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Lou Bell

@louisebell.bsky.social
597 followers 547 following 199 posts

Researches artificial limbs in #ww1 and #ww2 | Committee member @socialhistsoc.bsky.social | co-founder @ukdishisthub.bsky.social | goes to a lot of gigs | she/her

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Reposted by Lou Bell
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 30/09/2026
Four universities on strike today. One map to find them all. Nottingham, Dundee, Glasgow Caledonian and Edinburgh are out. And today we launch the UCU strike map: every dispute across the union, in one place. Find a dispute near you. Visit a picket. Share the map.
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Brodie Waddell @brodiewaddell.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Oct 1st, Save the date! Rosamund Oates will be talking about ‘Silent Histories: Deafness in Early Modern England' at @ihrscb.bsky.social in-person @ihr.bsky.social & online. #EarlyModern 🗃️ Booking details will soon be on: www.history.ac.uk/news-events/ihr-seminars/society-culture-belief-1500-1800
Rosamund Oates (Manchester Metropolitan University)
‘Silent Histories: Deafness in Early Modern England’

1 October 2026, in-person and online
Society, Culture and Belief, 1500-1800, at the Institute of Historical Research, London

Rosamund Oates shares previously untold stories of deaf men, women and children, showing how their experiences reveal contemporary beliefs about disability and humanity in early modern England.  Drawing on archival sources, she will explore how far deaf people were integrated into their communities, and show how Catholic and Protestant churches adapted to include sign language users from the medieval period onwards.  Lastly, she will explore the influence that deaf signers had on the broader culture of the period, showing their impact on artists, scientists and philosophers, including Christopher Wren and John Locke.

Venue and booking details will be available soon on our webpage:
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/ihr-seminars/society-culture-belief-1500-1800
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Reposted by Lou Bell
david-s.bsky.social @david-s.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Ongoing Call for Contributors Via @ukdishisthub.bsky.social The Disability Action Research Kollective (DARK) is always seeking contributors for zines on disability history and perspectives. Find DARK zines: libcom.org/tags/disabil... More info: linktr.ee/disabilityark
linktr.ee
DARK Official: Instagram | Linktree
Disabled-led group that makes zines on disability history and perspectives
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Had a “chip shop curry margarita” this afternoon and it was honestly SO GOOD!
Small cocktail glass sitting on a black and white-flecked table. The glass is filled with a yellowish liquid and has powder around the rim.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
When I was doing research in Glamorgan Archives at the beginning of the PhD, one of the men working there gave me some recommendations of things to do in Cardiff, and the one he was very insistent on was Castell Coch. I had zero time that trip, but I finally visited over the weekend! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿
Square red sign on a stone wall. The wall has lots of green ivy growing on it. In the centre of the red sign is white text reading Castell Coch with an arrow pointing right below it.Looking up at a very ornate ceiling. Small panels are sectioned out in gold stripes. Each panel is a greenish blue hue with gold stars and different sized birds painted on. From the centre hangs a large chandelier which looks black from the view below.Looking through an ornately trimmed doorway through the door behind that, into a third doorway which has one of the two red doors closed. The oranate trimming on the first doorway has large branches either side, meeting in the middle, where the tops of them are filled with birds. The second doorway has red doors like the final one, but you can see that both of these are opened, allowing you to see through to the final doorway and the white wall beyond that.A very large, grand, curved bedroom. This is in the top of a tower, hence the curved walls. There is a large wooden chair with  a grey cushion on it next to an ornate bed with colourful wooden bed frame and red pillows and covers on. From the centre of the ceiling hangs a chandelier with lots of candles on it. The ceiling is domed and has different square panels depicting monkeys, birds and various plants. The overall colour scheme of the ceiling and walls is gold. The carpet is red.
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Reposted by Lou Bell
Dr Hannah J. Elizabeth @sexhistorian.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Got a hankering for health history? We are looking for a brilliant historian to join us at Strathclyde on our *FUNDED* PhD studentship researching post-1948 unorthodox health activism in Britain. Design a project & apply by 30 October 2026! #AcademicSky #HistMed www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...
static.klipy.com
Eduwis Preschool: We're Hiring
Alt: We're Hiring
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Reposted by Lou Bell
Chris Kempshall @chriskempshall.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Yes they absolutely are. And the message this sends to other people of colour in academia is ‘we weaponised the press against him and we can do it against you’. There’s so much shame to go around here. But there’ll be fuck all contemplation or reflection from the press or Cambridge.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Finished this today and loved it! Gonna need to get a hold of Withered Hill and Scuttler’s Cove now @davidmbarnett.bsky.social!
White hand holding the bottom left hand corner of a book against a lilac wall. The paperback book cover is predominantly black with a white etching of a magpie in the centre. Yellow text underneath tells you that the title is Scratch Moss. And white text below that tells you the author is David Barnett. At the top of the cover white text reads: “A creepy folk horror set in an old mining town…I loved it!” - Sarah Pinborough
Yellow text underneath this reads:
It lingers in the woods.
It thrives in the mines.
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Reposted by Lou Bell
UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Today is your final day to submit proposals for this event at @britishlibrary.bsky.social in November! #DisHist
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
There’s just two more days to get your abstracts in for @ukdishisthub.bsky.social’s November event! #CFP #DisHist
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I might no longer be PGR rep, but I was delighted to be re-elected to the @socialhistsoc.bsky.social Committee as an Ordinary Member! Big thanks to everyone who voted for me (and to my fellow Committee members for encouraging me to stand for a new position!)
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
With #SHS2026 now being done, my time as PGR rep for @socialhistsoc.bsky.social has also come to an end. It’s a role that I’ve been in for 4 years and one that I’ve genuinely loved doing, so I am a bit sad to have to leave it! But I’m very happy to be giving it over to @jainahunt.bsky.social!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
As always, I had the best time at this year’s @socialhistsoc.bsky.social conference! There were lots of excellent papers, lots of old and new friends, and maybe a little bit too much wine at the 70s disco… 😅 #SHS2026
Red lanyard sitting on a white table top. It is red with white looping writing saying Social History Society. Black text on white tells you that I’m:
Louise Bell
Independent Scholar
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Reposted by Lou Bell
Jack Cox @jackandrewcox.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Day 3 of @socialhistsoc.bsky.social Annual Conference. Great papers by @davehitchcock.bsky.social on imperial charitability, @ellasbaraini.bsky.social on historicising suicidal feeling. As well as a panel with @louisebell.bsky.social, David Cox, Susan Barton & Lucy Barton on conflict and disability
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Sue John @suejohn.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The next 'Open Archive' event from @womenslibrary.bsky.social ... womenslibrary.org.uk/event/open-a...
womenslibrary.org.uk
Open Archive: Discovering Desi Queer Culture
As part of South Asian Heritage Month we’re showcasing archival material created by and for British South Asians, with a focus on LGBTQ+ communities.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
If you’re a PGR at this year’s @socialhistsoc.bsky.social please do consider coming to our lunch-time meet-up today! #SHS2026
Colourful poster with a teal border, and orange writing on a white background. The writing reads
1pm-2pm
PGR meet-up
Thursday 2nd July
Management School Hub Cafe
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
And now I’m on my way to Lancaster for this year’s @socialhistsoc.bsky.social conference, and all the 50th anniversary celebrations! #SHS2026
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UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Attendees at #SSHM2026 might also be interested in our #CFP for an event at @britishlibrary.bsky.social in November! You have until the end of the month to submit your ideas to us! #DisHist
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Had a lovely, albeit very brief, time at #SSHM2026 this afternoon! It was great to be able to talk about the work we’ve been doing with @ukdishisthub.bsky.social with @sambrady.bsky.social, @disabledarchaeo.bsky.social and Rosemary Cresswell! #DisHist
White square name badge sitting on a grey train table. There is the SSHM logo in purple at the top with black text underneath reading: Louise Bell
UK Disability History and Heritage Hub.
The University of Leeds logo is in the bottom right corner.Large screen with the first slide of a presentation. On the top half is the UK Disability History and Heritage Hub’s logo - which is made up of a red rectangular speech bubble, a blue speech bubble and an orange through bubble, all overlapping. The hub’s name is in black text on a green background in the centre of all of these.
Below this black typed text reads:
Actioning Accessibility: Perspectives from the UK Disability History and Heritage Hub. 
SSHM Conference 2026, 1st July, University of LeedsFour people standing in a hall with a brown wooden floor and lots of tall, grand pillars. From left to right:
- white woman with long reddish brown hair, glasses, a black top with white daisies on, and grey checked trousers 
- white woman with long curly dark hair, wearing glasses, and a long dress which is primarily pink
- white man with dark hair and facial hair, glasses, a pink T-shirt and blue over shirt, brown trousers
- white woman with long blondish hair, wearing a black dress with white pattern on
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Knocked Loose in Notts last night was INSANELY GOOD!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Looking forward to presenting at #SSHM2026 this afternoon!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Join us next Friday afternoon for a relaxed space to chat through any ideas/things that are stressing you out!
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Reposted by Lou Bell
UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The full #CFP can be found on our website: ukdishisthub.mystrikingly.com/blog/call-fo... #DisHist
ukdishisthub.mystrikingly.com
Call for Presenters! Collections Uncovered: Disability at the British Library
Collections Uncovered: Disability at the British Library – 27th November 2026 – 10am-4:30pmPresentations in-person and online, via Teams/Zoom.The afternoon session is in-person onl
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Reposted by Lou Bell
UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
For our June monthly event, we will be joined by the authors of the recently published "Disability Activism In and Out of the Academy: Classical Studies, Pedagogy and Practice"! This will be taking place on 24th June at the earlier time of 11am! #DisHist
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
I feel very out of the loop with anything going on anywhere atm, so does anyone have any recommendations for exhibitions I should try visit in London over the summer months?
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Reposted by Lou Bell
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A wee group of angry balaclava and mask-wearing anti-immigration guys tried to stop the good people of Glasgow showing solidarity with migrants and standing up to racism and fascism. Well, the far right are far outnumbered... #RefugeesWelcome #MigrantsWelcome #NeighboursNotStrangers #Glasgow
Photo of a small group of mostly men wearing black, with masks and balaclavas, surrounded by a Police Scotland cordon in the bottom of the photo, in the foreground. In the background, a very large colourful crowd of people with saltires, trade union banners, and hand-made signs in support of migrants and against racism have turned up to gather to show solidarity, and the far right guys were hoping to thwart that. They didn't.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I hadn’t actually been in @womenslibrary.bsky.social in forever until yesterday, and god, I just love it in there! ❤️
Outside of a stone building to the right. The camera is angled upwards to take in a large blue flag hanging outside with lighter blue floral shapes on it. The sky behind is grey and cloudy. A small sign in the background lets you know this Glasgow Women’s Library.Faded greyish blue carpet with a repeated pattern in shades of brown of a grand-looking bandstand-esque structure.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
22 years since one of my favourite ever albums came out?! 🖤🖤
Screenshot of the Spotify app. The image shows the cover of My Chemical Romance’s Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge album - which depicts drawings of a man and woman from the shoulders up, standing close, with blood over their white faces. White text underneath tells you that the song is called Thank You for the Venom. Underneath that are the controls for pause, rewind, fast forward.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Our final session before the conference is the 26th June (at 4pm)! It would be lovely to see as many people as possible there - so if you’re having any last minute panics about your conference paper, this is the place to come and discuss them!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Really pleased to finally be able to launch this CFP! Please do consider joining us at the British Library or online for a day of exploring collections and #DisHist!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
One of the questions yesterday was “what are your favourite history podcasts?” and I had to admit that I don’t really listen to any 💀 But I’m glad my friends understand me too well 😅
Screenshot of a conversation from WhatsApp with the name of the other participant scribbled out. It reads:
(In green text bubble) I just don’t do podcasts in general tbh.
(In green text bubble) I’ve listened to a few episodes of Sean from The Blackout’s podcast, but that’s about it.
(In white text bubble) Takes away valuable music time
(In green text bubble) Exactly!!
(In white text bubble) Classic Lou right there
There is a laughing emoji reaction to that last message.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
I really enjoyed the first day of this today! Big thanks to Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and @estelleprnq.bsky.social for sharing their expertise and experiences with us. And to @catherinefletcher.info for organising the whole thing!
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UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
👋👋 to all of our new followers! Please do check out our website and sign up to our two mailing lists: - one for our monthly events - one for our monthly news bulletin ukdishisthub.mystrikingly.com
ukdishisthub.mystrikingly.com
UK Disability History and Heritage Hub on Strikingly
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Our next one of these is TOMORROW (Friday 29th at 4pm)! If you want to join us, then please do get in touch for the meeting link!
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UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
On the 27th May (at the usual time of 5pm) @helenpdrabble.bsky.social will be joining us for our monthly event! Helen will be giving a talk titled “Recovering Invisible Childhoods: Disability Heritage and the Silences of Institutional Care.” #DisHist
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
My favourite part of a session that I attended this afternoon was definitely everybody putting their research interests into the Zoom chat and all of the great connections and potential collaborations being formed there! Plus I love just finding out what people work on 🤓
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UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
This Wednesday (29th) we will be joined by @debscavator.bsky.social for our April monthly event! Debby will be joining us for a conversation exploring assistive technology in Ancient Greece. #DisHist Start time is back to the usual 5pm!
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UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
We’re at @socialhistsoc.bsky.social’s Festival of Social History today! If you’re here, please do come say hi!
Table with a black table cloth on. There are posters for the UKDHHH at the front of the table and a plate full of food in the back corner. Two women sit behind the desk. On the left is a white woman with long reddish brown hair and wearing a black and white dress. On the right is a white woman with long dark curly hair, wearing a dress with Ancient Egyptian pattern.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Excited to be in London today for @socialhistsoc.bsky.social’s Festival of Social History!
Tall imposing concrete building with lots of small narrow windows all of the way up - Senate House in London. The sky above is a perfect blue. Looking to the front of room from about halfway down. There are rows of chairs filled with people. A large screen at the front has an opening slide which is a red background with white writing saying The Festival of Social History. The Social History Society logo is at the top.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
I won’t lie, I’ve been thinking about this Diet Coke for hours… 😅
Silver can of Diet Coke sitting on a table with a white table cloth. As well as the red text on the can saying Diet Coke there is a red high heeled shoe as an ad for The Devil Wears Prada 2. The background is blurry but you can see empty cups and plates left over from lunch.
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Reposted by Lou Bell
UK Disability History and Heritage Hub @ukdishisthub.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Some of the @ukdishisthub.bsky.social team are attending, and presenting at, the Access In Museums Conference at Leeds City Museum today!
Cover of the pamphlet for Access In Museums Conference 2026, which is taking place at Leeds City Museum.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Excited to be back in Leeds, and in the lovely Broderick Hall at Leeds City Museum, for the Access In Museums conference! This afternoon myself, @sambrady.bsky.social and @disabledarchaeo.bsky.social will be presenting on @ukdishisthub.bsky.social and who we are/what we do.
Front cover of the programme for the Access In Museums Conference 2026 taking place at Leeds City Museum.Small section of the programme which is black printed text on white paper:

Choice B: Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Making Museums Accessible and Engaging for People with Visual Impairments
Amy Jo Kearton
Broderick Hall
LUNCH
SPOTLIGHTS
Broderick Hall
• What is the UK Disability History and Heritage
Hub? - Louise Bell
• The Disability Badge Scheme - Emily Elsworth and Pen Foreman
• Museum Development Supporting the Sector
- Liz Denton, Access Cohort
BREAK
WORKSHOP CHOICE
Choice A: Advancing Accessibility: Disability
Work Culture in Museums
Alexandra Morris
Broderick Hall
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Early bird rates for conferences piss me off! I’m clearly not in a position to pay just now, or I would, so why should I be penalised by having to pay a higher price later, which I’ll also struggle to pay?
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
A reminder that this is happening on Friday! Please do get in touch with either myself or @aayushigupta.bsky.social if you want the Zoom link!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Yeah, fuck it, I know it’s only April, but I’m calling it: this new Enter Shikari album is the album of the year!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
It’s #NationalUnicornDay, so here is one from my trip to the Helix the other day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🦄
Wicker sculpture of a unicorn. It is standing on its hind legs with its head and horn pointed to the cloudy sky above.
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Are you a @socialhistsoc.bsky.social PGR member? Do you want to share your work? Or an idea that you’re working through? And want some feedback from a friendly bunch? Then please come join myself and @aayushigupta.bsky.social for our new work in progress sessions! First one is 17th April at 4pm!
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
I guess the main perk of not having any paid employment atm is that I can take my nephew to the Kelpies and have ice cream on a sunny day!
Two giant silver horse head sculptures sitting in front of a turning pool filled with water, which you can see their reflections and the blue sky reflected in. Two giant silver metal horse head sculptures against a lovely blue sky. There is a pool of water in front of them. And some rather brown/muddy looking grass in the foreground. Focus is on a white hand holding an ice cream with a flake in it. The background is not in focus but you can see the two giant horse head sculptures and the blue sky. Pool of water with three ducks and a swan in. There are lots of reeds to the left hand side of the photo and the sky above is blue in the distance with lots of clouds in the foreground
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Lou Bell @louisebell.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Excited to be contributing to this with my @ukdishisthub.bsky.social hat on! Also just generally excited to be attending!
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