The research team was very busy at the Blackpool charity show this year and checked blood reactions in 391 fanciers in Blackpool. In addition, pulmonary function tests were carried out on a number of fanciers. The medical team was at its largest in many years with 8 medical staff on duty at one point. The results will prove invaluable for the research during this year.

The results are displayed below, both in table and pie chart format.

The charity show continues to be the major sponsor of our research work and a cheque was presented to Dr. Boyd and Dr. Lynch for £25,000 to enable the research to continue.

The British Pigeon Fanciers Medical Research Team, Blackpool 2005

The blood test enables people to discover the level of sensitisation to their pigeons and therefore, be more able to treat the problem effectively. It is now quite a common sight at the Blackpool show to see people wearing their masks whilst mingling with the crowds. In this way, despite difficulties with pigeon lung, they are quite able to continue to enjoy their hobby by the use of a mask, which cuts down the amount of bloom that is breathed into the lungs. Without the mask, it is quite possible that they may not have been able to come to the show at all.