The AGM is scheduled for Sunday 25th January 2026 at 13.00 hrs at the Betteshanger Welfare Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN.
November 2025 Update.
The RPRA has published an update on their website regarding the UK/EU agreement on the movement of live animals, I list a copy below . In a nutshell nothing is likely to change until 2027 at best, therefore existing channel racing procedures will be maintained in 2026 and probably 2027. Until Dover is open to take livestock and the export licence procedures eased the logistics and costs of channel racing are prohibitive for an organisation of our size. However until the situation materially improves we can continue to use the Up North Combine to convoy our pigeons and put a programme together. For 2026 we will have the following races…
May 23 ARRAS
June 6 ROYE
June 19 GIEN
July 4 FONTENAY
In addition there remains the possibility to be convoyed with Wingham FC for a number of Chale races/trainers in 2026, all midweek races marking probably Monday evenings for Tuesday liberation. Certainly two in early May. More on that to follow. Also we will look to co-operate with other organisations for a Guernsey race if that opportunity arises.
We have sold our transporter, we received a reasonable offer for it. It was too large now for us anyway, we can look at other options when the need arises.
Subscriptions in 2026 for existing members is £30. New members remains at £65.
The AGM is scheduled for Sunday 25th January 2026 at 13.00 hrs at the Betteshanger Welfare Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN.
Regards
John Lyden
mobile 07933 423106
Update on SPS Agreement Negotiations and EU Racing Pigeon Requirements
I would like to update all members on the latest developments regarding the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement and how this affects our racing activities in the EU.
Following recent communications with DEFRA, including written correspondence with the Minister for Animal Welfare and Biosecurity and discussions during stakeholder meetings with UK Government negotiators, I can now relay the following information:
The EU has agreed its negotiation mandate, and formal negotiations between the UK and EU on a new SPS Agreement are expected to begin shortly.
The anticipated timeline for completing and implementing this agreement is early to mid-2027.
What this means for our members: Based on the current timeline, my realistic expectations are that Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and loft registrations will continue to be required for racing from EU countries throughout the 2026 and 2027 racing seasons.
I will continue to engage closely with DEFRA and their negotiation team to ensure members are kept fully informed as discussions progress. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we navigate these regulatory requirements.
Chris Sutton
CEO RPRA
October Update
We are awaiting information on whether Dover will be opened up with the new arrangement with the EU on movement of live animals, but in the interim we will be giving subscription refunds to those members who don’t have loft attestations (and therefore the Guernseys were the only races they could compete in). All other members will be given a £35 credit on 2025 subscriptions, redeemable against 2026 subscriptions. In effect that means for existing members subscription next year is £30.
We are unlikely to consider Guernsey races in 2026, our membership is too small to go on our own unless other organisations work with us. However we are considering co-operating with the Wingham FC to be convoyed with them for 4 no Chale races/trainers in 2026, all midweek marking Tuesday evening for Wednesday liberation, 2 in early May and 2 in early August. We would like to operate a Higham station (or one in West Kent) if that proved possible.
The arrangement with the Up North Combine worked pretty well last year, the races were erratic but we really need a couple of seasons with the UNC to judge better. 2025 was a poor season overseas generally. We now know that with the systems we have we can fit in quite neatly with the UNC and lets us piggy back onto their export licence, and that probably would now also apply with any other organisation too. It may open up other opportunities in time, particularly if Dover-Calais opens up to pigeon transporters.
Our 2026 programme with the UNC is as follows….
May 23 ARRAS
June 6 ROYE
June 19 GIEN
July 4 FONTENAY
A 150/200 mile channel race in the middle of May with a separate liberation that would be particularly useful for channel fliers in Kent/Essex needing more preparation races than currently available. Co-operation with a French club has been mentioned but it would need a major relaxation of the current rules to enable that to even be an option. We will look to take our transporter off the road, but we will retain it for the interim. It would be preferable to loan it out next year rather than leave it unused for another year, probably unlikely to achieve that though.
Further update to follow once we know what changes in export procedures are proposed by DEFRA.
Fontenay Race 4th July 2025
107 pigeons were sent by 10 members. Liberation is expected early Friday morning.
Gien Race Friday 20th June 2025
180 pigeons were sent by 17 members. The UNC are expected to liberate early Friday morning.
Gien Race Friday 20th June 2025
Marking is on TUESDAY 17th June between 09.00 and 11.00 hours at the Betteshanger Sports & Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN.
Liberation is expected on Friday 20th June, current forecast predicts a light Easterly wind.
Roye 7th June 2025
172 pigeons have been sent by 11 members. The birds will be liberated with the Up North Combine convoy. At the moment it is expected that a Sunday liberation is most likely.
GUERNSEY RACEPOINT UNAVAILABLE
We have been informed by the RPRA that Guernsey has been withdrawn as a liberation point. Unfortunately our programme of Guernsey races has therefore been cancelled.
HIGHAM MARKING STATION FOR 2025
For the Chale and Guernsey Races an additional Higham marking station will operate in 2025
The existing DEAL marking station will be operating for all races.
RACE PROGRAMME 2025
Wed 30th April CHALE (Isle of Wight) Marking Stations- Deal & Higham
Wed 7th May GUERNSEY Marking Stations- Deal & Higham
Wed 21st May GUERNSEY Marking Stations- Deal & Higham
Wed 4th June GUERNSEY Marking Stations- Deal & Higham
Wed 18th June GUERNSEY Marking Stations- Deal & Higham
Fri 20th June GIEN (Orleans) Marking Station- Deal
Fri 4th July FONTENAY Marking Station- Deal
Possible additional race from ROYE or GREVILLERS (ARRAS) Marking Station- Deal
RACE PROGRAMME 2025
A meeting will be held on Sunday 1st December 2024, 13.00 hrs at the Betteshanger Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, DEAL, Kent CT14 9HN to discuss options for 2025.
AGM 2025
The 2025 Annual General meeting will be held on Sunday 12th January 2025, 13.00 hrs at the Betteshanger Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, DEAL, Kent. CT14 9HN
Fontenay race 15th June update
A reminder that our next race is next week-end, from Fontenay on 15th June. Marking is on Thursday 13th June 08.30- 12.00hrs at the Betteshanger Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN.
Early weather expectations are a mixture of broken cloud with sunny spells and some light showers. Winds generally south to south westerly.
If you’re intending to enter please send a message by text, whatsapp or email quoting name and approx number of entries by midday on Wednesday 12th June.
Do try and use the race entry system on the website eepigeon.com. It is very straightforward. The more that use the system the quicker the Export Health Certificate can be issued.
We may have an opportunity to add another race to the programme, either Fontenay or St Just in w/e 21 July. We’ll canvas likely support for that in a couple of week’s time.
Fontenay race 1st June- cancelled
Very poor weather prospects over the weekend on the near continent has resulted in the cancellation of this race. Next race is Fontenay on 15th June. We hope to add an additional race or two in July .
Change in Race Programme
Sancoins Race 1st June now changed to Fontenay race point instead
Fontenay race 18th May- cancelled
St Just race 8th May 2024.
Report 18.30 hrs 7th May. The transporter is at St Just. The weather expectations tomorrow are good, light northly winds with sunny spells. Less sunshine around at the home end in the morning. Liberation is likely around the 07.00 to 08.00 hours.
St Just Race 8th May 2024
The weather forecast is very positive, light winds, good quantities of sunshine likely and low precipitation expected. Plenty of opportunity for a good liberation.
Marking on Monday 6th May between 08.30 and 12.30 hours at the central marking station at Betteshanger Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent. CT14 9HN.
Please let me know by text, whatsapp or email by 20.00 hours on Saturday 4th May if you are intending to send and the approx number of birds likely. I will provide a time slot, but it will not be critical at all, just helps to spread the demand. A number of members have already notified me, thank you for that, it helps.
If you’re not comfortable filling in the website entry form just bring along a racesheet in the usual way (any racesheet will do). Please bring your cocks and hens in separate baskets. You do not need to bring the channel documentation with you, it is all online now for the Official Veterinarian to access. (If you haven’t submitted it then you cannot enter the race).
Liberation information and updates will be sent out by email and on the websites.
No formal verification of your first arrival is required, but on the evening of the race day, or by 10.00hrs the next morning please simply advise me of your name and time of clocking of first bird so that they can be listed on the website for information.
John Lyden mobile 07933 423106
St Just race 8th May 2024
Our next scheduled race is St Just on Wednesday 8th May, marking on Monday 6th May between 08.30 and 12.30 hours at the central marking station at Betteshanger Sports and Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent. CT14 9HN.
The forward weather forecast looks reasonable, light winds, temperatures in the high teens, a mixture of cloudy and sunny spells with light showers possible here and there. If it stays like that as the date draws nearer then there will be ample opportunities for a good liberation.
Please let me know by text, whatsapp or email by 20.00 hours on Saturday 4th May if you are intending to send and the approx number of birds likely. I will provide a time slot, but it will not be critical at all, just helps to spread the demand.
John Lyden mobile 07933 423106
Update 27th April- St Just race 1st May cancelled
The weather forecast for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd May in Northern France remains very poor, lots of cloud, high chance of rain and little sun of any consequence. It was intended to wait until Sunday morning for final decision but the forecasts from numerous weather sources are all predicting very similar conditions and it is not going to change overnight, therefore the decision has now been taken to cancel the St Just race for 1st May.
Our next race is another St Just race on 8th May, the following week, marking on Monday 6th May. We’ll post weather updates nearer the time to keep everyone informed.
We’ll consider adding another St Just race to the programme in due course.
Update 26th April- St Just race 1st May
Unfortunately the forecasted weather conditions for our first race are deteriorating at the moment. Winds are still light, temperatures are reasonable but cloud cover and rainfall predictions have increased in intensity over both the 1st and 2nd May. Unless this forecast improves over the week-end the chance of a decent weather window for a successful race looks to be very small and we may have to cancel the race. A final decision will be made on Sunday morning.
If cancellation does prove necessary we will look to slot in another midweek St Just race later in the season. We need to have a couple of midweek races to see if they are of value.
St Just race 1st May 2024
The latest expectation is for light winds, variable at liberation but veering more westerly over the channel on the 1st May. There will be variable amounts of cloud and showers around along the whole line of flight, and expected periods of broken cloud with sunny breaks which look likely to provide opportunities for liberation
We will proceed on the basis that the race is going ahead, but we will monitor the weather forecasts over the next few days just in case expectations substantially change for the worse. Unfortunately, as we all know, the weather is far from settled at the moment.
Mid April 2024 update
A reminder that our first race is in just over 2 weeks time on Wednesday 1st May, marking is on the morning of Monday 29th April., 08.30 to 12.30hrs.
It is ST JUST (code 5143), £3.75p per bird.
The marking station is at a new location- Betteshanger Welfare Sports & Social Club, Cavell Square, DEAL, Kent CT14 9HN. If you are sending please let me know by email, whatsapp or text (07933423106) the approx number of birds and the preferred time slot before 20.00hrs on SATURDAY 27th APRIL. The facilities are good and plenty of parking space, so the time slots are more relaxed but it is preferable to smooth out arrivals over the morning.
There are still a few members who have not provided their channel race documentation, please do so within the next few days if you wish to participate (I will send a separate email tomorrow to those affected). Those that have done this will have been sent a login and password for the new website. You may create your race entry sheet on line if you wish, if you prefer not to then fill in a paper racesheet to bring with your birds. Those registered on the website will not need to bring their channel documentation with them, the Official Veterinarian will be using the documents listed on the website.
Please bring your race birds separated into cocks and hens in different baskets please.
If any ring numbers of your race birds are not on the website database they will be rejected, no arguments. The website automatically produces the Export Health Certificate for the French Customs, there is no room for error or manipulation. You can check your ring numbers on the website yourself in advance (instructions sent to those whom have been registered to date).
Emails will be sent and the websites eepigeon.com and eeccpigeon.com updated on weather conditions preceding the race. If weather is likely to provide only a small chance of liberation the race may be cancelled or re-scheduled- check your emails and the websites regularly leading up to the marking day.
The weather hasn’t been ideal to date but hopefully the next two weeks will be kinder.
February 2024 update
The 2024 programme and entry fees are as follows..
Wednesday 1st May ST JUST (Evreux) Code 5143 Marking on Monday April 29th AM entry fee £3.75p per bird
Wednesday 8th May ST JUST (Evreux) Code 5143 Marking on Monday May 6th AM entry fee £3.75p per bird
Saturday 18th May FONTENAY (Chartres) Code 5122 Marking on Thursday May 16th AM entry fee £4 per bird
Saturday 1st June SANCOINS (Bourges) Code 5152 Marking on Thursday May 30th AM entry fee £4.25p per bird
Saturday 15th June FONTENAY (Chartres) Code 5122 Marking on Thursday June 13th AM entry fee £4 per bird
Marking will generally be between 08.00 and 12.00 hours, but will be confirmed.
At this stage we are assuming we will still have to use the Portsmouth-Caen route into France.
The principal marking station is no longer at Malibu Grains, unfortunately having to mark during working week hours and the limited space at Malibu Grains means it is impractical to use it for marking (although it will still be a clock station). Our new location is BETTESHANGER WELFARE SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB, CAVELL SQUARE,DEAL, KENT CT14 9HN. There are good facilities and plenty of parking space .Our transporter is kept at this location too so that assists the marking process.
There may be an opportunity for an additional marking station in Essex this season, we will demonstrating our new website/marking system to the Official Veterinarian and DEFRA shortly and subject to their approval we are very hopeful we will not need any further veterinary attendance for additional marking stations. However all members will need to forward to me copies ( electronic or paper copies) of all their DEFRA documentation ( CPH letter, Declaration, Vaccination certificate, receipt for vaccine, letter of attestation/ registry with veterinarian practice) for pre-loading onto the new system. Please send these documents at your earliest convenience. A word of warning to members, if any of these documents are missing the new system will not allow your birds to be marked. This is part of the strong audit and control systems designed into the system which we will argue with DEFRA provides as good, if not better, controls than their current requirements.
Further information will follow in due course. The website is very easy to use but we will also use traditional entry sheets too so techno-phobes don’t need to panic.
We would like to raise some contribution to the costs of this new system. In a previous newsletter we asked for the donation of squeakers for auction. The process will be simple and uncomplicated. You simply tell me that you intend to provide a squeaker(s), timing is not an issue. When the squeaker is 12 to 15 days old (doesn’t matter whenever that is) give me the ring number and breeding details. I’ll list it on Elimar for auction, with an end date 10 days later. If it sells I’ll pass your contact details to the buyer to arrange collection. If it doesn’t sell then you simply keep the squeaker. I’m happy to put in a reserve price that you set.
We have a number of squeakers offered but I’d like a few more please.
Further update to follow once new website is released onto the web.
Regards John Lyden Mobile 07933423106
December 2023 Update
Our 2024 race programme is now likely to be…
May 1 (midweek) St Just (Evreux)
May 8 (midweek) St Just (Evreux)
May 18 Fontenay (Chartres) (option for midweek date is available too)
June 1 Sancoins (Bourges)
June 15 Fontenay (Chartres)
If the early May weather forces a postponement of a race, we now have the option available to use midweek dates for rescheduling.
Entry fees will be confirmed in due course but they are likely to be similar to last year, starting from under £4 to a little over £4 for the longer race. Although our transporter can carry 1,000 birds comfortably, from an economic viewpoint anything over 700 birds a race is positive. A member has made a very generous contribution to support the Sancoins race costs this year too. If at some point we are able to use Dover-Calais for entry into France that would further reduce the number of entries needed to hit break-even.
Our new website/race entry system will be available in the New Year, further information on that will follow in due course.
A reminder that our AGM is this coming Sunday, December 10th, 11.00 hrs at the Betteshanger Sports & Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN.
Wishing all members a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
November 2023 Update
The 2023 Statement of Account has been circulated to members.
On the racing front for 2024, the Agents for both St Just and Fontenay liberation sites have confirmed that they can accommodate midweek races, therefore we will proceed with midweek races for the first two races from St Just in 2024. We’ll keep the Fontenay races scheduled for Saturdays at the moment, but if the St Just races are particularly successful , we would be able to change Fontenays to midweek dates at short notice if there was consensus to do so. Also an added advantage of being able to use midweek dates is that if any of the races are cancelled due to weather (particularly in early May) it doesn’t present any difficulty rescheduling them for another suitable midweek date.
Having to use Portsmouth-Caen ferry for outward journeys to France is a real pain, it forces us to mark early and the increase in cost, time and inconvenience against using Dover-Calais is substantive. There is a French veterinary centre (SIVEP) that serves Eurotunnel but they don’t accept racing pigeons at the moment. We have asked the RPRA if they would approach DEFRA and the French Authorities to see whether this might be reviewed. If this were to change it would be greatly beneficial in reducing the time our birds are in the baskets and eliminate a 7 hour ferry crossing.
In another development we have procured a semi retired veterinary officer based in Kent to undertake the Export Health Certification for our 2024 races at improved cost. Alongside this we are currently testing our new website and web based race entry system which is designed principally to automatically produce the EHCs after basketing is finished, but the system will allow the Official Veterinarian to audit and check, via the website, all the race entry sheets and DEFRA documentation of members remotely whenever he/she wishes. Although it means preloading all members DEFRA docs and vaccination certificates before the season starts (you will have to send them to the Secretary in due course) it becomes a possibility that DEFRA and the Official veterinarian may agree that this auditable system is robust enough to accommodate extra marking stations without the need of additional veterinary attendance. If we can get to this point then an Essex marking station becomes viable for us.
There will be more detail released on this in due course but just a couple of points for the moment- (1) members will be able to just bring their birds and race-sheets along to races as per usual, it will be very easy and quick creating race entry forms on the website system at the marking station(s). (2) Members will need to forward to the Secretary their vaccination list and whether C/H. There is little point loading stock birds on the race marking system, so a bespoke vaccination form has been issued to members that would greatly assist for data loading rather than the little card you get with the vaccine.
The new website and race marking system is going to cost us around £2,500. We have the reserves to pay for it but it would be beneficial to raise the bulk of this cost in 2024 via a young bird sale to preserve those reserves. Members are invited to donate a youngster or two next Spring, timing doesn’t matter, they would be listed on Elimar (or similar) Auction site approx 10 days before the weaning date whenever that is. Please let the Secretary know if you will donate a squeaker, prompts will be issued again over the next few months.
An acknowledgement is due to the marking team for their contributions in 2023, namely Tom Varley, Dave Newton, Steve Simmonds, Andy Girling, Ian Christie, Don Harvey, Colin Hoskins and Jeff Lyden.
Unfortunately the multi-club co-operation proposal for channel races fell at the first hurdle. The NFC is primarily the culprit, it walked away from it’s own initiative. However none of the other clubs (BICC, BBC, CSCFC, MNFC) with the exception of the EECC were prepared to continue to commence a process of collaboration or even a dialogue. An opportunity lost I’m afraid.
Regards
John Lyden, Secretary
October 2023 Update
The feedback from the September update has shown some strong support for a couple of midweek races to start the season. The French Union has advised that granting a permit for a midweek race depends upon the availability of the Agent, so we will liaise with them (the Agents) first to check their situation before deciding on the 2024 programme.
However looking ahead on the basis that midweek races will be permissible, it would seem that starting the season off with two midweek St Just races might fit the bill nicely. A possible programme is St Just, St Just, Fontenay, Bourges, and another Fontenay race later in the season. If we started on the first Wednesday in May the programme might look like this….
May 1 (Wednesday) St Just (Evreux) Code 5143
May 8 (Wednesday) St Just (Evreux) Code 5143
May 18 (Saturday) Fontenay (Chartres) Code 5043 (or possibly go for a midweek date)
June 1 (Saturday) Sancoins (Bourges) Code 5152
June 22 (Saturday) Fontenay (Chartres) Code 5043
The programme has not been discussed or decided in any detail yet so let me have your thoughts and opinions.
We have left the mid June dates free on the basis of showing support for any combined multi-club joint channel races that may evolve. All I can say at the moment is that the road to that objective has not been particularly smooth but it is imperative that we find a way to make progress, albeit slowly, to build a sustainable core of channel races into the future for everyone.
AGM will be at 11.00hrs on Sunday 10th December 2023 at the Betteshanger Welfare Sports & Social Club, Cavell Square, Deal, Kent CT14 9HN. Our financial year will close on 31 October 2023 and the statement of accounts will be issued in November.
September 2023 Update
With the 2023 season now coming a close it is time to take a thought to next year. 2023 was challenging, not least because the persistent NE wind in the first couple of months of the season took a steady toll on most lofts and thus race entries. The upside was that the hard work benefitted some later in the season, the pick of the crop being 1st NFC Tarbes Grand National for Fagg & Nicholas with a hen that flew in both our Fontenay & Saran races. Despite the NE winds, a number of members still had race birds reported in Holland, which highlights again what we already knew about the risks if our birds dither before crossing the channel. It may be worth considering as an experiment one or two midweek races, possibly from St Just, to start the season in 2024 so that there are clearer skies, particularly to benefit the yearlings.
A schedule of veterinary loft visits is planned for February 2024, we’re hoping to get the charge down to around £35 per loft. Please text or email 07933 423106 if you want to be included.
We would like to re-open an Essex marking station in 2024 but the cost of veterinary attendance is the biggest obstacle although we have a couple of proposals/avenues we want to put to DEFRA in the next few months, that if acceptable, could provide the route to a reasonable solution for us.
There are moves currently afoot for all the channel organisations (NFC,BICC,MNFC,BBC,CSC,EECC) to co-operate on a mutual benefit basis to deliver a core number of channel races each year that are profitable and therefore sustainable into the future even if the clubs themselves decline in participants. This is to safeguard channel racing into the UK for at least the next decade . There has been an initial meeting and subsequently all the organisations have been asked to provide an ‘in principle’ agreement to enable the next steps to be taken. To their credit the NFC initiated the meeting, let us hope this is the first step to a successful outcome. We all know that fancier numbers are declining in general, and will continue to do so. Better to act now whilst we (channel racing clubs) still have the numbers and resources to make things happen than leave it too late. The EECC is the smallest of these organisations but there is plenty we can contribute to assist in making it happen.
I hope the next update issued will provide further positive news.
John Lyden
text and whatsapp 07933 423106
March 2023 Update
The 2023 season is fast approaching now. The club has organised a number of days of loft Inspections with David Parsons and these have proceeded pretty smoothly, the last one scheduled for 29th March.
The 2023 race programme is as follows…
Sat May 6th FONTENAY (Chartres). Code 5122. £3.75 per bird
Sat May 20th FONTENAY (Chartres). Code 5122. £3.75 per bird
Sat June 3rd SARAN (Orleans). Code 5043. £4 per bird
Sat June 17th SANCOINS (Bourges) Code 5152. £4.25 per bird
Sat July 1st SANCOINS (Bourges) Code 5152 £4.25 per bird
Distances will be obtained and circulated shortly. Most members already have the Fontenay and Saran distances. The old Bourges liberation site is no longer available, Sancoins is a new liberation site just outside of Bourges.
Marking will be on the preceding Thursdays. We will be using our Canterbury station as a central marking station as per last year. For members participating from outside of Kent, we would encourage collection arrangements between yourselves and the club will contribute proportionately to offset the fuel costs of getting to the marking station.
Marking will commence earlier this year, starting at 06.00 hrs to 12.00hrs. Time slots will be allotted as per last year. Priority for the earliest slots will be given to those who have work commitments. If it is of any value, particularly for members from north of the Thames, we may be able to accommodate pigeons being brought to the marking station on the Wednesday evening. Contact me on the number below if that were useful for one or any number of the races.
For the first time in over 3 years it looks like we will be able to deliver our desired programme, hallelujah to that.
A reminder to all members who haven’t done so yet that the subscription of £65 is due by 31st March 2023. Direct bank transfer to account 70344745 sort code 20-99-21 East of England CC. Cheques payable to EECC, post to 108 Woodnesborough Road, Sandwich, Kent CT13 0BA.
Best of luck to all for 2023 season.
Copy of Circular to members 29 January 2023
With the 2023 season now firmly on the horizon, we need to get all members appropriate paperwork in place. To remind everyone, I list below the documentation that is necessary to enter channel races in 2023 and which I need you to send me a copy of when you have them…
1. Vaccination certificate, listing all ring numbers. ( For my purposes please put a C or H after every ring number to indicate the sex of the bird). I attach a copy of a blank certificate which is easier to use than the card issued with the vaccine.
2. APHA Declaration form. The one you signed last year will expire soon, so simply sign a new one for 2023 now ( blank copy attached)
3. CPH number issued by Rural Payments Agency. This is the same document as issued last year.
4. Your 2023 registration with a Veterinary Practice. This is likely to be issued to you after you’ve had a loft visit from the veterinarian.
5. An additional document that I want to keep on record is the receipt/invoice for the vaccine you have used. We’re told this is good audit process. Please keep it and pass it on to me.
We will shortly have a facility on our website to hold all these documents, so once you’ve sent them to me then you will be able to access you own documents via our website. That will give you a secure back-up to access the documents if you should lose the hard copy or your laptop fails.
The key reason for keeping these documents on record is that it provides an auditable service for the Official Veterinarian issuing the Export Health Certificate, allows us to computerise race entry sheets within that auditable environment, and makes creating the Export Health Certificate more efficient and accurate.
Please put the effort in now and get these 5 documents to me at your earliest convenience. It will pay off on lots of different levels.
Meanwhile subscriptions are now due. They are £65 per annum. Direct transfers to East of England CC, Acct 70344745, sort code 20-99-21.
For this year we will still need to use the Portsmouth-Caen route into France, but we can return via Calais- Dover. So that is an improvement in the right direction.
Regards
John Lyden
Update December 2022
Following completion of our AGM on the 18th December 2022, it is now full steam ahead for the 2023 season. The first priority at the moment though is to put in place a schedule for a 2023 a veterinary loft inspection (which includes registration with a veterinary practice) for those members that require this service. It is appreciated that some members will have already made alternative arrangements and that is fine.
We are intending to time these inspections for late February/early March and the cost is expected to be in the region of £60 per member. ( the logic of the timing is so that everyone will have vaccinated their birds by that time and the daylight hours are longer too).
In that regard any member who would wish to use this service could you please notify the Secretary, preferably by email or text (07933 423106), by the 10th January 2023. Once we have established numbers, we will then put a detailed schedule together and work with a suitable veterinary practice(s) to put this in place. The timings and details involved will be communicated to you well in advance of any inspection, including what the veterinarian will require from you so that you can be well prepared.
If you haven’t made any alternative arrangements then please sign up now. If you leave this too late you may then find the cost of an individual loft inspection very expensive.
Wishing all members a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Update November 2022
Following review, it has been decided not to proceed with a race prepayment/bulk payment system for next season, and we will revert to the standard process where members can enter and pay for any number of race entries on a race by race basis. It is very likely that we will have an income shortfall in 2023 whichever system we adopt, and we will probably need to use some of our reserves. The scenario for next year is not without problems, not least Avian Flu restrictions of course, so the view has been taken to let 2023 play out and let those outcomes mould the decisions thereafter for the subsequent seasons.
Now we know the programmes of the national clubs, to minimise clashing our programme and likely race charges are as follows..
May 6 Fontenay £3.75 per bird
May 20 Fontenay £ 3.75 per bird
June 3 Saran £4 per bird
June 17 Bourges/Nevers £4.25 per bird
July 1 Bourges/Nevers/Montlucon £4.25 per bird
The AGM will be held at 11.30 hrs on Sunday 18th December 2022 at the ARCA Hall, 151 Ashford Rd, Canterbury, Kent CT13FA
As mentioned before we will procure with a suitable veterinary practice(s) a loft inspection/registration programme for those members that would wish to avail themselves of such a service, loft inspections would be scheduled for early spring. Further details to follow in due course.
Update 2 September 2022
There has been a good deal of positive feedback to the email dated 19 July outlining a way forward. From the feedback the following adjustments have been made…
The 5 races for 2023 will be held over a 7 week period, probably a free week-end after the first two Fontenay races and a similar gap between the last two races. When we know the BICC programme we’ll try to time our programme to minimise, as far as it is practical to do so, clashing with their race dates.
Rather than an all-in rate for a crate, we will separate the subscriptions, £65 for full membership, £50 for associate membership, and charge the bulk payment for 5 races separately. Members have found it problematic to share a crate, so we will simply permit members to subscribe directly for the number of spaces they want on the transporter.
For indicative purposes only the kind of rates that could be expected would be…
4 birds-£76, 6 birds- £114, 8 birds- £152, 10 birds- £190, 12 birds- £228. The rate for a crate of 14 would be £255, the optimum rate. If a member wanted space for 20 birds, then the rate would simply be pro-rata the 14 rate ( £364).
A price list will be issued later this year, we may consider an additional tariff to rates as we get nearer the racing season to reward early commitment. Payment by instalment, direct debit etc will be accommodated.
We will keep a small number of crates available for Associate members so that there is space for them to send 1 or 2 pigeons to every race, numbers above that will depend on space released by full members (if all the spaces on the transporter are reserved).
The indications to date suggest that half the capacity of the transporter is likely to be taken up by current members. That leaves approx 30 crates that we are looking to fill with either new members or some other interim arrangement. We will investigate whether a West Section is viable and you will see some articles in the press over the next weeks to invite enquiries from interested fanciers.
However we will need additional marking stations, ideally one in Essex and one in the West Section (if it happens). I mentioned before that computerising our race entry/marking systems could solve many issues around Export Health Certificates and make multiple marking stations viable and practical again. For an investment of around £2.5k we will operate a computerised race entry/marking system for 2023 from our website and get on the front foot again. It will be easy to use!!!
Loft inspections are another issue on our agenda. Our Veterinary partner is prepared to discuss undertaking bulk loft inspections for the EECC in a co-ordinated manner. We’ll look at options and keep you informed of discussions to see if we can find an equitable way forward here at a reasonable cost. We ( channel fliers) all need to have a loft inspection before the next racing season so it would be an additional valuable benefit of membership of the EECC if this service was available. Early March is a likely window for loft inspections.
Lots to think about generally, but the key focus is to deliver a continental race programme for next season and every season thereafter and that means ensuring the EECC remains capable and viable despite the obstacles in our path. It would be useful if those members who have not responded yet could give an indicator of their intentions for next season. I’m sure there will be a few Guernsey races organised by the National clubs next year, but longer races from France are likely to be scarce.
The 2023 AGM will be held on 18th December 2022 in Canterbury. Fuller notification will follow.
Further information and updates will be issued over the coming weeks,
Update 19 July 2022 THE FUTURE
This is a long communication but please take the time to read it carefully.
After successfully organising two channel races this year, from Fontenay and Nevers, we now know the processes, procedures and timings required to implement next year’s programme. However fundamental changes have taken place this year, many former channel fliers have now turned North Road or are sticking with inland races only. We will lose at least 60% of our membership this year, possibly more, since most local marking stations will close for economic reasons too.
Most will be aware that many formerly South Road organisations have decided to turn North, however that is not a route the EECC will contemplate. We are a specialist channel racing club and will remain decidedly that, but the old system of subscriptions and paying entry fees at point of use will not create a sustainable financial model to underpin the club. With costs of around £3.5k per race whilst we are obliged to use the Portsmouth-Caen ferry route, we need to move to a ‘ facility charge’ system where members pay an annum fee for a crate (14 birds) on the transporter for each race in the programme, with the entire race programme fully funded before a bird is sent. It is not un-similar to a ‘bulk payment’ system but with some key differences as you will see below. Traditionally we know the average send per member is around 13 to 14 birds, therefore as we basket 14 birds per crate we will use a crate of 14 pigeons as our base ‘unit’. Based on a programme of 5 races with 63 crates per race, assuming we can use Dover-Calais next year, the current cost approximation is that the ‘facility charge’ to Full Racing Members for 1 crate will be £320 per annum, with no further charges. This figure includes subscription charges, so if you relate this back to current system it is the same as in a year as adding the £65 subs and £3.64p per bird for sending 14 birds to 5 races. If you use the full facility it is not a significant increase in costs at all. The big difference for the club is that income is not reliant on the number of birds being sent.
There would be no problem in arranging stage payments, or a monthly bank debit arrangement, for members that would prefer that to paying a lump sum.
Just as a guide though, if we have to use Portsmouth-Caen route the charge could be £380 per crate, so those are the parameters we are working within.
The 2023 race programme would be 5 races, probably
May 13th-Fontenay, May 20th- Fontenay, May 27th- Saran, June 3rd- Bourges, June 10th – Montlucon (or something very similar).
There would be two classes of membership 1) Full Flying Member and 2) Associate member.
A Full Flying Member would pay a ‘facility charge’ for one or more crates. ( £320 for 1 crate, £640 for 2 crates etc) Their crates (space) on the transporter is guaranteed every race.
An Associate member would pay a £50 annual subscription but they have no guaranteed space on the transporter. They have to wait their turn for any ‘released’ space and be invited to buy some. The way this might work is that a Full Flying member tells the Club in advance he only wants to use 8 spaces in his crate and is happy to release the other 6 spaces. The club would then offer those spaces, on a rota system, to Associate members at (say) £4 a bird. If taken up then the Club will give the Full Flying Member a refund of £3 per entry sold, with £1 per entry sold being retained by Club. In this way Full Flying Members can recoup some costs if they find they don’t use all their space every race and Associate members get more opportunities to send.
If there are a few unsold crates, this space will be offered per race to Associate members in exactly the same way, on a rota basis, perhaps with a maximum of 4 birds each Associate Member.
In principle it would be acceptable for a Full Flying member and 1 or more Associate members to formally ‘team up’ and share their crate(s).That would have to be formally notified and accepted by the Club in advance to avoid later disputes. In this way we are not excluding the small team fancier from participating.
We could consider making available a number of ‘half crates’ of 7 birds at around £191.00p charge per annum too.
It seems unlikely that the existing active EECC membership would take up more than 30 crates, we need at least 60 to be taken up. Apart from a few events from the BICC & NFC next year, there will not be many other channel races available, so we may get a greater take up than expected. However if the feedback shows that we will fall short of our target then we will actively consider resurrecting a West Section comprising the Western Home Counties, to see if that can fill the capacity. There has been interest expressed recently in this option. The logistics will need exploring but the section below on computerising our race documentation may be instrumental in permitting us to operate more than one marking station without increasing veterinary charges. Separate liberations wouldn’t present any difficulty either.
If a West Section isn’t the solution we will look to downsize everything until we get to a profile that allows us to operate in a satisfactory manner.
The other major change that has to be considered is to computerise all our race procedures. Essentially it means creating a database of all members vaccinated pigeons, CPH numbers, declarations etc. To this will be added a race entry system where a member enters our website, puts in his RPRA number and all his recorded vaccinated pigeons on the database comes up, he highlights the ring numbers and the race point and a race entry form is created on the system. This is available to the Secretary and race marking team. When the birds arrive at the marking station, they are marked and put in a numbered crate, that information is entered on the computerised race entry form through a laptop by the race marking team. No money or payments are made at marking times. From that input we can readily create the documentation needed for the Export Health Certificate. We can give the Official Veterinarian access to the complete database so that he can see all the documentation and activities and have reassurance that everything is in order. That could potentially allow marking stations to operate without a veterinarian because at the central marking station we can show the OV, through the computer records, all the details of the birds coming in from the marking stations in advance.
Added to that, I am looking to arrange for next year’s EECC members a loft inspection service from the same Veterinarian Company, so the same company will know the members lofts through inspections, have access to all their on line records and be able to do inspections at any marking stations. I believe, if done properly, this system could ultimately permit the Export Health Certificate to be produced remotely and reduce veterinary charges substantially.
For those who are not particularly computer friendly, we will offer support and training. It may be something we could do alongside veterinary loft visits and also at marking during the race season. The process will be kept as simple as possible.
If conditions and numbers permit a couple of additional marking stations to Canterbury will be considered too, certainly one in the West Section if it goes ahead.
So, in essence, this is the direction we are moving in. We will call our AGM in early December 2022. We need those intending to leave to resign as early as possible so that we have clarity on the situation, and some indication from those whom are interested in either a Full Flying Membership or Associate Membership as detailed above.
This proposal, or something akin to it, will be submitted for alterations to rules for 2023, so now is the time to consider your intentions and to feed that back to the Secretary so that we can get an early assessment of our options. Please be free to circulate this communication to non EECC members whom you feel may be interested.
Secretary
Update 11 July 2022
We are pleased to have been able to organise two decent channel events this year, however it has been necessary to use the Caen-Portsmouth ferry route for these which is a very expensive and logistically poor route for our club. It is not sustainable to use this route with the level of entries we can currently attract in races. Therefore we will await the availability of the Dover-Calais route before organising any further events this year, which to all intents is now unlikely. Hopefully 2023 should see the Dover-Calais route open to us.
We used the veterinary practice AOI Partners to act as the OV for our Export Health Certificate which, all things considered, went well. They are prepared to undertake organised bulk veterinary loft visits, so we will discuss this further with them within the next few weeks.
There is no doubt that we will lose a significant proportion of our membership next year, many have already turned north or simply stay with inland races only. That means that our current method of ‘pay as you use’ financing will not meet the need in future. A radical change is required and the obvious option is that each member pays for the facility to enter races for the year. In the coming weeks there will be communications to consider options. It is intended to call the AGM in late November/ early December, this will create the timeframe in which a new financial structure will need to evolve. Channel racing is most definitely at a ‘watershed’ point, those of us committed to channel racing (and the size of that group has shrunk considerably in the last 6 months) need to find a workable solution.
Update 1 July 2022
We have 520 entries for Nevers. The current forecasts for Saturday predict very sunny conditions at Nevers with light SE winds. Plenty of sunshine on line, winds turning more southerly and the south westerly coming up to Calais. Increased cloud over the channel and Kent but broken with sunny spells.
Distances will be forwarded later today.
Update 24 June 2022
27 members sent 782 birds to Fontenay. Central marking at Canterbury took longer than expected and that meant the Export Health certificate was issued later than expected too. That has caused some problems getting customs clearance in good time, so our marking schedule for the next race will have to commence earlier to suit.
Our Transporter has cleared Port customs and the veterinary check at Caen and will be in Fontenay this evening. Weather forecast for Saturday still pretty grim, but a possible window of opportunity for Sunday morning. Generally southerly winds are expected.
Update 15 June 2022
The number of members receiving CPH numbers is ticking along. We are therefore going ahead with Fontenay on the 25th June and Bourges on the 2nd July, but it is not clear sailing, processes are changing as we go along and we still have obstacles to surmount. Presently French customs is requiring us to present the Export Health Certificate 24 hrs ahead of sailing, that would mean having to mark a day earlier than planned. Negotiations are taking place to try to reduce that to 12 hrs but we wait and see. We have engaged shipping Agents because otherwise we cannot produce the paperwork required to enter/exit France and to ensure we are exempted from import duty ( 16 euro’s a bird currently). However shipping agents do not come free.
There is a requirement from the French authorities that each crate is listed with every pigeon in it. In the trial by the RPRA the French veterinarian took 10% of the birds and checked them out, so that needs to be done thoroughly when we mark the birds. There will be another update on the marking procedures we will have to adopt in due course.
Paperwork needs to 100% accurate, clean and thorough documentation is essential. Make sure whatever paperwork you are asked to provide at marking is fully and properly completed.
We are using Portsmouth- Caen ferry as the only alternative for these 2 races but the costs are far too high to use this route regularly. We may have to wait for Dover-Calais to be available before any further races are contemplated. So be advised to make full use of these Fontenay & Bourges races because there will not be too many channel races available anywhere else this year.
Our sponsor for our Montlucon race on the original programme, has offered to provide the same underwriting of costs up to £1000 on our first race instead, which is very generous and appreciated because the cost of these races is going to be pretty high by our historical standards.
Unfortunately only Central marking at Canterbury, some Norfolk and Essex members are intending to send to one or both, there may be opportunities for some sharing of transport. If you let the Secretary know your intentions he’ll try to liaise where possible.
Finally, commiserations to those members who are still awaiting CPH numbers and it is clear that a number are likely to miss out if their number doesn’t come through in the next week but we cannot wait indefinitely. When Calais is available we will try to gauge if there is enough support for another race or two this year.
If you phone DEFRA again later this week/early next week you might try explaining the predicament and ask for an emergency CPH number. We have heard of a couple of instances where fanciers have been given them over the phone! Anything is worth a try as a last shot.
Update 8 June 2022
From the feedback received there are at least 50 members who have applied for a CPH number, but only 9 have received a number at the moment. This number is too low to make commencing our programme viable by next week, therefore we will move the Fontenay Race to 25th June and go to Bourges on 2nd July.
If you have not received an email from DEFRA requesting you to verify your email address it is very likely that your application may be suspended in some way. It is strongly recommended that you contact the helpline on 03000 200 301 and ask for Racing Pigeon Establishment Registration and check on the status of your application.
Our programme will therefore be as follows
25th June FONTENAY
2nd July BOURGES
9th July ST JUST
16th July FONTENAY
23rd July FONTENAY
Central marking will take place at Canterbury on the Thursday. We’ll mark over the afternoon/early evening – scheduling and slots will be arranged to control the process. Birdage fees will be £3 for Fontenay/St Just and £3.50 for Bourges. Full details will be issued in a week’s time.
For those north of the Thames, the secretary will assist with liaison so that sharing of transport etc can be co-ordinated where possible.
Calais is still not available so the first two races on the 25th June and 2nd July we will book Portsmouth-Caen ferry.
Within the next two weeks it is likely that our numbers will be over 20 members eligible to race and we will go to Fontenay, we have to break this negative cycle. There are quite a few big teams out there judging from the vaccination records, so we may have reasonable birdage figures even if member numbers are lower than usual.
Update 1 June 2022
As we stand at the moment there does not appear to be any administrative impediment to commence our race programme on the 18th June from Fontenay. The big unknown however at the moment is how many of our members have applied for a CPH number and how many have received a number so that we can assess level of support. Could members please drop the Secretary a brief line, or text, or phone if you have applied for a CPH number to assist our preparations.
We are aware of a number of members that have received their CPH number. If DEFRA is turning around these applications within 10 days there remains time for those who may not have applied yet to do so and participate in our channel races. You are strongly advised to do so, it is not, in essence, a difficult process.
Essentially the actual process is simple, unfortunately the DEFRA site is wrapped up in a swarm of guidance notes that makes it feel overwhelming and confusing. You are more than welcome to call the Secretary and he will assist you to get your application in. However you will require an email address, if a member of your family has one that may be a solution. In fact the application itself can be written out by hand and posted, you just need the GPS location. Getting that is a relatively simple matter too.
We are expecting Calais to be added to the French Ports list shortly, that is extremely helpful to us. There has to be a veterinarian at all marking stations and an Official DEFRA certified Veterinarian at the final assembly point. Practically that probably means we may just have to use a single central marking station at Canterbury for races this year, and we’ll see whether there is some way that we can assist members north of the Thames to get their race entries to Canterbury, but we need to know who would be likely to use it.
There will be more details to follow shortly, but to repeat, please let the Secretary know if you’ve applied for a CPH number asap.
Update 22 May 2022 – DEFRA registration and new Race Programme
For those members who have not yet prepared for DEFRA registration, listed below is a simple explanation of a process to follow..
1- First you need to register with a Veterinary practice. David Parsons has offered to register any fancier to his practice so that you can meet DEFRA requirements. To do that go to https://bit.ly/VetPracticeRegistration and a site will open and fill in the forms. It is simple enough and you’ll get a response giving you a confirmation number. You will need this number when you register with DEFRA.
2- On Tuesday morning go to the RPRA website rpra.org and obtain the DEFRA website location.
3- Open the DEFRA website and fill in the form provided.
4- Wait for DEFRA to give you a registration number by email. Once you have this you are clear to enter channel races.
5-Send to me (and to Secretaries of your other channel clubs) a copy of your DEFRA registration number.
Please note that the site https://bit.ly/VetPracticeRegistration requires the use of upper and lower case letters ( ie make sure to use capital letters where they are shown)
In anticipation of the DEFRA registration process being half reasonably effective, we are preparing and obtaining race permits for the following race programme..
June 18 Fontenay
June 25 Saran
July 2 Bourges
July 19 St Just
July 16 Fontenay
July 23 Fontenay
The first three races will give some assistance to fast tracking pigeons for the national and International races in the latter part of July/August, the last three are straightforward experience races for birds not destined for the longer races. It is very difficult to judge the appetite for these last 3 races, if we find that support for them is low level we would potentially drop the last one.
The Norwich marking station will not be operating for the new programme but Great Yarmouth will. Members intending to use Gt Yarmouth please contact John Barber on 07900 602933.
Update 11th May 2022- DEFRA registration live on 24th May
Following the RPRA announcement yesterday that DEFRA will open the registration process from 24th May we have received the following clarifications…
Once a fancier has registered with DEFRA, they can send to channel races. We do not need all our members to be registered, it will be for us to decide when it is feasible to start channel racing. The RPRA expects to be able to issue race permits for channel races after the 24th May, but since we do not know at this stage how long it will take DEFRA to process registrations fixing a race date is a little tricky.
The positive is that channel racing this year is on. The unknown is precisely when we should risk starting again. Leaving it for 6 weeks from 24th May is (in my view) too long, but we could possibly start booking dates commencing 5th or 12th June and simply cancel the first ones if we have insufficient members registered at that point. It would need the co-operation from members to advise the club as soon as they are registered so that we have a live assessment of the situation.
Another unknown at the moment is the exact requirements of the Veterinary certificate, we may not know that until 24th May.
Further information from the RPRA is expected over the next few days. The options will be considered by the Committee as the situation evolves and a new programme issued as soon as practical.
It would be very helpful at this juncture if each member could send the secretary a short line by return indicating whether they would (or not as the case may be) participate in a 5 or 6 channel race programme implemented over June/July.
Update 6 May 2022- progress with DEFRA
The information provided by the RPRA today indicates that DEFRA has made progress on the procedures to recommence channel racing but there is still no clear timetable available at this stage. From a practical perspective it is likely there will be a few more weeks before the all clear is achieved, therefore we will now cancel our original programme of races and as soon as practical consider a new programme once an ‘all clear’ date becomes evident. Probably the focus will be to deliver a 5 or 6 race programme over June/July with one of those races being Bourges.
Even if an outline timetable becomes evident at the meeting with DEFRA early next week that would be very helpful in planning for the rest of the season. Let us hope that after all the disappointments this meeting will finally deliver the result we all want.
Update 23 April 2022- channel racing delayed
From yesterday’s update from the RPRA it will not be possible for us to go ahead with either of our races for the 30th April or the 7th May, these are now cancelled. If the situation allows us to start racing later in May then we will stick to our programmed race schedule but if there are further delays and disruptions we will then need to consider a rescheduled, shorter, programme for June.
A possible alternate could be as follows
June 4 Rouen or St Just
June 11 Fontenay
June 18 Fontenay
June 25 Saran
July 2 Bourges
A third disrupted season is just what we all wanted to avoid, but events are not within our control. If we are able to manage some races from France this year then at least we can overwinter a team with some channel experience for next year, and then with the bureaucratic hurdles crossed this year, planning for next year will be far more assured.
Let’s hope for some positive news next week.
Update 12th April 2022
The meeting with DEFRA/RPRA last week unfortunately did not produce any further clarity on process and timetable to enable us to ascertain when racing from France will commence. So at this stage we can only sit and wait, but as time goes on it is increasingly likely that our race programme will not be able to start on the 30th April, but just in case the situation improves dramatically within the next few days we’ll keep our options open as long as possible before any programme dates changes are made.
Update 5th April 2022
The expectation is that following the meeting with DEFRA on Thursday this week the RPRA will be able to spell out clearly and precisely what protocols and actions are required to enable continental races to re-commence. By this time next week it may be possible to judge what time frame is required to comply with these new requirements. At that juncture we will then assess whether we can commence racing on the week-end of the 30th April as planned or whether a rescheduling is required. If it is practical to keep to the original programme (see attached) then that is the preferred option. A club of our size and nature can be pretty flexible and nimble in this type of situation and that may work to our benefit here.
In that regard preparations are underway as far as possible, the transporter fully serviced and tested last month. A number of members have not sent in vaccination certificates yet. I would point out to them that they will not be able to enter their birds into our races unless those certificates have been provided well in advance. Under RPRA rules your birds must be vaccinated to enter any race, inland or overseas, therefore unless you are not intending to race at all you will need a vaccination certificate in any event, so take a few minutes to pop a copy in the post to me, or email it please.
Once we have clarity from the RPRA we will be able to confirm race dates and fees, marking arrangements etc. Further updates will be issued as frequently as the situation requires.
Update 20th March 2022
The AGM was held on the 13th March, the principal officers for 2022 are as follows President- Bill Kox, Chairman- Andy Girling, Secretary/Treasurer- John Lyden, with Stewards as follows Basildon- Pat Mahoney, Canterbury- Jeff Lyden, Gt Yarmouth- John Barber, Norwich- Malcolm Bunton.
Subscriptions of £65 are now due please if you haven’t already paid them (see payment details below).
Paramyxovirus Vaccination records are starting to come in but I need everyone who hasn’t done so yet to forward a copy to me as soon as possible, preferably before 1st April. We will not be able to accept any pigeons for racing unless we have received a fully completed vaccination document well in advance of the first race. Take the few minutes needed to get the copy to me this week if you can.
As most of you are probably aware, we still await clarification of what registration/veterinary inspection regime DEFRA/EU require to take a transporter into France, but it seems certain that there will be an inspection regime. With that in mind and the sensitivity that may come with that, it is the responsibility of us all to ensure that no ill or sickly pigeons enter the race crates. Ultimately the marking station stewards and the Convoyer will have the authority to refuse to accept, or to remove from the crates, any pigeon that is, or appears to be, obviously ill or in poor condition. However the first line of defence must be that each one of us takes responsibility and makes sure that our own race birds are clean and healthy prior to basketing. It is obvious I know, and most fanciers do this automatically, but we need to be particularly alert this year.
Preparations are well underway in anticipation of the first race on the 30th April. A further update will be issued when we have further information from the RPRA.
John Lyden
Subs- cheques made payable to – EECC. Post to J Lyden, 108 Woodnesborough Rd, Sandwich, Kent CT13 0BA
Direct bank account transfers to- Account 70344745 Sort Code 20-99-21 East of England CC
Update 2nd February 2022- positive news for Channel racing 2022
The RPRA has issued a positive update today that is a very large step forward to recommence channel racing this year. As expected there will be additional bureaucratic measures on records of loft vaccinations and also a new requirement for a veterinary certified health certificate for transporters before they cross to the continent on each race.
The health certificates will increase costs, probably in the region of £3k-£5k in a season for the EECC. A reduction in subscriptions for 2022 was being considered but this additional cost for 2022 probably now rules out any change in subscriptions.
Once the RPRA confirms exactly what documentation, registration etc is required the Secretary will inform all members. It is likely that documents will need to be submitted electronically in approved formats. We know a number of members struggle to deal with computer generated documents but don’t worry, you can post to the Secretary handwritten documents with ring numbers etc and he will create electronic documents on your behalf that meet the requirements. Don’t send anything yet, wait until we have final clarification.
It looks like we are just one more short step away from returning to Continental racing.
Update 28th January 2022 – new marking station at Basildon, Essex for 2022
A marking station will operate from the Post Office Club, Basildon in 2022.( Same location as for the BICC marking station). The Steward is Mr P Mahoney.
Update 25th January 2022- Notification of 2022 AGM
We had held back calling this year’s AGM in the hope that the RPRA could provide some clarity on channel racing before our AGM. This information was expected in December and at this juncture in the last week of January and with time running on, we now need to issue the following notification in order to provide 6 weeks notice.
Annual General Meeting 2022- to be held on Sunday 13th March 2022
Venue ARCA Hall, 151 Ashford Road, Thanington, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3FA
Time 11.30 hours. Meeting in the Committee Room.
Currently we are working on a reasonable assumption that racing from France will go ahead, and that on that basis our original 2021 channel programme will be adopted for 2022. Thus the programme for this year will probably be as follows….
April 30th St Just (Evreux)
May 7th Fontenay (Chartres)
May 14th Rouen
May 21st Fontenay (Chartres)
May 28th Saran (Orleans)
June 4th Bourges
June 11th Montlucon
June 18th Rouen
June 25th Fontenay (Chartres)
July 2nd Fontenay (Chartres)
Presumably we will hear shortly from the RPRA/DEFRA what documentation/process will be required to enable racing from the continent to commence and then we can mobilise ourselves accordingly. Whatever controls are required we will do our best to co-ordinate and assist all our members to achieve compliance and get back to channel racing. Once we know what we have to do, the options will be quickly considered and we’ll be back in contact with members asap.
Update 29th September 2021
The latest information from the RPRA indicates improved prospects of channel racing from France in 2022. In that vein we will delay fixing a date for our 2022 AGM at the moment and wait to see if the RPRA can give us much greater certainty within the next few months. This is fairer to the membership, it permits members to avoid choosing whether or not to retain membership before they know whether racing from France will be available. Also an AGM proposition will go forward for a reduction in subscriptions for existing members for 2022 only (because we’ve had two years with few races) but we need to know what is likely to happen in 2022 so that it can be accurately evaluated and correctly worded. It is not a problem to delay the AGM to February, even late March if we had to. However once we get a ‘green light’ (or in the worst case scenario a ‘red light’) we will immediately fix a date for our AGM.
However taking an optimistic view for the purposes of considering next year’s programme, there was strong support for our proposed 2021 programme, so it makes sense to largely reuse it for 2022, which would then look like this..
2022
April 30 St Just
May 7 Fontenay (Chartres)
May 14 Rouen or St Just (Rouen may not be available)
May 21 Fontenay (Chartres)
May 28 Saran (Orleans)
June 4 Bourges
June 11 Montlucon
June 18 Rouen or St Just
June 25 Fontenay (Chartres)
July 2 Saran or Fontenay
The Montlucon race has an element of its costs underwritten by a sponsor.
A suggestion has been made of a ‘Yearling Derby’ from one of the Fontenay races. A good sponsorship might perhaps make that an attractive proposition.
Let us hope that the frustrations of the last two seasons is behind us!
Further updates will follow in due course.
East England Continental Club 