SMDF No 37 3 November 2014 TIMES, THEY ARE A’CHANGING …. During the fifty or so years I have been connected with various aspects of pigeon racing, virtually the whole scenario has changed completely but none more so than the Annual Prize Presentation. I can quite clearly remember that when I first attended such events, even at local club level, there was almost always a three course sit down meal, followed by first class on stage entertainment and dancing to a small band or disco. Even the prize presentation didn’t get in the way of the fun. Gradually, during the passing years the enthusiasm from the fancy seems to have waned for these type of events and for those clubs trying to run them based on the old fashioned formula there is nothing but disappointment due to lack of support. However, we have to live with the times and if the fancy don’t want things the way they are then there is only one thing to do - CHANGE. So, the Staffordshire Moorlands & District Federation, being a forward thinking organisation, have considered all the various options open to them and, for this year, have changed their Prize & Presentation gathering to incorporate those new ideas. If you come along and join in the event then you can pass your comments on to us, which will enable us to give you exactly what you want next year. Common sense really! OK, so here we go with the format for the new style Presentation. Firstly, it will be in the afternoon rather than in the evening (although I suspect it will continue well into the evening as the Kidsgrove Working Men’s Club has no intention of closing as soon as the Presentation is over). It will commence at 12 noon and will incorporate a pigeon show with the usual 4 Classes, O Cocks, O Hens, Y Cocks and Y Hens. All Classes will be thru the wires and there will no limit on the number of birds you can enter. There will be a “no limit” nomination at a cost of £1 per bird and the entry fee is also £1 per bird. All Class winners will go forward for the additional prizes of Best in Show, Best Opposite Sex and Best Young Bird. All entry fees and Nomination charges will be paid out as follows – 10% of all entry monies to go to Best in Show winner and the remaining money to be paid out to Class Winners on a 40%, 30%, 20% and 10% basis. Nomination is winner takes all. Who will be judging such a wonderful sounding Show you may ask? The SMDF have sought out the most talented fanciers with the right amount of experience to act in this capacity. I am delighted to report that we have been extremely fortunate to obtain the services of two gentlemen who will need little or no introducing to you. Brian Dearn is recognised as a leading authority on racing pigeons and widely sought after as a member of numerous quiz panels all over the country. Brian was an outstanding fancier and excelled at sprint racing with his birds also winning well for others. He was the youngest ever President of the NW Region and following his resignation from the Lancashire Social Circle, due to finishing racing after conceding defeat to the dreaded raptor problem, he was made an Honorary Life Member of the Circle. The second member of our judging panel is Bill Duckworth from Darwen. Bill was one of the first, if not the first, to introduce the fabulous Lambrecht pigeons on to the racing scene in this country and didn’t they make him a force to be reckoned with, winning club, Fed, Combine and Classic races week after week. Sadly, Bill has also been forced out of the sport following constant attacks by peregrines etc. Bill is a mine of information on his many visits to Shows, Quizzes, Dinners and Auctions. So, if you want to pick up tips from the experts, our Presentation is the place to be. As if the Show was not enough, there will also be an Auction of approx six pigeons from leading fanciers from all over the country. As examples of the quality of the birds to be auctioned, I offer you a bird from Kenneth Chadwick, who still races a family of Busschaerts, and who won The Sentinel Cup with North Staffs and won 13 out of 21 races entered in his club, Mow Cop, last season. Then we have a bird from Steve Foster, another Lambrecht specialist, who is winning out of turn with his superb pigeons. Just to add to the atmosphere there will also be an exhibition stand manned by members of the Midlands National Flying Club where you will be able to pay your 2015 subs and order your rings. The presentation of SMDF prizes & trophies will take place after the Show judging has taken place and a FREE RUNNING BUFFET will be available in the Lounge while the judging is taking place, to say nothing of the beer at very competitive prices. So there you have the details of our new look Prize Presentation from your new look Staffordshire Moorlands & District Federation. If you like what you see and would like to come along and talk about considering joining us you will be given more than an enthusiastic welcome – and it’s a FREE BUFFET. That’s my lot for this week but just in case I don’t get chance to communicate in print again before Christmas may I take this opportunity, on behalf of The President and all the Management Committee to wish all members and non-members alike a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2015. Cheers for now. Brian Smith Press officer