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The top five 'weird and wonderful' stories of south east London in 2022

The top six 'weird and wonderful' stories of south east London in 2022 <i>(Image: NQ)</i>
The top six 'weird and wonderful' stories of south east London in 2022 (Image: NQ)

South east London is packed full of the weird and the wonderful – here at the News Shopper we have covered some very peculiar stories indeed.

From a woman marrying her cat to a drunken proposal – there seems to never be a dull moment across the south east London boroughs.

Here is a roundup of our favourite “weird and wonderful” stories over the past year.

World’s oldest cat from Orpington shares birthday with World Cup star

Jack Grealish GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ and Cats Protection recognised Flossie, a confident, partially sighted cat, as the oldest cat living.

She is currently 27 years old and who was born in the same year as England goal scorer Jack Grealish on September 10 1995.

Flossie was signed over to Cats Protection volunteers in Kent and faced an uncertain future after her owner was unable to support the welfare of such an elderly cat.

She was given a new lease of life when the charity matched her to a loving new home with Vicki Green of Orpington, who had experience of caring for senior cats.

Read here

Beckenham firefighters help with marriage proposal gone wrong

Firefighters in Beckenham had to cut a ring off a woman’s finger after she drunkenly proposed to her devotee with the wrong sized ring.

Amanda and her partner Owen were enjoying a boozy night-in whilst watching the opening fights of a live UFC screening on July 31.

After enjoying a few alcoholic beverages, Amanda says she drunkenly proposed to Owen.

She put an old ring of hers on the fourth finger, but quickly realized it was too small, and wasn’t coming off.

After calling London Fire Brigade, six firefighters attended to help cut the ring off, using equipment such as a cutting blade and other materials.

See the full story here

‘I’m better looking than Boris’ says Sidcup mum running for Prime Minister

A mum from Sidcup who married to her cat says she’s ready to take on the role of Prime Minster as she’s “better looking than Boris”.

Deborah Hodge believes she would do a better job as Prime Minister than Boris Johnson, and would tackle issues such as climate change, the NHS, homelessness, and the cost-of-living crisis.

The mum-of-four is no stranger to the media – as she has featured on This Morning to address the importance of the benefits system.

She has also married her cat, her house and hosted a funeral for Richard Branson’s cardboard cut-out.

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Burst water main dubbed ‘Chislehurst lido’ as man bathes in jacuzzi-sized hole

News Shopper:
News Shopper:

A burst watermain was dubbed as the “Chislehurst lido” as a man bathed in it after a few too many gin and tonics.

Tyler Smith posed for a photo in the water-filled hole in the ground in Old Hill after becoming increasingly frustrated by the "lack of work" being done to fix the problem.

This main was first reported as having burst on August 4, and it followed another burst main at the other end of the road the week before.

He explained: “The road has been shut for around three weeks and it’s causing me a really annoying diversion to get home from work every day.

“When they were fixing the first burst main at the bottom of the road, this one at the top went, and there had been roadworks here before that.

“The badly leaking hole was left with clear water pouring out of a jacuzzi-sized hole, so after a few too many gin and tonics one night I thought why not get a photo?”

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Four-foot snake found living on train at south east London station

A four foot corn snake was found living on a Southern Rail train in December.

British Transport Police officers called Gareth North from Mitcham Zoo to help with the reptile at around 11pm on December 16.

Photos show the snake on the floor of the train carriage at Selhurst Train Depot - it had been travelling between London, Kent, and Sussex.

Sadly, the snake died just one day after being found due to organ failure.

Read here