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

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

John Scott retires as Canary Council President.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Canary Council held on 9^th 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), Dennis Norten (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 Stafford with Canary Council support and   the second All Variety Canary Show held at Peterborough and partly sponsored by the Canary Council. The Council undertook to support both of these events again in 2008/9.

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 Peterborough in January 2008. This was a successful raising of the profile of the many canary breeds available to bird keepers and also brought home to the Chairman the great difficulty of securing good quality photographs of top quality birds without intervening cage bars and with the permission of their owners to publish them. This is something we shall try to address at next year's AVCS.

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  7^th 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 UK. Our colleagues in Europe tend to be better qualified and trained across all the canary breeds than we in the UK who tend to limit ourselves to one or two varieties. This would help CBS clubs and all variety shows who struggle to find and afford sufficient judges to cover all their classes. The Council asked Brian to bring an outline scheme to the next meeting with a view to a possible launch at the AVCS in January 2009.

The Chairman ended the meeting by thanking all those present for their attendance and inviting them all back to the next two meetings:  Sunday 7^th September, 2008 and, provisionally, for the AGM on 8^th March, 2009.

Be Safe AND Save Your Club over £100!!

Jim Bannon, Honorary Secretary & Treasurer of the Yorkshire Canary Club, is delighted to have saved his club over £100 this year thanks to the new NCA insurance scheme.

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 UK club which is affiliated to the Canary Council, the British Bird Council, the Budgerigar Society or the Foreign Bird Federation can benefit from this scheme by applying to the secretary of their parent body. I just filled in a brief form, enclosed a cheque for £45 payable to the NCA and returned it to the Canary Council secretary, Chris Smith, 61 Eastmead Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9RF.  As easy as that!".

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, Spring Gardens, Northampton NN1 1DR.

Canary Council Meeting Sunday 2^nd September, 2007

At a well-attended Canary Council meeting held on Sunday 2^nd 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, Peterborough on Sunday, 6^th January, 2008. A report from show organiser, Malcolm Plumb, explained that the show would be bigger and better this year. The show team has been hard at work preparing an improved schedule, increased prizes, new staging for up to 3000 exhibits and a completely new set of lighting to give as natural a light as possible in the exhibition hall. A second hall has been brought into play this year, just yards from the exhibition hall, which will house more traders' stands, the sales classes and  light refreshments. In addition, the centre also offers a large restaurant with a wide range of meals.

"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 Stafford, organised by the Parrot Society to be held on Sunday 14^th October, 2007 which the Council will be attending. Several delegates are involved in running canary sections at this show  which could become another annual event to offset the loss the National Exhibition.

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 AGM in March 2008 a proposal to increase subs to £40 per section per annum. Since affiliated societies no longer have to pay a separate NCA subscription, this should have a neutral financial effect on them and for those taking advantage of the new insurance scheme it should mean a substantial saving.

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 AGM at Markfield on Sunday, 9^th March. The next meeting thereafter to be provisionally on Sunday, 7^th September, 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 YCC Open Show on 27^th-28^th October, 2007. I'm sure it will impress anyone who knows a good Yorkie!"

Canary Council AGM 25^th March, 2007 at Markfield

The Canary Council AGM took place at Markfield Community Centre, Leicester on Sunday, 25^th March, 2007 commencing at 11.00am.

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 Leicester from the North East. As President John reported that he had been following closely the work of the Canary Council and the progress of the hobby in general. He praised the work being done but he feared that too large a proportion of the general public still needs to be convinced of the value and benefits of keeping, breeding and exhibiting  canaries and other birds.

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 UK which was cancelled shortly before the show date because of a lack of entries. The Canary Council had booked a space on club row and a number of the Council's members were expecting to be taking part in the event.

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 Sunday, 6^th January, 2008 with even better lighting, staging and other facilities. The appreciation of Malcolm's contribution to the canary fancy was evidenced by many offers from leading Border fanciers, in particular, who have helped him on the road to re-establishing  a stud of quality birds housed in a new bird room with the latest security system installed. The Canary Council wishes Malcolm well and looks forward to supporting the AVCS in 2008 and encourages all canary sections to support the show with additional rosettes, prizes and, of course,  entries.

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 Stafford show early in March and will be at other major events over the next year.

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 28^th April 2007. The Canary Council welcomes the proposed reorganisation at the top of the fancy which the new constitution would allow because one of its benefits will be a strengthening of the Canary Council itself in both funding and influence as well as  an improvement in the effectiveness of the NCA. Financial contributions to any development will always excite contrasting views but    the current proposals to offer canary fanciers membership of both the Canary Council and the NCA from April 2008 for a modest sum of a pound each per year seems a pretty good deal, bearing in mind that individual membership of the NCA alone is currently £7 annually. How the money would be collected within each section of the canary fancy requires further thought but should not be beyond our capabilities to devise over the next twelve months. Fanciers of all kinds of birds must help to sustain their hobby by supporting their national organisations who speak for them   with our legislators and to the public at large.

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 East Anglia recently may lend impetus to this. For the moment, closed ringing for the purposes of identification remains optional.

Chris had manned the Canary Council display stand at Stafford alongside the NCA's stand. He requested that delegates make use of the stand to promote their own sections and get information to the public on the attractions of the many varieties of canaries.

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 Stafford on 14^th October,2007. A Canary Council representative, Andrew Triolo of the Border Convention, had attended the exploratory meeting with the Parrot Society held at Markfield on 10^th March. Andrew's report of the meeting stimulated a lengthy discussion on the feasibility of the Canary Council   being involved in the organisation of another major show this year. Members of the Council  acknowledged the vision of the Parrot Society in undertaking this bold venture and the financial inducements to help clubs take part. The Council wished  the venture well and hoped that some specialist canary societies might take up the opportunity to participate but for a variety of logistical reasons the Council itself could not offer to take on a central organisational role.

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. (61 Eastmead Avenue, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9RF).

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 (Borders)

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 17^th November, and which usually attracts up to 800 exhibits.

Date of the next meeting : 2^nd September, 2007 at Markfield Community Centre.

There being no other business the chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting  at 3.00pm