MY contribution to the great Upton bridge debate...

UPTON CARNIVAL A happy accident in Upton upon Severn: When finally the wraps were removed The new bridge shimmered In glorious tropical colours, A gawdy macaw, screeching delightedly In its new Brazilian strip.

Oh Dr Socrates you must have conjured this, Your last glorious trick, Twinning neat Little Upton With Rio in carnival time.

A glorious goal right out of the blue That makes the sun smile So Upton heralds the World Cup And the Olympics, joins the BRICs.

Yes, the painters got it wrong, But now we know they dipped Their brushes in joyful serendipity, Challenged the townsfolk to forget Their careful ballot and accept This happy visitation, Their own new tethered rainbow.

CHARLES EDEN
Malvern