Reposted by Sheila PankhurstNatalie Bennett @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Powerful and important letter about artificial so-called intelligence from Sheila Hayman from Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy, University of Cambridge, in the FT today 14487264
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 19/08/2026Sharing this link to the (UK) Campaign for National Parks - have just discovered their site on Bluesky bsky.app/profile/camp...bsky.app 001
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstHelen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Plug-in solar panels are coming to the UK from August 27th! It's been in the pipeline for a while & it's already common in Germany. But it's BRILLIANT because it opens up these technologies to renters & ppl w/o their own roof. Plugs into a normal socket & supplies ~ 10-20% of household needs. ☀️🎉theguardian.comUK households free to install plug-in balcony solar panels from end of AugustLaw change means renters and flat owners may be able to cut bills as energy costs soar amid Iran war 511553502
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026First time Reform has lost the lead with any pollster since mid-April 2025 1132972
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstAdmirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Chemist & X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin's meticulous research was instrumental in uncovering DNA's molecular structure. Most famous for her role in the DNA double helix discovery, her work also revolutionized our understanding of viruses & coal. She was born #OTD in 1920. #WomenInSTEM 🧵 573287832
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 22/07/2026So encouraging to see this. We were incredibly lucky to be at Foulshaw when one of the chicks left the nest, and watched it fly out towards the estuary - very special #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukRecord number of osprey chicks at Cumbria nature reserveCumbria Wildlife Trust says it is delighted to see a new breeding pair boosting numbers. 140
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 16/07/2026Delighted! Beavers belong back in our landscape (and beaver-created wetlands are excellent refuges for other animals during wildfires) #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukReintroduction of wild beavers in Cumbria moves closerAn application to fully reintroduce beavers to the Eden catchment is started. 030
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstNeil @enanem.bsky.social · 12/07/2026Trafalgar Square’s tree this Christmas. 13592172
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 10/07/2026Once a rodent biologist, always a rodent biologist.. 000
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstStephen Barlow @steb77.bsky.social · 25/06/2026This is a very good overview by @fionaharvey.bsky.social, but this whole campaign against Net Zero, on the basis of economics and jobs, demonstrates just how confused the thinking has become over climate change. There is a complete lack of joined up thinking necessary for us to understand it. 1/🧵 1135
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstLucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 24/06/2026The decade that made Andy Burnham Terrific piece by @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social on her 10 years covering Burnham in Manchester - and what she's learned about the man poised to become PM www.ft.com/content/9949...ft.comThe decade that made Andy BurnhamWhat 10 years covering the Manchester mayor’s many reinventions taught me about the man who wants to lead Britain 0103
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 23/05/2026Thank goodness. Vaccination offers a much better way forward, with continued vaccination of badgers and especially vaccination of cattle, where urgent progress getting an effective vaccine out to farmers is badly needed. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukBadger cull ends in England as licence will not be renewed, Defra saysDefra confirms permission to use an active culling licence will not be given, ending the practice. 040
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstDr Jill Whitelock @jillwhitelock.bsky.social · 17/05/2026A flowering grass growing as a pavement plant in Laundress Lane, Cambridge. #WildflowerID #WildflowerHour 815123
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 13/05/2026Beavers are back in the wild on the River Lowther in Cumbria. At the (rather wonderful) Cumbria Nature Festival last weekend, Tom Bowser gave an excellent talk on the benefits to biodiversity and to flood water management following beaver reintroduction www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Cumbriabbc.co.ukRumours of Cumbria's first wild beavers confirmedBeavers are living near the River Lowther in Eden after probably being released illegally. 000
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 08/05/2026Wishing Sir David Attenborough a very happy 100th birthday. What a remarkable man. www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...bbc.co.ukAttenborough: The risk-taker who changed how we see Earth - BBC NewsA celebration of the career of Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday in video, audio and pictures. 083
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Bringing beavers back to Britain- should you wish to support this, match funds are available from today for a week only, doubling any donation beavertrust.org/donate/ #beaversbeavertrust.orgDonate - Beaver TrustTogether we can restore beavers and regenerate our landscapes You can support beavers by making a one-off or monthly donation to support Beaver Trust’s work. Earth raise 2026 Flooding in winter. Droug... 083
Reposted by Sheila Pankhurstwomensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 11/04/2026Britain is home to almost half of the world’s bluebells, found in ancient or semi-natural woodlands, flowering in April and May. 'Bluebell woods' by contemporary UK painter Susan Entwistle #WomensArt 133346528
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 10/04/2026Following on from my previous post, this is a recent addition to the species list for our bird feeders … 160
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 10/04/2026Sensible advice, although I will be sad not to see and hear the goldfinches and sparrows on the feeders outside my office window in the summer months. www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comTake down bird feeders this summer to cut spread of avian disease, says RSPBCharity advises replacing seed and nut feeders, where birds gather, with small amounts of mealworms, fat balls or suet 030
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstMike Sowden @mikeachim.bsky.social · 09/04/2026There's a lot being shared right now about China's incredible shift towards renewable energy - and rightly so. But this, from the UK, is equally astonishing & encouraging. It's not just that change can happen. It's that it *is* happening. (Via climateactapp.substack.com/p/your-daily...) 18660851671
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstHelen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 08/04/2026A single line in this piece just made my day: “The electricity system operator is understood to be preparing to run the grid without any gas for short periods as soon as this summer, in a first for the UK energy system.” Renewables *work*. And progress matters🎉 www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comBritain breaks solar energy record twice as UK’s biggest solar farm gets approvalRecord high set on Monday and raised on Tuesday, with 14.4GW of electricity generated in sunny spring weather 491866499
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 04/04/2026Just received my copy of this and it’s rather lovely. High quality paper and printing. And eel info. 1253
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 04/04/2026Couldn’t be more pleased to see not one but two (three?) jars of Dalemain marmalade in the photo accompanying this article in the Guardian. Dalemain marmalade is of course the best (my favourite is their Kitchen Garden marmalade- it has rhubarb in it and is not too sweet). #Cumbria 000
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 03/04/2026Good news. Beaver activity generates a wide range of biodiversity benefits. For additional research science based information about the impacts of beaver reintroductions, see The Beaver Trust website. beavertrust.org/beaver-basic... #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukPlan to bring beavers to Ennerdale takes step forwardForestry England wants to hear from local landowners to identify 20 potential release sites. 031
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstAlom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 30/03/2026Good morning parents, carers, and anyone else looking after children over the Easter holidays! Here’s my regular reminder of this thread of videos of TOYS you can make at home with scrap materials you probably have lying around 04838
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstSurprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · 30/03/2026I've had some requests to make this map available as a poster, and so I have! If you'd like to purchase my map of the eels' life cycle, you can get a copy at my etsy store here: etsy.me/3Nvk5jK The print copy looks like this: #eels #maps 724769
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Coming to two venues in Cumbria this summer - highly entertaining outdoor theatre #Cumbria #outdoortheatre vimeo.com/378123187?fl...vimeo.comThe HandleBards - Cycling ShakespeareWe are two troupes of actors who cycle across the UK, carrying all of our set, props and costumes on the back of our bikes, performing extremely energetic, charmingly… 020
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstGwen Pearson @bug-gwen.bsky.social · 24/03/2026Fantastic news! 🦋🦋 Link to full report in 🧵 www.worldwildlife.org/news/stories...worldwildlife.orgMonarch butterfly population increases 64%Two new reports estimate a 64% increase in species population and a significant decrease in forest degradation in the butterfly's winter home 111192467
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 24/03/2026The badger hide at RSPB Haweswater is very special; you get the chance of a really good close up view of these charismatic animals. And a plug for the Cumbria Badger Vaccination Project too (the Haweswater badgers have been vaccinated by the CBVP against TB) #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.uk'Most people only encounter badgers with roadkill'The RSPB says interest in badgers has 011
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 20/03/2026I had the privilege of seeing these fabulous iron horses at different stages when they were being made - they are much more impressive close up than this photo suggests. Ellie Barden, blacksmith and welder at Grace Forge, is hugely talented www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #Cumbriabbc.co.ukCarlisle horse sculptures installed on new Durdar RoundaboutThe horses are near Carlisle Racecourse and represent the area's equestrian history. 032
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstSam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 11/01/2026As I've said before the lack of focus on A&E in govt plans is bewildering even just from a political perspective. For many people it's their most viseral and memorable interaction with the state. 32443116
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 11/01/2026On my list to explore - possibly this autumn. Goes through some beautiful countryside. #Cumbria #https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2xeexn3w4obbc.co.ukNew Westmorland and Furness Way walking route announcedHikers will be able to tackle the 120 mile (193km) trail which will take eight to 17 days. 050
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 02/01/2026 When I retired, one of my resolutions was to try to learn more about identifying mosses and lichens. I’m making some progress with mosses, but finding lichens tricky .. Great respect for the experts involved in this work. #cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukBorrowdale Valley rare lichens thriving due to farming practicesThe National Trust says results from a lichen survey in Cumbria uncovered new species. 160
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstSt Martin-in-the-Fields Charity @smitfcharity.bsky.social · 02/01/2026People experiencing homelessness were given £2,000 with no conditions through the Personal Grants Project. Early findings show the money went on rent deposits, furniture, courses and childcare. We’re proud to be funding this UK-first trial with CHI. Read more: loom.ly/ufqFIqgbigissue.comHomeless people were given free money, no strings attached. Here's what happenedA new trial gave homeless people £2,000 to spend however they choose. What they spent the money on may surprise you. 113855
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstEsther @elhopkins.bsky.social · 02/01/2026No Covid infection is mild. We need layered mitigations because Covid vaccines were designed to reduce disease severity not necessarily prevent infection and any infection can cause long covid. Yet we are still being gaslighted on this! 14421
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 01/01/2026Unpaid, but a wonderful place to be. www.welshwildlife.org/volunteer-sk...welshwildlife.orgVolunteer on Skomer | The Wildlife Trust of South and West WalesSkomer is an amazing island - but it couldn't run without our volunteers! We have short-term and long-term opportunities available, please see below for details. 064
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 25/12/2025Happy Christmas everyone. And thank you to Jay Mistry. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.uk'I hold festive hikes after a lonely Christmas'Hikes are held in Northumberland and the Lake District to bring people who might be alone together. 021
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstBrigit Strawbridge @brigitstrawbridge.bsky.social · 24/12/2025A Winter Walk - by one of my favourite artists and printmakers, Hester Cox @hestercoxprint.bsky.social More of Hester's stunning artwork, here: www.hestercox.com #art #printmaking #fox #winter 111612
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstBrent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025One of the most successful pedestrian streets in the world, the Strøget in Copenhagen, was filled with cars until a 2 year pedestrianization pilot project in 1962. The opposition argued “no cars means no business,” but the street has been a massive retail success, the city’s busiest shopping street. 12770211
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstAlom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 19/10/2024Fellow parents! Carers! Anyone looking after children over half-term! Here is a thread of videos showing TOYS you can MAKE at home from scrap stuff you probably have lying around. First, the utterly delightful "balancing bird" alomshaha.com/balancing-bi... 14211100
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 18/12/2025Small glimmers of hope - the restoration of UK access to Erasmus, a transformational educational exchange scheme www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...bbc.co.ukStudents react to UK rejoining Erasmus scheme as Tories accuse ministers of caving into EUBritish students will be able to spend a year studying at EU universities without paying extra fees, and vice versa for European students. 071
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstTony Beales @tonybeales.bsky.social · 14/12/2025#SundaySquirrel is in a hurry to be here today Cumbrian red squirrel #UKwildlife #mammals 0404
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 07/12/2025More than 1,000 people have lost their lives .. barely a mention in the mainstream media 130
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 24/11/2025The Beaver Trust is advertising for a new Chief Executive. Not easy finding a link to the job advert other than via Facebook, but here’s the link to the recruitment pack. Closing date for applications is 10th December. #wildlife #beaver #speciesreintroduction beavertrust.org/wp-content/u...beavertrust.org 046
Sheila Pankhurst @profpankhurst.bsky.social · 18/11/2025I’ve only just seen this. A really good wildflower-rich hay meadow is a wonderful thing. #Cumbria www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukLake District sees more hay meadows restoredLand in the Lake District, equivalent to the size of 23 football pitches, is restored. 0151
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstCumbria Wildlife Trust @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social · 12/11/2025Snacktime! 🐿️😍 During autumn, red squirrels scour their habitats for nuts, berries & other vital energy sources. They don't hibernate, so they cache lots of this foraged food in shallow holes and tree crevices to keep them going through the cold winter months. 🎥 Paul Burke #NatureInFlux 0124
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstProf Deborah Lupton, MPH PhD @dalupton.bsky.social · 22/10/2025Now published! My edited book ‘Long COVID and Society’ - my introduction is free to read for everyone. Download from the link below and check out the others chapters too (Chapter 14, about LC children and families, is also open access) link.springer.com/book/10.1007...link.springer.comLong COVID and SocietyThis is the first book to bring together academics and activists living with Long COVID to explore the social impacts of the new complex chronic condition. 813158
Reposted by Sheila PankhurstReuters @reuters.com · 21/10/2025Japan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister reut.rs/4ne1PXyreut.rsJapan live: Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime ministerSanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, won the lower house vote to choose the next prime minister, clearing the way for her inauguration as the country's first female premier later in the day. 7468