Alan Gardiner
@alang64.bsky.social
Hertfordshire birder, Weather station owner, retired chartered engineer
I didn't know corruption was provincial.
December 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I didn't know corruption was provincial.
You might be OK, it was raining heavily in the middle of the day in St Albans, the sky is now clear.
December 4, 2025 at 7:13 PM
You might be OK, it was raining heavily in the middle of the day in St Albans, the sky is now clear.
I think the charge will act as a disincentive to EVs as a purchase if you can only charge at public chargers which are mainly expensive to use. That needs addressing before the charge comes in in 2028. It's right that they do need to be fairly taxed, the extra 3p/mile is not a problem for me.
November 27, 2025 at 10:39 AM
I think the charge will act as a disincentive to EVs as a purchase if you can only charge at public chargers which are mainly expensive to use. That needs addressing before the charge comes in in 2028. It's right that they do need to be fairly taxed, the extra 3p/mile is not a problem for me.
Giving it to charity works as well.
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Giving it to charity works as well.
In 2022/23 the top 1% of earners provided 28.5% of the total income tax take which suggests they do pay their taxes.
November 23, 2025 at 10:26 PM
In 2022/23 the top 1% of earners provided 28.5% of the total income tax take which suggests they do pay their taxes.
I don't remember having a problem with them of any kind.
November 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I don't remember having a problem with them of any kind.
I live in St Albans, I don't consider it to be part of East Anglia. It's got far mor in common with counties such as Surrey and Buckinghamshire. The transport links are fantastic but the house prices are very high, only London's prices are higher.
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I live in St Albans, I don't consider it to be part of East Anglia. It's got far mor in common with counties such as Surrey and Buckinghamshire. The transport links are fantastic but the house prices are very high, only London's prices are higher.
He wishes to penalise the less well off in favour of tax breaks to the rich, it's what Reform is all about. If you can't afford to pay your employees decently you shouldn't be in business.
November 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
He wishes to penalise the less well off in favour of tax breaks to the rich, it's what Reform is all about. If you can't afford to pay your employees decently you shouldn't be in business.
There's a vast difference in the amount of business rates collected in Westminster and Middlesbrough. Councils get to keep a proportion and it's another reason for the difference in bands. It needs to be completely reformed.
November 2, 2025 at 7:17 PM
There's a vast difference in the amount of business rates collected in Westminster and Middlesbrough. Councils get to keep a proportion and it's another reason for the difference in bands. It needs to be completely reformed.
Councils get a proportion of the business rates they collect.
November 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Councils get a proportion of the business rates they collect.
Drivers have full radio contact with the Rail Operating Centre which is essential for managing emergencies
November 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Drivers have full radio contact with the Rail Operating Centre which is essential for managing emergencies
That's a very interesting solid study; however the wealthy areas do suffer from being too tidy, immaculate lawns, neatly trimmed hedges etc. It's noticeable where I live that House Sparrows are often found in the less wealthy areas of the town, more nest and roosting sites for a species in decline.
October 31, 2025 at 9:03 AM
That's a very interesting solid study; however the wealthy areas do suffer from being too tidy, immaculate lawns, neatly trimmed hedges etc. It's noticeable where I live that House Sparrows are often found in the less wealthy areas of the town, more nest and roosting sites for a species in decline.
That result suggests the compulsory employer right to work checks are effective. If employers fail to do them they will be penalised.
October 29, 2025 at 8:56 AM
That result suggests the compulsory employer right to work checks are effective. If employers fail to do them they will be penalised.
It's a great photo and since the leaflets are alternate I agree with your identification. The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is very similar but the leaflets are opposite. It's deciduous as well.
October 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
It's a great photo and since the leaflets are alternate I agree with your identification. The Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is very similar but the leaflets are opposite. It's deciduous as well.
In most cases you need more than one item to verify your identity. I've had to provide a passport plus a utility bill in the past and I don't think a digital ID will prove to be enough.
October 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
In most cases you need more than one item to verify your identity. I've had to provide a passport plus a utility bill in the past and I don't think a digital ID will prove to be enough.
A lot of people can't stand Reform, they have decided to vote Plaid Cymru as the best way of preventing them winning. This will be a feature in any forthcoming elections.
October 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
A lot of people can't stand Reform, they have decided to vote Plaid Cymru as the best way of preventing them winning. This will be a feature in any forthcoming elections.
I had to get a new electric kettle, ads galore for kettles despite the fact I clearly don't need one now. I suppose the may not know of the purchase
October 23, 2025 at 11:05 AM
I had to get a new electric kettle, ads galore for kettles despite the fact I clearly don't need one now. I suppose the may not know of the purchase
You can blame Meteo France.
October 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM
You can blame Meteo France.
Absolutely, a bespoke CU is not something the EU will even consider; we need to sign up to the one that already exists and also the single market. We need to re-join the EU but that won't be possible until we give up the idea we are somehow a special case.
October 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Absolutely, a bespoke CU is not something the EU will even consider; we need to sign up to the one that already exists and also the single market. We need to re-join the EU but that won't be possible until we give up the idea we are somehow a special case.
I'm hoping to get back to New Zealand, it's seabird life is unequalled anywhere else on the planet. It's great for viewing the southern hemisphere night sky, it's easy to find sites with virtually no light pollution. The volcanically active areas are also great.
October 20, 2025 at 10:02 PM
I'm hoping to get back to New Zealand, it's seabird life is unequalled anywhere else on the planet. It's great for viewing the southern hemisphere night sky, it's easy to find sites with virtually no light pollution. The volcanically active areas are also great.