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News Updates
5th February 2012.
Both the balance sheet and the proposals will be coming out to the members quite soon. A firm of accountants have examined the Clubs finances and produced a provisional report. A few queries were raised by the Committee but these have been answered and the balance sheet will be collected in the next few days. After final approval by the Committee it will be sent out to all. As is often the case within our sport “jungle drums” have been beating and all sorts of rumours have been circulating. Can I just assure you, as you will see for yourself when the balance sheet arrives; there is nothing wrong with the finances of The British Barcelona Club. There are of course questions which the Committee must ask about how money is spent and what is the best way to spend it, which is quite normal but all the more important now because the economy is getting tougher and tighter all the time. There are no doubt question which you, the members, would like to ask as well, in which case please do. There is provision on the web site for “Feedback” and you will find telephone numbers for Committee members in your handbook so please if you have questions, suggestions or even complaints don’t just sit on them, let the Committee know. Finally on finances this is not the richest Club in the UK, it is not a Club that has large sums of money put its way by some rich benefactor and it is not a Club that has large balances kept to one side and not used, instead it is a Club that has one of the lowest joining fees, very competitive birdage charges, the most modern and efficient transporter and provides a highly competitive race programme, in short a Club that offers value at every stage.
Another set of rumours going around concerns our Secretary, Barry Burton, and I would suggest you forget them just as quickly. Barry has decided, after careful consideration, to relinquish the post and hand over the job to someone else at the deferred AGM. He has worked very hard over the year at what is a very demanding job and while he would be the first to admit that not everything has gone as well as he would wish he has done his best. The way he has conducted himself throughout his term of office is a testament to his honesty and integrity and the dignity of his departure is a lesson to us all. Thank you Barry for all you have done.
We then lurch from someone who has tried his best to those who prefer not to try at all. The B.I.C.C. has decided that co-operation is not “a viable proposition." So there goes the Barcelona National, or does it? (The B.B.C. Invitation letter.)
This decision is unfortunate in many ways but it is not isolated, it is not unique within the pigeon sport in this country. Somehow we have grown up as a collection of isolated groups each going its own way and often with several going the very same way but nevertheless quite set apart from those who are actually alongside. Many have found this desirable, preferable even but as times move on and especially now as we go into a period when financial constraints will bite deeper and deeper this pattern will become more and more difficult to maintain. In these circumstances co-operation becomes a necessity and so we, the whole sport, must find a way to make it viable.
While constant references to finances can get a little depressing they have to be considered and so one or two new measures are being brought in to either reduce work and costs or provide more revenue without effecting basic costs. For instance it has been decided to raise the deduction from Pools from 5% to 10%. This will of course have a small effect on the amount of money paid out and therefore winners will receive slightly less but it will not affect the basic cost of entering a race or even a pool. At the other end of the scale it has been decided to open out the Single bird £1 Nomination and also introduce a £5 and £10 open nomination. This has the effect of allowing those who want to participate to do so without impinging on those who either do not or cannot. Another innovative administrative move is the issue of Credit Notes rather than Cheques for pool and nomination payouts below £10. There are many small payments like this which carry with them a high administrative cost and it is hoped that this will actually help all concerned.
More rumours will no doubt fly over the coming few weeks about discussions going on within the Committee because there is a lot to do and there will be a variety of opinions on the best way to proceed. Just as with the finances if you have any views then let the Committee know. They are there to represent you and unless you get your view across to them how can you expect them to do what you want.
16th January 2012
The immediate concern of members of The British Barcelona Club is no doubt the lack of a balance sheet together with the time it is taking to produce this essential document. At the Committee meeting held on Sunday 15th January a draft balance sheet had been prepared for the Committee’s scrutiny by a firm of accountants. Unfortunately the Clubs normal arrangement had fallen through and this document had been quite quickly put together at the Intervention of the President and Chairman. The existence of this document demonstrates that a proper balance sheet is not far away but there were a number of discrepancies that do need to be queried/corrected before the document can be accepted and sent out to the membership. That is what is being done now and the sooner the corrected version can be circulated to the committee members for approval the sooner it can be sent out together with the revised propositions. This has been an embarrassing episode for all concerned but it is not a time when recrimination and blame chasing is very helpful. The Committee are conscious of this and while the immediate concern is to get this balance sheet correct responsibilities and procedures are under review in order to ensure this does not happen again.
The committee were also disappointed to learn that so far no reply had been received from the B.I.C.C. regarding the invitation extended to them over the Barcelona race and 2012 in general. It had been hoped that some sort of meeting could be arranged to discuss in what ways these two Clubs could come together and cater for the interest that is clearly out there amongst fanciers to make this a truly National race. There is still time of course but time marches on and if this venture has any hope of success it is important to make a start on those discussions.
On a more optimistic note The British Barcelona Club Long Distance Breeding Stud has been reprieved. Fortunately volunteers have come forward to keep this unique feature alive. While the birds and new accommodation are in place it will be a short while before it is all up and running. Birds will become available a little later in the year bred to order at £75 each for Club members and £100 for non members. Considering the breeding and origin of these pigeons prices have been set at a very competitive level in today’s market and take full account of the financial constraints fanciers are feeling. You will be notified of availability, in the near future, when full details of the pigeons at stock will be displayed on the Clubs web site and you will be able to order both via the web site and the Club secretary.
The committee is very conscious of the difficult and unstable financial times we are going through and in view of that, despite the constant rise in costs, have decided to keep both prize money and race entry fees at the same level in 2012 as in 2011. One big feature that assist's in this is the new transporter which, whilst a substantial capital outlay, delivers not only better conditions for the birds but more economic fuel consumption. At the same time for those who have money and are eager to try and increase it the £1 single bird nomination will now be opened to as many entries as you wish and be joined by similar £5 and £10 nominations.
Again conscious of member’s time and convenience it has been decided that members using ETS will no longer be required to complete race form “B” provided there are NO POOLS or NOMINATIONS. At this time Form “B” is the only way of registering Pools and Nominations so it is still essential for that purpose. Crate numbers will still be required against each entry but it is felt this can easily be completed on the ETS printout. In a similar advance members will also be able to Verify their pigeons online as well as make entries via race form “A” on line with payments taken via PayPal. Further details and an opportunity to practice with these facilities will shortly be available on the web site and notification will be made through the Club web site Newsletter.
The last point at this time is the Annual Young Bird Sale. This has been a very successful feature of the Club activities as it provides an open opportunity for members, and indeed non members, to demonstrate their generosity by offering pigeons for sale and an unparalleled opportunity for fanciers in general to enhance their long distance stock at highly competitive prices. Further details of course will be announced both on the web site and through the press as they become available so can I appeal to all and any who are prepared to donate pigeons to this highly prestigious sale to contact the secretary, Barry Burton Tel: 01305 213740, as soon as possible so that we can announce those details.
Both the balance sheet and the proposals will be coming out to the members quite soon. A firm of accountants have examined the Clubs finances and produced a provisional report. A few queries were raised by the Committee but these have been answered and the balance sheet will be collected in the next few days. After final approval by the Committee it will be sent out to all. As is often the case within our sport “jungle drums” have been beating and all sorts of rumours have been circulating. Can I just assure you, as you will see for yourself when the balance sheet arrives; there is nothing wrong with the finances of The British Barcelona Club. There are of course questions which the Committee must ask about how money is spent and what is the best way to spend it, which is quite normal but all the more important now because the economy is getting tougher and tighter all the time. There are no doubt question which you, the members, would like to ask as well, in which case please do. There is provision on the web site for “Feedback” and you will find telephone numbers for Committee members in your handbook so please if you have questions, suggestions or even complaints don’t just sit on them, let the Committee know. Finally on finances this is not the richest Club in the UK, it is not a Club that has large sums of money put its way by some rich benefactor and it is not a Club that has large balances kept to one side and not used, instead it is a Club that has one of the lowest joining fees, very competitive birdage charges, the most modern and efficient transporter and provides a highly competitive race programme, in short a Club that offers value at every stage.
Another set of rumours going around concerns our Secretary, Barry Burton, and I would suggest you forget them just as quickly. Barry has decided, after careful consideration, to relinquish the post and hand over the job to someone else at the deferred AGM. He has worked very hard over the year at what is a very demanding job and while he would be the first to admit that not everything has gone as well as he would wish he has done his best. The way he has conducted himself throughout his term of office is a testament to his honesty and integrity and the dignity of his departure is a lesson to us all. Thank you Barry for all you have done.
We then lurch from someone who has tried his best to those who prefer not to try at all. The B.I.C.C. has decided that co-operation is not “a viable proposition." So there goes the Barcelona National, or does it? (The B.B.C. Invitation letter.)
This decision is unfortunate in many ways but it is not isolated, it is not unique within the pigeon sport in this country. Somehow we have grown up as a collection of isolated groups each going its own way and often with several going the very same way but nevertheless quite set apart from those who are actually alongside. Many have found this desirable, preferable even but as times move on and especially now as we go into a period when financial constraints will bite deeper and deeper this pattern will become more and more difficult to maintain. In these circumstances co-operation becomes a necessity and so we, the whole sport, must find a way to make it viable.
While constant references to finances can get a little depressing they have to be considered and so one or two new measures are being brought in to either reduce work and costs or provide more revenue without effecting basic costs. For instance it has been decided to raise the deduction from Pools from 5% to 10%. This will of course have a small effect on the amount of money paid out and therefore winners will receive slightly less but it will not affect the basic cost of entering a race or even a pool. At the other end of the scale it has been decided to open out the Single bird £1 Nomination and also introduce a £5 and £10 open nomination. This has the effect of allowing those who want to participate to do so without impinging on those who either do not or cannot. Another innovative administrative move is the issue of Credit Notes rather than Cheques for pool and nomination payouts below £10. There are many small payments like this which carry with them a high administrative cost and it is hoped that this will actually help all concerned.
More rumours will no doubt fly over the coming few weeks about discussions going on within the Committee because there is a lot to do and there will be a variety of opinions on the best way to proceed. Just as with the finances if you have any views then let the Committee know. They are there to represent you and unless you get your view across to them how can you expect them to do what you want.
16th January 2012
The immediate concern of members of The British Barcelona Club is no doubt the lack of a balance sheet together with the time it is taking to produce this essential document. At the Committee meeting held on Sunday 15th January a draft balance sheet had been prepared for the Committee’s scrutiny by a firm of accountants. Unfortunately the Clubs normal arrangement had fallen through and this document had been quite quickly put together at the Intervention of the President and Chairman. The existence of this document demonstrates that a proper balance sheet is not far away but there were a number of discrepancies that do need to be queried/corrected before the document can be accepted and sent out to the membership. That is what is being done now and the sooner the corrected version can be circulated to the committee members for approval the sooner it can be sent out together with the revised propositions. This has been an embarrassing episode for all concerned but it is not a time when recrimination and blame chasing is very helpful. The Committee are conscious of this and while the immediate concern is to get this balance sheet correct responsibilities and procedures are under review in order to ensure this does not happen again.
The committee were also disappointed to learn that so far no reply had been received from the B.I.C.C. regarding the invitation extended to them over the Barcelona race and 2012 in general. It had been hoped that some sort of meeting could be arranged to discuss in what ways these two Clubs could come together and cater for the interest that is clearly out there amongst fanciers to make this a truly National race. There is still time of course but time marches on and if this venture has any hope of success it is important to make a start on those discussions.
On a more optimistic note The British Barcelona Club Long Distance Breeding Stud has been reprieved. Fortunately volunteers have come forward to keep this unique feature alive. While the birds and new accommodation are in place it will be a short while before it is all up and running. Birds will become available a little later in the year bred to order at £75 each for Club members and £100 for non members. Considering the breeding and origin of these pigeons prices have been set at a very competitive level in today’s market and take full account of the financial constraints fanciers are feeling. You will be notified of availability, in the near future, when full details of the pigeons at stock will be displayed on the Clubs web site and you will be able to order both via the web site and the Club secretary.
The committee is very conscious of the difficult and unstable financial times we are going through and in view of that, despite the constant rise in costs, have decided to keep both prize money and race entry fees at the same level in 2012 as in 2011. One big feature that assist's in this is the new transporter which, whilst a substantial capital outlay, delivers not only better conditions for the birds but more economic fuel consumption. At the same time for those who have money and are eager to try and increase it the £1 single bird nomination will now be opened to as many entries as you wish and be joined by similar £5 and £10 nominations.
Again conscious of member’s time and convenience it has been decided that members using ETS will no longer be required to complete race form “B” provided there are NO POOLS or NOMINATIONS. At this time Form “B” is the only way of registering Pools and Nominations so it is still essential for that purpose. Crate numbers will still be required against each entry but it is felt this can easily be completed on the ETS printout. In a similar advance members will also be able to Verify their pigeons online as well as make entries via race form “A” on line with payments taken via PayPal. Further details and an opportunity to practice with these facilities will shortly be available on the web site and notification will be made through the Club web site Newsletter.
The last point at this time is the Annual Young Bird Sale. This has been a very successful feature of the Club activities as it provides an open opportunity for members, and indeed non members, to demonstrate their generosity by offering pigeons for sale and an unparalleled opportunity for fanciers in general to enhance their long distance stock at highly competitive prices. Further details of course will be announced both on the web site and through the press as they become available so can I appeal to all and any who are prepared to donate pigeons to this highly prestigious sale to contact the secretary, Barry Burton Tel: 01305 213740, as soon as possible so that we can announce those details.