Important Announcement

8th of February 2010
Due to unavoidable circumstances it is with sincere regret that we have to inform all our entrants and followers that the 2010 Galway One Loft Race is to be postponed this year, with our intention to relaunch our campaign later in the year for entries in our next race in 2011. Full refunds of all deposits will be returned this week.

As many of you will know I (Mike Snr) have been experiencing ongoing treatment for a heart condition with two operations in the last 3 years. Unfortunately I have recently learned that I have to undergo a further procedure in the coming month which coincides with one of the busiest months in our administration and the recovery necessary for this next procedure will
make it impossible to look after so many pigeons. I can assure you that the likelihood is that I will make a complete recovery in a few months and will be back fighting fit for next year’s race.
Many will have guessed by now that the unexpected reason for my absence in Blackpool was due to a hospital checkup where it was found that I would need another operation in the near future. After a meeting with my local GP last week he informed me that he had been in contact with my heart consultant and both agreed the procedure is necessary this month. As you can imagine we're bitterly disappointed.
May I also reassure you that next year’s race is a certainty and the Galway One Loft will continue. Many long hours, work and finance have gone into making the Galway One Loft one of the biggest One Loft races in Europe and such an investment in time and capital will ensure the race continues for many years to come, but the reality of my current circumstances can’t be ignored and I must do what is best for the business and my health and family.

Another reason why this year is a good year to take a break is the ongoing poor economic situation, creating suffering for many people, many of our entrants included. We have been very lucky with the level of commitment and support over the last two years, through good times and hard times, filling all our positions for both years in a row. After a recent online and text survey to forecast the level of entries this year, we believe we are heading for over 550 birds, a great effort in the current economic climate but still an indicator of the severe difficulties many of our members are experiencing. We decided to postpone the race now at this early stage as we are about to hit the 400 mark, our minimum numbers, below which we can cancel the race and refund your deposit (as per rule 14 in our terms & conditions). The first birds are due in the loft in a matter of weeks and we had to make the decision before then.

We’ve had some ups and downs over the last two years but we always tried our best to make a fair, fun and exciting race, with the best online news on our website, the best racepoints and prizes and the best craic at our yearly race meeting or whenever any of you called to our home. We put a lot into this race and we are determined to see it grow and improve and were excited about our new racepoint from Bude this year, joining the IHU National Flying Club for our final race, and we hope to resume this race in 2011. But with the circumstances outlined above we had to make this tough decision, and hope that you and our many supporters understand our dilemma and will support us now and next year when we need you most. Once again I thank you for your ongoing support and apologise for this unavoidable postponement. I hope to hear from you over the coming year, we’ll have our website and email all year so do please keep in touch. Finally I wish you good luck in the coming year and hope to see you in 2011 when we’ll be back bigger, better, and healthier, and ready for the challenge.

Yours in Sport,

Mike & Maura