Pigeon show celebrates 40 years in resort
The birds were judged for their good looks and general composure with a winner and a supreme champion chosen from the flock.
It was the 45th annual British Homing World Show and the 40th to be held at Blackpool, drawing pigeon fanciers from across Europe.
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Hide AdVisitors had the chance to peruse around 200 stalls promoting specially designed pigeon lofts and veterinary services during the two-day event.
Organiser Ian Evans of the Cheltenham-based Royal Pigeon Racing Association said: “It was very successful, we’ve probably had about 15,000 people visiting so it’s been very very busy so it will have had a good impact on the local economy here.
“Also we have the UK’s 10 best-performing racing pigeons here which will be going to Brussels next week to compete in the Pigeon Olympiad.”
Pigeon racing became a sport of the masses in the early 1900s, and pigeons were used extensively as message carriers by armies on both sides during the two World Wars.
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Hide AdIn the UK the sport probably reached its height of popularity after World War Two.
Each year the BHW Show collects money to give to charity and the £55,000 raised last year was presented to a variety of different charitable causes.
Over its last 40 years the show has raised £3m for charity.
For more information go to www.rpra.org