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James

@northamptonian.bsky.social
1.1K followers 666 following 8.7K posts

More a jazz and easy listening Liberal than a classical Liberal. Cricket (Northants fan), literature, economics, politics & anything that takes my fancy.

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Jeremy Benson @jembenson.bsky.social · 9h
A year ago I left the civil service after thirty years. I wrote this about the walk through Green Park as part of a commute I must have done thousands of times.🚶🏻
jembenson.substack.com
The best commute in London?
If you need to get to Westminster from the north, my advice is to get off the London Underground at Green Park and walk.
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Odd This Day @oddthisday.bsky.social · 2h
Almost forgot: happy That Tom Hollander Interview Day to all who celebrate
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Mark @rfcider.eurosky.social · 3h
Northampton & Lamport Railway 📷 Balda Baldessa 1a 🎞️ Kodak Gold 200 #FilmPhotography #BelieveInFilm #SundayReflection
Station staff reflected in the window of a carriage with a steam locomotive.
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The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · 8h
These people are not the nice, polite kind of crackhead... Nicholas Lezard is Down and Out:
newstatesman.com
My life is tough, but at least there isn’t a crack den on my street
And these people are not the nice, polite kind of crackhead
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98 Not Out @98notout.bsky.social · 10h
Easy like Sunday morning… open.spotify.com/episode/7Lef...
open.spotify.com
Now is the winter of our discontent...
98 Not Out - The Cricket Podcast · Episode
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Jeremy Noel-Tod @jntod.bsky.social · 9h
This week I wrote about the love-hate affair of poets with the place where, increasingly, they work: the university
someflowerssoon.substack.com
“I love anarchy, and I’m Head of Department”
In search of the great campus poem
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 21h
A local hero. Statue of him in the Guildhall, a war memorial dedicated to him. A road going past the stadium named after him. The first black officer in the British army. He moved here from Tottenham because the racist abuse there was too much. Unlike here.
Walter Tull memorial, on Walter Tull Way. Statue of Walter Tull outside the Guildhall extension. There’s also Walter Tull house, which- as it’s the home of the probation office- is not so celebrated as a homage to a local legend
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 22h
First trip to @oldeenglandpub.bsky.social for a while. Initially disturbed by what looked like Reform supporters, quite drunk on lager. (It’s in the good beer guide, guys 🙄)Thankfully they went to annoy a local Bengali restaurant. I’m drinking Rainbow Bridge which is where, I believe, dead pets go.
Rainbow Bridge. Dead pets or Jimi Hendrix? Take your preferences The other half wanted something more hoppy
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David Higham @oldtrotter.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
www.ft.com/content/c13f... John Maynard Keynes and the search for the good life
ft.com
John Maynard Keynes and the search for the good life
Playwright James Graham on an economist who asked the right questions in bad times — and why he matters so much today
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Laura Phillips @lauraphillips.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
BBC management now cutting specialist journalists at the very regional BBC news services which garner the most viewers. Reporters in each cut from 8 to just 2. The masochism strategy in action. Genius. @michelepaduano.bsky.social: “If it’s going to go online it’s got to go online distinctively…”1/
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Si Everitt - BRAPA @stymiesi.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Pub 3343, Wig & Pen, Northampton. Quality town centre aliver. Shiny table tops, grimy carpet. Cornish Knocker flashing well. Sure he was a busty barmaid when I started drinking? If you’ve seen the film ‘Near Dark’, this is the UK version of the bar in that.
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Si Everitt - BRAPA @stymiesi.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Pub 3342, Queen Adelaide, Northampton. Backstreet booze hole in northern outreaches. Elderly sausage fest. More skittles! Taste the rainbow. The 6X is foamy and life giving. Uber wouldn’t take me to MK, only NN. So I’m having to adapt. Tough life pub ticking.
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Tomás Murray @tomasjmurray.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Today is Gore Vidal’s birthday. “First a movie and then 600,000 celluloid guitar picks”: youtu.be/PVbbsKq4ZBY?...
Gore Vidal
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Jane Hill @janehill.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
HOLY FUCK. I’m blown away by the generosity of people here. This will fund researchers working on ovarian cancer. You are all amazing.
My Walk 100 Miles in October
Challenge
Jane Hill is raising money for Ovarian Cancer Action
Money raised so far: £3,184 
636% raised of £500 target by 106 supporters
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Interesting.
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SpinningHugo @spinninghugo.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
What this misses out is the beer. Almost all UK lager is brewed here , often under licence. And it is almost all without exception shit. Partly this is the water, Burton water is no good for lager and it is the most often used www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
theguardian.com
‘It’s not just about getting drunk!’ How Oktoberfest took over the UK
Bavaria’s boozy blowout has inspired dozens of British tributes, from Belfast to Beverley, Cardiff to Cambridge. But what’s the attraction, other than the beer and the bratwurst?
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Si Everitt - BRAPA @stymiesi.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Pub 3341, Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne. Canalside class. Must be one of the finest I’ve seen. Multi room bliss, and all the dorks are eating or gawping at water. Clarkson branching out into cask and yummy it is. Northants Skittles UNDER arm?? Could never be me.
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Hywel Da @hjd.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Lovely - and informative - explanation of the Man City Scandal.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
We’d all look smart in the banal clothes of mass market shops if we were gorgeous models with a dresser and a good photographer.
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Lewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The panels representing the fate of massed ranks of Conservative councillors in the local elections in 2025 and 2026 are too upsetting to display to general audiences.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
We need to get Facebook turned off, it’s driving middle aged blokes round the twist.
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Barbara Rich @barbararich.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The Lost Explorer - Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 I have written about lasting powers of attorney, deprivation of liberty, and the powers of the Court of Protection in connection with the “disappearance” of Sir Ranulph Fiennes bleakhouserevisited.substack.com/p/the-lost-e...
bleakhouserevisited.substack.com
The Lost Explorer
The ‘disappearance’ of Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the Mental Capacity Act 2005
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Northampton Wine Society this evening. Well, what else can we do but distract ourselves. Portuguese wines. 🇵🇹 Started out fairly predictably and the last two were off the wall. And a bit off, tbh.
Page 1 of the list Page 2 of the list The two mystery wines, we were only told what they were after we’d had a taste, and in my case put most of the first into the spittoon The two mysteries sitting on the mantelpiece. You’ll notice the two older posh boys are wearing the traditional shirt and v-necked sweaters. Nobody else there dressed like that
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jamesatkins.co.uk @jamesatkinsstudio.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
My painting 'Aude Landsacpe' was selected and presented at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artist RBSA Prize 2026. At the opening evening it was 'highly commended' a the prize giving. 600+ entrants and external selection panel.
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International Anthony Burgess Foundation @anthonyburgess.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This week we’re exploring Anthony Burgess’s unconventional autobiography, Little Wilson and Big God, a literary event when it was published in 1987. Subscribe for FREE for weekly posts by and about Anthony Burgess (author of A Clockwork Orange): anthonyburgessfoundation.substack.com/p/glued-toge...
anthonyburgessfoundation.substack.com
Glued Together by Energy
The Confessions of Anthony Burgess
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Matt Owen @mjowen174.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It’s really weird the way all these shiny Dubai-alike skyscrapers began appearing at the same time Man City managed to afford 200 billion quid for a third choice left-back.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Loved the story of Britain’s first black voter.
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Jonathan Calder @lordbonkers.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The plans propose partially demolishing Belgrave House, the vacant former office building. Seven floors would be removed, leaving the lower part of the building. The rooftop could include a 150-metre running track, outdoor gym, sports pitch and play areas.
northamptonchron.co.uk
PICTURES: Major Greyfriars plans submitted for 1,220 homes, new park and rooftop terrace in Northampton town centre
A huge redevelopment of Northampton town centre could bring up to 1,220 new homes, a new park, shops, offices, cultural spaces and major changes to the town's roads and public spaces.
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Paul killick @paulkillick.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Right it’s Friday so I’m steering well clear of the politics you’re all talking about & I’ll skip the AI, fuel, stock market doom….. anyone doing anything good this weekend in the autumn sun? I have good chores (with good tunes) plus pub and a meal out planned. That’ll do
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Ruth Watson @ruthwatson.eurosky.social · 02/10/2026
We are sleepwalking into horror that, if not entirely avoidable could at least be mitigated if more governments actually wanted to look after their nations and people. This event, in 2025, created a tsunami 150 metres higher than the Eiffel Tower.
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Another Cinna @anothercinna.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
"Here's looking at it, kid". An absolute delight.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I shall celebrate his legacy by popping out for a pint and coming back two months later.
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Jeremy Blackmore @jeremyblackmore.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
New on my Northamptonshire cricket site The Steeler: Steelbacks overseas. The English summer may be over but many Northamptonshire players are already in action overseas. In the first in a regular series of updates throughout the winter, we take a look at some of the highlights so far.
thesteeler.counterpress.media
Steelbacks overseas: Northants players in Canada and India • The Steeler • Northamptonshire Cricket independent news
Catch up with Saif Zaib, Ben Sanderson, Ricardo Vasconcelos and Nathan McSweeney as Northamptonshire’s players begin their winter overseas.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If this book is half as good as this review, it’s worth buying. ‘Because of its virus-like spread, all leisure, sensual or not, has become an “endless loop of compulsive self-gratification: craving, stimulation and temporary relief”. In short: everything is porn and porn offers us nothing at all.’
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Matthew McCormack @historymatt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Is Northampton the new Wrexham? Expect a Disney+ doc and bewildered tourists on Gold Street www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
bbc.co.uk
Consortium including Alexandre Pato completes Northampton Town takeover
The takeover of Northampton Town by a consortium including former AC Milan and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato has been completed.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Just done this. I’m content with this section of the results.
It says I’m closest to Mark Carney, with Macron coming up behind, fnarr
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If anyone wants to hear me broadcasting from the bottom of a bucket, tune in, pop-pickers.
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Yes, I have written and spoken about this topic at length.
youtu.be
Phillip Geddes Memorial Lecture 2026
YouTube video by St Edmund Hall
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Slow Down Arthur @admiralbooth.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
[somewhere i have never traveled,gladly beyond] by ee cummings #NationalPoetryDay
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Happy times. If you were a tiny child. Records show the National Front was at its high point, inflation 16%- with pay increases strictly limited. Significant industrial strife. Homosexuality still criminalised in Scotland & NI and in England & Wales there was still persecution. Water rationing…
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98 Not Out @98notout.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
NEW PODCAST featuring the latest addition to our team @northamptonian.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/7Lef...
open.spotify.com
Now is the winter of our discontent...
98 Not Out - The Cricket Podcast · Episode
001
James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A poem about National Poetry Day. From the time when Cockburns Port was sponsoring a poetry competition.
I saw the best wines of my generation 
Drunk by some other bugger.
I’ve read Ginsburg; put down Kathy Acker
Knackered. I’ve
Given it a lot of thought 
I’d rather have a glass of port
Than watch the same vague familiar faces
With gaping expressions all enthusing,
Proclaim on the behalf of the petty
That this specific art’s for the many. 
This is all beyond me.
Like the stuff in Saatchi’s cold art gallery.
Self indulgence is not true poetry.
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Lucy Fishwife 🥐 @lucyfishwife.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
National Poetry Day, you say? It has to be this:
Kim Addonizio
TO THE WOMAN CRYING UNCONTROLLABLY
IN THE NEXT STALL
If you ever woke in your dress at 4 A.M. ever 
closed your legs to a man you loved opened 
them for one you didn't moved against 
a pillow in the dark stood miserably on a beach 
seaweed clinging to your ankles paid good money for a bad haircut backed away 
from a mirror that wanted to kill you bled 
into the back seat for lack of a tampon 
if you swam across a river under rain sang 
using a dildo for a microphone stayed up to watch the moon eat the sun entire 
ripped out the stitches in your heart 
because why not if you think nothing & no one can / listen I love you joy is comingTattoo on my arm that reads “listen I love you joy is coming”
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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
National Poetry Day seems like a good excuse to share one of Larkin's most loved poems, a deceptively complex and resonant piece of writing.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A nice cheery read first thing on a Thursday morning. “The fear, though, is that the lack of progress towards the vision he has outlined will lead to yet more disillusionment and another opportunity for whichever extremists happen to be available”
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🥑🗽🏗 Na₂Ca(CO₃)₂•5H₂O @gaylussite.himbonomics.com · 30/09/2026
humans have organised themselves under communism, Reaganite capitalism, tribes of hunter gatherers, social democracy, feudalism, you name it what matters to survival is fitting in — that means pattern matching what you see around you Musk’s Twitter is a pox on liberalism, rationalism and empathy
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Philip Larkin Society @plsoc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A new podcast episode is available now, ahead of our writing workshop hosted by Anna and poet and Chris Sewart. Please enjoy! Dr Anna Stevenson at the Brynm…–Tiny In All That Air – Apple Podcasts share.google/6i7uHYXQxqzp...
share.google
Dr Anna Stevenson at the Brynmor Jones Library
Podcast Episode · Tiny In All That Air · 28 September · 28min
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Good explanation here with some nice clear charts.
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James @northamptonian.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I’ll certainly be tuning in
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Steve Pye @1980ssportsblog.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
New blog out looking back at 10 things I miss about cricket in the 20th century: that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/cric... #Cricket
that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.com
Cricket in the 20th century: 10 things I miss
Looking back at ten things that I miss from cricket during the 20th century
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