Entries open for the RPRA One Loft Race 2025
January 6th, 2025
Here is a selection of famous people who have kept pigeons, courtesy of Lee Fribbins: Noah – may not have raced pigeons because of the lack of competitors, but we know he raised them Roy Rogers – his pigeons may have helped inspire “Happy Trails” King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II […]
We reported back in July on comedian-author-explorer Tim FitzHigham’s visit to the RPRA One Loft in an attempt to recreate a bizarre 18th Century bet. The resulting light-hearted programme was aired on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday evening, 17th February – you can listen to it here. Tim told the RPRA: “I do hope you enjoy it. […]
Brian Cheetham of Irlam, Manchester, sent us this photo of members of Cadishead DFC, Eccles & Winton HS and Flixton & Urmston FC setting out on a coach trip to the first Show of the Year at Worcester Racecourse in January 1972. Brian is now nearly 80 years old but still maintains an interest in pigeons. […]
See the University of Westminster’s short film on pigeon racing, made by a group of students as part of their course.
The BHW Show of the Year 2013 took place at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool, over the weekend Saturday/Sunday 19th/20th January. Despite the snow lying across the country, a large crowd still braved the journey to Lancashire and made the most of the various events. Our congratulations to all of the prize winners, particularly Mr & Mrs G Thresher […]
While ripping out an old fireplace at a derelict house in Surrey, David and Ann Martin found what they thought to be a discarded chicken bone, but which on closer inspection turned out to be the remains of a pigeon. Attached to the bird’s foot was a small red cylinder, and inside they found a coded message that […]
Watch Ray Knight’s excellent film about pigeon racing and the RPRA – ‘Pigeon Sport’ – below.
Advice from the British Pigeon Fanciers Medical Research Team on Pigeon Lung (Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis) In the same way as some pet owners are allergic to their pets, e.g. cats, dogs or horses, some pigeon owners are allergic to their pigeons. The allergic reaction affects the small air exchanging sacs in the lung (alveoli) and causes […]
Watch our video celebrating the 40th Anniversary BHW Show of the Year at Blackpool in January 2012.
In this documentary from Meerkat Films, two old friends and rival pigeon racers are preparing for the big race of the season. Set in the North East of England where Maurice’s allotment is home to the world’s only listed pigeon Cree, the ageing miners embark on what could be their last season together. Jackie and […]