[ Taken from archive file ART_roger.gnomes ]

 

Monday [March 18 1991].



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                 ROCK STAR CALLS IN GNOME SQUAD!

                         by Tom Merrin



Rock star Roger Taylor got revenge on killjoy local councillors -

by calling in the GNOME GUARD.

        

The drummer with supergroup Queen was fuming after being refused

permission to plonk a pair of stone lions on the gateposts outside

his country mansion.



So instead he stuck up two most tasteless garden gnomes he could

find.  And to make sure everybody got the message, he floodlit

them.



Local parish council chairman Major Brian Camp blew his top when he

saw the gnomes.

        

He complained to the planning authority at Thursley, near Hindhead,

Surrey, who ordered Roger to remove them.

        

"It looked like the entrance to an amusemant park rather than a

country house", spluttered the major yesterday.

        

Roger, who has lived in the ivy-covered mansion for 12 years,

bought the gnomes for 9 pounds each.

        

He said: "They really ARE horrible, and I couldn't stand the sight

of them myself.  But I'm glad I did it - and I might put them up

again next week."

        

Roger upset his neighbours 18 months ago when he threw a laser

party in the grounds of his home.

        

Several local people rang the police claiming that UFO's had

landed.



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Thanks goes out to JOE.