Pigeon Network

RPRA Update - Vaccinating your birds: During the period of social distancing, the requirement for vaccinations to be witnessed by two association members has been relaxed. Wherever possible this should be witnessed by family members or members of the same household.

Training during restrictions – As you will appreciate the decision taken to prohibit ALL training was taken in line with Government restrictions relating to non-essential travel and was therefore in reality a decision of Government. However it seems that some members are continuing to train their pigeons whilst carrying out essential journeys, such as travelling to work. To provide clarity in relation to training we wish to confirm that ALL training is prohibited, even if carried out via an essential journey. Members should consider that training whether as part of an essential journey or not will result in pigeons straying/becoming injured. This may lead to pigeons falling into the care of non-fanciers who are unable to care for the bird. This WILL result in a journey that is totally unavoidable, whether it’s the owner collecting the bird or the non-fancier delivering the bird to a Vet or a nearby fancier thereby increasing the risk of spreading the virus and placing lives at risk. Anyone training during this period will be dealt with under RPRA Rules relating to dishonourable conduct.

Dear Secretary - We have recently set up a new program as part of the Development Project that myself is currently undertaking here at the RPRA. We have had a great start by launching our new and improved Junior Membership packages which allows an U16 to become a full member of the RPRA for just £7 and receive lots of incentives including quarterly magazines, free rings, badges and many other items to encourage them to continue in the sport as well as a second membership option where any U16 year old can receive the magazines posters badges etc. to encourage them to take up the sport and keep racing pigeons, people can sign up their children for free on or website. This has seen numbers rise from 76 U16s involved in the sport to now over 200 in just under 2 years with new applications coming in all of the time, which has been great. However it is now time to allow that to grow and for use to move on to focusing on growing our adult membership! In January I was pleased to launch our new program called “Flying Back 2 Pigeons”. This has been designed to give clubs the support and resources to grow the sport and membership in communities all around the UK. We have looked at similar projects other sports have done around the UK and produced a scheme that suits our sport. So what are we offering? Club resources both available online and also hard copies to be given to potential new members. Advertising material to advertise your club in you local area. As well as support in getting your club in your local press and also results published locally if not done so already. Ideas and incentives of how to attract new members and getting more people involved in our clubs. Booklet, on ideas how you can promote your club in your area. Posters to put up outside your club house / venues so people know who and where you are. An online find a club search feature so that people in your area can find where you are, and a great feature that people can get directions to your club HQ (www.rpra.org/flying-back) Information to hand out to people who show an interest. Activities you can run at when your club meets for marking and also clock opening. Advertisements for your, Flying Back 2 Pigeon sessions. We are also looking to opening a Swap Shop so people can send us equipment that we can redistribute to new starters to the sport. All of the above will be available to clubs who have registered for the Flying Back 2 Pigeon program. All of items are working in various locations across the UK in our clubs at the moment and this scheme will pull all of these ideas together to have a national targeted approach to the recruitment of new participants within our sport. I feel that if we can get as many clubs on-board with looking at growing the sport and have a national strategy to back this up and support this work then we will have a much better footing to grow the numbers that at the moment are dropping. How can your club get involved and register? It’s very simple, just click on this link: www.rpra.org/flying-back-clubs You will be directed to our online club page where you can find out more information. On that page there is a simple online form that takes less than 5 minutes to complete. If you fill in that form and click submit you are registered and I will send you a confirmation email so you can check as see your club added to the online interactive map that is available to the general public on our other web link found at www.rpra.org/flying-back It’s that simple! When the season is underway we will then send you all of the resources and information you need and will contact every club to support in getting your club ready to start to advertise your sessions and also how you can get your club out there and visible in your community. We currently have a number of clubs registered however we need more. This is free to all registered clubs and we are putting this project as our number 1 priority in the development project so you will be supported all the way. If you have any further questions please call me on 07922 827932 and I will be more than happy to answer any quires you have. Thank you for your support. Regards Richard Chambers RPRA Development Office

HOMER. Willie Reynolds
Tel/Fax: (028) 256 44683
Mobile: 07538 238364
Twitter: willie reynolds@homerbhw
Email: homerbhw@gmail.com
www.pigeonnetwork.com
www.irishnationalflyingclub.com
www.niparacingpigeons.co.uk
www.infc.co.uk

Covid-19 Training and Racing Monday 4th May 2020.

Covid-19 Training and Racing Firstly I would like to outline that Training remains strictly prohibited and anyone undertaking training may be jeopardising the achievement of a position whereby we can train and race as soon as is reasonably possible.We need to demonstrate that we can collectively follow simple instructions. While I am happy to say that we have received few reports in terms of police authorities having stopped and found fanciers undertaking a non-essential journey while training their pigeons; it is unfortunate to learn that some members have been dealt with by the authorities for carrying out training. In the interest of the sport and the wider community these individuals should stop immediately. You will be aware that myself, President and Vice Presidents have developed a protocol for race marking and clock striking. This protocol has been approved by the RPRA Council and presented to the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Pigeon Racing. Discussions have been escalated and we hope to be in a position to announce positive news in due course. However, I must stress that there are no guarantees. Continuing to train in the current restrictions could jeopardise our relationship with the authorities on whom we may be relying on to allow racing if and when restrictions are lifted Please be assured that we are doing all that is reasonably possible to achieve a position where training and racing can commence while adhering to certain restrictions. Ian Evans RPRA CEO

R.P.R.A. Covid -19 Update Sunday 10th May 2020.
Posted on May 11, 2020 by trevor

Following tonight’s statement by the Prime Minster and the statements from the devolved Governments, the President, Vice Presidents and CEO will be meeting (Online) tonight (Sunday) to discuss the content and provide an update in relation to training and racing as soon as possible. In the meantime please continue to adhere to the current restrictions regarding training and racing Further discussions are also planned with the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Pigeon racing on Monday. The CEO has also made contact with the Welsh Government and will be attempting to contact other devolved Governments asap Thank you.

Ian Evans RPRA CEO