Ollie Douglas
@olliedouglas.bsky.social
Farm boy at @themerl.bsky.social (at Uni of Reading). Looks after old rural stuff in a big shed. On committee of British Agricultural History Society. Active in AIMA, RMN, and Folklore Society. Views own. “Iconic”.
Pinned
New Absolute Units is live! Listen to part 2 of our conversation with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
Part two of an excellent conversation with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
In these trying times we all need to show a bit more grit than this fragile grit container.
It’s a total snowflake.
Nothing ironic about that.
It’s a total snowflake.
Nothing ironic about that.
December 1, 2025 at 9:57 AM
In these trying times we all need to show a bit more grit than this fragile grit container.
It’s a total snowflake.
Nothing ironic about that.
It’s a total snowflake.
Nothing ironic about that.
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Hope is here.
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
November 28, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Hope is here.
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
Help us beat Reform in May. Donate today ⤵️
This is tragic. The incident speaks to challenges of nature recovery, accessibility, and connectivity, as well as to questions of power and control over land. An example of regressive ideas playing out as a kneejerk and damaging reaction to small signs of progress and change.
There are some people who seem to see the recovery of ecosystems in a deforested waste as a personal affront. It's about power, and different landscapes reflect the different ways in which power is distributed - or concentrated.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Willow trees on Prince William’s land in Devon poisoned with herbicide
Exclusive: Unknown culprit suspected of spraying glyphosate on protected trees hoped to stop peat erosion and flooding
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This is tragic. The incident speaks to challenges of nature recovery, accessibility, and connectivity, as well as to questions of power and control over land. An example of regressive ideas playing out as a kneejerk and damaging reaction to small signs of progress and change.
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
There are some people who seem to see the recovery of ecosystems in a deforested waste as a personal affront. It's about power, and different landscapes reflect the different ways in which power is distributed - or concentrated.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Willow trees on Prince William’s land in Devon poisoned with herbicide
Exclusive: Unknown culprit suspected of spraying glyphosate on protected trees hoped to stop peat erosion and flooding
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
There are some people who seem to see the recovery of ecosystems in a deforested waste as a personal affront. It's about power, and different landscapes reflect the different ways in which power is distributed - or concentrated.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Part two of an excellent conversation with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
New Absolute Units is live! Listen to part 2 of our conversation with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Part two of an excellent conversation with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
New Absolute Units is live! Listen to part 2 of our conversation with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Absolute Units podcast - The Museum of English Rural Life
Come for the big sheep. Stay for the history of rural England and its people.
merl.reading.ac.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:19 AM
New Absolute Units is live! Listen to part 2 of our conversation with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We discuss the history of land access and capitalism, the ramifications of enclosure on Britain's former colonies, and the necessary work of de-enclosure today.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
These are seeds of Holcus lanatus- also known as Yorkshire Fog because from a distance it supposedly resembles the smoke that once billowed from the chimneys of northern factories.
Catherine - one of our brilliant volunteers @themerl.bsky.social - holding a small sample of the variety of grass that she researched for her PhD. She was quite emotional.
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 AM
These are seeds of Holcus lanatus- also known as Yorkshire Fog because from a distance it supposedly resembles the smoke that once billowed from the chimneys of northern factories.
Catherine - one of our brilliant volunteers @themerl.bsky.social - holding a small sample of the variety of grass that she researched for her PhD. She was quite emotional.
November 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Catherine - one of our brilliant volunteers @themerl.bsky.social - holding a small sample of the variety of grass that she researched for her PhD. She was quite emotional.
Argument to convince Labour: If trays are stackable, people buy more trays, they make more cakes, and they have more parties. This leads to economic growth.
Very low priority request for government. We regulate food labels and phone chargers. Please make sure cupcake and muffin trays align in a standard and stackable way.
November 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Argument to convince Labour: If trays are stackable, people buy more trays, they make more cakes, and they have more parties. This leads to economic growth.
Very low priority request for government. We regulate food labels and phone chargers. Please make sure cupcake and muffin trays align in a standard and stackable way.
November 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Very low priority request for government. We regulate food labels and phone chargers. Please make sure cupcake and muffin trays align in a standard and stackable way.
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Hi @britishecologicalsociety.org. I saw the FFCC message a picture of a report you produced about farming futures. Any chance of sending a hard copy to me, care of @themerl.bsky.social?
November 17, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Hi @britishecologicalsociety.org. I saw the FFCC message a picture of a report you produced about farming futures. Any chance of sending a hard copy to me, care of @themerl.bsky.social?
Thanks to @georgemonbiot.bsky.social for a fascinating discussion about the past and future of rural life, food, and farming. Lots of links to @themerl.bsky.social. Here’s Part 1 of our conversation, expertly edited by my co-presenter @joevaughan.net.
New Absolute Units is here!
Throughout history, people have pitted town & country against each other. Where does this dynamic come from? And how do we transcend it?
In this two-part episode, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social joins us to explore these questions & more.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Throughout history, people have pitted town & country against each other. Where does this dynamic come from? And how do we transcend it?
In this two-part episode, @georgemonbiot.bsky.social joins us to explore these questions & more.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
November 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Thanks to @georgemonbiot.bsky.social for a fascinating discussion about the past and future of rural life, food, and farming. Lots of links to @themerl.bsky.social. Here’s Part 1 of our conversation, expertly edited by my co-presenter @joevaughan.net.
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
It was great to participate in the Rural Museums Network meeting organised by @themerl.bsky.social this afternoon. I learned a lot about a range of archiving and heritage projects across the UK on land rights and protest.
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
It was great to participate in the Rural Museums Network meeting organised by @themerl.bsky.social this afternoon. I learned a lot about a range of archiving and heritage projects across the UK on land rights and protest.
It was indeed really great to talk with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
Absolute Units returns next Thursday with a very special guest: the author, journalist and environmentalist @georgemonbiot.bsky.social!
Join us then as we explore links between people & land, urban and rural, & connect George's work to our collections.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
Join us then as we explore links between people & land, urban and rural, & connect George's work to our collections.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
November 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM
It was indeed really great to talk with @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
I don’t think we spoke about this on the pod, but he’d been reading work by historian Philip Conford, whose work on the organic movement resulted in fascinating early archives finding their way here to @themerl.bsky.social.
The robot vacuum cleaner decided to fashion itself some fancy dress.
November 6, 2025 at 7:41 AM
The robot vacuum cleaner decided to fashion itself some fancy dress.
I have the most excellent colleagues.
in short:
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
if you're looking for love, get your nuts out by the fire.
November 5, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I have the most excellent colleagues.
Think is great news!
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
Scottish Parliament passes land reform bill
The legislation is designed to help reduce the concentration of rural land ownership among a small number of people.
www.bbc.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Think is great news!
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
MSPs pass land reform which could force break up of huge estates www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 7:58 AM
1. In the wake on Mamdani’s win, we’ll see a lot more far right anti-urban sentiment. Here’s a thread on its roots and evolution.
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
The idea that the city is evil and corrupt, and the countryside innocent and pure, goes back a long way: to Theocritus in Alexandria, and to the Old Testament. 🧵
Fascinating text: “…it is lefs penal to feduce, defile, and abandon to Proftitution and Ruin, a thoufand Women, married or unmarried, than to feal, kill, or even malicioufly to maim or wound, an Ox or a Sheep…”
November 3, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Fascinating text: “…it is lefs penal to feduce, defile, and abandon to Proftitution and Ruin, a thoufand Women, married or unmarried, than to feal, kill, or even malicioufly to maim or wound, an Ox or a Sheep…”
Terry is an excellent speaker. This is worth going to if you can. Sadly I can’t, but highly recommended.
Not long now until the Katharine Briggs Lecture and Book Award, & we're really looking forward to it! We're delighted that this years lecturer is Professor Terry Gunnell, & after the lecture we'll announce the winner of this year's book award. Get your tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-kathar...
The Katharine Briggs Lecture and Book Award 2025
Our lecturer this year is Professor Terry Gunnell, Professor Emeritus in Folkloristics at the
University of Iceland
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Terry is an excellent speaker. This is worth going to if you can. Sadly I can’t, but highly recommended.
The horrors! Two episodes of Absolute Units in one week. And an absolute shocker this time too, all about Halloween and folklore (with done discussion if Scooby Doo). This time, @joevaughan.net and I are joined by the amazing Mark Norman, host of @folklorepod.bsky.social. Enjoy!
the bravest podcast listeners are about to meet their mightiest match, for our extremely nefarious bonus Halloween episode has arrived.
candles out, headphones on, & listen now — if you dare!*
(*wherever you get your podcasts)
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
candles out, headphones on, & listen now — if you dare!*
(*wherever you get your podcasts)
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
October 31, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The horrors! Two episodes of Absolute Units in one week. And an absolute shocker this time too, all about Halloween and folklore (with done discussion if Scooby Doo). This time, @joevaughan.net and I are joined by the amazing Mark Norman, host of @folklorepod.bsky.social. Enjoy!
Back again with the brilliant @timjerrome.bsky.social and the very finest of podcast co-presenters, @joevaughan.net. Latest episode of Absolute Units now out!
Absolute Units is back!
We continue our conversation with @timjerrome.bsky.social (University of Brighton; formerly, The MERL) about his research into queer rural life.
Discover what Tim has found in our archives to date & the research challenges he's faced.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
We continue our conversation with @timjerrome.bsky.social (University of Brighton; formerly, The MERL) about his research into queer rural life.
Discover what Tim has found in our archives to date & the research challenges he's faced.
merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Back again with the brilliant @timjerrome.bsky.social and the very finest of podcast co-presenters, @joevaughan.net. Latest episode of Absolute Units now out!
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Our new study of an Australian boomerang 🪃 is out! ‘How forensic analysis & traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang’ in The Conversation: theconversation.com/how-forensic...
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
How forensic analysis and traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang
Grip marks, blood and fire damage hint at the fascinating history of a non-returning boomerang.
theconversation.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Our new study of an Australian boomerang 🪃 is out! ‘How forensic analysis & traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang’ in The Conversation: theconversation.com/how-forensic...
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
And our in-depth research article in ‘Australian Archaeology’: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🏺
Reposted by Ollie Douglas
Friends! The story of Julia, Doris, Marguerite & me is 3wks old! Would love to get their incredible, forgotten story out there & into the hands of readers. People have said wonderful & generous things, including @sallycoulthard.bsky.social …1/2 #booksky #GhostsoftheFarm Grateful for a repost! x
October 18, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Friends! The story of Julia, Doris, Marguerite & me is 3wks old! Would love to get their incredible, forgotten story out there & into the hands of readers. People have said wonderful & generous things, including @sallycoulthard.bsky.social …1/2 #booksky #GhostsoftheFarm Grateful for a repost! x