Grant causes big flap at pigeon racing club
RACING pigeons from a Willington club can be transported in comfort and record quicker times thanks to a £9,468 Lottery grant.
Willington Prospect Flying Club, which currently boasts 20 lofts and hundreds of birds, used the grant from the National Lottery Awards For All scheme to buy 10 pigeon panniers and electronic timing systems.
Tommy Irwin from the club said: “This money has made a huge difference to us. The timing system means we get a more accurate time for birds as we no longer have to catch each pigeon and remove their tags, they are now timed automatically.
“It’s also a much easier system for older or disabled people because it can be very difficult catching the birds and removing the rubber tags.
“We also wanted six panniers but couldn’t get them the right size in Europe so ended up going to China and getting four more. All of this equipment will be available for use by all of our members.”
Tommy also praised Greater Willington Town Councillor Margaret Pinkney for her role in securing the grant.
He said: “Margaret did a lot of work for us when we applied for the grant and made it clear how important the club is to the community. We would like to thank her because without her efforts I really don’t think we would have got the money.”
The club, which has its headquarters at the Prospect Club in the town, is always looking for new members. They meet every Friday at the club on Prospect Terrace.