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The Home of Long Distance Pigeon Racing

and compete from Spain

Our Palamos “Blue Riband” National is the race.

The time is late June/early July

This is when many of the countries top long distance birds that have been really well prepared to encounter all the obstacles that are placed in their way as well as the extreme distances that many of them have to fly to reach their home lofts and be welcomed and rewarded by their owners, the majority of whom are among this countries leading long distance enthusiasts, all trying to hopefully realise their dream, the dream of winning this very special and most prestigious of all races The Palamos “Blue Riband” National race from Spain.

Race Marking:  After the race marking of the birds has taken place,  the birds are then placed into wicker baskets all of which have a good floor covering of fresh wood shavings/chippings, they are then given a light feed and the birds immediately settle down, they are then loaded onto the club’s own transporter and water is placed before them in readiness for their very long journey down to Spain.

When on their way to Spain many stops are taken on route to give water to the birds,  as at the time of the year when this Blue Riband National is taking place the weather is invariably quite hot, so fresh water is invaluable to the birds while in transit so that they will not get dehydrated and these stopovers also give the birds a little time to rest and therefore they do not find the long journey too stressful, the birds are fed each evening during their journey and left to settle for the night.

We as a club pride ourselves on the care that is given to the birds that are entered in whatever race that we organise, the birds must and do come first and our convoyers are the best with over 30 years experience, it is their experience and knowledge that gives our club the edge over other organisations and that statement is endorsed by many members who when timing in their arrivals state as to how well their birds are on arriving at their lofts.

At the race point:  From the time that one hears that the birds entered in this race have been liberated by our convoyers the adrenalin starts to flow with the expectations of fulfilling the dream of having the winning pigeon in one’s loft come the finish,  but having said that,  even if the members competing do not actually win this Blue Riband the feeling of complete elation in just getting a bird home from Palamos makes up for not actually winning as all birds that do home are treated as champions by their owners plus it gives you a great deal of satisfaction knowing that you yourself have trained and prepared your bird/s to accomplish such a wonderful feat of endurance under very demanding conditions that prevail during any long distance race such as The Palamos “Blue Riband” National.

Every year we see many marvellous long distance performances achieved by members of this grand club and their very gallant birds from this long distance race point, performances that are the talk in every local club house throughout the land, such is the high regard that birds that have arrived back to their home lofts to whatever area are held.

 The Guinness book of records hold items of distance performances that have been achieved by members of this grand club and many birds have over the years won for their owners the club’s very coveted “Spanish Diploma” a diploma which is unique to our club, it is only presented to the owner of a bird that has been featured in the finalised race result in race time, three times, flying not less than 630 miles.

I can assure you it is a diploma that has pride of place in many of the successful members homes throughout the country and rightly so,  because it is a diploma that is so very hard to win and is therefore cherished by all who have been fortunate to have received one.

 So why not come and join and have a try at getting a bird/s home from our “Blue Riband” extreme distance event.  It is an experience that you will never ever forget,  especially if you are successful in getting a bird home,  also by competing you may be successful and with a little bit of lady luck she might just smile on you and your birds and make the dream come true,  but this you will never know unless you come and compete,  plus if you do not have bird/s quite ready in your lofts right now to put to this extreme test,  then you can still take advantage of our other National races,  which will be from  Nantes, Bordeaux and Lamballe plus our new race for 2004 The San Sebastian (Spain) National.  

Now if that programme does not send a tingle down your spine then The British Barcelona Club is not for you and you will never know what you are missing.

Why don't you come and join! It's as easy as 1-2-3, simply

1. Download the application form^(45KB) and print it out

2. Fill it in using BLOCK CAPITALS

3. Return it with your Fee to the address on the form