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Polly Allen

@pollyallen.bsky.social
405 followers 259 following 61 posts

Journalist and digital marketing person in Bristol. Usually found writing about culture, travel, mental health, etc. She/her. linktr.ee/pollyallen

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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I wrote about ecotourism in the Baltics for City Nation Place, and found out what other destination management organisations can learn from them: www.citynationplace.com/how-ecotouri...
citynationplace.com
How ecotourism in the Baltics stays authentic and innovative
Ecotourism isn’t retrofitted to the overarching brands of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – it’s tied to the way of life. Here's what you can learn from the way they responsibly market and practice eco-...
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the Mountain Goats @themountaingoats.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
I can’t with this Granta thing, I do not have the spoons to process that a storied name in literary fiction has issued a “we asked Claude” statement
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Great article by Kristin Hansen for Fodors, on why you should visit Minneapolis now to support its immigrant-owned restaurants, shops and hotels: www.fodors.com/world/north-... Strong example of using tourism for good.
fodors.com
Here’s Why You Should Visit Minneapolis Right Now
Fodor's provides expert travel content worth exploring so you can dream up your next trip. The world is a weird and wonderful place—we want to show you around.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
You will be visited by three spirits
Sharon (a short woman with a ginger bowl cut), Kim (a tall brunette who loves herself sick) and Kath (a foxy blonde lady with curly hair and a tizzy blouse) from the sitcom Kath and Kim
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Can’t unsee the kerning here, so I guess Asda wants us all to have a M ER RY CHRIST MAS, whatever that is.
Merry Christmas cardigan on sale in Asda store with bad kerning on the lettering seen on the back view. Due to spacing and design issues, it reads more as M ER RY CHRIST MAS.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Bluesky has figured that my Britishness might mean I consider The Archers more of a trending topic than DOGE being disbanded (btw, I don’t listen to The Archers, and I think US politics hugely affects the rest of the world, but the fact it applied this bias did tickle me).
Screenshot from trending topics on BlueSky: ranked 4 is The Archers, a British soap opera, with 393 posts. Ranked 5 is DOGE Shutdown, with 2,900 posts. It has therefore deliberately ranked the soap opera higher.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
If there’s one thing you read over the weekend, it should be this devastating and profound essay - just don’t expect to finish it with dry eyes, or without shaking your fist at RFK Jr. #Longreads #RecommendedReading
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Catch up with @davidolusoga.bsky.social’s Empire series on BBC iPlayer if you can. He sums up the British Empire’s far-reaching exploitative consequences and complexity; thorough, harrowing, and honest. Loved the interviews with everyday people whose identities have been shaped by Empire, too.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Commiserations with Maris on having to deal with the anti-vaxxers, but this is a great read:
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Flashback to when I crashed the Pope’s first papal balcony address in Rome (2013), and took terrible photos. I’m agnostic, but it was amazing to be in the crowd. I was also impressed with the speed of the local traders in getting Papa Francisco-branded merchandise out. #PopeFrancis
TV news reporter, a white man holding a microphone, at The Vatican. He is smiling at the camera. Out of focus shot of Pope Francis and other high-ranking Vatican members on the balcony of the Vatican during his first address, 2013. A large red curtain is behind them. The Pope wears white and the others wear red with red caps. Crowded streets after Pope Francis’ first address at The Vatican. People walking include nuns. Out of focus hand and camera in foreground with Vatican balcony in background.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Lush book talk last night from Danielle Giles, discussing her debut novel, at @smallcitybookshop.bsky.social. Mere has a beautiful cover and endpapers. The book is set in 990AD and it looks to be a great historical read. Straight to the top of my TBR pile! @panmacmillan.bsky.social #Books
Book cover: Mere, by Danielle Giles. Bright orange/red cover with woodcut-style illustration of a green tree with two nuns gossiping beneath it. Endpapers (inner book cover) of Mere, by Danielle Giles, with woodcut-style image of boat in marshy wet landscape with full moon and trees above.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
What They Found is a must-see documentary from Sam Mendes, using footage and testimonies from two soldiers who filmed the liberation of Bergen-Belsen. Sobering and terrifying, but important to watch if you can - catch up on BBC iPlayer. #WhatTheyFound
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Daisy is an integral part of Flicks, and has captured the magic of this gem in the city.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
From Dylan’s Cafe Wha? to Sabbath’s Crown pub and Keith Richards’ Cafe Baba, here’s my pick of the cafes, bars, pubs and clubs tied to rock and metal music: www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/inside... Written for @rollingstoneuk.bsky.social #Music #TravelWriting
rollingstone.co.uk
Inside the world’s most iconic clubs, cafes and bars for rock and metal music
Get ready to turn it up to 11 at some of the world's greatest rock and roll watering holes...
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
I wrote about Leicester’s Estonian diaspora and its vibrant British-Estonian community, for @leicester.news.web.brid.gy, featuring insight from @saagifletch.bsky.social and @emmaturner75.bsky.social: www.leicester.news/flying-the-f... #Eesti #Estonia #Leicester
leicester.news
Flying the flag for Leicester’s Estonian community
For some in Leicester, yesterday wasn’t just a normal day in February: it was a celebration of their heritage. 24 February is Independence Day in Estonia, and Estonians are a big part of Leicester’s v...
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Last weekend I popped up to Ullapool, in Scotland, to see one of my oldest friends get married. Here’s a glimpse of the landscapes (and the local spirits) up there. #Scotland
Seven Crofts gin bottle with ribbed glass. Seen in shop window. Mountains overlooking Ullapool in Scotland, with a box of daffodils in the foreground and blue sky in background Reservoir architecture in Scottish loch seen from car window with grey cloudy sky above Lochside walkway and promenade at Ullapool with mountains and hills behind
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
#IMM2025 in numbers: 18 appointments with travel PRs. 4 cups of coffee (and counting). 2 amazing pairs of leopard print loafers spotted. Countless potential story ideas sourced. @travmedia.bsky.social
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Looking forward to #IMM2025 next week, with the chance to meet plenty of tourist boards and travel companies to talk about potential feature angles. Living outside the London bubble means I don’t always make it to events, but this one is always worth it! @travmedia.bsky.social
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
The new issue of Breathe magazine has my seven-page feature on art and craft travel in Estonia - printmaking and street art in Tartu, sustainable fashion and design in Tallinn, etc. @visittallinn.bsky.social @mfaestonia.bsky.social #Estonia #TravelWriters
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Just accidentally caught a party political broadcast from Nigel Farage (urgh) for Reform UK (double urgh) where Nige said Britain has the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The Alþingi, or Althing, in Iceland - founded in 930AD - would like a word. #Politics
media.tenor.com
a close up of a woman 's face with her eyes closed .
Alt: a close up of a woman (Zendaya)’s face with her eyes rolling in disgust.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
This is well worth a read - despite the rise in unisex clothing and toiletries, there’s still gender politics at play when it comes to packing for travel. I’d argue that thin privilege and health privilege are also factors (travelling as a plus-size woman with a shedload of medication here).
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Wangle-BOO-ry @wangleberry.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Also these 'home working isn't real working' bulkshit articles never touch on how much flexible working helps disabled people to get and keep a job. Funny, that.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Yet again proving my argument that rock and metal acts do the most for fan mental health.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
You’ve got until tomorrow to catch my feature on European culture hotspots for 2025 in @theneweuropean.bsky.social, including Alpes-Maritimes, Leuven, Tallinn, and Zaragoza. #Travel
Newspaper page open, showing a small section of a feature called ‘Right place, right time’, about European cultural destinations for 2025. The paper is placed on a coffee shop table with a teapot and cups beside it. Customers and tables in the background. Partial cover of The New European newspaper showing Elon Musk holding up a Donald Trump puppet. Newspaper placed on a coffee shop table with teapot behind.
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Ciara | Ciaraíoch 🎨 @ciaraioch.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Probably good and fine that independent artists and makers of all flavours have to largely depend on a social media ecosystem that is increasingly comically evil
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 25/12/2024
I’ve got a stinking cold and I’ve been left to fend for myself today, but I’m excited to start this travel book later. Anyone else got some literary escapism to enjoy? #JoinIn
Book cover: black and white sand dunes with text overlay reading ‘Writers’ Journeys that Shaped Our World’ by Travis Elborough. Names of various writers dotted around the border of the cover.
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20th Century Flicks @20thcflicks.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Christmas Films That Never Were… (card courtesy of the inestimable @pollyallen.bsky.social)
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Accidentally found the greatest Christmas gift that I want to keep for myself: a Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian home model in children’s building blocks. It’s designed by James Paulius; I’m thrilled to be in the correct age category to use it (6+). www.areaware.com/products/blo... #Architecture
Wooden building blocks in the shape of Frank Lloyd Wright architectural design for a Usonian house: very angular and geometric, with red accents and panels. Trees and bushes added as well.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Travel writers, this webinar is coming up tomorrow, and it’s free (though you can make a donation when you sign up): travelwritingwebinars.com/product/free... feat. @amandacastleman.bsky.social, @charukesi.bsky.social, @jenrosesmith.bsky.social and Meera Dattani. #TravelWriting
travelwritingwebinars.com
Pitching: Working in travel media and how to feel 2025-ready
Freelancing in a competitive industry like travel media, for all its benefits and rewards, can also be frustrating. Join this open conversation between writers and editors for top tips and insights.
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Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 25/11/2024
The Twitter vs. Bluesky argument often centres around politics but for me this is way more important. De-prioritizing links, "link in bio" BS, and all the other ways Twitter, FB, IG, TikTok, etc., try to wall off their platforms is so antithetical to the idea of an open and connected internet.
Nov. 24, 2024 tweet from Elon Musk admitting the Twitter/X algorithm downranks posts with links in them and suggests users get around it by keeping links out of their main tweets and then replying to their own tweet with a link if they must
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Sarah H @sarahhseo.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
I've made a (start of a) starter pack for those of us who work in travel marketing, PR and journalism! It's largely UK-based and I'd love to feature more, so give me a shout if you feel like you belong in the travel squad #TravelPR #travel go.bsky.app/BshH3GX
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
I was lucky enough to take a street art tour in Tartu, led by one of Estonia’s street art pioneers, Sirla, founder of Stencibility street art festival. I spotted brilliant protest art supporting Palestine and Ukraine, quirky portraits, and a strong sticker culture. #Tartu #StreetArt
Street art on the side of a concrete bridge support in Tartu, Estonia, including a pro-Palestinian artwork, and a sign that says ‘Street art, handle with care’. Stencibility Festival sticker bus, travelling around Tartu city centre, covered in thousands of stickers. Sticker art on a lamppost in Tartu, Estonia, with a large mural of cats in the background. Street art mural on plain concrete wall, showing liberated historical figures rising up with paint cans and rollers in their hands.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Tartu is coming to the end of its year as a European Capital of Culture, but the typography of this city, and its support for books, printmaking, heritage and street art, means you’ll always find quirky lettering wherever you go. #Tartu #Estonia
Estonian language books in a water-stained shop window on a wooden shelf. The most prominent has a blue cover with a vintage-style illustrated tree, and the wording ‘Eesti Luule’. A vintage health and safety sign, in tall lettering and written in Estonian, saying ‘Korgepinge Elukardetav!’ With a lightning bolt symbol. The red lettering and lightning suggest danger. Printmaking wooden letters in an old letterpress tray. The letters are a stylised bold slab serif font, sort of cowboy-esque. Electric fuse box on the street in Estonia, covered in stickers advertising street artists and related events, like the Stencibility Festival. The fuse box is labelled ‘JK BOTAANIKA’ which suggests it is by the Botanical Gardens.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Here’s a handy collection of travel writers you need to follow. #Travel
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Rock and metal music is closely linked to mental health awareness - I wrote all about the icons, initiatives and therapeutic effects for @rollingstoneuk.bsky.social: www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/world-... #HeavyMetal #MentalHealth #RockMusic
rollingstone.co.uk
‘Metal has always had a sense of family’: inside the world of Heavy Metal Therapy
To mark World Mental Health Day, Polly Allen discusses attending sessions set up by the organisation, who highlight a link between heavy music and improved mental wellbeing
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 05/01/2024
Introverts of the world, unite! (Quietly, calmly, no worries if not). I wrote for inews about what it’s like to attend an introverts’ meet-up: inews.co.uk/opinion/hang...
inews.co.uk
What I learnt from a room full of introverts
The first two people I spoke to were nice enough, but we ran out of things to say after 10 minutes
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 13/10/2023
The giant IKEA bag installation at Oxford Circus is genius.
Side of building in London with blue panel painted to look like IKEA bag, featuring giant 3-D handles, people are walking past, oblivious.
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Polly Allen @pollyallen.bsky.social · 29/09/2023
Hello, Bluesky! Entering the chat with this fetching conversation starter: a ‘Slumber Helmet’ from 1927. You’re welcome. I can’t decide which would be worse: the plain one, or the one with decoration?
Vintage advert for the Ladye Jayne slumber helmet - ‘No elastic - no stretching. Halves the problem of dressing the hair’. Advert contains a young 1920s woman wearing an unflattering fabric netting bonnet with a ribbon tie. She looks awkward.
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