http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article...articleID=16367

Oh hang on, what day is it?

I'm not sure which part of the story is meant to be the April Fool joke - the discovery of the paintings, or the fact that Garry Poulson is described as a local historian!

"A man brandishing a stick at people..."

Clearly things haven't changed much in Newbury over the centuries!

have to say i thought it would be something slighty better than this

It's pitty that 'Jacklets' has to offend Mr. Poulson, I am not aware that he has ever claimed to be a local historian, though from my dealings with him in the past, I cant think of a subject on Newbury that he would be unable to add something of value on, he laways knows someone that does. What I do know is that Mr. Poulson has an excellent sense of humour, anyone that meets him soon discovers that he has an irreverent view on life. Jacklets would do well to get a sense of humour herself, or perhaps she could peer into Councilors Allends dark tunnel to see what might be up there !

I'm not aware that he has made that claim either - but the NWN seem to think he is! I do know him, and he has one of the best sense of humours I've ever come across - so feel sure that he'd have chuckled when he read that. and as for Councillor Allen - I have no desire to peer up his tunnel - or that of any other Councillor!

Not even RG's when he is elected?

"Dr Phil McCracken"

"Kennet Be True?"

Probably not is the answer to that.

I believe he is being hired by WBC to look at the problem with Victoria park.

I know Garry's view on being labelled a local historian - he thinks it's a huge joke.

Which makes me wonder who Jacklets might be - he even knows to spell Garry with two Rs.

I suspect the depiction is that of a cleric holding a sceptre rather than a stick. The iconography of the sceptre, or stylised ox-goad, has its roots in Egyptian culture which migrated via Judaism into early Christianity as a symbol of authority, much as the ceremonial mace is a symbol of civic authority now. The goad was a familiar metaphor in an agrarian society and represented the power of the church to compel its flock.

In the power vacuum of the post-Roman period the church was increasingly imposing its secular, as well as spiritual authority and it is possible that the allegorical scene depicted in the cellar of the town hall represents the rejection by the people of Newbury of an overbearing and authoritarian influence of the native Celtic church that had migrated east from Wales and Cornwall. Sort of on your ox, and may your goad go with you.

Not difficult to know how to spell it correctly - have seen it written down often enough, including in the article! Shame you haven't paid as much attention to getting my sex right!

I'm sure he will be giving that some thought.

Good one!

Me too!