Garden grab threatens historic pigeon club

The housing association is claiming several gardens in the area for use as allotments, but Mr Bonner’s exit would reduce the club’s numbers below the five members it needs to be legally recognised.

Mr Bonner said: “People have raised pigeons on this land since the war.

“It’s part of the community and part of a tradition that’s been going on the Island for more than 100 years. East End Homes are taking our heritage.�

Bob lives nearby in Westferry Road, but has spent 12 years in the estate maintaining the property for fellow racer Jim Lowther. Following Jim’s death, Bob carried on helping his wife Anne and his loft of around 50 prized birds.

When Anne decided to move to Kent before Christmas, Bob applied to move into the house. But he has been told that the lofts must be taken down as they are too big.

Bob has already attempted to compromise by taking one shed down and killing 18 stock pigeons valued at up to £800 each. He fears he may have to kill the remaining 30.

He said pigeons can be re-housed in time, but will return several times to their original lofts. If the loft is not there, pigeons will flock on roofs nearby, cause damage to gardens and eventually starve.

His stock of pigeons includes one two-time winner of the sport’s coveted Gold Cup, the only such winner in the club’s history.

East End Homes has offered Bob an area of land between two allotments, which he claims is too tiny for pigeons to be stored humanely.

He said: “They say people don’t want pigeons, but no one in the square has ever complained.

“I’m not interested in money. I’ll pay over the odds if I have to. All I want to do is keep the club going, to raise my pigeons and be left alone. I don’t drink or smoke, and it’s the only hobby I’ve got.�

The Millwall Pigeon Club thrived following the war, but membership dwindled as members moved away or died. East End Homes has already invited people to pick out allotment spaces, and residents are worried that their security will be threatened if non-residents are given access to the square.

Neighbour Jim Manley, 82, said: “I was two years old when I came to the Island, and there were pigeons, ducks and chickens raised all along this row.

“I used to go up to Victoria Park on my bike when I was nine and let them go. It’s always been gardens, and everyone had a garden here.�

His wife Lil said: “They can’t just give them to any Tom, Dick and Harry to wander in. People live here.�

Despite a number of attempts, East End Homes was unavailable for comment.