On the ball?

National Union of Students officers were concerned this week that crucial debates at the annual conference in Blackpool could be lost because of clashes with Tuesday's fixture between Manchester United and Real Madrid. Other evening entertainments were also causing problems, with several delegates clearly suffering the after-effects of over-indulgence at a Britney Spears tribute band event. Practical as ever, a few brought pillows into the conference hall for a decent snooze during the speeches.