Martin Wroe
@martinwroe.bsky.social
Improvising. Latest poetry collection, 'This Heart. Poems From The Universe Inside.' https://www.ionabooks.com/product/this-heart/
London, Wales Some more words. martinwroe.medium.com
London, Wales Some more words. martinwroe.medium.com
'What would be different about a world powered by care and freedom? Well, everything. The need to be productive is so deeply ingrained in our culture, it’s hard to imagine a world in which the quality of our relationships comes before getting things done.'
www.absurdintelligence.com/love-is-the-...
www.absurdintelligence.com/love-is-the-...
Love is The Work
This week’s newsletter is the first in a two-part series about birth and death, the people who care for us as we enter and leave this world, and why we should all be a bit more doula.
www.absurdintelligence.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
'What would be different about a world powered by care and freedom? Well, everything. The need to be productive is so deeply ingrained in our culture, it’s hard to imagine a world in which the quality of our relationships comes before getting things done.'
www.absurdintelligence.com/love-is-the-...
www.absurdintelligence.com/love-is-the-...
'To do the work of love that might just help us all cross over. To let the old die and new be born. The work that doesn’t shy away from pain, hurt and tears, because none of us have been born without all those things, and we won’t die free of them either.'
www.absurdintelligence.com/the-work-is-...
www.absurdintelligence.com/the-work-is-...
The Work is Love
Part two of a birth-and-death double-header, and the Freedom that is utterly bound-up with Care.
www.absurdintelligence.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
'To do the work of love that might just help us all cross over. To let the old die and new be born. The work that doesn’t shy away from pain, hurt and tears, because none of us have been born without all those things, and we won’t die free of them either.'
www.absurdintelligence.com/the-work-is-...
www.absurdintelligence.com/the-work-is-...
'Sitting there I couldn’t quantify the feeling I had. Peace? Tranquillity? Serenity? Yes, all of that, but something more, something that finally made me understand what people get out of churches...'
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
‘One of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the world’: readers’ favourite churches in Europe
Wonderful art, mysterious history, amazing design and beautiful locations have drawn our tipsters to these shrines from Norway to Bulgaria
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:18 AM
'Sitting there I couldn’t quantify the feeling I had. Peace? Tranquillity? Serenity? Yes, all of that, but something more, something that finally made me understand what people get out of churches...'
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
'For the first time in a while, I felt anchored to something greater than myself.... I sometimes say that I have a quiet faith – not because it’s timid, but because it was found in the silence.'
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
A moment that changed me: My unbearable grief kept growing – until I found solace in a silent community
After my dad died, I tried to cope by keeping busy: a day job, a side hustle, socialising and working out. But I kept bursting into tears in public. At a Quaker meeting, it was as if someone had turne...
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:29 AM
'For the first time in a while, I felt anchored to something greater than myself.... I sometimes say that I have a quiet faith – not because it’s timid, but because it was found in the silence.'
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
'Often, belief is wielded like a weapon rather than a flashlight. Sometimes questions lead the way and sometimes they block it...'
granta.com/doubting-tho...
granta.com/doubting-tho...
Doubting Thomas
‘As kids raised in the church, were supposed to be content to live in a world of answers, all neatly laid out in hymnals and Vacation Bible School.’ Grace Byron on faith, rebellion and asking question...
granta.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:41 PM
'Often, belief is wielded like a weapon rather than a flashlight. Sometimes questions lead the way and sometimes they block it...'
granta.com/doubting-tho...
granta.com/doubting-tho...
'If enough countries move away from fossil fuels, money will follow. Today investment in renewables is twice that of fossil fuels; a quarter of new vehicles are electric; half the power-generating capacity of China & India is low-carbon... change is happening.'
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Beyond the negative headlines, some truly good things came out of Cop30
In this week’s newsletter: Ultimately, climate progress will come from real-world action, and this year’s summit made some promising strides on that front
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:44 AM
'If enough countries move away from fossil fuels, money will follow. Today investment in renewables is twice that of fossil fuels; a quarter of new vehicles are electric; half the power-generating capacity of China & India is low-carbon... change is happening.'
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
'Maybe my husband is right, after all. Maybe the simple fact that I can reproduce myself is enough of a legacy for me.
I just hope that I raise men who can give and take what they, and the world they live in, needs.'
murmuration.substack.com/p/small-men-...
I just hope that I raise men who can give and take what they, and the world they live in, needs.'
murmuration.substack.com/p/small-men-...
Small Men in Big Houses
On taking more than we need
murmuration.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:40 AM
'Maybe my husband is right, after all. Maybe the simple fact that I can reproduce myself is enough of a legacy for me.
I just hope that I raise men who can give and take what they, and the world they live in, needs.'
murmuration.substack.com/p/small-men-...
I just hope that I raise men who can give and take what they, and the world they live in, needs.'
murmuration.substack.com/p/small-men-...
'Could I remember again my vocation and commit to being dedicated? I gazed out of the window. This was not Canada, but Plymouth, in the rain. It turns out I could.'
anthonywilsonpoetry.com/2025/11/22/t...
anthonywilsonpoetry.com/2025/11/22/t...
This was Canada
I was listening to Radio 4 the other day. (You might think this unremarkable, but it was. I still have not forgiven the BBC for its lack of journalistic rigour in their reporting of Brexit. The kin…
anthonywilsonpoetry.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:36 AM
'Could I remember again my vocation and commit to being dedicated? I gazed out of the window. This was not Canada, but Plymouth, in the rain. It turns out I could.'
anthonywilsonpoetry.com/2025/11/22/t...
anthonywilsonpoetry.com/2025/11/22/t...
'From a planetary perspective, restoring small parcels of land might feel insignificant, but this is the way a global nature restoration movement starts: one field, one sapling, one nightingale at a time.'
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘It fully changed my life!’ How young rewilders transformed a farm – and began a movement
At Maple Farm, nature is returning in droves: nightingales, grass snakes, slowworms, bats and insects. All due to the vision of a group determined to accelerate its recovery
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:37 AM
'From a planetary perspective, restoring small parcels of land might feel insignificant, but this is the way a global nature restoration movement starts: one field, one sapling, one nightingale at a time.'
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
'Does anybody want to be entirely understood? Don’t we have to keep a little mystery about ourselves, for our own sake? Go on, please: misunderstand me.' What a wise and wonderful tribute.
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
‘Her amazing smile was undimmed, and I would try anything to summon it’ | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:58 AM
'Does anybody want to be entirely understood? Don’t we have to keep a little mystery about ourselves, for our own sake? Go on, please: misunderstand me.' What a wise and wonderful tribute.
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
observer.co.uk/style/featur...
Reposted by Martin Wroe
☄️Out of this world. 🔆A bit of warmth and light for the darker days.
The medieval St. Thomas Becket, Fairfield, Romney Marsh—once part of a thriving village, now isolated by time and circumstance.
The medieval St. Thomas Becket, Fairfield, Romney Marsh—once part of a thriving village, now isolated by time and circumstance.
November 17, 2025 at 6:32 AM
☄️Out of this world. 🔆A bit of warmth and light for the darker days.
The medieval St. Thomas Becket, Fairfield, Romney Marsh—once part of a thriving village, now isolated by time and circumstance.
The medieval St. Thomas Becket, Fairfield, Romney Marsh—once part of a thriving village, now isolated by time and circumstance.
'There’s this lovely comic illustration of a doctor with an ill looking Earth in front of them on the doctor’s chair,” Jerram says. “The Earth is saying: ‘I’m afraid we’ve got a nasty infection of humans.’ The doctor says: ‘Don’t worry, it’ll soon pass.’
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
The artist Luke Jerram on the tree-planting project he’ll never see finished
It may be a midlife crisis, says the man behind seven-metre installations of the Earth, moon and Sun who has planted 365 trees in a 100-year project in Somerset
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
'There’s this lovely comic illustration of a doctor with an ill looking Earth in front of them on the doctor’s chair,” Jerram says. “The Earth is saying: ‘I’m afraid we’ve got a nasty infection of humans.’ The doctor says: ‘Don’t worry, it’ll soon pass.’
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Reposted by Martin Wroe
Sadly , post lockdown - live shows are becoming less and less viable for so many performers - I have many friends , critically revered and fabulous , who are seeing huge drops in their ability to sell - the mainstream dominates - the arenas lap up money and numbers
We always try to get Nine Lessons shows beyond London - it is never profitable but we hope it makes it accessible for others - This year is CARDIFF - but no one seems to want to come - so we will pull it next week if we see that it is going to lose us too much money
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
www.glee.co.uk/performer/ni...
Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People - The Glee Club
The iconic Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People season extravaganza is headed to Cardiff for the first time
www.glee.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Sadly , post lockdown - live shows are becoming less and less viable for so many performers - I have many friends , critically revered and fabulous , who are seeing huge drops in their ability to sell - the mainstream dominates - the arenas lap up money and numbers
'In many parts of the world now solar power generates electricity far more cheaply than fossil fuels. The clean economy is cheaper than the dirty economy ...
Action on climate change is an investment with high returns.'
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
Action on climate change is an investment with high returns.'
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
Climate action is the best way to ensure long-term growth
Although we may have underestimated the risks of the climate crisis, we have also been too pessimistic about the opportunities created by new, green tech...
observer.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:43 AM
'In many parts of the world now solar power generates electricity far more cheaply than fossil fuels. The clean economy is cheaper than the dirty economy ...
Action on climate change is an investment with high returns.'
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
Action on climate change is an investment with high returns.'
observer.co.uk/news/busines...
Reposted by Martin Wroe
The German mind cannot comprehend this.
In Denmark, 150,000 petrol cars and 250,000 diesel cars have disappeared from the roads, while 475,000 EVs and 106,000 PHEVs have been added. By early 2026, there will be more EVs than diesel cars in Denmark.
In Denmark, 150,000 petrol cars and 250,000 diesel cars have disappeared from the roads, while 475,000 EVs and 106,000 PHEVs have been added. By early 2026, there will be more EVs than diesel cars in Denmark.
400.000 fossilbiler er nu væk fra de danske veje – og elbilerne overtager 🚗 🔌
Ca. 150.000 benzinbiler og 250.000 dieselbiler er forsvundet fra den danske bilpark siden 2020.
Til gengæld er der kommet 475.000 elbiler og 106.000 plug-in hybrider.
Ca. 150.000 benzinbiler og 250.000 dieselbiler er forsvundet fra den danske bilpark siden 2020.
Til gengæld er der kommet 475.000 elbiler og 106.000 plug-in hybrider.
October 31, 2025 at 8:17 AM
The German mind cannot comprehend this.
In Denmark, 150,000 petrol cars and 250,000 diesel cars have disappeared from the roads, while 475,000 EVs and 106,000 PHEVs have been added. By early 2026, there will be more EVs than diesel cars in Denmark.
In Denmark, 150,000 petrol cars and 250,000 diesel cars have disappeared from the roads, while 475,000 EVs and 106,000 PHEVs have been added. By early 2026, there will be more EVs than diesel cars in Denmark.
'The spring onions will cost what they cost. But people who care about feeding others well keep finding new ways to do it. That’s what resilience looks like....'
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/oc...
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/oc...
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:19 AM
'The spring onions will cost what they cost. But people who care about feeding others well keep finding new ways to do it. That’s what resilience looks like....'
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/oc...
www.theguardian.com/food/2025/oc...
Reposted by Martin Wroe
'One year, we were taken out to the field & taught the mechanics of peaceful protest—a core Quaker practice—spending an hour learning how to resist being moved by police by locking arms together & lying limply on the ground. I loved these gatherings...'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
Disagreement among Friends: why Quakers are questioning God
The future of British Quakerism is up for debate, as the movement updates its most important text. The biggest question: keep or dilute God?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 10:09 AM
'One year, we were taken out to the field & taught the mechanics of peaceful protest—a core Quaker practice—spending an hour learning how to resist being moved by police by locking arms together & lying limply on the ground. I loved these gatherings...'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
Reposted by Martin Wroe
‘Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
October 27, 2025 at 8:17 AM
‘Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
Reposted by Martin Wroe
'These books will last - their fierce & uncompromising challenge to a spiritually divided & diseased model of existence – whether associated with decadent religion or exploitative capitalism – make them a necessary voice in the debate about who we think we are.'
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Philip Pullman’s The Rose Field: a manifesto for how to b...
The epic conclusion to The Book of Dust is a powerful critique of capitalism from a storyteller of exceptional power
observer.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
'These books will last - their fierce & uncompromising challenge to a spiritually divided & diseased model of existence – whether associated with decadent religion or exploitative capitalism – make them a necessary voice in the debate about who we think we are.'
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
'These books will last - their fierce & uncompromising challenge to a spiritually divided & diseased model of existence – whether associated with decadent religion or exploitative capitalism – make them a necessary voice in the debate about who we think we are.'
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Philip Pullman’s The Rose Field: a manifesto for how to b...
The epic conclusion to The Book of Dust is a powerful critique of capitalism from a storyteller of exceptional power
observer.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 12:09 PM
'These books will last - their fierce & uncompromising challenge to a spiritually divided & diseased model of existence – whether associated with decadent religion or exploitative capitalism – make them a necessary voice in the debate about who we think we are.'
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Reposted by Martin Wroe
Places still available for free workshops for young people in and around Islington to create protest posters on equal rights inspired by Union Chapel's 200+ year archive of social justice legacy and local London history. Choose from the themes and apply now at unionchapel.org.uk/projects/eve...
Local Schools / Youth Groups 🎨✂ Apply now for a FREE Protest Poster creative workshop inspired by Union Chapel's 200+ year archive to explore black music & art, feminist voices, inclusive design, Pride + more
Info at unionchapel.org.uk/projects/eve...
#SundaySchoolStories with Estorick Collection
Info at unionchapel.org.uk/projects/eve...
#SundaySchoolStories with Estorick Collection
October 27, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Places still available for free workshops for young people in and around Islington to create protest posters on equal rights inspired by Union Chapel's 200+ year archive of social justice legacy and local London history. Choose from the themes and apply now at unionchapel.org.uk/projects/eve...
‘Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
October 27, 2025 at 8:17 AM
‘Some bright morning when this life is over
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
I'll fly away
To that home on God's celestial shore
I'll fly away…’
The mesmerizing power of two guitars and two voices that is Gillian Welsh and David Rawlings lighting up the London Palladium.
'One year, we were taken out to the field & taught the mechanics of peaceful protest—a core Quaker practice—spending an hour learning how to resist being moved by police by locking arms together & lying limply on the ground. I loved these gatherings...'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
Disagreement among Friends: why Quakers are questioning God
The future of British Quakerism is up for debate, as the movement updates its most important text. The biggest question: keep or dilute God?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 10:09 AM
'One year, we were taken out to the field & taught the mechanics of peaceful protest—a core Quaker practice—spending an hour learning how to resist being moved by police by locking arms together & lying limply on the ground. I loved these gatherings...'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/71397/...
Reposted by Martin Wroe
The future of solar power is bright, finds @tinymaddie.bsky.social
*Solar panels are cheap, and getting cheaper
*Batteries are good, and getting better
*Economic case for solar will overwhelm political apathy
In short, we're going to run the world on sunshine
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
*Solar panels are cheap, and getting cheaper
*Batteries are good, and getting better
*Economic case for solar will overwhelm political apathy
In short, we're going to run the world on sunshine
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
Solar energy is going to power the world much sooner than you think
Solar electricity is growing rapidly, but can it really dominate the global energy system? Here is what it will take for us to power the planet on sunshine
www.newscientist.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The future of solar power is bright, finds @tinymaddie.bsky.social
*Solar panels are cheap, and getting cheaper
*Batteries are good, and getting better
*Economic case for solar will overwhelm political apathy
In short, we're going to run the world on sunshine
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...
*Solar panels are cheap, and getting cheaper
*Batteries are good, and getting better
*Economic case for solar will overwhelm political apathy
In short, we're going to run the world on sunshine
www.newscientist.com/article/2500...