Council takes birdman’s seats – but Leslie’s taking a stand

Feathers have been flying in the continuing row between the birdman of Portadown – who feeds the pigeons daily in the town centre – and the council, who want to put a stop to his activities.

Emissaries from the Civic Centre have taken away the seats outside St Mark’s Church where Leslie Harrison and his pensioner friends have fed the birds for seven years, leaving them with nowhere to sit.

“The workmen just rolled up with a lorry and took away the two seats which we have used for at least seven years,” said Leslie. “I think one of our boys took a picture of the removal men. But they haven’t won – we’ll find a way around it. There were no explanations.

“The new-look town centre includes seats all over the place, and they have little to do when they remove our seats. We have contingency plans, but we’re keeping them to ourselves, obviously.”