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13 October 2021

This England: Petrol Heads

This column – which, though named after a line in Shakespeare’s “Richard II”, refers to the whole of Britain – has run in the NS since 1934.

By New Statesman

Petrol heads

A tanker driver has told how he was tailed by 20 drivers who were dismayed to discover he was not transporting petrol.

Johnny Anderson, who drives for Weaver Haulage, was transporting dry mortar mix from Wolverhampton to a Northamptonshire building site. When he reached his destination, he saw a line of traffic backed up behind him.

“The man at the front said, ‘You could have stopped and told us you weren’t a petrol tanker,’” he said.
BBC East of England 
(Andrew McKeown)

Armchair critic

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THANK YOU

A furious gran is demanding DFS take back a £1,200 sofa she claims is “dangerous” – despite the store saying it is not faulty.

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Claire Neil says that her two-year-old grandson has injured himself twice as he stands up and either “flops” or “bangs” back down – hitting his face on the armrests with such force he “gave himself a black eye”. Horrified, Neil rang and emailed the retail giant numerous times before a DFS worker examined the silver crushed velvet sofa and cuddle chair in her home in September and deemed it safe.
Manchester Evening News 
(Janet Mansfield)

[See also: This England: Spurring stuff]

A new lease of life

A blind dog due to be put down is now enjoying life as a girl’s best friend. Cocker spaniel Stevie was adopted by Vickie Tatlow for her daughter Tegan, 18. Stevie was due to be put down due to poor eyesight but had pioneering surgery and can now see.
Yorkshire Post 
(Michael Meadowcroft)

Each printed entry receives a £5 book token. Entries to comp@newstatesman.co.uk or on a postcard to This England.

This article appears in the 13 Oct 2021 issue of the New Statesman, Perfect Storm