Nowt so queer as folk...

.. how about a thread where we can post those strange news stories that crop up from time to time. They can be funny, tragic or just plain random.

I'll start you off with a couple...

Vanilla Ice to tackle panto Captain Hook
In highly-improbable celebrity news, Chatham's Central Theatre has announced that its Xmas panto this year will feature Vanilla Ice as Captain Hook.

In what promises to be a real theatrical treat for residents of the City Of Medway Medway Towns, on the north coast of Kent, the 43-year-old Texan rapper is set to strut his stuff in Peter Pan from 9 December to 2 January.

The Central Theatre's general manager, Tony Hill, told the Beeb: "Ice is a huge name who I am sure will be a real draw for parents and children alike. He has never performed in a pantomime before, but I am sure that he will go down as a hit."

We're sure he will, too, assuming he can actually find the venue. The Guardian notes that an enthusiastic Ice twittered earlier this month: "I have some cool news! I will be coming back to the UK to star in the new hit play Peter Pan in London. Hope you all can come to see it ..."

Source - The Register

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Middle England chokes on Nice Baps
A Bedfordshire baker has provoked the wrath of Middle England by dubbing his breadery "Nice Baps".

Angry locals in Henlow wasted no time in objecting to the name after John O'Toole cut the ribbon on his establishment last Wednesday. The 42-year-old said his missus thought up the comedy moniker, and his other bakery of the same name in Caddington had attracted no complaints.

While O'Toole estimated 90 per cent of the good burghers of Henlow "think the shop's great on the whole", he explained to the Daily Mail: "A little petition was handed in and I had a letter from one of the local schools who said they thought the name was trashy. So I tried to explain to them that I do small baps and big baps and they're nice and firm!"

The chairman of Henlow Parish Council, councillor Tim Wiles, said: "Henlow Parish Council is keen to support local businesses and welcome the fact that the shop in the High Street is being used rather than standing empty or being converted to housing. As far as we know no planning application would have been required and we certainly haven't seen or commented on one."

He did, though, conclude: "To date we have received one letter from a local resident expressing some concern over the name of the shop, plus a couple of verbal comments about the colour scheme. The letter will, as per normal procedure, be considered at the next full council meeting, which in this case is due to be held on April 11."
Source - The Register