Pretty much signing off today for a couple of weeks or so... So wishing you all a very happy or merry Christmastime (whichever you prefer!), and see you next year! [Ho, ho, ho, etc...]... #HappyChristmas

Interested in investigating historic #church #graffiti? Our CHPPC colleague Crystal Hollis @graffitiginger.bsky.social features in this brilliant new #toolkit from the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT). (More info at www.visitchurches.org.uk/get-involved...) cdn.visitchurches.org.uk/uploads/file...

Discovering More About Your Agricultural Labouring Ancestors. This course helps to set Ag. Labs. in a broader context and suggests sources that will reveal more about the lives of those rural ancestors and the farms on which they worked. www.pharostutors.com/discovering-...

Always look forward to this- it has become a family tradition! #WinterSolstice

🚨 What makes a so-called 'sink estate'? My new post examines perceptions and realities and the successes and failures of regeneration - the Raffles Estate, Carlisle; from showpiece to an alleged part of 'No-Go Britain' municipaldreams.substack.com/p/the-raffle...

Oh my, what long legs you have! For #MedievalMonday, this beauty: Elephas (elephant), a charming miniature from charming folio 054r in the charming Der Naturen Bloeme by Jacob van Maerlant. [National Library of the Netherlands]

A #OnePlaceStudy with a difference on #OnePlaceWednesday! And for those with an interest in the archaeology of their Places, we may have just the blogging prompt for you in 2026...

Fashions for December 1851. Birmingham Museums Trust, licensed under CC0

It's that time of year again- when I shamelessly plug my books 😅 Perfect stocking fillers, but of course! Direct from the publisher, also online bookshops aplenty. www.amberley-books.com/author-commu... #SeasideHistory #BeachHuts #TownHalls #Walthamstow #Christmas #Hotels #HistoricHotel #Seaside

#FingerpostFriday Make haste to the card catalogue! #DerbyshireRecordOffice

On the 2nd we celebrated a year since we adopted goofy but scariily intelligent Queen Matilda (Tilly). From not being able to look at her directly when we first met, to a confident, chatty demander of tummy rubs, it has been an amazing year with her. 🥰 #AdoptDontShop #BlueCross

You are most welcome! Fabulous to hear about the lovely feedback from attendees. This was such an enjoyable event- really enjoyed co-organising, speaking, and of course hearing my fellow speakers- excellent presentations. Happy to say, there are more events in the pipeline!

Stuck for a prezzie for a teenager? These here Ski Masks for chilly cheeks might be just the ticket... I see slight smiles from the wearers. Hard to tell whether grudging/ happy tho.. [1963 Teenagers' Weekly, suppl to Australian Women's Weekly]. #StockingFiller #Vintage #Christmas #ChristmasPresents

Looking for new learning experiences, enrichment and inspiration? Try our new IHR Discovery Courses : Historic Maps, Townscape and Architecture, and Archaeology for Local History. www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... www.history.ac.uk/news-events/... www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

Advent calendar history: A C19th creation, perhaps by a ''Munich housewife...tired of having to answer endlessly when Xmas would come''! Commercial ones came along early C20th...they've evolved a LOT since then!! Potted history by good ole @britannica.com www.britannica.com/topic/Advent...

A really exciting project from @exmoornp.bsky.social. We've worked with the National Park in the past and made extensive use of their excellent Historic Environment Record for work on #Somerset more recently - we can't wait to see the results! 🗃️

Finally got my hands on the current edition of @wdytyamagazine.bsky.social! Spot the familiar face on p. 36 😁. My website choice (Know Your Place) for finding online historic photos of your street. Interactivetastic. e.g. maps.bristol.gov.uk/kyp/ #genealogy #history #familyhistory #localhistory

Woking public art #3. SURREY HILLS. 2014. Three cyclists in willow on metal hills by Sara Holmes. Really hard to get a good photo that doesn't have Timpson's staff looking right back atcha.

Woking public art #2: When I spotted these H.G. Wells delights, I sang Oooooh Laaaaaa a little too loudly to myself...Not realising there was a small group of people behind me...

Woking public art #1: some of Sean Henry's larger than life sculptures....when first spotted, I had a double-take moment... [BTW, one of these is not a Sean Henry ;) ]

My latest blog post also tells the intriguing story of Westcombe Park, Greenwich,where the 9th Earl of Pembroke and Roger Morris built a pretty villa in 1727-30 which was later greatly extended: landedfamilies.blogspot.com/2025/11/618-...

NEWS: A bold new vision for the upgrading of Liverpool Street Station by John McAslan + Partners has been unveiled today. Backed by heritage campaigners, it promises to deliver crucial accessibility upgrades without large scale demolition of the listed station. ➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/a-new-v...

The @royalhistsoc.org is running a charitable donation campaign to fund the research of historians who lack support. The number of applications we're seeing is way up. I've been very lucky to have a career as a historian, I've donated, and I think this Christmas you should too. Pay it forward.

Just a week away! There are some tickets left :) #ArtDeco #SeasideHistory #UKCoast

It's today and there are a few spaces left if you'd like to visit the #Georgian seaside with us

Two men sunbathing, August bank holiday, Blackpool, 1971, by Don McPhee.

Coming soon! Preserving Our Seaside Art Deco Heritage, , 12 November 2025. Thrilled to be part of this collaborative online event with @seasidenetwork.bsky.social Speakers @seasideferry.bsky.social @allanbrodie.bsky.social Nigel Wilson, and me! Details below 🌞

In two days! Very much looking forward to speaking on Britain's Seafront Buildings for @sogorg.bsky.social 🌞

Coming soon! Preserving Our Seaside Art Deco Heritage, , 12 November 2025. Thrilled to be part of this collaborative online event with @seasidenetwork.bsky.social Speakers @seasideferry.bsky.social @allanbrodie.bsky.social Nigel Wilson, and me! Details below 🌞

Me too! Will be watching online with a pal, drinks and snacks. #HouseHistory #Birmingham #BirminghamHistory

Have only just read about this- lovely news! #Devon's Woody Bay station (1898) receives Grade II status from Historic England: ''the best-surviving example of a station on the former Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.'' #UKCoast #Railway200 #RailwayHistory www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ever wondered where all the Cheers title photos are from? I did. And I've gathered everything I can find into this post. That was fun. joelmorris.substack.com/p/where-nobo...

Well, hello there... A cool customer in Barmouth... #UKCoast #Wales #seaside

Save the date! ONLINE EVENT Preserving Our Seaside Art Deco Heritage, 12 Nov 7pm. An @artdecosocuk.bsky.social online event with @seasidenetwork.bsky.social. 4 speakers: @seasideferry.bsky.social @allanbrodie.bsky.social Nigel Wilkins, and me! More info and booking details 👇

#BIRMINGHAM: Handsworth ''is hugely significant in the Black British story – a history seemingly unknown to Tory MP Robert Jenrick – as revealed on a guided walk that remembers Nelson Mandela and Benjamin Zephaniah.'' #LocalHistory #SocialHistory www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...

[email protected] looking for case studies demonstrating how the #heritage sector is helping to create vibrant, creative, thriving, and sustainable places for people to live, work, and enjoy - if you can help, please contact Neil Andrews [email protected] by 17 October

#BLACKPOOL: Tremendous tram/ transport treat trips are imminent, as the HMS Blackpool and vintage double-decker Tram 717 returns to the seafront for the Lightpool Festival (begins 15th Oct). www.blackpooltransport.com/historic-tra...

Fancying some super seasonal spookiness? Here are a few atmospheric heritage sites: 'Six “spooky” places across the UK.' Other than No. 6, the list is a tad South East/ South biased though- any suggestions for sites elsewhere? www.heritagedaily.com/2025/10/six-...

Lovely! Also a chance for us to shamelessly plug our publication 'Doorways in the Dales' - details at www.yvbsg.org.uk/publications....

For #FindsFriday- Rather lovely mid-20th century tourist salt and pepper shaker, Llandudno Museum & Art Gallery. Perfect for fish 'n' chips! llandudnomuseum.co.uk/20th-century... #SeasideHistory #Wales #Llandudno #20thCentury

I have a set of hand-drawn comics/gossip sheets/newspapers donated alongside our aluminium foundry at @bclivingmuseum.bsky.social, dating from (I think) late 1940s. Does anyone know any lit that will help me explore this as a source? I've found work on company mags but this is very different.

This looks great! Pop to #Ilfracombe Museum to see their exhibition on The Holiday Industry, featuring 1870s VR experience of the glamorous luxury Ilfracombe Hotel! Plus how The Holiday Trade influenced the town www.ilfracombemuseum.co.uk#iLightbox[ga... #SeasideHistory #LocalHistory #Devon #UKCoast

OH WE DO LIKE TO STROLL ALONG THE PROM< PROM, PROM! I'll be giving this ONLINE talk on seafront buildings, 23 Oct 2pm- a jolly post-lunch slice of seafront buildings your ancestors may have encountered & enjoyed in years past. #LocalHistory #FamilyHistory #Architecture #SeasideHistory #UKCoast

Happy 60th Birthday to the BT Tower! Built 1961-65 to the designs of Eric Bedford, Chief Architect at the Ministry of Public Works, the 582ft telecommunications tower is one of Britain's most distinctive post-war buildings and after being sold in 2024, is set to be converted to a destination hotel.

To celebrate #LincolnshireDay a free Lincolnshire book,in Kindle/computer/phone version. (Paperback also for sale!)'Village' -stories of cheerful survival in 6 houses, cottage to Manor, 1841 - 1971, witches, wheelbarrows, dogs, spherical sheep & our pioneering historian Mrs Rudkin! LINK IN COMMENTS!

Thank yoooou!!!!! My ageing process was splendid- historic riverside village perambulations, lashings of pink prosecco, home-made coffee & walnut cake that didn't quite tower but was excellent. Stretched the celebrations out over a week, incl Black Sabbath Ballet & afternoon tea in a Grand Hotel :D

#PerryBarr #BirminghamHistory A three-bedroom property for sale in Birmingham for £440 – a steal! Hold on, those are February 1939 prices. Ref - Modern House & Home, LF 41.8 #LibraryofBham

ADSUK member and modeller @PaulzSmith1 has written an excellent piece on how he created a scale model of the 1937 Rio cinema in Sheerness. See how his painstaking work brings this icon to life which includes street scenes & other buildings: https://tinyurl.com/uus6n3m

House History for Beginners🔗, a half-day #HouseHistory course led by @dunedingenie.bsky.social Lorna Kinnaird, will take place on Tuesday 30 September 2025 at Eastwood House in Giffnock, East #Renfrewshire. Follow the link for more info and to book. #OnePlaceWednesday

Fab canal trip on Sun courtesy of Canal & River Trust/ Birmingham Heritage Week with visit to Icknield Port Rd GII listed stables, covered dock, workshops, etc. The Trust volunteers were utterly fantastic & was interesting to see canalside regen up close...plus the rain stayed away! #BHW2025