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Christine Allsopp

@venchrisallsopp.bsky.social
459 followers 257 following 242 posts

Priest, Retired Archdeacon, enjoying life in the Valley of the Racehorse , tree planter 🌳

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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
flyingrodent @flyingrodent.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Dominic Cummings telling Parliament that Tory PRs could send anything they wanted, no matter how obviously stupid and insulting it was, to TV politics correspondents and they would read it out live on air like it was interesting and had merit
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Peter Jukes @peterjukes.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Just a reminder, Professor James Orr, Reform UK head of policy, teaches 'ethics' to undergraduates at Cambridge University youtu.be/aXut3s90rUI
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
gerrarrdus @gerrarrdus.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Testing the Church of England's new website today. Asked why they're linking to X (Twitter) but not Bluesky. What's the matter with them?
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Matt @mat1l92.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
13,000 children under the age of 5 in Rotherham received a book every month because Dolly Parton was a real one. RIP
theguardian.com
Dolly Parton sends books to Rotherham
A reading scheme developed by the US country singer Dolly Parton is a proving a big hit in the UK
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I have written to the Cabinet Secretary to seek assurances that the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, who was lobbying for the privatised water industry until recently, has had no involvement in talks about the future of Thames Water.
25th August 2026
Dear Antonia,
It is reported in the media today that the Prime Minister has ‘shelved’ plans to take Thames Water into administration.
As is well known, the Chief of Staff in Downing Street James Purnell was until his appointment, the Chief Executive of Flint Global, whose clients it is widely reported include members of the privatised water industry, and Thames Water’s bondholders. 
The Times reports that the Prime Minister has been ‘advised by officials’ not to go ahead with special administration. In addition to James Purnell, can you confirm that no other officials involved in this process have links to the privatised water industry, and have accepted no hospitality from anyone associated with or acting on behalf of members of the water industry, including Flint Global, post the departure of James Purnell. 
It is especially concerning that the Times reports that the Prime Minister has listened to advice that even the half measure of temporary special administration would be costly and run into legal issues. Of course, this is what advisers and lobbyists for the privatised water industry will be saying and it is the ‘advice’ James Purnell would have been making weeks ago, It is also highly unlikely to be true, given the repeated catastrophic failures of Thames Water, including polluted rivers, sky high bills and water shortages, Thames Water could be taken into public ownership right now and Thames Water would not have a legal leg to stand on.
The public and I expect a proper explanation for this decision, including an update to parliament at the first possible time, and assurances that James Purnell has had nothing at all to
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Prof Penny Endersby @pennyend.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti... I had an early brief on this and ordered a pallet of sandbags for my marginally flood-prone house. They’re easy to obtain in the middle of a drought! This is a good article by the BBC covering some of the global impacts to be expected from such a strong El Niño.
bbc.co.uk
El Niño set to be 'strongest in living memory', says Met Office
Scientists say the growing El Niño weather pattern is an "unprecedented event" and means 2027 is likely to be the world's hottest year on record.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Clergy Support Trust @clergysupport.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
The challenges that come hand-in-hand with ministry mean that clergy may not have the time to prioritise their wellbeing. 🙏 That why we're delighted to support clergy households to afford breaks, including Emma, Paul and Maisie, pictured here up Hallin Fell in the Lake District last week.
Emma, Paul and their border collie, Maisie, are standing atop a large hill. In the distance is a wide river, tall trees, greenery and mountains, below a row of ominous grey clouds in the sky.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Damage just done by a bale of hay/straw that fell of a trailer as it was driven through our village
A mound of straw in front of a broken down brick  garden wall showing garden with tree behind and part of house on the left.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Walk through the village while there is still a cool breeze. I meet young children from our church primary school with their Mums "Hello Christine!" and they tell me their plans for a day out. On the way home I see a young man "Carpe diem!" he says " have a good day!" #tinyjoys
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Just discovered that my colander has hexagonal holes.. #solareclipse
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Larry the Cat @number10cat.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Notice for cat owners: Your cat will expect breakfast to be served as soon as the eclipse is over.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Two Hummingbird Hawk Moths are regular visitors to my buddleia every day. #tinyjoys
Pink spikes of flowers with fuzzy flying hummingbird hawk moth, brown body and orange wings.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Association for Promoting Retreats @promotingretreats.org · 07/08/2026
Do you teach or offer pastoral support in a Church of England school? Would you like a retreat to rest, reflect and be renewed? If so, we offer bursaries of up to £150 for you to do just this... find out more on promotingretreats.org/bursary (and please do tell your teaching friends!)
A pile of coloured crayons on a table at the front of a school classroom, which is blurred in the background
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
You had one job.
independent.co.uk
Council apologises after ‘unfortunate’ placement of Dead End sign near cemetery
It was originally thought to be the doing of a local prankster
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Association for Promoting Retreats @promotingretreats.org · 05/08/2026
'The value of a Christian retreat is obvious... it provides a breathing space from the world, and it cares when one tries to turn one's attention to God' (APR archive 1971). Where might you find breathing space to reflect and pray? promotingretreats.org
A photo of a still lake with pebbles in the foreground and mountains reflected in the surface of the water in the background.
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Association for Promoting Retreats @promotingretreats.org · 05/08/2026
'A big thank you to everyone who made my retreat a reality. Words fail me. I truly appreciate all of you'. Some words from a recent recipient of one of our retreat bursaries. Could we help you too? Find out more on promotingretreats.org/bursary
A close up photo of an older lady holding a pen and writing in a notebook
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Apple blossom in July. What's going on?
White apple blossom surrounded by green leaves.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Found while sweeping up dead leaves. Any ideas what bird it came from? #tinyjoys @rspb.bsky.social
Feather, black on one side and blue on other.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Returning from a funeral tea in one of our parishes I stop the car and wait for three young mallards to cross the road. #ruralministry #CofEpeeps
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Enjoying my garden. #tinyjoys
Shrubs and flowers, different colour greens  purple and pink.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Never before has a politician announced their intention to run for re-election on an explicitly pro-sleaze, anti-transparency ticket. Never before has a politician gloried in having enriched themselves by breaking the rules, and then demanded a mandate to continue doing so indefinitely
bylinetimes.com
Nigel Farage’s 'Pro-Sleaze' By-Election Is A Sign Of Terminal Weakness
The Reform leader's desperate decision to call a back-me-or-sack-me by-election is a sign of a politician who knows he is finally being exposed for the man he really is, argues Adam Bienkov
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John Crace @mrjohncrace.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Calling David Attenborough: Clacton needs you
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Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Farage should easily win a by-election in Clacton, which he already won with a large majority in 2024 when polls were much less favourable for Reform than they are now. A complete waste of public money, designed solely to serve himself
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Liam Thorp @liamthorp.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The single best thing the other parties can do now is to all refuse to stand in the Clacton by-election. Will make this stunt look utterly ridiculous.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Robert Hutton @roberthutton.co.uk · 07/07/2026
Calling a by-election over the sovereign right of every MP to take secret gifts from a convicted criminal. What a time to be alive.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
This is the most endlessly self-pitying statement from a politician I've ever heard
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Peter Thal Larsen @petertl.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The voters of Clacton right now
static.klipy.com
You're Joking, Not Another One!
Alt: You're Joking, Not Another One!
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Lazy summer Sunday afternoon for Morse cat.
Black and white cat stretched out on chair with elephant decorated cushion behind.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
I was going to pull up the groundsel growing among my marigolds until I found this Cinnabar Moth caterpillar steadily eating its way through the groundsel leaves. Alternative food plant to ragwort. @bbowt.bsky.social #tinyjoys
Black and yellow stripy caywrpillar on head of green and yellow hroundsel flowers.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Caelan Conrad @caelan.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
This is quite literally the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Kate Watson @loreandordure.com · 24/06/2026
GP on the BBC this morning parroting the oft-heard “stay indoors between 11 and 3 because the sun is hottest then”. The sun is *most intense* then, that’s the time of day you’re most at risk of sunburn. The hottest part of the day is usually between 4-6. Thinking you’re safer at 5 is daft.
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Mel Andrews @bayesianboy.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
When utilized in literature review, LLMs consistently 1. fail to mention female authors in female-led literatures, 2. insist that men are more influential or more heavily cited when this is contradicted by objective citation counts, and 3. attribute women’s work to hallucinated male scholars.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Jane Charman @janeeecharman.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
More to the point if they were required to pass GCSE Maths so that they can accurately calculate the amount they’ll be ripped off by.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 17/06/2026
Trump largely incomprehensible in a rambling set of remarks at the G7.
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Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A wee group of angry balaclava and mask-wearing anti-immigration guys tried to stop the good people of Glasgow showing solidarity with migrants and standing up to racism and fascism. Well, the far right are far outnumbered... #RefugeesWelcome #MigrantsWelcome #NeighboursNotStrangers #Glasgow
Photo of a small group of mostly men wearing black, with masks and balaclavas, surrounded by a Police Scotland cordon in the bottom of the photo, in the foreground. In the background, a very large colourful crowd of people with saltires, trade union banners, and hand-made signs in support of migrants and against racism have turned up to gather to show solidarity, and the far right guys were hoping to thwart that. They didn't.
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
c0nc0rdance @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
In case you missed this 2024 story: Scientists are building FROG SAUNAS, and it's letting one species of endangered frogs rid themselves of a deadly fungal pathogen. Also, they appear to just, like, enjoy it. Frog sauna. Or 'frauna'. Or, alternatively, 'hopspital'.
theguardian.com
‘Frog saunas’ could save species from deadly fungal disease, study finds
Australian scientists create brick refuges in greenhouses to help green and golden bell frogs survive infection
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
Lewis Goodall @lewisgoodall.com · 02/06/2026
Henry Nowak’s father’s words outside court, who is probably the person we most need to hear from today.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Looking forward to presiding and preaching at St Mary's Convent, Wantage, on Trinity Sunday. #CSMV
Statue of the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus aloft. Surrounded by bushes and flowers, a brick building in the background.
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David Allsopp @doublehelix.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
"When wild mice came across a wheel in their natural habitat, they got on the wheel and ran — sometimes for up to 18 minutes at a stretch."
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churchtimes.bsky.social @churchtimes.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
The dignity of #retiredclergy demands a “transformed mindset” among the Church’s leaders, the Retired Clergy Association has told the Clergy Retirement Dignity and Fairness Review
churchtimes.co.uk
Dignity of retired clergy demands a ‘transformed mindset’ among Church’s leaders, review hears
THE dignity of retired clergy demands a “transformed mindset” among the Church’s leaders, the Retired Clergy Association has told the Clergy Retirement Dignity and Fairness Review (News, 1 May). “An increase in pensions or the lump sum will not co...
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Reposted by Christine Allsopp
churchtimes.bsky.social @churchtimes.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Smaller churches are a gift Too often, however, they do not feel valued by institutional structures, writes Jody Stowell
churchtimes.co.uk
Smaller churches are a gift
I HAVE spent quite a lot of time listening to the small and quirky stories of what happens in smaller churches, the ways in which there is such life and creativity, imagination, and vision that far too often go unseen, unmarked, and uncelebrated. ...
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Self- seeded foxgloves providing a great show in my garden.
Multiple stems of tall pink foxglove flowers against a wooden fence.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
This morning, first sighting of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker in my garden for many years although I hear them drumming in the wood nearby. @rspb.bsky.social #Lambourn #Berkshire
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Frances Ryan @francesryan.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
So much care for disabled people is rigged with indignity and lack of control but this is one of the worst I’ve ever seen: a young disabled woman moved to a nursing home against her will - literally. Lucinda Ritchie’s power wheelchair was "switched off and pushed". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Disabled woman put in nursing home against her will says she feels 'betrayed'
Lucinda Ritchie, who has full mental capacity, was transferred from a hospital bed despite her refusal.
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Christine Allsopp @venchrisallsopp.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Thyme-leaved Speedwell #wildflowerhour #tinyplants found in my lawn during #NoMowMay
Tiny flower, 4 petals, white tinged with blue among green blades of grass.
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David Allsopp @doublehelix.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
"Please give a reason why you (an entirely real and genuine person) are joining the Labour party: A) Keir Starmer B) Keir Starmer C) Keir Starmer D) Keir Starmer"
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Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
“Effed it, lads”
Daily Telegraph: Pothole repair lorry
swallowed by pothole it was sent to fix
Stranded vehicle has become an attraction for bemused villagers in Somerset


Image shows a big red truck leaning over at 45 degrees, with its driver’s side wheel down a sinkhole.
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Kat Steiner @kastrel.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Please enjoy this short video of a leveret (baby hare) happily munching dandelion stalks - from my OH who is studying in rural Sussex and sees such wonders on a regular basis.
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Rob H&ynes @robonabike.eurosky.social · 09/05/2026
Modest proposal: People who use "staycation" to mean "going on holiday" to be placed under indefinite house arrest.
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Andrew Dotchin (tssf) he/him @suffolkvicar.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
#ToPray✝️ As truly as God is our Father, so truly God is our Mother. (Julian of Norwich)
Inside a cave looking towards the outside 

As truly as God is our Father, 
so truly God is our Mother.
(Julian of Norwich)
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