Andrew Bowden 🐀
@andrewbowden.me.uk
Found where the Metropolitan Elite gather. Mostly Mancunian, bit Londoner, pos British, definitely European. Brews own beer. Likes the radio. Thinks Tony Dibbin works too hard. All views mine, and only mine. He/Him. #RatVerified.
Also the trust's brochure contains this, and well goodness knows what that's all about.
November 10, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Also the trust's brochure contains this, and well goodness knows what that's all about.
It's definitely not passenger friendly. I assume it is purely about ensuring the train company gets all the fare revenue, rather than it being split between all the operators on the route.
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
It's definitely not passenger friendly. I assume it is purely about ensuring the train company gets all the fare revenue, rather than it being split between all the operators on the route.
If you're wondering, Stockport to Manchester trains all travel the same route. But they are run by multiple companies - Northern, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, and East Midlands Railway. All competing for your passenger pound.
November 10, 2025 at 11:20 AM
If you're wondering, Stockport to Manchester trains all travel the same route. But they are run by multiple companies - Northern, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, and East Midlands Railway. All competing for your passenger pound.
That said, looking at tickets for Stockport to Manchester for this afternoon, I see different trains priced at £2.20, £2.50, £2.70, £2.90, £3.70, £5.00, and £5.30. First class is £6.40 or £7.00. This for a ten minute journey entirely in Greater Manchester. This is totally and utterly crazy.
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 AM
That said, looking at tickets for Stockport to Manchester for this afternoon, I see different trains priced at £2.20, £2.50, £2.70, £2.90, £3.70, £5.00, and £5.30. First class is £6.40 or £7.00. This for a ten minute journey entirely in Greater Manchester. This is totally and utterly crazy.
Yes, that definitely looks more like a scalp gained. Far more than Davie.
November 9, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Yes, that definitely looks more like a scalp gained. Far more than Davie.
I guess this may, or may not, be important to the plot. I am only a third of the way through.
November 7, 2025 at 11:38 PM
I guess this may, or may not, be important to the plot. I am only a third of the way through.
Went swimming tonight. Don't know where the display was, but the fireworks were so loud I could hear them with my head under the water.
November 7, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Went swimming tonight. Don't know where the display was, but the fireworks were so loud I could hear them with my head under the water.
Most of the nearby primary schools to us (including ours) are still council controlled. But one is in a different academy trust. It's in the catchment area but right at the edge as it is. Now they're likely to be even further down the ranking.
November 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Most of the nearby primary schools to us (including ours) are still council controlled. But one is in a different academy trust. It's in the catchment area but right at the edge as it is. Now they're likely to be even further down the ranking.
When I filled in the consultation, that was a scenario on my mind. The Trust (which is new) has a geographical restriction on its area. If it expands and takes over other local primaries, what happens to the children from the other schools. It's not good.
November 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
When I filled in the consultation, that was a scenario on my mind. The Trust (which is new) has a geographical restriction on its area. If it expands and takes over other local primaries, what happens to the children from the other schools. It's not good.