British Homing World Show of the year Blackpool 19/21st Jan 2007.

As usual, the Research Team had a very successful time at the Show. This was due to the excellent facilities provided for us by the Show of the Year Committee despite space being at a premium because of the large numbers attending and the great number of stands on display. We are indebted to Peter Bryant, The Show Manager and to Brian Mead and the Committee for all their efforts on our behalf. The Committee have developed an expertise in running a show of this magnitude that is unsurpassed anywhere. Thank you to all the un-named Committee members and helpers who willingly contributed to making the event such a success over the two days - for all of us.

The Research Team
Dr. Gavin Boyd our Research Director was unable to attend this year due to illness. However, he is already recovering and is looking forward to next year's show. In attendance were Dr. Ken Anderson, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, Dr. Stephen Bourke, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Victoria Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, Dr. Charles McSharry, Senior Clinical Immunologist, Glasgow University Biomedical Research Centre, Dr. PP Lynch, Larbert, Dr. Sharon Brennan, Registrar in Medicine, Crosshouse Hospital, Dr. Claire Hannah, Bristol Primary Health Trust, Dr. Lindsey Urquhart, Senior Registrar, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow and Eve Rawlinson, Medical Student, Manchester University. The Administrative Team was made up of Kenneth Boyd, Research Co-ordinator, Mrs Mary Boyd and Mr Allan Boyd.

Counselling & Practical Advice to Fanciers
There was much counselling of fanciers and their families concerning their unfounded fears relating to Avian Flu. This is a virus infection which bears no relation to Pigeon Lung that is caused by an allergy to pigeon dust in the same way that some people are allergic to cats, dogs, horses, etc. We still see fanciers wrongly diagnosed as having Pigeon Lung solely based on the fact that they keep pigeons and have chest problems with no tests being done to confirm the diagnosis. It is heartening and reassuring to see fanciers who had high blood reaction levels and symptoms, improve and continue in the sport with the use of an appropriate mask, cap and coat. Many fanciers now report using a boiler suit instead of a coat with beneficial results. A suitable mask is essential, e.g. BHW Pura Mask, in sensitised fanciers especially when cleaning out or transporting the birds by car. transport by car is a common event during the racing season. Ideally, the birds should be transported in a small trailer outside the car or a van with a closed off compartment for the driver. If this is not possible , then driving with the driver's window open will adequately ventilate the car and reduce the level of exposure to a minimum.

Research Activities. New Technology
345 fanciers went through the system for a blood test. Some highly sensitised fanciers and normal controls had pulmonary function breathing tests, blood oxygen saturation tests via finger-tip sensors and also recordings of breath sounds in the lungs with high-tech amplified electronic stethoscopes modified specially for the job by engineering scientists in Glasgow University. Amazingly, these recordings can be transmitted anywhere in the world by cell-phone for expert analysis in Glasgow, with results being available very quickly on site. We have been working to build the new "Gold Standard" for diagnosis of Pigeon Lung and other similar types of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis that has been worked out in USA into our system of diagnosis and advice. This new technique will let us get closer to other researchers interested in Pigeon Lung but who do not have the advantages of the close cooperation that we have enjoyed for so many years with the fanciers themselves. Samples of exhaled breath were collected in special airbags for measurement of Ethane levels by scientists at Glasgow University. This is a measurement that is important in oil and natural gas exploration. We are very interested to see if it can also be used as a marker of inflammation in the lung like some other gases e.g. Nitric oxide. This is an extension of our earlier studies in this area where we have shown that the inflammation that occurs in those with pigeon lung is totally different from the reaction that occurs in those with asthma. It indicates that the mechanisms involved in the development of pigeon lung are very different from what had been suggested originally and this opens up possibilities for further research to seek better ways of treating the problem.

Therapeutic Preventative Research Phase
This important and exciting phase is well underway. There has been a good response to the request for the fanciers involvement in the assessment of the role of Statins (cholesterol lowering therapies) in the pigeon lung reaction following our tissue studies in the laboratory sand our direct appeal to the Fancy Press for co-operation via the British Homing World and the Racing Pigeon. The trustees of the BPFMRT have agreed at the recent AGM to budget, in the next financial year, for further laboratory studies of several other therapeutic preventatives.

Donations
We were delighted and honoured to receive a cheque for £25,000 from the Show of the Year Committee. This continues to be our financial lifeline and we are extremely grateful for their vital and continued support. It is true to say that the Research has gone from strength to strength under the adoptive wing of the Show of the ~Year Committee and the Show. Their visit to the Research Team and laboratories in Glasgow in the past year was much appreciated by us and their enthusiasm and continuing support encouraged the Team to proceed to the therapeutic and preventative phase of the Research. The Show's donations to other non-pigeon fancier needy charities is a credit to them and the whole of the British Pigeon Fancy. We gratefully received a cheque from Pigeon Basics.com for £1,014.50 from Mr. RW Sanderson in person at the Research Stand. We offer him our sincerest thanks. Although the tests are free, we still received £431.12 in spontaneous cash donations at the Research Stand for which we are most grateful. These donations have all been passed on to the Treasurer of the BPFMRT. The freely given time spent with us in carrying out the special tests, the enthusiasm, encouragement, support and humour from fanciers at the stand is of immeasurable value to the Research Team. On behalf of the Trustees and the Team - Thank you everyone.

This article has been published in the "British Homing World" and also "The Racing Pigeon"

Dr P.P. Lynch, Chairman, BPFMR