Wednesday 9 April 2008

red badger courage


The Burning Badger arrived in Bristol yesterday, to be met by protesters from the National Farmers' Union.

The Burning Badger was ringed by specially-trained Pit Bull Terriers, which did their best to keep the protesters at bay. Amid scenes of rowdiness and tussling, the badger was extinguished twice and completed its journey by taxi to a moving ceremony in the Eastville Tesco car park, where, after much fumbling with the England's Glory and a judicious sprinkling of petrol, it was reignited. Name Withheld Fortescue-Securitypurposes, who probably does something important in the city, proclaimed that "We have this day kindled such a badger in England, as, I trust in God, shall never be extinguished."

Then it went out again.

An NFU spokesperson said, "We strongly object to the taking of badgers for baiting purposes. It leaves less for us to gas and shoot."

A representative of the Peoples' Republic of Badger Baiters, who organised the event, said, "This burning badger is an emblem of hope and universal freedom. Badgers like being baited. Everyone knows that. And by the way, that NFU chap said 'less' when he should have said 'fewer'."

The Plain People of Bristol: Is this some kind of metaphor, and if so, where are you going with it?

Me: Lord knows. I'm going for a cup of tea.

3 comments:

  1. I'll join you for that hot drink...

    did you see this - assault with a hedgehog:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7334233.stm

    ReplyDelete
  2. I heard the story on the radio. I wonder if it was premeditated, or if the hedgehog was in the wrong place at the wrong time? -it's been ages since I've seen a live hedgehog round here. Or a squished one, come to that.

    I'll put the kettle on. Yorkshire or posh tea?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I take mine with no tea at all thanks - just the hot water with a dash of cold to make it drinkable... thank you!

    ReplyDelete