Julian
julianlstar.bsky.social
Julian
@julianlstar.bsky.social
CEO of Open Data Manchester, liker of the outside and outsiders, prone to disagreement. Views expressed may change within the space of a few seconds. Optimistic mostly
Looking for something to do in Manchester next weekend? Come along to the next Joy Diversion. It is fun and free, and you will always discover something.
bit.ly/ODM-JOY17
May 12, 2025 at 9:20 AM
The area is bleak and fascinating. And although a bit off most people’s beaten path it is worth a visit before it is gone. In a way it reminds me of Wapping in the early 90s
November 22, 2024 at 11:00 AM
The Irk Valley was hidden from most people but the area and its otherworldliness is slowly disappearing with the encroachment of property development
November 22, 2024 at 10:56 AM
The area inspired Marx and Engels and Angel Meadows now surrounded by tower blocks was notorious with Engels describing it as an area of squalor and purification.
November 22, 2024 at 10:53 AM
We had a team day at @opendatamcr.bsky.social towers and held a #joydiversion. Our group decided to explore the hidden River Irk that flows under Victoria Station and its valley
November 22, 2024 at 10:49 AM
November 22, 2024 at 9:38 AM
Further pics from yesterday. You do feel the bleak and otherworldliness of the Irk valley and a unique world that once inspired Marx and Engels slowly disappearing
November 22, 2024 at 9:37 AM
The Irk underground #joydiversion
November 21, 2024 at 3:39 PM
I don't know if this is anyone else's experience, but I'm confounded by Avanti's pricing strategy on the WCML relating to peak time trains. When I catch one from MCR in the morning they tend to be pretty empty. The evening peak is obviously more complicated, but... Surely this is suboptimal?
October 9, 2024 at 9:27 AM
📣Calling all energy and data people📣
⚡Open Data Manchester is running an Electricity Data Dive with Electricity North West and Kraken on 5th November. If you're interested in the data behind our electricity generation, supply and usage, this is for you 👉 bit.ly/ODM-SPARK
October 7, 2024 at 4:36 PM
Come to think of it @opendatamcr.bsky.social must be one of the few data organisations going where everyone is trained to weave. HT to Leigh-based Discrete Unicorn who do the training and hand dye our yarn #GMLiveWell
October 3, 2024 at 3:29 PM
Had a great time running a workshop with Emma from 10GM at the #GMLiveWell event today. Really interesting insight from participants and always, never miss an opportunity to show how @opendatamcr.bsky.social we weave data into fabric.
October 3, 2024 at 3:25 PM
For all #democracy and #opendata friends. We are running an in person Digging the Data: MPs, Councillors and Elections event on Tues Oct 1st 6-8pm in Manchester. It is a chance to dig and explore. Sign up: bit.ly/ODM-MPS please share
September 18, 2024 at 5:15 AM
Sitting in the dining car as the train sped through the Kenyan countryside offered glimpses of giraffe, elephants and zebra. As well as a far off view of Kilimanjaro, my phone does none of this any justice
September 17, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Seats are allocated automatically and although I had an aisle seat I managed to find a seat by the window and anyway the train has a dining car which is a great way to travel
September 17, 2024 at 9:04 AM
The stations are statement buildings – modern, efficient and clean - whose design reflects an aspect of their location: Nairobi - two trains and a bridge, Mombasa - concentric ripples in water
September 17, 2024 at 9:00 AM
The Kenyan Railways Madaraka Express, commonly known as the SGR (Standard Gauge Railway) to differentiate it from the old colonial narrow gauge lines is a spectacular 5.5 hour 472km journey through the Kenyan countryside
September 17, 2024 at 8:53 AM
A couple of months ago I travelled by train from Nairobi to Mombasa. A colleague booked my ticket as you need an M-pesa account to book in advance. 1st class ticket is KSh4,500 around £26.50GBP
September 17, 2024 at 8:49 AM
I was going back through my photo library and even though the covid times were recent, I was surprised at how quickly the ephemera has disappeared. I photographed a few of these traces at the time. #covid #ephemera
September 13, 2024 at 11:04 AM
September 10, 2024 at 8:37 PM