This siren, which is similar in tone to those that were used to warn of enemy bombing during the second world war (and I know 'cos I was there!), has been sounding at infrequent intermittent intervals over the past 30/40 years.
At fir
st I seem to remember someone had a theory that it was kept in the grounds of Botley's Mansion, a local institution, and was used to alert people if and when someone escaped. That can't be right because that institution is long gone and been replaced by another called Electronic Arts and I'm sure their inmates don't want to escape (or do you know better, Jo?)I wonder if it's kept there (wherever 'there' is) just in case and it has to be tested now and again so that it would be sure of working in time of need. Should we be building one of these?? **
Or perhaps, deep in the Surrey woods, there's a unit of forgotten soldiers who think the war's still on. No, with Heathrow very nearby we'd be hearing it every 5 minutes if that was the case.
Or, and this is my favourite theory, it's a special government department fighting alien invasion in this part of Surrey and the siren sounds on the approach of their spaceships, thereby frightening them off. However some have got through. I've seen them. **
I do believe that miniature versions are also living in South Wales.
I must say that no-one in the vicinity seems to take a blind bit of notice when it goes off. The roads aren't gridlocked with people trying to evacuate the area, shops aren't boarded up or anything so I go with the flow and ignore it like everybody else.
One day I'll find out what it's all about. In the meantime, don't forget -
CARELESS TALK COSTS LIVES!!
...so keep it to yourselves** No photos available - they've been censored by Big Blogger
PS What does the phrase a blind bit of notice mean, by the way? Makes no sense at all.
2 comments:
When I was a little girl our local siren used to go off every now and again. I suppose they were testing it, in case of a fresh outbreak of war, but they've taken it away now.
Which would explain why the aliens have got in. Nothing to frighten them off.
Protect your siren! Like it protects you.
It used to go off every Sunday morning at 9am. Perhaps that was when the Cold War was still, er, raging (?).
I think it now signals the discovery of contraband envelopes in a newspaper recycling box. The men in green coats will be at your door any second to audit your rubbish arrangements and send you on waste diversity training.
They know where you live...
Post a Comment