School: "Kids can use the school post box for Xmas cards for friends. Please make sure they are clearly addressed with the recipients first and last name and class." Me: "Please tell teachers to include last names on class list." School: "We can't due to GDPR." Me: "Don't ask for last names then!"

Petition: Stop changes to the large programme uplift funding to protect our education petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

I have a Danish lesson to teach a bunch of 7-9 year olds on Saturday, and I’m blank on ideas for a theme. Too early for Christmas, we’ve done autumn… anyone got any bright ideas?

Not sure I’ll see the bus coming in time to make it stop.

One of the kitchen areas in the office has caused a horrid stink. As a result the facilities team have opened the windows (no one knew the windows could open) and we're now all sitting in our coats complaining about the cold rather than the horrid stench! I guess that's sot of "problem solved"?!

4yo son came back from trick or treating this evening and excitedly showed me his most prized treats- two satsumas! According to the au pair the lady offering them alongside sweets said he was the only child who’d picked the fruit as his treat.

Happy spooky day!

Young S took part in a “create your own emoji” workshop today. He did well. I asked him to do an emoji of me… the tired one is me, though they could both be…

Evidence of post-war austerity measures in @thetimes.com picture library in 1945. Many wallets for glass negatives from the period are fashioned from Tate and Lyle sugar packets. #photoarchive #ukhistory #austerity #recycling #1945 #postwarbritain

As a teen I worked in the local library after school. I was trusted with a key so I could open up if the librarian was delayed. I used the key to go in during the summer holiday when the library was closed for weeks to do a bit of housekeeping and, more importantly, get some new books to read.

Do you smell vinegar?

Conversation at dinner: 9yo son: I don’t want to do playtime at school anymore, the other boys cheat at bulldog. Me: Can’t you just play with the girls instead? 9yo (under his breath): Oh Hell… Me (and the au pair): 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Last couple of days for Yayadvent/Yayswap sign up. If you're a nice, normal person and interested in an advent calendar and/or Christmas ornament exchange and want more info let me know!

Sent young 4yo C off to his first full day at school this morning. He started on Monday and have settled in well with 3 half days. I cannot believe my baby boy is now a schoolboy.

I have just signed up for this year’s #yayadvent - have you?

My other half asked AI to make a photo of me into “an archivist in an appropriate setting”. What the actual…? 😂

Home from #ARA2025 and I have some reflections on why I think it is beneficial attending conferences once in a while (and why I love going to @araconference.bsky.social). These are personal observations, you might not agree, and that’s fine. If that is the case, please share your thoughts. 1/7

Home from #ARA2025 and I have some reflections on why I think it is beneficial attending conferences once in a while (and why I love going to @araconference.bsky.social). These are personal observations, you might not agree, and that’s fine. If that is the case, please share your thoughts. 1/7

Opened my fortune cooking from the keynote session this morning. “You will soon witness a special ceremony.” That will be the #ARA2025 Plenary then. Another great conference coming to an end.

The inspiration from day one of #ARA2025 is this slide and the idea that an empty shelf in an archive is a silent history. We were urged to be change-makers, to go out and find the missing records to give those silent histories a voice.

The inspiration from day one of #ARA2025 is this slide and the idea that an empty shelf in an archive is a silent history. We were urged to be change-makers, to go out and find the missing records to give those silent histories a voice.

If you're not watching a live stream of a century old church serenely move through the Swedish countryside, what are you doing with your Tuesday?

I have questions about archive distance courses and/or part time UCL MA course. If anyone are happy to talk to me as employer/student/mentor of such undertakings (or can point me in the direction of friendly people) please let me know. I am on a fact finding mission.

Charlie looking handsome this evening.

This is Charlie. He’s a cat of habit and he knows that feeding (by the 9yo) is at 6pm. Today at seven minutes past six I saw him standing looking at his empty food bowl, and I tell you I have never seen a cat look so disappointed!

Can someone explain to me what was wrong with that first England penalty that had to be retaken?

Well, fancy that! That was quite good England! #Lionesses

The archives team hosted a pop up exhibition in the canteen of our HQ today to promote the recently acquired Douglas Glass collection. Lots of interested colleagues stopped by to hear about the images.

NHS appointment for when we're on holiday, call them to rearrange: "Thank you for informing us you cannot attend on 30 July, we have rearranged your appointment for 30 July at the same time." Seriously!? I'm not sure I even want to call them.

Does anyone use physical pocket/bag diaries anymore? Or is it all on mobile phones these days?

A friend from church died unexpectedly on Friday. During the service today our priest said a perfect prayer expressing what everyone who knew our friend was thinking. Half the congregation was in tears by the end of the service.

This better taste good. Baking and assembling 4 year old’s birthday cake in a heatwave is not a pleasant task. 🥵

Young C's nursery introduced a uniform for the preschoolers last year and encouraged us to get it so the kids could get used to wearing uniform before heading to big school. I put in an order with the nursery (no option to order directly from the supplier) mid-April.

One of the biggest frustrations as a parent is other parents not understanding that when a birthday invite asks for a rsvp, then you send a message both if your child can attend but also if your child cannot attend! It really is not difficult, or is it?

Did a presentation on @newsukarchives.bsky.social and Harold Evans at The John Rylands Library earlier this afternoon. Giving presentations are simultaneously the thing I enjoy most at work, and the thing I dread the most.

The Rodeo in White city 1934! When the Wild West came to West London www.thetimes.com/uk/history/a...

Christine Jorgensen, the first transgender celebrity in the U.S., visits London. Jorgensen was a former G.I who underwent an early sex change operation to change from a man into a woman in Denmark in 1951. Taken by Stephen Markeson for @thesun 14.09.1970 #lgbtqplus #transpride🌈 #pridemonth2025🏳️‍🌈

When work and the motherland meet… Found a lovely series of portrait photos of Karen Blixen at work today. @newsukarchives.bsky.social

3yo at breakfast: “You did something bad now you’re under a nest” Everyone around the table: 🤔…… oh! 😂

Andrew Norfolk, the Times reporter who exposed the grooming scandal, has been remembered as one of the great journalists of his generation after his death aged 60 ⬇️

I agree with @melindahaunton.bsky.social - all of you should go see it! It’s an absolute joy to watch!

Over on the other site, @tajali1.bsky.social has helpfully identified the original quote…

Iced latte from work’s canteen while I puzzle out what to do with our vinegar syndrome issue. #TeaUp

MJ Jennings spoke with Robert Elms on BBC radio London this morning about the new London photography book from @thetimes.com archive @mjjjennings.bsky.social @https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002bv6v

This is a great interview - do have a listen! And buy the book - it’s a really lovely book!

Does this place know anyone with experience in managing photographic collections with vinegar syndrome? I have some questions...

Eighty years ago today, Winston Churchill declared the peace and Britain rejoiced. To mark the anniversary of VE Day, we take a look back into our photography archive from the momentous occasion. 📸 Sidney Beadell for The Times ✒️ Colourisation by Jordan J. Lloyd and Joshua Barrett/Unseen Histories

The Unseen Histories Studio has two restored and colorized photographs for the VE Day commemorative supplement in today's edition of @thetimes.com – thanks to our creative director @jordanacosta.co, Joshua Barrett, @newsukarchives.bsky.social and @mjjjennings.bsky.social, Andrew Keys and Matt Fearn