RIP Tony Harrison, who blew my mind when I read his work as a student in Hull. I took my mum (working class) to see him read @norwichartscentre.bsky.social in 1984 we were both v moved. I took my copy for him to sign & made notes on what he read. I still say “Ay ay stutterer Demosthenes” sometimes

Always loved that Danny Thompson (RIP) played with free drummer John Stevens in a band too. One of those more surprising folk / jazz crossovers. Here’s a foto I found of Thompson from 1978, in Norwich! (That’s a cello not a bass tho)

Tonight

I'm sorry, worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, transferable permission to my voice and likeness? For what now? In any manner for any purpose??? This is in academia/.edu's new ToS, which you're prompted to agree to on login. Anyway I'll be jumping ship. You can find my stuff at hcommons.org.

Always a pleasure to see some music at the Bim when in Amsterdam with my Rhythm Changes conference pals

Jackie Grant on why, under Rule 10, you could even be making yourself worse off by staying in USS into the year when you are going to cease pensionable service.

MPs have launched a fan-led review of live music - with an online survey, which you will find via: committees.parliament.uk/committee/37...

From the deserts of Sudan to the gardens of Japan. From Milan to Yucatan, or the wilds of Borneo to the vineyards of Bordeaux. Hit me with your library card. Hit me. Hit me.

The Old Vic seeks an Education & Community Intern. Funded by John Lyon's Charity Inclusive Internship fund to support young people with learning disabilities into the creative workforce Closing - 29 Jul Location - London ££ - £8.6K disabilityarts.online/opportunity-...

'The report estimates that while 8,900 people are being, or have recently been, affected by compulsory redundancies across the sector’s 165 institutions, a further 11,500 people have been affected by “back-door” redundancies, such as voluntary severance'. zenodo.org/records/1563... 3/3

The UK did have one standout product that was considered globally valuable- universities- and unilaterally decided to stop providing the product because it was more important to be xenophobic than successful

Plans to cut mental health courses at the University of East Anglia have been criticised as “short-sighted” and a “dereliction of civic responsibility”. More on the proposed Clinical Psychology course closures at UEA via @timeshighered.bsky.social - www.timeshighereducation.com/news/closure...

With Tangential Trio at the Rumsey Wells in Norwich on Thursday evening just in case you are in the area & fancy some ‘old jazz, new jazz, green jazz, blue jazz’ …

Good to see the government is drawing up the terms of reference for the Battle of Orgreave public inquiry - but this wasn’t an isolated event. Let’s not forget the grossly excessive police violence used against Travellers at the Battle of the Beanfield in 1985 www.gypsy-traveller.org/news/40-year...

Jane Mathison Haining, a Church of Scotland missionary worker who was killed in Auschwitz #OTD 17 July 1944. Her story deserves to be better known, I think. www.yadvashem.org/righteous/st... Photo: Yad Vashem

We are right outside Parliament, alongside WinVisible and other Disabled campaigners, having our voices heard as the debate goes on in the chamber. Who opposes this bill? ➡️Disabled people ➡️The general public ➡️The United Nations It's time to #BinUCBill

Add UEA to the list for the third time. The latest cuts are in clinical psychology affecting ~18 staff who train mental health professionals. Shocking & short-sighted the cuts will be devastating for staff, students and for the region too. @uea-ucu.bsky.social is fighting to save these jobs. ✊

“My tears were actually tears of joy at our stable financial position”, claims Director of Finance during hastily arranged all-staff webinar, flanked by VC and DVC.

In use at many UK universities right now

If your MP is vocal on women’s rights but less so on disability, send them today’s Guardian story. Tell them charities have warned the disability cuts will have a “devastating” impact on women and could even breach the Equality Act.

In a turbulent period of UK political history the treatment of universities has been arguably the defining symbol. Important to so many challenges - growth, local economies, international competitiveness, trade - yet generally treated as an irritation if not ignored completely.

Peace Studies staff too. Am thinking we could do with more of those right now

Wow 👏

BREAKING - I understand a large number of MPs - potentially 80+ and including select committee chair are signing a reasoned amendment to the welfare bill which declines to give it a second reading

Breaking: Labour MPs have launched a rebellion against the government’s disability benefits cuts. Up to 100 MPs, including senior figures, have signed an amendment designed to kill the bill. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

One reason the revolt on disability benefits is looking so substantial is the line being used to defend it lacks any integrity. To claim that the purpose of cutting PIP - a non-means tested benefit - is to help people back into work requires saying something untrue.

Louis Moholo-Moholo (10 March 1940–13 June 2025) As a tribute to the South African drummer who has died aged 85, we have made two articles in our online magazine archive free to read www.thewire.co.uk/in-writing/t...

Sharing this important report on the state of current UK HE. Read it and weep (seriously - weep). Then do something about it.

Eight compulsory redundancies. Just how much do you hate your staff that you go through the trouble of destroying the livelihoods of these colleagues, for just *eight* salaries. What's that, in relation to the entire operating budget of the university? www.uea.ac.uk/about/news/s...

UEA has this week issued compulsory redundancy notices to a very small number of staff despite making most of their savings through voluntary means and a big restructure. This is the 2nd round of cuts in 2 years. We expect more to come. @uea-ucu.bsky.social will keep resisting these cuts.

So, redundancy notices have landed in the inboxes of eight UEA colleagues…a saving of a small fraction of % of annual running costs Really quite shaming on my own university management that they’ve continued to push for this - & the consequences on peoples’ lives - rejecting other reas alternatives

I’ve been helping set this up for a while. A photography competition being run by Norfolk & Norwich Archaeological Trust. Now open for entries, it’s free, chance to win prizes, no rights grab. Read more here. www.nnas.info/plunkett/

🎓'When will Labour tackle the crisis engulfing our schools, colleges and universities?' 🌹Please stick a repost on my piece for @labouroutlook.bsky.social. #UKHE #EducationCrisis 🚩It includes a special mention of my @uea-ucu.bsky.social colleagues. #SaveUEA labouroutlook.org/2025/05/17/e...

At the Disabled People Against the Cuts demonstration in Norwich today. Inspiring & righteous speeches

😍Thank you to all of our members giving everything they can to support our industrial action! 💪Together we can keep up the pressure and force the employer to change course. #SaveUEA

This week friends & colleagues @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social are finding out whether they are facing compulsory redundancy. Sombre times. We don’t think UEA has *ever treated its own people like this before. It’s both cruel & unnecessary @uea-ucu.bsky.social

Come to my public talk. About jazz festivals. At a jazz festival! This Saturday 2pm. It’s free. Part of this year’s Norwich Jazz Festival. Info: norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/norwic.... @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social @norwichartscentre.bsky.social

One of @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social ’s brilliant Film Studies scholars Dr Karina Aveyard opening this year’s Green Film Festival at Cinema City last week

📣Pushing through with compulsory redundancies is not in the moral, strategic or financial interest of UEA. 🚩Join us on the picketline, tomorrow from 8am, as we continue to make the case for a brighter future for our university. #SaveUEA

💪Our members will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with colleagues at risk of compulsory redundancy. 🚩We will be back on the picketline tomorrow, Fri 9th May. 📣Uni management must change course now. #SaveUEA

Redundancies remain on the table at UEA. "It’s time for UEA management to do the right thing, drop the threats, engage meaningfully, and commit to real accountability." @drjogrady.bsky.social Solidarity with all striking staff. ✊ #SaveUEA #UCU

📣UEA UCU members: our strike action remains ON. 🚩Upcoming strike days: Wed 7th and Fri 9th 📍Meet at Gazebo HQ, opposite the main bus stop from 8am. #SaveUEA

Today I could be having tutorials with my undergraduate Media students and MA Film students. Instead I am on the picket line … again …

We're back out on the picket line this morning, standing in solidarity with colleagues at risk of compulsory redundancy and demanding university management to change course. #SaveUEA

“One mile on a bike is a $.42 economic gain to society, one mile driving is a $.20 loss.” “Which means that Copenhagen, a city of 1.2 million people, saves $357 million a year on health costs because something like 80% of its population commutes by bike.” Via @grist.org grist.org/biking/one-m...