Seat on a slippery slope

Bedlam Humour

Ed Goldstraw from Leek in Staffordshire has sent this article from the local paper, the 'Post & Times.'

Seat on a slippery slope...

IS THIS a new seat of leaning?

Retired engineer Mick Barr couldn't believe his eyes when he saw how this new bench had been installed in Brough Park, Leek. It sits at a sharp angle, matching the steep slope leading from the park up to St Edward's Church.

Mick, aged 74, who lives in Leek, told the Post & Times, "When I first saw it, I thought the council would come back and reset it level, but it's been left at an impossible angle.

"Surely it would have been simple to dig out a level base in the first place. Anyone who is infirm could have trouble sitting there. It's one of the steepest banks in the park."

A spokesman for Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, which is responsible for the park, told the Post & Times that the seat would be reinstalled on a level base as soon as possible.

He said, 'We have replaced a number of worn seats and provided four extra ones at the request of the Friends of Brough Park.

"For reasons which are not yet clear, our contractors placed this one at an angle.

"We have asked them to level the base this week."

Leek quiz team play against Eggheads

Bedlam comment.

I hadn't even realised my old town had a prominent quiz team. Not only do they have a prominent team, they're a team that perform damn well. I was raised on the outskirts of Leek, before moving to the Stoke on Trent area (BEFORE finally moving to Spain of course), so they have my full allegiance.

Congratulations Leekensians.

I watched you tonight against the Eggheads - did yourselves proud.

The Leekensians quiz team took the Eggheads to 'sudden death' on several occasions, including the final.

Well done.

*** Leekensians, Eggheads, Leekensians, Eggheads, Leekensians, Eggheads ***

• Next post on Bedlam.

Coincidence and Steve Povey, Mayor of Leek, in Parcent.

Strange thing, coincidence. It happens when you least expect.

Picture of Parcent

Cool

I recall many years ago whilst seconded to a company in Nigeria. I was relaxing on Badagry Beach, when someone stood in the line of sun and said, "Hey-up, youth! What're you doin' here?" It was a lad I once knew from Leek in Staffordshire. Out of all the places in the world, of all the people on the beach, he happened to pass by me and recognize me. How cool is that.

Maybe it's something to do with Leek.

I now live in Spain. Last Sunday evening, my wife and I decided to go to the Planet Restaurant & Bar in Parcent. Parcent is a tiny inland village on the Costa Blanca, beautiful, but not a place you'd normally think of visiting if you were on holiday in the area.

Steve Povey

After several games of pool with friends, a couple, who'd been watching us play, stood to leave. The guy suddenly asked me if I was from Stoke on Trent. I explained I was actually from Cheddleton, near Leek, which was not too far from Stoke.

He smiled broadly and shook my hand. It turned out he was the ex-mayor of Leek, Steve Povey. Then it turned out his father worked at the same place I'd worked at as an apprentice and I actually knew him. Cool!

Why had he chosen that bar in Parcent, why had I decided to go that night ....

Chances are millions to one on these coindences, yet they happen time after time. Maybe the world is smaller than we realise.

So Steve Povey, if you remember nothing else from your holiday, I hope you remember this chance meeting in Parcent. By the way, the week of rain is over, the sun shining, the weather warm. Sorry if you missed it!!!

• Next post, Beer for the Queen.

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