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Raph Metcalf

@raphmetcalf.bsky.social
355 followers 368 following 2 posts
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Reposted by Raph Metcalf
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 25/09/2026
Apologies for a repost but it's the Merchant Adventurers Michaelmas Feast this evening so we are very busy trying to stop the devil urinating on our blackberries. The post will explain more...
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Reposted by Raph Metcalf
TW @twesq.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
this is fantastic and I learned something new
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Mags L Halliday @magslhalliday.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Every year on 19 December, the famous Christmas lights at Mousehole in Cornwall are dimmed between 8 and 9pm, leaving just the Cross and Angels shining down across the village and out to sea.
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Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Jimmy Carr’s Dangerous Suicide Advice theneuroscienceofeve... As it's #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth (emphasis on *prevention*), here's a thorough critique of a supposedly helpful but actually quite damaging take on suicide doing the rounds, provided by Jimmy Carr, of all people ##mentalhealth
theneuroscienceofeverydaylife.substack.com
Jimmy Carr’s Dangerous Suicide Advice
There’s a clip going around of Jimmy Carr sharing his take on suicide. And it’s presented as some wise, profound thing. But it isn’t. At best, it’s just wrong. At worst, it’s actively dangerous.
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Chise @sailorrooscout.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
May I remind everyone that there is currently NO cure for rabies. May I also remind everyone there is absolutely NO scientific proof connecting ANY vaccine that we produce today with autism. This is true regarding vaccination in both humans AND in dogs. Vaccinate your pets please.
Worries about vaccination rates in dogs
As rabies seems to be spreading more in wildlife, veterinarians are especially worried about vaccine hesitancy spreading among pet owners, a dangerous trend that could lead to more dogs - and their owners
- becoming infected. A 2023 study published in the journal Vaccine found in nationally representative
sample of Americans that nearly 40% believed canine vaccines were unsafe and 37% believed that vaccines could lead their dogs to develop cognitive issues, such as autism.
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Luke McGee @lukemcgee.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Female asylum seekers are reporting rapes and sexual assaults by British men but many say they are too fearful to pursue criminal prosecutions. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
theguardian.com
Female asylum seekers report being sexually assaulted by British men
Women say they are too fearful to pursue criminal prosecution of rapes, for fear of having their claims refused
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Dan Snow @thehistoryguy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I’m just a person on my fucking knees begging the government to use its absolutely massive majority to do something extremely fucking popular: save our democracy.
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Duncan Weldon @duncanweldon.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Even leaving any politics at all aside: as general rule, no state can allow a group of masked men to be able to close down critical infrastructure. This is basic stuff.
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Kate Elliott @kateelliottsff.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I am not first and will be far from the last to say this: I have purchased so many books because I saw them recommended or publicized here on bsky. I cannot urge you all enough to KEEP TALKING ABOUT BOOKS. I know it's easier to talk up someone else's book, but this also means you, the shy author.
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
NEW Why holding a placard is a terrorist act, while causing disruption in a balaclava is not The mess caused by ministers and the police not taking terrorism law seriously By me at @prospectmagazine.co.uk www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...

Recent events in England now reveal the practical difference between terrorists and protesters. It would seem that terrorists peacefully hold placards and get immediately arrested, while protesters wear black uniforms and balaclavas and disrupt infrastructure and do not get arrested.

How did we get into this mess? How have we placed ourselves in the position where terrorism legislation is used to detain and prosecute peaceful protesters, while those adopting the terror tactics of private armies seem to be free to do as they wish?

The reason is that for some time British politicians have not taken terrorism legislation seriously, and that ministers have got into the habit of misusing terror laws for easy targets.
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Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Lifeboat museum forced to close after abuse from thugs www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Poole Old Lifeboat Museum shuts after protesters target volunteers
The museum in Poole says it will remain closed until until the anti-migrant protests stop.
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This story is a perfect example of how broken reporting of the mobs roaming Britain's streets now is - and the political response. What would have been the appropriate response if this hadn't been a sports team? Trash the hotel? Force them out into the street? What about other people staying there?
bbc.co.uk
Group entered hotel of Pakistan cricketers mistaken for migrants
Protesters congregated at a Portsmouth hotel after false rumours that a coach of migrants had arrived.
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Will Jennings📉🗳️ @drjennings.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Surprising this story isn't getting more coverage...
portsmouth.co.uk
Protestors confuse Pakistan cricket team for migrants after gathering at hotel
Misinformation caused groups of people to gather at The Marriott Hotel
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John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 09/09/2026
Also, why is this basically written up as "quirky crowd make an embarrassing mistake" and not "violent racists form mob because Asian people use hotel"?
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Rhodri Marsden @rhodri.biz · 08/09/2026
It won’t stop these reprehensible, cowardly pieces of shit attacking the RNLI, but here is a handy link to donate rnli.org/support-us/g...
rnli.org
Donate to the RNLI and help save lives at sea
Your donations really make a difference. We depend on your generosity to educate people to stay safe and prevent tragedies on and offshore. Donate here.
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Scornflake Ghhhoul @scornflakegrrrl.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
They’re just pouring more fuel onto the fire. Why are the racists consistently called legitimate, whilst in a world that’s burning people who protest over climate change and genocide are not being afforded even a smidgeon of the same grace?
Some protestors showed "intimidating and thuggish behaviour" this weekend, Sarah Jones, the policing minister said.
But she added she did not seek to
"minimise" legitimate concerns people had about small boat crossings.
"This government has taken action to fix the broken system we inherited and crack down on the people smugglers," Jones said, pointing out that system-wide arrests were up 70%.
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Jonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I want the Prime Minister to look into a TV camera and say the RNLI are heroes, that we do not change policy by street violence in this country, and that he expects any criminal action to face the full force of the law. That's it. That's all he has to do.
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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Ryan Bridge - Founder of "Raise the Colours" flag protests - charged with 14 offences including common assault. Danny Thomas - ringleader of Dover/Portsmouth thuggery - an ex-con jailed for attempted kidnap at knifepoint. Almost like they're not "ordinary people with concerns" but criminals.
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Dr Jo Kershaw @mthrjo.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The RNLI have some of the best people in Britain volunteering for them. They put their lives on the line when they are called on and they will rescue anyone who needs them. Because every life matters, and offering help is the right thing to do. You can donate here: rnli.org
rnli.org
RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Saving Lives at Sea
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. We do this through lifeboat search and rescue, lifeguards, water safety education and international interventions.
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Hugo Gordon @hugogordon.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I am worried about the rise of the extreme right in the UK and I want a government that will aggressively push back on it. Call it a legitimate concern. You may even say I would base my voting decisions on it.
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Jonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I simply do not understand what's going on in Labour that renders its leaders incapable of finding a TV camera and speaking out against street violence. Even if you assume they agree about immigration, violence is wrong, unpopular AND against the interests of any even vaguely left wing govt.
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Seems the difference between ‘protestors’ and ‘terrorists’ is that protestors wear balaclavas while terrorists hold placards.
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onlycans @onlycans.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
just stop oil protesters got five years in jail for *planning* to do this to the M25.
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Joanne Hall @hierath77.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
If you live in Wales and support trans people please consider signing this? And please share widely!
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Jon Owen @anotherjon.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Another 'e-bike' article in which the writer - in this case, a public health researcher - fails to specify whether they're discussing electric motorbikes, or electrically assisted pedal cycles (which actually provide higher intensity physical activity than walking). www.forbes.com/sites/bernad...
forbes.com
Are We Engineering Physical Activity Out Of Daily Life?
A public health researcher raises concerns that the rise of e-scooters and e-bikes might be inadvertently engineering physical activity out of daily life.
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Cwiar Cymru @cwiar.org · 02/09/2026
3 statements, no action. Thousands of trans people across Wales voted Plaid because they were promised a better, happier future for trans people in Wales. Plaid have been keen to continue this rhetoric - but rhetoric alone will not help the people suffering because of NHS Wales decisions.
• • Cwiar
Cymru
Cymraeg →
It's not too late for Plaid Cymru to overrule NHS transphobia
Fun fact: this guy has powers to do things
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Philip Gwynne Jones @pgjonesvenice.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
For UK readers, there’s a Kindle Monthly Deal on “The Venetian Sanctuary” throughout September. So, if you want to find out how Nathan spent lockdown, you can do so for just 99p!
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Jim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 02/09/2026
Sadly, perhaps you do have to hand it to the anti-ULEZ protestors who gifted Sadiq Khan an untaxed car and instead created a story highlighting the flaws in the single justice procedure. (Credit to PA’s Tristan Kirk who is pretty much the only person looking.) www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
standard.co.uk
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan convicted of failing to tax car he ‘does not own’
Sir Sadiq was issued with a fine at Herefordshire Magistrates’ Court after being prosecuted by the DVLA through the Single Justice Procedure
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Not In Our Name (NION) Women @nionwomen.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Thank you to all the women and allies who are still signing our letter, sharing our articles, commenting on our posts or donating to our campaign. This is a groundswell of love for the trans+ community and a way to unite women around the real issues that harm us 🙏 www.gofundme.com/f/notinourna...
Proud
NION
Woman
notinourname.org.uk
#ISignedTheNIONLetter
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Ruth Pearce @notrightruth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
This is the most fucked up and immediately harmful policy decision I think I've ever seen in adult trans healthcare in the UK, and that's saying something. The Welsh Gender Service is one of the best in the country. It is widely praised by the patients it helps. That is why it is being targeted.
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Jennie Kermode @jenniekermode.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I know it's hard for a lot of younger people to understand. I've seen some react to 'Rocky Horror' with revulsion, taking it very literally in a way that was never intended, but I understand that they inhabit a different cultural space. I just wish they could appreciate how that space was built.
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Library of Congress @librarycongress.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, a music legend and titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library program has earned multiple Library Literacy Awards and, in 2018, she visited us to donate its 100 millionth book to our collection and host a story time. 🦋❤️
Dolly Parton reads to children in the Library’s Great Hall in 2018. Photo by Shawn Miller.
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Eleanor Morton @eleanormorton.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
FRINGE GOERS! I decided to record my show this Thursday despite it being the day with incredibly low sales so if you DID want to come, Thursday would be a great day!
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
The thing I really hadn't expected was that racism's renaissance would be so....whiny.
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Philip Bejon @philipbejon.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Kilifi is a coastal County in Kenya, where @kemriwellcome.bsky.social has undertaken 35 years sentinel surveillance of malaria. Dramatic changes that I think aren't widely appreciated. Work led by @alice-kamau.bsky.social Highlights and link to paper:
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ianVisits @ianvisits.co.uk · 18/08/2026
A tip for people showering with a bucket in the bath and using the grey water for their plants -- over the next day or two, water the grass verges, etc. The soil is so baked dry that damping the soil with grey water now helps it absorb rain when it arrives.
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Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
FFS, @Guardian. Max Pemberton is NOT an expert in #ADHD, he's a psychiatrist specialiseing in older patients, with a bizarre agenda against #Neurodivergence, a regular column in the Daily Mail, and a dangerous TV show to promote Remember when you had actual experts regularly writing for you?
Screenshot of a Guardian post showing Dr Max Pemberton, alongside The Guardian logo. Text reads: Rising number of people seeking ADHD diagnosis without treatment, say experts.
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Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Given that 'The Great #ADHD Myth?" airs tonight, I'll flag up that @channel4tv.bsky.social still hasn't answered these important questions Presumably because they're fully aware that it's a deeply dangerous and cynical endeavour that'll do genuine harm to many, but don't want to have to admit it
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Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
It's deeply frustrating that the mainstream debate centres on fresh drilling in the North Sea when Labour is in a position to properly hurt Reform and the Tories on climate change.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 17/08/2026
14 hours later and my mentions are still full of angry treatises about badly behaved cyclists. Bike lanes are not a reward for good cyclist behavior! They are infrastructure proven to make cities safer for ALL ROAD USERS. Whatever way cyclists have wronged you is irrelevant to the discussion!
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Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
*That* doc airs in 2 days, so here's another reminder of just how blatantly cynical the whole thing is, and we really should be treating it as such, rather than gifting @channel4tv.bsky.social unearned credibility by engaging in 'serious debate'
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Rebecca Montacute @beckymontacute.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
🏘️ NEW - As we spend another day overheating in our homes, we look at the simple changes needed to the planning system to allow installation of passive cooling options (things like external blinds, awnings etc) common in many other European countries - www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...
smf.co.uk
Britain's cooling debate is blind to passive options
Britain is in yet another heatwave. Whilst the policy debate has revolved around air conditioning, are we missing a more sustainable fix?
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Alasdair Beckett-King @misterabk.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Maybe if you have totally reasonable legitimate genuine non-racist concerns about asylum seekers, the onus is on you to distance yourself from the pogroms, instead of having every spineless politician tiptoe around your ever-so-delicate feelings?
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Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Some Questions for Channel 4, about their documentary ‘The Great ADHD Myth?’ theneuroscienceofeve... Channel 4 have many questions to answer about their upcoming 'documentary'. Here are some of the most pressing (and snarky, because when dealing with brutal cynicism, why not join in?) #ADHD #C4
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Sarah Churchwell @sarahchurchwell.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Andy Burnham is writing a 10-year plan for the UK. The arts & culture must be part of it. I've signed @campaignforthearts.org's petition urging @andyburnham.bsky.social to revitalise the arts – to revitalise the whole nation 🌱 Join us: www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/10-year-plan/
campaignforthearts.org
Prime Minister – put the arts in your 10-year plan for the UK | Campaign for the Arts
Sign our petition urging the UK Government to build a country where the arts are available from childhood, accessible to all and thriving everywhere.
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Mags L Halliday @magslhalliday.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
A reminder that cis women can sign the @nionwomen.bsky.social pledge to show they stand with our trans sisters and brothers here in the UK.
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Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"Their aim is simply to reduce the number of non-motorists killed or seriously injured... This creates a perverse incentive. The easiest way to reduce the death toll of pedestrians and cyclists is to discourage people from walking or cycling in the first place"
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Stewart Horn he/they @thenakedpoet.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Another good resource for #trans people. A map showing unisex toilets all round the UK. openlavs.com
openlavs.com
Map / Open Lavs
Find a unisex loo near you.
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