AFTER over four decades of getting by on what you might describe as a "wing and a prayer," the Abergavenny pigeon club's wings have finally been clipped for good, with all existing members deciding to call it a day.

The Abergavenny pigeon club was formed over 40 years ago and originally consisted of former members of other pigeon clubs that were based in the town.

Initially based at the King's Arms pub, after a number of years the club moved their head quarters to Llanfoist inn where they remained for many a moon.

During that period members arrived and members departed, but pigeon racing still remained hugely popular in Abergavenny, and Aber remained one of the few towns outside of the valleys which could boast a healthy pigeon racing contingent.

After a number of years based at the Llanfoist Inn, the club was dealt a blow, when the owner of the village pub told the devastated pigeon fanciers that they would have to find other premises to run their organisation as the inn was being sold to new owners.

Taking flight, but without any roost to call their own and act as a club headquarters for the following season, the members were at a loss, until club secretary Paul Holly's search for a new perch led to him homing in on the place where it all began - The King's Arms.

With the new owners of the pub welcoming the returning flock with open arms, Abergavenny Pigeon Club were flying high with the news that they had secured a club head quarters for the following season, but fortune was once again to prove what a fickle beast it could be.

After a month or two getting settled into their new HQ they were told they would have to leave the King's Arms because of problems that were out of the owner's control.

Scattered to the four winds, the pigeon fanciers were once again on the wing and searching for a new HQ. Fortunately that search led them to the front door of Abergavenny's Labour Club.

Club secretary Paul Holly asked if it was possible use it as their base and a rewarding and long-term relationship was born.

Holly told the Chronicle, "We spent many years at the Labour Club, and enjoyed a good relationship with them, especially Dennis Stockham who helped us out each week, and made everything run more smoothly.

"As a result the club would like to give Dennis and the Labour Club a big thank you for all the years they've put up with us."

Holly added, "Unfortunately, the end of the 2013 racing season also marked the end of the last pigeon club in Abergavenny due to a lack of members, as well as members leaving for other clubs, and some members simply leaving the sport and calling it a day."

The demise of the Abergavenny pigeon club marks the end of a 13 year stint for Paul Holly as club secretary but more importantly, it marks the end of the last remaining pigeon club in Abergavenny - a town which has provided collective fan-bases for our fancy feathered friends for 80 plus years.

Although disbanding the club were determined to bow out on a high and by selling their three pigeon clocks, managed to raise over £320, which they recently donated (pictured) to the Children's Ward at Nevill Hall Hospital.