doogie

The London Marathon is a good example of why a pure ballot system with no real barriers to entry is a terrible idea. Until about 2010, if you wanted to apply through the ballot, you had to fill in an application form that was printed in a specialist magazine that you could pick up for free from any running shop. If you applied unsuccessfully for 5 years in a row, you were guaranteed entry in your 6th year. This meant you had to put in a bit of effort and dedication, but if you really wanted to take part, you'd get in eventually. Then around 2010 they switched to an internet based form that anyone could access with zero effort and as a result, applications increased more than tenfold, so they had to end the guarantee of entry in your 6th year.

They often put more up for sale on the Friday after the refund deadline - so look out on Friday 10 May.

I'm sure the hostages will all be home in time for tea because proscribed terrorist organisations always do exactly what the international community tells them to.

Might stop the locals complaining they can't get no sleep.

I'd be Right By Your Side with this (if you hadn't left that one out!)

They already did the 'massive pop act from 20 odd years ago' slot on Avalon back in 2017, and (predictably) the field was totally rammed, despite them being up against JC on the Pyramid.

Using flags for free advertising isn't a new thing. For years there was a guy who was always near the front of the Pyramid with a huge vertical flag that said 'I Heart Sausage'. It was a bit irritating but I never thought anything of it until I found out it was advertising his sausage company.

I'd want to be a part of it, for sure. Top of the heap, without doubt.

There's often a vintage disco act on West Holts, so how about Shalamar? Shalamar Tour Dates They're in Edinburgh on the Saturday, but they don't seem to mind doing gigs miles apart on successive nights.

Has Pink been ruled out for the Sunday?

There's no doubt a lot of production changes would be needed, but it's by no means impossible. The biggest obstacle would be weatherproofing it against a U2 style downpour. Here's a clip I took from the (relatively) cheap seats at Wednesday's show (quality not great but you get the idea). 20231206_225020.mp4

She was pulling a cannon with her school's CCF team

I was a couple of miles away at the Lord Mayor's Show (my daughter was in the parade), and I'm pleased to say it was the usual happy occasion with no trouble whatsoever.

Not directly related to Armistice Day, but the Lord Mayor's Show is also on Saturday at exactly the same time as the march. That also requires quite a bit of policing, but nobody seems to be talking about it.

Nobody keeps statistics, so it can only be anecdotal of course. But given Jewish people make up a tiny proportion of the British population (0.3% I think), then out of 125000 paying attendees, you'd expect only about 375 of them to be Jewish. I personally know of at least 50 who went this year (personal friends, festival friends, and kids of friends), and randomly found myself amongst a crowd of over 20 at the Pyramid whilst waiting for Elton John. I'm no statistician, but knowing what I know about secular Jewish culture, and given I only ever personally know or meet a tiny proportion of all the people at Glastonbury, I think that by extrapolation it's reasonable to conclude that Jewish people are over-represented at Glastonbury compared with their numbers in the general UK population.