Peter Byrne
@fat-boy-pete.bsky.social
Retired IT geek, now too busy being a pillock of the community to work! Also occasionally excited about West Ham. Reposts not endorsements, simply a 'look at this '.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
"I've bought you an elephant for your room."
"Thank you very much."
"Don't mention it ..."
"Thank you very much."
"Don't mention it ..."
January 23, 2026 at 9:25 PM
"I've bought you an elephant for your room."
"Thank you very much."
"Don't mention it ..."
"Thank you very much."
"Don't mention it ..."
Reposted by Peter Byrne
I was struck, seeing this on the tube, by the contemporary resonance of Auden"s Epitaph on a Tyrant in this phase of the global projection of Trump’s sociopathic narcissism
January 17, 2026 at 5:20 PM
I was struck, seeing this on the tube, by the contemporary resonance of Auden"s Epitaph on a Tyrant in this phase of the global projection of Trump’s sociopathic narcissism
Reposted by Peter Byrne
A lot of people don't know that Nobel laureates get two medals. A real gold one usually kept in a safe deposit box and a gold plated duplicate for public display.
She gave him the dupe
She gave him the dupe
January 16, 2026 at 6:48 PM
A lot of people don't know that Nobel laureates get two medals. A real gold one usually kept in a safe deposit box and a gold plated duplicate for public display.
She gave him the dupe
She gave him the dupe
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Both book and BBC film have some flaws, but "An Ungentlemanly Act" is worth seeking out for a good account of the Royal Marines tripwire force on the Falklands, and their stand against the odds.
Hunt around enough and you can find the BBC version complete online. youtu.be/v53UT4QuFZ4?...
Hunt around enough and you can find the BBC version complete online. youtu.be/v53UT4QuFZ4?...
January 15, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Both book and BBC film have some flaws, but "An Ungentlemanly Act" is worth seeking out for a good account of the Royal Marines tripwire force on the Falklands, and their stand against the odds.
Hunt around enough and you can find the BBC version complete online. youtu.be/v53UT4QuFZ4?...
Hunt around enough and you can find the BBC version complete online. youtu.be/v53UT4QuFZ4?...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
For those joining Bluesky from the Bad Place: welcome.
Yes, you could/should have made the decision sooner, but it is never too late to make a good decision.
And there is a lot on this site which will remind you of the Bad Place before it was bad.
Yes, you could/should have made the decision sooner, but it is never too late to make a good decision.
And there is a lot on this site which will remind you of the Bad Place before it was bad.
January 12, 2026 at 3:50 PM
For those joining Bluesky from the Bad Place: welcome.
Yes, you could/should have made the decision sooner, but it is never too late to make a good decision.
And there is a lot on this site which will remind you of the Bad Place before it was bad.
Yes, you could/should have made the decision sooner, but it is never too late to make a good decision.
And there is a lot on this site which will remind you of the Bad Place before it was bad.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Oh my goodness, this is such a lovely story www.bbc.com/news/article...
Cardiff couple invited man in for Christmas, he stayed for 45 years
An arrangement Rob and Dianne Parsons thought would last a few days ended up changing their lives.
www.bbc.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Oh my goodness, this is such a lovely story www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
A Ukrainian choir, Songs for Ukraine, performed during King Charles III’s annual Christmas address. At Westminster Abbey they sang a new arrangement of Carol of the Bells, based on Shchedryk by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych.
December 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A Ukrainian choir, Songs for Ukraine, performed during King Charles III’s annual Christmas address. At Westminster Abbey they sang a new arrangement of Carol of the Bells, based on Shchedryk by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Exciting news: I’m going to be releasing my own limited edition fragrance later on today.
December 25, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Exciting news: I’m going to be releasing my own limited edition fragrance later on today.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Reposted by Peter Byrne
If the woke liberati are cancelling Christmas I wish they’d hurry up. I can’t avoid it much longer and there’s a very real danger that I may have to spend money on presents, see people I’d prefer to avoid, and participate in the entire ghastly rigmarole. Get on with it.
December 13, 2025 at 12:31 PM
If the woke liberati are cancelling Christmas I wish they’d hurry up. I can’t avoid it much longer and there’s a very real danger that I may have to spend money on presents, see people I’d prefer to avoid, and participate in the entire ghastly rigmarole. Get on with it.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Alas! It is the 204th anniversary of the demise of Phoebe Hessel. Mind you, she was 108, and had “served for many years as a private Soldier in the 5th Regiment of Foot in different parts of Europe, and ... received a Bayonet wound in her Arm”, so she’d packed a lot in. Allegedly
December 12, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Alas! It is the 204th anniversary of the demise of Phoebe Hessel. Mind you, she was 108, and had “served for many years as a private Soldier in the 5th Regiment of Foot in different parts of Europe, and ... received a Bayonet wound in her Arm”, so she’d packed a lot in. Allegedly
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Amid all the hoohah around the cancelled/reinstated fast 7am Manchester to London train, it's worth remembering that the journey time with HS2 built in full was projected as 67 minutes...
a man in a black and white striped sweater is laying on a bed with #schitts creek written on the bottom
ALT: a man in a black and white striped sweater is laying on a bed with #schitts creek written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Amid all the hoohah around the cancelled/reinstated fast 7am Manchester to London train, it's worth remembering that the journey time with HS2 built in full was projected as 67 minutes...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
What a player. A proper club captain. RIP Billy
November 30, 2025 at 11:56 AM
What a player. A proper club captain. RIP Billy
Reposted by Peter Byrne
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This week is Road Safety Week & a chance to talk about Barbara Castle!
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Barbara was Transport Minister for three years yet she was able to introduce the Breathalyzer, a proper integrated transport strategy & more!
This was done despite fierce opposition.
📸 Photo from the Parliamentary Achieve
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Have I ever mentioned my mortal fear of former BBC News substitute presenter Mishal Husain? Probably not, since it's not a big issue generally.
Anyway, best get to work
Anyway, best get to work
November 19, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Have I ever mentioned my mortal fear of former BBC News substitute presenter Mishal Husain? Probably not, since it's not a big issue generally.
Anyway, best get to work
Anyway, best get to work
Reposted by Peter Byrne
The last survivor of the Crimean War died in 2004.
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The last survivor of the Crimean War died in 2004.
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
"Timothy" spent 40 years in the Navy. After retirement, having moved in with the Earl of Devon, she revealed she was a girl.
She would wander round his garden wearing a sign that said. "My name is Timothy. I am very old. Pease do not pick me up".
Reposted by Peter Byrne
From step-free access and smart energy features to a secure bike cage, the station prioritises inclusivity and sustainability.
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
New station opens to great excitement: ‘history is being made’
The £175 million Beaulieu Park station opens ahead of schedule, boosting Chelmsford’s transport links and regional connectivity
eastangliabylines.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 1:51 PM
From step-free access and smart energy features to a secure bike cage, the station prioritises inclusivity and sustainability.
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
Beaulieu Park: major rail infrastructure done well and quickly.
Jenny Rhodes reports on the opening, with pictures:
Reposted by Peter Byrne
Nelson's Victory crew included a Brazilian and a Russian, 2 Indians, 2 Swiss, 2 Portuguese, 3 Danes and 3 Norwegian sailors. There were 3 Germans, 4 Italians, 6 Swedes, 7 Dutchmen, 9 West Indians and an African, as well as 21 Americans, 63 Irish, 64 Scots, 441 English.... oh, and 3 French men, too.
October 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Nelson's Victory crew included a Brazilian and a Russian, 2 Indians, 2 Swiss, 2 Portuguese, 3 Danes and 3 Norwegian sailors. There were 3 Germans, 4 Italians, 6 Swedes, 7 Dutchmen, 9 West Indians and an African, as well as 21 Americans, 63 Irish, 64 Scots, 441 English.... oh, and 3 French men, too.
Reposted by Peter Byrne
It’s the 111th anniversary today of the birth of Harry Rée, who was a teacher and conscientious objector when the Second World War broke out, and by the time it ended, when he was 31, had invented ‘blackmail sabotage’ and got a DSO, an OBE, a Croix de Guerre, and a Medaille de la Resistance
October 15, 2025 at 8:29 AM
It’s the 111th anniversary today of the birth of Harry Rée, who was a teacher and conscientious objector when the Second World War broke out, and by the time it ended, when he was 31, had invented ‘blackmail sabotage’ and got a DSO, an OBE, a Croix de Guerre, and a Medaille de la Resistance
Reposted by Peter Byrne
I need a Tommy Flowers Was Robbed t-shirt. Great piece!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Move over, Alan Turing: meet the working-class hero of Bletchley Park you didn’t see in the movies
The Oxbridge-educated boffin is feted as the codebreaking genius who helped Britain win the war. But should a little-known Post Office engineer named Tommy Flowers be seen as the real father of comput...
www.theguardian.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I need a Tommy Flowers Was Robbed t-shirt. Great piece!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Peter Byrne
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
British Politics' Midlife Crisis
Why British Parties Can't Make Peace with Their Actual Voters
benansell.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:40 AM
On the morning of Keir Starmer's conference speech here's a new post on an odd psychopathology in British politics - our main parties don't like the people who vote for them - the dreaded Professional Managerial Class. And so they are acting out like a divorced dad seeking cooler voters. 1/n
Reposted by Peter Byrne
This only happens to you once
September 26, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This only happens to you once