Strictly + Steps + Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom = a winner as far as I’m concerned

My 2 favourite Dames, Cole Porter and Agatha Christie. What’s not to love? RIP Dame Maggie

Also references the idea of an independent productivity and growth commission. First mooted in National Productivity Week last Nov in a paper by Bart van Ark & Anna Valero). It was also picked up by the Resolution Foundation’s Economy2030 report so good to see another group advocate for the idea

Watching the Preston to Hebden Bridge episode of #GreatBritishRailwayJourneys (my guilty pleasure). Superb North West edition & delighted to see one of my political heroines - Barbara Castle - featured. Awesome woman!

Watching Mary Poppins with my 10 year old. “When was it made and when was it set?” she asks. 1910 and 1964 I say. Her- “Oh, so it’s like a film today being made about 1970 then”. Me - 😳😳

Good to be back at Heywood Road for the first friendly of the season #SaleRFC

I can’t be the only one whose mind immediately wanders to this classic Mean Girls line every time ‘brat’ is mentioned…?

Been a while since I was on here but in light of the issues with that other platform thought I should come back. Starting off by sharing a lovely photo of the Turkish Med that I took this time last week

Missing the hols already, despite being poorly for a lot of it. Read great books (Doon Mackichan & Mick Herron), watched quality tv (Slow Horses), films (Saltburn & Wonka) & taught the 10 yr old how to mix. Quite impressed with our little mashup -22 Alphabet Street www.mixcloud.com/nicolamends/...

Was chatting to my neighbour the other week who mentioned he was working on this @radio3.bsky.social series. I recommended Le Bossu (fantastic French swashbuckling film) & delighted to see that a track has made the cut www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Hats off to Child 2 for getting this out. Nothing better than a puzzle for the festive season

There is clearly a @productivity.bsky.social research conference on. Every time we have one the local football club down the road arranges a special match 😉

Johnny Marr in Manchester last night. Absolutely brilliant. The acoustics in the Aviva are fabulous- perfect night of sounds of The Smiths and Electronic plus his solo stuff (but let’s face it I was there for the classics)

I’m now dedicating my weekend to bingeing on season 3 of Slow Horses

So that’s a wrap for 2023 National #ProductivityWeek organised by @productivity.bsky.social (with events co hosted across UK by TPI university & strategic partners including CIMA, Be The Business & @instituteforgov.bsky.social ). Last event in very sunny @alliancembs.bsky.social .Great team effort!

Don’t think I have ever made / put up a wreath this early but had a blast at a friends house making this with many others last night (strong coffee needed to take child #2 to her swimming lesson this morning)

Some parents take their 10 year olds to Taylor Swift concerts… I took mine to a Brand New Heavies gig. Fantastic set from my favourite band at the Bridgewater Hall with the London Concert Orchestra. All amazing but the percussionist and trumpet player in particular