SNFC Report

I received the following report from John Houston President of the SNFC;
The annual general meeting of the SNFC was held in Caldervale High School on Saturday 17th January with over 130 members in attendance. In line with the clubs long established tradition, the members stood to observe one minutes silence in respect of fellow members who have sadly passed over the past year. The minutes of the previous years A.G.M were passed as an accurate record and after some questions had been answered on the finances of the club, the annual report and statement of accounts were approved.
Election of Officials fro 2009; President is John Houston; Senior Vice President is Dr Phil Lynch and Junior Vice president is Richard Combe.
The Management Committee is as follows; J Hannah from Lanarkshire; T McEwan from East of Scotland; I McKay Aberdeen; K Young Ballochmyle; D Jamieson Central; W Davidson Aberdeen; A McKee Midland; B Gray Midlothian; I French Solway; E Jamieson Scottish Borders; Gareth Rankin Lanarkshire; J Stewart North West; R Morris Renfrew; D Hay Individual member.
The firm of French Duncan, chartered accountants of Falkirk were re elected status quo.
Race Programme for 2009
1 Inland national from Newbury 6th June; race marking Thursday 4th June.
2 Inland national from Eastbourne 20th June; race marking Thursday 18th June
3 Gold Cup race from Alencon 26th July; race marking Wednesday 24th July
4 Longest Race from Tours 4th July; race marking Wednesday 1st July
N.B.
Because of the small number of birds usually competing from this distance, there may be an opportunity to team up with another organisation in order to reduce costs as much as possible. That agreed flexibility by the members is entrusted to the officials and management committee.
5 Ypres (Belgium) 3rd July race marking 1st July
6 Falaise race flown 17th July race marking Wednesday 15th July
7 Leicester young bird race flown 12th September; race marking Friday 11th September.

• Federation looking for joint convoying facilities will be allowed to do so and duplicate in the Races 1; 2; 5; 6 & 7.
• It was unanimously agreed that ALL members obtain their own measurements for the agreed race programme from the Scottish Homing Union. The cost of duplication will be decided by the management committee.
• Subscription; entrance fee; birdage and prize money were all agreed status quo as per year book.



At the first meeting of the new management committee held on Thursday 12th February 2009; with president John Houston in the chair the following decisions were all approved unanimously

1. Mr Joe Murphy was elected as SNFC Press Officer
2. Convoyers are as follows; Mr Tom McEwen; Mr Colin Cray and
Mr Ian French
3 Race Controllers are as follows; Mr Gareth Rankin; Mr Richard Combe and Mr Raymond White
5 Musselburgh Marking Station CLOSED and a suitable alternative is being sought by Tom McEwen
6 As the management committee was one member short; Mr Andy Thomson of Dundee was unanimously co opted on.
7 Mr Ian McKay kindly volunteered to operate the Lib Line service of behalf of the SNFC for season 2009 free of charge.
8 Two sub committees were set up to organise 2 young bird’s sales; one in the east on Sunday 26th April and one in the west on Sunday 3rd May. Sale schedules etc will appear nearer the time. Mr Andrew McKee will be auctioneer at both sales.
9 It was unanimously agreed to seek sponsorship for ALL race in 2009

In an attempt to generate more income for the club any member reading this or indeed anyone from out width the club who wishes to support this venture please contact the secretary on 01236 830253 or in his absence the President on 01236 830747.
The Scottish National Flying club; has a long and illustrious history and prestige since its formation in 1894 to promote National Racing in Scotland. It always welcomes sponsorship in a variety of forms and in return readily and publicly acknowledges such support for its races.
The race programme for season 2009 is;

1. Newbury flown on Saturday 6th June
2. Eastbourne flown on Saturday 20th June
3. Alencon (Gold Cup) flown on Friday 26th June
4. Ypres flown on Friday 3rd July
5. Tours flown on Saturday 4th July
6. Falaise flown on Friday 17th July
7. Leicester flown on Saturday 12th September

For race sponsorship of £500; your firm/ company or perhaps in memory of a recently departed loved one would receive in return – A free advert in our annual Year Book distributed to roughly 1200 members; your name example; Houston Haulage on race entry forms, your name on race reports published in the weekly pigeon journals, the British Homing World and Racing Pigeon which is distributed worldwide and your generous sponsorship would be acknowledged at our Annual Presentation held in the Glynhill Hotel in Paisley on the 31st October 2009 as well in the report on that event published in the British Homing World and Racing Pigeon.
The Alencon Gold Cup Race from France (over 540 miles into Central Scotland) is our Blue Riband or Flagship race and sponsorship of this event would require sponsorship of between £1000 and £1500 with all the same benefits as outlined in the previous paragraph.
However, in addition you would receive 2 free tickets to join as top table guests at our Annual Presentation and free overnight accommodation with breakfast in the Glynhill Hotel in Paisley on the 31st October 2009 with access during your stay to all the hotel leisure facilities.
In all 7 race; a total of 7 sectional trophies are awarded at approximately £50 each; told is £350. In return your sponsorship for your chosen race would be acknowledged not only in our Year Book list of trophies; but also in the race report published in the British Homing World and Racing Pigeon as well as acknowledgement at our Annual Presentation evening and in the subsequent reports of that event in the British Homing World and Racing Pigeon papers.
Finally to encourage young fanciers to take up the sport and compete in the National competition; the club awards an under 18 trophy to the first member under 18 years of age flying on his or her own in our inland national race from Newbury and from the Leicester young bird national. Each award costs £50 a total of £100 to sponsor both race trophies. In return, each trophy would be named for example; ‘The Houston Haulage Under 18 Trophy’ in our year book list of trophy winners and would also have that name printed on our Annual Presentation Programme; again the report o hit award ceremony would be submitted for publication in the British Homing World and Racing Pigeon papers.
If however you feel that you would like to consider or offer sponsorship in some other form example; a one page advert in our Year Book at a cost of £50; we would welcome any discussion. Copies of proof of all benefits outlined will be forwarded to you after Annual Presentation report so that you can assess the publicity guaranteed for your chosen type of generous sponsorship.
To facilitate the deadline set by the club Publishers; we would require having any sponsorship confirmed and paid in advance before the end of March. We would also like to advise you that at long last, our secretary has been able to arrange his more than well deserved holiday. In his absence, starting the 20th February, all enquires should be directed to the president; who can be contacted at the above phone number.

Conclusion

Firstly I would like to thank the new management committee for electing me Press Officer for the 2009 season; everyone knows my admiration for this great club of ours and I will endeavour to give the SNFC winners the publicity they deserve. With the assistance from the management committee (who will be obtaining the details and photographs of the winners in each section) together we will continue to highlight the quality of top performance pigeons (and fanciers) we have within the Scottish National Flying Club. Needless to say I deem it a great honour to be part of this new team and as usual will give the SNFC my 100% commitment. I will finish of this first report on the new season by including the photographs of the 1st open SNFC winners for 2008.