A story from last year. “Oh bollards,” or, more likely something stronger, slipped out of my mouth when I was cycling through Croyland Park in Wellingborough and was presented with a new barrier completely blocking my path. Through a rather lengthy campaign, I got North Northants Council to replace their recently installed barrier, which completely […]
A group of police officers sit staring at a computer screen watching a piece of video footage submitted by Samuel Shoesmith. They listen to him exclaim as the car overtakes within mere inches of his bicycle. They look at each other. They laugh. “Oh, we haven’t got time for this. The driver of the car […]
A couple of days ago back in 2003 Labour thankfully repealed Section 28. The Tories brought in this terrible piece of legislation in 1987 stating that councils should not “promote” homosexuality or allow teaching in schools of the acceptability of homosexuality as a family relationship. It fostered a culture of ignoring and forgetting about LGBT+ […]
Yesterday was the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Within the last two hours both within a mile of my home, there have been two separate crashes. One involving three cars. One involving an unknown number of cars and a motorbike. Reports are looking bad for the motorcyclist. Think of the devastation to […]
The sun is finally here. I have been waiting for such a long time for better weather. Cycling in the wind, rain, sleet or snow is not the best. But I don’t let it put me off. The sun is now beating down, with clear blue skies, and no wind and it makes me feel […]
On Wednesday 7th February 2018, I received a call back from the control room of Northamptonshire Police about a close pass I reported on 2nd February. I answered the call feeling optimistic and hopeful; I’ve reported a few instances of close passes over the years and slowly but surely the responses seemed to be getting […]
I received an email a couple of weeks ago from Compassion in World Farming saying about the building of a chicken mega-farm close by. The email was targeted to me. It said “Hello Samuel” and something along the lines of it being proposed to be built “just up the road”. I skimmed over it and […]
I think I dislike change. Whenever a proposal to change something comes along, I have a tendency to cast a negative eye in the direction of said change and I do certainly try to resist the idea. In the vast majority of cases, I do actually end up liking the change. In the most part, […]
In a bid to lessen the austerity measures which the Conservative government are due to continue, Labour proposed an amendment of regret to the Queen’s Speech asking for a fair pay rise for public sector workers. The Queen’s Speech, actually written fully by the Conservatives sets out the plan for their next tenure of government. […]
This video is entitled “How to be good in a big metal box”. These past few days have been glorious. The sun has been shining and the wind has been low which means it has been perfect cycling weather. Despite feeling very happy I had a few moments of sadness. In this video, I show […]
I am a University of Nottingham alumni and I am disappointment at a decision the Students’ Union has made. I have written to the SU and awaiting their reply. Here’s why I am angry: The University of Nottingham’s Student Union in a statement on the 6th February announced that the 7 Legged event would cease. […]
Dear Starbucks, You need to look at one of your franchised stores. Their behaviour is wasteful and wrong. I went into your coffee shop and asked for a white chocolate mocha, and stated loudly that I wanted to drink in. The barista picked up a takeaway cup and asked for my name. “Ohh no, to […]
I am not usually a pedestrian. I often leave the house and become a passenger in a motorcar, and maybe later a train, or more probably I mount my bicycle. Today with the rain on and off I thought I would walk the short distance I needed to go. Using a car would be sinful […]
Yesterday I was in a nasty crash. Coming along Northampton Road before it becomes Oxford Street, I approached a car in front of me. It hit the brakes, indicated left and made a left manoeuvre. Despite hitting my brakes, there wasn’t enough time for me to stop. The time between her indicating and turning was […]
I comment on many current affairs but often shy away from commenting on killings. Perhaps this is down to me briefly mourning in a personal way and absorbing the plethora of facts, knowledge and subsequent opinions that soon emerge. However, two recent acts of terrorism on Jo Cox MP earlier today and the massacre early […]
I remember as a child watching Child of Our Time nearly every year. At a time when I was learning the intricacies of the nature and nurture debate, watching a programme aim to answer “Are we born or are we made?” with real life case studies was a wonderful opportunity. From its beginnings in 2000, […]
Everyone seems to have an opinion on it! A few people have told me that cyclists should have to wear a helmet. No they should no. I have tried explaining but the points about the inconvenience of wearing one and my feeling that drivers give me more room when I am helmet free didn’t have […]
It’s killing you. Two of my interests are the protection of our environment and cycling so one particular topic that pops up on my radar time and time again is that of air pollution. A year ago I went on a protest against the wider issue of climate change entitled “Time to Act“. It […]
I will use this blog post as a pointer to a new static area on my site under Musings & Ideas called “Road Safety“. On 29th January, on my way to the gym I noticed this just over a mile from home. How? The police would have conducted interviews with those involved and if necessary […]
Today a vote will occur in the House of Commons about whether Britain should bomb Syria. I say. Don’t Bomb Syria. On Saturday I attended a protest in Whitehall and listened to impassioned pleas for the government to for an air strike campaign not to happen. David Cameron has called on his MPs, and others […]
I talk about joining a running group - Nottingham Frontrunners. A little of my history of getting into running and how Parkrun and Frontrunners have become a set part of my week.
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