essextc.bsky.social
Planner. Alternative/Indie fundamentalist. Allotmenteer. Chelmsford. Essex.
200 posts
51 followers
98 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
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Thank you very much
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Indeed, but that 20% is lower than in almost all the Kent seats Reform didn’t win in. The wider point is that Essex is not how it is characterised, just as Kent isn’t when you look beyond the headlines
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I’m aware under the current system we will probably end up with at least a Reform Mayor. There was a by-election in Essex, Reform got 20% so lower than almost all results in Kent. The landslide in Kent masks a low vote share
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Have you looked at an electoral map of Essex lately, or understand anything about the county? I think you mean ‘small fringe bits of Essex are Reform heartland’
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Probably not the main point here but is including the KCC logo not a bit problematic under election rules, implying official endorsement?
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Well, that’s the case in my ward but the winning candidate (LD) got 2.5x more votes. How many of those second places are as distant as that as a result of old Tory vote being completely split in half?
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By that logic should we not also scrap planning/licensing controls on noise from bars, music venues, nightclubs, events etc?
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Twatter
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That building is a different class, it’s got more than a little soul. Sad that something changed. I’ve got the fear for it but hopefully it’ll have happy endings
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Allotment tonight. Come summer when those crops have grown I’ll be the rich man. Will trade courgette for dentistry
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I prefer some clickbait and multiple popups
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What about student fees
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You’re kidding me!
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I am boycotting American products and only shopping with true British companies like Boots, Morrisons and Hotel Chocolat
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Southend has a casino and also a number of amusement arcades. Cliffs Pavilion attracts huge shows. The Royals has major international brands like TK Maxx and H&M, shop ‘til you drop. I think that is the alternative you’re looking for
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Shrinking for some light entertainment. Decent cast
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What about those in higher-value areas? Are you saying people in a modest 1 or 2 bed home should pay more than those in much larger homes elsewhere? Or that those people should abandon areas to the wealthy and descend on ‘cheap’ areas?
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On the other hand some history is also the present. Bands from my first festival in late 90s still on major festival lineups now. But no bands from late 60s-early 70s at my first festivals. Or in fact anyone from before about 1990!
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The palace was good. A real shame they cleared so much of the historic city to build it. And the money they spent could
have funded a proper metro network!
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Possibly but I was doing it 20 years ago before we thought about that and influencers weren’t a thing. Should have monetised it. Did some random places wouldn’t otherwise have gone to eg Genoa, Gothenburg
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Come on, that is a good swimming/spa complex! And it is handily near the airport.
Thoughts on Bucharest? I had a good time but there’s not loads to do. Too car dominant. Thought old town area was dreadful but food, beer, cafes around the fringes were exceptional
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Stop the count
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Mine was only about 20% full, in winter. I think around 2012. But busy coming back. Also connected through there, perhaps 60% full. I guess it depends
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What route was this, and what class? Need some context. My last USA-UK experience was in good times, this time of year. In economy, Detroit-Heathrow. Probably about 5% full in that cabin, but busy in Business. That’s where airlines make money
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No need for that. I’ve been to Canada, Mexico, Cuba and Panama. All are fantastic. In fact, now is a great time to visit Cuba because you get the bonus of it being so bothersome to then go to the USA it puts you off even more
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List price of a basic fairly ordinary family Ford is around £30k so it’s not that extreme. Most will be on lease or finance
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Same. Recently back from Mexico City and Oaxaca, I’d strongly recommend that as a North American trip instead
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For me there are two places (Colchester & Ipswich) where I would book midweek (only have access to the car at weekends) if had certainty upfront of 10ish finish for last train south. It’s annoying seeing after the event I could have gone, and lost income for artist/venue
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‘Ideal’ time would depend on day, location and the artist. What’s more important is knowing upfront as with Anchoress. Then you can plan accordingly or at least decide it is or isn’t for you
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I might be seeing him. Very decent album. Could have seen Wednesday twice last summer but got there later than planned for one and ended up at something else at the other
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Interesting. Do you think this is because 25%ish are locked in to Reform whatever happens but with recent events it’s a level they’ll really struggle to expand further?
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You are so wrong. That subway is extremely well used all day and night, particularly 6-9am and 4-7pm. An important link for a few ‘000 households. The fact it’s been flooded for a week is a disgrace
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I thought mcclusky might be there and same for Snapped Ankles although probably seeing them next week at Colchester Arts Centre. Pulp I’m gutted to be missing as clashes with a festival in Ipswich which actually shares some of GM lineup
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My thought was it’s a lot less noisy/angry than last year. But maybe the same is true of other festivals in 2025 going by current lineups
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100%. Are there actually any Lime bike users who are not reckless idiots?
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Lucky you! Yeah mostly small/grassroots venues for me and aside from a day at APE on NHS freebie only do independent festivals - Green Man and Brighten the Corners last year. But sometimes the web of Live Nation is unavoidable
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Are you certain of that? Their web is wide and not always obvious
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Same but it’s not that easy. Basically once a band hits a certain level - about cap 1k - it’s near impossible to avoid their web as they control venues, promoters, festivals, touring. You could just about do it if you restricted yourself to UK only and played the few larger indie venues & festivals
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But do you ever go to any gigs at ‘O2’ venues, any festivals run by Festival Republic, any tours by their promoters?