STAN BOWES, from Diggle, has uncovered some more interesting and entertaining, strange but true facts for us – you just couldn’t make them up.
IN 1997 firemen in China succeeded in putting out a fire that had been burning for over four hundred years.
The fire was in the Baiyanghe coalfield in the north-western province of Xinjiang and had spontaneously ignited in 1560. It was estimated that over the years it had consumed more than 125 millions tons of coal.
WHEN FRIGHTENED, the nine-banded armadillo, found in Florida, has an unusual defence mechanism. It launches itself vertically into the air.
This may have worked well against natural predators, but isn’t so good against cars. Instead of the cars simply going over them, the animal is hit full on by the car’s grille.
Apophthegms
Women like silent men: they think they’re listening.
If you can’t see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.
Attitudes are contagious: are yours worth catching?
Nothing is impossible to the person who doesn’t have to do it.
You can’t have everything: where would you put it?
