They’re telling me a great empire will be destroyed if I attack Persia. Even the oracles who don’t like me very much, very nasty, they all said to me, “Sir, it’s one of the great empires, and it’ll be destroyed. And all because you attacked Persia.” That’s what they’re telling me.
A photo of Barbara Castle outside of the House of Parliament- copyright belongs to the Parliamentary Archives.
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
If you're a member of the National Trust remember to vote for council members by midnight tonight.
Use the Quick Vote option.
Entryist pressure group Reform Trust is trying to seize control. Stop them
Voting is quick and easy if your membership card is at hand
secure.cesvotes.com/V3-3-0/nt25/...
The first time I was targeted by a phone snatcher in London was in 2012, when I was standing on a train platform looking up Andy Murray's live scores in the Olympics
Since then, almost everyone I know in London has had their phone nicked or witnessed a theft
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/31/i...
This is a social post on BlueSky to announce that a new episode of The Bugle is in your podcast feed. It contains a link to our website. www.thebuglepodcast.com
It is hoped this post will drive listening to the show & general awareness. Interaction will be monitored with the best shared & liked
I once went out to visit my Australian family and an aunt asked me what I did for a hobby, the best I could do to answer was go to the pub.
Every
Single
Night
Have written about Starmer's speech- his best moment yet as PM. He implicitly identified what sits at the heart of this story: the emergence of a common UK/US online right, headed by the radicalised Musk.
It is making extremist, until recently fringe politics mainstream in British conservatism.
The UK government has created a public survey about copyright law and AI - it’s very technical, but please fill it in if you can
I believe this technology must be very carefully regulated, to ensure public safety and to maintain the rights of creators www.gov.uk/government/c...
6/10 in John Clarke's Saturday Quiz in revamped i paper (I can’t find the answers in the paper, but they’ll be here later)
For those on BlueSky unfamiliar with this modern British tradition:
During times of high winds, we all jump on YouTube and watch planes trying to land at Heathrow, with excited commentary from the UK's premier plane nerd channel.
Currently live here!
www.youtube.com/live/egvoBvc...
Picture of the Mondo Frango sandwich
Picture of the Cafe Mondo menu
Just tried Café Mondo in Camberwell for lunch, probably the best sandwich in South London, could become an expensive habit though - can I justify twice a week?
🧵SALT🧵
It's been snowing in the UK and the road gritters are out in force, begging the question:
Have you ever wondered where that grit actually COMES from?
The answer is more magical, beautiful and fascinating than you probably realised.
1/14
A cover of Herr Dumpidump by Roger Hargreaves that says "Herr Dumpidump by Roger Hargreaves" and with an illustration of Herr Dumpidump looking especially dumpidumpish (forgive me but I can't stop repeating the word dumpidump... DUMPIDUMP!)
My six favourite European Mr Men character names...
6. Mr Muddle in Spain = Don Confuso
5. Mr Topsy-Turvy in Germany = Herr Kuddelmuddel
4. Mr Bounce in France = Monsieur Bing
3. Mr Dizzy in Portugal = Senhor Bobo
2. Mr Greedy in Sweden = Gubben Glufs Glufs
1. Mr Bump in Norway = Herr Dumpidump
Starter packs are genius, but I was surprised there wasn't a list of them for people to find.
So I built it:
blueskydirectory.com/starter-pack...
The website monitors the packs being shared and adds the ones it finds to the database.
Missed your stater pack? Message me and I'll get it added.
So, gang, I am in this group helping DSIT put some flesh on the bones of a future vision for digital public services, and what being the digital centre for government means. Hit me up with your reckons / pointers. www.gov.uk/government/n...
I love this show, I'm rapidly burning through the episodes, I think the captain cook one was my favourite (thanks for all you and the crews hard work)
I enjoyed seeing the Spanish Galleon Andalucia go through Tower Bridge today!
Screenshot of the page on LinkedIn for generative ai. It reads: Data for Generative AI Improvement Can LinkedIn and its affiliates use your personal data and content you create on LinkedIn to train generative AI models that create content? Use my data for training content creation AI models This setting controls the training of generative AI models used to create content. When this setting is on LinkedIn and its affiliates may use your personal data and content you create on LinkedIn for that purpose. Learn more.
Heads up, if you're on Linkedin you've been automatically opted in for generative ai training - on everything you have ever posted, including personal data!
Opt out: www.linkedin.com/mypreference...
Gonna have to sit the kids down for a pretty difficult chat this evening.
No
YES! I never saw this in real life, but have heard about it.
This recent article reminded me of it too:
National Trust Members:
Time to use the Quick Vote Option to block the usual shenanigans from Farage/ Tufton St “Restore Trust”
You will find your membership number on your card or on an email from the National Trust sent to you in the last week or so.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
In a shameless attempt to grow my following on here, I'm going to be giving away a GE2024 poster to one lucky winner who retweets this post (and is following) in 24 hours time. Best of luck!
Since this is doing so well over there, now over here: The Venetian method for electing a Doge was literally insane, or genius
My youngest is now 6 and I totally agree that it's now much more fun! Our best holidays when the kids were little were with people (for us my older siblings) who didn't mind grabbing the little ones and giving us some time for a nap.
📌
Depending on what side you are on, I like the shops on Bellenden road and on Dulwich Vale like Flock and herd, Jones of Brockley and Blackbird Bakery. Also, East Dulwich Picture House is great but if you want cheap cinema tickets the Peckhamplex can't be beaten, loads nearby to cater for everyone
