iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Am currently expanding my little history vids on FB and TikTok - there's a lot of weird places, dark tourism, and bleak things as part of it. Latest video has earned me some messages that say talking about a 35 year old murder case is off-limits. Why? Where do you draw the lines?

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The first finished copies of my new book on Hammer Films - Don't Dare See It Alone! - have finally arrived. Pre-orders start shipping next week. Meanwhile you can order yours from me direct at ko-fi.com/avalard/shop... Or paperback and hardbacks are available via amazon amzn.eu/d/042KmfSU

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

I did some filming for a couple of Irish News pieces yesterday. Which was a rather pleasant way to spend a few hours. Will be interesting to see how they turn out. Shall have to get back to regular posting of my own material now I seem to be through the various ailments of late.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Had a tooth extracted yesterday then performed in a murder mystery. Fun times. I'd been without a dentist for some years. If you're in NI, and need emergency dental treatment and are unregistered I'd recommend the Dental Access Scheme - got me sorted quickly. online.hscni.net/our-work/den...

online.hscni.net

Dental Access Scheme - DOH/HSCNI Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG)

The aim of the Dental Access Scheme is to improve access to health service dental care during the working week for unregistered dental patients experiencing an emergency, urgent, or pressing dental co...

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

It was much less irksome and clashy than the previous ones - though there's very little effort to get the new score to properly fit with the old one really. I actually thought mostly the edit was solid. But the climax does jump a bit. Couple of new inserts which are fairly well graded to fit

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

I watched the new edit of The Sea Devils this morning. It's definitely the best of the Doctor Who re-edits Ben Cook has done to date. Only in the final half hour did I think it was a little overzealous at times. Struck by the compulsion to put a score over every moment - I find that unnecessary.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

The Doctor Who collection trailers are lovely things. The latest season 21 one has me clamouring for a proper new episode of classic Who - quite why they've not tried this yet is baffling. youtu.be/9WABczTXLGg?...

youtu.be

The Fifth Doctor vs. the Daleks | The Collection: Season 21 Announcement Trailer | Doctor Who

YouTube video by Doctor Who

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I'm out of action for the next fortnight. Currently recovering from emergency surgery for a retinal detachment. Things I didn't have in my 2025 bingo card!

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Finally Halloween week at an end, and I've a few days to sort admin, conduct event post-mortems, and write. There's more in the diary so it's a brief respite, but needed. The mental toll alongside the physical one of late has been intense. Doesn't help that I'm my own worst critic.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Massive detour by train to Bangor before class tonight to pick up a copy of the County Down Spectator, as my mug is in it promoting the Bangors Ghost graveyard tours we did last week (and will do again!)

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

It really doesn't. Though I appreciate with the way funding is, it sometimes has to. This festival has been hacked back and is now not even a shade of its former self

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Pre-pandemic the festival had a bit of depth and variety - heck one fest even had a CinePunked panel exploring sci-fi connections to Lewis' writing. This feels like cashing in cynically on a name, and as an East Belfast native, I'm embarrassed.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

This is what has become of the CS Lewis festival... Seriously!? It's little more than lip service to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe alongside a Santa/Christmas event, with no connection to Lewis.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

I'm back in Downpatrick today for the last of our Phantom Flyer shows at the Railway Museum. Tickets still available - book online or on door. Shows at 3pm, 4.15 and 5.30pm www.downrail.co.uk/event/hallow...

downrail.co.uk

The Phantom Flyer - Downpatrick and County Down Railway

Dare you board the Phantom Flyer? All aboard for a spooky experience with Dr Frankenstein and his spooky friends!

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I went pumpkin picking this week - and you know what, I rather enjoyed it. vm.tiktok.com/ZNdn7Gkpf/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

I'm currently selling off some excess stuff from my collection on eBay with new listings added regularly. Posters, stills, models, and other ephemera ebay.us/m/EC66PW

ebay.us

avalard on eBay

Follow avalard on eBay. Buying, Selling, Collecting on eBay has never been more exciting!

Keith W. Dickinson @keithwdickinson.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Reposted by Robert JE Simpson

Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

Last night I delivered my first in person presentation stemming off my tiktok/fb history videos, to a lovely group at Roe Valley Historical Society. This version of Seen & Unseen: A Miscellany of Tales and Places was heavy on ghost stories including some pieces I haven't made videos on yet.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

What set them aside from some of the other harder-lined denominations was their lack of militancy. Casting quiet judgement on others is one thing, actively policing it and shutting down anyone else's ability to be heard is quite another. It's not a world I want to be back in.

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

I grew up in the Brethren church, and many of my other-denomination Christian friends are surprised by this. It's a pretty hard-line denomination. There were more tolerant folk within our church, but many of those in power were unforgiving of anyone who viewed things differently.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

Growing up in Northern Ireland I think we're probably more used to the ideas behind Christian Nationalism. Much of what I hear is very familiar. What a lot of folk don't seem to get is that not all Christians see the world this way. The extremism and control terrifies me.

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Reposted by Robert JE Simpson

Avalard Productions Ltd @avalardproductions.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

We're back at @downrail.bsky.social on 1st & 2nd Nov with our family-friendly Halloween show - The Curse of the Phantom Flyer. Tickets on sale now downrail.co.uk/event/halloween/

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

Oh gosh - hadn't even considered that as a possibility. Reducing the cholesterol has proved very difficult so far. Glad you're getting relatively good news.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

I've just been told I'm going to have to go on statins. I'd deflected it for ages but cholesterol still too high :(

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Thanks @ko-fi.com for the #KofiExclusiveChallenge prize! Used the winnings to offset costs for some new creative work.

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Lovely Uber driver on way to the boat this morning. I don't do taxis too often but weather and luggage made it essential today. Had a decent natter too. Makes everything more bearable.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Plotting a brief return Liverpool jaunt because it's gonna be cheaper and easier to collect something and boat back to NI than it is to get it posted to me. Will undoubtedly film a couple of my wee history videos while I'm there.

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

I've been booked for a couple of talks to local history groups - Roe Valley in Oct & Bushmills in Feb. If you'd like to book me for a talk on any of my specialities please get in touch. History groups, film societies, schools, private clubs... All welcome. UK/Ireland. Over seas by request.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

I'm very excited by it. I know the fans want the gothics, but my gosh I've waited a lifetime for some of these!

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

So pleased to have contributed something to the new 4k Hammer releases. I've been trying to get someone to do these since before my time working for the company.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Another Royal Mail fail this morning. A supposedly delivered parcel has actually gone to an address across town. It's taken a while to decipher the address on the other package in the photo. They ought have better resolution images and location stamps for their tracking service.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

the amazing Beltany Stone Circle... vm.tiktok.com/ZNdmJfcmg/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

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My latest NI folklore video is on our Gateway to Hell. But I have questions about when this tale first surfaced... YouTube link below, also on FB and TikTok if you follow me there. youtube.com/shorts/TO6y7...

youtube.com

Secret Northern Ireland : The Gateway to Hell & Black Thom's Ghost

YouTube video by Robert J.E. Simpson

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

How many of you have seen the hidden Titanic memorial in Liverpool Cathedral ? vm.tiktok.com/ZNd5LV19a/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

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Went to visit a #Titanic sculpture in Liverpool yesterday. Within an hour of me filming, someone had come along and broken off parts of it... vm.tiktok.com/ZNdUbDQC9/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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More Charlie Chaplin in Belfast - just why is there a statue of Chaplin beside the SS Nomadic ? vm.tiktok.com/ZNdDvB12k/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

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Ah gee... Feels like the kinda response I'd get. I can't even bring myself to text my dad this year - it'd be lies.

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Latest video - Ancient Ireland: Grianán of Aileach, Co. Donegal. And yes, there are ghosts in it. vm.tiktok.com/ZNdAcSVPk/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

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On way back to Coleraine, except my train won't go that far owing to riots at the station. This rioting is so counter-productive and is damaging all communities.

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Found a Spike Milligan book today that I'd not previously heard of. So an easy £2.50 spend to add it to my collection.

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

What do the numbers mean?! Understanding the 1500th victim memorial, Belfast vm.tiktok.com/ZNdB6THhA/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

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Made my debut with Voicebox Comedy last night, portraying their resident physician, Dr Phibes. The show and audience were great, and hopefully it's not the last you see of my Dr. Huge thanks to the wonderful ensemble cast of misfits. Here I am mid-show with Marcus Keeley

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 25/05/2025

Impatiently waiting for delivery of a new phone I ordered this week. My first in far too long. As if it knows it was about to be replaced, my current handset is suddenly struggling to load all my apps and is heading towards brickdom. Just a few more days, please!!!

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Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

What are they doing to Belfast's Titanic Quarter? vm.tiktok.com/ZNdrbV4LH/

Robert JE Simpson @avalard.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

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The origin of the Fab ice lolly - vm.tiktok.com/ZNdMGJY5p/