FROM a furious Womble to a streaker on the pier – what would life be without weird and wonderful stories?
The final year of the decade failed to disappoint Argus readers who have a penchant for the preposterous.
So to celebrate another year packed full of odd and sometimes odious news stories, we have chosen some of our favourites.
On the day we count down to the end of the decade, we count down the ten weirdest stories of the year.
Number 5: Tree to be axed after ‘serious’ pine cone injury fears (September 11)
A church said it would cut down an 18m high tree after worries its pine cones could injure passersby.
St Peter’s Church in West Blatchington, Hove, said it would chop down a Scots pine tree in its grounds after two worshippers fell foul of falling pine cones.
The Diocese of Chichester consistory court, which governs churches across Sussex, gave permission to churchwarden Jonathan Cooke to fell the tree in Court Farm Road. Mr Cooke said the tree had more than 130 large cones, which had started to fall.
“Already at least two people are known to have been struck, fortunately with no ill effects as they were grown men,” he said.
But Brighton and Hove city councillor Dawn Barnett said the decision was “one of the stupidest things I’ve heard in my entire life”.
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