Been to carnival many times over the years. Never subjected to any trouble whatsoever. Always an incredible day out, and free party. Always felt inclusive as a white man. Provided you get out before dark, as RK says, you need to be stupid, very unlucky or actively looking for it to get any aggro.

Sutton lose again and Neal Ardley gets his first point in 5 games

Kitey- put your phone away.

There were lots of police spotters and I was, at one point, standing by their control point. A few searches, thought mainly centered on drugs. Think theyreasonably clever, they appear to have a cctv control point to spot suspects and the spoter(s) intercepts them

dought - interesting breakdown, mostly drugs, plus a few weapons (there’s obviously a big issue with knives…). Not sure how many attend across the weekend, but isn’t it usually like a million or something?

CW - I was just messing, I’m not really fussed either way as I don’t live there, but if it opens up areas to the public that were previously inaccessible, I’m probably in favour on balance…

Yesterday’s stats from Notting Hill were very solid and these numbers were from the family day : 105 arrests at the carnival, and 35 on the approaches (total as Spit says, 140). Breakdown of numbers included : assault on police 15, possession of an offensive weapon 21, possession of waccy baccy 25, possession of Class A stuff 6, possession of other drugs 2, possession with intent to supply drugs 19, robbery 2, public order 4, sexual offences 4, other (whatever that might mean) 42. Very confident today’s numbers will easily beat yesterday’s.

I'd get the objections if they were removing land from public access but in fact they are taking land previously totally out of bounds to the public and providing access to much of it. There will be disruption during building but if disruption is banned, all new developments are banned.

140 arrest yesterday for the family day at the nottinghill carnival up 40 on last year. .

Not really connected to the new expansion just an anecdote

CW - enough to justify the huge expansion? 🤪

When I drive a cab I used to take a few visitors to the museum in winter, including some from Mexico and some from Argentina

I’m also unsure what local benefit the tennis brings outside of the 2 weeks or so of tournament - I guess the museum etc, but in terms of local jobs, I wonder how many who work there are “local” (especially outside of the fortnight)… Someone is definitely benefitting, and I’d guess it’s landowners/landlords, but who knows?

I'd like to think that the destruction of a Capability Brown designed landscape held some weight, but doubt WP exists in its original form nowadays. Like OI, I spent a lot of time in WP as a lad. Not been there in yonks, so really don't know why this expansion concerns me, except for first hand observation of how they operate for the rest of the year. The job I had took me inside the AELTC on a daily basis. The first thing I noticed was the internal roads in a constant state of being dug up. The contractors were there all year round, except Wimbledon fortnight, year on year. Now excuse my logic if incorrect, but surely for a mere fortnight's use annually, those roads shouldn't need constant repair. Either that, or the contractors are not doing their job properly. Did I mention tax fiddle? No, I did not. I may have thought it though. Now imagine the same scenario in a much expanded complex. I'm sorry if I sound cynical, but if my 77yrs have taught me one thing it's never to believe anything the press, local council or MP tells me. If it looks and smells fishy, it probably is. Someone said earlier it's all about money. You betcha.

Was at Victoria Park yesterday for All Points East - lots of people, plenty of dust 😷😂 and some great music - didn’t see a single bit of trouble despite there being about 40,000+ there - journey to Mile End and home again afterwards totally peaceful and safe with lots of people on their way to Carnival and back home in the evening, though I’m sure there will be some bother at some point (alcohol and drug related mostly), which isn’t too surprising given how many people go there.

OTD - I think it was loanee Curtis Haynes-Brown, who scored an OG and was so bad he was replaced in the second half by the useless Warren Cummings, who had been dropped after his performance at Burton a few days earlier. CH-B got injured soon after, barely played again and was sent back to where ever he came from.

I was on a train stopping at Shepherds Bush yesterday afternoon, a few dodgy looking characters around

Free on YouTube now merstham vs jersey bulls

Egg, all friendly and peaceful here, if it goes bad, it's typically when it starts to get dark

The Nelson Arms is Showing the Reading game Tomorrow 7pm KO

I remember a few years back we got to Wimbledon town centre early during Carnival as we was getting the supporters coach to an away game and there was a massive street fight involving gangs about to go to Carnival and I just thought if they’re like that here wtf are they going to be like once they’re up there 😳

Most people in Wimbledon don't want to go to the tennis but equally most people don't want to go to the football. Both should be allowed to thrive. I will definitely welcome the land that will become open to the public, rather than just a few rich golfers (£85K each richer as well I think).

Opportunity to be on the WHAD podcast for anyone interested [Link]

Reading gas and electric meters today as requested by Eon. Think my standing charges will higher than my usage this month.

I know it has, don't know too much about it, or the circumstances behind it. I did think about doing a helicopter ride with my wife today strangely enough, but didn't get past the idea, it is our Coral (35 years) wedding anniversary today