Monthly Archives: February 2009

Browse to your local online pubs?

Online Queens Head?

Online Queens Head?

In a small town like Hedon (pop 7,000+) you expect some things to be ‘behind the times’. However, as far as the internet is concerned THERE really is no excuse. The internet can link communities together regardless of where these are located. Of course communities (organisations, businesses, groups and individuals) need to exist in the first place, but the internet can also help in their development.

Two centres of community that exist in most areas are the local faith-based building (usually a church hall) or the local pub. This post is concentrating on the latter.

Hedon is home to the following public houses:

  • The Queens Head
  • The Kings Head
  • Shakespeare Inn
  • Haven Arms
  • The Kingstown (not the pub’s own website)
  • The Station

You see by the links above that these have very little online presence. The Haven Arms website consists of a front-page only – perhaps it is under construction and more pages will follow?

Why does it matter? Well…I for one would like to know what these centres of my community have to offer. Each pub’s website could tell me what ales are on offer and any guest beers that are crying out to be sampled. It could list the soft-drink options for drivers. It could tantalize me with the snacks and meals on offer. And….significantly in a rather sleepy town like Hedon…. it could tell me what entertainment was on. When do the pub quizzes happen, what artists are appearing, what ‘gossip’ or news is there to report! What pub teams can I join – what special outings to support Hull City might be on offer?

Yes… my knowledge of these establishments could be greatly increased through browsing their websites. And if these websites used a blogging format then we could get valuable comments and feedback from customers about those establishments.

And if these were regularly updated and sent out Twitter updates to excited customers… then you never know, custom might even pick up! Surely a good thing in these credit crunching times!

Yes I know I could call in to each of these establishments and look at notice boards, pick up menus, etc, where they exist. But time is valuable and money scarce – and quite frankly I can’t be bothered! Why have an internet dog and bark yourself!

There are some excellent review websites out there that are informed by the public who use these places such as Trusted Places (see this review for Haven Arms). But are they up to date and relevant today?

I’d love to add the local online pubs to the links on this website!

Jack the Ripper – Hull connections?

from-mike-clovells-blogThe screening of Whitechapel on ITV on Mondays has re-inspired interest in Jack the Ripper. Locally there are Hull connections (not sure about Hedon) and Mike Covell’s Blog is the journal of his efforts to investigate and publish them.

In true Blogosphere fashion I discovered Mike’s Blog through a link in the Hull Mail’s YourSay Forums. I’ve linked to Mike’s Blog in my Blogroll.

This is YourMail

this-is-yourmail-website-banner

Discovered the This is YourMail website – a place to join and generate discussion amongst other things. I have started a conversation about Twitter based on my previous Blog post; catch it at YourSay Forums.

Twittering on about everything!

twitterTwitter seems to be the talk of the town at the moment… well the chat on the Blogosphere at least! We can now refer to the Twitterverse.

The Hull Daily Mail correspondent Voice of Reason, however, complains of “a bizarre new world in which no one really communicates by talking anymore, but just sends text messages.”

Twitter is much more than text messages – it is ‘micro-blogging’ allowing news and information to traverse the globe many times – and all this can take place before the Voice of Reason has even opened his/her laptop in the morning!

I have used Twitter for several months now. Amongst those I follow regularly are the Department of Communities and Local Government and No. 10 Downing Street. A new account has been opened to accompany the launch of this blog.

Setting up a Twitter account is quick and easy (have a look at an earlier blog post of mine on Twitter – Getting started).

Go to http://twitter.com/ and while you’re there have a look at the explanatory video.

But what do you do with Twitter?

twitter-search-snipOne of the first things to do is scroll to the bottom of your Twitter home page and look for the Search button. Click that and type in a subject that interests you. You can put any person, subject or issue in the search box. Hit the button and see what is revealed!

Search the results – then visit the Tweets of people you find interesting. Then hit the follow button. You are now following that person on Twitter. Hit your Home page and you will see that person’s Tweets.

Find people to follow – then start to send your own messages (remember 140 characters or less) and join the conversation. Most people being followed tend to check you out and quite often will follow you in return. Then your own Twitterverse really begins to grow.

Easy! Give it a go. For additional ideas on Twitter  check out TwiTips.

Holderness Heartbeat – Ad Mag

holderness-heartbeat_snipThe Holderness Heartbeat is a monthly advertising magazine created by a Hedon based entrepreneur. Copies are distributed to households throughout Holderness (except for Withernsea where distribution is not viable).

The magazine has been going for over 10 years and survives through generating advertising income but provides residents with a wad of local useful information in return.

Ed the Editor… hmmm!? keeps the magazine readable through scattering the content with pages of commentary, quizes and jokes (I still tell the one about the ‘ham-bush’).

If you want to advertise then contact Ed on Tel: 01482-898969 or e-mail ed@holdernessheartbeat.co.uk (deadline for next issue is 11th March 2009).

Councillor’s justification for East Riding parking charges

Whatever your views are on the proposed parking charges, this article from the Hull Mail will be of interest (click link below):

Councillor’s justification for parking charges

The Mail has nailed its colours to the mast and launched a campaign against the charges!

Hedon on Wikipedia

wikipedia-logoThe entry for Hedon on Wikipedia is quite sparse – especially when compared with entries for our large neighbour Kingston Upon Hull and former home town Blackpool.

However, I believe that Hedon’s enthusiasts haven’t yet discovered Wikipedia. The article is still to be improved to reflect more about the town and its character – or perhaps enough has been said about Hedon to keep it factual and easy readable?.

Wikipedia is the free online encyclopedia written collaboratively by volunteers from around the globe. Anyone with internet access can edit the articles although all information sumbitted has to be factual and verifiable. The online Wikipedia community tends to check and double check posted information for accuracy. This means that Wikipedia will tend to be more up-to-date and current then most printed references…. But is the case with the Hedon entry?

Geograph – photography project.

The Geograph British Isles project aims to represent every square mile of the country through photographs. This – of course – includes Hedon. The project is described briefly below (from Home Page).

What is Geographing?

· It’s a game – how many grid squares will you contribute? ·
· It’s a geography project for the people ·
· It’s a national photography project ·
· It’s a good excuse to get out more! ·
· It’s a free and open online community project for all

geograph-project

Geograph Hedon

If you visit the website and click on the search facility and enter Grid Reference for the centre of Hedon, TA1828 (or a postcode) then the programme brings up the photographs related to those coordinates. Over 4,100 images have already been submitted for Hedon.

The Geograph project is a community project enabling you to register and submit your own photographs. One of the main contributors to Hedon photos is Andy Beecroft. Some of his images are breathtaking.

It’s a good interesting project – and tempting me to pick up the camera I’ve neglected for some time – usually a job that Mrs (David Bailey) Duff takes up with gusto!