DID you read about the teacher who was follicly challenged?

He said the children he taught called him baldy and showed a lack of respect. This led to his own lack of self confidence, which, in turn, led to an employment tribunal in Glasgow where he claimed he was a victim of disability discrimination.

Baldness? A disability?

Come on. Try telling that to Telly Savalas, Yul Brynner, Julius Caesar, Michael Jordan, Vin Diesel and Marlon Brando.

Where has this teacher been living?

According to legend, baldness can signify both wisdom and sexuality. Its cause has been blamed on everything from excessive cycling to excessive sex.

Now most blokes I know who are taller than their hair may not admit they own a bicycle but are, of course, happy to confirm they are regularly active in other ways.

And that sex thing is not necessarily myth.

Excessive testosterone – the male sex hormone – can cause hair loss.

Britain’s own Ross Kemp has made a career of being a hard man with a shaved head. No one messes with him.

So why wasn’t this teacher going around beating his chest and striking macho poses and telling people he’s training his head for the SAS?

Thankfully, the tribunal had the very good sense to laugh his claim out of court.

“If baldness was to be regarded as an impairment, then perhaps a physical feature, such as a big nose, big ears or being smaller than average height, might of themselves be regarded as an impairment,” they ruled.

Which meant I could have been in like a shot with a claim for disability discrimination on grounds of height.

I’ve gone through life with people stepping on me.

“Whoops. Sorry. Didn’t see you down there.”

I’ve suffered the strings and arrows of outrageous humour but have I been disheartened? Not enough to take anyone to a tribunal or instruct a lawyer on a no-win-no-fee basis because of loss of self esteem after being called Shorty.

I’ve usually had a pop back, like you do.

“By heck,” I’ve said to a balding chum. “But that’s the first time I’ve seen a parting with ears.”

Oh, how he laughed. Before he hit me.

Baldness? A disability?

Not on your life.

Ten hours on a bus for 40 minutes of fun? I’ll drive

CAN pensioners use their new bus passes for free trips to Bridlington?

I thought not. My interpretation of the rules was that the pass could only be used on local buses.

But Mike Swift sent me a detailed email on how to take a free trip to Bridlington and Josephine Gilbert of Birkby called in the Examiner office with the same information.

Josephine says she asked at the Metro office at Huddersfield bus station and was given a timetable for Yorkshire Coastliner which runs from Leeds.

Mike has worked out the times and says, “Monday to Friday just catch Arriva 202 from Huddersfield bus station at 10.58, arrives Leeds bus station 12.30. Nip round to the Palace for a pint and then back to Leeds bus station for the Coastliner 845 at 13.15.”

This arrives in Bridlington 16.17. Unfortunately, the last bus back is at 16.57, giving you just 40 minutes for a stroll to the prom and back.

However, Mike adds, “On Saturday you can make it a day trip by catching Arriva 203 at 6.43 from Huddersfield, arriving Leeds 8.15 for the Coastliner 845 at 8.30, arriving Brid at 11.20 in time for fish and chips and a relaxing stroll on the front before returning at 16.57.”

Mike and Josephine say it can be done. But at five hours each way, I think I prefer to drive.