One thing you have to say about the British, even sometimes the one's who all too often have a nasty left disposition to them, is that they have a very subtle and slow-boiling but wicked sense of humor:
1966: The first goat is burned down - beginning the tradition
1970: It is set on fire six hours after being erected
1971: Tired of arson, the project is abandoned. Schoolchildren build a miniature. It is smashed to pieces.
1976: A car crashes into the goat
1979: The goat is burned down before it is finished
1987: The goat is treated with fire-proofing - but still goes up in smoke.
All laughing aside, I do feel a bit sorry for those affected. I think I'd rather like a giant goat in my town for Christmas. Or some sort of whimsical tradition like that.
Interesting fact:
The only person caught for burning the Straw Goat is from Cleveland, Ohio and spent 18 days in Jail.