iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Ruth Butler

Dr Louise Ryland-Epton @lrylandepton.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

It is an amazing text & in Aubrey’s 400th anniversary year I hope he will finally get the recognition he deserves. Book available from www.hobnobpress.co.uk/books/p/john... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

The 1600s pioneer from Wiltshire who challenged earth's origins

A historian has transcribed and published in full, for the first time, a huge volume by pioneer John Aubrey.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

OK, I'm biased, but you really should head over to the History Centre in Chippenham for the latest free #authortalk Discover the stories & experiences of Black American soldiers during #WWII

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre @heritagewshc.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Join us for our Heritage Open Days when you can meet the experts & explore the History Centre. 🗓️ 16 & 17 Sept. 🎫 Free tours, drop-in sessions & history walk. #history #archives #heritage #archaeology www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-e...

heritageopendays.org.uk

The extraordinary everyday @ Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre

Explore the archives. Meet the experts. Dive into a world of history at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

A fascinating read from both an historical and #AI perspective. #history #historians

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

More a dog person but have a beautiful cat sculpture & many #cat friends. So happy #internationalcatday #caturday #dachshunds #dachshund

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Dr Louise Ryland-Epton @lrylandepton.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Looking for something to do over the summer? My co-curated exhibition on #JohnAubrey runs until 19 September @chippenhammuseum.bsky.social, Wilts. www.chippenham.gov.uk/exhibition-w...

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Satellite imagery so important in assessing damage to archaeological sites where access restricted by conflict. So too are #archives which often have fantastic collections of #historic #photographs recording archaeological sites. Visit @heritagewshc.bsky.social for C19/20th photos of #MiddleEast

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Not a great photo, but this parent #crow had mouths to feed. I was waiting to put air in tyres & watched as this #corvid paced back & forth at the exit to a busy car wash. Eventually timed it so they could dunk dry crusts in a pool of water to feed offspring. Obviously a tried & tested routine.

Large black bird - crow - with dry sandwich crusts in beak waiting near a car wash exit to dunk crusts in water before feeding nearby offspring.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Fascinating podcast. Found myself cheering out loud as @roopikarisam.bsky.social championed #archives & #libraries (as well as community organisations & #education systems) as key to building a data & #AI literate world. #AILiteracy #dataliteracy

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Read the @financialtimes.com article accompanying the post from @catherinefletcher.info Fascinating, concerning, if not alarming. Are #AI companies really *throwing a lifeline* to #museums & #galleries?

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) @rgs.org · 07/07/2026

This #WorkExperienceMonth, discover the wide range of geographical careers out there for Year 11-12 students to explore by watching our free Choose Geography careers talks! 💼 🔗 Learn more about the skills that real geography professionals use in their roles: ow.ly/Mct150Zl2EF

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Woke to the usual dawn chorus & later enjoyed the extended song of a wren + chatter of goldfinches, blackbirds & jackdaws with whom we share our neighbourhood. Then heard insistent chirp of sparrows & watched as parents fed their offspring in my #insect friendly #messygarden. #birdsong #nature

Three sparrows on a fence with dense greenery behind. Baby sparrow on the left with adult feeding another baby sparrow on the the right.

Adult sparrow feeding its offspring on a garden fence with dense foliage behind. Another baby sparrow sitting on the fence to the right.

Three sparrows on a garden fence - a baby with parent on the left. Another baby sparrow on the right.

Two baby sparrows perched on a garden fence waiting for their parents to return with food.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

It's #workexperience season with students discovering the world of working with #archives & #localstudies collections. Had fun digging out docs relating to #4thJuly + US presidents nos 4 & 6. #history #heritagejobs

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Just started listening to new podcast series on #history of US inspired by Neil MacGregor's *A History of the World in 100 Objects*. Not a copy/rehash. Definitely quirky. Not thought about importance of thread angle of a screw, or it's impact on #WWII. #history www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

A History of the United States in 100 Objects - 100 Objects #1: The Century Safe - BBC Sounds

A locked iron safe, sealed for 100 years. What objects did Americans choose to remember?

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Visitors all gone @salisburycathedral.bsky.social ahead of this afternoon's ordination service. A moment of quiet & stillness. Congrats to all those priested today in this most beautiful of #medieval cathedrals. #history #heritage

Altar in foreground in the Trinity Chapel at the east end of Salisbury Cathedral looking west towards the west window.

Highly decorative vaulted ceiling in the 16th century Bishop Audley chantry chapel at Salisbury Cathedral, including ceiling boss which includes pomegranates - the symbol of Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII first wife.

Photo taken from the main altar at the spire crossing at Salisbury Cathedral looking towards the west window. Altar has a polished glass top reflecting the nave's vaulted ceiling.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Made a brief visit to @thelondonarchives.bsky.social today & delighted to encounter a secondary #school visit to the #archives + another school group on the tube alighting at Leicester Square. So great to see animated & excited kids on school outings. #schooltrips #heritage #culture #education

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

At a loose end today? Why not head to @heritagewshc.bsky.social for a free talk about the fascinating life & times of John Aubrey - Wiltshire-born writer, antiquarian & scientist #history #localhistory #Chippenham

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre @heritagewshc.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Still time to book your place on a journey through the amazing world of Wiltshire-born scientist, writer & antiquarian #JohnAubrey with historian & author @lrylandepton.bsky.social Saturday, 6 June at 2pm. 👉Reserve your place by email - archives@wiltshire.gov.uk 🎟️Tickets £10, payable on the day.

Poster advertising a talk about scientist, antiquarian and writer John Aubrey at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre on June 6 at 2pm. Tickets £10 payable on the day. Reserve your ticket by emailing archives@wiltshire.gov.uk

Image of the book cover to a new edition of John Aubrey's Natural History. The image is a watercolour of a large tree in the right foreground with a house on the left surrounded by more trees and vegetation.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

And the article doesn't address the issues facing the vast majority of the SWR network which relies on diesel trains. No air-conditioned electric Arterio rolling stock for anyone outside London's suburbs.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Only on near-London suburban routes - if you think the new electric Arterio rolling stock is an improvement. Not so sure after checking out the train specs. But what of the rest of the non-electrified #SouthWesternRailway network? When will we see investment & improvements? @theguardian.com

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Fascinating. Add this to my check list of things to look out for in our #archive & #map collections @heritagewshc.bsky.social (when I have a spare moment!) #exploreyourarchives #geography #history #archives

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Popped into my #messygarden & chose to look skywards... Beautiful evening with wispy, high cirrus clouds & a partial #circumzenithalarc Along with a crescent moon & soaring seagull! #clouds #cloudscape #bluesky #stormhour

$Blue sky with high, wispy cirrus clouds and a partial circumzenithal arc - a rainbow like feature resulting from light from the setting sun refracted by ice crystals in the clouds.$

Photo of Blue sky with white, wispy cirrus clouds plus a seagull & crescent moon.

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Dr Louise Ryland-Epton @lrylandepton.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

I am so proud to have co-curated this exhibition for @chippenhammuseum.bsky.social with the incredible @anecdotalksb.bsky.social Discover John Aubrey as you’ve never seen him before!!

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Really looking forward to this talk. Reserve your tickets now to hear @lrylandepton.bsky.social Aubrey talk. And then head to @chippenhammuseum.bsky.social from 13 June for the Aubrey exhibition co-curated by Louise, contributing editor @vch-home.bsky.social @wiltshistory.bsky.social

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

If only we could have a resident #archive therapy dog... #petsastherapy #PATdog Or cat! 😺

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre @heritagewshc.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Check out our recent blogs including this from the Moulton #archive which includes notes & sketches by Alex Moulton on Germany's devastating V1 flying bomb known as the doodlebug. The collection also includes an official diagram of the weapon market SECRET. #WWII wshc.org.uk/doodling-the...

wshc.org.uk

Doodling the Doodlebug - Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre

The personal papers of engineer Alex Moulton reveal he was involved, tangentially at least, with early investigations into the V-1.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

I've been embracing the messy garden in recent years, increasingly so as I watch neighbours lay waste to trees & vegetation, replacing them with extensions, hard landscaping & ever larger "garden rooms" (sheds).

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Interesting... happened to check out @flightradar24.com earlier today which showed 2 Stratotankers almost on top of each other, close to Iraq border. Also saw air-to-air refueller in Iraqi airspace, but disappeared off app. At the same time quite a few aircraft showing spoof flight paths...

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Great to celebrate Millicent Fawcett, including her Salisbury connections, but she was most definitely a suffragist and not a suffragette.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

#OTD 1226 William Longespee's funeral procession made its way from #Salisbury Castle to the new @salisburycathedral.bsky.social which was still under construction. His tomb, originally in the newly consecrated east end, was moved to the nave in the C18th. #OldSarum #medieval #history #archives

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

On 7 March 1226 William Longespee died. Husband of Lady Ela (who brought title & wealth to the marriage), illegitimate son of Henry II, half brother to kings Richard & John, named in 1215 #MagnaCarta, he was the first person buried @salisburycathedral.bsky.social #medievalhistory #history

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

As always, a lovely afternoon guiding with Saturday p.m. team @salisburycathedral.bsky.social Took time before & after to snap a few photos, making the most of the sunlight streaming into the cathedral. Inspired by #exhibition of #PeterMarlow photos of English cathedrals. #photography #reflections

Photo looking east along the nave of Salisbury Cathedral with reflection of the ceiling & arches in the font in the foreground.

Tomb of William Longespee at Salisbury Cathedral bathed in after sunlight. The tomb is made of wood with a stone effigy of Longespee wearing chain mail and a tunic, holding a shield.

Photo of a photographic exhibition of works by Peter Marlow. Shows eight photos of the 42 on display.

The eagle lectern at Salisbury Cathedral bathed in sunlight.

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre @heritagewshc.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Really looking forward to hosting bestselling #author #medievalist & #printmaker Amy Jeffs when we'll be chatting with her about mythology, medieval saints & early folk ballads. 📆1st April ⌚7.30pm 🏛️Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre 🎟️Tickets £10. Email archives@wiltshire.gov.uk More info👇

Poster promoting History Centre event. Amy Jeffs in Conversation: Stories, Saints and Songs. There is a photo of Amy plus images of two of her books, Storyland and Old Songs. The Corsham Bookshop will be there selling Amy's books. Details of time and place - 1st April at 7.30pm at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham. Tickets at £10 and available by emailing archives@wiltshire.gov.uk.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Who knew curling was stressful. So close. Sadly not to be... so now it's over to C4.

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Reposted by Ruth Butler

Malcolm Sinclair 💀✍️ @malcolmwriter.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Looking forward to delivering a new talk ‘Discoveries in Salisbury Churches’ for Bratton History Association tomorrow chaired by Anne Bailey in Bratton at 4pm.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Working from home today... Beautiful walks to & from meetings in #Salisbury @salisburymuseum.bsky.social & Salisbury Library, via Lizzie Gardens. Water meadows doing what they should following heavy rains. @salisburycathedral.bsky.social #floods #watermeadows #reflections #salisbury800

Photo of Salisbury cathedral from the south west of the Cathedral Close. Foreground of hedge and field with trees middle distance. Cathedral in background against blue sky with high level wispy clouds.

View of the west end of Salisbury Cathedral from the west wall of the cathedral close. Bare branches of trees left and right of foreground. Spire rises in the background with moon on the right.

Queen Elizabeth Gardens - Lizzie Gardens - flooded following recent storms. Foreground of flood water. Mid ground tall trees reflected in flood water. Background of cathedral spire.

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

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Ruth Butler @ruthdotbutler.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Three posts with links to three thought provoking articles on #reparations. It's not just #history #Caribbean #Africa #slavery

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