Peter Crowther
LightNews LightNews
banner
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Peter Crowther
@pjcrowther.bsky.social
110 followers 190 following 48 posts
Work at Birmingham City University. BCU UCU Professional Services Rep, UCU West Midlands Regional Secretary and National ARPS Committee. Love Radio, Journalism, Technicians, Trade Unions, 3D Printing, Public Transport and Jet Lag: The Game.
Posts Replies Media Videos
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Good to see you, old friend.

Thanks to the BBC News Streams team for having me today and especially all round good egg Will Allott. I’ve got plenty to take back to our students @mybcu.bsky.social.
The facade of BBC New Broadcasting House at night, lit up in blue.
November 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
I only came third in the #RadTechCon quiz at the end! I’m off up the Emley Moor mast!
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
A very early but very worthwhile start of the day supporting the Brum bin workers picket at the Birmingham Perry Barr Depot representing @bcu-ucu.bsky.social, we shut the place down! I’ll take that energy into meeting with management today as 342 staff are still at risk of compulsory redundancy.
Workers from an array of unions standing in front of the gates at the Perry Barr Bin Depot. A bin lorry unable to leave the depot is in the background. Workers in front of the Perry Barr bin depot preventing a bin lorry from leaving. They are holding flags, banners and placards.
July 25, 2025 at 9:55 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Imagine how you’d feel if your employer launched a very similar brand to a uni down the road just weeks after them. A new brand that was also developed by external consultants, while 342 staff are at risk of compulsory redundancy.
Birmingham City University website with the tagline of the new brand “Beyonder”. It is presented like a dictionary definition. The definition is apparently “a person who doesn’t settle, follow or fit the mould. Someone who chooses to go further”.
July 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Production underway for the next batch of Join UCU fidget toys for @bcu-ucu.bsky.social’s recruitment push as we battle the threat of compulsory redundancy with 342 colleagues put at risk.
July 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
A beautiful day in the Black Country today for the Women Chainmakers’ Festival. Privildged to carry the @bcu-ucu.bsky.social with our wonderful Branch Chair @illdoitanyway.bsky.social in the march remembering the courage of the Cradley Heath Chainmakers.
The march which is the culmination of the festival. On the left of the picture is a banner for the Birmingham District of the National Education Union. In the centre is a red banner for Birmingham City University UCU. It reads “Knowledge is Power. Unity is Strength”. A photograph of me holding the BCU UCU banner in the march along Cradley Heath High Street. BCU UCU Chair, Rhiannon Lockley, sat behind a table with a microphone in front of her. She is part of a panel of women discussing women’s rights.
June 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Not saying getting active @ucu.org.uk improves the weather but I joined @newcastleucu.bsky.social’s picket last week and have had the most stunning few days in the north-east.
Durham Catherdral seen from the banks of the River Wear The inside of Hexham Abbey. Ornate arches with a stained glass window at the end. The 1900s street at Beamish Museum. Filled with Victorian shops and houses. The arch of the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle with a blue sky behind.
May 19, 2025 at 9:02 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
As a trainee journalist in Huddersfield I always wanted to get into BBC Look North. Very proud to appear on the programme tonight stood alongside @newcastleucu.bsky.social on their picket today.
A screen grab from BBC Look North this evening. It shows a UCU picket line in front of Newcastle University’s King’s Gate building.
May 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
I’ve visited the @newcastleucu.bsky.social picket this morning to bring some Brummie solidarity from @bcu-ucu.bsky.social. Great turnout here.
May 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
My favourite homemade sign from our picket line yesterday @bcu-ucu.bsky.social.
A hand drawn sign reading: The only “deficit approach” I’ve seen is in the number of chairs I had for students.
May 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Perfect support in the form of ice lollies from the @mybcu.bsky.social Students’ Union. Thanks so much! @bcu-ucu.bsky.social #BCUStrike #1stMay
May 1, 2025 at 9:47 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Just one out picket lines for @bcu-ucu.bsky.social today. We’re outside Curzon but we’re also outside Parkside, Millenium Point, Benjamin Zephaniah and Seacole. Come and join us! #BCUStrike
May 1, 2025 at 9:02 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
I lived in Huddersfield at the time and couldn't pick up BCB (Bradford Community Broadcasting) on my radio there, so I drove over to Bradford and sat in my car with a bag of chips and listened (yes I could've listened online but where is the fun in that).
A JVC car radio in my old Citroen. The display reads BCB 106.6, the radio station that broadcast my documentary.
April 23, 2025 at 9:37 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
It's 12 years today since I heard work that was completely my own coming out of the radio. I produced a documentary about the Bradford Odeon, which looks like it may finally reopen this year as Bradford Live, it looks beautiful.
The auditorium of the refurbished Bradford Odeon, now Bradford Live. Rows of seats in the circle are in the foreground with the stage in the distance.
April 23, 2025 at 9:37 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
#UCU members from across the West Midlands region stand in solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social. Union staff are a vital part of our movement and deserve respect and trust.
April 7, 2025 at 8:26 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Yes I did! I can’t take credit for the design of the fidget but I edited it to add the text and the QR code. It’s hopefully something a little fun and entertaining that will stay on someone’s desk a little longer than a leaflet!
March 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Hard at work getting the vote out @bcu-ucu.bsky.social. The 'Join @ucu.org.uk' fidget toys have been really popular on our walkarounds. A new batch ready to go out tomorrow. There's still time to join if you want to have your voice heard in our ballot!
March 26, 2025 at 10:41 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
It’s a lovely day to post your @bcu-ucu.bsky.social ballot. Don’t leave it to one side get your voice heard and send it off now!
An envelope being put into a red Royal Mail postbox. The envelope contains a completed ballot for BCU UCU.
March 18, 2025 at 10:59 AM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
If you’re struggling to concentrate with the possibility of compulsory redundancies not being off the table may I suggest a stylish ‘Join UCU’ fidget toy. Comes with solidarity, a positive outlook for the future of higher education, and a really satisfying clicking sound. @bcu-ucu.bsky.social
March 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Posted my ballot in the #UCU elections. I’ve voted for Rhiannon Lockley @illdoitanyway.bsky.social for VP and encourage you to do the same.

You can read more about her platform and other recommended candidates on her website rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com
A postal ballot being placed into a red Royal Mail postbox.
February 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Having a great time printing with @cookiecad.com PLA (which you can now get easily in the UK from @adam-v3d.bsky.social). I’ve had real difficulty with some silk and shiny filaments previously but this prints like a dream.
A spool of Cookiecad Fairy Floss PLA filament. It is a mixture of purple, pink, and blue with specks of glitter.
January 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
Plus my first attempts at heat-set inserts too!
A small red and yellow combat robot with the lid removed showing wires, batteries, circuits, and motors internally.
January 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
I was super lucky to win a #RoboPad kit from @blayzetech.bsky.social in the #SMRRF2024 raffle last month. Not yet designed my own bot, but managed to print and assemble a great design from Printables. The eight-year old Robot Wars obsessive in me is so happy!
January 5, 2025 at 7:38 PM
pjcrowther.bsky.social
All set for #SMRRF2024 this weekend. My first time at an in-person 3D printing event!
December 5, 2024 at 9:44 PM