Tim Dobson's Blog

Crazy Times

Going into Glossop and meeting up with a group of friends to watch bands and stuff is fun!

If you are out this weekend, See you then!

Then and Now

A few months ago there was glorious sunshine which let me sit outside in the garden doing work. These days, in August, which is meant to be the hottest month, we have had some immense downpours and very little "good weather" to write home about. :(

oh well...

Please show this to any other organisations or people who you think might be interested.

DFEY-NW (Digital Freedom in Education & Youth - North West) is a group focusing on young people and issues of freedom in the digital world, based in the Northwest of England at the moment.

In Brief

WHERE: Meet near KFC, Upstairs, Piccadilly Station, Manchester

WHEN: 12:30pm -> ~4pm

SIGN UP: http://is.gd/1ITm

CONTACT: Email - td at tdobson dot net

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MAILING LIST: http://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/dfey-nw-discuss

WEBSITE: http://dfey.freedomdreams.co.uk

An Update has been posted!

Digital Freedom in Education & Youth - North West (DFEY-NW), the North West of England's first group focusing on young people and issues of freedom in the digital world is looking forward to it's first meeting EVER in August.

What is DFEY-NW

DFEY-NW is a group formed in response from a growing need in the Northwest of England for a Group to encourage and promote young people's involvement with the free software community by creating a social space to make it more comfortable for young people to get involved with GLUGs and FSUGs.

The press release put out last week, seems to have resulted in widespread local coverage, which, I'm happy to see, has mainly focused mainly on the positive outcomes of the race effort.

The story was briefly picked up by Glossop.com and shortly afterwards my visitor statistics went haywire as solid mass of visitors arrived from there and other places.

Despite most of the coverage portraying the entry in a positive light, it seems that some people are puzzled at the reasons for the club withdrawing support, as "elegantly" summed up in this comment:

Why did Glossop Sailing Club withdraw its support?

As previously stated, I am unclear on this issue as this is one of the things, I seek to ascertain in the near future, as a result of a series of meetings with relevant people.

Nevertheless, The Glossop Chronicle covered the full story, and also apparently contacted a "spokesman" from Glossop Sailing Club.

SAVING THE DAY

FOUR young sailors from Glossop Sailing Club claimed a mammoth success in a marathon event that was surrounded in controversy.

A depleted youth squad from Glossop Sailing Club achieved 10th place out of a field of 28 - their best ever result in the annual National Junior 12-Hour Race in Southport recently - despite the club dropping an anchor in the works.

After the Glossop team's Southport 12 Hour Race's prerace publicity last week, a third party has put out this press release:

A depleted youth squad from Glossop Sailing Club achieved 10th place out of a field of 28, their best ever result in the annual National Junior Twelve Hour Race, held at Southport, despite their sailing club withdrawing their support and leaving them high and dry without a boat on the day of the competition.

Despite the not so flattering photo of me, the late arrival of the article, considering the Race was several weeks ago and the difficult circumstances surrounding our team entry, I am really pleased that this made the paper.

I was walking my dog along Hope Street in Old Glossop, when nature took its course Bess relieved herself on the pavement.

Being a responsible dog owner I whipped out a plastic bag and picked it up. A few yards down the street was a wheely bin in someone's yard facing the road and as I walked past, I lifted the lid dropped the bag inside.

Almost instantly the door of the house burst open, and a man, wine glass in hand, exclaimed at me "Could you not do that please!"
I responded that I was "sorry 'sir'" and that I hadn't meant to upset him.
After passing me the plastic bag he complained that he "had children you know," again reiterating I should not do this again..

Is justifiable for me to be confused and hurt by this incident?

I recently read in the newspaper about my local councillor, Ivan Bell's hearing involving allegations that he breached the council code of conduct from the council constitution by treating a female officer of the council with a lack of respect.

I'm unwilling to listen to other people's rumours about the incident, therefore I intend to go to the councillors hearing tomorrow, and cover the hearing as an independant news source.

Is it just me or does Marple Station have an inordinately large number of CCTV cameras?
I'm all for safer neighbourhoods, deterring criminals, stopping antisocial behaviour and any other new council buzzword of the day, however the CCTV cameras at Marple station give the place a cold, Orwellian atmosphere.

But why are 12 cameras needed to monitor the small manned station's premises?