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Ainslie Hepburn

@ainsliehepburn.bsky.social
179 followers 337 following 65 posts

Writer, tutor, social historian. Author: 'A Jew who defeated Nazism: Herbert Sulzbach's Peace, Reconciliation and a New Germany' (2022) and 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust: The Story and Letters of a German Jewish Family' (2025). www.ainsliehepburn.eu

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Reposted by Ainslie Hepburn
Dr Duncan Robertson @duncanrobertson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Good luck to all colleagues going into the new university year, persuading students that learning to think isn't the same thing as getting the right answer.
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Ehijacked 📎 @ehijacked.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
This burning summer is the proof: the voices of climate denial aren’t just delusional, they’re deadly | Sadiq Khan
Look at our blazing forests and parched cities. Green policies aren’t a ‘luxury’, and we can’t burn more oil and gas. People need the truth, says London mayor Sadiq Khan
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Led By Donkeys @ledbydonkeys.org · 17/05/2026
Immigration make Britain brilliant
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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
I hope this isn’t true. There are times when it’s more important to put country before party. This is one of them. Burnham’s longstanding commitment to a fairer voting system could transform our democracy & counter the dire threat of a Reform UK government elected on a minority of the vote
theguardian.com
Greens suggest they will properly contest byelection in blow to Burnham
Statement follows speculation party would not field candidate in Makerfield or barely fight seat
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Society for One-Place Studies @oneplacestudies.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
If you have a #OnePlaceStudy or ancestral place in #Shropshire, take a look at the Shropshire #FamilyHistory Society’s new Shropshire Family History Hub. Over time—perhaps with your help?—this should develop into a useful resource for family and #LocalHistory in the county. #OnePlaceWednesday
app.weare.xyz
The Shropshire Family History Hub
We Are [showcasing your family history like never before]
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 27/04/2026
What does Britain need from Labour? Not another new PM, but a government with the guts to take radical action | Polly Toynbee
theguardian.com
What does Britain need from Labour? Not another new PM, but a government with the guts to take radical action | Polly Toynbee
There’s no point searching for a saviour without a genuine change in direction. Real courage is necessary – because Labour still has time to fix what is broken, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 06/03/2026
Obama: "We are living in a time where it can be hard to hope. Each day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions. Another setback to the idea of the rule of law ... but this man - Rev. Jesse Jackson - inspires us to take a harder path ... bc if we don't step up, nobody else will"
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John Crace @mrjohncrace.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Digested week: It’s been a rough year – so thank you to our politicians for giving me plenty to write about
I’ve lost count of the number of sketches I wrote from the chemo ward as Jill went through the hell of cancer treatment
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Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
When it comes to misconduct in public office, we have investigations into a former trade minister, Lord Mandelson, a former/prince trade envoy, Andrew, but saliently missing for both his Bannon and Lebedev connections is the former Foreign Secretary bylinetimes.com/2026/02/16/b...
bylinetimes.com
Bannon, Epstein, Farage and Johnson and the Plot to 'Topple' Theresa May
The far-right former Trump adviser told Jeffrey Epstein that "we are overthrowing May right now" as he worked with Boris Johnson to remove the then Conservative Prime Minister from office
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Hardeep Matharu @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
"Holding on to small & significant truths, especially when difficult, can make the difference. Virginia Giuffre did, as she had no choice. Because of the survivors, the Epstein Files were released. They made darkness visible for us all" My editorial on Andrew, contempt – and creating powerlessness:
bylinetimes.com
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor: How Power Protects Itself Through Contempt
As the eighth in line of succession to the British throne is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Hardeep Matharu explores how elite impunity is built on creating a sense of powerless...
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Mass Observation Archive @massobsarchive.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
A fantastic post from the Museum fo English Rural Life about one of our early writers. We're so pleased to see E.M. Barraud getting this recognition! Do give the article a read!
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Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 18/02/2026
🔥 Caroline Lucas: "Your position is utterly incoherent." 🔵 "We've got a party that pretends to be an insurgent party, an anti establishment, anti-elite party, and yet it's stuffed full of old Tory retreads." 🤔 "I mean, it just doesn't add up."
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Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
ALSO - if you missed out on your childhood measles vaccine and haven't had measles, you can get *free* MMR vaccination from your GP! (whether as an older child, teenager or adult). I got my MMR about 10 years ago! www.nhs.uk/vaccinations...
nhs.uk
MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine
Find out about the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, including who should have it, when it's given and possible side effects.
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
'Bridging Generations'. Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 - my latest blog post www.ainsliehepburn.eu. These students remembered, researched and laid Stolpersteine for members of the former Jewish community in their city of #Wilhelmshaven. The world needs young people to resist fascism #hmd #books #resist
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Holocaust Memorial Day is almost here. This year's theme is 'Bridging Generations' and I am reminded of the young people in Germany last year who laid Stolpersteine for our family. They continue to research and plan memorials for the Jewish community that once lived in their city #HMD #Holocaust
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
Vel d'Hiv in Paris: July 1942 roundups of Jews to be sent for extermination. Today France remembers with honesty her part in active collaboration with the Nazis to effect their policies. It was a sombre moment to be part of today's commemorations in both Pau and Camp de Gurs. #holocaust #pyrenees
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Sometimes writing letters is the only way to stay connected. The discovery of these letters led to my latest book, 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust: The Story and Letters of a German Jewish Family'. More in today's blog on my website at www.ainsliehepburn.eu #books #holocaust #ww2 #publishing
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
In June 1940, many German Jewish women in Britain were interned on the Isle of Man. They were kept in large Edwardian boarding houses for many months. See the true story of two women who were interned at this time - one here and one in France - in the new blog on my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu
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The Wiener Holocaust Library @wienerlibrary.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Find out more via our country case studies on #TheHolocaustExplained 🔗 buff.ly/BZJubeT
theholocaustexplained.org
The Holocaust Explained: Designed for schools
This website has been created to help learners understand the essential facts of the Holocaust, its causes and its consequences. We aim to answer questions that people most often want to ask in an…
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The Wiener Holocaust Library @wienerlibrary.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
On 22 June 1940, the French surrendered and signed an armistice with the Nazis. France was divided in two zones. Northern France was occupied and controlled by Germany. The unoccupied southern zone came under the control of a new French Government led by Marshal Phillipe Pétain 📸 Bundesarchiv
German soldiers march by the Arc de Triomphe on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, June 1940.
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Chaos and confusion in Paris June 1940 as people fled the advancing German forces. More in the blog on my website today www.ainsliehepburn.eu
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Brilliant meeting to arrange a village history event at Worfield Village Hall on Saturday 13 September. Talks, coffee, cake! Save the date - lots more details to come. Thanks to the Committee for such an enthusiastic beginning. #Shropshire #history #villagelife #familyhistory
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
In June 1938, 87 years ago, a young Jewish couple managed to escape Nazi Germany because his father could raise enough money for them to do so. Emigration can be an expensive lottery and not everyone finds safety from violence and cruelty. More in my blog on my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu #refugee
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Thoughts on the evacuation of Dunkirk 85 years ago in today's blog on my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu #ww2 #Dunkirk #writing The smallest boat in the fleet was a rowing boat named 'Tamzine', now in the Imperial War Museum in London #IWM
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Glad to share the story of the Sulzbach family to groups in #Frankfurt and #Heidelberg. This banking family gave money to philanthropic activities in Frankfurt, especially those in the worlds of music and social care. More in the blog at www.ainsliehepburn.eu. Emil Sulzbach is in the photo 1908.
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
So good to be in #Frankfurt again! And visiting the newly renovated Jewish Museum here. Amazing exhibitions! Looking forward to talking about Herbert Sulzbach on Thursday 22 May, Presseclub, Ulmenstrasse 20, Frankfurt at 19.00h. Everyone welcome! Do come! #museum #DBG #reconciliation
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
85 years ago, Brussels was invaded and all Jewish refugees who had fled there from Germany found themselves caught up in bombing and chaos, detained, arrested and sent elsewhere. Read the story of two of them in today's blog www.ainsliehepburn.eu #refugee #WW2 #books #writing
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Remembering 8 May 1945 inspires us to continue to fight against cruelty, intolerance, racism, brutality - however we can, wherever we are. It is still an ongoing fight #hope #humanity #resistance #memory
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
'It is a mixture of joy, emotion, & highest pride' - Herbert Sulzbach, London 8 May 1945. Born a German Jew, he was forced out of his country and fought against Nazism in the British army. More in my blog www.ainsliehepburn.eu and book 'A Jew who defeated Nazism'. Buy @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
A story of hope and reconciliation after war. Perfect reading for VE week. Buy from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social or @waterstones.bsky.social One man's journey to change the world for good. Enjoy the read! #hope #reconciliation
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Planning a Bank Holiday cycle ride? In the early 20 century cycling was a craze and women loved the freedom and independence it gave them. My grandmother (here) proudly took her bicycle to the photography studio for her portrait. Comfortable clothing was available for cycling - but always the hat.
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Planning a Bank Holiday cycle ride? In the early 20 centurymcycling was quite the craze
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
April 1941 a Jewish couple tried to emigrate to USA. While petitioning committees in Marseille, they stayed in this house in Aix en Provence. More on my website, and full story in my new book 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust'. Available in bookshops or the publisher @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
As spring weather takes us outside, we all need a book with us for company when we sit on that park bench, or the one by the sea or the lake, or take a break in the allotment. Give yourself - or someone you love - a book worth reading. One with 5 star reviews. A gift for Easter - or just for you.
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Peter Hepburn #FBPE @hepburnpeter.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
1 April 1939 Hitler visited Wilhelmshaven to launch a battleship. He held a rally outside the City Hall and was given an award in the main hall of the building. On 6 Feb 2025 I stood in the same place as him in the hall to talk about my book 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust' www.ainsliehepburn.eu
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
In case you didn't get through on yesterday's link, try this to my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu for a blog post about Mothering Sunday, simnel cake, and my grandmother's memories of visiting her mother from her work as a parlourmaid at the Rectory in Areley Kings about 1900 #mothers #writing #blog
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Mothering Sunday and simnel cakes! My grandmother told me stories of how she celebrated when she was a domestic servant at Areley Kings Rectory (and other places) in 1901. Busy writing the biography but got distracted by simnel cake. #writing #grandmothers #memory see my new blog ainsliehepburn.eu
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
A new week, a new blog on my website ainsliehepburn.eu François Casabonne, seen here making cheese outside his farmhouse in the 1970s, was a member of the early Resistance in France and helped a German Jewish refugee couple with work and a garden in 1942 #France #holocaust #writing #resistance #blog
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
In January 2026 I will be speaking at #HMD events in Boston Spa and Newcastle on 20th and 22nd. If you would like me to speak about my book 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust' as I drive back to Brighton please tell me. Dates free 23 - 28 January 2026 #holocaust @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
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Ben Ansell @benansell.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
This is a must-read www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
I’m the Canadian who was detained by Ice for two weeks. It felt like I had been kidnapped
I was stuck in a freezing cell without explanation despite eventually having lawyers and media attention. Yet, compared with others, I was lucky
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Correction: the blog is on my website www.ainsliehepburn.eu. It helps to be able to spell your own name if you are a writer!
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Unusual to find a synagogue still standing in north-west Germany. In March 1936 the local community held a joyful celebration here before it was sold to a non-Jew. Details in my blog ainslieheburn.eu. It now stands as a powerful reminder of a vibrant community. #holocaust #synagogue #writing #memory
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Sorry to be late to the party - only just realised that March is #Womens' History Month. So I will give a glimpse of the women who feature in my next book. Such a delight to record their wonderful lives - and such a slog to find out anything much about 'ordinary' women. This has to change! #writing
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Marriage certificate 10 March 1921 of Hermann Hartog, a Jewish teacher, and Henny Scheuer. A loving and united team until they were murdered in #Auschwitz. More in my blog www.ainsliehepburn.eu and new book 'In the Footsteps of the Holocaust'. A 5* read! #holocaust @penandswordbooks.bsky.social
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Thank you so much for publishing my article 'It's a Long way to Tipperary'. It makes writing the book seem much more real - as long as I can squeeze some time into my life to write it! This is always such an interesting journal - many thanks.
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Delighted that Shropshire Family History Society has published my article 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary'. It makes the writing of the next book seem more real - although I am struggling to find the time to write it! #writing #ww1 #publishing #familyhistory #shropshire
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Special discount! Go to @penandswordbooks.bsky.social to order this book at a discount - £20 instead of £25. And you've got a book with 5 star reviews. That's your weekend reading sorted - if you hurry! #WW2 #holocaust #refugees #memoir #writing
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
If you can vote in the German elections, please do! And encourage your family, friends, neighbours to support tolerance, anti-racism, kindness. We don't need more memorials like these Stolpersteine for our family who were hounded out of their country with hatred and cruelty. #writing #WW2 #Germany
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Ainslie Hepburn @ainsliehepburn.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Please, #Germany, take care and courage when you vote! Last week, we laid Stolpersteine for our family in the street from where they were evicted almost 90 years ago. 'Stumble with your heart' and vote for decency, community, and neighbourliness. #wilhelmshaven.de, jever.de, aurich.de, #holocaust
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