Not for the first time on this blog, we follow the derelict lines from March to Wisbech and from Wisbech to Watlington. The former line is a prime candidate for reopening, but there is little sign of progress. After the Brexit referendum there was an enthusiasm for such schemes and even talk of 'reversing Beeching' - I suppose it was seen by a certain sort of Conservative as another way rebelling against the modern world. But little came of it.
Our big day is approaching. Saturday 15th July is the day of our wedding, when David and I get hitched. The registry office in Gateshead is booked, my sister Esther is doing the cake, my brother Matthew is doing the photos, Sunniside Social Club is booked for the reception, the caterers are booked. There will be no stag do or honeymoon (unless we can take all our animals with us!) The biggest
Today the HSBC branch in Market Harborough closed its doors for the last time. This means Lloyds will soon be the only one left with a presence in the town. Phil Knowles, the Liberal Democrat leader of the new coalition running Harborough District Council, is backing the establishment of a banking hub. You can hear him talking about the idea on the Harborough FM website. I'm pleased he is, because I've not heard any minister mention this loss of high street banks. The Conservative's default response to any political issue is now a shrug. The banks' case for these closures ...
No, this is not me. Absolutely not me. No way it could be me.
There's another round of "AI driven extinction imminent" stuff coming out on the BBC today. We've been getting more and more of it in recent months, and I thought I'd add some notes on it here. I've had some interaction with the new "AI" tech wave myself, including doing some academic work on ChatGPT and [...]
The rites of the Church of Rutland, beyond its belief in the back-foot no-ball rule and uncovered wickets, remain a closed book to me, but it's good to end another week with Lord Bonkers in the pews of St Asquith's. Sunday Inspired by yesterday's event, I bring some of my treasures for the Revd Hughes to bless during Divine Service at St Asquith's. Mr Gladstone's rosette (snatched from his breast by a mob of excited Midlothian wifeys), a signed first edition of L.T. Hobhouse's Liberalism (though quite who signed it is a mystery) and two of A.J. Mundella's toe bones, ...
The ALDE Party Congress in Stockholm 26-28 May 2023 Merlene Emerson, one of the 10 LibDem Council delegates to ALDE Party reporting back Who? ALDE Party (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe) is an umbrella membership party of liberal leaning and social democratic parties in Europe. There are currently 77 members across 44 countries in Europe, both in EU as well as non-EU countries. Sadly, the LibDems have now fallen into the 2nd category but it remains a lifeline that keeps us connected with others in the liberal and democratic family in Europe. What? So what was the recent ...
WestFest Big Sunday is back for 2023 this Sunday. All residents welcome on Magdalen Green from 12 noon for a fun, free day out with music, food, stalls and attractions for the whole family - don't miss it!
