Lord of the Rings: Round and about with Britain’s dullest man

Kevin Beresford, 62, founder of the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society (UKRAS), has scaled the country for the best manicured lawns and pungent flower beds found in the centre of traffic islands.

The father-of-four expects his Best of British Roundabouts calendar for 2016 to be a hit and says there’s great pleasure to be had in an attractive road formation.

He said: “There’s nothing more expressive than the one-way gyratory. Anything goes on a roundabout. It is something a council can be proud of.

“It is a British thing, naffness. Artists have always focussed on the mundane. It appeals to people. I think we are all fed up of six-pack firemen.

“I used to drive my ex-wife crazy. We would be relaxing on holiday in Spain and I would say ‘Right, I’m off to take some photos of Spanish roundabouts.”

The self-confessed dull man, of Redditch, Worcestershire, says he has no problem with people thinking he is boring and instead thrives on the prospect of dullness.

Kevin said: “I featured in a book called Dull Men Of Great Britain and I was on the front cover. I love it. It’s sexy being dull. I think women like it and it means you’re not going to run off with Lady Ga Ga.

“I’ve done lots of calendars in the past. I have done prisons of England and a road kill calendar.”

Kevin, who works as a part-time printer, says his favourite roundabout in the UK is found in the village of Otford, near Sevenoaks, Kent.

The idyllic traffic island, which features a duck pond at the centre, is the only circular junction in the UK to have been granted listed status.

Kevin said: “I love the duck pond roundabout as it is a listed roundabout. I think it is great and I mean, how can you have a duck pond on a roundabout?

“Roundabouts are a way of telling the history of a town. They are the pride of a town and tell the culture of the local industry.”

The Corn Law Rhymer Roundabout in Rotherham, South Yorks., beat off competition from roundabouts in London and Clackmannanshire, Scotland to land the top award and now features on the front cover of the new calendar.

The traffic island features giant golden ears of corn appearing to bend in the breeze.

The sculpture is called ‘Harvest’ created by the artist Martin Heron and the design celebrates the life of English poet Ebenezer Elliott (1781-1849) known as the Corn Law Rhymer for leading the fight to repeal the Corn Laws which were causing hardship and even starvation among the poor.

The roundabout will now feature on the front cover and the December page of the calendar.

Also among the highlights of the 2016 calendar are Harrogate’s Prince of Wales roundabout, North Yorks., is July’s star.

According to the UKRAS, “Roads are often condemned as being scars on the landscape but with the coming of the roundabouts in all their glory, they counteract the roads unsightliness”.