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.

Happy St Katherine's Day to all scholars, librarians, and Katherines. May you win an argument against an annoying man today, in the true spirit of Katherine herself.

Closing soon, our representation statistics survey. If you are ND and work in libraries archives and information then please fill this in, thankyou.

My dad died on Monday, so here is a photograph. Even when he didn't recognise me consistently, he always knew Mum so it seems like the best choice.

The worst has yet to happen, so it’s been a nice day.

At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!? Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.

#ConfinedCocktails in the hotel bar in Amsterdam. Waiting for the bad news phone call I know is coming.

This is great, but Pitlochry is nearly two hours drive south of Inverness - which has one theatre. Would love to see this spread further north and cover the full area of the Highlands (worth noting that the Highlands is an area approximately the size of Belgium)

It was great to be at the Houses of Parliament yesterday for the APPG Archives and History Lifetime Achievement Awards. This year's awards went to historian Lucy Worsley and archivist Geoff Pick - read more about it (and them) here www.archives.org.uk/news/histori...

Dear GOD if you want to save money in the asylum system 1. LET ASYLUM SEEKERS WORK 2. FAST TRACK STATUS FOR EVERYONE FROM CLEARLY UNDAFE COUNTRIES like Sudan, Syria, etc 3. Run an asylum accommodation system that is NOT FOR PROFIT #r4today

Someone came up to my colleague at a large history event in London this week and complained how young women seemed to be doing all the jobs these days. (she happily confirmed that they are, and started to talk to someone else)

Hoping this helps our colleagues across the industry

This whole response is repellent, plus it’s not even accurate as a description of where the barracks is. Two sides are very busy roads and it’s further out than he claims.

#UnconfinedWalks to the Brontë Waterfall from Haworth on the last day of a great trip with friends.

Does anyone live anywhere near Pontefract? I have a weird enquiry.

Self Esteem utterly joyous at Brixton tonight. So lovely to come out of a gig and everyone is happy.

I have never seen The Wizard of Oz from start to finish. Bits of it, yes. Whole thing, nope.

I've literally pulled a muscle laughing at this.

Why aren’t Police Records in England & Wales covered by the Public Records Act? We've been campaigning on this since 2012 - blog for more info: www.campaignforrecords.org/blog/why-arent-police-records-covered-by-the-public-records-act #publicaccountability of interest @andyburnham.bsky.social ?

Yesterday we sent out this briefing to all UK MPs and our press list. It is our response to calls for digitisation of adoption and care records. We believe there is a better - & much needed - solution to make these records more accessible to those that need them. #LongLostFamilies bit.ly/4mBqsxo

Because we live hundreds of miles away. Piss off with your judgement, we’re all doing our best.

I'm not longer in the archive front-line since retiring, but I'd be interested to know if this is also becoming an issue with archives: hallucinated archival citations, possibly to whole collections? ascribing them to wrong repository? I can envisage nightmarish possibilities.

If you or anyone you know works/studies at University of Edinburgh, please ensure they have signed this petition to Court (governing body) calling on UoE to divest from genocide. So far 670+ staff and 800+ student/alumni signatures - not bad, but we can do better! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...