International Ornithological Association (COM-GB) Affiliated to the Confederation Ornithologique Mondiale

 

            

I.O.A. ANNOUNCE COACH TRIPS TO THE GOLDEN RING SHOW & THE WORLD SHOW.

 

THE GOLDEN RING

Leaving from Doncaster on the morning of Friday 3^rd of December , our 34 seat luxury coach , operated by Wilfreda Beehive , will make its way down the M1, M25 & M20 corridor picking up members at pre-arranged pick up points . We shall be crossing the channel by ferry and expect to arrive at our hotel late Friday afternoon. Two nights bed and breakfast are provided at the Novatell in Ypres , the Novatell is situated near to the Menin Gate where the Last Post is sounded every night at 8pm , this daily tribute -preformed by a team of local buglers -serves to honour the memory of the British soldiers who fought and died during the First World War. It is a ceremony well worth witnessing , the area also has many fine bars, restaurants & cafes.

On Saturday morning, after breakfast , we shall make our way to the show hall where a full day can be spent looking at the expected 5,000 plus exhibits , birds of every kind can be seen at the Golden Ring , from the humble canary to birds of prey. After the show closes we shall make our way back to the hotel and the night is yours to sample the local food, wine and beer. Sunday morning , again after breakfast, we shall return to the Golden Ring for a few hours , giving you the chance to take a second look or visit the many trade stands that will be there. We shall leave for home around midday , stopping at Adenkerke where you can buy tobacco, cigarettes or Belgian Chocolate at duty free prices. We plan to have people home on Sunday evening/ night .

The cost of the complete package , transport and two nights bed and breakfast is just £159 for IOA Members ( £199 for non members) .

Insurance is optional and is an extra £16. Please note the price does not include entry to the show

The 34 seats will be allocated on a strictly 'first come first served basis' and a £50 deposit is required at the time of booking with the balance to be paid 21 days before departure. Failure to pay the balance will see your place allocated to those on the reserve list .

Any member paying the full amount at the time of booking will receive free entry to the Golden Ring on both Saturday & Sunday .

 

Please send deposit or full payment ( cheque made out to the I.O.A.) to  ;

The General Secretary , Mr. A. Robinson , 2 Gawber Road , Barnsley , South Yorkshire , S75 2AF

Please include full details as your pick up point will be the nearest service station on the route.

Seats must be booked by mid September --and they are going fasssstttt

 

World Show details will be published in the near future .

 

 

2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING         

 

The 2010 AGM saw yet another show added to our ever expanding calender , with the Vvnk Colour Canary Show , Mechelen , Belgium ,  being confirmed as an official IOA event.

The meeting began with a tinge of sadness as former General Secretary , Malcolm Neale , was forced to tender his resignation due to personal and health reasons , an extremly well attended AGM saw the membership thank Malcolm for the professional and diligent way he had gone about his duties , Malcolm will remain a member of the Assocaition and support its ideals and objectives and we wish him a speedy return to normality.  Alan Robison, was nominated for and accepted the office of General Secretary , stepping down from the posistion of Vice President , Neville Gaunt was elected to fill the vacant Vice Presidency .

 

The membership heard ,  through the officers reports , that the Association is in a very healthy financial position , membership continues to increase as does affiliation by close ringing associations and societies , the sale of close rings is at a record level and we had the  most successful year of our history on the show bench.

President, Paul Brockman , outlined his hopes for the coming year saying " I'm delighted that the IOA has become more open and transparent and above all has returned to its roots of sending birds to contest the major European exhibitions. Although it was on my wish list for last year that we form a British Bird Technical Sub Committee it didn't materialise , however this year I have approached a couple of well respected and knowlegable British Bird Breeders who have agreed to help us in this field . Our new General Secretary , Alan Robinson , has already established a good working relationship with Defra and Natural England and it is envisaged that this new Sub Committee can continue to represent the Association at Governmental level. Once ratified by the Committee I shall make an announcement . "

 

Several revisions to the rule book were adopted by the membership and a new rule book is currently in production and will be sent to all paid up members in due course , these revisions continue  the theme of making the IOA a more democratic and member driven association in that all major decisions that affect the core principles of the IOA will be made by the entire membership through a full postal ballott. The President thanked the outgoing committee for discharging their duties in a diligent manner and welcomed the new Committe to Office and although there will be some difficult issues to deal with this coming year he was upbeat about the Associations future predicting an exciting year for IOA members. The IOA has been approached by a major European supplier of supplements and organic remedies for birds , to become its UK agent , talks are ongoing but if agreement is reached we hope to be able to offer members some very advantagious prices . This is but one of the many exciting developements that the IOA are investigating so as they say 'Watch this Space' for future announcements .

 

 

 

 European Parliament Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.

Follow the link provided to read the European Directive 2009/147/EC on the Conservation of Wild Birds

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:020:0007:0025:EN:PDF 

 

 

The IOA are pleased to announce that we have  accepted invitations to the following shows in 2010 .

FRANCE :  The International Festival , Deville Les Rouen.

Once again presented by L'Amicale Ornithologique De Normandie in partnership with the Club Technique De Canaris De Couleurs , the Iternational Festival caters for all birds except Section A , singing canaries, and is held in Rouen , Normandy . A two hour drive from the ferry port of Calais , the historic city of Rouen has much to offer and the Festival is an ideal event to participate in or simply vist . The famous hospitatlity of the 'Freindly Bird Club of Normandy ' is once again extended to all IOA & Affilaite members . Paul Brockman will act as co-ordinator and conveyor to this show and you should cntact him on 01293 458360 or by email for details , (entry form , schedule , costs , accomodation etc. ) The show runs from the 19th to the 24th October 2010 and is open to the public on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th .

 

BELGIUM : The Golden Ring Show ,  Roeselare

The Golden Ring is an ideal show for all IOA & Affiliate members to take part in or to visit , Roeslare is an hour & a half drive from the ferry port of Calais and the show has a full classification for all birds and is a firm favourite on the European exhibition calander with the 2010 show being the eighteenth .With extensive sales classes and trade stands it comes highly recomended with a warm welcome gaurenteed. Richard Lumley  will act as co-ordinator and conveyor to this show and you should cntact him on 01653 697565 or by email for details , (entry form , schedule , costs , accomodation etc. ) The show runs from the 30th November to the 5th December  2010 and is open to the public on Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th .

 

BELGIUM: The VvNK Colour Canary Show , Mechelen

2010 will see the IOA pay its first visit to the VvNK Colour Canary Show in Mechelen , Belgium, this popular event has long been a favourite of British Colour Canary breeders who visit in great numbers . Working together , the IOA and our longest serving Affilaite Association , the CCBA (Canary Colour Breeders Assoc.) , will give the UK's colour canary breeders the opportunity to participate in what has become the third best supported show in Northern Europe . IOA Vice President , Neville Gaunt , will act as co-ordinator and conveyor to this show and those intending to enter birds should contact him on 01633 279084 . The show runs from the 2nd to the 7th of November 2010 and is open to the public on Saturday 6th  & Sunday 7th . Visit the VvNK website.

 

 

Call back for more information as more shows are added to our calander .

 

 

13/12/09 The Golden Ring & Gold Medals in Italy.

With another show added to our ever growing list , Richard Lumley acted as conveyor for the Golden Ring Show in Belgium . No medals were forthcoming on this occassion but Richard , Paul Brockman & Cliff Griffen all had birds scoring a respectable 90 points. We recomend this show to all IOA members as the hospitality was second to non and it is a wonderfull event attracting 4,000 to 5,000 birds of all descriptions. Held in Roeslare , Belgium , it is an hour or so's drive from the ferry port of Calais and  is the ideal event to compete in or simply visit . Richard has already agreed to convey Team GB next year so put the 4th and 5th of December 2010  in your diary .

 

Further afield two OMJ GB , Simon Tammam & Ken Grigg , had Judging engagements at the International Show in Bari , Italy , where Simon reports , IOA member and sole British Exhibitor , Sarah Roberts, took a Gold Medal with a Stam of Agate recessive white canaries and Gold with a Black onyx red mosaic canary.

This caps a wonderful year for the IOA in Europe and we have brought 16 Gold , 12 Silver & 5 Bronze Medals back to these shores .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28/11/09 Affiliation continues to grow.

The IOA are delighted to announce that 4 new societies  have decided to affiliate to the COM through the IOA.

Two of the oldest varieties of exhibition canary known to man , namely the Lizard & Crested canary , have seen their governing bodies affiliate the societies rings to the Confederation Ornithologique Mondiale via the IOA.

Along with the Lizard Canary Association of Great Britain & the Crested Canary Club ,  the Waxbill Finch Society and the  North Derbyshire Foreign, British Bird & Mule Club have also  affiliated giving their members the opportunity to exhibit at prestigious exhibitions such as the World Show . IOA President , Paul Brockman , welcomed the newly affiliated societies saying " I'm delighted that more and more UK clubs and associations are recognising that the IOA have a 50 year history of competeing our birds with our Continental neighbours and have decided to become part of the growing IOA family . As the UK National Entity to the COM we now recognise the ID Colour Coded rings of the BBC , CCBA , LCA , CCC, WFS  and along with the numerous British Bird ,  Canary & Foriegn bird breeders  that use IOA rings we are well on our way to achieving an all encompassing 'Federation' as envisaged by my predecessor , the late Ron Evans".

 

 

30/10/09

The International Festival of Colours , Cantelue , Normandy , France

The IOA COM GB entered a team of 42 canaries into this event which is rapidly becoming a 'must not miss' event on the European exhibition circuit . With nearly 3,000 birds on view the International Festival of Colours is more than just an exhibition , it is an event that involves the whole community . One unique part is the parties of local school children who are shown around on the Friday afternoon with members of the AON each taking a small group and introducing them to the different types of birds , also on the Friday afternoon local senior citizens are honoured and the event was opened by the deputy Mayor of Cantelue .

Top Italian Colour Canary Champion , Roberto Scuratti had several hundred Mosaic canaries for sale and exotics were on offer from De Gouldamandine of Belgium , Orinphama , Versa Laga and Varma of Belgium completed the trade stands .

On the Saturday and Sunday several thousand visitors passed through the doors to marvel at the excellent birds on view.

The IOA COM team GB had some outstanding results :

Les Summers won 5 Gold , 4 Silver and a Bronze medal with his Irish Fancy .

Brian Hogg 2 Golds with a Lancashire Coppy and a Lancashire Plain Head , and a Silver Medal with a CrestBred.

Neville Guant became the first ever UK Colour Canary breeder to take a medal in a show held under the auspices of the COM winning a Gold and a Silver .

Paul Brockman won a Gold & 2 Silver Medals with his Japanese Hoso and a Bronze with a Scotch Fancy .

The 'star' of Team GB and the 'star; of the show was Saviour Camalleri whose team of 4 Norwich took 3 Gold & 1 Silver medals with his Buff Cock being adjudged the 'Best Posture Canary in Show ' .

 

 

 

 

 

 

14/07/09

Contact has been made with the organisers of the Golden Ring Show who look forward to the participation of the IOA COM GB members , details will be released in September . Ever mindfull of the welfare of our birds the IOA comittee are currently negotiating for new travel boxes to be manufactured , having seen a sample of the proposed boxes the committee where extremely impressed with the quality offered. Although this will represent a considerable investment on behalf of the membership , peace of mind whilst the birds are away at shows is priceless.

A new page has been added to the website that charts the history of the COM and the IOA , it makes for interesting reading and reinforces Great Britains commitment to International Bird Associations  since 1925.

 

 

26/06/09

The L'amicle Ornithologique De Normandie ( The Friendly Bird Club of Normandy ) have joined with the CTC ( Club Technique De Canaris De Couleurs , the equivalent of the UK's CCBA ) to present the only show to be held under the auspices of the C.O.M. in France during 2009. IOA members and affiliate members are invited to exhibit at this event and show schedules and entry forms are now available if you want to participate . For more information visit this page on the website http://www.ioa-com-gb.co.uk/aonctc.html . IOA President , Paul Brockman , will be Conveying birds to this show .