The Somerset coalfield is forgotten now, but the last mine there did not close until 1973. And at the start of the 19th century a canal was dug to serve the industry there. Running from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Limpley Stoke near Bath, the Somersetshire Coal Canal headed 10 miles south west to Paulton and Timsbury. A branch was built from Midford, near the northern end of the canal, to the mining town of Radstock, but this was soon replaced by a tramway. Paul and Rebecca Whitewick visit the remains of the canal at Combe Hay, and what ...
One of the four Labour councillors suspended by the party in Leicester has announced that he will be standing for the Green Party in the city council elections in May. In a tweet sent at lunchtime today, Patrick Kitterick said: Ever since being elected as a councillor for Castle Ward, I have always sought to do the right thing. I have now taken the decision to leave the Labour Party and will stand as a Green Party candidate for Castle Ward in the upcoming City Elections. Kitterick was suspended, along with his fellow councillors Rita Patel, Ross Willmott and Jacky ...
I decided not to go to the Jorvik Museum this afternoon so took a walk along part of the York City medieval city wall. Alas, that's my history visits done for today. I'm now in the conference centre waiting for tonight's rally.
Shrewsbury Bus Station is a disgrace. I am embarrassed to used it. I don't feel comfortable with using it. Yet, it is the bus hub for our county. It is one of the main gateways into Shrewsbury and Shropshire for those travelling by public transport. New bus hubs and interchanges have been developed around the country. Shropshire Council meanwhile ignores Shrewsbury Bus Station. It promises a new bus interchange, but that is in Phase 4 of its plans to redevelop Shrewsbury town centre between Pride Hill and the riverfront. In the current financial climate and with the council stretched to ...
My plan worked. I got to York with plenty of time to spare to get to the National Railway Museum. I spent two hours there. The amount of travel I have done in recent years has been a fraction of what I used to do, due mainly to being Richard's carer and because of covid restrictions. So it has been great to get away even if it's just for Lib Dem conference. The timing has allowed me to see some
Ed Davey has been talking with the Guardian ahead of our Spring Conference. He outlines more about the Blue Wall strategy that the party has adopted – targeting parliamentary seats that are currently held by the Conservatives but where we were in second place. The planned campaign of letters in Conservative-held commuter belt constituencies where the Lib Dems are the main challengers will be intended to persuade Labour supporters to lend their vote - not just as a means to change the government but because "they feel an affinity with us", Davey said. ... The letters, from Davey himself, will ...
The Guardian suggests that an official report, due to be published on Tuesday, will characterise the Metropolitan Police force as being riddled with deep-seated racism, sexism and homophobia and has failed to change despite numerous official reviews urging it to do so. The paper says that senior government and policing figures are aware of the contents of the report from Louise Casey, with one describing it as "horrible" and another as "atrocious". They add that one source with knowledge of the findings said the report would make clear that the Met was in the "last-chance saloon": The force commissioned the ...
I've just left Newcastle on the train heading to York for Lib Dem spring conference. For 2 days I'm leaving behind the endless job of cleaning henhouses, nursing a goat with mastitis, caring for a lamb we are hand raising and plodding through mud. Our first in person conference since 2019 due to covid and the passing of the Queen. Hopefully I won't have forgotten everyone's name! My reading
National Highways, the body that owns the major routes across England including the A49, has said that a decision on planning permission for the proposed M&S Food store alongside the A49 should be delayed by at least three months (22/05682/FUL). The objection is a legal brake on the development plans, which cannot progress until National Highways' concerns are addressed. The objections are on technical matters not to the principal of the development. Experience with other sites, such as Sainsbury's and Foldgate Lane, shows developers find it challenging to meet National Highways' demands. National Highways can renew its objection after three ...
The Conservatives are intent on dragging our country off a cliff with their Small Boats Bill. As Liberal Democrats, we must do everything in our power to stop it – starting at Conference this weekend. Suella Braverman's Bill says that anyone who enters the UK via a small boat will be immediately detained and deported to another country as soon as possible. Just like their botched Rwanda plan, this is immoral, unworkable and incredibly expensive for the taxpayer. We all want to tackle people smuggling and prevent people from making dangerous attempts to cross the Channel, but this bill will ...
We recently received concerns about gravestones in the Western Cemetery lying in their sides and sought an explanation from the City Council. The Operations & Development Manager (Environment) at Dundee City Council has advised : "Yes we have contractors in working in the Western stabilising stones. The stones you see have deliberately been laid down for safety reasons and will be erected over the coming weeks. We have been carrying out this type of work over the years but were keen to concentrate on the Western. Apologies this looks unsightly but I will ask for an update from the contractor." ...
