Stephe Harrop
@stepheharrop.bsky.social
Associate professor, storyteller, author, Greek chorus wrangler. Also: tea, islands, debatable lands, long walks on cold beaches. "Impressively undaunted." https://www.stepheharrop.co.uk/
Pinned
Stephe Harrop
@stepheharrop.bsky.social
· Dec 26
Some really nice news for the year's end: I just spotted that Contemporary Storytelling Performance is now available in paperback!
And, right now, with an extra 20% off ...
shorturl.at/9ieLF
#storytelling #research #femaleartists #contemporaryperformance #spokenword
And, right now, with an extra 20% off ...
shorturl.at/9ieLF
#storytelling #research #femaleartists #contemporaryperformance #spokenword
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
True Faery North is far too feral to be ferrous.
December 12, 2025 at 10:47 PM
True Faery North is far too feral to be ferrous.
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Falcon-winged, falcon-mad, like an unfalling arrow, like an unforgotten thought.
December 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Falcon-winged, falcon-mad, like an unfalling arrow, like an unforgotten thought.
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
42. ‘I Know Where I’m Going!’ (P&P, 1945)
“She wouldn’t see a pound note from one pensions day to another.”
“People around here are very poor I suppose.”
“Not poor, they just haven’t got money.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“Oh no, it’s something quite different.”
“She wouldn’t see a pound note from one pensions day to another.”
“People around here are very poor I suppose.”
“Not poor, they just haven’t got money.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“Oh no, it’s something quite different.”
December 11, 2025 at 7:24 PM
42. ‘I Know Where I’m Going!’ (P&P, 1945)
“She wouldn’t see a pound note from one pensions day to another.”
“People around here are very poor I suppose.”
“Not poor, they just haven’t got money.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“Oh no, it’s something quite different.”
“She wouldn’t see a pound note from one pensions day to another.”
“People around here are very poor I suppose.”
“Not poor, they just haven’t got money.”
“It’s the same thing.”
“Oh no, it’s something quite different.”
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
My first Snowdrops of the year were out in Newcastle yesterday. Even by recent standards, that seems early! #urbanflora
December 11, 2025 at 10:28 AM
My first Snowdrops of the year were out in Newcastle yesterday. Even by recent standards, that seems early! #urbanflora
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
The witch works with cold realities. She walks the mud, she walks the mist. Puddles on the threshold of ice become her scrying pools. Trees become a black scratching against sky gift her a new secret language. No season is hollow of magics. – #EmilyCBanting, 1982 #WitchSky
December 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
The witch works with cold realities. She walks the mud, she walks the mist. Puddles on the threshold of ice become her scrying pools. Trees become a black scratching against sky gift her a new secret language. No season is hollow of magics. – #EmilyCBanting, 1982 #WitchSky
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
We’re excited to see that expressions of interest can be made by communities to the Living Heritage in the UK project, an inventory of customs and traditions. Read more here: livingheritage.unesco.org.uk
Welcome | Inventories of Living Heritage in the UK
Help build the Inventories of Living Heritage in the UK. From pantomime to dry-stone walling – share your community's traditions and social practices. Start your submission today.
livingheritage.unesco.org.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:13 AM
We’re excited to see that expressions of interest can be made by communities to the Living Heritage in the UK project, an inventory of customs and traditions. Read more here: livingheritage.unesco.org.uk
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
This is such brilliant archaeology. There's a bit of a persistent story that Britain was somehow culturally separate from europe in the Roman empire when it was so intertwined and connected by people and goods travelling.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare mosaic in Rutland reveals forgotten Trojan War tale - BBC News
A paper by experts at the University of Leicester has been described as a "fascinating development".
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This is such brilliant archaeology. There's a bit of a persistent story that Britain was somehow culturally separate from europe in the Roman empire when it was so intertwined and connected by people and goods travelling.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
THREAD
1/
I want to pick up another part of the ‘nature cure’ problem
When a woman writes about the outdoors, people often reach for the same narrative template.
#Scotland #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading #Books #NatureWriting #Nature
1/
I want to pick up another part of the ‘nature cure’ problem
When a woman writes about the outdoors, people often reach for the same narrative template.
#Scotland #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading #Books #NatureWriting #Nature
December 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
THREAD
1/
I want to pick up another part of the ‘nature cure’ problem
When a woman writes about the outdoors, people often reach for the same narrative template.
#Scotland #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading #Books #NatureWriting #Nature
1/
I want to pick up another part of the ‘nature cure’ problem
When a woman writes about the outdoors, people often reach for the same narrative template.
#Scotland #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading #Books #NatureWriting #Nature
Today's Welsh hillside was a bit wet and windswept, but the berries were blazing away against a grey sky.
December 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Today's Welsh hillside was a bit wet and windswept, but the berries were blazing away against a grey sky.
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
You are ABSOLUTELY NOT going to regret listening to this bird:
A male rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in winter plumage.
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
December 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
You are ABSOLUTELY NOT going to regret listening to this bird:
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Female workers at the Rose Bridge Colliery, Wigan, UK, 1860s
December 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Female workers at the Rose Bridge Colliery, Wigan, UK, 1860s
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Ellen Grounds, age 17, a collier at Rose Bridge Pits, Wigan, 1866
December 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Ellen Grounds, age 17, a collier at Rose Bridge Pits, Wigan, 1866
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
The witch refuses winter as a sadness. Each season sings it own sorrows. Frost-brittle field still hold their magics. The sky is still a drama of nephomantic omens. There is no lack of thresholds. I shall save my tears for the wounding of the land. – #EmilyCBanting, 1982 #WitchSky
December 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The witch refuses winter as a sadness. Each season sings it own sorrows. Frost-brittle field still hold their magics. The sky is still a drama of nephomantic omens. There is no lack of thresholds. I shall save my tears for the wounding of the land. – #EmilyCBanting, 1982 #WitchSky
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
In today's @theguardian.com country diary, Merryn Glover wishes Nan Shepherd could see the regeneration in this ancient forest.
#countrydiary #naturewriting
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Country diary: Green shoots in the ancient forest | Country diary
Glen Einich, Cairngorms: A wintry walk in the Rothiemurchus woodland is always glorious. To see some of its barer expanses starting to recover tops it off
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:30 AM
In today's @theguardian.com country diary, Merryn Glover wishes Nan Shepherd could see the regeneration in this ancient forest.
#countrydiary #naturewriting
#countrydiary #naturewriting
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
While we acknowledge that "Fishbourne Roman Palace" is an anagram of "American Bran Flophouse", We would like to remind our followers that "Durotriges Dig" is an anagram of "Sir Doggie Turd".
Thank you.
Thank you.
*American Bran Flophouse*
Jus sayin
Jus sayin
December 4, 2025 at 10:11 AM
While we acknowledge that "Fishbourne Roman Palace" is an anagram of "American Bran Flophouse", We would like to remind our followers that "Durotriges Dig" is an anagram of "Sir Doggie Turd".
Thank you.
Thank you.
The air is full of tunes.
A piece of rock is full of statues.
The earth is full of visions.
The world is full of stories.
Just Ursula K. Le Guin naming the thing, as she does with such damn verve.
A piece of rock is full of statues.
The earth is full of visions.
The world is full of stories.
Just Ursula K. Le Guin naming the thing, as she does with such damn verve.
December 3, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The air is full of tunes.
A piece of rock is full of statues.
The earth is full of visions.
The world is full of stories.
Just Ursula K. Le Guin naming the thing, as she does with such damn verve.
A piece of rock is full of statues.
The earth is full of visions.
The world is full of stories.
Just Ursula K. Le Guin naming the thing, as she does with such damn verve.
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Day 3 of the Coastal Lexicon Advent Calendar and today’s word is:
🌊 haar — ‘a cold sea-fog’
Found especially along the east coast of Scotland and England, alongside "sea-fret", "sea-roke".
Photo: Sea fret, St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, hayley green (CC BY-SA 2.0)
🌊 haar — ‘a cold sea-fog’
Found especially along the east coast of Scotland and England, alongside "sea-fret", "sea-roke".
Photo: Sea fret, St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, hayley green (CC BY-SA 2.0)
December 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Day 3 of the Coastal Lexicon Advent Calendar and today’s word is:
🌊 haar — ‘a cold sea-fog’
Found especially along the east coast of Scotland and England, alongside "sea-fret", "sea-roke".
Photo: Sea fret, St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, hayley green (CC BY-SA 2.0)
🌊 haar — ‘a cold sea-fog’
Found especially along the east coast of Scotland and England, alongside "sea-fret", "sea-roke".
Photo: Sea fret, St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, hayley green (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
been thinking about this post & doing a little research & I'm fairly sure (pls to correct if wrong) that the Welsh for December "Rhagfyr" kind of translates to "preceeding the short", as in the shortest days. whereas November, Tachwedd, is just "slaughter", which is nice, & October is "autumn month"
Your annual reminder that the most revealing difference between Irish and Scottish Gaelic is definitely in the words for December: Mí na Nollag (Month of Christmas) in Ireland, and An Dubhlachd (the Blackness) in Scotland. So once again may I wish you all a lovely Blackness.
December 3, 2025 at 7:10 AM
been thinking about this post & doing a little research & I'm fairly sure (pls to correct if wrong) that the Welsh for December "Rhagfyr" kind of translates to "preceeding the short", as in the shortest days. whereas November, Tachwedd, is just "slaughter", which is nice, & October is "autumn month"
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Wild Twin. The collage that became the book.
December 2, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Wild Twin. The collage that became the book.
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Goodnight from the Gelgrove Stitching Society, its members steadily embroidering new Woodwose legends into the village’s banner. Goodnight from Paul Watson’s darkroom, where things not seen in his viewfinder are manifesting in the developing bath. Goodnight from Hookland.
December 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Goodnight from the Gelgrove Stitching Society, its members steadily embroidering new Woodwose legends into the village’s banner. Goodnight from Paul Watson’s darkroom, where things not seen in his viewfinder are manifesting in the developing bath. Goodnight from Hookland.
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
When a poem becomes a prayer.
Siegfried Sassoon (1934)
Siegfried Sassoon (1934)
December 1, 2025 at 4:35 PM
When a poem becomes a prayer.
Siegfried Sassoon (1934)
Siegfried Sassoon (1934)
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
Day 1 of the Coastal Lexicon Advent Calendar and today’s word is:
fleet — ‘an arm of the sea, inlet, run of water’
Found especially in the North Kent Marshes and also in the Low Countries as its Dutch cognate: vliet
Photo: Capel Fleet from Capel Gate, Isle of Sheppey, Penny Mayes (CC BY-SA 2.0)
fleet — ‘an arm of the sea, inlet, run of water’
Found especially in the North Kent Marshes and also in the Low Countries as its Dutch cognate: vliet
Photo: Capel Fleet from Capel Gate, Isle of Sheppey, Penny Mayes (CC BY-SA 2.0)
December 1, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Day 1 of the Coastal Lexicon Advent Calendar and today’s word is:
fleet — ‘an arm of the sea, inlet, run of water’
Found especially in the North Kent Marshes and also in the Low Countries as its Dutch cognate: vliet
Photo: Capel Fleet from Capel Gate, Isle of Sheppey, Penny Mayes (CC BY-SA 2.0)
fleet — ‘an arm of the sea, inlet, run of water’
Found especially in the North Kent Marshes and also in the Low Countries as its Dutch cognate: vliet
Photo: Capel Fleet from Capel Gate, Isle of Sheppey, Penny Mayes (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Reposted by Stephe Harrop
'Now then Richardson!,' said the voice teacher. 'What ARE we going to do about that accent?'
So he did the exercises & lost that accent too. Years later when he played a Scot he asked that they hire a Glaswegian makeup lady so he could hear her.
'Right, Gladys! Talk to me!'
So he did the exercises & lost that accent too. Years later when he played a Scot he asked that they hire a Glaswegian makeup lady so he could hear her.
'Right, Gladys! Talk to me!'
December 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
'Now then Richardson!,' said the voice teacher. 'What ARE we going to do about that accent?'
So he did the exercises & lost that accent too. Years later when he played a Scot he asked that they hire a Glaswegian makeup lady so he could hear her.
'Right, Gladys! Talk to me!'
So he did the exercises & lost that accent too. Years later when he played a Scot he asked that they hire a Glaswegian makeup lady so he could hear her.
'Right, Gladys! Talk to me!'