The pigeon fraternity in Cumbria is rallying round after fire devastated the Cleator Moor lofts of Rodgers and Benn last Friday.
The partners woke to the news that most of their birds had perished in the blaze as their lofts burnt down. Around 300 birds estimated to have died while all the lofts have been destroyed, with just part of the stock loft left standing.
That meant around 40 pigeons survived in part of the stock loft which was untouched by the flames but others in there died through smoke inhalation.
Three fire engines from Whitehaven and Egremont had tackled the blaze shortly after 4am on Friday morning but it was a gruesome task.
The Cleator Moor Central club have been in organising financial support to try and replace the destroyed lofts.
Club member Brian Fitzsimmons said: “Historically in Cleator Moor if people see a wrong, they put it right – and this was a wrong.
“I was going along the street the other day and two old ladies stopped me and gave £10 each to the fund that we have started.
“Claire Shaw, our club secretary has been brilliant in how she’s got round to organising the fund-raiser and the response from the pigeon fraternity has been superb.
“We asked for donations of £300 and a young bird exchange for next season and the response has been fantastic.
“A squeaker sale is going to be organised next February/March time in Flimby and Ian Stafford, a top fancier in the north east is going to get together some top young birds to auction for the cause.
“In September we are organising a Charity night in the Cleator Moor Celtic club with entertainment and we have already started a GoFundMe page, so there’s plenty going on.
“We had set ourselves a target of between £20-£25,000 and roughly we are around halfway towards that.”
Danny Rodgers flew in the Cleator Moor Central club with Ken, Wes and Mary Benn, although they haven’t been racing for 18 months. Danny has been working in France in that time.
They had an outstanding set-up on the allotment off High Street, putting in many hours of time and effort to make it work as best they could.
Messages have poured in from the pigeon racing fraternity, offering to help as much as they could, and sympathising with the disaster that has occurred.
Andrew Kenmare, a Cleator Moor Central member told the Cumbria Crack: “Danny was a hugely popular guy, and would be the first to help anyone whatever the reason.
“He was known for organising the popular A ring race in Cleator Moor which attracted support from various parts of the country.”
Another member Gavin Graham said: “It’s other little things that people don’t hear about where he has helped fellow fanciers when they’ve encountered a problem.
“The other thing as well is that the lofts were something of a community hub where people, not just other fanciers, would go for a crack, a cup of tea and to exchange garden produce.”
The first use of the fund will be to clear the site which was left devastated by the fire, while the overall aim is to have new lofts and cabin erected ready to resume racing.
Brian Fitzsimmons added: “Danny’s place wasn’t just a pigeon loft, it was the hub of the community. People, who didn’t have pigeons, went there for a crack, a cup of tea and maybe a spot of television because he had a set in there.
“I know of several people who have gone to see the devastation and have left with tears in their eyes.”
Danny Rodgers, 54, who started inn the sport at ten years of age said: “I can’t describe the feeling when I landed at the garden at 5am on Friday morning, it still doesn’t seem real. The way the pigeons have died is what’s eating away, it’s absolutely devastating.
“But I need to say the support and messages from the people of Cleator Moor and pigeon lads and lasses from up and down the country has been really overwhelming, and definitely does help.
“Brian Fitzsimmons asked me about fundraising on Friday evening and I actually said no because we feel a bit uncomfortable accepting things like this.
“He obviously took no notice, and him and Claire are going above and beyond. We appreciate it all so much and need to say a massive thank you.
“Our garden was more of a family base where everyone gathered than just a pigeon loft, plus everyone called in for a coffee and a crack on their way past, which is how we liked it.
“We need to remember, for every one ‘wrong un’ on Cleator Moor and further afield, there’s a thousand absolute genuine, caring, generous and compassionate great, great people, and that’s what we all need to focus on and don’t let the minority win.
“I don’t for one minute think these people realise the devastation they’ve caused, and I personally don’t think they’ve set out to kill 300+ pigeons, 40 years of pigeon breeding records and memories, but that is the outcome of their actions and it’s soul destroying.
“We can’t thank everyone who is rallying around enough, absolutely blown away by it all. On behalf of myself, Ken, Mary, Wez and the Rodgers and Benn family, thank you.”
