Richard Coles fans the flames of library Twitter war

The Reverend Richard Coles attempts to compose new radio jingle for the Shetland Library. Photo: Dave Donaldson

Pop star turned Church of England priest Richard Coles has rekindled one of Twitter’s most prominent flame wars by paying an impromptu visit to Shetland Library.

The battle between Shetland Library and Orkney Library erupted earlier this year when the Orcadians received a visit from none other than JK Rowling.

Desperate to compete with Orkney the Shetland Library tried in vain to entice Take That star Gary Barlow to pay a visit.

Now the Twitter war seems likely to rage given that the journalist, Reverend and former Communards star Richard Coles has popped in for tea, lemon cake and an impromptu recording session.

Mr Coles explained that the visit came about “through the magic of Twitter.”

After seeing the “very strong and funny presence” that the Shetland Library has on Twitter Mr Coles became involved in the tweet war between the two libraries and JK Rowling.

When Shetland Library later realised that Richard would be paying a visit to the isles they were quick to entice him with lemon cake.

The cake was baked by librarian Nicola Sinclair, not at all like the ready made supermarket cake which Orkney Library purchased for JK Rowling’s visit.

After tea and cake staff at the library asked Mr Coles to help them compose a short jingle for a future radio advert.

The Reverend kindly obliged and what followed next will surely go down in legend because the jingle is, it would be fair to say, unlikely to see the light of day.

Quick to rub salt in the wounds Shetland Library immediately took to Twitter to gloat about their success to the Orkney Library.

Thank you @RevRichardColes – pleasure all ours. Don’t like to labour point but – @OrkneyLibrary = #ShopBoughtCake https://t.co/Oo1WeG3N3V

— Shetland Library (@ShetlandLibrary) June 7, 2016

From there Richard and JK Rowling waded into the melee, fittingly naming the day “cakegate”.

@RevRichardColes @ShetlandLibrary @OrkneyLibrary A feud that would shame the Montagues and Capulets. Stay safe, Richard #cakegate

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 7, 2016

So far Orkney Library have failed to respond. Rumours that they plan to unveil news of an imminent visit from Paul McCartney remain unsubstantiated.

• For the full interview with the Reverend Richard Coles see The Shetland Times this Friday.