For many years, Beelzebub Bennet (94) has been a well-known face around Madron. His lurking presence has perfumed its busy streets with his distinctive odour for as long as many can remember and for, at least, some fifty years.
It was said by Our Lord that "The poor you will always have with you" and so it came to pass that Bennet's constant presence has been accepted by the god-fearing folk of Madron as some necessary part of the street furniture.
He seems to have an uncanny sense for what he terms 'a loose coin' and approaches people with all the confidence of a metal detector to prise that loose coin from its erstwhile owner.
The good people of madron have always assumed that he must live in the most reduced circumstances and could always be relied upon to 'spare a bob for Beelzebub'.
It has therefore come as a huge shock to them to learn that his steady begging income has turned him into one of the richest men in West Penwith.
This imposing residence, known as 'Dunbeggin', was built at huge cost, using specially imported stone from Sweden. Locals know nothing of the owner except that he is a recluse, who is only ever visited by his shapely Private Banking Manager, Tamsin Pengelly, who comes down from Truro on her moped to see him once a month.
When our reporter tried to confront Bennet, he quickly scuttled into the deep recesses of his castle, displaying a breathtaking turn of speed. That was two days ago, since when he has not been seen - either at his castle or in Madron.
Edna and Pammie aren't the only disgruntled Madron residents to react in this way to the news. In a quick telephone survey, the Roundup has established that only 94% of the Madron population would now be prepared to 'spare a bob for Beelzebub'.
The Roundup will report further.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
The Greater Relubbus Urban Council (GRUC) has today passed a law outlawing 'the passing of wind', which will be known as the 'No Farting Directive'.
The GRUC believes that everyone must 'do their bit' to cut down on the production of gases which contribute to the phenomenon known as Global Warming.
In part this can be explained by the fact that many people opt for a shop pasty when they are out shopping and the pastry in these is known to considerably increase the incidence of flatulence.
Professor Pender has calculated that, if the global population were to generate flatulence levels similar to those captured in Boswedden Lane, the global warming effect effect would cause a 20 metre rise in sea levels, which would put Newlyn Bridge under water.
In the interests of the people of Newlyn and elsewhere, a strict 'no farting' law is now to be applied. People are required - by law - to retain and reabsorb all and any gas. Professor Pender insists that this retention practice is only 'likely to be fatal in less than 5% of cases'.
Signs will be posted throughout Greater Relubbus.
