The funniest and most surprising headlines of 2023
From placing rubber ducks in potholes to polite parking notes, here’s a roundup of the funniest and most surprising headlines that defined the year:
Man uses rubber ducks, UFOs and Crocs to ‘highlight Bromley’s pothole problem’[1]
A man took to the streets of Bromley[2] with toys and tiny props to draw attention to the potholes in the roads and “the lack of action regarding repairs”.
Tim Webb, who lives in the area, started the campaign after seeing another man doing a similar thing on Facebook in Brightlingsea, Essex.
He has staged toys in all sorts of ways in and around the potholes – including baby Crocs, a family of ducks, a stairway to heaven, an exotic fish pond, a recovery truck rescue and even a crash-landed UFO.
‘Human poo’ discovered on floor of popular Wetherspoons pub in Bromley[3]
A clip went viral in June on social media claiming a person “took a poo” on the floor of a Wetherspoons in Bromley.
The discovery was reportedly made at the Richmal Crompton in Westmoreland Place on May 21.
The clip, a conversation between two people on Snapchat that has been recorded and posted on Twitter, now has 18,900 views.
‘I got up at 5am to get my kids Prime…and I’d do it again’[4]
A mum shared her experience of getting up at 5am, visiting two Aldis and battling queues to get her hands on the elusive Prime drink[5] for her children.
The mother said her two children, aged 13 and 9, wanted to try the drinks promoted by YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul.
She visited the store with her father and her two children, where they waited in lengthy queues to purchase them.
‘Britain’s politest parking note’ left on parked Bromley car[6]
‘Britain’s politest parking note’ was left on the windscreen of a silver Suzuki Ignis in Bromley.
The note reads: “Friendly request. On-street parking in the area really is at a premium. This vehicle has taken up 1&3/4 [one and three-quarter] spaces for several weeks.
“If possible could it be parked more economically in the bay as a courtesy to other road users. It would be much appreciated.
“I apologise in advance if it is not drivable. Many, many thanks.”
Spilt WATERMELONS causes severe delays on M25 near Dartford Crossing[7]
A watermelon spillage on the M25 caused severe delays and miles of traffic near the Dartford[8] Crossing in August.
Two lanes were closed and four miles of traffic built up near Junction 31 clockwise during the incident.
Meet the Belvedere man using an inflatable dinosaur to block ULEZ cameras[9]
An anti-ULEZ activist who dresses up in an inflatable dinosaur costume to block ULEZ cameras across south east London has revealed the motivations for his actions and what the response from the community has been.
We spoke to Paul Sullivan, the man behind the dinosaur costume, who explained that he noticed that the ULEZ expansion was causing great concern in his community and so decided to take action after it was implemented on August 29.
References
- ^ Man uses rubber ducks, UFOs and Crocs to ‘highlight Bromley’s pothole problem’ (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ Bromley (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ ‘Human poo’ discovered on floor of popular Wetherspoons pub in Bromley (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ ‘I got up at 5am to get my kids Prime…and I’d do it again’ (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ drink (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ ‘Britain’s politest parking note’ left on parked Bromley car (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ Spilt WATERMELONS causes severe delays on M25 near Dartford Crossing (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ Dartford (www.newsshopper.co.uk)
- ^ Meet the Belvedere man using an inflatable dinosaur to block ULEZ cameras (www.newsshopper.co.uk)