Torchlight procession? Try glowsticks

Officials in Looe, England, "have told organizers of a traditional nighttime Christmas procession to replace flaming torches with glow sticks." The procession, a 20-year tradition, attracts about 500 people. "Local officials said they feared they might be sued if there was an accident caused by the torches, so they paid about $600 for 500 glow sticks. 'It's an absolute joke,' said John Andrews. 'How can you have a torchlight procession with glow sticks? We'll be the laughing stock of the county.'" ("U.K. torchlight possession bans flames", UPI, Nov. 19)(via van Bakel).