up north
combine
Proud to be associated with
Up North Combine Ltd.
Insurance Brokers Est. in 1965.
Our specialities include:
• Commercial Risks
• Liability Insurance
• Motor Fleet
• Professional Indemnity
• Directors and Officers
• Motor Trade
• Property Owners
• Dedicated Account Executive
Please contact Steve Knowles on:
Tel: 0121 325 5319 Fax: 0121 777 0393
[email protected]
www.richardwallis.co.uk
1143 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8AU
Richard V Wallis & Co is a trading name of CCV Risk Solutions Limited.
Registered in England Number 05879041. Registered address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14
3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
CCV Risk Solutions Limited are proud to be part of Cullum Capital
Ventures Limited, a Chartered Insurance Broker.
“During my term in office there have been some
significant landmarks, not least the celebration of our
Centenary but also the largest single liberation of birds
ever in the UK .”
possibly more important event took place
in 2014 when we were invited by the Mayor
of Ypres in Belgium to race from there
as part of their World War I Centenary
celebrations.
During the 1st World War the Benelux
countries were stopped by the Germans
from keeping pigeons for fear of them
carrying messages between the allied
forces and after the end of hostilities British
fanciers stepped in and donated gift birds
so they could get started again creating a
bond that still holds today.
We currently have 15 transporters that are
used to collect birds from members as far
North as Berwick down to Whitby in the
South and we transport them to race points
as far as Eastbourne on the South coast
then into France as far as Bourges, just over
600 miles to the furthest flyers.
The logistics of it all can be quite complex,
arranging pick up routes and hiring
the right staff i.e. people who are good
drivers as well as being able to look after
and care for the bird’s welfare. All birds
being transported have to be recorded in
accordance with DEFRA rules.
Despite the shortage of new members
coming into the sport we have managed to
keep on an even keel for the last five years
or so though the increase in diesel prices
in that period meant we had to pass on the
cost to the members.
While technology may be a cause for the
lack of youngsters coming into the sport it
has also been embraced by our members
to improve the sport. For over 100 years
before a bird was sent to a race it had a
rubber ring put on i ts leg and the number
along with the number of its life ring
recorded. Then on its return from the race
the rubber ring was removed from the leg
and placed into a clock to record the time
whereas now the majority of members use
electronic rings and the bird times itself in
by going over an electronic pad.
The future is very uncertain with an
ageing membership declining yearly it is
more important than ever we find ways to
attract new members.
500 Freight Ferry Routes (24/7)
Motorway Tolls
Alpine Tunnels
Rolling Highways Intermodal Service
Dover Truck Parking
Customs Clearance
Cargo Handling
For additional information please contact us:
www.motis.com | [email protected] | 02830252500
www.upnorthcombine.co.uk
www.sportip.biz
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