In other news, the rivers frozen over, almost.

My mum made a few of these at one point In my childhood. (unlike her tbh so must have been v fashionable.) am I dreaming or were there ‘patterns‘ or instructions available, a bit like knitting patterns?

Finishing up the Xmas @newstatesman1913.bsky.social I am returned to being 8 nearly 9 in my Nan Rose’s living room (council house I was born in, in fact) watching Frank Hayes of Lancashire get 106 on his England debut. I’d forgotten I remembered that. Excuse me while I reconnect with my inner child.

Show me how your 2025 went…

Sharing for anyone who has ever had fun inflicted upon them in a work situation in the name of Christmas. (Saw these support Field Music - amazing use of loops in a band context. Almost too clever at times maybe, but I like this song and the album a lot.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO_5...

There's a whole lot in there that was around in diff form when Hodge was Culture Secretary in 2007/8. I read the regional boards as not being separate orgs as Charlotte Higgins suggests and more like the regional councils were 2002-2012, before areas. Regional bodies would need staff after all.

Hodge review is up. Only had chance to skim but beyond the truisms it seems a bit unclear and cake/eat it at first glance. A few back to the future bits too. 2 community arts workers per priority place? Back to development workers as i was in my first job! www.gov.uk/government/p...

When we talk about the lack of opportunities for young people, we rarely talk about local government funding decimation. The lack of cultural funding, third sector funding, place based funding, training opportunities - all of that has evaporated over 15 years www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Am I the only one who increasingly often finds the headlines on AP a bit odd? Eg why 'claims' here? Is it up for debate what he thinks? (as opposed to what he things being debatable). Is it a clicks thing? Or just me being an old git? The articles are generally still good, though.

A couple of my public poetry works on display at Stellar Projects #Nightfall25 event this weekend. Rather wet the night I went! Dance as if it's not chucking it down...

For those of you in the UK, especially if you are a UK citizen, can you please take part in the consultation on changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) that were just proposed by the UK government. We need as many people as possible to reject these proposals. www.gov.uk/government/c...

I've written up the findings from our work with people and organisations who have used AI notetakers in meetings, identified 9 risks and a bunch of mitigation strategies. www.careful.industries/blog/2025-11...

“since the start of 2010 the authority had seen reductions equating to a real terms decrease in funding of £465.9m - 70% of its overall budget” and people are wondering why the UK is “broken” it’s not “boats” it’s austerity “Leeds City Council plans £101m of savings” www.bbc.com/news/article...

It's Annual Birthday Girl by Microdisney Day here, to mark me listening to it when I walked home from hospital after the birth of my firstborn, 35 today. And every 13 November since. "She was tired, it was dawn, when she heard the nurse say 'it's a baby boy'" www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQpz...

Don’t worry about having no manager today Boro fans. George Cartick’s in town. #tedlasso #utb

I learnt today that Katie Lam has written several musicals. One for the ‘oh really?’ column next time there’s an argument you’re not fully human without the arts in your life.

Just pulled out of guest lecture to an MA as the uni changed its terms so the fee would have been a princely £34.32, as I was building on last year's lecture. Students are mainly international paying £30,000 each. Make it make sense. Sympathies to all stuck in the cogs of the HE industrial complex.

Louvre Thieves Given Immunity After Confirming Jewels Stolen For Purpose Of Training AI Software https://waterfordwhispersnews.com/2025/10/20/louvre-thieves-given-immunity-after-confirming-jewels-stolen-for-purpose-of-training-ai-software/

Nothing against this mayor, a good one so far as I see/hear (see Private Eye for other sorts), but I hate how the mayoral model inevitably leads to "*I’m* developing a thriving creative economy in the North East". For modest grants that would have been sorted by LA arts officers when I were a lad.

For no other reason than I remembered not everyone in the world has read it, here's the book I wrote about creative resilience & creative communities, pub by @artscentres.bsky.social. Download for FREE or buy paperback to look cool on trains, in waiting rooms, in bed, etc tacticsforthetightrope.com

I have trans women friends who’ve been living authentically for decades - how are they going to start using the gents? I have a tall cis female friend who’s now scared to use ladies loos because she’s been harassed several times. This code is both cruel and unworkable. Please write to your MP.

Post you in another era. Go on then... 40 years ago fml. Photo by @dustysevens.bsky.social

today in pocket theatre, i write abt when theatre plays soft. open.substack.com/pub/csvich/p...

Unfolding Theatre’s mission is to bring people together. We stand against hate. We are sad and troubled by far right protests planned in Newcastle this weekend. However, we are heartened by the actions of many people who work to build connections, understanding and support in the city.

Pleased to see the evaluation Imogen Blood Lorna Easterbrook and I worked on for the Baring Foundation published today. Some great progress in developing the field of arts and mental health since 2020. And even more to do in future. baringfoundation.org.uk/resource/art...

North East Deaf Youth Theatre is back this Saturday!  📍 Gosforth Civic Theatre 🕤 9.30 - 11.30am (third Saturday of the month) Free sessions for Deaf children aged 5–12 https://www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/whatson/2025/1/18/north-east-deaf-youth-theatre-january-workshop-jxk6h-sr2zj-pwel3-lre52-zrlle

In case there are any #brettonhall alumni or #firesoflondon fans or fans of his #mozartrequiem completion, sharing this info on a memorial concert for my father-in-law Duncan Druce 10 years after his passing, in Huddersfield on 20 Sept.

Say it again, and again, and again. They are not "illegal immigrants". -seeking asylum is legal and has been since 1951. This legally trumps all arguments of “but they arrived by illegal means”. That’s just a fact. That’s why you don’t see asylum seekers arrested & charged. Our MSM must do better.

Also: the language in the headline is typically confused. The change affects those with refugee status not those still seeking asylum. If the @theguardian.com don't get this right (it's clearer in the article tbf) what hope for others.

Cruelty for the sake of it. A lot of people don't know that when asylum seekers are granted refugee status you lose whatever housing etc you had while your case was being considered. Whole families have to find new homes, change schools etc. This just adds peril. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

While the government shamefully pander to the right, you can support the campaign to let people work. Asylum seekers want to work, to contribute where they've found some kind of safety: let them, instead of stoking up fear. www.refugee-action.org.uk/lift-the-ban/

I did the del amitri interview in this. At the Rex Club in Paris, in my year studying at Paris VIII in Saint Denis. Saw some great bands at the Rex - Sonic Youth, Blurt, David Thomas, Microdisney... I have a copy somewhere @dustysevens.bsky.social but only one. I could dig it out and do you a copy?

Been quiet as Mrs Practice broke her leg - when we were away from home too. (Femur - she never does things by half.) After surgery and 11 days finally have her home for a summer of slow recovery. We saw the NHS at its best, I'm happy and relieved to say. Also we now call everyone duck, ducky or pet.

Was comparing prices for a gig next year, Paris or London. London tickets c£4.00 more expensive but then fees - £1.30 in France, £7.80 in England. Wondering why there's such a difference. Tbh I'm presuming greed but do correct me if you know better...

Bye forever, WeTransfer.

“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe – and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.” James Baldwin

Not a fan of freeports but this did make me imagine a billion dollar art vault just off the A66. www.citywealthmag.com/news/the-bil...

I was saying recently that based on my proven scientific technique of Walking Around Manchester is about the only really economically vibrant feeling city or town centre work has taken me recently outside of London. Rest of UK still feels battered. (And obv nowhere without scars of inequality etc)

Another sweaty day in that LDN. I find myself envying the men whose white shirts stay crisp and freshly laundered-looking while I turn into a sack of spuds.

It's really important to feedback when you ask questions. (Lack of feedback is one reason people disengage.) "And if you ..have collected a load of workforce data - share it" Also really energising to know people's (our) experience is helping @unfoldingtheatre.bsky.socialbe even better in future.

This explains a thing or two. Also makes me think creative industries might be better off struggling to attract private investment from this kind of private equity company? substack.com/home/post/p-...

Nearly fancy Wilco time.

Been a week of losses but I am giving thanks and praises to the universe for Mavis Staples. Got something in my eye listening to this new song, cover of a Frank Ocean song m.youtube.com/watch?v=TXjf...

For those I’ve not told: stood in front of Michael Stipe in the queue at Cranks.

My colleague Imogen Blood has a new podcast, and asked me to be the first guest, talking about evaluation and stories. It was a fun - look we're laughing! - reflective conversation. Imogen also got me to share what kind of difference MSC had made for me. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKp...

Walked to the river in the evening sun listening to the Beach Boys after a lot of Sly in the office today and wondering if all that beauty was really a fair exchange for their pain.

Newsletter on yeses that changed my life. Why you should say yes to others. "That position and power... that rep: it was never only yours in the first place." & how some bad things recently come from a need to unlearn binaries. CW: an ambiguous poem & a polemical playlist.

There's a riot goin' on wherever he's gone/ www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Lw...