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Week Ending: Feb 5, 2000 |
| St. Basil? Nigel Barksley (letters) may be interested to know that the sign on the Village Idiot pub is in fact derived from an historical figure of some repute. A local shepherd named Basil, trying for sainthood and cognizant of the success of St. Patrick in driving the snakes from Ireland, attempted the same feat here. He had earlier spent some time squashing frogs, but when this had failed to get him the adoration he desired, he moved on to snakes. Unfortunately, his method was rather more direct than that of St. Patrick, and the snake he tried to throttle bit him. It is this moment that the pub sign celebrates. The Church briefly considered his martyrdom, but in the end concluded that he just wasn't very bright. Of course, for many it is an apocryphal tale, speaking of the failure of man to drive out his own demons. Perhaps readers who are interested may like to read my "History of Puckering" which I hope to have published soon. Nigel Twicks Woof Woof Wendy Smith Educational Standards Colonel Bratherton [Editor's Note: The owner of the Gazette wishes his name be kept secret at this point. He plays no part in editorial decisions, but supports the paper financially because of his interest in promoting and preserving the area. Reporters for the paper include prior editor Nigel Twicks, Lumpy Gaites, who covers Sporting News, and myself, Gordon Bennet. I have many years of experience at Fleet Streets finest, but was happy to take some time away from the slippery slopes of London to find the gentle dips of Puckering.] |