Multicoloured Pigeons
The factory was semi derelict, the roof leaked like sieve and pigeons used the garrets as a communal toilet. Old the building may have been but Ernest was determined to keep the family business running. Calling together the workforce he outlined the factories current economic difficulties. He needed the workers to take a cut in pay for six months if he was to get the dye works profitable. At least there were adequate supplies of dye and cartons waiting to be filled in the stock room.
After difficult negotiations Earnest managed to get an agreement with his small workforce, soon the factories vats were again in action, resulting in coloured vapours filling the factory. Extractor fans rattled as they lifted most of the dye stained steam up to the slatted vents. Soon multicoloured pigeons were once again in evidence around the district. At the workhouse an attendant smiled at one of her charges, Elizabeth, as she said she had seen multicoloured pigeons. Elizabeth might be old but she knew what she had seen.
This Post Has 25 Comments
Well I sure hope the dye doesn’t hurt the pigeons!
Hi Jade, the dye works uses natural materials which does not appear to harm the pigeons.
You built up the atmosphere quite well, and then, the pigeons made a surprise entry. Good one!
Thank you Reena. The multicoloured coloured pigeons surprised me. I did not realise that they where stained from roosting in the local dye works.
Ohh! So, this is a Based on Truth Story?
In part it was Reena, but now a bland tower block reaches for the sky on the former site of the factory, whilst the pigeons are no longer to be seen.
Ohh!
This is such an optimistic one.. liked your descriptive writing.
Thank you so much Akshata, until rescently there where many derelict mills for the pigeons to roost in, but the dye works had heated slatted vents.
What a wonderful idea to brighten up some grey cities š
Thank you Iain. In the late 1950s Coke city was still covered in soot. At that time the pigeons certainly brought a slash of colour. I was in Coke city [Manchester] today, where dozens of construction cranes seem to have taken over from the pigeons.
Multicoloured pigeons is a brilliant take on the prompt, Michael. Delightful.
So glad you enjoyed it. I have to admit that there was an element of fact in this piece of flash.
No doubt the psychiatry profession benefited from the increase in production as well. Multi-coloured pigeons indeed!
Hi Joe. At times the pigeons could be more colourful than a rainbow. They brought a splash of colour to a heavily polluted district of Manchester. Until one unwell individual feed them bread laced with Largactil…
At least Ernest has been able to get the workers back with a pay cut. Multicolred pigeons are a sign of economic revival.
For a short while they were, till the big boys moved in and shut the factory. Now a bland tower block reaches for the sky instead of pigeons.
There are some boring grey pigeons sitting on my window ledge right now – where are my spray paints?
Fly away pigeon, fly away.
Pigeons getting coloured! Very ineresting! š
I am pleased to peek your interest. To anyone who did not know about the dye works the pigeon created a degree of excitement in what was a grey environment.
The parrots of pontefract! I love the idea of the mundane pigeon being transformed into multicoloured soaring beauties
I was glad to read your comment. Now I am of to buy some Pontefract Cakes.
Iām going to have to google them, but I bet they have currants in
Sadly no currants,