SIDELINES...

GREEN FUTURE

Jemima Packington has made a number of predictions for 2022 using a novel method involving tossing asparagus spears in the air and interpreting how they fall ( FT351:20). Nicknamed “Mystic Veg”, Packington predicts that Boris Johnson will remain PM for 2022, that Kier Starmer will resign as Labour leader, Manchester City will not win the League Cup, but rank outsiders Croatia will be taking home the World Cup. D.Mirror, 1 Jan 2022.

STILL COOKING

Anthony and Marion James are still using the same cooker they bought as Newlyweds 61 years ago. They have cooked daily on the Parkinson Cowan Prince Two ever since, without it ever needing maintenance. Marion, 84, said: “They were made well back then.” D.Mirror, 17 Dec 2021.

ILLEGIBLE THIEF

Alan Slattery, 67, of St Leonardson-Sea, Sussex, attempted to rob the Eastbourne branch of the Nationwide Building Society Branch, but failed because cashiers could not read the handwriting on his note. He fled, but was later rounded up by police who matched CCTV images with his pensioner’s bus pass photo. Metro, 12 Aug 2021.

MAN OF STEEL

Barry Nugent from Swindon was a welder who founded the firm Stainless Steel Design Services. When he died aged 73, he opted to be buried in a stainless-steel coffin. His widow Sue said: “It’s the first ever stainless-steel coffin made in the UK… what a fitting tribute.” Metro, 6 Jan 2022.