West Briton (Falmouth, Penryn, Helston, The Lizard)
Mystery over the removal of mugs that formed ‘Great Wall of China’
MYSTERY surrounds the removal of what has been dubbed as Cornwall’s ‘Great Wall of China’ after Cornwall Council confirmed it had nothing to do with them disappearing.
Mugs started reappearing on a bridge parapet along the A39 Truro -to-Falmouth road in recent weeks.
The mugs-on-the-wall tradition was first started at the end of 2017, sparking all kinds of theories to why the varied drinking vessels had been left on the wall.
As interest in the mystery grew and they became all the talk of local social media, so too did the number of mugs, peaking in late summer 2018 with 40 or more lining the roadside wall, along with one candelabra for added intrigue.
The mugs were removed as mysteriously as they appeared, and that was the end of it for years – until this autumn.
This time round the eclectic collection was glued down onto the wall for extra longevity, until they were once again removed in the run up to Christmas.
Locals have taken to social media, many blaming the local authority for their removal, and are generally lamenting what many saw as harmless fun being spoiled.
Drivers had rejoiced at the return of this cup collection, while the curious and conspiracy theorists tried to get a handle on what the true meaning of these mugs might be.
But their removal has sparked anger with people wondering who the bah humbug, fun-spoiling bore is.
When the mugs were removed from wall previously, people on social media speculated that Cornwall Council must have taken them away because they were a distraction to drivers.
Once again there has been much speculation on local social media about the reasons for removing them, with the ‘distraction’ claims reappearing.
On the Truro...Our City Facebook page Robyn Taynton said: “I think the council have done it more for road safety.
“Say if one or more blew off in strong winds and hit a driver’s windscreen, then it could cause a serious accident. Then people would moan why didn’t the council take them down.”
However, as the mugs were glued to the wall, one may wonder whether that is indeed the real reason for their untimely removal.
Many local residents and motorists agreed that seemingly innocent mugs stuck to a parapet were no more a distraction to motorists than advertising boards, Christmas decorations in Truro City Centre or even the much-loved giant hedgehogs on Trafalgar roundabout.
Anne Humble agreed: “There were loads of gnomes on the roundabout at Devoran several years ago which were taken away for the same reason.”
Gaye Gregory added: “I loved seeing the gnomes and the mugs were no more distracting than the hedgehogs on Trafalgar roundabout which I feel are more of a distraction.”
Anver Pym added: “I don’t understand
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Bah humbug! They were just a bit of fun! I’m sure they will be back Sarah Pike
how the mugs are any more of a distraction than all the Christmas lights on roundabouts or adverts on buses.
“As a newbie to the area, they brought a smile to my face as I drove past.”
Amanda Tickle agreed: “I find all the diversions and road closures a distraction. The wall of china is nice to look at when the traffic is at a standstill.”
Sarah Pike summed up the mood when she wrote: “Bah humbug! They were just a bit of fun! I’m sure they will be back.”
The West Briton asked Cornwall Council about the disappearance of the mugs. The authority confirmed that it was not involved.
A spokesman said: “It doesn’t look like we’ve had anything to do with their removal.”