iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dave Voisey

Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Everyone Listens to Everyone. My action step for this year, and my latest blog post for @knowledge-hub.bsky.social theknowledgehubuk.substack.com/p/everyone-l...

Screenshot of text from the linked blog post.

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Ian Kikuchi @curatorian.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The Sinking of HMS Eclipse, by George Davy. While serving as Director of Military Operations, Middle East, the artist had been aboard the destroyer in Oct 1943 when it struck a mine and sank with the loss of 119 crew and 134 embarked troops. Image: IWM LD 6725 / www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...

The Sinking of HMS Eclipse by George Davy. IWM ART LD 6725. Image © The rights holder

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I once was asked how my degree in Military History would be of zny relevance to teaching KS3 and 4 kids. I gave a cracking answer (even if I do say so myself) but I'm pretty sure my tone lost me the job.

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Laura McInerney @missmc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Folks: these days the England system has BTECs, T-Levels, degree apprenticeships, a whole load of other apprenticeship assessments, and very flexible HE entry across a broad range of providers, including foundation years for those without L3. We already *have* a lot of pathways!

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

So much this! Nothing more enjoyable than reading out a report from Churchill abkut the 2nd Happy Time in my most terrible Churchill impression. But Helen is bang on, it really engages and hits different for the kids.

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Owen Williams @mrbwteach.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Trying something new in September with our KS3 history booklets. Each lesson has been reformatted to start with an immersive story. The section is called 'Entering the Past' and is followed by a longer, more analytical section called 'Understanding the Past' where the main content is delivered.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

For the #historyreacher crew.Putting my money where my mouth is over teaching warfare. This year I to redid our FWW unit following a narrative format after looking at the work of @counsellc.bsky.social, @hughrichards.bsky.social, @michaeldoron.bsky.social, @paulalobo.bsky.social, /1

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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Evidence Informed? My recent speech from ResearchED on why I'm so worried about our direction of travel and why once again we may need to fight for evidence informed education. bennewmark.wordpress.com/2026/07/07/e...

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John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Okay, since Right (Reich?) Move have taken down THAT house tour... ...here's the one line every historian dreads hearing from someone, and why.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

For teacher folks and anyone interested in Military History. This is a great opportunity to see Historic Firearms being demonstrated near Worcester. We'll be around to field questions and if you're a teacher we can discuss what we can offer you.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Doing some really experimental (for me) resourcing. Using an extract from Holmes' Tommy and picking apart how he references other Historians inc. Paddy Griffith, a colleague of his. Will be interesting to see how Y8 engsge with on views about the Somme.

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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

A weird thing in The Big Report is how it's really clear that kids with good gcse grades appear best prepared for work but then implies these courses aren't good preparations for work.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

A fascinating new object at the @vickersmg.bsky.social. the Helmet of Andrew Sutherland of the MGC. He was injured, yes injured, on 6th July 1916. He would survive both of thesr gun shot wounds. A great example of helmets could save lives. Rich reckons the unit might have had them only 2 wks before

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Ben Newmark @bennewmark.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The inevitable consequence of the alarming NEET statistics is going to be a lot of school blaming and demands schools teach more "work skills." That this isn't the problem won't matter.

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Dreadnought Holiday @dreadships.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Regardless of whether the pontiff is weak on crime, it's indisputable that the Vatican has been neglecting its ability to project naval force in the last few decades. The Regia Marina nicking their last warship probably didn't help.

A three-masted vessel in full sail. A tiny puff of smoke hints at either steam propulsion or they've elected another Pope mid-voyage.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

@hughrichards.bsky.social and @michaeldoron.bsky.social and anyone else doing narratives - have anyone experimented with the use of short vignette characters/stories and if so, how have you deployed them? Got some ideas for my A Level unit and the use of William Marshall for Y7 - any ideas?

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

We're really focusing on the use of language as a big drive for us. Fortunately, my wife is an English teacher. The goal is to get the kids thinking about using metaphors in their own explanations.

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Vickers MG Collection & Research Association @vickersmg.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Our latest Extra! Dispatches from the Dugout video discusses the Bren and how easy it was to strip and clean. Also close ups of our skeletonised Bren. #militaryhistory #notjustvickersmg

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

Want a break from current geopolitics? Ofncoursr you do! What better way than to watch me waffle again about really old firearms. This time, the MP28, an improved MP18 - the grandaddy of modern, handheld automatic firepower.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Watch me waffle about cleaning and maintaining historic firearms

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

AI generated slop combined with the usual ignorant and motivated messaging really annoys the shit out of me. 1. The Glosters were not alone. They were in a Brigade formation that was strengthen with a Battalion of Beligans. Geography and being over-stretched isolated units physically, but were /1

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

I had some time due to Y13 Mocks to watch some film clips linked to my unit, we watched some of this beaut, Tell England (1931). Look at these shots, recognise them from a certain Spielberg film? Especially the action shots moving up from the SS River Clyde on Y Beach. youtu.be/vanJZ3ColDk?...

youtu.be

Gallipoli Beach Assault From the Movie Tell England (1931)

YouTube video by Chzz77 Dacan

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Over the course of next October we'll be running an exhibition about the history of the Vickers and British machine gunnery from 1910s to 1960s. This is an awesome opportunity to support us if you fancy some museum work or to visit and see hands on what we do.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

My headcanon has the events of this Armstrong and Miller sketch matching the origin. There is, however, a rather heartwarming notion that it was likely made by some absolutely hilarious squaddie. youtu.be/Y1DWJQkOJew?...

youtu.be

The Armstrong and Miller Show | Hitler Has Only Got One Ball

YouTube video by Hat Trick Comedy

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Currently at the Bristol Beacon supporting @davidolusoga.bsky.social's A Gun Through Time. Do come and have a chat with us!

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Pete Jackson @petejackson.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Strongly agree. So many 17th century enquiries miss out King James I. He’s not just fascinating but his reign is crucial foundational knowledge to understand what comes next. Here’s a story we use to kick off our enquiry.

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Pete Jackson @petejackson.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

New blog so that the GCSE historical stories that myself and @benbassett.bsky.social have worked on can be shared with the wider history teaching community. Enjoy. open.substack.com/pub/petejack... #historyteacher

open.substack.com

Would you like to use more stories in your GCSE teaching?

Sharing some of our best stories to make GCSE History memorable and engaging.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

Did some archive work at @vickersmg.bsky.social today. Quite emotional, lots of log books from aircrews who were KIA and this Christmas card wish Xmas to be bomb-free. Then again, there is this unintentionally funny wedding photo.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

A project long in the making. It you want to know the concepts and practicalities of early Machineguns, then this episode of Dispactes from the Dugout by us @vickersmg.bsky.social will be essential viewing for you. Lots of discussion on what the impact of the MG was in 1914 youtu.be/jAFZm_yKB64?...

youtu.be

Maxim - Vickers - Trenches | Dispatches from the Dugout

YouTube video by Vickers MG Collection & Research Association

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Owen Williams @mrbwteach.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Recently I've been experimenting with a new type of booklet for students in KS3. Unlike my GCSE booklets, students don't write in these and instead use an exercise book for their class work. These booklets are also less task-based, consisting mainly of a story to be read and discussed in class.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Caught up with 2 of our Y12s who had done work experience @vickersmg.bsky.social. It was great seeing their joy at accessing the archive and being involved in the process of catalouging primary material. That was their focus, learning how to strip a MG was just a side feature for them.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

This scene from Andor is meme gold for misconceptions.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

When we teach the FWW we often pose it as the conflict where technology changed warfare. This is something that's often missed about the SWW. I spent yesterday doing some maintenance @vickersmg.bsky.social Firearms are pieces of material culture and they reflect the society and timeframe in which /1

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Honestly, taking apart and reassembling a BAR was incredibly stressful. This is controversial, yes its a 1917/18 design, but it requires tools, and nothing is easy to take apart.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Some awesome footage from our recent schools demo shoot. If this is something you're interested in, please do get in touch. If you want to see one in a non-school setting we're holding a demo for Patreons on the 12th July youtu.be/Z1Ln4L0GS-8?...

youtu.be

Historic Firearms Demonstration Days #VickersMG

YouTube video by Vickers MG Collection & Research Association

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

This is an amazing chance to see a variety of MGs being fired in person with a chance to discuss with experts that nature of Warfare - come check it out.

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Mike Hill @michaeldoron.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Interested in a direct approach to history teaching? 'Lean lessons' with booklets, whole-class reading, explanation, and lots of questions? @jacobolivey.bsky.social and I are leading a webinar series for @histassoc.bsky.social in June – and it's cheap! Just £50 for all six webinars. Link below! 👇

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

I'm glad that this finally has had a proper national outing. Discussions with female staff and trainees has shown how they are treated differently. It goes beyond social media figures, that's reductionist, but there is a culture problem inc. Parents www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.com

Barking at female staff and blocking doorways: Teachers warn of rise in misogyny and racism in UK schools

Survey finds social media main cause of poor behaviour, with pupils mimicking Donald Trump and Andrew Tate

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

We at the @vickersmg.bsky.social have this fantastic memoir at half price to mark the anniversary of the VC action. It's a fantastic account of the Mesopotamian campaign in the FWW - teachers, this is something you really should teach about. vickersmg.blog/product/grah...

vickersmg.blog

Reginald Graham VC. Istabulat 22nd April 1917.

This account is previously unpublished and includes the original diary and watercolours of (then) Lieutenant John Reginald Noble Graham, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders attached to 136 Company …

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

One of my jobs at the collection (alongside educating) is cleaning. The British Army in the early 20thC poured boiling water through barrels to wash away corrosive salts and to loosen any rust. At the @vickersmg.bsky.social still do this and it works a treat.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Yesterday was my first time being really hands-on with a Maxim @vickersmg.bsky.social and it was a real eye opener. Checking and cleaning the Russian 1910 really showed how much a leap forward the Vickers was. Much easier to disassemble and didn't require a mallet like this did.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

One of the perks of working at the @vickersmg.bsky.social Trying out a dual Vickers AA mount. It's very easy to move around in, once you've navigated your way into the seat.

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

A brief summary on patreon (free to access) of our demo for schools. This particular demo was shared by 2 schools - 26 students in total. If you'd be interested in joining us next year (these schools are coming back!) Get in touch. www.patreon.com/posts/125836...

patreon.com

Schools' Demonstration Shoot (April 2025) | Vickers MG Collection and Research Association

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Dave Voisey @davev-vickersmg.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Of course, the boss has some decent images. #historyteachers if you want to see Live MG fire with classes, get in touch with us for next year.

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Vickers MG Collection & Research Association @vickersmg.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

An excellent day today! We will be repeating this for schools that’s are interested and perhaps some other relevant groups and our patrons too! The demo included the Vickers of course but a bit of Lewis Gun action too. #FWWHist

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