DAVID ADAMS reports on the odder side of life…
• A new album featuring tracks made just for a cat’s ears will be released in October. The composer, David Teie – a cellist and scientist, has signed a deal for the album with Universal Music after he initially sold 10,000 copies of the album, Music for Cats, which he had produced after raising funds through crowd-funding. Mr Teie reportedly says not all cats seem to like the music which he developed based on a scientific theory that animals establish their sense of music through sounds they hear after they’re born, such as bird’s chirping or their mother’s purr. Universal, meanwhile, say they are thrilled to break into the market for music for non-human listeners, suggesting that the possibilities for species-specific music are “endless”.
• Still talking about animals and surfers on a California beach were shocked recently when a deer plunged into the water almost taking out one of the surfers. The surfer, who was among a number trying out for a local surfing team on the morning in question, had to bail out of his attempt to catch the wave. The team’s coach reportedly later paddled out and herded the deer back to shore. No doubt embarrassed, the deer was last seen running up the beach.
• How much are your taste buds worth? UK chocolate maker Cadbury’s has reportedly insured the taste buds of one of its scientists with Lloyds of London for £1 million. Hayleigh Curtis, part of a team of inventors who works at the company’s ‘innovation kitchen’ in Bournville, Birmingham, says that now her tastebuds are protected (and under the terms of the contract, sword-swallowing and hot curries are apparently out), she’s looking forward to creating “lots more deliciously tasting chocolate for years to come”.
• This week’s unusual church is the Chéne Chapelle, also known as the Oak Tree Chapel, in France. Located in the village of Allouville-Bellefosse, the premises – which actually includes two chapels – is located in an ancient hollowed out oak tree. It apparently dates back to the 1600s when, after the tree was struck by lightning and burned, the local abbot and priest decided to construct a chapel in the hollowed-out remains. The chapels, where Mass is still apparently celebrated twice a year, are entered by a staircase winding around the outside of the tree.
