Top 9 bizarre, funny and weird Worcester News stories of 2017

From the mermaid who found a new place swim, to the naked clown spotted by the riverside near South Quay and a councillor “bemused” after being accosted for not wearing a tie at County Hall.

Here are 10 of the most funny and bizarre stories from the year.

MYSTERY CLOWN

In February, dog walker Judith Porter sent in bizarre pictures of a woman who, despite the chilly weather, was wearing what appears to be a white bodysuit, red nose and curly brown wig.

The identity of the clown still remains a mystery and it is not known whether it is linked to the killer clown craze which swept the UK in 2016.

TURKEY MEMORIAL

Earlier this month, a trailer of 640 turkeys overturned near junction 5 of the M5, near Wychbold.

Many of the animals escaped on to the the motorway and several died.

Animal rights group Peta called on Worcestershire County Council to grant approval to a memorial in tribute to the turkeys that died.

FLIPPING GREAT

In October, real-life mermaid Aries was looking for a new place to swim

Leia Trigger, aged 18, was barred from using her tail at Bromsgrove’s Dolphin Centre after it was taken over by a new operator Everyone Active.

After being rejected from several public pools in the area she found a new home at Perdiswell Leisure Centre in Bilford Road.

What a lovely, happy ending.

NO ARM DONE

In October, a ghastly tale of severed arms came just before Halloween.

A driver called police to report seeing a severed arm by the Ketch Roundabout on the A4440 road in Worcester, only for it to turn out to be an ‘armless’ Halloween prank.

KNOT A CHANCE

In June, a Worcester councillor was accosted by a fellow councillor for not wearing a tie at County Hall.

Labour Councillor Richard Udall was bemused and said “I do wonder whether we should feel the need for men to wear ties in order to be taken seriously?”

MINIATURE MYSTERY

In March, a mysterious tale of a bizarre Farmyard scene found next to car in Morrisons car park, Roman Way, Malvern, was reported.

The miniscule farmyard with animals glued onto sandpaper to form a perfect circle was left near the driver’s side door.

Baffled Liam Andrews was left scratching his head and wondering whether it was left there as a joke.

The farmyard was later revealed to belong to Claire Russell, from St John’s, Worcester, who didn’t realise she lost it until colleagues at Worcester Bosch, in Blackpole, read the Worcester News article.

The 35-year-old’s father Brian Willis made the farm scene after Miss Russell was handed Matilda the Pig as a joke ‘prize’ in a weight loss group made up of a group of colleagues.

SPEAR PANTOMIME

In April, a thanksgiving service blessing asparagus at Worcester Cathedral has come under fire after being labelled an “absurd pantomime” that “brought the Church of England into disrepute.”

But Canon Precentor at Worcester Cathedral, Michael Brierley, defended the service, pointing out it is part of English tradition.

The service, held on Sunday, helped mark the beginning of the popular British Asparagus Festival, which annually celebrates the much-loved vegetables through various events, including an asparagus run.

The service received criticism nationally, including from influential Church of England blog Archbishop Cranmer, run by theologian Adrian Hilton.

IN THE PINK

In June, a flock of 200 flamingos arrived overnight and perched on verges, outside the church, the parish room and The Old Vicarage in White Ladies Aston, near Worcester.

The strange spectacle, dubbed Flamingo Bombing, is believed to have originated in America and sees a person plant several pink plastic flamingos in a garden to see their neighbour’s reaction.

GINNY SLING

Zany Worcester drag act Ginny Lemon had short-lived success on the X-Factor talent show. Ginny, who has the signature catchphrase ‘fancy a slice?’, burst on to screens on saying "I’m from Worcester- just like the sauce”.

Her performance led judge Simon Cowell to say: “What the hell just happened?”.