Broom Stuck

At Least They’ll Learn How To Spell

An English village school is to scrap its historic witch logo because of fears that it drives away pupils and teachers. Warboys Community Primary School has used the emblem of a witch riding a broomstick for more than 60 years, marking the fact that the Cambridgeshire village was the last place in England to hang witches.

FOOTNOTE: Wicca basket.

Farewell, Leicester Square-Off

Witches Give Thanks For Mall Mercies

A coven of English witches has claimed victory in a battle to change the name of a $310 million (that’s 150 million pounds) shopping centre in Leicester. The witches objected after developer Hammerson announced a huge addition to a mall would be called Highcross Quarter, the name given by witches to the four most important periods in their calendar. Once the name was announced, the witches immediately registered several internet domain names using the term and Hammerson has now given up the fight, renaming the development Highcross Leicester.

FOOTNOTE: Did they use the spell-check option?

Polar, Bare

Fruitless Search On A Grey Winter Afternoon

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Even as snow continues to blanket the state, I've been having a lot of fun with my camera. Yes, it's easy to photograph strong colours in bright sunlight, but my self-imposed challenge was to take a decent shot in bad light. There was a stark beauty to this fruit tree, with its branches like skeletal witches' fingers. I shot this under a grey sky, in a steady drizzle. Yet I saw beauty in the barren sight - and I hope you do too. In three weeks' time, this tree will be covered in starbursts of pink blossoms. But today, as the snowmen dominate the landscape, it is appropriate to note that we are halfway through winter. By the way, look carefully and you'll see the moisture droplets on the closest branch.

Click here: Pentax K100D, Shutter 1/500, F9.5, ISO speed 200.

Can You Spell That For Me?

Witches Find Short Cuts To EU Grants

Romanian witches are carving out a lucrative new business - concocting spells to help locals get EU grants. According to Ananova, the country's witches used to confine themselves to love potions and spells aimed at getting cows to produce more milk. But the EU expansion has seen funding for new projects flood into the country and now locals hoping to gain a slice of the action are turning to witches to boost their chances. Witchcraft is a recognised profession in the new EU state and witches say they have adjusted their services as entrepreneurs turn to potions and spells to get the money they want. Witches also say that with entry to the EU and rights for homosexuals guaranteed in legislation, more and more gay men are also turning to them for help.