Nick Piggott
@nickpiggott.bsky.social
Mostly radio, travel, technology, food, performing arts, liberal leaning politics.
As an observation - it's very hard to criticise the board of an organisation when you're heading that organisation.
But once you're not, you can. And boy, can you.
But once you're not, you can. And boy, can you.
November 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
As an observation - it's very hard to criticise the board of an organisation when you're heading that organisation.
But once you're not, you can. And boy, can you.
But once you're not, you can. And boy, can you.
Nice to see another two gaps in the West Country Small Scale DAB map get filled in - Taunton and "North Somerset" (Glasto/Wells/Shepton) awarded today. 👍
(Actual North Somerset (Weston) was awarded last time).
(Actual North Somerset (Weston) was awarded last time).
November 11, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Nice to see another two gaps in the West Country Small Scale DAB map get filled in - Taunton and "North Somerset" (Glasto/Wells/Shepton) awarded today. 👍
(Actual North Somerset (Weston) was awarded last time).
(Actual North Somerset (Weston) was awarded last time).
Saying Brexit harms our economy is quite an abstract statement. Let me make it real.
Small Scale DAB in the UK works because we buy reasonably priced equipment from reasonably good quality suppliers, who are based in the EU. There isn't anyone in the UK who makes the equipment we need.
1/x
Small Scale DAB in the UK works because we buy reasonably priced equipment from reasonably good quality suppliers, who are based in the EU. There isn't anyone in the UK who makes the equipment we need.
1/x
November 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Saying Brexit harms our economy is quite an abstract statement. Let me make it real.
Small Scale DAB in the UK works because we buy reasonably priced equipment from reasonably good quality suppliers, who are based in the EU. There isn't anyone in the UK who makes the equipment we need.
1/x
Small Scale DAB in the UK works because we buy reasonably priced equipment from reasonably good quality suppliers, who are based in the EU. There isn't anyone in the UK who makes the equipment we need.
1/x
I know I'm boring about this, but if I can save just one person from #virginmedia broadband, it will have been worth it
Just. Don't. Life is too short. Consider only as an absolute last resort.
Just. Don't. Life is too short. Consider only as an absolute last resort.
November 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I know I'm boring about this, but if I can save just one person from #virginmedia broadband, it will have been worth it
Just. Don't. Life is too short. Consider only as an absolute last resort.
Just. Don't. Life is too short. Consider only as an absolute last resort.
Always nice to hear Chloe Slater in 6Music. Keep an ear on her, I think she's going to be (relatively) big. (Bit annoyed that I couldn't get to her gig at the Fleece a couple of weeks ago).
October 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Always nice to hear Chloe Slater in 6Music. Keep an ear on her, I think she's going to be (relatively) big. (Bit annoyed that I couldn't get to her gig at the Fleece a couple of weeks ago).
I feel there's a lot to like about Jimmy Wales' approach to life.
(Coming from someone also running a successful non-profit tech org, and who has also had the 'communist' criticism levelled at them).
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
(Coming from someone also running a successful non-profit tech org, and who has also had the 'communist' criticism levelled at them).
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
‘People thought I was a communist doing this as a non-profit’: is Wikipedia’s Jimmy Wales the last decent tech baron?
In an online landscape characterised by doom and division, the people’s encyclopedia stands out – a huge collective endeavour giving everyone free access to the sum of human knowledge. But with Elon M...
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:23 AM
I feel there's a lot to like about Jimmy Wales' approach to life.
(Coming from someone also running a successful non-profit tech org, and who has also had the 'communist' criticism levelled at them).
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
(Coming from someone also running a successful non-profit tech org, and who has also had the 'communist' criticism levelled at them).
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
A Google Maps feature suggestion - 'drop off/pick up radius'.
= The distance a friend can drive you to connect to/from public transport.
Prompted by me accidentally finding a *very* useful bus route that was 10 minutes drive away.
= The distance a friend can drive you to connect to/from public transport.
Prompted by me accidentally finding a *very* useful bus route that was 10 minutes drive away.
October 15, 2025 at 10:13 AM
A Google Maps feature suggestion - 'drop off/pick up radius'.
= The distance a friend can drive you to connect to/from public transport.
Prompted by me accidentally finding a *very* useful bus route that was 10 minutes drive away.
= The distance a friend can drive you to connect to/from public transport.
Prompted by me accidentally finding a *very* useful bus route that was 10 minutes drive away.
I'm on the kind of flight that gives easyJet's CFO nightmares - a ~50% LF A320neo, which I paid (booking 5 days ago), £50 for.
And the operating aircraft was sat idle for 1½ hours before we boarded. 😬
And the operating aircraft was sat idle for 1½ hours before we boarded. 😬
October 14, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I'm on the kind of flight that gives easyJet's CFO nightmares - a ~50% LF A320neo, which I paid (booking 5 days ago), £50 for.
And the operating aircraft was sat idle for 1½ hours before we boarded. 😬
And the operating aircraft was sat idle for 1½ hours before we boarded. 😬
Look, I'm not saying that getting involved with chaos that is Three is a direct cause of Vodafone's problems but... 🤔
October 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Look, I'm not saying that getting involved with chaos that is Three is a direct cause of Vodafone's problems but... 🤔
The vox pops of Eurostar passengers saying they knew nothing about EES is really indicative of just how loud and long you have to repeat stuff to people to make it actually land.
October 12, 2025 at 4:33 PM
The vox pops of Eurostar passengers saying they knew nothing about EES is really indicative of just how loud and long you have to repeat stuff to people to make it actually land.
I know we all know this, but it's worth just airing it around now and then
I've a short trip to 🇨🇭 Switzerland on Tuesday. easyJet cost £99 return
An equivalent train to 💂 London would cost £101.85
Booked at the same time, advanced, non-flexible off peak fares, all that. Yet somehow more expensive.
I've a short trip to 🇨🇭 Switzerland on Tuesday. easyJet cost £99 return
An equivalent train to 💂 London would cost £101.85
Booked at the same time, advanced, non-flexible off peak fares, all that. Yet somehow more expensive.
October 11, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I know we all know this, but it's worth just airing it around now and then
I've a short trip to 🇨🇭 Switzerland on Tuesday. easyJet cost £99 return
An equivalent train to 💂 London would cost £101.85
Booked at the same time, advanced, non-flexible off peak fares, all that. Yet somehow more expensive.
I've a short trip to 🇨🇭 Switzerland on Tuesday. easyJet cost £99 return
An equivalent train to 💂 London would cost £101.85
Booked at the same time, advanced, non-flexible off peak fares, all that. Yet somehow more expensive.
Sunday morning dealing with Virgin Media having yet another IP network meltdown. 🤦♂️
So here's your periodic reminder to actively avoid Virgin Media for your connectivity needs. #virginmedia
So here's your periodic reminder to actively avoid Virgin Media for your connectivity needs. #virginmedia
October 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Sunday morning dealing with Virgin Media having yet another IP network meltdown. 🤦♂️
So here's your periodic reminder to actively avoid Virgin Media for your connectivity needs. #virginmedia
So here's your periodic reminder to actively avoid Virgin Media for your connectivity needs. #virginmedia
Another early adopter penalty. Off to the #googlegraveyard for my perfectly functional 1st gen Nest thermostat, bricked because Google don't want to support the backend any more.
New #Tado system fitted today - #matter open standards should dramatically reduce the obsolescence risk. 💪
New #Tado system fitted today - #matter open standards should dramatically reduce the obsolescence risk. 💪
September 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Another early adopter penalty. Off to the #googlegraveyard for my perfectly functional 1st gen Nest thermostat, bricked because Google don't want to support the backend any more.
New #Tado system fitted today - #matter open standards should dramatically reduce the obsolescence risk. 💪
New #Tado system fitted today - #matter open standards should dramatically reduce the obsolescence risk. 💪
Reposted by Nick Piggott
See also the manically obsessive but apparently not so smart Musk.
September 19, 2025 at 11:35 AM
See also the manically obsessive but apparently not so smart Musk.
Performing my public service again to warn you off using #virginmedia unless you have no other choice.
A 2am 'firmware update' bricked the router. A manual reboot got the 4G 'backup' up, but it's uselessly slow (<2Mbs) and jittery. No engineer until Thursday.
So, just don't unless you have to.
A 2am 'firmware update' bricked the router. A manual reboot got the 4G 'backup' up, but it's uselessly slow (<2Mbs) and jittery. No engineer until Thursday.
So, just don't unless you have to.
September 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Performing my public service again to warn you off using #virginmedia unless you have no other choice.
A 2am 'firmware update' bricked the router. A manual reboot got the 4G 'backup' up, but it's uselessly slow (<2Mbs) and jittery. No engineer until Thursday.
So, just don't unless you have to.
A 2am 'firmware update' bricked the router. A manual reboot got the 4G 'backup' up, but it's uselessly slow (<2Mbs) and jittery. No engineer until Thursday.
So, just don't unless you have to.
BBC launches three new DAB+ 'spin off' services today, 23 years after the last new DAB services they launched.
The speed of change, eh? Blazing.
The speed of change, eh? Blazing.
September 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
BBC launches three new DAB+ 'spin off' services today, 23 years after the last new DAB services they launched.
The speed of change, eh? Blazing.
The speed of change, eh? Blazing.
I feel there's things in here that are relevant to radio.
"We loved Costa and all the rest. But the artisan brands are fast gaining ground."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
"We loved Costa and all the rest. But the artisan brands are fast gaining ground."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
We loved Costa and all the rest. But the artisan brands a...
The ubiquitous coffee outlet’s future could be in doubt as owner holds talks with bidders
share.google
September 1, 2025 at 8:29 AM
I feel there's things in here that are relevant to radio.
"We loved Costa and all the rest. But the artisan brands are fast gaining ground."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
"We loved Costa and all the rest. But the artisan brands are fast gaining ground."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
I did a return train trip of 150 miles from Sydney out into rural NSW and back. The trains were punctual, clean and comfortable. It cost me £4.65 (AU$9.65).
I don't know what we're not doing right with trains in the UK, but it's remarkable what other countries can achieve.
I don't know what we're not doing right with trains in the UK, but it's remarkable what other countries can achieve.
August 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I did a return train trip of 150 miles from Sydney out into rural NSW and back. The trains were punctual, clean and comfortable. It cost me £4.65 (AU$9.65).
I don't know what we're not doing right with trains in the UK, but it's remarkable what other countries can achieve.
I don't know what we're not doing right with trains in the UK, but it's remarkable what other countries can achieve.
Every single touch point I have with Virgin Media reminds me what a frustrating and gormless organisation they are. Yes, this is my periodic PSA to you all not to use them unless you have absolutely no other alternative.
August 20, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Every single touch point I have with Virgin Media reminds me what a frustrating and gormless organisation they are. Yes, this is my periodic PSA to you all not to use them unless you have absolutely no other alternative.
James' televised phone-in show from Radio Aire in the late 80s was groundbreaking and entertaining. A world away from the crappy 'ITV Nightscreen' output.
Sad news today as Talk presenter James Whale has died aged 74, following a long illness. He had been living with cancer for several years.
Talk Radio pays tribute to James Whale following his death at 74
Sad news today as Talk presenter James Whale has died aged 74, following a long illness. He had been living with cancer for several years.
radiotoday.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 3:08 PM
James' televised phone-in show from Radio Aire in the late 80s was groundbreaking and entertaining. A world away from the crappy 'ITV Nightscreen' output.
The UK - where medieval churches in the middle of rural Devon have 1Gbps fibre broadband, but an office tower block in central Bristol is stuck with Virgin Media's dreadful coaxial cable or 6Mbps ADSL copper.
🤷♂️
🤷♂️
July 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The UK - where medieval churches in the middle of rural Devon have 1Gbps fibre broadband, but an office tower block in central Bristol is stuck with Virgin Media's dreadful coaxial cable or 6Mbps ADSL copper.
🤷♂️
🤷♂️
Your periodic PSA that, when considering your options for connectivity, always put Virgin Media last on your list, to be used only as a last resort.
Great marketers, lousy at running an IP network. Truly lousy. Significantly so.
Great marketers, lousy at running an IP network. Truly lousy. Significantly so.
July 22, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Your periodic PSA that, when considering your options for connectivity, always put Virgin Media last on your list, to be used only as a last resort.
Great marketers, lousy at running an IP network. Truly lousy. Significantly so.
Great marketers, lousy at running an IP network. Truly lousy. Significantly so.
Reposted by Nick Piggott
He's one of Britain's richest men. So why does Asif Aziz's property company keep leasing London gift shops to overseas students based in abandoned offices or flytipped car parks — before vanishing without paying millions of pounds in taxes? www.londoncentric.media/p/asf-aziz-l...
The billionaire and the tax evading gift shops
Asif Aziz's Criterion Capital manages a row of high-profile shops at Piccadilly Circus. So why does his team keeping renting them to students who vanish without paying millions of pounds in taxes?
www.londoncentric.media
July 22, 2025 at 6:48 AM
He's one of Britain's richest men. So why does Asif Aziz's property company keep leasing London gift shops to overseas students based in abandoned offices or flytipped car parks — before vanishing without paying millions of pounds in taxes? www.londoncentric.media/p/asf-aziz-l...
I love that KFM, a small, independent radio station in Stockport, was so pivotal in British comedy culture. (104.9MHz is now just a TX of Bauer's Greatest Hits Radio network).
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Craig Cash on when Oasis drew a crowd of just three
The writer and comedian remembers a time long before Oasis were drawing tens of thousands for gigs.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I love that KFM, a small, independent radio station in Stockport, was so pivotal in British comedy culture. (104.9MHz is now just a TX of Bauer's Greatest Hits Radio network).
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...