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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bird racers' rates plea to Queen | Bird racers' rates plea to Queen |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Pigeon racing enthusiasts are seeking the Queen's help over a government refusal to recognise it as a sport, which could see them charged rates. | Pigeon racing enthusiasts are seeking the Queen's help over a government refusal to recognise it as a sport, which could see them charged rates. |
| Members of Belford Racing Pigeon Club in Northumberland may have to start paying rates on a small shed where they store their race baskets. | Members of Belford Racing Pigeon Club in Northumberland may have to start paying rates on a small shed where they store their race baskets. |
| Most sports groups are exempt, but pigeon racing is not included in the HM Revenue and Customs list. | Most sports groups are exempt, but pigeon racing is not included in the HM Revenue and Customs list. |
| The Queen is patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA). | The Queen is patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA). |
| EXEMPT FROM RATES AikidoHurlingBallooningShintyBaton TwirlingSkateboardingSkippingBobsleighKorfballCrossbowOctopush Source: HMRC | EXEMPT FROM RATES AikidoHurlingBallooningShintyBaton TwirlingSkateboardingSkippingBobsleighKorfballCrossbowOctopush Source: HMRC |
| Under proposals to introduce rates on sports clubs and village halls, groups can formally apply for dispensation from HMRC for 80% relief and then to their local authority for a 20% reduction. | Under proposals to introduce rates on sports clubs and village halls, groups can formally apply for dispensation from HMRC for 80% relief and then to their local authority for a 20% reduction. |
| But unlike recognised sports such as football, rugby and athletics, pigeon racers have been told that they will have to pay up. | But unlike recognised sports such as football, rugby and athletics, pigeon racers have been told that they will have to pay up. |
| Sports such as yoga, arm-wrestling and trampolining are also exempt from paying rates. | Sports such as yoga, arm-wrestling and trampolining are also exempt from paying rates. |
| Eric Sim, pigeon owner and chairman of Belford Racing Pigeon Club, said: "Pigeon racing has been recognised as a sport for well over 100 years and this latest turn of events will cause many clubs to struggle to make ends meet. | Eric Sim, pigeon owner and chairman of Belford Racing Pigeon Club, said: "Pigeon racing has been recognised as a sport for well over 100 years and this latest turn of events will cause many clubs to struggle to make ends meet. |
| "It seems so unfair and shows what a cheeseparing attitude the treasury can adopt." | "It seems so unfair and shows what a cheeseparing attitude the treasury can adopt." |
| 'Big issue' HAVE YOUR SAY Pretty sad stuff when a harmless pastime gets an additional tax burden because of some bureaucratic nonsense. Kim Potter, Hungerford Send us your comments | 'Big issue' HAVE YOUR SAY Pretty sad stuff when a harmless pastime gets an additional tax burden because of some bureaucratic nonsense. Kim Potter, Hungerford Send us your comments |
| Peter Bryant, general manager of the RPRA said it was the first such case he had heard of, but confirmed that HMRC did not recognise pigeon racing as a sport. | Peter Bryant, general manager of the RPRA said it was the first such case he had heard of, but confirmed that HMRC did not recognise pigeon racing as a sport. |
| He said: "This has been a big issue with the tax people for many years. We have to pay VAT on our subscriptions and as a result it's difficult for us to get grants from the lottery sports board. | He said: "This has been a big issue with the tax people for many years. We have to pay VAT on our subscriptions and as a result it's difficult for us to get grants from the lottery sports board. |
| "Pigeon racing is really suffering - to impose taxes on people just to store their baskets is crass." | "Pigeon racing is really suffering - to impose taxes on people just to store their baskets is crass." |
| Councillor Geoff O'Connell, of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council, proposed to raise the matter with HMRC and Berwick constituency MP Alan Beith. | Councillor Geoff O'Connell, of Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council, proposed to raise the matter with HMRC and Berwick constituency MP Alan Beith. |
| AN HMRC spokesman said the list of formally-recognised sports was compiled by the Sports Council. |