Pigeon Racing, Sport or Business? Boggart Blog Investigates.
by Ian R Thorpe
2007-11-27
CREATIVE COMMONS: Attribute, non commercial, no derivs.
KEYWORDS: sport, pigeon, racing, money, business, television, animal celebrity
A plan to downgrade pigeon racing from an official sport has met stiff opposition. The Government’s suggestion that pigeon racing is a business and must pay business taxes would, according to pigeon fanciers, be a death knell for their favourite leisure pursuit (not to mention the favourite leisure pursuit of Mr. Gingernuts, the tom-cat down the street.)
To help you judge the merits of both sides of this case Boggart Blog sent an investigative reporter to talk to veteran racing pigeon Percy Feathers and rising star Jason Woodcock.
BB:
Guys, thank you for agreeing to talk to us.
Percy:
An honour and a privilege Dave.
Jason:
Yeah, fanks for the bung.
BB:
So, let’s cut to the chase, is pigeon racing really a sport?
Percy:
Well it were in my day David, we did it for the thrill not the rewards, oh yes young pigeons, church steeples for markers, watch out for the electricity pylons. Yes, nobody did it for the rewards, not that there were many. Eight ounces of birdseed a week, that was the maximum wage. Bonus for winning was a handful of worms. But we would have raced for nothing.
Jason:
Pafetic. Me trainer just bought a new Merc to drive me to races.
Percy:
No, no, no lad. That’s not what the game is about. Its about wanting to be the best bird in the air.
BB:
Would you agree Jason, what is the game about to you?
Jason:
Its the money.
BB:
No limos in your day Percy?
Percy:
Limousines are for funerals. And pigeons didn’t have funerals, we ended up in pies. We were happy to travel to the race in a wicker basket on a goods train. Special diets, personal trainers, penthouse apartment lofts, these young ‘uns don’t know they’re hatched.
Jason:
That is well out of order Perc. Course I was 'atched, if I 'addn't of been 'atched I wouldn't be flying would I? At the end of the day it comes down to times. And your times were crap, the best bird in your era was twenty five percent slower than what I am.
BB:
And to what do attribute that overall improvement in performance Jason.
Jason:
Television, sponsorship, celebrity status. Its the money
Percy:
Well times have improved but at what cost? Where is the Corinthian spirit, the sense of honour and fair play, do todays’ pigeons have the respect of the community.
Jason:
Me girlfriend just had breast implants.
BB:
So I’m getting a picture here, Percy for you it was not the winning but the taking part and Jason, for you...
Jason:
Its the money.
Percy:
We may of got paid birdseed but we was know and respected. Even now when I fly through town people will shout “There goes Percy Feathers, good luck Percy, mind how you go lad. When people give you that much love, you owe it to them not to rub their noses in your droppings. When he rides through town in a gilded cage in his fancy car people just spit and say “Flash bastard.”
BB:
I think there is a little bitterness there Percy. Are you envious of Jason?
Jason:
Its the money.
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