Archives aren't dusty, and if cataloguing was funded properly we'd "find" a lot more stuff!

Lovely to have to dodge hail on my trip between buildings in *checks notes* mid-May.

Yesterday Kier Starmer announced Labour will nationalise British Steel, and save 2700 jobs. Today, the Uni of Nottingham put 2700 staff at risk of redundancy. This is just one university. Across the UK 15,000 higher education jobs need saving. Where is the rescue package for our universities?

Very much a UK archives post here, but: Given recent events, people really shouldn't send stuff to the archives mailing list with the title "for posting on the archives list" - my first thought was it was going to be bad and even though I'm no longer a list mod it was an instant stress response.

If you see this post something orange from your gallery.

If you’re keeping wine for “an occasion” please just drink it. This advice brought to you by someone who has just had to empty 20 bottles of wine down the sink, none of them with an intact cork, and who will not be drinking red wine for some time.

#UnconfinedWalks to the shop with a view, beautiful day today.

Paleography and language help needed, please! I'm cataloguing papers from early 1900s and come across this... I think includes something about next Tuesday?! It is in a bundle of correspondence to Arthur Stanley. Any help gratefully received!

In retrospect, perhaps this institution making me redundant 18 months ago was actually the best outcome.

An evening of culture.

@oldenoughtosay.com did you know about the corgi derby? Corgi who was promised a hot dog sprints to victory at Musselburgh derby www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

#ConfinedCocktails is sparkling wine in front of a pile of washing up that someone else* is doing after Easter Sunday dinner. *I cooked and did some of the dishes already, so husband gets the washing up.

@therealdrdark.bsky.social this post is relevant to your interests: bsky.app/profile/scri...

This is the content I want from theatre programmes! #archives

We’re welcoming applicants for a fully funded history PhD project researching the first 100 years of the UK's Public Record Office, ahead of its bicentenary in 2038. Find out more and apply here by Friday 8 May: phd.leeds.ac.uk/project/2475... (1/2)

Generally Recognised Standards for use in the data protection purpose ‘archiving purposes in the public interest’ agreed and published: www.archives.org.uk/generally-re...

Culture for #confinedCocktails this evening (husband’s choir plus a local orchestra). There’s is a bar!

Really interesting opportunity for a collaborative doctoral project studentship at the National Maritime Museum: www.rmg.co.uk/ahrc-collabo... Please do share if you think you know people who might be keen!

The UK archives sector would be awash with staff, new buildings and more boxes than you can imagine.

people who need to claim asylum should be able to claim it, the process should be swift, easy and humane, and because we as a nation are a safe country, we should provide asylum to to people who need it.

Archives drinks was both lovely and possibly slightly too much wine for a Wednesday. But let’s all do it again, yes?

It's been nearly ten years and I still instantly recognise this room and exactly what everything on those shelves is (the banners are new and are lovely though).

Re-upping this to say we now have a plan, I think I’ve DMd everyone who said they were keen but please wave if I’ve missed you out or you want to come!

Starting #ConfinedCocktails with a spiced mai tai (gingerbread syrup sounded nice so subbed in for orgeat).

Got to go through the park for a meeting today and met a Bernese mountain dog who was happily out greeting his fans.

Wearing jeans today was definitely an error #soggy

The deadline is tomorrow! But you do have until one minute to midnight on Friday 13 Feb to get your submission in for our 2026 conference. (and because we aren't cruel - you probably have a few minutes after midnight actually). All info here: openingdoors-ara2026.eventsair.site/call-for-pap...

Not really #TeaUp as it’s coffee in the hospital cafe, but there’s also peppermint slice to cheer me up.

I saw this card the other day and it seems appropriate for so many occasions.

Today has had a lot of interesting conversations, some of which are very positive, and also a very short chat of bad news so guess what I’m dwelling on?

Was there an ARA Conference themed cocktail a few years back or have I imagined it? Also, can we all collectively submit this as a paper and just spend the session making (and testing) cocktails?

if they can offer free AI training they could offer free media literacy training too. i know which of those would do more for the public good

Archivists of Bluesky/#ConfinedCocktails - @daneanne.bsky.social @morwanneg.bsky.social and I are going for a drink on Wednesday 4th March, location tbc, anyone who wants an archive catch up welcome to join! Let us know and we’ll update.

I've been lazy regarding reading articles/books/etc. for keeping up with archive/records management matters the last few years. Are anyone able to share recent reading lists from the archive courses? Or any recommendations on articles regarded as essential reading for the modern archivist?

Need help submitting your paper for our ARA 2026 conference? Here it is - a webinar on Wed 28 January at noon and/or a step by step tutorial video - details here www.archives.org.uk/training-eve... Deadline for submissions is 13 Feb 2026

Still open, till end of next week. Can you be part of taking the sector standard forward for the next few years? Bring your ideas and experience, and form part of a really impactful UK archives programme.

Old New Year, new new job.

It's been A Week and it's not even done yet (and no, I don't mean the news, although also that)

...and healthcare. I've an older relative who's having to drive daily for 3 hours to get radiatiotherapy. Public transport option is unreliable, difficult, doesn't have good toilet facilities and takes upwards of 5 hours. They live in a *city* - a small one, but still not a rural backwater!

We’re seeking 5 new members to join the Archive Service Accreditation Committee! Do you have experience supporting development across a range of archive services and good understanding of the UK’s accreditation standard? Apply by 23 January: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...

Sure, why not?

I have baked, we have tidied and inexplicably decided today was a good day to do a DIY job they could definitely have waited. Christmas prep is done, I’m opening a bottle of wine and making tonight’s dinner.

Gatwick smells of mulled wine air freshener and now I really want mulled wine.

slow day in the office so figured we'd start some beef with museums

Opening multiple #YayAdvent gifts at once due to funeral/travel/stuff. Days 1-3, a Lapland money chocolate bar, a festive dish sponge, and some much needed handcream! Also love the numbered stamps on each label.

New Vacancy! SCA is seeking an experienced consultant to lead the development of an Accessible Records Management Online Toolkit. For the full brief and application details head to our website: www.scottisharchives.org.uk/latest/new-v...

Highly recommend doing this, I learned loads when I was on the Committee and it was fascinating work.

#unconfinedwalks up to Daviot Moor this afternoon.

#YayAdvent London swap complete, mulled wine consumed, feelings of festivity commencing shortly! @daneanne.bsky.social @historyhelen123.bsky.social @morwanneg.bsky.social @superteadrinker.bsky.social

This man was the subject of an upheld complaint about surgery on someone I know. NHS Tayside should be absolutely ashamed of themselves and I hope somehow they're considered culpable in the damage he did.