membership has increased by over 50 new members and this is the third year in succession that we have been able to announce a larger membership. So we must be doing something right, mustn’t we?

Back to the book where members will find everything that they need for the coming season as well as a host of interesting adverts which a couple of chaps worked tirelessly to get signed up to keep the cost of the book to a minimum for our membership. Also within its pages are the Club’s rules and all the race entry forms for our 2014 race programme. In fact pretty much all members will need to compete in the club. This year thanks to the efforts of our Race Secretary Ann all members will have a sheet with their race distances and personal Login and Password code.

Club Patron

The Club is proud to announce their New Patron Mr Michael Massarella who has been very supportive of the MNFC’s efforts to get pigeons into schools and we are sure that he will become a great asset to the club. For anyone who thinks that Michael’s interest in pigeons is purely commercial then you obviously weren’t in at the last MNFC Presentation when his passion for pigeons came through exceptionally well in his speech when he told those in attendance how lucky he was to be able to have earned his living following the sports that he loves so much when he highlighted his affections for both pigeons and horses. The Committee feels that they have made a sound decision in their selection and Mr Massarella’s acceptance of the Patronship of our Club. 

New Race Reminder

Please take note of the ‘New’ and exciting ‘2 Bird Nominated Races’ which I and the many members that I have spoken to appear to be keen to enter. This idea which will run in conjunction with all of the seven races offers the chance to compete on the most level of ‘playing fields’ with your nominated 2 birds against other competitors’ 2 entries. This is the formula that is used in Belgium to decide the best birds. So I say get your first two crosses on the first column of the pool form and let’s all make this venture a major success. It will have its own identity by having its own Prize Pot, trophies and an entirely separate result sheet and if the support is there in the future the opportunity for possible average awards and pooling. Really I feel that the sky is the limit on this one.

All of the Marking and Clock Stations are listed but I would like if I may to highlight the Hull area which will have both a new Clock Station at the ‘Barham’ Public House in Marsleet Lane in Hull and a ‘satelite’ Marking Station at the same venue. Speak to the Officer in Charge Mr Jones for further information. This will allow fanciers in the Hull area to have their birds marked on the Wednesday evening and then transferred over to the Grimsby Station. This will allow fanciers to avoid getting up before dawn to get over to Croslands Grimsby Marking Station.

Another point that I wish to make members aware of is the fact that the 2015 Subscription and Ring Order form is also in the Handbook on page 99 to enable members to get their orders in early, which helps me no end. This has been the case for a couple of years now but a few have been slow to pick up on this fact as I get quite a few calls asking ‘’where’s me Subs form?’’ Well now you know folks, it’s ‘in the book’. So if you don’t receive your Handbook pack over the next few days then you probably haven’t renewed your subscriptions so get it sorted and save me having to chase you.

The 2014 Presentation Form is also in the handbook on page 93 and if you want a fantastic night with good food, great surroundings and superb entertainment get it filled in because I think this year’s effort will be extra special to celebrate our ½ centenary and I hope that I’m still going to enjoy the next 50!

Enjoy the read because a lot of work and effort has gone into it.

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