SBlandfo
@sblandfo.bsky.social
Poet. Nature, conservation, history, archaeology, art, architecture, politics & the pleasures of reading. Doyenne of #IronworkThursday. Still #yallmasking
Reposted by SBlandfo
A Cambridge-led study of 13.9 million children in England found COVID vaccines are the safest option. The very rare, short-term risk of heart inflammation from vaccination is far lower than the risks from infection, which can cause blood clots, heart issues and severe inflammation for up to a year.
New Data Shows COVID-19 Infection Much Worse For Children Than the Vaccine
"The risk following vaccination is substantially lower than the risk following infection".
www.zmescience.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:16 PM
A Cambridge-led study of 13.9 million children in England found COVID vaccines are the safest option. The very rare, short-term risk of heart inflammation from vaccination is far lower than the risks from infection, which can cause blood clots, heart issues and severe inflammation for up to a year.
Reposted by SBlandfo
This might interest you!
October 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
This might interest you!
Reposted by SBlandfo
Wrought iron had John Ruskin's approval due to the handwork (and mechanical help) involved. Cast iron did not but is here in the columns, not capitals, at Oxford Museum. #FerrousFriday
November 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Wrought iron had John Ruskin's approval due to the handwork (and mechanical help) involved. Cast iron did not but is here in the columns, not capitals, at Oxford Museum. #FerrousFriday
Reposted by SBlandfo
David Lammy was right in 2020 when he called the jury system fundamental to our constitution.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
November 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
David Lammy was right in 2020 when he called the jury system fundamental to our constitution.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
Now the government wants to remove juries from all but the most serious cases. It is dangerous and wrong and the Prime Minister must reverse it.
Reposted by SBlandfo
Reposted by SBlandfo
On a minor note seeing as early Christian times unfolded at the height of a Roman Empire that provided a bread dole to the plebs the claims made by Badenoch are also factually wrong
"Responding to Rachel Reeves’s budget, the Conservative Party leader told the Political Thinking podcast that ‘in early Christian times there was no state or welfare’"
I mean there was no Roquefort cheese either; does that mean Roquefort cheese is unchristian? What an absurd argument.
I mean there was no Roquefort cheese either; does that mean Roquefort cheese is unchristian? What an absurd argument.
Kemi Badenoch says welfare spending is unchristian
November 28, 2025 at 11:16 AM
On a minor note seeing as early Christian times unfolded at the height of a Roman Empire that provided a bread dole to the plebs the claims made by Badenoch are also factually wrong
In the context of 1000+ UK adoptions breaking down, not least because of inadequate support subsequent for the children and the adoptive parents, these cuts make no sense at all
These unconscionable cuts to a vital lifeline fund for some of the most vulnerable children & young adults in England are staggering - a 60% reduction from £7.5K to just £3K per child & even worse - these changes were introduced by government without consultation, without warning & no evidence base
🚨This is not what I expect from a Labour government
THESE SHOCKING cuts are staggering - a 60% reduction from £7.5K to just £3K per child - the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund is a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable children & young adults in England
youtu.be/7roDSM-GPBY?...
THESE SHOCKING cuts are staggering - a 60% reduction from £7.5K to just £3K per child - the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund is a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable children & young adults in England
youtu.be/7roDSM-GPBY?...
November 28, 2025 at 9:59 AM
In the context of 1000+ UK adoptions breaking down, not least because of inadequate support subsequent for the children and the adoptive parents, these cuts make no sense at all
Reposted by SBlandfo
These unconscionable cuts to a vital lifeline fund for some of the most vulnerable children & young adults in England are staggering - a 60% reduction from £7.5K to just £3K per child & even worse - these changes were introduced by government without consultation, without warning & no evidence base
🚨This is not what I expect from a Labour government
THESE SHOCKING cuts are staggering - a 60% reduction from £7.5K to just £3K per child - the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund is a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable children & young adults in England
youtu.be/7roDSM-GPBY?...
THESE SHOCKING cuts are staggering - a 60% reduction from £7.5K to just £3K per child - the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund is a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable children & young adults in England
youtu.be/7roDSM-GPBY?...
Devastating cuts for some of most vulnerable children in England is not what I expect from Labour
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 8:20 AM
These unconscionable cuts to a vital lifeline fund for some of the most vulnerable children & young adults in England are staggering - a 60% reduction from £7.5K to just £3K per child & even worse - these changes were introduced by government without consultation, without warning & no evidence base
Reposted by SBlandfo
The Pilgrims Progress window at St Andrew's Street Baptist Church, Cambridge, by Robert Anning Bell, c1920. John Bunyan's Christian is flanked by the figures of Valiant For Truth and Faithful, and forms the congregation's war memorial. Bunyan was born #OTD 28 November 1628.
November 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The Pilgrims Progress window at St Andrew's Street Baptist Church, Cambridge, by Robert Anning Bell, c1920. John Bunyan's Christian is flanked by the figures of Valiant For Truth and Faithful, and forms the congregation's war memorial. Bunyan was born #OTD 28 November 1628.
Reposted by SBlandfo
As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place, where was a den; And laid me down in that place to sleep: And as I slept I dreamed a dream . . .
Harry Stammers
1949
St Andrew's, Preston, Dorset
Harry Stammers
1949
St Andrew's, Preston, Dorset
November 28, 2025 at 8:27 AM
As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place, where was a den; And laid me down in that place to sleep: And as I slept I dreamed a dream . . .
Harry Stammers
1949
St Andrew's, Preston, Dorset
Harry Stammers
1949
St Andrew's, Preston, Dorset
Reposted by SBlandfo
Go my Bothriolepis... This year's fish pecan pie! Bothriolepis was a peculiar-looking placoderm from the Devonian period or the Paleozoic. It had two long pointed pectoral fins and silly little eyes on top of its head.
#fossil #fish #paleontology #bothriolepis
#fossil #fish #paleontology #bothriolepis
November 27, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Go my Bothriolepis... This year's fish pecan pie! Bothriolepis was a peculiar-looking placoderm from the Devonian period or the Paleozoic. It had two long pointed pectoral fins and silly little eyes on top of its head.
#fossil #fish #paleontology #bothriolepis
#fossil #fish #paleontology #bothriolepis
Reposted by SBlandfo
The EU has published rules for the Pollinator Monitoring Scheme. Butterflies, moths, bees and hoverflies will all be monitored by every Member State. Target to reverse decline in Pollinators by 2030 and increase pops. A big step in conserving biodiversity environment.ec.europa.eu/news/better-...
Better monitoring to support restoration of EU pollinators
The Commission has adopted a new Pollinator Monitoring Scheme to help reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030.
environment.ec.europa.eu
November 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
The EU has published rules for the Pollinator Monitoring Scheme. Butterflies, moths, bees and hoverflies will all be monitored by every Member State. Target to reverse decline in Pollinators by 2030 and increase pops. A big step in conserving biodiversity environment.ec.europa.eu/news/better-...
Reposted by SBlandfo
The right to trial by jury has been a fundamental feature of the British Justice System for over 800 years. Any attempt by the government to undermine this fundamental freedom - a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism - must be opposed
🚨Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism. We must come together - cross party - to stop any attempt by the government to undermine this fundamental freedom
youtu.be/QdD9LaAN19A?...
youtu.be/QdD9LaAN19A?...
Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our democracy - We must fight any attempt to undermine it
YouTube video by Peter Stefanovic
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The right to trial by jury has been a fundamental feature of the British Justice System for over 800 years. Any attempt by the government to undermine this fundamental freedom - a cornerstone of our democracy and an essential safeguard against authoritarianism - must be opposed
Reposted by SBlandfo
For #LancashireDay, a view along the Billinge-Parbold ridge, looking north from Billinge towards Upholland and beyond. It is a gentle, accessible haven from the nearby towns, and one of my favourite spots in my home county. Three cheers for it. #Lancashire
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 AM
For #LancashireDay, a view along the Billinge-Parbold ridge, looking north from Billinge towards Upholland and beyond. It is a gentle, accessible haven from the nearby towns, and one of my favourite spots in my home county. Three cheers for it. #Lancashire
Reposted by SBlandfo
🚨 New analysis alert!
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
November 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
🚨 New analysis alert!
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
Our latest modelling shows that living standards are still set to fall across this Parliament up to November 2029.
However, actions taken at the Budget have made this decline less pronounced *by more than half* for low-income households.
Reposted by SBlandfo
To celebrate #HillfortsWednesday, here's a fantastic recreation of the ramparts of Cadbury Castle in #Somerset under construction in the Iron Age, painted by the late great Victor Ambrus 🤩
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
To celebrate #HillfortsWednesday, here's a fantastic recreation of the ramparts of Cadbury Castle in #Somerset under construction in the Iron Age, painted by the late great Victor Ambrus 🤩
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
From the cover of *Drawing Somerset's Past* published by #HistoryPress and @museumofsomerset.bsky.social
Reposted by SBlandfo
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Jewelled golden hare that sparked national treasure hunt set for auction
Artist and author Kit Williams hid a golden hare with clues to its precise location given in his 1979 book
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by SBlandfo
This should be in the V&A. It’s an essential artefact of UK late 20th century culture.
One of the most beautiful bits of english eccentricity and glorious design is coming back to Sotheby’s and should be bought by a musuem (or me) for THE NATION. www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Jewelled golden hare that sparked national treasure hunt set for auction
Artist and author Kit Williams hid a golden hare with clues to its precise location given in his 1979 book
www.independent.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
This should be in the V&A. It’s an essential artefact of UK late 20th century culture.
Reposted by SBlandfo
Gosh, I had no idea either! We were given a trumpet for our son and were so surprised when the person offering it refused to take any money, I suppose they were pleased to find someone who’d use it
November 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Gosh, I had no idea either! We were given a trumpet for our son and were so surprised when the person offering it refused to take any money, I suppose they were pleased to find someone who’d use it
I had no idea that thousands of musical instruments are thrown away annually - but it’s fantastic that at least some are now being restored and put in the hands of children who can make good use of them!
The old instruments bringing new opportunities to young lives
Thousands of musical instruments are thrown away every year – but a growing number of UK schemes are giving them, and the children who play them, a second chance
www.positive.news/lifestyle/ar...
Thousands of musical instruments are thrown away every year – but a growing number of UK schemes are giving them, and the children who play them, a second chance
www.positive.news/lifestyle/ar...
The old instruments bringing new opportunities to young lives
A growing number of UK schemes are giving used instruments, and the children who play them, a second chance
www.positive.news
November 27, 2025 at 9:36 AM
I had no idea that thousands of musical instruments are thrown away annually - but it’s fantastic that at least some are now being restored and put in the hands of children who can make good use of them!
Reposted by SBlandfo
It’s time to tax their massive profits.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Online betting firms to pay billions more in UK tax, Reeves confirms
The chancellor almost doubled remote gaming duty in Wednesday’s budget, taking it to 40% from April next year
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:44 PM
It’s time to tax their massive profits.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Even if the #gambling firms with their pernicious omnipresent advertising and manipulative “free bets” pay £billions more, it won’t compensate for the harm they cause
November 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Even if the #gambling firms with their pernicious omnipresent advertising and manipulative “free bets” pay £billions more, it won’t compensate for the harm they cause
Reposted by SBlandfo
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Reposted by SBlandfo
UK gambling industry made £15.6bn in 2024 (£16.8bn in 2025)
Most companies holed up in Gibraltar & Malta, dodge UK taxes. Some pay corporation tax at the rate of 3%-4%. No VAT on gambling.
Public bears the cost of gambling addiction.
Firms resent paying extra tax to clear their mess.
Tax them.
Most companies holed up in Gibraltar & Malta, dodge UK taxes. Some pay corporation tax at the rate of 3%-4%. No VAT on gambling.
Public bears the cost of gambling addiction.
Firms resent paying extra tax to clear their mess.
Tax them.
UK's Online Gambling Industry: The £3.8 Billion Tax Question Nobody's Answering
UK's online gambling industry generates £15.6bn annually but pays minimal tax. With £3.8bn in receipts, experts say it's time for reform Here's why.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
UK gambling industry made £15.6bn in 2024 (£16.8bn in 2025)
Most companies holed up in Gibraltar & Malta, dodge UK taxes. Some pay corporation tax at the rate of 3%-4%. No VAT on gambling.
Public bears the cost of gambling addiction.
Firms resent paying extra tax to clear their mess.
Tax them.
Most companies holed up in Gibraltar & Malta, dodge UK taxes. Some pay corporation tax at the rate of 3%-4%. No VAT on gambling.
Public bears the cost of gambling addiction.
Firms resent paying extra tax to clear their mess.
Tax them.