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Aileen Walker

@aileenwalker.bsky.social
1.1K followers 1.8K following 244 posts

Politics, parliaments, citizen engagement, news, arts and culture. Former Director of Public Engagement at UK Parliament. Glaswegian.

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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Ever fancied singing in a choir? I can heartily recommend the GSA Choir in Glasgow. Our open rehearsal is coming up (Tues 1 Sept). Come along and try us out? #choralsinging #choirs #singing #GSAChoir #glasgow gsachoir.com/events/open-...
gsachoir.com
Open rehearsal with the GSA Choir - The GSA Choir
Come and sing with us. You don’t need an audition. You don’t need to read music. You don’t need to have sung with a choir before. Come along to an open rehearsal with the GSA Choir and experience what...
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Ruth Fox @ruthfox.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
🧵The House of Commons administration plans to abolish its world leading parliamentary outreach team. @aileenwalker.bsky.social & @estrangeirada.bsky.social explain why cutting in person public engagement across the UK in favour of digital only engagement is a mistake. Blog 🔗⬇️
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Cristina Leston-Bandeira @estrangeirada.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
The rise and fall of the parliamentary outreach team: Why cutting regional engagement is a mistake - by @aileenwalker.bsky.social and myself for the @hansardsociety.bsky.social: www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/parliam...
hansardsociety.org.uk
The rise and fall of the parliamentary outreach team: Why cutting regional engagement is a mistake
The House of Commons' proposal to abolish its regional parliamentary outreach service marks a significant retreat from two decades of leadership in public engagement. Replacing face-to-face community ...
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
I’m sad and disappointed to see that the regional outreach team (one of my old teams) is being discontinued by the House of Commons. I’ve written about it with @estrangeirada.bsky.social www.hansardsociety.org.uk/blog/parliam...
hansardsociety.org.uk
The rise and fall of the parliamentary outreach team: Why cutting regional engagement is a mistake
The House of Commons' proposal to abolish its regional parliamentary outreach service marks a significant retreat from two decades of leadership in public engagement. Replacing face-to-face community ...
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Scottish Children's Reporter Administration @childrensreporter.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Board vacancies alert! Two Board Members vacancies have been advertised Find out more ➡ www.scra.gov.uk/2026/06/scra... #PublicAppointments #BoardMember #Governance #Leadership #Scotland #PublicService
scra.gov.uk
SCRA Board Member recruitment - SCRA
Two vacancies for Board Members have been advertised on the Public Appointments website. This round of recruitment, one role on the Board requires applicants to demonstrate particular expertise in dig...
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Youth Theatre Arts Scotland @ytartsscot.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Surge @surge-scotland.bsky.social are looking for volunteers for SURGE Festival 2026 which takes place on the 25 – 26 July & 1- 2 August in Glasgow outdoors in the Merchant City buff.ly/xZXVYmU (deadline - 15 June 2026)
buff.ly
Surge:  2026 Festival Assistant Volunteers - YTAS
Surge are looking for volunteers for SURGE Festival 2026 which takes place on the 25 - 26 July & 1- 2 August in Glasgow outdoors in the Merchant City.
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
GSA Choir summer concert this Saturday! Join us for an evening of contemporary & classical works by Harry Baines (world premiere!), Jay Capperauld, Eric Whitacre, Lili Boulanger, Lucy Walker & more. Only a few tix left … 📅 Sat 6th June 🕢 7.30pm 🏛️ The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 🎟️ bit.ly/GSACsummer26
bit.ly
The GSA Choir Summer Concert - Glasgow Life
Inspiring choral music
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I’m reading through these newly republished Agnes Owens novellas. She’s a great writer: dark, comic wit and social observation. And gorgeous Joan Eardley paintings on the covers. More info in this Observer article : observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Four book covers by Agnes Owens: Gentleman of the West; Like Birds in the Wilderness; A Working Mother; For the Love of Willie
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Excellent development opportunity for artists who have some experience in dance and/or performing outdoors
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Interesting piece on how peerages can be removed (but not titles)
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Hear hear!
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Study of Parliament Group @studyofparl.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
As our annual weekend draws to a close. We just wanted to say thank you to all our panellists, and chairs for their time over the last two days; to all of you who attended (virtually or in person); and also to our organisers. We hope you enjoyed the weekend & safe travels!
media.tenor.com
a blue background with a triangle that says thank you on it
ALT: a blue background with a triangle that says thank you on it
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
The annual SPG quiz …
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Looking forward to the @studyofparl.bsky.social annual conference this weekend and to catching up with friends and former colleagues. An interesting programme, as always. studyofparliamentgroup.org studyofparliamentgroup.org/wp-content/u...
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
So that’s our #Ashes tour over. We enjoyed tootling around various Australian cities. Shame about the cricket! I’ll leave you with pics of the Adelaide Oval, the South Australia state Parliament building, #Glenelg, & the Christmas tree in the state library in #Adelaide. #lovinglegislatures
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
… and of course, a visit to the Tasmania state Parliament building #lovinglegislatures #Tasmania #australia
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
We enjoyed Hobart, Tasmania last week. Highlights were the extraordinary MONA - Museum of Old and New Art - and tour up Mount Wellington (Kunanyi) #hobart #tasmania #lutruwita #mona #mountwellington #australia
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Surge @surge-scotland.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
The Four Nations Outdoor Arts Bursary is now open! Deadline: 1/2/26 4 Nations Bursary Project is offering bursaries for new outdoor work to emerging artists and companies interested in outdoor arts from Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. Apply -https://www.surge.scot/four-nations-bursary
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Parliament House in Brisbane. Queensland State Parliament #lovinglegislatures #queensland #Brisbane #australia
Parliament House building in sunshine with Christmas tree
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
A real parliamentary nerdy day in Canberra yesterday! Sat in the public galleries of the House of Reps & the Senate. Art & Politics tour. Visit to Old Parliament House (inc Clerk of the Senate’s office @ckskm.bsky.social!) - now a museum of democracy. #parliament #lovinglegislatures @marcgeddes.uk
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Visit to the fabulous WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, including the Terracotta Warriors exhibition @wamuseum.bsky.social
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Parliament of Western Australia, Perth #lovinglegislatures @marcgeddes.uk
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
London friends … Tickets: www.sinfoniasmithsq.org.uk/event/a-west...
Poster advertising the Parliament Choir’s A Westminster Christmas concert in 3 December at 7.30pm in Smith Square Hall
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
So depressing. Scared to take a decision because of the sums involved, when it’s costing £1.56m a week in maintenance? It was clear years ago that a full decant would be quickest, cheapest & easiest way to do the urgent necessary work to this much-loved building. Some just don’t want to move out
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Shakespeare’s Globe in Lego? Yes please! You can vote and support this idea … beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea... #lego
beta.ideas.lego.com
Shakespeare's Globe | LEGO® Ideas
Shakespeare's Globe is a world famous theatre in London. This set recreates it's iconic shape and style, whilst celebrating the many plays of William Shakespear…
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Brilliant GSA Choir weekend at the Badaguish Outdoor Centre #badaguish #Cairngorms
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Queen’s View, Perthshire. Looking down Loch Tummel. Glorious autumn day.
Long view down a loch with mountains off to one side and leaves turning red and golden, beneath a cloudy but blue autumn sky
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Only a few tickets left for GSA Choir Christmas concerts!🎄 Join us for a mix of classical & contemporary choral works & well-loved standards. 🎶 📅 13th Dec 2025 🕰️ 3pm & 7.30pm 🏛️ New Auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 🎟️ 3pm matinee tix: bit.ly/GSACxmasmati... 🎟️ 7.30pm tix: bit.ly/GSACxmaseven...
bit.ly
The GSA Choir Christmas Concert (Matinee) - Glasgow Life
3pm performance
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Tonight! The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow’s public lecture will be delivered by Prof Barbara Maher - Magnetism and the Brain: Pollution Particles and Alzheimer’s Disease www.royalphil.org/lecture/magn...
royalphil.org
Magnetism and the Brain: Pollution, particles and Alzheimer's disease - The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow
Summary
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
We bought one of Damian’s prints a while ago (the Tree, Bird, Bell, Fish one you see in the photo). I love his style! Sounds like a good exhibition
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Excellent lecture at the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow last night from Prof Daniel Susskind on growth. "Growth does not come from using more resources, but from discovering more productive ways of using resources." www.royalphil.org/lecture/grow...
royalphil.org
Growth: A reckoning - The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow
Summary
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Visit to the Citizens Theatre tonight for its first production post-refurb - #smallactsoflove. A musical about the Lockerbie disaster sounds like a strange project, but it worked. Very good. And the building is looking splendid.
External shot of new facade of Citizens Theatre Glasgow. All lit up against the evening sky
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
@clarefurniss.bsky.social It was lovely to meet you in Wigtown. I’ve just finished reading “The Things We Leave Behind”. It’s wonderful. Powerful storytelling. So important that YA fiction explores current issues like this. I’m looking forward to seeing what my young friend makes of it.
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Two excellent sessions yesterday at the Wigtown Book Festival: Kate Summerscale - The Peepshow: the murders at 10 Rillington Place; A conversation with Charles Dickens (via AI) with Stuart Kelly & @philipardagh.bsky.social Fascinating & fun! #WigtownBookFestival
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
Most enjoyable day at our first #WigtownBookFestival : @gavinesler.bsky.social and Chris Turpin; #OneManPoe at Swallow Theatre; @clarefurniss.bsky.social; and the fab @lenniesaurus.bsky.social tickets.wigtownbookfestival.com/sales
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
A wee bit hot, but great walk yesterday around Kilmahog /Falls of Leny
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
Wonderful, tender article by Ann Prachett in @newyorker.com www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
newyorker.com
How to Practice
I wanted to get rid of my possessions, because possessions stood between me and death.
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
And the finished work …
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
This is my younger son and his mate talking silly stuff about Marvel …
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
The official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo has been delayed, but I was lucky enough to visit it last month. An amazing collection in a stunning building. Now officially my favourite museum. (Nudging Mexico City’s Anthropology Museum off the top spot). www.ft.com/content/de6a...
ft.com
Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum has all the makings of must-see destination
Impressive in size, design and content, the GEM’s opening may be tainted by politics and connotations of authoritarianism
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
New mural underway in the Merchant City yesterday #glasgow #murals
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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Join us on 18 and 19 June for our free, online conference exploring Labour's constitutional agenda in office. We have now finalised our line-up, which features the Minister for the Constitution and eight other cross-party MPs! Find out more and sign up 👉 www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution....
The Constitution Unit Conference 2025. Labour's constitutional agenda in office. 18 and 19 June 2025. 18 June 2025: 10:00am: Opening keynote from Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, 1:00pm: Standards in public life, 3:00pm: The electoral system in a multiparty era. 19 June 2025: 11:00am: The rule of law, 1:00pm: Reforming the House of Commons, 3:00pm: Reflections on Labour's constitutional agenda.
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
In #volunteersweek, giving a shout out to CHS Children’s Hearings Scotland. Being a Panel Member is sometimes tough, but it’s rewarding too. #chsvolunteers www.chscotland.gov.uk
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Work trip to Cairo last week (lucky me!) and managed to fit in some sightseeing. The new Grand Egyptian Museum near the pyramids at Giza is stunning #giza #pyramids #cairo #egypt #grandegyptianmuseum
Pyramid with sphinx in foreground Two pyramids against a light grey skyExterior of extraordinary Grand Egyptian Museum with many triangular design featuresLarge statue of King Ramses in the huge, light and airy hall of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Looks golden in the evening light coming through the glass pitched roof
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Looking forward to this this evening
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
I was at the Albanian Parliament this week looking at their civic education programmes. A lively student debate was in progress in the Assembly chamber. Kuvendi i Republikes se Shqiperise #Albania #lovinglegislatures
Woman standing outside main entrance of a building with national emblem above door - a black double-headed eagle on a red background View from back of grand red and gold plenary chamber featuring national emblem of black double-headed eagle on red background behind raised Speaker’s chair. Young people sitting in MPs’ places
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Surge @surge-scotland.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Surge Winter/Spring 2025/2026 Residencies Time, space, mentoring Deadline for application 26/05/25 Surge is offering a limited number of residences to artists working within physical theatre, outdoor arts, digital performance and circus. For details & how to apply www.surge.scot/residencies-...
Performers rehearsing in a studio
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Very happy to have contributed to the introduction to the second edition of this immensely valuable textbook.
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall in the evening light #glasgow #kelvinhall
Redbrick neogothic building in glorious evening light with trees and shrubs in the foreground
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Aileen Walker @aileenwalker.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Derwentwater from Cat Bells Fell at the weekend
Gorse, shrub, a leaning wooden signpost, and a path leading down to a lakeA dead tree branch sticking up out the ground, with a lake surrounded by mountains in the background. Framed by a tree. Cloudy.
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