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Helen Walmsley-Johnson

@helenw-j.bsky.social
222 followers 190 following 254 posts

Author, Invisible Woman, ex-Guardian, country-dweller. Rep: blakefriedmann.co.uk/juliet-pickeri…

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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Wrote a thing Monday. Got held back and is a weekend read at the Guardian today. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
While the criminal justice system should address reports of rape, we know that rates of conviction are appallingly low for a number of reasons. Although, thanks to feminist interventions, the legal system is better equipped to understand this crime and less prejudiced against victims, we will not change the world through that means.

After rape allegations at Cornell University, why are women again being urged to talk to their sons? Why not men?
Gaby Hinsliff
Gaby Hinsliff
Read more
Sexual assault arises in part through both the entitlement and the desire to abuse and dehumanize women, which is in part about definitions of both masculinity and femininity: masculinity in that domination, violation and degradation are seen as status-enhancing, femininity in the perception that women’s bodies are for men to use, women’s voices and rights to be ignored.

The most compelling thing I’ve read in response to the Cornell case is in an essay by feminist writer Soraya Chemaly. She cites anthropologist Peggy Sanday, who told her that there are “rape-prone” and “rape-free” societies: “She found that in rape-free cultures, women have far more authority, status, safety and freedom.”

They’re societies in which women’s rights to bodily and social self-determination are respected, and a man who violates those rights would face severe consequences. “Rape-prone cultures, on the other hand, treat rape as an entitlement in a system that revolves around masculine contests and hierarchies.”

 rest at link
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
We live in a rape-prone society. The horrific Cornell case reveals what that looks like | Rebecca Solnit
Public outcry to punish the alleged perpetrators in the Cornell case misses the point – the only solution is political, legal and cultural equality of women
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Ahead of schedule, new arrival Miss Flora achieves peak cat and her right to residency. #caturday
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
After rape allegations at Cornell University, why are women again being urged to talk to their sons? Why not men? | Gaby Hinsliff
Boys learn by watching how the men they respect treat their partners, female colleagues, women on the street. Now is the time for those men to step up, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Please enjoy this lovely study of Miss Flora, who absolutely did not bail out of the bedroom window [pictured] yesterday and frighten me half to death... #catsofbluesky
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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Time for this classic again.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This week I am sheep-sitting this bunch of reprobates. They did all come and speak to me though, which was nice.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Miss Flora, picking up the flouting-house-rules baton from the late, great and much missed Sodoffskaya. #catsofbluesky
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Missy Flora is making progress. She had a slightly lairy day yesterday - full moon/frustration at being stuck indoors - but then there are lovely moments like this. She's only on her 5th day. We'll get there. #catsofbluesky
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Good grief. That's a big one. Nothing flimsy about it, in fact I'd call it 'muscular'. 😱🙀🕷️
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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I watched this last night. It's terrifying, but hopeful. I feel it's my duty, as a human, to share it. I'd appreciate it if you shared it too. It's specifically made for people in the UK, but it's about everyone, and, the more people see it, the better chance we'll have. www.nebriefing.org/the-film
nebriefing.org
National Emergency Briefing
A 50-min film centred around the National Emergency Briefing. The frank facts, but also the huge opportunity if Government steps up and leads a WW2-scale response. Designed to be watched by communitie...
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The universe has spoken - and sooner than anticipated. Miss Flora was brought to me this week. This is A Very Good Thing for I have been utterly miserable without The Sod and am clearly not designed for the catless life. She has big paws to fill... #catsofbluesky
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Monday, and I'm rethinking my habit of casually tossing super-sized Scotch Bonnets into the tomato bowl... #gardener #homegrown
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Temporarily catless. But please enjoy this picture of the late, great and much lamented Sodoffskaya taken to record a rare moment of embarrassment. #Caturday
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
“She inspired and opened doors for so many others. And she was great fun too.” A huge loss. www.theguardian.com/books/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Bonnie Greer, writer and cultural commentator, dies aged 77
The British-American novelist and playwright who regularly appeared on current affairs shows will be remembered for her ‘warmth, humour and generosity’, says her husband
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Tackling the box room, recently vacated by the late and much loved Soukie Sodoffskaya [RIP]. However, I found my press cuttings and this, from the Telegraph March 2019, of which I am v v proud. #coercivecontrol #VAWG
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
After the loss of so many last week, The Sod [20] - with impeccable timing - also decided her time had come. It was the oddest thing. Summer over, she was done. A cat who lived life on her own terms, she left it the same way. I am utterly bereft. What a cat. #catsofbluesky
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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
Greg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Hi, if you live near Sussex, I’m doing a free event for TEENAGERS (not smaller kids) at Crawley Library on September 22nd I’ll be chatting with the much funnier & cooler Katie Kennedy (The History Gossip). It’ll also be filmed and streamed online libraries.westsussex.gov.uk/go-all-in-gr...
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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
James McConnachie @jamesmcconnachie.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Making Tax Difficult sorry Digital question: can any freelancers recommend the simplest possible bridging software to get from my basic Excel sheet records to HMRC submission? I'm only interested in the free options. MyTaxDigital? Monzo? Free Agent? Clear Books Free?
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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
Lee Randall @leerandall.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Lovely review of @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social new biog of Dame Barbara Cartland: www.theguardian.com/books/2026/a... He's at Wigtown Book Festival 1/10 at 4:30 and programmer's prerogative, I'll be chairing that. Cannot wait. Tickets on festival website. Do come!
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
This is the 3rd year for my Scotch Bonnet chilli and it's produced one the size of a golf ball. Not sure I have the constitution to cope with that. Behind is a 2-year-old Hot Lemon, and it is.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
In the course of my research I have discovered that the summer of 1642 was quite a bit like the summer of 2026. I am momentarily grateful that at least I don't have stays or voluminous clothing to deal with and that my fan is of the electrically operated revolving kind. #writer
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I'm trying option two. With limited success.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I'll have you know that one of those cabinets inhabited the kitchen where I grew up and - AND - my mother made a very fine raised crust game pie using the porcelain table. A diminutive woman, she stood on a box to fit the pastry into the pie mould.
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Susie M @wrathofgodherself.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Miss Kitty has worked her fingers to the bone using this old cabinet with its expanding porcelain table, making pastry every day, pie after pie after pie after pie. Look at her now, a wisp of a woman. The secret is: if you make pie, you don't want to eat pie.
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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
Larry the Cat @number10cat.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Notice for cat owners: Your cat will expect breakfast to be served as soon as the eclipse is over.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
My first thought when it was announced and a huge concern. For thousands of women and children, this is terrifying. #vawg theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
What kind of society fast-tracks early release for domestic abusers? This is gambling with women’s lives | Joan Smith
Andy Burnham inherited the crisis in our prison system – but the solution cannot be to further endanger the women and children who have survived violence, says writer and campaigner for women’s rights...
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
A conflicted Archers, followed by 15 minutes on death. What the hell's going on with my beloved Radio 4??
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Well. I was hoping for a slightly different Archers experience after all the writing and whatnot. Would you like to see my spectacular cucumbers? #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
You're wasting your breath, Susan. Bert is beyond redemption and I have a heart of stone. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I don't think I've ever loved Neil more. Even in his pig-stinky overalls. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Do explain, Susan. Why, exactly, does Bert deserve anyone's respect. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I will not put up with bullies. And Bert is a bully. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Ah yes. The lack of tolerance in the countryside for farmers getting on with their jobs. Ed is quite right. It's never the people who actually live here. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Bert is beyond the pale. A long way beyond. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
What's this now? Monty's in the frame for sheep mauling? Surely not. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
I feel a letter coming on, to the Vatican, to request that Tracy be put forward for sainthood, on the grounds that she's put up with Bert for longer than is humanly possible. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
'I don't really see myself as just a pub chef.' Ouch. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Y'know, I do think Bert should at least make an effort. Or even try for anything vaguely resembling an effort. An eff, perhaps? Followed by an off. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
It's been a while - I've been in a writing bubble and have briefly emerged to catch up on author admin - but everything seems to have gone tits up in Ambridge. #TheArchers
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Listening to #TheArchers this morning and I'm afraid I feel obliged to offer Bert Horrobin a good kicking.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Admin. I have done it. Took me a day and a half... Also, when you sit down and THEN remember you popped a ripe tomato in your back pocket when you did your tour of the garden. That.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Tempted to chuck it down the garden to see if it will [come back]
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
I will not buy spring onions imported from Senegal [not pictured, those are proper spring onions not desiccated excuses for spring onions]. It is summer and peak spring onion. We should not be flying spring onions halfway around the world, Tesco. Thank you for listening. I'll get my coat.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Millie the Cocker is glad one of us knows where we are. #dogsofbluesky
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
This year's courgettes are decidedly odd, but delicious nonetheless. They come courtesy of a mystery plant kindly donated to my grocery garden by the utterly splendid Tattooed Daughter.
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Update on The Enormous Web in the Garden [post passim]. Wrath has kindly furnished me with info and I believe what I have there is a Nursery Web Spider. The name implies cuddliness but it has a leg span of 50mm+ and it bites. I will NOT be cuddling that. 🕷️
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I have discovered my spider limit. This web has a wingspan of almost a metre, with a kind of funnel-shaped construction in the middle. It is, frankly, terrifying. Anyone know what it might be in there - apart from f*cking enormous? 😱🕷️
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Reposted by Helen Walmsley-Johnson
Susie M @wrathofgodherself.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Prof. C P Blatt Champion Man Fish Of The World. What a career!
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Helen Walmsley-Johnson @helenw-j.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
If the prospect of Fery/Zverev at Wimbers this arvo is giving you conniptions, do please take a calming moment to admire my massive cucumber. Pimm's optional/compulsory.* *delete according to preference
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