iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Kiri Ross-Jones @kirirj.bsky.social · 9h

As part of our wonderful Archives Revealed project, we’re super excited that our co-curated exhibition “Archives Revealed: Unlocking a colonial collection” is open! FREE to visit and open Tues-Thurs 10-4pm. I’m so very proud of this project and all the fantastic people who’ve worked on it with us.

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I’ve only ever heard the radio series and I’m going to keep it that way

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West Midlands Fungus Group @westmidsfungi.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Today is the 145th anniversary of the first organised fungus foray in the West Midlands, Sutton Park to be precise. The Birmingham Natural History Society invited M C Cooke from Kew as their expert #FungiFriends

Birmingham Natural History Society Fungus Foray. Inspired by the success which attended the organisation of special excursions for the collection and study of fungi, this Society has followed the example of the Essex Club and achieved its first fungus foray. On Saturday, October 8, the members met in force at the New Street Station and proceeded to Sutton Park under the guidance of Dr. M. C. Cooke, and the secretaries, Messrs. Morley and Grove, to collect fungi. The meet-ing did not take place until nearly 2 o'clock, and even then the dull morning had shown no signs of improve-ment. Notwithstanding the damp atmosphere and drizzling rain there was more enthusiasm than fungi, for the latter consisted of only a few of the smaller and commoner species. For three hours the Park was scoured, and all that could be found were collected, but the only species worthy of note Agaricus (Pholiota) heteroclitus; a singular variety of Agaricus (Pluteus) phlebophorus with yellow stem and gills, the latter becoming pink when dry; two specimens of Agaricus (Psalliota) echinatus, Roth, with blood-coloured stem and gills; also Agaricus (Pleurotus) septicus, Fr.; Agaricus (Flammula) conissans; some small tufts of Tremella foliacea, and a few imma-ture Myxomycetes. The residue consisted of such com-mon species as Agaricus melleus, laccatus, fascicularis, sublateritius, and a few others. The subgenus Tricholoma was represented by A. saponaceus and A. nudus; and Amanita by a single specimen of A. rubescens and A. were

phalloides. At the close of the excursion the party adjourned to a neighbouring establishment for tea, after which Dr. Cooke gave some brief instructions on the collection, determination, and preservation of species, and before eight o'clock the foray had come to a close, and the members were on their way back to Birmingham by train.

The place selected would, probably, at a more favour-able season, have given every satisfaction; but certainly it presented on this occasion th…

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Immediately rushes out to buy a duffel coat! Fascinating thread but I’ve never heard of a duffel coat being called a “Monty”? And I’m a Brit.👇👇👇

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Edith Hall @edithmayhall.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great joy to announce that the Ancient Greeks had garden gnomes, as we do in our garden. Athens Archaeological Museum.

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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Archive of @britishacademy.bsky.social Fellow Stuart Hall is now live. Includes looking at his impact on the history of communication theory, culminating in the architecture of contemporary AI models www.theguardian.com/society/2026... Archive link: stuarthalldigital.bham.ac.uk/archival_mat...

theguardian.com

Thatcherism via the Walkman: Stuart Hall’s British cultural studies preserved online

Project lead says it celebrates ‘incredible contributions’ Jamaica-born sociologist made to Britain’s culture

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Bryony Hooper @bryonyhooper.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Hello #archives #digipres hive mind! I wonder if you can help? I'm looking for examples of Digital Asset Manager job descriptions. Does anyone have anything you can share with me please? Many thanks

static.klipy.com

Beaver Forgot: Damn It!

Alt: Beaver Forgot: Damn It!

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Archives West Midlands @archiveswm.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Feedback from some #ArchivesWM member services suggest a new challenge with the use of AI to place enquiries. In response an online session for all members to discuss the experience and impact of this issue. 📅 Mon 11 Jan 2027 ⏲️ 2.00 – 4.00pm 💻 Online, free and open to AWM member services 👇

archiveswestmidlands.org.uk

AI ate my archive – a discussion on managing AI enquiries

The archive sector is experiencing a new challenge with the use of AI to place enquiries with archive services. This session will provide those responsible for archive services with an opportunity to...

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Solidarity to brothers and sisters in Edinburgh!

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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Support the National Trust by voting for Council members by 11:59pm on 30 October 2026. Quickvote is convenient if you're short of time or worried about inadvertently voting for Restore Trust's Bonigala, Cristea, Goldman, Mealing or Omrani. In our often bad times, the Trust's doing good things.

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Sorry - this made me laugh. I think it’s the fact that it’s in Solihull (nothing wrong with Solihull of course!)

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

After a hard day’s graft at the archives coal face in which I got to read an entertaining letter written by George Holyoake amongst other things am now relaxing with a crisp glass of Aíren and an olive #ConfinedCocktails

Letter signed off “With dismay and sorrow GJ Holyoake”

Table laid with bread, olives and a glass of wine

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

It’s not relevant to my research topic but the staff are virtually insisting I try and find out!

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I would have suggested a meet up of you had been here longer (and I was not trying to get as much done as possible!)

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

*everyone being the staff members I mentioned it to #talesfromthearchives

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Today I am in 19th century Birmingham and researching the Library fire of 1879. I am learning a lot about 19th C disaster preparedness. However what everyone* wants to know is what was the “unpleasantness” which caused the resignation of the Librarian and which he promised would not be repeated?

Birmingham Council House in the sunshine

A 19th century minute book on a book pillow with bookshelves and a window beyond

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's Friday afternoon so of course I am browsing crochet patterns for obsolete media carriers... and am depressed to see how many AI slop patterns are for sale in the usual places ☹️

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Ian Duhig @ianduhig.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Woman walks into a Hull hairdresser and asks for a perm. Certainly, he replies: 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?' #NationalPoetryDay

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Dr Gaz J Johnson @legionofllama.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Looks like the 1990s called, and they want their remaining credit on this back! Recently uncovered among the in-laws stuff.

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Oh my goodness - just overwhelmed by a nostalgia wave!

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It’s the loveliest pint sized cathedral 😍

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

British: 4 and I would say it’s usually more

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Here I am on holiday at the seaside and the first thing I did was go into the #RNLI shop and spend lots of money in the shop - I can recommend the excellent bookmarks and socks. Their volunteers save lives: I once called them out to save a young boy stuck on rocks on an incoming tide. So grateful 🙏

Middle aged woman standing on a promenade over looking the sea and a headland (Carr Naze at Filey, North Yorkshire, UK)

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Happy birthday from a Playschool baby 😍

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Carsten Timmermann @ctimmermann.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Please join us on 29 October for the 2nd Biennial Pickstone Lecture. Our speaker will be Prof Roberta Bivins (Warwick) on A Positive Difference: Minoritised Communities in British Healthcare and Innovation. blogs.manchester.ac.uk/chstm/2026/0...

blogs.manchester.ac.uk

Pickstone Lecture 2026

Professor Roberta Bivins A Positive Difference: Minoritised Communities in British Healthcare and Innovation 29 October 2026

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

That alone is making me think about planning a trip there! There are various things in the vicinity which I would like to visit - just need to consider the public transport challenge 💪

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Is that haggis with a hollandaise sauce 😳

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I see someone is making a version of Romeo and Juliet where the actors speak in Olde English but how much better would an #Esperanto version be

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I am “liking” this but obviously I am not liking this

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I might have been at #iPres2026 but I am on a train to the seaside looking forward to some fresh air and a wedding at the weekend. Will catch up later!

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Society for the Study of Labour History @sslh.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Missed this year's Chartism Day, or wish to revisit the highlights? Mark Crail @markcrail.bsky.social reports on a memorable day at the Friends Meeting House in Warwick. Read his report on the latest research on Chartism here: sslh.org.uk/2026/09/22/c...

sslh.org.uk

Chartism Day 2026: conference report

Some fifty delegates crowded into the seventeenth-century Friends Meeting House at Warwick on Saturday 19 September for Chartism Day 2026 to hear speakers range across the history and historiograph…

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I guy who looked just like Zaphod Beeblebrox (without the extra head) got on on at International and was giving off a weird vibe so I channeled my inner Ford Prefect and knitted icily. I feel this might have set the tone for the day.

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I remember them building it and have never heard it referred to before. They announced (slightly uncertainly) that you could exit platform 12b via the Navigation Breach as the escalators were out of service which if you don’t know the station just adds to @sampscaroline.bsky.social ‘s dystopia

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

TIL that the funny little secret back stairs/bridge arrangement at Birmingham New Street station is called “The Navigation Breach” and now I feel like I’m in a grungy Sci Fi epic: “used the Navigation Breach to get my connection to Canley” “the only way out of here is to use the Navigation Breach”

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

A group of women who had absolutely Had It with dealing men and the Great War.

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Meanwhile I was in Bedford last weekend and took the opportunity to visit the Panacea Museum which was outstanding not least because they have Joanna Southcott’s box (replica on display) and Shiloh’s crib (not pictured). It’s an amazing story panaceamuseum.org

Large wooden trunk tied around with string and meaningful knots

Wall painted with the words “The simple facts are that God requires a few sensible matter-of-fact women to take on the housekeeping on Earth”

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We are willing train blessings in your direction.

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Sorry about all these things which I sympathise with hugely. May the train gods smile upon us for the rest of the week at least 🙏

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Rachel MacGregor @anoldhand.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Well clearly I jinxed the trains by saying they were fine (when I left the office).

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Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick @mrcwarwick.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

From the 'Safety First' campaigns of the early 20th century onwards, the RoSPA archives are a fantastic source on the history of safety, occupational health and welfare Thanks to the Records at Risk funding scheme for helping to support the transfer of the collection to the MRC!

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