Reminder + Hell's Grannies
Firstly boys and girls a quick reminder about the Nurton Meets World competition.
The competition will close before Easter Sunday, when I will announce the winner. The prize will be shipped to the lucky winner as soon as I can borrow a digital camera or mine is returned from France. So far there have been many entries from all around the globe including France and the USA. Wow! So get naming, you don't want to miss out.
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I was walking into town yesterday when I spotted what maybe the first ever daylight sighting of a beer scooter. I saw the occupant drive it up to and park nicely outside the Duke of York (smoky pub near the Odeon in Exeter). He then removed the key and staggered inside. I wish I had my camera (which is unfortunately in France) so I could have taken a picture of this rare event. If Chris Packham from the 'Really Wild' show was there he would have no doubt got very excited about this rare daylight sighting and produce one of his huge cameras, cover his bleach blonde hair with a camouflage hat and snap away. Shame he wasn't there really.
Anyway, as the more observant of you may have guessed it was actually one of these new-fangled electric wheelchairs. So this story ties in nicely with a story published in the Times yesterday:
MP wants brakes put on Hell's Grannies
Featuring quotes such as.....
Last year, eight people died in motorised wheelchair crashes. One woman was killed when she reversed off a pier into the sea. There were also 1,134 'adverse' incidents involving the vehicles, according to Government statistics for 2004
"It paints a picture of policemen hiding behind trees with radar guns in order to leap out and catch "Hell's Grannies" as they perambulate through our constituencies," Dr Ladyman said
"But I have seen some people driving like stupid idiots. They should know better."
While on a test drive the author of the article comments:
You increase your top speed by pressing the button with a hare on and reduce it by pressing the one with a tortoise.
With room to let myself go, I begin to understand the forbidden thrill of mobility scooter riding. Gunning the engine to its full hare rating, I feel a faint breeze in my hair. I cruise alongside Thomas Bristow, 73, a retired caterer who has had four heart attacks and a stroke.
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Ahh, very funny. Seems students are not the only ones to know the thrill of the beer/bovril scooter.
The Times followed up this article with a slightly more tongue in cheek piece published in the T2 today.....
Duelling wheelchairs - Toby Moore
A COLCHESTER MP wants to regulate the use of electric wheelchairs. But as a local newspaper reports, it may be too late . . .
"We're very concerned to prevent law and order breaking down completely," said a spokesman for the Essex police force.
He refused to confirm reports that the so-called Real Zimmer Frames, a breakaway faction from the Provisional Zimmers, had threatened a slow-moving blockade on market day.
But a spokeswomen for the faction, who gave her name only as Mrs Amy Watkins, of Sunderland Crescent, cautioned that the plan was to be implemented after being agreed by the ruling council. "Nobody understands us," she said. "Now we are going to cover this town with lace doilys, the like of which have never been seen before. Boiled sweet, dear?"
Police insist that they are taking the threat - described as "chilling" by one senior detective - seriously. "We don't want a repeat of what happened in Saffron Walden," said the force spokesman. "Terrorising the church fête by circling the tea stall and doing wheelies at the bring-and-buy was completely unacceptable behaviour."
Essex Police believe that gangs of what are described as "highly mobile" elderly have begun co-ordinating their occupation of pavements and parks. There is concern that "Cliffies", a particularly non-violent group said to control the trade in gifts to charity shops, is now active in the county.
"We believe gang members are operating their wheelchairs in the Colchester area. If any member of the public should come across them, they should dial 999 immediately, but under no circumstances approach." The "Cliffies" can be identified by their distinctive cardigans and tweed jackets. These have the image of their spiritual leader, Sir Cliff Richard, stitched on the back.
There are fears that marauding motorised wheelchairs are stretching police forces across Britain amid signs of growing panic. The Prime Minister, who is to make a statement to MPs on the crisis urged people to stay calm and in their homes.
He admitted that the situation was grave, but insisted that army units would restore order. "We will do everything to meet this challenge to our fundamental values," he said. He denied reports that the Royal family had been evacuated to Scotland.
Southern England seems to be bearing the brunt of wheelchair-related violence. Rival gangs of drivers clashed in Brighton again over the weekend. They had gathered for an illegal Andy Williams appreciation concert and whist drive.
"It's a disgrace, grannies and grandads drag racing through the town," said one resident. "I'd be very surprised if some of them weren't hitting 3mph. They just took over. And the amount of good language. It was horrifying." However, religious leaders are urging restraint.
"The elderly must be allowed to let off steam," said the Archbishop of Canterbury. "You're only old once and then it's just settling down for eternity to look forward to." Dr Williams blamed a "gran culture" for glamourising old people.
"I think as long as television keep pandering to motorised wheelchair users, some are going to think blocking the pavement is sexy and cool."
----------
Enough for today! I'm going to bed!
The competition will close before Easter Sunday, when I will announce the winner. The prize will be shipped to the lucky winner as soon as I can borrow a digital camera or mine is returned from France. So far there have been many entries from all around the globe including France and the USA. Wow! So get naming, you don't want to miss out.
------------------
I was walking into town yesterday when I spotted what maybe the first ever daylight sighting of a beer scooter. I saw the occupant drive it up to and park nicely outside the Duke of York (smoky pub near the Odeon in Exeter). He then removed the key and staggered inside. I wish I had my camera (which is unfortunately in France) so I could have taken a picture of this rare event. If Chris Packham from the 'Really Wild' show was there he would have no doubt got very excited about this rare daylight sighting and produce one of his huge cameras, cover his bleach blonde hair with a camouflage hat and snap away. Shame he wasn't there really.
Anyway, as the more observant of you may have guessed it was actually one of these new-fangled electric wheelchairs. So this story ties in nicely with a story published in the Times yesterday:
MP wants brakes put on Hell's Grannies
Featuring quotes such as.....
Last year, eight people died in motorised wheelchair crashes. One woman was killed when she reversed off a pier into the sea. There were also 1,134 'adverse' incidents involving the vehicles, according to Government statistics for 2004
"It paints a picture of policemen hiding behind trees with radar guns in order to leap out and catch "Hell's Grannies" as they perambulate through our constituencies," Dr Ladyman said
"But I have seen some people driving like stupid idiots. They should know better."
While on a test drive the author of the article comments:
You increase your top speed by pressing the button with a hare on and reduce it by pressing the one with a tortoise.
With room to let myself go, I begin to understand the forbidden thrill of mobility scooter riding. Gunning the engine to its full hare rating, I feel a faint breeze in my hair. I cruise alongside Thomas Bristow, 73, a retired caterer who has had four heart attacks and a stroke.
---------
Ahh, very funny. Seems students are not the only ones to know the thrill of the beer/bovril scooter.
The Times followed up this article with a slightly more tongue in cheek piece published in the T2 today.....
Duelling wheelchairs - Toby Moore
A COLCHESTER MP wants to regulate the use of electric wheelchairs. But as a local newspaper reports, it may be too late . . .
"We're very concerned to prevent law and order breaking down completely," said a spokesman for the Essex police force.
He refused to confirm reports that the so-called Real Zimmer Frames, a breakaway faction from the Provisional Zimmers, had threatened a slow-moving blockade on market day.
But a spokeswomen for the faction, who gave her name only as Mrs Amy Watkins, of Sunderland Crescent, cautioned that the plan was to be implemented after being agreed by the ruling council. "Nobody understands us," she said. "Now we are going to cover this town with lace doilys, the like of which have never been seen before. Boiled sweet, dear?"
Police insist that they are taking the threat - described as "chilling" by one senior detective - seriously. "We don't want a repeat of what happened in Saffron Walden," said the force spokesman. "Terrorising the church fête by circling the tea stall and doing wheelies at the bring-and-buy was completely unacceptable behaviour."
Essex Police believe that gangs of what are described as "highly mobile" elderly have begun co-ordinating their occupation of pavements and parks. There is concern that "Cliffies", a particularly non-violent group said to control the trade in gifts to charity shops, is now active in the county.
"We believe gang members are operating their wheelchairs in the Colchester area. If any member of the public should come across them, they should dial 999 immediately, but under no circumstances approach." The "Cliffies" can be identified by their distinctive cardigans and tweed jackets. These have the image of their spiritual leader, Sir Cliff Richard, stitched on the back.
There are fears that marauding motorised wheelchairs are stretching police forces across Britain amid signs of growing panic. The Prime Minister, who is to make a statement to MPs on the crisis urged people to stay calm and in their homes.
He admitted that the situation was grave, but insisted that army units would restore order. "We will do everything to meet this challenge to our fundamental values," he said. He denied reports that the Royal family had been evacuated to Scotland.
Southern England seems to be bearing the brunt of wheelchair-related violence. Rival gangs of drivers clashed in Brighton again over the weekend. They had gathered for an illegal Andy Williams appreciation concert and whist drive.
"It's a disgrace, grannies and grandads drag racing through the town," said one resident. "I'd be very surprised if some of them weren't hitting 3mph. They just took over. And the amount of good language. It was horrifying." However, religious leaders are urging restraint.
"The elderly must be allowed to let off steam," said the Archbishop of Canterbury. "You're only old once and then it's just settling down for eternity to look forward to." Dr Williams blamed a "gran culture" for glamourising old people.
"I think as long as television keep pandering to motorised wheelchair users, some are going to think blocking the pavement is sexy and cool."
----------
Enough for today! I'm going to bed!
posted by Nurton at 11:36 am
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