Historians’ corrections to widely circulated misinformation are often delayed by other academic commitments and they never match the reach of the offending piece, but I think they’re worth putting on the record nonetheless: alanlester.co.uk/blog/falsify...

Citizens want to shift funds away from low-quality ministers

Archaeology’s tools were forged in war: from spy planes to satellites, the line between research and militarisation has always been thin. Benjamin Thomas White (@btwhite.bsky.social) considers the role of Antoine Poidebard in pioneering aerial archaeology.

There are many reasons for wanting to become a leader and a lot of them are bad. Do it for the meaning of the work. Do it for students. Do it to help build careers. Do it for social impact. Do it because it provides a platform to challenge inequalities in the sector. Otherwise, what’s the point?

As we continue to recreate BNU, we’re now recruiting for a Director of Brand, Communications and Marketing. Crucial senior leadership role for shaping our future. Reshares appreciated. jobs.bucks.ac.uk/vacancy/dire...

*Sets up Redbubble for Unfunded Hobbyist Researcher t-shirts in order to fund my research*

Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him

In a reassuring letter to his 7yo brother, George draws attention to a 'fine washing place' & companionship & makes light of the tribulations of trench life in 1915: 'rather a short issue of bread this last couple of days'; enemy aircraft 'making a fearful row and raising clouds of dust'.

As UK birth rate falls having more people around to work & pay taxes may have some benefits

Arthur Henderson, Glasgow-born but Newcastle-raised, became Labour leader for third time #OTD 1931. Iron moulder, Labour moderate who became party's first cabinet minister, won the Nobel Peace Prize, uniquely served three times as Labour leader in different decades (1908-10, 1914-17, 1931-2).

New blogpost at the Co-operative Heritage Trust from one of the volunteers who became interested in finding out more about the National Labour Exchange established by Robert Owen in 1832. tinyurl.com/3dzdfyen

Do take a look at the call for papers for our conference on The Hand 8-9 Jan 2026, @lcflondon.bsky.social. We're seeking contributions from a range of disciplines! Please check it out and get involved!

touches, they broke new ground by providing facilities for both men and women at a time when most public conveniences served gentlemen only. They remain well preserved, with original tiled walls, terrazzo floors, panelled doors and porcelain fittings by J. Duckett and Sons. Along with

As we approach, September's Heritage Open Days it is worth remembering that built heritage comes in all shapes, sizes and indeed uses. Opened in 1926, Hull’s Nelson Street public conveniences are a surprising heritage gem. They are now Grade II listed. Designed in an Edwardian style with Art Nouveau

So sad to hear of Tom Lehrer's passing. I cited his song 'Werhner von Braun' in my first published paper in 2005, in a discussion about the Nazi roots of rocket technology. 🧪 🏺

If I should die, think only this of me: That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed; [...] More on #WW! in 1915 at georgefergusonliverpool.wordpress.com/2025/07/26/2...

I said I would have my fling, And do what a young man may; And I didn’t believe in a thing That the parson had to say. I didn’t believe in a God That gives us blood like fire, That throws us into hell Because [...] More from 1915 at georgefergusonliverpool.wordpress.com/2025/07/27/2...

Forget about what year it is. What century is it? nashvillebanner.com/2025/07/20/d...

I’ve a little wet home in a trench Where the rainstorms continually drench There’s a dead cow close by With her hoofs t’wards the sky And she gives off a beautiful stench More on life on the #WesternFront 100 years ago in 1915 at georgefergusonliverpool.wordpress.com/2025/07/24/2...

We’re proud of our new build estates here in Milton Keynes and we will always strive to create a network of support across our City. The amazing map for the event was created by Cute Maps MK!

And the International Festival activities continue! The Open University and Community Action: MK held an insightful event to raise awareness of the struggles of living on a low income in new housing areas through the community art installation: “We Make Milton Keynes”.

Peter Scott (Pres & CEO Commonwealth of Learning calls Handbook of Open Universities Around the World (eds Sanjaya Mishra & Santosh Panda) 'a significant piece of work'. It includes my chapter on @openuniversity.bsky.social & contributions by ex-VCE member Alan Tait & ex-OU VC Sir John Daniel.

He always claimed that @openuniversity.bsky.social was his monument but there is plenty more to his story.

As he'd only got c20 miles of his c350 mile trip by 3pm time must have dragged that morning as GF listened to both his commanding officer & the Commander of British Expeditionary Force. Presumably reminding him that he'd still be on the payroll & should bolster recruitment while on leave.

Were fears lower when engines of death infantalized (Crumps, whizz-bangs, and zip-bangs) or rendered familiar (Jack Johnsons, Black Marias & coal boxes - black smoke - & woolly bears - white smoke)? Maxim's euphemism was Devil's Paintbrush as it blotted out lives like a swathe of paint across canvas

Inquiry to take place: otjc.org.uk/orgreave-tru...

Rather than record details of the routine manual labour of fatigues, OTD 1915 George wrote of the banter, commonplace in the armed forces, which seemed to have helped the time pass.

Happy Birthday Ada Salter (nee Brown) born OTD 1866. Bermondsey Icon. - Social Reformer - Trade unionist - Environmentalist - Pacifist - First woman councillor Bermondsey 1909 - First woman mayor in London 1922 - First labour woman mayor in UK

OTD 1915 George appears cheered by news of forthcoming leave as he engaged in heavy wet dirty labouring work while strangers bombarded him with deadly projectiles.

OTD, despite men from Germany trying to kill him by raining death from the skies, George, the minnow in the endless stream of war, went fishing.

A hint of the impact of the Chartist leader can be seen in the records of the South Yorkshire Miners' Association, and the registration of Sheffield collier Feargus O'Connor Dale & his family into the union... 🧵

In the war skylarks, swallows, golden orioles, hoopoes & bee-eaters were spotted by British troops in Flanders, carrier pigeons were used for communications, canaries to detect poisonous gas. Back in the UK house sparrows were killed as they were thought to be destroying wheat & oat supplies.

2,000 applications for one academic job. In these circumstances universities should reconsider all of their research degree programmes and their content.

The laconic 'pretty freely' suggests that on this 'fine day' 1915 GF was under almost constant attack from the 7.7 cm Feldkanone 96 neuer Art, a field gun from which whizzbangs (high-explosive shells filled with TNT & sometimes shrapnel and bullets) were fired.

This image on a banner of a memorial helps banners be categorised not only as folk art (comparable to canal boat roses & castles) but as public acts, artifacts & art). Maybe better understood as monuments, offering reminders, advice & warnings.

@britwarmemorial.bsky.social The new Thornley Lodge miners' banner also shows a war memorial at the back and sides of the image

@britwarmemorial.bsky.social The Pelton Fell miners' banner includes an image of the Pelton Hall cenotaph

Stobs Camp was an army training site in the Scottish borders. Later used as an internment camp for civilians, many rounded up after Lusitania was sunk, & for prisoners of war.

Lovely info here on how British soldiers used local place names in the trenches

OTD 1915 the use of the word “cushie” (ie easy, from Hindi khush pleasant) is a reminder of the Empire. Fighting for King & Country (but not democracy as few had right to vote) alongside George & often in supporting roles were many from India, Canada & many other lands. These men from West Indies.

This is 'Brontë Country' - the middle of Keighley, barely a couple of miles from Haworth in living memory. Coal-fired factories, quarries, worked out clay pits, gas works, engineering companies...

‪Publication! Chapter on @openuniversity.bsky.social‬ features in this new text which also has chapters by former OU VC Sir John Daniel and OU VCE member Prof Alan Tait www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/1...

@oneplacestudies.bsky.social #WW1 #FWW Slowly adding biographies of the men from Feather Street, Parkwood, Keighley. This street had a 42% death rate of those who served in the Great War. Just 21 houses in that street and eleven of their men were killed: menofworth.org.uk/archives/par...

Tired soldiers, struggling with heavy loads in the dark could fall into the heavy, sticky mud and literally drown. George escaped that fate but was wet, tired and on guard duty. Falling asleep on duty was punishable by hard labour or tired to a fixed object for hours or death.

Picking apples, labouring and having a pep talk from a high ranking officer make the last few days appear relatively idyllic but then came news of imminent change for the worse. Sassoon's 'The General' indicates the bitterness which some felt.

While attack was the British plan, it was recognised that the trench warfare did not involve much movement and that bolstering defences was necessary. Hence the contribution of soldier-diarist George OTD 1915.

Shout out to Brian Budd's research on the ovens.

The squalor, stench and dangers of war had been George's lot since early November when he travelled abroad. OTD 1915 a senior officer addressed the men and, in the manner of a guest speaker at a public school prize-giving, granting a half-day holiday, made a 'mention of leave'.

Setting George on fortification project perhaps indicates spread of recognition that this was war of attrition, with almost static front lines for months on end?