PIGEON RACING FANCIER ON THE DECREASE

[Pompey Mick]

The 'trouble' within the sport only affects existing fanciers, it will not deter anyone from starting up with pigeons but it may curtail his invovement in the long term.

The biggest hurdle the sport of pigeon racing has to overcame is the perception of many of the Public,  and all of the local authorities, is that 'animals' are dirty , disease-ridden and a threat to Public Health.

The latest Ecoli outbreaks with the children attending animal farms only causes to harden this attitude, also Bird Flu and Swine Flu all have animal connotations.

We often hear of the amount of diseases that a pigeon 'carries'. how many pigeon fanciers have ever contacted any diseases from their birds. The biggest threat to human health is from fellow humans, yet whilst vetoing the movement of animals when a disease is present there is no such restrictions on human travel. We are all animals.

There have been many health reports that have found that regular contact with animals improves the immunity system and this helps humans ward off potential disease threats. It was stated during the latest TV coverage on the Family Farms Ecoli outbreaks that farmer's children never had this kind of problem due to their regular contact with animals.

Until we emphasise the positive effects that being involved with birds and animals have, the number of youngsters coming into the sport will be minimal (if Mummy has anything to do with it).

Perhaps we should target the retired age group, this is a group of people who are normally settled, have ample spare time and could be encouraged into a sport that has minimal physical effort apart from the animal husbandry, and a sport where age is no barrier to success. This would also give an opportunity for youngsters (grandchildren) to get involved.

[Dodgy Trapper]

The market at Reading is still there.Shame it cannot go back there.

Have heard of so many good stories, even now people talk about Reading Market.

Thanks Jimmy ive been around too long too know what iam talking about and Pigeon Racing means more to me as much as my family.

Wheres the younger ones going to come from if we cannot accomadate them on basket days.