Philip Parker, 2010 open.substack.com/pub/26writer... Today's 20:26 piece.

Alex Fenton, 2023 open.substack.com/pub/26writer... Evocative piece by Alex with some wonderful word images. A reflection that will pull heartstrings and stir memories. #26Writers #reflections #stories #memories #transformingmoments #livedexperience

A couple of visitors to the garden yesterday. In between bullfinches, goldfinches, blue tits, great tits, blackbirds, dunnock, wren, robin, collared dove, pigeon, magpie, house sparrow, crow. And frisky squirrels.

Louise Whitfield met a distant cousin when she visited #HarrogateLibrary on 21st Jan. Fiona Carnegie came along to see the celebration of Louise, the library and to chat at the end of the show. Always brilliant to meet Carnegie family & explore links/stories handed down generations.

Saw three of these in garden this morning. Doing my count tomorrow

On the International Day of Education, book your place for BLF’s Education Programme, 24 June to 10 July 2026. With writers, poets, scientists and historians, all curriculum linked. Free for non-fee-paying schools and home educators: https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/education-programme/

Miranda Dickinson, 2004 open.substack.com/pub/26writer... Another 20:26 piece. One I'm sure that so many will identify with.

Tony Clarke, 2013 open.substack.com/pub/26writer... Another evocative piece from #26writers #20:26project. With just 46 words, writers share a seminal moment in time, and why it affected them so much. #writing #reflecting #lifechanges

Regina Beach, 2017 open.substack.com/pub/26writer... One of the 20:26 pieces from #26 writers. We chose a moment in the last 26 years that shaped the person we are today. She had just 46 words, 20:26. Here's how Regina responded...

Only 7 tickets left for Meet Louise Whitfield. Listen #BBCRadioLeeds breakfast show Fri 9.15 for details of the show. Book now and make it a sell-out to celebrate #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 120th anniversary. #Carnegie #womeninfluencers #philanthropy @literacy-trust.bsky.social #NationalReadingYear

And to you too. Just working on #IrenesOutings for2026... coming soon 🎄

Yuletide Greetings to all the people who've supported me over this difficult personal year, and all the folks I've worked, written, walked, talked, created and performed with. And to everyone, have an Irenic 2026.

Meet Louise Whitfield #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21st Jan & already 1/3 of tickets booked. Library's 120th anniversary. Come and discover how Louise influenced #AndrewCarnegie #philanthropy before/after they married, & their rocky romance. #inspirationalwomen #hiddenhistory #drama #performance

Hear me on BRADVENT #BBCRadioLeeds @bradford2025.co.uk to mark the end of the year. A short reflection tomorrow 7.20am Breakfast show, 10.50 on Daytimes. Pic of me a tree spirit performing my 'Travelling Trees' poem, part of #CliffeCastle's 75th anniversary, brilliant day. Thanks to #eretoere

Meet Louise Whitfield #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21st Jan & already 1/3 of tickets booked. Library's 120th anniversary. Come and discover how Louise influenced #AndrewCarnegie #philanthropy before/after they married, & their rocky romance. #inspirationalwomen #hiddenhistory #drama #performance

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... Recorded stories of Bradford with #BBCRadioLeeds earlier this year, as part of BBC's partnership with @bradford2025.co.uk. New BBC voice #HumairaBahm wandered with me to explore the City's history & heritage. #history #heritage #storytelling #research #myths #legends

Today's 26 Twinned Bridges is my collaboration with #BobHarvey. Hewenden Viaduct, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, UK, and The Eel Bridge, Piha, NZ. open.substack.com/pub/26writer...

Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, UK & 1865 Tāmaki River Bridge, Panmure, New Zealand. History, geography, cultural awareness across hemispheres. Evocative collaboration https://://open.substack.com/pub/26writersgroup/p/bridge-of-sighs-oxford-uk-and-the?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

26 Twinned Bridges project starts its Substack sharing today. Collaboration twixt 13 UK writers, 13 in Oz. #26writers Discover new places & writers. Cody Dock Rolling Bridge, London, UK and Auckland Harbour Bridge, NZ. open.substack.com/pub/26writer...

Thanks to #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary for delving into their archives to enable me to weave original documents and information into my play about Louise. I'm learning so much about #Carnegie library buildings as I tour this show. @harrogateradio.bsky.social @magnorth.bsky.social

Meet Louise Whitfield (aka Mrs Andrew Carnegie), at #HarrogateCarnegieLibrary 21 Jan, 2.30, part of the 120th anniversary celebrations. Discover how she influenced Andrew, their philanthropy, her contributions to the Carnegie trusts. Booking now, selling fast! Start 2026 with a hidden history.

'Mucky Beck' exhib launch #LouieHaslamChance Using beck water to explore effects of pollution on developed film, part of Our Turn 2025. Intro narration created/recorded by me, fitting as a BfdBeck volunteer. It's on til 5th Dec at Fourth Idea, Shipley BD17 7DA, Fri-Mon 10am - 5pm #becks #rivers

Hidden Bradford - through waterways #BBCLeeds @bradfordlitfest.bsky.social #water #rivers @scriptyorkshire.bsky.social @menofworth.bsky.social @bradfordmuseums.bsky.social @wendysacksjones.bsky.social @ardeear.bsky.social @bradfordtanda.bsky.social

Mucky Beck exhib launch 14th Nov by #LouieHaslamChance in #Shipley. As vol #FriendofBradfordBeck, it's fab when folks explore, create, share research & events. Oh, and I wrote/recorded narrative that introduces the exhib. See you there. #muckybeck @bradford2025.co.uk @bdproducinghub.co.uk

Some images from #WalkingwithWords #DarkAngels in Berlin. Fascinating tour underground about success of tunnels each side of the Wall, how it went up, personal stories. Gained much more understanding of geography and effects on residents. Important right now #peace

Andrew (and Louise) was so passionate about Libraries. UK libs are under pressure, asked to do so much with so little. As Louise Whitfield/Carnegie, I'm touring celebrating Carnegie lib anniversaries, bringing histories to life & Louise's influential role in supporting UK libs. Image #CathMuldowney

2026 DATE Meet Louise Whitfield. Harrogate Library's 120th anniversary 2026 & 21 Jan Louise will be visiting to celebrate too. 'Felt like there was a whole cast of characters on stage - superb'. Hold the date - details of how to book coming soon. @magnorth.bsky.social @northyorkslit.bsky.social

Whispers from the Grave #AnnMorgan new site-specific piece #UndercliffeCemetery. 25th October, 2pm & 4pm (nearly full). How the ghost of #JuliaVarley deals with paternalist phantoms, supports #tradeunions #workersrights. One of #BradfordsBrilliantLasses www.undercliffecemetery.co.uk/events/whisp...

Thanks to all who came to #MeetLouiseWhitfield #SaltaireFestival last night, and for all questions, comments and feedback. Always lovely to share stories, to talk characters, and to see understanding dawn about people and buildings that have had effects on local communities. Louise def did that.

Thanks to #GayleLofthouse #BBCRadioLeeds for this morning's interview. Yes, the Carnegie-named buildings across Leeds & Carnegie Hall New York are indeed linked to Louise & Andrew. Tonight's performance will give a flavour of how that happened.

Louise thanks all for their comments & posts. She is looking forward to visiting Saltaire tonight in the 120th year of Shipley Carnegie Library - part of Louise/Andrew philanthropic achievements.Time for Q&A after performance. #libraries #saltaire #carnegie #localhistory #womenshistory #Saltfamily

@scriptyorkshire.bsky.social @lisaholdsworth.bsky.social @balhnews.bsky.social @handhyorkshire.bsky.social @saltairevillage.bsky.social @womensinstitute.bsky.social @dunnettcentral.bsky.social @annadixonmp.bsky.social @sharonwrightauthor.bsky.social @firststory.bsky.social

Wow

By now, if you're a full member, you will have received your ballot paper in the post. This is your chance to have your say - don't waste it by forgetting to vote. Return your completed ballot to us by 22 October. #SoAElection

Anyone who's used a #Carnegie library - be grateful to Louise who helped shape #AndrewCarnegie philanthropy - 660 free public libraries @firststory.bsky.social @literacy-trust.bsky.social @bradfordlitfest.bsky.social @bdproducinghub.co.uk @bradford2025.co.uk @bradfordlitfest.bsky.social #libraries

'Brilliant performance', 'Fascinating', 'Entertaining and educative.' Comments on #MeetLouiseWhitfield #ClitheroeLibrary. You can catch this one-woman drama written/acted by me. Tickets also on door; Q&A after performance. #SaltaireFestival Thurs 18 Sept saltairefestival.co.uk/events/meet-...

#MeetLouiseWhitfield Clitheroe Library 2.30pm Sat 13th Sept.This little-known woman inspired Andrew Carnegie's philanthropy, became his 'most trusted confidante'. A story of 7 years of secret engagements, business disasters & parental influences. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-louis...

@carnegiecorp.bsky.social @ribblevalleybc.bsky.social @clithtorchlight.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @bradfordlitfest.bsky.social @lancstelegraph.bsky.social @bbclooknorth.bsky.social

Celebrate #ClitheroeLibrary 120th birthday and Meet Louise Whitfield, wife of #AndrewCarnegie as she tells the story of their secret engagements, pre-nup, public library philanthropy and being his 'most trusted confidante'. #heritage #womenshistory #clitheroe www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-louis...

At long last the final edition of History and Heritage Yorkshire Magazine is taking shape. David Pickersgill takes a look at "York Unlocked" whilst the other David is considering "Continuity and Change in a Northern Landscape - the Yorkshire Dales" whilst I go crystal ball gazing and ask

It's a beautiful church redolent with history of the area. Good to hear it's had a grant

Thanks to #cathmuldowney for my Louise image. You can also catch a performance of the show on 13th Sept #ClitheroeLibrary which is celebrating its 120th anniversary www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-louis... #carnegielibraries #clitheroehistory @lancstelegraph.bsky.social @ribblevalleybc.bsky.social

Louise Whitfield met #AndrewCarnigie when a young girl, only was years later after her father died did they really 'meet'. Discover the turbulence of their relationship, of links to the #Saltfamily and Louise's influence on Andrew's philanthropic decisions www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/eng....

Who influenced #CarnegieLibraries being built? Louise Whitfield married to the richest man in the world, Andrew Carnegie. #Clitheroe library's one, Louise's telling the tale 13 Sept 2.30. Tickets on sale. #carnegie #heritage #history #carnegie #philanthropy www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-louis...

Seen it twice. It's brilliant. That is all. 👏👏👏

I'll be bringing the story of #LouiseWhitfield, the 'most trusted confidant' of #AndrewCarnegie to life #saltairefestival this September 18th. Thanks to #cathmuldowney for the image photograph. www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/eng... #womenshistory #carnegie #libraries #saltaire #secretstories

Booking now #SaltaireFestival, my one-woman show of Louise Whitfield, little-known female who married #AndrewCarnegie the richest man in the world. A fascinating partnership. #carnegie #philanthropy #libraries @carnegieuk.bsky.social @dunfermline.bsky.social saltairefestival.co.uk/events/meet-...

I've updated our page about Ingrow and Hermit Hole Conservative Club Roll of Honour. At 28 x 24 inches (710mm x 610 mm) it's considered 'Lost' at the moment, but we'll keep searching. We do have an invitation card & an order of service at Keighley Library archives: menofworth.org.uk/ingrow-hermi...

As someone who grew up in the shadow of Listers Mill in Bradford, this story brought a tear to my eye: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Bronte Footsteps in Keighley - a few tickets still available for 26 July walk led by Irene Lofthouse, exploring little-known stories of the family's visits to the town. Painting, borrowed books, bought writing paper, had fun, saw friends, listened to lectures. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bronte-foo...