Friday, August 21, 2015
Feline that attends school issued with student body card
Like many members of the student body at Leland High School in San Jose, California, Bubba is a social animal. He attends sporting events, hangs out on campus with his buddies and has a Facebook page dedicated to his exploits.
But unlike most who have been issued a Leland student body card, Bubba can roam the school's halls freely during class. And if he wants to be excused, he doesn't have to raise his paw; he just meows.
"He's really loud," says Amber Marienthal, whose family adopted Bubba the cat in 2009.
The family initially tried to make Bubba an indoor cat, but he let them know loudly and often that he was unhappy in his confinement.
Their home sits behind both Leland and Bret Harte Middle School, and Bubba became a frequent visitor to both campuses. Marienthal says she still gets calls from staff and students who see him on campus and think he's lost. Bubba is known and loved by many at both schools, as his 600-plus Facebook followers attest. "The students at Bret Harte petitioned to have a statue erected in his honour," Marienthal says, adding that their petition was denied. Both of Marienthal's sons attended Bret Harte and are now at Leland. She says Bubba started hanging out on campus about a year before her oldest son Matthew, who just started his sophomore year at Leland, entered sixth grade at the middle school.
And she says the cat is likely to stay in school even after both of "his boys" graduate. "He's more there for everyone," she adds. Marienthal says she's received no complaints from staff or students at either school about Bubba prowling the campuses. Her main worry is that Bubba has come close to shaving off one of his nine lives on several occasions. She's seen him lay down on Leland's football field in the middle of practice and wait for one of the players to pet him. "He's really social and he has no fear," Marienthal says. "I'm surprised he's still around." While he usually makes it home at night, Bubba did have a scare when he wandered onto the Leland campus during registration last month and accidentally got locked inside a classroom for 36 hours.
Luckily, a security guard heard him meowing and set him free. Since Bubba meanders freely in and out of classrooms, teachers have learned how to deal with his presence. "One teacher made the mistake of buying treats for him," Marienthal recalls, which led Bubba to sit by his classroom door and wait to be fed. "Bubba would meow for treats. [The teacher] got sick of the noise." While Bubba's supporters managed to get a student body card issued for him for the new school year, Marienthal says she'd like to see her cat included in another important campus activity. "We'd love it if they let him do cap and gown in 2017," she says. Meanwhile, Bubba has developed attendance habits that students may want to emulate. "He waits for school to start, and he doesn't come home until all the sports are done," Marienthal says. "As long as he's alive, I think he'll hang out at the school."
Their home sits behind both Leland and Bret Harte Middle School, and Bubba became a frequent visitor to both campuses. Marienthal says she still gets calls from staff and students who see him on campus and think he's lost. Bubba is known and loved by many at both schools, as his 600-plus Facebook followers attest. "The students at Bret Harte petitioned to have a statue erected in his honour," Marienthal says, adding that their petition was denied. Both of Marienthal's sons attended Bret Harte and are now at Leland. She says Bubba started hanging out on campus about a year before her oldest son Matthew, who just started his sophomore year at Leland, entered sixth grade at the middle school.
And she says the cat is likely to stay in school even after both of "his boys" graduate. "He's more there for everyone," she adds. Marienthal says she's received no complaints from staff or students at either school about Bubba prowling the campuses. Her main worry is that Bubba has come close to shaving off one of his nine lives on several occasions. She's seen him lay down on Leland's football field in the middle of practice and wait for one of the players to pet him. "He's really social and he has no fear," Marienthal says. "I'm surprised he's still around." While he usually makes it home at night, Bubba did have a scare when he wandered onto the Leland campus during registration last month and accidentally got locked inside a classroom for 36 hours.
Luckily, a security guard heard him meowing and set him free. Since Bubba meanders freely in and out of classrooms, teachers have learned how to deal with his presence. "One teacher made the mistake of buying treats for him," Marienthal recalls, which led Bubba to sit by his classroom door and wait to be fed. "Bubba would meow for treats. [The teacher] got sick of the noise." While Bubba's supporters managed to get a student body card issued for him for the new school year, Marienthal says she'd like to see her cat included in another important campus activity. "We'd love it if they let him do cap and gown in 2017," she says. Meanwhile, Bubba has developed attendance habits that students may want to emulate. "He waits for school to start, and he doesn't come home until all the sports are done," Marienthal says. "As long as he's alive, I think he'll hang out at the school."
Man who told police officer his name was F*ck You cited for providing false information
An intoxicated man in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, was cited for providing a police officer with a false name after claiming his name was F*ck You.
According to a police report, officers were dispatched to a home at around 3:40am on July 26 on a report that Daniel Danielson, 24, was intoxicated and lying in a random front yard after banging on the front door.
Upon arrival, the man was “obviously intoxicated as he was slurring his speech, he had bloodshot, watery eyes, and an odour of an alcoholic beverage was also emitting from him,” the report said. Danielson first told the officers his name was Dennis Robin, then when an officer asked him what his first name was he looked up at him and stated, “my first name is F*ck You.”
Officers spoke to the homeowner who said “I don’t know him, and I’ve never seen him before, but he was digging in my trailer that has trash in it.” The police report said the officer then grabbed Danielson to put him in the back of a squad car, “at which time Officer Shaver stated that Daniel had wet shorts as he had urinated in his pants.”
While en route to Ramsey County Detox, Danielson leaned over to his left as he was talking and vomited on the driver’s side of the back seat. Police then chose to take him to Regions Hospital instead due to his “extreme intoxication.” The officer then issued Danielson a citation for “giving a peace officer a false name”.
Upon arrival, the man was “obviously intoxicated as he was slurring his speech, he had bloodshot, watery eyes, and an odour of an alcoholic beverage was also emitting from him,” the report said. Danielson first told the officers his name was Dennis Robin, then when an officer asked him what his first name was he looked up at him and stated, “my first name is F*ck You.”
Officers spoke to the homeowner who said “I don’t know him, and I’ve never seen him before, but he was digging in my trailer that has trash in it.” The police report said the officer then grabbed Danielson to put him in the back of a squad car, “at which time Officer Shaver stated that Daniel had wet shorts as he had urinated in his pants.”
While en route to Ramsey County Detox, Danielson leaned over to his left as he was talking and vomited on the driver’s side of the back seat. Police then chose to take him to Regions Hospital instead due to his “extreme intoxication.” The officer then issued Danielson a citation for “giving a peace officer a false name”.
Worker who stormed out of store after colleague said 'good morning' loses unfair dismissal claim
A worker at a Pak'n Save supermarket walked out of a store in Auckland, New Zealand, after a colleague said "good morning" to him, following an agreement the two men would not speak to each other in the workplace.
The arrangement, which supermarket bosses reluctantly agreed to, was put in place after the second man wrote "I am gay" on the first man's name badge.
Jacob Abiar resigned from Pak'n Save Glen Innes in September 2013 following the disagreement, saying the supermarket chain had failed to prevent him being harassed at work.
Mr Abiar, who had been working at the supermarket since 2011, "took umbrage" that Mobin Ansorali greeted him as he arrived for work on the morning of September 18. Mr Ansorali said it was the same greeting he had given to other staff and customers who walked into the store that day.
But Mr Abiar claimed it was an example of him being subjected to racial abuse and harassment at work, and he resigned saying Pak'n Save was not serious about solving his difficulties with Mr Ansorali. He took his complaint to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). However, the authority sided with his former employer, and praised the supermarket for its efforts to resolve the dispute between the two men and to keep them both employed. It said accusations of racism and harassment "were not substantiated" during its investigation. "Pak'n Save is a multicultural workplace employing some 34 different nationalities. It is sensitive to cultural and language issues and proactively takes steps to ensure that all employees feel comfortable, welcome and supported in the workplace," the ERA said in its determination. It noted that both Mr Abiar and Mr Ansorali "come from troubled backgrounds", and said it was "satisfied that Pak'n Save was sensitive to that, so wished to support both of them to integrate into their new life in New Zealand". The two men appeared to have a poor relationship from the start, resulting from Mr Ansorali's "teasing" of Mr Abiar.
It came to a head in January 2012 when Mr Ansorali wrote, 'I am gay', on Mr Abiar's name badge. Mr Abiar, who is not gay, was "very upset about this", the authority said. He complained to management, who issued Mr Ansorali with a final written warning and ordered him to apologise to Mr Abiar. The pair were then separated at Mr Abiar's request, with Mr Abiar relocated to the grocery department, and Mr Ansorali remaining in the produce department. An agreement was also reached that they would not speak to each other to avoid further issues. The ERA noted that Pak'n Save "found that undesirable in terms of collegial workplace relations", but nevertheless agreed to it in order to "ensure workplace harmony". No further issues arose until the September 2013 incident, when Mr Ansorali greeted Mr Abiar as he arrived for work. Mr Abiar then left work without telling anyone, and when he was contacted by his manager he was described as "highly agitated and clearly very upset". He refused to return to work, and said he was "so angry that if he came back into work he would get a knife and 'kill' Mr Ansorali, so it was better for him to stay away", the ERA recorded.
His managers tried to persuade him to return, saying he was considered a good worker and the supermarket "did not want to lose him". A formal investigation also took place into all the allegations Mr Abiar set out in a subsequent letter. But, he did not return to work. Authority member Rachel Larmer said she was satisfied that he resigned voluntarily, and that "Pak'n Save did not fundamentally breach a duty to Mr Abiar". Nor did it engage in a concerted course of conduct designed to induce Mr Abiar's resignation. Quite the contrary," Ms Larmer said. "Pak n Save made it very clear to Mr Abiar that it considered that he was a valued employee ... and it is clear from the evidence that Pak'n Save took steps to address Mr Abiar's concerns and to encourage him to return to work." Ms Larmer added: "Although I realise Mr Abiar does not agree with me, my objective view based on the evidence I heard is that Pak'n Save did support Mr Abiar in the workplace and it did take concerns he raised seriously. I consider that Mr Abiar was ill-disposed to Mr Ansorali because of what had occurred in January 2012. Mr Abiar therefore took umbrage when he was greeted by Mr Ansorali in September 2013, so decided he wanted to resign." His claim of unjustified dismissal was rejected.
But Mr Abiar claimed it was an example of him being subjected to racial abuse and harassment at work, and he resigned saying Pak'n Save was not serious about solving his difficulties with Mr Ansorali. He took his complaint to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA). However, the authority sided with his former employer, and praised the supermarket for its efforts to resolve the dispute between the two men and to keep them both employed. It said accusations of racism and harassment "were not substantiated" during its investigation. "Pak'n Save is a multicultural workplace employing some 34 different nationalities. It is sensitive to cultural and language issues and proactively takes steps to ensure that all employees feel comfortable, welcome and supported in the workplace," the ERA said in its determination. It noted that both Mr Abiar and Mr Ansorali "come from troubled backgrounds", and said it was "satisfied that Pak'n Save was sensitive to that, so wished to support both of them to integrate into their new life in New Zealand". The two men appeared to have a poor relationship from the start, resulting from Mr Ansorali's "teasing" of Mr Abiar.
It came to a head in January 2012 when Mr Ansorali wrote, 'I am gay', on Mr Abiar's name badge. Mr Abiar, who is not gay, was "very upset about this", the authority said. He complained to management, who issued Mr Ansorali with a final written warning and ordered him to apologise to Mr Abiar. The pair were then separated at Mr Abiar's request, with Mr Abiar relocated to the grocery department, and Mr Ansorali remaining in the produce department. An agreement was also reached that they would not speak to each other to avoid further issues. The ERA noted that Pak'n Save "found that undesirable in terms of collegial workplace relations", but nevertheless agreed to it in order to "ensure workplace harmony". No further issues arose until the September 2013 incident, when Mr Ansorali greeted Mr Abiar as he arrived for work. Mr Abiar then left work without telling anyone, and when he was contacted by his manager he was described as "highly agitated and clearly very upset". He refused to return to work, and said he was "so angry that if he came back into work he would get a knife and 'kill' Mr Ansorali, so it was better for him to stay away", the ERA recorded.
His managers tried to persuade him to return, saying he was considered a good worker and the supermarket "did not want to lose him". A formal investigation also took place into all the allegations Mr Abiar set out in a subsequent letter. But, he did not return to work. Authority member Rachel Larmer said she was satisfied that he resigned voluntarily, and that "Pak'n Save did not fundamentally breach a duty to Mr Abiar". Nor did it engage in a concerted course of conduct designed to induce Mr Abiar's resignation. Quite the contrary," Ms Larmer said. "Pak n Save made it very clear to Mr Abiar that it considered that he was a valued employee ... and it is clear from the evidence that Pak'n Save took steps to address Mr Abiar's concerns and to encourage him to return to work." Ms Larmer added: "Although I realise Mr Abiar does not agree with me, my objective view based on the evidence I heard is that Pak'n Save did support Mr Abiar in the workplace and it did take concerns he raised seriously. I consider that Mr Abiar was ill-disposed to Mr Ansorali because of what had occurred in January 2012. Mr Abiar therefore took umbrage when he was greeted by Mr Ansorali in September 2013, so decided he wanted to resign." His claim of unjustified dismissal was rejected.
Gnome Rangers provoked into statement against 'commercialisation' of legacy
A mysterious underground group called the Gnome Rangers, based in the foothills of Adelaide, Australia, has been provoked into a rare public appearance over what it calls the potential "commercialisation" of its legacy.
Surprising the subject of a live interview with Channel 7's Sunrise programme from the foothills town of Blackwood on Thursday morning, a Gnome Ranger, dressed in a replicated outfit of international hacking group Anonymous, appeared to make a brief yet startling message.
"Don't get caught," it said.
Since 2003, the Gnome Rangers have been responsible for the appearance of garden gnomes on the rooftops of commercial properties and public infrastructure across Blackwood, Belair, Glenalta, Eden Hills and Coromandel Valley.
YouTube link.
Receiving favourable widespread media attention, the rangers have always claimed responsibility through local media and their website gnoming.net, along with a clear set of guidelines about what can be "gnomed" and what cannot, such as churches and war memorials. A recent appearance of gnomes in the district after a six-year hiatus, however, has again gained the Gnome Rangers media attention, with the organisation last week releasing a statement denying any involvement. "We confess to a measured sense of pride in knowing that our mission has given rise to a community-led resurgence of gnome-related whimsy," the Gnome Rangers said. But reports on social media have since suggested the latest gnomes are aligned with a different organisation promoting a small selection of local businesses.
The latest gnomes appeared to be placed on top of selected buildings in Blackwood in what some locals referred to as a marketing campaign. If true, it would be in contrast with Gnome Ranger roll-outs that saw everything from Coles and Hungry Jacks to petrol stations, hotels, cafes and even railway crossing boom gates indiscriminately "gnomed" under the cover of darkness. The missions, detailed online, have been given such names as, Episode II: Attack of the Gnomes (2003), Operation Gumption (2006) and The Gnome Times (2009). The Gnome Rangers released a YouTube video stating its unease with the "latest developments". "We do not wish to name any individuals or groups, but we have concerns that recent events seek to commercialise what has always been a fun and most importantly, anonymous endeavour," the "Agnonymous" spokesperson said.
YouTube link.
"We feel that gnoming should be socially inclusive. We do not commercialise." The rangers said they would remain "tight-lipped" about what specifically had "raised their ire", but added "revelations of exclusionary gnoming practices and the use of gnoming for commercial marketing purposes are likely to be contributing factors". They said they hoped the community would continue to embrace the "humble garden gnome". "We only wish to express a desire that those who follow in our footsteps conduct gnoming in an anonymous and socially inclusive manner, free of the politics of business group allegiances and commercial self-promotion," they said. The Gnome Ranges said they expected to meet soon to form 'operational plans in response to these latest developments'. "We wish to communicate a growing sense within our ranks that the latest outbreak of gnoming undermines one of the key conventions of The Gnoming Code of Conduct: don't get caught," they said.
YouTube link.
Receiving favourable widespread media attention, the rangers have always claimed responsibility through local media and their website gnoming.net, along with a clear set of guidelines about what can be "gnomed" and what cannot, such as churches and war memorials. A recent appearance of gnomes in the district after a six-year hiatus, however, has again gained the Gnome Rangers media attention, with the organisation last week releasing a statement denying any involvement. "We confess to a measured sense of pride in knowing that our mission has given rise to a community-led resurgence of gnome-related whimsy," the Gnome Rangers said. But reports on social media have since suggested the latest gnomes are aligned with a different organisation promoting a small selection of local businesses.
The latest gnomes appeared to be placed on top of selected buildings in Blackwood in what some locals referred to as a marketing campaign. If true, it would be in contrast with Gnome Ranger roll-outs that saw everything from Coles and Hungry Jacks to petrol stations, hotels, cafes and even railway crossing boom gates indiscriminately "gnomed" under the cover of darkness. The missions, detailed online, have been given such names as, Episode II: Attack of the Gnomes (2003), Operation Gumption (2006) and The Gnome Times (2009). The Gnome Rangers released a YouTube video stating its unease with the "latest developments". "We do not wish to name any individuals or groups, but we have concerns that recent events seek to commercialise what has always been a fun and most importantly, anonymous endeavour," the "Agnonymous" spokesperson said.
YouTube link.
"We feel that gnoming should be socially inclusive. We do not commercialise." The rangers said they would remain "tight-lipped" about what specifically had "raised their ire", but added "revelations of exclusionary gnoming practices and the use of gnoming for commercial marketing purposes are likely to be contributing factors". They said they hoped the community would continue to embrace the "humble garden gnome". "We only wish to express a desire that those who follow in our footsteps conduct gnoming in an anonymous and socially inclusive manner, free of the politics of business group allegiances and commercial self-promotion," they said. The Gnome Ranges said they expected to meet soon to form 'operational plans in response to these latest developments'. "We wish to communicate a growing sense within our ranks that the latest outbreak of gnoming undermines one of the key conventions of The Gnoming Code of Conduct: don't get caught," they said.
Man arrested after leaving trail of small pencil-drawn penises in IKEA
A man found an unconventional way to pass the time during a vist to an IKEA store. The 31-year old man from Aalborg, Denmark, was convicted for an act of vandalism on Tuesday.
On a visit to the local IKEA in Aalborg, the man had taken one of the store’s wooden pencils and proceeded to casually stroll through the store drawing small penises on the walls and pieces of furniture on display. “He drew up to 30 penises on walls and shelves around the warehouse,” Rikke Poulsen from the North Jutland police said.
IKEA staff eventually caught up with the vandal who had left the trail of crudely drawn genitalia in his wake and reported him to the police. Once caught, the man denied that he was responsible for all the drawings, and that his curious crime was inspired by having seen someone else do it first.
“The man has admitted to being behind these drawings, but not as many as 30. He has no prior convictions and he has explained that he did it because he had seen similar drawings in IKEA. He has regretted his actions, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has still committed vandalism,” Poulsen said. The man received a suspended sentence of 20 days.
On a visit to the local IKEA in Aalborg, the man had taken one of the store’s wooden pencils and proceeded to casually stroll through the store drawing small penises on the walls and pieces of furniture on display. “He drew up to 30 penises on walls and shelves around the warehouse,” Rikke Poulsen from the North Jutland police said.
IKEA staff eventually caught up with the vandal who had left the trail of crudely drawn genitalia in his wake and reported him to the police. Once caught, the man denied that he was responsible for all the drawings, and that his curious crime was inspired by having seen someone else do it first.
“The man has admitted to being behind these drawings, but not as many as 30. He has no prior convictions and he has explained that he did it because he had seen similar drawings in IKEA. He has regretted his actions, but that doesn’t change the fact that he has still committed vandalism,” Poulsen said. The man received a suspended sentence of 20 days.
Peaceful protest led to fish and chip shop being barricaded with wall of fridges
The owners of a fish and chip shop in Maidstone, Kent, were surprised after arrving at the premises to open up on Tuesday morning and finding it had been barricaded with a wall of fridges.
Big Ben's Fish & Grill was left inaccessible by the barricade of around 20 fridges which mysteriously popped up overnight.
Kevin Wildeman and Paul Stone of neighbouring white goods firm Extra Mile have claimed responsibility for the prank, which they say was a peaceful protest about their forthcoming eviction.
The landlord of the property, who also owns the fish and chip shop, had asked them to leave on Tuesday. But rather than go quietly, the two spent 40 minutes that morning creating the wall of fridges as part of a demonstration. Richard Phillips, who works for the landlord, said the tenants of Clutter Box and Extra Mile had breached their contract on numerous occasions and would be evicted. He added: "I'm disgusted at what they've done, this isn't a prank."
Mr Stone, who spoke on behalf of Extra Mile as his business partner Mr Wildeman was asleep following a busy night of fridge gutting, said they were being forced to leave the property for no reason. He added the prank was a response to Big Ben's asking its customers to park on the forecourt of Clutter Box. Mr Stone said: "There's no malice in it, we spent 40 minutes bolting the fridges together but didn't want to cause any damage to the property.
YouTube link.
"We're being pushed out of our business and this was the best way of showing the landlord we can't be bullied." He added: "You could say revenge is a dish best served cold." An environment team from Maidstone Borough Council was soon on the scene to inspect the barrier and the police were also called. Soon after the council team arrived Mr Stone set about dismantling the white goods wall. The owner of the fish and chip shop did not wish to comment on the situation.
The landlord of the property, who also owns the fish and chip shop, had asked them to leave on Tuesday. But rather than go quietly, the two spent 40 minutes that morning creating the wall of fridges as part of a demonstration. Richard Phillips, who works for the landlord, said the tenants of Clutter Box and Extra Mile had breached their contract on numerous occasions and would be evicted. He added: "I'm disgusted at what they've done, this isn't a prank."
Mr Stone, who spoke on behalf of Extra Mile as his business partner Mr Wildeman was asleep following a busy night of fridge gutting, said they were being forced to leave the property for no reason. He added the prank was a response to Big Ben's asking its customers to park on the forecourt of Clutter Box. Mr Stone said: "There's no malice in it, we spent 40 minutes bolting the fridges together but didn't want to cause any damage to the property.
YouTube link.
"We're being pushed out of our business and this was the best way of showing the landlord we can't be bullied." He added: "You could say revenge is a dish best served cold." An environment team from Maidstone Borough Council was soon on the scene to inspect the barrier and the police were also called. Soon after the council team arrived Mr Stone set about dismantling the white goods wall. The owner of the fish and chip shop did not wish to comment on the situation.
Missing racing pigeon dropped into meerkat pen at zoo after being attacked by buzzard
A missing Welsh racing pigeon has been returned to his owner after turning up injured at a Devon zoo.
Staff at Dartmoor Zoo were left stunned this week when a world-class racing pigeon fell into the park after being attacked by a bird of prey.
During a public talk at the meerkat enclosure, the meerkats signalled alarm at the presence of a bird overhead.
Presentation team leader Justin Aird said: “It was an amazing coincidence.
“I was just giving a public talk about how the meerkats stand sentry duty to look out for birds of prey, when suddenly there was a commotion overhead. Moments later, the pigeon dropped out of the sky and landed nearby. The team quickly recovered the injured bird and took it into their care. Curator Colin Northcott said: “Obviously the bird was very shaken and had sustained some minor injuries but he was very lucky to have fallen where he did.
“If it had been anywhere else, even in a more remote part of the zoo, the buzzard would surely have finished him off. I was struck by its colouring and condition. It was clearly not a local bird.” Further investigation revealed a telephone number and identity ring which enabled staff to contact its owner Craig Dewar, from Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, who was thrilled to hear the news. The pigeon, known on the racing circuit as “The Pit Man”, was lost five weeks ago when it failed to return home after participating in a race from Bergerac in the South of France, some 500 miles from home.
Mr Dewar had given up any hope of seeing him again. He said: “We named him The Pit Man because every time he returns from a race he comes straight over the Six Bells Colliery in Gwent. But his perch in our loft has been empty for five weeks now. I was thrilled to hear that he’d been recovered. When The Pit Man was born my grandfather, who’s been flying pigeons since 1955, said that this one was going to do well in racing, and he was right. He has a pile of performances in federation and Welsh National Racing. I just can’t believe that we have him back with us.”
There's a short video here.
“I was just giving a public talk about how the meerkats stand sentry duty to look out for birds of prey, when suddenly there was a commotion overhead. Moments later, the pigeon dropped out of the sky and landed nearby. The team quickly recovered the injured bird and took it into their care. Curator Colin Northcott said: “Obviously the bird was very shaken and had sustained some minor injuries but he was very lucky to have fallen where he did.
“If it had been anywhere else, even in a more remote part of the zoo, the buzzard would surely have finished him off. I was struck by its colouring and condition. It was clearly not a local bird.” Further investigation revealed a telephone number and identity ring which enabled staff to contact its owner Craig Dewar, from Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, who was thrilled to hear the news. The pigeon, known on the racing circuit as “The Pit Man”, was lost five weeks ago when it failed to return home after participating in a race from Bergerac in the South of France, some 500 miles from home.
Mr Dewar had given up any hope of seeing him again. He said: “We named him The Pit Man because every time he returns from a race he comes straight over the Six Bells Colliery in Gwent. But his perch in our loft has been empty for five weeks now. I was thrilled to hear that he’d been recovered. When The Pit Man was born my grandfather, who’s been flying pigeons since 1955, said that this one was going to do well in racing, and he was right. He has a pile of performances in federation and Welsh National Racing. I just can’t believe that we have him back with us.”
There's a short video here.
Not everyone happy about grumpy-looking 'terrorist mermaid' mural
A large mural depicting a grumpy-looking mermaid in Sheerness, Kent, hasn't pleased everyone.
Dean Tweedy painted the artwork next to the amusements in Beachfields Park.
It was produced for the Promenade arts festival to fit in with its “Monsters, myths and mermaids” theme.
The fishy figure has her hand on a detonator and the mast of the SS Richard Montgomery wreck can be seen in the background, together with the slogan: “Welcome to Sheerness. You’ll have a blast.” But not everyone has seen the funny side. Matt Brown, secretary of Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure, said: “I don’t think many people are keen on it. I get the impression it’s been done to make a point, but if you look at the standard, it’s not that good.
“A few people have said it’s colourful. To me, it’s not a very constructive image when you are trying to improve the town.” Mr Brown, who admitted to not being a fan of murals, added: “If I was a family visiting, whether I knew about the Montgomery or not, I wouldn’t want to be sitting at the leisure park with the kids being reminded you have those explosives out there. It looks more like a terrorist mermaid.”
Mr Tweedy, of Milton Regis-based Marvellous Murals, said people were entitled to their opinion. “You cannot please everyone all the time,” he added. “It was painted for the festival. I said if they could find me a wall, that’s what I would like to paint. It was a labour of love. It’s an idea I had for a while. I wanted to make people aware of the Montgomery as it’s part of Sheerness. Some people would like to deny its existence.”
The fishy figure has her hand on a detonator and the mast of the SS Richard Montgomery wreck can be seen in the background, together with the slogan: “Welcome to Sheerness. You’ll have a blast.” But not everyone has seen the funny side. Matt Brown, secretary of Sheerness Enhancement Association for Leisure, said: “I don’t think many people are keen on it. I get the impression it’s been done to make a point, but if you look at the standard, it’s not that good.
“A few people have said it’s colourful. To me, it’s not a very constructive image when you are trying to improve the town.” Mr Brown, who admitted to not being a fan of murals, added: “If I was a family visiting, whether I knew about the Montgomery or not, I wouldn’t want to be sitting at the leisure park with the kids being reminded you have those explosives out there. It looks more like a terrorist mermaid.”
Mr Tweedy, of Milton Regis-based Marvellous Murals, said people were entitled to their opinion. “You cannot please everyone all the time,” he added. “It was painted for the festival. I said if they could find me a wall, that’s what I would like to paint. It was a labour of love. It’s an idea I had for a while. I wanted to make people aware of the Montgomery as it’s part of Sheerness. Some people would like to deny its existence.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)