Immigrants need 'The Knowledge' - you got it?
reports that the influx of immigrants has prompted Wrexham Council to consider introducing local knowledge tests for taxi drivers - following applications from people who apparently can't even speak the lingo! And you can have a go online...
The would-be cabbies will face a quiz of 100 questions like 'how do you get to Rhos from Wrexham FC?' and 'where is Wrexham Maelor Hospital?' along with 'What is the shortest route from Tesco to the Walnut Tree pub?'
I could show you where these places are but I couldn't tell you because I'm useless with names but it wouldn't make a difference around town at the moment. What with all the roadworks and diversions it feels like you have to go in the opposite direction to get where you want!
Regarding the language issue, it's the standard joke, isn't it, in a US movie that no one can understand a word said by a yellow cab driver in New York - and they always seem to get to their destination!
Just for fun, we've used a selection of questions from the cabbie local knowledge test in a new quiz we've added to our Fun section. We're calling it The Knowledge because that's what it's known as in London where new taxi drivers have to undergo a rigourous test of knowledge before they can start work.