The marks are those left by the increasingly rare Warwickshire Iridescent Pigmy Elephant.
The marks are left by the tusks when the WIPE tries to lick plates (or similar items) clean. Due to its increasingly endangered status this once majestic creature now seeks refuge high in the branches of deciduous trees only coming down to ground level to eat midnight snacks.
WIPE's hibernate for 6 months of the year and with autumn in full swing, they take refuge in deep piles of leaf litter.
EDIT:
I should mention that I was at the Meet and was also party to the discussion about what 'Wot dun it?' - the information about the Warwickshire Iridescent Pigmy Elephant is merely frippery![]()
You were jokin'?
