PIGEONS MAKE A SURPRISE APPEARANCE

Pigeons made an unexpected appearance at Brigg Town Council's latest monthly meeting, although it should be stressed that no birds had found their way into the Angel Suite to get councillors in a flap.
Pigeons were discussed as the council considered reviewing its allotment tenancy agreements.
Town Clerk Dinah Lilley said some tenants would like to house pigeons and doves on their plots. Should this be allowed? Other tenants were not objecting but did a limit need to be set?
Only chickens and rabbits are allowed at present, prompting Coun Carl Sherwood to suggest the rules  are "antiquated" and in need of updating. "Who keeps rabbits now?" he asked.
However, Coun Brian Parker expressed concern that pigeons might eat seeds sown on allotment plots.
Coun Rob Waltham said it was a case of councillors considering what was "reasonable."
That approach was agreed by the council, which rents out and manages allotments plots on Atherton Way/Redcombe Lane and off Grammar School Road.
With a new road planned, the latter site is to be phased out in favour of a new location near South View Avenue.
People visiting Brigg town centre, as we do, may have noticed that pigeons are again appearing in greater numbers.
There are several growing deposits of their droppings accumulating within the paved area, notably on Wrawby Street.
We have no doubt North Lincolnshire Council will have the problem in its sights.
Pigeon racing was once a very common sport in Brigg.
We are sure some people still enjoy raising and racing their birds from lofts in the Brigg area, but perhaps it is less popular than it was a few decades ago.
While in the sports department at the Scunthorpe Telegraph in the 1980s we remember processing the results from Brigg and Glanford club races.
Earlier that decade we did likewise while working at the Brigg office of the Lincolnshire & South Humberside Times.
Flying Club functions were held at the Angel Hotel and other venues.

PICTURED ABOVE: Pigeons in Brigg town centre.