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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 7h

Ah, that's awful. I'm so sorry to hear it.

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 11h

Anyone recollect Capstick Comes Home, which was supposedly a parody of the Hovis ad? Except it wasn't.

Arr David @arrdavid.bsky.social · 11h

Here's my gloriously dismal nostalgia poem inspired by Facebook poetry frequently posted by those who are forever looking backwards. Full poem in alt-text

'An Ode to Shit Times':
The rickets bent our little knees,
Ringworm spread with horrid ease.
Polio lurked, a silent threat,
Made sure our childhoods we'd regret.
The teachers, with their canes so swift,
Would beat us for the slightest rift.
A slap, a whack, a stinging blow,
To make sure we'd all learn to know.
That larder cheese, a rancid dream,
Unleashed a gut-wrenching scream.
Food poisoning, a constant friend,
Until our bowels blew out their end.
The dentist, with his rusty drill,
Made sure our fillings were a thrill.
No anaesthetic, just a grunt,
For rotten molars he would hunt.
To call the doc, a costly plea,
A shilling paid for misery.
He'd poke and prod, then scratch his head,
And send us off, half-wishin' we were dead.
From Dad, a clip round the ear,
For laughing loud, dispelling fear.
"Be quiet, brat! Your mirth's too bright!"
And plunged us back into dismal night.
On TVs, grainy, tiny small,
We watched the shows, ignoring all
The draughts and damp, the threadbare clothes,
The gaping holes in all our toes.
We huddled close, a pauper's crew,
With bellies rumbling, plain to view.
No fancy food, no costly toys,
Just echoes of meagre joys.
But through the gloom, the aches, the pains,
The constant drizzle of the rains,
The poverty, the constant strife,
We found a way to live our life...
And somehow, through the grim parade,
Of maladies and plans delayed,
With threadbare hopes and empty purse,
We'd swear it could be worse...
Yes, through it all, the truth held fast,
Those days of misery, they passed.
And though it sounds incredibly sad,
Believe me when I say, my lad...
We were happy.

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 15h

the news channel of the national broadcaster...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Celebrity Traitors episode three: Celia Imrie's fart steals the show

The veteran actress blamed nerves for her releasing wind at a tense moment during the game.

www.bbc.co.uk

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 19h

Good news indeed, but a sobering reminder that you're only a couple of bad decisions and a little bad luck away from being in real trouble in that part of the world.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Grandfather relives eight-day 'nightmare' in Highland wilderness

Ian Currie had been attempting to walk from Glenfinnan to Knoydart when he got into difficulty.

www.bbc.com

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

Apparently these fellas consume 10,000 calories a day. If I cut down a bit, this could be the sport for me.

Scott Wortley @scottwortley.bsky.social · 1d

Live sumo

The Grand Sumo Tournament

The Grand Sumo Tournament - 2025 - Day One

Live coverage of the first day of the Grand Sumo Tournament from the Royal Albert Hall in London.

www.bbc.co.uk

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

I thought Brisbane in winter was perfect. Melbourne, not so much...

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

iirc, netball was invented by people who thought basketball was too rough for girls...If they saw how the best teams play it now, they'd have a fit.

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

One of the world's most popular sports, but as a nation we're consistently useless at every aspect of it.

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Reposted by David McArdle

Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 3d

My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.

Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 4d

NEW: The British politician, his Russian intelligence handler & a Kremlin plot against the US & Ukraine.

My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:

Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?

t.co/BUTtpK9C4S

27 1K 1.2K

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

It's amazing how folk respond when they realise i) you Know Stuff and ii) you aren't necessarily going to say what they want to hear.

Plus the fact that you might want, you know, paying

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

I'm just a guy whose finances are good... www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis...

Carlos Alcaraz: Players 'misunderstood' over exhibition criticisms

World number one Carlos Alcaraz says players are misunderstood when they want to play in exhibition tournaments despite criticising the demanding tour schedule.

www.bbc.co.uk

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

An important reminder that rightly or wrongly it's governments that decide on visas, not sports - www.bbc.com/sport/gymnas...

World Artistic Gymnastics Championships: Israel says 'dangerous precedent' set by Indonesia decision to deny athletes visas

The Israeli Gymnastics Federation says a

www.bbc.com

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

well, this looks an utter mess - www.bbc.com/sport/basket...

Basketball: Fiba suspends BBF and British men's team barred from international competition

Basketball's world governing body Fiba suspends the British Basketball Federation and bars the British men's team from international competition because of governance issues.

www.bbc.com

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

Every evening in the pub you can see him arrive
He weighs 400kg and can't see his thighs.
Big John
www.bbc.com/news/article...

'Big John' Fisher: British social media star detained in Australia over visa

Fisher says his visa is "legit" but that authorities were unhappy he would be working while in the country.

www.bbc.com

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

Many blooms still linger there...

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 1d

Muscat? Oh, man.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

Rangers: Kevin Muscat leads race to succeed Russell Martin

Kevin Muscat is the leading candidate to replace Russell Martin as Rangers head coach, although the Ibrox club are talking to other targets.

www.bbc.co.uk

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

Oh look, the All Blacks are playing the Llantrissant 3rd XV again.

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

42 years ago I went to a guest lecture by Celia Brackenridge. Her parting words were 'if you want easy access to kids, get involved in sports.'

I'm not sure things have changed very much.

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

Verily.

The Independent @the-independent.com · 2d

Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK

www.independent.co.uk

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

Ah sure, money insulates you from pretty much everything.

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 2d

The new chancellor of Oxford University has said there will be no 'cancel culture' for students and warned would-be undergraduates that they will “hear things that will upset and offend them” ⬇️

William Hague: Why I’ll banish ‘safe spaces’ at Oxford

www.thetimes.com

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

Honestly loves, chucking the Brits out was almost as big a mistake as letting Columbus in.

Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 3d

The is literally nothing more American and patriotic than declaring: No Kings.

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

We are a nation of cretins.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Britain's most remote pub cancels Harry Potter night over backlash

The Old Forge in Knoydart said staff had received 'inappropriate grief' over the Halloween event

www.bbc.com

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

You mean the toxic racists. A decent proofreader would have saved you half a dozen letters here.

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David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 2d

they brought about 14 fans to Chesterfield on Saturday. If you see anyone wearing this you'll think they're a Dundee Utd supporter who got lost www.bbc.com/sport/footba...

Salford City supporters vote to change club's colours back to orange

Salford City's supporters vote to change the club's primary home shirt colour back to orange.

www.bbc.com

David McArdle @davemcardle.bsky.social · 3d

"Today, I feel genocidal."

Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 3d

Reports that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has arrived in Sharm el Sheikh for the Middle East peace summit. Unclear why he would be required or what his role is.