Photo by Lara Antunez De Mayolo Daly

We’ve all heard their song. We’ve all seen the stains of their excrement on our cars. We’ve all probably had one wreak havoc in our house. However, here at UAL, we champion new perspectives and open minds. In this respect, we want to change the perception of pigeons from vermin to veracious. So, we welcome UAL’s first-ever student newspaper, The Pigeon.

You may be wondering, ‘why pigeons? What good comes with glorifying birds notorious for their affiliation with sewage and scraps?’ Well, before pigeons decorated our London monuments and stole our meal deals, these ‘rats with wings’ provided a crucial service to the war effort and the Allied victory. Nearly a quarter of a million birds were used by the army, RAF, and CDS throughout the duration of World War II. That’s almost the number of pigeons you’ll see in Trafalgar Square at lunch break!  These ‘homing’ pigeons would be tasked with multiple life-saving services. From search and rescue to espionage, the messages and news carried by these pigeons to army headquarters ultimately determined victory and defeat. Now, 80 years on, we see pigeons as a staple animal of London. Whether you are a first-time visitor to the lively London life or painfully enduring another 9-to-5 commute, pigeons are perpetually present. Their token purple bust and infamous melody make them, whilst disgusting, an odd comfort and a refreshing consistency. And, thanks to their news-delivering prowess, we owe these cretinous creatures more than we dare admit.

Unbeknownst to animal behaviorists, this particular pigeon was raised by a stocky woodland predator. The two .co-founders have a long history with student newspapers, and first started their journey at The Badger, the official student newspaper for the University of Sussex. So when we heard that our new university had no existing paper, there was only one thing on our minds… And thus, The Pigeon took flight. 

So we hereby deliver you our ‘pilot’ edition. Compiled with work from 12 student writers, illustrators, and visual designers, edition ‘0’ is a testament to our aims as a paper and a celebration of student achievement at UAL. From jaw-dropping animated films to fashion graduates who dressed Gaga, turn each page to uncover the wonders of incredible UAL student artists.

Our motto is ‘For Students, By Students’, which centers around inclusivity, empowerment, and opportunity. In layman’s terms, the ability to champion student views and support student creativity is an opportunity we do not take lightly. UAL sits within a creative bubble of global universities. Being the second-best arts university in the world for seven years running, and, according to The Guardian, the ninth-best university in the country, it is evident that our campuses showcase the brightest minds and freshest perspectives. Here at The Pigeon, those perspectives are given a voice. From your innovative takes on modern art to mice in your student kitchen, students live through countless important stories that inform our way of life. We endeavor to leave no story untold and represent student voices, opinions, and creative works. Our platform will be there to call out student and creative injustices, and reward outstanding achievement. Student journalism is capable of transforming the profession, turning attention away from elitist manipulation and directing the spotlight back onto the truth. We invite you to be a part of it.

On a more monotonous note, The Pigeon will have nine sections: News, Features, Opinion, Lifestyle, Music, Film & TV, Fashion, Theatre, and finally, Games & Tech. For each of those sections, we need multiple editors! The best part? No experience is needed! Our production system is set and ready to go. We just need you! But if becoming an editor sounds a bit full on, we are always looking for staff writers, photographers, and illustrators who are welcome to contribute if and when they can. 

We cannot wait to produce some incredible work this year. But more importantly… we cannot wait to meet YOU! The Pigeon will host countless social events for you to meet your fellow storytellers.

So what are you waiting for… TURN THE PAGE!