GENERAL RULES

1) Name - The society shall be called the Welsh Budgerigar Society.

2) Objects - The objects of the society are:-

          a) To promote the breeding and development of the budgerigar in the Welsh Budgerigar Society area.

          b) To protect the interests of breeders and exhibitors of budgerigars.

          c) To facilitate the exchange of ideas covering the societies field of work.

          d) To support the exhibition of budgerigars by granting patronage to and assisting shows.

          e) To reward and recognise work of outstanding merit.

          f) To interest members of the public in the objects and activities of the society.

          g) To liaise worldwide with societies and clubs interested in budgerigars.

          h) To encourage the membership of the society to keep budgerigars in conditions conducive to their health and well being.

          i) To assist and work with the interest of the budgerigar and cage bird societies in the Welsh Budgerigar Society area

4)  A) Membership - Application for new membership should be forwarded to the society.

          Membership of the society shall consist of:-

1)      a) Life members admitted before 1995.

          b) Those persons having paid the current applicable annual subscription.

          c) Those persons elected as honorary life members.

2)      Honorary life membership shall consist of:-

          a) Members elected to such status prior to 1995.

          b) Members automatically accepted at an annual general meeting of the society in recognition of forty years continuous subscribing membership.

3)      Persons elected by a majority at an AGM.

 B) Termination of membership

             The Welsh Budgerigar Society shall have power to terminate an individual membership if in the first year it is proved to the reasonable satisfaction of the Welsh BS council that such member was in breach of the society's rules when applying for membership.

5) Conditions, rights and obligations of membership

             a) All members accept to be contractually bound by the rules and conditions of the society.

          b) On becoming a member of the society such member shall be allocated an exclusive official code number.

          c) Membership each year shall commence on 1st January, or the date of application, if later, and shall terminate on 31st December.

          d) Rings are forwarded at the discretion of the Budgerigar Society but order forms should reach the budgerigar society office by 22nd November to ensure this.

          e) A person who has retired from membership,  on rejoining the society shall be entitled to request re-issue of his original official code number ( if available ) . The re-issue of such code number shall not entitle the person to qualify for unbroken membership of the society. A widow or widower of a member who is not a member may apply for membership and for their deceased spouse’s code number. They shall show or exhibit in their deceased spouse's status and if not a member will not qualify for unbroken membership as a result of this.

          f) No persons shall join the society or remain a member if convicted in any court of law, or by a tribunal of the Society, of the neglect of, or cruelty to, or causing suffering to, or theft of birds or animals, for a period of five years from the date of such conviction or tribunal decision.

          g) Any member suspended from the privileges of membership shall not be entitled to show or judge budgerigars, to obtain the society's closed coded rings, to take part in the management or affairs of the society or any show held under  Welsh Budgerigar Society rules and conditions. A member's unbroken period of membership shall be held in abeyance during the period of suspension.

          h) A member expelled from the Welsh Budgerigar Society under the misconduct procedure of the Welsh Budgerigar Society shall not be entitled to re-apply for membership for a period of ten years from the date of expulsion. On being re-admitted to membership the member shall show at such exhibition status as the council shall in its absolute discretion determine not being a status higher than the status at which the member showed prior to expulsion. The member shall have no right to request the re-issue of his original code number and his period of membership shall commence from the date of re-joining.

6) Partnerships

             a) A member may only enter into or remain in partnership with another member or members of the society. The formation, dissolution or retirement from a partnership and the partnership name must be confirmed in writing within seven days to the secretary of the society by all members of the partnership.

          b) Each partner shall adopt the exhibition status of the highest ranking partner and shall so remain upon any dissolution of the partnership subject to progression as required by the show rules.

          c) All show entries must be in the name of the partnership.

          d) Budgerigars shown in young bird or barhead classes shall wear the official closed coded ring of a member of the partnership.

          e) In the event of a partnership being dissolved each member may obtain a certificate from the secretary of the society enabling him to show partnership birds in young bird classes.

7) Subscriptions.

          Annual subscription, as decided at the AGM. should be forwarded to the subscription secretary.

A) Single membership.

          1) An adult member shall be a person paying the full subscription and shall be below the United Kingdom retirement age.

          2) A senior member shall be a person of or over the United Kingdom retirement age.

          3) A junior member shall be a person aged between 8 & 16 on 1st January.

          4) A disabled member shall be a person who, as at 1st January, is in receipt of a state benefit payable only to disabled persons.

B) Partnerships.

          Partnerships shall consist of members of the society on the following terms:-

          1) No partnership of unrelated members in excess of two persons shall be permitted without the approval of the Welsh BS. Council

          2) Partners shall pay the appropriate subscription of each total number of parties.

          3) A member not residing in the United Kingdom shall not be entitled to be a partner with a United Kingdom resident.

          4) Related partners living at the same address.

C) Reduced subscriptions.

          1) Disabled members shall pay approximately eighty per cent (80%) of the adult member subscription rate.

          2) Senior members shall pay approximately sixty per cent (60%) of the adult member subscription rate

          .3) Junior members shall pay approximately forty per cent (40%) of the adult member subscription rate.

          4)  Partners living at the same address shall each pay approximately seventy five per cent (75%) of the adult member subscription rate

          Note: - the exact rate s to be determined by the Welsh Budgerigar Society council.

8) Affiliated societies

          1) Affiliated society membership shall comprise of any society within the Welsh BS. area having submitted a complete patronage form by 31^st march each year.

          2) Affiliated societies shall accept contractually by the rules of the society and undertake to bind organisations affiliated to them to the rules and regulations of the society.

10)  Management

.            1) The general management of the society shall be vested in the Council which will be entitled to delegate management of the society's affairs. Any matters arising not covered by the rules will be decided by the council and will form the basis of a rule change or rule addition to be put to the next AGM. but will act as an additional rule in the interim period.

          2) All decisions that are made on behalf of the Welsh BS. are made through the General Council and not by individuals.

          3) Correspondence for any meeting should be sent to the secretary at least two days before the relevant meeting. Any correspondence handed in on the night will not be discussed until the next meeting.

          4) E-mails will be accepted as well as letters, and must be sent to the secretary. Anyone sending e-mails must make it clear who it is from. Any e-mail that is sent either anonymously or with a nom de plume will not be accepted. It is the sender’s responsibility to ensure that a reply is received from the secretary to ensure that it has been received.

(secretary’s e-mail address: - r.francis77@ntlworld.com)

11) General Council

          Administration

          The affairs of the society shall be managed by a council of thirteen (13), twelve (12) elected each year plus the secretary, five (5) of whom shall form a quorum.

12) Election of Council

          1) All retiring officials and council members must notify the secretary in writing to be considered for re-election.

          2) The nomination of other fully paid up members wishing to stand for election in an administrative capacity, must be in writing, signed by two (2) nominating members and must be received by the secretary not later than 31st August prior to the annual general meeting.

          3) A member may propose one (1) and second one (1) nomination only.

13) Voting for Council

             1) Voting shall be by ballot at the general meeting  in the month prior to  the annual general meeting, and only fully paid up members for the year  in which the election takes place shall be allowed to vote.

          2) For those unable to attend the meeting ballot papers will be sent to members on receipt of an application to the secretary in writing.

          3) Voting will be for a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of twelve (12).

          4) The society's secretary shall act as scrutineer and shall return to the meeting a full list of the ballot results with a record of votes cast in each case before the annual general meeting.

          5) On receipt of the results of the ballot, the secretary shall call the new Council to a meeting to elect the Officers for the year, which shall then be confirmed at the annual general meeting.

General running

             1) The council may appoint sub committees from time to time for specific purposes and may, at their discretion, co-opt any member or members of the society to serve on such committees

          2) The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall be ex-officio members or members of all sub committees.

          3) Should a member of the council fail to attend three consecutive council meetings without reasonable cause notified to the secretary, such member shall be deemed to have resigned and a vacancy so caused shall be filled according to these rules.

          4) In the event of a vacancy or vacancies arising on the council between one annual general meeting and the next, the member(s) of the society whose name appears next to the elected members in the ballot shall automatically be called upon to fill the vacancy(s) unless there was a tie when a vote will take place at the next general meeting to decide which member will be elected. Should there be no runners-up to the elected Council, the vacancy(s) shall be filled at a special general meeting to be called for that purpose.

14) Officers.

          A)The officers of the society shall be:-

          1) The President.

          2) The President Elect.

          3) The Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Council.

          No person shall be allowed to serve as an officer for a period of five years from the date of conviction for a breach of the society's rules or the expiration of any period of suspension as a result of such breach which ever shall last occur. At the AGM following their year of office the President Elect shall be nominated for election as President, and a new President Elect be elected by members. In the event of the death or resignation of the president, his successor shall assume that post for the remainder of the term which period shall not count towards his ensuing period of office in that post.

          B) The President shall be entitled to attend all Council and sub committee meetings of the Society without power to vote.

          C) The Secretary shall keep all the records of the society.

          D) The treasurer shall receive all monies for subscriptions paid to the subscription secretary, and along with all other monies of the Society, and shall pay the same into a banking account to be kept in the name of the Society, and shall prepare an annual statement of accounts. The treasurer shall pay all accounts authorised by the council to be paid and shall keep a record of such receipts and payments. All cheques, bills and other negotiable instruments drawn on the banking account shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary /Treasurer.

          E) The council shall elect one member as representative to the Budgerigar Society General Council  at the October Council Meeting , prior to the year in which the Budgerigar Society Ballot takes place . Members nominated  must be fully paid up members of the Welsh BS. and also the Budgerigar Society.

15) Sub Committees and Discipline

          A) A quorum at any sub committee meeting shall be a majority of members elected to serve on that committee.

          B) All  sub committees shall keep minutes of all its meetings and submit them to the general council.

          C)  Any disciplinary matter will be dealt with by the Welsh BS. Council except if they are involved.

16) Editor of the Society's magazine.

          So long as the Society shall publish a magazine, the editor shall be appointed by the Council. The editor shall be solely responsible for all matters published in the magazine. The editor may request the Council for approval as to the content before publication.

18) Financial year

          The financial year of the society shall be from October 1st to September 30th in each year. The profit and loss accounts and balance sheet prepared by the treasurer will be audited by the appointed auditors. If the auditors resign during the year, the Council shall have the power to appoint new auditors in their place until the next AGM.

19) The Annual General Meeting

          The annual general meeting of members will be held on a Sunday in October in each year unless it is considered in the interest of the society to alter the usual date. This shall be the perogative of the Council.  Members wishing items to be discussed at the meeting must notify the secretary, in writing, 28 days before the Annual General Meeting. Such items, together with all other business proper to the AGM shall be placed on an agenda, copies of which shall be in the hands of members present prior to the AGM, along with copies of the balance sheet.

Purpose of the AGM.

          A) To receive a report of the society's year (including reports of all the sub committees) from the Chairman of the Society.

          B) To receive the balance sheet and profit and loss accounts for the previous year as provided by the Treasurer.

          C) To elect the auditors.

          D) To elect the President and President Elect for the ensuing year.

          E) To consider any resolution of which the proper 28 days notice shall have been given.

          F) The annual subscription for all grades of membership shall be determined by the AGM  following a recommendation of the Welsh BS Council. Annual subscriptions should be forwarded to the subscription secretary.

          G) To consider any other relevant business. Members of the Welsh Council shall be entitled to vote on any matter as they wish.

Note: - a quorum of (15) fully paid up members

20) Extraordinary General Meetings

          Extraordinary general meetings may be called at the discretion of the Council or upon requisition, in writing, of any fifteen members stating the purpose for which it is required, by giving 14 days notice to the secretary.

22) Avian flu, Newcastle disease, psittacosis, reovirus or transmittable diseases.

A)  A member or partnership whose birds have or are believed to have either, avian flu, Newcastle disease, psittacosis, reovirus or any other transmittable disease which results in the death of budgerigars, must notify the secretary of the Society of the situation and must not exhibit or visit any bird show until given written permission by the secretary. Such permission only to be given upon receipt of a written statement from a qualified vetinary surgeon indicating that the birds have been cleared of the illness.

B) A member or partnership whose birds are affected under rule 22 a above must assist the Societry in establishing all relevant links and facts relating to the out break.

    C) In the event of any case being reported under 22a, the Council shall have the following powers:-

(1)  To impose such measures as they deem necessary to restrict the transfer and exhibition ob birds within local, regional or national zones.

(2)  To withdraw patronage from any show promoting society falling within a zone established under rule 22 © (1) above.

23) Misconduct

          A member will be guilty of an offence of misconduct in any of the following circumstances :-

          A) Any breach by such member of the general rules of the Society.

          B) Any breach by such member of the show rules of the Society.

          C) Any such member doing any of the following :-

          1) Tampering in any manner with a closed coded ring.

          2) Using a closed coded ring purchased from the Society at any establishment other than at a bona fide address of the member or in the case of a partnership at a bona fide address of any member of that partnership.

          3) Using artificial insemination of budgerigars in any circumstances whatsoever.

4)    Neglecting or being cruel to, or causing suffering to any budgerigar or any other bird or animal.

5)    Failing to observe any measures introduced by the Council under rule 22 (C) (1) & (2).

24) Penalties for misconduct.

          A) Subject to rule 5(f) any member found guilty of any offence of misconduct in accordance with the procedure laid down in rule 23 shall be liable to receive a reprimand, a fine and or a suspension from all or some of the privileges of membership for a period not exceeding five years or to be expelled from membership.

          B) Previous offences of misconduct for which a penalty has been imposed under the rules of the society governing misconduct within the period of 5 years may be taken into account in assessing the correct penalty.

          C) In addition to any penalty imposed under (a) above no member suspended from membership or from any of the privileges of membership shall continue to serve as a member of the Council or any sub-committee or as an Officer of the Society or as a member of the Judges panel or be capable of being nominated to serve on the Council or any sub-committee or as an Officer of the Society or to become a member of the Judges panel during the period of suspension, and any member who is reprimanded, or receives a fine may also be suspended  from continuing to serve as a member of the Council or any sub-committee or as an Officer of the Society or as a member of the Judges panel or from being nominated to serve on the Council or any sub-committee or as an Officer of the Society or become a member of the Judges panel during the period not exceeding five years.

          D) The position of a member suspended from all privileges of membership is set out in rule 5(g) and that of a member expelled from the society is set out in rule 5(h).

25) Disciplinary procedure.

          A) All allegations that an offence of misconduct has been committed shall be made to the secretary of the Society in writing identifying the member alleged to have committed the offence and giving details of the alleged misconduct.

          B) Upon receipt of any complaint the secretary shall make such further enquiries if any as appear to him to be necessary and subject to such enquiries shall notify the member against whom the complaint has been made, of the nature of the complaint and shall invite the said member to make written submission to the secretary within 14 days of receipts of such notification. In the event that no such submission are received it shall be assumed that the said member denies the complaint in full.

          C) The secretary shall refer the complaint to the first meeting of the Council after the complaint is received when the Council shall consider the complaint. If the complaint has been admitted the council shall proceed to deal with the complaint provided that if the council considers the nature of the misconduct warrants suspension from membership or some of the privileges of membership or expulsion it shall inform the said member who shall be given the opportunity to make written or oral representations to the Council as to the penalty to be imposed. Sub rules (g),(h),)(j) & (m) shall apply to the hearing of oral representations as if reference therein to the disciplinary panel were reference to the council.

          D) If the complaint is denied but the alleged misconduct is of a minor nature for which suspension or expulsion would not be an appropriate penalty the Council may if it thinks fit proceed to a consideration of the complaint on the basis of the written evidence available. In any other case the Council shall nominate three members for a Disciplinary Panel, not being members of the Council present at the meeting at which the complaint is considered, to consider the complaint. The Council shall also nominate a member of the Welsh Budgerigar Society Council to present the case.

          E) Within 7 days of the meeting of the Council the secretary shall notify the member against whom the allegation has been made of the decision of the Council. In a case where the Council has decided the case and imposed a penalty the appeals procedure set out in (n) & (o) below shall apply. In any other case the following paragraphs shall apply.

          F) The secretary shall notify the member against whom the complaint has been made of the names of the Disciplinary Panel nominated to hear the complaint and the member shall have 7 days from receipt in which to enter an objection to any one or more of them on the ground that any of them has a conflict of interest. Any such objection shall be referred to the secretary and the Chairman of the Society who shall nominate a replacement member or members of the disciplinary panel if they think fit.

          G) Prior to the hearing of the complaint the members of the disciplinary panel nominated to hear the complaint, the complainant, the member nominated to present the complaint and the member against whom the complaint has been made shall be given copies of all documents which are intended to be relied on at the hearing and the panel may make directions as to the obtaining of such further evidence or information as they think necessary.

          H) Both the complainant and the member against whom the complaint has been made shall be given not less than 14 days notice of the hearing, the date, time and place of which will be set by the secretary and Chairman, and shall be entitled to be present at the hearing of the complaint and to be represented by a solicitor or some other person and call witnesses at their own expense but subject to (r) below.

          I) The costs of attending the hearing incurred by the member nominated to present the complaint and of all witnesses asked to attend the panel or by that member shall be paid by the Society.

          J) The hearing of the disciplinary panel shall be governed by the rules of natural justice.

          K)  A tape recording shall be made of all oral evidence given at the hearing.

          L) If the panel finds the allegation proved to the satisfaction of all members or a majority of such members the panel shall impose a penalty in accordance with rule 22.

          M) Save where the member against whom the complaint was made was present when the panel gave their decision and imposed any penalty such member shall be given written notice of the decision and any penalty.

          N) Any member found guilty of an offence of misconduct for which suspension from some or all of the privileges of membership excluding any order made under rule 22(c) or expulsion has been imposed may within 14 days of being notified of the decision of the panel appeal against that decision or against the penalty imposed on any one or more of the following grounds.

          1) That the panel failed to take into account relevant evidence or

          2) Took irrelevant evidence into account or

          3) That the decision was one which no reasonable tribunal could have come to on the evidence available or

          4) That further relevant evidence has been discovered which could not with due diligence have been obtained prior to the hearing of the complaint or

          5) That the penalty was wholly unreasonable having regard to the gravity of the offence and any previous offences committed in the previous 5 years.

          Notice of appeal shall be given to the secretary of the Society in writing stating the grounds on which the appeal is being made.

          O) The appeal shall be heard by 3 independent members from the Welsh Budgerigar Society or Budgerigar Society not being elected members of the Welsh Budgerigar Society Council or the members of the Disciplinary Panel nominated under rule 23 (d) and any appeal shall be heard not later than 21 days from receipt of the notice of appeal. Both the appellant and the original complainant shall be given not less than 7 days notice of the date of the hearing at their own expense with or without a solicitor and to address the appeals panel but no further evidence or information shall be placed before the appeals panel unless the tribunal is satisfied that such further evidence or information is relevant and could not have been obtained prior to the original hearing. The Appeals Panel may uphold the original decision or penalty or vary or overrule the same but the appeals panel shall give no reasons for their decision and that decision shall be final.

          P) After the time for making an appeal has passed without an appeal being made or any appeal made within time has been determined, the Society shall be entitled to publish the details of the complaint, the final decision and any penalty imposed.

          Q) All notices required to be given under this rule shall be sent by recorded delivery to the address last notified to the Society.

          R) Notwithstanding anything previously contained the Disciplinary Panel and the Appeals Panel shall have power to direct that the costs of any person appearing before them in any capacity shall be paid by the Society in whole or in part.

26) Judges

          A) Panel Judges

          No member shall be elected to the Society's panel of Judges unless he / she be of champion status and is a member of the Society and is a current breeder and exhibitor.

          B) Secondary Panel of Judges

          No member shall be elected to the Society's Secondary Panel of Judges and be eligible to judge at non patronage shows within the area, unless he / she be of champion or intermediate status and is a member of the Society and is a current breeder and exhibitor.

27) Winding up

          Funds will be distributed amongst paid up members in proportion to subscription paid at the time of winding up, with the exception of any item(s)  purchased through funds from a lottery grant or donated by any other charitable organisation. Any such item(s) will be passed on to other Societies or charitable organisations as agreed at the winding up meeting, and will not be considered as assets of the Society.

28) Amendment of rules

          These rules may not be added to, repealed or amended unless by proposition to any Annual General Meeting or by resolution to any Extraordinary General Meeting called for such purpose. No resolution shall be deemed to be passed unless it is carried by a majority of two thirds of the members present.

          Any matter not covered by these rules will be covered by the Budgerigar Society rules and conditions.

1. General

 (a) The Show season shall run from 1st February to 31st January of the following year.

(b) All birds competing in Young Bird or Barhead classes must wear the official current year closed coded ring of the actual exhibitor(s) purchased from the Budgerigar Society , through the Welsh BS  or Budgerigar Society secretaries..

(c) All exhibits must be the bona fide property of the exhibitor for a minimum period of 28 days prior to a show during which time they must be kept at the exhibitor’s address(es) recorded in the B.S. Office, or with the Welsh Budgerigar Society secretary.

(d) No bird may be shown where the breeder of the said bird or person from whom it was purchased is known to be judging at the time of submitting the entry.

(e) A judge’s decision is final unless overruled by the show officials for good and proper reason on a matter of fact.

2. Status Definitions

All new members are required to exhibit in the Junior or Beginner Sections unless any other of The Society’s rules or conditions apply.

(a) Junior

A person aged between eight years and sixteen years on the 1st January and paying a junior subscription must exhibit in the junior classes.

(b) Beginner

(i) A beginner   must exhibit in the beginner section for a minimum of three show seasons.

(ii) A beginner must proceed to novice status upon achieving six first prizes in full classes at B.S. Open Patronage Shows, subject to compliance with Show Rule 2(b)(i).

(iii) If on compliance with Show Rule 2(b) (i) a beginner has not won six first prizes in full classes at B.S. Open Patronage Shows, he may elect to proceed to novice status.

(c) Novice

(i) A novice   must exhibit in the novice section for a minimum of three show seasons.

(ii) A novice must proceed to intermediate status upon achieving six first prizes in full classes at B.S. Open Patronage Shows, subject to compliance with Show Rule 2(c) ( I ).

(iii) If on compliance with Show Rule 2(c) ( I ) a novice has not won six first prizes in full classes at B.S. Open Patronage Shows, he may elect to proceed to intermediate status.

(d) Intermediate

(i) An intermediate must exhibit in the intermediate section for a minimum of four show seasons.

(ii) An intermediate must proceed to champion status upon achieving six first prizes in full classes at B.S. Open Patronage Shows, subject to compliance with Show Rule 2(d) ( I ).

(iii) If on compliance with Show Rule 2(d) ( I ) an intermediate has not won six first prizes in full classes at B.S. Open Patronage Shows, he may elect to proceed to champion status.

(e) Champion

(f) ( I ) Status regulations shall commence from the first show season a member exhibits. No allowance shall be made for a break in continuity of showing.

(ii) All changes of status shall be effective from the beginning of the next show season following qualification for mandatory progression or election to progress.

(g)( I ) Members resident outside the United Kingdom shall exhibit at the status obtained in their country of residence.

(ii) New members previously resident outside the United Kingdom shall exhibit at the status obtained in their previous country of residence.

(h) A person who has retired from membership for a period of at least five years and who has not owned or exhibited Budgerigars within that period may on rejoining The Society show in one status lower than he had shown before retiring.

( I ) A person who has retired from membership for a period of at least ten years and who has not owned or exhibited Budgerigars within that period may on rejoining The Society show in two status lower than he had shown before retiring.

3. Definition of a Full Class.

(a) A class that contains seven benched exhibits and a minimum of three exhibitors.

(b) A best in section counts as a full class win where the section contains six or more exhibitors.

4. Intermediate and Beginner Classes.

At shows where intermediate and beginner classes are not scheduled, members of those sections may exhibit in the next highest section without losing their present lower status.

5. Show Cages.

(a) All exhibits must be shown in a standard BS approved show cage.

(b) The class label shall be positioned in the centre of the front rail. No other markings or labels are permitted prior to judging.

(c) The floor of the cage to be covered with any seed suitable for Budgerigars. Millet sprays in part or whole shall not to be permitted until judging is completed.

6. Overseas Exhibitors (Excluding Eire).

(a) May only exhibit at B.S. Patronage Shows provided that:

( I ) Their entry form must be accompanied by a list of the closed coded ring number of each bird to be exhibited, and a copy of the necessary UK Government Importation Document and

(ii) They meet all UK Importation requirements and on arrival at the show hall present a copy of the British Veterinary Officers release document for those birds to be exhibited, otherwise the exhibits cannot be accepted into the show hall.

(b) The birds of overseas exhibitors are deemed to have been in their possession during any period of quarantine.

7. Show Offences.

(a) The following are not permitted.

(i) Colour feeding or the application of any preparation giving any degree of unnatural colour.

(ii) Feeding any preparation or drug which has the effect of promoting unnatural growth.

(iii) Trimming of wings, tails or other parts of the bird except the spots.

(iv)  Ringing or exhibiting with a cut closed ring or two closed rings.

(v) Replacing feathers.

(vi)  Colouring the cere.

(vii) Preparing a bird so as to alter its natural   appearance  save as specifically provided for in sub paragraph (a) (iii) above.

(b) No person shall by act, deed, deliberate omission or word gain or attempt to gain for himself or any other person(s) an unfair advantage.

(c) An exhibitor shall not offer or give accommodation or hospitality to a judge prior to the completion of judging.

(d) An exhibitor shall not nominate for the awards of any Society where the appropriate subscription has not been paid before entries are made for the show.

8. Recording of Show Offences.

(a) Details of any suspected show offence must be fully recorded by the show secretary on the day of the show and posted by him by recorded delivery to the Welsh B.S. secretary on the next available day for posting mail.

(b) A bird of any exhibitor who is suspected of committing any offence under the show rules may be impounded by any show official of the show promoting society for such time as may be necessary to establish by tests or otherwise whether an offence has been committed.

(c) Particulars of an impounded bird including its ring number must be established in the presence of two witnesses. Any evidence gathered must be recorded on a written statement which must be signed by the maker and witnesses by the official impounding the bird. A copy of any such statement must be posted with the details referred to in sub paragraph (a) of this rule.

(d) The Society, the show promoting society or any of the officials of the show promoting society concerned with the impounding of the bird shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to the bird.

(e) All complaints received by the Secretary under this rule shall be dealt with in accordance with rules 22, 23 and 24 of the General Rules.

(f) Nothing in this rule prevents a complaint being made in respect of a show offence under the General Rule 24a.

Nominated shows competition rules

          This competition will be held over the Welsh BS Area show, the Welsh BS Convention, plus all open shows held by affiliated societies within the Welsh BS area who have submitted a patronage form by the end of march in that year, and have five sections in their schedule for champion, intermediate, novice, beginner and junior, and engage a Budgerigar Society or Welsh Budgerigar Society Panel Judge.

Welsh BS   Breeder of the year.

          A) The person gaining the most points in this competition in the   four adult sections will be considered as the Welsh BS adult breeder of the year and will be awarded a certificate.

          B) The person gaining the most points in this competition in the junior section will be considered as the Welsh BS junior breeder of the year and will be awarded a certificate..

          Points system at each show,

          Best young bird in show                                      10 points

          Best young bird in each section                                        10 points

          2nd best young bird in each section                                    5 points

          3rd best in each section                                                    3 points

          Welsh BS Area show, Welsh BS Convention & Welsh BS Young Stock show allocated double points.

          The following rules govern the competition:

          1) Points will be awarded from the patronage forms received from the nominated societies received within 21 days. If no returns are received within the 21 days the patronage secretary will write to the society to inform them that they only have seven days to reply and of the consequences if they do not.

          Failure by the Society to reply within 28 days will result in the points being made void and as a punishment to the society, they will not be considered as a nominated show for several years.

          2) The points will be calculated at the February council meeting, and no exhibitor will be told of the result until the Council has ratified it.

          3) The secretary will write to the winners informing them of their win and invite them to the Convention, when the presentation will be made.

          4) The result will be announced at the February general meeting and published in the fancy press.

          5) Anyone who wishes to know how many points they have won should write to the secretary.

          6) Anyone wishing to make a complaint regarding this competition should write to the secretary within 28 days of the February general meeting enclosing £10 deposit which may be forfeited if the protest is unfounded.

.

          7) The General Council have the right to decide anything not covered by these rules.