John Angus Spencer-Barnes 🏳️🌈
@johnbarnes.org
I read the network news on 40 BBC radio stations from MediaCityUK in sunny Salford.
Bewhiskered historian, folkie & morris dancer.
Former academic but still a geek.
Husband of @davespenceruk.bsky.social.
I live in Lancaster, UK.
Bewhiskered historian, folkie & morris dancer.
Former academic but still a geek.
Husband of @davespenceruk.bsky.social.
I live in Lancaster, UK.
The Soviet-era statue of Friedrich Engels at Tony Wilson Place in Manchester.
It was originally installed at Mala Pereschepyna in central Ukraine and was discarded in a field after the display of Soviet symbols was outlawed in 2015.
Engels lived in Manchester and Salford between 1842 and 1869.
It was originally installed at Mala Pereschepyna in central Ukraine and was discarded in a field after the display of Soviet symbols was outlawed in 2015.
Engels lived in Manchester and Salford between 1842 and 1869.
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Soviet-era statue of Friedrich Engels at Tony Wilson Place in Manchester.
It was originally installed at Mala Pereschepyna in central Ukraine and was discarded in a field after the display of Soviet symbols was outlawed in 2015.
Engels lived in Manchester and Salford between 1842 and 1869.
It was originally installed at Mala Pereschepyna in central Ukraine and was discarded in a field after the display of Soviet symbols was outlawed in 2015.
Engels lived in Manchester and Salford between 1842 and 1869.
I dragged Dave into Manchester on his birthday to see the Piccadilly Radio exhibition at the Central Library.
It didn’t manage to convey the excitement of working in commercial radio in the 90s but I appreciate the effort that went into it.
I did, however, get a little thrilled by the merchandise.
It didn’t manage to convey the excitement of working in commercial radio in the 90s but I appreciate the effort that went into it.
I did, however, get a little thrilled by the merchandise.
October 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I dragged Dave into Manchester on his birthday to see the Piccadilly Radio exhibition at the Central Library.
It didn’t manage to convey the excitement of working in commercial radio in the 90s but I appreciate the effort that went into it.
I did, however, get a little thrilled by the merchandise.
It didn’t manage to convey the excitement of working in commercial radio in the 90s but I appreciate the effort that went into it.
I did, however, get a little thrilled by the merchandise.
The extraordinary interior of St. John's Anglican Church at Lunenburg in Nova Scotia.
The building is the second oldest continuous Protestant church in Canada.
The building is the second oldest continuous Protestant church in Canada.
October 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The extraordinary interior of St. John's Anglican Church at Lunenburg in Nova Scotia.
The building is the second oldest continuous Protestant church in Canada.
The building is the second oldest continuous Protestant church in Canada.
Hanging out with my friend Stephen Findlay, the town crier of Lunenburg, on board Bluenose II on the Atlantic Wharf in the town.
Lunenburg is really magnificent.
It’s one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lunenburg is really magnificent.
It’s one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
October 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Hanging out with my friend Stephen Findlay, the town crier of Lunenburg, on board Bluenose II on the Atlantic Wharf in the town.
Lunenburg is really magnificent.
It’s one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Lunenburg is really magnificent.
It’s one of only two urban communities in North America designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The two oldest soldiers on parade at the Halifax Citadel in Nova Scotia.
October 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM
The two oldest soldiers on parade at the Halifax Citadel in Nova Scotia.
When I get a free moment and if I happen to be on the right continent, there’s nothing better than getting into uniform and coming down to defend the Halifax Citadel in Nova Scotia.
September 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
When I get a free moment and if I happen to be on the right continent, there’s nothing better than getting into uniform and coming down to defend the Halifax Citadel in Nova Scotia.
Dave’s got the keys to his new ride.
September 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Dave’s got the keys to his new ride.
Marvin the Mastodon reminds us that we’re standing on the 45th parallel which is halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.
Mastodon bones were found in a quarry near here at Stewiacke in Nova Scotia in 1991.
Mastodon bones were found in a quarry near here at Stewiacke in Nova Scotia in 1991.
September 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Marvin the Mastodon reminds us that we’re standing on the 45th parallel which is halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.
Mastodon bones were found in a quarry near here at Stewiacke in Nova Scotia in 1991.
Mastodon bones were found in a quarry near here at Stewiacke in Nova Scotia in 1991.
Thanks to Emma of 94.1 The Breeze and Alex of Q 97.9 for showing us around the local radio stations for New Glasgow and Pictou County.
September 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Thanks to Emma of 94.1 The Breeze and Alex of Q 97.9 for showing us around the local radio stations for New Glasgow and Pictou County.
I seem to have snuck into yet another radio station.
September 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
I seem to have snuck into yet another radio station.
I really appreciate the progress pride rainbow on this crossing in downtown New Glasgow.
September 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
I really appreciate the progress pride rainbow on this crossing in downtown New Glasgow.
Dave in the big chair celebrating New Glasgow’s 150th anniversary down by the East River of Pictou.
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Dave in the big chair celebrating New Glasgow’s 150th anniversary down by the East River of Pictou.
The full-sized replica of the Ship Hector here at Pictou in Nova Scotia.
The original ship arrived in 1773 with 189 Scottish Highland immigrants on board.
The town contains many stone buildings constructed by the early settlers with clear Scottish influences.
The original ship arrived in 1773 with 189 Scottish Highland immigrants on board.
The town contains many stone buildings constructed by the early settlers with clear Scottish influences.
September 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The full-sized replica of the Ship Hector here at Pictou in Nova Scotia.
The original ship arrived in 1773 with 189 Scottish Highland immigrants on board.
The town contains many stone buildings constructed by the early settlers with clear Scottish influences.
The original ship arrived in 1773 with 189 Scottish Highland immigrants on board.
The town contains many stone buildings constructed by the early settlers with clear Scottish influences.
We’ve had an amazing time at the International Town Criers Competition at New Glasgow in Nova Scotia.
It was a great honour to be asked to judge the weekend’s proceedings.
It was marvellous to see so many old friends and we were blown away by the kindness we were show by the local community.
It was a great honour to be asked to judge the weekend’s proceedings.
It was marvellous to see so many old friends and we were blown away by the kindness we were show by the local community.
September 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
We’ve had an amazing time at the International Town Criers Competition at New Glasgow in Nova Scotia.
It was a great honour to be asked to judge the weekend’s proceedings.
It was marvellous to see so many old friends and we were blown away by the kindness we were show by the local community.
It was a great honour to be asked to judge the weekend’s proceedings.
It was marvellous to see so many old friends and we were blown away by the kindness we were show by the local community.
We’re at New Glasgow in Nova Scotia where I’m judging the International Town Criers Competition to mark the 150th anniversary of the town.
There really is no finer group of people to hang out with.
There really is no finer group of people to hang out with.
September 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM
We’re at New Glasgow in Nova Scotia where I’m judging the International Town Criers Competition to mark the 150th anniversary of the town.
There really is no finer group of people to hang out with.
There really is no finer group of people to hang out with.
Greetings from Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia.
It’s marvellous to be back in Canada 🇨🇦
It’s marvellous to be back in Canada 🇨🇦
September 18, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Greetings from Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia.
It’s marvellous to be back in Canada 🇨🇦
It’s marvellous to be back in Canada 🇨🇦
Since January I’ve lost 10 stone in weight (140 pounds / 63 kg) which meant it was time that I got some new Scottish tweed.
September 13, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Since January I’ve lost 10 stone in weight (140 pounds / 63 kg) which meant it was time that I got some new Scottish tweed.
We had a good time visiting Culzean Castle on the South Ayrshire coast.
It stands on the brink of 150 ft cliffs that drop sheer into the Firth of Clyde.
It stands on the brink of 150 ft cliffs that drop sheer into the Firth of Clyde.
September 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
We had a good time visiting Culzean Castle on the South Ayrshire coast.
It stands on the brink of 150 ft cliffs that drop sheer into the Firth of Clyde.
It stands on the brink of 150 ft cliffs that drop sheer into the Firth of Clyde.
Happy anniversary to my handsome husband.
We’ve been together for 27 amazing years today.
I didn’t start really living till I met you.
We’ve been together for 27 amazing years today.
I didn’t start really living till I met you.
September 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Happy anniversary to my handsome husband.
We’ve been together for 27 amazing years today.
I didn’t start really living till I met you.
We’ve been together for 27 amazing years today.
I didn’t start really living till I met you.
We’ve taken an early morning walk to Ossian's Hall to view the spectacular Black Linn Falls at The Hermitage in Dunkeld.
September 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
We’ve taken an early morning walk to Ossian's Hall to view the spectacular Black Linn Falls at The Hermitage in Dunkeld.
I always love coming down to the Firth of Forth at North Queensferry.
September 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM
I always love coming down to the Firth of Forth at North Queensferry.
The world's smallest working lighthouse and one of the world’s greatest bridges at North Queensferry on the Firth of Forth.
September 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The world's smallest working lighthouse and one of the world’s greatest bridges at North Queensferry on the Firth of Forth.
Happy Manchester Pride!
August 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Happy Manchester Pride!
Tonight is my last night reading the national network news for BBC Local Radio across England and the Channel Islands until early October.
Next week I’m due to have an operation and then we head to Scotland and Nova Scotia in Canada.
I’ll hopefully speak to you on the radio from 7pm.
Next week I’m due to have an operation and then we head to Scotland and Nova Scotia in Canada.
I’ll hopefully speak to you on the radio from 7pm.
August 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Tonight is my last night reading the national network news for BBC Local Radio across England and the Channel Islands until early October.
Next week I’m due to have an operation and then we head to Scotland and Nova Scotia in Canada.
I’ll hopefully speak to you on the radio from 7pm.
Next week I’m due to have an operation and then we head to Scotland and Nova Scotia in Canada.
I’ll hopefully speak to you on the radio from 7pm.
Under the iconic Castlefield Viaduct in the oldest part of the city of Manchester.
August 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Under the iconic Castlefield Viaduct in the oldest part of the city of Manchester.