It probably takes a very particular set of skills to be considered good at this game.
If you’re the sort of person who’ll Google pretty much anything on your mind, no matter how bizarre and questionable it may be, then it’s you we’re describing above there.
After being founded as a search engine back in 1998, let’s face it, Google’s pretty much seen it all by now when it comes to strange internet searches and we’ve found a board game on Amazon that’s used all these odd things that humans search for to its advantage by turning it into a bit of fun.
The Weird Things Humans Search For board game takes “only two minutes to learn and 20 to play” and has been created by game makers Big Potato who “looked through the internet and collected a load of totally-genuine, totally-weird web searches [and] decided to make a party game out of it”.
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According to the product description on Amazon, “for once you’ll be glad you didn’t delete your internet history”.
Crucially, this is also branded as an ‘adult board game’ and is suggested suitable for players at least over 14 years of age too, so you can only imagine what that means.
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Amazon / Big Potato
The game works like this – each round, you’ll hear the first half of an internet search, like ‘Did dinosaurs…’ and then it’s your job to try and figure out what came next. The higher your answers rank, the more points you’ll score for you and your team, so don’t be afraid to think a little weird.
In fact, thinking ‘weird’ is precisely the point.
To be good at this game, you’ll apparently “have to take on questions about all sorts of stuff” – from memes to dinosaurs, pet frogs to sumo wrestlers – an as you’ve already picked up, a lot of these searches can get pretty bizarre, so it doesn’t hurt to have a few weird friends or family members on your team alongside you.
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It’s retailing on Amazon at £19.99 + FREE delivery and has hundreds of positive reviews from plenty of satisfied customers over the years, so if you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth the buy or not, then it might be worth having a read of a few of those to help make your mind up.
It’s also listed as an Amazon’s Choice product too, so it must be a pretty good laugh.
If you’re up for testing your knowledge on a topic that you probably didn’t even really think needed testing until now, then you can get the Weird Things Humans Search For board game from Amazon here.
News
Government grants local councils power to make pavement parking illegal in their region
Emily Sergeant
New powers are being made available to local leaders across England to introduce pavement parking restrictions in their area.
Blocked pavements can create serious barriers for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people, and older people, and campaigners say this limits individuals’ independence and makes everyday journeys harder and less safe for them.
So, in a bid to help keep pavements clear and accessible for everyone who uses them, the Government has introduced new local powers.
Following a public consultation – which first took place all the way back in 2020 – the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that local leaders will be given ‘new and improved’ legal powers to make it easier to restrict pavement parking across wider areas, rather than relying on the previous approach where action was often limited to individual streets.
The Government has granted local councils the power to make pavement parking illegal in their region / Credit: Samuel Regan-Asante (via Unsplash)
The Government says local leaders ‘know their streets best’ and are therefore best placed to respond to local needs.
Under this new approach, local leaders will be able to decide to take action on pavement parking in their area, while still getting to retain flexibility where they deem pavement parking may still be acceptable.
“Clear pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person,” commented Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood.
Blocked pavements can make it harder for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and blind or partially sighted people to get around.
That’s why we’re giving local authorities stronger powers to tackle pavement parking and keep pavements accessible. https://t.co/PIqkIw1LF2
“That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go.”
By putting decision-making closer to communities, the Government says this approach supports safer and more inclusive streets that ‘work better for everyone’.
The DfT will set out guidance to help local authorities use these powers in a ‘proportionate’ and ‘locally appropriate’ way later in 2026.
Featured Image – Sado Lavren (via Unsplash)
News
Ian McKellen to play legendary Salford artist L.S. Lowry in new BBC documentary
Emily Sergeant
Sir Ian McKellen has landed himself an exciting new role, and he’s set to play one of Greater Manchester’s most iconic sons.
One of the most celebrated British actors of all time playing one of the most celebrated British artists of all time? It was meant to be. That’s right, Ian McKellen is set to portray Salford’s very-own L.S. Lowry in the new BBC documentary, L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes, produced by award-winning Wall to Wall Mediaand coming soon to BBC Two and iPlayer.
Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, this immersive documentary film will focus on the touching and often surprising exchange between the enigmatic artist and Angela Barratt – a young fan whose interviews capture Lowry in his most intimate and reflective moments.
Recorded in the artist’s own living room, these tapes reveal Lowry’s authentic voice, which Burnley-born actor McKellen will lip-sync on screen.
Across these candid conversations, Lowry traces his journey from childhood right through to his final days, sharing the memories and experiences that shaped him both as an artist, and crucially, as a man.
Alongside this deeply personal account, the documentary is also set to explore the dramatic transformation of Salford and Greater Manchester, which Lowry, of course, depicted so prolifically in his work.
“To give play to Lowry through his own voice has been a unique privilege,” commented Ian McKellen as his casting was announced this week.
“These tapes reveal an intimate insight into the artist’s thoughts – his ambitions, regrets and his humour. Anyone like me, who admires his paintings and drawings, will be intrigued and delighted that the artist is brought back to life through his own words.”
Mark Bell, who is the Commissioning Editor at BBC Arts, added: “Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, and celebrating Arena’s own 50-year tradition of ambitious, intelligent storytelling, this film comes at a very special moment.
“The inspired casting of Ian McKellen and Annabel Smith feels like life imitating art in the best possible way. But this film isn’t just about the life of the artist, it also provides an insight into the realities of urban life in Greater Manchester in the 20th century.”
L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes is directed by James Kent, following his recent Emmy win for Lost Boys and Fairies, with executive producer Morgana Pugh, and producer Hannah Mirsky.
Further broadcast details will be announced in due course.
Featured Image – BBC / Wall to Wall Media Ltd / Connor Harris
Emily Sergeant -
30th June 2020 
