iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Back trying to get from Birmingham to nice countryside walks via public transport Today off to Malvern Walked to University of Birmingham train station and caught the train to Malvern Link

Outside of University of Birmingham train station

Train platform with arrivals board showing details of train going towards Hereford

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Flags have been gone from my bit of Brum for a few weeks now. Pleased to see that the stickers remain. #Birmingham #Brum #HopeNotHate

Photograph of a sticker that says “Ignore the flags you are loved and welcome here”

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Via Greenpeace As schools shut and people struggle to do the everyday things - sleep, travel, move around - this is what we should all be focusing on.

Screenshot of a Greenpeace Instagram post that says “this is the coldest summer of the rest of your life”

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The Green Party of England & Wales @greenparty.org.uk · 07/05/2026

📢 Polling stations are now open! 📢 Want to replace the failing Labour Party and defeat the hateful message of Reform? Get yourself down to your local polling station and vote Green today! Every vote counts. Make sure your voice is heard 💚 Don’t forget your Photo ID for voting in England!

Vote Green Poster by Artist Raissa Pardini - Vote Green - Join for a real change, real hope.

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Voted Off to spend the day encouraging likely Green Party voters to do the same If you’re in #Brum and you want to minimise the inevitable number of reform councillors announced on Friday please, please go and vote. It’s one of those elections where every vote is really going to make a difference

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Made me laugh over on Instagram courtesy of Uk Transport Department

Text on top of a picture of a bus reads:
Stop using anti transport language
Instead of “you’ve thrown me under the bus”
try saying “buses are wonderful at building communities and you’ve behaved poorly in comparison”

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Better Streets for Birmingham @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org · 07/04/2026

With three new rail stations on the Camp Hill line and two tram stops on the Eastside extension open in the last few days, we're taking the opportunity to ask for more stops please!

Graphic that says "More stops please!" on station and stop name style signage.

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Find out more about energy efficient travel and safer streets from @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org

Image saying “Change lane to escape the global energy crisis.” Includes weekly running costs for a car - £108, bus pass - £20 and walking or cycling - free

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Jim Hawkins @jimallthetime.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

@knittingcultlady.bsky.social Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a protest against Nazi occupation of their country All proceeds from the sale of this pattern go to local immigrant aid organizations who support those impacted by the actions of ICE payhip.com/b/TqQL1

payhip.com

Melt the ICE Hat Pattern

In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal...

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Their demands are reasonable, their treatment is disgraceful. The government's intransigence is killing the #PalestineAction hunger strikers. Just as its complicity has assisted the genocide in Gaza. It needs to wake up right now to the moral consequences. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

theguardian.com

Two Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers taken to hospital

MPs and next of kin of prisoners Amu Gib, 30, and Kamran Ahmed, 28, call for immediate government intervention

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Lev Parikian @levparikian.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Every year I stop myself from posting “now look here you lot, my books would make an excellent Christmas present” in October because it’s way too early, and then I forget until it’s way too late. Hope I’ve hit the sweet spot this time. levparikian.com/index.php/sh...

The cover of Taking Flight. Stylised illustrations of a selection of flying things against a pastel background of blues and greens.

The cover of Light Rains Sometimes Fall. A pastel collage of seasonal urban nature (cherry tree in blossom, magpie, swifts, autumn leaves, urban fox etc).

A cope of Into The Tangled Bank (its cover a collage of nature things (butterfly, flowers, birds, binoculars etc) nestled (yes, NESTLED) in leaves and grass.

The cover of Why Do Birds Suddenly Disappear? White background, title etc and various quotes saying how brilliant it is. To the right the rear half of a goldcrest disappearing out of view (the back cover has the other half of the bird).

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Not sure who our local graffiti artist is but I’m loving their work. #Birmingham #Brum #Harborne

Graffiti red writing on fence saying “Migrants Welcome” followed by a heart

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

Do donate if you have a little bit of spare money and follow for great cycling tour updates Tim style. Slow pace, great scenery, great food and drink

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Better Streets for Birmingham @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org · 06/06/2025

Only the led ride and counter aspects of the event will go ahead tomorrow. We've been watching the forecast and there's some pretty grim looking thunderstorms happening later in the afternoon that doesn't look like it would mix well with outdoor gazebos and bike checks.

CHANGES TO THE A38 CYCLE LANE EVENT
In response to the changing weather forecast:
• The led ride will still take place, leaving Hippodrome Square on Hurst Street at 1pm
• Let's still try to get the counter as high as we can!
• We have cancelled the stall and bike checks that were going to be in the UoB Green Heart
Over the coming weeks, we are expecting the consultation for the extension to Longbridge to launch on BirminghamBeHeard.org.uk - please do engage and support the project!
We will keep people updated on progress we make with the Kent Street partial closure and diversion.

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A38 Mobility Lane Users 🚲🛴🦼🛹🛼 @a38cycleway.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

This Saturday we’re celebrating our cycle lane’s 6th birthday. • Led ride from Hippodrome Square to UoB via the Cycleway, leaving at 1pm • Help get the Sir Harry’s Road counter to 6,000 in a day • Free bike checks and minor repairs at UoB Green Heart, 1.30-4pm 💙

CELEBRATE OUR CYCLE LANE'S 6TH BIRTHDAY
This Saturday (7th June)
• Led ride along the cycleway leaving Hippodrome Square at 1pm.
• Help get the Sir Harry's Road counter to 6,000 in a day!
• Free bike safety checks at UoB Green Heart (by the Old Joe clock tower) between 1.30pm and 4pm.

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Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

"Katwala's paradox of racism" In a demonstrably less prejudiced society (attitudes shifted, esp across generations), I am in receipt of much more racism Minorities in 2020s have more equal opps than ever before - esp at very top - yet an increasingly unequal experience of more equal opportunities

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Real Gaz on a proper bike: gazza_d@toot.bike @gazza-d.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition now to show them the public still backs this nature-friendly fix: act.38degrees.org.uk/act/swifts-p...

act.38degrees.org.uk

Sign the petition: Save Our Swifts

Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition ...

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Forgotten Poets @forgottenpoets.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

. "You who filled every morning with rush and chaos..." —Khaled Juma #poetry #poem #poems

Oh Rascal Children of Gaza
by Khaled Juma

Oh rascal children of Gaza.
You who consistently disturbed me
with your screams under my window.
You who filled every morning
with rush and chaos.
You who broke my vase
and stole the lonely flower from my balcony.
Come back,
and scream as you want
and break all the vases.
Steal all the flowers.
Come back . . .
Just come back . . .

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Ross Greer (he/him) @ross-greer.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

In just one week 40,000 people have demanded that Scottish Government Ministers recall and reject the Flamingo Land mega-resort application! Send your message to the Planning Minister today 👇 greens.scot/LochLomond

greens.scot

Save Loch Lomond - TAKE ACTION NOW

Save Loch Lomond - TAKE ACTION NOW -

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Caroline Lucas @carolinelucas.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

WTF? If this Government can’t even agree to this smallest of initiatives, which has no cost to them & absolutely no down-sides, what hope that it will step up to the bigger nature challenges we face? This is a *popular* policy, for heavens sake. Obstinate tin-eared stupidity doesn’t come close …

theguardian.com

Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks’ in all new homes

MPs had previously backed Conservative amendment to ask developers to provide hollow bricks for endangered birds

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Birmingham folks - Critical Mass comes to Harborne on Sunday 1 June. Come and enjoy riding in a big group. All welcome. Please share #Birmingham #Brum #Harborne #Cycling #CriticalMass

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Better Streets for Birmingham @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org · 15/05/2025

We're pleased to announce our first monthly public meeting for Northfield constituency will take place on Tuesday 10th June at 7pm in the NAF Shop on Northfield High Street. They will take place every second Tuesday of the month. ‼️ Save your place: actionnetwork.org/events/bsfb-...

actionnetwork.org

What would make your street better? Come and talk about it on Tuesday 10th June

Come to Better Streets for Birmingham's monthly public conversation: What would make your street better?

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Leo Murray @crisortunity.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Meanwhile

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Our self seeded hawthorn tree is flowering this year for the first time. From what I’ve read it should just get more and more flowery as it get older. What a joy.

Hawthorn tree with flowers on upper branches

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

I’m trying to find more places I can get to easily on public transport for long walks in remote countryside. Off to meet a friend in the Peak District today #Brum #LeaveTheCarAtHome

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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Labour's biggest issue is neither being too socially conserative or not socially conservative enough. It's cuts. People have had enough.

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

This gorgeous blackbird has been singing all afternoon in the garden #BirdWatching #Brum

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

The swallows are back in Frankley. Also skylarks. Happy days. #Brum #Brumish

Bird list from Merlin bird app
Swallow, wren, robin, dunnock, goldfinch, song thrush

Bird list from Merlin bird app sparrow, skylark, swallow, goldfinch

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The Mary Rose Museum @maryrosemuseum.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

On the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, we thought we'd answer a question that's often asked, "If they raised the Mary Rose, why not raise the Titanic?" Allow our scaled diagram to explain...

A light blue diagram depicting the sea, with the water's surface at the top, and just below it is an outline of the Mary Rose, with the depth (12m, 40ft or 6.7 fathoms). There is a line showing the seabed, which takes a rapid dive into the vertical...

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Up and about before the canal ducks wake up

2 Narrow boats and canal in the background, towpaths and grass area with daffodils in the foreground. Early morning sunlight

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Every spring I’m so grateful we bought a house with a magnolia tree in the garden. It really is magnificent. #spring #magnolia #Brum

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Do join this if you can, reclaim the streets and enjoy riding in a group around the city. Sorry I can’t be there this month @johnmunro.bsky.social hope it’s a really fun ride.

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

On the train to London, briefly held around Princes Risborough which means I can sit watching a red kite swoop above the train and marvel again at how successful the UK reintroduction project has been. I know @rspb.bsky.social were involved, not sure who else but you really did an amazing thing.

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Off to London today to see Oedipus at the Old Vic. According to Time Out it’s “just completely fucking nuts” Can’t wait

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Come and say hello and chat about any ideas you have for improving Birmingham’s streets

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

The queue outside Harborne’s new (newish) bakery is making me v happy. Although may revise that opinion if all the cinnamon and cardamon buns have gone. #Brum #Harborne #LavenderBakery

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Better Streets for Birmingham @betterstreetsforbirmingham.org · 23/02/2025

We fully support @richardparkerwm.bsky.social's proposals to franchise in the West Midlands as well as improving reliability through bus priority measures. Read our consultation response: betterstreetsforbirmingham.org/our-response...

betterstreetsforbirmingham.org

Our response to bus franchising proposals

Better Streets for Birmingham supports plan to bring buses in the West Midlands back into public control, as well as new bus priority measures.

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Everyone should turn their disused swimming pools into art galleries. This place in Roubaix was amazing. (Thimblemill Pool, Smethwick take note.)

Art deco swimming pool with sunshine stained glass window. Has a small pool of water through the centre, a wooden walkway over the rest of the pool area and sculptures around the outside where the changing rooms would have been.

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Save the Children Cymru | Achub y Plant @savethechildrencym.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

This is welcome news 🚍 Children and young people we work with as part of our #powerofthevoice research project tell us that the cost of transport restricted opportunities. This is one step in the right direction in tackling #childpoverty

bbc.co.uk

One pound bus fares for under-21s in Wales

Welsh government and Lib Dem leader announce deal on budget, with money for childcare and councils planned.

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Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

It just struck me that human behaviour relating to the environment is just Faust, isn't it? "Do you want a few really good years now, even if it means an eternity of unimaginable suffering later?" "Oh absolutely yes, where do I sign?"

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Out experiencing -6 degrees in Harborne this morning. Back at home now with coffee #Brum

Bus lights and outline of street and other cars in dark misty photo

Misty photo of sun, tree and buildings across frosty field

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Rachel Withey @rachellwithey.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Officially declaring a tights under your trousers day in #Brum

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