RPRA (SW Region News Update) - Oct 16

[willie reynolds]

The SW Region held a committee meeting last week, to discuss various issues prior to the Coventry meeting of the RPRA Council to be held 28th October. In attendance were Mr Shirley Vice President , Sue Thompson , new secretary and Committee members Alen Gibb, Tim Watts , Dennis Bishop and Clive Merrills. Barry Burton was welcomed as the only visitor to the meeting .

Now that the racing season has finished , and the fact that it has been raining all day , gives me the opportunity of bringing SW Region members up to date regarding ongoing issues, and also thank those responsible for organising racing in the SW Region , and combine area during 2016 . Special thanks must go to Alen Gibb for preparing the race results for the Combine races and also Stewart Wilcox whose updates regarding weather / liberation news has been most welcome.

I will not dwell too much on all the issues discussed at the Region meeting , but it is sufficient to say that the Region is in a healthy financial position, and a new bank mandate lodged with HSBC . There was more than a little difficulty in obtaining statements for the Region following the resignation of the previous secretary . I would like to express my total support for the new secretary Mrs Sue Thompson , who is I am sure well known to many National flyers where she is responsible , with her husband Alan for marking / paperwork at Frome marking station. The Regions affairs are now in very capable hands .

The Region now has 1356 members , with still a few individuals still not having paid to date. The Region has in excess of 70 clubs and we would like to try to increase members so as to still have 2 Councillors on RPRA Council. Ideas for increasing membership would be welcome -A suggestions by Tim Watts - if one member in each Club included a new family relative or wife as flying partner we would soon be over 1500 .

As you will know the RPRA is now subject of a formal review by John Hall Associates and Mr Hall\\\"s report is due before the end of October .
Such Review hopefully will include a suggestion that the Rules of the Association be simplified , and possibly the numbers on Council reduced

At present some 26 Councillors represent the fancy. Meetings are held twice / three times each year and I have for a long time thought that if Council meetings were held at Blackpool, or perhaps Doncaster shows then members could actually see how the Council deals with the day to day running of the sport . Members might then feel that their views are being taken into consideration. This might also begin to breakdown the \\\" them and us barriers \\\" ! Appeal procedure needs to be simplified with appeals being dealt with , perhaps, by 5 Councillors from different Regions.

At the October meeting of the RPRA Council I have to explain why the Region members attended a meeting to discuss alternatives to the
RPRA . It seems that the Region is called to account despite there being other major issues - false race results , false awards being given .
with only the slightest penalties being imposed - attending a break away meeting is clearly a major punishable event !!

During the year Rob Wilton resigned from the Region Committee because of ill health. Fred Bloor has also been unwell , as well as his wife Janice . Our thoughts go to each , and hope for continuing improvemnts / stability to their health. I have this year been pleased to attend meetings on your behalf and also considerable pleasure ( and exhaustion) at attending the liberation of pigeons at Thiepval and Bletchley on behalf of the french fanciers - many of who I have met and also been to their Club at Doullons .

On a personal note - a lady in Cherbourgh has reported to me that she has one of my own pigeons - any ideas as to how I can recover the pigeon via the Poole Ferry from Calaise or anyone coming back from holiday from France who could collect.

Finally in holiday mode - welcome back to Kevin and Louise Wintle - winners of the holiday in Menorca - they clearly enjoyed themselves
Best wishes to all for 2017

Ronald Shirley SW Region Vice President .