This slideshow gives a clear sense of what Desborough lost when the town's urban district council 'redeveloped' - i.e. demolished without replacement - its high street in 1970. It also shows us some of the Desborough's lost factories. quarry railways and water tower. There's even a shot of the Midland Pullman at the railway station.
The latest edition of my weekly political polling round-up, The Week in Polls, is out. As it says: Sam Freedman's excellent newsletter recently carried a typically thoughtful piece about an enticing new polling technique. Yet for all the excellence of Sam's writing and all the excitement of what that technique can bring, in the end I feel that what it mainly shows us is the limitations of what polling can reveal. Find out more by reading this edition of The Week in Polls here, and you can sign up below to receive future editions direct to your email inbox:
Andy Boddington, a Lib Dem councillor in Ludlow, explains why he won't be signing a petition on Gaza organised by a Shropshire resident: "How can you be a peace campaigner when you accuse people who won't sign as having extreme views without knowing their views or reasons for not signing. Mr Robbins should withdraw his reckless attempt to name and shame councillors and to put them in danger. He should work towards peace in the Middle East not towards creating conflict in Shropshire." "When I explained my situation to my manager, they said I had just two weeks off on ...
Although the descriptions and logos next to candidate names on ballot papers are regulated, the field is free for candidates to change their own names.
Wednesday was a day filled with sorrow and reflection as I learned about a tragic event unfolding in Gaza. A missile strike by the Israeli Defence Force claimed the lives of seven individuals associated with the World Central KitchenAid organization. Among them were three British citizens: John Chapman, James Anderson, and James Kirby. My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives in this catastrophe, particularly those working tirelessly to alleviate the severe food shortages plaguing the people of Gaza. The mission of World Central Kitchen, to feed the most vulnerable under dire conditions, where some ...
As I write this, Rain from Storm Kathleen is lashing down across Ludlow. The immediate concern is localised flooding and, later on as the water continues to pour off fields and arrives from Wales, river flooding. There is almost certainly something else happening. Sewage will be flowing into the Teme, and possible the Corve. In 2023, there were 1,382 hours of spillage, equivalent to 58 days, into our two rivers. Although some politicians have blamed this on 2023 being a very wet year, there were equivalent levels of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in Ludlow in 2021. Discharges were much reduced ...
Question the Liberal Democrats' targeting strategy or the leadership's reluctance to mention Brexit outside party conferences and you risk being accused of wanting to "turn the party into a think tank". I'm with Lord Bonkers on the importance of thought and never tire of retailing his judgements on Russell and Wittgenstein. Whether his readers feel the same, I don't know. He's right about T.H. Green too. Tuesday There I was the other day at Vincent Square - that's our party's London headquarters and not an unkind nickname for the former Member for Twickenham - entertaining the younger members of staff ...
The 1975 Eurovision Song Contest was not a classic. I remember the British entry, Let Me Be the One by the Shadows, as a tired song by a tired band, and the title of the winning effort from the Netherlands, Ding-a-dong, tells you all you need know about it. Yet I have always remembered a different song by the winning band Teach-In. In the Summernight had already been a hit for them in a few countries, and the fact that I heard it at all suggests it was released or re-released in the UK later in 1975. If so, the ...
Here are the scores on the doors for the latest quarter of principal authority council by-elections. It's notable how, once again, Labour only putting in a pretty mediocre performance, adding to the evidence that it's large lead in national voting intention polls isn't based on strong enthusiasm for the party.
One of the volunteer groups I visited recently is the Liverpool branch of the UK Ukraine Association. Here volunteers are working to help youngsters mostly displaced here by the war to continue to speak their lank and embrace the Ukraine ... Continue reading →
Iran is unlikely to wreak a shattering vengeance for the Israeli attack on their diplomatic compound in Damascus. The attack killed Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Zahedi and seven others. General Zahedi led the Quds force, which is the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. He was credited with helping the October 7 Hamas attack. On the surface, it would be logical to think that Tehran would respond with a tit for tat attack — perhaps a strike against an Israeli diplomatic mission. But the experts think not this time. There are several reasons. The first is that Iran is in ...
HERA will be back in May with a brand new term of evening classes. Bookings for all classes will open up at HERA's enrolment night event on Wednesday 17th April in Harris Academy from 6pm and 7pm. Come along and chat to tutors and find out about the range of classes on offer. Find our more at www.facebook.com/events/3704478183121274
