Northern (High) Lights

I’m writing this at home in Hampshire, on the second day of the Jubilee Bank Holiday. It’s pouring with rain, and chilly – more like October than June. I’m not complaining, though; the garden could do with watering, and it’s a great opportunity to catch-up on some blogging. It’s difficult to believe that – just over a…… Continue reading Northern (High) Lights

BlueLightCamp: Weekend Camping (Pt1)

First thing in the morning on Sunday 15th April there was barely a cloud in the sky above Manchester. The sun shone, the sky was blue, and I was off camping.  It was a few miles walk to the camp site, so I left my hotel early to make absolutely certain I was there on-time.…… Continue reading BlueLightCamp: Weekend Camping (Pt1)

The SLA Event (Pt 2): Ordnance Survey Open Data and GeoVation

This is the second half of a post about an event by the Society for Location Analysis a couple of weeks ago. Last week’s post covered the introduction by the SLA Chairman, Peter Sleight, and a talk by Professor Nigel Shadbolt entitled: ‘Open Data: Powering the Information Age’. This instalment covers a double-act by Ian Holt and Chris…… Continue reading The SLA Event (Pt 2): Ordnance Survey Open Data and GeoVation

SLA Event (Part 1): Open Data: Powering the Information age

This is the first of a two-part post about a Society for Location Analysis (SLA) event last night (21st Feb). It was held in Hampshire County Council’s headquarters in Winchester, but the SLA – and its sponsors CBRE – kindly picked up the tab. There were just under thirty present – enough to make it a ‘proper’…… Continue reading SLA Event (Part 1): Open Data: Powering the Information age

LocalGovCampNW (Part 2)

This is Part 2 of a post about LocalGovCampNW, an unconference held in Preston on 4th February. It’s the second instalment, as last week I ran out of time, and had to get something in by midday on Thursday to meet Weekly Blog Club’s deadline. I was interested in most of the session pitches but, sadly, could only attend…… Continue reading LocalGovCampNW (Part 2)

Preston is a nice place. Oh, and Local Gov Camp North West (Part 1)

Crafting the agenda at LocalGovCampNW

Preston & LocalGovCampNW (Part 1) On Saturday I attended Local Gov Camp North West, or #LocalGovCampNW as it’s known on Twitter. Whilst it’s only a couple of weeks since UK GovCamp, I couldn’t resist going along, even though it’s quite a trek from Hampshire to Preston. I travelled up by train on Friday evening. There…… Continue reading Preston is a nice place. Oh, and Local Gov Camp North West (Part 1)

Camping without the tents: UK GovCamp 2012

I spent Friday and Saturday in London at UK GovCamp 2012, or #UKGC12 as it’s known on Twitter. It was an “unconference” with no prepared agenda. If you aren’t familiar with unconferences, Steph Gray gives a good description in his November 2011 article in The Guardian. It amazes me that so many people are willing to give…… Continue reading Camping without the tents: UK GovCamp 2012