The war over Omagh’s gold: the £21bn mine plan tearing a community apart On Monday, a public inquiry will reopen, nine years after the plan was proposed and a toxic local battle began

The war over Omagh’s gold: the £21bn mine plan tearing a community apart

Councillor Insights and Expectations focus groups - Hayley Caves - ADSO Join in our focus groups to explore how councillor expectations are changing, and what this means for people who work in democratic services.

This looks excellent from @adso-uk.bsky.social - really good to see passionate local democracy specialists thinking about how they respond to the changing needs of councillors and the environments that they operate in within their communities, neighbourhoods & council

www.adso.co.uk/councillor-i...

Has been decent but more importantly I feel that I’m now at an age where I could be seen in the audience at the Hootenanny and blend in easily.

I’m with you on that.

The willingness to dig in has gone. There have been days in this series where it should have been a batsman’s paradise and they have tossed their wickets away. Entertaining seems to have trumped winning

A disgrace of a pitch, just like Perth.

Glad you’re okay Nige. Look after yourself

The Poems of Seamus Heaney review – collected works reveal his colossal achievement The complete works, including previously unpublished poems and expert notes, are brought together in one volume for the first time

The Poems of Seamus Heaney review – collected works reveal his colossal achievement

‘Do You Know Who I am? Ronnie Pickering’ but it’s performed by an Indie Band YouTube video by Michael Fry (BigDirtyFry)

Hard to believe that it is ten years since Ronnie Pickering announced himself in a Picasso in Hull.

youtube.com/watch?v=SXS-...

Felt the same just after Christmas. Couldn’t continue in that environment. It has taken a long time to adjust to.

That just doesn’t work on any level. Proof that there is no viable alternative to a North Staffs unitary and rest of Staffordshire unitary

This sounds impressive on the face of it. Not sure it is where it claims to be and not sure it would ever come up with verbatim quotes.

If it managed the latter then my memoirs of committee meetings over 20+ plus years and however long I’ve got left become slightly less interesting.

Well, had a great holiday back in Tyrone over this past week. You can’t go wrong with access to creamy pints, peppercorn sauce and tobacco onions wherever you go. These lads just down the road in Glenelly have the right idea during the holidays

The complex question of what it is to be culturally Irish in 2025 Ed Sheeran grew up in England but described himself as 'culturally Irish,' prompting debate about what that really means

An interesting reflection from Fergal Keane.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ashes 2025-26: Glenn McGrath predicts 5-0 win for Australia As usual, Glenn McGrath predicts Australia will win the 2025-26 Ashes 5-0 - but says Joe Root and Harry Brook are the England players the hosts will fear most.

Nothing is as certain in life as death, taxes and Glenn McGrath’s Ashes prediction

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...

Incredible win for the Lions!

The north coast of Ireland is worth a visit, Nigel. I can highly recommend

Happy Black Country Day!

Black Country Day has been celebrated for over a decade to honour and celebrate the heritage, history, culture and uniqueness of the people of the Black Country.

youtu.be/kMR_vF1cAws

It’s looking more even now. Still fancy India, especially if Pant gets going

India - they’re absolutely nailed on to win now I reckon

The highlight of Glastonbury for me.

There’s more to Sandwell’s story. | Sandwell Council There’s more to Sandwell’s story. Today marked the start of a new active partnership across Sandwell, with around 200 guests attending the launch of the Sandwell Story; a project to celebrate, champ...

www.linkedin.com/posts/sandwe...

🤣 Fair play Nige!

That predictor is way off. There is no way Derby will be anywhere near the drop zone in the 25/26 season.

Great to see young Williams make it at last, especially as he really should still be on the Youth Cabinet!

Yes, I remember Sharon telling me about the connection to Stan and Marj.

Another connection is being the minister who established the Democracy Commission for Stoke which ended the Council Manager & Mayor model of governance in the city and permanently for English local government.

A classy end to Match of the Day from Gary Lineker. He was a decent replacement for Desmond Lynam after all.

I would be happy with that!

Nah, not for me anyway! I’ll be in the North Stand at Pride Park hoping that both clubs get the results required to stay up.