Talk:Alan Bates (subpostmaster)

Birth date

FreeBMD shows only one Alan Bates birth registered in Liverpool in 1954 and 1955. It's this one: Alan W. Bates, mother's name Antoney, registered in Liverpool North, in the third quarter of 1954. That would give a current age of 69. Martinevans123 (talk) 18:41, 12 January 2024 (UTC)

See WP:BLPPRIMARY. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:44, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

As ever, I wasn't proposing use of FreeBMD as a source in the article. But, in the absence of any information to contradict this, that would seem to be the record of his birth. We can't pretend that record doesn't exist. It's very unlikely to be a mistake. Martinevans123 (talk) 12:52, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Spelling

Bates set up the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance. Not the "Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance". This article should use the correct spelling, "subpostmaster" throughout, including in its title, as does British Post Office scandal.

Talk:British Post Office scandal#Sub-postmasters [SIC] also refers. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:43, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Yes, that's right. I somehow doubt Bates is as interested in correct use or non-use of the hyphen as some editors here are. But it's certainly used consistently without a hyphen at the website It's a loss less fiddly without one. There seems to be a bit of a contradiction between his use of the word and it's standard use in dictionaries? Perhaps WP:MoS is the venue to resolve that? Martinevans123 (talk) 13:01, 13 January 2024 (UTC) p.s. is jfsa.org.uk/ WP:BLPPRIMARY?

p.p.s. I see that National Federation of SubPostmasters uses a big P.— Preceding unsigned comment added by Martinevans123 (talk • contribs) 13:20, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Feedback from New Page Review process

I left the following feedback for the creator/future reviewers while reviewing this article: Alan Bates is someone of exceptional notability given his central role, over decades, in uncovering what is, arguably, the biggest Miscarriage of justice in British legal history. THis article needs to be expanded.

Mark^Dask 10:18, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

The legal case should be explicitly described. He's mentioned a few times here. Martinevans123 (talk) 11:57, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

He gave evidence (briefly) to the Inquiry on 16/01/24. Martinevans123 (talk) 10:40, 17 January 2024 (UTC)

Change title?

In my opinion Alan Bates is better known as a campaigner rather than a sub-postmaster. I think we should change the title to Alan Bates (campaigner) STCSTW (talk) 08:09, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

That is certainly a more accurate reflection of why he is notable. Martinevans123 (talk) 08:13, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

Whilst I agree with this "Evans" chap (who he?) about the reflection of his notability, I feel that we should not change the title. Why not? Ease of access, fast recognition. "Alan Bates" is not exactly an unlikely English name so if we go to "AB (campaigner)" you're always going to have a moment of wait, what, which campaigner? Is there perhaps an Alan Bates who campaigns for nature, fair taxation, better intonation on C trumpets, bring back the Marathon bar? Dunno. But if you leave it on "AB (subpostmaster)" you get absolutely instant recognition that you have the right guy. It nails it, for all the right reasons, in the very nanosecond that you read it. Please don't move it – it would be an unfortunate error. Best to all, DBaK (talk) 20:15, 25 June 2024 (UTC)

A couple of dates

I removed 23 years from the intro, because I don't think he has actually been campaigning on behalf of subpostmasters since 2001, which was when he experienced his first Horizon shortfall. When do you date the campaigning from? When he set up a website? When he contacted media? I don't think it really matters exactly how many years count as campaigning and, since the intro gives a timeline of events, it isn't necessary to specify the number of years. Regarding date of birth - I seem to remember from another discussion that his birth was registered in 1954 but freebmd doesn't count as a reliable source. Any better [1]? I am not keen on using court transcripts or witness statements, but others might disagree. Southdevonian (talk) 18:45, 9 July 2024 (UTC)

Oops sorry

I apologize for this edit, which removed much much more than I had intended. Finger trouble / brain trouble / who knows? Many thanks to the people who sorted it out. Sorry and cheers, DBaK (talk) 20:02, 12 September 2024 (UTC)

No worries, DBaK - we all have times like that! I just reinstated my change on the tablet, which required 2 moves (only being able to edit one section at a time on the mobile app) - but didn't take long, and all good. Laterthanyouthink (talk) 00:43, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Thanks! I honestly don't know what I did, plus I review my edits (well, duh, obvs not this one) ... I guess something mad must have happened in the real world (grandchildren, cooking, dog, doorbell??) just as I committed to the edit then I never got back to it till I happened by again and saw what a royal mess I had caused. Sheesh, and thanks again, DBaK (talk) 08:52, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

At least you didn't press a button and see that thousands of pounds had suddenly disappeared from your ledger..... Martinevans123 (talk) 08:54, 13 September 2024 (UTC)

Ah well I was coming to that ... DBaK (talk) 09:00, 13 September 2024 (UTC)