Pigeonshoot

Mar 7 2003 By Andrew Baldwin, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

He said something had to be done because the present scene around the church was filthy.

Church officials took advice from Kirklees Council before Christmas regarding the church being a nesting site for pigeons and the fouling of the area, particularly the entranceways to the church and the courtyard, which is shared with other businesses.

Mr Robertshaw said: "The council said we needed to do something, gave us a time limit and suggested an expensive scheme, which we cannot pay.

"The problem is that there are several dead pigeon chicks lying on the windowsills. Chicks are also reared on the sills and they often die before fledging.

"The church and parts of the courtyard are fouled with droppings. A seat and a bin are also fouled. The overall scene is filthy and unhygienic."

Mr Robertshaw said the problem was not helped by tourists who ate their snacks in the courtyard outside the church.