Jottings
News from the UK and around the World compiled by Dave Jamieson
... the wild , the wacky , the wonderful , the weird and the downright infuriating
Council Capers
Darlington Council has apologised for the work carried out by employees who were instructed to remove play equipment from a children ’ s area in a local park . Sure enough , they showed up on time and removed the swings and a seesaw using angle-grinders before local residents realised what was happening .
A quick call to the Council confirmed that the workmen were indeed told to remove the children ’ s equipment - but from an entirely different playground in an entirely different park in the town . The boss turned up quickly and stopped the work , but it was too late to rescue the demolished equipment and second-hand kit had to be used to replace it .
The good news is that a new roundabout will be installed , while council workmen are rumoured to have learned to read addresses properly . Possibly .
Common sense is a phrase little-used in this column , so it ’ s good to be able to apply it to Stockport Council which angered parents by ordering an 83-yearold lollipop man to stop giving “ high fives ” to children as he saw them safely across the road . Colin Spence , who has worked outside St George ’ s Primary School in Heaviley for 14 years , was told the friendly gesture was a “ disruption ” and that he should concentrate on his “ core duty of ensuring highway safety .”
Parents were sent a text message from the school asking them to instruct their children not to high-five Mr Spence , but within days and following numerous critical responses , the council made a u- turn and apologised .
Sheila Bailey , the council ’ s executive member for communities and housing , said , “ We are sorry , that on this occasion , the council got it wrong .” Good for you , Ms B !
Yellow Perils
Two traffic wardens in Manchester have been caught parking on double-yellow lines while handing out tickets to other drivers . In Didsbury , the first left his moped illegally and in the second , an official car was abandoned .
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