Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Home Blog Page 327

Man employed to sit on Big Ben and shout ‘BONG!’ every hour

The Editor
-
0
Man employed to sit on Big Ben and shout ‘BONG!’ every hour

Big Ben

A man has been employed to sit at the top of Big Ben and shout “BONG!” very loudly while the bell is being repaired.

Jonathan Squires, 57, of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, has to live 24/7 in the clock tower and shout into a megaphone on the hour, every hour.

News that the traditional bell would be silent for four years was met with howls of protest by people with too much time on their hands.

Even Prime Minister Theresa May interrupted her work on important global crises to say it was wrong for Big Ben to be quiet during a lengthy restoration project.

Parliamentary officials decided the best compromise would be to employ a man to shout “BONG!” so tourists would still experience the charm of Big Ben’s chimes.

Mr Squires, a former geography teacher, was selected after proving he emitted the loudest and most realistic “BONG!” out of all the candidates.

He will be paid £24,000 a year, plus meals and accommodation in the 96-metre clock tower, which was built in 1859.

Speaking to journalists at a press conference to unveil him today, Mr Squires said: “I’m looking forward to keeping the nation abreast of the time.

“It’s a simple enough job – I just have to shout “BONG!” into my megaphone the required number of times, on the hour every hour.

“It is an honour to serve my country in this way, and I hope the Prime Minister is satisfied.”

Mr Squires takes up his position next Monday.

More and more Brits are playing American lotteries

The Editor
-
0
More and more Brits are playing American lotteries

The British have a longstanding passion for the lottery, which has made the National Lottery and the EuroMillions thrive these past few years. But while the local games are still going strong, it seems that Brits have developed quite the passion for American lotteries. In this article, we are going to tell you how English players have fallen deep into the temptation of the big foreign lotteries and why.

The entire lottery market has boomed in the past decade, with jackpots reaching unprecedented amounts in big games from all around the world. But while everything got bigger and better, there was one lottery jackpot that got larger than life.

In 2016, the US Powerball has broken the world record for the largest jackpot with its gargantuan prize worth $1.58 billion. It was the first time in the entire history of the lottery when a prize got past the $1 billion threshold.

As you can imagine, the Powerball frenzy of 2016 was not limited to the US because everybody wanted to be part of the game. People were playing Powerball all over the world for a chance to be a part of the legendary draw of January 13th, 2016.

There were three winning tickets for the biggest jackpot of all times, and the enormous excitement of the draw left lottery players everywhere craving for more. As you can imagine, this kept them playing Powerball even after the big draw and it quickly turned them into fans.

Lottery winner

Moreover, the US Powerball is not the only lottery in America to make headlines. Before 2016, the holder of the world record for the largest jackpot was the Mega Millions, which had a staggering $656 million jackpot in 2012.

While these two titans of the American lottery fight each other for the first spot in the game, there are more and more record-breaking prizes to play for, which keeps the temptation of the US lotteries very much alive for Brits.

Considering that the jackpots in the US lotteries are almost twice as big as those in the EuroMillions, it comes as no surprise that the British have expanded their lotto preferences outside European borders.

Moreover, lottery ticket concierge platforms make it incredibly simple to play the lottery online and to participate in games from all over the world. This has broken the special barriers of the game and it has opened players to a worldwide range of lotteries.

It’s an exciting time to play the lottery with the biggest games in the world fighting to steal the show. And it seems that Brits want to be a part of it every step of the way. As long as the top US lotteries are going to have large prizes available, even more Brits are expected to play the American games.

Powdered water to change our lives forever

The Editor
-
0
Powdered water to change our lives forever

H2-ooh powdered water

A Suffolk company has launched a brilliant powdered water product that could revolutionise the way we drink.

Instead of lugging heavy bottles of water about, you now only need a small sachet of the special powdered water which weighs hardly anything at all.

Simply add water to the H2-ooh Powder, stir and you’ll enjoy a perfect drink of water every time.

[AdSense-A]

The remarkable invention is the brainchild of snake oil sellers Monty’s Python Liniments Inc, based in Haverhill, Suffolk.

Company boss Monty Burns, 59, said they had already received a bulk order for H2-ooh from Norfolk, and were now looking to expand sales elsewhere.

“It’s very easy to make tasty water every time, simply by adding water to one small sachet of H2-ooh. It has gone down a storm in our test market of Norfolk. They’ll buy anything there.”

H2-ooh comes in packets of ten sachets, each capable of making one litre of water. Each pack of ten costs just £7.99 – much cheaper than bottled water.

[AdSense-B]

“We see this as a great labour-saving invention,” Mr Burns added. “There’s just no need to carry around a bottle of water anymore.”

Monty’s Python Liniments is refusing to say what secret ingredients go in to making H2-ooh.

“It’s a closely-guarded secret,” Mr Burns said. “We don’t want anyone ripping us off.”

H2-ooh is the second exciting invention to come out of Suffolk this summer. Last month we revealed how the HoseAway cordless garden hose, operated by Wifi, was taking the gardening world by storm.

Mr Paul Eaton, of Trading Standards, said he was aware of the new product and would be looking into it.

Click here to support the Suffolk Gazette Beer Fund!
[olimometer id=1]

ADVERT: Click for latest The House in Town offers

Man spotted driving Fiat 500

The Editor
-
0
Man spotted driving Fiat 500

Man drives Fiat 500

A man has been seen driving a Fiat 500, it has emerged.

Police are now keen to speak to the male motorist, fearing he may be in need of medical attention.

The sighting happened on the B1083 near Alderton in Suffolk on Sunday morning.

Officers say the man with Fiat 500 may have deliberately used quiet country roads to avoid being recognised.

“His plan backfired when he was spotted behind the wheel by a passing cyclist,” a Suffolk Police spokesman explained.

“He was heading towards Woodbridge, where he undoubtedly intended to park in a quiet field outside of the town and walk the rest of the way.

“There is a remote possibility that he could not care that anyone saw him, in which case we’d like to speak with him to make sure he is okay.”

The police were called when the concerned cyclist stopped at the Alderton village shop and asked to use the telephone.

It has been legal for women only to drive the Fiat 500 since it was relaunched to widespread acclaim in 2007.

A Fiat insider said: “We often get males in the showrooms looking around – but only when they are with their wives or girlfriends.

“They often remark about what nice little cars they are but decline the offer of taking them out for a test drive.”

Women can buy a new Fiat 500 from only £10,700. They are available in a range of colours, so long as it is white.

Norfolk locals fear giant washed-up pipe is sea monster

The Editor
-
0
Norfolk locals fear giant washed-up pipe is sea monster

Pipe washed up

By Hugh Dunnett, Crime Correspondent

Norfolk police have been called in to calm restless locals who believe a huge washed-up pipe is a sea monster.

The massive rubber piping came loose while being towed by a ship to Algeria.

It ended up on several Norfolk beaches in massive sections up to 480 metres long and eight foot in diameter.

Terrified locals are convinced the menacing black pipes are monsters from the deep that will move inland to kill them all.

They have been fighting amongst themselves and ransacking local stores for provisions before locking themselves in their cellars.

Inspector Will Knabham, of Norfolk Police, said: “We appeal for calm in Norfolk. These are not sea monsters, at least we don’t think they are.

“Even if they are, they appear to be dead, so there is no need for looting and violence. Everyone should just get back to work.”

Sea monster

Local Winterton-on Sea-resident Chris George said: “There are lots of pipes, but you can count them on one hand. So six.

“The police might say they are not monsters, but we can tell they are. Or it could be witchcraft like this internet thing.”

The rubber pipes were being towed from Norway, where they were built for a huge construction project in Algeria, when they came loose and landed on shore yesterday.

Pipelife, the Norwegian firm which made the pipes, urged people to keep away, warning they risked being crushed.

“See, they are bloody dangerous,” added Mr George.

Orwell Bridge to be closed weekly for livestock crossing

The Editor
-
0
Orwell Bridge to be closed weekly for livestock crossing

The Orwell Bridge

The discovery of an ancient bylaw means the Orwell Bridge will be closed every Wednesday morning to allow local livestock to cross, it has been revealed.

Police say the three-hour closure is likely to cause traffic chaos in and around Ipswich every week, but the move is unavoidable as they must enforce the law.

Local farmers unearthed an old manuscript at the county records office, dated from 1847, that confirms cattle have “roighte of waye oer the Orwell stream” should a crossing ever be built.

It means at least three farmers who have land on both banks of the river can now exercise their right to move cows and sheep across the huge bridge to fresh pastures.

Suffolk county highways chiefs have called on County Hall lawyers to draw up urgent plans to get the bylaw quashed.

A spokesman said: “When this ancient manuscript was drawn up, it was intended to relate to area in old Ipswich where the river is only 20 feet or so wide. It would have made sense in those days for cattle to be able to cross any wooden structure on Wednesday mornings – market day.

“But the document leaves the interpretation of what makes a ‘crossing’ open to debate. For now, local farmers have shown they can use the Orwell Bridge as it is quite clearly a crossing over the River Orwell.

Livestock on Orwell Bridge

“We have to go along with it and close the bridge – although we doubt any farmers would actually dare use the facility.

“It would be quicker for them to load the animals into trailers and simply drive them across to the fields on the other side.”

For now, motorists are advised to avoid the crossing next Wednesday morning.

Council chiefs are confident the council’s highways committee will revoke the bylaw in time for the following Wednesday (August 23) – although they cannot guarantee councillors will vote for the measure.

Driver Diana Majdalani said she did not mind sitting in her car at a police roadblock waiting for the animals to cross.

“It would make for a rather marvelous sight,” she said, adding: “and they were on this earth before cars and lorries anyway.”

Norfolk country music star Glen Spuckler dies, aged 54

The Editor
-
0
Norfolk country music star Glen Spuckler dies, aged 54

Glen Spuckler

By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent

Country music star Glen Spuckler has died peacefully at his Norfolk ranch at the age of 54, it has been announced.

Spuckler, famous for hits such as By the Time I Get to Felixstowe, Scrap Metal Cowboy and Suffolk Nights, was a pioneer of the legendary Norfolk country and western scene.

[AdSense-A]

He famously left the family hovel near Downham Market as a penniless teenager, but he loved his music and was able to teach himself to play the banjo.

After jobbing gigs in dodgy Norfolk country pubs, he caught a lucky break and became the main summer attraction at Great Yarmouth pier for 18 summer seasons in a row.

Hits and television appearances on BBC Look East followed, and Spuckler was able to buy a sprawling ranch in Dereham (see photo above).

[AdSense-B]

He died at a grand old age – 54 being at the top end of average life expectancy in Norfolk.

Spuckler leaves his sister and their eight children, and funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

Click here to support the Suffolk Gazette Beer Fund!
[olimometer id=1]

ADVERT: Click for latest The House in Town offers

Slow yew down, bor

The Editor
-
0
Slow yew down, bor

Norfolk road speed signs

By Ian Bred, Norfolk Correspondent

Villages across Norfolk have been forced to spend a small fortune on new road signs so that locals can understand them.

The road signs are written in the backward local language so that Norfolk people can tell if they are going too fast.

They are cropping up all over the county, but one visiting motorist, who was risking life and limb by crossing over the border from Suffolk, found three in the same village of Old Buckenham, near Attleborough.

“It’s rare to see three in the same place,” the motorist, who asked not to be named for safety reasons, said.

“The local language is quite quaint, to be fair,” he added. “But it does rather add to Norfolk’s reputation of being a medieval throwback.”

Norfolk County Council said villagers were concerned that local horses and carts were passing through at over 7 or even 8mph, and had asked for warning signs that could be more easily understood.

A spokesman said: “Occasionally a real car visits from abroad in Suffolk. That really puts the wind up the locals and they can’t comprehend it.

“The sheer speed terrifies them, and they simply stand and point at the cars.”

Local turnip farmer Bubba Spuckler said: “The pace of life here is fast enough without having traffic passing through at the speed of light.”

Mr Spuckler, who lives with his sister and their eight children, added that he had been in a car once and didn’t much care for it.

After successful tests on the Norfolk Broads waterways, plans are now under way to introduce a 6mph speed limit across the whole of Norfolk.

1...326327328...400Page 327 of 400

Just In

Sport

Business

Features

Contact us