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Sally Watson

@salawatson.bsky.social
4.7K followers 1.6K following 558 posts

Cities, cycling, planning and play www.ncl.ac.uk/hca/people/profile/sa… Archivist - bykerarchive.org Co-host - activetravelcafe.org.uk Trustee - historictownstrust.uk

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Reposted by Sally Watson
Urban History @urbanhistory.bsky.social · 12h
📣 Call for papers! Next year's @urbanhistorygroup.bsky.social conference will be on the theme of Pleasure and the City Submit your abstracts by 22 February 2027 Conference details: 🗓️ 2-3 September 2027 📍 @ljmuhistory.bsky.social, Liverpool 🔗 urbanhistorygroup.wordpress.com/call-for-pap...
Grainy screenshot of an arch with blue lettering reading Pleasure Island. Some buildings in the background, a small number of individuals walking in the foreground.
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Municipal Dreams @municipaldreams.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
🚨 Brand new post: 'Dealing with "Unacceptable" Tenants' - how housing management diverged in Britain and the Netherland before 1939: municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2026/10/06/1...
municipaldreams.wordpress.com
Dealing with ‘Unacceptable’ Tenants: British Housing Management and the Dutch Woonschoolen before 1939
What to do with unacceptable tenants? The question how social housing providers should deal with those they believed would behave too badly to accommodate is a long-running and controversial one. E…
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Photo of small timber clad building painted dark blue and attached to a house with cream bricks and green timber cladding. The door is open and you can see a red cabinet inside.Photo of two men sitting on green and yellow benches with a yellow pegboard backdrop behind with pictures pinned on it.Photo of a woman giving a talk to a group of people in Byker
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Byker Community Archive is launched! We’ve had a busy but fun couple of days- giving people a peek at what’s to come when we open in November and hosting a talk for two architects who were part of the original Byker team. @silviefisch.bsky.social @heritagefunduk.bsky.social www.bykerarchive.org
bykerarchive.org
Byker Community Archive
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Marianne Dhenin @mariannedhe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Disability justice activists were an integral part of grassroots efforts to shut down Atlanta’s Cop City. I covered their work in this piece — worth revisiting as we think about who is most vulnerable to the growing police violence in our cities and how we can come together against it.
newsletter.mariannedhenin.com
Why Disability Justice Activists Have Joined the Movement to Stop Cop City
Disability justice activists are joining grassroots efforts to shut down Atlanta’s Cop City, the largest police training campus in the U.S.
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Reposted by Sally Watson
John Munro @johnmunro.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Your city might not be as far gone as Birmingham, but no matter where you live, you're likely to find familiar many of the aspects of @sarahchaundler.bsky.social's brilliant and now publicly available short film "City of Cars." Stop what you're doing and watch this.
vimeo.com
City of Cars: shorter version
Please be aware that this film contains scenes which show the impact of road traffic collisions, which some people may find upsetting.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Congratulations!
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UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Amazing turn out from students and staff at the University of Edinburgh, in protest at senior management's greed and manufactured cuts. This is what solidarity looks like - as our campaign of industrial action begins this coming week in protest at the cuts. www.ucuedinburgh.org.uk/blog/student...
ucuedinburgh.org.uk
900+ at inaugural Student & Staff Assembly! — UCU Edinburgh
More than 900 students and staff gathered for the inaugural Student-Staff Assembly on Thursday 24 September.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 26/09/2026
Our great thanks to Prof Glen O'Hara for his excellent RHS lecture yesterday evening: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land after the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act’ Recordings now available bit.ly/4ySyB6W #Skystorians @gsoh31.bsky.social 1/2
bit.ly
Glen O'Hara gives latest RHS lecture on 'Rights of Way and the Battle for the Land' - RHS
On Friday 25 September the Society hosted the latest lecture in its 2026 programme. Our great thanks to Professor Glen O'Hara (Oxford Brookes University) who spoke on: ‘In All Our Footsteps? Rights of...
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Jack Thurston @jackthurston.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Back when I wrote Lost Lanes North, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park was free to enter if you arrived by bike (or on foot or public transport). If you arrived by car, you had to pay a parking fee. Today, car parking is free, and all visitors pay the same entry fee.
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Plashing Vole @plashingvole.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Day 1 of teaching. I would have been running Round the Wrekin, an introductory module exploring the cultural history of the West Midlands across centuries and multiple media, plus academic skills. It’s been replaced by a generic skills module across multiple subjects to save money on staffing.
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LCC municipal @lccmunicipal.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
It's not the first time that @mikeyashworth.bsky.social has cost me money! I felt compelled to track down this lovely brochure celebrating Newcastle Civic Centre on his suggestion. This is the 2nd revision from 1972 - municipal opulence of the type you just don't get in the age of value engineering!
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Louise Platt @drluplatt.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
We would be grateful if people could take two mins to sign this petition re retaining legal rights of SEND children. The proposed reforms threaten the legal backstops parents have.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Just looked up how much Holland House is now and wow eyewateringly expensive.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Today was dropping the oldest at university. Feels like five minutes since I was pushing him round in a buggy and not much longer since my own first day at university (not that I can actually remember much about this - what did we eat? How did we wash clothes? No idea). No photos but here is Mars.
Model of the planet Mars - part of a solar system trail in York. Grass and trees in the background.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This looks brilliant Cath!
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Dr Cath Feely @cathfeely.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Last night, an exhibition I've been working on was launched at Cromford Mills in Derbyshire to mark 250 years since building of 2nd mill (blue print for cotton factories worldwide) and early industrial housing. It's open all weekend, with lots of activities. Critique my graphic design efforts!
Exhibition panels printed on cotton fabric hanging in pairs down a mill building from wooden ceiling beams. On the front panels the date 1776 and 'Why did cotton come to Cromford' are legible.
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Kieran - North East Heritage Library @neheritagelib.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The High Level Bridge - I'd argue Tyneside's first visual marker into modernity. It's a pioneer too - the first bridge in the world to feature a twin deck for 2 separate modes, designed by 2 of the most brilliant minds Britain has ever borne. Free to read on Patreon!
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Lawrence Davies @andrenascotica.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The campaign to build the zebra crossing that's now at the end of my street began in the early 1970s, and was finally installed in 2014.
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Liverpool University Press @livunipress.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
New Towns Mark One by the late Elain Harwood, ed. @alistairfair.bsky.social provides the first detailed architectural survey of the ‘mark one’ new towns. ➡️ Read the interview with Alistair about the book on the LUP blog: bit.ly/HE-NewTowns @c20society.bsky.social @geraintfranklin.bsky.social
A blue background of a blue and white tiled building fascia with a clock on a blue sky background. The text on the image reads 'Charting the architectural history of Britain's initial post-war new towns: the so-called 'mark one' new towns.
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Andy Arthur💃🏰⚓🦌 Threadinburgh 🧵 @threadinburgh.scot · 15/09/2026
The council has these things down to a fine art. Yes you *could* have some basic road safety measures outside a school, but it's going to take you a huge amount of effort and your kids will almost be finished by the time a spade hits the ground, so are you sure you want to really bother?
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I’m so sorry. This is awful to hear.
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John Munro @johnmunro.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Stealing Cars, Part II: Fordism and Flexible Enclosure
urbancyclinginstitute.substack.com
Stealing Cars: Fordism and Flexible Enclosure
Long Ride | Historian John Munro explains how the colonial logic that fueled the automotive industry led to a new concept of streets
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Perfect timing since I am on the long train journey home from Middlesbrough after a day of walking and thinking about obstacles and barriers.
Photo of a closed decorative grey metal gate and adjacent railings and a frame barrier. Bushes to either side and housing in the distance beyond the gate.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
“The rules around car traffic are hard to modify, and any requests usually go all the way up to municipal authorities”, he added. “And politicians are really scared to touch anything with cars, because they fear it will cost them in votes.”
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
“We have given up so much public space to cars, and if you live in a city with kids you live in constant fear that they will be hit by a passing vehicle”, Banchini said. “It restricts our movement so much that we almost can’t see it anymore.” www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
theguardian.com
Reclaiming the streets: the architects clawing back Europe’s car-centric spaces
The European Prize for Urban Public Space’s shortlist highlights projects helping people cope with climate crisis
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Sounds like you just talked yourself into a new bike! I am a bad influence on this front as @alisonstenning.bsky.social would attest to.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I think that ship had sailed some time before this. Perhaps this is the story some are telling now but it wasn’t at the time.
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Lucy Pearson @lrpearson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Biking friends, I need advice. I have two old bikes (20-30 years old) which have been stored in my shed untouched for the last five years. I think they were both decent bikes new but nothing specialist. Is it likely to be worth renovating them or will it cost me more than just buying 2nd hand?
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I have one old bike that has been refurbished for my daughter to use. I wanted a new one that didn’t have a high cross bar because I am getting old!
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
If they worked for you previously in terms of size and you want to use them for much the same thing then refurbishing them is probably worth it and is straightforward enough. A bike shop would give you an idea about the difference in cost.
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Laura Tisdall @lauratisdall.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
New on the @histchild.bsky.social website, access a bibliography of works published in the history of childhood in the past c.15 years, and contribute yourself. Thanks so much to @karl-haohaozhang.bsky.social www.histchild.org/resources/co... #histchild #skystorians
histchild.org
Contribute to a history of childhood bibliography
Check out this working bibliography and add more resources yourself
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The history of play provision in Redheugh since the 1950s reflects changing ideas about play and children and an intermittent commitment to prioritising children. It’s seen playing fields, an adventure playground, fixed play equipment, this recent playground and now a forest school.
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Andy Arthur💃🏰⚓🦌 Threadinburgh 🧵 @threadinburgh.scot · 23/08/2026
In all seriousness, this is both a salient reminder as to why you shouldn't get too over-committed to digital history and also a good example of the complete shitshow that HES has had with its websites.
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The Curly Hair Project @curlyhairproject.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
#RoadSafety Project Update! We've created an app for #neurodivergent children and young people to log good and bad things they experience when out and about. Tell us what you like or dislike about your #journeys! Download the YEA Youth Engagement App from Google Play/Apple Store! #autism #adhd
thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk
Road Safety App for Neurodivergent Children and Young People
Download our YEA app to log good and bad issues you experience on your journey to school or when out and about.
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Caroline Russell @carolinerussell.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Without seeing the proposed governance processes, have to ask if this is devolution on the cheap? The London Mayor has a London Plan sitting alongside the Local Plans of the 32 boroughs.
BBC News headline “mayors to get powers to overrule local councils on planning decisions” 

Image of brick homes being built, red tile and grey slate rooves rising above the surrounding scaffolding.
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John Munro @johnmunro.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Want to know more about skateboarding in Palestine? About cycling and empire? Join Dani Abulhawa and @ncardon.bsky.social on September 3rd for a fascinating conversation about Colonial Mobilities!
tickettailor.com
Select tickets – Colonial Mobilities in the US, UK, and Palestine – BRIG Cafe @ The Warehouse, 54-57 Allison St, Birmingham
Colonial Mobilities in the US, UK, and Palestine – BRIG Cafe @ The Warehouse, 54-57 Allison St, Birmingham, Thu 3 Sep 2026 - Colonial structures shape how we move, who gets to move and whose movement ...
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Glen O'Hara @gsoh31.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The university rundown is very rapid, as well as being unplanned and chaotic. Okay, many academics over 60 and even say 57-58 can leave with a good payout, but you're losing a hell of a lot of knowledge and experience if you do that. www.thetimes.com/uk/education...
thetimes.com
Universities spend £400m on ‘golden goodbyes’ in a single year
The 60% increase shows how even top institutions are scrambling to deal with falling numbers of overseas students and stagnating domestic tuition fees
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Municipal Dreams @municipaldreams.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
The Brandon Estate, Southwark: London County Council's model mixed development estate of the late 1950s – bungalows for old people, two-storey houses and maisonettes for families and flats ranging in height from three storeys to the 18 storey tower blocks municipaldreams.substack.com/p/the-brando...
The six 18-storey point blocksFamily houses on Greig Terracenew build on Lorrimore Square. The wooden figure is the adapted remains of another artwork provided for the Estate – William Mitchell’s 14 ft totem pole originally equipped with chains for children to climb on
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Good luck with whatever it is!
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Alison Stenning @alisonstenning.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Road safety is a social justice issue. “The number of children killed or injured crossing roads is almost five times higher in England’s most deprived areas than its wealthiest” … and the gap is widening.
theguardian.com
Child pedestrian casualties are almost five times higher in England’s worst-off areas
Official figures expose widening gap in road deaths and injuries between poor and wealthy postcodes
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
And for only 9 months of the year!
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Problem also is that if you go into halls you don’t get much choice. You could put down the £8,000 a year and be offered something upwards of £10,000 a year.
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Ant Breach @antbreach.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
About a month until 8,000 volumes on British postwar planning and housing history gets pulped. Unless we can find someone to save it municipaldreams.substack.com/p/a-good-hom...
municipaldreams.substack.com
A Good Home Needed Urgently for One of the Most Significant Libraries of Housing and Planning in the Country
The trustees of the Octavia Hill Birthplace Museum are disposing of its Harry Simpson Memorial Library in September, next month.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
We need to show rightwing newspapers that actions have consequences. Add your name: goodlawproject.org/s/abb8a1
goodlawproject.org
Jason Arday: Demand a public inquiry now | Good Law Project
Commission an immediate public inquiry into how to ensure a responsible press given its contribution to Dr Arday’s tragic death.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
It makes sense when you need people to take action right away but less so as a general announcement about something you don’t want people to do.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
When we were in Limburg in the Netherlands a few years ago we had to spend half a day in an ice cream parlour after an emergency alert on our phones and a siren in the village we were cycling through went off. Utterly terrifying but apparently quite normal there when there are chemical leaks.
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Sally Watson @salawatson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
My GCSE history teacher wrote text books for the Schools History Project. Best teacher I had by a long shot.
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Claire Boardman @claireboardman.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
👀 Collections Trust (UK) CPD: Accountability for Born-Digital Collections Delivered by MDS "for people who already have a good understanding of the Spectrum procedures for physical objects, but want to better understand how to follow the standard for digital objects." tinyurl.com/4xjtz4dh
tinyurl.com
Accountability for born-digital collections - Collections Trust
This introductory session will look at the initial steps that can be taken to be accountable for digital items entering the museum’s care. It is designed for people who already have a good understandi...
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