British Homing World Show of the year Blackpool 21/22rd Jan 2006.

The research team had a very successful session at the BHW show.

Peter Bryant, the RPRA members and committee of the show deserve credit for all their efforts to ensure the show went ahead in spite of the 'Bird Flu' anxieties.

The team of nine doctors and two admin. staff serviced the research stand. A total of 415 blood samples were taken and much counselling of the fanciers and families took place to offset the unfounded fears concerning bird flu. Breathing tests were done on sensitised fanciers to measure nitric oxide levels in exhaled gases. These levels were found to be normal confirming pigeon lung is different from asthma. The blood tests results will be sent to fanciers in the next few weeks.

Lisa Jolly BSc (Hons) Immunology, has joined Iona Fraser BSc(Hons), our research scientist in the laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Charles McSharry and work continues on tissue studies to find blocking agents to the pigeon lung reaction. Tissue studies on statins have commenced. Statins are currently used in many patients to lower cholesterol and fats in the blood and have been recently recognised to have anti inflammatory (anti reactive) properties. Nicotine (as a non combustion product e.g. patches) and an antibiotic of the Macrolide group (erythromycin etc.) are in common use for other conditions and are in a similar category - as potential blockers - time will tell.

The BHW show of the Year Committee presented the Research team with a cheque for £25,000 to continue the research. We thank the committee and we are extremely grateful for their vital support. The continue to be our financial lifeline. We were also delighted to witness their support for other deserving charities. Clearly the BHW Show Committee and RPRA members have developed an expertise in organising and running a major show that is unsurpassed anywhere in Europe with much good publicity for the sport in the UK - in spite of the anxieties and difficulties put in their path by the 'Bird Flu' Concern.

The research team and Trustees of the BPFMR thank all pigeon fanciers for their continued cooperation and support and wish you good health and ever success in 2006-02-20

Dr. PP Lynch
Chairperson British Pigeon Fanciers Medical Research Trust.