M@

Roundup: London April Fools Jokes



The Guardian parody the overexposure of the Royal Wedding, with a prominently placed live blog of proceedings 29 days before the big event. Keeping us up to date is that famous once-a-year journalist, Olaf Priol. Ironically, Olaf has plenty of material to support the constant feed. The Latin motto and crest at the top of the page should give the classically educated an instant clue that this article is tongue-in-cheek.

The Sun's pitch is less subtle: Aliens to Drop in on Kate and Wills Wedding. Though maybe it isn't an April Fool. The article was posted on 31 March and is repeated in the Mail.

More down to Earth, but equally bizarre, is this tribute to the happy couple from a Surbiton cheese club: a three-foot-high edible statue of their president made from Swiss Cheese.

Less digestible is the new edible version of Metro, which hits news stands today, marking 40 years since the original Willy Wonka film. Metro also carries a subtle ad for a wedding-themed BMW.

Time Out's Now. Here. This. blog also goes for a foody angle, with a post about goat urine jelly, courtesy of fictitious jellymongers Wobble & Co.

The Standard, meanwhile, plump for a tech story, with news that Motorola will soon release the Atrix phone. It can do anything a laptop can do...if you plug it into a laptop. Update: We're told this is an actual phone and not a joke. Bizarre.

Photoshop of the Day award goes to SE1, who reveal a 40 ft high bronze statue of Boris on a bike for Potters Fields. (Via @datainadequate.) Similarly, Spanish site GuiriLandia imagine Olympic mascot Wenlock replacing Nelson in Trafalgar Square. (Via Jorge Ruiz.) Better yet, the RSPB's Saving Special Places blog has this incredible reworking of the Square, complete with trees and biomes.



Meanwhile, Chessington World of Adventures have mated a Hammerhead shark with a Spinner shark; a Spannerhead shark is born. (Via Louisa Jarvis.) More animal fun over at the Wandsworth Guardian, who report that England's cricket team will be enhanced with canine fielders from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. (Via Sally)



The ever eccentric London Art News lead with a story about Colonel Gaddafi declaring 1 April as Libyan Red Nose Day, complete with irrefutable photographic evidence.

Google stick a narwhal in the Thames! (Via @spatialanalysis)

Walkit.com win the award for April Fool that would actually be pretty damn brilliant. They suggest a monthly vehicle exclusion zone for Zone 1, turning the whole city centre into a festival area for pedestrians. Might need a better name than the proposed Big Society Sundays, though.

Also plausible is this nugget from The Scoop, which reports on a massive Barclays sponsorship deal that would see London buses painted blue and TfL renamed as Barclays London Transport. (Via Dean Nicholas.) Perhaps the banking giant are also financing this Tube extension to Brighton, highlighted by Love/Hate travel.

Least plausible prank of the day is the story that Imperial College will charge zero tuition fees. Oddly, Imperial's Rector, Sir Keith O'Nions, really is called that. (Via Wonkhe and @marktweets)



Wishful thinking from What's In Wapping, who endorse plans to extend the Thames Cable Car scheme to their neighbourhood. (Via Dean Nicholas.) Likewise, residents of Elephant awoke today to find that the cancelled Cross-river Tram project had indeed been built on the sly, at least according to the Evolution Quarter Residents Association. Better use it quick, though. Funding runs out later today.

Private Rented Sector Update attempt to drum up some business, by asserting that Will and Kate will be looking to rent following their nuptials. (Via Dave Whells.) Speaking of which, the Foreign Students website has a scoop: the Royal Wedding will be superhero-themed. The Hounslow Chronicle, meanwhile, report on the borough's new goats (Will and Kate, of course) who will trim back local parks (at least according to spokespeople William Gruff and Olive Butt).

LDN Fashion reckon that John Galliano is to head up ASDA's George collection, with capsule collections called ‘John’, ‘Paul’ and ‘Ringo’. (Via Frankie)

Getting more local, Rog T announces the closure and deletion of The Barnet Eye blog as he takes up his new job as Deputy Chief Executive of Barnet Council, an organisation for whom he's only ever had glowing praise. At the other end of town, the excellent EastLondonLines report that a fast food chain will henceforth run New Cross Library. (Via Beth) And in central London, Fitrovia News reveal that Bolsover Street will be renamed Great Titchmarsh Street after broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh.



Frail Loop, 'hottest act to come from Berkshire since Will Young' to play O2 Academy, Brixton, reports XfM. (Via Alex Pearmain)

West Ham's beloved Boleyn Tavern to be moved to Olympic Park brick by brick, reports fan site Knees Up Mother Brown.



No jokes from us today, but here's one that caught a few of you out from 2008.

Let us know if you've spotted any other japes, jests or joshing, and we'll add 'em to the pile.