2025 race dates & info

[PompeyMick]

As you are probably now aware, at the clubs AGM in January George Smith stepped down after 20 plus years as secretary and I’m sure all past members will join me in thanking him for his long service. As with a lot of organisations, the club has been suffering from reducing numbers and with 5 resignations submitted at the 2024 AGM club membership was reduced to just 16.



With no other applicants for the vacant position, and in order to try to boost numbers by expanding the boundaries and making the club more easily accessible to its membership in the entry and verification process, I volunteered to take over the position. With the agreement of those present at the AGM, the boundaries were expanded to that of the Solent Federation so that it is now open to any Solent Federation member. With regards to the entry and verification process rather than having to post by Royal Mail the relevant forms, as was the case, they may now be included in with the Solent Federation entry and result envelopes submitted by clubs. For those who prefer, or who may have forgotten to complete their entry and/or verification papers on the night, these can now also be sent to me electronically provided they are received, with any payment, within the timescales as set down in the club rules.



In order to increase membership numbers we have actively sought to do so by making membership forms available at both the federation annual presentation and also at the February delegates meeting. To make payment of fees more streamlined they may now be made by direct transfer to the clubs bank account as well as by cheque (details on membership forms or from myself for existing members). At this point I’d like to to remind any existing members who have not yet paid their club fees were due by 1st March.

I’m pleased to be able to say that in promoting, and making access to the club more up to date, we have doubled membership since the AGM and now have 32 members. This will go a long way to upholding the 1st prize of £100 per race that has long been the case for the club. Of course, we are always open to new memberships, so please feel free to mention us to your club mates.



As far as possible I/we will provide any paperwork, updates, results etc. by email through a distribution list from the addresses you have provided so that costs can be kept to a minimum. These can then be printed off at your convenience. Those members that do not have access to emails will, of course, be provided with hard copies of any paperwork, which will be forwarded to their club in an envelope for their attention.





Race Programme



As in previous years the club race programme will consist of three old bird and one young bird race. In trying to appeal to the widest range of fanciers the club will hold a short, middle and longer distance old bird programme as well as historically keeping to the longest young bird race in the Solent Federations programme. For members new to the Hants. Two Bird C.C. it will, should be any alteration to the Solent Fed race programme, default the club programme to the date specified in the race programme and that will determine the clubs race point.



OLD BIRDS



24TH MAY - WORKSOP

14TH JUNE - HEXAM

11TH JULY - PERTH


YOUNG BIRDS


ASHBOURNE



Well, that’s it for now. I have attached your entry, verification form and updated club rules within this email for you to download/print and wish you all good luck for the coming season.



If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact any of the clubs officers on the numbers below.



John Daniels, President – 023 9258 7590

Bill Edwards, chairman – 07917 886665

Lee Patterson, secretary – 07917 891867