The Votes Are Counted, The Results Are In…

And the breaking referendum news is… Beckworth has voted by an allegedly massive landslide majority for Brexit. Those wanting to leave the safety and prosperity of the EU got 49.5% of the votes against 48.5% for Remain, who we all assumed would romp home and even organised an all night party for. It was a sober gathering by the early hours, made worse by the noisy Brexit party next door where Nigel Farage and his brothers Neville and Arthur were DJing and loudly chatting up young ladies. Just 0.5% of the town voted for Bremain, a local “compromise” alternative, who campaigned on the promise they would “leave the EU” whilst actually lying to the population of this country and staying in for their own good “as the citizens of the UK can’t be trusted to vote the right way”. The poor Liberal Democrats also only polled 0.5%, which for them is rather good, especially as they weren’t officially on the ballot paper. One Brexit voter told me this morning, as they were raising the union jack over their shed, “We’ve given Cameron and his London hipsters a bloody nose they’ll not forget… Now it’s back to the task of rebuilding our once mighty Empire without the interference of Brussels,” another told me their only regret is “that Ciabatta and Virgin Olive Oil may now be in short supply.” Capturing the mood of Remain voters one told me as she was getting out of her Bentley “it’s the UK MEP‘s I feel sorry for, as they will be “out of a job at a time when there are so few opportunities for washed up politicians.” Personally my heart goes out to all the heads of industry and bankers who’d helped to make the union what it was. Christine Batley. Chief “OMG, Now I’m Really Buggered And Can’t Retire To Spain” Correspondent. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) Beckworth’s expectant looking ballot box earlier yesterday

Warren In My Sporran Back On Telly

Small screen news just in… The fourth series of the children’s docudrama Warren In My Sporran starts this evening at 6.00 on CBBC and then the “uncut” version is repeated at 11pm on Dave. The BAFTA award winning series is produced by local TV company Livingstone Productions for BBC Scotland and reprises Daniel Day Lewis role as Warren, a deminutive adult vagrant who lives on benefits in the sporran of young scotch boy Angus MacDonald. Originally Angus was played by the late Ronnie Corbett then by Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame and for this series by the BBC’s go to actor David Mitchell. Once again the series follows Warren’s slapstick adventures in and out of Angus’s kilt and was filmed around Beckworth and Birmingham’s BullRing Shopping Centre. The scripts have also been picked up by an American TV company who are doing a remake, likely to be called Dwarf In My Shorts, starring Danny DeVito and Johnnie Depp. Yours Christine Batley. Chief Television & Film Reporter. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) Daniel Day Lewis reprises his BAFTA award winning role as Warren

New Old People’s Home Set To Open

Good news just in regarding Beckworth’s rapidly aging decrepit population…. At last a new publicly-funded privately-run for profit hospice is to be built in the time. After much negotiation with town planners the old folk’s home is to be built on the site of the old toxic gas works and will use a quick building process new to the UK but pioneered in Russia (stacking up redecorated fire-damaged Portkabins). A frankly disinterested spokesperson has said in a succinct text message that “the end of life home is to be a sort of less fancy “Premier Inn” with a menu of the highest calibre… Think of it as a live-in Kebab shop for those in their twilight years.” In another text it was announced that “the home will be delightfully called The Ferns after it’s caring co-owners (and half-sisters) Fern Britten and Fern Cotton.” It’s due to open in about three and a half weeks if enough cheap, discarded portakabins can be found, but the sisters are so confident they’re already taking bookings. It sounds so good i’ve put my aged parents down for a place without seeing it! Christine Batley. Chief “Still Looking After Mother and Father” Correspondent. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) An artist’s impression of the planned old folk’s home

Mayoral Election In Town

Breaking hustings new… There is much excitement in the town today as we have the chance to oust the useless current UKIP mayor and elect someone who’s not such a knob. So don’t forget to vote today, and vote carefully, we don’t want a lefty, looney or worse still an eco-warrior getting into office. God-forbid! Remember your vote counts, so let’s elect a mayor who will put the community first, raise rates, privatise the public toilets, close the library and job-centre and keep dirty vagrants from cluttering up the streets. There are too many worthless candidates on this list so make sure you vote Aashif Ackworth, Conservative. Yours Christine Batley. Chief Unbiased Electoral Reporter. Beckworth Guardian

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Opening Hours Extended In June

Breaking Queen Elizabeth II news just in… To celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday the council (with Government backing) have announced that the opening hours of our local public toilets will be extended by two hours on June 10th and 11th. Our beloved Queen has allegedly said “one is honoured that the WC’s will open earlier and stay open later” before probably adding “that giving her subjects the chance to spend longer “on the throne” is a fitting tribute to one.” Hurrah for HM. I for one will be popping down to spend a penny or two. If they clean them first that is… And get in some nice soft-toilet paper. Christine Batley. Chief “Latrine” Correspondent. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) Beckworth’s public toilet opening for more pleasurable hours in June

Banksys Real Identity (Almost) Revealed

Breaking art news just in…. earlier today local scientists announced they had found out the true identity of the mysterious street artist Banksy using DNA testing. For the time being, to give Banksy time to pay to keep his anonymity, the scientists have only revealed he is a humble well-travelled Argentinian man who lives in Rome….

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(Above) Street artist Banksy discretely leaving his mark on the men’s public toilet wall earlier today (the wall will now be sold to raise funds for the council’s Christmas party)

Astronaut Comes Down To Earth With A Bump

Breaking space age news just in… Local astronaut (and frustrated drummer) Phil Collins has this morning broken the record for the most days and night spent in space. 764 days. Poor Mr Phil was only meant to go into orbit for a week as punishment for annoying his neighbours with his loud drumming and singing, but has been unable to hitch a lift back home to earth. That was until today. His fellow NASA space station astronauts got so fed up with his impromptu “performances” that they personally paid for a rocket to come and pick him up… One was quoted as saying “Whoever reckoned in space no one can hear you drumming, evidently hasn’t been into outer space with this chap!” Mr Collins had a shaky re-entry when his second-hand rocket almost disintegrated but now he’s back on earth Phil says he hopes to get his old band Pink Floyd back together and hit the road. Good luck Phil. Christine Batley. Chief “Space Rock” Correspondent. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) Phil Collins, the first drummer in space, returning to Earth earlier today

“Royal” Engagement Announced

Breaking marriage proposal news just in… Local media magnet (and major benefactor to charity and political parties) Rupert Murdoch has this morning announced his engagement to the beautiful and intelligent model Jerry Hall. For all of us who work within Mr Murdoch’s empire this is the best new years’ gift we could have hoped for and more than makes up for us having a continued pay freeze. One colleague of mine is quoted as saying “it’s even more special than a Royal wedding” to which we all concur. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to the very much in love couple and we wish that the union will be blessed with many offspring. Christine Batley. Chief “Royal Nuptials” Correspondent. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) The happy couple, Rupert & Jerry, announcing their engagement

Shock At Death Of Another Rock Legend

Breaking extremely sad rock news just in… Earlier this morning local rock legend, and keen amateur florist, David Bowie passed away whilst attending a flower arranging course in New York. Mr Bowie was an influence on all those who liked music, fashion and floristry and he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace David. Christine Batley. Chief “Ziggy Stardust” Correspondent. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) The late, great David Bowie pictured in his very minimal Ziggy costume

New Years Honours List, Another Apology

A second swift retraction just in…. Lawyer’s for David Cameron‘s cousin Cyril are demanding we point out that he is not, as previously implied, actually the PM’s cousin. We are “happy” to clarify that Cyril, a high-profile Tory donor, is in fact Mr Cam’s brother-in-law and so not a blood relation. Thus he gained his new year’s honour in an above reproach fashion. We are of course happy to put the record straight, Christine Batley. Chief “Still Trying To Keep Out Of Court” Correspondent. Beckworth Guardian