The Psychologist Who Didn’t Know Who He Was

The Lower Strangling Chronicles I could only dream of living in a place like this, Archie Adams thought to himself as he dragged his cart of useless tat into the quintessential village of Lower Strangling, admiring the ancient cottages on either side of him. He hoped to flog some of the junk in his cartContinue reading “The Psychologist Who Didn’t Know Who He Was”

The Strange Guest

The Lower Strangling Chronicles ”Are you sure he came in here, Chief?” Sergeant Becky Fernshaw of Gloucestershire Constabulary asked Chief Constable Stuart Kennedy as they observed a lavender labyrinth. ”Yes, I’m sure of it,” Stuart said. They had spent the last forty-eight minutes in a high-speed car chase through the Cotswolds, perusing an erratic driverContinue reading “The Strange Guest”

Homemade Croissants at the Climate Catastrophe Charity Bake Sale

The Lower Strangling Chronicles “So, floods in England and fire in Los Angeles,” Dave said as he waited in a queue to get into the Hangman’s Noose. “Who are we betting will get the plague of locusts?” The people around him met his remarks with groans. His wife, Sarah, glared at him. ”Not particularly amusing,Continue reading “Homemade Croissants at the Climate Catastrophe Charity Bake Sale”

Father’s Day in Ardenvale

Vaulting Ambition It was a glorious day in Ardenvale. The sky was a deep blue, and the buildings glowed underneath the relentless June sun. Everyone was out and about, enjoying the summer that had finally arrived. Everyone, except for Sophie Johnson, because election season had rolled around once again. You see, Sophie hated politics, evenContinue reading “Father’s Day in Ardenvale”

Competition at the Pub Quiz

The Lower Strangling Chronicles It was an unusually dreary day for May, and the Hangman’s Noose welcomed the residents of Lower Strangling for their monthly charity quiz night, Who Wants to Eat a Millionaire… ‘s Shortcake. Rather than a million pounds, the winning team received a slice of the pub’s signature Millionaire’s Shortcake. But theyContinue reading “Competition at the Pub Quiz”

The Great Crypto Experiment Part Two

The Lower Strangling Chronicles “How does this work again?” The elderly gentleman trying to figure out how to pay for his pint at the Hangman’s Noose said. “You just hold the crypto wallet over the QR code,” John Granger, the landlord of the Hangman’s Noose, said. “The money should transfer the transaction once you’ve acceptedContinue reading “The Great Crypto Experiment Part Two”

Bonfire Night in Lower Strangling

The Lower Strangling Chronicles It was a fairly chilly night on the 5th November, and the residents of Lower Strangling, along with other people, gathered on the island in the middle of the village outside the Church of St Gerald the Damned, where a Bonfire was. Some were swinging sparklers about, whilst others had glowContinue reading “Bonfire Night in Lower Strangling”

Deluge at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

It was the first Sunday in a month of five Sundays, and the residents of Lower Strangling plus some people from nearby sat along a long table covered in a Union Jack tablecloth, eating a meal to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee whilst also raising money for the people suffering the most from the cost-of-living crisis.Continue reading “Deluge at the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations”

The Beer Delivery

“I see you’ve decided to be healthy today.” John said as Robert cycled up to the Hangman’s Noose with a trailer filled with crates of Throckmorton Ale behind him. “Indeed,” Robert said, getting off his bike and moving to the trailer on the back. “I want to only use the car when I really needContinue reading “The Beer Delivery”

A Critic Calls

It was a sunny June morning, and the Hangman’s Noose was almost as it was just over a year ago before the pandemic hit. John Granger quietly cleaned glasses and served customers beer whilst his patrons calmly had their lunch at various tables. All was blissful. But then, a short bald man with glasses inContinue reading “A Critic Calls”