A very cold 2 degrees but sunny countryside Parkrun this morning as a ‘tourist’ at ARU Writtle. Next up, if I’m awake in time, will be one 20 degrees warmer where it’s possible to see dolphins

I suppose for work purposes I should be neutral but for personal selfish reasons, with Chelmsford being absent, I say come on Ipswich!

It was great having Welly in Chelmsford for #IVW26 at Hotbox. Met some new people from Colchester (boooo!!!), it’s what it’s all about

When you consider the amount of decent films that get made, but never shown beyond an independent film festival, and this gets wide release in multiplex cinemas, it shows how the world is ordered for sure!

We are such big fans of Melania in Chelmsford that her new film is being shown in our largest screen and a BIGLY number of tickets have been sold. Full house. Most popular film ever known

Green gain. Bookmark this

If people don’t use AI they won’t lose their job, am I right Chief Constable of West Midlands Police?

No view either way on a U16 social media ban but if it happens, the over 65s need to join them

Started the year off the right way with Parkrun and a good chat about obscure bands. Slightly my worst time of the festive period at 22:44 but my 2025 good form continues into 2026

Ruin two bands by combining them: George Ezra Collective

1,152 + 29 volunteers + bumper number of family and friends watching on. That really was a huge one. Possibly a record attendance for Chelmsford Central Parkrun

That was an extremely busy festive Parkrun at Chelmsford Central, wouldn’t be surprised if attendance was over 1000. All four funnels full up. My very good form continues

Happy New (draft) NPPF Day to all those who celebrate

Did some Parkrun ‘tourism’ this morning to the new ARU Writtle on a beautiful morning. Which is so close to home I had marshalls of my local Parkrun cheer me on coming back

Another great night @radiocitysocial.bsky.social for probably my final gig of the year with Rad Pitt along with Norwich’s With Teeth who were brilliant and local legends Dharma Hounds and Pieces

Every day this week I’ve found something new with the farce/lies of Great British Railways on the Greater Anglia network. Today it’s the selling of tickets which are not valid

Rail fares from Chelmsford on Greater Anglia, recently brought into public ownership, have been substantially increased with less flexibility. Will be writing to my MP @mariecgoldman.bsky.social Headlines: Off-peak pushed back to 09:43. 55% increase for users of very busy 09:24 and the 09:28.

Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you have seen Will Young 2 Unlimited Mousse T Emma Bunton Nine Inch Nails

A brilliant night in Ipswich seeing @benefitstheband.bsky.social at the tiny Smokehouse. Really tasty and great value Afghan meal beforehand at Kabul Kitchen and a couple of good bars for beers

Another festival for Chelmsford, it’s Live Nation & Festival Republic so a big one. The branding says the lineup will either be amazing or terrible, I fear the latter but hope for the former

HOT CAR! What a treat to have the brilliant John Mouse in Chelmsford @radiocitysocial.bsky.social. And free entry, with a particularly good beer selection at the moment. Very random. Great night

Ripe and ripening tomatoes on an exposed allotment plot on 6th November is completely normal, right?

A fantastic night at the Royal Albert Hall for King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard orchestral show

I was very lucky to see John Bramwell in the tiny Green Room in Altrincham. Played for around two hours and I wasn’t bored. Great storyteller. Fantastic musician

I have a Beta Band ticket available at the Roundhouse tonight. Will sell less than face value and can meet in person outside the venue around 19:30

I have a spare Beta Band ticket for tonight at the Roundhouse available face value - www.twickets.live/app/block/48...

Was going to complain to the council about the noise from Radio 2 In The Park but I can’t hear it because it’s being drowned out by a different festival down the road. Massive night in Chelmsford

Well, the Gorillaz ‘Mystery Show’ tonight was a bit special! Looking forward to the album

Definitely the same swimming pool from Leisure.

The ultimate Blur fan excursion. IYKYK

I was honoured to attend the reopening celebration for Glasgow’s Citz Theatre tonight. A challenging project for which all those involved should be proud

Had a few options last night and pleased I picked Ducks Ltd who delivered a high-tempo 45 minute set supported by Former Champ. Also nice to have ticked off Nice N Sleazy. Always good things going on in Glasgow

Seen some decent artists today at All Points East but it’s probably a health hazard. Dustiest event I’ve been to by a long way. Large parts of that area of Victoria Park are literally a desert

Why hasn’t the Green Party capitalised on discontent with the traditional parties in the way Reform has, asks the BBC. I mean, the constant platforming of Reform and the ignoring of Greens for years despite all their Councillors, 4 MPs, MSPs etc might be something to do with it…

Quote for the media: “Wow that sonic boom over Chelmsford was so loud! I thought the door had slammed. Everything shook. It was terrifying. Thoughts and prayers”

Smashing Pumpkins in Colchester rounding off a fantastic two nights of music without me leaving Essex. Skunk Anansie brilliant also, pleased I’ve finally seen them. Skin is great. Rocket were decent too

Mercury Rev at Chinnerys in Southend tonight were superb. Tomorrow night it’s Skunk Anansie and Smashing Pumpkins in Colchester. Surely one of the greatest weeks for alternative music in Essex’s history

A couple of new records set today Longest gap between seeing a band - 25 years, 11 months for Cast Roger Daltrey at 81 years, 5 months takes oldest artist I’ve seen

Very interesting. Look forward to seeing the detail in this, and what breadth of venue types it applies to

Very pleased and surprised with today’s PB at Parkrun despite the sun and heat, knocking 8 seconds off my previous from January 2022 and 27 seconds off last week

A good night at Hot Box seeing Picture Parlour on the opening night of their grassroots venue tour

With Bob Vylan being in the news this post from three weeks ago aged well…

This is by some distance the earliest I’ve picked blackberries. Also a lot of raspberries for time of year

Great double header of Nine Inch Nails last night and Sparks tonight rounding off a fantastic week which started with Brighten The Corners in Ipswich

Thankfully it’s only taken five weeks to improve my credibility

Great night in Manchester seeing the superb MJ Lenderman at the Ritz. Trace Mountains supporting were very decent as well

I’ve let myself down there…

Disappointed Reform are now second in my ward, but delighted they are so far behind the winner who got over 2.4x more votes. Only 37% combined right-wing vote. Total Tory collapse. Green remain ahead of Labour

Today was made good by Pulp putting out a new song and also I saw a chiffchaff

I’m celebrating World Theatre Day at Chelmsford Theatre for the second of my four visits across the next month or so