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Notes by Iain Roberts | export

 Has Adil gone full Reggie Perrin? #TheArchers 
 Emma believes that the word gullible is not in the dictionary, and will be found dancing naked around Ambridge village green on Halloween, convinced that she's chanelling the spirit of some long-dead witch. #TheArchers 
 Three thoughts on this evening's episode of #TheArchers:

1. Why does Emma think Eddie is telling the truth about witches? Has she never met him before?

2. I welcome Emma's revelation that witches punished centuries ago may not have deserved it. It's a radical position, but she may be onto something.

3. When Emma asked Alan "If there's no Hell, how do people get punished?", did anyone else half expect him to say "Well, if you've been a naughty girl and need to be punished..."? 
 Emma: If there's no Hell, how do people get punished?

Alan: If you've been naughty, that's a service I can provide.

Emma:

Alan:

#TheArchers 
 The court building seemed to be in decent condition and, after 10 minutes queueing at security (the machine beeped for everyone) we were shown up to the witness suite. It had comfy chairs, a TV, working toilets and water - no complaints.

I can't praise the staff and volunteers enough - they did a fantastic job of talking us through everything and answering our questions. Their frustration with the lack of funding for the courts system was clear, but they were helpful and understanding. (2/3) 
 I guess the outcome was predictable. The trial was originally scheduled for 3 hours, but the defence wanted all the video/audio evidence played in full, which meant it would take a day or more. That meant re-scheduling the trial, so we'll be back in August 2024.

It's 2 years since the incident and we've now got a 10 month delay. Overall, I saw a dedicated staff, volunteers and legal representatives working in a system that's under-funded and struggling to deliver justice to anyone. (3/3) 
 Today I experienced the UK court system for the first time, as a prosecution witness in a relatively large Magistrates Court trial. Having read The Secret Barrister I wanted to see how my experience matched up.

The trial was scheduled at a court 27 miles from where the witnesses and defendant live: 45 mins by car, over 90 mins by public transport. There are several closer courts but I guess they didn't have space. We were told to be there at 9am for a 9.30 trial start.  (1/3) 
 The court building seemed to be in decent condition and, after 10 minutes queueing at security (the machine beeped for everyone) we were shown up to the witness suite. It had comfy chairs, a TV, working toilets and water - no complaints.

I can't praise the staff and volunteers enough - they did a fantastic job of talking us through everything and answering our questions. Their frustration with the lack of funding for the courts system was clear, but they were helpful and understanding. (2/3) 
 It's Sunak's people briefing on HS2. He's complaining that he won't force himself into a decision. Bonkers. #hs2 #HS2NothernPhase 
 nostr:npub1vtyn4vulw2k03hxv8tnyz0vfws8y8azt5qwdgg5esean2dg4yr2sdcu3uz and then councils realised ... 
 @cb6dabb9 we can dream! 
 It's the time of year when walking around central Manchester in a suit makes everyone think you're a Tory. #ConservativePartyConference 
 Gutted Rob turned up too late to take part in the Lark Rise in Candlelight readings - would have been perfect. Still holding onto the hope that he's the Grey Gables major shareholder. #TheArchers 
 This morning I was able to walk to my GP in four minutes to get my flu jab. This is the 15-minute city nonsense that Sunak wants to put a stop to. #Sunak #15minuteCities 
 #TheArchers  show schedule:

October: Lark Rise by Candlelight
   
November: Fanny by Gaslight (a Brian Aldridge production)

December: Ambridge by Fleshlight (a George Grundy production) 
 Will Josh be playing the spoons tonight? #TheArchers 
 nostr:npub1vtyn4vulw2k03hxv8tnyz0vfws8y8azt5qwdgg5esean2dg4yr2sdcu3uz they should make stuff like... 
 @dc6ca514 I believe they will, but it's only been in a few weeks and there's a six month evaluation period. 
 My wife tells me size isn't everything, but even she admits this is an impressive modal filter. #urbanism #LTN

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/144/296/935/270/429/original/c52aaad02bc3ba9e.png 
 Coming to Radio 4 this Sunday: 8 hours of #TheArchers cast reading the whole of Lark Rise to sodding Candleford. You will not be permitted to turn off your radio. 
 Thanks to my son for capturing my appearance on Sky Sports - as scorer for Manchester Giants vs London Lions in the British Basketball League. (I'm the folically-challenged one, Lions head coach Petar Bozic is the good-looking one 😆 ) #Basketball

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/119/342/839/997/660/original/31be2f4d5ff6fb87.jpg 
 Cyclists would get a lot less sh*t if this was brought back into modern cycling proficiency courses. #cycling #cyclinghistory #cyclinglife

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/086/828/252/991/908/original/8ceb0778ea4c3e52.jpg 
 If Ruth starts policing her 30-year-old daughter's love life, I'll start feeling sorry for Pip, and that's a farm track I really don't want to drive down. #TheArchers 
 Great Orme Tramway, Llandudno, Wales. Funicular railway with, unusually, the cable running along a public road for part of the route. 

The tramway is in two sections. In each section, a cable connects two tram cars, which act as counterweights, so one goes up as the other comes down.

#Transport #transportation #Tram #Funicular #Wales #Cymru

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/081/483/768/954/171/original/bc9e6709b29971eb.png

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/081/488/117/898/108/original/ba75bf13a941ef10.png 
 Mostyn, Cymru - art gallery in Llandudno, Wales. #photography #architecture #ArchitecturePhotography #building #llandudno #wales #cymru

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/076/380/128/648/637/original/284962d23f1cab8b.png 
 Tomorrow across the whole of Wales the default urban speed limit changes from 30mph to 20mph. I'm in Wales to see how it goes. https://www.gov.wales/safer-20mph-lets-look-out-each-other 
 Wouldn't surprise me if Stella was so fed up of Pip messing about that she announced she'd turned straight, just to get out of the relationship. #TheArchers 
 I had a brief moment of "What? There's a phone helpline for people whose partner is a terrible human being?" #TheArchers 
 I'd forgotten that 80% of Benny Hill jokes were him sexually assaulting or spying on women. Less innocent times! 
 Is Pip still going to be keeping her relationship secret in 5 years?

"I'm getting married, Mum, but can't tell you who to." #TheArchers 
 Is it too easy for councillors to reject applications against officer advice? The council may pay appeal costs, but  it's hidden away. 

What if councillors lost visible funding in their ward to pay appeals costs - a new playground or road resurfacing? #planning #development #urbanism

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/028/384/153/820/722/original/781e3ad6f44f5d8a.png 
 So two things happen. 
1. There isn't - can't be - a high enough density of people to make it feel busy. Despite lots of restaurants, hotels and bars, it never feels nice a place you want to spend time in.

2. Because the area covered by roads and public space is high compared to the area covered by buildings, the council is getting less revenue (from business rates etc.) that needs to stretch further in maintaining all this public realm. 
 It's noticeable in places like the square in front of the station. It feels like some communist regime built it, then someone else thought it could do with a few plants and benches.

I've no real thoughts on what could be done about it - would be interested in idea. /END

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/025/675/322/454/422/original/90990e0e48b24fff.png 
 Being in that space, it feels too big. There isn't enough traffic for four lanes most of the time - two would be fine. There's a huge amount of car parking. While space for pedestrians/cyclists is generous, it's all about keeping people away from cars.

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/025/667/443/020/438/original/ff79504eedd965c2.png 
 So two things happen. 
1. There isn't - can't be - a high enough density of people to make it feel busy. Despite lots of restaurants, hotels and bars, it never feels nice a place you want to spend time in.

2. Because the area covered by roads and public space is high compared to the area covered by buildings, the council is getting less revenue (from business rates etc.) that needs to stretch further in maintaining all this public realm. 
 Midsummer Boulevard - the main road running from the station to the shopping centre - is a massive 75m from frontage to frontage, including car parks on each side, four traffic lanes and generous pavements.

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/025/660/841/957/828/original/bb20b686366729b6.png 
 Being in that space, it feels too big. There isn't enough traffic for four lanes most of the time - two would be fine. There's a huge amount of car parking. While space for pedestrians/cyclists is generous, it's all about keeping people away from cars.

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/025/667/443/020/438/original/ff79504eedd965c2.png 
 I visited Milton Keynes recently. The city centre always feels desolate and I was trying to understand why. I think it's a combination of being designed for cars and giving too much space over to them. Let me explain... 

I've never seen the city centre very busy in rush hour. Many people would think that's a dream: finally, a city you can drive around at almost any time with decent and reliable speeds. But it comes with a heavy price... 🧵

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/025/647/670/567/782/original/a15cae2715d3159c.png 
 Midsummer Boulevard - the main road running from the station to the shopping centre - is a massive 75m from frontage to frontage, including car parks on each side, four traffic lanes and generous pavements.

https://cdn.masto.host/urbanistssocial/media_attachments/files/111/025/660/841/957/828/original/bb20b686366729b6.png 
 Natasha needs to remember what happens to snitches - and we know Helen's handy with a knife #TheArchers 
 Other than a need to show that Trump was wrong and Fauci was right:

Can anyone explain the quasi... 
 @343c547f evidence? Pretty sure this has been thoroughly researched and, while initially it was thought the research labs were a likely vector, the final conclusion was that there was no evidence to support it.