The Daniel Finkelstein Bridge

A few months ago I told this story in The Times:

There is a bridge under construction spanning the Danube between Buda and Pest, and I think about it often, always with irritation. You see, it is going to be called the Megyeri Hid, just because it connects Káposztásmegyer and Békásmegye. But this name is an outrage, a fraud, a robbery. And before you walk away shrugging your shoulders, I must tell you that this fraud is about to be perpetrated on you.

In the summer Hungary’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Transport decided to hold a public vote on its website. The subject — what should the new bridge connecting Káposztásmegyer and Békásmegye be called?

Within days, fans of the US martial arts actor Chuck Norris had pushed his name to the top of the ballot. Now, Chuck Norris turned down a role in Karate Kid on a point of principle, so obviously he deserves to have a bridge named after him.

But, in the end, he didn’t win. The American satirist Stephen Colbert launched a campaign to have the structure named after him instead. And in a two-way fight with the Croatian-Hungarian national hero, Miklós Zrínyi, the comedian romped home. More people voted for him than the entire population of Hungary. The Stephen Colbert Hid it would be.

Oh no it wouldn’t. It was announced that Colbert had won but couldn’t have the bridge named after him unless he spoke fluent Hungarian and was deceased. The comedian felt unable to comply with the latter condition and the Hungarian Geographical Name Committee duly named the structure the Megyeri Hid.

And Dizzy was tempted to bother the Number 10 petition site with this:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to name the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge the Daniel Finkelstein Bridge.

The proposed bridge in the Thames Gateway connecting Beckton in the north with Thamesmead in the south should be named the "Daniel Finkelstein Bridge" after the eminent political commentator and columnist.

Sadly the petition failed. On account of having only 14 signatories. So no Daniel Finkelstein Bridge. Until now.

Last week I arrived at Beech Farm Cottages in Yorkshire for a week's holiday and in the playground my children found this:

Proprieter Rooney Massara, it turns out is a Comment Central reader.

It is a fine structure.

And, incidentally, Beech Farm Cottages were absolutely superb. I warmly recommend them to you.

Comments

[Andy]

No conflict of interest there of course

[jj]

This is old news, regurgitated by an unfunny man.
Don't try to ride Colbert's coat tails, you'll end up looking even more old and un-hip.

[dizzy]

It's outrageous that more people didn't sign that petition but it all turned right in the end!