West Cumbria fanciers hope to get in two vital training exercises this week to ease the problem over the young bird programme.
The West Cumberland Federation, and some members of the Derwent Valley Federation, did not race from the opening young bird pipe-opener on July 12 from Flookburgh.
This weekend’s follow-up from Flookburgh was cancelled leaving fanciers desperate to give their birds some experience from south Cumbria before this Saturday’s race from Garstang – a step-up of 17 miles.
The Amalgamation delegates met last night to decide a course of action, preferably without disrupting the planned young bird programme.
The decision was to organise training flights from Flookburgh on Wednesday and Thursday, with birds picked up in the mornings between 8am and 9.30am.
Amalgamation secretary Graham Cates said: “On both days the target site for liberation will be Flookburgh.
“However, if weather forecast dictates a narrower window a nearer suitable liberation point will be selected.
The decision to “train” rather than “race after an overnight hold” was due to overheating concerns.
“The programme will then continue as previously determined.
“Garstang this weekend will be raced either Saturday or Sunday with the latter being the current preferred day. Basketing to be done on the prior evening.”
