6 October 2024

Manic Tuesdays

When we returned to the office on Tuesday after the bank holiday weekend, a message popped up on my colleague Zoe’s computer.

“A break point has been reached,” it said.

“We know how you feel,” we replied.

Bank holidays are great at the time, but they don’t half cause havoc with the production of the paper!

I hope you enjoyed the weekend, though, whether or not you entered into the whole Coronation spirit – but it looks like loads of you did, judging by the pics on pages 7, 8 and 9 in this week’s paper.

Full disclosure: I had it on in the background while doing some work at home (him indoors really wanted to watch it, honestly), and it was interesting from a historic and ceremonial point of view – if a bit bonkers, when you look at it objectively.

There’s no doubt we do this sort of pomp and ceremony very well in this country, and some of the music was cracking, not least that most banging of classics, Zadok the Priest. What a tune! Whether you’re secular or religious, monarchist or republican, I bet you wouldn’t fail to be overcome hearing that in the vaunted setting of Westminster Abbey (or Wezzy Abs, as japesters on Twitter were calling it).

I also had fun heading down to Luton for Hull City’s last match of the season – Kenilworth Road is one of the last “proper” grounds still standing, boasting as it does that famous entrance underneath someone’s bathroom window – and it was great too to bump into the whirlwind that is Bobbi Hadgraft, once of this parish.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m looking forward to a full working week next week…