There are superstitions a plenty where it concerns Friday the 13th. It is said to be a very bad day and likely gets it’s origins two fold. Combine the number 13, which is alleged to be an unlucky set of digits with Friday, which is also alleged to hold a bad omen since the death of Christ and you get the double whammmy.
Now we have a new combination to fear, or at least that’s how many in the town of Northampton, England feel with the appearance of a Friday the 13th clown!
According to witnesses, a clown started showing up on street corners throughout the town in full makeup with red wig to boot. Sometimes appearing with a bunch of balloons, he apparently just stands there and stares right through you.
Here’s a report from the Northampton News:
In case you have been away for a couple of days here’s what seems to be going on.
On Friday (the thirteenth I might add), a clown started appearing on Northampton’s streets in full costume and make-up.
He doesn’t juggle. He doesn’t twist balloons into animal shapes. He just stares.
He has been elusive enough to limit the evidence of his appearances to a handful of grainy smartphone snaps.
The backdrop so far has been Northampton’s East Midlands industrial town architecture: the brickwork of Victorian terraces and the gates of former shoe factories. He is not a jolly clown, he is a jolly creepy crown but this seems to be part of the appeal.
A huge number of the people commenting on Facebook and Twitter are talking about how scary the clown is but they are still fascinated.
Sadly – bizarrely – an equally large number are offering up violence of the “If I see him I’ll deck him…” variety.
I really don’t understand that. I wonder what it is about an unexpected clown that is so difficult to cope with that it would provoke an outburst of uncontrolled physical aggression? How do these people cope with Halloween, fancy dress parties or even fashion makeovers?
I’m sure most of it is just talk, but why do so many people think it is still ok to write in recorded, traceable, comments threats that they wouldn’t make in person for fear of being arrested?
Above, the author asks, “what it is about an unexpected clown that’s so difficult to cope with?“ Do I even need to list all the problems associated with a creepy looking clown who just stands there and looks like a maniacal killer?
It is said that approx 15% of all people suffer from ‘Coulrophobia’, or fear of clowns. Clowns are associated with evil so often that it is easily exploited in books and movies. Point blank, people think clowns will attack and kill them in some sort of diabolical rampage.
However, the Northampton clown just can’t understand what the fuss is about as he responds on his (believe it or not), Facebook page:
On his Facebook site, Spot Northampton’s Clown, the clown has posted today: “Too much hate not enough love . No, i don’t have a knife on me!, thats just stupid rumours spread by stupid people. I’m also ‘not’ on twitter as it confuses the heck out of me.
“However, i might go for a jog around that pond in Abington park later as i’m really unfit… See you around! Beep Beep!”
Read more here….
Of course this has gone viral, not only on Facebook, but Twitter has moved on it as well. Here’s a couple of recent tweets showing our fun faced and friendly clown:
Many scoff at this and can’t understand all the excitement, but these people have no idea just how scary a clown can be. In fact, it’s the clown that does nothing that is most suspect. Everyone has seen the horror clowns that have spiked teeth and black eyes, but it’s always the clown off in the distance, the one just standing there….waiting…waiting….What’s he waiting for? Is he going to pull out a chainsaw and massacree everyone? Or, or, maybe eat our children like little roasted chickens? How about the one that sneaks up to your bedroom window at night and just stands there looking in and you have no idea he’s there?
All that said, something is amiss with this clown, I reckon. Could he be working for a production company? Is he part of some viral marketing scheme or maybe they’re remaking Killer Klowns From Outer Space?
Based on the reaction, he’s certainly getting his point across. Now, sleep well my little GTers…..
Sources for this article are as follows:
Associated Content:
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GT: Retro Creeps: Scary Portraits From The Past
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