iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 7h

Eric is helping the autumnal tidy up in the garden today.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Medals & logbooks belonging to RAF Flying Officer, Leslie Valentine to be auctioned off. Valentine who played a vital role in D-Day when he flew his aircraft low enough to lay smoke on the beaches to protect the invading forces from enemy fire. 👇 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Medals and logbooks belonging to D-Day hero to be auctioned

Leslie Valentine's son Dudley hopes a buyer will 'treasure and preserve' the memorabilia.

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Grace Thomas @gracerethomas.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

We're seeking views as we journey towards appointing a new bishop Manchester diocese includes the cities Salford & Manchester, as well as Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton, parts of Wigan, Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Blackburn with Darwen, and Rossendale Please complete if you live in this area!

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Just had the most delicious Thai meal in Lille and the rice was shaped like a cat ❤️

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Good idea in my hotel! I’ven2 to use up now 😉🍷🍷

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today I visited the birthplace of General de Gaulle in Old Lille. Very interesting place.

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The Great War Group @thegreatwargroup.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The subsea cables that were cut by CS (Cable Ship) Alert forced Germany to use radio transmissions which were easier to intercept. Couple this with the attacks on German Wireless Towers globally and their ability to communicate was severely hampered. #WW1 #WarHistory #Communications

Map of Europe showing cable routes under the sea / channel.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

@toddi.bsky.social did you send me a friend request on Insta? Wasn’t sure it was you so deleted it!

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Stolen from Insta but credit to the person named on the photo. But this is me today. It is improving tho 😉

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Lille has a huge and very impressive war memorial!

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

22 September 1880 Christabel Pankhurst was born in Old Trafford. She co-founded the Women’s Social & Political Union to campaign for the vote for women, with motto ‘deeds not words’. Actions of the WSPU became more violent, with Pankhurst directing bombing and arson campaigns.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Bonjour from breakfast in Lille! Not sure who the yellow man is yet !

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Starting as he means to go on. Eric on tour!

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Belgian Refugees in Rhyl @refugeesinrhyl.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Care to join me to find out about the #BelgianRefugees in Rhuddlan? I've been invited by Rhuddlan Historical Society to talk about their refugees on Friday, October 2nd 2026 at 7.00pm, in Rhuddlan Community Centre (Parliament Street.) It would be great to see you there - I've got lots to tell...

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In the year to September 1885 Manchester recorded 1,163 arrests for drunkenness. 111 of those arrested were recorded as ‘not bona fide residents’.

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Great War Huts @greatwarhuts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Excited to see Great War Huts pop up on Channel 4’s Four in a Bed this week! 👀 Today’s episode featured our neighbours, Four Bells Glamping at Pinford End, and we were delighted to host the contestants here at Brook Farm Camp. Fingers crossed for payment day for Alex and Lucy!

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Stephen Chambers @stevejchambers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Visited Stalag VII-A POW camp in Germany today. Quite a few famed Allied prisoners spent time here; John Waddy of Arnhem exploits, Ernest Hemingway’s son and Major John “Bucky” Egan of the 100th Bomb Group (of Masters of the Air fame) #POW #ww2 #mastersoftheair #Battlefield

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

With the threat/promise of another hot summer next year, I found this is the sale section of my local garden centre. Got it a new pot too. I really like it. @gardenstuff.bsky.social @munrobear.bsky.social @mrfhbear.bsky.social

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

13 September 1877 Manchester Town Hall was officially opened. Mayor Abel Heywood unlocked the doors with a golden key. Three days of celebrations included a procession of 50,000 from trade societies, who continued the party at Manley Park, Pomona Gardens, Alexandra Park and Belle Vue.

Wide gothic building (vertical lines, pointed arches) with central clock tower with spire, against blue sky.

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Enjoyed a trip to the Station Agent's House Manchester today as part of Heritage Open Days. Dates back to 1808, now a holiday let run by The Landmark Trust, great views of Manchester's railway heritage and the 21st Century city. Open tomorrow, free entry. www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-e...

Brown/orange brick building, three bays across and three storeys high. Central portico with pillars and triangular pediment. Bunting and sign for the open day.

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Sam Bright @writesbright.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Labour should have acted quicker to stop this - and it may seriously regret not doing so

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Genevra Charsley, Flanders Battlefield Tour @flandersbtour.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Yesterday we were lucky enough to see a dedication service led by the Wounded Warrior Canada 🇨🇦 at the John McCrae Memorial plaque, Essex Farm A.D.S and Cemetery. The group are cycling along the Western Front and at some point will be visiting John’s resting place in Wimereux Cemetery.

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Great War Huts @greatwarhuts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

It’s Day 2 of our #HeritageOpenDays exhibition: #BeyondTheUniform Ten Lives in Ten Days. Today we tell the story of Gunner James Channon, whose face was badly damaged by a shell splinter in 1917, but later successfuly rebuilt by surgeon Harold Gillies at Sidcup Hospital.

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Barnsley Museums @barnsleymuseums.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

We're getting close to 2,000 followers. If you share this post we will share something from our collections. We'll do the same for any new followers too.

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🕸️👻 Dr Evilyn K🎃ch 👻🕸️ @evelynkoch.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Still one of my favourite quotes on the Danish settlers in early medieval England: "They were wont, after the fashion of their country, to comb their hair every day, to bathe every Saturday, to change their garments often, and set off their persons by many such frivolous devices." #WyrdWednesday

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The Bells of Peover, Knutsford, Cheshire. Even a girly lunch can be a learning experience! This would have been when the Sixth Airborne Division were stationed at nearby Tatton Park. Delicious lunch too 😃

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

8 September 1784 Ann Lee died. Born in Manchester, she was leader of the Shakers, whose worship involved ecstatic shaking, and who believed her to be the female manifestation of God. Shaker furniture, known for its simplicity and utility, continues to inspire designers.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

@gardenstuff.bsky.social I tried to copy a post from Insta over here which shows an Asian Hornet's nest which has just been found in North Manchester! I didn't realise they had got this far North 😬. For whatever reason I can't do it, but here is a still to show what we need to be on the lookout for!

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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A UK-wide wave of strikes by schoolchildren started on this day 1911. It began when pupils in Llanelli, Wales walked out in sympathy with a boy disciplined by a deputy headmaster. Walkouts spread to at least 62 towns and cities. Came at time of widespread industrial unrest.

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IPBES @ipbes.net · 04/09/2026

Did you know that invertebrates make up the majority of animal life on Earth? The leaf sheep (Costasiella kuroshimae), a rice-sized slug that harvests photosynthetic material from algae, was crowned Invertebrate of the Year 2026.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Its my birthday today. And its been a lovely day - largely because of the thoughtfulness of friends made thro Twitter, Instagram etc. Who said internet friends aren’t real friends. They are 🥰🥰

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God @thegodshow.com · 21/08/2026

Hybristophilia: sexual or romantic attraction to people who commit crimes, particularly serious or violent crimes.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

So that’s Saturday night sorted!

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

From an 18th century catering empire to the city's first women's refuge, find out more about the ventures founded by Manchester women across the centuries...

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Sadly on our way home again from a great trip. Still only a month to Lille and hopefully a much looked forward meet up with a “war friend” 😉

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

19 August 1893 Abel Heywood died. Great Abel - the hour bell in Manchester Town Hall - and a Northern Quarter pub are named after this former mayor, who was once imprisoned at New Bailey Prison Salford for selling newspapers without stamp tax.

Top of clock tower and its spire against a blue sky. Spire topped with a golden ball, covered in spikes.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Courseulles sur Mer - Juno Beach - D Day Landings

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Today we went to the Normandy Memorial and I didnt expect to be so emotional. Photos dont do it justice.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Sword Beach Memorial today, Luc sur Mer, by day and by night

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Apart from being on Sword Beach, my favourite attraction at Luc sur Mer is La Baleine. This male washed up at Lagrune in 1885 and after being moved around the area it ended up here in 1938. This and the arch at Whitby were in my head when I read The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Carrefour is one up on Sainsburys for a sneaky tipple 🍷. “Glass” included !

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

While it was cool this morning, I walked out of town to the Church of St Quentin de Luc sur Mer to visit the 3 CWGC graves. Sn interesting story which is detailed in the 4th photo. Further photos attached.

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Fairylight @ericbearshug.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Been a long hot day on trains but the boys are finally here in Normandy and we have a room overlooking Sword Beach which is fab!

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Sean Jones KC @seanjones.org · 10/08/2026

This seems to make it very likely that God is a cat.

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Philippa Vishnyakov @revealmcr.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

This week in 1872 it was reported that Ellen Edwards, ‘a young lady of smart appearance’, had horsewhipped shop assistant James Wishart at Kendals Manchester for jilting her and for ‘circulating a scandalous report’ about her.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 09/08/2026

If you get hungry at Brownhills Canal Festival we've got you covered - what do you fancy from this lot? 😋 ✅ Aunty Lane's Rocky Road ✅ Carlie's Cakes and Bakes ✅ The Curry Cruiser ✅ Fairy Good Cakes ✅ Tslices refrshments Plus our regular ice cream van for classic canal‑side treats!

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