Stewart Parsons
@libraryfiend.bsky.social
Founder of Get It Loud In Libraries www.loudinlibraries.com cool programme of doorstep library gigs with future BRIT & Grammy winners. Born to live in Scotland. Lover of music, books, libraries, radio, dogs, PNE & wife Elizabeth. A BEM, no less.
Pinned
Stewart Parsons
@libraryfiend.bsky.social
· Jun 17
So,as a little thought-experiment, tell me something about the United Kingdom that works well and is actually quite impressive. I am not trying to sound like some boosterish politician. I just genuinely believe that making people believe that all is lost is a convenient pretext for shady characters.
For 175 years, public libraries, despite often steeply declining Govt support, have served the educational, information and entertainment needs of the general public. Staffed by a committed national family of workers determined to transform the life chances of some 7.3mill people.Oh, and it's free.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Imagine TV News covering this farmer protest - banned, but turned up anyway, grinding capital to a halt - if it were about Palestine or climate change, not inheritance tax. Would they present protesters as heroes? Or showing "I need to get to work" and "me auld mam missed her hip operation" voxpops?
November 26, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Imagine TV News covering this farmer protest - banned, but turned up anyway, grinding capital to a halt - if it were about Palestine or climate change, not inheritance tax. Would they present protesters as heroes? Or showing "I need to get to work" and "me auld mam missed her hip operation" voxpops?
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Bitter Literary Pigeon does NOT want your pity
November 22, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Bitter Literary Pigeon does NOT want your pity
Into the fray contesting the best signed Christmas books @gallovidiabooks comes Jamie Oliver, eating himself healthy after all these years. A cheery 'How you doin' then, alright?' Francis Rossi of a signature. But the 'O' at close of the flourish looks like a 'G' so a docked point and a worthy 6/10.
November 25, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Into the fray contesting the best signed Christmas books @gallovidiabooks comes Jamie Oliver, eating himself healthy after all these years. A cheery 'How you doin' then, alright?' Francis Rossi of a signature. But the 'O' at close of the flourish looks like a 'G' so a docked point and a worthy 6/10.
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
All the magnums of Champagne to the first journalist to reboot Eddie Mair's You're a nasty piece of work, aren't you?' line on Nigel Farage.
Nice to see Betty a bit Sweaty.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
It was years ago.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not in a hurtful way.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not with intent.
Did you ever racially abuse fellow pupils?
Not genuine abuse.
😮🫣😬😱 ~AA
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 AM
All the magnums of Champagne to the first journalist to reboot Eddie Mair's You're a nasty piece of work, aren't you?' line on Nigel Farage.
Proper incisive grilling from Dr Rupa Huq for Prescott now during this BBC hearing. His body language gives his slipperiness away...
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Proper incisive grilling from Dr Rupa Huq for Prescott now during this BBC hearing. His body language gives his slipperiness away...
One of the things least talked about Scotland's landmark win against Denmark is the hapless Sunday league clearance from the Danish fella Hjulmand that led to Tierney's pearler of a goal. Proper makes me laugh every time. What a scuff...
November 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
One of the things least talked about Scotland's landmark win against Denmark is the hapless Sunday league clearance from the Danish fella Hjulmand that led to Tierney's pearler of a goal. Proper makes me laugh every time. What a scuff...
Yeah, it's alright.....
November 24, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Yeah, it's alright.....
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
"If anybody would make me the greatest king that ever lived, with palaces, and gardens, and fine dinners, and wine, and coaches, and beautiful clothes, and hundreds of servants, on condition that I would not read books, I would not be a king."
#books #reading #classics #Literature #English
#books #reading #classics #Literature #English
November 20, 2025 at 10:41 AM
"If anybody would make me the greatest king that ever lived, with palaces, and gardens, and fine dinners, and wine, and coaches, and beautiful clothes, and hundreds of servants, on condition that I would not read books, I would not be a king."
#books #reading #classics #Literature #English
#books #reading #classics #Literature #English
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Because the Westminster Village - government, opposition, broadcast and print media - get their news narratives from Twitter and the right wing press, they govern and report on a country that does not exist.
Why do people think England flags have been raised on lampposts?
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
White adults
National pride: 26%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 49%
Both: 19%
Ethnic minority adults
National pride: 15%
Anti-migrant/minority sentiment: 55%
Both: 20%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 23, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Because the Westminster Village - government, opposition, broadcast and print media - get their news narratives from Twitter and the right wing press, they govern and report on a country that does not exist.
Choose a life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players & electrical tin openers but most of all choose small independent bookshops with huge hearts & well curated shelves. Choose www.gallovidiabooks.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Choose a life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players & electrical tin openers but most of all choose small independent bookshops with huge hearts & well curated shelves. Choose www.gallovidiabooks.co.uk
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
THIS! ⬇️
Buying #Christmas cards or presents?
Shop with small independents (like me) instead of the big high street names.
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk
Are you a small business? Reply with your link. Let's support each other this Christmas.
Shop with small independents (like me) instead of the big high street names.
www.gailmyerscough.co.uk
Are you a small business? Reply with your link. Let's support each other this Christmas.
November 21, 2025 at 10:35 PM
THIS! ⬇️
'It’s now been 16 months since the election. It’s 40 months until the next one. The government is running out of time. It is pissing it away. It is unforgivable that so many areas of policy enjoyed no planning at all in opposition'.
Another recommended snapshot of this government 'of nothingness.'
Another recommended snapshot of this government 'of nothingness.'
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
November 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
'It’s now been 16 months since the election. It’s 40 months until the next one. The government is running out of time. It is pissing it away. It is unforgivable that so many areas of policy enjoyed no planning at all in opposition'.
Another recommended snapshot of this government 'of nothingness.'
Another recommended snapshot of this government 'of nothingness.'
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
In my corner of the bass-playing universe there was life pre- and post-Mani. He brought a liquid, melodic funkiness that EVERYONE copied. And when I finally met him he was exactly how you imagined him: joyful, generous, unstarry (& more of a star because of it) and wickedly funny. A life well lived
November 21, 2025 at 8:20 AM
In my corner of the bass-playing universe there was life pre- and post-Mani. He brought a liquid, melodic funkiness that EVERYONE copied. And when I finally met him he was exactly how you imagined him: joyful, generous, unstarry (& more of a star because of it) and wickedly funny. A life well lived
Justin Webb executing some Friday morning abysmals for our listening displeasure right now....
November 21, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Justin Webb executing some Friday morning abysmals for our listening displeasure right now....
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Covid inquiry live: ‘Inexcusable’ delays under Johnson led to 23,000 deaths
Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds
www.thetimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Having Johnson & Cummings in Downing Street when Covid struck was, just like Brexit, an entirely avoidable disaster caused largely by utterly appalling journalism. And now exactly the same clowns, arses & bigots with bylines are rolling out the red carpet for Farage.
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
www.thetimes.com/article/1b15...
Bloody hell, another one gone.....
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, dies aged 63
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, dies aged 63
Ian Brown and Tim Burgess were among those to pay tribute to Mani, whose death was announced by his brother and nephew
Gary “Mani” Mounfield, best known as a founding member and bassist of the Stone Roses, has died aged 63. The cause of death has not been shared.
His brother Greg Mounfield posted the news on Facebook: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.” His nephew also shared the news. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Bloody hell, another one gone.....
All 'cones of shame' turn dogs into Tudor era wastrels and this one is no different...
November 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
All 'cones of shame' turn dogs into Tudor era wastrels and this one is no different...
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
Labour MPs Call For A More Serious Review Of The Government's Use Of X
Labour MPs are calling for ministers to take control of decisions over the government’s continued use of X, as concerns grow about the platform’s s...
www.politicshome.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:05 PM
🚨 Labour MPs are calling for a minister-led review of the government’s use of X, warning it poses growing risks to democracy and public safety
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
@politicshome.bsky.social understands a review is currently being carried out by officials, but without ministerial oversight
Here comes at a canter into the Best Scribed Book at Gallovidia Books World Cup the suave 'War Horse' octogenarian master storyteller Michael Morpugo. And a signature we can all get behind. Debonair,cook and classic - well done Mike. 8/10. Available @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Here comes at a canter into the Best Scribed Book at Gallovidia Books World Cup the suave 'War Horse' octogenarian master storyteller Michael Morpugo. And a signature we can all get behind. Debonair,cook and classic - well done Mike. 8/10. Available @gallovidiabooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Join us this evening for an online showcase organised by the National Poetry Library. Tickets are free and can be purchased at Tickets can be booked via www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/onl...
With poetry from myself and others incl @bethosmond.bsky.social
With poetry from myself and others incl @bethosmond.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Join us this evening for an online showcase organised by the National Poetry Library. Tickets are free and can be purchased at Tickets can be booked via www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/onl...
With poetry from myself and others incl @bethosmond.bsky.social
With poetry from myself and others incl @bethosmond.bsky.social
Reposted by Stewart Parsons
Best front page in Scotland this morning. Amazing match. (Didn't expect the Today programme to be so enthusiastic - top story for the first hour.) ⚽ #WorldCup #newspapers
November 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Best front page in Scotland this morning. Amazing match. (Didn't expect the Today programme to be so enthusiastic - top story for the first hour.) ⚽ #WorldCup #newspapers
Yes.
Could it be one of those famous Hampden Park & memorable Scottish nights? Such as Scotland 2 Czechoslovakia 1 in 73; or Scotland 3 Czechs 1 in 77? There was Scotland 3 Holland 2 in 78; Lisbon 67; Barcelona 72; Gothenburg 83 and many more. Archie Macpherson was at each of these legendary moments.
November 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Yes.
Willing Scotland on here but they do lack game craft at this level. Doesn't feel at all like we're a man up. Can't control or string two passes together. What a goal, though.... #ScoDen
November 18, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Willing Scotland on here but they do lack game craft at this level. Doesn't feel at all like we're a man up. Can't control or string two passes together. What a goal, though.... #ScoDen