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Neil Manthorpe

@neildm63.bsky.social
487 followers 872 following 189 posts

Trying to be a better ally - progressive Christian - birder - railway geek - among other things

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Reposted by Neil Manthorpe
BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 23h
We've got some great opportunities to join us at BTO! Discover more and apply for our jobs and voluntary roles online at www.bto.org/jobs #Ornithology
A sideways view of a Puffin shows its white face, black body and brightly coloured orange-red bill. Wording alongside reads: We're hiring. Bird Atlas 2027-2031 Organiser, Research Ecologist, Field Surveyors, Youth Rep (Voluntary Role).
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Bill Braviner @billbraviner.bsky.social · 3h
#MorningPrayer Lord Jesus, enliven our curiosity about the call of your Spirit, and the things you teach us as we seek to follow your way. Keep our hearts open to hear you afresh today; never to be hidebound by what we think we know, but open to your wisdom, and led by your love.
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Sathnam Sanghera @sathnam.bsky.social · 19h
Dear tv and radio producers. Thankyou for the invitation. But, no, I do not want to appear on your show to defend the idea that I am English, after 50 years of living and working here, because the increasingly feral right want to turn this into a "debate" and you cannot see how you're being played
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Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust @bbowt.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
🦋 Three butterflies you may spot on sunnier days this month! However, as the weather starts to cool and the rain returns, we could be catching our last glimpses of butterflies until next spring. You can also look out for peacocks, brimstones and commas which all spend the winter as adults.
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Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/kev...
thelondoneconomic.com
Kevin Maguire nails the 'demonisation' of small boat migrants
Kevin Maguire perfectly explained how migrants arriving in the UK on small boats are 'demonised' by the right.
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Catherine Fletcher @catherinefletcher.info · 09/10/2026
NEW BOOK: my first children's book is out this week. It's an encyclopedia of Europe for 8-12s.
Cover of book called Extraordinary Europe with the title in shiny letters and a map of Europe in the background.
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Vincent van Gogh @vangogh.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Fishing boats on the Beach at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer - 1888 botfrens.com/collections/46/content…
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Neil Manthorpe @neildm63.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/serie...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Sounds - Secret Somerset - Available Episodes
Listen to the latest episodes of Secret Somerset on BBC Sounds.
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High Wycombe and District Model Railway Society @hwdmrs.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Our wonderful Junior Modellers have their Shadwell East layout at the Great Electric Train Show in Milton Keynes this weekend (Stand 52) www.keymodelworld.com/greatelectri... You can also see them at our own Wycrail exhibition on 7th November www.hwdmrs.org.uk/wycrail/
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Greg Jenner (Historian) @gregjenner.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
This is AWFUL — it’s exhausting being an author in the age of mass AI copyright fraud. If you can, support Alex (a real historian) against the fake copy 👇
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Rachel Parris @rachelparris.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Hey folks. In total honesty my tour is NOT selling well. I’ve sold 30 tickets in a 400 seater in Birmingham, and not much more elsewhere. If you like musical comedy, if you like standup, then please come see my show! And spread the word! The Rachel Parris Songbook tour starts in Nov! Link in bio! 🎶
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Daily Herald #FBPE #NAFO 🇬🇧🇺🇦🇬🇱 @dailyherald.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
A far greater one is the hate and division that men like this are expounding in the pursuit of votes.
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The Birdist @thebirdist.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
I looked back at more than 100 years of TV and movies and charted how birding and birders have been portrayed over time in a new piece for @audubon.org There are distinct eras! The Golden Years! The Bleak Years! Lots of bow ties! Popeye! Angela Lansbury! Much more! www.audubon.org/magazine/his...
audubon.org
How Movies and TV Made Birdwatchers Uncool—and Then Cool Again
A century of screen history shows how heroic conservationists became tweed-clad caricatures, and when Hollywood finally started to ditch the tired trope.
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Neil Manthorpe @neildm63.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Thank you for answering the question that was in my mind when I saw the college post - I hope you find a new post that uses your undoubted talents fruitfully.
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Dave Andress @davidandress.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Well, there it is.
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Student Christian Movement @scmbritain.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Check out our new resources from Honest Church and @transfigured.mission! ➡️ In combination with the Honest Church Trans Welcome toolkit, this resource has been designed to help churches improve their trans welcome. Download now at honestchurch.org.uk ⛪️ 🏳️‍⚧️
Promotional graphic offering a downloadable guide titled "Improving Your Church’s Trans Welcome" from Transfigured Mission and Honest Church, directing viewers to download resources at HonestChurch.org.uk.
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Sarah Murphy @13sarahmurphy.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Leader of party - that sold its own shrivelled soul to the devils of austerity and Brexit - will use her conference speech to slag off Labour (yawn) and make the only promise the Tories ever make - cutting taxes… They have nothing new or credible… or just plain nice… to say any more.
THE
TIMES
Wednesday October 7 2026

Badenoch promises tax cuts in 'battle for the soul of this nation'
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Bill Braviner @billbraviner.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
#MorningPrayer Save us, Lord Jesus, from captivity to our ego, from our human fear of losing face before others; give us rather an openness to the call of your Spirit and the leading of your wisdom. May we have courage to change, and to set our course by the compass of your love.
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Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
I always found it interesting, when I spent November in The USA, how little they could comprehend the shortness of our days in winter, and how amazed I was by their long hours of daylight, and it all came down to the fact that the UK is much much further north than people think.
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Matthew Bannister @matthewbannister.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Had a wonderful time making this celebration of choral evensong for Radio 3 with the brilliant @natalie-steed.bsky.social Part 2 in Bristol tomorrow. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
The Essay - Towards Evensong - Dean: Abi Thompson, Sheffield Cathedral - BBC Sounds
Celebrating a hundred years of the BBC’s broadcasting of Choral Evensong.
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Phil Groom @philgroom.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
“You have heard it said, ‘Stop the boats,’ but I say to you, welcome the boats and provide homes for the refugees they bring. Whoever welcomes such as these welcomes me, for I too was a refugee whose family fled from a bloodthirsty tyrant.” #21stCenturyJesus
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Neil Manthorpe @neildm63.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Congratulations!
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CleySpy @handle.invalid · 05/10/2026
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Neil Manthorpe @neildm63.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Which is odd because I assume there is software that will post one message to all socials - so has someone forgotten to add bluesky to the posting schedule?
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Wendy Miller @burrowingowl.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Good morning! 🪶
Burrowing owl wondering whether to get out of bed.
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Marcus Chown @marcuschown.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
What about going after tax avoiders? Every year, HMRC, by its own estimates, fails to collect 46.8 billion of tax. See webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/202606... How about hiring more people to retrieve this avoided tax before suggesting cutting welfare to the poorest and most vulnerable?
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Greg Smith @gregcity3.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/o...
theguardian.com
When is the right time to compare US politics to the Nazi era? This expert on Christian nationalism says: now
Robert P Jones argues that declining white Christian influence has fuelled an alliance with Trump, and warns it is reshaping US democracy
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Bill Braviner @billbraviner.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Give us, Lord Jesus, a passion; not for seeking to impress those who hold power, place and prestige in the eyes of the world, but a passion to seek and serve the justice and truth of your kingdom, to follow the leading of your Spirit, to look to the revealing of your love to all.
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Wendy Miller @burrowingowl.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Good morning! 🪶
Burrowing owlet about to pounce on a dirt mound.
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Ian Duhig @ianduhig.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Happy #NationalPoetryDay
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giorgio_inlove @inlove1.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
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William Temple Foundation @williamtemplefdn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This year, we are launching a new programme of short courses and events - ‘Public Theology and Social Justice in Uneasy Times’. Watch this space - more information coming very soon!
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churchtimes.bsky.social @churchtimes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🇺🇸 Of the 22 lawsuits challenging President Trump’s immigration policies, 21 are being led by churches and faith-based organisations, a tracker monitoring legal challenges to the administration’s policies shows. #ChurchTimes #ChurchNews #WorldNews
churchtimes.co.uk
Churches spearhead US lawsuits
OF THE 22 lawsuits challenging President Trump’s immigration policies, 21 are being led by churches and faith-based organisations, a tracker monitoring legal challenges to the administration’s policies shows. The tracker, created by the Religion N...
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British Birds @britishbirds.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
News from the deep 🌊 Paul French tells the story of this autumn’s Challenger 1 expedition to The Canyons, taking us on a fascinating journey into the depths. Read ‘Challenger 1 expedition: to The Canyons’ 👉 www.britishbirds.co.uk/news | @nomadbirder.bsky.social
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21c11 / 35011 General Steam Navigation @35011gsn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
A new workbench & new parts for the oil bath being manufactured at our new volunteer base at Yeovil Railway Centre. To join in and join the Society here 35011gsn.co.uk/membership.h... We are close to our 500th new member, if it is you a special goodie bag awaits, so do not delay... join today!
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churchtimes.bsky.social @churchtimes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
📗 Review: Maundy: Leadership and identity in life and death by Andrew Watson #ChurchTimes #BookReviews
churchtimes.co.uk
These writings remind Paul Davies of his late friend and diocesan
ANDREW WATSON’s mobile phone rang during a meeting that he was chairing on 5 February this year. Uncharacteristically, he told those present that he needed to answer it. He slipped out of the room, to be informed by his consultant that he had panc...
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Bill Braviner @billbraviner.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
#MorningPrayer Build our awareness, Lord Jesus, of your work in us and around us; open our minds to see your activity among us, between us, and through us, that we may more readily join in with the mission and the blessings of your kingdom as we receive, know and share your love.
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Jon Patience @smoulderstoat.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Friends, on the matter of dodgy men in transit vans, allow me to tell you about me, two future members of the House of Lords, and the massive suspect package.
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Prem Sikka @premnsikka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Business groups urge John Healey to show restraint on raising UK’s minimum wage. They claim lifting people out of poverty is inflationary. Can't recall millionaires restraining on profiteering, exec pay, dividends, share buybacks. Have they tried living on minimum wage? archive.ph/h0pVc
ft.com
Business groups urge John Healey to show restraint on raising UK’s minimum wage
Companies warn that a steep rise in labour costs will fuel inflation and cut jobs for young people
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Sunderland Lollipops @sunderlandlolly.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Did you know that a Farage Reform govt intends to scrap the NHS? The private health care system he wants to introduce would cost you £10,000s, like the US, where getting ill can bankrupt you. #ReformUK #Labour #GreenParty #Newcastle #SAFC� #NUFC
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Duncan Hothersall @dhothersall.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For all that it's been barely reported in the UK press, it's still hard to understate the importance of the stance @labourunionsuk.bsky.social has taken on trans and non-binary rights this week. Every single trade union affiliated to the party of government has stood up and said we will not comply.
Joint statement from National TULO

Solidarity with the trans and non-binary community

Labour's 11 affiliated trade unions stand in total solidarity with the trans and non-binary community.

Trans rights are human rights, and trans rights are workers' rights.

We in the trade union movement will do all we can to stand up for our trans members and all our trans siblings, to protect them from persecution, harassment and attack.

The government must act now to protect all trans people, to make sure their rights are protected, expanded and upheld in our workplaces and communities.

Labour Unions
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This Many Years Ago @thismanyyearsago.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
64 years ago, on the 27th of September 1962, Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring was published. It handled the environmental harm caused by the pesticide DDT and the disinformation spread by the chemical industry. Carson managed to sway public opinion and even policy. #otd #history 🗃️
Rachel Carson photo credit: Science History Images / Alamy
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Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Farage on GB News: Demand that Ofcom takes immediate action bestforbritain.org/petition/far...
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Peter Howlett @cardiffbirder.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Cetti's Warblers are generally secretive beasts but I a little patience on the Cardiff wetland reserve boardwalk (there are several in the area) was rewarded with it popping onto a bramble branch for a very brief but lovely view in some soft early morning sunshine #SmallBirdSaturday #BirdingWales
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Graham Muz @grahammuz.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Canute Road Quay is all set up at the Worthing MRC show this weekend. More details here southern-railway.com/2026/09/15/t...
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Neil Manthorpe @neildm63.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Is it something about my age that made me expect that the punchline would be 'and wow it is so waterproof'
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Neil Manthorpe @neildm63.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Having experienced 'beer snakes' (long piles of plastic pint glasses) at Hundred matches even at Lords I cannot see why any sports fans would want this while they are watching a match.
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Open Table Network @opentablelgbt.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
WHAT MAKES a community welcoming, inclusive and life-giving? Around 70 people gathered at #Greenbelt to share food, conversation and reflections on belonging. Read what we learned: bit.ly/Greenbelt26
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High Wycombe and District Model Railway Society @hwdmrs.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
*Wycrail Layout Focus*, showcasing some of the layouts attending our Wycrail Model Railway Exhibition being held on Sat Nov 7th at the #highwycombe Brunel Train Shed. Torrycombe in oo gauge. The Chandler family have a long association with the HWDMRS. More details at www.hwdmrs.org.uk/wycrail
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American Birding Association @aba.org · 24/09/2026
It is daunting to keep up with the explosion of ornithological research at the present time. Mikko Jimenez, Andres Jimenez, and Sarah Swanson join host Nate Swick to discuss recent research on everything from plover conservation to songbird migration. Listen here: www.aba.org/this-month-i...
aba.org
This Month in Birding - September 2026 - American Birding Association
It is daunting to keep up with the explosion of ornithological research at the present time. But the American Birding podcast is there to deliver the latest news for you! Ornithologists Mikko Jimenez,...
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