Stan Bowes, from Diggle, has uncovered some interesting and entertaining facts – you just couldn’t make them up.
Doctor Jan Lavric was tired out after successfully shepherding a large party of disable people in to an audience with the Pope. Finding a spare wheel-chair, he sat down to rest, until to find himself being pushed, protesting, towards his waiting charges. Not wishing to cause any disturbance or distress, Doctor Lavric, a General Practitioner and fitness fanatic, from Doncaster, England, sat silently as the Pope walked past. And then gave everyone a shock when he stood up and walked away!
Elsewhere… Legislators in most countries are accused of receiving benefits far in excess of what is fair. Members of the British Parliament, the House of Commons, are no exception. For example, every British M.P. is entitled to a free pinch of snuff when they enter the chamber – paid for by the taxpayer. The snuff is kept in an oak and silver box at the entrance. It bears a silver plate showing the names of the doorkeepers who have offered the snuff over the years.
Improve your vocabulary
Snickersnee: As a verb, to engage in cut-and-thrust fighting with knives: as a noun, a large knife. You will have guessed that the word ultimately derives from the Dutch ‘steken of snijden’, to thrust or cut.
Gubbins: Generally, any odd bits and pieces, but originally a cooking term referring to fish pairings or refuse left over after preparation of a dish.
Apothogems
The love of one’s country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border.
The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it.
Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it’s the only one you have.
