It's currently 4°C (39°F) with a 17mph North easterly wind, but if you were here you would know that anyway!

Jenson Button
How a rumour becomes a headline...

A few weeks back a discussion was started in the pub about the future of Compton House now that Robbie Williams has decided to sell up. The debate took place between no more than 2 or 3 individuals (who shall remain nameless - unless a tabloid coughs up some dough!) although the pub was quite busy at the time (as usual!).

Anyhow, after a variety of celebrity names were thrown into the hat it was decided that because there was a dirt buggy race track in the back garden the only person who would fit the bill was non other than F1 World Champion and Sports Personality runner up, Jenson Button... Of course, he would probably rent it first though as he already has a place in Monaco.

And so it was; the rumour was born... Within hours word had spread locally and within days it had spread to the next village. People came to the pub from miles around, asking the question "...have you heard the news? Jenson Button is buying Robbie's house..." Of course, the people who started the rumour simply acknowledged the question with "so I hear!"

3 weeks passed and the rumour had reached a London bar and then bingo! A Sun exclusive!!! Jenson Button is set to buy Robbie's house because apparently it is perfect for him as it has a dirt buggy track in the back garden... almost verbatum the conversation that had taken place a few weeks earlier.

Now, you can look at this in one of two ways:

If Jenson doesn't move to village then you know that the story was buncum and based on a rumour started over a pint of beer.

If Jenson does move in then you know that you heard it first at The White Horse in Compton Bassett!

See you around the 20th!

Paul Rossiter