Re: Spring 2016 | Page 85

The Titanic Joke - 2001 Southern FM radio in Brighton (now Heart) announced that a full-size replica of the Titanic (constructed by the AFD Construction Company) would be visible from the cliffs at Beachy Head as it sailed along the Sussex Coast. Hundreds of people braved the windy, treacherous cliffs to catch a glimpse of the sight. Many drove from as far as 30 or 40 miles away. So many people showed up that the cliffs developed a crack from their weight and a few days later collapsed into the water (though by that time everyone was gone). The radio station later apologised to those who had been deceived. The Deadline Joke - 2003 Glenn Howlett, an employee at London City Hall was on holiday when he received a memo from his co-workers informing him that a deadline for a big report he was working on had been brought forward. Without a second thought, he cut his holiday short to make the deadline. However, in his panic he suffered heart palpitations and collapsed from stress. Whilst recovering, he decided finishing the report wasn’t worth the risk to his health and so filed for early retirement. After being told of the ‘joke’ he sued the company for damages which later resulted in London City Hall banning employees from pulling any more pranks. By Jason Edge 85