A trainee reporter is bidding to find a patriotic painter behind the redecoration a series of road markings in honour of the World Cup.
A mysterious ‘artist’ has been painting mini-roundabouts and other markings on streets in Great Yarmouth so they resemble the Cross of St George.
The painting has prompted Eastern Daily Press journalist Jacob Massey to search for the culprit, whose work has received tacit support, on a temporary basis, from Norfolk County Council.
Jacob, pictured, is currently in the process of verifying a tip given to him about the identity of someone claiming to be responsible for some of the work.
He told HTFP: “We were first made aware of it when one popped up prior to England’s first game and started doing the rounds on social media, receiving a lot of praise. We contacted the council to see what their position was and they basically said they would leave it til after the World Cup.
“However, they quickly started to appear all over the place and we thought it might be nice to trace the increasingly popular figure.
“Initially we think it may have been just the one person, or group of people, as it seemed they were sort of discreetly taking requests on Facebook – numerous people asked for them on their roads and then overnight they would appear.
“But now it seems there must be some copy cats about, as they are appearing further and further afield, and we suspect our man or woman isn’t travelling by night to Yorkshire and beyond.”
The county council, which is responsible for Great Yarmouth’s roads, told the EDP it was in “no hurry” to remove the paintwork until after the World Cup concludes next month.
Jacob added: “As far as the investigation is going, the person or people responsible are being strongly advised by the public to remain anonymous, due to fears of repercussions. Indeed many seem to think I am an undercover agent working for the council or Highways England.
“I have had one person email me claiming to have painted some, but not all of the roundabouts, but I am yet to verify his claims.
“I have also had an anonymous tip-off suggesting I will find the person in a pub on a street in the town – though they won’t tell me which pub as they claim to be ‘sworn to secrecy.'”
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“….I will find the person in a pub on a street in the town – though they won’t tell me which pub”
Great investigative journalism there, that should narrow it down for him.
Beggars belief that time and resources are being wasted on this pointless non news story especiakly when I’m told these markings were in place 4 years ago at the last World Cup so it’s not even new news.
A sad reflection of what’s passing as news in the country’s weekly papers these days.
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Oh come on, Norridge. There’s so much doom and gloom at the moment, can a reporter not just have a bit of fun?
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At least he’s managed to get out of the office but surely in Great Yarmouth the stories are either seagulls stealing fish and chips and/or people sunbathing in the hot weather – unless they’ve already been covered!
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