Mark Badcock
@markbadcock1.bsky.social
retired accountant in Colchester likes TV music politics local government football u3a credit unions scout movement allotment walking sightseeing pubs and people helping their community
Some concerns about allotments being given over to developers fortunately no plans to do that in Colchester at the moment. Also continuing concerns about pub closures with a quarter of UK pubs gone in the last 25 years..
August 13, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Some concerns about allotments being given over to developers fortunately no plans to do that in Colchester at the moment. Also continuing concerns about pub closures with a quarter of UK pubs gone in the last 25 years..
Hoping the local u3a and credit union in Colchester continues to prosper, also a special mention to organisations like Colchester Anti Loo Roll brigade who do a lot for the local community..
August 13, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Hoping the local u3a and credit union in Colchester continues to prosper, also a special mention to organisations like Colchester Anti Loo Roll brigade who do a lot for the local community..
Start of the Premier League season this weekend looks like Liverpool Arsenal and City leading the way again with Chelsea not far behind, elsewhere Colchester hoping for a decent season in their league while Ipswich looking to return to the Premier league..
August 13, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Start of the Premier League season this weekend looks like Liverpool Arsenal and City leading the way again with Chelsea not far behind, elsewhere Colchester hoping for a decent season in their league while Ipswich looking to return to the Premier league..
Events in the Middle East and elsewhere increasingly alarming as well as increasing demonisation of refugees asylum seekers and others. Looks like the young people of today will be left to clear the mess that some of my generation have made..
August 13, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Events in the Middle East and elsewhere increasingly alarming as well as increasing demonisation of refugees asylum seekers and others. Looks like the young people of today will be left to clear the mess that some of my generation have made..
Local government still struggling although while councils like Islington who I used to work for facing many challenges they also have good people leadership culture and some excellent local services..
August 13, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Local government still struggling although while councils like Islington who I used to work for facing many challenges they also have good people leadership culture and some excellent local services..
Good to see musicians developing other interests including Snoop Dogg at Swansea FC and the rapper who got into farming not to Mention Stormzy and books football and Cambridge scholarships etc..
August 13, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Good to see musicians developing other interests including Snoop Dogg at Swansea FC and the rapper who got into farming not to Mention Stormzy and books football and Cambridge scholarships etc..
Soaps like Eastenders known for their twists and turns plotlines though the recent Women's Euros football and England and India cricket series almost as dramatic..
August 13, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Soaps like Eastenders known for their twists and turns plotlines though the recent Women's Euros football and England and India cricket series almost as dramatic..
As for football, good to see Newcastle winning a trophy at last great for the fans though tainted a bit by Saudi connections. Not happy with Chelsea goalkeeping or lack of creativity without Palmer etc though Spurs Man United and even Arsenal and other fans also have concerns, see what England do..
March 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
As for football, good to see Newcastle winning a trophy at last great for the fans though tainted a bit by Saudi connections. Not happy with Chelsea goalkeeping or lack of creativity without Palmer etc though Spurs Man United and even Arsenal and other fans also have concerns, see what England do..
Not happy about proposed welfare cuts particularly for those with disabilities, appreciate the economy not in a good place and current benefits system not fit for purpose and needs reform not to mention defence..but better off could pay a bit more tax and a braver government as in 1945 might help..
March 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Not happy about proposed welfare cuts particularly for those with disabilities, appreciate the economy not in a good place and current benefits system not fit for purpose and needs reform not to mention defence..but better off could pay a bit more tax and a braver government as in 1945 might help..
Big night for Essex girl Charli XCX at the Brit awards also some wise words on the importance of youth clubs and smaller music venues not to mention criticism of the music industry and plenty of expletives. And a cautionary tale from Stormzy on the perils of padel. A bit more subdued at the Oscars..
March 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Big night for Essex girl Charli XCX at the Brit awards also some wise words on the importance of youth clubs and smaller music venues not to mention criticism of the music industry and plenty of expletives. And a cautionary tale from Stormzy on the perils of padel. A bit more subdued at the Oscars..
Just like watching the Godfather across the pond today ..Donald and JD in the starring roles hoping to do a a deal with the criminal gang across town while leaving one ally who asked for help to swim with the fishes while hoping another long time associate is willing to be his consigliere..
February 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Just like watching the Godfather across the pond today ..Donald and JD in the starring roles hoping to do a a deal with the criminal gang across town while leaving one ally who asked for help to swim with the fishes while hoping another long time associate is willing to be his consigliere..
Over the years have mostly supported the Labour Party although also agree with the Greens and Liberal Democrats in many respects. After 125 years many things have changed but seems like decent housing, local democracy, and the interests of ordinary working people as important as ever in tough times
February 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Over the years have mostly supported the Labour Party although also agree with the Greens and Liberal Democrats in many respects. After 125 years many things have changed but seems like decent housing, local democracy, and the interests of ordinary working people as important as ever in tough times
Busy time in the music industry with MOBO awards recently and Brit awards coming up though a bit calmer these days unlike Jarvis Cocker back in the day..same for films with recent BAFTAs and Oscars coming up not forgetting Bob Dylan film No Direction Home..RIP Roberta Flack gone but not forgotten..
February 26, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Busy time in the music industry with MOBO awards recently and Brit awards coming up though a bit calmer these days unlike Jarvis Cocker back in the day..same for films with recent BAFTAs and Oscars coming up not forgetting Bob Dylan film No Direction Home..RIP Roberta Flack gone but not forgotten..
Managed to do quite a bit of local sightseeing in the last few years often using the bus, including Manningtree, Harwich, Frinton, Walton on the Naze, Dedham, Maldon, Sudbury, East Anglian Railway Museum, Clacton Chelmsford and Ipswich. Other places like Sutton Hoo or Felixstowe worth a look..
February 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Managed to do quite a bit of local sightseeing in the last few years often using the bus, including Manningtree, Harwich, Frinton, Walton on the Naze, Dedham, Maldon, Sudbury, East Anglian Railway Museum, Clacton Chelmsford and Ipswich. Other places like Sutton Hoo or Felixstowe worth a look..
Will admit that pubs and beer have played a significant part in my life for 50 years, including many visits to various parts of the country to research local pubs including Sheffield Leicester Birmingham Coventry and many more as well as central London and local establishments, next up Norwich..
February 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Will admit that pubs and beer have played a significant part in my life for 50 years, including many visits to various parts of the country to research local pubs including Sheffield Leicester Birmingham Coventry and many more as well as central London and local establishments, next up Norwich..
40 years of EastEnders always been good at raising social issues though not quite so sure about some of the plot lines. At the moment reminds me a bit about Dallas and JR. Maybe the antics of Trump beyond its remit though if he darkened the doors of the Queen Vic would be told firmly where to go..
February 19, 2025 at 11:04 AM
40 years of EastEnders always been good at raising social issues though not quite so sure about some of the plot lines. At the moment reminds me a bit about Dallas and JR. Maybe the antics of Trump beyond its remit though if he darkened the doors of the Queen Vic would be told firmly where to go..
Nearby allotment has been one of my retirement projects in the last year or so, needed a lot of tidying up but managed to grow pumpkins and a few other things last year. My dad had an allotment when I was young though didn't take much interest then but keeps me occupied now plus outdoor exercise..
February 18, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Nearby allotment has been one of my retirement projects in the last year or so, needed a lot of tidying up but managed to grow pumpkins and a few other things last year. My dad had an allotment when I was young though didn't take much interest then but keeps me occupied now plus outdoor exercise..
My links to the scout movement go back a long way made friendships that continue to this day also many memories of summer camps and annual dinners among other things. No longer involved these days though still a force for good in lives of young people and moved with the times as well..
February 17, 2025 at 11:26 AM
My links to the scout movement go back a long way made friendships that continue to this day also many memories of summer camps and annual dinners among other things. No longer involved these days though still a force for good in lives of young people and moved with the times as well..
Been involved with credit unions for many years previously in London and now in Colchester helping people to save and turn round their finances and get a loan for a car or holiday etc if they need it and challenging the loan sharks. Not forgetting the likes of Bank of Dave in Burnley as well..
February 14, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Been involved with credit unions for many years previously in London and now in Colchester helping people to save and turn round their finances and get a loan for a car or holiday etc if they need it and challenging the loan sharks. Not forgetting the likes of Bank of Dave in Burnley as well..
U3A in Colchester and elsewhere been around for nearly 40 years helping older people keep active in retirement including physical activity and also excursions theatre trips learning languages and other pursuits as well as monthly meetings with interesting speakers and chance to make new friends..
February 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
U3A in Colchester and elsewhere been around for nearly 40 years helping older people keep active in retirement including physical activity and also excursions theatre trips learning languages and other pursuits as well as monthly meetings with interesting speakers and chance to make new friends..
Good to see various organisations in Colchester helping the local community in various ways including Anti Loo Roll Brigade Colchester u3a Colchester Credit Union Project Nightwatch and many others. Not forgetting others in old haunts in South West London including Community Brain, Creative Youth..
February 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Good to see various organisations in Colchester helping the local community in various ways including Anti Loo Roll Brigade Colchester u3a Colchester Credit Union Project Nightwatch and many others. Not forgetting others in old haunts in South West London including Community Brain, Creative Youth..
My interest in football and a certain team in blue started with the 1970 Cup final through some bad times and good times more recently. Also all the oh so nears through the years with England and not forgetting local teams in Colchester and back in the South West London old ends plus Islington..
February 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
My interest in football and a certain team in blue started with the 1970 Cup final through some bad times and good times more recently. Also all the oh so nears through the years with England and not forgetting local teams in Colchester and back in the South West London old ends plus Islington..
Interesting or just nightmarish times for local government not just effective bankruptcy at a number of councils also difficult times for former worl colleagues in Islington and local council in Colchester, as well as plans for reorganisation including in Essex and other changes in the offing..
February 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Interesting or just nightmarish times for local government not just effective bankruptcy at a number of councils also difficult times for former worl colleagues in Islington and local council in Colchester, as well as plans for reorganisation including in Essex and other changes in the offing..
Politics right now reminds me of explanation of difference between men and women back in the day, the current government has many faults but as for their predecessors it was almost everything they said and did, Donald T and his so called mate Nigel definitely in latter category..
February 8, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Politics right now reminds me of explanation of difference between men and women back in the day, the current government has many faults but as for their predecessors it was almost everything they said and did, Donald T and his so called mate Nigel definitely in latter category..
Growing up in the sixties and seventies my taste in music was influenced by the likes of Elton John, David Bowie, the Beatles, Bob Marley UB 40 and especially Freddie Mercury and Queen. More recently a mention in dispatches for Coldplay Ed Sheeran and Stormzy. Not forgetting Blur from Colchester..
February 7, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Growing up in the sixties and seventies my taste in music was influenced by the likes of Elton John, David Bowie, the Beatles, Bob Marley UB 40 and especially Freddie Mercury and Queen. More recently a mention in dispatches for Coldplay Ed Sheeran and Stormzy. Not forgetting Blur from Colchester..