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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

More evidence that Black Country history is the best history.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Two fun arrivals in the post today: the new edition of @historyireland.bsky.social with an article by yours truly about an Irishman abroad; and a textbook for my next year of @cnagaeilge.bsky.social Irish study in Brum.

A page of History Ireland magazine featuring an article entitled 'An Accidental Celebrity - James Francis Egan'

The cover of a textbook: Colloquial Irish 2

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Andy Mabbett @pigsonthewing.org.uk · 10/09/2026

In the late 1960s, Enoch Powell - after his 'Rivers of Blood' speech - agreed to do an interview at the ATV studios in Birmingham, on condition that "the black girl" [journalist Barbara Blake Hannah] was not there. www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories...

bbc.co.uk

Barbara Blake Hannah: The first black female reporter on British TV

In 1968 Barbara Blake Hannah got a reporting job with Thames Television, but some viewers strongly objected.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Heads up to anyone interested in learning Irish in the Midlands: enrolment now open for Conradh na Gaeilge courses in Birmingham: gaeilge.uk/learning-irish I've done these the last couple of years and they've been fantastic - great teachers, non-stressful format and pace, just loads of fun.

gaeilge.uk

Learning Irish - Conradh na Gaeilge Birmingham

Learning Irish Our Irish Courses Our Beginners’ Course: Learn Irish Now! A1.1 Conradh na Gaeilge Birmingham is delighted to announce that […]

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Before I went back to study I did course admin for the UoB golf degree. I regularly got this kind of report - the usual response was to invite the commentor to sit in on a year 2 metallurgy course, it soon shut them up. www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...

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Dr Marc Collinson @marccollinson.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Looking forward to this excellent event organised with @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social at the @bclivingmuseum.bsky.social promises to be a fascinating day of talks!

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Justine Pick @justinepick.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Looking forward to this 'Beyond the Black Country' study day, co-hosted by @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social & @marccollinson.bsky.social Will also be delivering a short session on submitting to @midlandhistory.bsky.social journal A few spaces available on Sat 12 September 👇

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I have a few spaces available to attend a study day I'm running with @marccollinson.bsky.social @midlandhistory.bsky.social at the Black Country Living Museum on Sat 12th September. If you're into Black Country/West Mids history, or the local/national/global relationship, please get in touch!

Schedule of study day
Programme
10am Introductions (Simon Briercliffe and Marc Collinson)
10:15am Dr Elizabeth Thomson: ‘Beautiful Black Country Bricks: All the Colours of a Persian Carpet’
10:45am Jack Price, ‘Francis Brett Young, the Black Country, and Britain’s Experience of the First World War’
11:15am Break
11:30am Dr Esther Asprey, ‘Regional accents and some ‘Notes on Pronunciation’ at Walsall Grammar School in the 1960s – an evaluation of standard language ideology and the fight to reduce accent variation’
12:00pm Dr Judith Davies: ‘Anti-Catholicism in Dudley, Worcestershire in the middle decades of the nineteenth century’
12:30pm Lunch
1:15pm Tour of new developments at the Black Country Living Museum (Simon Briercliffe and Nadia Awal)
2:15pm Break
2:30pm Dr Savita Vij: ‘Transnational and national radical political networks, explored through the Indian Workers Association in the 1960s’
3:00pm Dr Matt Stallard – title tbc
3:30pm Dr Malcolm Dick: ‘Slavery, the slave trade, anti-slavery and the black presence in the Black Country c. 1700 to 1838’
4pm End

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Tá cúpla focal agam, go hoifigiúil

A certificate in English and Irish, plus a badge, confirming that the poster has been awarded the "cúpla focal fáinne", the very beginners level oral test in the Irish language.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

I hope this wasn't the cause of it, but excited to note that the Telegraph (and a verbatim repeat in GBNews) have now discovered our disclaimers and are reacting totally normally

Daily Telegraph screenshot, with headline "Museum puts trigger warning on Janet and John children's book"

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SMD's pension @anothersmd.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Why do I have to go to the local news section to find this story? Where are the protests demanding an end to the epidemic of white Brits murdering minorities? Will there be a national debate on the ills of cocaine abuse amongst white men?

bbc.co.uk

Man who stabbed student to death in Cambridge is jailed for life

Chas Corrigan, 22, will serve a minimum of 22 years for the murder of Mohammed Algasim last August.

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Modern British Studies Association @modbritstud.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A reminder that you can join the hybrid keynote #MBS2026 tomorrow June 4, 5.30pm: Catherine Hall, 'Laying an axe to the roots': history writing for the present. Sign up link below, free to all www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/moder...

birmingham.ac.uk

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Mo Moulton @momoulton.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Join me and @echomikeromeo.bsky.social on 4 June for an evening of trans history at the Birmingham LGBT Centre. Expect fun stories, unexpected connections, serious takeaways, and a little bit of hope. Free but register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/british-tr...

British Trans History: Stories for Our Times. 4 June 18:00, Birmingham LGBT Centre, Birmingham. Flyer with image from TGirlsonFim zine, purple and white drawing of a woman with personal narrative typed.

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Niamh NicGhabhann Coleman @niamhroisin.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

I think it is worth calling it out for what it is. A really insidious wooden spoon, trying to stir up dissent at a time what such actions have real-life repercussions for many. Outrage farming. I’m totally sick of it!

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

This is such lazy reporting and manufactured outrage. This is bog-standard museum practice designed to prepare and safeguard front-of-house staff and provide more context for discussion, should it arise. It's not even in the written interpretation! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Historian brands Rochester museum's guidance on Dickens' 'ludicrous'

Guidance to Guildhall Museum staff about Charles Dickens’ views on race and empire called unnecessary.

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Irish Studies@LivUni @irishinstitute.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

"Men We Seldom See - Irish Migrant Legacies and the British Construction Industry" We are looking for Irish migrants who worked in any aspect of the British construction industry for at least one year, and are willing to be interviewed. ℹ️ www.liverpool.ac.uk/irish-studie.... #oralhistory #SpéirGorm

liverpool.ac.uk

Men We Seldom See | Institute of Irish Studies | University of Liverpool

Research project at the Institute of Irish Studies looking at Irish Migrant Legacies and the British Construction Industry

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History of Advertising Trust @historyofads.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Wise words from The Cake and Biscuit Alliance in 1950 #NationalBiscuitDay

1950 advert for The Cake and Biscuit Alliance Limited - 'Biscuits Keep You Going' (HAT20_2)

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

It's not really spring until Lady Emma Hamilton is out

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

In the UK there are two contenders only. 1. Armadillos youtu.be/bqeGxMgVOHI?... 2. Accrington Stanley youtu.be/pieK7b4KLL4?...

youtu.be

Dime Bar Commercial [Armadillos] (Starring Harry Enfield) - 1995, UK

YouTube video by ceilingsoldier

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

The weather out here in the Shire has reached the point where I've just hung my trousers on the washing line and hosed them, rather than contemplate ironing.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

First step towards Saint JRR of Tolkien.

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Piers Haslam 🌺 @phghaslam.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Read the final part of my archival reflections from @norfolkro.bsky.social, about how rural Norfolk of yesteryear could be quite queer! It made me so happy to find these fabulous photos - I really wanted to share them 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 norfolkrecordofficeblog.org/2026/05/21/l...

A photo showing someone in a studio in a glamorous black evening gown with elaborate foliate patterns. They’re wearing an eye-catching choker with a white bejewelled star.

A photo taken in a studio of someone taking up the role of a boy in a pantomime. They are wearing tights and an antiquated costume tunic with puffed sleeves.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Introduce yourself with 10 bands/musicians you've seen live Pulp James Brown REM The Breeders Gregory Isaacs Tanya Donnelly The Hives Mark Lanegan Nick Cave James [more than once edition] Frank Black Mogwai Bruce Springsteen John Grant Pixies Four Tet Kristin Hersh Laura Mvula Erasure Low

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Mic Wright @brokenbottleboy.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

What the government is doing to trans people is a society-wide version of Section 28. It is a level of bureaucratic cruelty that utterly decimates a whole group of people’s rights and puts anyone who doesn’t ‘look’ right in the eyes of others under constant surveillance. It’s a horrific thing.

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Máiréad Enright @maireadenright.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Hup the barman 🇮🇪

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Katrina Navickas @katrinanavickas.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Solidarity with all trans + people today. And if you're cis like me and have any agency in shaping your institution's policies regarding toilets etc, please exercise it in defence against those who want to take away human rights.

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Ian Kikuchi @curatorian.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

This story, insofar as it deals with the National Railway Museum, is utterly absurd. If you rock up to a museum event expecting to dump a load of stuff on the staff, and are then surprised to be politely refused, then you clearly have no idea what museums are for. www.cityam.com/a-state-of-t...

cityam.com

A state of the nation tale: The National Rail Museum won't accept a model railway set

From museums that won't accept model railway sets to the NHS's refusal to share data, British inefficiency is costing us billions.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

This is the dumbest thing Southampton have done since signing Ali Dia. Such a shame just as we'd finally found a manager who clicked after years - Eckert must have known though, right? It takes all the shine off a really impressive second half of the season. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

bbc.co.uk

Spygate appeal: Southampton lose appeal against expulsion from play-offs

Southampton lose their appeal against expulsion from the Championship play-off final for spying.

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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

terrible. 20 years ago, the internet was full of hobbyist blogs and forums. over time, these have been replaced by paywalled substacks and private discord channels, each a walled garden. google's decision to prioritize AI just makes it less likely people will create free, public info

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Martha Robinson Rhodes @mrobinsonrhodes.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

My furry editor and I are excited to announce the publication of my book, Bisexuality and Beyond: A History of Multiple-Gender-Attraction in Modern Britain!

A box containing several copies of the book Bisexuality and Beyond. A small tabby cat is enthusiastically rubbing her head against the box.

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Dr Dion Georgiou 🇨🇾❤️🇬🇾 @drdiongeorgiou.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Great opportunity for a crossover adaptation of Fever Pitch and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, with Colin Firth and Mark Strong amalgamating their roles from each film.

bbc.co.uk

Southampton expelled from play-offs for spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford and Ipswich

Southampton have been thrown out of the play-offs after admitting they spied on three clubs during the Championship season.

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Pete Birkinshaw @binaryape.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

FPTP is like The One Ring of politics in the UK. They know they need to destroy it, but once it's in their hands they think "Why shouldn't we keep it? We can use it for good!" and then everything goes dead-Boromir-shaped

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Found one abandoned and one occupied nest in a Cistercian abbey

A stone ceiling with a swallow sitting in its nest in the eaves

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Midland History Journal @midlandhistory.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Coming up this Thursday The 2026 Malcolm Dick Lecture in Midlands History 'Warwick Castle During the English Civil War' by Prof. Andrew Hopper Details below 👇

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Caitlin G. DeAngelis @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Recently, FamilySearch digitized and uploaded tons of microfilmed records, including many from 18th-century Massachsuetts. They're using some sort of AI to transcribe/summarize the handwritten documents. I've noticed that the AI strips out references to race and enslavement in 18thc documents.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I didn't get great photos, but we must've had hundreds through yesterday to see Cakeboi's homage to 1960s drag. There's little time for much nuance in a festival-style event, but they all went away knowing a little LGBTQ+ history and experiencing it as joyful, so I'm very proud of our club.

A selfie of the poster in 1960s costume, under a sparkly sign reading "The Gay Flamingo Club"

An interior photo of a hall decorated as a 1060s LGBTQ+ friendly social club, with crowds of visitors watching a drag artist perform.

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

Today, it's been dressing our recreation of Wolverhampton's first gay club for our 1960s night tonight - actually originally on the same site as yesterday's Irish club.

Open door into a wooden building with a sign stating "The Gay Flamingo"

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Have been interviewing for interns recently, some of whom ask what a typical day looks like. How do I explain that today involved playing bingo at the Irish club dressed as a Victorian miner?

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Old UK Print Ads @oldukprintads.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

May 1935: G-3 Tires ad from Goodyear «The Mark of the Master»

This advertisement uses the artistry of Chelsea Potters to introduce the Goodyear G-3 tires. The golden anchor that marks the potter's work is the mark that Goodyear has given the G-3 tires. The artistry used in Chelsea Potteries to create masterpieces is compared to the effort Goodyear puts into making the finest tires in the world.

The Mark of the Master

This golden anchor is the mark of the Chelsea Potters, masters of porcelain craftsmanship. The "Music Lesson", about 1765, is probably the loveliest piece in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and one of the finest examples of the genius of Roubiliac. From the Schreiber Collection, reproduced by courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

When Chelsea Potters formed such artistry from pigment, porcelain and glaze, their rightful pride encouraged them to mark their work with anchors drawn in gold. Today those who seek the finest tyre in the world will find that Goodyear, who have built it, have given it the mark G-3.

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Rhys Kaminski-Jones @rhyskamjones.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Quite apart from his politics, Streeting just has the vibe of a junior manager who volunteered to do the firings

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Just discovered listening to the Wildhearts in the gym, so you can all share maybe the most unhinged TOTP performance ever. youtu.be/FUp5Sp6oRQI?... (possibly only @hagenilda.bsky.social will appreciate this)

youtu.be

The Wildhearts - Caffeine Bomb | Live at the BBC on Top of the Pops

YouTube video by Phoenix Music International Ltd

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Jordan @jordanpfot.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

JK Rowling now being represented by a non-binary South Asian MSP named ‘Q’ is like something out of a movie. I can’t stop cackling about it.

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Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Handsworth is now Green! 💚🥳 Huge congratulations to @edfreshwater.bsky.social!

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Simon Briercliffe @simonbriercliffe.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Prediction: this nuance will be completely ignored and the great moving right show will continue

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Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick @mrcwarwick.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

60+ attendees already confirmed! ⛏️ Free one day conference on coal communities, health and welfare, with a great line up of speakers from academia, heritage organisations, community and campaign groups 18 June, University of Warwick Book now to guarantee a spot! warwick.ac.uk/services/lib...

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Omar Khan @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Racial discrimination was legal in Britain until 1965 -2 decades after WW2- & remained legal in housing & employment until the 1968 & 1976 race relations acts plugged holes in the 1st in the face of by public & parliamentary opposition, who argued constraining freedom to discriminate was un-English

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