Angel 01

hi, just to let you know (for those of you who missed it) my sis (username TERRI) is online somewhere out 'there' in the midst of this forum. She wanted to express her thanks and has started a new thread: Conisbrough allotment fire Christmas Eve "Hello all members and happy new year,this is the wife of Peter Thompson one of the brothers who up until Christmas Eve used to fly under the name of THOMPSON BROTHERS. I am new to this site but I know my sister Angel has told you of what has happened and I want to thank you all so much for your interest comments and concerns and just introduce myself". TERRI

If anyone has any information pertaining to the Conisborough Loft Arsons Please contact South Yorkshire Police: Tel: 0114 220 2020 Incident number:168 Dec 24

The fanciers affected are: Dave Amison Carl Davison and Daughters Shaun Cartwright and Malc Davis Thompson Brothers (Eric and Pete) All the lofts were situated in Conisbrough, Castle Farm Allotments, Gardens Lane Castle. This is a letter from my sister, Terry, the wife of Peter Thompson, who appeared on Calendar News last week speaking of how devastated he and other members of The Conisbrough Homing Society feel after their pigeon lofts were deliberately burnt to the ground, inclusive of approximately 300 birds and two canaries on Christmas Eve. Graham Burton is the president and Pat the secretary of the Denaby HS, both know each individual member personally and can empathize with their loss. My husband and his twin brother Eric have flown pigeons since the age of 13 yrs old and fly as Thompson Brothers. They have won many races and have many accreditations to their name such as, when they were awarded First Prize in the Yorkshire Federation Amalgamation Race with one of their prize birds. Incidentally this bird was later stolen in the same year, we suspect by the same person, who set the lofts alight Christmas eve. As the wife of a pigeon man it has not always been easy to support my husband in the pursuit of his hobby and as a family we have made many sacrifices. However, even in the early days I was wise enough to recognise that a true pigeon man loves, lives, and breeds pigeons, so consequently I have encouraged and supported my husband throughout. My husband and his brother have not only lost their lofts, birds and material possessions, they have also lost treasured symbolic items such as our 22 year old sons first pair of wellies, bought when a child . An antique mirror given to him and his brother, by his now, deceased Grandmother. A workmate bought for him by our daughter, when she first qualified as a nurse and many drawings that were done throughout our children’s school years. I have included the beautiful photographs taken last summer of my husbands and his brothers allotment, some taken in the aftermath of the fire and although gruesome and extremely difficult at the time for me to photograph, some photos of those poor defenceless birds that perished in the fires of that night. This callous incomprehensible act has not only robbed my husband and others of 40 years of their life, it has taken their heart and soul. I have no doubt many pigeon fanciers will have experienced similar situations and I would appreciate any good advice on how you came to terms with it and found the strength to start again. I have the pictures but am not familiar with uploading pictures onto forums etc, if you send me your email address, I could send them to you and you could do it for me, if you don't mind?

Same here. As his sister-in-law, I never really appreciated what he had acheived; until that is, I saw the entirity of what he has lost! It's gutting!

For those in the Yorkshire areas, the story has apprently made the front page of the 'South Yorkshire Times' newspaper, although, sadly, they didn't have the photos at that time! I have consequently sent them the photos. I have spoken to the editor who covers Conisborough and Denaby etc, who actually visited the aftermath of the lofts. He tells me that he was quite shocked and affected by what he saw. Should anyone have any onformation or wish to contact him, his details are: Kevin Rogers 01709 303060

Thankyou for offering me a warm welcome to your forum I have emailed the pigeon fund from that link and am waiting to hear from them. Please have a look on the pigeon chat forum, to see if there is anything you or any of your mates can do. The support from pigeon fanciers around the country has been unimaginable. Particularly, given that my bro -in-law, his twin brother and their fellow pigeon fancier comrades are, in effect, complete strangers. It makes me feel proud to be British! Those village idiots, out of their own deluded sense of 'fun', do not have the mental capacity to comprehend what 'life' is all about...whether human or avian! Those 'Boys' will never taste the 'brotherhood' of MAN! (The first sign of trouble and they would be up the sream without a paddle! Their so-called 'mates' would have bailed out and left em, the minute things got rough!) Shame on them! This was why I originally suggested a 'reward' for any informers leading to their prosecution, cos you can bet your life they would turn their own mother in, if there was money in it! But there is no point dwelling on the past. We need to move forward and leave those losers in our wake!

Over the Christmas period, my brother-in-law, (who lives in Conisborough, South Yorkshire), has kept pidgeons for over forty years, has had his entire stock of beloved birds, brutally and sadistically, burnt alive in their 'huts' (for want of the correct terminology). The incident was covered on Calendar yesterday. As you can imagine, these pidgeons have been his 'life', so to speak, and to say that he is absolutely devastated, would be an understatement! He hails from a small village (whereby, everybody knows each other's business) and I am quite sure that the instigators' of this heinous crime; will not have done this, without preening themselves and boasting of their festive frollics! Witnesses would not put their neck on the line and come forward, if there was not some kind of reward offered. Obviously, there are no witnesses and although the incident has been reported to the police etc, what else can he do? It will be some time before he will realistically be able to put closure to all this (if at all possible) but how can he move forward? 1) Are there any organisations or individual sponsors who could finanically support him in this? If so, please include a list of their URLs 2) Which 'pidgeon fancier' websites would allow my brother-in-law to upload his photos (He has lots of 'before and after' photos; the latter being close up shots of the aftermath. These heart-rendering photos, albeit, somewhat graphic, need to be shown to expose these cold, calculated, heartless criminals for what they really are!) 3)Is there any kind of organisation that could offer him sound, practical advice; i.e. how to go about picking up the threads of his life-long pastime and start allover again (should he have the heart, mind and soul, to rekindle that desire.) If you go to 'pigeon chat' forum, you will find links to this post under the heading 'censorship'. I believe, if you read the same forum under the heading 'Loft Arson' there is someone from a racing club also asking for support for this very worthy cause Since placing this post on pigeon chat: THERE IS NOW A SUPPORT FUND - Pigeon Chat have set up 'FANCIERS SUPPORT FUND' for my bro-in-law and his fellow pigeon fanciers who had their lives devastated over the Christmas period. PLEASE PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT http://www.pigeonchatshop.com/search.php?sid=347955f4ee421b7c0a989b3a638ccd8e