I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Congleton History Society, Cheshire, on Weds April 8th, 7.30pm. New Life Church, West Road. Visitors welcome, £3. congletonhistory.wixsite.com/congletonhis...

Punk with her mother, Newport, Wales, 1988, photo by Martin Parr.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s sold-out event at York Literature Festival.

Storm Over The Irish Sea, 2022, painting by Sarah Evans, Welsh landscape and seascape artist.

THESE ISLES: Elsie Inglis (1864-1917) was a Scottish doctor and suffragist who founded Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Services, all-female units that provided support for Britain’s allies during the First World War. 1/7

Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1963, photo by Colin Jones.

The Street in Oldham, 1975, painting by Salford-born Harold Riley, 1934-2023 (University of Salford).

Whernside, Yorkshire Dales, painting by Sue Scott. Highest of the Three Peaks.

So, BlueSky, one of my passions is the study of tea in WW2. I need you to watch this oral history from three ex-tea ladies from the Bermondsey WVS. Because you could guess for ONE THOUSAND YEARS and you would not guess where it is going... #skystorians #history #tea

I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Sale U3A , Trafford, on Friday March 27th, 2pm. Sale Moor Community Centre, Norris Road, visitors welcome. sale.u3asite.uk (Book due out Feb 26th, available for preorder.)

Tory Island, Donegal, Ireland, 1995, photo by Martine Franck (1938-2012), Belgian photographer.

AI crowd counter confuses people with rock columns at Giant's Causeway. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Thursday, all welcome, on Zoom or in person.

Stormy Landscape, painting by Penry Williams (1802-85), Welsh artist.

'Brian Groom’s whistlestop reminder of the tensions which have always existed between the peoples of these isles could hardly be more timely.' - James Hawes.

THESE ISLES: Winston Churchill (1874-1965) won respect as Britain’s Second World War leader, though he had a complex relationship with parts of the Isles. He was MP for Dundee for almost 15 years, but loathed in parts of Wales for his interventions in industrial disputes. 1/10

Lark Lane, Liverpool, 1980, photo by Tom Wood.

Tunwell Lane, Bradford, 1957, early work by David Hockney (b.1937).

Car park in Mosley Street, Manchester, September 1947 (Mirrorpix/Getty/Manchester Evening News).

York's Jews were massacred on this day 1190. After their houses were set on fire, they fled to the castle. Most men took their own and their families’ lives rather than wait to be killed or forcibly baptised, while a few were tricked into leaving the castle and massacred.

Eric Morecambe's daughter hails 'uncanny' likeness. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' at Turton Local History Society, near Bolton, on Thursday March 26th, 7.30pm, Harwood Methodist Church. Visitors welcome. www.turtonhistory.com/2020/11/thes... (Book due out Feb 26th.)

Nottingham, 1976: a man called Joe, his granddaughter and Becky the dog. My best shot, by John Dean, American photographer. www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

Henry Moore sculpture, once part of Scotland’s landscape - and once beheaded - sold for £26m. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Next Sunday, looking forward to it!

Dunbar's Close, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, 1868, painting by Jane Stewart Smith, 1839-1925 (City Art Centre).

'It’s a wonderful tribute to the Anglo-Celtic isles...So entertainingly provided.' Thoughtful review of 'These Isles' in the Mail by writer and critic Christopher Hart. www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/a...

THESE ISLES: Lady Augusta Gregory (1852-1932), Anglo-Irish dramatist, folklorist and theatre manager, was a catalyst for Ireland’s ‘Celtic Revival’ at the end of the 19th century and co-founded Dublin’s Abbey Theatre. 1/7

Father Crowley in the overgrown garden at St Philip Neri Church, Liverpool 8, 1972, photo by Tricia Porter.

Cambridge Street, Hulme, Manchester, 1946, painting by Harry Kingsley, 1914-98 (Touchstones Rochdale).

Star and Garter pub, Hessle Road, Hull, 1983, photo by Russell Boyce.

‘Everyone will tune in – she’s one of our own’: Jessie Buckley’s home town, Killarney, abuzz before Oscars. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...

Ancient fort damage in County Donegal 'deeply concerning'. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This Thursday.

Restoration of 1846 viaduct spanning Scotland-England border completed. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Burnden Park, Bolton, 1946: the deal that cost father and son's lives in 'forgotten disaster'. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Cumberland Streeet, Dublin, 1969, photo by Elinor Wiltshire.

I'll be talking about 'These Isles: A People's History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales' in person and on Zoom at Wakefield Civic Society, Thurs March 19th, 7.30pm, Kingswood Suite, free. Book here for in-person or livestream tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/these-isle...

Why do Glasgow’s historic buildings keep catching fire? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Evening Light, Snowdonia, c.1960, painting by Kyffin Williams, Welsh artist (1918-2006).

Arrived this morning

I’m here until 2pm signing copies of ‘These Isles’ at the wonderful Waterstones Oldham. Three customers already.

Last day of this offer.

THESE ISLES: James Watt (1736-1819), father of steam engine technology, was one of several Scottish innovators who played a key part in the Industrial Revolution. 1/9

Bill Brandt’s snicket, Halifax, west Yorkshire, 1986, photo by Michael Kenna.

Happy 93rd birthday to Michael Caine.

Remembering Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who died on this day 2016.

Albert Einstein was born on this day 1879 in Ulm, Germany. When already famous as the pioneer of relativity theory, gave his first British lecture at the University of Manchester in 1921 – a symbolic step in restoring international scientific relations after WW1.

Monday.

The Ha’penny Bridge, Dublin, 1962, photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson.