Cabinet Minister for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP, visited pigeon lofts in Maybole
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Cabinet Minister for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP, visited pigeon lofts in Maybole to see how pigeons are giving young people a new interest and bridging the generation gap.
South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership applied for and received funding under Scottish Government CashBack scheme. The funding is being used to support a pilot project, to provide a diversionary and educational activity to encourage young people to be involved in positive projects in their community. Additional funding has also been received from the ADAT Innovation fund to extend the project, bringing the total amount of funding to £9,000.
Members of the Maybole Pigeon Club, will gift a team of racing pigeons to young people involved in the initiative, they will then have to take responsibility for rearing, feeding, cleaning, training, building a new pigeon loft and eventually racing the young pigeons given to them. Pigeon Club members will work with members of the Community Safety Team throughout this project. The young people will also take responsibility for feeding, cleaning and assisting in training, and all aspects of maintaining a healthy pigeon loft.
After visiting a pigeon loft in Maybole and meeting the young people Kenny MacAskill said: "This Government is using cash seized from criminals to give young people more and better opportunities and alternatives to a life of crime and antisocial behaviour.
"I've seen various projects around the country – from football and basketball to drama and an internet café. This Ayrshire project that uses the care of pigeons to engage young people is an innovative way of fostering new interests and involvement in an activity that's popular in the local community.
The young people involved in the project will be given free membership of the local pigeon club, and will be supported to participate in racing with the Ayrshire North Road Federation for the duration of the young bird season. Diplomas will be presented to those involved at the end of the year.
Councillor Nan McFarlane, Chair of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership said: "This is a great scheme that offers young people something a little different. It is important to remember that young people are all different and not all of them are interested in pop music and dancing. The pigeons may well just be the thing that keeps some young people out of trouble.
"Another great benefit is that the young people will be encouraged to become junior members of the established racing club in Maybole. This should build their confidence and help them to develop meaningful links with older members of the community."
The aim is to pilot the project in the Maybole area, and then to deliver it in identified 'hot-spot' areas in subsequent years.
A special pigeon related class project is going to be run in Cairn Primary School, 'Doo The Right Thing. The school children will be allocated a pigeon and they will receive updates on the progress it is making along with pictures of it.
Archie Jamieson, President of Carrick and District Homing Society said: "Next year will be our centenary year and we welcome this opportunity to encourage young members to join our club."