Feathers ruffled by ruling

Pigeon fanciers plan to ask the Queen for help after a decision that pigeon racing is not a sport could see them forced to fork out millions of pounds in rates.

Black Country pigeon racers are furious about the ruling and are supporting members of Belford Racing Pigeon Club. The change in rules means they will have to start paying rates on a small shed where they store their race baskets. They now propose to seek the help of the Queen, in her role as Patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, to ask for her intervention.

Under government proposals to introduce rates on sports clubs and village halls, sports clubs can formally apply for dispensation from HM Revenue and Customs for 80 per cent relief and then to their local authority for a 20 per cent reduction.

But pigeon racers have been told that they will have to pay up because their activity is not deemed to be a sport – a decision that could affect nearly 50,000 pigeon competitors at an annual cost of more than £5 million.

Eric Sim, pigeon owner and chairman of Belford Racing Pigeon Club, said: "Pigeon racing has been recognised as a sport for well over 100 years, and this latest turn of events will cause many clubs to struggle to make ends meet. It seems so unfair and shows what a cheeseparing attitude the Treasury can adopt."

Councillor Geoff O'Connell, of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council, proposed to raise the matter with HM Revenue and Customs and Berwick constituency MP Alan Beith.

He said: "The racing of homing pigeons has been supported by the Royal Family for many years, and the Royal Lofts at Sandringham are a testimony to this sport.

"During the Second World War, owners gave more than a quarter of a million pigeons to our defence forces, and they were used most effectively to carry messages from battlefronts and to save lives from sinking ships and downed aircraft. Over 30 pigeons were awarded the Dicken Medal – the Animal VC – during that conflict."