Tip workers make world cup teams out of gnomes
THOUSANDS of football fans might have wanted to throw Robert Green on the rubbish tip after his hideous World Cup blunder.
Yet that is exactly where you might find a collection of England players thanks to an imaginative bunch of workers at Lifford Lane recycling centre in Kings Norton.
The team, employed by Birmingham-based recycling contractor Veolia, have entered into the spirit of the World Cup by painting the colours of the 32 participating countries onto a set of discarded gnomes.
And not content with just one England gnome, staff have actually hand-painted a whole team of Three Lions.
Robert Betteridge, a regular to the tip, says the eye-catching collection has made queueing up to enter the site all the more enjoyable and colourful.
The 66-year-old retired foreman from Kings Heath said: “The English gnomes look very depressed – especially the goalkeeper.
“But it’s great to see all the effort they have gone to. They’ve clearly studied the World Cup and made sure all the countries participating are represented.
“It’s really brightened the place and made the queue a lot more bearable.”
Mark Heesom, Veolia’s general manager, said quirky displays had been erected at Veolia’s four other recycling centres in Birmingham.
“All of our staff take great pride in their working environments although I think the Lifford team’s is definitely the most topical,” he said.
“The operatives are very proud and wanted to celebrate the world cup in an open and friendly way.
‘‘Many visitors have been commenting that the work is very professional and a credit to the site.
“Veolia are always happy to enter into the spirit of good customer relations and wish the England team all the best in their efforts in the World Cup.”
With England facing a must-win match against Algeria tonight, let’s hope England aren’t yet ready for the scrap heap in South Africa.
