21st September 2005
Yr Clwb Hebogyddion Brytanaidd - Parth Cymraeg

Croeso i'r Parth Cymraeg.--Welcome To The Welsh Region.

Chairman: Steve Barton

Secretary: Tim Williams

Regional Rep: Chris Moxon

Webpage Editor: Stu Kennedy

Treasurer: Geoff Knees

bfcwelshregion@hotmail.co.uk
    Welcome to the BFC Welsh Regional page.
(UPDATE - Due to unforseen circumstances the next monthly meeting for the Welsh Region will not be at the trotting mare but will be held at The Crown Inn, Llay, Wrexham)
(Next Meet: Tues 9th September 2008)
    The RAC provides a free 'door to door' mapping and direction service using either postcode or street names at www.rac.co.uk should some more detailed directions from your location be needed.
UPDATE
There is also another Welsh Region webpage which will be used in conjunction with this one to allow greater flexibility on content, there will be Bulletins about upcoming events/meets, photos of meets and social gatherings as well as the usual news from the region. The link is:-    http://www.myspace.com/bfcwelshregion     -    BFC Welsh Region Members are invited to join the page (don't worry...it's completely free, very easy and safe) by creating a simple page for themselves for full access to all the page features.
About the Welsh Region
    Since the formation of the region back in August 2003 we are now a thriving, true British Falconers' Club Region. The format is, as always, all are welcome and advice freely given.  With the usual raffle & buffet and all things falconry nicely washed down with a drink (or two).
    There are currently three main established groups in the region comprising of ;
Harris Hawk - Field Master: Steve Jackson & John Warrington
Goshawk - Field Master: Mark Crompton
Longwing - Field Master: Mike Crowe
Many Thanks
Happy Hawking
Stu

Regional Rules

British Falconers’ Club – Welsh Region Rules 2008/2009

General:

All members of the BFC have the benefit of being part of the oldest falconry club in the UK and the largest in Europe. The club is a founder member of the International Association of Falconry (IAF), The Hawk Board and the Countryside Alliance. The main council of the BFC is made of elected members and are responsible for the production of the Falconer, annual journal and two newsletters per year. Members are also covered by the clubs £5,000,000 third party liability insurance.

Memberships

Supporter Memberships:
Can attend social and field meetings but cannot vote.
Associate Members:
Same benefits as full members but their voting rights are limited to regional meetings only. Associates can become full members after three years experience of falconry and with written recommendation from two full members.
Full Members:
Same as above with full voting rights. Applications for full membership are made to the membership secretary and ratified by the council.

Local Regions:

Membership of the BFC grants automatic inclusion in a local regional group, each local group has it’s own secretary, chairman, treasurer and committee. New members are encouraged to attend regional meetings. Each region is responsible for organising field meetings and events.

Welsh Region:

The Welsh Region is one of the smallest within the BFC and is made up of some very loyal and faithful members. The field meetings are an important part of our club and are for the enjoyment of all our members. To be able to go onto a well stocked shooting estate to fly game is expensive, around £200 - £400 per day.

We as a region have decided that those attending the monthly social meetings will donate a £5 attendance fee. This money goes into the regions funds to allow us to subsidise the field meetings during the hawking season. Other means of raising funds, such as raffles, auctions and other social occasions by the members will be a great help in increasing the regions funds.

In practice this means that a days hawking on a pheasant shoot will only cost £30 each instead of £40-£50 depending on how many attend. A hawking party will be a maximum of 6 birds and some spectators. Spectators are expected to pay £10 for the day.

Booking Your Place on a Field Meet:

The group Field Officer will announce at the monthly social meeting, dates and venues for the season. Priority will be given to members who attend at least 9 of the 12 monthly social meetings in a year. A record of attendance is kept for every meeting. It is not fair if some members support the club throughout the year and others just turn up to put their name down for hawking days.

Any members who attend less than this will have to pay more than the others, at least £10. The actual amount will depend on the venue. New members joining the region during the hunting seasons may be able to fill spaces on days not fully subscribed at the discretion of the group Field Officer.

Payment for Field Meets:

Anyone putting their name forward for a field meet must if not able to pay in full at the time, at least pay 50% deposit, with the balance being paid at the next meeting. All money for field meets must be paid to the treasurer prior to the meet.
If for any reason any member cannot make the day of the field meeting they must contact the Field Officer to notify that they cannot attend. No refund will be due.

Field Meet Rules:

We expect to have three main groups this year. Each group will be co-ordinated by a field officer. Generally the field officer will also be the Field Master. On occasions the Field Officer may not be able to attend. In this case a Field Master will be nominated before the field meet.

Harris Hawks: Field Officer: Steve Jackson & John Warrington

Long Wings: Field Officer: Mike Crowe

Goshawks: Field Officer: Mark Crompton

A Field Master must be nominated prior to the day of the meet. The Field Master must be an experienced falconer and ideally have knowledge of the land to be hawked.
All members flying a bird must inform the Field Master if they in any way feel that their bird is overweight or may be a problem. The Field Master will take this into account when allocating flying orders.
Only the Field Master is to communicate with the gamekeeper regarding the days flying. Any dissatisfaction with the keeper or venue must be brought to the Field Masters attention.
All hawks to be fitted with working telemetry and bells.
Only one bird to be flown at a time. Any deviation from this will be after discussion with the rest of the field, at the Field Masters discretion.
Dogs are an integral part of hawking, those who don’t have a dog may be offered the services of another members dog, at their discretion. Any member flying who thinks that their bird may not fly with dogs present should make this known to the field officer at the beginning of the day
Any member who consistently flies their bird in too high a condition, with little control and disrupts the days proceedings may be asked to leave the field and may not be able to take part in further field meets till they can show that their bird is suitably keen to hunt.

Dress Code

A smart standard of dress is expected on all field meets. No Jeans, Camouflage, jogging pants or trainers. This goes for spectators and guests alike.

Welsh Region Fund Raising

CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.....(details to follow.)

WELSH REGION ANNUAL SUMMER BBQ

SAT 13TH SEPTEMBER - 12.30PM - 4.00PM

THE TROTTING MARE PUBLIC HOUSE OVERTON-ON-DEE

HARRIS HAWKS

GOSHAWKS

PEREGRINES

HYBRED FALCONS

OWLS

Mini Fair & Bouncy Castle for the kids (weather permitting)

Come and meet some of the Falconers and their hunting falcons and get answered any questions you may have...

Raffles - Competitions - Outdoor BBQ

Please Contact Andy Robinson for more info -

07711 967752

Field Meets.....

With the 06/07 Season now at an end and preperations for the moult now in place. We would like to thank all who have supported us & attended this season's field/monthly meets and to those who organised and arranged them making them enjoyable for all.

May you all have a speedy, feather-perfect moult & breeding season!

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2007/2008 Field Meets

We continue to be a hard-core hunting region, with field meets being a top priority.

To obtain further information regarding next seasons field meets/events you are requested to come along and support your region at the monthly meetings at the Buck, as some field meets are announced at short notice, we also need your support financially! (you get out of life what you put in...). As all funds raised at the monthly meets, raffles, auction night, are ploughed straight back into the region which ensures discounted and more frequent field meets. A current Game Licence is required and telemetry is compulsory (a working transmitter being the minimum requirement). It also goes without saying that a smart standard of dress is expected at all field meets to maintain the highest standard possible in the sporting field. Should you require any information or have any questions you can contact Steve Barton on barton@chapelfalcon.fsnet.co.uk

Stu Kennedy

Thank you for reading and Happy Hawking!