The North West Classic Club held its AGM on Sunday 26th November 2006 part of which was adjourned until Sunday 17th December 2006 when it was concluded. It was with regret that the Secretary Les Parkinson advised the Membership in a letter that he was unable to stand for re-election as Secretary for the 2007 season.

As you must agree Les Parkinson has been a fantastic Secretary over the years for the NWCC working hard to secure sponsorship and promote the Club through his writing in the BHW. He leaves the Club in first class condition and on a high with all the technology in place that makes it a very up to the minute club. He has over the past two years had results published on the NWCC website on the day after a race and published in the BHW within 7 days. The club has the facility to produce its own prize card packs which are very impressive and has an excellent computer programme for the day to day running of the club and the results system. It is through his hard work that the NWCC pays some of the best prize money for specialist racing there is and is in such a strong financial situation. The Committee of the NWCC would like to thank Les along with his family on behalf of the Membership for this commitment to the club and wish them well for the future. Unfortunately for the Classic Club Chairman Chris Knowles advised the meeting that he would be unable to stand for re-election for the 2007 Season due to increased work commitments. Chris has been a strong leader for the committee and will be sorely missed for his innovative approach to raising the standards of the Club. Chris initiated the Championship Loft, Ace Pigeon and Hall of Fame Awards in order to offer the members a chance of obtaining prestigious awards for their racing as well as financial gains.

A New Era – A New Secretary

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Andy Galley of 16 Hibbert Cres, Failsworth, Manchester M35 0RQ Tel 0161 657 1897 E-Mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to the post of NWCC Secretary for the 2007 Season. Andy is a highly respected pigeon fancier that is well known throughout the area, he is known to be forward thinking and we are sure he will work hard to continue the smooth running of the club and to developing it further particularly with regards to sponsorship. Anyone wishing to sponsor the NWCC during the 2007 Season please contact Andy so that they can be included on the 2007 paperwork. Andy will be fully supported by the Officers of the Club, Derek Woodward as President and Janet Hull as Chairwoman along with Committee members representing section A Brian Lee and Roger Sutton, section B Dave Heally, Geoff Bebbington and Paula Bebbington and section C Ken Burns and Frank Cuthbertson. Please remember that the committee members are there to represent the membership so if anybody wants the committee to address a certain point or consider a new idea please contact a committee member from their section to put it forward for discussion. The next committee meeting will be held on Sunday 7th January 2007 at Boars Head Hotel, Middlewich to commence at 12.30pm. I have taken on the role of Press Officer for the coming season with the hope that this will see the NWCC back with its own section within the BHW with more detailed race and meeting reports. I can be contacted as detailed below.

Prize Presentation

The annual prize presentation will be held on Saturday 20th January 2007 at the Cliffs Hotel, Blackpool. This is always a fantastic night out at the Show weekend and tickets are now available at a cost of £5 each from Andy Galley. The evening consists of the prize presentation, an excellent buffet which is quite unbelievable for the price of the tickets and a disco. It would be appreciated if members would each donate a raffle prize as it is the raffle that subsidises the cost of the tickets.

Subscriptions & Membership applications 2007

Please note that there will be no NWCC stand this year at the BHW Show so your subscriptions of £15 should be forwarded to Andy as should applications for membership. The Classic is open to lofts flying at least 407 miles from Nantes within the radius of 2.00.00 W on the Eastern boundary and Open on the Western boundary. There are three corridor sections each with prize monies and pools aswell as open prize money and pools, the NWCC paid out nearly £23,000 during 2006. The NWCC is unique in that offers specialist racing both on land and channel thus catering for all North West Fanciers. Come on get your applications in and compete with the best this year. 

Marking Stations 2007

There will again be three marking stations for the coming season. Preston station at the Anchor Inn, Croston Road, Lostock Hall at Old Lodge HS Headquarters remains the same, marking station officer Janet Hull. Middlewich station at the Boars Head Hotel has an existing clock and marking team willing to continue but is in need of a marking station officer to be responsible for taking the entry monies and forwarding the clock sheets to the Secretary. Anybody interested please contact Andy Galley as above. A new application for a marking station from Jeanette Taylor at Failsworth was approved at the AGM, the venue for the Failsworth marking station will be Failsworth Liberal Club. The Stockport marking station is now closed and thanks go to Pat Marston and her team for running it over the past few years.

Contact details. Janet Hull 205 Brownedge Rd, Bamber Bridge, Preston, Lancs PR5 6UT 01772 467882 or 467794 www.harrisonhullracingpigeons.co.uk

4/1/07