News nostalgia
Colchester, Essex, 1998: A motorist who was stopped for a routine police check was found to be wearing Wellington boots filled with baked beans in tomato sauce. Officers warned him to choose more suitable footwear. A spokesman said: "We have no idea why he was doing it, but it is an offence not to be in proper control of a car. Wearing boots could cause the driver to be distracted and have an accident."
Jackson, Mississippi, 1966: The new preacher in town took it upon himself to visit local residents with his two sons to invite them to his church. But when Rev Dennis McDonald paid a visit to Mrs Pendergrass he was shocked to find her sunbathing outside in her birthday suit. Naturally he had to report her to the police, who fined her $50. But Mrs. Pendergrass appealed the fine, and the court took her side, noting that a) she was on her own property, not in public; and b) if the minister was so shocked, why did he hang around at her house for 45 minutes?
In the left luggage
Travelodge, a British hotel chain, released its annual list of the bizarre items forgotten by its guests.
A miniature Shetland pony called Pudding
A prenuptial agreement
A collection of lightsabres in different colours
A wedding sari worth 10,000 ($22,000)
A book of stories written by a 10-year-old called John
A stamp collection that goes back to 50 years ago
A recipe for pasta sauce that has passed down five generations
A business contract between two oil companies
A diamond tiara
A rice cooker
A 3D model of London
A Swarovski crystal-encrusted (1.5m) wedding cake
A suitcase of Jimmy Choo shoes
A house made out of bread
A Fender guitar
A collection of prosthetic legs with different shoes
(Source: The Economist)
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