April Fools 2025: Did the Telford and Oswestry pranksters get you?

It's the only day in the calendar year when the truth is hard to come by, and, across the web, fake announcements and features are published on social media whilst readers try to avoid receiving a pinch punch first of the month. 

April 1 may feel like any other spring day, but for those pranksters intent on causing mischief, it is their day to shine. Although its origins are unknown, 

2025 has put on a good show so far, with one announcement telling public transport users will be no longer be allowed to wear shoes on the train and a second stating a new ambulance siren. 

1. Oswestry Fire Station

Breaking the hearts of its loyal following, Oswestry Fire Station, Shropshire claimed it would be closing its account, unless people 'realised what day' it was. 

A spokesperson for the Oswestry Fire Station said: "After careful review we regret to inform our followers that the Oswestry Fire Station Facebook page will be closing down permanently at the end of this week.

"This decision follows new guidance around the streamlining of digital communications across the service. As part of a wider regional restructure, social media output will now be centralised, meaning station-level pages like ours will no longer operate independently.

"We appreciate this will come as disappointing news to many in the community who have followed us for updates, safety advice and behind-the-scenes glimpses of station life.

"We’d like to thank every single one of you for your support over the years Our final post will be this Friday. Unless of course, someone starts a petition or realises what day it is."

2. The soon to be 'Universal Resort: Telford'

Posted by prankster Kieran on social media, he claimed that Universal Studios would be bringing a brand new Universal Resort to Telford. 

He said: "Universal Resort Telford coming soon!

"Universal Studios is planning a new theme park and resort in the UK, specifically in Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire, with the potential to become Europe's largest theme park. There will also be a mini Universal Park also being built in Telford."

The post offered a web link to the news, which was a certain track by Rick Astley. 

3. British Transport Police

The transport cops said that it is today announcing new measures which will see the mandatory removal of outdoor footwear on trains, trams and tubes. 

A spokesperson for The British Transport Police said: "The ground-breaking step is being introduced following a recent surge in reports to our text 61016 service of people putting their feet on seats.

"In one particularly shocking case, a man was left with a £150 dry-cleaning bill after sitting in a muddied seat and in another a woman was forced to look at a pair of Crocs for the duration of the London St Pancras to Sheffield service.

"Passengers will now be expected to leave their outdoor footwear on shoe racks which will be readily available by the train doors and in the vestibule of the train, to be collected when they finish their journey.

"We’re mindful that there’s only one thing worse than shoes on seats, and that is bare feet on seats, so passengers who choose to travel without socks will be provided with plastic bags to preserve their modesty. This comes as rail staff in Wales reported someone using the seat in front of them to conduct a pedicure in January.

"The measures come into force on 1 May and officers will have the power to seize and destroy any outdoor footwear worn in the carriage and/or direct offenders to leave the service at the next station."

PC Sharon Shoeless said: “We know that feet on seats can be irritating, unsightly and unhygienic to many passengers – we hear you and we’ve listened. As our colleagues in Scotland would say, we are now officially a “Shoes Aff Gaff”.”

4.  Cadbury's liquid form cream egg

 Cadbury dazzled its followers with a squeezy Creme Egg sachet and a video of the 'new' treat being thrown over a load of chips. 

A spokesperson for Cadbury said: "Move over boring condiments, Creme Egg On The Goo is here."

Cadbury was founded in Birmingham - John Cadbury opened his grocery shop along Bull Street back in 1824. The company also has a popular attraction - Cadbury World - in Bournville.

5. West Midlands Ambulance Service trailing new siren 'Scuse us, Bab?'

The region's ambulance service claimed it would be trailing a new siren service with some pretty choice options including 'Scuse us, Bab' and 'Coming through, duck!'

A spokes for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We're trialling a brand new siren sound for each region ! Will you choose "Scuse us, Bab!", or maybe "Coming through, duck!".

"We hope you're ready to hear a local twist while we're coming through traffic!"