Happy News Flu Is Spreading--Railway Announcer Brighten's Passengers Day!
Updated : Jun 24, 2009
VeryHappyPig is delighted to reveal the VeryHappyPig Flu-our own version of the swine flu-is catching and spreading fast.
Last week we brought you news of a pub that followed Ireland’s only good news only portal’s example and set up a happy hour were the dreaded R word was banned.
And today we can reveal a PA announcer at Leicester railway station is going out of his way to brightening up passengers' journeys with his own brand of good news and wisdom.
John Palmer, 56, gives passengers a short fact, pearl of wisdom, or piece of nonsense once a day, reports the Daily Telegraph.
On Wednesday, 24 June, he reminded passengers that the Battle of Bannockburn in the Scottish Wars of Independence was fought on this day in 1314.
Earlier this week he asked: "Why is there only one Monopolies Commission?" while last week he reminded passengers: "When in Rome, a street map of Cape Town isn't much use."
He began making unusual announcements while a guard on trains between Derby and London.
He said: "I was telling passengers the train was pulling into St Pancras and reminding them not leave behind any luggage or personal belongings.
"I suddenly decided to slip in at the end of the announcement the question 'Why don't sheep shrink in the rain?' I got some favourable comments and the next week I decided to do it again and it's really just built up from there.
"I do it because it's a harmless way of brightening up people's days and perhaps because it puts a bit of personality to the voice behind the tannoy."
A spokesman for East Midlands Trains said: "We're always getting a positive feedback from passengers and staff and certainly hope John will carry on what he is doing."
