Andrew Weston
@groatbury.bsky.social
Earthling, retired ecological surveyor, environmentalist, lefty, internationally unrecognised nature photographer, guitarist, obsessive O'Carolan arranger, early musicke aficionado, Yorkshire droll exiled to Raspberry Republic of Scotland.
Pinned
Andrew Weston
@groatbury.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Save Coul Links protected nature (Loch Fleet Ramsar SSSI & SPA) from golf development vandalism
A planning application was submitted to Highland Council to construct an 18-hole international golf course on Coul Links, Sutherland but the applicant is not Trump Golf. The target lies within Loch Fl...
you.38degrees.org.uk
UK PETITIONS
#SaveCoulLinks Loch Fleet SSSI, SPA & Ramsar wetland
from Mike Keiser's new golf developments.
1st planning application was rejected by Scottish Government MSPs: Vandalism you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
2nd submitted with hoodwinkery: Groundhog you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
#SaveCoulLinks Loch Fleet SSSI, SPA & Ramsar wetland
from Mike Keiser's new golf developments.
1st planning application was rejected by Scottish Government MSPs: Vandalism you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
2nd submitted with hoodwinkery: Groundhog you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
The push for wealth taxes has been one of the defining economic debates of 2025. The question now is how to create policies that work.
If we are serious about justice, democracy and effective government, this is the path we should take.
youtu.be/iSE8GsNZgBU?...
If we are serious about justice, democracy and effective government, this is the path we should take.
youtu.be/iSE8GsNZgBU?...
If we want tax justice in 2026, this is the way to tax wealth
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The push for wealth taxes has been one of the defining economic debates of 2025. The question now is how to create policies that work.
If we are serious about justice, democracy and effective government, this is the path we should take.
youtu.be/iSE8GsNZgBU?...
If we are serious about justice, democracy and effective government, this is the path we should take.
youtu.be/iSE8GsNZgBU?...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
This year the pain of climate change arrived in Monmouth. Where will it hit next year?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
‘The anxiety never disappears’: Monmouth businesses recover from severe flooding
Restaurants, bars and shops are happy to be back after Storm Claudia – but there are fears for the future
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
This year the pain of climate change arrived in Monmouth. Where will it hit next year?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
St Lucy's Day is 13 December but 21 Dec is the shortest day.
John Donne's Nocturnal meditation upon "the year's midnight":
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44122/...
John Donne's Nocturnal meditation upon "the year's midnight":
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44122/...
A Nocturnal upon St. Lucy's Day
'Tis the year's midnight, and it is the day's, Lucy's, who scarce seven hours herself unmasks; The sun is spent, and now his flasks Send forth light squibs, no constant rays; The world's whole sap is ...
www.poetryfoundation.org
December 21, 2025 at 9:49 AM
St Lucy's Day is 13 December but 21 Dec is the shortest day.
John Donne's Nocturnal meditation upon "the year's midnight":
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44122/...
John Donne's Nocturnal meditation upon "the year's midnight":
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44122/...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
Monaco based tax-exile Jim Ratcliffe businesses received up to £70m UK subsidy in last 4 years. More promised.
Free cash, not repayable, no means-testing, no equity stake taken.
Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth to be £17bn.
Benefit cuts for the poor, free cash for corporations/Rich.
Free cash, not repayable, no means-testing, no equity stake taken.
Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth to be £17bn.
Benefit cuts for the poor, free cash for corporations/Rich.
Jim Ratcliffe chemical firms received up to £70m of UK state aid in last four years
The government is preparing a £50m bailout for Ineos’s Grangemouth plant, after Jim Ratcliffe asked for help in October
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Monaco based tax-exile Jim Ratcliffe businesses received up to £70m UK subsidy in last 4 years. More promised.
Free cash, not repayable, no means-testing, no equity stake taken.
Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth to be £17bn.
Benefit cuts for the poor, free cash for corporations/Rich.
Free cash, not repayable, no means-testing, no equity stake taken.
Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth to be £17bn.
Benefit cuts for the poor, free cash for corporations/Rich.
Reposted by Andrew Weston
BREAKING: At least 16 files from the Epstein release disappeared from DOJ's webpage, including a photo of Trump, with no explanation.
At least 16 files have disappeared from the DOJ webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
The Justice Department’s webpage for documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is missing at least 16 of its files a day after they were released.
bit.ly
December 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
BREAKING: At least 16 files from the Epstein release disappeared from DOJ's webpage, including a photo of Trump, with no explanation.
Reposted by Andrew Weston
Most of the documents released Friday that mention Trump had already been made public.
DOJ Won’t Scrub Trump From Epstein Files, Top Official Says—Amid Criticism Of Heavy Redactions
Most of the documents released Friday that mention Trump had already been made public.
www.forbes.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Most of the documents released Friday that mention Trump had already been made public.
Reposted by Andrew Weston
In the sixth largest economy, millions of Britons rely on food banks.
No curbs on profiteering. Energy prices up 44% since 2021-22.
Thousands of people can't afford heating, rely on community ‘warm spaces’.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts appease the rich.
No curbs on profiteering. Energy prices up 44% since 2021-22.
Thousands of people can't afford heating, rely on community ‘warm spaces’.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts appease the rich.
‘Bills keep going higher’: community ‘warm spaces’ on the rise in the UK
As places such as Walworth Living Room step in to help people in need, charities lament lack of government help
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:34 AM
In the sixth largest economy, millions of Britons rely on food banks.
No curbs on profiteering. Energy prices up 44% since 2021-22.
Thousands of people can't afford heating, rely on community ‘warm spaces’.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts appease the rich.
No curbs on profiteering. Energy prices up 44% since 2021-22.
Thousands of people can't afford heating, rely on community ‘warm spaces’.
1% have more wealth than 70% of the population combined. Govts appease the rich.
In our blood. In our water. In our babies. 🩸☠️💧Ask @EmmaReynolds to stop the poisoning of Britain, and ban #ForeverChemicals immediately! 🚫 Join the @38_degrees consultation submission to #BanPFAs👇 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ba...
Let’s flood the consultation to ban these poisons!
Linked to cancer, fertility issues, and birth defects -- forever chemicals (PFAS) are now found in our food, drinking water, and even our blood. When we reach 100k signatures, 38 Degrees will submit o...
you.38degrees.org.uk
December 21, 2025 at 9:36 AM
In our blood. In our water. In our babies. 🩸☠️💧Ask @EmmaReynolds to stop the poisoning of Britain, and ban #ForeverChemicals immediately! 🚫 Join the @38_degrees consultation submission to #BanPFAs👇 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ba...
In our blood. In our water. In our babies. 🩸☠️💧Ask @EmmaReynolds to stop the poisoning of Britain, and ban #ForeverChemicals immediately! 🚫 Join the @38_degrees consultation submission to #BanPFAs👇 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ba...
Let’s flood the consultation to ban these poisons!
Linked to cancer, fertility issues, and birth defects -- forever chemicals (PFAS) are now found in our food, drinking water, and even our blood. When we reach 100k signatures, 38 Degrees will submit o...
you.38degrees.org.uk
December 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
In our blood. In our water. In our babies. 🩸☠️💧Ask @EmmaReynolds to stop the poisoning of Britain, and ban #ForeverChemicals immediately! 🚫 Join the @38_degrees consultation submission to #BanPFAs👇 you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/ba...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
New paper alert! Microclimate temperatures are more extreme than we previously thought! Near-ground temperatures are amplified in hot weather, cool refugia is lost and replaced with heat traps ☀️🔥🥵 escape from heat will be very hard for small ground-dwelling organisms
doi.org/10.21425/fob...
doi.org/10.21425/fob...
Local microclimates can both amplify and mitigate extreme temperatures associated with climate change
Climate change is a threat to global biodiversity, with changes to mean temperatures and increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Heatwaves in particular pose a threat to species’...
doi.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
New paper alert! Microclimate temperatures are more extreme than we previously thought! Near-ground temperatures are amplified in hot weather, cool refugia is lost and replaced with heat traps ☀️🔥🥵 escape from heat will be very hard for small ground-dwelling organisms
doi.org/10.21425/fob...
doi.org/10.21425/fob...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
Fourth White-tailed Eagle 'disappears' & RSPB offers £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/19/f...
Fourth White-tailed Eagle ‘disappears’ & RSPB offers £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction
Following the appalling news over the last couple of days about the highly suspicious, and almost certainly criminal, disappearance of three satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles here, here and here…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
December 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Fourth White-tailed Eagle 'disappears' & RSPB offers £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/19/f...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
Great trip report and good advice from Alex Roddie. Unlocking the winter mountains on Ben Lawers | TGO Magazine www.thegreatoutdoorsmag.com/long-reads/u...
Unlocking the winter mountains on Ben Lawers
To see mountains at their best, go in winter and stay out overnight. Alex Roddie shows how to step up to winter backpacking on Ben Lawers.
www.thegreatoutdoorsmag.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Great trip report and good advice from Alex Roddie. Unlocking the winter mountains on Ben Lawers | TGO Magazine www.thegreatoutdoorsmag.com/long-reads/u...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
So it's goodbye UK coastal #nuclear
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case #climate crisis scenarios revealed by scientists
Scientists say government must prepare for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case #climate crisis scenarios revealed by scientists
Scientists say government must prepare for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case climate crisis scenarios revealed by scientists
Scientists say government must prepare for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
So it's goodbye UK coastal #nuclear
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case #climate crisis scenarios revealed by scientists
Scientists say government must prepare for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Massive disruption’: UK’s worst-case #climate crisis scenarios revealed by scientists
Scientists say government must prepare for unlikely but ‘plausible’ 4C rise in temperature and a 2-metre rise in sea levels.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
A few days ago, the weather switched here at @casabentbill.bsky.social. A little cooler and wetter and that's when my neighborhood toucans come down near the house, looking for a snack.
#toucanoftheday #toucans #birds #costarica
#toucanoftheday #toucans #birds #costarica
December 19, 2025 at 1:07 AM
A few days ago, the weather switched here at @casabentbill.bsky.social. A little cooler and wetter and that's when my neighborhood toucans come down near the house, looking for a snack.
#toucanoftheday #toucans #birds #costarica
#toucanoftheday #toucans #birds #costarica
Reposted by Andrew Weston
“One key dispute is over whether another planning or nature bill is required to change rules over protected species and measures to make it easier to build large infrastructure projects, but the changes may be made via secondary legislation.”
FFS. 🤦♂️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
FFS. 🤦♂️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Keir Starmer planning new king’s speech after May elections
Timing seen as reset moment after potential loss of hundreds of council seats in England and defeat in Wales and Scotland
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:04 AM
“One key dispute is over whether another planning or nature bill is required to change rules over protected species and measures to make it easier to build large infrastructure projects, but the changes may be made via secondary legislation.”
FFS. 🤦♂️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
FFS. 🤦♂️
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
UK PETITIONS
#SaveCoulLinks Loch Fleet SSSI, SPA & Ramsar wetland
from Mike Keiser's new golf developments.
1st planning application was rejected by Scottish Government MSPs: Vandalism you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
2nd submitted with hoodwinkery: Groundhog you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
#SaveCoulLinks Loch Fleet SSSI, SPA & Ramsar wetland
from Mike Keiser's new golf developments.
1st planning application was rejected by Scottish Government MSPs: Vandalism you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
2nd submitted with hoodwinkery: Groundhog you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
Save Coul Links protected nature (Loch Fleet Ramsar SSSI & SPA) from golf development vandalism
A planning application was submitted to Highland Council to construct an 18-hole international golf course on Coul Links, Sutherland but the applicant is not Trump Golf. The target lies within Loch Fl...
you.38degrees.org.uk
November 17, 2024 at 9:35 AM
UK PETITIONS
#SaveCoulLinks Loch Fleet SSSI, SPA & Ramsar wetland
from Mike Keiser's new golf developments.
1st planning application was rejected by Scottish Government MSPs: Vandalism you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
2nd submitted with hoodwinkery: Groundhog you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
#SaveCoulLinks Loch Fleet SSSI, SPA & Ramsar wetland
from Mike Keiser's new golf developments.
1st planning application was rejected by Scottish Government MSPs: Vandalism you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/co...
2nd submitted with hoodwinkery: Groundhog you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sa...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
The FT’s analysis of autism and ADHD prevalence is deeply worrying www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/12...
The FT’s analysis of autism and ADHD prevalence is deeply worrying
I have, for a while, thought that John Burn-Murdoch, who works for the Financial Times, is one of the best statistical journalists in the business. I had, in fact, grown accustomed to accepting his da...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 7:09 AM
The FT’s analysis of autism and ADHD prevalence is deeply worrying www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/12...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
When will Labour tell Trump where to go? www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/12...
When will Labour tell Trump where to go?
As the Guardian has reported this morning:
Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the BBC over its editing of a speech he made to supporters in Washington before they stormed the US Capitol in 2021...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:50 AM
When will Labour tell Trump where to go? www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/12...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
Most people think that economics is about money, that government spending is constrained by tax, and that public services must always come second to “balancing the books”. All of that is wrong.
youtu.be/ZL8SMeV2VyY?...
youtu.be/ZL8SMeV2VyY?...
Economics is not about money
YouTube video by Richard J Murphy
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Most people think that economics is about money, that government spending is constrained by tax, and that public services must always come second to “balancing the books”. All of that is wrong.
youtu.be/ZL8SMeV2VyY?...
youtu.be/ZL8SMeV2VyY?...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
I don’t want Farage to apologise. Because he wouldn’t mean it. We know he doesn’t care about the harm he does.
I want him to carry on with his denials, accusations and tantrums. Let people see what Nigel really is; angry, thin-skinned and racist.
I want him to carry on with his denials, accusations and tantrums. Let people see what Nigel really is; angry, thin-skinned and racist.
December 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I don’t want Farage to apologise. Because he wouldn’t mean it. We know he doesn’t care about the harm he does.
I want him to carry on with his denials, accusations and tantrums. Let people see what Nigel really is; angry, thin-skinned and racist.
I want him to carry on with his denials, accusations and tantrums. Let people see what Nigel really is; angry, thin-skinned and racist.
Reposted by Andrew Weston
“What disturbs us is less what happened years ago, hurtful as it was, but rather your refusal to acknowledge your past behaviour or apologise for it”
If Farage was made to acknowledge his past behaviour or apologise for it, his career would have ended years ago.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If Farage was made to acknowledge his past behaviour or apologise for it, his career would have ended years ago.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Nigel Farage told to apologise by 26 of his school contemporaries
Open letter to Reform UK leader expresses ‘dismay and anger’ at his response to racism and antisemitism allegations
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:20 AM
“What disturbs us is less what happened years ago, hurtful as it was, but rather your refusal to acknowledge your past behaviour or apologise for it”
If Farage was made to acknowledge his past behaviour or apologise for it, his career would have ended years ago.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
If Farage was made to acknowledge his past behaviour or apologise for it, his career would have ended years ago.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
When are political leaders going to reach peak stupidity and recognise that all life including our own depends on the natural environment?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘No water, no life’: Iraq’s Tigris River in danger of disappearing
Unless urgent action is taken life will be fundamentally altered for the ancient communities who live on its banks
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:05 AM
When are political leaders going to reach peak stupidity and recognise that all life including our own depends on the natural environment?
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Andrew Weston
Fritillaria imperialis L.
Liliaceae
South Zagros, Iran
Elevation 2550m
April
The yellow form is very rare in natural habitats.
Liliaceae
South Zagros, Iran
Elevation 2550m
April
The yellow form is very rare in natural habitats.
December 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Fritillaria imperialis L.
Liliaceae
South Zagros, Iran
Elevation 2550m
April
The yellow form is very rare in natural habitats.
Liliaceae
South Zagros, Iran
Elevation 2550m
April
The yellow form is very rare in natural habitats.
Reposted by Andrew Weston
Reposted by Andrew Weston
1. A blockade is an act of war
2. The idea that Venezuela has stolen land from the United States is so laughably stupid on its face that even some of his base is like 🤨
3. It’s always about oil.
2. The idea that Venezuela has stolen land from the United States is so laughably stupid on its face that even some of his base is like 🤨
3. It’s always about oil.
December 17, 2025 at 2:44 AM
1. A blockade is an act of war
2. The idea that Venezuela has stolen land from the United States is so laughably stupid on its face that even some of his base is like 🤨
3. It’s always about oil.
2. The idea that Venezuela has stolen land from the United States is so laughably stupid on its face that even some of his base is like 🤨
3. It’s always about oil.