I guess that most of us would be pretty ticked if a council unilaterally declared that the parking space included as part of the property we’d bought, didn’t give us the right to occupy that space.

So when residents on the Springfield housing estate in Edinburgh suddenly found workmen, employed by the council, installing signs for permit parking in their spaces they were more than a little put out.

When the residents purchased their properties 40 years ago, they were assured that the parking spaces were included in the deal.

There is even a sign making it clear that these are private parking spaces, and in order to protect their spaces some residents have also installed metal poles.

Even though the parking spaces are included in the deeds the local council says that this does not mean that residents have any right to control how the spaces are actually used and assert that as the road has recently been adopted by the council, it is down to the council alone to say how the road is managed.

The council therefore intends to initiate controlled parking zones, meaning that residents will be required to pay between £41 and £398 for a 12-month parking permit!

The council adds that the new parking restrictions are being introduced to address issues like commuter parking, and it is for this reason that the council has adopted roads into the public network.

All this is disputed by the original site developers, Taylor Wimpey, who insisted that the ownership arrangements for parking spaces were set out in the owners’ legal titles when they were built.

The house builders added they were unaware of any reason for the council to change these arrangements.

OOer!

Now over the years I guess most of us have gone on scary rides at various events.

Maybe when you were very young you may have started with something like the ghost train.

But have you ever considered something really scary? 

And here I’m talking about something so scary it’s off the scales!

So scary in fact that visitors to McKamey Manor, America’s infamous scare attraction must sign a 40-page waiver and undergo screening, including a drugs test before they can enter!

Allegedly to date no one has ever made it through the full tour. 

For your delectation the attraction is available to “enjoy” in San Diego, Summertown, Tennessee and Huntsville in Alabama.

Run by one, Russ McKamey, the attraction (if you can call it that) promises participants a psychological “tour de force”.

It has been claimed that some guests (as visitors are called) have been so scared that they’ve pulled out their own teeth. Really?

Mr McKamey claims to use hypnosis and other types of mind control techniques to persuade participants to do some crazy things.

I’m sure you’ll be astonished to know that “guests” have to over the age of 21, although with parental permission/guidance over 18’s can get in, but only after they’ve been screened over the phone, via Facebook or FaceTime, undergone a complete a ‘sports physical’ and have a doctor’s note to prove that they are physically and mentally fit to give it a go.

Oh and they also have to provide proof that they have medical insurance!

Of course, this may all be part of the psychological build up – who knows?

So who’s up for it?

All being well I hope to have your company again tomorrow,
Scott