PIGEON POST

Setting a cat among the pigeons, Fiona Armstrong argues these humble creatures are far from bird-brained

Fiona Armstrong discovers that there's more to pigeons than meets the eye

Great excitement, dear reader. Yes, it is a case of fame at last. Because I may be on course to make an appearance in a popular weekly publication.

British Homing World is the official magazine of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. And what a well-thumbed weekly it is. You may snigger, but this journal has a loyal following and it can give other magazines a real run for their money. BHW has a weekly circulation of 20,000, which is more than at least one Scottish national daily sells at full price. No names mentioned, of course.

Yes, the British Homing World is Britain’s most popular pigeon racing magazine. And the reason I could find myself featuring is that I have just finished making a film about the use of pigeons in two world wars.

These military messengers were key in winning the battle. They carried vital information from the front-line, some travelling hundreds of miles through storms and over conflict zones. Others arriving home bedraggled, even injured, but with that precious piece of paper still taped to their spindly legs.

The doughtiest would be honoured, presented with the animal Victoria Cross, an award given for outstanding bravery. We take our camera to an

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Their best bird, Jeorgie Girl, once flew 500 miles back from France in record time

‘animals in war’ exhibition to learn how the Dickin Medal was bestowed on more than 30 racing birds.

We are filming locally, in Dumfriesshire, because pigeon fancying is a much-discussed topic in these parts. At a loft on the Solway coast we hope to discover what really draws these feathered friends back to their cosy coops.

And here we find Gus and Pamela Power, a couple who have devoted their lives to racing pigeons – and who have won Scotland’s biggest competition, the Blue Riband trophy. It is fascinating to hear the story of how their best bird, Jeorgie Girl, once flew nearly 500 miles back from France in record time.

I now view these determined creatures in a new light, and am delighted to be photographed with them and their owners. Whether the picture ever appears in a magazine, I do not know, but on returning home to tell the chief about our day, he reminds me of a phone call we had last year.

It is from a man who describes how he is trying to deliver something, but that someone needs to be in the house to sign for it. I ask what it is, and he says he cannot tell me, but he is able to let me know that it is in a large box and it is making a noise.

I wonder if the MacGregor has ordered anything unusual. He says not. And neither have I. So I inform the man that unless we know what the item is, we cannot take delivery of it.

There is a silence at the end of the line. He then says: ‘I don’t think it’s come from Amazon.’ After a further pause, he continues. ‘In fact, I think it might be pigeons.’

Pigeons?! I tell him no one has ordered any birds of any kind. In fact, the only fowl we would want would be wrapped in a bag and ready for the oven.

Still, he holds fast. ‘Well, it says MacGregor on the label – are you MacGregor?’

Yes, we are, but we have not ordered birds. He checks the address and, yes, the address is correct. But we have not ordered birds. He sighs and hangs up.

Thankfully, the box never arrived at the house, but it is all very mysterious – and not a little stressful. Then, as the saying goes, one day you are the pigeon, the next you find you are the statue…