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David Hendy

@davidhendy.bsky.social
6.6K followers 2K following 1K posts

Writer & broadcaster, Prof. Emeritus University of Sussex. The BBC: A People's History, Noise: A Human History, Radio 4. Writer-in-residence 2026, Gladstone’s Library Rep: Lexington Literary Agency societyofauthors.org/soa-member/dav…

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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I’m pleased to announce that I’m now represented by Caroline Dawnay at Lexington Literary
lexingtonliterary.co.uk
Lexington Literary
An independent literary agency dedicated to writing of the highest quality.
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Esther Rantzen gave one of her last full length interviews- about her life, her career - to the Connected Histories of the BBC project at the University of Sussex. All two-and-half hours of it are free to view here: connectedhistoriesofthebbc.org/play/?id=410
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Will Davies @will-davies.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Dada perfection
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Alan Allport @alanallport.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Fucking horse race journalism will kill us.
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Falling Tree Productions @fallingtreeprod.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Happy 80th to the Third! Here’s the anniversary doc Alan Hall made for their 60th… m.soundcloud.com/fallingtreep...
m.soundcloud.com
Three And The Third
Stream Three And The Third by Falling Tree Productions on desktop and mobile. Play over 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud.
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Yes, Piotr Zak, 1961 I think. So, Third. I included a clip of it in my 2016 series of features for R3:
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 3 - Radio 3 Breakfast, Power of 3
David Hendy illustrates 70 significant moments in the Third Programme's history.
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Hah, yes! Great anecdote! I think Humphrey Carpenter mentions something about this in his book on the Third.
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Today would have been the 80th birthday of the Third Programme - BBC Radio 3’s remarkable predecessor. My latest for the BBC marks the occasion with a dip into the programme archives, unearthing some forgotten gems from the Third’s early years…
bbc.co.uk
The Third at 80 – a brief history of the unexpected
Weird and wonderful highlights from the early years of BBC Radio 3’s celebrated forerunner The Third Programme
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The sky tonight in St Ives as the sun set was… just incredible (No filters, by the way)
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A satisfying full Harvest Moon tonight here in St Ives
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Stephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The worst part of being American is that they will never truly know the joy of Alan Partridge
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Summer Brennan @summerbrennan.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
I ran an absolutely 100% human, zero AI-involvement at any stage passage of my writing through an "AI detector," curious if it could really tell human from AI work, and it said my own writing was "84% AI written" then asked I wanted to pay to have it "humanized." So there's that to keep in mind.
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
‘… rather than selling the 5-hectare (12-acre) site to the community-led Mayday Saxonvale project, Somerset council has agreed a deal with a real estate investment company based in Soho, central London.’
theguardian.com
‘Devastating’: council rejects Frome residents’ bid for regeneration project
Locals raised £1m for Mayday Saxonvale scheme involving homes and park but Somerset officials agreed deal with London-based real estate company
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
‘… a work of reckless ambition.’ A new novel by @akblakemore.bsky.social is always a visceral, linguistic treat. And as an old medievalist, I just can’t wait to get hold of a copy of ‘Doom Painting’
theguardian.com
Doom Painting by AK Blakemore review – a dazzling epic of the Peasants’ Revolt
This recklessly ambitious doorstopper follows the 16 days of England’s medieval uprising from a vast array of viewpoints, and in startlingly rich prose
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Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
who's up for robbing banks while shouting "stop the boats" so no-one arrests us?
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The Booker Prizes @thebookerprizes.com · 22/09/2026
Presenting the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. Find out more about the books and authors that make up this year's list. thebookerprizes.com/bp2026
The Booker Prize 2026 shortlist in full:

The End of Everything by M. John Harrison
The Disappearers by Marlon James
Black Bag by Luke Kennard
May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
John of John by Douglas Stuart
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The Booker Prizes @thebookerprizes.com · 22/09/2026
Here's everything you need to know about the six remarkable books on Booker Prize 2026 shortlist, and the stories behind them. thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...
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The Booker Prizes @thebookerprizes.com · 22/09/2026
‘This is writing at its best. There’s plenty to enjoy, some blissful escapism and prose to die for’ We are delighted to reveal the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. ➡️ Discover the full list: thebookerprizes.com/bp2026
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Dr Chris Smith @spyhistorian.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I wonder if the only solution is political activism beyond the normal as no political party wants to fight for UKHE. So, perhaps UCU starting a single issue political party to field candidates in university towns and cities that threaten Labour MPs in marginals.
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Broadcast media and higher education are soft power -- important enough, you would think, for a government of a small country trying to punch above its weight internationally -- but they can also be EXPORTS, something that no modern government seems to understand?!
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
(Things are AWFUL in broadcast media, too -- I'm agreeing with @willardfoxton.bsky.social here, not saying universities have it worse. Both things that Britain does really well, for which we are actually internationally renowned, and the government has chosen to piss both of them away for Reasons)
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
literally thousands of jobs in higher education were cut *last year alone* and there's been almost no media coverage and no government action
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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
There are subjects on which Mr Ratcliffe has some knowledge or expertise. Immigration in society is clearly not such a topic: the BBC had to clarify that his comments 6 months ago were based on a massive mistake + misunderstanding of his key claim. His new comments were entirely contentless.
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This appears to be the case…
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 16/09/2026
‘We construct borders, literally and figuratively, to fortify our sense of who we are; and we cross them in search of who we might become.’ Frances Stonor Saunders, 2016 www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v3...
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Mass Observation Archive @massobsarchive.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Exciting news (well we think so)! We are looking for new people to regularly contribute to our archive! We accept applications from anyone based in the UK who has an interest in sending us their thoughts and opinions about life in the UK. #Skystorians massobs.org.uk/write-for-th...
massobs.org.uk
Write for the archive - Mass Observation Archive
Writing for Mass Observation You can apply to write for the archive here. Current Observers If you are one of our current Observers you may find our handbook for new Observers helpful. This has all th...
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London Review of Books @lrb.co.uk · 15/09/2026
We were very sorry to hear about the death of the historian Frances Stonor Saunders. Saunders wrote six pieces for the paper; her final book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦: 𝘚𝘪𝘹 𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘢 𝘉𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳, was first published in three parts in the 𝘓𝘙𝘉. Read all of her pieces here: www.lrb.co.uk/contributors...
lrb.co.uk
Frances Stonor Saunders
London Review of Books
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Daniel C. Blight @danielcblight.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
As if that were not enough, they have also announced plans to close Falmer campus, our home of education, sport, health and the medical school.
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Charlotte Lydia Riley @lottelydia.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
the things that Brighton university management has decided it simply… no longer recognises? it also no longer recognises UCU or Unison? again: how is this legal!!!!
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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 14/09/2026
UCU members at Brighton University face the threat of derecognition. We have called an emergency rally tomorrow at 1:15pm. It would be amazing to see as many #TUC26 delegates as possible in attendance. 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 0JY
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Lewes Urban Arboretum @lewesarboretum.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Following the good news that the Rights of our Trees motion was approved by Lewes Town Council last night, here is a celebratory decorated version of the Tree Charter for Lewes. It was designed by the talented Lynda Durrant, fullcircle-design.co.uk
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
University life 2026
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Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Sacking news: I scored 3rd out of 4 and therefore only qualify for a 0.5 post, with no redundancy payment because it's a contract variation rather than a dismissal. My 2.5 colleagues are thankfully therefore OK
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This is miserable. And frankly scandalous. I’m so sorry.
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
It has to be said that ‘The Vivisectors’, by Missouri Williams - which I’m enjoying a lot - offers a pretty bleak vision of university life…
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This New Statesman cartoon is the perfect antidote to Amol Rajan’s Spectator column
Outside the box By Becky Barnicoat (cartoon)

GARY AND AMOL'S
FREE OF THE BBC!!
SHOW
HI AMOL!
HI GARY
THIS IS FUN
THIS 1S FUN

CONGRATULATIONS ON LEAVING THE BBC!
THANK YOU
THE SWEET, SWEET TASTE OF FREEDOM, EH?
ANSWERABLE TO NOBODY BUT OURSELVES
IT TASTES SO GOOD, GARY
DO YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE
TASTES GOOD, AMOL?
TELL ME

MAGNUMS
OOH, LOVE A MAGNUM
THE MAGNUM DOUBLE UTOPIA
HAZELNUT IS INCREDIBLY RICH, CREAMY AND DECADENT 
MM
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE MAGNUM, AMOL?
WELL, GARY...
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Liam Thorp @liamthorp.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I’m baffled when people try to suggest that the BBC News is left wing or ‘woke’. Can you imagine someone presenting their flagship radio news programme who so brazenly exhibits and pushes left-wing views and talking points as much as Justin Webb does with those from the right?
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Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
This is absolute madness Labour - and I’d say what’s left of the centre right - is an existential battle against oligarchy But it hasn’t a clue that it is
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Ben Ansell @benansell.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Honestly, might be better if government ministers kept their half-baked views on education to themselves
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David Hendy @davidhendy.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The people who think it’s a bad line are those who’ve never had to rely on the help provided by social security. It was a good line, I thought.
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Hardeep Matharu @hardeepmatharu.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A criminal investigation is underway by Met Police into allegations Reform broke the law in relation to foreign funding, following a C4 broadcast involving James Orr. James Orr is Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Divinity. Any media interest in hundreds of articles?
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Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
You might have to turn up for the results of this one, Nige.
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Hugh Sykes @hughsykes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This is an important point, which I hope BBCNews will take on board. The chief rabbi is not the voice of all British Jews; he represents about a fifth of them. Reflexively reaching for the chief rabbi very time there's a controversy concerning Jews or Israel is lazy and ignorant.
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Roland Pierik @roleo.eurosky.social · 08/09/2026
The number of cases of cervical cancer reported in Scotland among women given the HPV vaccine at 12-13 years of age is now zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
No cervical cancer cases in fully HPV-vaccinated women in Scotland
A study published by Public Health Scotland finds that the HPV vaccine is "highly effective".
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Berin Szóka @berinszoka.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Photo of the decade: AfD leader Alice Weidel
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Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
‘Israel’s Shrill Attack on Ed Miliband Exposes Its Weakness’ Alexandra Hall Hall, a former UK diplomat who worked on the Middle East Peace Process in the Foreign Office, argues that Israel's extreme… bylinetimes.com/2026/09/09/israels-…
bylinetimes.com
‘Israel’s Shrill Attack on Ed Miliband Exposes Its Weakness’
Alexandra Hall Hall, a former UK diplomat who worked on the Middle East Peace Process in the Foreign Office, argues that Israel's extreme response to the UK shows it is now losing the argument
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Chris Terry-Enescu @cjterry.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Truly wild to have lived through moral panics about teenagers wearing hoodies and Muslim women wearing the head dress to now experience 'but is a large group of organised far right activists in balaclavas really that scary'
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Patrick Howse @baghdaddi.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I am dismayed at the BBC's utter failure to hold Nigel Farage and Reform to account. My latest for Byline Times: bylinetimes.com/2026/09/07/t...
bylinetimes.com
The BBC Is Just Nodding Along
The corporation's news coverage has lost its soul as a bulwark against unaccountable power and extremism, writes a former BBC News producer
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Katherine Weikert @kateweikert.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
A very quick turn around because of paperwork, but we're hiring a one year post in Modern British History! Please have a look and share widely with anyone interested! Happy to take informal queries at the email in the job posting! www.winchester.ac.uk/About-Us/Wor...
winchester.ac.uk
Work with us - University of Winchester
Explore the University of Winchester and discover your new career. We have a variety of positions in academic and professional services. Work with us.
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Will Davies @will-davies.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
if i didn't like paying that much tax, I would simply pay myself less money www.theguardian.com/news/2026/se...
theguardian.com
Billionaire Chris Rokos, who paid £330m in tax last year, to quit UK
Hedge fund tycoon is latest financier to exit amid fears among super-rich over tax rises
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