Stealing a march on the proposed ‘It’s a bit hot, maybe downgrade to a 12-tog cardie’ proposed "durr" warning system, government and law enforcement bodies issued the highest level Clout Alert across the country. ‘Civil unrest may have spread to orange paint spattered across the Chelmsford populace, and go-slow protests in Weston Super-Mare, neither of which have any discernible effect,’ said a police spokesperson, ‘But one regulation no British citizen would consider breaking is the eminently sensible ‘Ne’er cast a clout till May is out’. However, due to the second half of May surprising us all by remembering what the average temperature should be, people have been desperately casting clouts since early doors June 1st, with no thought to basic health and safety, let alone decency laws.’ Confusion has been exacerbated by no-one under the age of 147 remembering what a clout is, leading to hordes of naked pensioners frolicking across foundation-garment-strewn parks, and all manner of household goods being vicariously thrown from windows nationwide with more velocity than Boris Johnson changing his publicly-funded legal team. Blacksmiths are reporting unprecedented requests from folklorists convinced a clout is some kind of cast iron stable tool, with the traditional three unequal legs and simple pleated pixane, or bishop's mantle, collar. However since the last forge was turned into the inevitable hipster eatery last month, all they can offer is an artisan pine-needle foam drizzled over an anvil.
photo: https://pixabay.com/users/stocksnap-894430/