Museums of curiosity
The former culture secretary Ed Vaizey suggested that there are quite enough museums in Britain, and that they should attempt to display their treasures in more visited places like shopping centres. Some suggestions for an educational day out.
— British Lawnmower Museum, Southport.
— British in India Museum, Nelson, Lancashire. (Received 109 visitors in 2016, according to VisitEngland.)
— Dog Collar Museum, Leeds Castle, Kent.
— Derwent Pencil Museum, Cumbria.
— Teapot Island, Yalding, Kent. ‘The largest teapot exhibition in England with more than 8,200 teapots to be seen.’
Clean and dirty transport
Transport minister Jo Johnson announced that from 2040 all diesel-only trains will be banned from Britain’s rail tracks. What form of urban transport causes the least/most carbon emissions?
| Transport | g CO2 per passenger km |
| Cycling (taking into account extra food consumed) | 18 |
| Walking | 24 |
| Underground (every seat occupied but no one standing) | 30 |
| Diesel-powered bus (75 per cent full) | 42 |
| Diesel train (75 per cent full) | 42 |
| Moped | 48 |
| Electric car (driver only) | 110 |
| Diesel car (driver only) | 182 |
| Petrol car (driver only) | 199 |
| Black cab (one passenger) | 304 |
What dogs detect
Water company United Utilities has deployed sniffer dogs to detect water leaks.
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