Same old question

[Bowbroom]

Whilst I don’t disagree with you King that the sport has been in decline for 40 years it is still going. We have 18 members in our club in Glastonbury. We are part of the West Of England South Road Combine, which is struggling and also the Three Countries Classic Racing Pigeon Club spread across most of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. This is a very strong club with now over 200 members, and growing, and sending upwards of 2500 pigeons a week. Very well run and cheap racing.

I agree Andy the sport WILL survive for many years yet, but not everywhere. National clubs, and those Feds that amalgamate will fair very much better. In my area it's just sprint racing now but anybody who still wanted to race from France would have to fly with the NFC, there is a marking station only 20 miles from me, but nobody local is interested in sending which I think is a sad reflection on the fanciers around me still racing. If I were still racing I certainly would make the effort to race from the channel.

It will carry on but not in the way it used to and anybody that thinks the interest of the 70s, 80,s and 90,s are kidding themselves as has been said natural wastage amongst members far exceeds new members that might be interested.
The reasons for this are clear and I have no intention of going over old ground.
As King says those that are prepared to amalgamate and travel further to mark will be there for some time those that aren’t will disappear.
As with most things in life self help usually produces results

[Diamond Dave]

Hey BB. I agree, I think enough has been said already and probably by the both of us.
However, Id just like to add one footnote which in my opinion sums up our governing body.
If you're running a business and it is losing money hand over fist, it would be both irresponsible and financially suicidal not to address the situation and at least TRY to change something rather than bury your head and carry on as if nothing was happening and worse still raping that business of any of the assets it had.

[king]

Hey BB. I agree, I think enough has been said already and probably by the both of us.
However, Id just like to add one footnote which in my opinion sums up our governing body.
If you're running a business and it is losing money hand over fist, it would be both irresponsible and financially suicidal not to address the situation and at least TRY to change something rather than bury your head and carry on as if nothing was happening and worse still raping that business of any of the assets it had.

The difference with a business and the RPRA Dave is, the RPRA has control of the majority of it's income via subs, and can continue by ever increasing those subs to keep afloat.

[Diamond Dave]

Cheers King. You call it "having control of the subs"
I call it - having its members pants down so they can continue with that rape and sit back and carry on doing nothing about anything.

[Bowbroom]

You’re clearly still unhappy with the RPRA
Have you heard from the Ringmaster recently?

[Diamond Dave]

Hey BB hope youre well. Still trying to wind ppl up I see.
Yes, wer'e in regular contact we are good friends after all.
How about you ? Are you still on the all expenses paid list?

[Bowbroom]

Not a wind up DD, everyone knows you have an irrational detestation of the RPRA just checking that was still the case which clearly it is.
Never had a halfpenny from anyone mores the pity
Did the Ringmaster ever buy you a drink out of his severance pay?

[Diamond Dave]

You are getting tiresome now mate - lets agree to leave this pathetic sniping there and get on and contribute to the forum. Its been fun but must be getting boring for everyone else.
What dya say mate......