THE OFFICIAL RULES

THE OFFICIAL

RULES

2021

ROYAL PIGEON RACING ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS 2021President: Mr L. Blacklock (1st year)

Vice-Presidents: Mr D. Bridges (1st year), Mr S. Mellor (1st year), Mr P. Hammond (3rd year).Trustees: Mr L. Blacklock, Mr D. Higgins, Mr R. ShirleyPRESIDENT EX-OFFICIO MEMBER OF ALL COMMITTEES

[email protected]@rpra.org


[email protected]@[email protected]

[email protected]@[email protected]


Chief Executive Officer - Ian EvansOffice ManagerFinance ManagerRPRA One Loft enquiriesStray reportsRings, transfers, partnershipsLoft location queriesAutomated distance requestsInland RacingGeneral racing enquiriesContinental RacingRPRA Auctions

L Blacklock – CA (Chair)D Bridges – DYS Briggs – IRN Darby – WMA Ewart – EMT Gardner – WSC Gordon – NER Harris – SOD Headon – DCS Mellor – NWR Shirley – SWA Williams – LN(Vacant – WE)

L Blacklock – CA (Chair)D Bridges – DYS Briggs – IRJ Dodd – EM

T Gardner – WSP Hammond – WMR Harris – SOD Headon – DCD Higgins – NES Mellor – NWR Shirley – SWA Williams – LN(Vacant – WE)I Evans – CEO

S Richards – Editor

L Blacklock – CA (Chair)N Darby – WMC Gordon – NER Harris – SOD Headon – DCD Higgins – NER Shirley – SW

L Blacklock – CA Reserve: D Higgins – NE

D Bridges – DYN Darby – WMS Mellor – NW

I Evans – CEOT Gardner – WSD Higgins – NE

Rickerby's

L Blacklock – CA (Chair)D Bridges – DYJ. Dodd – EMC Gordon – NEP Hammond- WMR Harris – SO

L Blacklock – CA (Chair)D Bridges – DYJ Dodd – EMC Gordon – NET Gardner – WS P Hammond- WMR Harris – SOD Headon – DCD Higgins – NEC O’Hare – IRA Williams – LN

L Blacklock – CA D Bridges – DYJ Dodd – EM

T Gardner – WSJ Gladwin – LN

P Hammond – WM (Chair)R Harris – SOD Headon – DCD Higgins – NES Mellor – NWC O’Hare – IRR Shirley – SW(Vacant – WE)

FInAnce & generAl PurPOsesclOcK, rIng & weATHer

BrITIsH HOmIng wOrlD OlymPIADFuTure OF THe sPOrT

L Blacklock – CA (Chair)D Bridges – DYJ Dodd – EM

T Gardner – WSJ Gladwin – LN

P Hammond – WMR Harris – SOD Headon – DCD Higgins – NES Mellor – NWC O’Hare – IRR Shirley – SW(Vacant – WE)

APPeAls

Corinium House, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood,

Gloucester GL4 3HXTel: 01452 713529

Website: www.rpra.org

rOyAl PIgeOn rAcIng AssOc.

PIgeOn rAcIng uK & IrelAnD(rAPTOrs)

FeDerATIOn cOlOmBOPHIleInTernATIOnAle

cOnFeDerATIOn OF lOngDIsTAnce rAcIng PIgeOnunIOns OF gB & IrelAnD

sTAnDIng cOnFerence OncOunTrysIDe sPOrTs (susPenDeD)

PerFOrmAnce enHAncIng Drugs

BuIlDIngs

sOlIcITOrsHazlewoods LLP

AuDITOrs

rPrA cOnTAcTs

emergency & ruleslIBerATIOn sITe

L Blacklock – CA (Chair)D Bridges – DYN Darby – WMC Gordon – NER Harris – SOD Headon – DCR Shirley – SW

I Evans – CEOJ Gladwin – LN

RPRA COUNCIL MEMBERS 2021L Blacklock 32 Lonsdale Street, Workington, Cumbria CA14 2YD 01900 62346 [email protected] Bridges 5 Mercaston Lane, Kedleston, Derby, DE22 5JQ 01332 320976 [email protected] Briggs 22 Innisfayle Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland BT28 2AS 02892 676400 [email protected] DarbyJ Dodd 267A Melbourne Road, Ibstock, Leicestershire, LE67 6NS 07951 460922 [email protected] Ewart 16 Peppers Lane, Burton Lazars, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 2XA 01664 561475 [email protected] Gardner 51 The Close, Portskewett Village, Monmouthshire, S. Wales, NP26 5SW 01291 431637 [email protected] J Gladwin 10 Smallholdings, Eastwoodbury Lane, Southend-On-Sea, Essex SS2 6UT 01702 813159 [email protected] Gordon Failte, New Road, Old Snydale, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 6EZ 01924 893933P Hammond 111 Colman Avenue, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV11 3RU 07885 979745 [email protected] HarrisD Headon 43 Ellerslie Road, Bickington, Barnstaple, North Devon EX31 2HT 01271 372194 [email protected] Higgins 6 Billingwood Drive, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6PZ 01132 504810 [email protected] Mellor 13 Merlin Road, Revidge, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 7BA 01254 694308 [email protected] O’Hare 4 Moor Hill Road, Newry, Co. Down, N. Ireland BT34 2QJ 07710 462338 [email protected] Shirley Braywood, Hogsdown, Lower Wick, Dursley, Glos GL11 6DD 07909 576451 [email protected] Williams 56 Coombes Road, Dagenham, Essex RM9 6UJ 07875 397853 [email protected]

Western Region Councillors – to be confirmed.

REGION SECRETARIESCUMBRIA REGIONL. BLACKLOCK 32 Lonsdale St., Workington, Cumbria CA14 2YD 01900 62346Cumbria, Isle of Man, Scotland [email protected]

DERBYSHIRE & S. YORKSHIRE REGIOND. H. BRIDGES 5 Mercaston Lane, Kedleston, Derby DE22 5JQ 01332 320976Derbyshire and South Yorkshire [email protected]

DEVON & CORNWALL REGIONMrs J. E. WATTS 134 Weeth Road, Treswithian, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 7NB 01209 716575Devon & Cornwall [email protected]

EAST MIDLANDS REGIONC. SUTTON 207 Markfield Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9PQ 01530 245802Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, [email protected], Norfolk

IRISH REGIONN. Higginson 44 Green View, Parkgate, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim BH39 0JP 02894 439481Northern Ireland [email protected]

LONDON REGIONS. FINAN 72 Askwith Road, Rainham, Essex, RM13 8ER 07756 525010Hertfordshire, Essex, Greater London, Kent, Sutton & Cheam, Kingston, Croydon, Carshalton, Thornton Heath [email protected]

NORTH-EAST REGIOND. K. HIGGINS 6 Billingwood Drive, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6PZ 01132 504810Northumberland, Durham, Tyne & Wear, Cleveland, N. Yorks, W. Yorks, East Riding of Yorkshire, [email protected]. Lincolnshire, N.E. Lincolnshire.

NORTH-WEST REGIONMR & MRS D. K. HIGGINS 6 Billingwood Drive, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6PZ 01132 504810Lancashire and Greater Manchester [email protected]

SOUTHERN REGIONMrs H. MARSH Oakley, Southampton Rd., Cadnam, Southampton, Hants SO40 2NF 02380 813618Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Isle of Wight. [email protected]

SOUTH-WEST REGION MRS S. THOMPSON 35 Waldegrave Terrace, Radstock, Somerset BA3 3EY 07976 227287Gloucestershire, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Channel Islands [email protected]

WELSH REGIONMrs A. FOLLOWS 21 Tirynys, Felinfoel, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA15 3QF 01554 406098Powys, Dyfed, West Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, South Glamorgan, Gwent [email protected]

WESTERN REGIONB. McGANN Rear of The Breck, Carr Lane,Hambleton, Lancashire FY6 9AZ 07546 701259Merseyside, Cheshire, Clwyd, Gwynedd, Shropshire [email protected]

WEST MIDLANDS REGIOND. CALLAN 12 The Model Village, Long Itchington, Southam, Warwickshire CV47 9RB 01926 817796Staffordshire, West Midlands, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire [email protected]

Royal Pigeon Racing Association, Corinium House, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3HX.Tel: 01452 713529 Website: www.rpra.org

British Homing World, Severn Farm Enterprise Park, Severn Road, Welshpool, Powys SY21 7DF.Tel: 01938 552360 Website: www.rpra.org/britishhomingworld/ Email: [email protected]

I N D E X

Rule Numbers

Part A Name 1

Part B Definitions 2 - 3

Part C Objects and Powers 4 - 7

Part D Membership 8 - 23

Part E Subscriptions and Fees 24 - 37

Part F Management 38 - 61

Part G Finance and Accounts 62 - 69

Part H Discipline and Disputes 70 - 83

Part I Legal Matters 84 - 87

Part J Restrictions 88 - 92

Part K Ownership of Pigeons 93 - 119

Part L Administration of Races 120 - 134

Part M Sales 135 - 138

Part N Alteration of Rules 139 - 145

Part O Standard Rules for Adoption byAffiliated Organisations 146 - 192

Part P Performance Enhancement 199

Part Q Clocks 201 - 229

PART A: NAME

1. The name of the Association shall be ‘TheRoyal Pigeon Racing Association’ withHeadquarters at Corinium House, CoriniumAvenue, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3HX.

PART B: DEFINITIONS

2. In these rules the following words andexpressions shall have the followingrespective meanings unless the contextrequires otherwise:‘the Association’ means The Royal PigeonRacing Association. ‘Club’ means any club or society all themembers of which are individuals orpartnerships of individuals and which isaffiliated to the Association in accordance withRule 17. See Appendix H.‘Group’ means any federation, amalgamation,combine or organisation all the members ofwhich are Clubs or combinations of Clubs andwhich is affiliated to the Association inaccordance with the provisions of Rule 17. ‘Council’ means the Council of the Associationestablished under these Rules and‘Councillor’ means a member of the Council. ‘Chief Executive’ means the ChiefExecutive of the Association.‘Individual Member’ means a member of theAssociation who has been admitted to

membership by a Local Region Committeepursuant to Rule 15 and who is not a memberof a Club. ‘Local Region’ means a division of theAssociation consisting of all members of theAssociation whose registered membershipaddresses lie within the boundaries of ageographical region specified by the Councilpursuant to Rule 9 (a list of the boundaries ofthe current Local Regions is attached heretoas Appendix B).‘Local Region Committee’ means thegoverning body of a Local Region.‘National or Specialist Club’ means any clubwhich does not organise a full raceprogramme annually.‘Occasional member’ is a member who takespart in a competition under an Open Racelicence.‘Organisation’ means any Club or Group.

3. In these Rules, unless the contraryintention appears(a) words importing the masculine genderinclude the feminine and words importing thefeminine gender include the masculine;(b) words in the singular include the plural andwords in the plural include the singular;(c) ’United Kingdom’ includes RPRA membersin the Republic of Ireland and the BritishDependency of Gibraltar;(d) references to a member’s Local Region orLocal Region Committee are references to theLocal Region within the geographicalboundaries of which that member has hisregistered address or its Committee andreferences to an Organisation’s Local Regionor Local Region Committee are references tothe Local Region within the geographicalboundaries of which that Organisation has itsheadquarters or its Committee;(e) headings to Rules are for convenienceonly and do not affect the interpretation ofthese Rules; and(f) any reference to a statute or statutoryprovision shall be construed as a reference tothat provision as it may have been, or mayfrom time to time be, amended, modified or re-enacted.

PART C: OBJECTS AND POWERS OFTHE ASSOCIATION

Objects

4. The objects for which the Association isestablished are:(a) the provision of an organisation for thebenefit of Clubs, Groups and IndividualMembers established within the UnitedKingdom;(b) the regulation of the sport of racing andshowing homing pigeons and the control andsupply of rings, seals, apparatus andappliances connected with the said sport;(c) the protection and advancement of theinterests of its members in all mattersconnected with the said sport;(d) the establishment of a uniform system ofmeasurement for all flying routes and thesecuring of approved systems of timing.

Powers

5a. The Association may promote, manageand hold races, exhibitions or shows ofhoming pigeons and appliances connectedwith the sport and may offer and award prizesfor competition at such races, exhibitions orshows, and may admit competitors theretowho are members of the Association or otherunions recognised by the Association on suchterms as it may think proper. The Associationmay make contributions from the funds of theAssociation to races, exhibitions or shows,whether managed or held under the directionof members of the Association or of otherpersons.

5b. All races held by the Association for whichaccounts are prepared must include anyadministration costs including labour incurredby the Association in the balance sheet.

6. The Association shall have the power topurchase and to sell any food, grit, rings,badges, timing clocks or other goods orapparatus commonly used in connection withthe sport of racing or showing homingpigeons. The Association shall also have thepower to print, publish, edit and sell anynewspaper, journal, magazine, periodical,book or publication dealing with the sport ofracing or showing homing pigeons andmatters connected therewith.

7. The income and property of the Associationshall be applied solely towards the objects ofthe Association and no portion thereof shallbe paid directly or indirectly by way of profit tothe members of the Association, provided thatnothing shall prevent the payment in goodfaith in remuneration to any officials orservants of the members of the Association inreturn for services actually rendered, orprevent the borrowing of money by theAssociation at a rate of interest not greaterthan that currently available at the Bank ofEngland from any member of the Association.

7a. That at the RPRA Annual GeneralMeeting, Council shall appoint 3 Trustees.The function of the trustees, along with theChief Executive Officer, is to carry out theinstructions of Council with regard to the saleor purchase of Real Property (Buildingsand/or Land). Trustees can be re-elected. Inthe event of a trustee resigning or beingunable to carry out his/her duties, Council canco-opt a replacement who will carry out thefunctions of Trustee until the next AGM. ‘See Appendix K’

7b. In the event of a complaint by anemployee of the Association, who hassuffered abuse of a violent, verbal, orsexual nature, or any discriminationduring the course of their normal duties asan employee of the Association, then theofficers of the Association shouldinstigate an immediate investigation.If the complaint is upheld by the officers,then the said officers have the power to

THE OFFICIAL RULES OF THErOyAl PIgeOn rAcIng AssOcIATIOn

invoke all necessary legal procedures toprotect the individuals so effected by theabuse and invoke statutory agencies asrequired.If the complaint is against a member of theAssociation that member can besuspended with immediate effect while aninvestigation is conducted.Furthermore, if the abuser is a member ofthe RPRA then the officers can suspendthe privileges of the Association from thatmember until any legal procedure hasbeen completed or if their investigationsconclude suspension or expulsion is anappropriate course of action.

PART D: MEMBERSHIP

Individuals

8. Membership of the Association shall beopen to individuals either upon being admittedas a member of a Club or upon beingadmitted by a Local Region Committeepursuant to Rule 15.

Local Regions

9. Within boundaries prescribed by theCouncil, the Association shall constitute LocalRegions. Every Organisation having itsheadquarters within such boundaries shall bedeemed to be affiliated to that Local Regionand every member of the Association havinghis registered membership address withinsuch boundaries shall be deemed to be amember of that Local Region. The constitutionand organisation of any Local Region shall bedetermined by that Local Region provided thatsuch constitution and organisation isconsistent with these Rules, adopts all theprovisions of these Rules which areapplicable to Local Regions and obliges allmembers to observe the provisions of theseRules.

10. All local administration of the Associationwithin a geographical area prescribed by theCouncil pursuant to this Rule shall be vestedin the Local Region for that area, subject onlyto appeal to the Appeals Committee inaccordance with the provisions of theseRules.

11. Each Local Region shall hold its annualgeneral meeting at least 14 days prior to thelast Friday in February in each year.

Local Region Committees

12. Any member appointed to serve on aLocal Region Committee must(a) Be a member of and be duly appointed bya Club or group having its headquarters withinsuch geographical area.(b) Be a fully paid up member of such a Club,or a Club which is a member of such a group,and(c) Unless he/she is a member of a Nationalor Specialist Club, have his/her registeredmembership address within the geographicalarea of such Local Region, irrespective ofwhether his/her loft is within the boundaries ofanother Local Region.

13. Officers or officials of any of Local RegionCommittees shall be deemed to be agents of

the Association in all matters authorised bythese Rules or the Rules of such LocalRegion but shall not have power to pledge thecredit of the Association.

Application for Individual Membership

14. Any individual may apply to become amember of the Association by applying to theLocal Region Committee for the area in whichhe resides. Any such application shall beupon a form to be obtained from the LocalRegion Committee which form shall requirethe applicant to state whether he has everbeen a member of a Club or Organisationconcerned with the racing of pigeons and if soto give details of such Club or Organisation.Such application form shall be signed by theapplicant and by two members of theAssociation to whom the applicant ispersonally known.

15. A Local Region Committee shall have theright to refuse to grant membership of theAssociation to an applicant where it issatisfied that this would be in the bestinterests of the Association. Unless a LocalRegion Committee is so satisfied, it shalladmit an applicant who has complied with theprovisions of Rule 14 to membership of theAssociation.

Schools. Colleges. Universities etc

16. Any school, college, university or othereducational establishment or institution orcommunal or community project, shall beentitled to be recognised as a member of theAssociation by virtue of the membership of anindividual who is a member of the Associationand agrees to act as nominee for the schoolcollege university or other educationalestablishment or institution or communal orcommunity project.

Application for Affiliation

17. Any pigeon racing or showingorganisation may apply for affiliation to theAssociation by writing to the Secretary of theRegion within which its headquarters aresituated.The written application must be made byFebruary 1st and include:The name of the organisation, which may onlyinclude the word National if its membership isopen to all members of the Association. Thefull names and addresses of at least eightcompeting lofts for a club, or three competingmembers for a group. A copy of the domesticrules of the organisation which must includethe route the organisation wishes to fly and allrules in the Association Standard Rules forAffiliated organisations.A written statement to justify the reasons foraffiliation.A deposit of £40 which may be returned lessadvertising costs.The fully compliant application shall beadvertised by the Region Secretary in two ofthe UK national papers devoted to pigeonracing and showing, allowing 21 days from thedate of publication during which any member,organisation or Region may submit a writtenand signed objection to such affiliation.The Region Secretary shall copy any writtenobjection to the applicant organisation which

then may submit a written response. At theexpiry of the 21 days objection period theRegion Secretary shall as soon aspracticable, refer the application with anyobjections and responses to a meeting of theRegion Committee at which neither theapplicant nor the objector may make verbalrepresentation unless requested to do so. Thedecision of the Region Committee is final andshall be communicated in writing to all partiesconcerned.Affiliation shall take immediate effect ifgranted.An organisation refused affiliation cannotreapply to any Region for a period of 12months.

18. (Spare)19. (Spare)20. (Spare)21. (Spare)22. (Spare)

Club officials

23. No officer or official of any Club or Groupshall be deemed to be an agent of theAssociation and the Association shall not bebound by or liable in respect of any act,default or omission of any such officer orofficial of any Club or Group or by any act,default or omission of any Club or Group.

PART E: SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES

Club Fees

24. Each Club shall pay an annual fee of £10to the Local Region in which its headquartersis situated. The Annual fee must be paidbefore the last day of February. Any Clubwhich fails to pay its annual fee of £10 byMarch 1st, shall in addition to such annualfee, pay a penalty of £10.

Group Fees

25. Every Group shall pay an annual fee of£5.00 plus Value Added Tax (at the rate rulingat the date of payment) to the Association andshall send such fee to the Chief Executive notlater than 1st April in each year. Together withpayment of such fee, every Group shall sendto the Chief Executive a list of the Clubs orcombinations of Clubs which are members ofthe Group, the address of its headquartersand the name and address of the Group’sPresident, Secretary and Convoyers (whereapplicable). Any Group which fails to pay itsannual fee by 1st April in any year shallinstead pay a fee of £7.00 plus Value AddedTax (at the rate ruling at the date of payment).The Association shall procure that payment ofthe said registration fee in any year entitleseach Group to insurance cover against publicliability at liberation sites in England, Scotlandand Wales officially approved by theAssociation to a limit of £5,000,000 perinsured event.‘See Appendix M’

Insurance Premium

26. Each club (including any National orSpecialist club) shall before 1st March eachyear pay to the secretary of its Local Regionan annual payment to the Association of

£2.00 (inclusive of VAT) for each member ofthe club except any member who has paid theannual payment through another club. Anymember of a National or Specialist clubwho pays their RPRA fees direct to theirRegion shall also pay the £2 insurance fee.

Members’ Subscriptions

27. Each Club (including any National orSpecialist Club ) shall pay to the Secretary ofits Local Region. (a) an annual subscription to the Association£7 ( inclusive of VAT) for each member of theClub except any member who has paid theirannual subscription through another Club. (b) and an annual subscription to the ClubsLocal Region of £3 for every member of theClub except any member who has paid theirannual subscription to the Local Regionthrough another Club. (c) all Junior members under the age of 18who are members of a Club will pay an annualsubscription to the Association of £3 (inclusiveof VAT) except any Junior member that haspaid their subscription to the Associationthrough another Club. and an annualsubscription of £2 (inclusive of VAT) to theClubs Local Region except any junior memberthat has paid their subscription to the LocalRegion through another Club.

28. For the purpose of the computation ofannual subscriptions, each partner in anypartnership of members of the Associationadmitted to membership of a Club shall bereckoned to be a separate member.(a) all members must pay an RPRA annualfee. Where a member is a partner in two ormore different partnerships located at thesame or different addresses an RPRA feemust be paid for each loft number wherehe/she is a partner.Both fees shall be paid to the Local Region.(b) any partnership containing a deceasedmember can apply to their Local RegionCommittee for a payment exemption of RPRAsubscriptions for the deceased member. Onceagreed by the Local Region Committee suchexemption shall commence from the followingyear's subscriptions.

29. Each Club shall pay the said annualsubscriptions to the Association and theClub’s Local Region prior to 1st March in eachyear and together with such payment shallsend to the Secretary of the Club’s LocalRegion Committee a list showing the namesand addresses of all the members of the Club.If an individual becomes a member of Clubafter 1st March in any year, that Club shallprovide to the Secretary of the Club’s LocalRegion Committee the name and address ofsuch individual and shall pay the annualAssociation subscription and the annual LocalRegion subscription in respect of suchindividual unless he has already paid hisLocal Region subscription through anotherClub.

30. All National and Specialist Clubs shallhave on their annual subscription form astatement to the effect ‘I certify that I havepaid my RPRA subscription and insurancepremium to . . . Club.’ All members ofNational or Specialist Clubs must pay theirRPRA subscriptions and Region subscriptions

through their local club or Region. Memberswho are only members of National orSpecialist Clubs must pay these fees directlyto their Local Region Secretary.

31. If any Club shall fail to pay the due annualAssociation subscription and the due annualLocal Region subscription for any member by1st March in any year, that Club shall pay tothe Secretary of its Local Region Committeean additional £0.50 per member in respect ofwhom either the annual Associationsubscription or the annual Local Regionsubscription has not been paid when suchsubscription is paid. Such surcharges of £0.50shall become the property of the Club’s LocalRegion.

32. An individual Member shall pay (a) An annual subscription of £5 to theAssociation and (b) An annual subscription of £5 to his LocalRegion. (c) An individual Junior member under the ageof 18 will pay to the Association an annualsubscription of £3. (d) an individual Junior member under the ageof 18 will pay to their Local Region an annualsubscription of £2. All individual subscriptionsshall be paid to the Secretary of the LocalRegion not later than 1st March each yearand are inclusive of VAT. Individual memberswill only be entitled to the privileges andbenefits of the Association when the fees forthat year have been paid. Individual membersmay apply from 1st November for thefollowing years membership.

33. Payment of an annual subscription to theAssociation by any member shall entitle himto the privileges and benefits of membershipof the Association in accordance with theseRules from 1st March in the year in which thesubscription is paid until the last day of theensuing February. After 1st March in eachyear, any member of the Association whoshall have failed to pay his annualsubscription to the Association for that yearshall cease to be entitled to any of theprivileges or benefits of membership of theAssociation until he has paid his annualsubscription to the Association for that year.

Membership Records

34. Each Secretary of a Local RegionCommittee shall issue an Associationmembership card to each member of theAssociation in respect of whom the annualAssociation subscription and the annual LocalRegion subscription is paid and shall sendsuch card to the Club which made payment ofthe subscription for the member.

35. Prior to 30th April in each year, theSecretary of each Local Region Committeeshall send to the Chief Executive all annualAssociation subscriptions received by him,together with a list of the Clubs which havepaid their annual affiliation fee to the relevantLocal Region, giving the names andaddresses of the Secretaries of all suchClubs. Within four weeks after 30th April theChief Executive shall notify any Local RegionCommittee Secretary who has failed to sendall annual Association subscriptions to theChief Executive by 30th April.

36. Each Local Region shall apply all LocalRegion subscriptions received by it inaccordance with the objects of theAssociation. If any Local Region secedesfrom the Association the Local Region shallpay to the Chief Executive all monies of whichthe Local Region Committee then standspossessed and shall deliver to the ChiefExecutive all documents and things in theownership, possession or control of the LocalRegion for the furtherance of the objects ofthe Association.

Alterations to Subscriptions

37. Any resolution affecting any alteration inthe amount of annual subscription to theAssociation or a local region passed by anannual general meeting of the Council shalltake effect on 1 November following the dateon which the annual general meeting is held.

PART F: MANAGEMENT

The Council

38. The ultimate control of the affairs of theAssociation shall be exercised by the Councilin general meetings provided that the Councilmay in its absolute discretion seek a vote fromall members of the Association on any matteror resolution. If the Council determines to puta matter or resolution to the vote of allmembers of the Association, the Council shallspecify the matter or resolution to be put tomembers and shall provide voting forms to theSecretary of each Local Region Committeebut the Local Region Committee shalladminister the taking of such vote and shallbear any costs and postage associatedtherewith. The Council shall determine thedate by which any such vote shall be takenand shall specify such date to the Secretary ofeach Local Region Committee. In the eventthat a straight majority of members of theAssociation vote for or against any matter orresolution put to the vote in this manner, theCouncil shall be obliged to take the necessaryactions to give effect to that vote. In all othercases, the Council shall not be obliged tocomply with the view expressed by themajority of votes cast on any such matter orresolution but shall take such votes intoaccount in the Council’s deliberations.

Council Officers

39. The officers of the Association shall be aPresident and three Vice Presidents who shallbe elected from delegates representing fourdifferent Local Regions at the annual generalmeeting of the Association and shall holdoffice for one year. Any officer shall be eligiblefor re-election provided that no officer shallhold the same office for more than threesuccessive years. The conduct of thenominations for and election of officers shallbe regulated by the Council.

Chief Executive and Local RegionCommittee Secretaries

40. The Chief Executive shall be appointedupon such terms and subject to suchconditions as the Council shall considerappropriate. A Councillor shall not be eligiblefor the office of Chief Executive while holdingoffice as a Councillor. It shall be the duty of

the Chief Executive to attend Committee andCouncil meetings of the Association and toensure a record of the minutes are taken. Allmoney paid to the Chief Executive, either asremuneration or reimbursement of expensesin respect of the business of the Association,shall be included in the accounts of theAssociation.

41. The Secretary of each Local RegionCommittee shall be elected at the annualgeneral meeting of the Local Region. It shallbe the duty of the Secretary of each LocalRegion Committee to attend all meetings ofthe Local Region Committee and to recordand keep the minutes thereof. The Secretaryof each Local Region Committee shall be paidsuch salary as the relevant Local RegionCommittee shall determine. All paymentsmade by a Local Region Committee to itsSecretary, whether as remuneration or asreimbursement of expenses incurred by theSecretary in respect of the business of theLocal Region, shall be shown in the accountsfor the Local Region.

Councillors

42. Each Local Region with a membership notexceeding 1,500 shall be entitled to appointone Councillor. Each Local Region with amembership numbering not less than 1,501and not more than 2,500 shall be entitled toappoint two Councillors and each LocalRegion with a membership numbering morethan 2,500 shall be entitled to appoint threeCouncillors, Appointments of Councillors shallbe made at the Annual General Meeting ofeach Local Region. Councillors will hold officefrom the date of the Annual General Meetingat which they are appointed until theconclusion of the next following AnnualGeneral Meeting of the Local Region andshall be eligible for re-election.

43. No member shall be eligible to beappointed a Councillor unless he hasattended meetings of a Club which is affiliatedto the Local Region purporting to appoint himas a Councillor within the year prior to theannual general meeting of the Local Region atwhich he is appointed.

44. At all Council meetings where a Councillorcannot be present, his/her place may be takenby a reserve delegate at all Committeemeetings and each reserve delegate be givenfull powers.

45. No person who is currently, or has beenpreviously, fully employed by the Associationshall be eligible for appointment as aCouncillor. This shall also apply to personsfinancially interested in or representing anytrade concern or business involved withappliances, apparatus, foodstuffs, periodicals,newspapers or any other item relating to thesport of racing or showing homing pigeons. Secretaries of Local Region Committees &Secretaries of clubs are eligible forappointment as Councillors notwithstandingthat they are or may be paid to perform theirrespective offices.In the event of any doubt being raised as tothe eligibility of any member for appointmentas a Councillor the Council will determinewhether or not the member is eligible.

46. At the annual general meeting of theCouncil to be held following an annual generalmeeting of a Local Region each Councillorappointed by the Local Region must beprepared to produce to the President of theAssociation confirmation signed by theSecretary or President of the Local RegionCommittee that he was duly elected as aCouncillor at the annual general meeting ofthe Local Region together with confirmationsigned by the Secretary or President of a Clubwhich nominated him as a representative tothe Local Region Committee that he was sonominated and that he has attended meetingsof the Club in the year prior to the annualgeneral meeting of the Local Region.

Council Meetings

47. Subject as set out in these Rules, theCouncil shall determine the dates upon whichgeneral meetings of the Council shall be heldand shall regulate its own proceedings.

48. Any Local Region Committee actingthrough its Secretary or a Councillorappointed by that Local Region may requestthe President to include any matter in thegeneral business specified in any such noticebut no such matter shall be so specifiedunless the Chief Executive has received sucha request more than 21 days before the dateupon which the meeting is due to be held inthe case of any general meeting other thanthe annual general meeting and 42 daysbefore the date on which the meeting is due tobe held in the case of the annual generalmeeting (excluding in each case the date ofthe meeting and the date on which therequest is received by the Chief Executive).

49. An annual general meeting of the Councilshall be held on the last Friday in Februaryeach year and other general meetings shallbe held as often as may be required.

50. Not less than twenty eight days notice inthe case of each Annual General Meeting andnot less than 10 days notice in the case of anyother general meeting (excluding the date ofthe meeting and the date on which the noticeis posted) specifying the place, date and timeat which the meeting is to be held and thebusiness proposed to be dealt with at themeeting shall be sent by post to allCouncillors and Reserve Delegates to Counciland shall be made available to all newspaperspublished in the United Kingdom specialisingin the sport of racing or showing homingpigeons, provided that in the case of generalmeetings other than the Annual GeneralMeeting the notice made available tonewspapers shall not specify the businessproposed to be dealt with at the meeting.

Special Meetings

51. The President of the Association may atany time call a Special Meeting of the Counciland the President shall hold a SpecialMeeting within 21 days after receiving awritten request for a special meeting signedby no fewer than a majority of Councillors.A special meeting shall be called with suchperiod of notice and by such means as thePresident of the Association shall determine.No advertising of a special meeting shall be

required. Only business of a non-routine orurgent nature shall be dealt with at a SpecialMeeting of Council.

Committees of the Council

52. The Council may form such Committeesof Councillors as the Council may from time totime determine. The Council shall beempowered to delegate its authority to anysuch Committee either wholly or partly andwhether or not subject to any conditions. Thecomposition of any such Committee shall be amatter for the Council save that theManagement Committee of the BritishHoming World shall be elected annually at theAnnual General Meeting of the Council andshall consist of the President, three Vice-Presidents, plus one councillor from each ofthe remaining Local Regions not alreadyrepresented, plus the Editor for the time beingof the British Homing World and the ChiefExecutive.

Proceedings at Meetings

53. No business shall be transacted at anygeneral meeting or special meeting of theCouncil unless a quorum consisting of amajority of all Councillors and includingCouncillors appointed by not less than fiveLocal Regions is present.

54. Each Councillor shall have one vote. Inthe case of an equality of votes, the Chairmanof the meeting shall have a second or castingvote. Voting shall be by show of hands unlessany Councillor demands a secret ballot eitherbefore or on the declaration of the result of ashow of hands. Voting by proxy shall not bepermitted. The declaration by the Chairman ofa general meeting or special meeting that aresolution has or has not been passed,whether on a show of hands or on the resultof a secret ballot, shall be final.

55. The President, or in his absence one ofthe Vice-Presidents, shall preside asChairman of any general meeting or specialmeeting of the Council or of any committeemeeting. In the absence of the President andVice-Presidents, the Councillors present shallelect one of their number to act as Chairman.

56. No resolution shall be passed at anygeneral meeting of the Council unless thegeneral nature of the business has beenmentioned in the notice convening themeeting. The Chairman of any generalmeeting of the Council shall have authority topermit any matter to be raised and discussedat the meeting notwithstanding that it may nothave been mentioned in the notice conveningthe meeting and the Chairman’sdetermination as to whether any proposedresolution or matter falls within the ambit ofbusiness mentioned in the notice convening ameeting shall be final.

Minutes of the Council

57. The Council and all Committees shallcause minutes of all resolutions andproceedings of the Council to be entered inbooks maintained for the purpose and inparticular shall cause to be entered in suchminutes:

(a) the names of the Councillors present atany meeting of the Council;(b) the wording of all resolutions or decisionsof any meeting. (c) details of all appointments of officers of theAssociation.

58. The minutes of any Council meeting shallbe considered by the next ensuing generalmeeting or special meeting and if agreed bythat meeting to be a true record shall besigned by the Chairman of that meeting andthe Chief Executive.

Councillors’ Expenses

59. The Association shall pay or reimburseCouncillors for the cost of second class returnrailway fares or if travelling by car anallowance of 45p per mile, hotel costs will bepaid for by the Association. In attendingmeetings of Council or any Committee of theCouncil the following sums by way ofexpenses will be paid; a) when necessary for a Councillor to arrivefor a Thursday evening meeting - £20.b) when necessary for a Councillor to arriveThursday night - £10.c) in respect of any Saturday - £20irrespective of what time the meeting finished.d) in respect of any other day - £40.

60 (a). The President of the Association shallbe paid an allowance for personal expensesof £2,000 per annum.(b) Members of Council or salaried staffnominated to represent the Association at anyfunction or meeting shall be paid his/hertravelling and accommodation - such costs tobe kept to a minimum. Any personaccompanying a nominated representativedoes so at his/her expense.

61. The Association shall procure that suchinsurance cover as the Council considersappropriate from time to time against the risksof loss of life, personal injury and loss ordamage to personal property shall be takenout and maintained by the Association infavour of Councillors in respect of theirattendances at meetings of the Council or anyCommittee of the Council.

PART G: FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS

Income of the Association

62. The income and property of theAssociation shall be applied solely towardsthe objects of the Association and no portionthereof shall be paid or transferred directly orindirectly by way of profit to the members ofthe Association, provided that nothing shallprevent the payment in good faith ofremuneration to any officials or employees ofthe Association or to any members of theAssociation in consideration for servicesrendered by such members.

Bank Accounts

63. The banking accounts of the Associationshall be kept at such banks or buildingsocieties as the Council shall appoint in thename of the Association and all moneybelonging to the Association shall be paid intosuch an account. Cheques on any such

account shall be signed by such persons asthe Council may prescribe.

Accounts

64. The Council shall cause true accounts tobe kept of the sums of money received andexpended by the Association.

65. The accounts shall be kept at the office ofthe Association or such other place as theCouncil may determine. The Council shalldetermine to what extent the accounts of theAssociation or any of them shall be open toinspection by members and the membersshall have only such rights of inspection asare given to them by the Council.

Auditors

66 (a). Every year the accounts of theassociation shall be examined by qualifiedauditors, such auditors shall be appointed atthe Association A.G.M.66 (b). Local Regions shall appoint auditors ateach AGM.

Annual Audited Accounts

67. Not less than 28 days before the dateupon which the Council’s annual generalmeeting is due to be held the Council shallpublish an audited income and expenditureaccount and balance sheet for theAssociation. The balance sheet shall be takenas at such date as the Council shalldetermine. The income and expenditureaccount shall be in respect of the periodcommencing with the date upon which themost recent audited published income andexpenditure account of the Association endedand ending with the date upon which thebalance sheet is taken. A copy of suchaudited income and expenditure account andbalance sheet shall be sent to each Councillorand to the Secretary of each Local RegionCommittee.

68. The Council shall procure that prior topublication the income and expenditureaccount and balance sheet of the Associationshall have been audited by the Association’sauditors and that attached to the saidaccounts upon publication shall be acertificate from the Association’s auditorsstating whether in their opinion the accountsexhibit a true and fair view of the state ofaffairs of the Association. For the purpose ofenabling the Association’s auditors to conducttheir audit the Council shall procure that theauditors shall have access to the books of theAssociation and that the officers or employeesof the Association give to the Association’sauditors such information or explanations asthey may seek in the performance of theirduties.

69. The Secretary of every Local RegionCommittee shall forward a copy of the auditedincome and expenditure account and balancesheet of that Local Region to the ChiefExecutive and such accounts may bepublished by the Council.All Region Balance Sheets shall be issued toall affiliated Organisations & RegionCommittee Members at least seven days priorto the date of the Annual General Meeting.

PART H: DISCIPLINE AND DISPUTES

Disciplinary Proceedings

70. (a) If any member of the Association shallbe guilty of any dishonourable conduct or ofconduct which renders him unfit to be amember of any Organisation or theAssociation or wilfully breaks the Rules of anyOrganisation or these Rules or refuses tocomply with any decision of an Organisationor the Association upon any matters affectingthe sport of racing or showing homingpigeons, he may be excluded frommembership of that Organisation or expelledor suspended from the Association by theOrganisation, any such suspension to be ofsuch duration as the Organisation shalldetermine. The procedure to be adopted byany Organisation in any matter which maylead to the exclusion, expulsion or suspensionof a member shall be that specified in theAssociation’s Standard Rules for adoption byall affiliated Organisations under the heading‘Grievances and Disciplinary Matters’.(b) It shall be the right of any affiliatedOrganisation to exclude, suspend or expel anyperson who is a member of a Club which is amember of the affiliated Organisation, underthe provision of this Rule.

71. Disputes, complaints and grievancesbetween members or between membersbelonging to different organisations onmatters connected with the sport or betweenmembers and an Organisation to which theymay belong including appeals against anydecision of such Organisation, shall be heardand determined as laid down by these rules bythe Local Region within whose limits theperson or Organisation involved in the disputeresides or is established. Any Local Regionmay expel or suspend a member from theAssociation in any of the circumstancesspecified in the immediately preceding Rulewhether or not any Organisation of which themember in question is a member takes anyaction against him. The procedure to beadopted by a local Region in any matter whichmay lead to the expulsion or suspension of amember shall be the same as that which anOrganisation is obliged to adopt.

72. If an Organisation shall be guilty ofconduct which renders it unfit to be affiliated tothe Association the Local Region to which it isaffiliated may expel or suspend thatOrganisation for such period as the LocalRegion Committee may determine.

73. An Organisation shall notify its LocalRegion Committee of the exclusion, expulsionor suspension of a member as soon aspossible after a decision to that effect hasbeen taken and such exclusion, expulsion orsuspension shall take effect immediately,unless an appeal is lodged with the LocalRegion Committee in accordance with Rule82, in which event such exclusion, expulsionor suspension shall be stayed pending theoutcome of the appeal. In the event that nosuch appeal is lodged, the Local RegionCommittee shall confirm the decision of theOrganisation unless the Local RegionCommittee considers that the decision of theOrganisation was not made in accordancewith these Rules or the rules of the

Organisation. The award of any prizes, pools,nominations, specials, etc won after the dateof the decision by an Organisation to exclude,expel or suspend a member shall follow theultimate result of any appeal by the memberagainst exclusion, expulsion or suspension.The Secretary of each Local RegionCommittee shall notify the Chief Executive ofthe name and address of each membersuspended or expelled by the Local Region orwhose suspension or expulsion is confirmedby the Local Region Committee.

74. Notice of the expulsion or suspension ofany Organisation by a Local Region shall becommunicated to the Chief Executive by theSecretary of the Local Region Committee assoon as possible after the decision to thateffect. The Chief Executive shall notify suchexpulsion or suspension to the Secretaries ofall other Local Region Committees andSecretaries of all Organisations to whichmembers of such expelled or suspendedOrganisations paid subscriptions.

Effect of Expulsion or Suspension fromthe Association

75. During the period of expulsion orsuspension any member expelled orsuspended shall cease to be a member of theAssociation and shall not be permitted toattend any meeting held under the Rules ofthe Association except that they may beinvited to attend a Local Region or Councilmeeting when applying to have a suspensionlifted but for that item on the agenda only. Noaddress, loft or ring belonging to or registeredin the name of an expelled or suspendedmember shall be recognised by theAssociation during the period of expulsion orsuspension. It shall, however, be within theright of any member other than an expelled orsuspended member at any time to apply forthe ‘freeing’ of any such ineligible address, loftor ring and the Local Region Committee maygrant such a request.

76. Upon the expulsion or suspension of anyorganisation all its members shall cease to bemembers of the Association. A member of anysuspended Organisation may apply to a LocalRegion Committee to continue to be amember of the Association by membership ofanother Organisation or by becoming anIndividual Member. Such application shall beby letter addressed to the Secretary of theLocal Region Committee. The decision of theLocal Region Committee on any suchapplication may be given without holding anyformal enquiry or hearing any evidence.

77. Expulsion from the Association is Time-Limited. Such expulsion can be appealedunder the provisions of Rules 82/83 or liftedunder the provisions Rules 80/81. Past RPRAmembers previously expelled for life mayapply to the appeals committee of Council forreinstatement provided that they have serveda minimum ten year period. All appeals forreinstatement must be supported by characterwitnesses who are already members of theRPRA. Before the hearing the applicant mustagree to accept the appeals committee ofCouncil decision as final and binding beforetheir case for reacceptance into the RPRA willbe heard. The organisation or Region that

made or confirmed the original expulsion (ifknown) must be informed and given theopportunity to supply written comment on theapplication if they so wish.

78. The Chief Executive shall keep a registerof all suspended and expelled memberswhose names and addresses are notified tohim by the Secretaries of the Local RegionCommittees.

79. The termination of any suspension of amember from the association shall free allrings which in consequence of suchsuspension have not been recognised by theAssociation but shall not entitle the suspendedmember to be re-instated as a member of anyorganisation unless such Organisation shallotherwise decide upon application beingmade in accordance with the Rule in theAssociation’s Standard Rules for adoption byall affiliated organisations under the heading‘Membership’.

80. Any member wishing to apply for the liftingof suspension imposed upon him or confirmedby a Local Region may apply to that LocalRegion. Any application shall be in writing andshall be accompanied by a fee of £5. Thedecision of the Local Region upon any suchapplication shall be final.

81. Any members wishing to apply for thelifting of their suspension imposed by Councilmust make an application in writing to Council.

Disputes and Appeals to Local Regions

82. Any member(a) excluded from membership of anOrganisation or expelled or suspended frommembership of the Association by anOrganisation, or(b) aggrieved by a decision of an Organisationmade at a meeting held in accordance withthe procedure set out in the Association’sStandard Rules for adoption by all affiliatedOrganisations under the heading ‘Grievancesand Disciplinary Matters’ or(c) having a dispute with an Organisation shallhave the right to appeal to the Local Region towhich that Organisation is affiliated. Thefollowing provisions shall apply to any suchappeal(1) Any such appeal shall be made by noticein writing delivered to the Secretary of theLocal Region committee within 21 days of thedate of the decision of the Organisation toexclude, expel or suspend such member orwithin 21 days of the date of the meeting of theOrganisation at which the decision was madeto which the grievance relates or within 21days of the member’s dispute with theOrganisation arising shall state the member’sgrounds of appeal. The notice shall beaccompanied by a payment of a fee of £20which shall be returned to the appellant if hisappeal is successful.(2) Upon receipt of any notice of appeal theSecretary of the Local Region Committeeshall inform the relevant Organisation of theappeal and the grounds of appeal and requestany written evidence which it may wish tosubmit. If the appeal is against or concerninga decision made at a meeting of theOrganisation the Secretary of the LocalRegion Committee shall request a copy of the

notice concerning that meeting sent to theappellant. The Secretary of the Local RegionCommittee shall give not less than 10 daysnotice of the date and place appointed for thehearing of the appeal to the appellant, therelevant Organisation and all members of theLocal Region Committee. Any such noticeshall be sent to the parties concerned byrecorded delivery post and shall beaccompanied by particulars of the appeal.(3) At the hearing of the appeal by the LocalRegion Committee, the appellant and therelevant Organisation shall be entitled toattend, be represented, give evidence andreceive and consider written statements orexplanations furnished by the other party.(4) Witnesses will not be allowed into thehearing until they are called individually to givetheir evidence and answer questions. Theywill not be allowed to leave the room until allthe witnesses have been examined.(5) The appellant and the relevantorganisation may call witnesses on his or itsbehalf and/or make a verbal statement to theLocal Region Committee.(6) Subject as laid down in these Rules theChairman of the Local Region committee shallhave discretion as to the conduct of anyhearing and the procedure to be followed at it.(7) No member of a Local Region Committeeshall attend any hearing by the Local RegionCommittee of any appeal affecting anOrganisation of which he is a member unlesshe represents such Organisation at theappeal.(8) The decision of the Local RegionCommittee shall be made as soon aspracticable following the hearing, shall takeeffect from the date on which it is made andshall be communicated to the parties to theappeal and to the Chief Executive forthwith.(9) The Local Region Committee may rescind,vary, modify or confirm the decision of anOrganisation except that the Local RegionCommittee may not vary a suspension to anexpulsion. The Local Region Committee mayorder that any meeting of the Organisation bere-held if not satisfied that the rules of theOrganisation have been fully and properlycomplied with.

Appeals to the Council

83 (a). The Council of the Association shallappoint annually an appeals committeeconsisting of one member from each Region,five to form a quorum. The current Presidentto be the chairman, in his absence, thecommittee will elect a Chairman from the floor.Appeal meetings to be held at the discretion ofthe current President.

83 (b). Any organisation a decision of whichhas been rescinded, modified or varied by aLocal Region Committee and any member ofthe Association on whom or in whose interestsa decision of the Local Region Committee hasa direct, material and adverse effect may,unless the decision of the Local RegionCommittee is expressed by these Rules to befinal, appeal to Council for a re-hearing of thematter in question. The Appeal will be heardby an elected Appeals committee, consistingof one member from each region, minimum of5 Councillors to form a quorum. For eachAppeal process the RPRA President willselect the committee required, taking in to

account interested parties and otherassociated issues. No Councillor from aRegion which the appellant is a member shallbe eligible.The following provisions shall apply to anysuch appeal. (1) The appellant shall give notice in writing tothe Chief Executive within 21 days after therelevant decision of the Local RegionCommittee stating the grounds of appeal. Thenotice shall be accompanied by payment of afee of £30 (together with value added tax atthe applicable rate) which shall be returned tothe appellant in the event that the appeal issuccessful. (2) Upon receipt of any such notice the ChiefExecutive shall forward a copy to theSecretary of the Local Region Committee inquestion who shall, within 21 days afterreceipt of such copy notice forward to theChief Executive copies of the written evidenceconsidered by the Local Region Committeetogether with the grounds upon which theCommittee’s decision was made. (3) The Chief Executive may, afterconsultation with the President and Vice-Presidents and with their advice set out indetail, refer any appeal back to its source if (a)it is found to have been incorrectly submitted,(b) it is out of time, or (c) the terms ofinterpretation set out in the Rules of theAssociation have not been observed. (4) The Chief Executive shall give not lessthan 10 days notice of the date and placeappointed for the hearing of the appeal toevery party to the appeal and to each eligiblemember of the Appeals Committee. With suchnotice the Chief Executive shall send a copyof the written evidence and grounds uponwhich the decision of the Local RegionCommittee was made which he has receivedfrom the Secretary of the Local RegionCommittee. (5) At the hearing of the appeal by the AppealsCommittee, all parties to the appeal mayattend or be represented and may giveevidence provided that no evidence shall begiven which was not given at the relevanthearing before the Local Region Committeeunless the Appeals Committee consents tosuch evidence being given and notice ofintention to tender such fresh evidence,accompanied by full particulars, shall havebeen served upon the Chief Executive and theother party or parties to the appeal at least 7days prior to the hearing. (6) At the hearing to the appeal by the AppealsCommittee it will be permissible for arepresentative from the Local RegionCommittee to be available for corroboration ofthe evidence heard before the Local RegionCommittee.(7) No Councillor shall be present at thehearing of an appeal from the decision of aLocal Region Committee of a Local Region ofwhich he is a delegate unless he representsthe appellant or another party to the appeal oris present only for the purpose ofcorroborating evidence heard before the LocalRegion Committee.(8) The Appeals Committee may rescind, vary,modify or confirm the decision of the LocalRegion Committee and the decision of theAppeals Committee shall be final. ‘See Appendix I’

PART I: LEGAL MATTERS

Legal Advice

84. No individual, organisation, Region, or theCouncil shall be held liable for expensesincurred by any party or parties to an objectionor an appeal held under RPRA rules.

85. The Association shall have power so faras the law allows to provide or assist inproviding legal advice and assistance to itsmembers in respect of all questions arisingout of or connected with the sport of racing orshowing homing pigeons or any matter whichin the judgement of the Council directly orindirectly affects the interests of theAssociation. Any application by a member oran Organisation for legal advice orassistance shall be made in writing to theLocal Region to which such member belongsor such Organisation is affiliatedaccompanied by a written statement of thefacts of the case and any relevant evidence.Upon receipt of such application the LocalRegion Committee may take such steps as itdeems expedient. No Local RegionCommittee shall incur any greater expensesthan £100 in any one case without theauthority of the Council. Legal charges andrewards to informants not exceeding £100 inany one case shall be paid out of LocalRegion funds.

86. When in the opinion of the Association’sSolicitor a case warrants pursuing by theAssociation, the President may authorise aLocal Region Committee to proceednotwithstanding the fact that the limit of £100may be exceeded and such action shall be putto the next general meeting of the Council forconfirmation. The Council and each LocalRegion Committee shall have the power toinitiate legal proceedings or to take such stepsas it considers expedient to procure or assistin procuring the punishment of offences whichin the opinion of the Council or the LocalRegion Committee affect the interests of theAssociation or its members and may offer andpay rewards for information concerning suchmatters.

Shooting etc

87. The reward offered for information leadingto conviction for shooting, trapping or stealingany pigeon or pigeons the property of anymember or members of the Association shallbe £50. If any member of the Associationknowingly withholds evidence or otherwisefails to support action taken in connection withthe commission of any offence concerning theshooting, trapping or unlawful dealing inracing pigeons, he shall be guilty ofdishonourable conduct.

PART J: RESTRICTIONS

88. No member of the Association shall be amember of a Homing Union not recognised bythe Association. A list of recognised Unionsand associations within the United Kingdom isset out in Appendix A to these Rules. TheAssociation will recognise rings as issued bythese other Unions providing theirmanufacture is of a standard approved by the

RPRA and includes a metal insert, on theproduction of proof of ownership from theissuing Unions.

89. No member of the Association shall bepermitted to participate in any race organisedby a person who is neither a member of theAssociation nor of a union or associationrecognised by the Association.

90. Failure to comply with either of the twopreceding Rules will result in disciplinaryproceedings being brought against themember.

91. No person shall be permitted to competein any open race or at any show or exhibitionheld under the Rules of the Association unlesshe is a member of the Association or otherunion or association recognised by theAssociation.

92. No member of a union or Organisationwhich is not recognised by the Associationshall be permitted to compete or take any partin any race, show or exhibition held under theRules of the Association. Failure to complywith this Rule may result in the said races,shows or exhibitions, or individual placingstherein, being declared void, or in individualsbeing disqualified.

PART K: OWNERSHIP OF PIGEONS

Rings

93. In all races it shall be deemed to be thering and not the bird which is entered.

94. (a) All birds entered in races must be theproperty of the person in whose name theyare entered, and the ring(s) they carry must beregistered as such in the records of theappropriate recognised Association/ Union. Inthe case of partners, the ring(s) shall beregistered in their joint names.

94. (b) No unrung bird shall be flown in anyrace or exhibited in any show held by or underthe Rules of the Association. An unrung bird isone which does not carry a complete andunaltered ring issued by the Association oranother union recognised by the Association.

95. Members wishing to race or show pigeonsbearing foreign rings must have themregistered at the Headquarters of theAssociation. Proof of ownership must be sentto Headquarters with the application forregistration, together with a stampedaddressed envelope and a fee as advertisedin the price list.

96. All birds must carry at least one intactunaltered Association life ring or a life ringissued by a Union recognised by theAssociation or a foreign life ring when theowner can produce proof of ownership.Should a bird carry more than one life ring,both life rings must be from the same year andbe registered to one loft number and must befrom the country of origin, and must complywith the designation of Council in regard to thesize, shape, composition, type and quality ofthe ring.

Ring Sales

97. The Council has the authority to designatethe size, shape, composition, type and qualityof ring which shall be issued by theAssociation. Such rings shall be available forpurchase by members and Organisationsfrom the Association. Rings issued with theserial letters ‘SR’ are only eligible for showing.

98. (Spare)

99. All Secretaries of Organisations must, onor before the first day of April in each year,forward to the Chief Executive a complete listof all rings sold, together with the names andaddresses of the purchasers and whereknown the telephone number and emailaddresses.On the first day of each succeeding monththereafter each Secretary of an Organisationmust forward to the Chief Executive a list of allrings sold during the preceding month, givingthe names and addresses of all purchasers.The ring list sent to the Association shall befranked by the Association and returned to theSecretary of the Organisation. The ChiefExecutive shall notify any Secretary of anOrganisation who has not sent lists of ringssold by 1st May in any year that such lists areoverdue and should be sent immediately.

100. (Spare)

101. At the end of the year in which ringsbecome ten years old, the Chief Executiveshall be empowered to destroy the originalring ownership records. Before 30th June ofthe year in which a pigeon in his possessionbecomes ten years old, the owner of such abird may re-register the ring with the ChiefExecutive on a card provided by theAssociation for the purpose. Rings not so re-registered are not eligible for competition.

Transfer of Rings

102. On change of ownership of any birdcarrying a ring issued by the association, theformer owner shall either forthwith sign &deliver a transfer form to the new owner oragree to transfer the bird by electronic means.In either event the original owner shall have 7days to object to the proposed transfer. Thecost of this process will be found in the currentprice list.

103. No competitor in any race, show orexhibition shall be entitled to win a prizeunless the ring carried by the bird was issuedto the owner, or had been transferred to andregistered in the name of the owner inaccordance with the provisions of thepreceding rule for a period of 14 days prior tothe date of the race, show or exhibition. Proofof ownership of winning birds must be given tothe organisers or promoters before prizemoney is handed over.

104. When a member changes his postaladdress he shall re-register with theAssociation all rings registered in his name.

Partnerships

105. Rings on pigeons which become thesubject of a partnership between members of

the Association at an address at which one ofthe partners is already registered shall beregistered in the name of the partnership uponpayment of a fee of £5.00 (inclusive of valueadded tax), provided that the registered ownerof the rings is a partner in such partnership.

106. In the event of dissolution or terminationof a partnership, alterations of the registeredowner’s name will be made upon payment ofa fee of £5.00 (inclusive of value added tax)provided that the succeeding owner isresident at the registered address of theformer partnership. Proof of dissolution ortermination of a partnership shall be furnishedto the Chief Executive and all of the partnersin the ex-partnership must sign theAssociation’s standard form. Should it not bepossible to obtain the signatures of all theformer partners for any reason, a coveringletter explaining the circumstances must beforwarded to the Secretary of the relevantLocal Region Committee who, afterinvestigation, may give permission for thepartnership to be dissolved. All rings onpigeons removed from or to an address otherthan that at which the owner of such rings isregistered must be transferred by means ofsubmission of the standard single ring transferform.

107. Unless otherwise stated on theAssociation’s partnership form, a partnershipwill be considered as a partnership of equalshares and upon its dissolution, or upon thedeath of one of the partners, the birds and theassociated effects shall be divided betweenthe remaining partner or partners and thepersonal representatives of the deceasedpartner in accordance with the initialagreement.

Verifications

108. The Secretary of any Organisation mayobtain verification of the ownership of anyAssociation ring on a bird upon paying to theChief Executive a fee of 15p per ring (inclusiveof value added tax).

Stray Birds.

109. If the Chief Executive receivesnotification of a found or stray pigeon he maycommunicate to the finder the name andaddress of the owner and to the owner thename and address of the finder.

110. On receipt of notification of a stray birdfrom a non-fancier, and having establishedthat the bird is a stray, the Chief Executive willnotify the owner by first class post or emailand pass the name and telephone number tothe non-fancier. The owner will be advised thatif he/she has not made contact with the finderand arranged collection of the pigeon within48 hours (2 working days) the finder will beasked to contact the Chief Executive who willarrange collection of the pigeon for delivery tohim at headquarters. In this instance,disciplinary action may be taken against theowner. On delivery of the pigeon toheadquarters the owner will have 14 days inwhich to arrange collection of the bird. Thecost of carriage to headquarters and onwardsto the owner will be charged to the owner. Ifthe fancier fails to pay these costs within 14

days from the date of invoice fromheadquarters, disciplinary action will be takenin accordance with Rule 112.If a pigeon has to be collected from a non-fancier by a local fancier under extenuatingcircumstances, then the conditions of Rule110 still apply in that the owner has 48 hoursto collect his pigeon from the new finder.

111. If the finder is a member of theAssociation or of a homing union recognisedby the Association, it shall be compulsory forthe owner to communicate with the finderwithin 14 days of being notified by the ChiefExecutive, with instructions either to return thepigeon or for the pigeon to be transferred tothe finder. If the pigeon is returned, the ownershall pay to the finder such amount as may beagreed between them or, failing agreement,the sum prescribed by the Council for thispurpose from time to time if the bird isdelivered by independent carrier by road orsuch higher expenses as are incurred by thefinder in delivering the bird to the owner. In theevent of the finder not wishing to have the birdtransferred to him, he shall state so at the timeof reporting the finding of the bird to the ChiefExecutive.

112. If the Chief Executive is informed that theowner has failed to claim a pigeon or hadfailed to communicate with a fancier finderwithin 14 days of being notified by the ChiefExecutive, the Chief Executive shall notify thesecretary of the owner’s Local RegionCommittee with a copy being posted to themember. If the member has not informed theLocal Region Committee that the matter hasbeen resolved within 7 days after suchnotification by the Chief Executive, thePresident and Secretary of the Local RegionCommittee may suspend such member frommembership of the Association. Suchsuspension shall be effective until the nextmeeting of the Local Region Committee andshall be subject to confirmation at thatmeeting.

113. Any notice given to the Chief Executive inconnection with stray birds shall be sufficientlygiven if sent by pre-paid first class post oremail in the case of non-fanciers or secondclass post or email in the case of fancier.

114.Where a stray pigeon is reported direct toan owner by the finder, the provisions of theabove Rules shall apply as if the finder hadnotified the Chief Executive.

115. If, after investigation by the Local Region,it is not possible to trace the presentwhereabouts of the owner of a stray pigeon,the ring on that pigeon shall be transferred tothe finder.

116. If a finder is employed as, or carries outthe business of, a pest controller, the ownershall have the right to request the finder todispose of the bird or birds in the samemanner as he deals with feral pigeons whichcome into his possession.

Offences

117. A member may be reprimanded,suspended, or expelled from membership ofthe Association if after investigation by the

Committee of the Local Region of which he isa member is found to have in his possessionwithout just cause any bird which is not hisproperty.

118. A member may be suspended frommembership of the Association if he shows,trains or races a bird of which he is not theregistered owner either in the records of theAssociation or those of a homing unionrecognised by the Association.

119. If a member is suspended for failing tocommunicate with a finder of a stray pigeon,the ring on the stray pigeon shall betransferred to the finder notwithstanding anyother action of a disciplinary nature which maybe taken against the owner.

PART L: ADMINISTRATION OF RACING

Records

120. Each Club shall keep a record for aminimum of two years showing the full ringnumber, colour, sex and owner’s name ofevery pigeon sent in races organised by theClub, whether competing or not.

Wing stamping/personal ring

121. During the racing season, each membermust ensure that every pigeon raced ortrained by him is either wing stamped on atleast three flights or carrying a ring, in eithercase clearly showing the name and address ofthe owner or the telephone number of aperson or Organisation to whom the pigeonshould be reported if it becomes a stray. Anypigeon not so rung or wing stamped will not beaccepted for racing under any circumstanceswhatsoever and Marking Committees mustensure that this is strictly adhered to. Anycase of non-compliance may, afterinvestigation by the Local Region Committee,entail the suspension of the relevant member.

Flown Distances

122. The word ‘flown’ when used in thecontext of a bird having flown a stateddistance, shall be taken to mean that such birdhas flown the distance stated as a competingbird in a race promoted by an Organisation orby another recognised union. DuplicationClubs may not issue flown certificates.

Award Cards

123. Should award cards be given forpositions in either racing or showing, the fullring numbers of the winning birds shall bedistinctly written or printed in indelible ink andthe cards shall be signed by an officer of theOrganisation issuing the cards.

Officials. Convoyers. Liberators

124. Officials of any Organisation, includingconvoyers, assistant convoyers, officialliberators, clock setters, the Chief Executiveand Secretaries of Local Region Committeesmust be Members of the Association. Allconvoyers, assistant convoyers and officialliberators must be licensed by the Association,such licence to be obtained from the Secretaryof the Committee of the Local Region of which

the applicant is a member. Licences shallapply from the 1st January to 31st Decemberinclusive and the fee for a licence shall be£10.00 of which £4.00 will be retained by theLocal Region and £6.00 (inclusive of VAT)shall be forwarded to the Chief Executive. ALocal Region Committee shall be entitled torefuse to grant any such licence where it issatisfied that this would be in the bestinterests of the Association and its members.The decision of the Local Region Committeeshall be final.

125a. In all races, before the pigeons areloaded onto the transporter, all baskets mustbe sealed by an RPRA approved seal. Oncethe pigeons are loaded onto the transporterthey must be accompanied by a licensedconvoyer, assistant convoyer or licensedliberator at all times until they are liberated.ALL matters relating to timing must be dealtwith by a member or members of theAssociation.

125b. When transporting competing racingpigeons from Clubs to Organisations transportall baskets must be sealed by an RPRAapproved seal, the birds must beaccompanied by at least two members of theassociation who may not be subjects of thesame partnership.

126. A code of conduct for licensed convoyersand official liberators is set out in Appendix Chereto and must be fully complied with. TheCouncil may make such alterations oradditions to the code of conduct as it thinks fitfrom time to time. Failure to comply with thecode of conduct will result in the withdrawal ofa licence from the relevant official.

127 a) Any member or Organisation arrangingfor the convoying of racing pigeons shall,where the number of birds carried exceeds500, ensure that the vehicle used isadequately fitted with equipment for thecontrolling of fires.b) The number of pigeons placed in the basketor container must be restricted relevant to thedistance and time spent in them. The followingfigures must be strictly adhered to. Failure todo so may entail suspension of the individualsor organisation responsible. The nights in thebasket to be from the day of marking to theprojected day of liberation.

Time Minimum floor area per pigeon0 or 1 night 44 sq. ins.2 nights 52 sq. ins.over 2 nights 60 sq. ins.See Appendix F

c) In any age races or designated young birdraces no old birds shall be allowed in thesame baskets or containers as the youngbirds. Old birds may be transported on thesame transporter but in separate baskets orcontainers.

Flying Routes

128. Any Organisations carrying out pigeonracing must apply to the Committee of theLocal Region to which it is affiliatednominating the route which it wishes to fly.Should any existing Organisation wish tochange its specified route, such alteration can

only be made with the consent of theCommittee of the Local Region to which thatOrganisation is affiliated. The decision of theLocal Region Committee shall be final.

128b. Any Organisation wishing to change itsname must have the approval of therespective Region Committee.

Race Programmes

129. All federations, combines,amalgamations and national Specialist Clubsand any club racing independently, shall priorto 1st March in each year deliver to the ChiefExecutive their race programmes for the year,including race dates, approximate liberationtimes and the telephone number of thecontroller of each race. Failure to do so shallresult in a surcharge of £20. The ChiefExecutive shall draw up a list of all such raceprogrammes and shall before 1st April in eachyear make the list available for publication intwo newspapers devoted to the racing orshowing of homing pigeons circulatingnationally in the United Kingdom and havesuch list available for distribution to any of thesaid convoying organisations on request.

130. Organisations shall not impose anyminimum or maximum on the number of racesin which their flying members may compete.

Open Races

131. An open race is one which is open tomembers of more than one club and individualmembers. No open race shall be held unlessit has been licensed by the Committee of theLocal Region to which the Organisationarranging the race is affiliated. Applicationforms must be obtained from RPRAHeadquarters or from the Local RegionSecretary.

132. Any Organisation wishing to hold anOpen Race and organisers of One Loft Racesmust apply for a licence to the Secretary ofthat Organisation’s Local Region Committeeor the organiser’s Local Region Committee,as applicable, on an application formapproved by the Council and sent to theSecretary of the Local Region Committee soas to be received by him not less that 21 daysbefore the date of the proposed race. Withsuch application the Organisation shall send acopy of the rules to be adopted for theproposed race and a fee of £10 which shall beretained by the Local Region. The LocalRegion Committee shall be entitled to refuseto grant a licence for an open race if it issatisfied that this would be in the bestinterests of the Association and its members.The Local Region Committee shall refuse togrant a licence for an open race unless theOrganisation arranging the race undertakes toensure that the rules of the race areimplemented.

133. Section A. The following rules apply toall open races.

(1) The rules relating to racing set out in theAssociation’s Standard Rules for adoption byall affiliated Organisations shall apply.(2) The licence number for the open raceissued by the Secretary of the Local Region

Committee shall appear on all notices in anyjournal or newspaper advertising the race, onall result sheets and on any other form ofadvertising at the premises of theOrganisation arranging the race.(3) In any advertising of an open race theOrganisation arranging the race must statethe code number for the liberation site for therace and if there are provisions for the use ofETS.(4) In all open races where special prizesand/or pools are offered for competition, thefull conditions governing the race must bepublished at any time when the offer of suchspecial prizes and/or pools is made.(5) A certificate of the time of setting andchecking the competitor’s clock together withthe readings of the clock shall be given to himon demand free of cost, except for postagewhere incurred.(6) A copy of the income and expenditureaccount in connection with the race must besent to the secretary of the Local RegionCommittee which granted a licence for therace at the time of publication of theprovisional result of the race.(7) The Organisation arranging the race mustpublish on the result sheet the flying distanceof all competitors who win a prize.(8) The provisional result of the race must bepublished within one month from the date onwhich the race was flown and the prize money,special prizes and pools must be paid to thewinners within three months from the date onwhich the race was flown except that in theevent of an appeal to the Local Region or theCouncil on any dispute concerning the race,the Local Region or the Council shall have thepower to extend such period to enable theappeal to be dealt with.(9) No prize shall be paid until the winner hasfurnished to the Organisation arranging therace a certificate that he is a member of theAssociation or other union recognised by theAssociation.(10) Failure by the Organisation arranging therace to comply with any of the rules relating toan open race will result in the Local RegionCommittee cancelling the licence for the race.(11) Any person competing in an event whichrequires an Open Race licence shall betermed to be an occasional member of thatparticular Organisation. Should there be anydispute relating to this event, by either theOrganisation or a participating member, thenprocedures as laid down in, Rules 70/71 and168/169 be followed.

133. Section B. One-Loft Races.

‘One-Loft Race’ means a race/s wheremembers send their birds for competition toone single loft location to be trained together,and where an entry fee per bird is submittedas part of the conditions of racing. Anymember of the Association or anyorganisation affiliated to the Association whichorganises a One-Loft Race shall apply to theLocal Region where the loft is situated for aOne Loft race licence for the race and for anyinterim races where prize or pool money isinvolved. The licence must be obtained beforeadvertising commences and the licencenumber included in all adverts. The cost of thelicence is to be £25 per race. At the close ofentry date the organiser/organisation shallnotify the Local Region/RPRA Headquarters

of the total number of birds entered and thetotal guaranteed prize money to be flown for.In such One-Loft Races birds must be timedusing an Electronic Timing System approvedby the RPRA Council. All rings shall beregistered in the name of the organiser.

Judges

134. Exhibitors may not be able to judge andshow at a show which they are exhibiting.

PART M: SALES

Auction Sales

135. At all pigeon auction sales, on completionof a sale, signed transfer forms in theAssociation’s standard form shall be furnishedto the purchaser in respect of every birdpurchased by him. Such forms shall be signedby the registered owner, or in the event of theregistered owner being deceased, by hisexecutors, or in the case of a partnership byall partners or their representatives. The nameand address of the vendor shall be shown inall auction advertisements. Any bird soldsubject to a minimum reserve price shall havethat reserve price printed in its respective lotnumber details in any advertisement of theauction. The organiser of any pigeon auctionsale for the benefit of a charity or charitiesmust publish an income and expenditureaccount certified by the organiser to beaccurate and complete in two newspapersdevoted to the sport of racing or showinghoming pigeons and circulating nationally inthe United Kingdom.

136. No member, having sold birds andreceived payment as a result, shall deny thebuyer the right to name the source of hispurchase.

137. (Spare)

138. (Spare)

PART N: ALTERATION OF RULES

139 (a). All new Rules or changes to existingRules shall be accompanied by a shortexplanation, as to why this rule needs to beadded or changed.

139 (b). These Rules may be altered by theCouncil at any annual general meetingprovided that not less than 28 days notice ofthe proposed alteration has been given to theSecretary of each Local Region Committeeand advertised in the British Homing World.

140. The Council shall be empowered to makealterations to these Rules as regardspunctuation and grammar only and providedthat the meaning of any Rule is not therebychanged.

141. Should any member of the RPRA wish tomake a proposal to alter or insert a new rule,they must submit the proposition in writing totheir Organisation secretary. The secretarywill then circulate the proposals to allmembers of the Organisation giving 7 days’notice of the meeting. Should the propositionbe carried, the Organisation secretary willforward them to their local Region secretarywho will in turn circulate them to all

Organisations affiliated to the Region.Any proposition that is carried by the Regionwill be sent to the Chief Executive, to beincluded at the AGM of Council.Council may submit propositions to the ChiefExecutive, not less than 42 days prior to thedate of an annual general meeting of theCouncil. Any such proposal must submit thefull text of any rule proposed to be revised asit would if the proposal was accepted.

142. The Council shall have power to makeand alter Rules and regulations to cover anyemergency. Such Rules or regulations may bemade or altered at a general meeting or aspecial meeting and shall operate untilrescinded by the Council or until the nextannual general meeting at which the requisitepublication of the proposed alteration of theRules can be given, whichever is sooner.

143. At intervals not exceeding ten years, theCouncil shall carry out an assessment of therules. Any amendments which it may deemdesirable to be made in the interests of theproper conduct of the sport of racing orshowing pigeons shall be proposed asalterations and given the requisite publicitybefore an annual general meeting of theCouncil.

144. A complete and up-to-date set of theAssociation’s Rules shall be published as aneditorial pull-out supplement in the BritishHoming World in each year not later than thefirst Saturday in May.

Construction of these Rules

145. The Council’s determination on theinterpretation, construction and operation ofthese Rules shall be final.

PART O:

STANDARD RULES FOR USE ANDCOMPULSORY ADOPTION BY ALLORGANISATIONS AFFILIATED TO THEASSOCIATION

146. The following Standard Rules arecompulsory for all Organisations affiliated tothe Association. Each Organisation shall befree to choose its own rules provided that theyinclude these rules and nothing which isinconsistent with these rules and oblige theOrganisation and its members to observe theprovisions of all Rules of the Association.

147. Whenever a change is made to theseStandard Rules or to any other Rule of theAssociation adopted by or incorporated intothe rules of an Organisation, that change willbe deemed to have been made to the rules ofthat Organisation.

148. In these Standard Rules ‘member’ shallmean(a) in respect of a club, an individual orpartnership;b) in respect of a federation or combine ofclubs, a club;(c) in respect of an amalgamation offederations or combines of federations, afederation;(d) in respect of an amalgamation ofcombines, a combine.

149. The rules of an Organisation must statethe name of the Organisation, the location ofits headquarters and the boundaries withinwhich the lofts of all affiliated club membersmust be situated in order to qualify formembership of the Organisation.

Geographical Area

150. If an organisation alters the prescribedboundaries within which the lofts of allaffiliated club members must be situated inorder to qualify for membership of theOrganisation, a flying member of theOrganisation shall not cease to qualify formembership of the Organisation until andunless he moves his loft and his new loft isoutside the prescribed boundaries.

151. If a federation, combine or amalgamationalters its boundaries, the lofts of all membersof Organisations affiliated to such federation,combine or amalgamation shall be unaffectedprovided that the boundaries prescribed bythe affiliated Organisations do not change.

Officers

152a. The officers of an Organisation shallconsist of a president, vice-presidents,chairman, treasurer, auditors, committee andsecretary and such other officers and officialsas the Organisation may deem necessary. Allofficers shall be elected annually unless theyare employed by the organisation. Suchpowers shall be delegated by the Organisationto its officers as the Organisation considersappropriate.

152b. With the exception of the Secretary, allofficials and Committee members of groupsas defined in Rule No. 2, must be electeddelegates of members organisations.

Meetings

153 (a). Item 1 on any meeting agenda of theAssociation or any affiliated organisationshall be "Declaration of Interest". Anymember, group or individual member whomay gain from a decision made at a meetingmust declare their interest in any items onthe items for discussion. The President orchair will have the right to decide if there is aclear conflict of interest, and will have theright to ask the interested party or parties torefrain from taking an active part in theagenda item.

153 (b). Once in each calendar year eachOrganisation shall hold an annual generalmeeting. The secretary of each Organisationshall give not less than 6 weeks notice inwriting to each member of the Organisation ofthe date, time and place at which the annualgeneral meeting of the Organisation will beheld. In the case of federations, combines andamalgamations of federations or combines,such notice shall be sent to the secretary ofeach Organisation which is a member. Thebusiness to be conducted at the annualgeneral meeting of the Organisation shall bethe adoption of the accounts of theOrganisation, the election or re-election of theofficers of the Organisation, the considerationof any alterations to the rules of theOrganisation proposed by any member.

Proceedings at General Meetings

154. At each general meeting of anOrganisation each member and eachpartnership treated as a single member shallhave one vote. On business relating to theAssociation, each partner shall have one vote.Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. Therules of the Organisation shall specify whetherdecisions are to be made by simple majorityvote of those attending and voting at generalmeetings or by any specific majority andwhether the chairman of the meeting is tohave a casting vote. Decisions on theadmission of new members must be by simplemajority of those attending and voting at themeeting at which the admission of a newmember is considered.

Alteration of Rules

155. (a) Any member of an organisationwishing to alter or add to the rules of theorganisation may propose such alteration oraddition to the rules of the organisation bygiving not less than 28 days notice in writing tothe secretary of the organisation prior to theorganisation's annual general meeting. Suchnotice shall specify the alteration or additionwhich the member wishes to propose. Thesecretary of the organisation must notify eachmember of the organisation of the proposal toalter or add to the rules not less than 7 daysbefore the date of the meeting.(b) Should an organisation by virtue of Rule182, undertake a postal vote of its membersthen the number of days notice may beextended from 28 to 42 days. Organisationsshall declare the final date for receipt ofproposals.

156. No alteration or addition to the rules ofthe Organisation which would conflict with anyof the Rules of the Association shall bepermitted to be proposed. Any resolution ordecision of any meeting of an Organisationother than the annual general meeting whichwould have the effect of making additions oralterations to the rules of the Organisationshall be invalid.

157. No alteration to the wording of anyproposal to alter or add to the rules of theOrganisation shall be permitted to be made ator prior to the annual general meeting at whichthe alteration or addition is to be proposedexcept for the correction of punctuation orgrammatical errors.

National or Specialist Clubs

158. All members of National or SpecialistClubs shall be required to notify the secretaryof the Club of the identity of the Local Regionof which the member is a member.

Membership

159. Any person wishing to become a memberof an Organisation must apply to the secretaryof the Organisation in writing. The applicationmust be accompanied by any entrance feesrequired by the rules of the Organisation to bepaid to the Organisation. Each suchapplication shall be notified to the members ofthe Organisation or to the Committee of theOrganisation, as specified in the rules of the

Organisation. The application shall bedetermined by a simple majority of thoseattending and voting at the next meeting ofmembers or the committee, as prescribed bythe rules of the Organisation. The applicationshall not be dealt with at an annual generalmeeting of the Organisation.

159 (b). Any RPRA member who is refusedmembership of a club in accordance with Rule159 shall be notified in writing. Suchnotification shall include a reason for therefusal. The applicant then has 14 days toobject the decision to his/her local region. Theregion shall determine whether the reason isjustifiable. If the region find that the refusal formembership was not justifiable then theRPRA member will be granted membership ofthe club.

160. Any flying member of an Organisationmay become a non-flying member upon givingnotice to that effect to the secretary of theOrganisation and he shall be deemed to havebecome a non-flying member upon the dateon which the secretary receives such notice.Non-flying members shall be entitled to attendmeetings of the Organisation but may onlyvote on matters appertaining to theAssociation. Non-flying members who wish tobecome flying members must resign theirmembership of the Organisation and apply forflying membership as a new member. Therules of the Organisation may provide thatnon-flying members pay reducedsubscriptions. Non-flying members will not beentitled to a share of the proceeds in the eventof the dissolution of the Organisation.

Payment of Subscriptions

161. No birds shall be accepted forcompetition in any races arranged by anOrganisation unless all fees and subscriptionsare fully paid up by that member wishing toenter those birds. Any member of theOrganisation who is also a member of anotherOrganisation must have fully paid all duesubscriptions to all such Organisations beforehe is permitted to compete in any race. Amember will produce his membership card ondemand each year, to any organisation whicharranges races in which he intends tocompete, to establish that he has paid hisAssociation subscription. If a member doesnot comply with this rule, he shall bedisqualified from racing in any race.

Resignations

162. A member wishing to resign from anOrganisation must do so in writing before theannual general meeting of the Organisation orhe will be liable to pay his subscription for thefollowing year. Resignations come into effectfrom the time they are received by theOrganisation official providing the memberhas paid all his debts to the Organisation andare clear of any dispute.

Dissolution

163. An Organisation may only be dissolvedby the vote of two thirds or more of themembers of the Organisation present andvoting at a special meeting convened toconsider a resolution to dissolve the

Organisation and of which not less than 14days notice in writing has been given to allmembers of the Organisation. If such aresolution is passed, a further meeting shallbe held to confirm the resolution and suchfurther meeting shall also be called by not lessthan 14 days notice in writing given to allmembers of the Organisation. TheOrganisation shall not be dissolved unless thedissolution is confirmed by a majority vote ofthe members attending and voting at thefurther meeting. Only one resolution todissolve an organisation may be held in eachcalendar year.

164. In the event of the dissolution of anOrganisation, the assets of the Organisationshall be realised and the proceeds dividedequally amongst the fully paid up members onthe basis of one loft, one share. Non-flyingmembers shall have no claim to participate. Inthe event of assets being subject to a lottery orcharitable grant, those assets must bereturned to the said lottery or charitableorganisation or as they determine.

165. Upon the dissolution of an Organisation,notice of dissolution shall be sent to theSecretary of the committee of the LocalRegion to which the Organisation is affiliated,together with the minute book, final balancesheet and names and addresses of membersof the Organisation at the time of dissolution.If such notice is not sent to the Committee ofthe Local Region to which the Organisation isaffiliated before the annual general meeting ofthe Local Region, the Organisation will beliable for payment to the Local Region of theAssociation fees for its members for thefollowing year.

166 (a). Should the membership of a club fallbelow four full subscribing members, theRegion committee shall have the power todissolve the club and ensure that the assetsare shared between the remaining members.In the event of assets being subject to a lotteryor charitable grant, those assets must bereturned to the said lottery or charitableorganisation or as they determine.

166 (b). Where, after investigation by theLocal Region, it is found that an organisationhas ceased to function and has not done sofor at least three years, the Region Committeemay withdraw the affiliation of thatorganisation.

Banking Account

167. An organisation shall have a banking orbuilding society or Post Office savingsaccount or an equivalent such account andwhere possible all payments shall be made bycheque signed by the secretary and anotherofficial of the Organisation or by Credit/DebitCard. Bank statements or the building societyor Post Office passbook or its equivalent shallbe available to inspection by members at eachgeneral meeting of the Organisation or of itscommittee.

Grievances and Disciplinary Matters

168. If any member of an organisation has agrievance, dispute or complaint concerning

the Organisation he may within 28 days of thegrievance, dispute or complaint arising givenotice in writing of his grievance, dispute orcomplaint to the secretary of the Organisation,requiring the secretary to convene a generalmeeting or if the rules of the Organisation soprescribe, a meeting of the Committee of theOrganisation to consider the grievance,dispute or complaint. Any such meeting shallbe convened by the secretary by not less than7 days notice in writing to all members entitledto attend such meeting and to all parties togrievance, dispute or complaint.

168 (a). In the event of the grievance beingagainst the secretary of the organisation thenthe organisation chair shall take control of theprocedure.

169. If any organisation wishes to examine theconduct of a member with a view to takingdisciplinary action against him/her under theprovisions of Rule 70, a meeting must beconvened within 28 days of the disputearising, the secretary of the Organisation shallconvene a general meeting of theOrganisation or, if the Rules of theOrganisation so prescribe, the committee ofthe Organisation for that purpose and shallgive not less than 7 days notice in writing tothe member and to all members of theOrganisation or the committee, asappropriate, stating the date, place and time atwhich the meeting is to be held. The noticeshall also state the charges made against themember or the circumstances which themeeting proposes to investigate and thesecretary shall inform him/her, at the sametime as giving him/her the notice of themeeting, that he/she will be entitled to puthis/her case to the meeting and to berepresented at the meeting.

170. If the Organisation fails to hold a meetingto consider a grievance within 28 days’ ofreceipt by the secretary of notice from amember requiring a meeting to be called, theOrganisation may be the subject ofdisciplinary action by the Local Region towhich it is affiliated.

171. If a member of an Organisation isaggrieved by the decision of the Organisationor the committee, as appropriate, he has aright of appeal to the Local Region to whichthe Organisation is affiliated under theprovisions of the Rules of the Associationwithin 21 days of the decision being given.

172. The chairman of the Organisation shalldecide whether any member of theOrganisation is an interested party in anygrievance or disciplinary matter and allinterested parties shall leave the room wherethe meeting is being held when a decision onthe matter is made and a vote taken.

Special Meetings

173. The secretary of an Organisation shallhold a special meeting of the Organisationwith not less than 10 days’ notice in writing toall members of the Organisation if he/shereceives a requisition for such a specialmeeting signed by at least one third of themembers of the Organisation or, if theOrganisation has 75 members or more,

signed by at least 25 members of theOrganisation. Any such requisition shall statethe business for which the meeting is to becalled and the notice calling the meeting shallsimilarly state such business. No businessshall be transacted at the special meetingother than that referred to in the notice callingthe meeting. The meeting must be heldwithin 21 days’ of the requisition.

Arrears

174. Should any member of an Organisationat 1st April in any year be in arrears for anysum owed to the Organisation the secretary ofthe Organisation shall send him a recordeddelivery letter notifying him of the balance ofhis account in detail. The member shall bedebited with the postal charges incurred andshall be notified that unless a remittance isreceived or the debt disputed within 21 dayshe will be suspended by the Organisation andreported to the Local Region. The suspensionshall be noted in the Organisation’s minutebook prior to the notification being sent to theLocal Region.

Accounts

175. Every Organisation shall keep accurateand full records of all income and expenditureand shall cause an audited and signed annualincome and expenditure account and balancesheet to be prepared once each year and sentto each member of the Organisation at least 7days before the annual general meeting of theOrganisation. In the event that the audited andsigned annual income and expenditureaccount and balance sheet shows a deficit,the Organisation or its committee, asappropriate, shall be empowered to make alevy on each member. The total sum of anysuch levy shall only be sufficient to dischargethe amount which would otherwise remainoutstanding after all the funds of theOrganisation are completely exhausted. If theOrganisation or its committee, as appropriate,considers it necessary, any such levy may bemade on any member who has resigned fromthe Organisation since the date of thepreceding annual general meeting.

176. If the rules of an Organisation provide foraccounts to be approved and adopted at ameeting other than the annual generalmeeting of the Organisation, a copy of theaccounts shall be sent to each member of theOrganisation not less than 7 days before thedate of the relevant meeting.

Documents

177. No Organisation or official of anOrganisation shall destroy or permit to bedestroyed any books, maps, race results,dials, ring lists, distance sheet or otherimportant documents without the priorpermission of the members of theOrganisation at an annual general meeting.On the appointment of a new Secretary to anOrganisation, the Organisation must ensurethat all such documents are transferred tohis/her custody.

178. In no circumstances may the details ofthe full ring number, colour, sex and owners’name of every pigeon sent in a race arranged

by an Organisation be destroyed less than twoyears after the date of the race.

Meeting Procedure

179. All meetings of the Organisations otherthan those held as annual general meetings,meetings to consider the dissolution of theOrganisation, meetings to consider agrievance of a member or possible disciplinaryaction against a member and specialmeetings requisitioned by the members, mustbe held with not less than 7 days notice, inwriting, given or posted to all members of theOrganisation accompanied by an agenda forthe meeting.

180. No member of a union or association notrecognised by the Association shall bepermitted to attend or be represented at anymeeting called under the Rules of theAssociation. Neither shall any member of aunion or association not recognised by theAssociation be permitted to make or submitresolutions for voting upon at meetings calledunder the Rules of the Association.

181. The Organisation shall have a minutebook in which the Secretary of theOrganisation shall record the date, time andplace of all meetings, the chair person’s name,the names of the members present, the text ofresolutions with the names of proposers andseconders and whether carried or defeatedand the numbers for or against theproposition. The chair person and Secretaryshall sign all the minutes after confirmation asa true record at next meeting of theOrganisation except the minutes of an annualgeneral meeting which, if agreed as a truerecord, shall be confirmed and signed at thenext annual general meeting.

Voting Papers

182. If an Organisation has members residingoutside the area of a circle of 50 mile radiuscentred on the headquarters of theOrganisation, all resolutions to be submitted togeneral meetings of the Organisation shall bepermitted to be dealt with by votes submittedin writing by members and the secretary of theOrganisation shall send appropriate votingpapers to members for this purpose, providedthat adoption of the secretary’s annual reportand the annual accounts and balance sheet ofthe Organisation and the annual election ofofficers of the Organisation shall not bepermitted to be dealt with by postal vote.

Revision of Rules

183. At least once every three years anOrganisation shall publish up-to-date copiesof its Rules and issue these to each of itsmembers unless no changes have been madeto its Rules during that period. New membersmust be furnished with an up-to-date copy ofthe Rules of an Organisation upon joining theOrganisation.

184. (Spare).

185. Average Prizes

The Organisation shall declare its races forthe purpose of averages before thecommencement of racing each year. A

member must enter birds for competition in allthese races. He/she must time-in in each ofthese races to qualify for average prizes,unless a race is declared void or there are nobirds home in race time, when the averageshall be reckoned on the remainder of theseraces by a Standard Formula, viz: Total timesand distance flown in all races of birdsconcerned divided to give yards per minute.

186. Trophies and Specials

All conditions in respect of the Trophies orSpecials, together with the wishes of thedonors, must be entered in the Minute Bookbefore the races for which they are awardedcommence.

187. Flying Distances

All NEW flying distances must be obtainedthrough the Association and calculated on theEllipsoidal System by Computer(s). TheCumbria Region and Devon and CornwallRegion may grant permission for Clubsadministered by these Regions to race to a“Breaking Point” for Club racing only.“Individual members applying for distancesmust have loft location and latitude/ longitudecountersigned by a Club Chairman orsecretary. All lofts locations are to becalculated from Ordnance Survey or GoogleEarth. Google Earth data must be submitted toRPRA headquarters for conversion to OSbefore use.‘See Appendix J’

Race Ringing

188. NO MEMBER SHALL BE ALLOWED TOMARK OR RACE RING HIS/HER OWNBIRDS OR TAKE ANY ACTIVE PART IN THEPROCEDURE.

Individuals may use race entry sheets, whichmay be produced by computer softwareprograms and printed on sheets of plain paperor onto sheets which are pre-printed, providedby either an Organisation or by an individualfancier. The race entry form must have thefollowing requirements: Printed in ink, havespace for full ring numbers, inside and outsiderubber race numbers/letters, name(s) offancier(s), name of Club, date of race, racepoint, sex of bird, signature of fancier(s).Details entered on the race entry sheet maybe printed using computer software programsor hand written by the fancier. The counterfoilof the rubber race ring(s) placed on the pigeonshould be passed to the sheet marking officialwho should write the outside number(s)alongside the pigeon ring number. In caseswhere birds are double race rubbered therubbers MUST have different serial numbers.All rubber race counterfoils must be carefullysealed in envelopes immediately aftermarking and, like the clock sheets orenvelopes and entry forms, kept under seal ina secure place at headquarters or by theappointed officials in the case of SpecialistClubs. Members of the Association enter theirbirds in races organised by bodies affiliated tothe Association at their own risk against lossor damage. The purchase and use ofduplicate numbered race rubbers showing thesame serial numbers is prohibited.

Race Results

189. Indelible results stating race point andcode number shall be posted in a prominentposition at the Headquarters of theOrganisation where they can be easilyavailable to all members, or copies shall begiven, delivered or posted, to each member.Full ring particulars of birds winning prizes,pools or trophies must be shown in the resultof each race together with the actual flyingtimes and velocities. Actual flying distances tobe stated in results published for Open Racesand by Specialist Clubs.

190. Where duplication of race entriesbetween organisations is permitted, the onlyacceptable details of velocities, clock timesetc, will be those furnished by theSECRETARY of the organisation at which themembers clock is set and checked.Under no circumstances will any such detailsprovided by the member concerned, beaccepted.

Race Closure

191. Organisations shall stipulate a definiteclosure for all races, either in terms of aminimum velocity or by a specified hour of theclock on a nominated day.

192. STANDARD METHOD OFCALCULATING VELOCITIES‘See Appendix E’

(a) In the calculation of velocities for pigeonraces, no rounding up or down be permittedanywhere within the calculation and(b) Velocities be expressed in yards perminute to a minimum of two decimal places.

PART P: PERFORMANCE ENHANCING

199. The Council of the RPRA shall makerules and regulations prohibiting the use ofperformance enhancing drugs/ substances.Contravention of these rules and regulationsshall entail suspension.‘See Appendix G’

ADJUDICATION

200. Anything arising not provided for in theseRules shall be decided by the Committee or allmembers whose decision shall be final andbinding, subject to appeal to the Local Regionwithin 21 days from the date of such decision.

PART Q: CLOCK RULESThe following Clock Rules apply in allraces except One-Loft Races usingapproved Electronic Timing Systems.

Timing in

201. Members must time-in their birds bymeans of a timing clock of a type approved bythe Association Council. All members mustsubmit to the Organisation the clocks theyintend using in the season’s races for suchperiod as may be determined by theOrganisation prior to the first race in whichthey are to be used. The said clocks shallremain in the possession of the ClockCommittee during the whole of the season,provided that a member shall be allowed to

transfer his/her clock from one Organisation toanother if he/she so desires so long as it is putunder seal during transit. (For the purpose ofthis Rule, Organisation shall be taken to meanany of the Organisations within the‘Confederation’ whose testing tolerance is notgreater than the RPRA tolerance). For thepurpose of such transit, the sealing shall bethat appropriate to the sealing of the clock fora race, provided that in the case of a clockwith dials, one dial only shall be necessary.This dial must be signed and dated by amember of the Clock Committee.

202. Members who transfer their clocks fromone Club to another to have sealed inside theclock a certificate signed by a member of theClock Committee which tested the clock,stating that the clock has been testedaccording to this Rule. On this certificate mustbe recorded the seal number, if applicable,that will be used to seal the clock, the date andthe name of the person sealing the clock. Thisto be checked by the receiving ClockCommittee.Note: This is to cover clocks referred to inRule 218 which have to be sealed withAssociation seals, and does not refer tocarrying boxes.

Stopped Clocks

203. Should any competitor’s clock stop or berendered useless, he/she may have the samere-set by the member of the clock committeein possession of the MASTER TIMER orhe/she may time into the nearest competitor’sclock. No time allowance for reaching such aclock shall be made.

204. Should a clock have varied more than atthe rate of 5 seconds per hour, a fast clockshall be regarded as correct: a slow clockshall have double the lost time added. Astopped clock shall be deemed to be a slowclock and shall have double the lost timeadded but the maximum penalty in the case ofa stopped clock shall be the award of the timerecorded by the Master Timer when the clockis checked. Should a member's clock be foundfaulty or stop through not being properly set orwound up the competitor shall have his entryfees and pool monies returned in full if avelocity is not acceptable to the member.

205. In the races where entries are doublerace rung, the above will apply only in caseswhere one rubber ring is clocked. When acompetitor in such races times the secondrace ring into another clock (his/her own orotherwise) and the clock into which the firstrubber ring was clocked stops or is rendereduseless, then a velocity will be awarded on thetimes derived from the clock containing thesecond rubber ring. All clocks must bereturned intact to Headquarters for checking.Competitors to state on verification form thefull details of all clockings. Should a clockhave a varied rate of more than 8 seconds perhour, fast or slow, before timing in a pigeon,the clock shall be eligible for a re-set.

Clock Setting and Checking

206. (a) All clocks MUST be set by the OfficialClock Setter(s) or whomsoever they mayappoint, at least one of whom MUST sign

his/her name on the dials and rolls beforebeing used on the clocks they set, togetherwith the name of the race point, date, clocknumber (unless printed when struck), thename of the competitor and the name of theOrganisation. The clock record sheet orenvelope MUST bear the clock number, timeof setting, the receptacle showing on theclock, race date and the competitor's nameand be secured as laid down by RPRA Rule188. At the checking of clocks the officialsappointed MUST fill in MASTER TIME, clocktimes and variations of the clock record sheetsor envelopes.(b) All clocks set for competition must be set toreceive a container in the first receptacleavailable for that particular type of clock.(c) Where a clock has to be reset under theprovisions of Rule 203, a single signature willsuffice.

Labelling Second Clock

207. Where a member has more than oneclock set he/she must clearly label themNumber One ((1) Clock, etc., before they willbe accepted for setting. Birds may be timed into more than one clock but the times of theNumber Two or subsequent clocks will not beacceptable unless the Number One Clockstops or goes wrong, except in respect ofbirds timed in subsequent to the Number OneClock having been sent for checking.

208. If the reason for a Number Two (2) orsubsequent clock(s) being used is because ofa fault in Number One (1) or subsequentclock(s), the faulty clock(s) must be brought intogether with the clock used before this clockwill be accepted for checking.

209. The Clock Setters shall plainly markclock cards, Number One (1) Clock, etc.

Master Timers

210. All clocks used in connection with anyrace must be set and checked from MasterTimers which shall display and leave apermanent printed record in days, hours,minutes and seconds, and ALL Master Timersshall be SET and CHECKED by Master Timewhich shall be GREENWICH TIME taken fromthe last ‘PIP’ of the BBC Time Signal or from‘TIM’.

211. The Organisation may also use a GrandMaster Timer.

Clock Checking

212. The number of the receptacle showing ona competitor’s clock when set to receive thefirst ‘container or rubber race ring’ and also thenumber of the receptacle showing whencompetitor’s clock has been returned forchecking, must both be entered on the ClubClock Sheet and checked at clock opening.

213. Containers must be used in every type ofclock in races flown under RPRA rules, exceptfor those clocks approved by Council for usewithout containers, see Appendix D. Where‘Open Ended’ containers are used these mustbe inserted open end down and failure tocomply with this condition will entaildisqualification. Only containers of the

cylindrical type (two separate parts) shall beallowed to be used with the Toulet PuncturingClock.

214. Except in cases where an open-endedcontainer is used all containers must be seento be intact, with the rubber inside, whenremoved from the clock.

215. NO MEMBER SHALL ASSIST IN ANYWAY IN THE SETTING AND CHECKING OFHIS/HER OWN CLOCK.

Return of Clocks

216. Clocks set for a race and any clocksissued for transit between one Organisationand another must be returned intact to theClub, Federation or Combine orAmalgamation as appropriate under its seal,as defined in Rules 201 and 202, together withnotification of the returned seal number (ifapplicable) and any documents issued with it,except where clocks set for competition byanother Society and subsequently NOTUSED, may be returned to the parent clubintact, as set. A clock not so returned must bere-tested under the provisions outlined in Rule200 and shall not be made available for a racewithin such period as may be determined bythe Organisation.

Clock Recordings

217. All dials and rolls used in races mustleave a complete unbroken and permanentrecord of punctures and imprints. However,should a clock roll be torn by a member of theClock Committee at the time of checking,which actually takes place in front of Clubmembers, a velocity will be allowed.

Sealing of Clocks

218. All timing clocks used by members whichhave to be sealed shall be so sealed with softstring and with lettered and numbered roll-tagseals available only from the Association.Serial letter and numbers of seals to beentered on the Organisation’s Clock Sheet atsetting and checked before opening, beforebeing accepted as being in order.

Approved Clocks

219. A list of ALL clocks, i.e. Make, Type andMark approved by the Association appears asAppendix D – ‘Approved Clocks of theAssociation’ – to these Clock Rules.

Certificates of Worthiness

220. Any timing clock of a type or makeapproved by the Association shall be given acertificate of worthiness if in perfect condition,after being examined by experts, whetherpurchased from an appointed dealer orotherwise.

MECHANICAL CLOCKS

Testing

221. Clocks in this category submitted for usein races shall be tested for a period of not lessthan 22 hours by Clubs in each of the threepositions, indicated as per the Clocksetters

Guide and a record shall be kept of therunning of the clock which shall be signed byat least two persons conducting such test. Tobe acceptable for use clocks must, whentested, have satisfied all of the followingrequirements:(a) The maximum permitted rate of gain shallnot exceed 5 seconds per hour.(b) The maximum permitted rate of loss shallnot exceed 5 seconds per hour.(c) The difference between the variations inany two positions shall not exceed 5 secondsper hour. (For example a clock when testedhad say, a maximum variation of a loss at arate of 3 seconds per hour would not beacceptable if it had gained at a rate of morethan 2 seconds per hour in either of the othertwo positions).(d) All puncture clocks must, when striking theclock quickly, produce for each and everystrike a clean and visible hole through eachdial. Any clock that does not satisfy this, willnot be accepted for use.

222. ALL TOULET PUNCTURE TWO DIALCLOCKS shall have their dials numberedeither mechanically or by hand and shall besigned through the number. Numbers must berecorded in the clock book/sheet/ envelope.

223. (a) Skymaster and Rotherham Clocksmust be fitted with a dolometer. The maximumreading of 3 to be allowed if the dolometer hasmoved from zero.223. (b) The maximum reading of 10 beallowed if the dolometer on the STB clock hasmoved from zero.223. (c) Any infringement of this Rule shallentail disqualification .

Clock Penalties - Double Striking

224. Both ‘Belgica’ and ‘La Ledoise’puncturing clocks must be struck twice withinfive seconds of the ‘timing-in’ of each bird andthe container must be in the first of tworeceptacles relating to each timing-in.

ELECTRO-MECHANICAL, ELECTRONIC CLOCKS AND PRINT-OUTS

Testing

225. Clocks in this category submitted for usein races shall be tested by clubs, for a periodof not less than 22 hours during which anygain or loss must not exceed 25 seconds inthe normal operating position and a recordshall be kept of the running of the clock whichshall be signed by at least two personsconducting such a test.

Checking

226. On checking a data print-out must beobtained and sufficient clear white paperallowed to provide room for:—(a) Name of Organisation(b) Race point(c) Competitor(s) name(d) Two signatures of the official clock settersor whomsoever they may appoint.The printed information MUST be crosschecked against the digital display informationin the clock itself. THIS MUST BE DONEPRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE CLOCK.Should it be found that a members Data print

does not comply with sections a,b,c or d of thisrule, providing it was checked and opened infront of officials of the Organisation, a readingshould be allowed.

227. In the event of a power cut or breakdownof the print-out, the information contained onthe digital display will be manually recorded ona sheet of paper, together with the informationand signature(s) called for in Rule 226.

228. Only after a copy of the information hasbeen extracted, cross-checked and foundcorrect will the seal be removed and the clockopened, after which one container only shallbe taken at a time from the clock and checked.

229. (Spare)

ELECTRONIC TIMING SYSTEMS

230. All Association members are allowed totime their birds electronically at all levels ofcompetition with an RPRA approvedelectronic timing system (ETS) providing theclub/organisation has the required equipmentand the officials are competent to use it.

231. No Association member can becompelled to use an electronic timing system.Any ETS equipment showing visible signs ofdamage to the casing or seal (even if causedaccidentally) cannot be used to produce raceentry details or strike off sheets. Officials havethe power to detain any ETS they considerdoubtful.

232. It is the responsibility of the member tocheck that each organisation he intends tocompete with has both the equipment needed,and willing, competent officials necessary forhim to use his ETS.

233. (Spare)

234. (Spare).

235. (a) Electronic rings must be allocated tothe ring numbers of the member’s pigeons aminimum of 7 days prior to the use of the ETS.Allocation on marking nights will only bepermitted due to a defect or loss of anelectronic ring.(b) Should a member present a bird forallocation of rings prior to the start of or duringold bird or young bird racing and the electronicring indicates another member’s loftnumber/details, then proof of ownership of thering must be supplied before assigning thering to the member’s bird. If proof ofownership cannot be furnished by the memberthen action may be taken under rules 169/70.(c) Additional ETS Zeroes – the leadingzeroes that are automatically added by ETSsystems are acceptable.

236. After each allocation a list must beprinted in duplicate, each of which must besigned by an authorised person of theorganization and countersigned by themember. One signed list is to be filed alongwith race entry documentation and the otherhanded to the member. The allocation datamust be stored on a backup disk in caseamendments become necessary during theseason. Any organization to which themember is affiliated may demand to see theallocation list.

237. All electronic timers set with the ETSradio clock shall deemed to be correct withTIM.

238. As part of the entry process officials mustcheck that the full details of the life ring on thepigeons leg is the same as that shown by theETS system when the electronic chip ring isscanned. All ETS race entry sheets and arrivalreports must be printed directly from the ETSprinter and not via a PC printer. These mustcontain the competitors name, RPRA loftnumber, race, date, life ring number and ETSelectronic chip ring number. One copy must beretained by the organisation and one copygiven to the competitor or his/her nominatedperson. Both copies must be signed by anofficial of the organisation and the competitoror his/her nominated person. The signed printand copies of the race entry sheets constitutethe electronically produced part of the raceregister. Pools may be recorded on thesesheets either manually or electronically. Nomember is permitted to take part in the racemarking/entry or arrival report of his ownpigeons.

239. (Spare)

240. Should the data record of an ETS bedeleted or become unusable between thepigeons entry to the loft and print out after thepigeons return for any reason, the enteredpigeons must be eliminated from the result.Where there is a difference between the codenumber written into the ring during themarking and the code number stated at thereturn then the pigeon is to be eliminated fromthe result.

241. The positioning of the ETS sensors/antennae will not be allowed on any landingboards or other external surfaces in such away that when the loft is closed an electronicring chip ring may be recorded by theElectronic Timing System installed. ClubOfficials may make random checks at anytime. Contravention of this rule will result indisciplinary action under Rule 70(a).

242. All ETS must comply with UNIVES 1.7protocol only.

APPENDIX A

LIST OF RECOGNISED UNIONS/ASSOCIATIONS IN

THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND

IRISH HOMING UNIONMr Brendan McLoughlin, 15 St Joseph's Bungalows, Newry, Co Down BT34 4PF. Tel: 07912 261575 / 00353 858 565581Email: [email protected]

NORTH OF ENGLAND HOMING UNIONMr Kevin Sample, 58 Ennerdale Road,Walker Dene, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 4DG. Tel: 0191 262 5440. Email: [email protected]

NATIONAL PIGEON ASSOCIATIONMr Graham Giddings, Churchbrook House, Church Street,Barton St David, Somerset TA11 6BUTel: 01458 851617. (08.30-10.30 hrs; 16.30-20.00 hrs)Email: [email protected]

SCOTTISH HOMING UNIONA. Frame, 386A Stewarton Street, Wishaw,Lanarks. ML2 8DU. Tel: 01698 768939. Email:[email protected]

WELSH HOMING PIGEON UNIONOld Timothys Yard, Llanfoist St, Ton Pentre,Rhondda CF41 7EE. Tel: 01443 441010.Email: [email protected]

NORTH WEST HOMING UNIONR. Owen, 6 Ellersle Ave, Rainhill,Merseyside L35 4QD. Tel: 07933 068638. Email: [email protected]

CONTINENTAL UNIONS:

BELGIUMRoyale Federation Colombophile Belge, 52-54 Gaasbeeksesteenweg, 1500 Halle,Brussels, Belgium. Tel: 0032 2537 6211. Email: [email protected] Colombophile Francaise54 Boulevard Carnot, 59000 Lille, France. Tel: 0033 32006 8287. Email: [email protected] Deutscher Brieftaubenliebhaber EV,Katernberger Strasse 115, 45327 Essen,Germany. Tel: 0049 201 872240. Email: [email protected] N.P.O., Postbus 60102, 6800 JC Arnhem, The Netherlands. Tel: 0031 8527 38210. Email: [email protected]: http://www.duivensportbond.nl

APPENDIX B

REGION BOUNDARIES (SEE RULE 9)LONDON: Hertfordshire, Essex, GreaterLondon, Kent, also Sutton and Cheam,Kingston, Croydon, Carshalton, ThorntonHeath.SOUTHERN: Berkshire, Buckingham-shire,Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, WestSussex, East Sussex, Isle of Wight.WEST MIDLAND: Staffordshire, West Midlands, Herefordshire,Worcestershire,Warwick .WESTERN: Merseyside, Cheshire, Clwyd,Gwynedd, Shropshire.DERBYSHIRE & SOUTH YORKSHIRE:South Yorkshire, Derbyshire.NORTH WEST: Lancashire, GreaterManchester.EAST MIDLANDS: Nottinghamshire,Lincolnshire, Leicestershire,Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire,Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk.WELSH: Powys, Dyfed, West Glam, Mid Glam, S. Glam, Gwent.

NORTH EAST: Northumberland, Durham,Tyne & Wear, Cleveland, North Yorkshire,West Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire,North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire.SOUTH WESTERN: Gloucestershire, Bath &North-East Somerset, Somerset, Wiltshire,Dorset and Channel Isles.CUMBRIA: Cumbria, Scotland and the Isle ofMan.DEVON & CORNWALL: Devon, Cornwall &Gibraltar.IRISH: Ireland.

APPENDIX C

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LICENSEDCONVOYERS/ LIBERATORS

(SEE RULE 126)

1. Every convoying organisation shall ensurestaff on transporters are in possession of aConvoyer/Liberators licence for the currentyear.

2. Before commencing his/her convoying dutyfor each race, he/she shall obtain from his/herRace Organiser:a) The exact racepoint at which his/hercharges are to be liberated, that is to say, thename and address of the racepoint.b) The name, address and telephone numberof any liaison official appointed by the RPRAc) Any special conditions which have to beobserved at the racepoint including notifyinglocal airfields is to be carried out by theconvoyer or nominated official of theorganisationd) An animal transport certificate for alljourneys over 50km.3. He/she will ensure that the stowage of thepigeons conforms to the requirements of theLaw. That is to say that all containers will beproperly secured within the racking of thetransporter and that the bulk stacking ofcrates/baskets containing pigeons is notresorted to because it is against the Law.He/she will ensure that they are conversantwith the welfare of animals (transport) order20064. He/she will inspect their charges at eachstop, but not less than once every eight hours. 5. He/she will ensure that adequate food andwater is available for the race, or alternativelyhave instructions as to how and where theyare to be obtained. He/she will be solelyresponsible for the welfare of the pigeons intheir charge and will ensure that they areadequately fed and watered as deemedappropriate for their well-being.6. He/she will position the vehicle in order toensure a perfect liberation, bearing in mind thewind conditions. The convoyer/liberator mustbe fully responsible for checking that all cratesremaining on a transporter at the racepointand on return to its depot are individuallyinspected in order to ensure that no live birdshave been left therein.7. He/she will obtain weather forecasts and, inconjunction with the other Convoyers/ Liberatorsat the site and his/her own race adviser, willagree liberation times generally on the basis ofthe longest to fly first up, and a minimum periodof 15 minutes observed between each separateliberation where practical.8. The Convoyer/Liberator will be entirely

responsible for liberation, whether he/she hasa race adviser or not.9. In the event of any pigeon(s) escaping,he/she must seek his/her Organisation officialregarding emergency action to be taken.10. The correct time of liberation should bemade known to the secretary/race adviser anda full report of the race handed to thesecretary on return, together with theConvoyer/Liberator/ Organising official’ssignature stating that he/she personallyinspected all crates after liberation. This ruleto apply to all feeder vehicles also. 11. The racepoint to be left clean and tidy,including gathering up all loose material andseals after the liberation, and suitablydisposing of it, if necessary bringing it backwith him/her for disposal.12. He/she will so conduct himself/herself atall times as to completely avoid any complaint.13. Only with the full permission of the RaceOrganisation will pigeons be liberated at anypoint other than that at which they arescheduled to be liberated.14. He/she will report to his/her Organisationwhilst at the racepoint or subsequently inhis/her report, any item which places at risk,either the safety of the vehicle, the welfare ofthe pigeons or the fairness of the release,including the failure of a Convoyer/Liberator toco-operate at the racepoint.15. He/she will comply with the liberation siteconditions or regulations.16. Where overseas racing is concernedhe/she will ensure that they are in possessionof full documentation as laid down each yearby Association Headquarters. Thesedocuments to be provided to him/her by thesecretary of the Organisations concerned.17. On premature termination of theConvoyer/Liberator’s appointment he/she willimmediately return the Convoyer/ Liberator’sLicence to his/her Racing Organisation. 18. Juniors will not be permitted to travel ontransporters or to accompany theConvoyer/Liberator and/or driver to theracepoint by any other means.19. All feeder vehicles, before leaving thetransfer area, are to be checked to ensure nobirds remain on the vehicles.20. Any member or Organisation involved inthe convoying of racing pigeons shall, wherethe number of birds carried exceeds 500,ensure that the vehicle used is adequatelyfitted with equipment for the controlling offires. 21. Liberations can only take place fromRPRA approved Liberation Sites. Failure todo so will result in the removal ofConvoyers/Liberators Licences anddisciplinary action taken under Rules.

APPENDIX D

APPROVED CLOCKS OF THE RPRA (SEERULE 201)

PRINTING CLOCKS

1. ROBERT PLASSCHAERT, 12 & 14 Bird.2. (a) ALFRED PLASSCHAERT12 Bird13 Bird (This clock is identical to the

Jundes)19 Bird

(b) JUNDES (Not to be confused with the Jundes Thexor)

NOTES:(i) With the exception of the 19 bird clocks, allof the above require to be fitted with a CAMmodification.(ii) With the exception of the 19 bird clocks, allof the above should be fitted with a specialescapement which locks when the clock(s)are fraudulently shaken.(iii) ALL of the above clocks should possess adevice which pierces the paper strip (clockroll) when the clock is opened or closed.(iv) The 19 bird clocks should possess aDolometer fitted in the lid of the clock andindicated in the corner of the rectangular glassof the lid. These 19 bird clocks should alsopossess a stop pin which is fitted in thethimble drum after the 19th or 20th aperture.3. TOULET

(a) Standard (Wooden Case)(b) W Super (Metal Case)

4. JUNDES THEXOR - 13 Bird. This requiresto be modified by the fitting of two ‘ratchettype’ cams to the underside of the clock lid.

5. BENZING(a) Model One (Dolometer on dial). 9, 12 and 14 Bird. Also the 14 Bird, double roll modified.(b) Model Two (Auto Escapement) 12 and 14 Bird modified.(c) Model Three, 24 Bird (2 x 12). Auto Escapement.

Also the Benzing 261, 26 Bird in Terlurancase.BENZING QUARTZ MODEL 301.

(e) Old Type Benzing Printing Clocksupdated with the latest escapement as fitted in the present-day Benzing Model 261 can be used. Proof of this modification must be provided by the Clock Agent.(f) BENZING 261 (NPO MODEL)*(g) BENZING 301 (NPO MODEL)* (h) RED MECHANICAL BENZING

126.(i) BENZING COMPUTER CLOCK*

*NOTE:- Agents/Repairers for these clocks are:6. BENZING COMATIC - 12 and 25 BirdNumerical Printer.NOTE: All types of Benzing Clocks require tobe fitted with a cam modification to the thimbledrum operating hub. Model two clocks afternumber 182757 and the Benzing 261 shouldhave been done by the manufacturer.7. EASY WAY

(a) STANDARD 14 Bird. Auto Escapement.14 Bird. Seconds on dial. Auto Escapement.(b) De Luxe 14 Bird. Roller printer Auto

Escapement.NOTE: All Easy Way clocks require to be fittedwith a cam modification to the thimble drumoperating hub. Clocks after number 106124should have been done by the manufacturer.The Easy-Way Standard also requiresmodification by the fitting of a baffle plate,obtainable from ‘RPRA Headquarters’. TheDe-Luxe Model does not require modification;it can be recognised by the size of its boxwhich is 8” x 63/4” x 51/2”8. JUNIORJUNIOR (ORIGINAL) Metal Case.JUNIOR, 12 Bird Metal Case.

JUNIOR, 12 Bird Makrolon Case.JUNIOR, 12 Bird Makrolon Case wih secondson dial.JUNIOR PRINTERThe early model of the Junior Printer does notprovide an opening or locking puncture andmust be modified in order to do so. Themodification consists of fitting a new backplate to the clock. This modification may onlybe carried out by Messrs Linell InstrumentService Ltd, 89/90 Lorne Street,Kidderminster, DY10 1SX, who are now theagents for the Junior Clock. Only JuniorClocks providing an opening/locking puncturewill be accepted for competition underR.P.R.A. Rules.Junior clocks with the serial letter prefix A, Bor C cannot be modified and are not approvedclocks.9. LA LEDOISE

(a) STANDARD 12 Bird.(b) 12 Bird, with seconds on dials.11 S.T.B. (fitted with dolometer)(a) Model 1101 - 32 Bird

Clocks below 015.000 require a cammodification and also a completely newthimble drum. Care must be taken whenremoving the thimble drum that no spillage ofthimbles takes place and that the thimbles areremoved in accordance with AssociationRules - one thimble at a time in the prescribedmanner.

(b) Model 1201 - 14 Bird.(c) Model 1662 - 32 Bird with seconds on dial.(d) Model 1021.728 - 14 Bird with 36.000 escapement.

Clocks from number 129689 do not require adolometer fitted.

(e) S.T.B. 14 Bird Quartz Model(f) S.T.B. 21 Bird Quartz - Manufacturers’ Thimbles may only be used.(g) Electronic Model 14E-1870.

NOTE: THE GLASSES ON THE OLD STYLES.T.B. ARE NOT INTER-CHANGEABLEWITH THOSE ON THE NEW STYLECLOCKS. NO CLOCK SHOULD BEACCEPTED FOR COMPETITION WITHOUTTHE CORRECT GLASSES.All S.T.B. Quartz Clocks must be modified bythe fitting of a 'Shield' which will prohibit theinfluence of magnetic fields to the coil andmotor of such Clocks. The modification isavailable to Club Secretaries from S.T.B.Microtechniques.10. SKYMASTER - 10 Bird. Must be fitted witha dolometer and small window in case toobserve same. All Skymaster clocks alsorequire the recessing of the cheese headscrew which is located on the back of the baseplate. When this screw has been recessed, itshould be covered by a plastic seal, whichmay be ‘E.W.’ (E. W. Wilkinson ofPocklington); Butlers of Cheltenham Ltd, (bothof whom now ceased production), or LinellInstrument Service whose address is MessrsLinell Instrument Service Ltd, 89/90 LorneStreet, Kidderminster, DY10 1SX.11. KOVO - 32 Bird. This clock must bemodified by the insertion of a proud screw inthe side of the thimble drum. Care must betaken when removing the thimble drum that nospillage of thimbles takes place and that thethimbles are removed in accordance withAssociation Rules - one thimble at a time inthe prescribed manner.

12. RACEMASTER (Metal Case) - 10 Bird.Numerical Printer, Auto Escapement. Agentfor Racemaster Clocks, Stockton Watch &Clock Co., (now ceased production).13. RACEMASTER in Plastic Case.14. (a) T1 JUNIOR Quartz Computer

(12 bird - Makrolon case)(b) T2 JUNIOR Quartz Computer

(12 bird - Makrolon case)(c) T3 JUNIOR Quartz Computer

(12 bird - Makrolon case)Can only be used in conjunction with theapproved data-printer.15. UNIKON OLS Electronic Timing System(this system can only be used in conjunctinwith Rule 133 part 11).NOTE (1): ALL PRINTING CLOCKS MUSTBE SET IN THE ‘STOP’ POSITION .NOTE (2): Mechanical Printing Clocks MAY bemodified by the fitting of the approved QuartzModule with a Low Battery Indicator assupplied and fitted by Messrs. B. Leefe andSons, 42/44 Market Place, Malton, Yorks. Tel:01653 692921.19. All Printing Clocks MAY be modified by thefitting of a Quartz Component (serial numberETC 781) carried out by Messrs. B. Leefe &Son, 42/44 Market Place, Malton, Yorks.01653 692921.

PUNCTURE CLOCKS

1. BELGICA 12 Bird. 3 Dials. Requires to bestruck twice, see Rule 224. All Belgica clocksmust be fitted with:

(a) A stepped striking ratchet, in place of the old ‘single’ tooth type.(b) A locking stud to the wooden case to enable the fitting of a numbered seal after each setting.(c) An indicating Dolometer.(d) An anti-magnetic escapement.

Clock numbers between 17,000 and 26,000are generally fitted with ALL of the above,necessary modifications. Numbers outsidethis bracket require to be modified. Clocksetters are requested to refuse any Belgicaclock not fitted with all of the abovemodifications.2. HABICHT - 7, 9 and 10 Bird. Metal or WoodCase. Must puncture dials on opening andclosing.3. LE CONTINENTAL - 8 Bird.(It is necessary to check correct functioning oflocking mechanism before the issue of a 3-way test certificate). All Le Continental Clocksmust be fitted with two sealing studs at theopening end— one to the lid and one to thebase to enable the clock to be used underseal.4. LA LEDOISE - Requires to be struck twice.See Rule 224.5. ROTHERHAM - 6 Bird. Must be fitted with aDolometer, brass locking bar and aperturecover.6. TOULET

(a) Three Dial Clocks - 12 Bird. Thisdoes not require the square spindle modification.(b) Two Dial Clocks 18 Bird, 12 Bird, 10 Bird. All of these require to be converted to square spindle. Round spindle clocks cannot be used.

All Toulet Puncture 2 dial clocks to have theirdials numbered either mechanically or byhand and signed through the number.

Numbers must be recorded in the ClockBook/Sheet/Envelope.GENERAL. All Toulet Puncturing Clocks mustprovide an opening and locking puncture.NOTE (1): The term ‘CASE’ refers to the caseof the actual clock itself and is not to beconfused with the carrying box into which theclock is placed.NOTE (2): The Toulet clock fitted with two lugsdoes not require to be modified to three lugs.This is left to the discretion of the owner.NOTE (3): It is recommended that allpuncturing clocks should not be locked andopened on the same minute.NOTE (4): Toulet 10/12 Bird MAY be modifiedby the fitting of an electronic quartzescapement, carried out by Mr A. Jinks of 87a,87b, 88 High Street, Rowley Regis, Warley,Worcs. Tel: 0121 559 4898.

OPEN-ENDED THIMBLES may be used inthe following clocks: SKYMASTER, STB 32 BIRD, EASY WAY,EARLY MODEL BENZING, JUNDESTHEXOR, KOVO.

THIMBLELESS CLOCKS:

The following clocks may be used withoutthimbles:T2/T3 12 Bird Clock fitted with flapsT2/T3 21 Bird Clock fitted with flapsJunior 12 Micro Lite FrontSTB (minimum 5 digits)La Ledoise Standard 12 Bird

THIMBLELESS/FLAP LESS CLOCKS:

The following clocks may be used withoutthimbles or flaps:Benzing PalomaBenzing ComputerBenzing QuartzBenzing Wind Up6-figure STB Quartz and Manual

CLOCK INSERT:

The Gerwin Basch Click ‘n Clock T3 Clockinserts may be used in conjunction withthimbles in unmodified T3 Clock slots.

ETS SYSTEMS

MEGA STARMEGA 3000MEGA BLACKTIPES MC2100TAURIS COMPACT XLTAURIS COMPACT +BRICON SPEEDYBRICON SPEEDYLITEBRICON SPEEDY X-TREMELITTLE BRICONUNIKON CHAMP 200UNIKON CHAMP PC500UNIKON CHAMP PC500 TEXTUNIKON PROFIBENZING G2BENZING M1BENZING G2 LIVETOPPIGEON iPIGEON

CLOCK REGISTER

The undermentioned Clocks can continue to

be used by their present owners provided theyhave been registered at R.P.R.A.Headquarters prior to the dates shown. THEYMAY NOT BE SOLD, LOANED ORDISPOSED OF FOR USE BY ANY OTHERPERSON.

Registered by 1st May, 1984ALFRED PLASSCHAERT 19 BIRD JUNDES THEXOR 13 BIRD BENZING MODEL ONE 9 BIRD Registered by 30th April, 2003BELGICA 12 BIRD, 3 DIALROTHERHAM 6 BIRDALFRED PLASSCHAERT 13 BIRDROBERT PLASSCHAERT 24 BIRDSKYMASTERLE LEDOISE 2 DIAL PUNCTURING CLOCK

RACEMASTER IN PLASTIC CASEBENZING 14 BIRD DOUBLE ROLLBENZING COMATIC 27 BIRDRegistered by 1st April 2004BENZING MODEL TWORegistered by 31st December 2005ALL TOULET PUNCTURE CLOCKS

MASTER TIMERS:

BENZING COMPUTER CLOCK MASTERTIMERT3 JUNIOR QUARTZ COMPUTER MASTERTIMER

MEMBERS ARE ADVISED WHENSENDING A CLOCK FOR REPAIR/SERVICE THEY SHOULD:

a) send the Clock by the carrierrecommended by the Clock Companyconcerned. b) obtain a written estimate before anyrepairs are carried out.


APPROVED CLOCK REPAIRERS

Mr. D.S. Bansel, 2 Wellhouse Road offRounday Road, Roundhay, Leeds L8 4BS.Tel: 0113 2406586 Messrs. Boddy & Ridewood Faroe HouseThornburgh Road, Eastfield Industrial Estate,Scarborough, N. Yorkshire YO11 3UY.Tel: 01723 585858 Fax: 01723 582702 E-mail: [email protected]. B. Leefe & Sons, Pet World, The OldSubstation, Showfield Lane, Malton. Tel:01653 691411 Fax: 01653 696517 E-mail: [email protected]. Linell Instrument Services, 89 - 90Lorne Street, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY101SX. Tel: 01562 69169 Fax: 01562 68688 E-mail: [email protected]. J. A. Noble, 58 Lightenfield Lane,Netherton, Huddersfield, HD4 7DT. Tel: 01484663089. Mr. F. Richardson, 18 de Ferrers Croft StrettonBurton on Trent DE13 OFH. Tel: 01283531806 Deister Electronic (UK) Ltd. - Camel Gate,Springfields, Spalding, Lincs. PE12 6ET. Tel:01775 717100 Fax: 01775 717101 E-mail: [email protected]

Any approved Union clock repairers.

APPENDIX E

METHOD OF CALCULATING VELOCITIES (SEE RULE 192)

The following method will be the only one forarriving at a velocity:

Member’s ClockLong run: From setting competitor’s clock tostriking off of competitor’s clock after raceShort run: From setting competitor’s clock totiming in of pigeonVariation: Net gain or net loss of competitor’sclock divided by the long run, multiplied byShort Run, i.e.

Net gain or net loss x Short Run

Long Run

Correct Flying Time:Bird timed in on competitor’s clock.Plus or deduct difference of setting time fromMaster timer.Plus or deduct variation gives corrected timeof arrival.Deduct liberation time gives correct flying time.

For working out: Miles and Yards convert to 60th (sixtieths)Velocity: Flying time, hours, minutes andseconds – reduced to seconds.To give true velocity to a minimum of two decimal places.There will be no rounding up or rounding downanywhere in the calculation.

Note: In arriving at the variation any fraction ofa second will be used in the calculation. Whena Master Clock has been running for sometime, prior to setting or checking members’clocks, the loss or gain must be obtained atthe time of setting or checking members’clocks to it.

APPENDIX F

(SEE RULE 127)HEADROOM

As from 2008 any new vehicles are to have aminimum internal headroom of 10 inches forbaskets/crates. The current standardrecommended is a minimum of 9”.

APPENDIX G (See Rule 199)

Performance enhancing drugs/substances

1. These rules are drawn up by the Council ofthe Royal Pigeon Racing Association underthe powers granted by virtue of Rule 199.2. The use in pigeons of the following arestrictly forbidden: ANABOLIC STEROIDS, BETA AGONISTS,CORTICO STEROIDS, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY NON-STEROIDS,OPIATES, ANALGESICS, PERFORMANCEENHANCING STIMULANTS, SYNTHETIC

HORMONES, ANY DRUG FOUND TO BEPERFORMANCE ENHANCING PLUS ANYSUBSTANCE WHICH MAY BE USED IN ANATTEMPT TO MASK THE ABOVE.When products of which the composition is notspecified are administered, we advise fanciersto ask for an attestation from their pharmacistor vet stating that the product does not containforbidden substances.3a. In order to detect the above bannedsubstances, the RPRA is authorised to takeimmediate steps, namely for taking of samplesbefore, during or after the race, from the loftsor pigeons of its members.3b. A sample may also be taken from thecontainers used to transport the pigeons fromthe member’s loft to the marking station. It isin the interest of every member to ensure thatthe container and its contents is free from anytrace of the substances listed in paragraph 2of Appendix G.4. Only a suitably trained person, authorisedby the RPRA in the presence of a witness is tocollect samples. At no time shall the owner orrepresentative take part in the collection offaeces. The collection of samples will becarried out by persons authorised by theRPRA on behalf of the organisation requiringthe test or upon instruction of the RPRACouncil, or Region concerned.5. A sample may be taken from a member’sloft or pigeons as laid down in paragraph 3b.Two samples, A & B will be taken for testing.The containers will be sealed and labelled inthe presence of the affiliated member or hisnominee. The containers will be sent to theLaboratory P.O. box contained on the samplepackaging and the documentation labelled F1will be returned to the RPRA by the officialreferred to in paragraph 4 together with theappropriate fee. Only the laboratoryauthorised by the RPRA can carry out testingof sample A. In the event of a positive testSample B will be retained by the RPRAauthorised Laboratory until notified in writingby the RPRA Chief Executive that the samplemay be destroyed. 6. Any tests that are referred back to theRPRA as being incorrectly taken may besubject to charge (please ensure all writteninstructions within the testing kit provided arefully completed).7. Upon receipt of the result the ChiefExecutive shall forward the details inconfidence to the affiliated member or hisnominee, the race organiser and the Regionconcerned. Whilst waiting for a test result, theowner of the suspected pigeon(s) shall nothave any claim to any prize or title which anyof his pigeons may have achieved. If theresulting test is negative this restriction will belifted immediately.8. If the result is positive, notification would beby Recorded Delivery. The information willalso be conveyed in confidence to the PEDCommittee.9. In the case of a clearly positive result of atest, including those of the first analysis, allcosts shall be borne by the offender.10. Medical treatment may not be used asjustification should the result prove positive.Pigeons undergoing medical treatment withsubstances containing those listed inparagraph 2 cannot take part in races andmust not be in a part of the loft dedicated toracing. In the seven days following the closureof a race in which they have taken part, the

pigeons may not be treated with anysubstance listed in paragraph 2.11. A member of the RPRA who is guilty ofbreaking these rules will, in the case of apositive analysis, be suspended withimmediate effect, subject to appeal direct tothe RPRA Council. Such appeal must belodged with the Chief Executive within 5 daysof a positive result. A non-refundable appealfee of £325 must be paid within the same timeframe. This fee will include the full sampleanalysis report provided by the testinglaboratory. The appellant will have theopportunity for the second sample (sample B)to be tested by a laboratory of their choice.The appellant shall give notice in writing theChief Executive within 21 days of notificationof a positive test result stating the grounds forappeal. Where the test of sample B has beenrequested the appellant has to disclose theresult to the RPRA prior to the AppealHearing. Whilst under appeal the member maycontinue to compete but any winnings must bewithheld and will follow the final result of theappeal. Council may delegate the hearing ofthe appeal to a performance enhancing drugsappeal committee and its decision will be final.If found guilty under RPRA Rule 199, thepenalties are as laid down; a minimum periodof three years suspension or expulsion fromthe RPRA. Any prize(s) won in the 7 dayperiod prior to the test will be forfeited.12. If the owner or his nominee refuses orimpedes the collection of samples, they willlay themselves open to the penalties as laiddown in RPRA Rule 199, as though they hadbeen found guilty of using a substance as laiddown in paragraph 2.13. The owner or his nominee may demandproof of identity and sight of the authorizationof persons (minimum of two) who take thesamples. 14. Details of how to collect samples areincluded with the kit supplied by the ChiefExecutive. All charges involved will be givenon application to RPRA Headquarters.15. Any member of the RPRA who is found tohave aided and abetted any other person,either actively or passively, in theadministration of performance enhancingdrugs, or attempts to disguise theiradministration shall be deemed guilty and willbe dealt with under article 10.

APPENDIX H

SUPERVISION OF JUNIOR MEMBERS

It is recommended that all junior membersunder 18 are accompanied by a parent/guardian or another adult who has familyauthority to act as loco parentis whenattending club / organisation premises andfunctions.

APPENDIX J

(SEE RULE 187)GOOGLE EARTH

Step by step guide to obtaining a loft location

using Google Earth as permitted by RPRA rule187.1. Open Google Earth2. In the “Fly to” box (top left) type thepostcode (or nearest) of the location to beobtained3. Click on the magnifying glass to begin thesearch4. The search will begin and you will be takento the area required5. Use the mouse roller or vertical slider on theright of the screen to zoom in until you find therequired location. If the map has moved usethe left mouse button to drag it back.6. Click on the “Add place mark” pin at the topof the screen (Yellow Pin)7. A “New place mark” dialogue box and a pinin a flashing box will appear on screen8. Click on the pin and drag it to the requiredloft location. 9. Type the name and loft number of themember in the top of the “New placement”dialogue box. DO NOT CLICK ‘OK’.10. Print screen by holding down the shift keyand pressing the Print Screen key (usuallyfound to the right of the F12 key).11. Open a new Word document and paste(Ctrl V) the Google print here.12. Choose a location such as a folder andclick “Save”.13. Print the Google map on landscape paper(to show as much detail as possible).14. The print MUST be signed by the clubsecretary and sent to Racing Support atRPRA Headquarters for conversion toOrdnance Survey, together with a payment of£3.11 and a stamped addressed envelope.IMPORTANT:• Google Earth locations are not permitted foruse until they are converted to OrdnanceSurvey (OS) by RPRA Headquarters

• This method can be used as well as OSmaps and is not a replacement system.

• Prints from any other websites other thanGoogle Earth are not acceptable.(A downloadable copy of this procedure is nowavailable on the RPRA Website)

APPENDIX K

TRUSTEES’ DUTIES ANDRESPONSIBILITIES

The extent of a Trustee’s duties andresponsibilities depends on the type of trustestablished. Before appointing or acceptingthe role of a Trustee, careful considerationshould be given to what the position involves.No-one should become a Trustee without fullyunderstanding the role.DutiesThe main duties are:• To act in accordance with the trust documentand the general law:- To read and understand the document- To comply with the terms of the trust• Duty of care to the beneficiaries:- To act fairly between the beneficiaries- To consider the interests and needs of all ofthe beneficiaries- To ensure that they do not put themselves ina position where their interests conflict withthose of the beneficiaries. For example, a

trustee should not buy any trust property if itwas for sale- To provide information and accounts to thebeneficiaries upon request• To take reasonable care in makinginvestments:- To exercise such care and skill as isreasonable in the circumstances- To consider the suitability of any investmentand the need to diversify- To obtain proper advice is advisable• Not to profit from the trust:- The general rule is that a trustee is onlyentitled to claim out of pocket expensesunless they are a professional trustee, thenthey may charge for their time- Not to supply goods or services to the trustthrough the trustees’ own business• To protect trust assets:- To identify all trust assets- To invest carefully and take appropriateinvestment advice.- To insure where necessary• To keep accounts• To act unanimously- Unless trust documents state otherwiseResponsibilitiesOne of the main responsibilities on thetrustees’ shoulders is to declare and accountfor any tax arising on trust assets

• If there is more than one trustee, the trusteesneed to decide which one of them will dealwith HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”). Thistrustee is known as the “principal actingtrustee”• All of the trustees are jointly liable for any taxdue• The actions of the principal acting trustee aretreated as the actions of all trustees• Trustees are responsible for declaring allincome and capital gains tax and for itspayment.• Must notify HMRC if a new trust isestablished which generates income or capitalgains, or if an old trust which previously didnot receive income or make capital gainsstarts to do so• Keep records of the trust’s income andexpenses• Complete and return any tax return issued• Supply trust income form to beneficiaries ifapplicable• Responsible for letting HMRC know if aninheritance tax charge becomes payable• Ensuring compliance with AutomaticExchange of Information (AEOI) includingFATCA (Foreign Tax Compliance Act) andCRS (Common Reporting Standard)Trustees can be held personally liable forbreaches of duty or responsibility.

APPENDIX L

Data protection: The following statement isbased on the grounds of legitimateinterest. The RPRA may disclose membersinformation to other RPRA members butwill not disclose personal data to thirdparties except in relation to strays reports.Members can request their information isnot shared by:1. Emailing the RPRA at: [email protected] 2. Writing to the RPRA HQ at RPRA,Corinium House, Corinium Avenue,Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3HX.

APPENDIX M

When independent transport companies/hauliers are responsible for liberation sitefees they must pay these fees direct to theRPRA and reclaim these payments fromthe convoyed organisations.

APPENDIX IAIDE MEMOIRE FOR REGION SECRETARIES DEALING WITH

DISPUTES AND APPEALS.Rule 168/169 disputes or disputes with an organisation under Rule 82.● On receipt of an appeal to a local Region Committee check that the appeal has been forwarded within 21 days ofthe decision being given or within 21 days of the dispute with the Organisation.

● Check that the request has included grounds for appeal and a payment of £20.● Inform the relevant Organisation of the appeal and the grounds and request any written evidence.● If the appeal is against or concerning a decision made by an Organisation also request a copy of the letter sent tothe Appellant.

● Give not less than 10 days notice of the date, time and place of the meeting to the Appellant, relevantOrganisation and all members of the local Region Committee including particulars of the case. Such notice to theparties of the appeal shall be by recorded delivery.

● Advise the Appellant and Organisation that they are entitled to attend the hearing, give evidence, be represented ifthey prefer, and to receive and consider written statements or explanations given by the other party. Draw theirattention to rule 82 and in particular sub paragraphs 4 - 9.

● When the decision of the local Region Committee is made advise all parties concerned in the appeal as soon aspossible after the hearing, in writing. Bear in mind that an aggrieved party has 21 days in which to appeal toCouncil. The Chief Executive Officer is also to be advised.

● Should an aggrieved party appeal to Council then the Chief Executive Officer will forward a copy of that requestto you requesting copies of the written evidence considered by the local Region Committee to be forwarded tohim within 21 days.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Grievance by a Member in aClub/Organisation Rule 168

Grievance by Club/OrganisationRule 169

Grievance in writing toclub/organistion secretary within28 days of occurrence.

To examine conduct of a member,secretary must convene meetingwithin 28 days of dispute. Mustgive 7 days written notice tomember(s) and/or all Committee.

If a member is aggrieved by adecision, he/she has right of

appeal to the Local Region within21 days of the decision being

given. (Rule 171). Now see Rule82 (with the appropriate fee.)

If a member is aggrieved by adecision, he/she has right of

appeal to the Local Region within21 days of the decision being

given. (Rule 171). Now see Rule82 (with the appropriate fee.)

Interested parties must leave theroom when a decision and vote is

taken. (Rule 172)

In the event of a meeting not beingheld the member should appeal tothe Region Secretary in writing.

Secretary to convene generalmeeting or meeting of committee.Must give not less than 7 dayswritten notice to all.

Notice must include date, placeand time of meeting, plus charges.Must also advise that they can putown case or be represented.

Interested parties must leave theroom when a decision and vote is

taken. (Rule 172)

Penalties Available.a. Exclusion from Club only.b. Suspension from RPRA and Organisation for fixed period.

c. Expulsion from the RPRA and Organisation – duration as determined by the Organisation – as per Rules 70/77.

d. Reprimand

DISPUTES AND APPEALS TO LOCAL REGIONS

Any Member

Individuals/Organisations can accept the decision of the Region Committee or Appeal to Council (Rule 83)

Region Secretary to give not less than 10 days notice of date, place and time ofhearing, in writing, by recorded delivery. (Rule 82.2). All Region Committee to

have copies of the evidence.

The Appellant can:a. Attendb. Be representedc. Give Evidenced. Receive and consider written statements given by the Organisation.

3. Call witnesses to give evidence.(Rule 82.3)

The Organisation can:a. Attendb. Be representedc. Give Evidenced. Receive and consider written statements given by the Appellant

e. Call witnesses to give evidence.(Rule 82.3)

Excluded, expelled orsuspended by anOrganisation

Having a disputewith an

Organisation

Region Secretary is to inform Organisation of appeal and grounds, and request written evidence.

May appeal in writing to his/her Region Secretary within 21 days of the decision andstate the grounds for appeal. (Rule 82.1) (Accompanied by the appropriate fee).

Aggrieved by adecision of anOrganisation

Penalties available:The Region Committee may:a. rescind, vary, modify or confirm the decision of any organisation except suspension to expulsion.

b. Order a re-hearing of any organisation meeting if RPRA rules have not been followed. (Rule 82.9)

Decision is made as soon as is practicable and takes effect from that date. All parties, plus Chief Executive Officer must be advised of the decision. (Rule 82.8)

Chairman of Region Committee conducts hearing, but neither he/she or any otherRegion Committee Member involved in the case can take part unless representingOrganisation at Appeal. (Rules 82.6 & 7)

APPEALS TO APPEALS COMMITTEE

Penalties available.The Appeals Committee may: rescind, vary, modify or confirm the decision of any

Region Committee.The decision of the Appeals Committee is final.

Any Organisation whose decision hasbeen varied, modified or rescinded bya Local Region Committee.

Any member unhappy with thedecision of a Local Region that directlyaffects him (but see Rule 83).

May appeal to Appeals Committee for a re-hearing ofthe case. The following procedure is then adopted.

A Councillor cannot deliberate on the appeal if he/she sat on the RegionCommittee to hear the appeal under Rule 82, unless he/she represents the appellantor another part to the appeal or for the purpose of corroboration of evidence heardbefore the Region Committee.

At the hearing of the appeal by Appeals Committee a representative of the RegionCommittee is permitted to corroborate evidence heard before that region. (Rule 83.6)

All parties to the appeal may attend or be represented and may give evidence. Nofresh evidence can be given unless presented to the Chief Executive Officer and theother parties at least 7 days before the appeal date. (Rule 83.5)

The Chief Executive Officer will:a. Give 10 days notice of Appeal date/location to every party in appeal and councilb. Send a copy of all evidence and grounds for Region’s decision to all in appeal and Appeals Committee. (Rule 83.4)

Upon receipt of such notice, the Chief Executive Officer shall forward a copy tothe Secretary of the Local Region Committee in question who shall, within 21 daysafter receipt of such copy notice, forward to the Chief Executive Officer copies ofthe written evidence considered by the Local Region Committee together with thegrounds upon which the Committee’s decision was made.

The Appellant gives notice to the Chief Executive Officer within 21 days of TheRegion decision stating their grounds for appeal and enclosing the appropriate fee. Rule 83.1.

(Rule 83.8)

APPENDIX I – REINSTATEMENTSUSPENSION OF A MEMBER OR ORGANISATION

● If an organisation suspends a member, the organisation must advise its local Region committee assoon as possible. The period of suspension must be stated. (R73)

● The Local Region must confirm the suspension and inform the Chief Executive Officer. (R73)

● If the Local Region suspends an organisation the Region Secretary is to inform the Chief ExecutiveOfficer, who in turn, will advise all other Region Secretaries. (R74)

● During the period of suspension the suspended member ceases to be a member of the RPRA, noaddress, loft number or ring number is recognised. (R75)

FREEING OF SUSPENSION● Any member / organisation can apply at any time for the freeing of an ineligible address, loft numberor ring number, by applying to the Local Region. (R75)

● The termination of a suspension frees all rings, but does not entitle the suspended member /organisation to be reinstated to any organisation. He/she must reapply. (R79)

● For a suspension imposed or confirmed by the Local Region the suspended member may apply to thatRegion in writing, with the appropriate £5 fee. (R80)

● For a suspension imposed by Council, see Rule 81.

PAST PRESIDENTS - nATIOnAl HOmIng unIOn AnD

rOyAl PIgeOn rAcIng AssOcIATIOn1897 J. W. Logan1898 J. W. Logan1899 J. W. Logan1900 J. W. Logan1901 R. Slack1902 R. Slack1903 W. Smethurst1904 W. Smethurst1905 F. G. Skinner1906 F. G. Skinner1907 J. T. Hinks1908 J. T. Hinks1909 E. H. Crow1910 A. Whitehead1911 T. H. Burton1912 T. H. Burton1913 A. W. Skinner1914 T. E. Cooper1915 T. E. Cooper1916 W. Youde1917 P. Wolstenholme1918 G. Pallett1919 A. Burnett1920 A. W. Skinner1921 A. W. Skinner

1922 H. N. Linaker1923 H. N. Linaker1924 H. N. Linaker1925 A. W. Skinner1926 R. Fletcher1927 R. Fletcher1928 A. A. Whitehead1929 A. A. Whitehead1930 A. A. Whitehead1931 T. H. Wood1932 T. H. Wood1933 T. H. Wood 1934 T. Brown1935 T. Brown1936 T. Brown1937 G. Barrett1938 G. Barrett1939 G. Barrett1940 E. Finch1941 E. Finch1942 E. Finch1943 E. Young1944 E. Young1945 E. Young1946 R. Fletcher

1947 A. Rutherford1948 A. Rutherford1949 A. Rutherford1950 H. Smith1951 H. Smith1952 H. Smith1953 R. Walker1954 F. Pendlebury1955 F. Pendlebury1956 C. Howell1957 C. Howell1958 C. Howell1959 R. Berrey1960 R. Berrey1961 R. Berrey1962 J. M. Young1963 J. M. Young1964 J. M. Young1965 A. H. Passmore1966 A. H. Passmore1967 T. Cornwell1968 T. Cornwell1969 T. Cornwell1970 M. Midgley1971 M. Midgley

1972 M. Midgley1973 R. W. Trippett1974 R. W. Trippett1975 R. W. Trippett1976 G. C. Barrett1977 G. C. Barrett1978 G. C. Barrett1979 L. P. Butler1980 L. P. Butler1981 L. P. Butler1982 H. R. Ryals1983 H. R. Ryals1984 H. R. Ryals1985 L. P. Butler1986 L. P. Butler1987 H. R. Ryals1988 H. R. Ryals1989 H. R. Ryals1990 J. James1991 J. James1992 J. James1993 R. Carlton1994 R. Carlton1995 R. Carlton1996 J. C. Robilliard

1997 J. C. Robilliard1998 J. C. Robilliard1999 R. H. Moffatt2000 R. H. Moffatt2001 R. H. Moffatt2002 B. Tattersall2003 B. Tattersall2004 B. Tattersall2005 P. J. Mitchell2006 P. J. Mitchell2007 P. J. Mitchell2008 L. Blacklock2009 L. Blacklock2010 L. Blacklock2011 D. K. Higgins2012 D. K. Higgins2013 D. K. Higgins2014 B. Walsh2015 L. Blacklock2016 L. Blacklock2017 L. Blacklock2018 D. Bridges2019 D. Bridges2020 D. Bridges2021 L. Blacklock

2021 C.A.A. LIST OF AIRFIELDS TO BE NOTIFIEDrelease of racing Pigeons. In agreement with the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, it has been agreed that aproposed liberation of racing pigeons within 13km of a licensed aerodrome should be notified to the aerodromeauthority or air traffic control provider at least fourteen days prior to the date of release. In addition, the ATC unitshould be notified by telephone at least 30 minutes before release time, in order to confirm, where practicable, thenumber of birds due to be liberated and the intended destination and direction of flight. If necessary, the ATCmanager or senior controller may request a delay in the liberation by up to 30 minutes (or longer in exceptionalcircumstances) for traffic purposes.

rAce POInT AerODrOme TelePHOne numBer rAce POInT AerODrOme TelePHOne numBer

AAppleton (Lymm) Manchester (Barton) 0161 789 1362 opt 2Arbroath Leuchars 01334 857282Ashbourne Airways Air Sport 01335 344308Aycliffe Teeside International 01325 331020

BBath Colerne 01225 745338Billericay Southend 01702 538420Blandford Compton Abbas 01747 811767 opt 4Bodmin Bodmin 01208 821419Brighton Shoreham 01273 467377Bubwith Sherburn in Elmet 01977 682674 opt 1

Leeds East 01937 534194

cCheltenham Gloucestershire 01452 857700 Ext 223Coventry Coventry 02476 308600 opt 5

DDarlington Teesside Int. 01325 331020

eElgin Lossiemouth 01343 817426

Kinloss 01343 817426 Exeter Exeter 01392 354916

gGrantham Cranwell & Barkston Heath

01400 267377 Ext 7281/2

Email: [email protected] with the number of birds and /altitude / height likely to flyGuernsey Guernsey 01481 234903

HHullavington Lyneham 01249 890381 Ext 6214

Hullavington Barracks 01666 508845Harrogate Linton-on-Ouse 01347 848261 ext 7511Hereford Shobdon 01568 708369 opt 1Hexham Newcastle 0191 214 3250Honiton Exeter 01392 354916

Dunkeswell 01404 891643

KKettering Northampton (Sywell) 01604 801630

lLaceby Wickenby 01673 885000

Humberside 01652 682022Leicester Leicester 0116 2592360

mMangotsfield Bristol 01275 473712

PPenzance Culdrose 01326 552415Penzance Penzance Heliport 01736 364296 Perth Perth (Scone) 01738 551631Peterborough Wittering 01780 783838 Ext 7050

P’Borough (Connington)01487 834161Sibson 01832 280289

Pontefract Sherburn in Elmet 01977 682674 opt 1

rRetford Retford (Gamston) 01777 838521 opt 1Rugby Coventry 02476 308600 opt 5

sSalisbury Old Sarum 01722 569743 /

01722 568604Boscombe Down 01980 663052

Sennen Cove Land’s End (St Just) 01736 788944Southport Warton 01772 633333

Blackpool 01253 472527St Albans Elstree 020 8953 7480 opt 1Stratford-on-AvonWellesbourne Mountford 01789 842000

TThornton Fife (Glenrothes) 01592 753792Truro Truro 01872 560488

wWadebridge Cornwall Airport 01637 861301

Bodmin Airfield 01208 821419Warwick Coventry 02476 308600 opt 5

Wellesbourne Montford 01789 842000Whitchurch RAF Shawbury 01939 250351 Ext 7227Wincanton RNAS Yeovilton 01935 455498Wollaston Wolverhampton

(Halfpenny Green) 01384 221378Worksop Netherthorpe 01909 475233

Retford (Gamston) 01777 838521 opt 1

yYeovil Yeovil (Westland) 01935 475222

ask for ATCRNAS Yeovilton 01935 455498

VACCINATION CODE OF PRACTICE

(1) Racing pigeons entered in races, sales or shows must be vaccinated annually against paramyxovirus with an authorised vaccine.

http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/ProductInformationDatabase/(2) A vaccination certificate containing the details of the vaccination must be used.(3) Vaccination of pigeons must be witnessed by two independent association/union members, or a veterinary

surgeon who will be required to sign the vaccination certificate on the front and likewise after the last pigeon listed on the reverse of the form.

(4) The vaccination certificate should have recorded on it the make of vaccine used and the batch number of the vaccine.

(5) The original copy of the certificate should be retained by the club and a certified true copy lodged with any other club (if a member is in more than one club). These certificates should be retained for two years.

(6) Members entering racing pigeons in races or shows will be required to certify on their race/show entry form that the pigeons have been vaccinated against paramyxovirus with an authorised vaccine.

(7) Club secretaries will require to certify to their convoying organisations that all pigeons entered have been vaccinated against paramyxovirus with an authorised vaccine.

(8) The driver of the transporter should be furnished with a certificate certifying that all pigeons carried have been vaccinated against paramyxovirus with an authorised vaccine.

LIBERATION POINTS AND AIRFIELDS 2021The liberation of pigeons within an 8 mile radius of the following aerodromes is forbidden:-

AberdeenBelfast (International

and City)BirminghamBournemouth (Hurn)Bristol (Lulsgate)CardiffCork

Doncaster Sheffield (Robin Hood)

DublinDurham Tees ValleyEast MidlandsEdinburghGatwickGlasgowHeathrow

Humberside (Hull)InvernessKirkwallLeeds (Bradford)Liverpool (John Lennon)LutonManchester (Barton)NewcastleNorwich

PrestwickSouthamptonSouthendStanstedSumburgh

Site Code

BALBRIGGAN 6027BARLEYCOVE 6006BUDE 6028CASTLETOWN 6033CLONMEL 6022CORRIN 6029DUNMANWAY 6032FERMOY 6014

Site Code

GOWRAN PARK 6031HOOK HEAD 6025LADIES ISLAND 6026MALLOW 6012MULLINGAR 6007NAVAN 6020NENAGH 6013OWNAINCHA 6024

Site Code

PILMORE BEACH 6019PORTLAOISE 6030ROSCREA 6023ROSSCARBERY 6004SKIBBEREEN NORTH 6017TALBENNY 6016THURLES 6018TULLAMORE 6009

IRISH LIBERATION SITES 2021Information on all sites listed below is available from RPRA headquarters,

Corinium House, Corinium Ave, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3HX. Tel: 01452 713529.

OFFICIAL BRITISHLIBERATION SITES 2021Booking details for any of the sites listed below are available from RPRA Headquarters, Corinium House, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood,

Gloucester GL4 3HX. Telephone: 01452 713529

AALNWICK, Rugby Club 4204APPLETON, Lymm Café 4002ARBROATH, Victoria Park 4003ASHBOURNE, Darley Moor Airfield 4219AYCLIFFE, Coatham Mundeville Services 4177

BBATH, Racecourse 4218BATH, Walcott Rugby Club 4224BERWICK, Berwick Rangers Football Ground 4008BILLERICAY, Barleylands 4179BLANDFORD, Army Camp 4161BLAYDON, Swalwell Cricket & Social Club 4236BODMIN, Priory car park 4013BOVINGDON, Disused Airfield 4015BRIGHTON, Whitehawk FC 4230BROUGH, Grand Prix Coach Park 4016BUBWITH, Disused Airfield 4017

cCARNFORTH, Truckhaven Ltd 4207CHALE, The Showground 4150CHARNOCK RICHARD, Parkhall Complex Car Park 4231CHELMSFORD, Boyton Hall Farm 4182CHELTENHAM, Racecourse Lorry Park, 4021CHESTERFIELD, Sharley Park, Clay Cross 4023COCKENZIE, Boat Yard 4201COVENTRY, Mobbs Wood Farm 4154CRIEFF, Crieff & Strathearn Rugby Club 4234

DDARLINGTON, Farmers Auction Mart 4242DUNBAR, Winterfield Park 4153

eEAST PRAWLE, Silo Field at West Prawle 4030EASTBOURNE, Beachy Head car park 4031ELGIN, Lossie Green, Boroughbriggs 4032EXETER, Haldon Racecourse 4033

FFRASERBURGH, The Links End of car park 4036FROME, West Woodlands Showground 4208

gGARSTANG 4189GRANTHAM, Arena UK Ltd 4246

gGREAT DRIFFIELD, Agri Society Showground 4183GUERNSEY, The Beach House 4245

HHARROGATE, The Old Road Plompton 4194HEREFORD, Racecourse 4046HEXHAM, Racecourse 4047HOLMSLEY, Old Airfield 4237HONITON, Smeathorpe disused airfield 4186HULLAVINGTON, Hangar Farm 4048HUNTINGDON, Jubilee Park 4210HUNTINGDON, Racecourse 4049

IILKESTON, Land adjacent to Head House Farm 4232INGLETON, White Scar Cave 4163

KKELSO, Racecourse 4166KETTERING, Wicksteed Park 4053KINGSDOWN, Kingsdown Farm 4147

lLACEBY, Moorhouse Farm 4216LANGHOLM, Caravan & Lorry Park 4221LEICESTER, Racecourse 4056LERWICK, Victoria Pier 4057LITTLEHAMPTON, Banjo Road car park 4059LUDLOW, Racecourse 4063LYNDHURST, Minstead Manor 4065

mMAIDSTONE, Monk Lakes 4181MALTON, Wentworth Street car park 4067MANGOTSFIELD, Rodway Common 4068MARLBOROUGH, East of Frees Avenue 4070MELTON MOWBRAY, Cattle Market lorry park 4071MONMOUTH. Showground 4185

nNANTWICH, Brookfield Park 4074NEWARK, New Livestock Market lorry park 4075NEWBOLD VERDON, Heath Lodge Farm 4241NEWBURY, Showground 4220NEWBURY, RFC 4228NEWTON ABBOT, Racecourse 4079

OOKEHAMPTON, Lower Halstock Farm 4227OTTERBURN, The Beacons 4167

PPENKRIDGE, Monkton Recreation Centre 4157PENZANCE, Princess May Recreation Ground

Car Park 4193PERTH, Sconce Palace Park, Racecourse 4084PETERBOROUGH, EoE Showground 4187PONTEFRACT, Park Approach 4086PURBECK, Whiteways View Point Car Park 4211

rRAMSGATE, Joss Bay 4090READING, Padworth Village Hall & Playing Fields 4240REED, Hatchpen Farm 4092RETFORD, Football Ground, East Retford 4093ROTHERHAM, Herringthorpe Stadium Car Park 4209RUGBY, Draycote Water Car Park 4238

sSALISBURY, Hudson Field 4096SEAHAM HARBOUR, Seaham Hall 4203SENNEN COVE, car park at top of hill 4100SHAP, Open space outside Village 4101SLEAFORD, David Williams Pavillion 4151SOUTHPORT, Poultry House Farm 4229St ALBANS, William Bird Playing Field 4202St BOSWELLS, Village Green 4107STAFFORD, Stone Flats 4108STONEY CROSS, Old Airfield 4239

sSTOW-ON-THE-WOLD, Rugby Club 4243STRATFORD ON AVON, Racecourse 4112

TTEBAY, Truckstop 4172THORNTON, Memorial Park 4188THURSO, Riverside Road car park 4115TRURO, St Stithians Showground 4118

uUPPER HEYFORD, Disused Airfield 4206

wWADEBRIDGE, Royal Cornwall Showground 4120WAKEFIELD, Redbeck Café 4121WARWICK, Racecourse 4200WEST BAY, Melplash Agri Society Showground 4127WETHERBY, Racecourse 4128WEYMOUTH, Weymouth & Portland Rugby Club 4244WHITBY Car park next to Abbey 4129WHITCHURCH 4168WHITLEY BAY, Briardene car park 4131WINCANTON, Racecourse 4132WOKING, Ockham Cricket Club 4192WOLLASTON, Recreation Ground 4134WORCESTER, Cob House 4214WORKSOP, Kilton Forest Showground 4195

yYELVERTON, Old Airfield 4137YEOVIL, Showground 4176

FrAnce

Agen – BICC 5130Alencon 5001Arras 5003Bergerac 5113Bordeaux 5007Bourges 5009Boves 5079Canappeville 5093Carentan 5092Clermont 5013Coutances 5112Falaise 5017Fontenay-sur-Eure 5122Fougeres 5064Gien 5134Hazebrouck 5132Lamballe 5022Limoges – BICC 5095

Marmande 5026Marseille – BICC 5148Messac 5029Mont de Marsan – BICC 5124Montlucan 5144Narbonne – BICC 5108Nevers 5032Nort sur Erdre 5103Pau – BICC 5102Perpignan (Elne) – BICC 5118Pithiviers 5086Plougastel-Daoulas 5133Poitiers (Vivonne) 5110Reims 5041Rieux-Minervois – BICC 5140Rouen-Bihorel 5142Roullet St Esteph – BICC 5141Roye 5115Sable Sur Sarthe 5145Saintes 5042

Saran 5043Sigogne 5125St Just 5143St Maixent L’Ecole 5127St Malo 5072St Philbert-du-Peuple 5137St Vincent – BICC 5129Tarbes 5055Troyes 5104Vannes (St Allouestre) 5107Vire 5087

sPAIn

Barcelona 5099Barcelona – BICC 5147Palamos 5047San Sebastian 5048Zaragoza 5123

CONTINENTAL LIBERATION SITES 2021Information on all sites listed below is available from RPRA headquarters,

Corinium House, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood, Gloucester GL4 3HX. Tel: 01452 713529


2021 PRICE LISTINCLUDING VAT AND P&P (AS OF 1st OCTOBER 2021).

(RING OFFICE FOR PRICES FOR LARGER QUANTITIES OR MULTIPLE ITEM PURCHASES)

RINGS (TO ORGANISATIONS) Minimum order 20 = £6.0840 = £10.45; 60 = £15.38; 80 = £20.06; 100 = £24.42; 200 = £48.40Current membership receipt to accompany order please

BASKET SEALS Minimum order 1,000 = £47.002,000 = £85.00; 3,000 = £126.00; 4,000 = £164.00; 5,000 = £203.00.

CLOCK SEALS Minimum order quantity 500 = £21.00.1,000 = £37.00; 2,000 = £70.00; 3,000 = £99.00; 4,000 = £128.00; 5,000 = £157.00

RACE RUBBERS Minimum order 1,000 = £53.002,000 = £102.00; 3,000 = £152.00; 4,000 = £200.00; 5,000 = £250.00.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS Free of charge – must be submitted in writing.DISTANCES FREE to RPRA-affiliated organisations + large S.A.E.

Individual applications £2.53 per distance + S.A.E.FORCEPS (SEALING PLIERS) Price on requestFOREIGN RING REGISTRATION £2.00 per ring card + S.A.E.NWHU RING REGISTRATION 30p per ring + S.A.E.LAPEL BADGES 1 = £2.50 2 = £3.22; 3 = £3.94; 4 = £4.66; 5 = £5.38.LIBERATION SITE MAPS (X) FREE to download from our website or send a large stamped addressed

envelope for a paper copyLOFT LOCATIONS MEMBERS: £3.11; NON-MEMBERS: £6.21

Full postage required for map return. Distances charges as above.PARTNERSHIP/DISSOLUTION £5.00 + 8” x 4” S.A.E.

OF PARTNERSHIP (X)PERSONAL LOFT REPORTS List of rings registered 2001 and thereafter

£5.17 + S.A.E.PIGEON BOXES 10 = £15.00; 20 = £25.00; 50 = £56.00.RPRA TIES 1 = £9.00; 2 = £14.00; 3 = £19.00; 4 = £24.00; 5 = £29.00.RPRA LOGO BASEBALL CAPS 1 = £10.00; 2 = £15.50; 3 = £21.00; 4 = £27.00; 5 = £32.00 (Navy only)RPRA LOGO BEANIES 1 = £7.00; 2 = £14.00; 3 = £20.00; 4 = £25.00; 5 = £30.00 (Navy or Grey)RPRA LOGO POLO SHIRTS 1 = £14.00; 2 = £24.00; 3 = £35.00; 4 = £44.00; 5 = £53.00.

Please quote size: S-M-L-XL-XXL and colour (Navy, Black, Burgundy)RPRA LOGO HOODIES 1 = £24.00; 2 = £45.00; 3 = £66.00; 4 = £86.00; 5 = £110.00 (Navy or Grey)

Please quote size: S-M-L-XL-XXL PLUSH CUDDLY TOY PIGEON 1 = £12.50SECRETARIES’ GUIDE (X) Free on request – send 9” x 6” S.A.E. TRANSFERS (X) £2.00 per form for up to 6 rings. No stamps or envelopes required.

Forms can be downloaded free of charge from the RPRA website.ONLINE submission – FREE OF CHARGE

VACCINATION CERTIFICATES (X) Free on request – send 9” x 6” S.A.E. VERIFICATIONS 15p per ring + 8” x 4” S.A.E.DRUG TESTING KITS Please see the regular notices regarding the provision of testing kits and

subsequent tests. Conditions and pricing are stated within these notices.

(X) = Forms downloadable from the RPRA website – www.rpra.org/download-forms/All prices subject to change. An up-to-date price list can be found on the website: www.rpra.org

ORDERS CAN ALSO BE PLACED VIA THE ONLINE RPRA SHOP, BY PHONE, BY POST OR IN PERSON.Card payments are accepted. Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to: Royal Pigeon Racing Association

Corinium House, Corinium Avenue, Barnwood, Glouceser GL4 3HX.

THE OFFICIAL RULES

Documents

Transcript of THE OFFICIAL RULES