Councillor Ben Currington

That’s my lunch there

A baptismal font, you might say?

First meeting of the new council was this week. Congratulations to our new chair Nick Levinge and vice chair Srihari Iyengar. Thank you for your willingness to serve the council and community. I appreciate your commitment and I'm looking forward to everything we will achieve together this year.

That’s my lunch there

parkrun volunteer. Marshal point 3, just off the bridge, Beckets Park, Northampton.

Stand here, drink tea, say good morning. I think I can handle that.

Lovely morning for University of Northampton parkrun.

It’s polling day. Don’t forget to vote!

Dappled sky reflected in puddles on the rec MUGA

Rainbow, fading by now, with a red and blue sky, from the playing field.

Double rainbow and the spire of St Mary's church seen on Abbey Rd.

Beautiful skies in Far Cotton this evening. We had a double rainbow, it was so bright and crossed the whole sky. My phone camera couldn't do it justice. I stood and watched it for a good while!

Me and Haydn.

Timekeeping today at University of Northampton parkrun. Great turnout - 216 finishers! Well done Haydn, got a course PB.

Paddington on screen

Good attendance at film night again, at the Rec centre this evening showing Paddington in Peru.

Voi scooter parked at the edge of the path

Thank you considerate Voi scooter rider for parking at the edge of the path. Proof it can and does happen.

This is my third post about scooter parking recently, maybe that’s enough for a while!

Uncontested election means candidates don’t have to tell electors their ideas. We should express our areas of interest and set objectives anyway, for our own benefit as well as others, to say what we want to achieve and measure success.

I will work on this. Less of the “improvised manifesto”.

It is useful to follow and learn from likeminded others on Bluesky, and I appreciate reading what they have to say.

I would like to connect with more local people but I’m not keen on doing it through Facebook which is realistically where I’m most likely to succeed.

Reflecting on my experience of using Bluesky I realise one thing. I came here to express myself, talk about things I care about. An organic improvised manifesto of sorts!

While I have done that to an extent I spend more time reading other opinions than expressing my own.

Clean running shoe soled

Unexpected side effect of running on sand (and ok I admit, in the sea a bit afterwards) - spotless shoes. They’ve not been this clean for a while! Woolacombe Dunes parkrun.

Ben with sign saying “congratulations you just conquered the dune of doom”

Just got home from a week in Devon. Enjoyed Woolacombe Dunes parkrun on Saturday. It’s known as a tough one but don’t be put off, it’s also beautiful!

Voi scooters parked badly

Voi scooters parked appropriately

Another example. As I was moving the closest Voi scooter a person riding a mobility scooter slowed down to go around the one on its side.

Blocking the path causes problems, but it’s easy to avoid them just by parking at the edge.

Messy scooters left in the way

Scooters tidied out of the way

If you use a Voi scooter please be mindful to avoid blocking the path when you park it.

It only takes a moment of care to keep the path accessible for everyone.

Local elections 2025 | West Northamptonshire Council All you need to know about local elections in 2025 in the West Northamptonshire area

Statements of persons nominated for 2025 local elections. 11 candidates for 12 seats in Far Cotton and Delapre; election uncontested. While I would have liked a vote to happen it is positive that these seats are filled, and I will continue to serve as a councillor in May. #standvoteinfluence

Pallet wood

Denailing reclaimed pallet wood boards for a project. Therapeutic and good fun. I’ll probably reuse the nails too.

Wendover parkrun

Ran my first 5k today since injuring my foot in December. Jeffing all the way. Wendover parkrun is absolutely beautiful. Loved it!

YouTube video by Beau Miles I made a picnic table from someone's rubbish

Love seeing Beau Miles do stuff like this. Good on ya Beau.

Focus on what you can influence or control. Put your energy there, where it can be of use. #standvoteinfluence

Taking an interest and helping to improve your local situation is a good antidote to the despair you might feel about the global situation. #standvoteinfluence

After making a mildly humorous remark I’ve just been described by a colleague as a “walking Dad joke”. I will wear this title with pride.

Silhouette of St Mary's church, Far Cotton, 26 Mar 2012.

Sunset silhouette of St Mary's church, Far Cotton, 26 Mar 2012. Not sure why so purple, might just have been my camera.

It's almost too obvious to say out loud; if you use less, you don't need as much. Yet we still have so much to learn.

Although I think the “quick win” of our local Voi scheme needs following up with infrastructure investment, this research challenges some of my previous assumptions about e-scooters.

This is a positive step. Every business I know uses Windows and Microsoft 365. The council uses Microsoft 365. It does the job, but should one service provider have so much control? How to tip the balance towards more software freedom, diversity, decentralisation.

I'm glad you liked it :)

Have you been?