Bleurgh - CFS crash, and I could fall asleep right now, but I want to sew. I have yoga later, too, which helps my CFS, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. Grumble.

I'm having a go at needle felting to stop me scrolling on my phone while watching TV. I've a half made bluetit at the moment.

Managing any sewing or crafting? I think the last time we met, you were managing a few little bits.

I've been a little quiet on here. I blame a chest infection that I've had for over a month and a bathroom refurbishment. I'm all used up with very little battery left. I've not sewed for weeks 😢. What's everyone else up to? #rdguk

Woo hoo. One of my favourite tv programmes is back. Digging for Britain with @profaliceroberts.bsky.social . I usually end up with a list of places I'd like to visit, and this time, I've actually had a go at archaeology at the @uniofreading.bsky.social Cookham Field School! #DiggingforBritain

Something to brighten up the dark evenings in the New Year! Brand new #DiggingForBritain - packed full of incredible new discoveries!

In February this year, I lost a marvellous friend who adored Christmas. I feel like I have inherited a little of her Christmas spirit, and I'm feeling particularly Christmassy this year. Lissy, you are loved and missed.

Time to get smartphones off the dancefloor? A new nightclub is opening and introducing a strict no phones on the dancefloor policy.

Aw, just like the olden days when I went clubbing. You'd take a disposable camera if you could be bothered & most photos were blurry or messy 🤣 Much more fun no pressure to be Instagram ready.

BBC News - Time to get smartphones off the dancefloor? - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Here are my most recent reads- Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor (💕🐋), The Kellerby Code by Jonny Sweet (😵🩸😲), and next up is Hexy B✨️tch by Daisy May Cooper. I have varied tastes! What have you enjoyed recently? #booksky #betweenthecovers #rdguk

When I was asked to suggest projects for CIL money, I suggested the dropped kerbs.

I'm rather fond of these elf cups, found the the New Forest during a fungi walk.

A long time, especially if young boys have already learned that women's rights are something to be sneered at.

I went on a Reclaim the Night March this evening, campaigning for women's safety. Before we even got going, a man walked past shouting, "Feminists suck," and we were heckled by boys who appeared to be as young at 12/13. There's a lot still to do. #reclaimthenight #rdguk

And it uses up too much energy.

My eldest son's school is offering mine pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine after their Christmas service. To me, that is more of a con than a pro. I like neither. I once judged a mince pie competition in my capacity as a councillor, a real demonstration of my commitment to public service. 🤢

PACT We are supportrespectinnovationcommunityPACT Parents And Children Together - PACT - Adoption and trauma recovery charity established in 1911 Find out more CATCH Our online Children And Trauma Communit...

I'd just like to welcome the brilliant charity I work for @pactcharity.bsky.social . Please give them a follow.
www.pactcharity.org #charity #rdguk

CCTV shows pupils abused and locked in padded room Police have said staff will not face action over abuse of autistic children shown in videos leaked to the BBC.

Just watched this shocking report on BBC News - this requires immediate action from Government .

And no prosecutions – a sick joke !

www.bbc.com/news/article...

One of my favourite things is having a go at different crafts. Last night, I made a wrapped rope bowl at Reading Sewing Bee, which was great fun but required quite a lot of concentration. #artsandcrafts #craft #rdguk

I've just tethered the bins to the fence. #stormbert

Loved the Sambathon on Strictly today. It's quite a different skill set to dance competitively in a group like that. Fab-u-lous!

Storm Bert: Weather warnings in place for high winds, snow and rain Meteorologists forecast multiple weather hazards across the UK over the weekend due to the Atlantic storm.

Anyone else expecting this storm to turn up with a bad cockney accent?

BBC News - Storm Bert: Weather warnings in place for high winds, snow and rain - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I'm a very keen walker, having really got into it during lockdown. Today's walk was about 7km with the fabulous Walk Works starting and ending at The Henley Distillery (with a cheeky gin purchase on the way home).

I had a go at Rebel Ballet today with plies to Abba and a dance to Queen. It was rather good fun! I was, as always, very conscious of the awful noise my knees make, though. Can you get knee mufflers?

Great to see the fabulous MERL on here.

More than one in three children in poverty as UK deprivation hits record high Exclusive: Study finds almost quarter of UK population living in poverty, reaching the highest level this century

Children accounted for the biggest rise of any social group falling into poverty a shocking new report has found - a record 36%, or 5.2 million children are now in deprivation

Child poverty is the big issue of our time. We have got to end it
www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Buy Fuzzy-Felt Ballet for GBP 12.00 | Hobbycraft UK Buy Fuzzy-Felt Ballet at Hobbycraft UK.

100% need this. I think I had it the first time round.
www.hobbycraft.co.uk/fuzzy-felt-b... #balletsky

The neat little tug at the back then at the front. Art...

Dear Bluesky folks, here's a lovely picture of me and my Dad. Both of us have been Mayor of Reading. I'm super proud of this fact. 😊 Do you have a picture that makes you proud? #proudpics

Without trade unions & the workers willing to back them we wouldn’t have

• a minimum wage

• maternity & paternity rights

• pension provision

• holiday & sickness entitlements

victories which have benefited every single person in this country

tuc.org.uk/joinunion

I'm obsessed with the way Cromwell handles his hat.