The bridge that's still too old!

At least the Mercury is consistent. The bowstring bridge has once again been reported as being 180 years old when it was demolished in 2009, despite the railway not opening until 1899.

What's in a mane?

Stanford or Stamford, n or m, it's only one letter but it's over 40 miles according to the AA.
However, it's near enough for the Mercury's caption writer.

February 23, page 21.

Economy drive?

February 21, page 5.   Are the Mercury trying to save money by using less ink?  You decide...

A Bridge Too Old

Saturday 19 February 2011.

Today's edition proved that the Mercury reporters have a knowledge of time and space that would do Einstein credit.

It appears that the Bowstring Bridge, demolished to make way for another De Montfort University building, was 180 years old in 2009. By my calculations that means it was built in 1829.

However, the Great Central Railway in Leicester did not open until 15 March 1899 so -

(a) Did an early 19th Century engineer build the bridge and have it hidden away for 70 years just in case it would come in useful?

 or

(b) Has the Mercury with its extensive knowledge of local history produced another top quality howler?

Answers on a postcard to the editor.

Many thanks to local railway historian Steve Branston for pointing out this blunder.  

Aerial or Comical?

This Wednesday's roundup of Junior Football included the following photograph of a game between Harborough Rockets and Birstall United Foxes.

The paper were not sure if it was an aerial or a comical challenge so opted for a completely new word!

Chicken breast and heads - a true Valentine's Day treat

In the 14th February edition Tom Mack reported on a Michelin starred, Leicester restaurant's Valentine's Day menu.

"The recipe begins with a starter of roasted butternut squash soup with chilli and creme fraiche, followed by chicken breast, spring greens, coconut and coriander with noddles. For dessert it is orange and hazelnut shortbread biscuits served with chocolate dip and strawberries."

Presumably recipe should read menu and the noddles should be noodles!

Noddle: An informal British expression for the head or mind.

Perhaps the reporter should have used his noddle instead of a spell-checker.

Conman or Conwoman?

In the 1st February edition, an article on page 17 by "Staff Reporter" about an online conman appears to have confused his gender. The report states " He claimed he was a 43 year old widow..."

Now unless the mystery conman had had a sex change then surely that should read widower.  (i.e. a man whose wife has died and who has not remarried.)