Rt Hon Gary Blatch
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garyblatch.bsky.social
Rt Hon Gary Blatch
@garyblatch.bsky.social
150 followers 240 following 200 posts
Retired Nurse, Roadie for the Sea Cadets
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garyblatch.bsky.social
😢
November 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Faith Kipyegon used to be a lot quicker than that
Screenshot from BBC Sport with a paragraph highlighted which reads “…world record holder Faith Kipyegon won the mile, crossing the finish line in four hours 17.78 minutes.”
October 11, 2025 at 6:22 AM
garyblatch.bsky.social
If you see this, quote with a concert picture you took.

#Low
September 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Morning all. I calculate that this #Lidl scratch card “prize” is worth 4p.
A screenshot from the Lidl app showing that I have won “15% off Optipharma Ibuprofen Caplets, 16pack. Expires in 7 days”
September 22, 2025 at 8:04 AM
garyblatch.bsky.social
I’ve never seen one of these in the UK before.

Google search says it’s Pyrrhocoris apterus (Firebug)
A striking bug which is red but with distinctive black markings on it. Pyrrhocoris apterus Firebug
September 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Hurt’s my eye’s
Photo of three bags of charcoal. The writing on each bag says “Lump charcoal that hit’s different”
August 6, 2025 at 11:04 AM
garyblatch.bsky.social
21 years since I saw Hope of the States for the second and last time (in Camden). I do envy those of you seeing them tonight in Manchester
A white badge with a red dividing line across the diameter, “HOPE OF” above the line and “THE STATES” under it.
July 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Every time I think about culling some of my record collection this one always escapes the sale box… Just look at that label ♥️♥️♥️ #Stax #Vinyl #Atlantic
Record Sleeve. Black background with a collage of various artists from the record on stage. Text at the top says Live in London The Stax/Volt Revue RHYTHM AND BLUES ON STAGE OTIS REDDING SAM & DAVE CARLA THOMAS THE MAR-KEYS EDDIE FLOYD BOOKER T AND THE M.G. S The Atlantic logo appears bottom right A record label. Split into two sections, green at the top and blue at the bottom with a white strip across the middle with Atlantic and ST33 inside it. Overprinted are the record company details and list of the tracks on this side of the record, namely SMAT 1017 STEREO Live in London-The Stax/Volt Revue RHYTHM AND BLUES ON STAGE （リズム・アンド・ブルース・オン・ステージ/イン 1. Yesterday (John Lennon-Paul McCartney) 2. B-A-B-Y (David Porter-Isaac Hayes) 3. I Take What I Want (Porter- 4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby (David Porter-Isaac Hayes) 5. Hold on I’m coming (David Porter-Isaac Hayes) 1,2 Carla Thomas 3. 4. 5. Sam & Dave
June 18, 2025 at 1:25 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
This was inside, looks like a wild evening 😀 The only Google reference to the LP is about a piece by Michael Hurd that had its first recording on this LP. (Track listing in alt-text)
Tannhauser Wagner Orchestra Gold and Silver Valse Lehar Orchestra Jonah-Man Jazz Michael Hurd Choir (Narrator Mr. H.J. Smith) Pictures From an Exhibition (a) Promenade (b) Dwarf Garden of the Tuileries Mussorgsky Orchestra (c) 0x-Hagon (d) Children in the (e) Great Gate of Kiev Miss Patricia Varley will sing Jewel Song: Gounod Waltz Song fron Romeo & Juliet: Gounod The 1812 Oveture Tschaikowsky- Orchestra: Organ: Cannon: Bells: Military Band. Interval Part 2 Sousa-on-Parade Arranged by King Palmer Orchestra Old Abram Brown. B. Britten Rumba. Jenkyns Le Carnaval Des Animaux C. Saint Saëns Introduction and Marche Royale Lion: Tortues: I'ilephant： Aquarium: Personnages à longues oreilles: Pianistes: Fossiles: Soloists: Mr. H. Lockington (Cello) Mr. A. Baker (Flute) Mrs. V. Jones and Donald Gilbert (Fiano) John Bogg (Double Bass) Ny Fair La y (Selection) Loewe Orchestra Miss Patricia Varley will sing: "You'll Never walk Alonell "Voices of Springi "Vilia" España Waldteufel Orchestra O Come All Ye Faithful We thank most sincerely all who have helped Mr. Jones in the production of this concert.
June 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
I have *never* seen one of these before in 80,000 boot sales or Charity Shop visits.

“BEXLEY ERITH TECHNICAL BOYS' CHRISTMAS CONCERT 1966
Conductor: E. J. Jones”
An LP sleeve which is predominantly white but with a blue tinted photo of a Choir and Orchestra. The title, printed in the same colour blue and at the top of the sleeve is “BEXLEY ERITH TECHNICAL BOYS' CHRISTMAS CONCERT 1966 Conductor: E. J. Jones”
June 13, 2025 at 1:37 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
In almost the same position two badgers decide to sit on the bench
June 11, 2025 at 8:57 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
The trail camera near our pond picked up this skinny fox.
June 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
One of my favourite #Soul compilations and yet I have never heard a single one of these bangers on any radio. Their loss.

It’s from 1969 and was released on many different labels with alternative cover art, none as good as this Japanese one by Takayuki Okabe. Tracklisting in alt-text.
Sleeve of a 1968 compilation LP called Super Soul. The sleeve features a young boy in a blue suit holding a melting ice cream. In the distance we can see a blue car. The tip of the sleeve shows a head facing upwards and smoking a hand rolled cigarette. Tracklist: Chuck Jackson– Beg Me Solomon Burke– You're Good For Me Tommy Hunt– I Am A Witness Otis Redding– These Arms Are Mine Timmy Shaw– Gonna Send You Back To Georgia Wilson Pickett– If You Need Me Roscoe Robinson– That's Enough J. J. Barnes– Just One More Time Chuck Jackson– I Wake Up Crying Solomon Burke– If You Need Me Tommy Hunt– Human Otis Redding– Pain In My Heart Wilson Pickett– Baby Don't Weep Roscoe Robinson– A Thousand Rivers Brenton Wood– Hideaway Bobby Hebb– I Love Mary
May 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
This was part of a leaflet promoting a local care agency.
Did Russell Brand write this ?

“…we will do our utmost in furtherance of your overall vision and missions.”
Screenshot of part of a care agency leaflet. Text says Passionate To Deliver The Best Care For Our Clients! Give us a the chance and we will do our utmost in furtherance of your overall vision and missions.
May 14, 2025 at 10:09 AM
garyblatch.bsky.social
I’ve no doubt the hard-working Nurses of Southend will see the hundreds of jobs about to be cut from their already understaffed Hospital as an example of how highly you value their service.
David Burton-Sampson MP @davidbsampson.bsky.social A very happy International Nurses Day to all of those in Southend West & Leigh who work so hard in service to our local community! I'm especially pleased that today Wes Streeting has announced legal protections for the job title "nurse". DBS MP FOR SOUTHEND WEST & LEIGH Over 700 NHS job cuts to hit Southend, Basildon and Chelmsford hospitals • Monday, 5 May, 2025 • News Editor Photo of NHS protests above this text Hundreds more NHS jobs are set to be cut across Southend, Basildon and Chelmsford hospitals, as the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust pushes ahead with cost-saving plans.
May 12, 2025 at 4:54 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
They sent this yesterday (!) to their Mailing list subscribers
Email from Vinyl Me Please dated yesterday. Text of email: VMP To: Gary Blatch > Is this the end? Yesterday VMP Hi there, We haven't seen you around lately! Here at VMP, we want to respect your inbox and only send emails that you want to receive. If you're not receiving the content you expected, or we've been coming on a little strong, feel free to change your subscription preferences. If you do decide to go...we'll really miss you! And don't forget, if you unsubscribe you can always sign up again on our website. Thanks and we hope to see you again soon! - The VMP Team
May 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Southend-on-Sea City Council Civic Centre Southend-on-Sea 22 April 2025 Councillors James Moyies, Stephen Aylen, Darryl Jones, Tony Cox and Daniel Nelson have submitted a requisition to the Mayor asking him to call an Extraordinary Meeting of the Southend-on-Sea City Council, pursuant to Section 3 of Schedule 12 to the Local Government Act 1972, to consider the matter set out in item 3 of the Agenda set out below. Notice is hereby given that the Mayor has agreed to call an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council. You are hereby summoned to attend this Extraordinary Meeting to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday 30th April 2025 at 6.30pm, for the purpose of transacting the business set out below. C Ansell Chief Executive AGENDA 1 Apologies for Absence 2 Declarations of Interest 3 Notice of Motion - Southend City's Proposal to build a New town of at least 10,000 homes North of Bournes Green Chase (Pages 3 - 4)
April 30, 2025 at 2:09 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Facebook screenshot from 12 years ago today. Shows the BBC News website where it reports “UK Reaction as former UN Prine Minister dies following a strike, her spokesman says” Comment on the photo says “BBC Mobile website in Freudian slip of the day”
April 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
An OG sealed punk LP for £15 sounds great but there’s 20% VAT, buyers fees and *£20* postage. International record buying on eBay is dead.
Image shows an eBay screenshot. On the left of the image is the cover of the Penetration LP called Race Against Time, it is a white sleeve with a black and white photo of toe of the band on stage On the right is the following text: Penetration- Race Against Time 1979 UK Import Sealed LP Brand new £15.63 +20% VAT will apply 0 bids. 3d 19hr + £20.79 delivery From United States
March 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
garyblatch.bsky.social
He didn’t care how close I got with the phone as long as he kept being given those sweet sweet peanuts. #Squirrel
Close up of a beautiful squirrel sitting on the back of a park bench. He is holding a peanut he has been nibbling on.
March 3, 2025 at 9:18 AM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Benchtastic on Bluesky tonight
Screen capture of Bluesky shows 2 posts on top of each other. Top post: Monkey @monkeypicks.bsky.social • 23m Photo of a bench with the heads of the members of Black Sabbath on it. “Black Sabbath Bench in Birmingham. Prices to sit: £899, £699, £666, £595, £450.” Lower post: Steve F @uppertiersteve.bsky.social • 27m “Decent bench. That makes a change” (Presumably about football 😀)
February 15, 2025 at 8:01 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
Thought I’d lost this photo of Gillian Gilbert of New Order playing at Rock City, Nottingham on April 8th 1981.
Fuzzy, blurry over-exposed photo of Gillian Gilbert, the keyboards player from New Order. The image shows Ms Gilbert on stage at Rock City, Nottingham above a sea of heads staring at her.
February 12, 2025 at 5:26 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
I can read A4 documents in 14point on this phone without zooming in but the BBC News App engineers can only squeeze *one* headline and 1.5 accompanying images in the same space ?
Screenshot of the front page of the BBC News app. It has a small BBC logo at the top, two images above each other and this text squeezed between: MI5 lied to courts to protect neo-Nazi spy after BBC revealed violent abuse In an unprecedented admission, the Security Service apologises for "inaccurate" evidence.
February 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
A Test Pressing from King Records of Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s a 1957 record by Earl King called “Walking Slowly”. 68 years old !

I know nothing about this Earl King (there are a few) but found this

fromthevaults-boppinbob.blogspot.com/2022/11/earl...

#Vinyl #Cincinatti #Ohio #RnB
The image shows a 7” single. The sleeve is made of brown paper with Blue overlaid printing. Large text at top left and bottom right says King Records. Text at the bottom says Distributed by King Records, Inc, Cincinnati 7, Ohio, Distrbutors. The label is white and has typed text which says - Top Centre- “Walking Slowly”, centre left “K 8828” and “4/8/57”. Centre right “TP” Centre bottom - “EARL (CONNELLY) KING” Under this - “KING 5038”
February 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
garyblatch.bsky.social
BBC News: “M&S boss says retailers ‘raided like a piggy bank'

Hmmm, looks like the raid came from within mate….
BBC News headline screenshot - M&S boss says retailers 'raided like a piggy bank' Screenshot of “The Grocer” website. Photo of Stuart Machin, M&S CEO, M&S food. Text underneath says Stuart Machin, CEO, M&S Food Pay 2023/24: £4.7m Pay 2022/23: £2.7 m Screenshot from Financial News website: Text says Co-chief executive Katie Bickerstaffe also saw her remuneration rise significantly, with her pay package increasing from £2.4 million to £ 4.4 million, including a salary of £750,000 for her part-time commitment.
February 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM