Monthly Archives: December 2013

DJ creates ‘perfect New Year’s Eve song’ by mixing music from Cliff Richard’s ‘Millennium Prayer’ with ‘Auld Lang Syne’ poem lyrics

auld-lang-syne

After me, everyone! ‘We’re all going on a Summer holiday…’

Just in time for tonight’s celebrations, an amateur DJ from the village of Harold has unveiled what people are already calling the ‘perfect New Year’s Eve song’, by mixing up the melody from Cliff Richard’s popular classic The Millennium Prayer with the words from obscure  poem Auld Lang Syne by little-known Scottish poet Robert Burns.

‘It was one of those things that just click,’ explained 46-year-old R. M. Renfield. ‘I was listening to the Cliff song – what a classic – and I just thought, great though these lyrics are, let’s think the unthinkable and see what it sounds like without them. Now, this is going to sound hard to believe, but I had a recording of someone reciting this old Scottish poem, Auld Lang Syne, it’s called, I think that’s Gaelic, and I had this sudden inspiration – why not mix them up? And my God, it sounded good, they could have been made for each other!’ Continue reading

Comments Off on DJ creates ‘perfect New Year’s Eve song’ by mixing music from Cliff Richard’s ‘Millennium Prayer’ with ‘Auld Lang Syne’ poem lyrics

Filed under Around Harold, Christmas, Crime, Culture

Local man still confident of completing all 2016 New Year resolutions if he starts now

todo2016Harold resident Gavin Barker spoke to journalists this morning of his confidence that even though only a single day remains in 2016, he will still manage to achieve his perhaps optimistic set of resolutions from last New Year’s Eve.

In a wildly over-ambitious resolution frenzy as 2015 drew to a close, Mr Barker’s long list of commitments for 2016 included learning Spanish, losing four stone in weight and getting a novel published. Having started none of these with only hours remaining, his wife and friends have expressed scepticism that he will manage to get through the list. ‘I’m starting a bit late, it’s true’, Barker admitted, ‘But with a reasonably aggressive timetable today I should be able to knock all these off.’ Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under Around Harold, Christmas

The future’s bright, the future’s orange

imagesCAY3RUNT

From here it all looks blue and white

After stalling over the central issue of tie colour, talks aimed at solving some of Northern Ireland’s most contentious issues have re-started The five main parties will discuss parades, flags, dealing with the past and the colour of ties.

Talks chairman, former US diplomat Dr Richard Haass, is back in Belfast “for one final effort to help these clowns reach agreement.” Continue reading

Comments Off on The future’s bright, the future’s orange

Filed under Culture, News, Politics

Captain Alistair Cook sets off to sea to ‘undiscover Australia’

nostralia

No-stralia: the undiscovered country.

The England Cricket Board has funded a major sea voyage, with the hope that Captain Cook can ‘undiscover Australia’.

Whittled from ash and unusually rudderless, it’s hoped the vessel can complete its voyage before sinking without trace.

Speaking from the poop deck, the dashing figure of Alistair Cook pledged that he ‘would not return until the seas below Indonesia were proved to be completely devoid of any troubling land masses’.
Continue reading

Comments Off on Captain Alistair Cook sets off to sea to ‘undiscover Australia’

Filed under Sport, Technology

Let the right ones in: Xenophobes panic as leader makes compassionate statement about foreigners

nigel-farage-hitler

Charlie Chaplin was great, wasn’t he?

There was panic amongst Ukip supporters yesterday when party leader Nigel Farage called for Britain to allow entry to refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria. This is a massive deviation from their official foreign policy which is to build a huge wall around Great Britain and Northern Ireland and to only allow foreigners over it if they are very, very good at football, cooking or prostitution.

“Farage says he wants to let people in but we’re full!” frothed Ukip member Tom Simmonds about a place where only 6% of land is classified as urban and less than 3% is built on according to the UK National Ecosystem Assessment. “All the Syrians will come over here and claim benefits then sit on their arses all day while taking jobs from ordinary Britons plus they’ll live rough on our streets while being given houses the minute they arrive in preference over Anglo-Saxons whom the government make wait on housing lists for at least ten years.” Continue reading

Comments Off on Let the right ones in: Xenophobes panic as leader makes compassionate statement about foreigners

Filed under Politics

‘Sale frenzy’ in chocolatiers was actually hypoglycaemic attack

chocolate fight

Crimewatch  ‘very keen’ to recreate scenes from sale frenzy.

A ‘sale frenzy’ in a local chocolatiers that led to 14 arrests has been attributed to an undiagnosed diabetic.

‘Brown Dollops’ of Harold, purveyors of novelty chocolate excretions, opened their doors to a rowdy crowd of shoppers at 9am this morning only to have to close them again at 9.22.

“It was bedlam”, said shop assistant Diane Orrocks. “There were at least 7 customers jostling to be served first. That’s as many punters as there are days in a week”, lending proof to manager Brian Oswald’s claim that Orrocks is a keen amateur mathematician.
Continue reading

Comments Off on ‘Sale frenzy’ in chocolatiers was actually hypoglycaemic attack

Filed under Around Harold, Business, Health

‘Mock the Week’ scoring fixed say Abu Hamza, Prescott, Bieber

Fingers pointed at Mock The Week

Fingers pointed at Mock The Week

As embittered former Home Secretary David Blunkett calls for satirical television programmes such as Mock The Week to face tougher scrutiny from libel lawyers, other sourpuss victims of the BBC show’s lazy humour are urging government media watchdogs to go further and investigate the ‘suspicious’ scoring system used by the BBC on the show.

An unlikely ‘Coalition of the Mocked’, including pop-star Justin Bieber, former deputy PM John Prescott and Muslim cleric Abu Hamza have called the show’s integrity into question and say that point scoring is arbitrary at best, and at worst could be fixed, which would ‘seriously undermine viewer trust in the Corporation’.

Media insiders say that the BBC, already reeling from the controversy over executive pay-offs and the Jimmy Savile scandals, will do anything to avoid another parliamentary enquiry and are doing their best to block this, but they could be powerless in the face of a damning dossier prepared by the group.

Continue reading

Comments Off on ‘Mock the Week’ scoring fixed say Abu Hamza, Prescott, Bieber

Filed under Art, Culture, Politics, Showbusiness

Government announces electrification of the M1

image

The government has today announced the electrification of the M1 between London and Sheffield. Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin also explained many other upgrades to the route that will see safety increased, including bumpers around the edge of the carriageway.

The electricity needed for vehicles to run will be supplied via a mesh running along the length of the route with a pole extending from the back of the car connecting it to the national grid. “Essentially we are going to invest billions of pounds in the world’s longest bumper car course” Mr McLoughlin told reporters. “This will of course become a toll road. You pay your £2.50 per person at the toll booth in exchange for a token to get your car going.”

Continue reading

Comments Off on Government announces electrification of the M1

Filed under Lifestyle, News, Politics, Travel

Love me like Mrs Brown: PM sacks ministers and replaces them with family in desperate popularity attempt

David Cameron and wife Samantha photographed with daughter Florence for their 2013 Christmas card

L-R: The Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport

There was shock today as David Cameron executed the biggest political shake-up of modern times by sacking the entire Cabinet and replacing them with members of his own family.

“While me and the former Cabinet made lots of hilarious gaffs and got into wacky scrapes I was aware that the British public didn’t seem to have warmed to us,” explained the Prime Minister at a press conference earlier this morning. “Then I saw that Mrs Brown’s Boys topped the Christmas Day television ratings and I instantly knew what needed to be done. People love Mrs Brown because Brendan O’Carroll filled the cast with his family which creates a unique atmosphere so I thought I’d do the same and soon we’ll be national treasures too.” Continue reading

Comments Off on Love me like Mrs Brown: PM sacks ministers and replaces them with family in desperate popularity attempt

Filed under Politics

Husband asks wife whether gift of Christmas sex comes with exchange card

Never ask whether Christmas sex comes with an exchange card

Never ask whether Christmas sex comes with an exchange card

The marriage of prominent Harold café owners Dominic and Pippa Delaney is under strain after Mr Delaney responded to his wife’s offered gift of Christmas sex by asking whether it came with an exchange card.

Speaking from his bed in Dunstable Hospital, Mr Delaney said his wife had given him Christmas sex the last 5 years in a row, and his wife seemed initially unfazed when he mentioned the exchange card.
Continue reading

Comments Off on Husband asks wife whether gift of Christmas sex comes with exchange card

Filed under Around Harold, Christmas, Culture

UK public disappointed in attempts to return unwanted politicians

I'll take a refund but I don't want to exchange her for another one

I’ll take a refund but I don’t want to exchange her for another one

Enterprising members of the public have been left disappointed after attempting to return unwanted MPs along with unwanted Christmas presents this morning.

Many people hit on the idea of returning their local MP along with the new jumper that is several sizes too small, but stores are refusing to refund or even exchange politicians as they claim it is “not their place to do so”. Continue reading

Comments Off on UK public disappointed in attempts to return unwanted politicians

Filed under News, Politics

Eddie’s Christmas Speech

1536533_10151901170178149_2138869579_n

“Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Benjamin Franklin

This past year has been an interesting one for The Squirrel Lickers and I. We have welcomed many new drinkers, especially on tribute nites, and have been witness to a wonderful array of evenings full of fellowship and friendship.

Sadly this year also brought with it some trials both literally (I don’t care that he’s my brother-in-law he was bang out of order and the judge agreed) and emotionally when The Squirrel Lickers become the first pub ever to get a negative score on a hygiene inspection. That was an especial disappointment as I had taken great care to both greet the inspectors and to bribe them handsomely. Even providing thick slices of the famous Harold Pie lovingly created from an ancient recipe and featuring no less than fourteen types of plants and wildlife that today hover on the brink of extinction due to mass over-consumption plus several others now regrettably reclassified as toxic.

Continue reading

Comments Off on Eddie’s Christmas Speech

Filed under Christmas

Dear Haroldites…

Merry-Christmas-and-Happy-New-Year-HD-Wallpaper

 

 

Now stop eating and go outside for a lovely, healthy walk.

 

With every good wish,

The Evening Harold Team

Comments Off on Dear Haroldites…

Filed under Christmas

Police confirm recycling boxes not invading, just blown around by storm

20131224-150423.jpg

The Scouts, Territorial and Salvation Armies have been stood down in Harold after experts confirmed it was the heavy winds that blew 11 recycling boxes in to the middle of the road, and it was not the start of an Eco-invasion.

“The alarm was raised at 5am this morning during the storm,” PC Flegg told us. “We had calls from several concerned residents who say the recycling boxes were taking up ‘a combat position’ in the middle of the road.
Continue reading

Comments Off on Police confirm recycling boxes not invading, just blown around by storm

Filed under Christmas, environment, News, Travel, Weather

Alan Turing gets royal pardon, Russia immediately issues arrest warrant

putinrod

Happiest with a rod in his hand

Following WW2 codebreaker Alan Turing’s long-awaited royal pardon, Russian President Vladimir Putin has immediately issued a warrant for his arrest.

Computer pioneer Turing was convicted for homosexuality in 1952, and was punished by being chemically castrated. Although Gordon Brown issued an official apology in 2009, calling Turing’s treatment ‘appalling’, it has taken until now for a full pardon to be issued.

On hearing the news, Putin convened a hasty press conference where he announced that Russian police were already watching the borders to prevent Turing from coming to their country and ‘spreading the gayness’. ‘Russia has no homosexuals,’ he revealed, ‘Not one. And we’re not going to start now. If he comes here, I’ll have him.’

When it was pointed out that Turing died in 1954 from cyanide poisoning, Putin was unrepentant, insisting: ‘That’s just the sort of trick these gayers will try. Well, we’re not going to fall for it – you won’t catch me with my trousers down.’

Most countries now look back in shame at how they used to treat homosexuals, but under Putin Russia has developed the sort of rabid homophobia usually only associated with those trying desperately to hide something very very deep. Many have asked why Russia should be so anxious to be seen to be anti-gay, but no-one has managed to work out the President’s motives for this hard line.

Putin, known for his unusual hobbies such as naked bear wrestling, is a black belt in Judo and frequently spends whole evenings taking on all comers on the mat, tossing an endless stream of men over his shaved head.

2 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Chinese Christmas cracker makers outsource jokes to Miranda Hart

Such fun!

Such fun!

After over a century of using exactly the same jokes in Christmas crackers, Chinese manufacturers have hired comedienne Miranda Hart to provide new jokes. In keeping with her TV series, all the jokes are visual and feature pictures of Miranda falling over, making funny faces, and being involved in amusing misunderstandings.

A spokesmen for the Chinese companies said that traditional Christmas cracker jokes were suitable for ages 7 to 77, but only 7 year olds and 77 year olds actually found them hilarious. This was entirely deliberate as anything too funny at a Christmas dinner could be a choking hazard. By replacing the traditional jokes with Miranda jokes, the Chinese again hope to avoid messy lawsuits.
Continue reading

Comments Off on Chinese Christmas cracker makers outsource jokes to Miranda Hart

Filed under Around Harold, Christmas, Culture, Entertainment, Showbusiness

US admits the NSA has been following Father Christmas for years

santa-claus-flying-reindeer

And they’ve been listening to Rudolph’s voice mails.

America’s National Security Agency has been plunged into fresh controversy following the revelation that it has been tracking the movements of beloved international philanthropist Father Christmas for several years.

In a multi-agency approach the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) watches every moment of Father Christmas’ famous journey across the entire globe which takes place every December 25th. Continue reading

Comments Off on US admits the NSA has been following Father Christmas for years

Filed under International News, News

Navy trials commercial flights between aircraft carriers

flightdeck

‘Welcome aboard flight EJ563. Our destination is classified.’

Britain’s airport capacity problem could finally be solved, if an experimental launch of an EasyJet airliner from HMS Prince of Wales proves a success.

Head of defence staff Nicholas Houghton insisted that commercial flights between aircraft carriers would allow runways to be moved if there were complaints, and save everyone the bother of having to drive to London.

“Aircraft carriers can adapt to changes in demand”, insisted Houghton. “You can sail one down to Gibraltar if anyone wants to visit there, or divert them to the Falklands if they fancy having a look at a penguin.”

The General pointed out that building ‘just a dozen or so’ new aircraft carriers would serve as a warning to rogue nations that armies of obnoxious tourists could be deployed anywhere in the world.

Using a modified launch ramp that can handle 300 passengers and up to 15 tonnes of duty-free, HMS Prince of Wales can now launch holiday makers with less than 40 seconds warning.

Houghton admitted that passengers would need to adapt slightly before they use the new facility.

“It’s a simple matter of taking the Queen’s shilling”, he explained. “We’re talking about less than 18 weeks basic training, learning how to hold your rum and then swimming a width wearing pyjamas”, he explained.

A spokesman from EasyJet pointed out that the mobility of aircraft carriers might occasionally mean a last-minute change in destination.

“If that happens we can arrange a transfer through our sister company, EasyPedalo”, said George Otway. “But at least you’ll have half a chance of arriving in the country you chose, which is a lot better than you’d get with Ryanair.”

Passengers on the first trial spoke of some difficulties, particularly as the location of their departure aircraft carrier was a closely guarded secret.

“We were flown out here on a rendition flight via Libya, and we’ve had nothing to do for 72 hours”, said one couple. “Our hand luggage has been stolen, there’s bullet holes in our suitcase and the scenery is just one depressing sea of grey. So overall, it’s about the same as flying out of Luton.”

1 Comment

Filed under Business, Defence, Travel

Violence erupts as man admits he doesn’t believe in Doctor Who

redeye-doctor-who-photos-11-doctors-20131122-009

He looks real to us. Ever so much more so than that whippersnapper he’s replacing.

There was violence on the streets of Harold this morning when Edward Wightman, a newcomer to the village, admitted that he didn’t believe in Doctor Who and said that the Christmas special was “just a story made up to entertain children and the credulous of any age”.

Almost at once he was seized upon by outraged villagers intent on taking him to the recreation ground and while their intentions were not quite clear we understand that they would have been rather messy and painful for Mr Wightman however once the crowd had formed it swiftly became riven with factions and violence broke out. Continue reading

Comments Off on Violence erupts as man admits he doesn’t believe in Doctor Who

Filed under Christmas, Religion, Showbusiness

Retailers prepare for another busy Christmas shopping day, Man Monday

image

Garages expect their peak trading to be 7pm Christmas Eve

After Cyber Monday and Black Friday, two of the biggest shopping days online and on the High Street, shops and garages all over the UK are bracing themselves for Man Monday. The day, which this year falls just two days before Christmas, sees 90% of men start their Christmas shopping.

The British Retail Consortium say although this may not be the most profitable day of the shopping year, it is a great chance for them to get rid of the tat that didn’t sell before the Boxing Day sales.

Continue reading

Comments Off on Retailers prepare for another busy Christmas shopping day, Man Monday

Filed under Business, Lifestyle, News