Ann Kempster
@annkempster.com
Public sector agitator for good.
Feminist. Cheese. Dachshunds.
Digital. 🏴
She/her.
Feminist. Cheese. Dachshunds.
Digital. 🏴
She/her.
Bread from crisps because of an internet dare.
Dan wins the internet today.
Dan wins the internet today.
Buckle up friend it’s time for bread made out of crisps 🍞 🥔
Full disclosure it was not a flawless first attempt.
The aim was to make a loaf of bread where the majority ingredient is crisps.
1. Buy 450g of crisps, without shame
Full disclosure it was not a flawless first attempt.
The aim was to make a loaf of bread where the majority ingredient is crisps.
1. Buy 450g of crisps, without shame
November 23, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Bread from crisps because of an internet dare.
Dan wins the internet today.
Dan wins the internet today.
Reposted by Ann Kempster
P-p-p-poper face, p-p-poper face
November 23, 2025 at 5:44 AM
P-p-p-poper face, p-p-poper face
Got age checked at the grocery store today.
For buying mirin.
Mirin.
For buying mirin.
Mirin.
November 23, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Got age checked at the grocery store today.
For buying mirin.
Mirin.
For buying mirin.
Mirin.
Reposted by Ann Kempster
Lovely Welsh charity looking for 4 new trustees. I would be applying for this myself if I lived closer to the area www.tpp.co.uk/job/trustee-...
Grassroots Welsh charity TIR COED has been connecting people with land (Tir) and woodlands (Coed) for over 25 years
Grassroots Welsh charity TIR COED has been connecting people with land (Tir) and woodlands (Coed) for over 25 years
Trustee
USE YOUR SKILLS TO HELP PEOPLE AND NATURE TO THRIVE JOIN US AS A TIR COED TRUSTEE! Grassroots Welsh charity TIR COED has been connecting people with land (Tir) and woodlands (Coed) for over 25 years. ...
www.tpp.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Lovely Welsh charity looking for 4 new trustees. I would be applying for this myself if I lived closer to the area www.tpp.co.uk/job/trustee-...
Grassroots Welsh charity TIR COED has been connecting people with land (Tir) and woodlands (Coed) for over 25 years
Grassroots Welsh charity TIR COED has been connecting people with land (Tir) and woodlands (Coed) for over 25 years
Reposted by Ann Kempster
Big opportunity to support heritage in Wales apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8980
The Heritage Fund is looking for a Trustee who in addition to their role on the Board will also serve as the Chair of the Committee for Wales.
The Heritage Fund is looking for a Trustee who in addition to their role on the Board will also serve as the Chair of the Committee for Wales.
Appointment details – National Lottery Heritage Fund x1 Wales Trustee – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK
apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Big opportunity to support heritage in Wales apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles/8980
The Heritage Fund is looking for a Trustee who in addition to their role on the Board will also serve as the Chair of the Committee for Wales.
The Heritage Fund is looking for a Trustee who in addition to their role on the Board will also serve as the Chair of the Committee for Wales.
Treasury ALWAYS gives with one hand takes with another.
Rachel Reeves will add £1.3 billion to a grant cutting upfront costs for buyers of electric cars in Wednesday’s Budget, just as she is expected to hit them with a pay-per-mile scheme
EV buyers’ grant to get £1.3bn boost in Budget amid pay-per-mile speculation
Rachel Reeves will add £1.3 billion to a grant cutting upfront costs for buyers of electric cars in Wednesday’s Budget, just as she is expected to hit them with a pay-per-mile scheme. The Chancellor w...
wp.me
November 22, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Treasury ALWAYS gives with one hand takes with another.
Reposted by Ann Kempster
I also write about how little the floods have been covered in national newspapers, and how appalled I am that the Prime Minister has said nothing to the people of Monmouthshire directly. Please read and share. www.thenerve.news/p/storm-clau...
Storm Claudia puts Wales under water – why did these record-breaking floods barely make the news?
On the frontline of a deluge on the Welsh borders, Jude Rogers heard local stories of devastation and heroism – but incredibly the disaster was hardly referred to in Westminster and the national press
www.thenerve.news
November 22, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I also write about how little the floods have been covered in national newspapers, and how appalled I am that the Prime Minister has said nothing to the people of Monmouthshire directly. Please read and share. www.thenerve.news/p/storm-clau...
Reposted by Ann Kempster
…Catherine Hall of Salt and Pepper in Monmouth , working flat out to help her team and get ready for Christmas plus Mary Ann Brocklesby, the leader of Monmouthshire County Council, who used to work in community development in international disaster situations.
November 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
…Catherine Hall of Salt and Pepper in Monmouth , working flat out to help her team and get ready for Christmas plus Mary Ann Brocklesby, the leader of Monmouthshire County Council, who used to work in community development in international disaster situations.
Reposted by Ann Kempster
I spoke to others affected by the floods: the 94-year-old Doris Pears, evacuated by boat from her block of independent flats, my amazing local landlady Chloe of the Angel in Grosmont who is campaigning to save the damaged bridges that cut off access to our village…
November 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I spoke to others affected by the floods: the 94-year-old Doris Pears, evacuated by boat from her block of independent flats, my amazing local landlady Chloe of the Angel in Grosmont who is campaigning to save the damaged bridges that cut off access to our village…
Reposted by Ann Kempster
Our neighbouring village of Skenfrith and Frogmore St in Abergavenny suffered badly, and there was also a terrifying rescue at the bottom of our hilly village, which lands at the Monnow. I had the great privilege of interviewing the watch commander, Nick Crum, about the rescue for @thenerve.news
November 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Our neighbouring village of Skenfrith and Frogmore St in Abergavenny suffered badly, and there was also a terrifying rescue at the bottom of our hilly village, which lands at the Monnow. I had the great privilege of interviewing the watch commander, Nick Crum, about the rescue for @thenerve.news
Reposted by Ann Kempster
Last Friday night and Saturday morning, Monmouthshire was hit by devastating floods. Monmouth’s high street, a place that I’ve barely known wet before, became a high roaring river (see the pictures of how it lies normally, as it did on Thursday, with the flooded Waitrose high above).
November 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Last Friday night and Saturday morning, Monmouthshire was hit by devastating floods. Monmouth’s high street, a place that I’ve barely known wet before, became a high roaring river (see the pictures of how it lies normally, as it did on Thursday, with the flooded Waitrose high above).
Reposted by Ann Kempster
I might be back to writing.
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
Sort of weeknotes (again)
It has again, been a while.
So what have I been up to since I left my last role you ask?
Many things. Broadly in 3 categories.
1. Rebuilding my business
2. Project managing the house renovations
...
blog.annkempster.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I might be back to writing.
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
I might be back to writing.
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
Sort of weeknotes (again)
It has again, been a while.
So what have I been up to since I left my last role you ask?
Many things. Broadly in 3 categories.
1. Rebuilding my business
2. Project managing the house renovations
...
blog.annkempster.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I might be back to writing.
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
Some not-really-but-sort-of weeknotes, more a catch up on what I've been doing the last few months.
Work, home and book.
blog.annkempster.com/sort-of-week...
Reposted by Ann Kempster
2026 is only around the corner folks!
Flagging now: I'm available 2-3 days a week for product coaching and consultancy, plus one-off workshops & training from January. 🪩🖖🏻
calendly.com/sianmh/free-...
(I loathe selfies, so here's a gigantic disco ball instead)
Flagging now: I'm available 2-3 days a week for product coaching and consultancy, plus one-off workshops & training from January. 🪩🖖🏻
calendly.com/sianmh/free-...
(I loathe selfies, so here's a gigantic disco ball instead)
November 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
2026 is only around the corner folks!
Flagging now: I'm available 2-3 days a week for product coaching and consultancy, plus one-off workshops & training from January. 🪩🖖🏻
calendly.com/sianmh/free-...
(I loathe selfies, so here's a gigantic disco ball instead)
Flagging now: I'm available 2-3 days a week for product coaching and consultancy, plus one-off workshops & training from January. 🪩🖖🏻
calendly.com/sianmh/free-...
(I loathe selfies, so here's a gigantic disco ball instead)
Reposted by Ann Kempster
I was at a conference on Weds about use of AI in public services and noticed how AI as sticky tape over broken systems is becoming the norm, designing or implementing better systems is becoming more and more of a luxury.
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
I was at a conference on Weds about use of AI in public services and noticed how AI as sticky tape over broken systems is becoming the norm, designing or implementing better systems is becoming more and more of a luxury.
Reposted by Ann Kempster
Not sure who made this, but probably the most accurate representation of the current state of tech to date
November 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Not sure who made this, but probably the most accurate representation of the current state of tech to date
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
It’s good cheese.
It’s good cheese.
Wales has scooped six prizes at the World Cheese Awards 2025, with Caws Cenarth taking home the top Welsh honour for its Perl Las Deli blue cheese wp.me/p8Mk4U-19ad
November 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
It’s good cheese.
It’s good cheese.
Surely somewhere in this piece it should be clearly stated this only applies to England.
And yet….SIGH
And yet….SIGH
Reeves urged to ‘grasp the nettle’ with wholesale reset of council tax
Reeves urged to ‘grasp the nettle’ with wholesale reset of council tax
Experts say chancellor should go further than rumoured plan to update value of homes in top three bands
Rachel Reeves has been urged to “grasp the nettle” and kick off a wholesale revaluation of the nation’s homes for council tax in next week’s budget as she prepares to introduce a levy on the most expensive properties.
Council tax is charged based on valuations carried out in 1991. The Treasury is understood to have drawn up plans to update the value of homes currently in the top three council tax bands – F to H. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Surely somewhere in this piece it should be clearly stated this only applies to England.
And yet….SIGH
And yet….SIGH
Looking at bits of the Covid Inquiry and all the rage is back. Absolutely furious. It’s never going to dissipate is it?
November 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Looking at bits of the Covid Inquiry and all the rage is back. Absolutely furious. It’s never going to dissipate is it?
This is super interesting.
A promising experiment in closing the loop between legislations and real-world outcomes:
www.eatingpolicy.com/p/outcomes-r...
www.eatingpolicy.com/p/outcomes-r...
Outcomes Reviews: Realigning Legislative Incentives
How might a state legislature shift from outputs to outcomes?
www.eatingpolicy.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
This is super interesting.
Reposted by Ann Kempster
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Check your spam in case it ends up there!
Check your spam in case it ends up there!
November 20, 2025 at 11:19 AM
When you sign up, you’ll receive an email to confirm your subscription.
Check your spam in case it ends up there!
Check your spam in case it ends up there!
Reposted by Ann Kempster
Our November newsletter goes out next week, with great resources on:
- @govcampcymru.bsky.social 2025
- rebranding user research in NHS Wales
- how service patterns can be a leadership tool
- ways of working in the open
Sign up here: transform.wales/newsletter/
- @govcampcymru.bsky.social 2025
- rebranding user research in NHS Wales
- how service patterns can be a leadership tool
- ways of working in the open
Sign up here: transform.wales/newsletter/
Newsletter
Be part of the conversation about digital in Wales.
Subscribe to the Transform Wales newsletter for:
updates on our work and report a monthly roundup of digital news in Wales opportunities to get invo...
transform.wales
November 20, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Our November newsletter goes out next week, with great resources on:
- @govcampcymru.bsky.social 2025
- rebranding user research in NHS Wales
- how service patterns can be a leadership tool
- ways of working in the open
Sign up here: transform.wales/newsletter/
- @govcampcymru.bsky.social 2025
- rebranding user research in NHS Wales
- how service patterns can be a leadership tool
- ways of working in the open
Sign up here: transform.wales/newsletter/
Having something close to a day off of client work and Transform Wales work today.
Started the day way too early, but then spent 2.5 hours picking colours for the kitchen, living room and our bedroom. Such a delightful break from digital transformation work.
A long walk in the frost cold soon.
Started the day way too early, but then spent 2.5 hours picking colours for the kitchen, living room and our bedroom. Such a delightful break from digital transformation work.
A long walk in the frost cold soon.
November 20, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Having something close to a day off of client work and Transform Wales work today.
Started the day way too early, but then spent 2.5 hours picking colours for the kitchen, living room and our bedroom. Such a delightful break from digital transformation work.
A long walk in the frost cold soon.
Started the day way too early, but then spent 2.5 hours picking colours for the kitchen, living room and our bedroom. Such a delightful break from digital transformation work.
A long walk in the frost cold soon.
Reposted by Ann Kempster
He's right.
It’s the exclusive everyone wanted, the story that will win next year’s Pulitzer…
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
I can reveal London’s giant AI generated Christmas artwork, the subject of much online mockery, is being torn down - and I honestly *genuinely* think you’ll never guess why. www.londoncentric.media/p/ai-artwork...
London's giant AI artwork to be torn down
The bizarre story of why a much-talked-about creation is being torn down. Plus: Docklands Light Railway extension, giant laser stalks the night sky, and more tales of Android phone theft rejection.
www.londoncentric.media
November 20, 2025 at 7:24 AM
He's right.