Staines changes name - to even funnier one

The Black Flag Cafe is the place travelers come to share stories and advice. Moderated by Robert Young Pelton the author of The World's Most Dangerous Places.

Moderator: coldharvest

Staines changes name - to even funnier one

Postby nowonmai » Mon May 21, 2012 10:21 am

20 May 2012
Staines becomes Staines-upon-Thames to shake off Ali G link.
The town became internationally synonymous with spoof rapper Ali G, a character created by Sacha Baron Cohen

The Surrey town of Staines has officially changed its name to Staines-upon-Thames in an attempt to boost its riverside image.

Councillors voted for the change last year after the town became synonymous with Sacha Baron Cohen's spoof rapper Ali G.

The name officially changed at 14:00 BST and followed a day of celebrations, including a regatta, in the town.

Critics, including the town's football club, have labelled it "pretentious".

Spelthorne Borough Council hopes the change will attract more business to the town, which sits on the banks of the River Thames. [Pity it's not the River Ore for full effect]

'Keeping Up Appearances'

Councillor Colin Davis, who was behind the name change, said the town's image had needed help for some time.

"Ali G may have had a role, but I think it goes back further than that," he said.

And he said the new name would help people from outside the town understand its riverside links.

He added: "I regard Ali G as someone who put Staines on the map, we're just telling people where it is."

However, Steve Parsons, who is the club secretary of Staines Town Football Club and campaigned against the change, said: "The council have decided they don't want to be linked with the Ali G show.

"But the one they need to worry about is Keeping Up Appearances, where Mrs Bucket changed her name to Bouquet.

'It's progress'

"I think it is as pretentious as that."

Alex Tribick, chairman of the Spelthorne Business Forum, defended the change as a "progressive".

He said: "It's not pretentious, it's progress and the fact of the matter is there was a public consultation that returned with a two to one majority in favour of a change."

The Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Dame Sarah Goad, was responsible for officially changing the name.
User avatar
nowonmai
BFCus Regularus
 
Posts: 11542
Joined: Tue Feb 08, 2005 8:52 pm

Re: Staines changes name - to even funnier one

Postby Ultra Swain » Mon May 21, 2012 10:53 am

Staines Upon James has a better ring to it.
Geez,am I NOT ALLOWED TO BE INTENSE FOR JUST 10 FUCKING SECONDS??!!!!!!!
User avatar
Ultra Swain
Snappyus Answerus
 
Posts: 10447
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 8:24 pm
Location: Raw Water

Re: Staines changes name - to even funnier one

Postby Sri Lanky » Mon May 21, 2012 1:21 pm

...and when you shine a blacklight on James you will see Staines - upon- Staines.
Sri Lanky
 

Re: Staines changes name - to even funnier one

Postby Ultra Swain » Mon May 21, 2012 1:24 pm

Sri Lanky wrote:...and when you shine a blacklight on James you will see Staines - upon- Staines.


ZING!
Geez,am I NOT ALLOWED TO BE INTENSE FOR JUST 10 FUCKING SECONDS??!!!!!!!
User avatar
Ultra Swain
Snappyus Answerus
 
Posts: 10447
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 8:24 pm
Location: Raw Water

Re: Staines changes name - to even funnier one

Postby Mikethehack » Mon May 21, 2012 2:18 pm

Staines-upon-Thames, which is going to be shortened to become....

Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough!
It isn't fit for humans now,
There isn't grass to graze a cow.
Swarm over, Death!


Come, bombs and blow to smithereens
Those air -conditioned, bright canteens,
Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans,
Tinned minds, tinned breath.


Mess up the mess they call a town-
A house for ninety-seven down
And once a week a half a crown
For twenty years.


And get that man with double chin
Who'll always cheat and always win,
Who washes his repulsive skin
In women's tears:


And smash his desk of polished oak
And smash his hands so used to stroke
And stop his boring dirty joke
And make him yell.


But spare the bald young clerks who add
The profits of the stinking cad;
It's not their fault that they are mad,
They've tasted Hell.


It's not their fault they do not know
The birdsong from the radio,
It's not their fault they often go
To Maidenhead


And talk of sport and makes of cars
In various bogus-Tudor bars
And daren't look up and see the stars
But belch instead.


In labour-saving homes, with care
Their wives frizz out peroxide hair
And dry it in synthetic air
And paint their nails.


Come, friendly bombs and fall on Slough
To get it ready for the plough.
The cabbages are coming now;
The earth exhales.
I'm not really a proper reporter, due to the chronic lack of discipline, negligible attention span, and a certain juvenile difficulty taking serious things seriously.
Andrew Mueller.
User avatar
Mikethehack
Pimpmasterus Generalismus
 
Posts: 8405
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2004 6:34 pm
Location: The Irish colonies

Re: Staines changes name - to even funnier one

Postby Fenrisco » Fri May 25, 2012 2:42 pm

Come FriendlySkies and post on, now!
There's no-one threatening, save thou,
Who've often said - and how -
"Don't waste your breath!"
"Do What Keepeth Thou from Wilting Shall Be the Loophole of The Law"
User avatar
Fenrisco
BFCus Regularus
 
Posts: 1268
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2004 6:47 pm
Location: Taiwan - Republic of China


Return to Black Flag Cafe

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests