Liz Gwynne
@lizgwyn.bsky.social
Love rocks and dark skies, especially in France.
Christian Aid volunteer
School governor
she/her🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Christian Aid volunteer
School governor
she/her🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
This is certain to be excellent - the best people take part in Cosmic Shambles productions.
We are very excited to finally announce, For the Record: An Incomplete History of Music. An 8 part docuseries coming to screens next June. The entire history of music, from The Big Bang to AI, in a way that's never been told before. Presented by the wonderful Charlotte Ritchie. View the trailer now.
For the Record: An Incomplete History of Music | First Trailer | Charlotte Ritchie | Documentary
YouTube video by The Cosmic Shambles Network
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This is certain to be excellent - the best people take part in Cosmic Shambles productions.
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
I know many of you who follow me don't work in climate science, but this is the biggest story in climate right now. Breaking up NCAR makes us all less safe and is another act of self-harm that will take decades to recover from.
Trump administration to dismantle key climate research center
Russell Vought, who directs the White House Office of Management and Budget, announced plans to split up the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, citing concerns about “clima...
wapo.st
December 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I know many of you who follow me don't work in climate science, but this is the biggest story in climate right now. Breaking up NCAR makes us all less safe and is another act of self-harm that will take decades to recover from.
This is the best response I've seen so far to the sad news about The Infinite Monkey Cage.
But there are thousands of other fans who recognised that Robin Ince practically defines what the BBC used to be; entertaining, enthusiastic and informative but delivered with absolute integrity.
But there are thousands of other fans who recognised that Robin Ince practically defines what the BBC used to be; entertaining, enthusiastic and informative but delivered with absolute integrity.
The problem with the BBC being the nation’s finest engine for soft power, is that people have realised that they can easily exert hard, nasty, cruel power on it, and bend it out of shape.
Empathy, curiosity and compassion shouldn’t be problematic qualities that need silencing. Seems they are now.
Empathy, curiosity and compassion shouldn’t be problematic qualities that need silencing. Seems they are now.
Very sad that I felt I had no choice but to resign from The Infinite Monkey Cage - a victory for the transphobes and other bigots - I did it because so much of the media has chosen to believe the kind and empathetic people are a fiction - they are real and so often unrepresented.
December 13, 2025 at 10:27 AM
This is the best response I've seen so far to the sad news about The Infinite Monkey Cage.
But there are thousands of other fans who recognised that Robin Ince practically defines what the BBC used to be; entertaining, enthusiastic and informative but delivered with absolute integrity.
But there are thousands of other fans who recognised that Robin Ince practically defines what the BBC used to be; entertaining, enthusiastic and informative but delivered with absolute integrity.
What a treat for December! #JaneAusten250
An embarrassment of Jane Austen riches @BBCRadio4 & @BBCRadio3 over the next few weeks for #JaneAusten250 And @BBCSounds a new, unabridged reading of Persuasion by the wonderful Jasmine Hyde. Produced by Fay Lomas www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...
BBC Sounds - Persuasion - Available Episodes
Listen to the latest episodes of Persuasion on BBC Sounds.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
What a treat for December! #JaneAusten250
We loved going to Indesign in Chester, though we couldn't afford to buy much at the time. This is a great addition to Chester city centre, and not too far from the Welsh Rarebit in the cathedral café.
December 8, 2025 at 10:17 AM
We loved going to Indesign in Chester, though we couldn't afford to buy much at the time. This is a great addition to Chester city centre, and not too far from the Welsh Rarebit in the cathedral café.
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
As Trump and Infantino work the red carpet, bragging about setting records for ticket prices.
(video below)
Lets break down what “record prices" really mean for football fans and host countries.
An important thread.
1/10
(video below)
Lets break down what “record prices" really mean for football fans and host countries.
An important thread.
1/10
December 7, 2025 at 2:09 AM
As Trump and Infantino work the red carpet, bragging about setting records for ticket prices.
(video below)
Lets break down what “record prices" really mean for football fans and host countries.
An important thread.
1/10
(video below)
Lets break down what “record prices" really mean for football fans and host countries.
An important thread.
1/10
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
There's not much left of the rule of law if organisations can be financially bullied into not asserting their legal rights. goodlaw.social/sb50
Excluding trans people won’t stop you getting sued | Good Law Project
Girl Guiding and the Women’s Institute have announced that they will now exclude trans women and girls after legal threats – but organisations can and should remain inclusive.
goodlaw.social
December 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
There's not much left of the rule of law if organisations can be financially bullied into not asserting their legal rights. goodlaw.social/sb50
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
We are mothers, daughters, friends and colleagues who stand together in support of trans people.
Not In Our Name.
Read our full statement here:
notinourname.org.uk/trans-exclus...
Not In Our Name.
Read our full statement here:
notinourname.org.uk/trans-exclus...
Trans women and girls excluded from Girlguiding and Women’s Institute: Our response
We are deeply saddened that both Girlguiding and the Women's Institute have been put in a position that has resulted in trans women and girls being excluded from their organisations.
notinourname.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 12:56 PM
We are mothers, daughters, friends and colleagues who stand together in support of trans people.
Not In Our Name.
Read our full statement here:
notinourname.org.uk/trans-exclus...
Not In Our Name.
Read our full statement here:
notinourname.org.uk/trans-exclus...
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
This piece was greenlit and then killed by a British newspaper, so I’ve decided to publish myself instead.
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Trans People Deserve Better
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This piece was greenlit and then killed by a British newspaper, so I’ve decided to publish myself instead.
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Trans People Deserve Better.
"Gender critical" feminism doesn't help women but it does help the far right
open.substack.com/pub/wellread...
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
![[Scene is a kitchen - a middle aged woman called JANET is boiling peas at the stove. A younger more colourfully dressed woman named LIZ approached her.]
JANET:
Ugh...
LIZ:
What's up?
JANET:
I am so bored of cooking peas!
LIZ:
Have you tried...
AI peas?
JANET:
AI peas?
LIZ:
They're peas with AI!
[Liz holds up to us a packet of peas labelled: Pea-i AI - Peas with AI].
LIZ:
Al-powered peas harness the potential of your peas
JANET:
What
LIZ [Now a voiceover as we cut to a whizzy technology diagram of peas all connected by meaningless dotted lines]
Why not take your peas to the next level with Al Peas' new Al tools to power your peas?
[Show a techno diagram of a pea with a label reading 'AI' pointing to a random zone in it]
LIZ:
Each pea has Al in a way we haven't quite worked out yet but it's fine
[Show Janet and Liz now in a Matrix-style world of peas]
LIZ:
With Al peas you can supercharge productivity and make AI work for your peas!
JANET:
What
LIZ:
Shut up
LIZ:
Our game-changing Pea-Al gives you the freedom to unlock the potential of the power of the future of your peas workflow
From opening the bag of peas
to boiling the peas
to eating the peas
To spending millions on adding Al to the peas and then having to work out what that even means.
JANET:
Is it really necessary to-
LIZ [Grabbing Janet by the collar]:
THE PEAS HAVE GOT AI, JANET
[Cut to an advert ending screen, with the bag of peas and the slogan:
AI PEAS: Just 'Peas' for god's sake buy the AI peas.
[Ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreiayqa37f7kik7l7s7fbtfp2sir5ckb662ry2lylinyjrfa2rkvvka@jpeg)
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
NEW: I wrote about British churches installing heat pumps, in some cases in 1,000-year-old buildings! Decarbonisation may not be easy, but many view it as an act of faith.
This is a special feature to mark The Reengineer’s first anniversary! Spread the word! 🥳
www.thereengineer.pro/p/let-there-...
This is a special feature to mark The Reengineer’s first anniversary! Spread the word! 🥳
www.thereengineer.pro/p/let-there-...
Let there be warmth! The British churches putting their faith in heat pumps
Ancient buildings and old bones aren’t getting in the way of decarbonisation
www.thereengineer.pro
November 13, 2025 at 12:06 PM
NEW: I wrote about British churches installing heat pumps, in some cases in 1,000-year-old buildings! Decarbonisation may not be easy, but many view it as an act of faith.
This is a special feature to mark The Reengineer’s first anniversary! Spread the word! 🥳
www.thereengineer.pro/p/let-there-...
This is a special feature to mark The Reengineer’s first anniversary! Spread the word! 🥳
www.thereengineer.pro/p/let-there-...
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
THREAD
A week ago, we published this statement by the Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group. The response has been overwhelming. The group has had many messages of support from our local area and beyond, and people have been inspired to share the message far and wide in their own communities.
A week ago, we published this statement by the Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group. The response has been overwhelming. The group has had many messages of support from our local area and beyond, and people have been inspired to share the message far and wide in their own communities.
Asylum seekers, housed in hotels in Manchester, are reaching out in their own words to address the concerns of the local community.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
Please take a minute to read their letter, & share it with the people in your life who need to hear the truth about the people they are protesting.
October 31, 2025 at 1:47 PM
THREAD
A week ago, we published this statement by the Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group. The response has been overwhelming. The group has had many messages of support from our local area and beyond, and people have been inspired to share the message far and wide in their own communities.
A week ago, we published this statement by the Greater Manchester Asylum Hotels Group. The response has been overwhelming. The group has had many messages of support from our local area and beyond, and people have been inspired to share the message far and wide in their own communities.
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
Wow. I did not know that Alfred Russell Wallace (co-discoverer of evolution by natural selection) wrote a book in 1904 about the biological potential for life on other planets, and I've just found this extraordinary paragraph setting out the insanity of atmospheric pollution [1/3]. In 1904!
![But the sketch I have here attempted to give of its varied functions shows us that it is really a most complex structure, a wonderful piece of machinery, as[ 259] it were, which in its various component gases, its actions and reactions upon the water and the land, its production of electrical discharges, and its furnishing the elements from which the whole fabric of organic life is composed and perpetually renewed, may be truly considered to be the very source and foundation of life itself. This is seen, not only in the fact of our absolute dependence upon it every minute of our lives, but in the terrible effects produced by even a slight degree of impurity in this vital element. Yet it is among those nations that claim to be the most civilised, those that profess to be guided by a knowledge of the laws of nature, those that most glory in the advance of science, that we find the greatest apathy, the greatest recklessness, in continually rendering impure this all-important necessary of life, to such a degree that the health of the larger portion of their populations is injured and their vitality lowered, by conditions which compel them to breathe more or less foul and impure air for the greater part of their lives. The huge and ever-increasing cities, the vast manufacturing towns belching forth smoke and poisonous gases, with the crowded dwellings, where millions are forced to live under the most terrible insanitary conditions, are the witnesses to this criminal apathy, this incredible recklessness and inhumanity.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2g72wvrmzdfakrjq56d3lddj/bafkreidgfp3g5erh7m3rdhzqvar2th65nqj72arwtpxrzak4yvtepmshba@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Wow. I did not know that Alfred Russell Wallace (co-discoverer of evolution by natural selection) wrote a book in 1904 about the biological potential for life on other planets, and I've just found this extraordinary paragraph setting out the insanity of atmospheric pollution [1/3]. In 1904!
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
If you're a National Trust member, it's that time of year again: Midnight tonight is the deadline. It's a shame people have to keep doing this to keep a toehold on historical truth in this country, but here we are. Voting link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
![[Scene is the entrance cabin to a NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTY AND GARDENS]
1
NATIONAL TRUST EMPLOYEE [inside cabin]:
Hello there
2
[A young family - two parents two kids - have arrived at the front desk].
DAD:
Hi - do you have an activity trail, for the kids?
3
NT EMPLOYEE:
Of course – you’re just in time for the Autumn Gammon Trail!
4
MUM:
That sounds fun, doesn’t it kids?
5
NT EMPLOYEE [handing an activity sheet and pencils to the kids]:
Every autumn, the Reform Trust gammons flock back to the National Trust for the AGM. Just follow the trail round the grounds, and see how many you can spot!
6
NT EMPLOYEE [hearing something in the gardens]:
Listen - that's their call
[Calls emanating from the landscape]:
tut-tut
woke-woke
7
NT EMPLOYEE [showing the family an apparently empty fenced enclosure with some bushes in]:
They are extremely sensitive and fragile...
But you can bring them out of hiding if you put a little sign down mentioning slavery.
8
KIDS [pointing]:
There they are!
[Some little red faced PEOPLE wearing Barbour jackets and gilets emerge cautiously from the bushes. They are creeping towards a TINY SIGN in the middle of the enclosure].
[Little people noises]:
woke-woke
tut-tut
woke-woke
9
[Close-up of the TINY SIGN - we can read that it says]:
Slavery had a bit to do with building this massive house.
[Noises from the little people again as they inspect the tiny sign]:
tut-tut
woke-woke
10
MUM [pointing]:
What's that one doing there?
NT EMPLOYEE:
Oh, that's so sweet…
11
[We see that one of the people is sat on a rock, with a little laptop open on a tree stump, and they are furiously typing away].
NT EMPLOYEE:
I think he's writing a column for the Daily Telegraph…
12
[We see close up to the little person’s screen, it is a word document reading]:
Are National Trust scones secretly WOKE?
[ends]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4m3we4apbjayclzcnhwe3pfp/bafkreib7lt736b6rmzinml5s7kxjdaapo2a36xp4d4lssypimx3taqicdm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 9:02 AM
If you're a National Trust member, it's that time of year again: Midnight tonight is the deadline. It's a shame people have to keep doing this to keep a toehold on historical truth in this country, but here we are. Voting link: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
This will be a brilliant evening (as long as it goes ahead)
Do buy tickets please!
Do buy tickets please!
We always try to get Nine Lessons shows beyond London - it is never profitable but we hope it makes it accessible for others - This year is CARDIFF - but no one seems to want to come - so we will pull it next week if we see that it is going to lose us too much money
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People - The Glee Club
The iconic Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People season extravaganza is headed to Cardiff for the first time
www.glee.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM
This will be a brilliant evening (as long as it goes ahead)
Do buy tickets please!
Do buy tickets please!
If you're feeling a bit down today this should lift your spirits in less than 4 minutes.
youtu.be/_VTeRiMisfc?... I hadn’t heard of Geobeats but when they told me they wanted to tell the story of #sophiefromromania I gave them an interview and a whole pile of video - I hope you will agree they have done a lovely job
Terrified rescue dog hid behind sofa for 6 months
YouTube video by GeoBeats Animals
youtu.be
October 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM
If you're feeling a bit down today this should lift your spirits in less than 4 minutes.
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
My new book of science cartoons, PHYSICS FOR CATS is out in a week! Order a copy today from you local bookshop or at one of the links here: www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
October 2, 2025 at 10:05 AM
My new book of science cartoons, PHYSICS FOR CATS is out in a week! Order a copy today from you local bookshop or at one of the links here: www.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
A page-turner of a book and you still have time to read it, enjoy it and vote for it. You can read it on Borrowbox but make sure you return it quickly to give others a chance.
If you’ve read and enjoyed Don’t Make Me Laugh, you could vote for it in the @cwip.bsky.social Comedy Women in Print prize People’s Choice award. But only if you felt like it. I thank you. #BookSky
People's Choice Award | Comedy Women in Print
Vote now for the People's Choice Award!
www.comedywomeninprint.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 9:22 PM
A page-turner of a book and you still have time to read it, enjoy it and vote for it. You can read it on Borrowbox but make sure you return it quickly to give others a chance.
You might not spot this story unless you go to the BBC News Wales page, so keep clicking on this link to make sure it gets noticed.
Nathan Gill is no fringe politician.
He was the leader of the Reform Party and before that UKIP in Wales.
A Brexit Party MEP.
A friend and ally of Nigel Farage, who in 2016 called him:
"terrific," and "as honest as the day is long."
This is a MASSIVE story
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
He was the leader of the Reform Party and before that UKIP in Wales.
A Brexit Party MEP.
A friend and ally of Nigel Farage, who in 2016 called him:
"terrific," and "as honest as the day is long."
This is a MASSIVE story
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK's ex-Wales leader Nathan Gill admits pro-Russia bribery
Nathan Gill admits eight charges of bribery while being a Member of the European Parliament.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
You might not spot this story unless you go to the BBC News Wales page, so keep clicking on this link to make sure it gets noticed.
This is a fascinating thread, including this link to a short article that considerably widened my understanding of post-colonialism.
Just a short piece (there are many others) about Guinness and 'post-colonial' Africa.
Memories of my childhood: a poster that said 'Guinness is good for you'. A bit like an medicine or vitamins.
theconversation.com/africa-is-th...
Memories of my childhood: a poster that said 'Guinness is good for you'. A bit like an medicine or vitamins.
theconversation.com/africa-is-th...
Africa is the world’s largest market for Guinness beer – how its ad campaigns exploit men
Guinness adverts show how African men’s search for validation can enrich western corporations.
theconversation.com
September 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
This is a fascinating thread, including this link to a short article that considerably widened my understanding of post-colonialism.
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
Every time we’re told schools are improving because of exam results, I ask: what about pupils’ well-being? If we only measure grades, well-being will suffer.
#EducationForAll | #ChildWellbeing | beewellprogramme.org
#EducationForAll | #ChildWellbeing | beewellprogramme.org
September 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Every time we’re told schools are improving because of exam results, I ask: what about pupils’ well-being? If we only measure grades, well-being will suffer.
#EducationForAll | #ChildWellbeing | beewellprogramme.org
#EducationForAll | #ChildWellbeing | beewellprogramme.org
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
This would be laughable if it wasn't so serious: yet again, the Tories are claiming that we can get "all our oil and gas" from the North Sea and that we should be doing even more to support the industry to extract.
There are several reasons why we should treat this with maximum scepticism:
There are several reasons why we should treat this with maximum scepticism:
August 31, 2025 at 5:25 PM
This would be laughable if it wasn't so serious: yet again, the Tories are claiming that we can get "all our oil and gas" from the North Sea and that we should be doing even more to support the industry to extract.
There are several reasons why we should treat this with maximum scepticism:
There are several reasons why we should treat this with maximum scepticism:
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
Most doctors, most of the time, draw on their years (decades, in my case) of medical training & expertise to do the best we can for you.
What distinguishes us from snake oil salesmen - persuasive grifters who prey on human fears to line their pockets - is our expertise & our integrity.
Trust… 1/n
What distinguishes us from snake oil salesmen - persuasive grifters who prey on human fears to line their pockets - is our expertise & our integrity.
Trust… 1/n
RFK Jr: We need to stop trusting the experts... Trusting the experts is not a feature of science or democracy, it's a feature of religion and totalitarianism.
August 30, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Most doctors, most of the time, draw on their years (decades, in my case) of medical training & expertise to do the best we can for you.
What distinguishes us from snake oil salesmen - persuasive grifters who prey on human fears to line their pockets - is our expertise & our integrity.
Trust… 1/n
What distinguishes us from snake oil salesmen - persuasive grifters who prey on human fears to line their pockets - is our expertise & our integrity.
Trust… 1/n
I would definitely watch this version (though what would the heffalump be doing?)
August 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I would definitely watch this version (though what would the heffalump be doing?)
Reposted by Liz Gwynne
