Vote per view

Natfhe conference delegates' work was doubled by some well-meaning organiser who had installed an electronic keypad voting system.

Delegates were to press one of three buttons to register for, against and abstain, but the process proved too complex.

In a glorious moment, the chairman took the belt and braces approach by asking delegates to enter their votes electronically and show their hands at the same time.

Then there was education minister Baroness Blackstone's video address to conference. She had been due to attend in person but for, well, certain reasons, sent a pre-recorded video instead.

Delegates spent close on an hour, at least as long as the video itself, arguing about whether to show it, until (oh no) a vote was held and the ministerial movie screened.