Ben Crystall
@bencrystall.bsky.social
💚Green cllr & leader of East Herts District Council, and cllr at Hertford Town and Hertfordshire County Council. Former New Scientist journo. Promoted by Alex Daar on behalf of Ben Crystall both at East Herts Green Party c/o 55 Ware High St Ware SG12 9BA 🇵🇸
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Where are the happiest places?
#Rightmove say places with high-quality public services, inclusive cultural life, towns with green spaces, walkable streets, and active high streets
Exactly what the @greenparty.org.uk want!
Be happy
join.greenparty.org.uk
www.rightmove.co.uk/news/article...
#Rightmove say places with high-quality public services, inclusive cultural life, towns with green spaces, walkable streets, and active high streets
Exactly what the @greenparty.org.uk want!
Be happy
join.greenparty.org.uk
www.rightmove.co.uk/news/article...
Where are the happiest places to live in Great Britain? | Property news
Our annual survey asked thousands of residents to tell us what they love about where they live, from access to green space to sense of belonging.
www.rightmove.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Where are the happiest places?
#Rightmove say places with high-quality public services, inclusive cultural life, towns with green spaces, walkable streets, and active high streets
Exactly what the @greenparty.org.uk want!
Be happy
join.greenparty.org.uk
www.rightmove.co.uk/news/article...
#Rightmove say places with high-quality public services, inclusive cultural life, towns with green spaces, walkable streets, and active high streets
Exactly what the @greenparty.org.uk want!
Be happy
join.greenparty.org.uk
www.rightmove.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
If anyone cares at all, EV battery recycling is now hitting 99% recovery for important metals
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
New recycling tech recovers nearly pure nickel and cobalt from old EV batteries
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly recycling tech that extracts 99 percent pure nickel and cobalt from waste batteries.
interestingengineering.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:17 AM
If anyone cares at all, EV battery recycling is now hitting 99% recovery for important metals
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
Please remind me again what the recycle rate for fossil fuels is
interestingengineering.com/energy/recyc...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Interesting new study on public support for 'degrowth' policies shows that reducing consumption might not be as unpopular as you think! Are we ready to confront the elephant in the room: our addiction to flying?
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Assessing public support for degrowth: survey-based experimental and predictive studies
Contrary to concerns from politicians and commentators that degrowth is broadly unpopular,
the core degrowth proposal received substantial support from UK and US participants
in this study, regardless...
www.thelancet.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Interesting new study on public support for 'degrowth' policies shows that reducing consumption might not be as unpopular as you think! Are we ready to confront the elephant in the room: our addiction to flying?
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
🌿 Ware - Meet your Green councillors
Come along to meet your local Green councillors and discuss ideas for 2026.
It would be great to meet some of our new members too 💚
📅 Monday 8th December
🕢 From 7.30pm
📌 The Quiet Man, 23 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BP
Come along to meet your local Green councillors and discuss ideas for 2026.
It would be great to meet some of our new members too 💚
📅 Monday 8th December
🕢 From 7.30pm
📌 The Quiet Man, 23 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BP
December 3, 2025 at 11:27 AM
🌿 Ware - Meet your Green councillors
Come along to meet your local Green councillors and discuss ideas for 2026.
It would be great to meet some of our new members too 💚
📅 Monday 8th December
🕢 From 7.30pm
📌 The Quiet Man, 23 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BP
Come along to meet your local Green councillors and discuss ideas for 2026.
It would be great to meet some of our new members too 💚
📅 Monday 8th December
🕢 From 7.30pm
📌 The Quiet Man, 23 High Street, Ware, SG12 9BP
Great to see work has started on putting in a handrail right the way down the steps between Church Rd and Molewood Rd in #Bengeo Thanks @hertscc & the CRoW team plus Molewood Residents Assn of course!
December 2, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Great to see work has started on putting in a handrail right the way down the steps between Church Rd and Molewood Rd in #Bengeo Thanks @hertscc & the CRoW team plus Molewood Residents Assn of course!
Reposted by Ben Crystall
“A petition demanding a full inquiry into Russian influence in UK politics has surged past 100,000 signatures after being shared at remarkable speed across social media.”
Russian influence petition surges past 100,000 signatures
A petition demanding a full inquiry into Russian influence in UK politics has passed 100,000 signatures
eastangliabylines.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM
“A petition demanding a full inquiry into Russian influence in UK politics has surged past 100,000 signatures after being shared at remarkable speed across social media.”
In #Hertford today? Visit the Sustainable Xmas Maker’s Fair at Hertford’s Corn Exchange on Fore St from 10am till 3.30pm. Gifts galore, books, crafts, teas and gorgeous cakes too!
November 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
In #Hertford today? Visit the Sustainable Xmas Maker’s Fair at Hertford’s Corn Exchange on Fore St from 10am till 3.30pm. Gifts galore, books, crafts, teas and gorgeous cakes too!
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Our Reform council up here in Derbyshire have appointed a senior exec at the Alton Towers theme park - who has no experience whatsoever of working in local government - as CEO of the county council
What could possibly go wrong?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What could possibly go wrong?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Alton Towers boss chosen as next CEO of Reform UK-run council
Neil Crittenden is set to take on the role of chief executive at Derbyshire County Council.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Our Reform council up here in Derbyshire have appointed a senior exec at the Alton Towers theme park - who has no experience whatsoever of working in local government - as CEO of the county council
What could possibly go wrong?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What could possibly go wrong?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Hope is here.
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
November 28, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Hope is here.
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
Reposted by Ben Crystall
The Sustainable Christmas Makers Fair is this weekend at the Corn Exchange in Hertford, 10:30am to 3:30pm.
Refreshments available.
Please join us to support our wonderful craft makers. Let’s make this Festive Season a little greener 💚
Refreshments available.
Please join us to support our wonderful craft makers. Let’s make this Festive Season a little greener 💚
November 28, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The Sustainable Christmas Makers Fair is this weekend at the Corn Exchange in Hertford, 10:30am to 3:30pm.
Refreshments available.
Please join us to support our wonderful craft makers. Let’s make this Festive Season a little greener 💚
Refreshments available.
Please join us to support our wonderful craft makers. Let’s make this Festive Season a little greener 💚
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Tonight! (28/11/25) Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews will be talking about Wilbury: the ‘willow fort’, one of the lesser known Iron Age Hertfordshire. United Reformed Church hall (op. Sainsburys), Welwyn Garden City, 7.45pm. #IronAge #archaeology @ehasarch.bsky.social @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Tonight! (28/11/25) Keith Fitzpatrick-Matthews will be talking about Wilbury: the ‘willow fort’, one of the lesser known Iron Age Hertfordshire. United Reformed Church hall (op. Sainsburys), Welwyn Garden City, 7.45pm. #IronAge #archaeology @ehasarch.bsky.social @prehistoricsociety.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Not long until the Green Party's production of a Christmas Carol!
Follow the link to the Crowdfunder and here's some exclusive BTS footage:
Follow the link to the Crowdfunder and here's some exclusive BTS footage:
Hope is here.
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
November 28, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Not long until the Green Party's production of a Christmas Carol!
Follow the link to the Crowdfunder and here's some exclusive BTS footage:
Follow the link to the Crowdfunder and here's some exclusive BTS footage:
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror, on a 2% wealth tax over £10m:
"So you keep your first £10m, and then you pay a small amount on the top, the 2%"
"And assets normally go up 5% a year, so you're still making money!"
And @zackpolanski.bsky.social is actually only saying 1%
"So you keep your first £10m, and then you pay a small amount on the top, the 2%"
"And assets normally go up 5% a year, so you're still making money!"
And @zackpolanski.bsky.social is actually only saying 1%
November 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror, on a 2% wealth tax over £10m:
"So you keep your first £10m, and then you pay a small amount on the top, the 2%"
"And assets normally go up 5% a year, so you're still making money!"
And @zackpolanski.bsky.social is actually only saying 1%
"So you keep your first £10m, and then you pay a small amount on the top, the 2%"
"And assets normally go up 5% a year, so you're still making money!"
And @zackpolanski.bsky.social is actually only saying 1%
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Setting the political agenda ...
November 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Setting the political agenda ...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Really good video here from local firm Highway Cycles showing the development of cycling over recent decades as an alternative to using a car.
Filmed in Hertford, Cambridge and Stevenage
@nhertsstevenagegp.bsky.social
@cambsgreenparty.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6J7...
Filmed in Hertford, Cambridge and Stevenage
@nhertsstevenagegp.bsky.social
@cambsgreenparty.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6J7...
Highway Cycles: 52 Years Later
YouTube video by Highway Cycles
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Really good video here from local firm Highway Cycles showing the development of cycling over recent decades as an alternative to using a car.
Filmed in Hertford, Cambridge and Stevenage
@nhertsstevenagegp.bsky.social
@cambsgreenparty.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6J7...
Filmed in Hertford, Cambridge and Stevenage
@nhertsstevenagegp.bsky.social
@cambsgreenparty.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6J7...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Next Monday 1 Dec 25: Sophia Adams will be talking about "The Melsonby hoard" for the Combined Hertfordshire Archaeological Societies. Lecture on zoom, free tickets from Eventbrite. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1777827874... #IronAge #prehistory #archaeology #HorseGear #AmazingFind @ehasarch.bsky.social
The Melsonby Hoard: a talk by Sophia Adams
The Melsonby Hoard is a highly significant discovery of Iron Age metalwork from nearly 2,000 years ago discovered in late December 2021.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Next Monday 1 Dec 25: Sophia Adams will be talking about "The Melsonby hoard" for the Combined Hertfordshire Archaeological Societies. Lecture on zoom, free tickets from Eventbrite. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1777827874... #IronAge #prehistory #archaeology #HorseGear #AmazingFind @ehasarch.bsky.social
The final meeting of @hertscc at County Hall in #Hertford today, along with green cllrs @rcarterhertford.bsky.social & @stegw.bsky.social Sad we won’t enjoy the gorgeous 1930’s interior again but this day was inevitable after 14 years of severe underfunding by successive Conservative governments.
November 26, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The final meeting of @hertscc at County Hall in #Hertford today, along with green cllrs @rcarterhertford.bsky.social & @stegw.bsky.social Sad we won’t enjoy the gorgeous 1930’s interior again but this day was inevitable after 14 years of severe underfunding by successive Conservative governments.
Reposted by Ben Crystall
🏴🇬🇧 Great News for Britain - hopefully one more criminal off our streets!
November 23, 2025 at 3:24 PM
🏴🇬🇧 Great News for Britain - hopefully one more criminal off our streets!
Reposted by Ben Crystall
If this is a deal, then it's a deal to do nothing meaningful whatsoever
As predicted at the beginning of the COP 2 weeks ago, this was a complete and utter waste of everybody's time
Another year lost - and another nail in our coffin
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As predicted at the beginning of the COP 2 weeks ago, this was a complete and utter waste of everybody's time
Another year lost - and another nail in our coffin
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Cop30 live: Deal agreed at Cop after long negotiations
After a series of all-night meetings and fears the summit could collapse, an agreement has been gavelled through at Cop30
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
If this is a deal, then it's a deal to do nothing meaningful whatsoever
As predicted at the beginning of the COP 2 weeks ago, this was a complete and utter waste of everybody's time
Another year lost - and another nail in our coffin
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As predicted at the beginning of the COP 2 weeks ago, this was a complete and utter waste of everybody's time
Another year lost - and another nail in our coffin
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Huge thanks to Jeremy and Chris and #Bengeo @easthertsgreens.bsky.social cllrs @greendaar.bsky.social and @vickysmith.bsky.social for coming out on a damp Saturday morning to break sweat and help clear most of the leaves and mud from the path on Port Hill in #Hertford 💚💚
November 22, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Huge thanks to Jeremy and Chris and #Bengeo @easthertsgreens.bsky.social cllrs @greendaar.bsky.social and @vickysmith.bsky.social for coming out on a damp Saturday morning to break sweat and help clear most of the leaves and mud from the path on Port Hill in #Hertford 💚💚
Reposted by Ben Crystall
A family cycled from Bath to Brittany with two kids, two cargo bikes and zero flights.
Was it chaotic? Yep.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
More adventure, less stress, way smaller footprint.
Try going flight-free in 2026. #TravelByTrain #GreenTravel
flightfree.co.uk/travel_artic...
Was it chaotic? Yep.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
More adventure, less stress, way smaller footprint.
Try going flight-free in 2026. #TravelByTrain #GreenTravel
flightfree.co.uk/travel_artic...
Bath to Brittany with bikes!
Cycling campaigner Saskia Heijltjes tells us about her family’s cycling holiday in Brittany
flightfree.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
A family cycled from Bath to Brittany with two kids, two cargo bikes and zero flights.
Was it chaotic? Yep.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
More adventure, less stress, way smaller footprint.
Try going flight-free in 2026. #TravelByTrain #GreenTravel
flightfree.co.uk/travel_artic...
Was it chaotic? Yep.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
More adventure, less stress, way smaller footprint.
Try going flight-free in 2026. #TravelByTrain #GreenTravel
flightfree.co.uk/travel_artic...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Two of our Green councillors helping with tree planting at Christ Church Primary School
George Williams and Kirsty Taylor-Moran helped plant trees kindly donated to the school by Ware Swifts. Ware Town Council has also provided funds to help the school with its forest school project
George Williams and Kirsty Taylor-Moran helped plant trees kindly donated to the school by Ware Swifts. Ware Town Council has also provided funds to help the school with its forest school project
November 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Two of our Green councillors helping with tree planting at Christ Church Primary School
George Williams and Kirsty Taylor-Moran helped plant trees kindly donated to the school by Ware Swifts. Ware Town Council has also provided funds to help the school with its forest school project
George Williams and Kirsty Taylor-Moran helped plant trees kindly donated to the school by Ware Swifts. Ware Town Council has also provided funds to help the school with its forest school project
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Breaking: YouGov poll out today has Greens on highest ever 17%. The Green surge continues.
join.greenparty.org.uk
join.greenparty.org.uk
Join the Green Party
Join the Green Party from just £6 a year. Become a member today - join the only party standing up for people and planet.
join.greenparty.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Breaking: YouGov poll out today has Greens on highest ever 17%. The Green surge continues.
join.greenparty.org.uk
join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by Ben Crystall
Green Councillors Sue Nicholls and Vicky Burt visited the Ward Freman Community Pool Group CIO table-top sale on Sunday
A wonderful fundraiser for the Buntingford pool reopening. Still lots to do but all the hard work is finally coming to fruition.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/XWJEgr1...
A wonderful fundraiser for the Buntingford pool reopening. Still lots to do but all the hard work is finally coming to fruition.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/XWJEgr1...
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Green Councillors Sue Nicholls and Vicky Burt visited the Ward Freman Community Pool Group CIO table-top sale on Sunday
A wonderful fundraiser for the Buntingford pool reopening. Still lots to do but all the hard work is finally coming to fruition.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/XWJEgr1...
A wonderful fundraiser for the Buntingford pool reopening. Still lots to do but all the hard work is finally coming to fruition.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/XWJEgr1...
Reposted by Ben Crystall
We're celebrating the Green Party's rapid national growth which is being powerfully echoed here in East Herts, where membership has surged by 62% since @zackpolanski.bsky.social was elected leader.
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk/2025/10/27/g...
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk/2025/10/27/g...
Green Party Membership Soars in East Herts Amid National Surge - East Herts Green Party
Local Green Party members are celebrating as their party’s rapid national growth is being powerfully echoed in East Hertfordshire, where membership has surged by 62% since Zack Polanski was elected le...
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
We're celebrating the Green Party's rapid national growth which is being powerfully echoed here in East Herts, where membership has surged by 62% since @zackpolanski.bsky.social was elected leader.
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk/2025/10/27/g...
eastherts.greenparty.org.uk/2025/10/27/g...