Signs of the Times

The past week brought two examples of signs which brighten up our lives on these dark winter days. Cambridge University might have been home to some of Britain's brightest minds over the years, but that doesn't mean everyone there is a literary genius.


Sidney Sussex Collage

A misspelt sign at the university car park has prompted a wry smile from visitors - especially those from Oxford - by referring to Sidney Sussex College (alumni include Oliver Cromwell and Carol Vorderman) as a collage. The sign which reads "Entrance To Collage Car Park Only" was installed during the month-long closure of a road to repair a broken sewage pipe. But academics are keen to stress they had nothing to do with it stating it had been created by contractors employed by Anglian Water.


I am not in the office at the moment

When officials asked for the Welsh translation of a road sign, they thought the reply was what they needed. Unfortunately, the e-mail response to Swansea council said in Welsh: "I am not in the office at the moment. Please send any work to be translated". So that was what went up under the English version which barred Lorries from a road near a supermarket.

However my favourite sign is the one at Dunstable, Beds. This reads “Baptist Church Recycling Centre.” It’s good they are finding new uses for all those old churches!