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A flying visit to the tip
- an editorial by Simon Brown
Well not exactly – a racing pigeon found wandering around Hempsted Household Recycling Centre (HRC) in Gloucester was unable to fly. Feeling rather sorry for the bird – nicknamed ‘Betty Blue’, the HRC workers fed ‘her’ the remains of their lunch – often sausage rolls!
My colleague Kate Cole, who was promoting Recycle Week at the HRC took pity on the pigeon, and decided to take it home. Usually you aren’t meant to take anything from the HRC – however in this case it was an exception!
Unfortunately Kate’s house wasn’t an ideal setting for her new non-flying feathered friend – especially when 5 hungry cats are prowling around. She tried to contact the owner of the bird, who explained that the 12 week old pigeon had been spooked by a Hawk while flying over his house in Bath. However, he wasn’t interested in her any more, and wouldn’t collect the bird!
So I ended up taking the bird to my house near Malvern. She settled in very well, and by the second day was flying up on the neighbour’s house roof.Betty obviously felt Christmas had come early, as she was given an endless supply of food including some top quality cheese. Each evening she decided to venture off and explore the village – returning every morning.
With all this delicious food – you would think she would always return - wouldn’t you? But after a week she left. She didn’t know a good thing when she had it, obviously! At least she returned to full health and in far more attractive surroundings compared to the tip! Where she is now though is a mystery.