Neil Merrick
neilmerrick.bsky.social
Neil Merrick
@neilmerrick.bsky.social
40 followers 73 following 16 posts
Freelance journalist. Writes about housing, education, local government & media. Interests music & sport.
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As a matter of interest, how much is a private covid jab?
Another highlight from day 1 of @hiddennotes.bsky.social festival - mesmeric mix of Indian classical singing & electronica from Arushi Jain.
Great to be back @hiddennotes.bsky.social festival in Stroud. Incredible range of music & music lovers packed into a beautiful church. First day highlights inc @annaphoebe.bsky.social previewing new LP Divergence.
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This, from The Londoner yesterday, also features people on the march who claim not to be racists. Though the things they say prove otherwise
Daisy Rickman's set was definitely one of Friday's highlights @endoftheroadfestival.com. #EOTR25
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I'm currently at a housing conference & it's a slightly out of body experience politically, given the vibe here is thrilled with getting £39bn + basically all they asked for in spending review. Not that govt isn't in deep trouble elsewhere but it's a striking eg of how easily the popular stuff...
Can't recommend this book by @lanre-bakare.bsky.social highly enough. Brilliantly mixes politics & culture to explain so much about multicultural Britain at a time when multiculturalism is sadly under such threat.
Excited to share the cover for my debut non-fiction book WE WERE THERE, which is out 17 April 2025 via The Bodley Head + is a cultural history of Black Britain in the Thatcher era.

Please pre-order it via the link if you feel inclined!

www.penguin.co.uk/books/453942...
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Essential reading, especially if you’re going to Glastonbury! @nujofficial.bsky.social @ruthaddicott.bsky.social Also featuring @stephaniecpower.bsky.social on podcasts; @lindaharrisonpr.bsky.social on networking; @neilmerrick.bsky.social on AI; @rorywrites.bsky.social on student awards
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bylinetimes.com Just got my copy and this editorial is exactly why it is such an important publication
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Mid- & East Devon has some of the worst broadband connectivity in the UK - many areas here are in the bottom 10%. Yet companies like Airband have been allowed to withdraw from contracts without anything to replace them. Building Digital UK must do better for residents and businesses in rural areas.
Welcome back Mary Anne. Au revoir Tom Ravenscroft.
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New Radio Show:

It's a joy to return to BBC 6 Music

Sundays 6-8pm
from June 8th

The Show will be a borderless space for music across all spectrums.
Open conversations with Artists we love.
New experiments in storytelling & sound.
Come with us..

Photography:
@photobrettwalker.bsky.social
Still pinching myself that Marika Hackman is playing local parish church in Devon this Saturday. Amazing chance to see her live in a wonderful setting.
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What's the outlook for living standards in 2025?

Disposable incomes are set to fall across low-, middle- and high-income families alike. But improvements in public services will help to boost broad living standards for some.
Pleased to have listened to most of Mary Anne's shows on 6Music, including the weekend breakfast show before 2019. Shame she's leaving daytime radio but here's to the next chapter.
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Mary Anne Hobbs is leaving the building, for now...
I'll be back on BBC6Music in late Spring with a totally new Show.
My Mid-Morning Show
ends February 21st 2025.
I came to change Daytime radio and i believe the job is complete.
Thank you so much for listening...

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
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Read the latest issue of HQM now! In this issue Neil Merrick reports on how a housing association’s tenants are helping to spread the word about energy efficiency, while enjoying lower bills hqm.hqnetwork.co.uk/housing-in-p... #ukhousing
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The January issue of HQM is out! With Shelter CEO Polly Neate; features on FoI research into tenancy fraud, the first year of TSMs & the future of social housing rents policy; & we ask sector leaders & influencers to give us their housing predictions for the year ahead hqm.hqnetwork.co.uk #ukhousing
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What are Kemi Badenoch's thoughts on the intergration of these criminals in mainstream British society?
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News:

My agenda has been to change Daytime radio at BBC 6 Music.
Creative life is progression.
Once the work is complete, stand at the edge of everything you know and ask a different question.
My Daytime show ends in February, I'll return to 6 Music in Spring with something new.
Come with me..