Chronicle chief reporter Jack Tolson takes a look back to the archives of October 1996

WHY PIGEONS FLY SHY OF WAR MEMORIAL STATUE

AN old solider is putting coo-ing pigeons to flight.

The birds and the mess they leave have created all sorts of problems on the outside of the town hall.

But they beat a retreat when they go anywhere near the war memorial statue of the soldier with his fixed bayonet.

Town haul chauffeur Brian Beeley believes he had an explanation.

He said: “The statue is copper or phosphor bronze.

“It may be that when it gets wet it gives off an acid smell or vapour which keeps the birds away.

“In the 14 years I’ve worked at the town hall I’ve never seen pigeons land on or go near the memorial.

“Yet no matter what we do, we can’t keep them off the town hall.

“Not that I’ve spent the last 14 years just watching the birds, mind you.”

Rick Osman, editor of Racing Pigeon Pictorial International, said: “Pigeons saved lots of lives in the first and second world wars.

“Maybe they are avoiding the war memorial out of respect.”

SHELLEY GETS CHANCE TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL

A MOTHER has presented her daughter with the best gift of all - the chance to lead a normal life.

Beverley Margison, 35, gave daughter Shelley, 17, a kidney in a six-hour transplant.

Her kidney failure was diagnosed in January 1995.

Since then, she has been virtually housebound at her home in Lundwood, as she underwent dialysis almost 24 hours a day.

She has had numerous spells in hospital and was temporarily struck blind ten months ago.

Her father, Frank, said: “She needed a kidney badly but could have faced a very long wait without someone donating one so I volunteered for a kidney test.

“I was rejected but Beverley was a good match.

“The operation was Beverley’s first and she was terrified.

“But she was as proud as punch when she came round despite the pain.”

DOCTOR AIMS TO FIGHT GUN BAN

A BARNSLEY gun dealer is preparing to challenge the government’s ban on large calibre handguns.

Roger Francis, owner of South Yorkshire Shooting Supplies, believes outlawing all pistols over .22 calibre will force many of Britain’s dealers to close.

He told the Chronicle that he believed the decision was a knee jerk reaction by politicians fuelled on raw emotion.

He said: “Existing gun laws are perfectly adequate.

“The massacre at Dunblane only occurred because of a failure by police to implement them properly.

“Why are we paying for the actions of one man who should never have been allowed to possess a firearm certificate?”