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New Members,
National Shows and a New Ring Sequence all
Welcomed!
The Canary Council held its September
meeting on Sunday 7th at Markfield Community Centre, Leicestershire. Delegates from the
Border, Coloured, Fife, Gloster, Irish,Lizard and Yorkie
sections were present as well as the Old and New Varieties.
Chairman, Barry Mills, welcomed three new
members to the fold. Firstly, Malcolm Plumb R.V.M., who was co-opted onto the Council as
organiser of the All Variety Canary Show which the Council is proud to support. Secondly,
Mick Watton, well-known canary fancier and contributor to Cage & Aviary magazine, who
came to represent the Stafford canary section. Thirdly, Mick Winfield of Ashby de-la-
Zouch who joins Terry Salt as Yorkshire Canary delegate replacing Sid Goacher who retired
from office at the AGM.
In his report to the meeting the Chairman
explained the latest developments at the NCA and the Canary Council's involvement. Both he
and Andrew Triolo had represented the NCA at the various meetings of the English
Implementation Group currently preparing welfare guidelines for aviculture for
presentation to and hopefully adoption by DEFRA as secondary legislation to the Animal
Welfare Act. The NCA is also preparing welfare sheets for as many cage & aviary
species as practicable. The Canary Council's own publication of "Canary Basics"
will contribute to this.
The NCA has agreed to have joint
representation at the Bird Show of the Year at Stafford on 12th October, which is to say
that the Canary Council, British Bird Council, Budgerigar Society and Foreign Bird League
will be represented on the NCA stand. New Canary Council leaflets are to be printed in
time for this event and copies of "Canary basics" will be on sale..
Malcolm Plumb reported on developments for
next January's AVCS to be held on 4th January at the same Peterborough venue as last year.
Orego-Stim among others have kindly agreed to sponsor the show in 2009 and Malcolm is
aiming for an entry of 2000 or more canaries this year. Trade stands will be present for
all fanciers to stock up for the winter. Prize
money will top £1000 this time and there will be high quality rosettes and framed
diplomas for winners.There is to be more space provided for sales birds in the barn
adjacent to the exhibition hall and
extra seating for exhibitors in the main hall. To save time and patience on the day all
prize money and sales money will be sent by cheque to
winners and sellers within 7 days after the show. Help from exhibitors at the end of the
show to clear away staging would be much appreciated by Malcolm's enthusiastic but not
superhuman team!
Sue Fox will act as the AVCS secretary,
controlling the computerised entry forms, checking-in lists, results sheets and awards.
The schedule and entry forms can be downloaded from the AVCS website ( www.allvarietycanaryshow.co.uk ) or by post and will be available from late
September.
Mick
Watton was welcomed as a new delegate who came to seek support for his campaign to
re-establish the Stafford canary in the UK. Representation for the Stafford section has
suffered in recent years because of circumstances beyond the Council's control but we hope
very much that we can support Mick and other admirers of the Stafford canary to increase
the popularity of this distinctive breed. Mick has confirmed that there is interest in the
Stafford but the first priority is to identify existing breeders and sources of breeding
stock. Anyone who keeps Staffords and would like to help Mick in any way should write to
him at 33 Loyns Close, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham B37 5AR. Mick is hoping to attend both
the BSOTY and the AVCS with a Stafford stand.
President and Treasurer, Charles Woolley,
reported on the Council's financial position which has been boosted recently by payment of
the increased subscriptions from the main canary sections and by income from the sale of
feathers. It was agreed to assist the Stafford and Crested sections at this stage by
requiring no increased subscription from them for two years. It is hoped that both these
sections will have a chance to grow over that period.
Secretary, Chris Smith, requested
delegates to update his list of panel judges, club secretaries and their addresses for the
website, plus approximate numbers of members per club.It is important that we know how
many fanciers we are representing when dealing with other national groups and with Defra.
Chris also notified the meeting of the
COM's extension of the coloured ring sequence from 5 to
6 years. The Canary Council agreed unanimously to adopt the new cycle forthwith. The new
colours are: 2009- Violet. 2010-Orange. 2011-Dark Blue. 2012-Red. 2013-Black.
2014-Pastel Green. All exhibits at the World
Show or other COM shows must wear closed rings for the appropriate year. The secretary
will also write to the IOA to confirm the new sequence.
Work on a revised business plan for the
Council will continue in sub-committee for presentation to the AGM in the spring. The
Chairman closed the meeting at 2pm and wished all delegates the best of luck for the
on-coming show season.
Barry Mills
Chairman
Publicity Officer
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John Scott awarded NCA Diploma.
John Scott, former
President of the Canary Council and founder member of the Canary Council and Lizard Canary
Association, has been awarded the National Council for Aviculture's Diploma for services
to aviculture over a lifetime of bird keeping.
John has been a leading
canary fancier for over sixty years, specialising mainly in Lizard canaries, the oldest of
the canary breeds, and has a national and international reputation as an expert in canary
breeding, management, exhibition and judging. Until recently he was the canary specialist
advising Cage & Aviary Bird readers for many years.
In addition to the
diploma, John's name will also be entered on the NCA's Roll of Honour which can be seen on
the NCA website : www.nca.uk.net
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John Scott retires as Canary Council
President.
At the Annual General Meeting of the
Canary Council held on 9th March, 2008 at Markfield, Leicestershire, Denis
Norton, Border Convention delegate, informed the meeting that he had spoken recently with
John Scott, founder member of the Council, who for health reasons had decided to step down from the
office of President which he has filled with distinction for several years.
The meeting acceded to John's wishes
and as a mark of respect for his many years of selfless service to the canary fancy and
aviculture in general bestowed upon him the title of Honorary Life Vice President to the
Canary Council.
In the election of officers for
2008/9 the following appointments were made:
President :
Charles
Woolley (CCBA)
Honorary Life
Vice President: John Scott
(LCA)
Chairman:
Barry
Mills
(YCC)
Vice Chairman: Brian Hogg
(OVCA)
Secretary:
Chris Smith
(FFF)
Treasurer:
Charles
Woolley (CCBA)
Auditor:
Mike Vokes
(CCBA)
NCA Delegates: Barry Mills(YCC), Chris
Smith(FFF), Andrew Triolo (BC),
Among the highlights of
the previous year for the Canary Council were the success of Brian Hogg in achieving a
gold medal at the World Show with his Lancashires and of Maurice O'Connor in having the Irish Fancy recognised by COM as a new canary
breed qualified to be exhibited at the World Show.
Other notable successes
this year included the first Bird Show of the Year held at
The Canary Council had
been consulted extensively by Cage & Aviary
Birds on the production of a special Canary Breeds Supplement which appeared in the week
before the All Variety Canary Show at
In 2007/8 The Canary
Council has been heavily involved in the development of the National Council for
Aviculture under its new constitution.
Canary Council delegates have attended all NCA meetings and events, taking a leading part
in various working parties producing a revised Code of Conduct for Bird Keepers, a
consultation group dealing with DEFRA, another serving on the English Implementation Group
with Peter Scott looking at the implementation
of secondary legislation to the Animal Welfare Act, and a new package of benefits for
affiliated clubs including an advantageous public liability insurance scheme.
The Canary Council website
is now on line at: www.canarycouncil.co.uk where information about the
Council can be found and where affiliated canary clubs can also submit details of their
own activities, shows and meetings. [contact Chairman Barry Mills at: barry_mills2@hotmail.com
].
AS the Council's
activities in the promotion of the canary fancy and aviculture generally increase so does
the need for funding. It was agreed to increase the subscription of each canary section
from £20 to £40 for 2008. Now that clubs affiliated to the Canary Council no longer have
to pay a separate affiliation fee to the NCA, this represents only an increase of £5 per
section this year. However, this contribution to canary Council funds is hardly equitable
across the fancy where some sections represent potentially thousands of bird keepers (e.g.
Borders, Coloureds, Fifes, Glosters) while others represent hundreds (e.g. Yorkies,
Lizards) and others perhaps scores or dozens (e.g.Irish, OVCA, Crests).
Consequently the Council
has established a small working party to devise a business plan with cost projections and
a funding plan for the Council to take to its members. Report due at the next meeting on 7th September.
The Secretary, Chris
Smith, asked all delegates to ensure that he received up-to-date details as soon as
possible of all specialist clubs, their officers and addresses, including email addresses.
This is essential for the Council to know when trying to communicate with members. It is
also vital that we know the size and scope of our membership when dealing with DEFRA and
other national organisations, including potential sponsors.
Brian Hogg, Vice Chairman,
proposed that the Canary Council investigate the setting up of an accredited judging
training programme to broaden the knowledge and expertise of canary judges in the
The Chairman ended the
meeting by thanking all those present for their attendance and inviting them all back to
the next two meetings: Sunday 7th
September, 2008 and, provisionally, for the AGM on 8th March, 2009.
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Be Safe AND Save Your Club over £100!!
Jim explains: "The
YCC, like all specialist Yorkshire Canary clubs, is affiliated to the Canary Council, one
of the four parent bodies belonging to the NCA. Any
Barry Mills, Canary
Council Chairman, is keen that as many specialist
canary clubs as possible are aware of the new scheme and take advantage of it. He
commented: "This insurance scheme provides £2m of public liability cover for all
meetings and shows held by the club during the year. Amongst other benefits it even
provides cover in the unlikely event of claims that may arise from the negligence of the
club's officers in running the club's affairs. The reason it is so comparatively cheap is
that the NCA with its large membership has been able to negotiate favourable terms with
the insurance company".
Dave Whitaker, NCA
Secretary, wants all CBS and non-specialist or independent bird clubs to know that the
scheme is also open to them if they are affiliated to the NCA directly. "Their annual
NCA subscription is £20 and they can secure the insurance cover at the special price of
£40. So for £60 they get NCA membership benefits and insurance cover for less than they
have probably paid for insurance alone up till now. It represents a very good deal".
Further details and application forms from: NCA
Secretary, Davies House,
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Canary
Council Meeting
At a well-attended Canary Council
meeting held on Sunday 2nd September at Markfield, Leicestershire, progress reports were given on a number of
forthcoming events and developments.
The Council confirmed its commitment
to the All Variety Canary Show which is to be held for the second year at the Sacrewell
Farm and Country Centre, Thornhaugh,
"Once again we are working very
hard to put on an even more successful all
variety canary show for the fanciers", said Malcolm. "This is for the fancy, so
we trust that canary fanciers everywhere will support us and enter their birds for this
end-of-season event. The more support we get, the better the show will be. Thanks to the
Canary Council, the NCA, major sponsors and the generous support of many individuals we
are able to expand this year and offer our visitors even more. Come and have a great day
and see a wonderful display of exhibition birds, with a chance to purchase surplus stock
from exhibitors and buy all your dry goods and aviary supplies from our traders'
stands."
Canary Council Secretary, Chris
Smith, reported also on the Council's support for the Bird Show of the Year at
Chairman, Barry Mills, was also
pleased to announce the imminent opening of the Canary Council's new website which we hope to have on-line by the beginning of
October. The website address will be http://www.canarycouncil.co.uk.
The site will provide details of the Council, its history, its officers and delegates,
details of all specialist canary sections with links to their web sites and those of
paid-up affiliated societies. There will be a "What's on?" section detailing
shows, meetings and other events. A news section will publish regular up-dates on canary
Council business and activities.
The Canary Council is one of the four
parent bodies which make up the Management Committee of the National Council for
Aviculture alongside the British Bird Council, the Budgerigar Society and the Foreign Bird
Federation. Canary Council delegates to the NCA are Dennis Norton and Andrew Triolo of the
Border Convention, Chris Smith of the Fife Federation and Barry Mills of the Yorkshire
Canary Fancy. The Chairman gave details of recent developments including the setting up of
a sub-committee to review and revise the Code of Conduct for Bird Keepers which should be completed by the end of September
and published shortly thereafter. The NCA also has a new website which is now active at: http://www.nca.uk.net which will be linked the Canary
Council's web site.
The NCA is continuing to run its
three award schemes for bird fanciers, including the long service medals for affiliated
club members [bronze for 15 years, silver for 20 years and gold for 25 years service]
which will be issued free upon formal application (see NCA website for details).
The NCA is negotiating an
advantageous insurance scheme for its affiliated societies which will offer from January
2008 £2m of public liability cover for shows and meetings for a premium much below the
rate that many clubs are having to pay at present. Savings should be such that they will
more than cover the cost of subscription to the Canary council or any of the other NCA
parent bodies.
Membership of the NCA is now through
each of the parent bodies or affiliated CBSs.
Treasurer, Charles Woolley reported
on Canary Council funds and produced written evidence of our current bank balance.
Although our current funds remain sound, income at current rates of subscription will not cover our projected outgoings which
will include new printed welfare sheets and Canary Basics booklets for affiliated
societies to distribute to new members or to purchasers of surplus stock or members of the
public at exhibitions, cost of website set-up and maintenance, support of exhibitions, and
our annual subscription to the NCA (currently
£200). As a result it was agreed to put to
the
Other items of business which
delegates raised included a reference to the Code of Conduct which should be much more
user-friendly and less prescriptive than the original version of three years ago. The
Canary Council's view on closed ringing remains unchanged at this stage i.e. until the law
specifically requires closed rings for canaries
it remains the decision of each canary section whether to employ them or not.
It was agreed to hold the 2008
The final item of business was led by Brian Hogg of the Old Varieties section and
Canary Council Vice Chairman who produced a series of three dimensional models of various
canary standards including amongst others the Lizard, the Lancashire Coppy, the Scotch
Fancy, the Belgian Fancy and the Yorkshire Canary. All were produced in resin from
original moulds created over thirty years ago by Keith Brodie in accordance with the
written standards of each variety at that time. The finished models, when hand-painted and
mounted were beautiful. The Chairman was particularly delighted to see a three-dimensional
version of the Golding model over which there has been a good deal of discussion recently
in the ranks of the Yorkshire Fancy.
Barry Mills said: "This is a
superb model of a Yorkie, far superior to any I have seen before which purports to be the
Golding model. It is beautifully proportioned, with a lovely head, deep and round at the
top end with plenty of shoulder, tapering down
the body to a perfect set of wings neatly flowing into the tail. I shall ask Brian to
supply me with a copy to show to our members at our annual
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Canary Council AGM
The Canary Council AGM
took place at Markfield Community Centre, Leicester on
Representatives from the
majority of the canary sections were present and were pleased to welcome President John
Scott who, after a long period of absence due
to ill-health, had made the journey down to
Chairman, Barry Mills, reported on the work of the
Council over the past year. He took up John Scott's point by re-emphasising the need for
the Canary Council and other bodies to project a positive message about the value of
aviculture. "We have no reason to be defensive and much to be proud of."
A major success this year
had been the All Variety Canary Show organised by Malcolm Plumb and his team with the
backing of the Canary Council and National Council for Aviculture. This success was
particularly welcome following the disappointing demise of
Bird Show
In spite of the cruel
theft of Malcolm Plumb's entire stud of
canaries shortly after the AVCS, the Chairman
was pleased to report that the AVCS would run again on
The Canary Council has
purchased a large "welcome banner" to be used at the AVCS and other shows
alongside its new display stand. A professionally printed flier is now also available
giving details of the organisation, its aims and contact details of its officials. The
Canary Council was present at the
Canary Council delegates
to the NCA have had a busy year contributing to the working party that has produced a new
constitution for the NCA to put to its members at its AGM on
A priority for the
proposed new situation at national level will be effective communication with members
about work in progress, goals achieved and future developments. This will need to be
effected through delegates on the Canary Council and the other national bodies reporting
back and forth to their members; through regular reports in Cage & Aviary Birds
magazine and societies newsletters or handbooks and increasingly via linked websites on
the internet.
The Secretary, Chris Smith, reported that he is now registered with DEFRA as
the contact for consultations and meetings and will keep delegates informed of future
developments. There has been no further word recently on secondary legislation for the
Animal Welfare Bill. The Government has declined the CC's and NCA's wish to have sales
days licensed. The Crested Canary has, however, been added to the list of "Rare
Breeds".
A recent EU directive
seeking to ensure that all captive birds are identifiable and hence traceable in the case
of an outbreak of avian flu or other similar avian disease
once again raises the prospect (but not yet) of fanciers being required to
employ a system of bird identification whether by closed rings or microchips or some other
means. The outbreak of avian flu in
Chris had manned the
Canary Council display stand at
For family reasons Steve
Berrill has had to resign as delegate for the New Varieties/Staffords section and his
place has been taken by Duncan Williscroft.
Correspondence over the
past year has included a number of approaches from the Parrot Society to join with them in
staging an all varieties show at
The Treasurer, Charlie Woolley, reported firstly
that, although he had handed over the job of Secretary to Chris Smith last year, he is
still receiving queries from the public about all matter of things related to canaries,
which he has happily responded to but he hoped our new flier and notification in Cage
& Aviary Birds and on the website would
guide people towards the new Secretary, Chris
Smith. (
Charlie then addressed the Canary Council's current financial situation
and presented an audited statement of accounts. Fortunately, a drop in income due mainly
to late arrival of subscriptions from some canary sections and fewer donations, had been
more or less balanced by a drop in expenditure on the previous year. Overall the Council
had made a loss of £21.41 on the year but with
a little over two thousand pounds in reserve remained solvent. Charlie reflected that for
a national organisation an annual income a little short of £400 allowed for precious
little at 2007 prices and we do well to
achieve what we have done so far. All members of the Canary Council work for the fancy
voluntarily and without honoraria. The increase in income proposed by reorganisation
within the NCA and its parent bodies would enable us to provide a more comprehensive
service to the fancy.
It was agreed that, having
worked with Building Society accounts hitherto, the Treasurer's task would be made easier
in the future if he opened a new cheque account with a national bank which made no charges for its services.
Signatories to be two of three authorised officers of the Council.
The election of officers for 2007
resulted as follows:
President: John Scott
(Lizards)
Chairman:
Barry Mills (Yorkshires)
Vice Chairman: Brian Hogg (Old Varieties)
Secretary: Chris Smith (Fifes)
Treasurer: Charles Woolley
(Colours)
Publicity Officer: Barry Mills
NCA Delegates: Barry Mills, Chris Smith, Denis Norton &
Andrew Triolo
Under any other business the meeting was
reminded to supply Mike Vokes, CCBA, with an up-to-date list of names of panel judges in each section for
publication in the canary judges list.
Brian Hogg, Old Varieties,
invited Council members to attend the High Wycombe All Varieties Canary Show which he runs
annually, this year on 17th November, and which usually attracts up to 800
exhibits.
Date of the next meeting :
There being no other
business the chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at
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