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John Matthews

@johnmatthews1947.bsky.social
15 followers 38 following 292 posts
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
From the BBC.
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Reposted by John Matthews
Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
This day October 12th (1967) The Ford Technical and Research Centre at Dunton was opened by Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Now called the Dunton campus, a replica statute of Henry Ford stands to the left.
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Reposted by John Matthews
Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
1st Ford. This day October 10th (1931). The Grays & Tilbury Gazette wrote that 1st Ford delivery van, painted grey & entirely constructed in the new Ford Dagenham plant, had been sold by W Harold Perry of Westcliff to Messrs J W Pigg and Son Ltd, a provision merchant in Orsett.
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N16Breda Corish @n16breda.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
#31DaysofGraves Day 10: Missing No headstones mark the burials in the Paupers’ Graveyard, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland - but "This plaque commemorates the victims of the Great Famine 1845-1848 who are buried in this graveyard. Erected by the Donegal Association of New York 9th July 1995"
A view of the paupers' graveyard beside St. Anne's church, Ballyshannon. It looks like a green field with uneven ground.Closeup of the memorial slab which says  "This plaque commemorates the victims of the Great Famine 1845-1848 who are buried in this graveyard. Erected by the Donegal Association of New York 9th July 1995"The stone wall into which the commemorative plaque is inset
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I met him at a corporate do in Sorrento many years ago. His evening talk was moved to a side room, probably to avoid any heckling from the boisterous sales team. We shared transport to the airport and travelled back to the UK on the same plane. Nice enough chap, but we didn't have a lot in common.
bbc.co.uk
Family of British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes say they don't know where he is
It has been alleged that Sir Ranulph has been admitted to a number of care homes under assumed names.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Daily Express - 29th August 1934.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Mathematicians and their Gods, (Lawrence and McCartney, eds) explores the theism of mathematicians from ancient Greece to the 20th century. The 1st chapter (by Gregory) appears to assert that Pythagoras was neither a theist nor a mathematician. (I wonder if the others will also evaporate.)
amazon.co.uk
MATHEMATICIANS & THEIR GODS:INTER BETW MATH & RELIGIOUS BELIEFS: Interactions between mathematics and religious beliefs
Buy MATHEMATICIANS & THEIR GODS:INTER BETW MATH & RELIGIOUS BELIEFS: Interactions between mathematics and religious beliefs Illustrated by LAWRENCE (ISBN: 9780198703051) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Meet Michelle Savage - Thurrock's Heritage Officer.
thurrock.gov.uk
25,000 pieces of Thurrock’s history preserved for future generations | Thurrock Council
Residents are being encouraged to rediscover Thurrock Museum and the thousands of objects telling the story of the borough, as work continues to preserve its collection and bring Thurrock’s history to...
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"The ...UK's economic growth ... is moderate, according to the OECD ... it will grow by 1% in 2027, against an earlier forecast of 1.1%. The agency also upgraded the UK's growth outlook for 2026, from an expected 0.9% to 1.1% for the year." Economic forecasts are not accurate to this precision.
bbc.co.uk
UK economy will grow by less than expected next year, OECD says
Higher energy prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and climate change could hit growth.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
My mother and my aunt hop picking in the 1950s.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
It is also the site of the green Thurrock Heritage Plaque in memory of the officer and 16 cadets from the TS Cornwall who lost their lives in an accident on the River Thames.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Thanks to Jack Willis, an indefatigable contributor to Tilbury & Chadwell Memories!
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
tilburyandchadwellmemories.org.uk
BELFAST HMS
The vessel HMS BELFAST coming along side Tilbury landing stage after being towed , stern ...
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Reposted by John Matthews
Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This day September 3rd (1971) HMS Belfast, the largest cruiser ever built for the Royal Navy, arrived at Tilbury Docks after being towed from Portsmouth. She spent a month there, amid tight security being converted into a museum by the HMS Belfast Trust.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
3.00 on 15th October - put it in your diary.
sog.org.uk
Itinerary - Society of Genealogists
This year we’ll be helping you to put your ancestors into the context of both their time and place. We’re widening our definition of ‘place’ and we’ll be helping you to delve into your ancestors’ live...
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Nothing is certain except death and taxes.
bbc.co.uk
Andy Burnham refuses to rule out tax rises in autumn Budget
Experts have warned that he and Chancellor John Healey will have little room to manoeuvre in their first Budget.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Coming in October. sog.org.uk/welcome-to-a...
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Memories.
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Reposted by John Matthews
Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
This August 21st (1972) 1,400 Tilbury Docker voted to retur to work. This followed a five week strike that began unofficially in support of five London Dockers known as the Pentonville Five. The five had been jailed for ‘illegal’ picketing. More ONCE IN ESSEX, NOW IN LONDON
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The Polish Memorial at Bletchley Park. Remembering Zosha T Ostrowski and her father.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
"The British economy is now 1.2% bigger than a year ago." Is this reflected in how people feel?
bbc.co.uk
UK economy grows but experts warn of challenging months ahead
Hot weather and the men's football World Cup boosted the economy but the Iran war may weigh on growth,
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Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Grand Plans. This day August 13th (1921) Gravesend & Tilbury councils, supported by local MPs, published plans to link Tilbury to Gravesend by a rail tunnel under the Thames –(est cost £5 million). A early rail Thames Lower crossing and directs links to the midlands? Alas……
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
At first glance it seems odd that household income should have a genetic connection, but there are secondary effects that might explain it. (However I'm inclined to believe they are scrapping the bottom of the barrel for this one.)
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
"The house is not in first rate repair and the tenant does not seem one who takes pride in his surroundings.' (Part of a valuation report c. 1890 at the Essex Record Office.)
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
bbc.co.uk
Clacton by-election ballot list costing four times more
The list of 34 candidates standing in the Clacton by-election is nearly a metre long.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
This morning I visited the Basildon Heritage Centre at Wat Tyler Park.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Thou shalt go out and seek the Magic Money Tree.
bbc.co.uk
Budget to be held on 28 October, John Healey announces
The new chancellor pledged to move money and power out of Westminster, and into every postcode around Britain.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Or to give him his full title - The Baby-Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Barry Barns is a local Thurrock author who published Thurrock in Old Photographs and similar titles.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Unfortunately, the tower was not rebuilt in 1917. A 'higher authority' prevented it being completed. It also appears to be a myth that the original tower was destroyed by the Dutch. The tower suffered weather damage in 1891. Barry Barns states that the spire was removed in the 1906 restoration.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
This is the sort of silly publicity stunt that Lineker is fond of. Any millionaire that wants to can already give money to the Treasury. Any millionaire that doesn't want to pay extra tax will probably have no difficulty in avoiding it.
bbc.co.uk
Millionaires ask Andy Burnham to tax them more
Former footballer Gary Lineker and producer Brian Eno write to the new PM telling him "we can afford it".
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
It is not a requirement that a new prime minister should hold an election. In general I don't think it should be. However, when an in-coming PM breaks a manifesto pledge, the case for an election is stronger. It will be interesting to see how the Labour back benchers react.
bbc.co.uk
Burnham to announce plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling
Drilling has become a controversial topic for the Labour party after the 2024 manifesto pledged to not issue new licences.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Sir Keir Starmer wished both Argentina and Spain "well for the final, especially Spain".
bbc.co.uk
UK says Falkland Islands 'definitely ours' after Argentina banner
Argentina could be disciplined by Fifa for the celebrations after the World Cup win over England.
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Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Its Essex Day! This day, July 15th, (1932), Essex was officially granted its coat of arms of three seaxes which appears on village & town signs, county council vehicles, fire engines & police helmets & on main roads when entering the county. To name but a few.
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OldRailwayAccidents @rwldproject.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
This is very pleasing - really like ghost signs for their sense of the presence of a faded past. Northampton volunteers record more than 60 shop 'ghost signs' - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Northampton volunteers record more than 60 shop 'ghost signs'
Recruits are now wanted to record more faded signs across Northamptonshire.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Tabloid tapestry. Fake news. William the bastard was a usurper. Let's all join together to restore the true Aetheling.
bbc.co.uk
Bayeux Tapestry delivered to British Museum in dead of night
The famous artefact depicting events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England will go on display in September.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Green Party MP Hannah Spencer said: "We get to spend the summer watching Clacton, a farce of a by-election where one of the candidates is a joke character filled with rubbish and the other is Count Binface."
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Reposted by John Matthews
Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Today maybe independence day in the USA, but the headline news in Essex this day, July 4th (1381), was that Thomas Baker of Fobbing, one of the leaders of the Peasant’s Revolt in Essex, was executed in Chelmsford.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I was tapped on the head 56 years ago. Sad to hear that it's not going to be around.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
bbc.co.uk
US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in blow to Trump
The ruling is a major setback for Donald Trump's immigration agenda, and has been welcomed by civil rights groups.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I'm looking forward to the day when Swaziland (whoops, I mean Eswatini) joins.
bbc.co.uk
Canada eligible to join Eurovision competition
Prime Minister Mark Carney raised the idea of Canada joining the song contest in his 2025 budget.
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Reposted by John Matthews
Essex Hundred Publications @essex100.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Although there was a war on, this day June 24th (1941) William Gardiner, aged 35, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to eight months imprisonment for bigamy. (Grays & Tilbury Gazette)
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
A description from The Royal Archaeology Institute meeting.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
A sticker (now detached) showing the object was formerly in 'The Museum of Practical Geology'.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
A perforated pebble - found in the Mardyke, but might have been washed down from further upstream. Might be neolithic; might be iron age. Might have been used as a loom weight. So now you know.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Yesterday I visited the British Museum Archaeology Research Unit to see an artifact found in Stifford and donated by Richard Meeson.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
"When you win the toss, you think about putting the opposition in, then you bat." (Ian Chappell)
bbc.co.uk
England v New Zealand - Cricket - BBC Sport
Find out the in depth batting and bowling figures for England v New Zealand in the Men's International Test Match Series on BBC Sport.
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John Matthews @johnmatthews1947.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
More about some of these ships on T&C Memories.
tilburyandchadwellmemories.org.uk
Photographs taken by Bill Westcott - Orontes passenger
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