The Wild Northampton by DaveP


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He May Be Small, But He Ain't No Two-Bit Hamster! -- (Northampton, England, Thursday 22nd August 2002) A schoolboy who took his hamster on a bus journey to visit his grandmother was charged a 10p fare for the pet. Jordan Underwood, 10, from King's Heath, Northampton, was stunned when after paying his own 55p fare, the bus driver demanded an extra 10p to allow Nibbles on board. Bus company First Northampton has reportedly launched an investigation into the incident. The animal was a gift from his 83-year-old grandmother to keep him company during the school holidays. Jordan said: "I got on the bus and the man was saying what a lovely hamster it was. He said (the fare) was 55p and then looked at Nibbles and told me it was another 10p for him. I don't think it was fair because you don't have to pay for dog or babies and their 10 times bigger. He didn't even use a seat because I put him on the floor and he was in a cage so he wasn't going to chew anything." Jordan added Nibbles was "shocked" by the ordeal and they would both continue to use the buses but hoped that they didn't meet the same driver again. His father, Todd, said: "There is a serious side to this, because he is only a little boy, and he might not have had enough money to get the bus back."

The Wild Northampton by DaveP
(To the tune of "The Wild Rover")

I went to a bustop I used to frequent
To ensure my passage no money I'd spent
A bus trip to Granny on a fine sunny day
With my pet hamster Nibbles I was on my way

CHORUS:
And it's no, nay, never.
No, nay never no more.
Will I ride First Northampton,
No never no more.

At last, when the bus came, just four hours late!
We followed the bus queue all set for our date.
Nibbles my hamster was leaping with glee,
to be visiting Granny who gave him to me.

CHORUS

I took from my pocket my cash for the fare.
I had the right money, all counted with care.
Alas to my horror, the driver said, "No,
For to carry that hamster will be 10P more."

CHORUS

I said, "Are you joking"?. He answered "No way.
To carry your hamster you will have to pay".
I paid, as I had to, but it seemed so unfair.
I like carrying Nibbles with me, everywhere.

CHORUS