Pigeonbasics.com

I received this e-mail today and I don't know anyone in Bromley so I thought I would post it on the board as there are likely to be people with a better understanding than I have who might like to respond to Robert:

Good afternoon,

I am writing an article about racing pigeon owners fears about bird flu and am hoping you can help.

I am looking to speak to racing pigeon owners in the Bromley area.

Do you know any you can put me in touch with?

Best regards,

Robert Fisk

Reporter
News Shopper
Tel: 01689 885725
Fax: 01689 875367

Robert Fisk [rfisk@london.newsquest.co.uk]

i would be very carefull there,, i think you would better get bruno on to that one

Well said Jimmy. Could be for an article which could portray pigeon racing in a way we would prefer to avoid at the moment.

I totally agree that Bruno has done sterling work on the issue to date and he would be an ideal candidate to speak to the press, but I don't see why he should. The Press should be directed to the RPRA, SHU etc., or am I wrong in thinking that these organisations should be speaking on behalf of the Fancy and Fanciers??

i see your point t, but think bruno would be able to pm glassfeather in a more personal way , just to find more about the paper or reporter

I'D WATCH WHAT I WAS DOING TELL HIM TO CONTACT THE SHU OR RPRA  FOR ANY INFO

Think you are right clockman I know few people Bromley way but i would be very cautious saying anything we all know what the media can do and at the present time pigeons have not been highlighted as a problem and I think thats the way we should keep it im not saying we shouldnt get as much information regarding keeping our birds safe we should
Although we are all worrying about our birds I think we should put this into perspective if anything does happen
I have lived on a farm before i had anything to do with pigeons and at that time if pigeons were thought to be carriers and there were birds in the vicinity of my farm I wouldnt have been happy my animals were my livelihood they werent there just for pleasure   Good fuel for the neighbours who dont like your birds as well

Agree with much that has been said in this thread.  

It's ok working up information for general use, and stitching peoples views together does give what might be 'a general feeling' amongst some pigeon fanciers (those that contributed here). But the main thing that this reporter seems to be after is the general feeling amongst a specific group of fanciers - those in the Bromley area. It would therefore be quite wrong to try and pass off any piece of work which Bromley haven't been directly involved in (and probably didn't even know was happening either) as 'the Bromley view'. Bit like the Falkirk Herald going down to London and asking these fanciers views then publishing an article up here as supposedly 'the local view'.

But, there's freedom and there's freedom. From what some of you appear to be saying even the Bromley fanciers shouldn't be allowed to speak to the press??????? .... even though it is their personal views that are being sought???? ...and they should direct the reporter's enquiries to some Union???? which is likely to deliver only 'the party line' and which might also be a completely different view. i.e. passing it off as Bromley's view when it's not.

Not at all sure which position is correct - assuming that a black-and-white right / wrong judgement is possible here.

i think if you refuse to comment, will make matters worse,they will then print anything[ ie  the bromely pigeon fanciers refused to comment] which looks worse .                                  ie,  why not tell the truth, that ,pigeons ,parrots, budgies, canaries, even dogs and cats and all pets are not at risk, at the moment,  its mainly the free range poultry they are worried about

I AGREE WITH JIMMY IF WE DON'T SAY ANYTHING THEY WILL JUST MAKE IT UP

Im not against having our feelings and worrys over this printed Im just worried that what we do say  will be printed exactly as what we have said a few added words can completely alter a sentence and its meaning its to late to do anything once its in black and white for everyone to read also the opinion they can give on what has been said

Ipersonally would say no comment until all the facts are know ( i have had dealings with the press before and the will miscontrue anything they are told to get better head lines to sell papers, its best to refer them to DEFRA or the RPRA.

i agree with all the posts,, the press can be very dangerous,  you only need to look at the politicians,lately,,, did he take drugs or did he not, you can be sure the press will find out, and make a bigger story of it, when he could have cut it short in the beginning,and said  yes or no. i understand all thats been said and have to agree, that it is a difficult situation,, but , no comment , makes it look to me that we have something to hide , which we havent.   which ever way we go   the press are going to make a story, so we would best try and make sure its fair,,,very difficult and im not sure the best way to go.

Really dont think there is much we can say at all except we want  to take every possible precaution we can to protect our birds from being possibly infected by migratory or wild birds and are awaiting a directive on this   Think we got to remember to a lot of people there is no difference between a feral pigeon and a racing pigeon a disease ridden flying rat i think was the term used for pigeons

thats right shadow as the press twist things to sell or promote there paper!!

I agree with all the posts that dealing with the press is a risky issue...for anyone, because I suspect anyone's words could get twisted, whether coming from you, me or a Union spokesperson.  

But I'm picking up that it is more the subject 'avian flu' that you are scared to speak about (in public?) than the press. No offence intended, but there have been other issues for example hawks where we have all been falling over ourselves to get photos and articles published in the press, not only here, but even in America.

And taking it a stage further, there will come a time when someone, a friend or neighbour perhaps will raise the subject of avian flu with you. What are you going to do? Play dumb? Refer them to your Union?

Now a week or so ago, before avian flu hit Europe, I asked my wife what she knew about bird flu and she looked at me as if I had two heads. Just told her that it was the reason I was holding my birds in. My son knew from the beginning why they were being kept in, but didn't know anything about bird flu either. When the sh** hit the fan in Europe with all day TV coverage every day, well they knew what it was then...and what I was doing about it.

So maybe now would be a good time to debate What's best?: 'do you tell the neighbours or wait until they ask, and then what do you say to them'? Or do you just keep schtume? Bearing in mind their reaction to that is likely to be 'that b'stard's hiding something'.

bloke i work for has a real nasty cold and chest infection ! guess whose  fault it is ? the same old crap { flying rats the usual stuff } one day i will get him ,