I’m about to recommend something other than the BBC so I need to firstly get the following out there. I am a big fan of the BBC. I think it is a fabulous institution. When asked to describe what make a Briton feel British, the BBC is one of the pieces of cotton woven into […]
A few months ago a couple of neighbours had seen some Facebook groups circulating with the idea of a Christmas Eve doorstep jingle and suggested to me that we take part too. I think it kind of came from the idea of everyone coming out to do the doorstep clap for the NHS which happened […]
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 […]
Last week I read about how they were turning ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ into a film and it is due to be released early next year. I was very excited to read this. And just yesterday the trailer was released and instantly my friend Seb sent me it. It looks wonderful. I can’t wait to […]
Back on Friday 31st July 2020, Wellingborough held its first ever Critical Mass. What follows is collection of photos and videos from the day. It was such a massive success. At its peak, there were 67 people cycling in one big group. As I have watched some of the videos back, it seemed […]
This coming Friday, the 31st July 2020 it is Wellingborough’s first ever Critical Mass. This is a big group cycle ride to celebrate cycling but also to protest for change. This morning I was on BBC Radio Northampton (@2:11:39) to discuss cycling in Wellingborough. Yesterday I did the same for the BBC News website. At […]
A year ago, back on Saturday 20th July 2019, I had a brain haemorrhage and stroke. It is only now that I feel ready to talk about this. I jest! It is talking about myself so something which I love to do and do all the time. The delay though has meant this has turned […]
On this day, 50 years ago, the Equal Pay Act 1970 gained Royal Ascent and became law. Years and years of hard fought campaigning eventually meant this act went before parliament and passed making it illegal to pay women less than men. It actually took another half a decade until its commencement. The act was […]
Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. It is a day to remember those who suffered from violence and discrimination as a result of their sexual and gender identities. It also notes the progress that has been made but importantly focus on the fact there is still so much to be done […]
Hello, Yesterday I submitted my response to the Wellingborough Town Centre vision. The Borough Council of Wellingborough held a public consultation for a couple of weeks. A few years ago, they had commissioned a consultancy firm to come in and provide feedback on the town centre. In this podcast I briefly talk a couple of […]
It came as a great surprise and delight that last month, whilst browsing BBC iPlayer, I stumbled upon the final one-off episode of, ‘Child Of Our Time’. I was elated to see this programme it was a much needed for follow up of these children, well, now adults. Every so often over the course of 2018 […]
It was announced a few days ago that Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, will be made available on the NHS from next month. This antiretroviral medicine, if taken every day, can almost completely stop any acquired transmission of HIV during unprotected sex. It feels fitting that I write a piece about HIV in a climate where […]
Go out and vote. I am writing this on the evening of Wednesday 11th December. A while ago, I went to put some rubbish in the bins and looked up in the night sky. It is cold tonight, it is crisp and completely clear. It is a full moon. Its brightness made me stare and […]
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 […]
Today is the 50th anniversary of The Stonewall Riots. Half a century ago, in the early hours of this morning, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a bar in the gay area of New York and then faced an almighty backlash. This spurred the gay liberation and Pride movements over the succeeding decades. Raids in gay […]
Every year since 2014, I have cycled in the London part of the World Naked Bike Ride. This year, like usual, I stripped off and cycled in the capital back on Saturday 8th June 2019 with hundreds and hundreds of other cyclists. But this year, on the following day I then cycled in the Brighton […]
I sometimes think that everything is sorted and well. There now is no need to campaign for equality or to even celebrate what has been achieved because, well, everything is equal, nice, and everyone is open minded, respectful and gets along with each other, right? This is not the case. During the latter event I […]
My blog posts are like buses. You wait for ages for one to come along and then two come along at once. Like my previous blog post, I went to Parliament again. But this time to attend a UNISON reception to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the minimum wage and to launch […]
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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